JP2010120736A - Container management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a container management system that accurately manages containers transported by container transporting vehicles throughout day and night. <P>SOLUTION: The container management system includes: a plurality of container transporting vehicles 1; and a center device 31, which is a base station for managing each container transporting vehicles via communication networks 5, 6. The container transporting vehicle 1 includes: a handling device 2 for loading and unloading a container C; a PTO device; a container identifier C4; illumination means for irradiating light to the container identifier C4; photographing means for photographing the container identifier and outputting image data; and on-vehicle control means for controlling the shutter timing of the photographing means and the on/off timing of the illumination means. The on-vehicle control means turns on and turns off the illumination means in conjunction with the on/off action of the PTO device, and starts the photographing means at a predetermined time and transmits the obtained image data to the center device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

  Conventionally, various containers are used for management of waste collection containers and recycling resource collection containers (hereinafter referred to as “containers”), which are independent containers that can be discharged to the outside by tilting. A management system has been proposed.

  According to the container management system described in Patent Document 1, when container loading and unloading operations are performed in a container transport vehicle equipped with a container handling device capable of loading and unloading containers, for each operation, The container identifier provided on the surface of the container on which the operation has been performed is photographed.

  The electronic image data obtained by this photography is recorded as history data together with the vehicle position data of the container transportation vehicle, the time data at the time of photography, and the operation type data of the container operation by the in-vehicle device provided in the container transportation vehicle. And the history data is provided to the center apparatus via the communication network.

The history data provided to the center device is stored in the center device, the electronic image data included in the history data is analyzed to identify the container, and the container identification and history data are used to identify the container. Management is performed.
JP 2007-153488 A

  However, according to the container management system described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to photograph the identifier attached to the container, and it is impossible to photograph the container identifier at night, apart from the daytime. There are deficiencies in management.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a container management system capable of accurately managing a container transported by a container transport vehicle day and night.

  The container management system of the present invention is a container management system comprising a plurality of container transport vehicles and a center device that is a base station for managing each of the container transport vehicles via a communication network. A loading / unloading device capable of loading and unloading the container, and a PTO device whose supply of driving force to the loading / unloading device is turned ON / OFF by an operator operating a PTO operation switch installed in a driver's seat; A container identifier provided on the surface of the container for identifying the container; illumination means for irradiating the container identifier with light; photography means for photographing the container identifier and outputting image data; and the photograph Vehicle-mounted control means for controlling the shutter timing of the photographing means and the ON-OFF timing of the illumination means; The vehicle-mounted control means turns on and off the illumination means in conjunction with the ON-OFF operation of the PTO device, and starts the photography means at a predetermined time between the lighting means and the turning-off. Then, it is configured to take a photograph and transmit the image data obtained thereby to the center device.

  The illumination means is configured to indirectly irradiate the container identifier.

  The in-vehicle control unit is configured to output a lighting command signal to the lighting unit simultaneously with the ON operation of the PTO device, and to output a shooting command signal to the photographing unit after a predetermined time after the lighting unit is turned on. .

  The in-vehicle control unit is configured to output a shooting command signal to the photographic unit simultaneously with the OFF operation of the PTO device, and to output a turn-off command signal to the illuminating unit after a predetermined time of photographing by the photographic unit.

  The container transport vehicle includes a small lamp and a headlamp that illuminate the front of the vehicle, and an illumination switch that turns on and turns off the small lamp and the headlamp and outputs an ON signal between turning on and off, The vehicle-mounted control means is configured to turn on the illumination means when both the ON signal from the PTO operation switch and the ON signal from the illumination switch are input.

  According to the container management system of the present invention, in a container transport vehicle equipped with a loading / unloading device capable of loading and unloading containers, the ON / OFF operation of the PTO device 24, the loading and unloading operations of the container, etc. The container identifier provided on the surface of the container is photographed. The electronic image data obtained by the photographing is converted into the vehicle position data of the container transportation vehicle, the time data at the time of photographing, the PTO operation data, and the operation type data of the container operation by the in-vehicle device provided in the container transportation vehicle. In addition, it can be configured as report data, and this report data is transmitted to the center apparatus which is a base station via the communication network.

  The report data transmitted to the center device is stored in the center device, and the electronic image data included in the report data is analyzed to identify the container, and the container is identified using the container identification and the history of the report data. Management is performed.

  Further, according to the container management system of the present invention, when the supply of driving force to the cargo handling device is turned on by the operator operating the PTO operation switch installed in the driver's seat, the identifier provided on the surface of the container Since the illumination means can irradiate light, it is possible to take a picture of the container identifier with the photography means even at night as well as during the daytime. Can be managed accurately.

  The PTO operation switch installed in the driver's seat is always operated before the container loading / unloading operation, tilt-up operation and tilt-down operation. Therefore, when the illuminating means is turned on in conjunction with the ON operation of the PTO device by the PTO operation switch, when the photograph is taken in accordance with the subsequent container loading operation or the like, the container identifier is surely indicated by the illuminating means. It can be in a state of being irradiated with. Further, by turning off the illumination unit in conjunction with the OFF operation of the PTO device by the PTO operation switch, there is no possibility of forgetting to turn off the illumination unit. Thereby, waste of power consumption can be eliminated and the lifetime of the illumination means can be extended.

  By the way, when the container identifier is irradiated with direct light by the illumination means, the illuminance and brightness are too strong, and it may be impossible to obtain clear photographed image data with the reflected light. In that case, the illuminating means indirectly irradiates the container identifier, so that the photographic means can obtain clear photographed image data.

  The vehicle-mounted control means is configured to output a lighting command signal to the lighting means simultaneously with the ON operation of the PTO device, and to output a shooting command signal to the photography means after a predetermined time from when the lighting means is turned on. Has been.

  Accordingly, it is possible to reliably take a picture of a situation before work such as container loading / unloading without forgetting to turn on the illumination means. As a result, the containers transported by the container transport vehicle can be managed more accurately over the day and night.

  Furthermore, since the photographing command signal is output to the photographing means simultaneously with the OFF operation of the PTO apparatus, and the turn-off command signal is outputted to the illumination means after a predetermined time of photographing by the photographing means, container loading, etc. It is possible to reliably take a picture of the situation after the work. As a result, the containers transported by the container transport vehicle can be managed more accurately over the day and night.

  Further, the vehicle-mounted control means may be configured to turn on the illumination means when both the ON signal from the PTO operation switch and the ON signal from the illumination switch are input. In this case, the illumination means is turned on even though the PTO device is turned on, assuming that the container identifier is sufficiently illuminated except at night, indoor dark places, etc. where an illumination switch is required. You can avoid it. Thereby, waste of power consumption can be eliminated and the lifetime of the illumination means can be extended. In addition, it is possible to determine whether or not the illumination means needs to be irradiated without separately providing a sensor for determining brightness.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a container management system according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the container management system according to the present embodiment includes an in-vehicle device 4 provided in a plurality of container transport vehicles 1 for transporting a container C for waste, and a communication network in which the in-vehicle device 4 communicates wirelessly. 5 and a center device 31 provided in a container management center 30 connected via the Internet 6.

  The container C is a waste collection container or a recycling resource collection container, and is an independent container that can discharge an internal load to the outside by being inclined. As the container C, an open type with an open upper surface or a closed type with an upper surface closed is used, and when the container C is tilted, the load inside the container C can be discharged. As can be seen, the rear wall is configured to be openable and closable.

  2 is an external view of the container transport vehicle 1 with the container C mounted thereon, and FIG. 3 is a schematic external view of the container transport vehicle 1 with no container C mounted thereon.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an engaging pin C1 is provided at the upper part of the front wall of the container C, a support leg C2 is provided at the front part of the bottom surface, and a support roller C3 is provided at the rear part of the bottom surface.

  The container transport vehicle 1 is provided with a cargo handling device 2, and a container operation for the container C can be performed by the cargo handling device 2. As this container operation, loading, unloading, tilting up and tilting down are possible.

  The cargo handling device 2 includes a swing frame 2A pivotably connected to the rear end portion of the vehicle body 3, and a cargo handling frame 2B pivotally connected to the front end portion of the swing frame 2A.

  The cargo handling frame 2B includes an outer arm 21 (FIG. 3) arranged horizontally in a state where the container C is mounted (FIG. 2), and an extendable arm 22 formed in an L shape as a whole.

  That is, the telescopic arm 22 is formed in a substantially L shape with a horizontal portion 22a inserted into the outer arm 21 and a vertical portion 22b standing from the front end of the horizontal portion 22a in the same state. A telescopic cylinder (not shown) is configured to be telescopic in the longitudinal direction with respect to the outer arm 21. The vertical portion 22b is provided with a hook 23 that is detachable from an engagement pin C1 provided on the container C at the tip thereof.

  A hoisting cylinder (not shown) is connected between the outer arm 21 and the vehicle body 3, and is configured to be rotatable in the front-rear direction around the rear end portion of the outer arm 21 by expansion and contraction of the hoisting cylinder. ing. A roller 25 is provided at the rear end of the vehicle body 3 for smoothly loading and unloading the container C between the vehicle body 3 and the ground.

  The loading / unloading operation of the container C by the cargo handling device 2 is performed by moving the horizontal portion 22a (FIG. 3) of the telescopic arm 22 to the outer arm 21 by the above-described telescopic cylinder (not shown) in a state where the container C is mounted as shown in FIG. The container C on the vehicle body 3 (FIG. 2) is slid backward by a predetermined length. Thereafter, the container C is tilted by rotating the outer arm 21 together with the telescopic arm 22 by the hoisting cylinder. Thereby, the container C can be loaded / unloaded onto the ground from the vehicle body 3. The ground container C can be loaded onto the vehicle body 3 by the reverse operation to that described above.

  On the other hand, in the tilt-up operation for discharging the load loaded in the container C, the outer arm 21 and the swing frame 2A are integrally formed by a lashing device (not shown) in a state where the container C is loaded on the vehicle body 3. The container C is tilted by tilting the container C by pivoting the swing frame 2A, the outer arm 21 and the telescopic arm 22 entirely upward without tying and retracting the telescopic arm 22 with respect to the outer arm 21. After the load is opened, it can be discharged outside through the wall. A tilt-down operation can be performed by an operation opposite to that described above.

  In addition, since the container operation regarding the loading, unloading, tilting up and tilting down operations of the container C in the container transport vehicle 1 is known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  In the container C, a container ID code C4 for identifying the container C is displayed on the surface of the front wall provided with the engagement pin C1 of the container C. This container ID code C4 corresponds to the aforementioned container identifier.

  The position where the container ID code C4 is displayed is a position where the digital camera 12 can shoot a light when the container C is loaded on the container transporting vehicle 1 and light is emitted from the lighting device 19 described later. is there.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the container ID code C4.

  The container ID code C4 is composed of a numeric code in which 5-digit numbers are arranged in two upper and lower stages, and bracket marks 26 are displayed at the four corners around the numeric code. The 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 bracket mark 26.

  The mark 26 for indicating the range in which the container ID code C4 exists is not limited to the bracket 26 and may be another mark.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a container ID code C4 in which a rectangular frame 26A is used as another mark.

  In the example of FIG. 5, the container ID code C4 is composed of a numeric code in which five digits are arranged in two upper and lower stages, as in the example shown in FIG. A frame 26A is displayed. That is, the container ID code C4 is present in the area surrounded by the rectangular frame 26A.

  In the waste collection container and the recycling resource collection container, the image data obtained by taking a picture with the digital camera 12 described later is affected by the contamination of the container body, the protrusions on the surface, or the sheet placed on the container. , Noise from the outdoor environment may be superimposed. Therefore, in the analysis of the electronic image data described later, the marks 26 and 26A indicating the range in which the container ID code C4 exists are more than the start marker provided at the head of the generally used numeric code. Bring good results.

  In the container ID code C4, the last two digits of the container ID code C4, that is, the last two digits of the lower row are false detection codes. This error detection code is used for error correction when the container ID code C4 is read. As this erroneous detection method, a sum check method or the like is used.

  Thus, by providing the start marker and the erroneous detection code, the container ID code C4 can be accurately extracted by image analysis. 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.

  As the container ID code C4, numbers, characters, and symbols are used, but only numbers or characters may be used. Alternatively, a barcode or the like can be used. Alternatively, when an OCR font character is used as the container ID code C4, the container ID code C4 is not only visually recognizable, but also extracted by image analysis described later. There is an advantage that the existing technology is easy to use.

  Next, the in-vehicle device 4 provided in the container transport vehicle 1 and the center device 31 provided in the container management center 30 which are important elements constituting the container management system will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the in-vehicle device 4 provided in the container transport vehicle 1, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the night illumination means in the in-vehicle device 4 provided in the container transport vehicle 1. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the center device 31 provided in the container management center 30.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the in-vehicle device 4 provided in the container transport vehicle 1 includes a CPU 10, a clock unit 11, a digital camera 12, a wireless communication adapter 13, a GPS receiver 14, an EEPROM 17, a RAM 18, an illumination device 19, and The delay circuit 20 is configured. This illumination device 19 corresponds to the illumination means described above.

  The CPU 10 is configured by a microcomputer or the like, and the EEPROM 17 holds software such as an OS and application programs necessary for the CPU 10 to perform processing.

  The EEPROM 17 and the RAM 18 hold vehicle number data indicating the vehicle number of the container transport vehicle 1 provided with the in-vehicle device 4, and the RAM 18 is used for storing various data.

  The CPU 10, EEPROM 17, RAM 18, and wireless communication adapter 13 together constitute an in-vehicle control unit 21 (corresponding to the above-described in-vehicle control means).

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

  The digital camera 12 is mounted on a support column 2a erected on the vehicle body 3 behind the driver's seat in the container transport vehicle 1 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the position where the digital camera 12 is mounted is displayed on the surface of the front wall of the container C by the lighting device 19 when the container C is loaded on the container transport vehicle 1. The container ID code C4 is irradiated with light, and the digital camera 12 can take a picture. That is, the digital camera 12 is fixed with the lens facing the container ID code C4 below the first bracket 2b that protrudes rearward in the horizontal direction above the support 2a.

  The digital camera 12 is connected to the CPU 10, and in response to a photography instruction from the CPU 10, the container ID code C4 displayed on the surface of the front wall of the container C is photographed and electronic image data is output. This digital camera 12 corresponds to the above-described photography means.

  The wireless communication adapter 13 is connected to the CPU 10, communicates with the center device 31 provided in the container management center based on an instruction from the CPU 10, and receives various data such as electronic image data output from the digital camera 12. It has a function of transmitting to the center device 31.

  In order to realize this function, the wireless communication adapter 13 includes a communication adapter using a mobile phone, a PHS, or the like, and a wireless communication network 5 such as a mobile phone communication network, a PHS communication network, or a wireless LAN communication network. Connected.

  The wireless communication network 5 is connected to the Internet 6, and the center device 31 of the container management center 30 is connected to the Internet 6. By using this wireless communication adapter 13, the in-vehicle device 4 is connected to the container management center. Communication with 30 center devices 31 is possible.

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

  The cargo handling device control unit 15 is connected so as to drive and control the cargo handling device 2. In the cargo handling device control unit 15, while the cargo handling device 2 is operating, operation type signals such as loading and unloading, which are types of container operations of the cargo handling device 2, are output. The cargo handling device control unit 15 is also connected to the CPU 10, and the CPU 10 can grasp the ON time point and the OFF time point of the operation type signal output by the cargo handling device control unit 15.

  The cargo handling device operation terminal 29 is an operation terminal for operating the cargo handling device 2, and is connected to the cargo handling device control unit 15. This loading / unloading device operation terminal 29 is provided with switches (not shown) corresponding to loading, unloading, tilting up, and tilting down. The cargo handling device 2 is operated.

  The PTO device 24 is a device that extracts a driving force for operating the material handling device 2 from a vehicle travel engine (not shown). As shown in FIG. 10, this PTO device 24 is installed in the front part of the driver's seat 1A in the container transport vehicle 1, and when the operator manually pushes the push button 16A, an ON signal is output and the PTO device 24 is turned on. . Further, when the operator manually pushes the push button 16B, an OFF signal is output and the operator enters the OFF state.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the illuminating device 19 is fixed to the support 2a on which the digital camera 12 is mounted, below the second bracket 2c which is located above the first bracket 2b and protrudes rearward in the horizontal direction. Has been.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the illuminating device 19 electrically connects a plurality of LEDs (not shown) as light emitting elements to a printed wiring board fixed to a base 19A made of synthetic resin, and transmits a transparent cover 19B. Is fixed to the base 19A with a screw body 19C. The cover 19 </ b> B is configured to irradiate light light by reducing the luminance and illuminance of the light irradiation part D as shown in FIG. 13 by forming a large number of minute irregularities on the light transmission part. .

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the illumination device 19 irradiates light on the surface 2d of the first bracket 2b from below the second bracket 2c, the illuminating light becomes dimmed and indirectly the container ID code C4. Can be irradiated with light.

  The lighting device 19 is connected to an in-vehicle control unit 21 that includes the CPU 10 and the like.

  The in-vehicle controller 21 controls the ON-OFF timing of the digital camera 12 and the ON-OFF timing of the lighting device 19.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the in-vehicle control unit 21 turns on and off the lighting device 19 in conjunction with the ON-OFF operation of the PTO device 24, and at the predetermined time when the lighting device 19 is turned on. Is started to take a picture, and image data obtained thereby is transmitted to the center device 31.

  In addition, the container transport vehicle 1 is provided with a small lamp and headlamp 27 and an illuminating switch 28 for turning them on or off. In this embodiment, the illuminating switch 28 is connected to the vehicle-mounted control unit 21. It is connected.

  Here, since the lighting device 19 is turned on at night or in a dark place indoors, the lighting determination is made based on the ON signal (PTO signal) of the PTO device 24 or the container operation as shown in FIG. In addition to the signal, when the in-vehicle control unit 21 receives an illuminating signal generated in conjunction with the illuminating switch 28 of the small lamp of the container transport vehicle 1 and the headlamp 27, the lighting device 19 is turned on. preferable.

  According to this, the illuminating device 19 is lit only in a dark place such as at night or indoors, and there is no possibility that the illuminating device 19 is turned on carelessly in the daytime (or in a bright place).

  As shown in FIG. 11, the in-vehicle controller 21 outputs a lighting command signal a to the lighting device 19 at the same time t1 when the ON signal of the PTO device 24 is output, and the delay circuit 20 is turned on after the lighting device 19 is turned on. The photographing command signal b is output to the digital camera 12 at a time point t2 after a predetermined time T1 determined by (FIG. 5) (for example, 0.5 seconds later). Thereafter, while the PTO device 24 is in the ON state, the illumination device 19 is in a lighting state.

  The in-vehicle controller 21 outputs the shooting command signal c to the digital camera 12 at the same time t5 when the OFF signal of the PTO device 24 is output, and the delay circuit 20 after the shooting command signal c is output to the digital camera 12. A turn-off signal is output to the lighting device 19 at a time point t6 after a predetermined time T2 determined by (FIG. 5) (for example, after one second).

  From the time point t2 to the time point t5, the vehicle-mounted control is performed when a predetermined operation button (not shown) such as loading of the cargo handling operation terminal 29 is turned ON and when it is turned OFF (for example, time points t3 and t4). The unit 21 outputs the shooting command signals d and e to the digital camera 12.

  According to this, when the shooting command signals b, c, d, and e are output to the digital camera 12, the lighting device 19 can be surely turned on, and the container can be surely used even in a dark place such as at night or indoors. Identification can be made.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, a server and a personal computer are used for the center device 31 provided in the container management center 30. The center device 31 includes a CPU 32, a memory 33, a keyboard 34, a mouse 35, An LCD 36, a printer 37, and a gateway 38 are included.

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

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

  Next, the operation of the container management system will be described.

  14 to 16 are flowcharts illustrating the operation of the in-vehicle device 4 provided in the container transport vehicle 1.

  17 to 19 are flowcharts showing the operation of the center device 31 provided in the container management center 30.

  11 and 14 to 19, first, when starting work at the work site, the operator pushes the push button 16 </ b> A of the PTO operation switch 16 installed in the driver's seat 1 </ b> A in the container transport vehicle 1 (see FIG. 10). To turn on the PTO device 24. At this time, a PTO signal is output to the CPU 10 (S1). The CPU 10 recognizes the PTO signal from the PTO device 24 and, at the same time, outputs a lighting command signal to the lighting device 19 to light it (S2). After a lighting command signal is output to the lighting device 19 and the lighting device 19 is turned on, after a predetermined time T1 has elapsed (for example, 0.5 seconds have elapsed), the CPU 10 outputs a shooting command signal b to the digital camera 12 ( S3).

  Then, the CPU 10 acquires electronic image data output from the digital camera 12. Further, the vehicle position indicating the position where the container transport vehicle 1 is present at the time when the PTO signal is ON, while acquiring the work start time data indicating the work start time that is the time when the PTO signal is ON from the clock unit 11. Data is acquired from the GPS receiver 14 (S4). Then, the work start report data is created by combining the vehicle number data of the container transport vehicle 1 held in the EEPROM 17 or the RAM 18, the electronic image data, the work start time data, the vehicle position data, and the PTO operation data. The work start report data is stored in the RAM 18 and transmitted to the center device 31 of the container management center 30 via the wireless communication adapter 13 (S5).

  In FIG. 17, in the container management center 30, the CPU 32 of the center device 31 receives the work start report data via the gateway 38 (S22), and stores the work start report data in the memory 33 (S23).

  Here, the electronic image data included in the work start report data (the operation start report data, the operation end report data, and the work end report data described later) are analyzed by the center device 31, and the container ID code C4 of the container C is obtained. Although the report data including the electronic image data is stored in the memory 33, it is stored in the memory 33 even if the electronic image data cannot be properly analyzed due to noise of the electronic image data. The container ID code C4 can be read by a person viewing an image obtained from the electronic image data.

  Next, returning to FIG. 14, the worker starts operation of the cargo handling device 2 through the cargo handling device operation terminal 29. When any of the switches of the cargo handling device operation terminal 29 is turned on, the cargo handling device 2 is driven by the cargo handling device control unit 15 to indicate one of loading, loading / unloading, tilting up, and tilting down. A signal is output to the CPU 10 (S6). The CPU 10 of the in-vehicle device 4 provided in the container transport vehicle 1 creates operation type data corresponding to this operation type signal (S7).

  In FIG. 15, the CPU 10 recognizes an ON operation type signal from the cargo handling device control unit 15 and simultaneously outputs a shooting command signal to the digital camera 12 (S <b> 8).

  Then, the CPU 10 acquires electronic image data output from the digital camera 12. Further, the CPU 10 acquires operation start time data indicating an operation start time which is a time at the time when the operation type signal is turned on, from the clock unit 11, and the container transport vehicle 1 at the time when the operation type signal is turned on exists. Vehicle position data indicating the position is acquired from the GPS receiver 14 (S9). Then, the operation start report data is created by combining the vehicle number data of the container transport vehicle 1 held in the EEPROM 17 or the RAM 18 with the electronic image data, the operation start time data, the vehicle position data, and the operation type data. The operation start report data is stored in the RAM 18 and transmitted to the center device 31 of the container management center 30 through the wireless communication adapter 13 (S10).

  In FIG. 17, in the container management center 30, the CPU 32 of the center device 31 receives the operation start report data via the gateway 38 (S24), and stores the operation start report data in the memory 33 (S25).

  Next, returning to FIG. 15, the worker turns off the switch of the cargo handling device operation terminal 29. Then, the operation type signal is turned off (S11). The CPU 10 recognizes that the operation type signal is turned off, and at the same time outputs a shooting command signal to the digital camera 12 (S12).

  Then, the CPU 10 acquires electronic image data output from the digital camera 12. Furthermore, the operation end time data indicating the operation end time, which is the time when the operation type signal is OFF, is acquired from the clock unit 11, and the position where the container transport vehicle 1 is present when the operation type signal is OFF is indicated. Vehicle position data is acquired from the GPS receiver 14 (S13). Then, operation completion report data is created by combining the vehicle number data, the electronic image data, the operation end time data, the vehicle position data, and the operation type data (S13). The operation completion report data is stored in the RAM 18 and transmitted from the wireless communication adapter 13 to the center device 31 of the container management center 30 (S14).

  In FIG. 17, in the container management center 30, the CPU 32 of the center apparatus 31 receives the operation completion report data via the gateway 38 (S26), and stores the operation completion report data in the memory 33 (S27).

  As described above, when one of the loading, loading / unloading, tilt-up, and tilt-down switches provided on the cargo handling device operation terminal 29 is turned on, the operation is started, and when the switch is turned off, the operation is terminated. Become. At the work site, the operation of the cargo handling device 2 may be started and ended continuously a plurality of times while the PTO device 24 is turned on. That is, even if the operation end report data is created, the operation type signal may be turned on again without turning off the PTO device 24. In this case, the process returns to S7 in FIGS. The processes of S7 to S14 are repeated again (S15, S16).

  Next, when a series of operations at the work site is completed, the operator presses the push button 16B (see FIG. 10) of the PTO operation switch 16 installed in the driver's seat 1A in the container transport vehicle 1 to turn off the PTO device 24. State. At this time, an OFF signal is output to the CPU 10 (S15). The CPU 10 recognizes the OFF signal from the PTO device 24 and at the same time outputs a shooting command signal c to the digital camera 12 (S17). In FIG. 16, the CPU 10 outputs a turn-off command signal to the illumination device 19 after a predetermined time T <b> 2 elapses (for example, 1 second) after the shooting command signal c is output to the digital camera 12 and the photograph is taken by the digital camera 12. And turn it off (S18).

  Then, the CPU 10 acquires electronic image data output from the digital camera 12. Further, the vehicle position indicating the position at which the container transport vehicle 1 is present at the time when the PTO signal is OFF is obtained from the clock unit 11 and the work end time data indicating the work end time that is the time when the PTO signal is OFF. Data is acquired from the GPS receiver 14 (S19). Then, the work number report data is created by combining the vehicle number data of the container transport vehicle 1 held in the EEPROM 17 or the RAM 18 with the electronic image data, work end time data, vehicle position data, and PTO operation data. The work completion report data is stored in the RAM 18 and transmitted to the center device 31 of the container management center 30 via the wireless communication adapter 13 (S20).

  In FIG. 18, in the container management center 30, the CPU 32 of the center device 31 receives the work completion report data via the gateway 38 (S31), and stores the work completion report data in the memory 33 (S33).

  In FIG. 16, the CPU 10 returns to S <b> 1 of FIG. 14 and repeats the above process unless the vehicle operation of the container transport vehicle 1 is finished (S <b> 21). When the vehicle operation of the container transport vehicle 1 ends (S21), the in-vehicle device 4 ends the process.

  On the other hand, in FIGS. 17 to 19, in the center device 31 of the container management center 30, work start report data, operation start report data, and operation end are transmitted from the in-vehicle device 4 via the CPU 10 and stored in the memory 33. The following processing is performed using the report data and the work completion report data.

  First, in FIG. 18, the operation start time included in the operation start report data is compared with the operation end time included in the operation end report data, and it is checked whether or not the difference is shorter than a predetermined time. (S28). This predetermined time is stored in the memory 33 in advance. When the difference is shorter than the predetermined time, that is, the operation end time included in the operation end report data described above elapses from the operation start time included in the operation start report data. In this case, the operation start report data and the operation end report data, that is, the report data stored in S25 and S27 of FIG. 17 are all invalidated in FIG. (S30). Otherwise, it is not invalidated (S29).

  Here, as described above, at the work site, the operation of the cargo handling device 2 may be started and ended continuously a plurality of times. Therefore, even if the operation end report data is received, the operation start report data may be received again without receiving the work end report data. In that case, it returns to S25 of FIG. 17, and the process of S25-S30 of FIG.17 and FIG.18 is repeated again (S31, S32).

  On the other hand, if the work end report data is received after receiving the operation end report data (S31), the work end report data is stored (S33).

  In FIG. 19, after the work completion report data is stored, it is checked whether there is any non-invalid report data stored in S25 and S27 of FIG. 17 (S34). ), The electronic image data included in the report data is analyzed, and the container ID code C4 of the container C loaded on the container transport vehicle 1 included in the electronic image data is extracted (S36). For this analysis, a program for analyzing electronic image data included in software held in the memory 33 of the center device 31 is used. Container identification can be performed by the extracted container ID code C4.

  When the container ID code C4 is extracted from the electronic image data (S36), the container ID code C4 and report data (work start report data, operation including the electronic image data from which the container ID code C4 is extracted) are included. The container transport of the container transport vehicle 1 is made up of the vehicle number data, shooting time data, vehicle position data, operation type data, and PTO operation data included in the start report data, operation end report data, and work end report data. History data is created (S37).

  Unless the business in the container management center is finished (S38), the process returns to S22 and the above processing is repeated. When the operation of the container management center 30 ends, the center apparatus 31 ends the processing (S38).

  According to the container management system, in the container transport vehicle 1 having the cargo handling device 2, as described above, when the ON / OFF operation of the PTO device 24, the loading and unloading of the container, and the like are performed, For each operation, a photograph is taken of the container ID code C4 provided on the front wall of the container C on which the operation has been performed. The electronic image data obtained by the photographing is transmitted to the vehicle position data of the container transportation vehicle 1, the time data at the time of photographing, the PTO operation data, and the container operation by the in-vehicle device 4 provided in the container transportation vehicle 1. It is configured as report data (operation start report data, operation start report data, operation end report data, and operation end report data) together with the operation type data, and this report data is provided to the center device 31 via the communication networks 5 and 6. The The report data provided to the center device 31 is stored in the center device 31, and the electronic image data included in the report data is analyzed to identify the container.

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

  Further, according to this container management system, when the operator operates the PTO operation switch 16A installed on the front surface of the driver's seat 1A and the supply of driving force to the cargo handling device is turned on, the container management system is provided on the surface of the container. Since the identifier can be illuminated by the illumination means, the container identifier C4 can be photographed by the digital camera 12 not only during the daytime but also at night, and is transported by the container transport vehicle 1. Container C can be managed accurately day and night.

  The PTO operation switch 16 is always operated at the work site before performing the loading operation, loading / unloading operation, tilt-up operation, and tilt-down operation of the container C. Accordingly, the lighting device 19 is turned on in conjunction with the ON operation of the PTO device 16 by the PTO operation switch 16, so that when the photograph is taken in accordance with the subsequent loading operation of the container C, the container is surely The identifier C4 can be in a state of being illuminated by the lighting device 19. In addition, since a photographing signal is automatically output to the digital camera 12 after a predetermined time T1 from when the lighting device 19 is turned on, the container identifier C4 is displayed on the lighting device 19 as a photograph before the container loading operation or the like is performed. Can be obtained in a state of being reliably irradiated. That is, there is no risk of forgetting to turn on the lighting device 19 and take a picture.

  By the way, when the container identifier C4 is irradiated with direct light by the lighting device 19, the illuminance and luminance are too strong, and it may be impossible to obtain clear photographed image data with the reflected light. In that case, as described above, the illumination device 19 indirectly irradiates the container identifier C4, so that the digital camera 12 can obtain clear image data of the photographed photograph.

  Furthermore, since the photographing command signal is output to the digital camera 12 simultaneously with the OFF operation of the PTO device 16, and the turn-off command signal is output to the lighting device 19 after a predetermined time T2 of photographing by the digital camera 12, the container A photograph after the loading operation or the like is performed can be obtained in a state where the container identifier C4 is reliably irradiated by the lighting device 19. Further, there is no risk of forgetting to turn off the lighting device 19 with respect to the digital camera 12.

It is a block diagram of the container management system in this Embodiment. It is an external view of a container transport vehicle in a state where a container according to the present embodiment is mounted. It is an external view of the container transport vehicle in a state where no container is mounted in the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the container ID code in this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the container ID code in this Embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the vehicle-mounted apparatus in this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the night illumination means in the vehicle-mounted apparatus in this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the center apparatus in this Embodiment. It is an external view of the principal part of the container transport vehicle of the state which mounted the container in this Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the principal part in the driver's seat of the container transport vehicle in this Embodiment. It is a signal waveform diagram of operation | movement description of the PTO apparatus and illuminating device in this Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the illuminating device with which the container transport vehicle in this Embodiment is mounted | worn. It is a perspective view explaining the illuminating device with which the container transport vehicle in this Embodiment is mounted | worn. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle-mounted apparatus in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle-mounted apparatus in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle-mounted apparatus in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the center apparatus in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the center apparatus in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the center apparatus in this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container carrier vehicle 1A Driver's seat 2 Cargo handling device 3 Car body 4 In-vehicle device 5 Wireless communication network 6 Internet 12 Digital camera 15 Cargo handling device controller 16 PTO operation switch 19 Illumination device 24 PTO device 30 Container management center 31 Center device C Container C4 Container identifier

Claims (5)

In a container management system comprising a plurality of container transport vehicles and a center device that is a base station for managing each of the container transport vehicles via a communication network,
The container transport vehicle is
A cargo handling device capable of loading and unloading the container;
A PTO device in which supply of driving force to the cargo handling device is turned on and off by an operator operating a PTO operation switch installed in a driver's seat;
A container identifier provided on the surface of the container and capable of identifying the container;
Illumination means for illuminating the container identifier;
Photographing means for photographing the container identifier and outputting image data;
Vehicle-mounted control means for controlling the shutter timing of the photography means and the ON-OFF timing of the illumination means,
The in-vehicle control means includes
In conjunction with the ON-OFF operation of the PTO device, the illumination means is turned on and off, and the photography means is started and photographed at a predetermined time between the illumination means being turned on and off. A container management system configured to transmit the obtained image data to the center device.   The container management system according to claim 1, wherein the illumination unit is configured to indirectly irradiate the container identifier with light. The in-vehicle control means includes
Simultaneously with the ON operation of the PTO device, a lighting command signal is output to the lighting unit, and a predetermined time after the lighting unit is turned on, a shooting command signal is output to the photographing unit. The container management system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above. The in-vehicle control means includes
Simultaneously with the OFF operation of the PTO device, a photography command signal is outputted to the photography means, and a turn-off command signal is outputted to the illumination means after a predetermined time of photography by the photography means. The container management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The container transport vehicle includes a small lamp and a head lamp that illuminate the front of the vehicle, and an illumination switch that turns on and turns off the small lamp and the head lamp and outputs an ON signal between turning on and off. ,
The vehicle-mounted control means turns on the illumination means when both an ON signal from the PTO operation switch and an ON signal from the illumination switch are input. The container management system described in the section.

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