JP2009001419A - Container management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a container management system capable of relatively easily constructing a system and of managing conditions of containers. <P>SOLUTION: This container management system includes: container ID codes C4; a GPS receiving part for obtaining vehicle position data; an imaging device for obtaining the electronic image data of the container ID codes C4; an on-vehicle apparatus 4 for wirelessly transmitting operation type data, operation date and time data, the vehicle position data and the electronic image data to a communication network 5 when operations on the containers are at least performed; a management server 8. The management server 8 has a gateway as a server side receiving part and a CPU for analyzing the electronic image data to identify the containers and for obtaining the identified information in relation to the containers. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a container management system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a container management system for managing a waste collection container, a recycled resource collection container, and the like carried by a container carrying vehicle.

  Various independent containers that can discharge internal loads by tilting, such as a waste collection container and a recycling resource collection container that are transported by a container transport vehicle, are used. Conventionally, such container management has been performed manually. However, with manual management, it is difficult to manage installation locations and installation periods of a large number of containers, formulate an optimal arrangement plan based on such information, and analyze and manage the number of owned containers. For this reason, there is a possibility that the container may be lost or the container may be disposed at the same place for an unnecessarily long period.

In view of such circumstances, in recent years, various container management systems have been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). In the container management system described in Patent Document 1, a specific information medium such as an ID tag storing container identification information is attached to the container side. On the other hand, a reading device that reads container identification information stored in a specific information medium and a position information recognition device that identifies the position of the container transport vehicle such as a GPS receiver are attached to the container transport vehicle side. In addition, a wireless device that transmits container identification information read by the reader and position information of the container transport vehicle recognized by the position information recognition device to the base station is attached to the container transport vehicle. In the container management system described in Patent Document 1, container position management is performed based on the container identification information transmitted from the wireless device and the position information of the container transport vehicle.
JP 2003-212351 A

  By the way, when container identification information is stored in the ID tag, it is difficult to read the container identification information unless the reader is brought close to the ID tag. For this reason, when a container is mounted, it is necessary to arrange | position an ID tag in the position close | similar to the reader provided in the vehicle side. That is, when an ID tag is used as the specific information medium for storing the container identification information, there are large restrictions on the place where the ID tag is attached to the container.

  Therefore, when various types of containers are placed on the container transport vehicle, it may be difficult to place the ID tag so as to be close to the reading device disposed on the vehicle side depending on the type of the container. . That is, there is a problem that it is difficult to construct a container management system.

  Regarding the container, information on the state of the container, such as where the container was loaded and unloaded, where the loaded items of the container were discarded, is important. However, the container management system described in Patent Document 1 can grasp the position of the container, but cannot manage the state of the container as described above.

  The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a container management system in which the construction of the system is relatively easy and the state of the container can be managed. is there.

  The container management system according to the present invention uses a communication network. The container management system according to the present invention manages containers transported by a container transport vehicle. The container transport vehicle can perform a plurality of types of operations on the container. Multiple types of operations on containers include loading and unloading containers.

  The container management system according to the present invention includes a container identifier, vehicle position detection means, an image sensor, a vehicle-side transmission device, and a management server. The container identifier is provided on the surface of the container. The vehicle position detection means is provided in the container transport vehicle. The vehicle position detection means detects the position of the container transport vehicle and acquires vehicle position data. The imaging element is provided in the container transport vehicle. The imaging device captures the container identifier and acquires electronic image data. The vehicle-side transmission device is provided in the container transport vehicle. The vehicle-side transmission device includes at least operation type data indicating a container operation type, operation date and time data indicating the date and time when the container operation was performed, vehicle position data, and electronic image when the container operation is performed. Data is wirelessly transmitted to the communication network.

  The management server includes a server-side receiving unit, an identifying unit, and a data acquiring unit. The server-side receiving unit receives data wirelessly transmitted from the vehicle-side transmission device via the communication network. The identification unit analyzes the electronic image data and identifies the container. The data acquisition unit acquires container related information, which is information related to the container identified by the identification unit, from the operation date / time data, the vehicle position data, and the operation type data.

  According to the container management system, the container is identified by analyzing the electronic image data of the container identifier captured by the image sensor. That is, data used for container identification is formed by the container identifier and the image sensor. For this reason, unlike the case of using an ID tag, the container can be identified even if the container identifier and the image sensor are relatively separated from each other. Further, when identifying a container by reading an ID tag, a relatively high position accuracy of the ID tag with respect to the reading device is required. For this reason, there is a possibility that the container cannot be identified due to a position defect between the ID tag and the reading device when reading the ID tag. On the other hand, when an image sensor is used, the requirement for the positional accuracy of the container identifier with respect to the image sensor is relatively low. Therefore, the container can be identified with high certainty.

  Further, as described above, when an image sensor is used, since the requirement for the positional accuracy of the container identifier with respect to the image sensor is relatively low, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the container identifier is relatively high. For this reason, it is relatively easy to attach the container identifier in any container. Therefore, the container management system can be constructed relatively easily.

  Usually, a container identifier is cheaper than an ID tag or the like. For this reason, the container management system can be constructed relatively inexpensively by using the container identifier.

  Further, when the ID tag is used, the container cannot be identified without the reading device. That is, the container can be identified when it is placed on the container transport vehicle, but it is difficult to identify the container when it is not placed on the container transport vehicle. On the other hand, when using a container identifier that can be imaged by the image sensor, the container can be identified visually without using a special device. For this reason, the container can be identified even when it is not placed on the container transport vehicle.

  For example, as in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the management of a container based only on the position information of the container only manages the current location of the container, and the state of the container (such as whether the container is mounted on the container transport vehicle). It is difficult to grasp. It is also difficult to grasp the position information of containers that are not placed on the container transport vehicle. On the other hand, in the container management system, when the container is operated, operation type data, operation date / time data, and vehicle position data are transmitted. For this reason, for example, when container loading / unloading is performed, it is grasped where the container loading / unloading was performed. Therefore, for example, it is possible to manage what identification number container is lowered and where it is currently installed. Further, when an installed container is loaded on a container transport vehicle, it is possible to manage when, where, and where the container has been loaded. Thereby, suitable arrangement | positioning operation of a container is attained.

  Further, for example, when the container transporting vehicle can dispose of the contents by tilting the container, the operation type data, the operation date / time data, and the vehicle position data are stored when the container is tilted. Since it is transmitted, it is possible to manage where the contents of the container are discarded. Thereby, illegal dumping of the contents of the container can be monitored. In addition, the amount of contents in the container can be easily managed.

  On the other hand, if only the location information of the container transport vehicle is managed, it is difficult to determine whether it has just passed through a site where illegal dumping is frequently performed or whether it has been illegally dumped at that site. .

  In the present invention, the container related information may be operation date / time data, vehicle position data, and operation type data itself, or may be data calculated from these data. For example, the container-related information may be the number of days since the operation was performed on the container, specifically, the number of installation days after the container was lowered and installed.

  In the present invention, “a plurality of types of operations on the container” means, for example, an operation of discharging the internal load by tilting the container, a container loading operation, a container loading / unloading operation, and a container tilting. Up operation, container tilt down operation, etc. Here, “container loading operation” refers to an operation of placing a container placed on the ground or a platform on a container transport vehicle. “Container loading / unloading operation” refers to an operation of dropping a container placed on a container transporting vehicle onto the ground, a platform, or the like. “Container tilt-up operation” is an operation of tilting a container placed on a container transport vehicle. “Container tilt-down operation” refers to an operation of returning a tilted-up container to its original state.

  In the container management system according to the present invention, the management server further includes a server-side transmission unit that transmits the container-related information acquired by the data acquisition unit to the communication network, and receives the container-related information via the communication network. It is preferable that the mobile terminal further includes a terminal having a terminal-side receiving unit and a display for displaying container-related information received by the terminal-side receiving unit.

  According to this, the user using the terminal can check the container related information via the display. As a result, the container can be arranged and operated more favorably. Here, the container related information refers to information such as a container position and a container state. More specifically, the state of the container includes, as described above, from when and where the container is installed, when and where the container is placed on the container transporting vehicle, and the like.

  The terminal may further include a calculation unit that processes the container related information received by the terminal side receiving unit and displays the processed container related information on a display. That is, the display may display the container related information received by the terminal side receiving unit as it is, or may display the container related information after being processed by the calculation unit. The display may be capable of displaying the container related information received by the terminal-side receiving unit as it is and displaying the container related information after being processed by the calculation unit.

  The display preferably displays the installation period after the container identified by the identification unit is lowered from the container transport vehicle and installed as container related information.

  Specifically, the data acquisition unit acquires the installation period after the container is lowered and installed from the operation date / time data, vehicle position data, and operation type data, and the display displays the installation period of the container. It is preferable to be displayed.

  According to this, it is possible to prevent the container from being installed in an unintended place for an unintended period. Also, by managing the container installation period, it becomes easy to predict when the capacity of the container will be full, and it becomes easy to estimate the replacement time of the container being installed and to contact the customer. That is, it becomes easy for the user to make a subsequent use plan of the container, and the management of the container by the user becomes particularly easy. As a result, it is possible to improve the operation rate of the container and to effectively use the container.

  The container related information includes at least the position information of the container identified by the identification unit, and the display displays a map in which a container icon corresponding to the container identified by the identification unit is displayed at a position corresponding to the position information. In addition, it is preferable that the container related information of the container identified by the identifying unit is displayed side by side with the container icon.

  According to this, the user of the terminal can grasp at a glance the current position of the container and the state of the container. Further, when a plurality of containers are managed, it is possible to grasp the positional relationship between these containers.

  The container management system according to the present invention preferably manages a plurality of containers. In that case, when a plurality of container icons are displayed superimposed on the map, the display displays the container related information of a plurality of containers corresponding to the plurality of container icons side by side with the plurality of container icons. Preferably there is. Specifically, it is preferable that the display displays, for example, container-related information related to a plurality of containers represented by the container icon side by side or below the plurality of container icons.

  For example, when a plurality of container icons are displayed in a superimposed manner, a plurality of container related information is also displayed in a superimposed manner. This makes it difficult to visually recognize the container related information. On the other hand, as described above, the container related information of the plurality of containers corresponding to the plurality of container icons is displayed side by side together with the plurality of container icons displayed in a superimposed manner. Visibility can be improved.

  The imaging device includes a state in which the container is loaded on the container transport vehicle, a state in which the container is tilted up and unloaded from the container transport vehicle, and a surrounding when the container is not mounted on the container transport vehicle. It is possible to capture a site photograph including at least one of the above states, and the display may display the site photograph inside or around the container icon on the map.

  In this way, it is possible to check overloading or dumping to a place other than the designated place by referring to the site photograph.

  The data acquisition unit calculates the number of containers that are currently used and the number of containers that are not currently used from the vehicle position data, and calculates the number of containers that are currently being used. The operating rate obtained by dividing the quantity by the total of the quantity of the container that is not currently used may be acquired as the container related information.

  The server side transmission unit transmits vehicle position data as container related information, and the calculation unit calculates the number of containers currently used and the number of containers not currently used from the vehicle position data. Calculate the operation rate obtained by dividing the number of used containers by the sum of the number of currently used containers and the number of currently unused containers, and display the calculated operation rate on the display. It may be displayed.

  According to this, the user of the terminal can manage the operation rate of the container. As a result, reliable management of the container and effective use of the container can be achieved.

  At least one of the management server and the terminal includes a first storage unit that stores and accumulates at least two of operation date / time data, vehicle position data, operation type data, and container related information in association with each other. Furthermore, it is preferable to have it.

  According to this, it is possible to refer to the past data of the container at any time. Further, by providing an output unit (for example, a printer or a plotter) that outputs data stored and stored in the first storage unit, the data stored and stored in the first storage unit can be output at any time. Is possible. That is, it is particularly preferable that an output unit that outputs data stored and stored in the first storage unit is provided. Alternatively, it is particularly preferable that an output unit that outputs data accumulated and stored in the first storage unit is connectable.

  The container transport vehicle further includes a second storage unit that stores the vehicle identification data of the container transport vehicle, and the vehicle-side transmission device transmits the vehicle position data and the vehicle identification data to the communication network at regular intervals. The data acquisition unit wirelessly transmits the current position information of the container transport vehicle from the vehicle position data and the vehicle identification data, and the server side transmission unit transmits the position information of the container transport vehicle together with the vehicle identification data to the communication network. The terminal-side receiving unit receives the position information of the container transport vehicle together with the vehicle identification data via the communication network, and the display is in a position corresponding to the received position information of the container transport vehicle. It is preferable to display a map showing the vehicle identification data together with a vehicle icon corresponding to the container transporting vehicle.

  Thus, by displaying the vehicle icon together with the container icon on the map, it is possible to grasp the current position of the container transport vehicle for transporting the container, the transport status of the container, and the like. Therefore, the container transport vehicle can be effectively used. Specifically, it is possible to quickly and accurately perform a dispatch instruction to the container transport vehicle and a work status check of the operator of the container transport vehicle. This technique is particularly effective when the number of registered container transport vehicles and the number of containers are large. In that case, it is particularly preferable that data related to the container transport vehicle such as the vehicle identification data of the container transport vehicle corresponding to the vehicle icon is displayed along with the vehicle icon. In addition, a vehicle number etc. are mentioned as a specific example of vehicle identification data.

  At least one of the management server and the terminal stores and stores the position information of the container transport vehicle together with the vehicle position data acquisition time when the vehicle position data is acquired by the vehicle position detection means. And the display displays the passage route of the container transport vehicle on a map based on the position information of the container transport vehicle stored in the third storage unit and the vehicle position data acquisition time. It is preferable.

  According to this, the deviation of the container transport vehicle from the transport route registered in advance can be suppressed.

  In addition, management of the travel route of the container transport vehicle is facilitated. In addition, by managing the travel route of the container transport vehicle, it becomes easy to predict the future travel route of the container transport vehicle. From this viewpoint, it is particularly preferable that the display has a vehicle icon that can specify the traveling direction. For example, the outer shape of the vehicle icon may be an arrow shape.

  The third storage unit may be common with the first storage unit or may be separate.

  At least one of the management server and the terminal includes a vehicle speed calculation unit that calculates the vehicle speed of the container transport vehicle from the position information of the container transport vehicle accumulated and stored in the third storage unit and the vehicle position data acquisition time. Furthermore, it is preferable to have.

  According to this, the vehicle speed of the container transport vehicle can be easily managed without providing a separate vehicle speed sensor or the like for the container transport vehicle. It is also possible to calculate the vehicle speed retroactively.

  The terminal or the management server further includes a vehicle speed determination unit that determines whether or not the vehicle speed of the container transport vehicle calculated by the vehicle speed calculation unit is equal to or less than the speed limit, and the terminal or the container transport vehicle includes a vehicle speed determination unit Accordingly, it is preferable that the vehicle speed warning unit further warns the user of the terminal or the driver of the container transport vehicle when it is determined that the vehicle speed of the container transport vehicle is higher than the speed limit.

  According to this, it can be managed that the container transport vehicle is traveling at a speed lower than the speed limit. Also, if the vehicle speed (speed) of the container transport vehicle exceeds the speed limit, a warning is given to the user of the terminal or the driver of the container transport vehicle. Can do.

  The vehicle speed warning unit may emit a warning sound. The vehicle speed warning unit may be a warning display or a warning lamp.

  In addition, the “limit speed” may be a statutory limit speed set for each road, or may be a constant speed set in advance so that the vehicle speed of the container transport vehicle does not exceed the limit speed. Good.

  The display may display a graph of a change in the vehicle speed of the container transport vehicle calculated by the vehicle speed calculation unit and a regulation speed arbitrarily set by the user.

  Thereby, the display which contrasted the vehicle speed of a container transport vehicle and the control speed can be performed. Since the regulation speed can be arbitrarily set by the user, it is possible to display according to the actual situation of the operator of the container transport vehicle.

  The management server or the terminal determines whether the current position of the container transport vehicle is within the work area based on the fourth storage unit that stores the work area in which the container transport vehicle can work and the position information of the container transport vehicle. And an area determination unit that determines whether the terminal determines that the current position of the container transport vehicle is not within the work area by the area determination unit. It is preferable to further include an area warning section for performing the above.

  According to this, the work area of a container transport vehicle can be managed suitably. It is possible to prevent the container transport vehicle from entering an unjustified work area. As a result, illegal dumping of the contents of the container can be suppressed.

  The fourth storage unit may be the same as the first storage unit or the third storage unit, or may be separate. The first storage unit, the third storage unit, and the fourth storage unit may be common. In addition, each of the first to fourth storage units may be configured by a memory such as a RAM or a hard disk, for example.

  It is preferable that the terminal further includes a work area designating unit that designates a work area on the map displayed on the display, and a terminal-side work area transmission unit that transmits the designated work area to the data acquisition unit. .

  According to this, the user of the terminal can specify the work area on the map displayed on the display. For this reason, even when the work area is not registered in the management server in advance, the work area can be set at any time by the user of the terminal. Therefore, the usability of the terminal user is improved.

  Examples of the work area designation means include a mouse and a keyboard. In the case of a mouse, for example, by specifying a plurality of points on the map with the mouse, an area surrounded by the plurality of points can be registered as a work area.

  The server side transmission unit transmits a warning signal and electronic image data as container related information when the identification unit cannot identify the container, and the display receives the warning signal from the terminal side reception unit. In this case, the terminal displays electronic image data together with a warning display indicating that the container could not be identified, and the terminal includes container related information input means for the container user to input container related information, and container related information input means. It is preferable to further include a terminal-side container-related information transmission unit that transmits the container-related information input by the data acquisition unit.

  According to this, even if the automatic identification of the container by the identification unit is unsuccessful due to, for example, the container identifier not clearly appearing in the electronic image data used for container identification, the user of the terminal The container can be identified by. Therefore, it is possible to improve the possibility that the container is appropriately identified. As a result, the container can be managed more favorably.

  Containers are used for collecting and transporting waste, and terminals are used for collection and transportation companies used by collection and transportation companies that collect and transport waste, and discharge waste. It is preferable that a waste discharge company terminal used by the waste discharge company is included.

  According to this, both the collection transportation business operator and the waste discharge business operator can confirm the state of the container and the like. In addition, when information about the container transport vehicle is displayed on the display, both the collection transport operator and the waste discharge business operator can provide information related to the container transport vehicle such as the operation trajectory of the container transport vehicle. Can be confirmed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a container management system that is relatively easy to construct a system and that can manage the state of the container.

  Hereinafter, an example of a preferred embodiment in which the present invention is implemented will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

<Outline of container management system 100>
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a container management system 100 according to the present embodiment. The container management system 100 is a system for managing a plurality of container transport vehicles 1 and a plurality of containers C using the communication network 5. Specifically, the container management system 100 is a system for managing the position, state, speed, transport history, travel history, etc. of each container transport vehicle 1 and the position, state, installation period, etc. of each container C. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the container management system 100, information related to the container transport vehicle 1 and the container C is wirelessly transmitted from the in-vehicle device 4 mounted on the container transport vehicle 1 to the wireless communication network 5 a. Information wirelessly transmitted from the container transport vehicle 1 is transmitted to the management server 8 via the Internet 5b connected to the wireless communication network 5a. Information received by the management server 8 is processed and accumulated by the management server 8. The management server 8 transmits the processed and accumulated information to each of the plurality of terminals 9 used by the user via the Internet 5b. In this container management system 100, the container C and the container transport vehicle 1 are managed by the management server 8 and the terminal 9.

  In this embodiment, the terminal 9 is provided separately from the management server 8. However, the management server 8 may have a function as the terminal 9. Further, the management server 8 may have a function as the terminal 9 and each terminal 9 may have a function as the management server 8. That is, each terminal 9 may directly communicate with the container transport vehicle 1 and perform data processing via the communication network 5.

  Normally, the terminal 9 is placed at each user's hand, whereas the management server 8 is installed in the container management center 30. The container management center 30 operates, for example, the container management system 100 and also provides an information service provider (system management provider) that provides an ASP (application service provider) service to the user of the terminal 9 via the terminal 9. Office).

  The “user of the terminal 9” means a collection / transportation company that performs processing (collection, transportation, etc.) of waste using the container C, a waste discharge business that discharges waste, and a management company of the container C And a management company of the container transport vehicle 1.

  In FIG. 1, the container transport vehicle 1 and the terminal 9 are drawn two by two for convenience of explanation, but the quantity of the container transport vehicle 1 managed by the container management system 100 and the container management system 100 are illustrated. There is no particular limitation on the quantity of the terminals 9 included in.

  Hereinafter, the details of the container management system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and the like.

<Container C>
The container C is a large container used for freight transportation. In the present invention, the type of contents carried into the container C is not particularly limited. The container C may be, for example, a waste collection container loaded with discarded waste or a recycled resource collection container loaded with recycled resources to be recycled. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, an example in which the container C is a waste collection container will be described.

  The container C is an independent container that can discharge an internal load to the outside by being inclined. The rear wall of the container C can be opened and closed. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, the load inside the container C can be discharged by inclining the container C. The container C may be an open type with an upper surface opened. Further, the container C may be a hermetically sealed type whose upper surface is closed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an engagement pin C <b> 1 is provided on the upper part of the front wall of the container C. The engagement pin C1 engages with a hook 23 of the container transport vehicle 1 described in detail later. As a result, the container C is locked to the container transport vehicle 1 so as to be swingable. On the other hand, a support leg C2 is provided on the bottom front portion of the container C. A support roller C3 is provided at the bottom rear of the container C.

<Container transport vehicle 1>
(Schematic structure of container transport vehicle 1)
The container transport vehicle 1 is a vehicle that can perform a plurality of types of operations on the container C including loading and unloading of the container C. First, a schematic configuration of the container transport vehicle 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The container transport vehicle 1 includes a cargo handling device (container mounting / loading means) 2 mounted on a vehicle body 3. The cargo handling device 2 is for performing a container operation on the container C. Specifically, the cargo handling device 2 is for performing each container operation such as loading the container C into the container transporting vehicle 1, unloading the container C from the container transporting vehicle 1, and tilting up and tilting down the container C. It is.

  The cargo handling device 2 includes an outer arm 21 and a substantially L-shaped telescopic arm 22. The outer arm 21 is substantially horizontal when the container C is mounted. The outer arm 21 has an insertion hole that opens forward. As shown in FIG. 7, the rear end portion of the outer arm 21 is rotatably connected to the swing frame 2a. The rear end of the swing frame 2 a is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the vehicle body 3. The outer arm 21 and the swing frame 2a can be secured by a securing device (not shown). When the outer arm 21 and the swing frame 2a are secured by a securing device, as shown in FIG. 7, the outer arm 21 and the swing frame 2a rotate integrally around the rear end of the swing frame 2a. To do. On the other hand, when the outer arm 21 and the swing frame 2a are not secured by the securing device, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the outer arm 21 has a rear end portion of the outer arm 21 separately from the swing frame 2a. While rotating as a shaft, the swing frame 2a is kept horizontal.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the telescopic arm 22 includes a horizontal portion 22a that is substantially horizontal when the container C is mounted, and a vertical portion 22b that is substantially vertical when the container C is mounted. The lower end portion of the vertical portion 22b is connected to the tip portion of the horizontal portion 22a. A hook 23 that can be freely engaged with and disengaged from the engaging pin C1 of the container C is provided at the tip of the vertical portion 22b.

  The rear portion of the horizontal portion 22a is inserted into the outer arm 21 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction in the state shown in FIG. A telescopic cylinder (not shown) is provided between the horizontal portion 22a and the outer arm 21. The horizontal portion 22a can be expanded and contracted in the longitudinal direction of the outer arm 21 with respect to the outer arm 21 by the expansion cylinder.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, an extendable undulating cylinder 24 is provided between the outer arm 21 and the vehicle body 3. A front end portion of the hoisting cylinder 24 is rotatably supported by the vehicle body 3. On the other hand, the rear end portion of the hoisting cylinder 24 is rotatably attached to the middle portion of the outer arm 21. The cargo handling device 2 including the outer arm 21 is rotatable about the rear end portion of the outer arm 21 by the expansion and contraction operation of the hoisting cylinder 24. As the cargo handling device 2 rotates in this manner, the container C is lowered while moving backward. Note that a roller 25 is provided at the rear end of the vehicle body 3 for facilitating the backward movement of the container C.

  Next, the container operation of the container transport vehicle 1 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.

(Unloading of container C)
When unloading the container C from the container transport vehicle 1, first, with the container C mounted as shown in FIG. 3, the horizontal portion 22a of the extendable arm 22 is moved to the outer arm 21 by an extendable cylinder (not shown) as shown in FIG. Degenerate against it. Thereby, the container C on the vehicle body 3 is slid backward by a predetermined length. Next, 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 container C on the ground can be loaded on the vehicle body 3 by performing a process reverse to the above-described unloading operation.

(Tilt-up work and tilt-down work of container C)
The tilt-up operation of the container C is performed when discharging the load loaded in the container C. In the tilt-up operation, the outer arm 21 and the swing frame 2a are integrally secured by a securing device (not shown) while the container C is loaded on the vehicle body 3, and the telescopic arm 22 is retracted with respect to the outer arm 21. Instead, as shown in FIG. 7, the entire cargo handling device 2 is rotated upward to tilt the container C. By performing this tilt-up operation, the rear wall of the container C is opened, and the load in the container C is discharged to the outside. The tilt-down operation can be performed by performing the steps of the tilt-up operation in the reverse order.

<Container ID code C4>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 7, a container ID code C <b> 4 as a container identifier is displayed in the container C. Specifically, the container ID code C4 is displayed on the front surface of the container C. The display position of the container ID code C4 is not particularly limited as long as it is a position where a digital camera 12 (to be described later) can take a picture when the container C is loaded on the container transport vehicle 1. The display position of the container ID code C4 can be appropriately determined according to the shape of the container C and the like.

  The container ID code C4 is not particularly limited as long as the container C can be identified. For example, the container ID code C4 may be a code (number, symbol, etc.) given to each container C. Further, the container ID code C4 may be a barcode, for example. However, from the viewpoint of easy identification of the container C by visual recognition, the container ID code C4 is preferably a code (number, symbol, etc.) rather than a barcode. Further, the container ID code C4 may be composed of OCR font characters. In this case, there is an advantage that not only the visual recognition is possible but also the existing technology is easy to use for identifying the container ID code C4 by image analysis described later.

  Specific examples of the container ID code C4 are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are merely examples of the container ID code C4, and the container ID code C4 is not particularly limited to these. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the container ID code C4 is composed of a numeric code consisting of a total of 10 numbers in which 5 digits each are arranged in two upper and lower stages. Bracket marks 26 are displayed at the four corners around the numeric code. A bracket mark 26 is displayed to indicate a range where the container ID code C4 exists. That is, the container ID code C4 is present in the area surrounded by the brackets 26. The mark 26 for indicating the range in which the container ID code C4 exists is not limited to the bracket 26 shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the mark 26 may be a frame having a rectangular outer shape.

  The waste collection container and the recycling resource collection container are obtained by being photographed by a digital camera 12 (to be described later) under the influence of dirt on the container C, protrusions on the surface of the container C, or a sheet placed on the container C. The image data may be subject to noise due to the outdoor environment. For this reason, the mark 26 indicating the range in which the container ID code C4 exists is more preferable in the analysis of electronic image data to be described later than the start marker provided at the beginning of a commonly used numeric code. Bring results.

  The last two digits of the container ID code C4, that is, the last two digits of the lower row are error detection codes. The erroneous detection code is used for correcting erroneous detection when the container ID code C4 is read. A correction method for erroneous detection is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a sum check method. Thus, by providing the start marker and the erroneous detection code, the container ID code C4 can be more accurately identified by image analysis described later. The position where the erroneous detection code is arranged is not limited to the end of the container ID code C4, and may be arranged at another position.

  The container ID code C4 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is merely a specific example, and the container ID code C4 is not limited to that shown in FIGS. The container ID code C4 is, for example, an 8-digit number arranged in a horizontal row, and among the 8-digit numbers, 3 digits from the left are the user number, the next 4 digits are the container number, and the last 1 The digit may be a false detection number. Thus, the container ID code C4 as a container identifier may include information such as a user number as well as a container number.

<In-vehicle device 4>
Next, the configuration of the in-vehicle device 4 as a vehicle-side transmission device that transmits information to the communication network 5 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the in-vehicle device 4 serving as the vehicle-side transmission device includes a GPS receiving unit 14 serving as a vehicle position detection unit, which will be described later, and a digital camera 12 including an image sensor 12a. . However, the in-vehicle device 4 serving as the vehicle-side transmission device, the GPS receiving unit 14 serving as the vehicle position detection unit, and the digital camera 12 including the image sensor 12a may be provided separately.

As shown in FIG. 10, the in-vehicle device 4 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 10, a clock unit (time acquisition means) 11, a digital camera 12, a wireless communication adapter 13, a GPS (global positioning system) receiver 14, an EEPROM. (Electrically
Erasable programmable read-only memory (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) 17 and RAM (random access memory) 18 are provided.

  The CPU 10 performs various arithmetic processes. The CPU 10 can be configured by a microcomputer or the like, for example. In the following description, various data processing performed in the in-vehicle device 4 is performed by the CPU 10 except for those specifically described.

  The EEPROM 17 is a kind of memory. Specifically, the EEPROM 17 is an integrated circuit memory chip having an internal switch that allows a user to erase the contents and write new contents with an electric signal. The EEPROM 17 holds software such as an OS and application programs necessary for the CPU 10 to perform arithmetic processing. The RAM 18 constitutes a storage unit. The RAM 18 is used for storing various data. Further, at least one of the EEPROM 17 and the RAM 18 holds vehicle number data (vehicle identification data) indicating the vehicle number of the container transport vehicle 1 on which the in-vehicle device 4 is mounted. That is, in the present embodiment, the second storage unit is configured by at least one of the EEPROM 17 and the RAM 18. The CPU 10, the EEPROM 17, the RAM 18, and the wireless communication adapter 13 described in detail later constitute vehicle control means.

  In the present embodiment, the digital camera 12 is a digital still camera (photographing unit) that captures a still image. However, the digital camera 12 may be a digital video camera capable of shooting a moving image. The digital camera 12 includes an image sensor 12a that takes a picture (takes an image). In this embodiment, the digital camera 12 is installed in the rear part of the driver's room in the container transport vehicle 1 so that the lens faces the rear window. For this reason, the scenery behind the driver's cab can be imaged by the digital camera 12 through the rear window of the container transport vehicle 1. However, the arrangement of the digital camera 12 is not limited to the above arrangement. For example, the digital camera 12 may be disposed outside the driver's cab.

  The digital camera 12 is connected to the CPU 10. The CPU 10 outputs a photography instruction to the digital camera 12. The image pickup device 12a built in the digital camera 12 receives a photo shooting instruction from the CPU 10, performs photo shooting (imaging), acquires electronic image data, and outputs it. When the container C is loaded on the container transport vehicle 1, the container ID code C <b> 4 of the container C is located in the range photographed by the digital camera 12. For this reason, the imaging device 12a images the container ID code C4 as a container identifier, acquires and outputs electronic image data including information on the container ID code C4. In the present embodiment, the digital camera 12 is equipped with a wide-angle lens, and the digital camera 12 is disposed at a position where the container ID code C4 and the background of the container transport vehicle 1 are imaged simultaneously.

  The GPS receiver 14 as vehicle position detection means detects the location of the container transport vehicle 1 to acquire vehicle position data and outputs it to the CPU 10.

  The cargo handling device control unit (operation state output means) 15 is connected to the cargo handling device 2. The cargo handling device control unit 15 is a device that controls the operation of the cargo handling device 2 described above. While the cargo handling device 2 is operating, the cargo handling device control unit 15 sends to the CPU 10 an operation type signal indicating any of the types of container operations of the cargo handling device 2, such as loading, unloading, tilting up, and tilting down. Output. Thereby, CPU10 grasps | ascertains the ON time point and OFF time point of the operation type signal which the cargo handling apparatus control part 15 outputs.

  The cargo handling device operation terminal 16 is connected to 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. 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. Based on an instruction from the CPU 10, the wireless communication adapter 13 includes operation type data corresponding to the operation type signal output from the cargo handling device control unit 15, date / time data such as operation date / time data output from the clock unit 11, and GPS. The vehicle position data output from the receiving unit 14 is wirelessly transmitted to the wireless communication network 5a shown in FIG. Thereby, communication with the management server 8 is performed. The communication between the wireless communication adapter 13 and the management server 8 is performed at least when the container C is operated. Specifically, in the present embodiment, communication between the wireless communication adapter 13 and the management server 8 is performed at predetermined intervals of, for example, about 1 second to 10 minutes, and the operation of the container C is performed. Sometimes done.

  The wireless communication adapter 13 is not particularly limited, but can be configured by a communication adapter using a mobile phone, a PHS, or the like.

<Management server 8>
Next, the management server 8 installed in the container management center 30 will be described with reference mainly to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management server 8. The management server 8 includes a CPU 32 as an identification unit and a data acquisition unit, a storage unit 33, and a gateway 38 as a server side reception unit. Connected to the management server 8 are a keyboard 34, a mouse 35, a display 36, and a printer 37 as an output device connected to the CPU 32.

  The CPU 32 is configured by a microcomputer or the like. The CPU 32 performs various data processing in general performed in the management server 8. In the following description, various data processing performed in the management server 8 is performed by the CPU 32 except for what is specifically described.

  The storage unit 33 holds software such as an OS and application programs necessary for the CPU 32 to perform processing. The software includes a program for analyzing electronic image data, which will be described later. The storage unit 33 is also used to store various data. The storage unit 33 can be configured by a hard disk, a memory, or the like. The storage unit 33 may be configured by both a hard disk and a memory.

  The keyboard 34 and mouse 35 are used by the user of the management server 8 in the container management center 30 to make various necessary inputs to the CPU 32 when performing container management. The display 36 is used to display the results processed by the CPU 32. The printer 37 is used for printing the result and the like. A plotter or the like may be arranged in place of the printer 37.

  The gateway 38 as a server side receiving unit is provided for the management server 8 to connect to the Internet 5b. Various data such as electronic image data wirelessly transmitted from the wireless communication adapter 13 included in the in-vehicle device 4 as the vehicle-side transmission device via the communication network 5 is received by the gateway 38. The gateway 38 is configured by a router, for example. The CPU 32 is connected to the gateway 38 and receives various data such as electronic image data wirelessly transmitted from the in-vehicle device 4 of the container transport vehicle 1. Further, as will be described in detail below, the CPU 32 analyzes the electronic image data and identifies the container C. Further, the CPU 32 acquires container related information related to the identified container C and vehicle related information related to the container transport vehicle 1 from date data such as operation date data, vehicle position data, operation type data, and the like.

  The gateway 38 also has a function as a server-side transmission unit. Specifically, the CPU 32 outputs the acquired container related information and vehicle related information to the gateway 38. The gateway 38 transmits the container related information and the vehicle related information to the Internet 5b shown in FIG.

<Terminal 9>
As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of terminals 9 are connected to the Internet 5b. Note that the terminal 9 of this embodiment includes a terminal for a collection and transportation company used by a collection and transportation company that collects and transports waste, and a waste that is used by a waste discharge company that discharges waste. And terminal for discharge companies.

  The container related information and the vehicle related information transmitted from the gateway 38 are transmitted to each terminal 9 via the Internet 5b.

  The terminal 9 includes a terminal-side transmission / reception unit 9a, a CPU 9b as a calculation unit, a storage unit 9c, a display 9d, and an output unit 9e. The terminal-side transmitting / receiving unit 9a receives container-related information, vehicle-related information, and the like transmitted from the management server 8 via the Internet 5b. The received container related information, vehicle related information, and the like are output to the CPU 9b and stored in the storage unit 9c. Further, the CPU 9b can perform various arithmetic processes on the input container related information and vehicle related information. The data after various arithmetic processes is stored in the storage unit 9c. Although not shown, the CPU 9b is connected to input means and operation means such as a keyboard and a mouse. When the user of the terminal 9 operates these input means and operation means, various data stored in the storage unit 9c can be displayed on the display 9d. Moreover, it can output by the output part 9e. The output unit 9e is not particularly limited, but can be configured by, for example, a printer or a plotter.

<Operation of Container Management System 100>
Next, the operation of the container management system 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

(Operation on the container carrier 1 side)
As shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14, in the container transport vehicle 1, when the cargo handling device operation terminal 16 is operated, the cargo handling device control unit 15 moves the cargo handling device 2 to load, unload, and tilt. Either container operation of up or tilt down is performed. Then, while the cargo handling device 2 is operating, an operation type signal indicating any of the types of container operations of the cargo handling device 2, that is, loading, unloading, tilting up, and tilting down, is sent from the cargo handling device control unit 15. Are output to the CPU 10 (step S1).

  When the operation type signal is output from the cargo handling device control unit 15, the CPU 10 creates operation type data corresponding to the operation type signal (step S2). The CPU 10 obtains 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 timepiece unit 11 and determines a position where the container transport vehicle 1 is present at the time when the operation type signal is turned on. The vehicle position data shown is acquired from the GPS receiver 14 (step S3).

  The CPU 10 combines the vehicle number data (vehicle identification 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, and outputs operation start report data. create. The CPU 10 stores the operation start report data in the RAM 18 and transmits it to the management server 8 of the container management center 30 through the wireless communication adapter 13 (step S4). Then, in the container management center 30, the CPU 32 of the management server 8 receives the operation start report data via the gateway 38 (step S21) and stores the operation start report data in the storage unit 33 (step S22).

  Further, after the operation type signal is turned on, the CPU 10 instructs the digital camera 12 to take a picture (step S5), and obtains electronic image data output from the digital camera 12 by taking the picture (step S6). ). Further, the CPU 10 acquires shooting time data (operation date / time data) indicating a shooting time which is a time at the shooting time of the digital camera 12 from the clock unit 11, and the container transport vehicle 1 at the shooting time of the digital camera 12 exists. Vehicle position data indicating the current position is acquired from the GPS receiver 14 (step S6). Then, shooting report data (history data) is created by combining the vehicle number data, shooting time data, vehicle position data, and operation type data (step S7).

  The CPU 10 stores the imaging report data in the RAM 18 and transmits it to the management server 8 of the container management center 30 via the wireless communication adapter 13 (step S7). The CPU 10 performs the above-described processing from the photography instruction (step S5) to transmission (step S7) at least once before the operation type signal is turned on and then turned off. Specifically, in this embodiment, it is once.

  When the shooting report data is transmitted to the management server 8 (step S7), the CPU 32 of the management server 8 receives the shooting report data via the gateway 38 (step S23) and stores the shooting report data in the storage unit 33. (Step S24). As will be described later, the electronic image data included in the imaging report data is analyzed by the management server 8, and the container ID code C4 of the container C is identified.

  Note that, for example, there may be cases where the container ID code C4 of the electronic image data is not clear due to dirt or dirt adhering to the container ID code C4. In such a case, it may be assumed that the CPU 32 cannot identify the container C. In this embodiment, when the container C is not properly identified, the CPU 32 transmits a warning signal and electronic image data to the terminal 9 as container related information via the gateway 38. . The transmitted electronic image data and warning signal are transmitted to the CPU 9b via the transmission / reception unit 9a. When the warning signal is received by the terminal-side receiving unit, the CPU 9b causes the display 9d to display electronic image data together with a warning display indicating that the container cannot be identified.

  FIG. 28 is an example of a warning display. As shown in FIG. 28, electronic image data (photograph) is displayed together with a warning display. For this reason, the user of the terminal 9 can visually confirm the electronic image data (photograph). For example, in the case shown in FIG. 28, “2”, “5”, and “8” are part of the container ID code C4, and automatic recognition could not be performed, but “12345567890” was confirmed by visual confirmation. Can be confirmed.

  When the user of the terminal 9 can identify the container C by visually confirming the electronic image data (photograph), the user of the terminal 9 inputs the keyboard 9 or the mouse (not shown) of the terminal 9. Container related information such as a container number can be input to the terminal 9 using the means (container related information input means). The input container related information is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 9a as the terminal side container related information transmission unit of the terminal 9 to the CPU 32 as the data acquisition unit via the gateway 38 of the management server 8. Thereafter, the input container related information is stored in the storage unit 33.

  Further, since the photographing report data including the electronic image data is stored in the storage unit 33, even if the analysis of the electronic image data cannot be performed successfully due to noise or the like of the electronic image data, it is stored in the storage unit 33. The container ID code C4 can be read by a person viewing the image obtained from the existing electronic image data.

  When the operation type signal output from the cargo handling device control unit 15 is turned off (step S8), the CPU 10 displays the operation end time data indicating the operation end time, which is the time when the operation type signal is OFF, While acquiring from the part 11, the vehicle position data which show the position where the container transport vehicle 1 exists in the time of OFF of the operation type signal are acquired from the GPS receiving part 14 (step S9).

  The CPU 10 creates operation completion report data by combining the vehicle number data with the operation end time data, vehicle position data, and operation type data (step S10). The CPU 10 stores the operation completion report data in the RAM 18 and transmits it from the wireless communication adapter 13 to the management server 8 of the container management center 30 (step S10).

  As long as the vehicle operation of the container transport vehicle 1 has not ended (step S11), the CPU 10 returns to step S1 and repeats the above processing (step S1 to step S11). When the vehicle operation of the container transport vehicle 1 ends (step S11), the in-vehicle device 4 ends the process. When the operation end time data is transmitted to the container management center (step S7), the CPU 32 of the management server 8 receives the operation end report data via the gateway 38 (step S25) and stores the operation end report data in the storage unit. 33 (step S26).

  In the present embodiment, the digital camera 12 takes a picture and acquires electrophotographic data every predetermined period of about 1 second to 10 minutes. The acquired electronic image data, vehicle number data (vehicle identification data), and vehicle position data are associated with each other and wirelessly transmitted from the wireless communication adapter 13 to the wireless communication network 5a. The wirelessly transmitted data is transmitted to the management server 8 via the Internet 5b. In the CPU 32 of the management server 8, the position information of the container transport vehicle 1 is acquired from the vehicle number data (vehicle identification data) and the vehicle position data that are associated with each other. And the position information of the container transport vehicle 1, the vehicle position data acquisition time when the vehicle position data used to acquire the position information of the container transport vehicle 1 is acquired, and the vehicle number data (vehicle Identification data) and vehicle position data are stored in the storage unit 33 of the management server 8. The data transmitted to the management server 8 is also stored in the RAM 18 of the in-vehicle device 4 simultaneously with the transmission to the management server 8.

  In the present specification, “vehicle position data” refers to the information itself related to the position detected by the GPS receiver 14. On the other hand, the “location information of the container transport vehicle” is calculated from the vehicle identification data (vehicle number data), the vehicle position data, and the time when the vehicle position data is detected by the GPS receiver 14. And it is the information which shows what kind of position the container transport vehicle 1 which has a certain vehicle identification data existed at what time (it exists).

(Operation on the management server 8 side)
On the other hand, in the management server 8, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, the CPU 10 transmits the operation start report data, the imaging report data, and the operation end report transmitted from the in-vehicle device 4 and stored in the storage unit 33. The following processing is performed using the 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 whether or not the difference between the operation start time and the operation end time is shorter than a predetermined time. Is checked (step S27). The “predetermined time” in step S27 is stored in advance in the storage unit 33. When the difference between the operation start time and the operation end time is shorter than the predetermined time (step S28), the shooting report data including the electronic image data of the images shot between the operation start time and the operation end time, ie, step All the photographing report data stored in S24 are invalidated (step S29). If the difference between the operation start time and the operation end time is greater than or equal to a predetermined time (step S28), the imaging report data including electronic image data of an image captured between the operation start time and the operation end time is invalid. (Step S28).

  This is done for the following reason. In general, in the cargo handling device 2, 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. In order to ensure the accuracy of each operation, usually, a short period of operation is repeated and fine adjustment is often performed. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately grasp loading and unloading unless only the main operations are grasped except for each operation of the cargo handling device 2 due to 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, It is preferable to invalidate all the shooting report data. By doing so, it is possible to accurately grasp the operation type in the normal operation of the container mounting and loading means.

  Next, it is checked whether or not there is any non-invalid photographing report data stored in step S24 (step S30). If it is determined in step S30 that there are non-invalid shooting report data (step S31), the CPU 32 analyzes the electronic image data included in the shooting report data determined not to be invalid, and converts it into electronic image data. The container ID code C4 of the container C loaded on the included container transport vehicle 1 is identified (step S32). Then, the CPU 32 performs container identification based on the identified container ID code C4. For the analysis of the electronic image data, a program for analyzing the electronic image data included in the software held in the storage unit 33 of the management server 8 is used. The analysis program is not particularly limited, and a general analysis program (for example, an OCR (optical character reader) program) can be used.

  When the container ID code C4 is identified from the electronic image data (step S32), the CPU 32 is included in the imaging report data including the container ID code C4 and the electronic image data in which the container ID code C4 is identified. Container transport history data (= container related information (related to container C) using the vehicle number data, shooting time data, vehicle position data, position information of the container transport vehicle 1, and operation type data. (Generic data) + vehicle related information (generic name of data related to the container transport vehicle 1)) is created (step S33). As long as the business in the container management center 30 has not ended (step S34), the CPU 32 returns to step S21 and repeats the above processing. When the operation of the container management center 30 ends, the management server 8 ends the process (step S34).

(Data transmission from the management server 8 to each terminal 9)
As described above, the management server collects various data such as container transportation history data including container C identification and container related information, vehicle related information, and the like, and stores the various data in the storage unit 33. Various data stored in the storage unit 33 is supplied to the terminal 9 via the Internet 5b.

  Specifically, various data stored in the storage unit 33 is transmitted from the gateway 38 to the Internet 5b as needed or necessary. Various types of information transmitted to the Internet 5b are received by a receiving unit (for example, gateway) 9a of the terminal 9. Various information received by the terminal-side transceiver unit 9a is transmitted to the CPU 9b, then to the storage unit 9c, and stored in the storage unit 9c.

(Processing in terminal 9)
Various information (including container-related information and vehicle-related information) stored in the storage unit 9c such as a memory is displayed by the user of the terminal 9 by operating input means and operation means such as a keyboard and a mouse (not shown). 9d. Specifically, when the user of the terminal 9 performs an operation for displaying various data on an input unit such as a keyboard or a mouse, the CPU 9b displays the data on the management server 8 via the transmission / reception unit 9a. Request transmission of various data to be sent. Then, the CPU 32 of the management server 8 reads out various data to be displayed from the storage unit 33 and transmits it to the terminal device 9 via the gateway 38. The transmitted data is temporarily stored in the storage unit 9c via the CPU 9b. Thereafter, the data stored in the storage unit 9c is read again by the CPU 9b and displayed on the display 9d.

  Here, when the information to be displayed by the user is the information itself stored in the storage unit 9c, the CPU 9b reads the information from the storage unit 9c and displays it on the display 9d as it is. On the other hand, if the information to be displayed by the user is not the information itself stored in the storage unit 9c, the CPU 9b obtains data necessary for acquiring the information to be displayed by the user from the storage unit 9c. The information that the user intends to display is obtained by reading and processing the data. Thereafter, the CPU 9b displays information obtained by the arithmetic processing on the display 9d. Note that data obtained by the arithmetic processing is stored and accumulated in the storage unit 9c. Specifically, data such as container related information obtained by the calculation process is stored and accumulated in association with data before the calculation process such as operation date / time data, vehicle position data, and operation type data.

  Each terminal 9 is provided with an output unit 9e constituted by a printer, a plotter, or the like. For this reason, each data displayed on the display 9d can be output from the output unit 9e. Specifically, printing is possible.

  In the container management system 100 according to the present embodiment, the management of the container is performed by the user of the management server 8 or the terminal 9 using the management server 8 or the terminal 9. Specifically, the user of the management server 8 or the terminal device 9 reads various data such as the container transportation history data stored in the storage unit 9c or 33 from the storage unit 9c or 33 and displays the data on the display 9d or 36. To do. In the following description, a case where the user of the terminal 9 performs container management will be described as an example.

(Display 9d display and data processing in terminal 9 or management server 8)
Next, data processing in the terminal 9 or the management server 8 for displaying the display object on the display 9d and the display object on the display 9d will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of a container transportation history data table displayed on the display 9d. The container transportation history data table in FIG. 15 displays a part of the container transportation history data stored in the storage unit 33. Specifically, the container transportation history data table of FIG. 15 displays a part of the container transportation history data regarding the four containers of the container ID code C4: # 001, # 002, # 003 and # 004 on the date: D1. ing. Specifically, the container transportation history data table shown in FIG. 15 includes “date and time” as photographing time data, “container ID” as container ID code C4, “vehicle position” as vehicle position data, vehicle number data ( "Vehicle identification data)" and "operation type" which is operation type data are displayed.

  The “date and time” in the container transportation history data table is displayed based on the shooting date and time data stored in the storage unit 33. Specifically, it is displayed based on the shooting date / time data transmitted when the operation displayed in the “operation type” column is performed in the container transport vehicle 1. The “operation type” is transmitted together with the shooting date / time data, and is displayed based on the operation type data stored in the storage unit 33. The “container ID” is displayed based on the container ID code that is transmitted together with the shooting date / time data and analyzed from the electronic image data stored in the storage unit 33. The “vehicle number” is transmitted together with the shooting date / time data and displayed based on the vehicle number data (vehicle identification data) stored in the storage unit 33.

From the container transportation history data table shown in FIG.
The container transport vehicle 1 with the vehicle number ********
-At time T1, loading container C with container ID # 001 at vehicle position P01,
-At time T2, the container C with the container ID # 001 was lowered at the vehicle position P11 different from the vehicle position P01.
-At time T3, the container C with the container ID # 002 was loaded at the same vehicle position P11 where the container C with the container ID # 001 was lowered.
At time T4, the container C with the container ID # 002 is tilted up at the vehicle position P21 different from the place where it was loaded (vehicle position P11), and the load of the container C with the container ID # 002 is discharged.
-At time T5, the container C with the container ID # 002 is tilted down.
-At time T6, the vehicle is unloaded at a vehicle position P02 different from the place where the container C with the container ID # 002 is loaded (vehicle position P11) and the place where the container is tilted up (vehicle position P21).
The vehicle position P02 is moved to the vehicle position P12, and the container C with the container ID # 003 is loaded at the vehicle position P12 at time T7.
At time T8, tilting up at a vehicle position P22 different from the place where the container C with container ID # 003 was loaded (vehicle position P12) and discharging the load of the container C with container ID # 003;
-The container C with the container ID # 003 is tilted down at time T9.
-The container C with the container ID # 003 was unloaded at the same vehicle position P12 as the place loaded at time T10.
The vehicle has moved from the vehicle position P12 to the vehicle position P13 and loaded the container C with the container ID # 004 at the vehicle position P13 at time T11.
At time T12, at a vehicle position P31 different from the place where the container C with the container ID # 004 is loaded (vehicle position P13), the load of the container C with the container ID # 004 is discharged by tilting up.
-The container C with the container ID # 004 is tilted down at time T13.
-At time T14, the container C with the container ID # 004 was unloaded at the same vehicle position P13 as the loading place,
Is recognized by the user.

  Further, various data necessary for management of the container C is calculated by the CPU 32 based on the data shown in the container transportation history data table shown in FIG. 15, and the data obtained by the calculation is transmitted from the management server 8 to the terminal 9. And displayed on the display 9d. One example and the principle of container management in one example are as follows.

  In general, a container transport vehicle 1 loaded with a container C for waste treatment stops at any of a storage yard, a customer site, or a treatment plant. Therefore, using the above information, the container C can be managed based on the principle shown in FIG.

  Normally, an empty container C is carried to the storage yard by the container transport vehicle 1 and stored as a spare container C, and is taken out of the storage yard and used as necessary. Therefore, dropping the container C in the storage yard means installing the empty container C in the storage yard. Then, loading the container C in the storage yard means that the empty container C is mounted on the container transport vehicle 1.

  Normally, an empty container C is carried in and installed by the container transport vehicle 1 on the customer's site, and the customer loads a load such as waste on the empty container C. When waste accumulates in the container C, the container transport vehicle 1 carries out the container C loaded with waste in order to discard the waste and the like. Therefore, dropping the container C at the customer site means installing an empty container C at the customer site. Then, loading the container C at the customer site means that the container C loaded with a load such as waste is mounted on the container transport vehicle 1.

  Normally, tilting up the container C at the processing site means discharging a load such as waste loaded on the container C to the processing site and bringing back an empty container C. In addition, loads such as wastes loaded on the container C mounted on the container transport vehicle 1 should be discharged only at the processing site. Therefore, when the tilting-up operation of the container transport vehicle 1 is performed at a place other than the processing site, it means that the discharge has been performed outside the processing site.

  If it does so, if it will be understood whether each vehicle position in FIG. 15 is a storage yard, a customer's site, or a processing place, it will become possible to manage the state of the container C and the location where the container C exists. Therefore, if the vehicle position in FIG. 15 is a place as shown in FIG. 17, the container management data in FIG. 18 can be derived from the record in FIG.

  Specifically, according to FIG. 15, the container transport vehicle 1 loads the container C with the container ID # 001 at the vehicle position P01 at the time T1 with the date D1. From the data shown in FIG. 17, the CPU 32 determines that the spot name of the vehicle position P01 is H1 and the spot type is a storage yard. Then, based on the loading of the storage yard and the container transportation history data, the CPU 32 determines from FIG. 16 that the container state information is “empty” and the container location information is “loaded in the yard”. By these determinations, based on the instruction of the CPU 32, the container status information and the container location information are included in the container transportation history data at the time T1, and the point name and the point type corresponding to the container ID, time, and vehicle position, The first line in FIG. 18 is displayed on the display 9d together with the address corresponding to the point name (the address of the point where the operation described in the operation type column is performed) and the operation type.

  According to FIG. 15, at time T2, the vehicle is lowered at a vehicle position P11 different from the place where the container C with the container ID # 001 is loaded. According to FIG. 17, the point name of the point position P11 is K1, and the point type is the customer site. Based on the customer site that is the point type and the unloading that is the operation type included in the container transportation history data, from FIG. 16, the container status information is “empty” and the container location information is “installed at the customer”. To be judged. The display of the second row in FIG. 18 displays these pieces of information together with the information included in the container transportation history data at time T2.

  According to FIG. 15, at time T8, the container C with the container ID # 003 is tilted up at the vehicle position P22. According to FIG. 17, the point name of the point position P22 is S2, and the point type is a processing place. Next, from FIG. 16, 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. It is judged that. The display on the seventh line in FIG. 18 displays these pieces of information together with the information included in the container transportation history data at time T8. Since the same applies to the other rows, the description is omitted.

  In this embodiment, the user of the terminal 9 performs an operation for displaying the container management data table in the format shown in FIG. 18 including the container status data and the container location data on an input means (not shown) of the terminal 9. For example, various data for displaying the container management data table from the management server 8 is provided to the terminal 9, and the container management data table shown in FIG. 18 is displayed on the display 9d. Further, the container management data table shown in FIG. 18 is output from the output unit 9e by a user operation. Further, the data shown in FIG. 18 can be output as a daily work report. As a result, it is possible to reduce the labor and human cost of creating a daily work report separately.

  Here, an example in which the data processing for creating the container management data table shown in FIG. 18 from the data shown in FIG. 16 is performed in the CPU 32 of the management server 8 will be described. You may let them.

  According to FIG. 15, at time T12, the container C with the container ID # 004 is tilted up at the vehicle position P31, and the load in the container C is discharged. However, there is no point position in FIG. 17 that coincides with the vehicle position P31 where the container C with the container ID # 004 is tilted up. Therefore, the spot type corresponds to “other than the above” shown in FIG. Therefore, also in FIG. 18, “?” Indicating unknown is displayed in the column of the spot name and spot type. Therefore, the container status information is “empty”, and the container location information is “discharged to other than the processing site”. That is, in this case, it can be seen that the load of the container C is discharged at a place other than the treatment plant, and it is illegal dumping. FIG. 18 also displays the address of the point where the operation described in the operation type column is performed. For this reason, it is possible to know at which point illegal dumping was performed. Thereby, management of illegal dumping is performed.

  Further, according to the container management system 100 according to the present embodiment, the following data processing and display on the display 9d are possible.

(Display of container C installation period)
In the container management system 100, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, a table showing the installation period of the container C can be displayed. The installation period of the container C is calculated by the CPU 32 from the container management data shown in FIG. Specifically, it is calculated from the current date and time and the date and time installed at the customer. When the container C installed at the customer is loaded on the container transport vehicle, the installation period is reset to zero. The installation period of the container C calculated in this way is displayed on the display 9d as an installation period table as shown in FIG.

(Occupancy rate of container C)
The operating rate of the container C is also calculated by the CPU 32 by a method similar to the calculation of the installation period of the container C, and the result is transmitted from the management server 8 to the terminal 9, for example, as shown in FIGS. 9d. FIG. 20 shows a bar graph representing the number of containers in a non-operating state and a line graph representing the operating rate of container C. On the other hand, FIG. 26 shows a table representing the working days and non-working days of the container C, and a pie chart representing the container working rate and the number of container installation days.

  Here, the “operating rate” is obtained by dividing the quantity of the container C that is in operation by the sum of the quantity of the container C that is in operation and the quantity of the non-operating container C. “Non-operating container C” refers to a container C installed in a container transport vehicle 1 in a storage yard (for example, in its own premises), that is, a container C existing in the storage yard. For this reason, the quantity of the container C calculated from the data shown in the installation period table shown in FIG. 19 is determined from the data shown in FIG. Is calculated by the CPU 32 by dividing by the sum of the number of installed containers C calculated from the data shown in the installation period table shown in FIG. Based on the calculation result, the CPU 32 creates the graph shown in FIG. 20 and then transmits it to the terminal 9 for display on the display 9d. In the graph shown in FIG. 20, the quantity of containers C that are not in operation at the present time and the operation rate of containers C are shown. The management server 8 may calculate the operating rate and send it to each terminal 9.

(Arrangement of container C)
Further, in the container management system 100, a map showing the position of the container C can be displayed on the display 9d. FIG. 21 shows an example. As shown in FIG. 21, container icons 101 and 102 are displayed at locations on the map corresponding to the container location (position information of container C) shown in FIG. The container ID of the container C corresponding to the container icons 101 and 102 is attached to the upper right of the container icons 101 and 102. Further, under the container icon 101, the installation period of the container C shown in FIG. Here, an example in which the installation period of the container C is displayed together with the container icons 101 and 102 will be described, but information such as container related information other than the installation period of the container C may be displayed side by side. .

  In FIG. 21, a container icon 101 used for containers C with container IDs # 001 to # 003 is a container icon indicating that the container C is in operation. On the other hand, the icon 102 used for the container C whose container ID is # 004 is a container icon indicating that the container C is not in operation. Thus, the container icon to be used is distinguished by the state of the container C. For example, the container icon 101 used for the container C whose installation period is longer than the predetermined period and the container icon 101 used for the container C whose installation period is less than the predetermined period have different colors. Is set. In addition, a container icon different from the container icons 101 and 102 is used for the container C in the middle of being mounted on the container transport vehicle 1.

  Further, on the map shown in FIG. 21, the spot names and customers shown in FIGS. 17 and 19 are displayed at corresponding locations on the map.

  In the container management system 100, a map of a wider area than the map shown in FIG. 21 can be displayed on the display 9d. FIG. 22 shows an example. When a wide area map is displayed on the display 9d as in the map shown in FIG. 22, a plurality of container icons 101 may be displayed at substantially the same position on the map. In this case, as shown in FIG. 22, the container related information of the container C corresponding to the plurality of container icons 101, for example, container IDs are displayed side by side next to the plurality of container icons 101 displayed in a superimposed manner. Is done.

  When the cursor 103 is moved to the container icon 101 of the map of FIG. 22 on the display 9d, detailed information of the container C with the container IDs # 001 to 003 represented by the container icon 101 is displayed as shown in FIG. Are displayed in a pop-up window 104. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the installation period of each container C is displayed in the pop-up window 104.

(Display of vehicle icons 105 and 106)
Icons other than the container icons 101 and 102 can also be displayed on the map displayed on the display 9d. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, vehicle icons 105 and 106 representing the container transport vehicle 1 can also be displayed. Specifically, in FIG. 24, vehicle icons 105 and 106 are displayed at locations on the map corresponding to the current position information of the container transport vehicle 1 stored in the storage unit 33. The vehicle icons 105 and 106 differ depending on the type and state of the container transport vehicle 1 to be represented. For example, the vehicle icon 105 in FIG. 24 represents the container transport vehicle 1 on which the container C is mounted. On the other hand, the vehicle icon 106 of FIG. 24 represents the container transport vehicle 1 in which the container C is not mounted.

  In addition to the vehicle icons 105 and 106, vehicle identification data (specifically, vehicle number data) of the container transport vehicle 1 corresponding to the vehicle icons 105 and 106 is also displayed on the display 9d. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 24, vehicle identification data is displayed under or next to the vehicle icons 105 and 106.

(Work area AR)
Further, as shown in FIG. 24, it is also possible to display a work area AR stored in advance in the storage unit 33 as the fourth storage unit. In the work area AR, as shown in FIG. 24, a work area name (such as a registered customer name of the user) 112 is also displayed. Thereby, compared with the case where the user of the terminal 9 calls the customer registration screen separately and confirms the work area name (registered customer name, etc.), the work area name can be easily confirmed on the map. . As a result, the situation of the container C and the container transport vehicle 1 can be grasped more easily and quickly.

  Further, the CPU 32 as the area determination unit determines whether or not the container C is in the work area AR based on the position information of the container transport vehicle 1 stored in the storage unit 33. When the CPU 32 determines that the container C is not in the work area AR, a warning is displayed on the display 9d. That is, the display 9d also has a function as a warning unit. Further, a warning buzzer is sounded in the container transport vehicle 1. Note that the warning method is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, display on a display, warning buzzer, lighting or blinking of a warning lamp, or the like.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 24, the passage route 110 of each container transport vehicle 1 is transmitted from the container transport vehicle 1 every predetermined period and based on the position information of the container transport vehicle 1 stored in the storage unit 33. Can also be displayed on the display 9d. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the passage route 110 is represented by a plurality of substantially triangular marks (dots) 107. The mark 107 is pointed at a position on the map corresponding to the position information of the container transport vehicle 1 transmitted from the container transport vehicle 1 every predetermined period. The size of the mark 107 may be changed according to the size of the map display area on the screen, for example. For example, when the map is enlarged to form a detailed map, the interval between the marks 107 increases, so it is preferable to increase the size of the marks 107 according to the degree of enlargement of the map.

  In the present embodiment, the user of the terminal 9 operates the input means (work area designating means) such as a keyboard and a mouse of the terminal 9, so that the work area AR is displayed on the map displayed on the display 9d. Can be specified. Specifically, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 27, by operating the mouse and moving the cursor 103, by designating a plurality of points 111 on the map displayed on the display 9d, An area surrounded by a plurality of points 111 is designated as a work area AR. The designated work area AR is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 9a as the terminal side work area transmission unit of the terminal 9 to the CPU 32 as the data acquisition unit via the gateway 38 of the management server 8. Thereafter, the designated work area AR is stored in the storage unit 33. For example, when the work area AR is already stored in the storage unit 33, the specified work area AR is overwritten on the work area AR already stored.

(Vehicle speed detection and warning of container transport vehicle 1)
Moreover, in the container management system 100 of this embodiment, the vehicle speed detection and warning of the container transport vehicle 1 are performed. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the vehicle position data when the position information of the container transport vehicle 1 stored in the storage unit 33 and the vehicle position data used to acquire the position information of the container transport vehicle 1 are acquired. Based on the acquisition time, the vehicle speed of the container transport vehicle 1 is calculated by the CPU 32 as a vehicle speed calculation unit. That is, the CPU 32 calculates the distance moved within a predetermined period from the position of the container transport vehicle 1 at a certain time and the position of the container transport vehicle 1 after the predetermined time from that time. Then, the vehicle speed of the container transport vehicle 1 can be calculated by dividing the calculated distance by the predetermined period.

  The calculated vehicle speed is displayed on the display 9d according to an instruction from the CPU 9b in accordance with the operation of the terminal 9 by the user of the terminal 9, for example, as in the graph shown in FIG.

  Further, the CPU 32 as a vehicle speed determination unit determines whether or not the vehicle speed of the container transport vehicle 1 is equal to or less than a predetermined speed limit 130 (see FIG. 25). As shown in FIG. 25, when the CPU 32 determines that the vehicle speed of the container transport vehicle 1 is equal to or less than a predetermined speed limit 130, no warning is given, while the CPU 32 displays the container transport vehicle 1. Is determined to be higher than a predetermined speed limit 130, a warning is displayed on the display 9d of the terminal 9 according to an instruction from the CPU 32. That is, in this embodiment, the display 9d has a function as a vehicle speed warning unit.

  Although an example in which a warning about the vehicle speed is displayed on the display 9d has been described here, a warning buzzer may sound or a warning lamp may shine. At the same time, the driver of the container transport vehicle 1 may be warned by a warning lamp or a warning buzzer. In addition, here, a predetermined fixed speed limit 130 is used, but a legal speed limit may be used for general roads. In that case, it is necessary to store the legally limited speed of the general road in the storage unit 33.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 25, the driver can be alerted to the speed by displaying the constant speed limit as a single line 130 together with the vehicle speed. However, the container transport vehicle 1 may travel on a highway as well as a general road. In that case, there is a case where only one line 130 does not match the actual situation. For example, since the legally limited speed of an expressway is higher than the legally limited speed of a general road, the driver actually drives the container transport vehicle 1 at a speed exceeding the legally limited speed of the general road.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 29, in addition to the speed limit 130, a regulated speed that can be arbitrarily set by the user may be displayed in a graph as another line 130A. That is, the change in the vehicle speed and the regulated speed 130A arbitrarily set by the user may be displayed in a graph. According to this example, the variable vehicle speed restriction line 130 </ b> A can be displayed together with the fixed restriction line 130. In this way, by making it possible to display the variable regulation speed, it is possible to automatically perform display that matches the actual situation of the driver.

(Function and effect)
As described above, according to the container management system 100 according to the present embodiment, the container C is automatically identified by analyzing the container ID code (container identifier) C4 imaged by the image sensor 12a built in the digital camera 12. Done. Thus, when the container C is identified using the image sensor 12a, unlike the case where the ID tag is used, the container C can be used even if the container ID code (container identifier) C4 and the image sensor 12a are relatively separated from each other. Can be identified. Further, when the container C is identified by reading the ID tag, a relatively high position accuracy of the ID tag with respect to the reading device is required. For this reason, there is a possibility that the container C cannot be identified due to a position defect between the ID tag and the reading device when reading the ID tag. On the other hand, when the image sensor 12a is used, the request for the positional accuracy of the container ID code (container identifier) C4 with respect to the image sensor 12a is relatively low. Therefore, the container C can be identified with high certainty.

  In addition, as described above, when the image sensor 12a is used, the request for the positional accuracy of the container ID code (container identifier) C4 with respect to the image sensor 12a is relatively low. For this reason, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the container ID code (container identifier) C4 is relatively high. Therefore, in any container C, it is relatively easy to attach the container ID code (container identifier) C4. Therefore, the container management system 100 can be constructed relatively easily.

  Usually, the container ID code (container identifier) C4 is less expensive than an ID tag or the like. For this reason, by using the container ID code (container identifier) C4, the container management system 100 can be constructed relatively inexpensively.

  Further, when an ID tag is used, the container C cannot be identified without a reading device. That is, when the container C is placed on the container transport vehicle 1, the container C can be identified, but when the container C is not placed on the container transport vehicle 1, the container C is identified. Is difficult. On the other hand, when the container ID code (container identifier) C4 that can be imaged by the image sensor 12a is used, the container C can be identified visually without using a special device. For this reason, the container C can be identified even when it is not placed on the container transport vehicle 1. For example, when the container C itself is repaired or repainted, the container ID code (container identifier) C4 can be visually identified.

  For example, as in Patent Document 1 described above, the management of the container C based only on the position information of the container C only manages the current location of the container C, and it is difficult to grasp the state of the container C. It is also difficult to grasp the position information of the container C that is not placed on the container transport vehicle 1. On the other hand, in the container management system 100, when the operation of the container C is performed, operation type data, operation date / time data, and vehicle position data are transmitted. For this reason, for example, when the loading / unloading of the container C is performed, it is grasped where the loading / unloading of the container C was performed. Therefore, for example, it is possible to manage what container ID (identification number) container C is lowered and where it is currently installed. Further, when the installed container C is loaded into the container transport vehicle 1, it is possible to manage when, where, and where the container C was loaded. Thereby, suitable arrangement | positioning operation of the container C is attained.

  For example, when the container transport vehicle 1 can dispose of the contents by inclining the container C, the operation type data, the operation date / time data, and the vehicle when the container C is inclined. Since the position data is transmitted, it is possible to manage where the contents of the container C are discarded. Thereby, illegal dumping of the contents of the container C can be monitored. Further, the amount of contents in the container C can be easily managed.

  On the other hand, if only the position information of the container transporting vehicle 1 is managed, it is difficult to determine whether it has just passed through a site where illegal dumping is frequently performed or whether illegal dumping has been performed at that site. is there.

  In the present embodiment, the installation period of the container C is managed. In particular, the installation period of the container C is displayed on the map showing the container icons 101 and 102 together with the container icons 101 and 102, and the user of the terminal 9 can check the installation period of the container C at a glance. . Therefore, it is possible to suppress the container C from being installed in an unintended place for an unintended period. In addition, by managing the installation period of the container C, it becomes easy to predict when the capacity of the container C is full, and it is easy to estimate the replacement time of the container C being installed and to contact the customer. Become. That is, it becomes easy for the user to make a subsequent use plan of the container C, and the management of the container C by the user becomes particularly easy. As a result, the operating rate of the container C can be improved and the container C can be used effectively.

  In this embodiment, the container related information related to the state of the container such as the installation period is displayed side by side with the container icon. For this reason, the user of the terminal 9 can grasp the current position of the container C and the state of the container C at a glance. Moreover, when the some container C is managed, the positional relationship of those containers C can also be grasped | ascertained.

  For example, when a plurality of container icons 101 and 102 are displayed in a superimposed manner, a plurality of container related information is also displayed in a superimposed manner. This makes it difficult to visually recognize the container related information. On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, together with the container icon 101, the container related information (installation period as an example in the present embodiment) of a plurality of containers C corresponding to the container icon 101 is displayed side by side. Thereby, the visibility of container related information can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the operating rate is calculated and displayed on the display 9d. For this reason, the user of the terminal 9 can manage the operation rate of the container C. As a result, reliable management of the container C and effective utilization of the container C can be achieved.

  In the present embodiment, container related information such as container transport history data and vehicle related information are stored in the storage unit 33. For this reason, the past data of the container C can be referred to at any time and displayed on the display 9d. Further, since the terminal unit 9 is provided with the output unit 9e, the data stored and stored in the storage unit 33 can be output at any time.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vehicle icons 105 and 106 are displayed with the container icons 101 and 102 etc. on the map displayed on the display 9d. In addition to the vehicle icons 105 and 106, vehicle identification data (vehicle number data) corresponding to the vehicle icons 105 and 106 are displayed side by side. Therefore, it is possible to grasp the current position of the container transport vehicle 1 for transporting the container C, the transport status of the container C, and the like. Therefore, the container transport vehicle 1 can be effectively used. Specifically, it is possible to quickly and accurately perform a dispatching instruction to the container transport vehicle 1 and a work status confirmation of an operator of the container transport vehicle 1. This is particularly effective when the number of registered container transport vehicles 1 and the number of containers C are large.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, the passage route 110 of the container transport vehicle 1 is displayed on the map. The passage route 110 is represented by a plurality of arrow-shaped marks 107 so that the traveling direction of the vehicle icon 106 can be seen. For this reason, management of the travel route of the container transport vehicle 1 and the like becomes easy. In addition, by managing the travel route of the container transport vehicle 1, it is also easy to predict the future travel route of the container transport vehicle 1.

  In the present embodiment, the vehicle speed of the container transport vehicle 1 is calculated from the position information of the container transport vehicle 1 and the vehicle position data acquisition time. For this reason, the vehicle speed of the container transport vehicle 1 can be easily managed without providing a separate vehicle speed sensor for the container transport vehicle 1. Further, since the position information of the container transport vehicle 1 and the vehicle position data acquisition time, which are the original data for calculating the vehicle speed, are stored in the storage unit 33, the vehicle speed can be calculated retroactively.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the warning is issued when the container transport vehicle 1 is traveling exceeding the speed limit, if the vehicle speed (speed) of the container transport vehicle 1 exceeds the speed limit, the terminal 9 Since a warning is given to the user or the driver of the container transport vehicle 1, it is possible to suppress the speed limit of the container transport vehicle 1 from being exceeded.

  In the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the container transport vehicle 1 from going to a place outside the work area and illegally dumping. Moreover, since the warning is given when the container transport vehicle 1 goes out of the work area, operation mistakes are suppressed, and the business efficiency of the container transport vehicle 1 can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the user of the terminal 9 designates the work area AR on the map displayed on the display 9d by operating input means (work area designation means) such as a keyboard and a mouse of the terminal 9. It is possible. Accordingly, the user of the terminal 9 can specify the work area AR on the map displayed on the display. For this reason, even when the work area AR is not registered in the management server 8 in advance, the work area AR can be set when the user of the terminal 9 is arbitrary. Also, when the user of the terminal 9 desires to change the work area AR, the work area AR can be changed at any time. Therefore, the usability of the terminal user is improved.

  In the present embodiment, when the CPU 32 cannot identify the container C, the container C can be identified by visual confirmation by the user of the terminal 9. For this reason, possibility that the container C will be identified suitably can be improved. As a result, the container C can be managed more favorably.

  As described above, the terminal 9 of this embodiment is used by the collection and transportation company terminal used by the collection and transportation company that collects and transports the waste and the waste discharge company that discharges the waste. Includes waste disposal operator terminals. For this reason, both the collection and transportation company and the waste discharge company can confirm the container-related information and the vehicle-related information, and can grasp the state of the container transportation vehicle 1 and the container.

  In the present embodiment, since various reports such as daily work reports can be output from the output unit 9e, it is possible to reduce the human cost required for preparing various reports and create various reports quickly and accurately. It becomes possible to do.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the duration of the container operation in the cargo handling device 2 is compared with a predetermined time set in advance, and if the duration of the container operation in the cargo handling device 2 is shorter, the shooting report data at that time Is invalidated. That is, an operation of the cargo handling device 2 that is shorter than the predetermined time is not regarded as a regular operation of the cargo handling device 2. Therefore, the operation type in the normal operation of the cargo handling device 2 can be accurately grasped.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the management server 8 determines whether or not the operation of the cargo handling device 2 is a regular operation of the cargo handling device 2 has been described. . 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. When the output of the operation type signal is turned off before the predetermined time has elapsed, it is assumed that the operation of the cargo handling device 2 in the container transport vehicle 1 is not a regular operation of the cargo handling device 2, and the control server 8 It is conceivable to stop the transmission of shooting report data.

  In the present embodiment, when the vehicle-mounted device 4 of the container transport vehicle 1 provides each data to the management server 8, the in-vehicle device 4 itself stores each report data. Specifically, the data transmitted to the management server 8 is also stored in the RAM 18 of the in-vehicle device 4. For this reason, when a problem occurs on the management server 8 side, the data stored on the management server 8 is checked against the data stored on the RAM 18 to check the data on the management server 8 side. It can be performed.

  The digital camera 12 is arranged so that not only the container IC code C4 but also the background of the container transport vehicle 1 on which the container C is loaded is captured. For this reason, the electrophotographic data photographed by the digital camera 12 includes not only the container ID code C4 but also the background image of the container transport vehicle 1. Therefore, for example, the user of the management server 8 or the terminal device 9 can confirm the background of the container transport vehicle 1 when the container operation is performed on the container transport vehicle 1. Therefore, for example, when a place other than the processing place is shown in a photograph taken when the container C is tilted up, an illegal act such as illegal dumping can be grasped.

  However, in the present invention, the digital camera 12 may take a picture of substantially only the container ID code C4. In this case, clearer electrophotographic data of the container ID code C4 can be obtained. Therefore, the identification accuracy of the container ID code C4 can be improved.

  In the container management system 100 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 has gone out of the area where it can communicate wirelessly with the wireless communication network 5a. In some cases, transmission of each data from the in-vehicle device 4 to the management server 8 becomes impossible. Therefore, in order to deal with the case, there are the following methods.

  The CPU 10 of the in-vehicle device 4 stores each data in the RAM 18 when transmitting each data to the management server 8. Therefore, as one method, when each data is stored in the RAM 18, a flag indicating that the data has been transmitted to the management server 8 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 5a and cannot communicate with the management server 8, it is stored without adding a flag, and the container transport vehicle 1 Returns to the area where communication with the wireless communication network 5a can be performed wirelessly, and when communication with the management server 8 is recovered, each data without a flag is transmitted to the management server 8 and A flag is added to the data and stored again in the RAM 18.

  Alternatively, in the system in which the CPU 10 of the in-vehicle device 4 does not store each data in the RAM 18 when transmitting each data to the management server 8, it cannot be transmitted only when communication with the management server 8 is not possible. Each data is stored in the RAM 18, and when the update is restored, each unsent data stored in the RAM 18 is transmitted to the management server 8. Then, after obtaining a response to the effect that it has been received from the management server 8, each data stored in the RAM 18 is erased.

  As described above, even when the container transport vehicle 1 travels in a mountainous area and cannot communicate with the management server 8, all the history data can be provided to the management server 8.

(Other display examples on the display 9d)
The container management system 100 according to the embodiment may display the following on the display 9d.

  In this display example, a “progress status” icon, a “history” icon, a “daily report” icon, an “analysis” icon, and a “driver registration” icon are displayed on the display 9d. When the user clicks the “history” icon, a search screen for “vehicle history”, “container history”, and “site history” is displayed on the left side of the display 9d. The “vehicle history” can be searched by inputting one or more of a customer name, a site name, a vehicle number, a vehicle name, a vehicle type, and a vehicle form. The “container history” can be searched by inputting either or both of the container name and the container number. The “site history” can be searched by inputting one or both of the customer name and the site name.

  When the removable container is selected as the vehicle type, a list of vehicles of the same type is displayed on the left side of the display 9d as shown in FIG. When one of the vehicles is selected from the vehicle list by clicking or the like, a map of the vehicle history of the vehicle is displayed in the central portion of the display 9d. Note that the dots on the map represent the movement trajectory of the vehicle (the movement trajectory of the day). In addition, at the place where the shooting was performed, an icon 210 in which the vehicle number and the shooting time are described is displayed at that position. Note that the icon 210 blinks when the waste in the container is discarded in a place other than the designated place. This map, that is, a map on which the icons of the movement locus of the vehicle and the shooting location are displayed can be freely enlarged or reduced.

  When the icon 210 is clicked, an enlarged icon 210a is displayed as shown in FIG. The icon 210a displays more detailed information than the icon 210. Specifically, in this icon 210a, “shooting date and time”, “vehicle No.”, “vehicle position (address)”, “shooting command”, and “whether or not to be dumped outside the designated place” are displayed. In addition, a photo is displayed.

  The “imaging command” includes three types of commands: a first command, a second command, and a third command. The first command is a command for automatic photographing (three types when the PTO is on, when the PTO is off, and when the tilt is up). The second command is a command for manual shooting by the driver of the vehicle. The third command is a manual shooting command based on an instruction from the container management center 30 or the terminal device 9.

  The disposal designated place is specified in advance within a predetermined area, but when tilting up is performed outside that area, a check will be made in the "Discarded to other than specified place" column. Yes.

  The digital camera 12 mounted on the container transport vehicle 1 can photograph the state of loading of the container C, the state of loading and unloading the container C, and the state of the surroundings when the container C is not loaded.

  In the case of tilt-up, a plurality of photographs are taken continuously. And the photograph taken in this way is handled as a set of photographs together with photographs when the PTO is on and before the PTO is turned off before and after the tilt-up. In the case of the first command, each time the user clicks on a photo, the photos in the photo group are sequentially switched and displayed. However, the method of displaying the photos is not limited in any way, and for example, the photos in the photo group may be automatically switched every predetermined time.

  The present invention is useful for managing a plurality of containers.

It is a schematic block diagram of the container management system which implemented this invention. It is a side view of a container transport vehicle. It is a side view of the container transport vehicle carrying a container. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing (the 1) of the cargo handling apparatus of a container transport vehicle. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing (the 2) of the cargo handling apparatus of a container transport vehicle. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing (the 3) of the cargo handling apparatus of a container transport vehicle. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing (the 4) of the cargo handling apparatus of a container transport vehicle. It is explanatory drawing (the 1) which showed the example of the container ID code. It is explanatory drawing (the 2) which showed the example of the container ID code. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the vehicle equipment. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the management server. It is the flowchart which showed operation | movement of the vehicle equipment. It is the flowchart (the 1) which showed operation | movement of the management server. It is the flowchart (the 2) which showed operation | movement of the management server. It is an example of the container conveyance history data displayed on the display of a terminal. It is a table showing the principle of container management. It is the table which showed point information. It is an example of the container management data table displayed on the display of a terminal. It is an example of the operation rate table of the container displayed on the display of a terminal. It is an example (the 1) of the operation rate graph of the container displayed on the display of a terminal. It is an example of the map where the position of the container displayed on the display of a terminal was shown. It is an example of the wide area map where the position of the container displayed on the display of a terminal was shown. It is an example of the wide area map in which the position of the container was shown in the state which put the cursor on the container icon. It is an example of the map where the container icon and vehicle icon which are displayed on the display of a terminal are displayed. It is a graph showing the vehicle speed of the container transport vehicle calculated in the management server. It is an example (the 2) of the operation rate graph of the container displayed on the display of a terminal. It is an example of the map displayed on the display of a terminal in the middle of designating a work area. It is an example of the warning display when the identification of a container was not performed suitably. It is a graph showing the vehicle speed of the container transport vehicle calculated in the management server. It is a figure which shows the example of the image displayed on the display of a terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of the image displayed on the display of a terminal.

Explanation of symbols

1 Container carrier vehicle
2 Handling equipment
4 In-vehicle device (vehicle-side transmission device)
5 Communication network
5a Wireless communication network
5b Internet
8 management server
9 Terminal
9a Receiver
9a Terminal side receiver
9b CPU (area determination unit, vehicle speed determination unit, calculation unit, data acquisition unit, vehicle speed calculation unit)
9c storage unit (first storage unit, third storage unit, fourth storage unit)
9d display (vehicle speed warning part, area warning part)
9e Output section
12 Digital camera
12a Image sensor
13 Wireless communication adapter
14 GPS receiver (vehicle position detection means)
18 RAM (second storage unit)
32 CPU (area determination unit, vehicle speed calculation unit, vehicle speed determination unit, identification unit, data acquisition unit)
33 storage unit (first storage unit, third storage unit, fourth storage unit)
38 Gateway (server side receiver, server side transmitter)
100 Container management system
101, 102 Container icon
105, 106 Vehicle icon
110 Passage route
C container
C4 Container ID code (container identifier)
AR work area

Claims (17)

A container management system using a communication network for managing containers transported by a container transport vehicle capable of a plurality of types of operations on the containers, including loading and unloading of containers;
A container identifier provided on the surface of the container;
Vehicle position detection means provided in the container transport vehicle for detecting the position of the container transport vehicle and acquiring vehicle position data;
An image sensor provided in the container transport vehicle for capturing electronic image data by capturing the container identifier;
Operation type data indicating the type of operation of the container, operation date / time data indicating the date and time when the container was operated, and the vehicle provided at the container transport vehicle and at least when the container is operated A vehicle-side transmission device that wirelessly transmits position data and the electronic image data to the communication network;
A server-side receiving unit that receives data wirelessly transmitted from the vehicle-side transmitting device via the communication network; an identification unit that analyzes the electronic image data to identify the container; the operation date and time data; A data acquisition unit that acquires container related information, which is information related to the container identified by the identification unit, from vehicle position data and the operation type data;
Container management system with In the container management system according to claim 1,
The management server further includes a server-side transmission unit that transmits the container-related information acquired by the data acquisition unit to the communication network,
A container management system further comprising a terminal having a terminal side receiving unit that receives the container related information via the communication network, and a display that displays the container related information received by the terminal side receiving unit. . In the container management system according to claim 2,
The said display is a container management system which displays the installation period after the container identified by the said identification part was dropped and installed from the said container transport vehicle as said container related information. In the container management system according to claim 2 or 3,
The container related information includes at least the position information of the container identified by the identification unit,
The display displays a map in which a container icon corresponding to the container identified by the identification unit is displayed at a position corresponding to the position information, and displays the container related information of the container identified by the identification unit. A container management system for displaying side by side with the container icon. In the container management system according to claim 4,
It manages multiple containers,
When the plurality of container icons are displayed superimposed on the map, the display displays the container related information of the plurality of containers corresponding to the plurality of container icons side by side with the plurality of container icons. Container management system. In the container management system according to claim 4,
The imaging device includes a state in which the container is loaded on the container transport vehicle, a state in which the container is tilted up and unloaded from the container transport vehicle, and a surrounding when the container is not mounted on the container transport vehicle. It is possible to take on-site photographs including at least one of the states of
The said display is a container management system which displays the said field | photograph inside or around the said container icon on the said map. In the container management system as described in any one of Claims 2-6,
The data acquisition unit calculates a quantity of the container that is currently used and a quantity of the container that is not currently used from the vehicle position data, and calculates the quantity of the container that is currently used. A container management system that acquires, as the container-related information, an operation rate obtained by dividing the total number of used containers by the total number of containers that are not currently used. In the container management system as described in any one of Claims 2-7,
At least one of the management server and the terminal stores and stores at least two of the operation date and time data, the vehicle position data, the operation type data, and the container related information in association with each other. A container management system further comprising one storage unit. In the container management system as described in any one of Claims 2-8,
The container transport vehicle further includes a second storage unit that stores vehicle identification data of the container transport vehicle,
The vehicle-side transmission device wirelessly transmits the vehicle position data and the vehicle identification data to the communication network at regular intervals,
The data acquisition unit acquires current position information of the container transport vehicle from the vehicle position data and the vehicle identification data,
The server side transmission unit transmits the position information of the container transporting vehicle together with the vehicle identification data to the communication network,
The terminal side receiving unit receives the position information of the container transporting vehicle together with the vehicle identification data via the communication network,
The said display is a container management system which displays the map in which the said vehicle identification data was shown with the vehicle icon corresponding to the said container transport vehicle in the position according to the received positional information on the said container transport vehicle. In the container management system according to claim 9,
At least one of the management server and the terminal stores and stores the position information of the container transporting vehicle together with the vehicle position data acquisition time when the vehicle position data is acquired by the vehicle position detection means. A storage unit
The said display is a container management system which displays the passage route of the said container conveyance vehicle on the said map based on the positional information on the container conveyance vehicle memorize | stored in the said 3rd memory | storage part, and the said vehicle position data acquisition time. In the container management system according to claim 10,
At least one of the management server and the terminal calculates the vehicle speed of the container transport vehicle from the position information of the container transport vehicle stored and stored in the third storage unit and the vehicle position data acquisition time. A container management system further comprising a vehicle speed calculation unit. In the container management system according to claim 11,
The terminal or the management server further includes a vehicle speed determination unit that determines whether or not the vehicle speed of the container transport vehicle calculated by the vehicle speed calculation unit is equal to or lower than a speed limit,
When the vehicle speed determination unit determines that the vehicle speed of the container transport vehicle is higher than the speed limit, the terminal or container transport vehicle is directed to the user of the terminal or the driver of the container transport vehicle. A container management system further comprising a vehicle speed warning unit for performing a warning. In the container management system according to claim 11,
The said display is a container management system which displays the graph of the change of the vehicle speed of the said container transport vehicle calculated by the said vehicle speed calculation part, and the regulation speed which a user sets arbitrarily. In the container management system as described in any one of Claims 9-13,
The management server or the terminal is
A fourth storage unit that stores a work area in which the container transport vehicle can work;
An area determination unit that determines whether the current position of the container transport vehicle is within the work area based on the position information of the container transport vehicle;
Further comprising
When the area determination unit determines that the current position of the container transport vehicle is not within the work area, the terminal or the container transport vehicle is notified to the user of the terminal or the driver of the container transport vehicle. A container management system further comprising an area warning unit that issues warnings. In the container management system according to claim 14,
The terminal is
On the map displayed on the display, work area designating means for designating the work area;
A terminal-side work area transmission unit that transmits the designated work area to the data acquisition unit;
A container management system. In the container management system as described in any one of Claims 2-15,
The server-side transmission unit transmits a warning signal and the electronic image data as the container-related information when the identification unit cannot identify the container,
When the warning signal is received by the terminal-side receiving unit, the display displays the electronic image data together with a warning display indicating that the container could not be identified.
The terminal is
Container related information input means for the container user to input the container related information;
A terminal-side container-related information transmission unit that transmits container-related information input by the container-related information input unit to the data acquisition unit;
A container management system. In the container management system as described in any one of Claims 2-16,
The container is used for collecting and transporting waste;
In the terminal,
A collection and transportation company terminal used by a collection and transportation company that collects and transports the waste; and
A terminal for a waste discharge company used by a waste discharge company that discharges the waste;
Includes container management system.

Images