Work machine, management system and management method

• US 10,541,875 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2013
• Issued: 01/21/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Inventors: Watanabe, Mio
• Primary Examiner(s): Barker, Todd L
• Application Number:
  US14/358,387
• Publication Number:
  US 20150163101A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,232 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2054 Fleet management
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/26 Indicating devices E02F5/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/71 Version control security arrangements therefor G06F21/57; Configuration management
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies

Abstract

A work machine includes: an electronic device; a signal line to which the electronic device is connected; a memory unit which stores at least identification information for identifying the electronic device; a communication unit which wirelessly communicates to an outside of the work machine; and a processing unit, wherein when the identification information acquired from the electronic device via the signal line is different from the identification information stored in the memory unit, the processing unit stores the identification information acquired from the electronic device in the memory unit and transmits the acquired identification information to the outside of the work machine via the communication unit.

Claims

1. A work machine comprising:

a land-based vehicle;

a working device or a lower traveling body;

a first electronic device;

a first signal line to which the first electronic device is connected, the first signal line being a wired in-vehicle signal line;

a memory unit which stores in advance at least identification information for identifying the first electronic device comprised in the work machine;

a communication unit which wirelessly communicates to an outside of the work machine; and

a processing unit which determines whether the identification information acquired from the first electronic device via the first signal line is different from the identification information stored in the memory unit, wherein

when the processing unit determines that the identification information acquired from the first electronic device via the first signal line is different from the identification information stored in the memory unit, the processing unit stores the identification information acquired from the first electronic device in the memory unit and transmits the acquired identification information to a management device via the communication unit,

a second electronic device is connected to the first electronic device, via a second signal line, and the memory unit stores in advance identification information for identifying the second electronic device comprised in the work machine, the second signal line being a wired signal line,

when the identification information of the second electronic device which is acquired via the first signal line and the first electronic device is different from the identification information stored in the memory unit, the processing unit stores the identification information acquired from the second electronic device in the memory unit and transmits the acquired identification information to the outside of the work machine via the communication unit, and

wherein the first electronic device is connected to the first signal line and the second signal line which is different from the first signal line, and the first electronic device adapts to a first protocol used with the first signal line and a second protocol used with the second signal line, and

wherein the second electronic device is connected to the first electronic device via the second signal line, the second electronic device adapts to the second protocol, and the second electronic device is a device including at least a peripheral device and a controller.

3. The work machine according to claim 1, further comprising:

a power supply which supplies power to the first electronic device and the processing unit; and

a switch which is provided between the power supply, and the first electronic device and the processing unit to turn on and off the power, wherein

the processing unit acquires the identification information from the first electronic device connected to the first signal line at a timing when the switch operates to supply the power.

2. A work machine comprising:

a land-based vehicle;

a working device or a lower traveling body;

a first electronic device;

a signal line to which the first electronic device is connected, the signal line being a wired in-vehicle signal line;

a memory unit which stores at least identification information for identifying the first electronic device;

a communication unit which wirelessly communicates to an outside of the work machine; and

a processing unit, wherein

when the identification information acquired from the first electronic device via the signal line is different from the identification information stored in the memory unit, the processing unit stores the identification information acquired from the first electronic device in the memory unit and transmits the acquired identification information to a management device via the communication unit,

the identification information of the first electronic device includes part identification information as information for identifying a part of a controlled object which is controlled by the first electronic device,

the memory unit stores the part identification information, and

when the part identification information acquired from the first electronic device via the signal line is different from the part identification information stored in the memory unit, the processing unit stores the part identification information acquired from the first electronic device in the memory unit and transmits the acquired part identification information to the outside of the work machine via the communication unit,

a second electronic device is connected to the first electronic device, via a wired signal line, and the memory unit stores identification information for identifying the second electronic device,

when the identification information of the second electronic device which is acquired via the signal line and the first electronic device is different from the identification information stored in the memory unit, the processing unit stores the identification information acquired from the second electronic device in the memory unit and transmits the acquired identification information to the outside of the work machine via the communication unit,

wherein the first electronic device is connected to a first signal line and a second signal line which is different from the first signal line, and the first electronic device adapts to a first protocol used with the first signal line and a second protocol used with the second signal line, and

wherein the second electronic device is connected to the first electronic device, the second electronic device adapts to the second protocol, and the second electronic device is a device including at least a peripheral device and a controller.

4. A management system comprising:

a work machine which includes a land-based vehicle, a working device or a lower traveling body, a first electronic device, a first signal line to which the first electronic device is connected, a first memory unit which is connected to the first signal line and stores at least identification information for identifying the first electronic device, a first communication device which wirelessly communicates to an outside of the work machine, and a processing unit which acquires the identification information from the first electronic device, wherein a second electronic device is connected to the first electronic device via a second signal line, the first memory unit stores identification information for identifying the second electronic device, the first signal line is a wired in-vehicle signal line, and the second signal line is a wired signal line; and

a management device which includes a second communication device which communicates with the first communication device and a second memory unit which stores at least identification information for identifying the first electronic device and the second electronic device, the management device exchanging information with the processing unit via the second communication device and the first communication device, wherein

when the identification information of the first electronic device or the identification information of the second electronic device acquired through the first electronic device is different from the identification information stored in the first memory unit, the processing unit stores the identification information acquired from the first electronic device or the second electronic device in the first memory unit and transmits the acquired identification information to the management device via the first communication device and the second communication device,

the management device updates the identification information of the second memory unit using the identification information of the first electronic device or the second electronic device acquired via the second communication device, and

wherein the first electronic device is connected to the first signal line and the second signal line which is different from the first signal line, and the first electronic device adapts to a first protocol used with the first signal line and a second protocol used with the second signal line, and

wherein the second electronic device is connected to the first electronic device, the second electronic device adapts to the second protocol, and the second electronic device is a device including at least a peripheral device and a controller.

5. The management system according to claim 4, wherein

the identification information includes a plurality of types of information, and

the management device changes the plurality of types of information, which are acquired by the processing unit, via the second communication device and the first communication device.