Method for Operating a Forest Communication System and to a Forest Communication System

Abstract

A method operates a forest communication system having multiple mobile communication apparatus, the communication apparatus each including an output and input device. The output and input device is designed for the output and input of work process data relevant to one member in a working group about work steps on tree sections that are to be worked on and/or have been worked on. The method reconciles the work process data between the communication apparatus in a peer-to-peer network by way of wireless transmission on the basis of a medium-range transmission technology.

Claims

1. A method for operating a forest communication system having multiple mobile communication apparatus, each communication apparatus including an output and input device configured for output and input of work process data relevant to one member in a working group about work steps on tree sections that are to be worked on and/or have been worked on, the method comprising the steps of: reconciling the work process data between the communication apparatus in a peer-to-peer network, wherein the reconciling is based on wireless transmission carried out via a medium-range transmission technology.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the work process data are about at least one of: at least one planting step, at least one young stock maintenance step, at least one cutting-back step, at least one pruning step, at least one felling step, at least one limbing step, at least one cutting-to-length step, at least one log-removal step, at least one leaning-tree clearance step, at least one sequence and/or at least one location of at least some work steps and/or at least some tree sections, at least one tree type, at least one tree section length, at least one tree section diameter, at least one tree section quantity, or at least one tree section quality and/or at least one tree section value.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, based on triggering by any new input of new work process data, via one of the output and input devices, performing a respective reconciling afresh.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reconciling comprises: comparing work process data that have been input with predefined work process data that have been output, and when there is a minimum variance, adapting the predefined work process data about work steps on tree sections that are to be worked on based on the minimum variance and/or the input work process data, on the basis of an optimization criterion.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the optimization criterion is at least one of: a danger reduction optimization criterion, a distance optimization criterion and/or a group work progress optimization criterion, or a time optimization criterion and/or a value optimization criterion.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising: responding to the adapting on the basis of the danger reduction optimization criterion, by outputting information about the minimum variance and/or the adapting and/or the adapted work process data and/or the optimization criterion.

7. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: responding to the minimum variance, by outputting information about the minimum variance and/or the adapting and/or the adapted work process data.

8. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: enabling the adapted work process data for manual adapting by way of at least one of the output and input devices.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: transmitting the predefined, work process data from an external database to a gateway in the peer-to-peer network, wirelessly on the basis of a long-range transmission technology.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the forest communication system has at least one mobile communication intermediate station, and/or wherein the reconciling is performed between at least one of the communication apparatus and an associated, communication intermediate station in the peer-to-peer network by way of wireless transmission based on a short-range transmission technology and by the communication intermediate station by way of the wireless transmission based on the medium-range transmission technology.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the communication apparatus is a body-worn and/or handheld communication device, and/or wherein at least the communication intermediate station is a body-worn and/or handheld communication intermediate station, wherein the communication device and/or the communication intermediate station is/are at least arranged on an item of forestry worker protective equipment.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the forestry worker protective equipment is: a protective helmet, a face and/or hearing protector, protective goggles, and/or a protective glove.

13. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: wirelessly transmitting a voice message from one of the members and/or between the communication intermediate stations, on the basis of the medium-range transmission technology in the peer-to-peer network.

14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: wirelessly transmitting emergency data and/or messages from one of the members, on the basis of the medium-range transmission technology in the peer-to-peer network and/or on the basis of a long-range transmission technology.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein at least one of: the medium-range transmission technology has a maximum range of 400 m, the medium-range transmission technology comprises Bluetooth Classic transmission technology, the medium-range transmission technology uses a 2.4 GHz carrier frequency, the long-range transmission technology has a minimum range of 1000 m, or the long-range transmission technology comprises narrowband Internet of Things transmission technology, Long-Term Evolution transmission technology, long-range transmission technology, and/or SigFox transmission technology.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein at least one of: the medium-range transmission technology has a maximum range of 400 m, the medium-range transmission technology comprises Bluetooth Classic transmission technology, the medium-range transmission technology uses a 2.4 GHz carrier frequency, the short-range transmission technology has a maximum range of 10 m, or the short-range transmission technology comprises Bluetooth Low Energy transmission technology and/or ZigBee transmission technology.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus each comprise a storage medium, the storage medium being designed for storage of the work process data.

18. A forest communication system, comprising: multiple mobile communication apparatus, each mobile communication apparatus comprising: an output and input device, the output and input device being configured for output and input of work process data relevant to one member in a working group about work steps on tree sections that are to be worked on and/or have been worked on, and wherein the forest communication system is configured for reconciling the work process data between the multiple communication apparatus in a peer-to-peer network by way of wireless transmission based on a medium-range transmission technology.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a forest communication system according to an embodiment of the invention and an exemplary method for operating the forest communication system.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a communication device and a communication intermediate station of the forest communication system in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a forest communication system 1 and a method for operating the forest communication system 1.

[0044] The forest communication system 1 comprises multiple mobile communication apparatus 2. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the forest communication system 1 comprises eight communication apparatus 2. In alternative exemplary embodiments, the forest communication system may comprise at least two, in particular at least five, in particular at least ten, communication apparatus.

[0045] The communication apparatus 2 each have an output and input device 3, as shown in FIG. 2. The output and input device 3 is designed for the output and input of, in particular outputs and/or inputs, work process data APD relevant to one member 5 in a working group 6 about work steps AS on tree sections 4 that are to be worked on and/or have been worked on.

[0046] The forest communication system 1 is designed for the reconciling of, in particular transmits and aligns, the work process data APD between the communication apparatus 2 in a peer-to-peer network 7 by means of wireless transmission on the basis of a medium-range transmission technology 8.

[0047] The method comprises the step of: reconciling the work process data APD between the communication apparatus 2 in the peer-to-peer network 7 by means of wireless transmission on the basis of the medium-range transmission technology 8, in particular by means of the forest communication system 1.

[0048] In detail, the work process data APD are about at least one planting step PS, at least one young stock maintenance step JP, at least one cutting-back step RS, at least one pruning step WA, at least one felling step FS, at least one limbing step EA, at least one cutting-to-length step AL, at least one log-removal step RE, at least one leaning-tree clearance step HB, at least one sequence I, II, III, IV and/or at least one location PO, JO, SO, WO, FO, EO, AO, RO, HO of at least some of the work steps AS and/or of at least some of the tree sections 4.

[0049] In particular, the sequence I, II, III, IV of the work steps AS is the felling step FS, then the limbing step EA, then the cutting-to-length step AL and then the log-removal step RE. If the felling step FS results in the tree section 4 getting caught, the leaning-tree clearance step HB is then added, and in particular then the limbing step EA.

[0050] Additionally or alternatively, for, or during, the felling step FS and/or the leaning-tree clearance step HB, further work steps AS may or must or should not be performed too close, or within a minimum distance MIDI, in particular of a distance optimization criterion AOK, in particular on account of a danger potential arising from the tree section 4 that is to be felled and/or moved.

[0051] Further additionally or alternatively, the leaning-tree clearance step HB is performed by a log-removal vehicle 5′ having a cable winch 5″ with a cable 5′″.

[0052] In particular also, the log-removal step RE is interrupted and/or deferred.

[0053] In addition, the work process data APD are about at least one tree type BA, at least one tree section length BL, at least one tree section diameter BD, at least one tree section quantity BM, at least one tree section quality BQ and/or at least one tree section value BW.

[0054] Additionally, on the basis of triggering by any, in particular new, input IN of, in particular new, work process data nAPD, in particular by means of one of the output and input devices 3, the respective reconciling is performed, in particular afresh.

[0055] Further, the reconciling comprises: comparing work process data iAPD that have been input, in particular by means of one of the output and input devices 3, with predefined work process data voAPD that have been output, in particular by means of the output and input device 3. When there is a minimum variance MA, adapting the predefined work process data aAPD about work steps AS on tree sections 4 that are to be worked on on the basis of the minimum variance MA and/or the input work process data iAPD, in particular on the basis of an optimization criterion OK.

[0056] In detail, the optimization criterion OK is a danger reduction optimization criterion SOK, a distance optimization criterion AOK and/or a group work progress optimization criterion FOK, a time optimization criterion ZOK and/or a value optimization criterion WOK.

[0057] Furthermore, the method comprises the step of: responding to the minimum variance MA, and in particular responding to the adapting on the basis of the danger reduction optimization criterion SOK, by outputting information Info about the minimum variance MA and/or the adapting and/or the adapted work process data aAPD and/or the optimization criterion OK, in particular by means of at least one of the output and input devices 3.

[0058] In addition, the method comprises the step of: enabling the adapted work process data aAPD for manual adapting, in particular by means of at least one of the output and input devices 3.

[0059] By way of example, at least one of the output and input devices 3 outputs the, in particular predefined, work process data vAPD about the cutting-to-length step AL on the tree section 4 that is to be cut to length to at least one of the members 5 of the working group 6. As a result of the output, the member 5 performs the cutting-to-length step AL, or cuts the tree section 4 to length, in particular successfully. As a result of the performance of the cutting-to-length step AL, or of the cutting-to-length of the tree section 4 that has been cut to length, the member 5 enters the work process data APD about the cutting-to-length step AL on the tree section 4 that has been cut to length by means of the output and input device 3, or confirms the output work process data voAPD. On the basis of triggering by the input IN of the work process data nAPD, the reconciling is performed. The reconciling comprises: comparing the work process data iAPD that have been input with the predefined work process data voAPD that have been output. There is no minimum variance in this case. As a result of the reconciling, at least one, in particular other, of the output and input devices 3 outputs the, in particular predefined, work process data vAPD about the log-removal step RE on the tree section 4 that, in particular, has been cut to length, and is to be removed, to at least one, in particular another, of the members 5 of the working group 6, or enables the log-removal step RE, in particular performance of the log-removal step RE.

[0060] Additionally, at least one, in particular once again other, of the output and input devices 3 outputs the, in particular predefined, work process data vAPD about the felling step FS on the tree section 4 to be felled to at least one, in particular once again other, of the members 5 of the working group 6. As a result of the output, the member 5 performs the felling step FS, or fells the tree section 4, in particular unsuccessfully, or the tree section 4 gets caught. As a result of the performance of the felling step FS, or of the felling of the felled tree section 4, the member 5 enters the work process data APD about the felling step FS on the felled tree section 4 by means of the output and input device 3, or the input IN comprises work process data nAPD that differ from the output work process data voAPD. On the basis of triggering by the input IN of the work process data nAPD, the reconciling is performed. The reconciling comprises: comparing the work process data iAPD that have been input with the predefined work process data voAPD that have been output. There is the minimum variance MA in this case. Therefore, the predefined work process data aAPD about the limbing step EA on the tree section 4 that, in particular, has been felled and actually needs to be limbed are adapted on the basis of the minimum variance MA and/or the input work process data iAPD, in particular on the basis of the optimization criterion OK, in particular the danger reduction optimization criterion SOK. In particular, the predefined work process data vAPD about the limbing step EA are not output, or the limbing step EA, in particular the performance of the limbing step EA, is not enabled and/or not output. In particular instead, the minimum variance MA and/or the input work process data iAPD is/are taken as a basis for predefining work process data APD about the leaning-tree clearance step HB on the tree section 4 that, in particular, has been felled, and needs to be moved, in particular on the basis of the optimization criterion OK, in particular the danger reduction optimization criterion SOK and/or the group work progress optimization criterion FOK and/or the time optimization criterion ZOK. As a result of the reconciling, in particular of the minimum variance MA, or the adapting and/or the predefining, at least that, in particular other, one of the output and input devices 3 outputs the, in particular predefined, work process data vAPD about the leaning-tree clearance step HB on the tree section 4 that, in particular, has been felled, and needs to be moved, to at least the, in particular other, one of the members 5 of the working group 6, or enables the leaning-tree clearance step HB, in particular the performance of the leaning-tree clearance step HB, or outputs the information Info about the minimum variance MA and/or the adapting and/or the adapted work process data aAPD and/or the optimization criterion OK. As a result of the output, the member 5 interrupts, or defers, the log-removal step RE. In particular instead, the member 5 performs the leaning-tree clearance step HB, or moves the tree section 4, in particular successfully. As a result of the performance of the leaning-tree clearance step HB, or the moving of the moved tree section 4, the member 5 enters the work process data APD about the leaning-tree clearance step HB on the moved tree section 4 by means of the output and input device 3, or confirms the output work process data voAPD. On the basis of triggering by the input IN of the work process data nAPD, the reconciling is performed. The reconciling comprises: comparing the work process data iAPD that have been input with the predefined work process data voAPD that have been output. There is no minimum variance in this case. As a result of the reconciling, at least one, in particular once again other, of the output and input devices 3 outputs the, in particular predefined, work process data vAPD about the limbing step EA on the tree section 4 that, in particular, has been felled and/or moved, and needs to be limbed, to at least one, in particular once again other, of the members 5 of the working group 6, or enables the limbing step EA, in particular the performance of the limbing step EA.

[0061] Additionally, the method comprises the step of: transmitting the, in particular predefined, work process data vAPD from an external database 9 to a gateway 10, in particular a smartphone 11, in the peer-to-peer network 7, in particular wirelessly on the basis of a long-range transmission technology 12.

[0062] Further, the forest communication system 1 comprises at least one mobile communication intermediate station 13. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the forest communication system 1 comprises eight communication intermediate stations 13. In alternative exemplary embodiments, the forest communication system may comprise at least two, in particular at least five, in particular at least ten, communication intermediate stations.

[0063] Additionally or alternatively, the reconciling is performed between at least one of the communication apparatus 2 and a, in particular the and/or associated, communication intermediate station 13 in the peer-to-peer network 7 by means of wireless transmission on the basis of a short-range transmission technology 14 and by the communication intermediate station 13 by means of the wireless transmission on the basis of the medium-range transmission technology 8.

[0064] In alternative exemplary embodiments, the forest communication system does not need to or may not comprise a communication intermediate station. Additionally or alternatively, in alternative exemplary embodiments, the communication device may, in particular itself, or directly, perform the wireless transmission on the basis of the medium-range transmission technology. In other words: in alternative exemplary embodiments, the communication device may, in particular itself, or directly, be designed for wireless transmission on the basis of the medium-range transmission technology.

[0065] Furthermore, at least one of the communication apparatus 2 is a body-worn, in particular head-worn, and/or handheld communication device 2′, as shown in FIG. 2. Additionally or alternatively, at least the communication intermediate station 13 is a body-worn, in particular head-worn, and/or handheld communication intermediate station 13′. In particular, the communication device and/or the communication intermediate station 13′ is/are at least arranged, in particular integrated, on an item of forestry worker protective equipment 15, in particular a protective helmet 16 and/or a face and/or hearing protector 17 and/or protective goggles and/or a protective glove.

[0066] In the exemplary embodiment shown, at least one of the communication apparatus 2 comprises a smartphone, in particular is a smartphone. Additionally, at least one of the communication intermediate stations 13 comprises a headset, in particular is a headset. In alternative exemplary embodiments, at least one of the communication apparatus may additionally or alternatively comprise, in particular be, a headset.

[0067] In addition, the method comprises the step of: wirelessly transmitting a voice message SN, in particular from one of the members 5 and/or between the communication intermediate stations 13, on the basis of the medium-range transmission technology 8 in the peer-to-peer network 7.

[0068] Additionally, the method comprises the step of: wirelessly transmitting emergency data and/or messages NDN, in particular from one of the members and/or between the communication intermediate stations 13, on the basis of the medium-range transmission technology 8 in the peer-to-peer network 7 and/or on the basis of the long-range transmission technology 12.

[0069] Further, the medium-range transmission technology 8 has a maximum range 8R of 400 m. Additionally or alternatively, the medium-range transmission technology 8 comprises Bluetooth Classic transmission technology BC, in particular is Bluetooth Classic transmission technology BC. Further additionally or alternatively, the medium-range transmission technology 8 uses a 2.4 GHz carrier frequency 8f. Further additionally or alternatively, the long-range transmission technology 12 has a minimum range 12R of 1000 m. Further additionally or alternatively, the long-range transmission technology 12 comprises narrowband Internet of Things transmission technology NB-IoT, Long-Term Evolution transmission technology LTE, long-range transmission technology LoRa and/or SigFox transmission technology SIGFOX, in particular is narrowband Internet of Things transmission technology NB-IoT, Long-Term Evolution transmission technology LTE, long-range transmission technology LoRa and/or SigFox transmission technology SIGFOX. Further additionally or alternatively, the short-range transmission technology 14 has a maximum range 14R of 10 m. Further additionally or alternatively, the short-range transmission technology 14 comprises Bluetooth Low Energy transmission technology BLE and/or ZigBee transmission technology ZB, in particular is Bluetooth Low Energy transmission technology BLE and/or ZigBee transmission technology ZB.

[0070] Furthermore, the communication apparatus 2 each comprise a storage medium 18, as shown in FIG. 2. The storage medium 18 is designed for the storage of, in particular stores, the work process data APD.

[0071] As the exemplary embodiments shown and explained above demonstrate, the invention provides an advantageous method for operating a forest communication system and an advantageous forest communication system, each of which has improved properties, in particular allows efficient and/or reduced-danger working in the forest.

[0072] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.