The invention improves volume estimation accuracy of an object in a container using a captured image in a case where a blind spot region exists in a captured image of the object in the container. A blind spot estimation portion for estimating the blind spot region of the object in the bucket; a blind spot region shape estimation portion for estimating a shape of the object in the blind spot region; and a volume estimation portion for estimating a volume of the object in the blind spot region are included, the blind spot estimation portion estimates the blind spot region by mesh disparity data obtained from a captured image of the object in the bucket imaged by a plurality of cameras, the blind spot region shape estimation portion estimates the shape of the object in the blind spot region by the mesh disparity data, and the volume estimation portion estimates the volume of the object in the blind spot region based on the shape of the object in the blind spot region estimated by the blind spot region shape estimation portion and a shape of a bottom of the bucket.

The present invention improves a work efficiency of an entire system for operating a plurality of working machines. An operation system of the working machine includes a work progress calculating unit 80 which calculates a work progress of a plurality of working machines or a scheduled ending time calculating unit 81 which calculates a scheduled ending time of a work by using the work progress calculated by the work progress calculating unit 80. A working machine of which an operation is switched from automatic control to remote control is determined from among the plurality of working machines by using the work progress or the scheduled ending time, and the operation system includes a centralized operation controller 43 which transmits an operation instruction to the determined working machine.

A coordinated multi-vehicle grade control system and method includes receiving, by a first controller onboard a first work vehicle, a first grade control signal. The method and system also include receiving, by a second controller onboard a second work vehicle, a second grade control signal. Additionally, the method and system include orienting, by a first actuator of the first work vehicle, the first grading implement with respect to the first work vehicle according to the first grade control signal. Furthermore, the method and system include orienting, by a second actuator of the second work vehicle, the second grading implement with respect to the second work vehicle according to the second grade control signal. The second grade control signal is based, at least in part, on the first grade control signal to coordinate the orientation of the first grading implement with respect to the second grading implement along the grading pass.

A work machine management apparatus includes: a switchback point setting unit configured to set a plurality of switchback points of a work machine in a work place of a mine; a work point setting unit configured to set at least one work point of the work machine in the work place; a travel track generating unit configured to generate a plurality of target travel tracks along which the work machine travels in the work place based on a position of the at least one work point and a position of each of the plurality of switchback points; and a travel track selecting unit configured to select, among the plurality of target travel tracks, a target travel track along which the work machine travels in the work place.

A work machine management apparatus includes: a switchback point setting unit configured to set at least one switchback point of a work machine in a work place of a mine; a work point setting unit configured to set a plurality of work points of the work machine; a travel track generating unit configured to generate, based on a position of each of the plurality of work points and a position of the at least one switchback point in a loading place, a plurality of target travel tracks along which the work machine travels in the work place; and a travel track selecting unit configured to select, among the plurality of target travel tracks, a target travel track along which the work machine travels in the work place.

A method of controlling machines for performing operations at a worksite is disclosed. The method includes receiving pre-construction terrain data, design terrain data, and resource data and then defining a plurality of constraints based on the data. Operations of the machines are simulated based on the data. The method includes estimating process variables associated with the operations and defining and scheduling tasks to be performed by the machines. The method includes collecting real time data from the worksite and updating the estimated process variables and the scheduled tasks of the machines based on the collected real time data. Instructions are then provided to the machines for executing the tasks.

A valve system, including first, second, third and fourth ports, a first flow path connecting the first and second ports, a second flow path connecting the third and fourth ports, with valves connected in the first and second flow paths, and energizable to block the same. A third flow path connects the first and second ports and a fourth flow path connects the third and fourth ports. The third and fourth flow paths are more restricted than the respective first and second flow paths. A fifth flow path connects the first and fourth ports and a sixth flow path connects the second and third ports. When the third and fourth flow paths are open, the first, second, fifth, and sixth flow paths are blocked. When the first and second flow paths are open, the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth flow paths are blocked. When the fifth and sixth flow paths are open, the first, second, third, and fourth, flow paths are blocked.

A controller 20 mounted on a hydraulic excavator 1 that is able to perform machine control transmits work situation parameters (machine body position, hydraulic working fluid temperature, bucket weight, and target surface gradient) to a management server 71, receives, from the management server, control command correction values that are calculated by the management server on the basis of the work situation parameters and that represent correction values for correcting control commands, and controls hydraulic actuators 5, 6, and 7 with corrected control commands that represent the control commands corrected on the basis of the control command correction values.

A controller may determine, using a first sensor device of the machine, an articulation angle of the machine. The controller may adjust, based on the articulation angle, a size of an object detection area to obtain an adjusted object detection area. The object detection area may be associated with an articulation joint of the machine.

A work vehicle includes an arm. An arm cylinder drives the arm. A direction control valve operates the arm cylinder by allowing supply of a hydraulic oil to the arm cylinder as a spool moves. An oil path is connected to the direction control valve. A pilot oil for moving the spool flows through the oil path. A proportional solenoid valve for arm excavation is provided in the oil path. An arm control member is provided for an operator to operate drive of the arm. An amount of operation of the arm control member is equal to or smaller than a prescribed value in a first operation state and greater than the prescribed value in a second operation state. A command current instructing an opening of the proportional solenoid valve for arm excavation is set to a constant value in the first operation state.