JP7558680B2 - Management device, management method, and management program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a management device, a management method, and a management program for managing a dryer that dries grains.

Generally, dryers perform multiple work processes in succession, such as loading harvested grain into the dryer, drying the loaded grain, and discharging the grain after drying for the next process such as hulling. Conventionally, there is known technology for displaying the work status of multiple dryers on a monitor screen in a central monitoring room by work type. Specifically, in conventional technology, information about the current work status of each dryer, such as before work, working, and paused, is displayed on the monitor screen. This allows the user to check the monitor screen to understand the work process currently being performed and the work status.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-138048

However, with the above-mentioned conventional technology, only the work status (before work, working, work paused, etc.) of the currently ongoing work process is displayed, making it difficult for the user to grasp the progress of the currently ongoing work process relative to the overall work process.

The object of the present invention is to provide a management device, a management method, and a management program that can grasp the progress of a currently running work process relative to the entire work process in a dryer that dries grains.

The management device according to the present invention includes a specific processing unit and a presentation processing unit. The specific processing unit identifies a first work process that is a work process currently being performed by a dryer that dries grains by performing a plurality of work processes in a predetermined order. The presentation processing unit presents the progress status of the first work process identified by the specific processing unit in a plurality of progress display units that display the progress status of each of the plurality of work processes.

The management method according to the present invention is a method executed by one or more processors to identify a first work process that is a currently running work process in a dryer that dries grain by executing a plurality of work processes in a predetermined order, and to present the progress of the first work process in a plurality of progress display sections that respectively correspond to the plurality of work processes.

The management program of the present invention is a program for causing one or more processors to execute the following operations in a dryer that dries grain by executing multiple work processes in a predetermined order: identifying a first work process that is a work process currently being executed in the dryer; and presenting the progress status of the first work process in multiple progress display sections that correspond to each of the multiple work processes.

The present invention provides a management device, a management method, and a management program that can grasp the progress of a currently running work process relative to the entire work process in a dryer that dries grains.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of a management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of drying process information used in the management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a progress status page displayed on a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method for calculating the progress in the management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a progress presentation process executed in the management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a progress status included in a progress status page displayed on a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a progress status included in a progress status page displayed on a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a progress status included in a progress status page displayed on a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a progress status included in a progress status page displayed on a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a progress status included in a progress status page displayed on a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a progress status included in a progress status page displayed on a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The following embodiment is an example of the present invention and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the management system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a management device 2, a user terminal 3, and one or more dryers 4. The management device 2, the user terminal 3, and the dryers 4 can communicate with each other via a communication network N1. For example, the management device 2 and the dryers 4 can communicate with each other via a mobile phone line network, a packet line network, or a LAN. The management device 2 and the user terminal 3 can communicate with each other via the Internet, a LAN, a WAN, or a public telephone line. The management system 1 may include a linking unit (not shown) that links multiple dryers 4. In this case, the multiple dryers 4 are connected to the linking unit, and the linking unit is connected to the communication network N1. This allows, for example, multiple dryers 4 and the management device 2 to communicate with each other via the linking unit. In this embodiment, the linking unit is omitted.

The management device 2 is a device (server) that monitors and manages the working status of the drying process performed in one or more dryers 4. As an example, FIG. 1 shows three dryers 4 (No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3). Each dryer 4 may have the same structure or a different structure. The user terminal 3 is an operation terminal operated by a user. For example, the user can access the website of the dryer support service provided by the management device 2 on the user terminal 3 and display a web page including information such as the operating status and working state of one or more dryers 4.

[Dryer 4]
1, the dryer 4 includes a control unit 41, a memory unit 42, an operation display unit 43, and a communication unit 44. The dryer 4 executes a drying process for drying harvested grain by continuously executing a plurality of work processes. The dryer 4 has a known configuration. In other words, a known dryer can be applied to the dryer of the present invention.

The types of grains to be dried include, for example, rice, wheat, beans, etc. The types of grains used in the present invention are not limited to these.

The drying process includes a plurality of work steps. For example, the drying process includes a loading process, a circulation process, a drying process, a cooling process, and a discharge process. In the drying process, the circulation process and the cooling process may be included in the drying process. In addition, the drying process may include other work steps in addition to the five work steps. The drying process of the present invention includes at least a loading process, a drying process, and a discharge process.

In the loading process, the harvested grain is loaded into the dryer 4. For example, the user loads the grain harvested with a combine into the dryer 4 through a loading port (not shown). The user repeats the loading process multiple times as necessary.

In the circulation process, a circulation operation is performed to circulate the grain loaded into the dryer 4. Specifically, in the circulation process, the grain is circulated inside the dryer 4 using a screw or the like to prevent deterioration of the grain loaded into the dryer 4. The circulation operation may be performed during the loading operation.

In the drying process, the temperature inside the dryer 4 is raised to dry the grains. Specifically, in the drying process, a burner is driven to generate hot air (drying air), and the drying air is directed at the grains circulating inside the dryer 4 to remove excess moisture contained in the grains. The dryer 4 is equipped with a moisture sensor and detects the moisture amount (moisture content) of the grains. The dryer 4 performs the drying process, for example, until the moisture amount reaches a target value (for example, 15%).

In the cooling process, a cooling operation is carried out to lower the temperature of the grains that have been dried. Specifically, in the cooling process, wind at a temperature lower than the temperature of the grains is blown onto the grains to cool the hot grains.

In the discharge process, the grain is discharged from the dryer 4 to the outside. The grain (e.g., rice husks) discharged from the dryer 4 is transferred to, for example, a rice huller.

The communication unit 44 is a communication interface that connects the dryer 4 to the communication network N1 by wire or wirelessly and performs data communication with external devices such as the management device 2 via the communication network N1 in accordance with a specified communication protocol.

The operation display unit 43 is a user interface that includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display that displays various information, and an operation unit such as a touch panel, a mouse, or a keyboard that accepts operations. For example, the operation display unit 43 displays a setting screen for setting various items related to the drying process, an operation screen that accepts operations to start and end the drying process and operations to start and stop each work process, and a work status screen that displays the progress and work status of the drying process. The operation display unit 43 also accepts user operations on each of the screens.

The memory unit 42 stores various information related to the dryer 4. For example, the memory unit 42 stores unique information such as the identification information of the dryer 4 (e.g., the machine number, model, etc.), the maximum loading amount indicating the upper limit of the loading amount that can be loaded into the dryer 4, and processing information corresponding to the grain drying process. The processing information includes information such as the type of grain loaded into the dryer 4 (paddy, wheat, beans, etc.), the loading amount of grain loaded into the dryer 4, the work process currently being performed, the work status of the work process (operating, stopped, etc.), the current moisture content of the grain loaded into the dryer 4, and the scheduled end time of the work process currently being performed.

The memory unit 42 also stores a control program for causing the control unit 41 to execute the drying process.

The control unit 41 has control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic processes. The ROM is a non-volatile storage unit in which control programs such as a BIOS and an OS for causing the CPU to execute various arithmetic processes are stored in advance. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile storage unit that stores various information, and is used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for various processes executed by the CPU. The control unit 41 controls the dryer 4 by executing the control program stored in advance in the ROM or the storage unit 42 by the CPU.

Specifically, the control unit 41 executes processing according to the operation content received from the user by the operation display unit 43. For example, when the user performs an operation on the operation screen to start the drying process and an operation to start the loading work, the control unit 41 starts the loading process. When the user finishes the loading work of the grain and performs an operation on the operation screen to end the loading work, the control unit 41 stops the loading process. Note that the control unit 41 may stop the loading process when the current time reaches the scheduled end time of the loading process (described later). The scheduled end time may be calculated by the management device 2.

Next, when the user performs an operation to start the circulation work on the operation screen, the control unit 41 starts the circulation process. The control unit 41 stops the circulation process when the current time becomes the scheduled end time of the circulation process. The control unit 41 calculates the scheduled end time of the circulation process based on, for example, the amount of grain loaded.

Next, when the user performs an operation to start the drying operation on the operation screen, the control unit 41 starts the drying process. The control unit 41 stops the drying process when the current time becomes the scheduled end time of the drying process. Note that the control unit 41 calculates the scheduled end time of the drying process based on, for example, the operation time required for the moisture content of the grain to reach a target value (e.g., 15%). The control unit 41 may also stop the drying process when the moisture content detected by the moisture sensor reaches the target value.

Next, when the user performs an operation on the operation screen to start the cooling operation, the control unit 41 starts the cooling process. The control unit 41 stops the cooling process when the current time becomes the scheduled end time of the cooling process. Finally, when the user performs an operation on the operation screen to start the discharging operation, the control unit 41 starts the discharging process. When the discharge of the grain is completed, the control unit 41 stops the discharging process and ends the drying process. The control unit 41 calculates the scheduled end times of the cooling process and the discharging process, for example, based on the amount of grain loaded.

Details of the method for calculating the scheduled end time of each work process will be described later, but mainly, the scheduled end time of the drying process is calculated by the dryer 4 based on the required work time, and the scheduled end times of the other work processes except for the drying process are calculated by the management device 2 based on past work history. The scheduled end time of the drying process may also be calculated by the management device 2 based on past work history. Furthermore, the control unit 41 of the dryer 4 may calculate the scheduled end time of each work process based on the work time of each work process set by the user on the setting screen. Furthermore, the control unit 41 may automatically start the next work process when one work process is completed.

The control unit 41 updates the processing information while the drying process is being performed. For example, the control unit 41 updates the currently executing work process, work status, scheduled completion time, current moisture content of the grain, etc. in real time. The control unit 41 also displays the currently executing work process and work status on the work status screen of the operation display unit 43. The control unit 41 also outputs the unique information and processing information of the dryer to the management device 2 in response to an access request from the management device 2.

[Management device 2]
1, the management device 2 is a server including a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an operation display unit 23, and a communication unit 24. The management device 2 is not limited to a single computer, and may be a computer system in which multiple computers work together. Various processes executed by the management device 2 may be executed in a distributed manner by one or multiple processors.

The communication unit 24 is a communication interface that connects the management device 2 to the communication network N1 by wire or wirelessly and performs data communication in accordance with a specified communication protocol with one or more external devices such as a dryer 4 and a user terminal 3 via the communication network N1.

The operation display unit 23 is a user interface that includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display that displays various information, and an operation unit such as a touch panel, mouse, or keyboard that accepts operations.

The storage unit 22 is a non-volatile storage unit such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) that stores various information. The storage unit 22 stores control programs such as a progress status presentation program for causing the control unit 21 to execute a progress status presentation process (see FIG. 5) described below. For example, the progress status presentation program is non-temporarily recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD or DVD, and is read by a reading device (not shown) such as a CD drive or DVD drive provided in the management device 2 and stored in the storage unit 22. The progress status presentation program may be downloaded from a server (not shown) to the management device 2 via the communication network N1 and stored in the storage unit 22.

The memory unit 22 also stores data such as drying processing information D1 related to the drying processing of grains. The control unit 21 stores the drying processing information D1 in the memory unit 22 based on the unique information and the processing information acquired from each dryer 4.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of drying process information D1. As shown in Figure 2, the drying process information D1 includes information such as the corresponding "name", "model", "status", "type", "loading amount", "maximum loading amount", "moisture content", "scheduled end time", and "progress" for each dryer 4. The name is identification information for the dryer 4, and for example, the machine number is registered. The machine number is registered, for example, in the setting screen of the dryer 4, the setting page of the website, etc. The model is the unique model and number of the dryer 4.

The status is information that indicates the current working status of the dryer 4. For example, if the first dryer 4 is performing the loading process, "loading" is registered as the status. Also, if the second dryer 4 is performing the drying process, "drying" is registered as the status. Also, if the third dryer 4 has finished the drying process and is stopped, "stopped (drying)" is registered as the status.

The type is information indicating the type of grain to be dried. The loading amount is information indicating the amount of grain loaded into the dryer 4. The maximum loading amount is information indicating the upper limit of the loading amount that can be loaded into the dryer 4. The moisture content is information indicating the current moisture content of the grain. The scheduled end time is information indicating the scheduled end time of the currently running work process. The scheduled end time may be calculated in the dryer 4 or in the management device 2. For example, the scheduled end time of the drying process is calculated in the dryer 4, and the scheduled end times of the other work processes excluding the drying process are calculated in the management device 2. The management device 2 obtains the scheduled end time of the drying process from the dryer 4. In addition, the management device 2 calculates the scheduled end times of the other work processes based on, for example, past work history (see [Other embodiments] described later). In addition, the management device 2 may also calculate the scheduled end time of the drying process based on past work history.

The degree of progress is information indicating the current degree of progress of the work process currently being performed by the dryer 4. For example, the degree of progress is information indicating the ratio of the time during which the work has progressed (the time during which the work has been performed) to the time required for the work process currently being performed. The control unit 41 calculates the degree of progress of the work process currently being performed based on the time required for the work and the current time. A specific method for calculating the degree of progress will be described later.

When each dryer 4 starts the drying process, the control unit 21 updates each piece of information contained in the drying process information D1 according to the state (progress) of the drying process.

In another embodiment, some or all of the drying process information D1 may be stored in another server accessible from the management device 2 via the communication network N1. In this case, the control unit 21 of the management device 2 may obtain the information from the other server and execute various processes such as the progress status presentation process (see FIG. 5) described below. For example, the drying process information D1 may be stored in each dryer 4.

The memory unit 22 also stores layout data and image data for generating various web pages, such as a progress status page P1 (see FIG. 3) and a settings page (not shown), included in a website (e.g., a dryer support site) displayed on the user terminal 3. In this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the management device 2 can display the various web pages on the user terminal 3 by generating the various web pages and sending information about the web pages to the user terminal 3. In another embodiment, the control unit 21 of the management device 2 can cause the control unit 31 of the user terminal 3 to display the various web pages by sending data necessary for displaying the various web pages to the user terminal 3.

The progress page P1 is displayed on the user terminal 3 by logging in to the dryer support site on the user terminal 3.

Figure 3 shows an example of the progress status page P1. The progress status page P1 displays information included in the drying process information D1 (see Figure 2) for each dryer 4, such as "name", "model", "status", "type", "loading amount/maximum loading amount", "moisture content", and "scheduled end time". In the status, the name of the work process currently being performed by the dryer 4 is displayed in text (characters), and multiple progress display sections F corresponding to all work processes included in the drying process are displayed. Figure 3 shows progress display section F1 corresponding to the loading process, progress display section F2 corresponding to the circulation process, progress display section F3 corresponding to the drying process, progress display section F4 corresponding to the cooling process, and progress display section F5 corresponding to the discharge process. Each progress display section F displays the progress of the work process. Each progress display section F is an example of a progress display section of the present invention.

Incidentally, there is a known technology in the past that displays the working status of multiple dryers 4 on a monitor screen by type of work. Specifically, in the conventional technology, information about the current working status of each dryer, such as before work, working, or paused, is displayed on the monitor screen. However, in the conventional technology, only the working status (before work, working, paused, etc.) related to the currently running work process is displayed, making it difficult for the user to grasp the progress of the currently running work process relative to the overall work process.

In contrast, as shown below, the management device 2 according to this embodiment makes it possible to grasp the progress of the currently running work process relative to the overall work process in the dryer 4.

Specifically, the control unit 21 of the management device 2 according to this embodiment includes various processing units such as an acquisition processing unit 211, a specific processing unit 212, a calculation processing unit 213, and a presentation processing unit 214. The control unit 21 functions as the various processing units by executing various processes in accordance with the progress presentation program using the CPU. Some or all of the processing units may be configured with electronic circuits. The progress presentation program may be a program for causing multiple processors to function as the processing units.

The acquisition processing unit 211 acquires the above-mentioned processing information from each dryer 4, such as the type of grain to be dried, the loading amount, the work status indicating the currently executing work process (corresponding to the first work process of the present invention), the start time of the work process, the scheduled end time of the work process, and the moisture content. The acquisition processing unit 211 also acquires unique information from each dryer 4, such as identification information (name, model) and maximum loading amount. The acquisition processing unit 211 registers each piece of acquired information in the drying processing information D1 (see Figure 2). The acquisition processing unit 211 is an example of the acquisition processing unit of the present invention.

The specific processing unit 212 identifies the work process currently being performed by the dryer 4 (hereinafter referred to as the first work process). Specifically, the specific processing unit 212 identifies the first work process based on the work status acquired by the acquisition processing unit 211. The specific processing unit 212 also identifies the first work process for each of the multiple dryers 4. The specific processing unit 212 is an example of the specific processing unit of the present invention.

For example, if the dryer 4 of the first unit is currently performing the loading process, the specific processing unit 212 identifies the loading process as the first work process corresponding to the dryer 4 of the first unit. For another example, if the dryer 4 of the second unit is currently performing the drying process, the specific processing unit 212 identifies the drying process as the first work process corresponding to the dryer 4 of the second unit. For another example, if the dryer 4 of the third unit has finished the drying process and is stopped, the specific processing unit 212 identifies the drying process as the first work process corresponding to the dryer 4 of the third unit.

The calculation processing unit 213 calculates the degree of progress corresponding to the current progress status of the first work process. The degree of progress is a value indicating the ratio of the time during which the work has progressed (the time during which the work has been performed) to the required work time of the first work process, and is expressed as a value between "0" and "1". That is, the calculation processing unit 213 defines the total required work time of the first work process as "1" and calculates the degree of progress of the work relative to the required work time. Specifically, the calculation processing unit 213 calculates the degree of progress of the first work process based on the required work time calculated from the start time and the scheduled end time of the first work process and the current time. For example, when half of the required work time of the first work process has elapsed, the calculation processing unit 213 calculates "0.5" as the degree of progress of the first work process. Also, for example, when the entire required work time of the first work process has elapsed, the calculation processing unit 213 calculates "1" as the degree of progress of the first work process. The calculation processing unit 213 registers the calculated progress in the drying processing information D1 (see FIG. 2). The calculation processing unit 213 is an example of the calculation processing unit of the present invention.

The presentation processing unit 214 presents the progress of the first work process identified by the identification processing unit 212 in multiple progress display units F that display the progress of each of the multiple work processes. The presentation processing unit 214 also presents the progress of the first work process for each of the multiple dryers 4 in multiple progress display units F. Specifically, the presentation processing unit 214 displays the multiple progress display units F in a predetermined order, and displays the progress of the first work process in the first progress display unit F that corresponds to the first work process. The first progress display unit F is an example of a first progress display unit of the present invention.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the presentation processing unit 214 displays in the "Status" column of the progress status page P1 a progress display unit F1 corresponding to the loading process, a progress display unit F2 corresponding to the circulation process, a progress display unit F3 corresponding to the drying process, a progress display unit F4 corresponding to the cooling process, and a progress display unit F5 corresponding to the discharge process, arranged in the order of the drying process. The presentation processing unit 214 also displays each progress display unit F as a time bar having a predetermined width in the time axis direction, and displays multiple time bars corresponding to the multiple progress display units F arranged in the time axis direction in the order of the work. The presentation processing unit 214 also displays the width of each progress display unit F in the time axis direction with the same width. Furthermore, the presentation processing unit 214 displays the progress display units F corresponding to the same work process in each dryer 4 with the same width and with the same vertical position.

Here, the presentation processing unit 214 displays identification information corresponding to the degree of progress calculated by the calculation processing unit 213 in the first progress display unit F corresponding to the first work process. Specifically, the presentation processing unit 214 displays, in the first progress display unit F corresponding to the first work process, a display mode from the work start position corresponding to the start time to the progress position corresponding to the degree of progress differently from a display mode from the progress position to the scheduled end position corresponding to the scheduled end time. A specific example is shown below.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of a part of each progress display section F of the dryer 4 of the No. 2 machine shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 shows that the dryer 4 is performing the drying process. As shown in FIG. 4, the left end of the progress display section F3 represents the start position X1 corresponding to the start time t1 of the drying process, the right end of the progress display section F3 represents the end position X3 corresponding to the scheduled end time t3 of the drying process, and X2 represents the progress position corresponding to the degree of progress. "t3-t1" corresponds to the work time required for the drying process. In this case, the calculation processing section 213 calculates the degree of progress by the following formula (1) when the current time is t2.
Progress rate=(t2−t1)/(t3−t1) (1)

For example, if the start time t1 of the drying process is "16:00", the scheduled end time t3 is "7:00 the next day", and the current time t2 is "22:00", the calculation processing unit 213 calculates "0.4" as the progress degree of the drying process. In this case, if the start position X1 is set as the reference "0" and the end position X3 is set as "1", the progress position X2 becomes "0.4". The presentation processing unit 214 displays identification information corresponding to the progress degree "0.4" in the progress display unit F3. Specifically, the presentation processing unit 214 displays the first region R1 from the start position X1 to the progress position X2 in a first display mode in the progress display unit F3, and displays the second region R2 from the progress position X2 to the end position X3 in a second display mode different from the first display mode. For example, the presentation processing unit 214 makes the display colors of the first region R1 and the second region R2 different from each other. The presentation processing unit 214 may make the background patterns of the first region R1 and the second region R2 different. The first display mode is an example of identification information corresponding to the progress level of the present invention.

When the drying process progresses and the current time t2 reaches the scheduled end time t3, the drying process ends, the progress degree corresponding to the drying process becomes "1", and the progress position X2 becomes "1". In this case, since the progress display section F3 is composed of only the first region R1, the presentation processing section 214 displays the entire progress display section F3 in the first display mode.

The presentation processor 214 also displays the first region R1 of the progress display section F corresponding to the currently executing work process in the same display mode (first display mode) as the progress display section F corresponding to the work process that has been completed. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the presentation processor 214 displays the first region R1 of the progress display section F3 corresponding to the drying process in the same display mode as the progress display section F2 corresponding to the circulation process that has been completed. The presentation processor 214 also displays the second region R2 of the progress display section F corresponding to the currently executing work process in the same display mode (second display mode) as the progress display section F corresponding to the next work process. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the presentation processor 214 displays the second region R2 of the progress display section F3 corresponding to the drying process in the same display mode as the progress display section F4 corresponding to the next cooling process.

In this way, the presentation processing unit 214 displays the progress display section F corresponding to a work process that has been completed among the multiple work processes and the portion of the first progress display section F that corresponds to the progress status (first area R1) in the same display mode. The presentation processing unit 214 then changes the display mode of each progress display section F of the multiple work processes in the time axis direction according to the progress of the work. This allows the user to intuitively grasp how much work has progressed, which work processes have been completed, the current progress status of the work, etc.

Furthermore, the presentation processing unit 214 displays text information indicating the operation status of the first operation process near the multiple progress display units F. Specifically, the presentation processing unit 214 displays text information corresponding to the currently executed operation process and the operation status of the operation process (operating, stopped, etc.) included in the drying processing information D1 (see FIG. 2) near the multiple progress display units F in the "Status" column of the progress status page P1. For example, when the first dryer 4 is executing the loading process, the presentation processing unit 214 displays the word "loading" above the progress display units F1 to F5 as shown in FIG. 3. Also, when the second dryer 4 is executing the drying process, the presentation processing unit 214 displays the word "drying" above the progress display units F1 to F5 as shown in FIG. 3.

Here, when the first work process is completed, the presentation processing unit 214 displays a progress status that can identify that the first work process has been completed in the first progress display unit F, and displays at least text information indicating the completion of the work near the multiple progress display units F. For example, when the third dryer 4 has completed the drying process, the presentation processing unit 214 displays the entire progress display unit F3 corresponding to the drying process in the display mode (first display mode) of the first region R1 as shown in FIG. 3, and displays the word "stop" above the progress display units F1 to F5. This allows the user to understand that the drying process has been completed and the dryer 4 is stopped. The presentation processing unit 214 may also display text information that can identify the work process to be stopped, such as the word "stop (drying)". The presentation processing unit 214 is an example of a presentation processing unit of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the presentation processing unit 214 may display the progress information corresponding to the degree of progress in text format in the "Status" column of the progress status page P1. For example, the presentation processing unit 214 displays the words "Loaded (60%)" in the "Status" column corresponding to the first dryer 4, and displays the words "Drying (40%)" in the "Status" column corresponding to the second dryer 4.

When the drying process is completed and the dryer 4 is stopped, the user presses the confirmation button on the operation screen displayed on the operation display unit 43 of the dryer 4, and then presses the start button to start the next operation process (cooling process). This causes the dryer 4 to start the cooling process.

[User terminal 3]
1, the user terminal 3 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an operation display unit 33, and a communication unit 34. The user terminal 3 is an information processing device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer.

The communication unit 34 is a communication interface that connects the user terminal 3 to the communication network N1 by wire or wirelessly and performs data communication with external devices such as the management device 2 via the communication network N1 in accordance with a specified communication protocol.

The operation display unit 33 is a user interface that includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display that displays information such as various web pages, and an operation unit such as a touch panel, mouse, or keyboard that accepts operations.

The storage unit 32 is a non-volatile storage unit such as an HDD, SSD, or flash memory that stores various types of information. For example, a control program such as a browser program is stored in the storage unit 32. Specifically, the browser program is a control program that causes the control unit 31 to execute communication processing with an external device such as the management device 2 according to a communication protocol such as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). The browser program may also be a dedicated application for executing communication processing with the management device 2 according to a predetermined communication protocol.

The control unit 31 has control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic operations. The ROM is a non-volatile storage unit in which control programs such as a BIOS and an OS for causing the CPU to execute various processes are stored in advance. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile storage unit that stores various information, and is used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for the various processes executed by the CPU. The control unit 31 controls the user terminal 3 by having the CPU execute various control programs that are stored in advance in the ROM or the storage unit 32.

Specifically, the control unit 31 functions as a browser processing unit 311 by executing various processes according to the browser program stored in the memory unit 32. The browser processing unit 311 is capable of executing browser processing to display a web page provided from the management device 2 via the communication network N1 on the operation display unit 33 and input operations on the operation display unit 33 to the management device 2. In other words, the user terminal 3 can function as an operation terminal for the management device 2 by the control unit 31 executing the browser program. Note that some or all of the processing units included in the control unit 31 may be configured with electronic circuits.

Specifically, when a user operation is performed on the user terminal 3 to request access to a specific URL corresponding to a website (dryer support site) of the dryer support service provided by the management device 2, the control unit 31 acquires data of the webpage (progress page P1) of the dryer support site from the management device 2, and causes the operation display unit 33 to display the progress page P1 of the website (see Figure 3).

For example, a request to access the specified URL is made by a selection operation from a list of preregistered websites, a text input operation, or the like. In addition, if a dedicated application corresponding to the management device 2 is installed in the user terminal 3, the progress status page P1 of the dryer support site is displayed on the operation display unit 33 when the user of the user terminal 3 performs an operation to start the dedicated application.

A user can grasp the progress of the drying process of the dryer 4 from a location away from the dryer 4 by viewing the progress page P1 displayed on the user terminal 3.

[Progress Status Presentation Processing]
An example of the progress status presentation process executed by the control unit 21 of the management device 2 will be described below with reference to Fig. 5. For example, the progress status presentation process is started by the control unit 21 when a user logs in to the dryer support site on the user terminal 3. The progress status presentation process may also be started in response to a predetermined user operation on the dryer 4.

The present invention may be understood as an invention of a progress status presentation method (management method) in which the control unit 21 executes part or all of the progress status presentation process, or an invention of a progress status presentation program (management program) for causing the control unit 21 to execute part or all of the progress status presentation method. The progress status presentation process may also be executed by one or more processors. For example, the progress status presentation process may be executed by the control unit 21 of the management device 2 and the control unit 41 of the dryer 4 in cooperation with each other.

In step S1, the control unit 21 determines whether or not it has acquired the processing information from each dryer 4, such as the type of grain to be dried, the loading amount, the work status indicating the currently executing work process (first work process), the start time of the work process, the scheduled end time of the work process, and the moisture content. If it is determined that the processing information has been acquired (S1: Yes), the process proceeds to step S2. The control unit 21 waits until it acquires the processing information (S1: No). When the control unit 21 acquires the processing information, it registers each piece of acquired information in the drying processing information D1 (see FIG. 2).

In step S2, the control unit 21 identifies the work process (first work process) currently being performed by each dryer 4. The control unit 41 identifies the first work process based on the "status" information registered in the drying process information D1.

In step S3, the control unit 21 calculates the degree of progress of the first work process for each dryer 4. Specifically, the control unit 21 calculates the degree of progress of the first work process for each dryer 4 based on the start time and scheduled end time of the first work process and the current time. That is, the control unit 21 calculates the degree of progress using the formula (1). The control unit 21 registers the calculated degree of progress in the drying process information D1 (see FIG. 2).

In step S4, the control unit 21 determines whether the degree of progress is greater than "0" and less than "1" (0 < "degree of progress" < 1). If it is determined that the degree of progress is greater than "0" and less than "1" (S4: Yes), the process proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if the degree of progress is determined to be "0" or "1" (S4: No), the process proceeds to step S41. For example, if a work process is being carried out, the degree of progress is greater than "0" and less than "1", so the process proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if a work process has ended, the degree of progress is greater than "0" or "1", so the process proceeds to step S41.

In step S5, the control unit 21 displays the work status of the first work process. Specifically, the control unit 21 displays text information indicating the work status of the first work process in the "Status" column of the progress status page P1 near the multiple progress display units F. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the first dryer 4 is performing the loading process, the control unit 21 displays the word "Loading" above the progress display units F1 to F5, and when the second dryer 4 is performing the drying process, the control unit 21 displays the word "Drying" above the progress display units F1 to F5.

In step S6, the control unit 21 presents the progress of the first work process in a plurality of progress display sections F that display the progress of each of a plurality of work processes. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 21 displays the progress display sections F1 to F5 in the order of work in the time axis direction corresponding to each dryer 4, and displays the progress of the first work process in the first progress display section F corresponding to the first work process. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 21 displays the first region R1 from the start position X1 corresponding to the start time t1 to the progress position X2 corresponding to the progress degree in the first display mode in the progress display section F3 corresponding to the drying process, and displays the second region R2 from the progress position X2 to the end position X3 corresponding to the scheduled end time t3 in the second display mode. In addition, if there is a work process that has been completed before the first work process, the control unit 21 displays the progress display section F corresponding to the completed work process in the first display mode. Furthermore, if there is a work process after the first work process, the control unit 21 displays the progress display section F corresponding to the subsequent work process in the second display mode. After step S6, the process returns to step S1, and the control unit 21 repeats the above-mentioned process.

On the other hand, if the progress level is determined to be "0" or "1" in step S4 (S4: No), step S41 is executed. In step S41, the control unit 21 displays information indicating that the first work process has ended and the dryer 4 has stopped. Specifically, the control unit 21 displays text information indicating the work status of the first work process as "stopped" near multiple progress display units F in the "status" column of the progress status page P1. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 21 displays the word "stopped" above the progress display units F1 to F5 when the third dryer 4 has finished the drying process and is stopped.

In step S42, the control unit 21 presents the progress status (end state) of the first work process in multiple progress display sections F that display the progress status of each of the multiple work processes. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 21 displays the entire progress display section F3 corresponding to the drying process for the third dryer 4 in the first display mode. Furthermore, if there is a completed work process before the first work process, the control unit 21 displays the progress display section F corresponding to the completed work process in the first display mode. Furthermore, if there is a work process after the first work process, the control unit 21 displays the progress display section F corresponding to the subsequent work process in the second display mode. After step S42, the process returns to step S1, and the control unit 21 repeats the above-mentioned process.

The progress status presentation process displays the progress status of the drying process being performed in each dryer 4 on the user terminal 3. In addition, if the user sets "automatic update" on the progress status page P1 (see Figure 3), the progress status is automatically updated and displayed.

As described above, the management device 2 identifies the first work process, which is the work process currently being performed by the dryer 4, and presents the progress of the first work process in multiple progress display sections F that display the progress of each of the multiple work processes. This allows the user to grasp the progress of the currently performed work process relative to the overall work process.

For example, the progress status page P1 shown in FIG. 3 allows the user to know that the No. 1 dryer 4 is currently performing the loading process out of the five work processes, and that about 60% of the work in the loading process has been completed. The user can also know that the No. 2 dryer 4 is currently performing the drying process out of the five work processes, and that about 40% of the work in the drying process has been completed. The user can also know that the No. 3 dryer 4 has completed the drying process out of the five work processes and is stopped, and that all work in the drying process has been completed. In this way, the management device 2 displays the progress position of the current work among all work processes, and moves the progress position according to the progress of the work. This allows the user to intuitively understand the progress of the work.

[Other embodiments]
Hereinafter, other embodiments of the management system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

In the above embodiment, the calculation processing unit 213 calculates the degree of progress of the first work process based on the start time and scheduled end time of the first work process currently being executed output from the dryer 4 and the current time. In contrast, in another embodiment, the calculation processing unit 213 may predict the scheduled end time of the first work process based on past work history, and calculate the degree of progress of the first work process based on the start time of the first work process obtained from the dryer 4, the predicted scheduled end time, and the current time.

Specifically, the work history registers performance information such as the start time, end time, and loading amount of each work process included in the drying process performed in the past by each dryer 4 in association with each other, and the work history is stored in the memory unit 22 of the management device 2. The acquisition processing unit 211 acquires from the dryer 4 the work state representing the work process currently being performed (first work process) and the start time of the first work process, and acquires the start time and end time associated with the first work process from the work history. For example, the acquisition processing unit 211 acquires from the work history the start time and end time of one or more of the first work processes associated with a loading amount equivalent to the loading amount in the current drying process.

The calculation processing unit 213 calculates one or more required work times corresponding to the first work process in the past based on one or more start times and end times corresponding to the first work process acquired from the work history. The calculation processing unit 213 also predicts the required work time and scheduled end time corresponding to the first work process this time based on the calculated one or more required work times. For example, the calculation processing unit 213 predicts the average time of multiple required work times as the required work time corresponding to the first work process, and adds the required work time to the start time acquired from the dryer 4 to predict the scheduled end time corresponding to the first work process. The calculation processing unit 213 then calculates the progress of the first work process using the formula (1) based on the start time acquired from the dryer 4, the predicted scheduled end time, and the current time.

This makes it possible to calculate an appropriate degree of progress for a work process (e.g., a loading process) for which it is difficult to calculate the scheduled end time in the dryer 4. This makes it possible to present the user with an appropriate progress status for the work process as well. The calculation processing unit 213 may output information on the predicted scheduled end time to the dryer 4. In this case, the dryer 4 may stop the work process currently being performed based on the acquired scheduled end time, for example.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the presentation processing unit 214 displays in the multiple progress display units F the progress display unit F corresponding to the work process for which work has been completed and the first region R1 (see FIG. 4) up to the progress position (current position) in the progress display unit F corresponding to the work process currently being performed in the same display mode (first display mode). In other words, the presentation processing unit 214 displays in the multiple progress display units F the region corresponding to the work time (progress time) from the start time of the first work process (here, the loading process) to the current time in the same display mode.

In contrast to this, as another embodiment, the presentation processing unit 214 may assign individual display modes to each of the multiple progress display sections F, as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 shows a portion of the progress (work state) included in the progress status page P1. For example, the presentation processing unit 214 assigns a first display color to the progress display section F1 corresponding to the loading process, a second display color to the progress display section F2 corresponding to the circulation process, a third display color to the progress display section F3 corresponding to the drying process, a fourth display color to the progress display section F4 corresponding to the cooling process, and a fifth display color to the progress display section F5 corresponding to the discharge process. Then, the presentation processing unit 214 displays the first region R1 in the assigned display color and the second region R2 in a reference color (e.g., white) in each progress display section F. This allows the user to intuitively grasp the work process currently being performed.

In another embodiment, the presentation processing unit 214 may display the progress display section F corresponding to a work process that has been completed among the multiple work processes and the portion of the first progress display section F corresponding to the progress status in different display modes. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the presentation processing unit 214 may display the progress display section F corresponding to a work process that has been completed among the multiple work processes in the third display mode, the progress display section F corresponding to a work process that is currently being performed in the first display mode, and the progress display section F corresponding to a subsequent work process that has not yet been performed in the second display mode. This allows the user to easily grasp the work processes that have been completed and the work processes currently being performed.

In another embodiment, the presentation processing unit 214 may display the size (width) of the progress display section F corresponding to each of the multiple work processes in a size that corresponds to the required work time for each work process. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the required work time for the drying process is longer than the required work times for the other work processes, the presentation processing unit 214 displays the width of the progress display section F3 corresponding to the drying process in the time axis direction longer than the width of the progress display sections corresponding to the other work processes.

In another embodiment, when the drying process steps are different for each dryer 4, the presentation processing unit 214 may display the overall progress display section F for each dryer 4 with the same width, as shown in FIG. 8.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the presentation processing unit 214 presents the progress status of the first work process to the user by changing the display mode of the progress display unit F. In contrast to this, in another embodiment, the presentation processing unit 214 may present the progress status of the first work process by a progress mark M1 (an example of the identification information of the present invention) as shown in FIG. 9. Specifically, the presentation processing unit 214 displays the progress mark M1 at a position (progress position) according to the progress level in the first progress display unit F corresponding to the first work process. Note that the presentation processing unit 214 may further change the display mode of the progress display unit F corresponding to the first work process, as in the above embodiment.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the presentation processing unit 214 displays multiple progress display sections F corresponding to each of the multiple work processes in the order of work along the time axis. In contrast to this, in another embodiment, the presentation processing unit 214 may display multiple progress display sections F corresponding to each of the multiple work processes in the order of work along a direction perpendicular to the time axis within each work process, as shown in FIG. 10. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the presentation processing unit 214 displays the loading process, circulation process, drying process, cooling process, and discharge process in this order at the bottom.

In another embodiment, the presentation processing unit 214 may display multiple progress display sections F corresponding to multiple work processes in a pie chart, as shown in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 11, the entire circle indicates the entire drying process, and each of the five equal areas of the circle corresponds to a progress display section F corresponding to each work process. The presentation processing unit 214 presents the progress of the first work process by changing the display mode of the progress display section F according to the degree of progress based on the center of the circle.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1: Management system 2: Management device 3: User terminal 4: Dryer 21: Control unit 22: Storage unit 23: Operation display unit 24: Communication unit 211: Acquisition processing unit 212: Identification processing unit 213: Calculation processing unit 214: Presentation processing unit F: Progress display unit

Claims (15)

a specific processing unit that identifies a first work process, which is a work process currently being performed , in each of a first dryer and a second dryer , the first dryer and the second dryer sequentially executing a plurality of work processes including a loading process of loading grain into the dryer and a post-process subsequent to the loading process;
a presentation processing unit that presents a progress status of the first work process identified by the identification processing unit in a plurality of progress display units that display a progress status of each of the plurality of work processes corresponding to the first dryer and the second dryer ;
Equipped with
the presentation processing unit displays the plurality of progress display sections in a linked order of operation in accordance with a display width of each of the display sections set in advance corresponding to the first dryer and the second dryer, and displays the display width of each of the plurality of progress display sections in a width corresponding to a proportion of a required work time for each work process calculated based on the loading amount of the grain ;
Furthermore, when at least one of the work processes performed by the first dryer and at least one of the work processes performed by the second dryer are different from each other, the presentation processing unit displays an overall width of the connected progress display units corresponding to the multiple work processes performed by the first dryer and an overall width of the connected progress display units corresponding to the multiple work processes performed by the second dryer in the same width . the presentation processing unit causes the loading amount of the grain and the scheduled end time of the first work process currently being executed, which is calculated based on the loading amount, to be displayed on the plurality of progress display units for each of the first dryer and the second dryer.
The management device according to claim 1 . the presentation processing unit causes a first progress display unit corresponding to the first work process to display a progress status of the first work process in the display field corresponding to each of the first dryer and the second dryer ,
The management device according to claim 1 or 2 . A calculation processing unit is further provided that calculates a current progress degree of the first work process corresponding to each of the first dryer and the second dryer ,
the presentation processing unit causes the first progress display unit, which specifies a required work time for the first work process, to display identification information corresponding to the degree of progress calculated by the calculation processing unit in the display fields corresponding to the first dryer and the second dryer, respectively.
The management device according to claim 3 . the presentation processing unit, in the display fields corresponding to the first dryer and the second dryer, displays in a different manner from a display mode from a start position corresponding to the start time to a progress position corresponding to the progress degree in the first progress display unit that specifies the required work time from a start time to a scheduled end time of the first work process, to a display mode from the progress position corresponding to the progress degree to an end position corresponding to the scheduled end time.
The management device according to claim 4 . an acquisition processing unit that acquires a work state representing the first work process, the start time, and the scheduled end time from each of the first dryer and the second dryer ,
The calculation processing unit calculates the degree of progress of the first work process corresponding to each of the first dryer and the second dryer based on the start time and the scheduled end time acquired by the acquisition processing unit and a current time.
The management device according to claim 5 . an acquisition processing unit that acquires a work state representing the first work process and the start time from each of the first dryer and the second dryer , and acquires a work history corresponding to the first work process from a storage unit that stores work histories related to the plurality of work processes;
the calculation processing unit predicts the scheduled end time of the first work process based on the work history acquired by the acquisition processing unit, and calculates the degree of progress of the first work process corresponding to each of the first dryer and the second dryer based on the start time acquired by the acquisition processing unit, the predicted scheduled end time, and a current time.
The management device according to claim 5 . the presentation processing unit displays, in the display fields corresponding to the first dryer and the second dryer, a progress display section corresponding to a work process in which work has been completed among the plurality of work processes and a portion of the first progress display section corresponding to the progress status in the same display mode.
The management device according to any one of claims 3 to 7 . the presentation processing unit displays, in the display fields corresponding to the first dryer and the second dryer, a progress display section corresponding to a work process in which work has been completed among the plurality of work processes and a portion of the first progress display section corresponding to the progress status in different display modes.
The management device according to any one of claims 3 to 7 . the presentation processing unit displays each progress display section in a time bar having a predetermined width in a time axis direction in the display field corresponding to each of the first dryer and the second dryer, and displays a plurality of time bars corresponding to the plurality of progress display sections in the predetermined order in the time axis direction.
The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 . the presentation processing unit displays text information representing a work status of the first work process in the display fields corresponding to the first dryer and the second dryer near the plurality of progress display units.
The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 . the presentation processing unit, when the first work process is completed , in the display fields corresponding to the first dryer and the second dryer, causes a first progress display unit corresponding to the first work process to display a progress status that enables identification that the first work process has been completed, and causes at least text information indicating the completion of work to be displayed near the plurality of progress display units.
The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 . The plurality of work processes include a loading operation, a circulation operation, a drying operation, a cooling operation, and a discharge operation.
The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 . A method for drying grain by sequentially executing a plurality of work processes including a loading process of loading grain into the dryers and a post-process following the loading process, comprising: identifying a first work process that is a work process currently being executed in each of a first dryer and a second dryer ;
presenting a progress status of the first work process in a plurality of progress display units that display progress statuses of the plurality of work processes corresponding to each of the first dryer and the second dryer ;
In each of the preset display sections corresponding to the first dryer and the second dryer, the plurality of progress display sections are linked and displayed in order of operation in accordance with the display width of the display section, and the display width of each of the plurality of progress display sections is displayed in accordance with the proportion of the required work time for each work process calculated based on the loading amount of the grain ;
when at least one of the work processes performed by the first dryer and at least one of the work processes performed by the second dryer are different from each other, displaying an overall width obtained by connecting the plurality of progress display units corresponding to the plurality of work processes performed by the first dryer and an overall width obtained by connecting the plurality of progress display units corresponding to the plurality of work processes performed by the second dryer in the same width;
A management method executed by one or more processors. A method for drying grain by sequentially executing a plurality of work processes including a loading process of loading grain into the dryers and a post-process following the loading process, comprising: identifying a first work process that is a work process currently being executed in each of a first dryer and a second dryer ;
presenting a progress status of the first work process in a plurality of progress display units that display progress statuses of the plurality of work processes corresponding to each of the first dryer and the second dryer ;
In each of the preset display sections corresponding to the first dryer and the second dryer, the plurality of progress display sections are linked and displayed in order of operation in accordance with the display width of the display section, and the display width of each of the plurality of progress display sections is displayed in accordance with the proportion of the required work time for each work process calculated based on the loading amount of the grain ;
when at least one of the work processes performed by the first dryer and at least one of the work processes performed by the second dryer are different from each other, displaying an overall width obtained by connecting the plurality of progress display units corresponding to the plurality of work processes performed by the first dryer and an overall width obtained by connecting the plurality of progress display units corresponding to the plurality of work processes performed by the second dryer in the same width;
A management program for causing one or more processors to execute the above.

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