WO2025142594A1 - Battery protection system - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to efficiently prevent the death of a battery of an agricultural machine (1), a battery protection system (100) comprises: control devices (21, 6a, 31) that determine whether or not a predetermined first time has elapsed in a non-operating state of an agricultural machine (1) that uses power stored in a battery (4) to operate electrical components (6, 7, 8); and an output device (34) that, in a case where it is determined by the control devices (21, 6a, 31) that the first time has elapsed, outputs, to a user, warning information prompting the user to electrically disconnect the electrical components (6, 7, 8) from the battery (4).

Description

Battery Protection System

The present invention relates to technology to prevent agricultural machinery batteries from running out (over-discharging the battery).

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses technology to prevent battery death in agricultural machinery that may not be used for long periods of time. In the remote monitoring system disclosed in Patent Document 1, a control device for an agricultural work vehicle, a management server at a management center, and a user's terminal device can communicate via a communication device. The agricultural work vehicle is equipped with a positioning device, a battery voltage detection means, and a timing means, which are connected to the control device. When the agricultural work vehicle's key switch is turned off and the vehicle is in power-saving standby mode, the control device automatically starts up at a set time in response to a start-up command from the management center, and transmits information such as the agricultural work vehicle's current position, battery voltage, and date and time to the management server via the communication device. When the battery voltage falls below a set value, the remote monitoring means provided in the management server notifies relevant parties to encourage them to charge the battery.

Japanese Patent Publication "JP 2016-76801 A"

If the agricultural machinery does not need to be used immediately, users often do not charge the battery even if they receive a notification urging them to do so, which makes the battery prone to running out. Furthermore, even if the user charges the battery, if the agricultural machinery is then left unused, the battery may discharge naturally or the battery's power may be consumed by the agricultural machinery's electrical equipment, resulting in the charged power being wasted and inefficient.

In consideration of the above problems, the present invention aims to efficiently prevent agricultural machinery batteries from running out.

In order to solve the above technical problems, the battery protection system of the present invention includes a control device that determines whether a predetermined first time has elapsed while an agricultural machine that operates electrical equipment using power stored in a battery is in a non-operating state, and an output device that outputs warning information to a user urging the user to electrically disconnect the electrical equipment from the battery when the control device determines that the first time has elapsed.

In one aspect of the present invention, the control device may determine whether the first time has elapsed without at least one of the prime mover of the agricultural machine and the generator that generates the electricity stored in the battery being brought into an inoperative state after being brought into an inoperative state.

In one aspect of the present invention, the battery protection system includes a key switch that is operated to an ON state to operate the agricultural machine and is operated to an OFF state to not operate the agricultural machine, and the control device may determine whether the first time has elapsed since the key switch was switched to the OFF state without being switched to the ON state.

In one aspect of the present invention, the control device may determine whether the first time has elapsed since the key switch was switched to the off state while the battery was electrically connected to the electrical equipment, without the battery being electrically disconnected from the electrical equipment and the key switch being switched to the on state.

In one aspect of the present invention, the control device may measure the time that has elapsed since the key switch was switched to the off state, and may stop measuring the time that has elapsed when the battery is in a disconnected state in which it is electrically disconnected from the electrical equipment while the key switch is in the off state, and when the key switch is switched to the on state.

In one aspect of the present invention, the control device may, with the key switch in the off state, measure the elapsed time from when the battery goes from the disconnected state to a connected state in which it is electrically connected to the electrical equipment, and determine whether the elapsed time has exceeded the first time.

In one aspect of the present invention, after determining that the first time has elapsed, the control device may output the warning information via the output device each time a predetermined second time has elapsed while the battery is connected to the electrical equipment and the key switch is in the off state.

In one aspect of the present invention, the output device may output the warning information including at least one of the following: that the operating state of the agricultural machine has not been confirmed for a certain period of time, and that there is a possibility of over-discharging of the battery.

In one aspect of the present invention, the output device may output the warning information including at least one of the time elapsed since the agricultural machine was put into a non-operating state and the date and time at which the control device determines that the first time has elapsed.

In one aspect of the present invention, the battery protection system includes a communication controller provided on the agricultural machine and communicating wirelessly, a terminal device provided with a user interface serving as the output device and used by the user, and a server provided with the control device and communicating with the communication controller and the terminal device, the communication controller transmits to the server key-on data indicating that the key switch provided on the agricultural machine has been switched to the on state and key-off data indicating that the key switch has been switched to the off state, the control device determines whether the first time has elapsed since the server received the key-off data without receiving the key-on data, and when the first time has elapsed, transmits the warning information from the server to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the warning information and outputs it through the user interface.

In one aspect of the present invention, the battery protection system includes an information processing device provided on the agricultural machine, which transmits key-on detection information to the communication controller when the key switch is switched to the on state, and transmits key-off detection information to the communication controller when the key switch is switched to the off state, and the communication controller transmits the key-on data at least either when it receives a key-on signal output by the key switch in the on state or when it receives the key-on detection information, and may transmit the key-off data at least either when it receives a key-off signal output by the key switch in the off state or when it receives the key-off detection information.

In one aspect of the present invention, the communication controller transmits to the server battery connection data indicating that the battery is in a connected state, that is, electrically connected to the electrical equipment, and battery disconnection data indicating that the battery is in a disconnected state, that is, electrically disconnected from the electrical equipment, and the control device may determine whether the first time has elapsed since the server received the key-off data without receiving the key-on data or the battery disconnection data.

In one aspect of the present invention, the battery protection system includes an information processing device provided on the agricultural machine, and when the information processing device detects that the battery is in the connected state from the power supply state from the battery, it transmits connection detection information to the communication controller, and when it detects that the battery is in the disconnected state, it transmits disconnection detection information to the communication controller, and the communication controller transmits the battery connection data at least either when it detects that the battery is in the connected state from the power supply state from the battery or when it receives the connection detection information, and may transmit the battery disconnection data at least either when it detects that the battery is in the disconnected state from the power supply state from the battery or when it receives the disconnection detection information.

In one aspect of the present invention, the battery protection system may be configured such that the control device determines whether a predetermined time condition is met after the server receives the key-on data, without receiving the key-off data, and, if the time condition is met, presumes that the key switch has been switched to the off state and determines whether the first time has elapsed.

In one aspect of the present invention, the battery protection system may include an auxiliary battery that is provided in the agricultural machine and supplies power to the communication controller.

In one aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary battery may be built into the communication controller.

In one aspect of the present invention, the battery protection system includes a communication controller that is provided on the agricultural machine and communicates wirelessly, and a terminal device that is provided with a user interface that is the output device and is used by the user, the key switch and the control device are provided on the agricultural machine, and when the first time has elapsed since the key switch was switched to the off state without being switched to the on state, the control device transmits the warning information via the communication controller, and the terminal device receives the warning information and outputs it via the user interface.

In one aspect of the present invention, the battery protection system includes an information processing device provided on the agricultural machine, and the key switch outputs a key-on signal to the control device and the information processing device in the on state and outputs a key-off signal to the control device and the information processing device in the off state, and the information processing device detects from the key-on signal that the key switch has been switched to the on state and transmits key-on detection information to the control device, and detects from the key-off signal that the key switch has been switched to the off state and transmits key-off detection information to the control device.

In one aspect of the present invention, the control device may detect whether the battery is in a connected state in which it is electrically connected to the electrical equipment or in a disconnected state in which it is electrically disconnected from the electrical equipment, and when the battery is in the connected state and the key switch is in the off state and the first time has elapsed, transmit the warning information via the communication controller.

In one aspect of the present invention, the battery protection system includes an information processing device provided on the agricultural machine, and when the information processing device detects that the battery is in the connected state from the power supply state from the battery, it transmits connection detection information to the communication controller, and when it detects that the battery is in the disconnected state, it transmits disconnection detection information to the communication controller, and the control device may detect whether the battery is in the connected state or the disconnected state from the connection detection information and the disconnection detection information, and detect whether the battery is in the connected state or the disconnected state from the power supply state from the battery.

In one aspect of the present invention, the control device may be provided in the communication controller.

In one aspect of the present invention, the battery protection system includes a communication controller provided in the agricultural machine and communicating wirelessly, and a terminal device provided with the output device, a user interface, and the control device, and used by the user. The communication controller transmits key-on data indicating that the key switch provided in the agricultural machine has been switched to the on state, and key-off data indicating that the key switch has been switched to the off state. The control device determines whether the first time has elapsed without receiving the key-on data since the terminal device received the key-off data, and when the first time has elapsed, outputs the warning information through the user interface.

In one aspect of the present invention, the battery protection system includes an information processing device provided on the agricultural machine, which transmits key-on detection information to the communication controller when the key switch is switched to the on state, and transmits key-off detection information to the communication controller when the key switch is switched to the off state, and the communication controller transmits the key-on data at least either when it receives a key-on signal output by the key switch in the on state or when it receives the key-on detection information, and may transmit the key-off data at least either when it receives a key-off signal output by the key switch in the off state or when it receives the key-off detection information.

In one aspect of the present invention, the communication controller transmits battery connection data indicating that the battery is in a connected state, that is, electrically connected to the electrical equipment, and battery disconnection data indicating that the battery is in a disconnected state, that is, electrically disconnected from the electrical equipment, and the control device may determine whether the first time has elapsed since the terminal device received the key-off data without receiving the key-on data or the battery disconnection data.

In one aspect of the present invention, the battery protection system includes an information processing device provided on the agricultural machine, and when the information processing device detects that the battery is in the connected state from the power supply state from the battery, it transmits connection detection information to the communication controller, and when it detects that the battery is in the disconnected state, it transmits disconnection detection information to the communication controller, and the communication controller transmits the battery connection data at least either when it detects that the battery is in the connected state from the power supply state from the battery or when it receives the connection detection information, and may transmit the battery disconnection data at least either when it detects that the battery is in the disconnected state from the power supply state from the battery or when it receives the disconnection detection information.

In one aspect of the present invention, the battery protection system may be configured such that the control device determines whether a predetermined time condition is met after the terminal device receives the key-on data without receiving the key-off data, and if the time condition is met, it presumes that the key switch has been switched to the off state and determines whether the first time has elapsed.

This invention makes it possible to effectively prevent agricultural machinery batteries from running out.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a battery protection system. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a main part of the agricultural machine. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a management server. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the main configuration of a user terminal device. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a detection operation of the communication controller of the agricultural machine according to the first embodiment. 5B is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 5A. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a monitoring operation of the management server according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a warning operation of the user terminal device of the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display of warning information. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a monitoring operation of the management server according to the second embodiment. This is a continuation of the flowchart in FIG. 9A. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of how initial warning information is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of displaying warning information for the second or subsequent times. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a monitoring operation of a communication controller of an agricultural machine according to a third embodiment. This is a continuation of the flowchart in FIG. 12A. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a transfer operation of the management server according to the fourth embodiment. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a monitoring operation of a user terminal device according to the fourth embodiment. This is a continuation of the flowchart in FIG. 14A.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For convenience, the same components and corresponding components are given the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a battery protection system 100 according to this embodiment. The battery protection system 100 includes an agricultural machine 1, a management server 20, and a user terminal device 30, and is a system that protects the battery installed in the agricultural machine 1.

The agricultural machine 1 is a machine that performs agricultural work while traveling in a field, and is also called an agricultural work vehicle or agricultural vehicle. Although Fig. 1 illustrates a tractor, a rice transplanter, and a combine as the agricultural machine 1, the type and number of agricultural machines 1 are not limited to these. The agricultural machine 1 is used during a specific agricultural work season, and may not be used for a long period of time (one month or more).

The management server 20 is installed in a management center or the like. The management server 20 manages information related to the agricultural machine 1, information related to the agricultural work performed using the agricultural machine 1, data related to the field where the agricultural work is performed, data related to the user, and the like.

The user terminal device 30 is a terminal device used by a user who uses the agricultural machine 1. Specifically, the user terminal device 30 is configured as one of a smartphone, a tablet device, a portable computer, a stationary computer, and the like. The number of user terminal devices 30 is not limited to the number illustrated in FIG. 1.

The agricultural machine 1 is equipped with a communication controller 6 (Fig. 2), and the management server 20 and the user terminal device 30 are equipped with communication devices 23, 33 (Figs. 3, 4), respectively. The agricultural machine 1, the management server 20, and the user terminal device 30 communicate wirelessly via a mobile phone communication network and the Internet, or directly, using the communication controller 6 and the communication devices 23, 33. These communications are performed using at least one of mobile communication methods such as LTE (registered trademark) (Long Term Evolution), 3G (third generation), 4G (fourth generation), and 5G (fifth generation), and short-range wireless communication methods such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy.

The above communication method is an example, and the agricultural machine 1, the management server 20, and the user terminal device 30 may communicate with each other using a communication method other than the above.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the main components of the agricultural machine 1. The agricultural machine 1 is equipped with a prime mover 2, a generator 3, a battery 4, a key switch 5, a communication controller 6, an information processing device 7, and other electrical equipment 8. Of these, the communication controller 6, the information processing device 7, and the electrical equipment 8 are electrically connected by an in-vehicle network such as CAN, LIN, or FlexRay that is constructed in the agricultural machine 1. The communication controller 6 and the information processing device 7 are also electrical equipment of the agricultural machine 1.

The prime mover 2 is the power source of the agricultural machine 1. In this example, the prime mover 2 is composed of an engine (diesel engine, gasoline engine), but the prime mover 2 may also be composed of other types of engine such as an electric motor. The start, stop, and rotation speed of the prime mover 2 are controlled by an engine ECU (Electronic Control Unit) not shown.

The generator 3 is, for example, an alternator, and is driven by the power of the prime mover 2 to generate electricity. The battery 4 stores the electricity generated by the generator 3. The battery 4 is a power source for electrical equipment provided in the agricultural machine 1. In this example, the battery 4 is made of a lead-acid battery, but the battery 4 may also be made of other secondary batteries that can be charged and discharged. The agricultural machine 1 may also be provided with a charge/discharge control device that controls the charging and discharging of the battery 4.

The key switch 5 is turned on (ON) by the user to operate the agricultural machine 1, and turned off (OFF) by the user to stop the agricultural machine 1. When the key switch 5 is in the ON state, the agricultural machine 1 and the prime mover 2 operate, and the generator 3 also operates (generates electricity). When the key switch 5 is in the OFF state, the agricultural machine 1, the prime mover 2, and the generator 3 are in a non-operating state (stopped state). The key switch 5 can also be operated to the start position by the user to start the prime mover 2.

An electrical wiring L1 is connected to the positive terminal (positive electrode) of the battery 4. Power is supplied from the battery 4 to the key switch 5 via the electrical wiring L1 and a branch wiring L1a that branches off from the electrical wiring L1. Note that for the sake of simplicity, in FIG. 2, the battery 4 and the key switch 5 are connected by electrical wiring L1 and L1a, but the battery 4 and the key switch 5 may also be connected via an ECU and a power supply circuit, etc.

An electric wiring L2 is connected to the output terminal of the key switch 5. The electric wiring L2 branches into several parts, of which branch wiring L2a is connected to the electrical equipment 8, branch wiring L2b is connected to a key port (second key port) 6q of the communication controller 6, and branch wiring L2c is connected to a key port (first key port) 7q of the information processing device 7.

An electrical signal corresponding to the operating state of the key switch 5 is output from the key switch 5 to the electrical wiring L2. More specifically, when the key switch 5 is in the off state, a key-off signal is output from the key switch 5 to the electrical wiring L2. When the key switch 5 is operated to the on position (on state), a key-on signal is output from the key switch 5 to the electrical wiring L2. Furthermore, when the key switch 5 is operated to the start position, a start signal is output from the key switch 5 to the electrical wiring L2. The key-off signal, key-on signal, and start signal each have different voltage levels.

The electrical equipment 8 includes various ECUs, instruments, sensors, lights, electric actuators, solenoid valves, etc. that are mounted on the agricultural machine 1. The electric actuators include a starter motor for starting the prime mover 2. The electrical equipment 8 is supplied with power from the battery 4 via the electrical wiring L1 and a branch wiring L1d that branches off from the electrical wiring L1. In other words, the electrical equipment 8 operates on the power stored in the battery 4.

In FIG. 2, for the sake of simplicity, the battery 4 and the electrical equipment 8 are connected by electrical wiring L1, L1d, but the battery 4 and the electrical equipment 8 may be connected via an ECU and a power supply circuit, etc. Similarly, the communication controller 6 and the information processing device 7 may be connected to the battery 4 via an ECU and a power supply circuit, etc. Furthermore, the power of the battery 4 may be input from the information processing device 7 to the communication controller 6.

The electrical equipment 8 includes electronic devices that operate when the key switch 5 is switched to the on state, and electronic devices that operate even when the key switch 5 is in the off state. In addition, the starter motor included in the electrical equipment 8 starts up when the key switch 5 is operated to the start position, and operates the prime mover 2.

The communication controller 6 is supplied with power from the battery 4 via the electrical wiring L1 and a branch wiring L1b that branches off from the electrical wiring L1. In more detail, the communication controller 6 operates when power from the battery 4 is supplied to a power supply port (second power supply port) 6p of the communication controller 6 via the electrical wiring L1 and L1b.

The communication controller 6 communicates wirelessly with the management server 20 and the user terminal device 30. The communication controller 6 has a control device 6a, a storage device 6b, a voltage conversion device 6c, a communication interface 6d, and an auxiliary battery 6e. The control device 6a is made up of a processor such as a CPU, and controls each part of the communication controller 6. The storage device 6b is made up of volatile memory and non-volatile memory, and stores data and communication data used by the control device 6a to control each part in a readable and writable manner.

The voltage conversion device 6c is composed of a DC-DC converter and the like, and converts the voltage applied from the battery 4 to the power supply port 6p. The communication interface 6d includes a communication circuit for communicating with the management server 20 and the user terminal device 30 using a mobile communication method, and a communication circuit for communicating with the management server 20 and the user terminal device 30 using a short-range wireless communication method.

The control device 6a reduces the voltage from the battery 4 using the voltage conversion device 6c according to each communication circuit and each communication method included in the communication interface 6d, and then applies it to the communication interface 6d to operate the communication interface 6d. The control device 6a then transmits wireless signals to the management server 20 and the user terminal device 30 via the communication interface 6d, and receives wireless signals transmitted from the management server 20 and the user terminal device 30 via the communication interface 6d.

The auxiliary battery 6e is built into the communication controller 6. The electrical capacity of the auxiliary battery 6e is less than the electrical capacity of the battery 4. Each part of the communication controller 6 also operates using power supplied from the auxiliary battery 6e.

The auxiliary battery 6e may be charged with power input from the power supply port 6p. In other words, the auxiliary battery 6e may be a secondary battery. Also, an auxiliary battery may be provided that is separate from the communication controller 6 and supplies power to the communication controller 6. Furthermore, the auxiliary battery may be configured to also supply power to the information processing device 7.

The information processing device 7 is supplied with power from the battery 4 via the electrical wiring L1 and a branch wiring L1c branching off from the electrical wiring L1. In more detail, the information processing device 7 operates when power from the battery 4 is supplied to a power supply port (first power supply port) 7p of the information processing device 7 via the electrical wiring L1 and L1c.

The information processing device 7 has a control device (processor) such as a CPU, a memory, etc. (not shown). The information processing device 7 may also be provided with an auxiliary battery. The information processing device 7 collects operation information and operational information of the agricultural machine 1 from each electrical component 8, and transmits the collected information to the management server 20 or the user terminal device 30 via the communication controller 6.

The communication control unit 6 transmits the information input from the information processing device 7 to at least one of the management server 20 and the user terminal device 30 via the communication interface 6d. At this time, the communication control unit 6 includes in the transmitted information the identification information of the communication control unit 6 that is the sender and the identification information of the agricultural machine 1. In addition, the communication control unit 6 includes in the transmitted information time information such as the date and time when the information was generated and the date and time when the information was transmitted.

The communication controller 6 also receives wireless signals transmitted to the agricultural machine 1 from at least one of the management server 20 and the user terminal device 30, and outputs information contained in the wireless signals to the information processing device 7. The information processing device 7 transmits the information output from the communication controller 6 to the electrical equipment 8, etc., and controls the electrical equipment 8 based on the information.

When the key switch 5 is switched to the on state, a key-on signal is output from the key switch 5 to the electrical wiring L2. The key-on signal is input to the key port 6q via the electrical wiring L2 and L2b, and when the control device 6a of the communication control device 6 receives the key-on signal, it detects (determines) that the key switch 5 has been switched to the on state.

In addition, when the key switch 5 is switched to the OFF state, a key-off signal is output from the key switch 5 to the electrical wiring L2. When the key-off signal is input to the key port 6q via the electrical wiring L2 and L2b and the control device 6a receives the key-off signal, it detects that the key switch 5 has been switched to the OFF state.

The control device 6a also transmits key-on data indicating that the key switch 5 is on and key-off data indicating that the key switch 5 is off to the management server 20 via the communication interface 6d.

In addition, when the key switch 5 is switched to the on state, the key-on signal output from the key switch 5 to the electrical wiring L2 is input to the key port 7q of the information processing device 7 via the electrical wiring L2c. When the information processing device 7 receives the key-on signal input to the key port 7q, it detects that the key switch 5 has been switched to the on state.

In addition, when the key switch 5 is switched to the OFF state, a key-off signal output from the key switch 5 to the electrical wiring L2 is input to the key port 7q of the information processing device 7 via the electrical wiring L2c. When the information processing device 7 receives the key-off signal input to the key port 7q, it detects that the key switch 5 has been switched to the OFF state.

In addition, the information processing device 7 transmits key-on detection information, which indicates that the key switch 5 is in the on state, and key-off detection information, which indicates that the key switch 5 is in the off state, to the communication controller 6 via the electrical wiring (signal line) L4.

The communication control device 6 also transmits key-on data to the management server 20 when it receives key-on detection information from the information processing device 7. The communication control device 6 also transmits key-off data to the management server 20 when it receives key-off detection information from the information processing device 7.

As described above, the communication control unit 6 transmits key-on data when it receives a key-on signal output when the key switch 5 is switched to the on state, and when it receives key-on detection information from the information processing device 7. The communication control unit 6 also transmits key-off data when it receives a key-off signal and when it receives key-off detection information from the information processing device 7. If there is a defect such as a break in any of the electrical wiring L2a, L2b, or L4, the communication control unit 6 will receive either the key-on signal or the key-on detection information even if the key switch 5 is switched to the on state, and will receive either the key-off signal or the key-off detection information even if the key switch 5 is switched to the off state.

The communication control unit 6 also includes identification information of the communication control unit 6 and identification information of the agricultural machine 1 in the key-on data and key-off data, respectively. The communication control unit 6 also includes time information indicating the date and time when the on state of the key switch 5 was detected in the key-on data, and includes time information indicating the date and time when the off state of the key switch 5 was detected in the key-off data.

If the user does not use the agricultural machine 1 for a long period of time, as shown in Figure 2, when the electrical wiring L1 is connected to the positive terminal (+) of the battery 4 and the electrical wiring (ground line) L3 is connected to the negative terminal (-), the battery 4 may discharge due to the load (such as the communication controller 6 and the information processing device 7) or may discharge naturally, causing the battery to run out (over-discharge of the battery 4). As a countermeasure to this, when the agricultural machine 1 is not to be used for a long period of time, it is recommended that the battery 4 be electrically disconnected from the electrical equipment of the agricultural machine 1, for example by removing the electrical wiring L3 from the negative terminal of the battery 4.

In a particular agricultural machine 1, a battery cut-off switch capable of cutting off the flow of current from the battery 4 is provided on the electrical wiring L1, L3. When the user turns off the battery cut-off switch, the battery 4 is electrically disconnected from the electrical equipment without having to disconnect the electrical wiring L3 from the negative terminal of the battery 4.

The communication controller 6 detects whether the battery 4 is in a connected state in which it is electrically connected to the electrical equipment, or whether the battery 4 is in a disconnected state in which it is electrically disconnected from the electrical equipment, based on the state of power supply from the battery 4 to the power supply port 6p. Note that an electrically connected connected state is a state in which electricity can flow, and an electrically disconnected disconnected state is a state in which electricity cannot flow.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the electrical wiring L1 is connected to the positive terminal (+) of the battery 4 and the electrical wiring L3 is connected to the negative terminal (-), power is supplied from the battery 4 to the electrical wiring L1. Therefore, when power of a predetermined electrical level (for example, a voltage value equal to or greater than a threshold value) is supplied from the electrical wiring L1 to the power supply port 6p, the communication controller 6 (control device 6a) detects (determines) that the battery 4 is in a connected state.

Furthermore, if the battery 4 is electrically disconnected from the electrical components of the agricultural machine 1, for example by disconnecting the electrical wiring L3 from the negative terminal (-) of the battery 4, power will no longer be supplied from the battery 4 to the electrical wiring L1. Therefore, the communication controller 6 (control device 6a) detects (determines) that the battery 4 is in a disconnected state when a predetermined electrical level of power is not being supplied from the electrical wiring L1, L1a to the power supply port 6p.

Then, the communication control device 6 transmits to the management server 20 battery connection data indicating that the battery 4 is in a connected state and battery disconnection data indicating that the battery 4 is in a disconnected state.

Similarly, the information processing device 7 detects that the battery 4 is in a connected state when a predetermined electrical level of power is being supplied from the electrical wiring L1, L1c to the power supply port 7p, and detects that the battery 4 is in a disconnected state when a predetermined electrical level of power is not being supplied to the power supply port 7p. Then, each time the information processing device 7 detects the connected or disconnected state of the battery 4, it transmits battery detection information indicating the detection result to the communication controller 6.

In more detail, when the information processing device 7 detects the connected state of the battery 4, it transmits connection detection information indicating that the battery 4 is in a connected state to the communication control device 6 as battery detection information. In addition, when the information processing device 7 detects the disconnected state of the battery 4, it transmits disconnection detection information indicating that the battery 4 is in a disconnected state to the communication control device 6 as battery detection information.

When the communication control device 6 receives battery detection information from the information processing device 7, it detects from the battery detection information whether the battery 4 is in a connected state or a disconnected state. The communication control device 6 then transmits either battery connection data or battery disconnection data to the management server 20 depending on the detection result.

In more detail, if the received battery detection information is connection detection information, the communication control device 6 detects that the battery 4 is in a connected state and transmits battery connection data. Also, if the received battery detection information is disconnection detection information, the communication control device 6 detects that the battery 4 is in a disconnected state and transmits battery disconnection data.

As described above, the communication controller 6 detects whether the battery 4 is in a connected state or a disconnected state based on the power supply state from the battery 4 and the battery detection information received from the information processing device 7, and transmits battery connection data and battery disconnection data, respectively, according to the detection result. Note that if there is a malfunction such as a disconnection in any of the electrical wiring L1b, L1c, or L4, the communication controller 6 detects whether the battery 4 is in a connected state or a disconnected state based on the power supply state from the battery 4 and the battery detection information received from the information processing device 7, and transmits either battery connection data or battery disconnection data according to the detection result.

The communication controller 6 also includes identification information of the agricultural machine 1 and identification information of the communication controller 6 in each of the battery connection data and the battery disconnection data. Furthermore, the communication controller 6 includes time information indicating the date and time when the connected state of the battery 4 was detected in the battery connection data, and includes time information indicating the date and time when the disconnected state of the battery 4 was detected in the battery disconnection data.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the main components of the management server 20. The management server 20 includes a control device 21, a storage device 22, and a communication device 43. The control device 21 is composed of a processor such as a CPU, volatile memory, and non-volatile memory. The storage device 22 is composed of non-volatile memory and a hard disk. The storage device 22 stores software programs executed by the control device 21 and various control data.

A database is also constructed in the storage device 22. The database stores data related to the agricultural machine 1, data related to farm work performed using the agricultural machine 1, data related to the field, data related to the user, and the like. The communication device 23 is a communication interface that communicates wirelessly or wired via the mobile phone communication network 51, the fixed telephone communication network 52, and the Internet 50. The management server 20 (control device 21) communicates with the communication controller 6 of the agricultural machine 1 and the communication device 33 of the user terminal device 30 via the communication device 23.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the main components of the user terminal device 30. The user terminal device 30 comprises a control device 31, a storage device 32, a communication device 33, and a user interface 34. The control device 31 is composed of a processor such as a CPU, a volatile memory, and a non-volatile memory. The storage device 32 is composed of a non-volatile memory. The storage device 32 stores software programs executed by the control device 31 and various control data.

The communication device 33 is a communication interface that communicates wirelessly via the mobile phone communication network 51 and the Internet 50. The user terminal device 30 (control device 31) communicates with the communication controller 6 of the agricultural machine 1 and the communication device 23 of the management server 20 via the communication device 33.

The user interface 34 has a touch panel with a display, operation switches, a speaker, a microphone, etc. The user terminal device 30 (control device 31) outputs information to the user and receives information input from the user via the user interface 34. The user interface 34 is an output device and an input device. As another example, the output device and the input device may be configured as separate entities.

As described above, when the key-on data transmitted from the communication controller 6 of the agricultural machine 1 is received by the communication device 23 of the management server 20, the control device 21 determines from the key-on data that the key switch 5 of the agricultural machine 1 has been switched to the on state and that the agricultural machine 1, prime mover 2, and generator 3 are in operation.

In addition, when key-off data transmitted from the communication controller 6 of the agricultural machine 1 is received by the communication device 23 of the management server 20, the control device 21 determines from the key-off data that the key switch 5 of the agricultural machine 1 has been switched to the off state and that the agricultural machine 1, the prime mover 2, and the generator 3 are in a non-operating state. When the agricultural machine 1, the prime mover 2, and the generator 3 are in a non-operating state, the battery 4 is not charged and is naturally discharging or is discharging to operate electrical equipment such as the communication controller 6.

When the battery connection data transmitted from the communication controller 6 of the agricultural machine 1 is received by the communication device 23 of the management server 20, the control device 21 determines from the battery connection data that the battery 4 of the agricultural machine 1 is in an electrically connected state with the electrical equipment. In addition, when the battery disconnection data transmitted from the communication controller 6 is received by the communication device 23, the control device 21 determines from the battery disconnection data that the battery 4 of the agricultural machine 1 is in an electrically disconnected state with the electrical equipment.

To prevent the agricultural machine 1 from running out of battery (over-discharging of the battery 4), the control device 21 determines, based on data from the communication controller 6 (key-on data, key-off data, battery connection data, battery disconnection data), whether a predetermined first time has elapsed while the agricultural machine 1, prime mover 2, generator 3, etc. are not in operation, i.e., while the key switch 5 is in the off state.

The first time is set to, for example, one to two weeks, but is not limited to this. The first time is set appropriately taking into consideration the electrical capacity of the battery 4 and the specifications of the agricultural machine 1. The control device 21 measures the elapsed time, for example, by using a specified storage area of an internal memory as a counter (timer). Alternatively, the control device 21 measures the elapsed time based on time information included in the data received from the communication controller 6 of the agricultural machine 1 (key-on data, key-off data, battery connection data, battery disconnection data).

When a first time has elapsed without receiving key-on data after the management server 20 has received key-off data, i.e., when the first time has elapsed while the agricultural machine 1 and the like are not in operation, the control device 21 transmits warning information to the user terminal device 30 via the communication device 23, urging the user to electrically disconnect the electrical components of the agricultural machine 1 from the battery 4. When the warning information transmitted from the management server 20 is received by the communication device 33 in the user terminal device 30, the control device 31 outputs the warning information to the user via the user interface 34.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are flow charts showing an example of a detection operation executed by the communication controller 6 of the agricultural machine 1 of the first embodiment. In detail, each step of FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B is executed at a predetermined cycle by the control device 6a of the communication controller 6 in accordance with a software program stored in the storage device 6b. The same applies to each step of the flow chart shown in FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B described later.

While the agricultural machine 1 is operating (the prime mover 2 is also operating and the generator 3 is operable), the user switches the key switch 5 from on to off. This stops the agricultural machine 1, the prime mover 2, and the generator 3 and puts them into a non-operating state. When a key-off signal is input from the key switch 5 to the key port 6q, the control device 6a of the communication control machine 6 detects that the key switch 5 has been switched to the off state (S1 in FIG. 5A: YES) and transmits key-off data to the management server 20 via the communication interface 6d (S2).

In addition, the information processing device 7 detects that the key switch 5 has been switched to the OFF state and transmits key-off detection information to the communication control device 6. When the control device 6a receives the key-off detection information (S3: YES), it also transmits key-off data to the management server 20 via the communication interface 6d (S4).

Then, the control device 6a detects whether the battery 4 is in an electrically disconnected state. For example, the user electrically disconnects the battery 4 from the electrical components of the agricultural machine 1 (electrical components 8, communication controller 6, information processing device 7, etc.) by, for example, removing the electrical wiring L3 from the negative terminal (-) of the battery 4. In this case, the control device 6a operates with power supplied from the auxiliary battery 6e, and detects that the battery 4 is in a disconnected state by confirming that power is not being supplied from the battery 4 to the power supply port 6p (S5: YES). The control device 6a then transmits battery disconnection data to the management server 20 via the communication interface 6d (S6).

In addition, the information processing device 7 detects that the battery 4 is in a disconnected state, and transmits disconnection detection information (battery detection information) indicating the detection result to the communication control device 6. When the control device 6a receives the disconnection detection information (S9: YES), it transmits battery disconnection data to the management server 20 via the communication interface 6d (S10).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, when the battery 4 is in an electrically connected state with the electrical wiring L1 connected to the positive terminal (+) of the battery 4 and the electrical wiring L3 connected to the negative terminal (-), the control device 6a operates with power supplied from the battery 4. Then, the control device 6a detects that the battery 4 is in an electrically connected state (S7) and transmits battery connection data to the management server 20 via the communication interface 6d (S8).

In addition, the information processing device 7 detects that the battery 4 is connected, and transmits connection detection information (battery detection information) indicating the detection result to the communication control device 6. When the control device 6a receives the connection detection information (S11), it transmits battery connection data to the management server 20 via the communication interface 6d (S12).

Furthermore, with the battery 4 electrically connected to the electrical components 6 to 8, the user switches the key switch 5 from OFF to ON in order to use the agricultural machine 1. This starts up the agricultural machine 1, the prime mover 2, and the generator 3 and puts them into operation. When a key-on signal is input from the key switch 5 to the key port 6q, the control device 6a detects that the key switch 5 has been switched ON (S13: YES) and transmits key-on data to the management server 20 via the communication interface 6d (S14).

In addition, the information processing device 7 detects that the key switch 5 has been switched to the on state and transmits key-on detection information to the communication control device 6. When the control device 6a receives the key-on detection information (S15: YES), it also transmits key-on data to the management server 20 via the communication interface 6d (S16).

On the other hand, when the user does not use the agricultural machine 1, the key switch 5 remains in the OFF state. In this case, the control device 6a does not detect the key switch 5 switching from the OFF state to the ON state (S13: NO). Furthermore, the information processing device 7 does not detect the key switch 5 switching from the OFF state to the ON state either, and therefore does not transmit key-on detection information to the communication control device 6. As a result, the control device 6a does not receive key-on detection information (S15: NO). And key-on data is not transmitted from the communication control device 6 to the management server 20.

As described above, when the key-off data, key-on data, battery connection data, and battery disconnection data transmitted from the agricultural machine 1 (communication controller 6) are received by the communication device 23 of the management server 20, the control device 21 stores the data in a database or the like of the storage device 22. In addition, when key-off data is received by the communication device 23, the control device 21 executes a monitoring operation to monitor the state of the key switch 5 and battery 4 of the agricultural machine 1 corresponding to the key-off data.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the monitoring operation of the management server 20 of the first embodiment. Each step in FIG. 6 is executed by the control device 21 at a predetermined interval in accordance with a software program stored in the storage device 22. The same applies to each step in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 13 described below.

When the control device 21 of the management server 20 receives the key-off data transmitted from the communication controller 6 via the communication device 23 (S21 in FIG. 6), it determines that the key switch 5 of the agricultural machine 1 has been switched to the OFF state and that the agricultural machine 1, prime mover 2, generator 3, etc. are in a non-operating state, and starts counting (timing) the elapsed time (S22). Note that if key-off data is received again by the communication device 23 while counting the elapsed time, the control device 21 does not accept the key-off data and continues counting the elapsed time.

The control device 21 also determines whether the first time has elapsed with the key switch 5 in the OFF state and the agricultural machine 1, prime mover 2, and generator 3 in a non-operating state. If the control device 21 receives battery disconnection data via the communication device 23 (S24: YES) before the first time has elapsed (S23: NO), it determines that the battery 4 is electrically disconnected from the electrical components 6 to 8. The control device 21 then stops counting the elapsed time and initializes (clears) the count value (counting time information) (S25).

After that, when the control device 21 receives battery connection data via the communication device 23 (S26), it determines that the battery 4 is electrically connected to the electrical components 6 to 8. The control device 21 then proceeds to step S22, restarts counting the elapsed time, and repeats the subsequent steps.

Also, if the control device 21 receives key-on data via the communication device 23 (S27: YES) before the first time has elapsed (S23: NO), the control device 21 stops counting the elapsed time and initializes the count value (S28). After this, the control device 21 repeatedly executes steps S21 and the following steps.

In addition, when the control device 21 has not received battery disconnection data (S24: NO) and has not received key-on data (S27: NO), and the count value of the elapsed time exceeds the first time, it determines that the first time has elapsed (S23: YES). In other words, the first time elapses with the battery 4 connected, the key switch 5 turned off, and the agricultural machine 1 etc. in a non-operating state.

Then, if the control device 21 has not yet transmitted warning information since starting to count the elapsed time (S29: NO), it identifies the user terminal device 30 (destination of the warning information) used by the user of the agricultural machine 1 (S30). At this time, the control device 21 reads the identification information of the agricultural machine 1 contained in the key-off data received in step S21, searches the database of the storage device 22 for user information corresponding to the identification information, and identifies the user terminal device 30 indicated by the user information.

Then, the control device 21 generates warning information that prompts the user to electrically disconnect the electrical components of the agricultural machine 1 from the battery 4 (S32), and transmits the warning information to the identified user terminal device 30 via the communication device 23 (S33). At this time, the control device 21 transmits an email including the warning information to the user terminal device 30. The control device 21 also includes in the warning information the identification information and time information of the agricultural machine 1 included in the key-off data (time information indicating the date and time when the on state of the key switch 5 was detected), and time information indicating the date and time when it is determined that the first time has elapsed. After transmitting the warning information, the control device 21 repeats the steps from step S23 onwards.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a warning operation of the user terminal device 30 of the first embodiment. Each step in FIG. 7 is executed by the control device 31 at a predetermined interval in accordance with a software program stored in the storage device 32. The same applies to each step in the flowcharts of FIGS. 14A and 14B described below.

When the control device 31 of the user terminal device 30 receives the warning information sent from the management server 20 via the communication device 33 (S41), it notifies the user via the user interface 34 that the warning information has been received (S42). At this time, the control device 31 may, for example, cause the user interface 34 to display or output a message indicating that an email containing the warning information has been received, or output a specified notification sound or melody.

When a command to display warning information is input by the user through the user interface 34 (S43), the control device 31 outputs the warning information to the user through the user interface 34 (S44). At this time, the control device 31 displays the warning information on the display screen of the user interface 34, for example, as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the warning information display in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the warning information displayed by the user interface 34 includes a message proposing to disconnect the terminals of the battery 4 to prevent the battery from running out if the agricultural machine 1 will not be used for a long period of time, in order to encourage the user to electrically disconnect the electrical components of the agricultural machine 1 from the battery 4, and a message proposing to cut off the power supply using a battery cut switch if the agricultural machine 1 is equipped with a battery cut switch. The displayed warning information also includes machine information such as the name and model number of the agricultural machine 1.

Also, if the user has already disconnected the terminals of the battery 4, the displayed warning information also includes a message requesting the user to ignore the warning information so that the user does not find the warning information bothersome. As another example, the control device 21 may output the warning information by voice through the user interface 34.

After checking the warning information output as described above, there is a high probability that the user will electrically disconnect the battery 4 of the corresponding agricultural machine 1 from the electrical equipment. However, for some reason, even after checking the warning information, the user may leave the battery 4 electrically connected to the electrical equipment and leave the key switch 5 in the OFF state.

In this case, the communication controller 6 of the agricultural machine 1 will not transmit battery disconnection data or key-on data. Therefore, the communication device 23 of the management server 20 will not receive the battery disconnection data (S24: NO in FIG. 6), and will not receive the key-on data either (S27: NO).

Because the first time has already elapsed (S23: YES) and the warning information has already been transmitted (S29: YES), the control device 21 checks the count value of the elapsed time and determines whether a predetermined second time has elapsed since the previous transmission of the warning information. The second time is set to, for example, two weeks, but is not limited to this. Like the first time, the second time may be set appropriately taking into account the electrical capacity of the battery 4 and the specifications of the agricultural machine 1. The second time may be set to the same as the first time, or may be set to be shorter or longer than the first time.

For example, the control device 21 determines that the second time has elapsed (S31: YES) without receiving battery disconnection data or key-on data (S24: NO, S27: NO). In this case, the control device 21 generates warning information again (S32) and transmits the warning information to the user terminal device 30 via the communication device 23 (S33). At this time, the control device 21 may transmit the same warning information as the previous time to the user terminal device 30 without generating new warning information.

Then, the control device 21 repeats step S23 and subsequent steps. That is, the control device 21 transmits warning information to the user terminal device 30 each time the second time period elapses while the battery 4 is connected and the key switch 5 is off.

When the control device 31 of the user terminal device 30 again receives the warning information via the communication device 33 (S41 in FIG. 7), it executes steps S42 and S43 as described above, and then outputs the warning information again via the user interface 34 (S44).

In the first embodiment described above, when the control device 21 of the management server 20 receives key-off data (S21 in FIG. 6), it starts counting the elapsed time (S22) regardless of whether the battery 4 is in a connected or disconnected state. However, as in the second embodiment shown in, for example, FIGS. 9A and 9B, the control device 21 may start counting the elapsed time (S22) after receiving key-off data (S21) and battery connection data (S36).

FIGS. 9A and 9B are flow charts showing an example of the monitoring operation of the management server 20 of the second embodiment. Note that in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, the same steps as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are given the same reference numerals. The same applies to the other flow charts described below. Also, the operation of the communication controller 6 and the user terminal device 30 of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment described above.

After receiving key-off data from the communication controller 6 of the agricultural machine 1 (S21 in FIG. 9A) and battery connection data (S36), the control device 21 starts counting the elapsed time (S22) and then determines that the first time has elapsed (S23: YES). In this case, if the battery connection data and key-on data are not received by the management server 20 (S24: NO, S27: NO), the control device 21 executes steps S29 to S30 as described above, and then transmits warning information to the user terminal device 30 (S31). In addition, the user terminal device 30 outputs the warning information via the user interface 34 (S41 to S44 in FIG. 7).

However, in the second embodiment, the control device 21 receives the key-off data and the battery connection data (S21, S36) and confirms that the key switch 5 is in the off state and the battery 4 is in the connected state. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the warning information may include a message indicating that the terminal of the battery 4 has been forgotten to be disconnected.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the display of initial warning information. Note that the initial warning information (first warning information) refers to the warning information (S32) that is first generated by the control device 21 of the management server 20 after determining that the first time has elapsed (S23: YES in FIG. 9A) and going through steps S27 and S28. The initial warning information is then sent by the control device 21 via the communication device 23 to the user terminal device 30 (S33), and is output (displayed) by the user interface 34 (S44 in FIG. 7).

The initial warning information shown in FIG. 10 includes, in addition to the message included in the warning information in FIG. 8 described above, a message indicating that the terminals of the battery 4 of the agricultural machine 1 have been forgotten to be disconnected, and the date and time when the first hour has elapsed since the key switch 5 of the agricultural machine 1 was switched to the OFF state (date and time of occurrence).

When a warning is issued again after the first warning information has been output, second or subsequent warning information (second warning information) may be output (displayed) by the user interface 34, as shown in FIG. 11, for example. That is, if the control device 21 has not received battery disconnection data or key-on data since sending the first warning information (S24: NO, S27: NO in FIG. 9B) and a second time has elapsed (S31: YES), the control device 21 generates second or subsequent warning information different from the first warning information (S32) and transmits the warning information to the user terminal device 30 via the communication device 23 (S33).

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the display of warning information from the second onwards. The warning information from the second onwards contains information different from the initial warning information. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the warning information from the second onwards contains a message indicating a period during which operation of the prime mover 2 of the agricultural machine 1 (starting of the engine with the key switch 5) has not been confirmed, and a message suggesting that the battery 4 may run out if the terminals of the battery 4 are not disconnected and that the battery 4 be checked and recharged.

For example, if the agricultural machine 1 is in a location with poor radio wave conditions, or if congestion occurs in the area where the agricultural machine 1 is located, a communication failure may occur, and the key-off data sent from the communication controller 6 may not be received by the management server 20. As a countermeasure in this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the management server 20 may estimate that the key switch 5 is in the off state when a predetermined time condition is met.

In more detail, when the key switch 5 of the agricultural machine 1 is switched from the OFF state to the ON state (S13: YES in FIG. 5B), the communication controller 6 sends key-on data to the management server 20 (S14). When the key-on data is received by the communication device 23 of the management server 20 (S34 in FIG. 9A), the control device 21 starts counting the elapsed time (S35). The control device 21 also determines that the key switch 5 is ON and that the agricultural machine 1, prime mover 2, and generator 3 are in operation.

If the control device 21 does not receive key-off data (S21: NO), it determines whether a predetermined time condition is met. As the predetermined time condition, at least one of the following may be set, for example: the passage of a predetermined third time period; or the arrival of a predetermined time limit. The third time period is set, for example, to 12 hours, but is not limited to this. The third time period is set to a time longer than the average use time of the agricultural machine 1. The time limit is set, for example, to midnight (midnight) of the following day, but is not limited to this. The time limit is set to a time later (later) than the average end time of use of the agricultural machine 1.

When the control device 21 detects at least one of the following: the count value of the elapsed time exceeds the third time, the third time has elapsed, or the current time has reached the time limit, it determines that the predetermined time condition has been met (S37: YES). In this case, the control device 21 stops counting the elapsed time, initializes the count value (S38), and assumes that the key switch 5 of the agricultural machine 1 has been switched to the OFF state (S39).

Then, the control device 21 starts counting the time that has elapsed since it estimated that the key switch 5 is in the OFF state (S22), and determines whether the first time has elapsed without receiving battery disconnection data or key-on data. After this, the control device 21 executes steps S23 and onward as described above.

In the first to third embodiments described above, the control device 21 of the management server 20 judges whether the first time has elapsed while the key switch 5 of the agricultural machine 1 is in the OFF state, i.e., while the agricultural machine 1 and the like are in a non-operating state, this judgment may be executed by the control device of the agricultural machine 1 or the user terminal device 30. In addition, each step executed by the control device 21 as described above may also be executed by the control device of the agricultural machine 1 or the user terminal device 30.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams showing an example of the monitoring operation of the communication controller 6 of the agricultural machine 1 of the third embodiment. Note that steps S51 to S60 shown in FIG. 12 correspond to steps S22, S23, S28, S25, S26, and S29 to S33 of FIGS. 9A and 9B described above. Also, the operation of the user terminal device 30 in the third embodiment is the same as the operation of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7. Also, in the third embodiment, the communication controller 6 of the agricultural machine 1 transmits warning information to the user terminal device 30 without going through the management server 20.

When the control device 6a of the communication control device 6 detects that a key-off signal is input from the key port 6q and that the key switch 5 has been switched to the OFF state (S1: YES in FIG. 12A), it detects whether or not the battery 4 is in a connected state. Even if the control device 6a does not detect that the key switch 5 has been switched to the OFF state by itself (S1: NO), when it receives key-off detection information from the information processing device 7 (S3: YES), it detects that the key switch 5 has been switched to the OFF state from the key-off detection information. The control device 6a then detects whether or not the battery 4 is in a connected state.

When the control device 6a detects that the battery 4 is in a connected state from the power supply state from the electrical wiring L1, L1b to the power supply port 6p (S5: YES), it starts counting the elapsed time (S51). Also, when the control device 6a receives connection detection information from the information processing device 7 (S9: YES), it detects from the connection detection information that the battery 4 is in a connected state and starts counting the elapsed time (S51). Then, the control device 6a determines (monitors) whether the first time has elapsed with the key switch 5 in the off state and the battery 4 in the connected state.

If the control device 6a detects that the battery 4 is disconnected from the power supply state to the power supply port 6p (S5a in FIG. 12B: YES) before the first time has elapsed (S52: NO), or receives disconnection detection information from the information processing device 7 (S8: YES), it stops counting the elapsed time and initializes the count value (S54). After this, if the control device 6a detects that the battery 4 is connected (S55), it transitions to step S51 and repeats the subsequent steps.

The control device 6a also does not detect that the battery 4 is in a disconnected state (S5a: NO), does not receive disconnection detection information from the information processing device 7 (S9a: NO), and detects that the key switch 5 has been switched to the on state (S13: YES) or receives key-on detection information from the information processing device 7 (S15: YES). In this case, the control device 6a stops counting the elapsed time and initializes the count value (S53). The control device 6a then repeats the steps from step S1 in FIG. 12A onwards.

If the control device 6a does not detect that the key switch 5 has been switched to the on state (S13: NO) and does not receive key-on detection information from the information processing device 7 (S15: NO), it repeats steps S52 and on in FIG. 12A.

After that, when the control device 6a determines that the first time has elapsed (S52: YES), if warning information has not yet been transmitted since counting the elapsed time started (S56: NO), it identifies the user terminal device 30 used by the user of the agricultural machine 1 (S57). Then, the control device 6a generates warning information (S59) and transmits the warning information to the user terminal device 30 via the communication interface 6d (S60).

When the control device 31 of the user terminal device 30 receives the warning information via the communication device 33 (S41 in FIG. 7), it executes steps S42 and S43 as described above, and then outputs (displays) the warning information via the user interface 34 (S44). At this time, for example, the initial warning information shown in FIG. 10 is output by the user interface 34.

Even after that, the control device 6a, for example, does not detect that the battery 4 is in a disconnected state (S5a: NO), does not receive disconnection detection information (S9a: NO), does not detect that the key switch 5 has been switched to the on state (S13: NO), and does not receive key-on detection information (S15: NO). In this case, since the first time has already elapsed (S53: YES) and warning information has already been sent (S54: YES), the control device 6a determines (monitors) whether the second time has elapsed.

Then, when the control device 6a determines that the second time has elapsed (S58: YES), it generates warning information (S59) and transmits the warning information to the user terminal device 30 via the communication interface 6d (S60). The control device 6a then repeats steps S52 and onward.

When the control device 31 of the user terminal device 30 receives the warning information again via the communication device 33 (S41 in FIG. 7), it executes steps S42 and S43 as described above, and then outputs the warning information via the user interface 34 (S44). At this time, the second and subsequent warning information shown in FIG. 11 is output via the user interface 34.

In the third embodiment described above, the communication controller 6 of the agricultural machine 1 transmits the abnormality information to the user terminal device 30 without passing through the management server 20, but instead, the communication controller 6 may transmit the abnormality information to the management server 20, and the management server 20 may transfer the abnormality information to the user terminal device 30. In this case, the user terminal device 30 used by the user of the agricultural machine 1 may be identified by the control device 21 of the management server 20, without being identified by the control device 6a of the communication controller 6.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the transfer operation of the management server 20 in the fourth embodiment. When the control device 21 of the management server 20 receives any of key-on data, key-off data, battery connection data, and battery disconnection data transmitted from the communication controller 6 of the agricultural machine 1 (S61), it identifies the user terminal device 30 used by the user of the agricultural machine 1 based on the identification information of the agricultural machine 1 contained in the received data (S62). The details of step S62 are the same as step S28 of FIG. 5A and the like described above. The control device 21 then transfers the received data to the identified user terminal device 30 via the communication device 23 (S63).

FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams showing an example of the monitoring operation of the user terminal device 30 of the fourth embodiment. Note that steps S71 to S77 and S79 to S90 of the user terminal device 30 shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B correspond to steps S34, S35, S21, S36 to S39, S22 to S29, S31, S32 of the management server 20 of FIGS. 9A and 9B described above, and S42 to S44 of FIG. 7. Also, the operation of the communication controller 6 of the agricultural machine 1 of the fourth embodiment is the same as the operation of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

In the user terminal device 30 identified in step S62 of FIG. 13, when key-on data is received by the communication device 33 (S71 of FIG. 14A), the control device 31 starts counting the elapsed time (S72). Then, when the control device 31 receives key-off data by the communication device 33 (S73: YES) and battery connection data by the communication device 33 (S74), it temporarily stops counting the elapsed time, initializes the count value, and then starts counting the elapsed time (S78). Then, the control device 31 determines (monitors) whether the first time has elapsed with the key switch 5 in the off state and the battery 4 connected.

If the control device 31 receives battery disconnection data (S80: YES) before the first time has elapsed (S79: NO), it stops counting the elapsed time and initializes the count value (S81). After that, when the control device 31 receives battery connection data (S82), it transitions to step S78 and repeats the subsequent steps.

Also, if the control device 31 receives key-on data via the communication device 33 (S83: YES) before the first time has elapsed (S79: NO), the control device 31 stops counting the elapsed time and initializes the count value (S84). After this, the control device 21 repeatedly executes steps S71 and onward.

The control device 31 also determines that the first time has elapsed (S79: YES) when it has not received battery disconnection data (S80: NO) or key-on data (S83: NO). In this case, if the control device 31 has not yet sent warning information since starting to count the elapsed time (S85: NO), it generates warning information (S87). The control device 31 then notifies the user through the user interface 34 that there is warning information (S88). When a command to display warning information is input by the user through the user interface 34 (S89), the control device 31 outputs the warning information to the user through the user interface 34 (S90). At this time, the control device 31 outputs the warning information shown in FIG. 10, for example.

If the control device 31 still does not receive the battery disconnection data or key-on data (S80: NO, S83: NO), the first time has already elapsed (S79: YES) and the warning information has been sent (S85: YES). In this case, when the control device 31 determines that the second time has elapsed (S86: YES), it generates warning information (S87) and, after executing steps S88 and S89 as described above, outputs the warning information by the user interface 34 (S90). At this time, the control device 31 outputs, for example, the warning information shown in FIG. 11. After this, the control device 31 repeats the steps from step S79 onwards.

Furthermore, after receiving key-on data (S71 in FIG. 14A) and starting counting the elapsed time (S72), if the control device 31 does not receive key-off data (S73: NO), it determines whether a predetermined time condition has been met. At this time, if the control device 31 determines that the predetermined time condition has been met (S75: YES), it stops counting the elapsed time, initializes the count value (S76), and presumes that the key switch 5 of the agricultural machine 1 has been switched to the OFF state (S77). Then, the control device 31 repeats the steps from step S78 onwards, as described above.

In the first to fourth embodiments described above, an example was shown in which at least one of the management server 20, the communication controller 6, and the user terminal device 30 started a monitoring operation, etc., triggered by the key switch 5 of the agricultural machine 1 being switched to the OFF state. In addition to this, at least one of the management server 20, the communication controller 6, and the user terminal device 30 may start a monitoring operation, etc., triggered by, for example, a user inputting an instruction to obtain information about the agricultural machine 1 through the user interface 34 of the user terminal device 30.

Specifically, for example, when a user inputs an instruction to obtain information about the agricultural machine 1 to the user terminal device 30 via the user interface 34, the control device 31 may start the monitoring operation of FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B on the user terminal device 30, or the control device 31 may send a command to start the monitoring operation to either the management server 20 or the communication controller 6 via the communication device 33. When the management server 20 and the communication controller 6 receive the above-mentioned start command, they may start any of the monitoring operations of FIG. 6, FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, FIG. 12A, FIG. 12B, FIG. 14A, and FIG. 14B.

The management server 20, the communication controller 6, and the user terminal device 30 may also obtain key-on data, key-off data, battery connection data, and battery disconnection data from the database of the management server 20 to perform monitoring operations. In this case, the management server 20, the communication controller 6, and the user terminal device 30 may also determine whether the first time and the second time have elapsed based on the time information included in the key-off data, battery connection data, and battery disconnection data and the current time.

The characteristic configurations shown in the first to fourth embodiments described above may be adopted as appropriate. For example, as in the first embodiment, in order to determine whether the first time has elapsed without detecting the connection state of the battery 4, steps S5 and S9 may be omitted from the third embodiment in Figures 12A and 12B, and step S74 may be omitted from the fourth embodiment in Figures 14A and 14B. Furthermore, steps S71, S72, and S37 to S39 may be omitted from the fourth embodiment in Figures 14A and 14B.

The monitoring operations in Figs. 12A and 12B may be executed by a control device mounted on the agricultural machine 1 other than the communication controller 6. The warning information may be output from multiple user terminal devices 30.

In the above-described embodiment, each process and step is realized by a processing circuit including one or more processors and one or more memories, but instead of or in addition to the processing circuit, it may be realized by an integrated circuit combining at least one of various analog circuits and digital circuits. Furthermore, the above processor may be not only a CPU, but also various processors suitable for computer control, such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

Furthermore, multiple physically separated processors may cooperate with each other to execute various processes, etc. For example, the processors installed in each of multiple physically separated computers may cooperate with each other via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a mobile phone network, or the Internet to execute various processes, etc. Furthermore, the software program executed by the above processors may be installed into memory from a server or the like via a network, or may be distributed in a state where it is stored on a recording medium such as a memory stick or memory card, and installed into the memory of the above processing circuit from the recording medium.

The battery protection system 100 of this embodiment described above has the configuration described in the following items and provides the following effects.

[Item 1] The battery protection system 100 includes a control device 21, 6a, 31 that determines whether a predetermined first time has elapsed while the agricultural machine 1, which operates the electrical components 6, 7, 8 (communication controller 6, information processing device 7, and other electrical components 8) using power stored in the battery 4, is in a non-operating state, and an output device (user interface) 34 that outputs warning information to the user urging the user to electrically disconnect the electrical components 6, 7, 8 from the battery 4 when the control device 21, 6a, 31 determines that the first time has elapsed.

The configuration of item 1 above allows warning information to be output to the user before the battery 4 of the agricultural machine 1 becomes over-discharged, even if the agricultural machine 1 is left without being operated for a long period of time, so that the user can take action to electrically disconnect the battery 4 from the electrical components 6, 7, and 8, such as by disconnecting the electrical wiring L3 from the negative terminal (-) of the battery 4. In addition, the warning information prompts the user to electrically disconnect the battery 4, rather than to charge it, so that unnecessary consumption of power can be suppressed. This makes it possible to efficiently prevent the battery of the agricultural machine 1 from running out.

[Item 2] In the battery protection system 100 described in item 1 above, the control devices 21, 6a, 31 determine whether or not a first time has elapsed since at least one of the prime mover 2 of the agricultural machine 1 and the generator 3 that generates the electricity stored in the battery 4 became inactive without becoming active.

The configuration of item 2 above makes it possible to output warning information to the user when the first time period has elapsed while the battery 4 is not being charged, and to have the user electrically disconnect the battery 4 from the electrical components 6, 7, and 8, thereby efficiently preventing the battery from running out.

[Item 3] The battery protection system 100 described in item 1 above is provided with a key switch 5 that is turned on to operate the agricultural machine 1 and turned off to not operate the agricultural machine 1, and the control devices 21, 6a, 31 determine whether a first time has elapsed since the key switch 5 was switched off without being switched on.

The configuration of item 3 above makes it easy to determine whether the agricultural machine 1 is not operating and the battery 4 is not being charged for a first period of time or more, and when this period of time has continued for more than the first period of time, it is possible to appropriately output warning information to the user.

[Item 4] In the battery protection system 100 described in item 3 above, the control devices 21, 6a, 31 determine whether a first time has elapsed since the key switch 5 was switched to the OFF state while the battery 4 was electrically connected to the electrical components 6, 7, 8, without the battery 4 being electrically disconnected from the electrical components 6, 7, 8 and the key switch 5 being switched to the ON state.

The configuration of item 4 above makes it possible to prevent warning information from being unnecessarily output to the user when the battery 4 has already been electrically disconnected, thereby preventing the user from feeling uncomfortable.

[Item 5] In the battery protection system 100 described in items 3 or 4 above, the control devices 21, 6a, and 31 measure the time that has elapsed since the key switch 5 was switched to the OFF state, and stop measuring the time that has elapsed when the battery 4 is in a disconnected state in which it is electrically disconnected from the electrical components 6 to 8 while the key switch 5 is in the OFF state, and when the key switch 5 is switched to the ON state.

The configuration of item 5 above allows the control devices 21, 6a, and 31 to monitor the duration of a state in which the battery may run out, and to determine whether the duration has reached or exceeded the first time.

[Item 6] In the battery protection system 100 described in Item 5 above, the control devices 21, 6a, and 31 measure the time that has elapsed since the battery 4 went from a disconnected state to a connected state in which it is electrically connected to the electrical components 6 to 8 when the key switch 5 is in the OFF state, and determine whether the elapsed time has exceeded the first time.

The configuration of item 6 above allows the agricultural machine 1 to be in a non-operating state, and even if the battery 4 is electrically disconnected and then reconnected, creating a state in which there is a possibility of the battery running out, the duration of this state can be monitored, and when this duration exceeds a first time, warning information can be output to the user.

[Item 7] In the battery protection system 100 described in any one of items 3 to 6 above, after determining that the first time has elapsed, the control device 21, 6a, 31 outputs warning information from the output device 34 each time a predetermined second time has elapsed while the battery 4 is connected to the electrical components 6 to 8 and the key switch 5 is in the off state.

The configuration of item 7 above allows warning information to be repeatedly output to the user, further encouraging the user to electrically disconnect the battery 4. In addition, since the warning information is output at regular intervals, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling annoyed.

[Item 8] In the battery protection system 100 described in any one of items 1 to 7 above, the output device 34 outputs warning information including at least one of the following: that the operating state of the agricultural machine 1 has not been confirmed for a certain period of time, and that there is a possibility of over-discharging of the battery 4.

The configuration of item 8 above further encourages the user to electrically disconnect the battery 4.

[Item 9] In the battery protection system 100 described in any one of items 1 to 8 above, the output device 34 outputs warning information including at least one of the time elapsed since the agricultural machine 1 was put into a non-operating state and the date and time when the control device 21, 6a, 31 determines that the first time has elapsed.

The configuration of item 9 above makes it easy for the user to recognize the possibility of the battery running out, further encouraging the user to electrically disconnect the battery 4.

[Item 10] The battery protection system 100 described in any one of items 3 to 9 above includes a communication controller 6 provided in the agricultural machine 1 and communicating wirelessly, a terminal device (user terminal device) 30 provided with a user interface as an output device 34 and used by a user, and a server (management server) 20 provided with a control device 21 and communicating with the communication controller 6 and the terminal device 30. The communication controller 6 transmits key-on data indicating that the key switch 5 provided in the agricultural machine 1 has been switched to the on state and key-off data indicating that the key switch 5 has been switched to the off state to the server 20, and the control device 21 determines whether a first time has passed since the server 20 received the key-off data without receiving the key-on data. When the first time has passed, the server 20 transmits warning information to the terminal device 30, and the terminal device 30 receives the warning information and outputs it through the user interface 34.

The configuration of item 10 above allows the terminal device 30 to output warning information to the user even if the user is located far away from the agricultural machine 1, and the user can be prompted to electrically disconnect the battery 4 of the agricultural machine 1 from the electrical components 6 to 8. In addition, since the server 20 monitors the first time period and transmits the warning information, it is possible to reduce the amount of power consumed by the battery 4 when the agricultural machine 1 is not in operation.

[Item 11] The battery protection system 100 described in item 10 above includes an information processing device 7 provided on the agricultural machine 1, which transmits key-on detection information to the communication controller 6 when the key switch 5 is switched to the on state, and transmits key-off detection information to the communication controller 6 when the key switch 5 is switched to the off state, and the communication controller 6 transmits key-on data at least either when it receives a key-on signal output by the key switch 5 in the on state or when it receives the key-on detection information, and transmits key-off data at least either when it receives a key-off signal output by the key switch 5 in the off state or when it receives the key-off detection information.

The configuration of item 11 above allows the switching state of the key switch 5 to be reliably detected by two systems: a direct signal path from the key switch 5 to the communication controller 6, and an indirect signal path from the key switch 5 to the communication controller 6 via the information processing device 7. Furthermore, since the communication controller 6 transmits key-on data and key-off data in response to the output signal from the key switch 5 and the output information from the information processing device 7, the server 20 can reliably detect the key-on data and key-off data even if there is a temporary problem in the communication between the communication controller 6 and the server 20. As a result, the server 20 can reliably determine that the first time has elapsed with the key switch 5 of the agricultural machine 1 in the off state (i.e., the agricultural machine 1 in a non-operating state), and can output warning information to the user from the terminal device 30.

[Item 12] In the battery protection system 100 described in items 10 or 11 above, the communication controller 6 transmits battery connection data indicating that the battery 4 is in a connected state, that is, electrically connected to the electrical components 6 to 8, and battery disconnection data indicating that the battery 4 is in a disconnected state, that is, electrically disconnected from the electrical components 6 to 8, and the control device 21 determines whether a first time has elapsed since the server 20 received the key-off data without receiving the key-on data or the battery disconnection data.

The configuration of item 12 above allows the server 20 to detect that the first time has elapsed with the key switch 5 of the agricultural machine 1 in an OFF state and the battery 4 in a connected state, and to output warning information to the user from the terminal device 30. In addition, it is possible to prevent warning information from being output unnecessarily when the battery 4 has already been electrically disconnected.

[Item 13] The battery protection system 100 described in item 12 above includes an information processing device 7 provided on the agricultural machine 1, and when the information processing device 7 detects from the power supply state from the battery 4 that the battery 4 is connected, it transmits disconnection detection information to the communication control device 6, and when it detects that the battery 4 is disconnected, it transmits disconnection detection information to the communication control device 6, and the communication control device 6 transmits battery connection data at least either when it detects from the power supply state from the battery 4 that the battery 4 is connected or when it receives the connection detection information, and transmits battery disconnection data at least either when it detects from the power supply state from the battery 4 that the battery 4 is disconnected or when it receives the disconnection detection information.

The configuration of item 13 above allows the electrical connection and disconnection states of the battery 4 to be reliably detected in two systems: the power supply path from the battery 4 to the communication controller 6, and the signal path from the battery 4 to the communication controller 6 via the information processing device 7. Furthermore, since the communication controller 6 transmits battery connection data and battery disconnection data according to the power supply state from the battery 4 and the output information from the information processing device 7, the server 20 can reliably detect the electrical connection and disconnection states of the battery 4 even if there is a temporary problem in the communication between the communication controller 6 and the server 20. As a result, the server 20 can reliably determine that the first time has elapsed with the key switch 5 of the agricultural machine 1 in the off state and the battery 4 in the connected state, and can output warning information to the user from the terminal device 30.

[Item 14] In the battery protection system 100 described in any one of Items 9 to 12 above, the control device 21 determines whether a predetermined time condition is met after the server 20 receives key-on data without receiving key-off data, and if the time condition is met, it assumes that the key switch 5 has been switched to the off state and determines whether the first time has elapsed.

With the configuration of item 14 above, even if the server 20 receives the key-on data from the communication control unit 6, and then the agricultural machine 1 moves to a location where communication with the server 20 is not possible and the server 20 no longer receives the key-off data from the communication control unit 6, the server 20 can assume that the key switch 5 has been switched to the off state, and after the first time has elapsed, warning information can be output to the user from the terminal device 30.

[Item 15] The battery protection system 100 described in any one of items 9 to 14 above includes an auxiliary battery 6e that is provided in the agricultural machine 1 and supplies power to the communication controller 6.

With the configuration of item 15 above, even if the battery 4 is electrically disconnected and power is no longer supplied from the battery 4 to the communication control device 6, the communication control device 6 can be operated by power supplied from the auxiliary battery 6e, and key-off data, battery disconnection data, and the like can be transmitted to the server 20.

[Item 16] In the battery protection system 100 described in Item 15 above, the auxiliary battery 6e is built into the communication controller 6.

The configuration of item 16 above allows the auxiliary battery 6e to be used efficiently as a dedicated auxiliary power source for the communication controller 6. In addition, the auxiliary battery 6e can be easily maintained when maintaining the communication controller 6.

[Item 17] The battery protection system 100 described in any one of items 3 to 9 above includes a communication controller 6 that is provided in the agricultural machine 1 and communicates wirelessly, and a terminal device 30 that is provided with a user interface that is an output device 34 and is used by a user, the key switch 5 and control device 6a are provided in the agricultural machine 1, and when a first time has elapsed since the key switch 5 was switched to the OFF state without being switched to the ON state, the control device 6a transmits warning information via the communication controller 6, and the terminal device 30 receives the warning information and outputs it via the user interface 34.

The configuration of item 17 above allows the terminal device 30 to output warning information to the user even when the user is in a location far from the agricultural machine 1, and prompts the user to electrically disconnect the battery 4 of the agricultural machine 1 from the electrical components 6 to 8. In addition, the control device 6a of the agricultural machine 1 monitors the switching state of the key switch 5 of the agricultural machine 1, monitors the first time, and transmits the warning information, so that it is possible to reduce the number of processes and the time required from when the key switch 5 is switched to the OFF state until the warning information is transmitted to the terminal device 30.

[Item 18] The battery protection system 100 described in Item 17 above includes an information processing device 7 provided on the agricultural machine 1, and the key switch 5 outputs a key-on signal to the control device 6a when in the on state and outputs a key-off signal to the control device 6a when in the off state. The information processing device 7 detects from the key-on signal that the key switch 5 has been switched to the on state and transmits key-on detection information to the control device 6a, and detects from the key-off signal that the key switch 5 has been switched to the off state and transmits key-off detection information to the control device 6a.

The configuration of item 18 above allows the on/off switching state of the key switch 5 to be reliably detected using two systems: a direct signal path from the key switch 5 to the control device 6a, and an indirect signal path from the key switch 5 to the control device 6a via the information processing device 7. As a result, the control device 6a can reliably determine that the first time has elapsed with the key switch 5 in the off state, and can transmit warning information from the communication controller 6, and the terminal device 30 can receive the warning information and output it to the user.

[Item 19] In the battery protection system 100 described in items 17 or 18 above, the control device 6a detects whether the battery 4 is in a connected state (electrically connected to the electrical components 6 to 8) or a disconnected state (electrically disconnected), and when the battery 4 is in a connected state and the key switch 5 is in an off state and a first time has elapsed, the communication controller 6 transmits warning information.

The configuration of item 19 above allows the control device 6a to detect that the first time has elapsed with the key switch 5 in the OFF state and the battery 4 connected, and to output warning information to the user from the terminal device 30. In addition, it is possible to prevent warning information from being output unnecessarily when the battery 4 has already been electrically disconnected.

[Item 20] The battery protection system 100 described in Item 19 above includes an information processing device 7 provided on the agricultural machine 1, and when the information processing device 7 detects that the battery 4 is in a connected state from the power supply state from the battery 4, it transmits connection detection information to the communication controller 6, and when it detects that the battery 4 is in a disconnected state, it transmits disconnection detection information to the communication controller 6. The control device 6a detects whether the battery 4 is in a connected state or a disconnected state from the connection detection information and the disconnection detection information, and detects whether the battery 4 is in a connected state or a disconnected state from the power supply state from the battery 4.

The configuration of item 20 above makes it possible to reliably detect the electrical connection and disconnection states of the battery 4 in two systems: the power supply path from the battery 4 to the communication controller 6, and the signal path from the battery 4 to the communication controller 6 via the information processing device 7. As a result, the control device 6a can reliably determine that the first time has elapsed with the key switch 5 of the agricultural machine 1 in the OFF state and the battery 4 in the connected state, and can output warning information to the user from the terminal device 30.

[Item 21] In the battery protection system 100 described in any one of items 17 to 20 above, the control device 6a is provided in the communication controller 6.

The configuration of item 21 above can reduce the number of processes and the time required from when the key switch 5 is switched to the OFF state until the warning information is sent to the terminal device 30.

[Item 22] The battery protection system 100 described in any one of items 3 to 9 above includes a communication controller 6 provided in the agricultural machine 1 and communicating wirelessly, and a terminal device 30 provided with an output device 34, a user interface, and a control device 31, and used by a user. The communication controller 6 transmits key-on data indicating that a key switch 5 provided in the agricultural machine 1 has been switched to an on state, and key-off data indicating that the key switch 5 has been switched to an off state. The control device 31 determines whether a first time has elapsed without receiving key-on data since the terminal device 30 received the key-off data, and outputs warning information via the user interface 34 when the first time has elapsed.

The configuration of item 22 above allows the terminal device 30 to output warning information to the user even if the user is located far away from the agricultural machine 1, and prompts the user to electrically disconnect the battery 4 of the agricultural machine 1 from the electrical components 6 to 8. In addition, since the terminal device 30 monitors the first time period and transmits the warning information, it is possible to reduce the amount of power consumed by the battery 4 when the agricultural machine 1 is not in operation.

[Item 23] The battery protection system 100 described in Item 22 above includes an information processing device 7 that is provided on the agricultural machine 1 and transmits key-on detection information to the communication controller 6 when the key switch 5 is switched to the on state, and transmits key-off detection information to the communication controller 6 when the key switch 5 is switched to the off state. The communication controller 6 transmits key-on data at least either when it receives a key-on signal output by the key switch 5 in the on state or when it receives the key-on detection information, and transmits key-off data at least either when it receives a key-off signal output by the key switch 5 in the off state or when it receives the key-off detection information.

The configuration of item 23 above allows the switching state of the key switch 5 to be reliably detected using two systems: a direct signal path from the key switch 5 to the communication controller 6, and an indirect signal path from the key switch 5 to the communication controller 6 via the information processing device 7. Furthermore, since the communication controller 6 transmits key-on data and key-off data in response to the output signal from the key switch 5 and the output information from the information processing device 7, the terminal device 30 can reliably detect key-on data and key-off data even if there is a temporary communication problem when transmitting data from the communication controller 6 or when receiving data at the terminal device 30. As a result, the terminal device 30 can reliably determine that the first time has elapsed with the key switch 5 of the agricultural machine 1 in the off state, and can output warning information to the user via the user interface 34.

[Item 24] In the battery protection system 100 described in items 22 or 23 above, the communication controller 6 transmits battery connection data indicating that the battery 4 is in a connected state, that is, electrically connected to the electrical components 6 to 8, and battery disconnection data indicating that the battery 4 is in a disconnected state, that is, electrically disconnected from the electrical components 6 to 8, and the control device 31 determines whether a first time has elapsed since the terminal device 30 received the key-off data without receiving the key-on data or the battery disconnection data.

The configuration of item 24 above allows the terminal device 30 to detect that the first time has elapsed with the key switch 5 of the agricultural machine 1 in an OFF state and the battery 4 in a connected state, and to output warning information to the user via the user interface 34. It is also possible to prevent warning information from being output unnecessarily when the battery 4 has already been electrically disconnected.

[Item 25] The battery protection system 100 described in Item 24 above includes an information processing device 7 provided on the agricultural machine 1, and when the information processing device 7 detects that the battery 4 is in a connected state from the power supply state from the battery 4, it transmits connection detection information to the communication control device 6, and when it detects that the battery 4 is in a disconnected state, it transmits disconnection detection information to the communication control device 6, and the communication control device 6 transmits battery connection data at least either when it detects that the battery 4 is in a connected state from the power supply state from the battery 4 or when it receives the connection detection information, and transmits battery disconnection data at least either when it detects that the battery 4 is in a disconnected state from the power supply state from the battery 4 or when it receives the disconnection detection information.

The configuration of item 25 above allows the electrical connection and disconnection states of the battery 4 to be reliably detected in two systems: the power supply path from the battery 4 to the communication controller 6, and the signal path from the battery 4 to the communication controller 6 via the information processing device 7. In addition, the communication controller 6 transmits battery connection data and battery disconnection data in accordance with the power supply state from the battery 4 and the output information from the information processing device 7, so that even if there is a temporary communication problem at least when the data is transmitted from the communication controller 6 or when the data is received by the terminal device 30, the terminal device 30 can reliably detect the electrical connection and disconnection states of the battery 4. As a result, the terminal device 30 can reliably determine that the first time has elapsed with the key switch 5 of the agricultural machine 1 in the off state and the battery 4 in the connected state, and output warning information to the user via the user interface 34.

[Item 26] In the battery protection system 100 described in any one of Items 22 to 25 above, the control device 31 determines whether a predetermined time condition is met after the terminal device 30 receives key-on data without receiving key-off data, and if the time condition is met, it assumes that the key switch 5 has been switched to the off state and determines whether the first time has elapsed.

With the configuration of item 26 above, even if the agricultural machine 1 moves to a location where communication with the terminal device 30 is not possible after the terminal device 30 has received the key-on data from the communication controller 6 and the terminal device 30 is no longer receiving the key-off data from the communication controller 6, the terminal device 30 can assume that the key switch 5 has been switched to the off state, and the terminal device 30 can output warning information to the user after the first time has elapsed.

The present invention has been described above, but the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

1 Agricultural machinery 2 Prime mover 3 Generator 4 Battery 5 Key switch 6 Communication controller (electrical equipment)
6a Control device 6e Auxiliary battery 7 Information processing device (electrical equipment)
8 Electrical equipment 20 Management server 21 Control device 30 User terminal device 31 Control device 34 User interface (output device)
100 Battery Protection System

Claims (26)

a control device that determines whether or not a predetermined first time has elapsed while an agricultural machine that operates an electrical component using power stored in a battery is in a non-operating state;
A battery protection system comprising: an output device that outputs warning information to a user urging the user to electrically disconnect the electrical equipment from the battery when the control device determines that the first time has elapsed. The battery protection system according to claim 1, wherein the control device determines whether the first time has elapsed without the prime mover of the agricultural machine and/or the generator that generates the electricity stored in the battery being put into an operating state after the prime mover is put into an operating state. a key switch which is operated to an ON state in order to operate the agricultural machine and which is operated to an OFF state in order not to operate the agricultural machine;
2. The battery protection system according to claim 1, wherein the control device determines whether or not the first time has elapsed since the key switch was switched to the off state without being switched to the on state. The battery protection system according to claim 3, wherein the control device determines whether the first time has elapsed since the key switch was switched to the off state while the battery was electrically connected to the electrical equipment, without the battery being electrically disconnected from the electrical equipment and without the key switch being switched to the on state. The battery protection system of claim 3, wherein the control device measures the time that has elapsed since the key switch was switched to the off state, and stops measuring the time when the battery is in a disconnected state in which it is electrically disconnected from the electrical equipment while the key switch is in the off state, and when the key switch is switched to the on state. The battery protection system according to claim 5, wherein the control device, when the key switch is in the off state, measures the time that has elapsed since the battery went from the disconnected state to a connected state in which it is electrically connected to the electrical equipment, and determines whether the elapsed time has exceeded the first time. The battery protection system according to claim 3, wherein the control device outputs the warning information via the output device each time a predetermined second time has elapsed while the battery is connected to the electrical equipment and the key switch is in the off state, after determining that the first time has elapsed. The battery protection system according to claim 1, wherein the output device outputs the warning information including at least one of the following: that the operating state of the agricultural machine has not been confirmed for a certain period of time, and that there is a possibility of over-discharging of the battery. The battery protection system according to claim 1, wherein the output device outputs the warning information including at least one of the time elapsed since the agricultural machine was put into a non-operating state and the date and time when the control device determines that the first time has elapsed. a communication controller provided in the agricultural machine and configured to wirelessly communicate with the agricultural machine;
a terminal device provided with a user interface serving as the output device and used by the user;
a server in which the control device is provided and which communicates with the communication controller and the terminal device;
the communication controller transmits to the server key-on data indicating that the key switch provided in the agricultural machine has been switched to the on state and key-off data indicating that the key switch has been switched to the off state,
the control device determines whether the first time has elapsed since the server received the key-off data without receiving the key-on data, and transmits the warning information from the server to the terminal device when the first time has elapsed;
4. The battery protection system according to claim 3, wherein the terminal device receives the warning information and outputs it through the user interface. An information processing device provided in the agricultural machine,
the information processing device transmits key-on detection information to the communication controller when the key switch is switched to the on state, and transmits key-off detection information to the communication controller when the key switch is switched to the off state;
11. The battery protection system of claim 10, wherein the communication controller transmits the key-on data when it receives a key-on signal output by the key switch in the on state or when it receives the key-on detection information, and transmits the key-off data when it receives a key-off signal output by the key switch in the off state or when it receives the key-off detection information. the communication controller transmits to the server battery connection data indicating that the battery is in a connected state electrically connected to the electrical equipment, and battery disconnection data indicating that the battery is in a disconnected state electrically disconnected from the electrical equipment,
11. The battery protection system according to claim 10, wherein the control device determines whether the first time has elapsed without receiving the key-on data and the battery disconnection data since the server received the key-off data. An information processing device provided in the agricultural machine,
when the information processing device detects that the battery is in the connected state based on a power supply state from the battery, the information processing device transmits connection detection information to the communication controller, and when the information processing device detects that the battery is in the disconnected state, the information processing device transmits disconnection detection information to the communication controller;
The battery protection system of claim 12, wherein the communication controller transmits the battery connection data when it detects that the battery is in the connected state from the power supply state from the battery and when it receives the connection detection information, and transmits the battery disconnection data when it detects that the battery is in the disconnected state from the power supply state from the battery and when it receives the disconnection detection information. The battery protection system of claim 10, wherein the control device determines whether a predetermined time condition is met after the server receives the key-on data without receiving the key-off data, and when the time condition is met, presumes that the key switch has been switched to the off state and determines whether the first time has elapsed. The battery protection system of claim 10, further comprising an auxiliary battery provided in the agricultural machine and supplying power to the communication controller. The battery protection system of claim 15, wherein the auxiliary battery is built into the communication controller. a communication controller provided in the agricultural machine and configured to wirelessly communicate with the agricultural machine;
a terminal device provided with a user interface serving as the output device and used by the user;
The key switch and the control device are provided on the agricultural machine,
the control device transmits the warning information via the communication controller when the first time period has elapsed since the key switch was switched to the off state and has not been switched to the on state;
4. The battery protection system according to claim 3, wherein the terminal device receives the warning information and outputs it through the user interface. An information processing device provided in the agricultural machine,
the key switch outputs a key-on signal to the control device and the information processing device in the on state, and outputs a key-off signal to the control device and the information processing device in the off state;
18. The battery protection system of claim 17, wherein the information processing device detects from the key-on signal that the key switch has been switched to the on state and transmits key-on detection information to the control device, and detects from the key-off signal that the key switch has been switched to the off state and transmits key-off detection information to the control device. The battery protection system according to claim 17, wherein the control device detects whether the battery is in a connected state in which the battery is electrically connected to the electrical equipment or in a disconnected state in which the battery is electrically disconnected from the electrical equipment, and transmits the warning information via the communication controller when the first time has elapsed while the battery is in the connected state and the key switch is in the off state. An information processing device provided in the agricultural machine,
when the information processing device detects that the battery is in the connected state based on a power supply state from the battery, the information processing device transmits connection detection information to the communication controller, and when the information processing device detects that the battery is in the disconnected state, the information processing device transmits disconnection detection information to the communication controller;
The battery protection system of claim 19, wherein the control device detects whether the battery is in the connected state or the disconnected state from the connection detection information and the disconnection detection information, and detects whether the battery is in the connected state or the disconnected state from the power supply state from the battery. The battery protection system according to claim 17, wherein the control device is provided in the communication controller. a communication controller provided in the agricultural machine and configured to wirelessly communicate with the agricultural machine;
a terminal device provided with a user interface as the output device and the control device and used by the user;
the communication controller transmits key-on data indicating that the key switch provided in the agricultural machine has been switched to the on state, and key-off data indicating that the key switch has been switched to the off state,
4. The battery protection system according to claim 3, wherein the control device determines whether the first time has elapsed since the terminal device received the key-off data without receiving the key-on data, and outputs the warning information through the user interface when the first time has elapsed. An information processing device provided in the agricultural machine,
the information processing device transmits key-on detection information to the communication controller when the key switch is switched to the on state, and transmits key-off detection information to the communication controller when the key switch is switched to the off state;
23. The battery protection system of claim 22, wherein the communication controller transmits the key-on data when it receives a key-on signal output by the key switch in the on state or when it receives the key-on detection information, and transmits the key-off data when it receives a key-off signal output by the key switch in the off state or when it receives the key-off detection information. the communication controller transmits battery connection data indicating that the battery is in a connected state electrically connected to the electrical equipment, and battery disconnection data indicating that the battery is in a disconnected state electrically disconnected from the electrical equipment,
23. The battery protection system according to claim 22, wherein the control device determines whether the first time period has elapsed without receiving the key-on data and the battery disconnection data since the terminal device received the key-off data. An information processing device provided in the agricultural machine,
when the information processing device detects that the battery is in the connected state based on a power supply state from the battery, the information processing device transmits connection detection information to the communication controller, and when the information processing device detects that the battery is in the disconnected state, the information processing device transmits disconnection detection information to the communication controller;
The battery protection system of claim 24, wherein the communication controller transmits the battery connection data when it detects that the battery is in the connected state from the power supply state from the battery and when it receives the connection detection information, and transmits the battery disconnection data when it detects that the battery is in the disconnected state from the power supply state from the battery and when it receives the disconnection detection information. The battery protection system of claim 22, wherein the control device determines whether a predetermined time condition is met after the terminal device receives the key-on data without receiving the key-off data, and when the time condition is met, presumes that the key switch has been switched to the off state and determines whether the first time has elapsed.

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