AU2014326083B2

AU2014326083B2 - Farm field management device

Info

Publication number: AU2014326083B2
Application number: AU2014326083A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Osamu Nishiguchi
Original assignee: Hitachi Solutions Ltd
Current assignee: Hitachi Solutions Ltd
Priority date: 2013-09-30
Filing date: 2014-05-09
Publication date: 2017-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 2034-05-09
Also published as: AU2014326083A1; WO2015045208A1; JP2015069450A

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a device capable of accurately correlating the content of work in a farm field and the relation thereof with the farm field. [Solution] A current location acquisition means (2) acquires the current location of a farm field management device by using a GPS system (not shown). A recording unit (2) has recorded therein farm field information (8) in correlation with farm field location information. This farm field information (8) includes information about crops planted (or scheduled to be planted) in the farm field, information about used agricultural chemicals, information about a planter, etc. A farm field information acquisition means (10) acquires, from the recording unit (2) on the basis of the current location acquired by the current location acquisition means (2), the farm field information (8) corresponding to the acquired current location. A farm field information output means (12) outputs the acquired farm field information (8). In this way, the farm field information about the farm field corresponding to the current location can be accurately acquired.

Description

2014326083 29 Aug 2017

FARM FIELD MANAGEMENT DEVICE

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to a farm field management device for managing crops and the like from a farm field.

Background [0002] Recently, there has been an increasing trend to record a history of operation performed in each farm field, and provide history information on crops to consumers and retailers as safety and security information. To this end, it is necessary to correctly hand over information, which has been correctly recorded in the field, to a next process.

[0003] For example, when a crop harvested from a farm field is carried into storage using a truck, information about from which farm field the crop has been harvested is recorded. Pieces of information about what type of crop has been planted on each farm field are recorded in association with one another as disclosed in JP 2013-37478 A, for example. Thus, by recording information about from which farm field each crop has been harvested, it becomes possible to associate pieces of history information, such as the variety of a crop kept in storage as well as information about in what state and by whom the crop has been grown, with one another.

[0003a] It is desired to address or ameliorate one or more disadvantages or limitations associated with the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary [0004] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a farm field management device comprising: current position acquisition means for acquiring a current position by communicating with a positioning system; 1 2014326083 29 Aug 2017 user input means for receiving an operation start instruction and an operation end instruction from a user; farm field information acquisition means for accessing a recording unit that has recorded therein farm field information including at least planted crop information in association with position information on a plurality of farm fields, and acquiring, based on the acquired, current position, farm field information including position information corresponding to the current position; and output means for outputting the acquired farm field information; wherein the current position acquisition means communicates with the positioning system to acquire and record a plurality of positions at a corresponding plurality of times from an operation start time associated with the operation start instruction to an operation end time associated with the operation end instruction, and wherein the farm field information acquisition means selects a decided farm field candidate from the plurality of farm fields associated with the planted crop information by: (a) calculating a plurality of line segments between ones of the positions recorded at adjacent ones of the recorded times for at least two of the plurality of farm fields associated with the planted crop information; calculating a total length, or a total number of line segments, belonging to each of the at least two farm fields by summing lengths of the lines segments belonging to each farm field, or respectively by summing the number of line segments belonging to each farm field; and selecting one of the at least two farm fields to be the decided farm field candidate by selecting the one associated with the highest total length or the highest total number respectively; or (b) calculating a plurality of time periods between pairs of adjacent ones of the recorded times for at least two of the plurality of farm fields associated with the planted crop information; calculating a total time 2 2014326083 29 Aug 2017 belonging to each of the at least two farm fields by summing the time periods belonging to each farm field; and selecting one of the at least two farm fields to be the decided farm field candidate by selecting the one associated with the highest total time period, and wherein the farm field information acquisition means acquires the farm field information on the decided farm field candidate.

[0004a] The present invention also provides a device for deciding an operation-performed farm field, the device comprising: position acquisition means for acquiring and recording a plurality of positions at a corresponding plurality of times during a moving operation in a farm field by communicating with a positioning system at the predetermined time intervals; farm field identifying means for accessing a recording unit that has recorded therein position information on farm fields, and identifying, based on the plurality of recorded positions, a farm field that has position information corresponding to the positions; and output means for outputting the identified farm field, wherein the farm field identifying means selects a decided farm field candidate from the plurality of farm fields associated with the planted crop information by: (a) calculating a plurality of line segments between ones of the positions recorded at adjacent ones of the recorded times for at least two of the plurality of farm fields associated with the planted crop information; calculating a total length, or a total number of line segments, belonging to each of the at least two farm fields by summing lengths of the lines segments belonging to each farm field, or respectively by summing the number of line segments belonging to each farm field; and selecting one of the at least two farm fields to be the decided farm 3 2014326083 29 Aug 2017 field candidate by selecting the one associated with the highest total length or the highest total number respectively; or (b) calculating a plurality of time periods between pairs of adjacent ones of the recorded times for at least two of the plurality of farm fields associated with the planted crop information; calculating a total time belonging to each of the at least two farm fields by summing the time periods belonging to each farm field; and selecting one of the at least two farm fields to be the decided farm field candidate by selecting the one associated with the highest total time period, and wherein the farm field information acquisition means acquires the farm field information on the decided farm field candidate.

[0004b] The present invention also provides a device for deciding an operation-performed farm field, the device comprising: position acquisition means for acquiring and recording a plurality of positions at a corresponding plurality of times by communicating with a farm field management terminal device at the predetermined time intervals; farm field information acquisition means for accessing a recording unit that has recorded therein farm field information including at least planted crop information in association with position information on farm fields, and acquiring, based on the recorded positions, farm field information including position information corresponding to the positions; and output means for outputting the acquired farm field information; wherein the farm field information acquisition means selects a decided farm field candidate from the plurality of farm fields associated with the planted crop information by: (a) calculating a plurality of line segments between ones of the positions recorded at adjacent ones of the recorded times for at least two of the plurality of farm fields associated with the planted crop information; calculating a total length, or a total number of line segments,

3A 2014326083 29 Aug 2017 belonging to each of the at least two farm fields by summing lengths of the lines segments belonging to each farm field, or respectively by summing the number of line segments belonging to each farm field; and selecting one of the at least two farm fields to be the decided farm field candidate by selecting the one associated with the highest total length or the highest total number respectively; or (b) calculating a plurality of time periods between pairs of adjacent ones of the recorded times for at least two of the plurality of farm fields associated with the planted crop information; calculating a total time belonging to each of the at least two farm fields by summing the time periods belonging to each farm field; and selecting one of the at least two farm fields to be the decided farm field candidate by selecting the one associated with the highest total time period, and wherein the farm field information acquisition means acquires the farm field information on the decided farm field candidate.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0005] Some embodiments of the present invention are hereinafter described, by

3B way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 2014326083 04 Jan 2017 [0005a] Fig. 1 is the overall configuration diagram of a farm field management device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram of a farm field management system that is configured using a farm field management device 20.

Fig. 3 shows the hardware configuration of the farm field management device 20.

Fig. 4a is a flowchart of a farm field management program 46.

Fig. 4b is a flowchart of the farm field management program 46.

Fig. 5 shows an example of farm field information 8.

Fig. 6 shows an example of the acquired position information and time information.

Fig. 7 is a diagram for illustrating identification of a farm field based on the position information.

Fig. 8 shows an example of a screen that shows a decided farm field candidate.

Fig. 9 shows an example of a printed transport slip.

Fig. 10 is a diagram for illustrating identification of a farm field based on the position information.

Fig. 11 is a diagram for illustrating identification of a farm field based on the position information.

Fig. 12a shows a flowchart of a browser of the farm field management terminal device 20 and a farm field management program of a server device 22.

Fig. 12b shows a flowchart of the browser of the farm field management terminal device 20 and the farm field management program of the server device 22.

Fig. 12c shows a flowchart of the browser of the farm field management terminal device 20 and the farm field management program of the server device 4 22. 2014326083 04 Jan 2017

Detailed Description [0006] When prior methods are used, if a place from which a crop has been harvested is erroneously recorded when the crop is carried into storage, information on the crop will make no sense any more. Further, there is a risk that different varieties of crops may become mixed, or even the same variety of crops, such as non-genetically-modified crops and genetically-modified crops, may become mixed.

[0006a]Further, it is sometimes necessary to correctly associate not only a harvested crop with a farm field, but also an operation performed in a farm field with the farm field.

[0007] Provided herein is a device that can correctly associate an operation performed in a farm field with the farm field.

[0008] (1)(2) A farm field management device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention includes current position acquisition means for acquiring a current position; farm field information acquisition means for accessing a recording unit that has recorded therein farm field information including at least planted crop information in association with position information on farm fields, and acquiring, based on the acquired current position, farm field information having position information corresponding to the current position; and output means for outputting the acquired farm field information.

[0009] Thus, it is possible to surely associate an operation target planted crop, which has been subjected to an operation such as a harvesting operation, with the operation.

[0010] (3) The farm field management device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention is characterized in that the current position acquisition means acquires positions at predetermined time intervals from an operation start time to an operation end time, and the farm field information 5 acquisition means plots a time-sequential change in the position from the operation start time till the operation end time, and acquires, based on the time-sequential change in the position and the position information on the farm field, farm field information having a corresponding farm field region. 2014326083 04 Jan 2017 [0011] Thus, more correct association can be performed during an operation that is performed while moving.

[0012] (4) The farm field management device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention is characterized in that the farm field information acquisition means calculates an envelope region from the change in the position, and acquires farm field information that includes a farm field region having the largest overlap with the envelope region.

[0013] Thus, a farm field in which an operation has been performed can be identified more correctly.

[0014] (5) The farm field management device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention is characterized in that the farm field information acquisition means acquires farm field information that includes a farm field region having the largest overlap with a region that is formed by points at four corners of the change in the position.

[0015] Thus, a farm field in which an operation has been performed can be identified more correctly.

[0016] (6) The farm field management device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention is characterized in that the farm field information acquisition means acquires farm field information that includes a farm field region having the largest number of overlaps with trajectories or points of the change in the position.

[0017] Thus, a farm field in which an operation has been performed can be identified more correctly.

[0018] (7) The farm field management device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention is characterized in that the farm field 6 information acquisition means calculates a time period for which an operator was in each farm field based on the change in the position, and acquires farm field information on a farm field in which the operator was for the longest time period. 2014326083 04 Jan 2017 [0019] Thus, a farm field in which an operation has been performed can be identified more correctly.

[0020] (8) The farm field management device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention is characterized in that the recording unit is provided in the farm field management device.

[0021] Thus, it is possible to perform a process for deciding a farm field and a process for acquiring farm field information by using only the farm field management device as long as the farm field information and the like are recorded in the recording unit in advance.

[0022] (9) The farm field management device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention is characterized in that the recording unit is provided in a server device that is accessible from the farm field management device.

[0023] Thus, a process can be performed without the need to record the farm field information and the like on the farm field management device.

[0024] (10) The farm field management device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention is characterized in that the output means prints the acquired farm field information. Thus, the operator can visually check the farm field information.

[0025] (11) The farm field management device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention is characterized in that the output means outputs the acquired farm field information to another device. Thus, the farm field information can be directly provided to another device.

[0026] (12)(13) The farm field management device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention is a device for deciding an operation-performed farm field, the device including position acquisition means for 7 acquiring positions at predetermined time intervals during a moving operation in a farm field; farm field identifying means for accessing a recording unit that has recorded therein position information on farm fields, and identifying, based on the plurality of acquired positions, a farm field that has position information corresponding to the positions; and output means for outputting the identified farm field. The farm field information acquisition means calculates an envelope region from the change in the position, and identifies a farm field that includes a farm field region having the largest overlap with the envelope region. 2014326083 04 Jan 2017 [0027] Thus, a farm field in which an operation has been performed can be identified more correctly.

[0028] In the present disclosure, the “current position acquisition means” corresponds to steps S2 and S5 and steps S202, S203, S204, and S205 in the embodiments.

[0029] The “farm field information acquisition means” corresponds to step S12 and step S211 in the embodiments.

[0030] The “output means” is means for controlling the output of information to the outside in a printer form, a display form, or a data form. The “output means” corresponds to step S13 and step S212 in the embodiments.

[0031] The “farm field identifying means” corresponds to step S8 and step S208 in the embodiments. The “planted crop information” is information on a crop planted on or to be planted on a farm field, and includes information such as a variety, a planter, and a history of sprayed agricultural chemicals.

[0032] The “program” has a concept that includes not only a program that can be directly executed by a CPU but also a source program, a program subjected to a compression process, an encrypted program, and the like.

[0033] Features, other objects, applications, and advantageous effects, and the like of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following embodiments and drawings. 8 [0034] 1. First Embodiment 1.1 Overall Configuration 2014326083 04 Jan 2017

Fig. 1 shows the overall configuration of a farm field management device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. A current position acquisition means 2 acquires the current position of the farm field management device using a GPS system (not shown) and the like. A recording unit 2 has recorded therein farm field information 8 in association with the position information on each farm field. The farm field information 8 includes information on a crop planted (or to be planted) on the farm field, information on agricultural chemicals used, a planter, and the like.

[0035] A farm field information acquisition means 10, based on the current position acquired by the current position acquisition means 2, acquires from the recording unit 2 the farm field information 8 corresponding to the current position. A farm field information output means 12 outputs the acquired farm field information 8.

[0036] As described above, farm field information on a farm field that corresponds to the current position can be correctly acquired.

[0037] 1.2 Hardware Configuration

Fig. 2 shows the configuration of a farm field management system that uses a farm field management device as a terminal device. A farm field management terminal device 20 is a portable information terminal and can connect to the Internet 24 through radio communication or the like. A server device 22 is connected to the Internet 24. The server device 22 has recorded therein the farm field information 8. The farm field management terminal

8A device 20 has the current position acquisition means 2, the farm field information acquisition means 10, and the farm field information output means 12.

[0038]

Fig. 3 shows the hardware configuration of the farm field management terminal device 20. A memory 32, a touch screen 34, a nonvolatile memory 36, a DVD-ROM drive 38, a GPS receiver 40, and a communication circuit 42 are connected to a CPU 30. The touch screen 34 is adapted to display information as well as receive an input from an operator. The GPS receiver 40 receives signals from a GPS satellite (not shown) and calculates the current position. The communication circuit 42 is adapted to connect to the Internet through radio communication.

[0039]

The nonvolatile memory 36 has recorded therein an operating system (e.g., WINDOWS (trademark)) 44 and a farm field management program 46. The farm field management program 46 exerts its function by operating in conjunction with the operating system 44. The operating system 44 and the farm field management program 46 are installed onto the nonvolatile memory 36 from a DVD-ROM drive 48 via the DVD-ROM drive 38. It should be noted that the operating system 44 and the farm field management program 46 may also be downloaded via the Internet.

[0040] 1.3 Farm Field Management Process A person who uses the farm field management terminal device 20 (i.e., a harvester of a farm field) downloads the farm field information 8, which is recorded in the server device 22, in an Internet-accessible environment in advance. Such operation is preferably performed in advance at home or the like as Internet connections are often not available in farm fields.

[0041]

Fig. 5 shows an example of the farm field information 8 recorded in the 9 nonvolatile memory 36. A group name, a farm field number, a producer name, a variety name, and the like are recorded in association with each region information. As the region information, if a farm field is rectangular in shape, the coordinates (i.e., latitude and longitude) at the four corners are recorded. If a farm field is curved, consecutive coordinates that approximate the curve by a straight line are also recorded. The group name is a name of a group such as JA (Japan Agricultural Cooperatives) to which the owner of the farm field belongs. The producer name is a name of a producer, and the variety name is a name of the variety of a planted crop. Besides, whether or not agricultural chemicals have been sprayed, the types and quantities of the sprayed agricultural chemicals, and the like are also recorded.

[0042]

Figs. 4a and Fig. 4b are flowcharts of the farm field management program 46. First, an operator carries the farm field management terminal device 20 when riding a harvester such as a combine. In this embodiment, the farm field management terminal device 20 is a tablet computer. Thus, the farm field management terminal device 20 can be easily carried about. In this embodiment, a mobile printer is also carried into a combine or the like together with the farm field management terminal device 20.

[0043]

When a harvesting operation with a combine is started, the operator starts the farm field management program 46, and presses an operation start button on the touch screen 34. Accordingly, the CPU 30 acquires the current position data and the current time from the GPS receiver 40 and records them in the nonvolatile memory 36 (step S2).

[0044]

Next, the CPU 30 determines if an operation end button has been pressed or not (step S3). If the operation end button has not been pressed, it is determined if a predetermine time (e.g., 2 minutes) has passed since the current 10 position data and the current time were acquired last time in step 2 (step S4). If the predetermined time has passed, the current position data and the current time are acquired and are recorded in the nonvolatile memory 36 (step S 2). Accordingly, the position of the farm field management terminal device 20 (i.e., the position of a machine such as a combine) is recorded with a time as shown in Fig. 6.

[0045]

When the operator presses the operation end button on the touch screen 34, the CPU 30 proceeds to step S5 from step S3. In step S5, the CPU 30 records the current position data and the current time at the completion of the operation, and records them (step S5).

[0046]

Next, the CPU 30 calculates an envelope region from the start position to the end position (step S6). The “envelope region” herein is a region that is formed by plotting an outline of a position at each time from the start position to the end position. For example, it is assumed that the position at each time from the start position to the end position is points a to o shown in Fig. 7A. The time has passed sequentially from the point a, b, c, ..., o. In this case, the envelope region is a region covered with slashes in Fig. 7B.

[0047]

The CPU 30 calculates an overlapped area between the calculated envelope region and each farm field region (step S7). In the example of Fig. 7B, overlapped regions are located in farm fields 1-2, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, and 1-8. Thus, the overlapped area in each region is calculated. The CPU 30 displays a farm field with the largest overlapped area as a decided farm field candidate on the touch screen 34 (step S8). In the example of Fig. 7B, the farm field 1-5 is the decided farm field candidate. Fig. 8 shows an example of the decided farm field candidate displayed on the touch screen 34. In Fig. 8, a farm field shown by slashes is the decided farm field candidate. 11 [0048]

If the decided farm field candidate displayed on the touch screen 34 is correct (if it is a farm field in which a harvesting operation was performed), the operator presses an OK button 50. If the OK button 50 is pressed (step S9), the CPU 30 sets the decided farm field candidate as the decided farm field (S11).

[0049]

If the decided farm field candidate displayed on the touch screen 34 is not correct, the operator presses an NG button 52. If the NG button 52 is pressed (step S9), the CPU 30 displays a screen for inputting a decided farm field. Accordingly, the operator decides the decided farm field by touching a farm field on the screen, for example (step S10).

[0050]

In step S12, the CPU 30 reads the farm field information 8 on the decided farm field from the nonvolatile memory 36 (step S12). Next, the CPU 30 prints a transport slip of the harvested crop with the mobile printer based on the read farm field information 8 (step S13). Fig. 9 shows an example of the printed transport slip. The upper part is a copy to be kept for the farm vehicle, and the lower part is a slip to be handed to a track driver. It should be noted that the lower part has a printed QR code (trademark) that contains information on each printed item.

[0051]

The operator moves the harvested crop to a truck, and cuts the lower part of the transport slip away and hands it to the truck driver. The truck driver moves the crop to storage of JA or the like. At that time, the truck driver hands the transport slip to a person in charge of the storage. Accordingly, the crop can be stored without the possibility of being confused. It should be noted that the person in charge of the storage can, by reading the QR code (trademark), acquire information on the crop and record it on a PC or the like.

[0052] 12 1.4 Other Embodiments (1) In the aforementioned embodiment, the farm field information 8 is downloaded to the farm field management terminal device 20 from the server device 22 in advance. However, if an Internet connection is available in a farm field, the farm field information 8 may also be acquired from the server device 22 via the Internet in step S12.

[0053] (2) In the aforementioned embodiment, the farm field information 8 is acquired from the server device 2 via the Internet. However, the farm field information 8 may also be acquired using a portable memory such as an SD card.

[0054] (3) In the aforementioned embodiment, a farm field is decided based on an overlap between each farm field region and an envelope region of each position of from the start position to the end position. However, as shown in Figs. 10A and 10B, a farm field is decided based on an overlap between each farm field region and a rectangular region 80 that is formed by points a, h, k, and o at the four corners of the respective positions. In Fig. 10B, the farm field 1-5 has the largest overlap. Thus, the farm field 1-5 is selected as a decided farm field candidate. When the points at the four corners are decided, the following method can be used. For example, in Fig. 10A, it is assumed that the X coordinate value increases in the direction of the arrow X, and the Y coordinate value increases in the direction of the arrow Y. At this time, a point at which the total value of the X coordinate value and the Y coordinate value is the maximum may be selected as the upper right point of the four corners. Likewise, a point at which the total value of the X coordinate value and the Y coordinate value is the minimum may be selected as the lower left point. In addition, a point at which the X coordinate value is a negative value and the total value of the X coordinate value and the Y coordinate value is the maximum may be selected as the upper left point. Meanwhile, a point at which the Y coordinate value is a negative 13 value and the total value of the X coordinate value and the Y coordinate value is the maximum may be selected as the lower right point.

[0055]

Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 11, it is also possible to select a decided farm field candidate by using a line L ab that connects positions a and b at adjacent times, a line L be that connects positions b and c at adjacent times,... and a line L no that connects positions n and o at adjacent times. For example, to which farm field region each of the line segments L ab, L be,..., and L no belongs is determined. With regard to the line segment L ab, the entire length thereof belongs to the farm field 1-5. With regard to the line segment L be, a half the length thereof belongs to the farm field 1-5, and the other half belongs to the farm field 1-4. As described above, the length of a line segment that belongs to each farm field is calculated, and a farm field that has the maximum total length of a line segment(s) that belong(s) thereto is selected. In the case of Fig. 11, the farm field 1-5 is selected as a decided farm field candidate.

[0056]

It is also possible to, not calculate the total length, but count the number of line segments that entirely belong to a farm field (i.e., line segments, the entire lengths of which belong to a single farm field) and select a farm field having the maximum count.

[0057]

In addition, as a time at each position a, b, ..., and o is known, it is also possible to calculate a time period for which an operator was in each farm field region based on the time. For example, with regard to the line segment Lab, it is found that the operator was in the farm field 1-5 for a time period of from a time at the point a to a time at the point b. With regard to the line segment L be, it is found that the operator was in the farm field 1-5 for a half a time period of from a time at the point b to a time at the point c, and was in the farm field 1-4 for the other half of the time period. As described above, a time period for which an 14 operator was in each farm field region is calculated, and a farm field with the maximum total value is selected. In the case of Fig. 11, the farm field 1-5 is selected as a decided farm field candidate.

[0058] (4) In the aforementioned embodiment, the decided farm field candidate is displayed once so as to prompt the operator to check it. However, it is also possible to set the decided farm field candidate as the decided farm field without prompting the operator to check it.

[0059] (5) In the aforementioned embodiment, a farm field in which a harvesting operation has been performed is decided when a crop is harvested. However, even when an operation other than a harvesting operation is performed, the present invention can be applied in the same way in deciding, as long as the operation is an operation of moving within a farm field, a farm field in which the operation has been performed. For example, it is possible to decide a farm field in which agricultural chemicals has been sprayed, a farm field on which plants or seeds have been planted, and the like.

[0060] (6) In the aforementioned embodiment, a portable information terminal is used as the farm field management terminal device 20. However, a computer that is provided on a farm machine in a farm field may also be used.

[0061] (7) In the aforementioned embodiment, a transport slip is printed. However, it is also possible to output transport slip data to a portable recording medium.

[0062] 2. Second Embodiment 2.1 Configuration and Process

In the aforementioned embodiment, the farm field management program 15 46 is used by being installed on the farm field management terminal device 20. However, the farm field management program may also be put on the server device 22 side as long as it can connect to the server device 22 via the Internet in a farm field. In such a case, the server device 22 is used as a farm field management device. In the second embodiment, the farm field management terminal device 20 has only to have a browser program. Figs. 12a, 12b, and 12c show processes for such a case. It should be noted that the configuration of the server device is similar to the configuration of an ordinary PC. The hard disk of the server device has recorded therein the farm field management program and the farm field information 8. The farm field management terminal device 20 is carried into a harvester and the like when an operator performs a harvesting operation as in the first embodiment.

[0063]

The operator accesses the server device 22 from the farm field management terminal device 20, and logs into the server device 22 by inputting a user ID and the like (step S101). In response, the server device 22 transmits an initial screen (step S201). When the operator of the farm field management terminal device 20 presses an operation start button on the initial screen, information to that effect is transmitted to the server device 22 (step S102). The server device 22, upon receiving the information, transmits a request to the farm field management terminal device 20 to determine the current position and the current time at predetermined time intervals (step S202). In response, the farm field management terminal device 20 transmits the current time and the current position to the server device 22 (step S103). The server device records such position data and time data on the hard disk (step S203).

[0064]

The operator presses the operation end button upon completing the operation. The farm field management terminal device 20 transmits information to that effect to the server device 22 (step S104). In response, the server device 16 22 transmits a request for the current position and time (step S204). Then, the farm field management terminal device 20 transmits the current position and time to the server 22 (step S105). The server device 22 records such information (step S205).

[0065]

The server device 22 calculates a decided farm field candidate based on the recorded positions (steps S206 and S207). Such processes are the same as those in steps S6 and S7 of Fig. 4b. The server device 22 transmits the calculated decided farm candidate to the farm field management terminal device 20 (step S208).

[0066]

In response, the farm field management terminal device 20 displays the decided farm field candidate (step S106). A display example is the same as that in Fig. 8. If the operator presses the OK button 50, the farm field management terminal device 20 transmits information to that effect to the server device 22 (steps S107 and S108). In response, the server device 22 sets the decided farm field candidate as the decided farm field (step S209).

[0067]

Meanwhile, if the NG button is pressed in step S107, the farm field management terminal device 20 transmits information to that effect to the server device 22 (step S109). In response, the server device 22 transmits a screen for selecting a farm field to the farm field management terminal device 20 (step S210). When the operator selects a farm field from the screen on the farm field management terminal device 20, the selected farm field is transmitted to the server device 22 as the decided farm field (step SI 10).

[0068]

The server device 22 acquires farm field information on the decided farm field from the hard disk (step S211). Further, the server device 22 generates transport slip data based on the farm field information, and transmits the data to 17 the farm field management terminal device 20 (step S212). The farm field management terminal device 20 prints a transport slip based on the received transport slip data (step Sill). 2014326083 04 Jan 2017 [0069] 2.2 Other Embodiments (1) In the aforementioned embodiments, a request for the current position and the current time is transmitted from the server device 22 side. However, it is also possible to not configure the server device 22 to transmit a request but configure the farm field management terminal device 20 to spontaneously transmit the current position and the current time at predetermined time intervals once the operation start button is pressed. In such a case, however, the farm field management terminal device 20 should also have a program for performing such a process in addition to the browser program.

[0070] (2) In the aforementioned embodiment, the server device 22 is configured to transmit transport slip data to the farm field management terminal device 20. However, instead, alternatively, or additionally, the server device 22 may be configured to transmit transport slip data to a PC in storage or the like via the Internet.

[0071] (3) Other embodiments in the first embodiment are also applicable to the second embodiment.

[0072] Although the present invention has been described as preferred embodiments above, such embodiments should be used not for limiting purposes but for illustration purposes. Thus, the present invention can be changed within the scope of the appended claims and without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0073] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. 18 [0074] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. 2014326083 04 Jan 2017

18A

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A farm field management device comprising: current position acquisition means for acquiring a current position by communicating with a positioning system; user input means for receiving an operation start instruction and an operation end instruction from a user; farm field information acquisition means for accessing a recording unit that has recorded therein farm field information including at least planted crop information in association with position information on a plurality of farm fields, and acquiring, based on the acquired current position, farm field information including position information corresponding to the current position; and output means for outputting the acquired farm field information; wherein the current position acquisition means communicates with the positioning system to acquire and record a plurality of positions at a corresponding plurality of times from an operation start time associated with the operation start instruction to an operation end time associated with the operation end instruction, and wherein the farm field information acquisition means selects a decided farm field candidate from the plurality of farm fields associated with the planted crop information by: (a) calculating a plurality of line segments between ones of the positions recorded at adjacent ones of the recorded times for at least two of the plurality of farm fields associated with the planted crop information; calculating a total length, or a total number of line segments, belonging to each of the at least two farm fields by summing lengths of the lines segments belonging to each farm field, or respectively by summing the number of line segments belonging to each farm field; and selecting one of the at least two farm fields to be the decided farm field candidate by selecting the one associated with the highest total length or the highest total number respectively; or (b) calculating a plurality of time periods between pairs of adjacent ones of the recorded times for at least two of the plurality of farm fields associated with the planted crop information; calculating a total time belonging to each of the at least two farm fields by summing the time periods belonging to each farm field; and selecting one of the at least two farm fields to be the decided farm field candidate by selecting the one associated with the highest total time period, and wherein the farm field information acquisition means acquires the farm field information on the decided farm field candidate.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is provided in the farm field management device.
3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the recording unit is provided in a server device that is accessible from the farm field management device.
4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the output means prints the acquired farm field information.
5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the output means outputs the acquired farm field information to another device.
6. A device for deciding an operation-performed farm field, the device comprising: position acquisition means for acquiring and recording a plurality of positions at a corresponding plurality of times during a moving operation in a farm field by communicating with a positioning system at the predetermined time intervals; farm field identifying means for accessing a recording unit that has recorded therein position information on farm fields, and identifying, based on the plurality of recorded positions, a farm field that has position information corresponding to the positions; and output means for outputting the identified farm field, wherein the farm field identifying means selects a decided farm field candidate from the plurality of farm fields associated with the planted crop information by: (a) calculating a plurality of line segments between ones of the positions recorded at adjacent ones of the recorded times for at least two of the plurality of farm fields associated with the planted crop information; calculating a total length, or a total number of line segments, belonging to each of the at least two farm fields by summing lengths of the lines segments belonging to each farm field, or respectively by summing the number of line segments belonging to each farm field; and selecting one of the at least two farm fields to be the decided farm field candidate by selecting the one associated with the highest total length or the highest total number respectively; or (b) calculating a plurality of time periods between pairs of adjacent ones of the recorded times for at least two of the plurality of farm fields associated with the planted crop information; calculating a total time belonging to each of the at least two farm fields by summing the time periods belonging to each farm field; and selecting one of the at least two farm fields to be the decided farm field candidate by selecting the one associated with the highest total time period, and wherein the farm field information acquisition means acquires the farm field information on the decided farm field candidate.
7. A device for deciding an operation-performed farm field, the device comprising: position acquisition means for acquiring and recording a plurality of positions at a corresponding plurality of times by communicating with a farm field management terminal device at the predetermined time intervals; farm field information acquisition means for accessing a recording unit that has recorded therein farm field information including at least planted crop information in association with position information on farm fields, and acquiring, based on the recorded positions, farm field information including position information corresponding to the positions; and output means for outputting the acquired farm field information; wherein the farm field information acquisition means selects a decided farm field candidate from the plurality of farm fields associated with the planted crop information by: (a) calculating a plurality of line segments between ones of the positions recorded at adjacent ones of the recorded times for at least two of the plurality of farm fields associated with the planted crop information; calculating a total length, or a total number of line segments, belonging to each of the at least two farm fields by summing lengths of the lines segments belonging to each farm field, or respectively by summing the number of line segments belonging to each farm field; and selecting one of the at least two farm fields to be the decided farm field candidate by selecting the one associated with the highest total length or the highest total number respectively; or (b) calculating a plurality of time periods between pairs of adjacent ones of the recorded times for at least two of the plurality of farm fields associated with the planted crop information; calculating a total time belonging to each of the at least two farm fields by summing the time periods belonging to each farm field; and selecting one of the at least two farm fields to be the decided farm field candidate by selecting the one associated with the highest total time period, and wherein the farm field information acquisition means acquires the farm field information on the decided farm field candidate.
8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the times are based on predetermined time intervals.