JP2007207263A - System for collecting operation data of work machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable use of the latest software consistently for data collection and facilitate the acquisition of collected data by a manufacturer. <P>SOLUTION: An operation data recording device mounted on a work machine detects and records operation data of the work machine. The operation data is collected by an external terminal 13 and transmitted from the external terminal 13 to a remote server 23. When the operation data is collected by the external terminal 13, a program for the operation data recording device of the work machine is updated to the latest version by the external terminal 13. When the operation data is transmitted from the external terminal 13 to the remote server 23, an external terminal program and the operation data recording device program stored in the external terminal 13 are updated to the latest versions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for collecting operation data of work machines, and is intended to facilitate the update of software used for data recording or collection.

  In recent years, various operation data of a work machine represented by a hydraulic excavator are collected, and the data is used for management of a later work machine. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-259729 discloses a system that stores data collected from a work machine in a database.

  For example, data collection is performed as follows. Data acquired by an operation data recording device installed in advance on each work machine is collected by a user of the work machine, a manufacturer service staff, or the like using an external terminal such as a laptop personal computer. The collected operation data is subjected to data processing such as graphing and used for machine management.

  By the way, the software (program) used in the operation data recording device of the work machine and the software for collecting data from the recording device (program for the external terminal) are often improved by the manufacturer of the work machine. A new version is distributed to users, etc. each time. For example, the program is stored and distributed on a magnetic recording medium. Alternatively, the user downloads and obtains a program stored in a server on the network.

  However, distributing a magnetic recording medium is troublesome for the distributor. As for the method of distributing from the server, the user must be contacted for improvement whenever improvements are made. If there is a communication leak for some reason, there will be inconveniences such as continuing to use the old version of software.

  On the other hand, there is a demand for work machine manufacturers to use work machine operation data for new product development and service studies. In order to realize this, it is necessary for the manufacturer to provide the operating data acquired by the user. However, since the user has few advantages of providing data to the manufacturer, it is difficult to gather data.

  The present invention provides an operation data collection system for a work machine in which the latest software can always be used for data collection, and the collected data can be easily acquired by the manufacturer.

(1) The present invention detects and records the operation data of the work machine with the operation data recording device provided in the work machine, imports the operation data into the external terminal, and operates from the external terminal to a remote server. The present invention is applied to an operating data collection system for work machines capable of transmitting data.
In this system, when transmitting operational data, the external terminal program stored in the external terminal and the same type of external terminal program stored in the server are compared with each other and stored in the server. When the external terminal program is newer, the external terminal program stored in the external terminal is rewritten with the external terminal program stored in the server.
Moreover, you may comprise the operating data collection system to which this invention is applied as follows. In other words, the data collection system compares the old and new operating data recording device programs stored in the external terminal with the same type of operating data recording device programs stored in the server when operating data is transmitted. When the operation data recording device program stored in the server is newer, the operation data recording device program stored in the external terminal is rewritten with the operation data recording device program stored in the server.
In this system, when operating data is taken into the external terminal from the operating data recording device of the work machine, the operating data recording program stored in the working machine and the same type of operating data recording device stored in the external terminal If the operating data recording device program stored in the external terminal is newer, the operating data recording device program stored in the work machine is stored in the external terminal. It is rewritten with the program for the operating data recording device.
(2) The present invention is also applied to an external terminal used in the above system. This external terminal is controlled by a program for an external terminal stored in advance, and when obtaining data acquisition means for acquiring operation data from the operation data recording device and operation data acquired by the acquisition means to a remote server, Internal program acquisition means for acquiring an external terminal program stored in the server, and internal program update means for updating an external terminal program stored in advance using the acquired external terminal program.
The external terminal to which the present invention is applied also transmits the operation data acquired by the data acquisition unit, the storage unit for the operation data recording device program of the work machine, and the operation data acquired by the acquisition unit to a remote server, For the operating data recording device stored in the storage means using the external program acquiring means for acquiring the operating data recording device program stored in the server and the operating data recording device program acquired by the external program acquiring means External program updating means for updating the program.
The external terminal includes update means for updating the operation data recording device program of the work machine using the operation data recording device program stored in the storage means when the operation data is acquired by the data acquisition means. It may be.
(3) The program update method according to the present invention includes the following procedure.
Procedures for importing the operation data of the work machine recorded in the operation data recording device provided in the work machine to the external terminal, procedures for transmitting the operation data from the external terminal to a remote server, and operation data from the external terminal to the server A procedure for updating the external terminal program stored in the external terminal using the external terminal program stored in the server when transmitting to the external terminal.
Alternatively, the program update method of the present invention is for the operation data recording device stored in the external terminal using the data acquisition procedure, the data transmission procedure, and the latest operation data recording device program of the server at the time of data transmission. You can also include instructions for updating the program. In this case, when the operation data is acquired in the external terminal, it is preferable to update the operation data recording device program of the work machine using the latest operation data recording device program stored in the external terminal.
(4) In updating the program, it is preferable to compare the versions of the program and update the program when there is a latest version.
The external terminal program includes a program for fetching operation data from the operation data recording device and a program for rewriting the operation data recording device program for the work machine. Or the program for external terminals can also contain the program for displaying or processing the taken-in program.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The working machine (for example, a hydraulic excavator) in this embodiment is equipped with an operation data recording device 11 and its peripheral devices as shown in FIG. The operating data recording device 11 includes a CPU 111 that performs various calculations and controls, a program storage unit 112 that stores an in-vehicle program (software for operating data recording device) executed by the CPU 111, and detection of various sensors that constitute the sensor group 12. A conversion unit 113 that converts output into electronic data, a recording unit 114 that records (stores) data converted by the conversion unit 113, and a communication unit that outputs data recorded in the recording unit 114 to the external terminal 13 115.

  The sensor group 12 includes a plurality of sensors that detect, for example, engine speed, hydraulic oil temperature, engine coolant temperature, hydraulic pressure, and the like. The CPU 111 records the detection output of various sensors in the recording unit 114 as operation data in a predetermined format by using an operation data recording device program (hereinafter also referred to as an in-vehicle program) stored in the storage unit 112. As the external terminal 13, for example, a notebook personal computer is used. This personal computer is connected to the operation data recording device 11 to collect operation data from the recording unit 114. Data collection is performed mainly by users and service personnel, and the data collector helps to manage the work machine later by graphing the data.

  The operation data stored in the external terminal 13 is transmitted to a manufacturer's base station at a remote location. The base station is provided with a server 23 and a communication device 22 shown in FIG. When the communication device 21 is connected to the external terminal 13 and operation data is transmitted, the transmission data is input to the server 23 via the communication path 24 and the server side communication device 22. Examples of the communication path 24 include a wired communication device such as the Internet and a telephone line, and a wireless communication device such as satellite communication.

  The server 23 of the base station includes a data storage unit 231 that stores transmitted operation data, an in-vehicle program storage unit 232 that stores the latest in-vehicle program, and an external terminal program storage that stores the latest external terminal program. Part 233. Analyzing the data stored in the data storage unit 231 is useful for developing new products and considering services.

  The in-vehicle program stored in the storage unit 232 is software used in the operation data recording device 11 of the work machine as described above. On the other hand, the external terminal program stored in the storage unit 233 is used by the external terminal 13. For example, software for acquiring operation data from the operation data recording device 11 of the work machine, There are software for displaying in a graph, software for rewriting the in-vehicle program on the work machine side, software for communicating with the server 23 of the base station, and the like. These software (programs) are often upgraded, and the latest ones are stored in the storage units 232 and 233, respectively. A code (for example, a version number) indicating the development time of the program is attached to the stored program. Note that software for acquiring operation data and software for rewriting the in-vehicle program on the work machine side are indispensable for the external terminal 13.

In the present embodiment, the software is automatically updated when data is collected or transmitted. Details thereof will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 3 shows a procedure for collecting data from the operation data recording device 11 of the work machine. That is, the procedure of the data collection program stored in the ROM of the external terminal 13 is shown. A user or a service person connects the external terminal 13 to the operation data recording device 11 and starts a data collection program by performing a predetermined operation. The data collection program communicates with the CPU 111 via the communication unit 115 of the operation data recording device 11 and requests operation data. Upon receiving the request, the CPU 111 transmits the operation data recorded in the recording unit 114 to the external terminal 13, and the external terminal 13 takes in the data (step 32). When the data capture is completed, the in-vehicle program stored in the in-vehicle program storage unit 112 and the new and old development times of the same type of in-vehicle program stored in the external terminal 13 are compared (step 34). This is done by comparing the version numbers. As a result of the comparison, if the in-vehicle program stored in the external terminal 13 is newer, the in-vehicle program in the storage unit 112 is rewritten with the in-vehicle program in the external terminal 13. If step S34 is negative, the program is not rewritten.
In addition, although the example which updates a vehicle-mounted program after data collection was shown, you may carry out before data collection.

  As described above, since the in-vehicle program is automatically updated when the operation data of the operation data recording device 11 is collected by the external terminal 13, the operation data recording device 11 can always be controlled by the latest software. However, in order to realize this, the latest in-vehicle program must be stored in advance on the external terminal 13 side. The in-vehicle program is stored in the external terminal 13 in the procedure shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows a procedure for transmitting operation data collected by the external terminal 13 to the server 23 of the base station. This procedure shows the procedure of the data transmission program that is all stored in the ROM of the external terminal 13.

  Note that all of these procedures can be stored in the ROM of the external terminal 13 as a data transmission program, or all of these procedures can be stored in the server 23 as a data reception program. Alternatively, a part of the procedure can be stored in the ROM of the external terminal 13 as a data transmission program, and the other procedure can be stored in the server 23 as a data reception program.

  Communication with the server 22 is established by connecting the external terminal 13 to the communication device 21 (step 41). Thereafter, the operation data storage process in step 42, the external terminal program update process in step 43, and the in-vehicle program update process in step 44 are sequentially executed. These processes are performed, for example, by connecting the communication software of the external terminal 13 and the software of the server 23.

  In the data storage process of step 42, first, the operation data stored in the external terminal 13, that is, the operation data collected from the operation data recording device 11 of the work machine, and the operation data stored in the data storage unit 221 of the server 23. Are compared (step 421). As a result, when it is determined that there is data not in the server 23 in the external terminal 13 (step 422), the data is added to the data storage unit 231 (step 423).

  In the next external terminal program update process (step 43), the development time of the external terminal program stored in the external terminal 13 and that stored in the storage unit 233 of the server 23 with respect to the external terminal program described above. Are compared (step 431). This is done by comparing the version numbers. As a result of the comparison, only when the program stored in the storage unit 233 of the server 23 is newer than the program stored in the external terminal 13, the program of the external terminal 13 is rewritten with the latest program of the server 23 (step 432 → 433).

In the next in-vehicle program update process (step 44), the new and old development times of the program stored in the external terminal 13 and the program stored in the storage unit 232 of the server 23 are compared with the in-vehicle program. (Step 441). This is also done by comparing the version numbers. As a result of the comparison, only when the program stored in the storage unit 232 of the server 23 is newer than the program stored in the external terminal 13, the program of the external terminal 13 is rewritten with the latest program of the server 23 (step 442 → 443).
Note that the order of the processing of the above steps 42, 43, and 44 is not limited.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the operation data of the work machine is sent from the external terminal 13 to the server 23, the necessity of updating the external terminal program is determined, and the update is automatically performed when necessary. (Step 43). Therefore, by frequently transmitting data from the external terminal 13 to the server 23, the external terminal 13 can always be controlled with the latest software. In addition to the external terminal program, the in-vehicle program (operation data recording device software) is automatically updated (step 44). Therefore, if data transmission is frequently performed, the latest in-vehicle program is always stored in the external terminal 13, and the operation data recording device 11 of the work machine is always set by performing the above-described processing of FIG. Can be controlled with the latest software.

  And according to the above method, there is no need to prepare a magnetic recording medium to distribute the latest software or to send it, and there is no need to contact the user every time the version is upgraded and prompt the update, The sender's trouble is greatly reduced. Also, the user does not need to access the server separately for data transmission and software update. Furthermore, since the software is updated, the user actively transmits the operation data to the server, so that the operation data is easily collected at the base station, which can be used for the development and service of new products.

  Note that the above-described rewriting (updating) of the in-vehicle program and the external terminal program does not necessarily rewrite all the components of each software, but rewrites only the components that need to be updated. Moreover, although the new and old of the software are compared by the version number, for example, the comparison may be performed by the update date of the files constituting the software.

As described above, the external terminal 13 has data collection, data transmission, and program update functions. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, this external terminal 13 has the following functions in terms of function.
[1] Data acquisition unit 13a that acquires operation data from the operation data recording device 11
[2] A data transmission unit 13b that transmits operation data to the server 23 via the communication device 21.
[3] Internal program acquisition unit 13c for acquiring the latest external terminal program stored in the server 23 at the time of data transmission
[4] Internal program update unit 13d for updating the stored external terminal program using the latest external terminal program of the server 23
[5] External program acquisition unit 13e for acquiring the latest operating data recording device program stored in the server 23
[6] A first external program updating unit 13f that updates the stored operating data recording device program using the latest operating data recording device program of the server 23.
[7] A second external program update unit 13g that updates the operation data recording device program of the work machine with the latest operation data recording device program when the operation data is fetched.

  When a communication device is built in the external terminal 13, data can be exchanged with the server 23 without using the communication device 21. When the external terminal 13 acquires the external terminal program or the data recording device program from the server 23, the versions are compared, and the program of the external terminal 13 is updated when the server 23 program is the latest version. . However, when transmitting operation data without comparing versions, the program of the server 23 may always be acquired and updated. Similarly, when operating data is read, the program of the data recording apparatus 11 may be constantly updated without comparing versions.

  The above-described embodiment is an example, and various configurations and elements can be employed without departing from the characteristics of the present invention.

The block diagram which shows the operation data recording device of the working machine in one Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the communication system of an external terminal and a server. The figure which shows the procedure of the data collection by an external terminal. The figure which shows the procedure of data transmission / reception with an external terminal and a server. The block diagram explaining the function of an external terminal.

Claims (19)

The operation data recording device provided in the work machine detects and records the operation data of the work machine, captures the operation data to an external terminal, and transmits the operation data from the external terminal to a remote server. In the working machine operation data collection system that can
When transmitting the operation data, the external terminal program stored in the external terminal is compared with the old and new programs of the same type of external terminal stored in the server, and stored in the server When the external terminal program is newer, the operation data collection system for a work machine is characterized in that the external terminal program stored in the external terminal is rewritten with the external terminal program stored in the server. . In the work machine operation data collection system according to claim 1,
The external terminal program includes a program for taking in the operational data from the operational data recording device, and a program for rewriting the operational data recording device program of the working machine. Data collection system. In the working machine operation data collection system according to claim 1 or 2,
The working data collection system for a work machine, wherein the external terminal program includes a program for displaying or processing the taken working data. The operation data recording device provided in the work machine detects and records the operation data of the work machine, captures the operation data to an external terminal, and transmits the operation data from the external terminal to a remote server. In the working machine operation data collection system that can
When transmitting operating data, compare the old and new operating data recording device program stored in the external terminal with the same type of operating data recording device program stored in the server, and store in the server When the operating data recording device program being used is newer, the operating data recording device program stored in the external terminal is rewritten with the operating data recording device program stored in the server. Operation data collection system for work machines. In the work machine operation data collection system according to claim 4,
A program for operating data recording device stored in the working machine and the same type of operating data recording device stored in the external terminal when operating data is taken into the external terminal from the operating data recording device of the working machine When the operating data recording device program stored in the external terminal is newer, the operating data recording device program stored in the work machine is stored in the external terminal. An operation data collection system for a work machine, wherein the operation data recording system is rewritten by a stored operation data recording program. In the external terminal, which is controlled by a program for external terminals stored in advance and collects operation data of the work machine recorded in an operation data recording device provided in the work machine,
Data acquisition means for acquiring the operation data from the operation data recording device;
An internal program acquisition means for acquiring an external terminal program stored in the server when transmitting the operation data acquired by the acquisition means to a remote server;
An external terminal comprising: an internal program updating means for updating an external terminal program stored in advance using the acquired external terminal program. The external terminal according to claim 6,
The external terminal program includes a program for taking in the operation data from the operation data recording device and a program for rewriting the operation data recording device program of a work machine. In the external terminal according to claim 6 or 7,
The external terminal program includes a program for displaying or processing captured operation data. In the external terminal, which is controlled by a program for external terminals stored in advance and collects operation data of the work machine recorded in an operation data recording device provided in the work machine,
Obtaining means for obtaining the operational data from the operational data recording device;
Storage means for storing a program for an operation data recording device of the work machine;
External program acquisition means for acquiring a program for an operation data recording device stored in the server when transmitting the operation data acquired by the acquisition means to a remote server;
An external terminal comprising: an external program updating unit that updates the operating data recording device program stored in the storage unit using the operating data recording device program acquired by the external program acquiring unit. The external terminal according to claim 9,
An external program updating means for updating the operating data recording device program of the work machine using the operating data recording device program stored in the storage means when the operating data is acquired by the data acquiring means; An external terminal comprising: In the external terminal according to claim 9 or 10,
Internal program acquisition means for acquiring an external terminal program stored in the server when transmitting the operation data to the server;
An external terminal further comprising: an internal program update unit that updates a previously stored external terminal program using the acquired external terminal program. In the external terminal that collects the operation data of the work machine recorded in the operation data recording device provided in the work machine,
Data acquisition means for acquiring the operating data;
Storage means for storing a program for an operation data recording device of the work machine;
An external program for updating the working data recording device program for the working machine using the working data recording device program for the working machine stored in the storage means when the working data is obtained by the data obtaining means An external terminal comprising an update means. In the external terminal according to any one of claims 6, 7, and 11,
The internal program update means includes
Comparing the version of the external terminal program stored in advance and the external terminal program of the server, when the server has the latest version of the external terminal program, using the latest version of the external terminal program, the An external terminal that updates an external terminal program of the external terminal. The external terminal according to any one of claims 9 to 11,
The external program update means includes
The operating data recording device program stored in the storage means and the version of the server operating data recording device program are compared, and when the server has the latest version of the operating data recording device program, the latest version An external terminal, wherein an operating data recording device program of the external terminal is updated using an operating data recording device program. The external terminal according to claim 12,
The external program update means includes
When the operating data recording device program stored in the storage means and the version of the operating data recording device program of the operating data recording device are compared, and the storage means has the latest version of the operating data recording device program, An external terminal, wherein the operating data recording device program of the operating data recording device is updated using the latest version of the operating data recording device program. Processing to import the operation data of the work machine recorded in the operation data recording device provided in the work machine into an external terminal;
Processing for transmitting the operation data from the external terminal to a remote server;
When transmitting the operation data from the external terminal to the server, the computer updates the external terminal program stored in the external terminal using the external terminal program stored in the server. A program update method comprising: executing the program. Processing to import the operation data of the work machine recorded in the operation data recording device provided in the work machine into an external terminal;
A process of transmitting from the external terminal to a remote server;
A process of updating the operating data recording device program stored in the external terminal using the operating data recording device program stored in the server when the operating data is transmitted from the external terminal to the server. The program update method characterized by performing these by computer. The program update method according to claim 17,
Updating the operating data recording device program of the work machine using the operating data recording device program stored in the external terminal when acquiring the operating data to the external terminal Method. The program update method according to any one of claims 16 to 18,
A program update method comprising comparing program versions and updating the program when there is a latest version.

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