JP7730767B2 - Hitting situation determination system and hitting situation determination method - Google Patents

Description

Application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act - Project on the introduction and utilization of innovative technologies to dramatically improve productivity at construction sites (December 23, 2021)

This invention relates to technology for managing concrete pouring work, and more specifically to a pouring status determination system that can determine the start of concrete pouring for each construction section by sending and receiving information that identifies the construction section.

Along with steel, concrete is one of the most important construction materials, and is used in a variety of structures, including civil engineering structures such as dams, tunnels, and bridges, as well as architectural structures such as apartment buildings and office buildings. These concrete structures are sometimes manufactured in advance in factories and transported to the desired location, but in the case of civil engineering and architectural structures, they are often constructed directly at the desired location (site). In either case, concrete structures are constructed by pouring concrete (fresh concrete), which is a mixture of cement, water, aggregate, admixtures, etc., into formwork, waiting for the concrete to harden, and then removing the formwork.

Fresh concrete is poured into the formwork by pouring it through a chute from an agitator truck, dropping it from a hose using a concrete pump truck, pouring it into the designated location through pre-installed pipes, or in some cases by workers splashing it with a shovel. The fresh concrete poured into the formwork is then vibrated using a vibrator (vibrating vibrator), and as liquefaction progresses due to this vibration, air bubbles within the concrete rise and escape to the outside, and the aggregate and mortar inside are rearranged, resulting in the concrete being compacted.

When pouring concrete on-site, work plans are drawn up in advance, including the creation of a construction plan. For example, if the planned area for pouring concrete (hereinafter referred to as the "construction area") is relatively large, the construction area may be divided into multiple blocks (hereinafter referred to as "divided areas"). The "Standard Specifications for Concrete - Construction Edition" (hereinafter simply referred to as the "Standard Specifications") states that the entire pouring area should be poured horizontally, but points out that if there are only a few pouring points, the concrete will be forced to move laterally using a vibrator, which is undesirable. Therefore, concrete is poured into each divided area. This ensures that the entire divided area is poured horizontally without lateral movement, and since the target area per pouring point is limited, compaction using the vibrator can be carried out meticulously. Furthermore, when divided areas are set up, the order in which the concrete will be poured into the divided areas is also planned, taking into account the planned placement of agitator trucks and concrete pump trucks.

The standard specifications also stipulate that the height of each layer of concrete should be 40-50cm or less, and that when pouring concrete in two or more layers (overlapping), the upper and lower layers must be integrated, i.e., no cold joints must occur at the boundary between the upper and lower layers. Specifically, they stipulate the area of the construction zone (i.e., the construction area), concrete supply capacity, and time interval between pours, and in some cases, they suggest measures such as using retarding admixtures to extend the time it takes for the concrete to set. Furthermore, while only considering the case of general concrete, they provide examples of the allowable time interval between pours of 2.5 hours when the outside temperature is below 25°C, and 2.0 hours when the outside temperature is above 25°C.

In this way, a construction plan is formulated in advance before the actual concrete pouring work begins, but naturally, concrete pouring must be carried out while confirming that the work is being carried out according to the construction plan. For example, concrete pouring is carried out while checking whether the work order for the divided areas is correct, whether any divided areas have been overlooked for concrete pouring, and whether the allowable pouring time interval has elapsed. Traditionally, this process of comparing the construction plan with the actual work, i.e., construction management, has been carried out by people such as supervisors. As a result, the quality of construction management has been determined by the supervisor's experience and knowledge, and carrying out proper concrete pouring work, in other words, obtaining high-quality concrete, has relied on the skill of the supervisor.

As a result, various technologies have been proposed to manage concrete pouring work without relying on the skills of supervisors. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a "concrete pouring management system" that can display the work status for each block.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-20103

The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is ideal because it displays the ever-changing concrete pouring status for each block, allowing supervisors to monitor the construction while checking it. However, this ever-changing concrete pouring status must be entered by the person monitoring the situation on-site (the nozzle operator at the pouring site), and any delay in entering information or entering incorrect information can actually cause confusion on-site. In particular, at concrete pouring sites, many people are performing various tasks, and there is an overall sense of tension as no rework is permitted. Therefore, entering information accurately in a calm and composed manner is more difficult than one might imagine, making it an environment prone to input errors.

The objective of the present invention is to solve the problems inherent in conventional technology, namely, to provide technology that can determine the concrete pouring status for each divided area without forcing on-site personnel to input information (especially manually).

The present invention focuses on the fact that the driving status in a divided area is determined by utilizing a fixed transmitting means and a portable transmitting means, i.e., by communication between the fixed transmitting means and the portable transmitting means, and is an invention based on an unprecedented concept.

The pouring status determination system of the present invention comprises multiple "fixed transmission means" installed within or around the construction area to monitor the concrete pouring status, a movable "portable transmission means," and a "status determination means" that determines the concrete pouring status in each divided area. When a signal is transmitted between the portable transmission means and the fixed transmission means, the signal strength of that signal is transmitted to the status determination means. The status determination means then receives the signal strength and identifies the divided area in which concrete is being poured based on that signal strength.

The pouring status determination system of the present invention can also be configured so that the fixed transmitting means transmits identification information (information that identifies the divided area). The fixed transmitting means is installed in association with the divided area. In this case, when a signal is transmitted between the portable transmitting means and the fixed transmitting means, status information (including signal strength and identification information) is transmitted to the status determination means. Then, when the signal strength of the status information exceeds a predetermined start threshold strength, the status determination means receives the status information and outputs a start determination that concrete pouring has begun in the divided area associated with the identification information in the status information.

The driving status determination system of the present invention can also be configured so that when an operator brings a portable transmitting means close to a fixed transmitting means, the portable transmitting means receives identification information from the fixed transmitting means, and the portable transmitting means then transmits status information including that identification information to the status determination means.

The driving status determination system of the present invention can also include a "portable support" to which the portable transmitting means is attached, and a "support stand" that is installed near each fixed transmitting means. The portable support can be installed on the support stand, and when the portable support is installed on the support stand, the portable transmitting means is positioned close to the fixed transmitting means.

The driving status determination system of the present invention can also output a start determination based on multiple pieces of status information received during a predetermined period (start determination period). More specifically, the status determination means calculates statistical strength by statistically processing the signal strength included in the multiple pieces of status information received during the start determination period, and when the statistical strength exceeds the start threshold strength, outputs a start determination for the segmented area related to the received identification signal.

The pouring status determination system of the present invention can also output an end determination based on multiple status information received during a predetermined period (end determination period). More specifically, the status determination means calculates statistical strength by statistically processing the signal strengths received multiple times during the end determination period, and when the statistical strength falls below a predetermined end threshold strength, it determines that pouring of concrete in the divided area has ended and outputs an end determination.

The pouring status determination system of the present invention can also be configured to determine that pouring of concrete has started in the second divided area when a start determination for the second divided area is output a predetermined number of times (threshold number) consecutively after a start determination for the first divided area has been output.

The pouring status determination system of the present invention can also be configured to cancel the start determination for the second divided area and determine that pouring of concrete is continuing in the first divided area if a start determination for the first divided area is output a threshold number of times consecutively within a predetermined period (continuation determination period) after determining that pouring of concrete has started in the second divided area.

The pouring status determination system of the present invention can also be equipped with a pouring position calculation means for determining the pouring position (current position of the portable transmitting means). This pouring position calculation means can determine the pouring position based on the signal strength received by the portable transmitting means from two or more fixed transmitting means and the known position coordinates of the fixed transmitting means. In this case, the portable transmitting means is fixed to the hose of the concrete pump truck, and the status determination means identifies the divided area in which concrete is being poured based on the known planar layout of the divided areas and the pouring position determined by the pouring position calculation means.

The driving situation determination system of the present invention can also be configured so that an "unknown zone" is set at the boundary between adjacent divided areas to widen the boundary. In this case, the situation determination means outputs a "confirmed determination" for the driving position when the driving position is within a divided area excluding the unknown zone, and outputs an "indeterminate determination" for the driving position when the driving position is within the unknown zone. Then, if the situation determination means outputs a confirmed determination that the driving position is within the first divided area, and then outputs an indeterminate determination that the driving position is within the second divided area less than a predetermined threshold number of times in succession, it determines that the driving position is within the first divided area.

The pouring status determination method of the present invention is a method for determining the concrete pouring status using the pouring status determination system of the present invention, and includes an information transmission process and a status determination process. In the information transmission process, when concrete pouring begins for a divided area, the worker brings the portable transmission means close to the fixed transmission means corresponding to that divided area. In the status determination process, the status determination means determines the concrete pouring status for that divided area.

The pouring status determination method of the present invention can also be a method using a pouring status determination system that has "portable posts" to which portable transmitting means are attached and "post bases" installed near each fixed transmitting means. In this case, in the information transmission process, the worker installs the portable post on the post base corresponding to the divided area where concrete pouring has begun, thereby positioning the portable transmitting means close to the fixed transmitting means.

The pouring status determination method of the present invention can also be implemented in a construction area where concrete pouring by a concrete pump truck is planned. In this case, the fixed transmission means of the pouring status determination system is installed near the "pouring hole" provided for each divided area, and the portable transmission means is fixed to the hose of the concrete pump truck. Furthermore, in the information transmission process, the hose is inserted into the pouring hole to bring the portable transmission means close to the fixed transmission means corresponding to the divided area.

The pouring status determination method of the present invention can also be a method that includes a pouring position calculation step. In this pouring position calculation step, the portable transmitting means determines the pouring position based on the signal strength of signals received from two or more fixed transmitting means and the known position coordinates of the fixed transmitting means. In this case, the portable transmitting means is fixed to the hose of the concrete pump truck. In addition, in the status determination step, the divided area in which concrete is being poured is identified based on the known planar layout of the divided areas and the pouring position determined in the pouring position calculation step.

The driving situation determination system and driving situation determination method of the present invention have the following effects.
(1) The concrete pouring status can be determined for each divided area without forcing people on-site to input information.
(2) Since the concrete pouring status can be determined for each divided area, it becomes easier to carry out concrete pouring work according to the construction plan, and as a result, high-quality concrete can be obtained.
(3) Since the driving status can be determined mechanically (automatically), it is possible to eliminate the difficulty of securing supervisors with extensive experience and knowledge.

1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a check-in type hitting situation determination system. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a plurality of fixed transmitting units arranged near the corresponding divided regions. FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing a plurality of fixed transmitting units arranged at positions unrelated to the corresponding divided regions. FIG. 10 is a model diagram showing a situation in which a portable transmitting means approaches a fixed transmitting means, receives identification information, and transmits the information to a situation determining means. 1 is a side view showing a model of a portable support pole to which a portable transmitting means and an image acquiring means are attached, and a support pole base; 2 is a model diagram showing a model of a start determination period, an end determination period, and the relationship between the start determination period, the end determination period, and received status information; A model diagram showing a situation in which a portable transmitting means fixed to the hose of a concrete pump truck approaches a fixed transmitting means installed around the pouring port. FIG. 10 is a model diagram showing a relationship between a start determination period, an end determination period, and received status information. FIG. 10 is a model diagram that schematically shows a case in which situation information relating to different divided regions is received alternately. A model diagram that schematically shows a case in which status information regarding different divided areas is received alternately, and a start judgment is output consecutively for the divided area that was initially judged to be a start after a start judgment is made for another divided area. FIG. 10 is a model diagram schematically showing requirements for a warning unit to output warning information. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a positioning type driving situation determination system. FIG. 10 is a model diagram illustrating an unknown zone set on the boundary between adjacent divided regions. (a) is a flow chart showing the flow of the main steps of the driving status determination method of the present invention using a check-in type driving status determination system, and (b) is a flow chart showing the flow of the main steps of the driving status determination method of the present invention using a positioning type driving status determination system.

An example of an implementation of the pouring status determination system and pouring status determination method of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The pouring status determination method of the present invention is a method for determining the pouring status of concrete using the pouring status determination system of the present invention. Therefore, the pouring status determination system of the present invention will be described first, followed by the pouring status determination method of the present invention.

1. Driving Status Determination System The driving status determination system 100 of the present invention can be broadly divided into a system in which a fixed transmitting means and a portable transmitting means send and receive information that identifies a divided area (hereinafter referred to as "identification information"), and a system in which the position of the portable transmitting means is determined. Therefore, the driving status determination system that sends and receives identification information will be referred to as the "check-in type driving status determination system 100a," and the driving status determination system that determines the position of the portable transmitting means will be referred to as the "positioning type driving status determination system 100b," and these will be described in order.

-Check-in type hitting situation assessment system-
1 is a block diagram showing the main components of a check-in type driving situation determination system 100a. As shown in this figure, the check-in type driving situation determination system 100a is configured to include a fixed transmission means 101, a portable transmission means 102, and a situation determination means 103, and can also be configured to include a portable support 104, a support stand 105, a warning means 106, an output means 107 such as a display or a printer, and a divided area storage means 108.

The status determination means 103 and warning means 106 that make up the check-in type driving status determination system 100a can be manufactured as dedicated devices, or a general-purpose computer device can be used. This computer device is equipped with a processor such as a CPU, memory such as ROM and RAM, and may also include input means such as a mouse or keyboard, and a display (i.e., output means 107), and can be configured, for example, as a personal computer (PC) or server.

The divided area storage means 108 can be implemented as a storage device on a general-purpose computer (e.g., a personal computer), or as a database server. If implemented as a database server, it can be placed on a local network (LAN: Local Area Network), or a cloud server that stores data via the Internet can be used.

Below, we will provide a detailed explanation of each of the main elements that make up the check-in type driving situation determination system 100a.

(Fixed transmitting means and portable transmitting means)
Of the fixed transmitting means 101 and the portable transmitting means 102, one is a device capable of transmitting (emitting) a signal (hereinafter, for convenience, referred to as a "transmitting device"), and the other is a device capable of receiving and transmitting a transmitted signal (hereinafter, for convenience, referred to as a "transmitting/receiving device"). Examples of the transmitting device include devices that transmit radio signals such as beacons, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and Bluetooth (registered trademark), devices that transmit optical signals such as visible light and infrared rays, and devices that transmit sound wave signals such as ultrasonic waves. In contrast, examples of the transmitting/receiving device include portable terminals such as smartphones, or tablet terminals such as iPad (registered trademark).

As shown in Figure 2, fixed transmission means 101 are arranged to correspond to the "divided areas," i.e., the same number as the divided areas. For example, in Figure 2, 12 divided areas (divided area A01 to divided area D03) are set by dividing the "construction area" where concrete pouring is planned, and 12 fixed transmission means 101 are arranged to correspond to each divided area, as shown in parentheses in the figure. Note that in the example of Figure 2, the fixed transmission means 101 are arranged near the corresponding divided area (outside the construction area) or within the corresponding divided area (fixed transmission means 101 (B02) or fixed transmission means 101 (C02)). However, this is not limited to this, and fixed transmission means 101 can also be arranged in a location unrelated to the corresponding divided area, as shown in Figure 3. However, even in the example of Figure 3, the fixed transmission means 101 are associated (linked) with each divided area.

As described above, either the fixed transmitting means 101 or the portable transmitting means 102 is designated as a transmitting device, and the other as a transmitting/receiving device. That is, when the fixed transmitting means 101 is designated as a transmitting device, the portable transmitting means 102 is designated as a transmitting/receiving device, and conversely, when the fixed transmitting means 101 is designated as a transmitting/receiving device, the portable transmitting means 102 is designated as a transmitting device. For example, when multiple (12 in Figure 2) fixed transmitting means 101 using beacons are installed, smartphones are used as the portable transmitting means 102, and when multiple (12 in Figure 2) fixed transmitting means 101 using smartphones are installed, beacons are used as the portable transmitting means 102. For convenience, this explanation will be given assuming that the fixed transmitting means 101 is a transmitting device (e.g., a beacon) and the portable transmitting means 102 is a transmitting/receiving device (e.g., a smartphone).

The fixed transmitting means 101 transmits a signal at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 1 ms to tens of thousands of ms), and this signal contains information that distinguishes it from other fixed transmitting means 101 (i.e., unique). As mentioned above, information that identifies the fixed transmitting means 101 is referred to as "identification information (ID: IDentifier)," and a signal containing this identification information is referred to as an "identification signal." On the other hand, the portable transmitting means 102 is carried by the worker and therefore moves with the worker. As shown in Figure 4, when the portable transmitting means 102 approaches the fixed transmitting means 101 (comes within range), the portable transmitting means 102 receives the identification signal transmitted from the fixed transmitting means 101. Furthermore, when the portable transmitting means 102 receives an identification signal from the fixed transmitting means 101, it transmits information (hereinafter referred to as "situation information") including the time of reception, the signal strength at the time of reception (for example, the amplitude of the radio wave), and the identification information (ID) of the fixed transmitting means 101 to the situation determination means 103.

Although the portable transmitting means 102 has been described as being carried by a worker, the worker can carry the portable transmitting means 102 by holding it directly in their hand, or, as shown in Figure 5, the portable transmitting means 102 can be carried indirectly by attaching it to a portable support pole 104. The portable support pole 104 is a tubular or rod-shaped member whose axial dimension (top and bottom in the figure) is significantly larger than its cross-sectional dimension, and the portable transmitting means 102 can be attached to part of it. As shown in the figure, an image capture means CM such as a digital camera or digital video can also be attached to the top. When the portable transmitting means 102 is attached to the portable support pole 104 in this way, the worker can move the portable transmitting means 102 by grasping the portable support pole 104, and the height of the portable transmitting means 102 can be stabilized by grounding the bottom end of the portable support pole 104.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, a support base 105 capable of supporting the portable support 104 can be installed near each fixed transmitting means 101. In this case, the support base 105 should be positioned after adjusting its position so that when the portable support 104 is installed on the support base 105, the portable transmitting means 102 is close to the fixed transmitting means 101, more specifically, so that the portable transmitting means 102 is close enough to receive an identification signal with a predetermined signal strength (a strength exceeding the initiation threshold strength described below). Note that Figure 5 shows a structure in which the portable support 104 is inserted into the tubular support base 105, but various structures that can support the portable support 104 can be used, such as a structure in which a rod-shaped support base 105 is inserted into a tubular portable support 104.

Furthermore, when using the check-in pouring status determination system 100a in a construction area where concrete pouring by a concrete pump truck is planned, the portable transmitting means 102 can be fixed to the hose of the concrete pump truck. For example, as shown in Figure 6, a position where concrete will be poured, i.e., an insertion port for the hose HS (hereinafter referred to as the "pouring port DP"), is installed for each divided area, and the fixed transmitting means 101 is installed around this pouring port DP. In this way, when the hose HS is inserted into the pouring port DP, it approaches the portable transmitting means 102 fixed to the hose HS, and the portable transmitting means 102 can receive an identification signal at a predetermined signal strength (a strength greater than the start threshold strength described below).

(Situation determination means)
The status determination means 103 is a means for determining the concrete pouring status in each divided area based on the received status information. More specifically, when the status determination means 103 receives status information, it compares the signal strength included in the status information with a predetermined threshold (hereinafter referred to as the "start threshold strength"), and if it determines that the signal strength exceeds the start threshold strength (hereinafter referred to as the "start strength"), it determines that concrete pouring has started in that divided area (hereinafter referred to as the "start determination"). This start determination can be output as text or audio to the output means 107 provided in the portable transmitting means 102, or it can be displayed on a map such as that shown in FIG. 2 and indicated by applying a special color to the divided area for which the start determination has been made. In either case, the status determination means 103 compares the signal strength with the start threshold strength for each divided area and outputs the start determination for each divided area.

As mentioned above, the fixed transmitting means 101 transmits an identification signal at predetermined intervals, and therefore the portable transmitting means 102 may also transmit status information to the status determination means 103 at predetermined intervals. In other words, the status determination means 103 receives status information at predetermined intervals and compares the signal strength with the start threshold strength at predetermined intervals, resulting in repeated recognition of the signal strength as a start strength and its denial. In this case, the status determination means 103 may be configured to determine the start strength once it is recognized as a start strength, or to determine the start strength when the start strength is recognized a predetermined number of times consecutively, or to determine the start strength when the start strength is recognized a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period (hereinafter referred to as the "start determination period").

Alternatively, the start determination can be determined based on a value (hereinafter referred to as "statistical strength") obtained by statistically processing the signal strengths included in multiple pieces of status information received during the start determination period. For example, in FIG. 7, the status determination means 103 receives 27 signal strengths (S01-S27) for the divided area A01 during the start determination period. The statistical strength is determined by statistically processing these 27 signal strengths. When this statistical strength exceeds the start threshold strength, the start determination is determined. Various statistical methods can be used for this statistical processing, such as calculating the median, simple average, weighted average, or mode. Note that once the start determination is determined by the status determination means 103, the start time of the start determination period (reception time T01 in FIG. 7) can be set as the actual concrete pouring start time, the end time of the start determination period (reception time T27 in FIG. 7) can be set as the concrete pouring start time, or the center time of the start determination period (reception time T14 in FIG. 7) can be set as the concrete pouring start time.

Furthermore, after determining a start judgment for a divided area, the situation judgment means 103 can also output a judgment that concrete pouring has finished in that divided area (hereinafter referred to as an "end judgment"). Like the start judgment, this end judgment is displayed on the output means 107 provided in the portable transmission means 102 as text, audio, or in map format as shown in Figure 2.

When the status determination means 103 determines an end determination for a divided area, it can require that a start determination has been made for a divided area other than the divided area. If there is only one concrete pouring location (e.g., the hose nozzle) (e.g., the case in Figure 6), pouring of concrete in that divided area can be determined to have ended when pouring of concrete has begun in another divided area. Alternatively, after the status determination means 103 determines a start determination for a divided area, it can determine that pouring of concrete in that divided area has ended when it no longer receives an identification signal for that divided area. More specifically, when the status determination means 103 receives status information, it compares the signal strength contained in the status information with a predetermined threshold (hereinafter referred to as the "end threshold strength"). If the signal strength is determined to be below the end threshold strength (hereinafter referred to as the "end threshold strength"), it determines an end determination for that divided area. Note that this end threshold strength can be set to the same value as the start threshold strength used for the start determination, or it can, of course, be set to a different value.

When determining whether to terminate the signal strength by comparing it with the termination threshold strength, the situation determination means 103 can be configured to determine whether to terminate the signal strength once it is recognized as the termination strength, or to determine whether to terminate the signal strength when it is recognized as the termination strength a predetermined number of times in succession, or to determine whether to terminate the signal strength when it is recognized as the termination strength a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period of time (hereinafter referred to as the "termination determination period"). This termination determination period can be set to the same period as the start determination period used for the start determination, or of course it can be set to a different period of time.

Alternatively, the termination determination can be based on statistical strength of signal strengths included in multiple pieces of status information received during the termination determination period. For example, in FIG. 7, the status determination means 103 receives 25 signal strengths (S26-S50) for divided area A01 during the termination determination period. The statistical strength is calculated by statistically processing these 25 signal strengths. When this statistical strength falls below the termination threshold strength, the start determination is made. Note that once the termination determination is made by the status determination means 103, the end time of the termination determination period (reception time T50 in FIG. 7) can be set as the actual end time of concrete pouring, the start time of the termination determination period (reception time T26 in FIG. 7) can be set as the end time of concrete pouring, or the center time of the termination determination period (reception time T38 in FIG. 7) can be set as the end time of concrete pouring.

Incidentally, when status information for the same divided area (divided area A01 in the figure) is continuously received as shown in Figure 7, it is possible to determine the start and end judgments for that divided area without hesitation. However, when status information for different divided areas (divided areas A03 and B03 in the figure) is alternately received as shown in Figure 8, it can be difficult to determine which divided area to determine the start and end judgments for, i.e., whether concrete pouring is continuing in the same divided area or has moved to another divided area. Therefore, the status determination means 103 can be configured to determine that concrete pouring has started in a different divided area (hereinafter referred to as the "second divided area") after a start judgment for that divided area (hereinafter referred to as the "first divided area") has been output and a start strength for that divided area (hereinafter referred to as the "second divided area") has been confirmed.

For example, a start determination for the second divided area can be determined if the start strength for the second divided area is recognized at least once after a start determination for the first divided area is output. Alternatively, a start determination for the second divided area can be determined when the start strength for the second divided area is recognized a predetermined threshold number of times in succession. In the case of Figure 8, this threshold number is set to "two." Therefore, after a start determination for the first divided area (divided area A03 in the figure) is output, the start strength for the second divided area (divided area B03 in the figure) is recognized twice (the threshold number of times) in succession (reception times T43 and T44), and a start determination for the second divided area is determined at this time. Note that the actual start time of concrete pouring for the second divided area can be the first recognition of the consecutive recognition of the start strength for the second divided area (reception time T43 in Figure 8), the final recognition (reception time T44 in Figure 8), or an intermediate time in the consecutive recognitions.

As shown in Figure 8, if a start determination for the second divided area is determined based on two consecutive start determinations for the second divided area, it is possible that this start determination is incorrect. That is, if two consecutive start determinations for the second divided area occur, the system may determine that concrete pouring has begun in the second divided area, even though pouring in the first divided area is actually still continuing. To resolve this issue, the situation determination means 103 may be configured to determine that concrete pouring is continuing in the first divided area if, after determining that concrete pouring has begun in the second divided area, the start strength for the first divided area is recognized a threshold number of times in a predetermined period (hereinafter referred to as the "continuation determination period"). This continuation determination period can be set to the same period as the start determination and end determination, or it can, of course, be set to a different period.

For example, in the case of Figure 9, after a start determination is output for the first divided area (divided area A03 in the figure), the start intensity for the second divided area (divided area B03 in the figure) is recognized twice in a row (reception times T38 to T39 in the figure), and therefore a start determination is initially made for the second divided area. However, since the start intensity for the first divided area is subsequently recognized twice in a row (reception times T44 to T45 in the figure), and these output times fall within the continuation determination period, the situation determination means 103 cancels the start determination for the second divided area and determines again that concrete pouring is continuing in the first divided area. Note that the start of the continuation determination period can be the time when the start determination for the second divided area is recognized, as shown in Figure 8, or the time when the start determination for the first divided area is recognized.

(Warning means)
As mentioned above, when pouring concrete in two or more layers, it is desirable to avoid cold joints at the boundary between the upper and lower layers. Specifically, it is desirable to pour the upper layer of concrete so as not to exceed the pouring time interval. The warning means 106 is a means for outputting "warning information" to the corresponding divided area when the pouring time interval is exceeded. This warning information is output as text or audio to the output means 107 provided in the portable transmission means 102, or it can be displayed on a map such as that shown in Figure 2 and the divided area that is the subject of the warning information can be indicated in a special color. In either case, the warning means 106 monitors the pouring time interval for each divided area and outputs warning information for each divided area.

The warning means 106 measures the time (hereinafter referred to as "elapsed time") until the next start judgment is made for a divided area for which a start judgment has been made, compares this elapsed time with the overlapping time interval, and outputs warning information when the elapsed time exceeds the overlapping time interval. For example, in divided area C03 shown in Figure 10, the second start judgment is made without exceeding the overlapping time interval after the first start judgment, so the warning means 106 does not output warning information. In contrast, in divided area D02 shown in Figure 10, the second start judgment has not yet been made even though the overlapping time interval has passed since the first start judgment, so the warning means 106 outputs warning information.

(others)
As shown in Figure 5, an image capture device CM (especially a 180- to 360-degree wide-angle camera) can be attached to the top of the portable support pole 104 to which the portable transmission device 102 is attached. This allows for remote monitoring of the on-site situation from a management building or supervisor's station away from the construction area, and also allows for video recording of the entire concrete pouring process. Concrete pouring is carried out based on a pre-planned construction plan. By comparing the recorded video with the construction plan after the fact, the quality of the construction plan can be assessed and reflected in the next construction plan, which is ideal. Furthermore, by using information on the installation location of the fixed transmission device 101 (e.g., a beacon) and information on the field of view of the image capture device CM, the location of the concrete pouring point (e.g., the nozzle of a hose) can be calculated. As a result, by comparing the pouring position with the construction plan, the quality of the construction plan can be more precisely assessed. Furthermore, by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), it is possible to extract worker behavior and review the PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Action) cycle during concrete pouring.

The check-in type pouring status determination system 100a of the present invention can also be equipped with a pouring volume estimation means. For example, if the volume of concrete discharged per unit time by a concrete pump truck is known, the actual volume of concrete poured for a specific divided area can be estimated by measuring the time since the start determination was output and multiplying that time by the volume of concrete per unit time. The portable support 104 can also be equipped with a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver and sensors for measuring temperature, humidity, solar radiation, etc. Furthermore, the check-in type pouring status determination system 100a of the present invention can also be equipped with the function of outputting a series of information in report format. A report organizing the pouring start time, pouring end time, elapsed time until the top layer is poured, actual volume of concrete poured, temperature, humidity, solar radiation, etc. for each divided area is output to output means 107, such as a printer.

- Positioning-based driving situation assessment system -
Next, the positioning-type pouring status determination system 100b will be described. This positioning-type pouring status determination system 100b can be used particularly effectively in construction areas where concrete pouring using a concrete pump truck is planned. In such cases, it is advisable to fix the portable transmitting means 102 to the hose HS (particularly the nozzle) of the concrete pump truck. Note that, here, we will avoid overlapping explanations with those explained in the check-in-type pouring status determination system 100a, and will only explain the details unique to the positioning-type pouring status determination system 100b. In other words, details not described here are the same as those explained in the check-in-type pouring status determination system 100a.

Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the main components of the positioning-type driving situation determination system 100b. As shown in this figure, the check-in-type driving situation determination system 100a is composed of a fixed transmission means 101, a portable transmission means 102, a situation determination means 103, and a driving position calculation means 109, and can also be composed of a warning means 106, an output means 107, a divided area storage means 108, etc. Of these, the driving position calculation means 109 can be manufactured as a dedicated unit, or a general-purpose computer device can be used.

Below, we will provide a detailed explanation of each of the main elements that make up the positioning-based driving situation determination system 100b.

(Position calculation means)
The position calculation means 109 is a means for calculating the current location of the portable transmitting means 102 fixed to the hose HS, i.e., the position of the nozzle of the hose HS (hereinafter referred to as the "implantation position"). Specifically, the implantation position is calculated by performing spatial calculations based on the signal strength received from two or more fixed transmitting means 101 and the installation positions (known) of the fixed transmitting means 101. It is known that the distance (hereinafter referred to as the "reception distance") between the location where the signal was received (i.e., the implantation position) and the fixed transmitting means 101 can be calculated depending on the strength of the signal from the fixed transmitting means 101. If the installation position (planar coordinates) of the fixed transmitting means 101 is known, a circle can be drawn with the fixed transmitting means 101 as its center and the reception distance as its radius. Therefore, assuming that the fixed transmitting means 101 and the portable transmitting means 102 are located on the same plane, the implantation position can be calculated by the portable transmitting means 102 receiving signals from two or more fixed transmitting means 101. In addition, if it cannot be assumed that the fixed transmitting means 101 and the portable transmitting means 102 are on the same plane, the position calculation means 109 should be configured to calculate the firing position based on the signal strength received from three or more fixed transmitting means 101.

(Situation determination means)
The status determination means 103 of the positioning-type pouring status determination system 100b is a means for determining the concrete pouring status in a divided area based on the pouring position calculated by the position calculation means 109. More specifically, the status determination means 103 acquires the pouring position, compares the pouring position with the (known) plane coordinates of the divided area, and determines that concrete pouring has started in the divided area containing that pouring position (i.e., a start determination). This start determination is output as text or audio to the output means 107 provided in the portable transmission means 102, or can be indicated by displaying a map such as that shown in FIG. 2 and applying a special color to the divided area for which a start determination has been made. In either case, the status determination means 103 outputs a start determination for each divided area.

The situation determination means 103 of the positioning-based driving situation determination system 100b can also be configured to output a start determination using an "unknown zone." As shown in FIG. 12, this unknown zone is an area that is set on the boundary between adjacent divided areas and that is set to widen the boundary. In this case, the situation determination means 103 outputs different start determinations when the driving position is within the unknown zone and when the driving position is within a divided area excluding the unknown zone (hereinafter referred to as a "confirmed zone"). That is, when the driving position is within the confirmed zone, the situation determination means 103 outputs a "confirmed determination," assuming that the driving position is almost certainly included in the divided area related to the confirmed zone. On the other hand, when the driving position is within the unknown zone, the situation determination means 103 outputs an "inconclusive determination," assuming that the driving position is not necessarily included in the divided area related to the unknown zone. In other words, when a start determination accompanied by a confirmed determination is output, the start determination can be confirmed, and when a start determination accompanied by an inconclusive determination is output, the start determination can be temporarily suspended.

Furthermore, the situation determination means 103 of the positioning-type driving situation determination system 100b can be configured to output a start determination based on a predetermined threshold number of times. Specifically, after outputting a definite determination that the driving position is within the first divided area, it outputs an indeterminate determination that the driving position is within an unknown zone related to the second divided area (a divided area different from the first divided area). If the number of consecutive outputs of this indeterminate determination is less than the threshold number, it outputs a start determination that the driving position is still within the first divided area. Conversely, after outputting a definite determination that the driving position is within the first divided area, it outputs an indeterminate determination that the driving position is within an unknown zone related to the second divided area. If the number of consecutive outputs of this indeterminate determination is equal to or greater than the threshold number, it outputs a start determination that the driving position has moved into the second divided area.

2. Method for Determining the Pouring Status Next, the method for determining the pouring status of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 13. Note that the method for determining the pouring status of the present invention is a method for determining the pouring status of concrete using the check-in type pouring status determination system 100a described up to this point, and therefore, we will avoid overlapping explanations with those described for the check-in type pouring status determination system 100a and will only describe the details unique to the method for determining the pouring status of the present invention. In other words, the details not described here are the same as those described in "2. Check-in type pouring status determination system."

Figure 13(a) is a flow diagram showing the flow of the main steps of the pouring status determination method of the present invention using the check-in type pouring status determination system 100a. As shown in this figure, first, pouring of concrete is started in one of the divided areas (Step 211 in Figure 13(a)). Next, the worker brings the portable transmitting means 102 close to the fixed transmitting means 101, causing the portable transmitting means 102 to receive status information from the fixed transmitting means 101 and transmit the received status information to the status determination means 103 (Step 212 in Figure 13(a)). At this time, the portable supporting pole 104 to which the portable transmitting means 102 is attached can also be placed on the supporting pole base 105 to bring the portable transmitting means 102 close to the fixed transmitting means 101. Furthermore, when pouring concrete using a concrete pump truck, the hose HS to which the portable transmitting means 102 is fixed can be inserted into the pouring port DP (Figure 6), allowing the portable transmitting means 102 to be brought closer to the fixed transmitting means 101.

When the situation determination means 103 receives situation information, it compares the signal strength contained in the situation information with the start threshold strength, and if it determines that the signal strength exceeds the start threshold strength, it outputs a start determination that concrete pouring has begun in that divided area (Step 213 in Figure 13(a)). Then, when pouring of concrete in that divided area is completed, it moves the pouring position to the next divided area (Step 214 in Figure 13(a)), and concrete pouring begins again. This series of steps (Steps 211 to 214 in Figure 13(a)) is repeated until concrete is poured into all divided areas within the construction area.

Figure 13(b) is a flow diagram showing the main steps of the pouring status determination method of the present invention using the positioning-type pouring status determination system 100b. As shown in this figure, first, pouring of concrete into one of the divided areas is started using a concrete pump truck (Step 221 in Figure 13(b)). Next, the portable transmitting means 102 fixed to the hose HS receives signal strength from two or more fixed transmitting means 101, and the position calculation means 109 calculates the pouring position based on the signal strength and the installation positions of the fixed transmitting means 101 (Step 222 in Figure 13(b)).

Once the position calculation means 109 calculates the pouring position, the situation determination means 103 compares the pouring position with the planar coordinates of the divided area, and outputs a start determination that concrete pouring has begun in the divided area containing that pouring position (Step 223 in Figure 13(b)). Then, when pouring of concrete in that divided area is completed, the position of the hose HS (i.e., the pouring position) is moved to the next divided area (Step 224 in Figure 13(b)), and pouring of concrete begins again. This series of steps (Steps 221 to 224 in Figure 13(b)) is repeated until concrete is poured into all divided areas within the construction area.

The check-in type pouring status determination system and pouring status determination method of the present invention can be used in a variety of concrete structures, including civil engineering structures such as dams, tunnels, and bridges, and architectural structures such as apartment buildings and office buildings. Given that the present invention, when constructed under appropriate construction management, will result in the provision of high-quality social infrastructure, it can be said to be an invention that not only has industrial applications but is also expected to make a significant contribution to society.

100 Driving status determination system of the present invention 100a Check-in type driving status determination system 100b Positioning type driving status determination system 101 Fixed transmission means (of driving status determination system) 102 Portable transmission means (of driving status determination system) 103 Status determination means (of driving status determination system) 104 Portable support (of driving status determination system) 105 Support base (of driving status determination system) 106 Warning means (of driving status determination system) 107 Output means (of driving status determination system) 108 Divided area storage means (of driving status determination system) CM Image acquisition means DP Driving port HS Hose

Claims (9)

A system for determining the concrete pouring status for each divided area obtained by dividing a construction area where concrete pouring is planned,
A plurality of fixed transmitting means installed within and/or around the construction area;
a movable portable transmitting means;
and a situation determination means for determining a concrete pouring situation in the divided area,
each of the fixed transmission means transmits identification information associated with the divided area and identifying the divided area;
When a signal is transmitted between the portable transmitting means and the fixed transmitting means, status information including the signal strength of the signal and the identification information is transmitted to the status determining means,
The situation determination means, having received the signal strength, identifies the divided area in which concrete is being poured according to the signal strength;
Furthermore, the situation determination means, which has received the situation information , determines a statistical strength by statistically processing the signal strength of the situation information received multiple times during a predetermined start determination period, and when the statistical strength exceeds a predetermined start threshold strength, outputs a start determination that pouring of concrete has started in the divided area related to the identification information of the situation information.
A check-in type hitting situation determination system. After the start determination for the divided area is output, the situation determination means calculates the statistical strength based on the signal strengths received multiple times during a predetermined end determination period, and when the statistical strength falls below a predetermined end threshold strength, outputs an end determination that pouring of concrete has ended in the divided area.
2. The check-in type driving situation determination system according to claim 1 . A system for determining the concrete pouring status for each divided area obtained by dividing a construction area where concrete pouring is planned,
A plurality of fixed transmitting means installed within and/or around the construction area;
a movable portable transmitting means;
and a situation determination means for determining a concrete pouring situation in the divided area,
each of the fixed transmission means transmits identification information associated with the divided area and identifying the divided area;
When a signal is transmitted between the portable transmitting means and the fixed transmitting means, status information including the signal strength of the signal and the identification information is transmitted to the status determining means,
The situation determination means, having received the signal strength, identifies the divided area in which concrete is being poured according to the signal strength;
Furthermore, the situation determination means, having received the situation information, outputs a start determination that pouring of concrete has started in the divided area related to the identification information of the situation information when the signal strength of the situation information exceeds a predetermined start threshold strength,
Furthermore, when the start determination signal for the first divided area is outputted and then the start determination signal for the second divided area is outputted a predetermined threshold number of times in succession, the situation determination means determines that pouring of concrete has started in the second divided area.
A check-in type hitting situation determination system. the situation determination means determines that pouring of concrete is continuing in the first divided area when the start determination for the first divided area is output consecutively the threshold number of times within a predetermined continuation determination period after determining that pouring of concrete has started in the second divided area;
4. The check-in type driving situation determination system according to claim 3 . When the worker brings the portable transmitting means close to the fixed transmitting means, the portable transmitting means receives the identification information from the fixed transmitting means and transmits the situation information to the situation determining means.
5. The check-in type driving situation determination system according to claim 1 . a portable support pole to which the portable transmitting means is attached;
a support stand installed near each of the fixed transmitting means;
The portable support can be installed on the support base;
When the portable support is installed on the support base, the portable transmitting means is disposed in close proximity to the fixed transmitting means.
6. A check-in type driving situation determination system according to claim 1 . A system for determining the concrete pouring status for each divided area obtained by dividing a construction area where concrete pouring is planned,
A plurality of fixed transmitting means installed within and/or around the construction area;
a movable portable transmitting means;
a firing position calculation means for calculating a firing position, which is the current position of the portable transmitting means, based on the signal strengths received by the portable transmitting means from two or more of the fixed transmitting means and the known position coordinates of the fixed transmitting means;
and a situation determination means for determining a concrete pouring situation in the divided area,
The portable transmitting means is fixed to a hose of a concrete pump truck,
When a signal is transmitted between the portable transmitting means and the fixed transmitting means, the signal strength of the signal is transmitted to the situation determining means;
The situation determination means, which has received the signal strength, identifies the divided area in which concrete is being poured based on the known planar layout of the divided area and the pouring position calculated by the pouring position calculation means .
A check-in type hitting situation determination system. An unknown zone is set at a boundary line between adjacent divided areas to widen the boundary line,
the situation determination means outputs a definite determination regarding the hitting position when the hitting position is within the divided area excluding the uncertain zone, and outputs an indefinite determination regarding the hitting position when the hitting position is within the uncertain zone;
Furthermore, the situation determination means determines that the hitting position is within the first divided area when, after outputting the definite determination that the hitting position is within the first divided area, the situation determination means outputs the indefinite determination that the hitting position is within the second divided area less than a predetermined threshold number of times in succession.
8. The check-in type driving situation determination system according to claim 7 . A method for determining the concrete placement status using a check-in type placement status determination system for each divided area obtained by dividing a construction area into multiple areas where concrete placement by a concrete pump truck is planned, comprising:
The check-in type pouring status determination system is configured to include a plurality of fixed transmitting means installed within and/or around the construction area, a portable transmitting means fixed to a hose of the concrete pump truck, a pouring position calculation means, and a status determination means,
a firing position calculation step in which the firing position calculation means calculates the firing position, which is the current position of the portable transmitting means, based on the signal strengths of the signals received by the portable transmitting means from two or more of the fixed transmitting means and the known position coordinates of the fixed transmitting means;
and a situation determination step of determining, by the situation determination means, the divided area in which concrete is being poured based on the known planar layout of the divided area and the pouring position calculated in the pouring position calculation step.
A method for determining a driving situation.