System and method for controlling work machine

Abstract

A system includes an onboard controller, a remote operation device, and a communication unit. The remote operation device transmits a start command signal for starting the work machine to the work machine. The communication unit communicates with the onboard controller. The communication unit is configured to be operated to switch the work machine from a start prohibited state to a start permitted state. The onboard controller switches the work machine from the start prohibited state to the start permitted state according to an operation of the communication unit. The onboard controller prohibits the work machine from starting when the work machine is in the start prohibited state upon receiving the start command signal from the remote operation device. The onboard controller starts the work machine when the work machine is in the start permitted state upon receiving the start command signal from the remote operation device.

1 . A system for controlling a work machine, the system comprising:
 an onboard controller mounted on the work machine and configured to control the work machine;   a remote operation device configured to communicate with the onboard controller and transmit a start command signal for starting the work machine to the work machine; and   a communication unit provided separately from the remote operation device, the communication unit being configured to communicate with the onboard controller and to be operated to switch the work machine from a start prohibited state to a start permitted state;   the onboard controller being further configured to
 switch the work machine from the start prohibited state to the start permitted state according to an operation of the communication unit, 
 prohibit the work machine from starting when the work machine is in the start prohibited state upon receiving the start command signal from the remote operation device, and 
 start the work machine when the work machine is in the start permitted state upon receiving the start command signal from the remote operation device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a mode selection member mounted on the work machine and configured to be operated to select a remote operation mode of the work machine,   the onboard controller being further configured to start the work machine when the remote operation mode is selected by the mode selection member and when the work machine is in the start permitted state upon receiving the start command signal from the remote operation device.   
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the onboard controller is further configured to prohibit the work machine from starting with the work machine in the start prohibited state upon selecting the remote operation mode by the mode selection member.   
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the communication unit is further configured to transmit a start permission signal for switching the work machine from the start prohibited state to the start permitted state to the onboard controller, and   the onboard controller is configured to switch the work machine from the start prohibited state to the start permitted state upon receiving the start permission signal.   
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the communication unit is further configured to transmit a start non-permission signal for maintaining the work machine in the start prohibited state to the onboard controller,   the communication unit is further configured to stop transmission of the start non-permission signal according to an operation by an operator, and   the onboard controller is further configured to switch the work machine from the start prohibited state to the start permitted state upon stopping the transmission of the start non-permission signal.   
     
     
         6 . A method for controlling a work machine, the method comprising:
 communicating with a communication unit;   switching the work machine from a start prohibited state to a start permitted state according to an operation of the communication unit;   communicating with a remote operation device;   determining whether a start command signal of the work machine has been received from the remote operation device;   starting the work machine when the work machine is in the start permitted state upon receiving the start command signal from the remote operation device; and   prohibiting the work machine from starting when the work machine is in the start prohibited state upon receiving the start command signal from the remote operation device.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising
 determining whether a remote operation mode of the work machine is selected by a mode selection member mounted on the work machine; and   starting the work machine when the remote operation mode is selected by the mode selection member and when the work machine is in the start permitted state upon receiving the start command signal from the remote operation device.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising
 prohibiting the work machine from starting with the work machine in the start prohibited state upon selecting the remote operation mode by the mode selection member.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the communication unit is configured to transmit a start permission signal for switching the work machine from the start prohibited state to the start permitted state according to an operation by an operator, the method further comprising   determining whether the start permission signal has been received from the communication unit; and   switching the work machine from the start prohibited state to the start permitted state upon receiving the start permission signal.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the communication unit is configured to transmit a start non-permission signal for maintaining the work machine in the start prohibited state to the onboard controller, and   the communication unit is further configured to stop the start non-permission signal according to an operation by an operator, the method further comprising
 determining whether the start non-permission signal has been stopped; and 
 switching the work machine from the start prohibited state to the start permitted state upon stopping the start non-permission signal.