Lock control system and method for working machine, working machine, lock control device and lock control management device for working machine

• US 8,098,128 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2006
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Inventors: Arakawa, Shuji
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehmood, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILSON, BRIAN P
• Application Number:
  US11/793,615
• Publication Number:
  US 20080150677A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,202 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/5.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2018 Central base unlocks or authorises unlocking
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/205 Remotely operated machines, e.g. unmanned vehicles E02F3/8866 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/24 Safety devices , e.g. for preventing overload E02F9/226 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/0069 actuated in a predetermined sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses

Abstract

The lock control system of the present invention makes it possible to perform lock control of a working machine both by remote actuation and by local actuation, so that the convenience of use and so on is enhanced. A lock setting device 140 is provided to the working machine. The lock setting device 140 is provided with a user password storage unit 144, a manager password storage unit 145, and a one-time password storage unit 146. The user is able to perform lock setting and release by local actuation using the user password. A maintenance person is able to perform lock setting and release by local actuation using the one-time password. And lock setting and release can also be performed by remote actuation via a satellite communication network. It is possible to perform lock setting and release by selecting the appropriate method for each individual scenario.

Claims

1. A system for performing lock control of a working machine, comprising a working machine and a management device which are connected via a communication network so as to be capable of mutual communication, wherein:

said working machine comprises;

an input means for inputting information;

a first communication means which performs mutual communication with said management device via said communication network; and

a control means which initiates lock control, where operation of said working machine is restricted, or releases said lock control, based upon either or both of remote actuation by information which has been inputted from said management device via said first communication means and local actuation by information which has been inputted from said input means; and

said management device comprises;

a second communication means which performs mutual communication with said working machine via said communication network;

a lock setting means which transmits a locking signal initiating said lock control, via said second communication means, to said working machine; and

a lock release means which transmits an unlocking signal to said working machine for releasing said lock control via said second communication means; and

said control means comprises;

a first password storage means which stores first password information which is a user password for comparison with information inputted from said input means;

a second password storage means which stores second password information which is a one-time password for comparison with information inputted from said input means; and

a third password storage means which stores third password information for comparison with information inputted from said management device; and

lock setting storage means identifying lock setting information comprising whether said lock control was set by said local actuation or said remote actuation;

wherein said working machine is under said lock control, and said control means;

releases said lock control, when said lock setting storage means identifies said lock setting information as being set by said local actuation and when said information inputted by local actuation from said input means matches said first password information or said second password information;

releases said lock control, when said lock setting storage means identifies said lock setting information as being set by said remote actuation and when said information inputted by said local actuation matches at least either one of said second password information and said third password information;

releases said lock control, when said lock setting storage means identifies said lock setting information as being set by said local actuation and when said information inputted by said remote actuation matches said third password information; and

prevents release of said lock control by local actuation, when said first password was reset by said remote actuation.

2. The lock control system for a working machine as described in claim 1, further comprising a second password rewriting means for, if said second password information which is stored in said second password storage means has been used, rewriting said used second password information to new second password information.

3. The lock control system for a working machine as described in claim 1, further comprising a second password deletion means for, if said second password information which is stored in said second password storage means has been used, deleting said used second password information.

4. The lock control system for a working machine as described in claim 1, wherein said control means comprises a second password rewriting means and, if said second password information which is stored in said second password storage means has been used, said second password rewriting means rewrites said used second password information to new second password information.

5. The lock control system for a working machine as described in claim 1, wherein

said control means comprises a second password deletion means and a second password rewriting means, and:

if said second password information which is stored in said second password storage means has been used, said second password deletion means deletes said used second password information; and

if an issuance request for said second password information has been inputted from said input means, said second password rewriting means generates new second password information according to a predetermined generating conditional expression which has been set in advance, and stores the new second password information in said second password storage means.

6. The lock control system for a working machine as described in claim 5, wherein said control means decides that the issuance request for said second password information has been inputted, if information other than information which is registered in advance in said control means has been inputted via said input means.

7. The lock control system for a working machine as described in claim 1, wherein:

said management device comprises a second password rewriting means; and

the second password rewriting means, upon receipt from said control means via said communication network of information to the effect that said second password information which is stored in said second password storage means has been used, generates new second password information, transmits the new second password information which has been generated via said communication network to said control means, and causes it to be stored in said second password storage means.

8. The lock control system for a working machine as described in claim 1, wherein:

said management device comprises;

a reset means for resetting said first password information which is stored in said first password storage means to its initial value; and

a second password rewriting means which updates said second password information which is stored in said second password storage means to new second password information;

and said control means;

based upon a command from said reset means, resets said first password information which is stored in said first password storage means to said initial value; and

based upon a command from said second password rewriting means, updates said second password information which is stored in said second password storage means to said new second password information.

9. The lock control system for a working machine as described in claim 1, wherein said control means, as said lock control, sets said working machine to either one of a locked state in which the operation of said working machine is made impossible or the operation which it is capable of executing is restricted, and an unlocked state in which this locked state is released.

10. The lock control system for a working machine as described in claim 1, wherein said first password information is information which can be repeatedly used at a plurality of times for said lock control, and said second password information is information which is changed at each time when said lock control is performed.

11. The lock control system for a working machine as described in claim 1, wherein said second password information is set to a position that is superior to said first password information and said third password information.

12. The lock control system for a working machine as described in claim 1, wherein,

said second password information is set as a highest priority,

said third password information is set as a second priority, and

said first password information is set as a third priority.