JP2004172872A - Observation system and growing system using network - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an observation system and a growing system which have simple constitutions, can be reduced in cost, and use a network. <P>SOLUTION: Observation systems 1 and 20 using networks are provided with cameras 2 which photograph objects to be observed, sensors 3 which measure the environmental states around the objects, and device main bodies 4 which transmit image information obtained by means of the cameras 2 and the environmental states measured by means of the sensors 3 to networks 6 and 7. The image information obtained by means of the cameras 2 and the environmental states measured by means of the sensors 3 are displayed at a site built in the Internet. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an observation system and a breeding system using a network in which observation and breeding can be performed on an observation target by relaxing restrictions on time and place.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, when breeding, breeding, and observing animals and plants for the purpose of research and development, researchers and developers (hereinafter referred to as “persons in charge”) are restrained in time and place by this observation target. There was something. For example, when using cross-breeding techniques to develop new varieties of plants, it is necessary to accurately grasp the timing of flowering and pollination, and to artificially adjust the day / night cycle to increase the growth rate. In such cases, it is necessary to constantly observe them at all times. Therefore, research institutes such as universities cooperate with assistants and students in addition to the person in charge. However, even if an assistant or a student who lacks specialized knowledge and experience goes to the site where the animals and plants to be observed are located, it may not be possible to sufficiently cope with any problem. For this reason, after all, the person in charge actually goes to the site. As a result, it was not possible to sufficiently eliminate the trouble and time required for the person in charge.
[0003]
In addition, going to the site on holidays, at night, and even in bad weather was a heavy burden on the person in charge and was inconvenient. In addition, when the site is remote, such burdens and inconveniences increase. On the other hand, since it takes a long time to return to a remote place, there is a problem that it is not possible to go to the site every day while conducting daily research and development activities.
[0004]
On the other hand, various devices have been proposed that allow the breeding, breeding, and observation of objects without the user having to go directly to the site for the purpose of hobbies or education. That is, when the pet is deposited in the facility, the pet is photographed by a camera, and the video information is displayed on a terminal of the owner at home or the like via a communication network by a management server computer. Is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). In addition to this, it is necessary not only to view the image information of the pet, but also to grasp the environmental status of the pet and adjust the breeding environment at the terminal of the owner who is out via the communication network by the management server computer. A known breeding apparatus is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 2). On the other hand, image data obtained by photographing the observation target and environmental data obtained by measuring the environmental conditions in which the observation target is placed are periodically collected, and these data are stored separately for each time. There is known an ecological observation system that allows browsing through a communication line such as the Internet (for example, see Patent Document 3).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-306014 A [Patent Document 2]
JP 2002-315471 A [Patent Document 3]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-281439
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described observation system and breeding apparatus use the management server computer for transmitting and receiving data to and from the communication network, and thus have a disadvantage of high cost. An observation system that stores observation target images and environmental data also stores past data, and thus has a disadvantage that data management is complicated.
[0007]
On the other hand, when an animal or plant to be observed is placed outdoors, the video information from the camera to be observed and the environmental information from the measurement device are transmitted to the place where the person in charge is located on separate signal lines, etc. Played on the device. In addition to this, for example, when the transmission route by wiring cannot be secured due to the cost and terrain, the video information is stored in a video recording device, and the environmental information is stored in another recording device. I was playing and observing. For this reason, there is an inconvenience that it is difficult for a person in charge to associate and grasp both pieces of information. On the other hand, there has been no known device that simultaneously grasps an image of an observation target and an environmental state such as a weather condition at a site where the observation target is located.
[0008]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to provide an observation system and a breeding system using a network that can achieve low cost with a simple configuration.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 includes a camera for photographing an observation target, a sensor for measuring an environmental state in which the observation target is arranged, and image information of the camera and environment information of the sensor. A network-based observation system including a device main body for transmitting to a network, wherein a site constructed on the Internet is configured to display image information acquired by the camera and environmental information acquired by the sensor. It is characterized by.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the apparatus main body includes a communication terminal for connecting to the network, a connection terminal for connecting to the sensor, and a control device having a Web server function. And a built-in camera for photographing the observation object.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the camera is a network camera, and the apparatus main body includes a connection terminal for connecting to the camera, a communication terminal for connecting to the network, and the sensor. , And a control device having a Web server function.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the place where the observation target is arranged is an outdoor, and the weather information of the place where the observation target is arranged is displayed on the display content of the site. Is included.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 5 is the growing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the observation target is an animal or a plant, wherein the apparatus main body adjusts the animal or plant growing condition based on a set condition. And the setting conditions of the controller can be changed from the site.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of an observation system using a network, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main body device of the observation system, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen of the observation system.
[0015]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an example of a plant A whose observation target is grown in an artificial environment will be described. That is, the plant A is housed in the housing room 51 of the artificial weather device 50, and is cultivated under predetermined growing conditions. The artificial weather device 50 is configured to measure the temperature, the humidity, the illuminance, and the CO ² concentration in the accommodation room 51 by a measuring device (not shown), and to set the temperature, the humidity, and the illuminance to predetermined values.
[0016]
The observation system 1 includes a camera 2 for photographing the plant A, a sensor 3 for measuring an environmental state in which the plant A is placed, and a device interposed for transmitting each information from the camera 2 and the sensor 3 to a network. In the first embodiment, the camera 2 is built in the apparatus main body 4, and the sensor 3 is replaced by a measuring device of an artificial weather device 50. That is, the apparatus main body 4 is installed on the artificial weather device 50 so that the photographing range of the camera 2 is directed to the plant A and located near the plant A. The apparatus main body 4 is connected to a premises LAN 5 constructed in a building 52 in which an artificial weather device 50 is placed. The local LAN 5 is connected to the Internet 6 via a gateway (not shown). As described above, the apparatus main body 4 is connected to the Internet 6 via the private LAN 5 and constructs a site on the Internet 6 to provide a service of providing observation information through the site.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus main body 4 has a height of about 20 cm and is formed in a small, roughly rectangular box shape, and the image pickup tube of the camera 2 is provided on the front, and the communication tube for connecting to the network is provided on the side. A terminal 4a, a connection terminal 4b of any of the RS232C standard, the RS422 standard, and the RS485 standard for connecting to the measuring device of the artificial weather device 50, and a power terminal 4c for receiving external power supply are provided. I have. That is, a control device (not shown) having a Web server function is built in the device main body 4, and this control device is communicably connected to the camera 2 and the measurement device via the connection terminal 4b, It is communicably connected to a connection point of the local LAN 5 via a LAN cable connected to the terminal 4a. Therefore, when the device main body 4 receives a predetermined request command via the Internet 6, the image information of the plant A acquired by the built-in camera 2 and the environmental information acquired by the measuring device of the artificial weather device 50 are It can be provided to a command source via the Internet 6.
[0018]
Next, the operation of the observation system 1 configured as described above will be described. The person in charge operates the personal computer 7a at the work place in the building 52, operates the personal computer 7b at home, or operates the mobile phone 7c carried by the person outdoors to connect to the Internet 6. Then, referring to a predetermined site provided by the apparatus main body 4 and browsing a specific page 8 of this site, a screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed. That is, when the specific page 8 is opened, a command for requesting image information and environmental information is transmitted from the device main body 4 to each of the measuring devices of the camera 2 and the artificial weather device 50. The measurement value 8b and the set value 8c indicating the current environmental state where the plant A is placed are returned from each measurement device to the device main body 4 from the current image 8a of the plant A. As a result, an image showing the current state of the plant A, and the respective measured values and set values of the temperature, humidity, illuminance, and CO ² concentration are collectively displayed in the measured value column 8b and the set value column 8c of the specific page 8. Is done. In this way, the latest image information and environmental information of the plant A are presented together, so that the person in charge can easily and accurately observe the plant A using his / her specialized knowledge and experience.
[0019]
As described above, according to the embodiment, the image of the plant A by the camera 2 and the environmental information where the plant A is placed by the sensor 3 are displayed on the site of the Internet 6, so that at any time, the location is not limited. By relaxing the restriction, the person in charge can observe the plant A. That is, the person in charge can observe the plant A from any place where the site can be connected to the Internet 6 that can browse the site, and at any time. In particular, if the person in charge has a portable personal computer or a portable telephone that can be connected to the Internet 6 wirelessly, it is possible to always observe. As a result, the person in charge can concentrate on the research and development work other than the observation work, and the research and development activities can be promoted and activated.
[0020]
On the other hand, the environmental information of the plant A is obtained in advance from the measuring device provided in the artificial weather device 50, and the in-house LAN 5 or the Internet provided in advance as a route for transmitting these images and environmental information to the person in charge. 6, the observation system 1 can be easily constructed, and the cost can be reduced. On the other hand, since the apparatus main body 4 has a built-in Web server function, a dedicated server personal computer is provided to provide these two types of information to the network, and various settings are made. You don't have to. For this reason, cost reduction and simplification of operation management as an apparatus can be achieved.
[0021]
The device for the person in charge to refer to the site may be any information device or communication device having an image display function that can be browsed by connecting to the Internet 6, and may be any of a stationary type and a portable type. . That is, not only a computer and a mobile phone, but also a multifunctional communication device such as a home game machine and a facsimile can be used.
[0022]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, in addition to grasping the state of the plant A without the person in charge going to the site, the environmental conditions of the plant A are similarly changed without the person in charge going to the site. A breeding system 10 that can grow the plant A by adjusting the size is configured. The same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will be simplified.
[0023]
That is, in the breeding system 10, the plant A to be observed is a large plant and is housed in the artificial weather chamber 54 where an environmental test can be performed. The artificial weather chamber 54 is installed in a building different from the building 52 where the staff in charge works, similarly to the livestock barn for breeding large animals such as cows. The breeding system 10 is connected to the network camera 12 arranged in the artificial weather chamber 54, the controllers 13A, 13B, and the controller 13C for adjusting the growing conditions of the plant A such as the temperature in the artificial weather chamber 54. Each of the adjusters 13A and 13B has a sensor 13a and 13b for measuring the environmental state of the plant A, respectively. The apparatus main body 4 is connected to a local LAN of the building 52 via a wireless LAN.
[0024]
The network camera 12 can be directly connected to a network, and has a built-in Web server function of providing camera images on the network by itself without using other devices. The network camera 12 is configured so that its shooting direction can be directed in any direction of up, down, left, and right in response to an operation command via a network. Therefore, in the case where the observation point is no longer within the photographing range due to the growth of the plant A, or when the person in charge wants to observe another part of the plant A, the photographing direction of the network camera 12 is changed according to the operation command. Adjustments can be made in the appropriate direction. Each of the controllers 13A and 13B measures the temperature, humidity, illuminance, and CO ² concentration in the artificial weather chamber 54 using the respective sensors 13a and 13b. Each of the controllers 13A, 13B and 13C issues a control command to a control device (not shown) so as to match each set value set in accordance with each of these environmental conditions. It is configured to adjust temperature, humidity, and illuminance.
[0025]
The breeding system 10 is configured to change the breeding conditions of the plant A, such as temperature and humidity, on a back screen protected by a password or the like, so that only the person in charge can input new set values. That is, when the user is authenticated as an authorized person by inputting a password or the like, a specific page 15 for setting change is displayed as shown in FIG. A setting table 15a in which each set value is set is arranged. Each setting value is changed by inputting a numerical value of each setting value in the setting table 15a. As a result, the temperature, humidity, illuminance, and the like for each time zone in the artificial weather chamber 54 are adjusted to new set values by the adjusters 13A and 13B, and the growing condition of the plant A is changed.
[0026]
Next, the operation of the breeding system 10 configured as described above will be described. That is, when the person in charge refers to the specific page 8 of the site in the same manner as in the above embodiment, the image information and the environmental information of the plant A are displayed on the specific page 8, and the state of the plant A can be grasped. Next, if the person in charge confirms this state and determines that it is necessary, the specific page 15 is displayed through an authentication procedure such as a password, and the temperature, humidity, illuminance and the like of the plant A are set on the specific page 15. Change each setting value. As a result, temperature, humidity (moisture), illuminance, and the like, which are the main growth conditions of the plant A, can be adjusted, so that the plant A can be appropriately grown.
[0027]
As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment, if the person in charge can connect to the Internet 6 where the site can be browsed without directly visiting the site, However, the person in charge can grasp the state of the plant A at any time and change the environmental condition of the plant A to grow the plant A based on the grasp of the state.
[0028]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, an example will be described in which a plant A to be observed is placed outdoors and a place B where the plant A is placed is a remote place such as a mountain area. That is, a place where it takes a long time to go to the place B from the research institute 56 where the person in charge conducts research is set as a remote place. Further, in this embodiment, weather information is displayed as environment information of the place in association with the image information. The same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will be simplified.
[0029]
That is, the observation device 21, which is composed of the camera 2, the sensor 3, and the device main body 4 and can operate outdoors, is installed at the place B where the plant A is arranged. The observation device 21 is supplied with an operating current from a secondary power source such as a battery (not shown) or a solar cell, and operates without depending on an external power source. The apparatus main body 4 is connected to the premises LAN 5 in the laboratory 56 via the wireless LAN 25. That is, the device main body 4 is connected to a wireless communication device (not shown) to form one wireless base station, and a wireless communication device (not shown) installed in the laboratory 56 is connected to the local LAN 5 and the other wireless base station is connected to the local LAN 5. These two wireless base stations are connected by a dedicated wireless line, and a wireless LAN 25 is constructed. This private LAN 5 is connected to the Internet 6. Therefore, the image information of the camera 2 and the weather information of the sensor 3 can be transmitted by the apparatus main body 4 to the Internet 6 via the wireless LAN 25 and the local LAN 5 sequentially. The sensor 3 is configured to collect and transmit the weather information of the place B as the environmental information of the plant A.
[0030]
As described above, according to the third embodiment, since the device main body 4 is connected to the wireless communication device and the communication path to the connection point of the Internet 6 such as the laboratory 56 is secured by the wireless line 25, the observation Even in the case where the target plant A is located in a remote place outdoors, the person in charge can observe the plant A without going to the site in the same manner as in the above embodiment.
[0031]
In each of the above embodiments, an example in which the plant A is the observation target has been described. However, examples of the plant to be observed include crops, vegetables, flowers, fruit trees, tea, mulberry, and forest trees. Animals are not limited to experimental animals, and include livestock and fisheries animals, insects, and the like. In addition, the observation systems 1 and 20 can be used for the following various applications. In other words, monitoring of the environment and ecology in the open air, monitoring of various important experimental equipment, internal observation of equipment installed away from the laboratory of the person in charge, assistants based on observation checks of such equipment Used for instruction and guidance of students and students, hospitalization with patients being observed, and care for severely ill patients at home, including psychological aspects, especially communication between young and elderly inpatients and their families. May be. For example, when an animal housed in an animal breeding room is targeted for observation, it is necessary not only to observe the animal, but also to add information on the feeding device that feeds food and beverages corresponding to this animal to the environmental information and add the information to the specific page. 8 and furthermore, an animal breeding system may be configured to operate or change the operation of the feeding device by an operation input from a specific page 15 protected by security means such as password authentication. .
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention is as described above, and according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to observe an observation target at an arbitrary point in time and with relaxed locational restrictions. In other words, since the image of the object to be observed by the camera and the environmental information of the object to be observed by the sensor are displayed on the Internet site, the site can be browsed from anywhere and at any time as long as it can be connected to the Internet. The person in charge can observe the observation target. In particular, if the person in charge has a portable personal computer or a mobile phone that can be connected to the Internet wirelessly, it is possible to always observe. For this reason, time and place constraints on the observation target are greatly reduced. As a result, the person in charge can concentrate on research and development work other than the observation work. When a plurality of persons, such as industry, academia and government, perform such work jointly, observation information can be shared among these persons, so that convenience can be improved and work efficiency can be promoted. Furthermore, when the person in charge makes a presentation at a conference or the like, the image and environmental information of the actual observation target can be presented at the place of presentation, so that the presentation can be made with enhanced expressiveness and proof.
[0033]
In addition, since the device body with a network control device is used to connect the camera and sensor to the Internet, and the management server personal computer is not used, the configuration of the device is simplified and cost reduction is achieved. it can. On the other hand, since the image of the observation target and the environmental information are displayed when browsing the site, management of such information can be simplified.
[0034]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the camera is built in the apparatus main body, it is possible to use a dedicated camera according to the characteristics of the observation target and the observation conditions. That is, the camera image quality can be made high or moderately low according to the observation target, and the observation result can be improved or the cost can be reduced. On the other hand, since the camera is integrated with the apparatus main body, the installation space can be reduced as a whole. The connection work between the camera and the apparatus main body becomes unnecessary, and the installation work of the camera can be simplified.
[0035]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the camera is a network camera, high affinity with the Internet can be ensured. That is, an operation command to the camera can be transmitted directly to the camera via the network and controlled. It is not necessary to convert analog image information output from a camera into digital data or convert it into communication standard data for the Internet as in the related art. As a result, the configuration is simplified, and the reliability can be improved. On the other hand, since a commercially available general Web camera can be used, the range of options can be expanded, the development cost of a dedicated camera can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.
[0036]
According to the invention of claim 4, since the weather information of the outdoor place where the observation target is arranged is included in the display contents of the site, the observation contents can be enriched and the observation target can be understood more deeply. Becomes possible. On the other hand, it is possible to predict the weather of the place to be observed. For this reason, it is possible to estimate how much the observation target is affected by the weather, and it is possible to accurately determine the necessity of the person in charge or the like to go directly to the place. Therefore, especially when the above-mentioned place is a remote place, the opportunity for the person in charge to go wastefully can be reduced. As a result, the observation work can be efficiently performed, and the observation plan can be accurately made.
[0037]
According to the invention of claim 5, the device main body is connected to the controller for adjusting the condition for growing animals and plants, and the setting of the controller can be changed from the Internet site, so that the convenience can be further improved. it can. In other words, the person in charge can grasp the state of the flora and fauna and change the breeding conditions at any time and from any place where the person in charge can browse the site without visiting the site. Can be. For this reason, the person in charge of the breeding of animals and plants can be handled in detail. Therefore, it is possible to stably grow delicate animals and plants or animals and plants having special growing conditions. As a result, a wider range of animals and plants can be selected as observation targets, and research and development methods can be diversified and research content can be enhanced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention and illustrating an overall configuration of an observation system.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the apparatus main body of the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an observation screen obtained according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention and illustrating an overall configuration of a breeding system.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a setting change screen for raising conditions according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention and illustrating an overall configuration of an observation system.
[Explanation of symbols]
1,20 Observation system 2 Built-in camera 3 Sensor 4 Device main body 5 Premise LAN 6 Internet 7a PC at work 7b PC at home 7c Mobile phone 8 Specific page 8a for observation display 8a Image 8b Display column 8c of measured value Display of set value Column 10 Training system 12 Network camera 15 Specific page 15a for setting change Setting table for each set value 25 Wireless LAN
Reference Signs List 50 artificial weather device 51 artificial weather device accommodation room 52 building where artificial weather device is placed 54 artificial weather room 56 research institute A plant to be observed B outdoor place where observation target is placed

Claims (5)

A network-based observation system including a camera for photographing an observation target, a sensor for measuring an environmental state in which the observation target is arranged, and a device main body for transmitting image information of the camera and environmental information of the sensor to the network. And
An observation system using a network, wherein image information acquired by the camera and environmental information acquired by the sensor are displayed on a site constructed on the Internet. The device body has a communication terminal for connecting to the network, a connection terminal for connecting to the sensor, and a control device having a Web server function, and has a built-in camera for photographing the observation target. The network-based observation system according to claim 1, wherein The camera is a network camera,
The device body includes a connection terminal for connecting to the camera, a communication terminal for connecting to the network, a connection terminal for connecting to the sensor, and a control device having a Web server function. The network-based observation system according to claim 1, wherein The place where the observation target is arranged is an outdoor,
The observation system using a network according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display content of the site includes weather information of a place where the observation target is arranged. The observation target is a flora and fauna, the device body is connected to a regulator that adjusts the growing conditions of the flora and fauna based on set conditions,
The breeding system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a setting condition of the controller can be changed from the site.

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