JP2007153545A - Container management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a container management system performing management of a container transported by a container transportation vehicle provided with a container handling device. <P>SOLUTION: An on-vehicle device 4 is provided on the container transportation vehicle 1 provided with a container attachment loading means 2 for performing operation of the container C provided with a container ID tag C4. The on-vehicle device 4 is connected to a center device 31 through a communication network 5 by radio. Further, in container operation of the container attachment loading means 2 in the container transportation vehicle 1, the on-vehicle device 4 constitutes history data by container discrimination data obtained by reading the container ID tag C4, time data in reading, vehicle position data and operation kind data of the container and provides the data to the center device 31. The center device 31 stores the history data and performs management of the container using the history data. Such a container management system is constituted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a container management system such as a waste collection container or a recycled resource collection container that is carried by a container carrying vehicle.

  The management of waste collection containers and recycling resource collection containers (hereinafter abbreviated as containers), which are independent containers that can discharge internal loads to the outside by tilting, has been performed manually. For this reason, it is extremely difficult to automatically manage the installation location for each container and to analyze the management of the optimal number of locations and the number of possessions by analyzing the history during the continuous installation period. Therefore, it has not been possible to deal with problems such as container loss for customers who have not requested collection for a long period of time, and shortened service life due to deterioration of containers that are frequently installed for a long period of time. For this reason, it is difficult to respond to urgent collection and transportation requests from customers, so during busy periods, it is necessary to take measures such as preparing a large amount of equipment in advance based on past experience, etc. Operation was extremely inefficient.

In order to solve this problem, various container management systems have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the container management system described in Patent Document 1, a specific information medium such as an ID tag having container identification information stored on the container side is attached, and the container identification information stored on the specific information medium is stored on the container transport vehicle side. A reading device for reading and a position information recognition device for recognizing the position of the container transport vehicle such as a GPS receiving device are provided. Then, the container identification information read by the reading device and the position information of the container transporting vehicle recognized by the position information recognition device are transmitted to the base station by the wireless device to manage the position of the container.
JP 2003-212351 A

  However, in the above conventional container management system, it is possible to grasp the position of the container loaded on the container transport vehicle in real time, but to grasp the state of the container (whether the container is full or empty). I can't. As a method of grasping the state of the container, a method of measuring the weight using a sensor is conceivable, but it is difficult to realize on a traveling container transport vehicle. For this reason, there is a problem that the location management of empty containers cannot be performed in real time, and it is difficult to optimally arrange and operate a plurality of containers.

  In addition, it is difficult to determine whether the container transportation vehicle has just passed through a site where illegal dumping is frequently performed or whether the waste in the container has been dumped at that location. . For this reason, there is also a problem that it is impossible to monitor a worker's fraud and illegal activities.

  Furthermore, it is also conceivable to construct a system capable of monitoring fraud and illegal activities by adding means for detecting deviations from a pre-registered transportation route to the conventional container management system. . However, in such a system, unlike the collection of waste that circulates on a fixed route every day, various types of waste and containers are collected sequentially in various places in response to orders from the discharger. In the waste treatment to be processed, there is a problem that a flexible route change that can cope with a constantly changing road congestion situation cannot be performed quickly.

  By the way, the operation terminal of the loading / unloading device that loads and unloads the container provided in the container transporting vehicle is in a state where it can communicate with the control unit of the loading / unloading device in the container transporting vehicle wirelessly or by wire. The operation buttons and switches provided on the container are operated to operate the cargo handling arm, and operations such as loading, unloading, tilting up, and tilting down of the container are performed.

  Then, by identifying the container that is the target of the operation and combining the fact that this operation was performed with information about the location where this operation was performed, the container that is the target of the operation becomes full. It should be possible to ascertain whether the container is empty or where the container is.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to cope with such a situation, and relates to a container transported by a container transport vehicle, based on position information of the container transport vehicle and an operation state of a cargo handling device of the container transport vehicle. Therefore, it is intended to provide a container management system for managing containers.

  The container management system according to the present invention is a container operation for loading, unloading, tilting up, and tilting down an independent container that can be transported by a container transporting vehicle and can discharge internal loads when tilted. A container management system in which a container transport vehicle equipped with a container mounting and loading means for performing a vehicle is equipped with an in-vehicle device, and the in-vehicle device is connected to a center device via a communication network that communicates with the in-vehicle device wirelessly. is there.

  Loading in the above container loading and loading means means loading a container placed on the ground or platform on a container transport vehicle, and loading or unloading means loading a container loaded on the container transport vehicle on the ground. The tilt-up is to tilt the container loaded on the container transporting vehicle in a loaded state, and the tilt-down is to tilt the container tilted above. It is to restore. The container mounting and loading means corresponds to the above-described cargo handling apparatus.

  In the container management system, the container is provided with a container ID that can identify the container. The vehicle-mounted device also reads container identification data obtained by reading the container ID, vehicle position data obtained by detecting the position of the container transporting vehicle, and container ID reading when the container mounting / loading means performs the container operation. The history data composed of the reading time data and the operation type data indicating the operation type of the container operation are provided to the center device via the communication network. The center device stores the provided history data and manages the container using the history data.

  In the container management system described above, the in-vehicle device and the center device can be specifically configured as follows. First, the in-vehicle device can be configured as follows. That is, an operation state output unit that outputs an operation type signal indicating the type of container operation while the container loading and stacking unit is operating, a container identification unit that reads a container ID and outputs container identification data, and a container transport vehicle Vehicle position detection means for detecting the location of the vehicle and outputting vehicle position data; time acquisition means for obtaining time and outputting time data; and output from the operation type signal output by the operation state output means being output Until the time of OFF, at least once, the container identification unit reads the container ID, creates operation type data corresponding to the operation type signal, and reads the reading time output by the time acquisition unit at the time of reading Data, container identification data output by container identification means, vehicle position data output by vehicle position detection means And it can constitute the historical data manipulation type data, provided with a vehicle control means for providing to the center device through a communication network, constitute a vehicle device.

  The center device can be configured to include center control means for receiving history data via a communication network and center device storage means for storing history data received by the center control means.

  In the container management system described above, a part of the system may be configured as follows. That is, the vehicle-mounted control means is acquired by the operation start time data acquired by the time acquisition means when the operation type signal output from the operation state output means is ON, and by the time acquisition means when the operation type signal is output OFF. The operation end time data is provided to the center apparatus via the communication network.

  Then, the center control means determines that the operation end time indicated by the operation end time data is a time before a predetermined time elapses from the operation start time indicated by the operation start time data. The stored history data is invalidated.

  In the container management system described above, a part of the system may be configured as follows. That is, the vehicle-mounted control means provides history data to the center device when the output of the operation type signal is turned OFF before the predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the operation type signal output by the operation state output means is turned ON. Is canceled.

  In the container management system described above, a part of the system may be configured as follows. That is, the in-vehicle device includes the in-vehicle device storage unit, and the in-vehicle control unit provides the data provided to the center device to the center device and stores the data in the in-vehicle device storage unit.

  In this system, the vehicle-mounted control means transfers the data that has not been provided to the center device into the area of the communication network when the container-carrying vehicle is located outside the area of the communication network that communicates with the vehicle-mounted device wirelessly. When the vehicle returns, it may be taken out from the in-vehicle device storage means and provided to the center device.

  In the container management system described above, a part of the system may be configured as follows. That is, the in-vehicle device is provided with a storage unit, and the in-vehicle control unit is provided with data that has not been provided to the center device because the container transport vehicle is located outside the area of the communication network that communicates with the in-vehicle device wirelessly. Is stored in the storage means, and when the container transport vehicle returns to the area of the communication network, the data stored in the storage means is provided to the center device, and the provided data is recorded in the center device. When it is confirmed that the data is present, the data stored in the storage means is erased.

  In the container management system described above, a part of the system may be configured as follows. That is, an RFID tag is provided in the container, information held by the RFID tag is used for the container ID, and an RFID reader is used for the container identification means.

  In the container management system, the history data may be configured to include the vehicle number of the container transport vehicle.

  According to the container management system of the present invention, every operation of loading, unloading, tilting up, or tilting down of a container is performed in a container transport vehicle equipped with container loading and unloading means. In addition, the container ID provided in the container in which the operation is performed is read. The container identification data obtained by reading the container ID includes vehicle position data of the container transport vehicle, time data at the time of reading the container ID, and operation type data of the container operation, and an in-vehicle device provided in the container transport vehicle. Thus, it is configured as history data, and this history data is provided to the center device via the communication network. The history data provided to the center device is stored in the center device, and containers are managed using the history data.

  Therefore, container identification can be automatically performed when the container mounting and loading means of the container transport vehicle operates the container. In addition, it is possible to automatically record the history of container operation by the container loading and unloading means in the container transport vehicle without relying on human hands. In addition, container management can be performed based on the history data.

  Further, using the operation start time when the output of the operation type signal output when the container mounting / loading means operates the container and the operation end time when the output is OFF, the duration of the container operation in the container mounting / loading means, If the continuation time of the container operation in the container loading / stacking means is shorter than the predetermined time set in advance, the history data at that time is not provided from the in-vehicle device to the center device or is invalid even if provided. can do. That is, the operation of the container loading / stacking means shorter than the predetermined time is an operation performed for fine adjustment or the like and can be regarded as not being a regular operation of the container loading / stacking means. Accordingly, it is possible to remove an operation in a short time for fine adjustment of the operation in the container mounting / loading means, and it is possible to accurately grasp the operation type in the normal operation of the container mounting / loading means.

  In addition, by providing the in-vehicle device storage means in the in-vehicle device of the container transport vehicle, the in-vehicle device of the container transport vehicle can store the history data by itself when providing the history data to the center device. When a problem such as wireless communication occurs, it can be compared with the history data stored in the center device. In addition, by using this in-vehicle device storage means, or by using the storage means, when the container transport vehicle goes out of the area of the communication network that communicates with the in-vehicle device wirelessly, the data that has not been provided to the center device, When the container transport vehicle returns to the area of the communication network, it can also be provided to the center device, so even if the container transport vehicle travels in a mountainous area and cannot communicate with the center device, all The history data can be provided to the center device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the container management system in the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the container management system according to the present embodiment includes an in-vehicle device 4 provided in a plurality of container transport vehicles 1 for transporting a container C for waste, and a communication network in which the in-vehicle device 4 communicates wirelessly. 5 and a center device 31 provided in a container management center 30 connected via the Internet 6.

  As described above, the container C is a waste collection container or a recycling resource collection container, and is an independent container that can discharge an internal load to the outside by being inclined. As this container C, an open type whose upper surface is opened, a closed type whose upper surface is also closed, or the like is used. When the container C is tilted, the load inside the container C can be discharged. As described above, the rear wall is configured to be freely opened and closed. In addition, an engagement pin C1 is provided at the upper part of the front wall, a support leg C2 is provided at the front part of the bottom surface, and a support roller C3 is provided at the rear part of the bottom surface.

  FIG. 2 shows an appearance of the container transport vehicle 1 and FIG. 3 shows a state in which the container C is mounted on the container transport vehicle 1. The container transport vehicle 1 is provided with a cargo handling device 2, and a container operation for the container C can be performed by the cargo handling device 2. As this container operation, loading, unloading, tilting up, and tilting down are possible, and this cargo handling device 2 corresponds to the container loading and loading means described above.

  The cargo handling device 2 includes an outer arm 21 that is horizontally disposed in a state in which the container C is mounted, and a telescopic arm 22 that is formed in an L shape as a whole, including a vertical portion 22b that is vertically disposed in the same state. It has.

  The telescopic arm 22 is formed in a substantially L shape by a horizontal portion 22a inserted into the outer arm 21 and a vertical portion 22b erected from the front end portion of the horizontal portion 22a, and the horizontal portion 22a is not shown. The telescopic cylinder is configured to be telescopic with respect to the outer arm 21 in the longitudinal direction. Further, the vertical portion 22b is provided with a hook 23 that can be freely engaged with and disengaged from an engagement pin C1 provided on the container C at the tip thereof.

  Further, a hoisting cylinder 24 (see FIGS. 5 to 7) is connected between the outer arm 21 and the vehicle body 3, and the cargo handling device 2 is centered on the rear end portion by the elongating and retracting operation of the hoisting cylinder 24. It is configured to be rotatable in the front-rear direction. Further, a roller 25 for smoothly loading and unloading the container C between the vehicle body 3 and the ground is provided at the rear end portion of the vehicle body 3.

  4-7 is explanatory drawing explaining the cargo handling operation | movement of said cargo handling apparatus 2. FIG. 2 to 7, the loading / unloading operation of the container C by the cargo handling device 2 is performed in a state where the container C is mounted as shown in FIG. The portion 22a is retracted with respect to the outer arm 21, and the container C on the vehicle body 3 is slid backward by a predetermined length. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5, the container C is tilted by rotating the outer arm 21 together with the telescopic arm 22 by the hoisting cylinder 24. Accordingly, the container C can be lowered from the vehicle body 3 to the ground as shown in FIG. Further, the ground container C can be loaded on the vehicle body 3 by the reverse operation to that described above.

  On the other hand, in the tilt-up operation for discharging the load loaded in the container C, the outer arm 21 and the swing frame 2a are integrated with each other by a lashing device (not shown) while the container C is loaded on the vehicle body 3. The cargo in the container C is tilted by tilting the container C by rotating the entire cargo handling device 2 as shown in FIG. 7 without being retracted and retracting the telescopic arm 22 with respect to the outer arm 21. After opening the door, it is discharged from the wall. Further, the tilt-down operation can be performed by the reverse operation to that described above.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 7, an RFID tag C <b> 4 is attached to the surface of the front wall provided with the engagement pin C <b> 1 of the container C. An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag is an information recording medium that generally includes an LSI such as a CMOS chip composed of an IC memory and a wireless communication circuit and a micro antenna, and RFID identification information that is unique identification information in the IC memory. Is recorded. The RFID tag C4 includes an active type equipped with a power source and a passive type not equipped with a power source. In this embodiment, a passive type is used. In this passive type, power is supplied to the RFID tag by radio waves transmitted from an RFID reader described later. In the container management system using the container provided with the RFID tag C4, the RFID identification information is used as a container ID.

  Next, the in-vehicle device 4 provided in the container transport vehicle 1 and the center device 31 provided in the container management center 30 which are important elements constituting the container management system will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the in-vehicle device 4 provided in the container transport vehicle 1, and FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the center device 31 provided in the container management center 30.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the in-vehicle device 4 provided in the container transport vehicle 1 includes a CPU 10, a clock unit 11, an RFID reader 12, a wireless communication adapter 13, a GPS receiving unit 14, an EEPROM 17, and a RAM 18. Yes.

  Among these, the CPU 10 is constituted by a microcomputer or the like, and the EEPROM 17 holds software such as an OS and application programs necessary for the CPU 10 to perform processing. The RAM 18 is used for storing various data. The EEPROM 17 or the RAM 18 holds vehicle number data indicating the vehicle number of the container transport vehicle 1 provided with the in-vehicle device 4. The CPU 10, the EEPROM 17, the RAM 18, and the wireless communication adapter 13 described later in detail correspond to the above-described vehicle-mounted control unit as a whole.

  The clock unit 11 has a clock function and outputs the time. The clock unit 11 is connected to the CPU 10, and the CPU 10 can acquire the time at an arbitrary time. The clock unit 11 corresponds to the above-described time acquisition unit.

  The RFID reader 12 is attached to the vertical portion 22b of the extendable arm 22 of the cargo handling device 2 in the container transport vehicle 1 so as to face the RFID tag C4 provided in the container C. The RFID reader 12 reads RFID identification information held in an IC memory inside the RFID tag C4, and outputs container identification data. This container identification data includes the container ID code of container C. The RFID reader 12 corresponds to the container identification means described above.

  The GPS receiver 14 is a device that detects the location of the container transport vehicle 1 and outputs vehicle position data, and corresponds to the vehicle position detection means described above. The vehicle position data output from the GPS receiver 14 includes latitude and longitude and other information. The GPS receiving unit 14 is connected to the CPU 10, and the CPU 10 can acquire vehicle position data output from the GPS receiving unit 14.

  The cargo handling device control unit 15 is a device that controls the operation of the cargo handling device 2 described above, and is connected to the cargo handling device 2. While the cargo handling device 2 is operating, the cargo handling device control unit 15 loads, loads, unloads, tilts up, and tilts down from the cargo handling device control unit 15 as types of container operations of the cargo handling device 2. An operation type signal indicating one of the above is output. Accordingly, the cargo handling device control unit 15 has the function of the operation state output means described above. The cargo handling device control unit 15 is also connected to the CPU 10, and the CPU 10 can grasp the ON time point and the OFF time point of the operation type signal output by the cargo handling device control unit 15.

  The cargo handling device operation terminal 16 is an operation terminal for operating the cargo handling device 2, and is connected to the cargo handling device control unit 15. Therefore, the cargo handling device 2 can be operated by operating the cargo handling device operation terminal 16.

  The wireless communication adapter 13 is connected to the CPU 10, communicates with the center device 31 provided in the container management center based on an instruction from the CPU 10, and receives various data such as container identification data output from the RFID reader 12. And has a function of transmitting to the center device 31. In order to realize this function, the wireless communication adapter 13 includes a communication adapter using a mobile phone, a PHS, or the like, and a wireless communication network 5 such as a mobile phone communication network, a PHS communication network, or a wireless LAN communication network. Connected. The wireless communication network 5 is connected to the Internet 6, and a center device 31 of the container management center 30 is connected to the Internet 6. Therefore, by using the wireless communication adapter 13, the in-vehicle device 4 can communicate with the center device 31 of the container management center 30.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the center device 31 of the container management center 30 as described above. A server or personal computer is used for the center device 31 provided in the container management center 30. As shown in FIG. 9, the center device 31 includes a CPU 32, a memory 33, a keyboard 34, a mouse 35, an LCD 36, and a printer. 37 and a gateway 38.

  Among these, the CPU 32 is constituted by a microcomputer or the like, and the memory 33 holds software such as an OS necessary for the CPU 32 to perform processing and application programs used for container management. The memory 33 is also used for storing various data. The keyboard 34 and mouse 35 are used for making various inputs necessary for the CPU 32 when performing container management in the container management center 30. The LCD 36 is used to display the results processed by the CPU 32, and the printer 37 is used to print the results.

  The gateway 38 is provided for the center device 31 to connect to the Internet 6 and is configured by a router or the like. The center device 31 communicates with the in-vehicle device 4 provided in the container transport vehicle 1 described above via the gateway 38. The CPU 32 is connected to the gateway 38 and can receive various data transmitted from the in-vehicle device 4 of the container transport vehicle 1.

  Next, the operation of the container management system will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the in-vehicle device 4 provided in the container transport vehicle 1. 11 and 12 are flowcharts showing the operation of the center device 31 provided in the container management center 30. 10, 11 and 12, first, when the cargo handling device operation terminal 16 is operated in the container transport vehicle 1, the cargo handling device control unit 15 moves the cargo handling device 2 to load, unload, and tilt up. Either container operation of tilt down is performed. Then, while the cargo handling device 2 is operating, an operation type indicating any one of loading, loading / unloading, tilting up, and tilting down, which is the type of container operation of the cargo handling device 2, from the cargo handling device control unit 15. A signal is output (S1).

  Then, CPU10 of the vehicle equipment 4 with which the container transport vehicle 1 was equipped produces the operation type data corresponding to this operation type signal (S2). Further, the CPU 10 acquires operation start time data indicating an operation start time which is a time at the time when the operation type signal is turned on from the clock unit 11, and the container transport vehicle 1 at the time when the operation type signal is turned on exists. Vehicle position data indicating the position is acquired from the GPS receiver 14 (S3). Then, operation start report data is created by combining the vehicle number data of the container transport vehicle 1 held in the EEPROM 17 or the RAM 18 with the above operation start time data, vehicle position data, and operation type data. The start report data is stored in the RAM 18 and transmitted to the center device 31 of the container management center 30 via the wireless communication adapter 13 (S4). Then, in the container management center 30, the CPU 32 of the center device 31 receives the operation start report data via the gateway 38 (S21) and stores the operation start report data in the memory 33 (S22).

  In addition, after the operation type signal is turned on, the CPU 10 instructs the RFID reader 12 to read the RFID identification information held in the RFID tag C4 (S5). The container identification data to be output is acquired (S6). Further, the CPU 10 obtains reading time data indicating a reading time which is a time when the RFID reader 12 is read from the clock unit 11 and determines a position where the container transport vehicle 1 is present when the RFID reader 12 is read. The vehicle position data shown is acquired from the GPS receiver 14 (S6). Then, reading report data is created by combining the vehicle number data, container identification data, reading time data, vehicle position data, and operation type data (S7). This reading report data corresponds to the aforementioned history data.

  The CPU 10 stores the read report data in the RAM 18 and transmits it to the center device 31 of the container management center 30 via the wireless communication adapter 13 (S7). The CPU 10 performs the processing from the reading instruction (S5) to the transmission (S7) of the RFID tag C4 at least once before the operation type signal is turned on and then turned off. In the embodiment, it is once. When the read report data is transmitted to the container management center (S7), the CPU 32 of the center device 31 of the container management center 30 receives the read report data via the gateway 38 (S23), and the read report data. Is stored in the memory 33 (S24).

  When the operation type signal output from the cargo handling device control unit 15 is turned off (S8), the CPU 10 sends operation end time data indicating the operation end time, which is the time when the operation type signal is turned off, from the clock unit 11. While acquiring, the vehicle position data which shows the position where the container transport vehicle 1 exists in the time of OFF of the operation kind signal are acquired from the GPS receiving part 14 (S9). Then, operation end report data is created by combining the vehicle number data, operation end time data, vehicle position data, and operation type data (S10). The operation completion report data is stored in the RAM 18 and transmitted from the wireless communication adapter 13 to the center device 31 of the container management center 30 (S10). And CPU10 returns to S1 and repeats said process, as long as the vehicle operation of the container transport vehicle 1 is not complete | finished (S11). When the vehicle operation of the container transport vehicle 1 ends (S11), the in-vehicle device 4 ends the process. When the operation end time data is transmitted to the container management center (S7), the CPU 32 of the center device 31 of the container management center 30 receives the operation end report data via the gateway 38 (S25). The operation completion report data is stored in the memory 33 (S26).

  On the other hand, in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, in the center device 31 of the container management center 30, the CPU 10 is transmitted from the in-vehicle device 4 and stored in the memory 33. The following processing is performed using the report data.

  First, the operation start time included in the operation start report data is compared with the operation end time included in the operation end report data, and it is checked whether or not the difference is shorter than a predetermined time (S27). This predetermined time is stored in the memory 33 in advance. If the difference is shorter than the predetermined time, that is, the above-described reading time included in the reading time data elapses from the operation start time included in the operation start report data. This corresponds to the previous time, but in this case (S28), the read report data including the container identification data read from the operation start time to the operation end time, that is, the read report stored in S24. All data is invalidated (S29). Otherwise, it is not invalidated (S28).

  This is done for the following reason. In general, in the cargo handling device 2 provided in the container transport vehicle 1, each operation of the cargo handling device 2 is performed by the driver of the container transport vehicle 1 operating the cargo handling device operation terminal 16, but the operation accuracy is high. Therefore, a short time operation for fine adjustment is often repeated. For this reason, loading and unloading cannot be accurately grasped unless only the main operations are grasped except for each operation of the cargo handling device 2 by a short time operation for these fine adjustments. Therefore, it is necessary not to regard an operation of the cargo handling device 2 shorter than the predetermined time as a regular operation of the cargo handling device 2. Therefore, when the difference between the operation start time and the operation end time is shorter than the predetermined time, the operation of the cargo handling device 2 from the operation start time to the operation end time is not regarded as a regular operation of the cargo handling device 2, All of the read report data is invalidated. Accordingly, it is possible to remove an operation in a short time for fine adjustment of the operation in the container mounting / loading means, and it is possible to accurately grasp the operation type in the normal operation of the container mounting / loading means.

  Next, it is checked whether there is any invalid read report data stored in S24 (S30), and if it exists (S31), the container ID in the container identification data included in the read report data is checked. Take out the code. And, this container ID code, vehicle number data, reading time data, vehicle position data, and operation type data included in the read report data including the container identification data from which this container ID code was taken out Thus, container transport history data of the container transport vehicle 1 is created (S32). As long as the business in the container management center has not ended (S33), the process returns to S21 and the above processing is repeated. When the operation of the container management center 30 is finished, the center device 31 finishes the processing (S33).

  In the container management system, container management is performed in the container management center 30 by using the center device 31. This container management is performed as follows based on the container transportation history data, for example.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of the container transportation history data. The container transportation history data in FIG. 13 includes “date and time” as read time data, “container ID” as a container ID code, “vehicle number” as vehicle number data, “vehicle position” as vehicle position data, and It consists of “operation type” which is operation type data. Further, the container transportation history data in FIG. 13 relates to four containers having # 001, # 002, # 003, and # 004 as container ID codes.

  In FIG. 13, the container transportation history data with the date D1 is recorded in FIG. That is, at time T1, the container with the container ID # 001 is loaded at the vehicle position P01, and this same container is loaded and unloaded at the vehicle position P11 different from the place where the container was loaded at time T2. Next, at the same vehicle position P11, the container with the container ID # 002 is loaded at time T3, and the same container is tilted up at the vehicle position P21 different from the place where it was loaded at the time T4, so that the container ID # 002 The container load is discharged, tilted down at time T5, and unloaded at a vehicle position P02 different from the place loaded at time T6. Next, the vehicle moves from the vehicle position P02 to the vehicle position P12. At this vehicle position P12, the container with the container ID # 003 is loaded at time T7, and at time T8, the container is tilted up at the vehicle position P22 and the container ID # 003 is loaded. The container load is discharged, tilted down at time T9, and unloaded at the same vehicle position P12 as the place loaded at time T10. Next, the vehicle moves from the vehicle position P12 to the vehicle position P13. At this vehicle position P13, the container with the container ID # 004 is loaded at the time T11, and at time T12, the container is tilted up at the vehicle position P31 and the container ID # 004 is loaded. The cargo loaded in the container is discharged, tilted down at time T13, and unloaded at the same vehicle position P13 as the place loaded at time T14.

  In general, a container transport vehicle loaded with containers for waste treatment stops at any of a storage yard, customer premises, or a treatment plant. Therefore, using the above information, the container C can be managed based on the principle described below. FIG. 14 is a table showing this principle. In FIG. 14, normally, an empty container is carried in a storage yard by a container transporting vehicle and stored as a spare container, and is taken out from the storage yard and used as needed. Therefore, loading and unloading containers in the storage yard means installing empty containers in the storage yard. And loading a container in the storage yard means mounting an empty container on a container transport vehicle.

  In addition, an empty container is carried and installed on the customer's site, and the customer loads a load such as waste on the empty container. Therefore, in order to dispose of the waste and the like, the container transport vehicle carries out the container loaded with the load such as the waste. Therefore, loading and unloading containers on the customer site means installing empty containers on the customer site. And loading a container at a customer site means that a container loaded with a load such as waste is mounted on a container transport vehicle.

  Further, tilting up the container at the processing site means discharging a load such as waste loaded in the container to the processing site and bringing back an empty container. In addition, a load such as a waste loaded in a container on which a container transport vehicle is mounted should be discharged only at a treatment plant. Therefore, when the tilting up operation of the container transport vehicle is performed at a place other than the processing site, it means that the discharge is performed outside the processing site.

  Then, if the vehicle position in FIG. 13 is a storage yard, a customer site, or a processing site, the state and location of the container C can be managed. Therefore, if the vehicle position in FIG. 13 is a place as shown in FIG. 15, the container management data in FIG. 16 can be derived from the record in FIG. These processes are performed by the center device 31 of the container management center 30 in the present embodiment described above.

  In FIG. 16, for example, according to FIG. 13, the container transport vehicle 1 loads the container with the container ID # 001 at the vehicle position P01 at the time T1 with the date D1. Based on this container transportation history data, first, from FIG. 15, the spot name of the vehicle position P01 is H1, and the spot type is a storage yard. Next, based on the loading of the storage yard and the container transportation history data, it can be seen from FIG. 14 that the container state information is “empty” and the container location information is “loaded in the yard”. Therefore, the container state information and the container location information are described together with the container ID, the time, the point name corresponding to the vehicle position, the point type, and the operation type included in the container transportation history data at the time T1. This is the description on the first line in FIG.

  Further, according to FIG. 13, at time T2, the vehicle is loaded and unloaded at a vehicle position P11 different from the place where the container with the container ID # 001 is loaded. In this case, according to FIG. 15, the spot name of the spot position P03 is K1, and the spot type is the customer site. Next, based on the customer site and the loading / unloading operation included in the container transportation history data, the container status information is “empty” and the container location information is “customer location”. It can be seen that it is “installation”. Therefore, when these pieces of information are described together with the information included in the container transportation history data at the time T2, the description at the time T2 in the second line of FIG.

  Further, according to FIG. 13, at time T8, the container with the container ID # 003 is tilted up at the vehicle position P22. In this case, according to FIG. 15, the spot name of the spot position P22 is S2, and the spot type is a processing place. Next, from FIG. 14, the container status information is “empty” and the container location information is “discharged to the processing plant” based on the processing type that is the point type and the tilt-up that is the operation type included in the container transportation history data. " Therefore, when these pieces of information are described together with the information included in the container transportation history data at the time T8, they are described at the time T8 on the seventh line in FIG. The other lines are recorded in the same manner.

  Further, according to FIG. 13, at time T12, the vehicle is tilted up at the vehicle position P31, and the load of the container with the container ID # 004 is discharged. In this case, although tilted up, there is no point position in FIG. 15 that coincides with the vehicle position P31. Therefore, since the spot type corresponds to “other than the above” in FIG. 14, the container state information is “empty” and the container location information is “discharged outside the processing site”. That is, in this case, it can be seen that the loaded items in the container are discharged at a place other than the treatment plant, and the dumping is illegal.

  In this way, the RFID tag C4 provided in the container C handled by the container handling device 2 is read, and the operation type and reading of the cargo handling device 2 when the RFID tag C4 is read. Based on the time and data relating to the location of the container transport vehicle 1, it is possible to manage the state and location of the container C.

  According to the container management system described above, when any of the container loading, loading / unloading, tilt-up, or tilt-down operations is performed in the container transport vehicle 1 including the cargo handling device 2 as described above. For each operation, the RFID tag C4 provided in the container in which the operation is performed is read. The container identification data obtained by reading the RFID tag C4 is stored in the vehicle-mounted device provided in the container transporting vehicle. The vehicle position data of the container transporting vehicle, the time data when reading the RFID tag C4, and the container operation It is configured as read report data together with type data, and this read report data is provided to the center apparatus via the communication network. The read report data provided to the center apparatus is stored in the center apparatus, and the container is managed using the read report data.

  Therefore, container identification when the cargo handling device 2 of the container transport vehicle 1 operates the container C can be automatically performed. In addition, it is possible to automatically record the history of container operation by the cargo handling device 2 in the container transport vehicle 1 without relying on human hands. Further, container management can be performed by using the read report data.

  In addition, using the operation start time when the output of the operation type signal output when the cargo handling device 2 operates the container C and the operation end time when the output is OFF, the duration of the container operation in the cargo handling device 2; If the duration of the container operation in the cargo handling device 2 is shorter than the predetermined time set in advance, the read report data at that time may be invalidated even if it is provided from the in-vehicle device 4 to the center device 31. it can. That is, an operation of the cargo handling device 2 that is shorter than the predetermined time can be prevented from being regarded as a regular operation of the cargo handling device 2. Accordingly, it is possible to remove an operation for a short time for fine adjustment of the operation in the cargo handling device 2, and it is possible to accurately grasp the operation type in the regular operation of the cargo handling device 2.

  Further, when the in-vehicle device 4 of the container transport vehicle 1 provides each report data to the center device 31, it can also store each report data by itself, so that it is stored in the center device 31 when a problem occurs. It can be compared with each report data.

  By the way, in the container management system described above, the center device 31 determines whether or not the operation of the cargo handling device 2 in the container transport vehicle 1 is a regular operation of the cargo handling device 2. It can also be done. For example, the CPU 10 of the in-vehicle device 4 checks whether or not the operation type signal output is turned off before the predetermined time elapses from the time when the operation type signal output from the cargo handling device control unit 15 is turned ON. If the output of the operation type signal is turned off before the predetermined time elapses, it is assumed that the operation of the cargo handling device 2 in the container transport vehicle 1 is not a normal operation of the cargo handling device 2, and the reading to the center device is performed. The transmission of report data is stopped.

  In the container management system described above, when the container transport vehicle 1 travels in a mountainous area or the like, the wireless communication adapter 13 of the in-vehicle device 4 goes out of the area where it can communicate wirelessly with the wireless communication network 5. In addition, it may be impossible to transmit each report data from the in-vehicle device 4 to the center device 31. Therefore, in order to cope with this case, there is the following method.

  The CPU 10 of the in-vehicle device 4 provided in the container transport vehicle 1 in the container management system stores each report data in the RAM 18 when each report data is transmitted to the center device 31. Therefore, as one method, when each report data is stored in the RAM 18, a flag indicating that it has been transmitted to the center device 31 is added and stored. When the container transport vehicle 1 goes out of the area where it can communicate wirelessly with the wireless communication network 5 and cannot communicate with the center device 31, it is stored without adding this flag, and the container transport vehicle When 1 returns to the area that can communicate wirelessly with the wireless communication network 5 and communication with the center device 31 is restored, each report data without a flag is transmitted to the center device 31 and these A flag is added to each report data and stored in the RAM 18 again.

  Alternatively, in a system in which the CPU 10 of the in-vehicle device 4 provided in the container transport vehicle 1 does not store each report data in the RAM 18 when transmitting each report data to the center device 31, Only when communication is impossible, the report data that could not be transmitted is stored in the RAM 18, and when the update is restored, the untransmitted report data stored in the RAM 18 is transmitted to the center device 31. Then, after obtaining a response indicating that it has been received from the center device 31, each report data stored in the RAM 18 is deleted.

  By doing as described above, even when the container transport vehicle 1 travels in a mountainous area or the like and cannot communicate with the center device 31, all the history data can be provided to the center device.

  In the container management system, the container ID is read by using an RFID reader as a container identification means and the container is provided with an RFID tag. However, as a method for reading the container ID, For example, there is a method of displaying a barcode on the surface of the container and reading the barcode with a barcode reader.

It is a block diagram of the container management system in this Embodiment. It is an external view of the container transport vehicle in this Embodiment. It is an external view of a container transport vehicle in a state where a container according to the present embodiment is mounted. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing (the 1) of the cargo handling apparatus of the container transport vehicle in this Embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing (the 2) of the cargo handling apparatus of the container transport vehicle in this Embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing (the 3) of the cargo handling apparatus of the container transport vehicle in this Embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing (the 4) of the cargo handling apparatus of the container transport vehicle in this Embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the vehicle-mounted apparatus in this Embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the center apparatus in this Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed operation | movement of the vehicle-mounted apparatus in this Embodiment. It is the flowchart (the 1) which showed operation | movement of the center apparatus in this Embodiment. It is the flowchart (the 2) which showed operation | movement of the center apparatus in this Embodiment. It is the table which showed the container conveyance log | history data of the material handling apparatus of the container conveyance vehicle in this Embodiment. It is the table which showed the principle of the container management in this Embodiment. It is the table which showed the point information in this Embodiment. It is the table which showed the container management data in this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

C container C1 engagement pin C2 support leg C3 support roller C4 RFID tag 1 container transport vehicle 2 cargo handling device 2a swing frame 3 vehicle body 4 in-vehicle device 5 wireless communication network 6 internet 10 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Clock part 12 RFID reader 13 Adapter for radio | wireless communication 14 GPS receiving part 15 Handling apparatus control part 16 Handling apparatus operation terminal 17 EEPROM
18 RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Outer arm 22 Telescopic arm 22a Horizontal part 22b Vertical part 23 Hook 24 Hoisting cylinder 25 Roller 30 Container management center 31 Center apparatus 32 CPU
33 Memory 34 Keyboard 35 Mouse 36 LCD
37 Printer 38 Gateway

Claims (9)

Container loading and unloading means for carrying out container operations for loading, unloading, tilting up and tilting down an independent container that can be transported by a container transporting vehicle and can be discharged to the outside when tilted. In addition, the container transport vehicle is provided with an in-vehicle device, and the in-vehicle device is connected to a center device via a communication network that communicates with the in-vehicle device wirelessly.
The container is provided with a container ID capable of identifying the container,
The in-vehicle device has container identification data obtained by reading the container ID when the container mounting / loading means performs the container operation, vehicle position data obtained by detecting the position of the container transport vehicle, Providing history data including reading time data at the time of container ID reading and operation type data indicating an operation type of the container operation to the center device via the communication network;
The center apparatus stores the provided history data and manages the container using the history data. The in-vehicle device is
An operation state output means for outputting an operation type signal indicating the type of the container operation while the container mounting and loading means is operating;
Container identification means for reading the container ID and outputting the container identification data;
Vehicle position detection means for detecting the location of the container transport vehicle and outputting the vehicle position data;
Time acquisition means for acquiring time and outputting time data;
The container identification unit is caused to read the container ID at least once between the time when the operation type signal output from the operation state output unit is turned on and the time when the output is turned off. The operation type data is created, and at the time of reading, the reading time data output by the time acquisition means, the container identification data output by the container identification means, and the vehicle position detection means output by the vehicle position detection means Vehicle position data and vehicle operation control means for configuring the history data with the operation type data and providing it to the center device via the communication network,
The center device is
Center control means for receiving the history data via the communication network;
The container management system according to claim 1, further comprising: center device storage means for storing the history data received by the center control means. The in-vehicle control unit is configured to acquire the operation start time data acquired by the time acquisition unit at the time when the operation type signal output from the operation state output unit is ON, and the time acquisition at the time when the operation type signal is output OFF. Providing operation end time data acquired by the means to the center device via the communication network;
The center control means stores the center device storage means that the operation end time indicated by the operation end time data is a time before a predetermined time elapses from the operation start time indicated by the operation start time data. The container management system according to claim 2, wherein the history data is invalidated.   The vehicle-mounted control unit stops providing the history data to the center device when the operation type signal output is turned off before a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the operation type signal output from the operation state output unit is turned on. The container management system according to claim 2. The on-vehicle device includes an on-vehicle device storage means,
The container management system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the in-vehicle control unit provides data to be provided to the center device to the center device and stores the data in the in-vehicle device storage unit.   The vehicle-mounted control means is configured to store data that has not been provided to the center device when the container-carrying vehicle is located outside an area of a communication network that wirelessly communicates with the vehicle-mounted device. 6. The container management system according to claim 5, wherein when the vehicle returns, it is taken out from the in-vehicle device storage means and provided to the center device. The in-vehicle device includes a storage unit,
The in-vehicle control means stores data that has not been provided to the center apparatus in the storage means when the container transport vehicle is located outside an area of a communication network that communicates with the in-vehicle apparatus wirelessly, and When the container transport vehicle returns to the area, the data stored in the storage means is provided to the center device, and it is confirmed that the provided data is recorded in the center device. Then, the container management system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the data stored in the storage means is deleted.   The RFID container is provided with an RFID tag, information held by the RFID tag is used for the container ID, and an RFID reader is used for the container identification means. Container management system as described in.   The container management system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the history data includes a vehicle number of the container transport vehicle.

Images