JP2017062267A - Moisture state measuring apparatus, moisture state measuring method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a moisture state measuring apparatus, etc. capable of measuring a moisture state in soil stored in a container.SOLUTION: A moisture state measuring apparatus 1 includes a moisture content sensor 110, a draining sensor 120, and a moisture state acquisition unit 133. The moisture content sensor 110 outputs an output value corresponding to moisture content contained in soil stored in a container having a drain hole. The draining sensor 120 detects moisture discharged from the drain hole. The moisture state acquisition unit 133 acquires moisture state information indicating a moisture state in the soil at the present time on the basis of an output value of the moisture content sensor 110 at the time of detection of the moisture by the draining sensor 120 and an output value of the moisture content sensor 110 at the present time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a moisture state measuring device, a moisture state measuring method, and a program for deriving the moisture state of soil.

  Examples of methods for measuring the amount of water in the soil include an ADR method (Amplitude Domain Reflexometry Method) and a TDR method (Time Domain Reflexometry Method). These methods use the property that the dielectric constant increases as the moisture content in the soil increases, and the moisture content in the soil is measured by electrically measuring the dielectric constant. In addition, as a method of measuring the moisture content in the soil, it has a plurality of electrodes that can be inserted into the soil for plant growth, and by measuring the electrical resistance value between these electrodes, the moisture content is measured, There is a moisture content monitoring device that sounds an alarm when the moisture content falls below a set limit level (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 2608679

  However, in the method of measuring the moisture content from the dielectric constant described in Patent Document 1 or the like, even if the volumetric moisture content is the same, the dielectric constant is different if the soil itself is different, and therefore different measurement results are obtained. End up. Therefore, depending on the soil, the amount of water cannot be measured accurately, so that it is difficult to sufficiently manage the water state in the soil.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a moisture state measuring device, a moisture state measuring method, and a program capable of deriving the moisture state of soil contained in a container. And

In order to achieve the above object, a moisture state measuring device according to the present invention includes a moisture sensor that obtains an output value corresponding to the amount of moisture contained in soil contained in a container having a drain hole, A drainage sensor for detecting moisture discharge, and a moisture state derivation for deriving moisture state information representing the moisture state of the soil based on the output value acquired by the moisture sensor and the detection of moisture discharge by the drainage sensor And a transmitter for transmitting the moisture state information derived by the moisture state deriving unit to the outside.
In order to achieve the above object, a moisture state measuring method according to the present invention includes an acquisition step of acquiring an output value corresponding to the amount of moisture contained in soil contained in a container having a drain hole, and moisture from the drain hole. A drainage detection step for detecting the discharge of water, and a moisture state derivation step for deriving moisture state information representing the moisture state of the soil based on the output value acquired by the acquisition step and the detection of moisture discharge by the drainage detection step And transmitting the moisture state information derived in the moisture deriving step to the outside.
In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the present invention provides a computer having a moisture sensor and a drain sensor, and an output value corresponding to the moisture contained in soil contained in a container having a drain hole in the moisture sensor. A means for obtaining the water content of the soil based on the output value obtained by the moisture amount sensor and the detection of the moisture discharge by the drain sensor. It is made to function as a means to derive | lead-out the moisture state information which represents, and a means to transmit the derived | led-out moisture state information to the exterior.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the moisture state of the soil accommodated in the container can be derived | led-out.

It is a figure showing the usage example of the moisture condition measuring apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram showing the hardware structural example of the moisture state measuring apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure showing the relationship between the voltage value which a moisture content sensor outputs, and the moisture content per unit volume contained in soil. It is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the control part of the moisture condition measuring apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the moisture condition measurement process which the control part of the moisture condition measuring apparatus which concerns on embodiment performs. (A) is a figure showing the relationship between the voltage value output from the moisture content sensor, and a moisture state coefficient, (b) is a figure showing an example of the moisture state information displayed on the display part of a communication terminal device. . (A) And (b) is a figure showing an example of the moisture state information displayed on the display part of a communication terminal device. It is a figure which shows an example of a classification threshold value table.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a usage example of a moisture state measuring apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  In the usage example shown in FIG. 1, the moisture state measuring apparatus 1 measures the moisture state of the soil 21 accommodated in the pot 2. Then, the moisture state measuring device 1 transmits information representing the measured moisture state (moisture state information) to the communication terminal device 3. Then, the communication terminal device 3 displays an image representing the received moisture state information on the display unit 31.

  The moisture state measuring apparatus 1 includes a main body unit 100 and a drainage sensor 120 connected to the main body unit 100 through a wiring 200 so as to be communicable. The main body 100 acquires moisture state information based on the output values of the moisture sensor 110 (see FIG. 2) having the electrode 111 inserted into the soil 21 and the drainage sensor 120, and sends it to the communication terminal device 3. Send. The detailed configuration and operation of the moisture state measuring apparatus 1 will be described later.

  The pot 2 is a container for storing the soil 21 in which the plant 22 is grown. Specifically, the bowl 2 has a side wall and a bottom surface, and is configured in a shape where the upper part is opened. The bowl 2 has a plurality of drain holes 23 on the bottom surface thereof. Moisture poured from above the soil 21 passes through the soil 21 and is discharged from the drain hole 23 to the outside.

  In addition, a tray 24 is provided below the bowl 2. The tray 24 can store moisture discharged from the drain hole 23 of the bowl 2 within a range not exceeding the height of the side wall.

  The communication terminal device 3 is a terminal device capable of communicating with the moisture state measuring device 1 and is composed of a terminal device such as a mobile phone, for example. The communication terminal device 3 includes a display unit 31 and displays the moisture state information received from the moisture state measuring device 1. The communication terminal device 3 includes an input unit (not shown) such as a touch panel, a button, and a key, receives input from the user, and transmits the received information to the moisture state measuring device 1.

  Next, a hardware configuration of the moisture state measuring apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a hardware configuration example of the moisture state measuring apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the moisture state measuring apparatus 1 includes a moisture sensor 110, a drainage sensor 120, a control unit 130, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 140, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 150, and a communication unit. 160 and an operation unit 170. In addition, the moisture sensor 110, the control unit 130, the ROM 140, the RAM 150, the communication unit 160, and the operation unit 170 constitute the main body unit 100.

  The moisture amount sensor 110 is a sensor that outputs an output value corresponding to the amount of moisture contained in the soil 21. As the moisture sensor 110, for example, a general moisture sensor using the ADR method can be used. The moisture sensor 110 has an electrode 111 (see FIG. 1) that is inserted into the soil 21. Then, the moisture sensor 110 detects a voltage value corresponding to the moisture content in the soil 21 as an output value, and inputs it to the control unit 130.

  Here, the relationship between the voltage value output from the moisture sensor 110 and the amount of moisture contained in the soil will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the voltage value output from the moisture sensor 110 and the moisture content per unit volume contained in the soil. In addition, in FIG. 3, the relationship between the voltage value and moisture content in two soil A and B from which the component which comprises soil differs is shown. As shown in FIG. 3, in any soil A and B, the detected voltage value increases linearly as the amount of water increases. Thus, the moisture sensor 110 according to the present embodiment outputs a voltage value that is linearly related to the moisture content contained in the soil.

  The drainage sensor 120 is a sensor that detects moisture discharged from the drainage hole 23. The drainage sensor 120 is composed of, for example, a general water leakage sensor. The drainage sensor 120 is provided in the tray 24 and detects the moisture discharged from the drainage hole 23 by detecting the moisture accumulated in the tray 24. Specifically, the drainage sensor 120 has electrodes (not shown), and outputs a voltage value between the electrodes to the control unit 130. The controller 130 detects moisture in the tray 24 based on the output value from the drainage sensor 120. The drainage sensor 120 is not limited to the water leakage sensor, and any sensor can be applied as long as it can detect moisture in the tray 24.

  The control unit 130 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and performs overall control of the moisture state measuring apparatus 1.

  The ROM 140 is a non-volatile memory that stores programs and data for the control unit 130 to control the entire moisture state measuring apparatus 1. For example, the ROM 140 stores a program for the control unit 130 to execute a moisture state measurement process described later.

  The RAM 150 is composed of a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory. The control unit 130 loads a program stored in the ROM 140 into the RAM 150 and uses it as a work area.

  The communication unit 160 includes, for example, a wireless communication unit or the like, and connects to a predetermined network as necessary to communicate with the communication terminal device 3.

  The operation unit 170 includes an input device such as a button for operating the moisture state measuring device 1. For example, the operation unit 170 receives an input operation for starting the measurement of the moisture state from the user, and inputs the input operation to the control unit 130.

  Next, a functional configuration of the control unit 130 of the moisture state measuring apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the control unit 130 of the moisture state measuring apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the control unit 130 functions as a moisture amount acquisition unit 131, a drainage detection unit 132, a moisture state acquisition unit 133, and a notification control unit 134.

  The moisture amount acquisition unit 131 acquires an output value corresponding to the amount of moisture contained in the soil 21 from the moisture amount sensor 110. Specifically, the water content acquisition unit 131 acquires the voltage value detected by the water content sensor 110 every predetermined time.

  The drainage detection unit 132 detects moisture discharged from the drainage hole 23 based on the output value from the drainage sensor 120. Specifically, the drainage detection unit 132 acquires the voltage value detected by the drainage sensor 120 every predetermined time. And the waste_water | drain detection part 132 determines whether a water | moisture content was detected based on the acquired voltage value.

  The moisture state acquisition unit 133 determines the moisture state in the soil 21 at the present time based on the output value of the moisture amount sensor 110 at the time when the moisture is detected by the drainage sensor 120 and the output value of the moisture amount sensor 110 at the present time. The moisture state information to be represented is acquired.

  Here, in this embodiment, the moisture state acquisition unit 133 sets the state of the soil 21 as 0 as the moisture state information, and sets the state of the soil 21 at the time when the moisture is discharged from the drain hole 23 as 100. The moisture state coefficient θ indicated by the degree is acquired.

Next, an example of a method for obtaining the moisture state coefficient θ by the moisture state obtaining unit 133 will be specifically described. The voltage value acquired by the water content acquisition unit 131 at a certain time t is V (t), the voltage value acquired by the water content acquisition unit 131 when the water content is detected by the drainage detection unit 132 is Vf, and the soil is dry. If the voltage value output from the moisture sensor 110 in the running state is Vo, the moisture state coefficient θ (t) at time t is expressed by the following equation (1).

  Here, Vo is a voltage value measured by the moisture sensor 110 in the soil 21 or other soils in a dry state, and is stored in the ROM 140 in advance. In addition, it is considered that the relative permittivity of soil in a completely dry state is small, and variation due to soil properties and the like is small. Therefore, even if the voltage value measured by the moisture sensor 110 in standard soil in a dry state is set in advance as Vo, it is measured by the moisture sensor 110 in the soil 21 in a dry state. Compared with the case where the measured voltage value is set as Vo, the calculated moisture state coefficient θ is not significantly different, and can be used for calculating the moisture state coefficient θ in the present embodiment.

  The notification control unit 134 transmits the moisture state information acquired by the moisture state acquisition unit 133 to the communication terminal device 3 (see FIG. 1) through the communication unit 160. The transmitted moisture state information is displayed on the display unit 31.

Next, operation | movement of the moisture condition measuring apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to drawings. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the moisture state measurement process executed by the control unit 130 of the moisture state measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment.
This moisture state measurement process is stored in advance as a program in the ROM 140 described above, and the actual process is performed by the controller 130 reading and executing the program.

  For example, the control unit 130 of the moisture state measuring apparatus 1 starts the moisture state measurement process illustrated in FIG. 5 when the user operates the operation unit 170.

  First, the moisture state acquisition unit 133 substitutes an initial value for Vf (step S11). It is assumed that the initial value to be substituted is stored in the ROM 140 in advance, for example.

  Next, the water content acquisition unit 131 acquires the voltage value V (t) from the water content sensor 110 every predetermined time (step S12). Then, the moisture amount acquisition unit 131 stores the acquired voltage value V (t) in the RAM 150, for example.

  Next, the drainage detection unit 132 determines whether moisture discharged from the drainage hole 23 has been detected based on the voltage value acquired from the drainage sensor 120 (step S13). When it determines with the water | moisture content not detected (step S13; No), the waste_water | drain detection part 132 advances a process to step S15.

  When it determines with the water | moisture content having been detected (step S13; Yes), the water | moisture-content acquisition part 133 acquires V (t) acquired when it determined with the water | moisture content being detected as Vf (step S14). Specifically, the moisture state acquisition unit 133 acquires, as Vf, the latest voltage value V (t) acquired by the moisture amount acquisition unit 131 when the drainage detection unit 132 determines that there is moisture from the RAM 150. To do.

  Next, the moisture state acquisition unit 133 uses the equation (1) from the latest voltage values V (t), Vf, and Vo acquired by the moisture amount acquisition unit 131 at the present time to determine the current moisture state coefficient θ (t ) Is acquired (step S15).

  Next, the notification control unit 134 transmits θ (t) acquired in step S15 to the communication terminal device 3 via the communication unit 160 (step S16). Then, the process returns to step S12.

  The control unit 130 repeatedly executes the processes in steps S12 to S16 described above. For example, when the control unit 130 receives an input indicating the end of the moisture state measurement process from the user via the operation unit 170, the control unit 130 ends the moisture state measurement process.

  Here, the moisture state information displayed on the communication terminal device 3 will be described. 6A is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the voltage value V output from the moisture sensor 110 and the moisture state coefficient θ, and FIG. 6B is moisture state information displayed on the display unit 31 of the communication terminal device 3. It is a figure showing an example.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the moisture state coefficient θ is a value that varies linearly with respect to the voltage value V. When the voltage value V is Vo, the moisture state coefficient θ is 0 and the voltage value V is When the voltage value is Vf, the moisture state coefficient θ is 100. As an example, the moisture state coefficient θ is represented as a bar graph as shown in FIG. That is, when the voltage value at time t is V (t), and the acquired coefficient θ is θ (t), a bar having a height corresponding to the magnitude of θ (t) (FIG. 6B). (Shaded part of). With such a display, the user can easily grasp the moisture state of the soil 21 at the present time. Note that the display mode of the moisture state information is not limited to this, and for example, the numerical value of the moisture state coefficient θ may be displayed.

  According to the moisture state measuring apparatus 1 configured as described above, the current value with respect to the output value of the moisture amount sensor 110 when the moisture detected from the drain hole 23 by the drain sensor 120 is detected as the moisture state information. A moisture state coefficient θ that is a ratio of the output value of the moisture amount sensor is acquired. Therefore, the moisture state in arbitrary soil can be measured.

  That is, in general, as a basis for watering, “provide plenty of water when the soil is dry” is a watering method that is common to most houseplants. Here, “plentiful” means that water leaks from the bottom of the bowl. This is because by supplying this amount of water, fresh air can be introduced into the soil. In the present embodiment, the water state information is acquired by setting the water amount at the time when water leaks from the pot 2 in which the plant 22 to be watered is planted to a state where the water state is “sufficient”. Therefore, the moisture state can be measured regardless of the type of soil.

  In general, soil properties change over time. In this embodiment, since Vf is updated each time watering is performed (see step S14 in FIG. 5), moisture state information reflecting the properties of the soil 21 at the time of measurement can be acquired.

(Modification 1)
In the moisture state measurement device 1 according to the above embodiment, the notification control unit 134 transmits the moisture state information acquired by the moisture state acquisition unit 133 to the communication terminal device 3 and displays it on the display unit 31. Informs the user of moisture state information. However, the means for notifying the moisture state information is not limited to the display unit 31, and any notifying means can be applied.

  For example, the moisture state measuring apparatus 1 may include a display unit such as a liquid crystal display as means for notifying moisture state information. In this case, the notification control unit 134 can notify the moisture state information by causing the display unit included in the moisture state measuring device 1 to display the moisture state information.

  Further, for example, the moisture state measuring apparatus 1 may include an audio output unit such as a speaker and a buzzer as means for notifying moisture state information. In this case, the notification control unit 134 can notify the moisture state information by controlling the sound output unit to output the moisture state information as a sound.

  In addition, for example, the moisture state measuring device 1 may include a light emitting unit such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) as means for notifying moisture state information. In this case, the notification control unit 134 can notify the moisture state information by controlling lighting / extinction of the light emitting unit, emission color / emission intensity, and the like according to the moisture state information.

  In addition, the moisture state measuring device 1 itself does not have to include a notification unit such as the voice output unit or the light emitting unit described above. For example, the notification control unit 134 may transmit the moisture state information to the communication terminal device 3 including an audio output unit and a light emitting unit. In this case, the moisture status information can be notified by the audio output unit or the light emitting unit of the communication terminal device 3.

(Modification 2)
Moreover, in said embodiment and the modification 1, the alerting | reporting control part 134 alert | reports the moisture condition information acquired by the moisture condition acquisition part 133. FIG. However, the content and timing notified by the notification control unit 134 are not limited to this. For example, the notification control unit 134 includes notification means provided in the moisture state measuring device 1 or the communication terminal device 3 so as to notify that the moisture state of the soil 21 is sufficient when the drainage sensor 120 detects the drainage. You may control. As described above, when the drainage sensor 120 detects the discharge of moisture, the user who is watering the plant 22 can be notified that the moisture state of the soil 21 is in a sufficient state. Excess water supply can be prevented.

(Modification 3)
In addition, the notification control unit 134 is configured so that the moisture state represented by the moisture state information acquired by the moisture state acquisition unit 133 is a moisture state in the soil (hereinafter, “appropriate moisture state”) at a timing suitable for watering the soil 21. In the case where the water content is higher than that), it may be notified that watering the soil 21 is prohibited. In addition, the notification control unit 134 notifies that the soil 21 is encouraged to be watered when the moisture state represented by the moisture state information acquired by the moisture state acquisition unit 133 is less moisture than the appropriate moisture state. May be.

  Specifically, the moisture state measuring apparatus 1 stores a threshold value θth representing an appropriate moisture state in advance in the ROM 140, for example. And the alerting | reporting control part 134 alert | reports that watering to the soil 21 is prohibited, when the moisture state coefficient (theta) acquired by the moisture state acquisition part 133 is more than threshold value (theta) th. In addition, the notification control unit 134 notifies that the soil 21 is watered when the moisture state coefficient θ acquired by the moisture state acquisition unit 133 is lower than the threshold value θth.

  As a specific example of the notification mode, an example of moisture state information displayed on the display unit 31 is shown in FIGS. The moisture state information shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B is represented as a bar graph C having a height corresponding to the magnitude of the moisture state coefficient θ. In addition, the region D in which the bar graph C is displayed includes a partial region D1 corresponding to θth ≦ θ ≦ 100 and a portion corresponding to 0 ≦ θ ≦ θth, with a height position corresponding to the threshold θth as a boundary. It is divided into a region D2. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the tip of the bar graph C is located in the partial region D1, the display unit 31 displays that watering the soil 21 is prohibited. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, when the tip of the bar graph C is located in the partial region D <b> 2, the display unit 31 displays that the soil 21 is watered. With such a display, the user can easily determine the timing of watering the soil 21.

  As mentioned above, the reason for giving water “when the soil is dry” is that if the pot is always in a damp state, the roots will not be able to breathe and will rot. Because it will wither. However, it is difficult for a beginner who is not accustomed to plant growth to determine whether or not it is in a dry state. For such a problem, in the moisture state measuring apparatus 1 according to the present modification, a threshold value θth indicating an appropriate moisture state is set in advance, and watering is performed based on the threshold value θth and the current moisture state coefficient θ. Informs that it is prohibited or encourages watering. Therefore, the user can easily determine whether or not the soil 21 is in a dry state, that is, whether or not the timing is suitable for watering.

(Modification 4)
In said modification 3, the water | moisture-content measuring device 1 may memorize | store the classification threshold value showing the suitable moisture state of the soil which grows the plant of that kind for every kind of plant in ROM140, for example.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the type threshold value table stored in the ROM 140. The threshold value table classified by plant type shown in FIG. 8 stores, for each type of plant, a type threshold value representing an appropriate moisture state of the soil in which the type of plant is grown. For example, when the type of plant is “Monstera”, “θth-m” that is a type threshold value indicating the appropriate moisture state of the soil in which “Monstera” is grown is stored in association with “Monstera”.

  In this case, the user selects the type of plant corresponding to the plant 22 grown in the soil 21 from the type threshold table. And the alerting | reporting control part 134 specifies the classification threshold value corresponding to the kind of selected plant from a classification threshold value table. And the alerting | reporting control part 134 alert | reports to the effect of prohibiting watering or urge | promoting watering like the modification 3 by making the specified type | mold threshold value into threshold value (th) th. Thereby, it can be notified that watering is prohibited or watering is promoted at a timing suitable for the plant 22 actually grown in the soil 21.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention and its modification were demonstrated, this invention is not limited by said embodiment and its modification.

  For example, the drainage sensor 120 is provided in the tray 24 and detects moisture discharged from the drainage hole 23 by detecting moisture accumulated in the tray 24, but the position where the drainage sensor 120 is provided is limited to this. I can't. For example, when the tray 24 is not provided below the bowl 2, the drainage sensor 120 may be provided at the edge of the drainage hole 23, and if the water discharged from the drainage hole 23 can be detected, the drainage sensor The position where 120 is provided is arbitrary.

In the above-described embodiment and modification, the example in which the moisture state coefficient θ is acquired as the moisture state information representing the moisture state of the soil 21 has been described. However, the representation mode of the moisture state is not limited thereto. If the moisture state of the soil 21 at the present time is an aspect expressed as a comparison between the output value of the moisture amount sensor when the moisture is detected by the drainage sensor 120 and the output value of the moisture amount sensor at the present time, it is arbitrary. It can be expressed in the form of
In addition, the voltage value acquired by the water content acquisition unit 131 at the time when the water content is detected by the drainage detection unit 132 is Vf, but after the water content is detected by the drainage detection unit 132, the water content acquisition unit is several seconds later. The voltage value acquired by 131 may be Vf.

  Moreover, the moisture state measuring apparatus 1 according to the present invention can be realized by using a normal computer system without using a dedicated apparatus. For example, a program for executing the above operation is stored in a computer-readable recording medium (CD-ROM, MO, etc.) and distributed to a computer connected to a network, and the program is distributed to the computer system. You may comprise the moisture state measuring apparatus 1 which performs the above-mentioned process by installing.

  Further, the method for providing the program to the computer is arbitrary. For example, the program may be uploaded to a bulletin board (BBS) on a communication line and distributed to a computer via the communication line. The program may be transmitted by a modulated wave obtained by modulating a carrier wave with a signal representing the program, and a device that receives the modulated wave may demodulate the modulated wave to restore the program. Then, the computer activates this program and executes it in the same manner as other applications under the control of the OS. Thereby, a computer functions as the moisture state measuring apparatus 1 which performs the above-mentioned process.

  A part or all of the above-described embodiment can be described as in the following supplementary notes, but is not limited thereto.

(Appendix 1)
A moisture sensor for measuring an output value according to the amount of moisture contained in the soil contained in a container having a drain hole;
A drainage sensor for detecting moisture discharged from the drainage hole;
A moisture state acquisition unit for acquiring moisture state information representing the moisture state of the soil based on the moisture amount sensor and the drainage sensor;
A moisture state measuring device comprising:

(Appendix 2)
The moisture status acquisition unit acquires moisture status information representing the moisture status in the soil at the current time based on the output value at the time when moisture is detected by the drainage sensor and the output value at the current time.
The apparatus for measuring a moisture state according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein:

(Appendix 3)
The moisture state acquisition unit acquires, as the moisture state information, a ratio of the output value at the present time to the output value at the time when moisture is detected by the drainage sensor.
The moisture state measuring apparatus according to supplementary note 2, characterized by:

(Appendix 4)
The moisture state acquisition unit is configured to output the output value at a current time with respect to a difference between the output value when moisture is detected by the drainage sensor and a predetermined output value output by the moisture amount sensor when the soil is dry. And the ratio of the difference between the predetermined output value is acquired as the moisture state information.
The moisture state measuring apparatus according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein

(Appendix 5)
A notification control unit that controls the notification unit to notify the moisture state information acquired by the moisture state acquisition unit;
The moisture state measuring apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, characterized in that:

(Appendix 6)
The notification control unit performs control to notify the notification unit that the moisture state of the soil is sufficient when moisture is detected by the drainage sensor.
The apparatus for measuring moisture state according to Supplementary Note 5, wherein

(Appendix 7)
When the notification control unit determines that the value of the moisture state represented by the moisture state information is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, the notification control unit performs control to notify the notification unit that watering to the soil is prohibited. Do,
The moisture state measuring device according to appendix 5 or 6, characterized in that.

(Appendix 8)
When the notification control unit determines that the value of the moisture state represented by the moisture state information is lower than the predetermined threshold value, the notification control unit notifies the notification unit that watering the soil is promoted. I do,
The apparatus for measuring moisture state according to appendix 7, characterized in that.

(Appendix 9)
For each type of plant, further comprising a storage unit that associates and stores a type threshold value representing a moisture state in the soil at a timing suitable for watering the soil for growing the type of plant,
The notification control unit specifies the type threshold corresponding to the type of plant selected by the user from the storage unit, and uses the specified type threshold as the predetermined threshold.
The moisture state measuring device according to appendix 7 or 8, characterized in that.

(Appendix 10)
A measurement step of measuring an output value according to the amount of water contained in soil contained in a container having a drain hole, a drainage detection step of detecting moisture discharged from the drain hole,
A moisture state measurement method comprising: a moisture state acquisition step of acquiring moisture state information representing the moisture state of the soil based on the measurement step and the drainage detection step.

(Appendix 11)
A computer having a moisture sensor and a drainage sensor;
Means for measuring an output value according to the amount of water contained in soil contained in a container having a drain hole in the moisture sensor;
Means for causing the drainage sensor to detect moisture discharged from the drainage hole;
Means for acquiring moisture state information representing the moisture state of the soil based on the moisture amount sensor and the drainage sensor;
A program characterized by functioning as

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Moisture state measuring apparatus, 100 ... Main body part, 110 ... Water content sensor, 111 ... Electrode, 120 ... Drain sensor, 130 ... Control part, 131 ... Water content acquisition part, 132 ... Waste water detection part, 133 ... Water state acquisition Part, 134 ... notification control part, 140 ... ROM, 150 ... RAM, 160 ... communication part, 170 ... operation part, 200 ... wiring, 2 ... pot, 21 ... soil, 22 ... plant, 23 ... drainage hole, 24 ... saucer 3 ... Communication terminal device, 31 ... Display unit

To achieve the pre-Symbol purpose, one aspect of the moisture measuring apparatus according to the present invention, a moisture content sensor for obtaining an output value according to the amount of moisture contained in the soil, detects the discharge of water from the soil The drainage sensor, and the output value at the time when the water discharge is detected by the drainage sensor, and based on the obtained output value and the output value at an arbitrary time point, at the arbitrary time point and moisture state deriving unit that derives a moisture status information representative of the moisture status of the soil, Ru provided with, characterized in that.
In order to achieve the pre-Symbol purpose, one aspect of the moisture status measuring method according to the present invention includes an acquisition step of acquiring an output value according to the amount of moisture contained in the soil, the discharge of water from the soil The waste water detection step to detect, the output value at the time when the discharge of the moisture is detected, and the soil at the arbitrary time based on the obtained output value and the output value at an arbitrary time A moisture state deriving step for deriving moisture state information representing the moisture state of
It is characterized by including .
In order to achieve the pre-Symbol purpose, one aspect of a program according to the present invention, a computer moisture measuring apparatus having a waste water sensor and the water content sensor, the water content of the soil to the water content sensor Means for acquiring a corresponding output value, means for causing the drainage sensor to detect the discharge of moisture from the soil , obtaining the output value when the drainage sensor detects the discharge of moisture, and obtaining the output based on said output value at any point in time and the output value, means for deriving the moisture status information representative of the moisture status of the soil in the any time, and to Ru to function, characterized in that.

RAM150 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as flash memory. The control unit 130 loads a program stored in the ROM 140 into the RAM 150 and uses it as a work area.

Next, the notification control unit 134 transmits the moisture state coefficient θ (t) acquired in step S15 to the communication terminal device 3 via the communication unit 160 (step S16). Then, the process returns to step S12.

Here, the moisture state information displayed on the communication terminal device 3 will be described. 6A is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the voltage value V output from the moisture sensor 110 and the moisture state coefficient θ, and FIG . 6B is an example of moisture state information displayed on the display unit 31 of the communication terminal device 3. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the moisture state coefficient θ is a value that varies linearly with respect to the voltage value V. When the voltage value V is Vo, the moisture state coefficient θ is 0, and the voltage value V is the voltage value Vf. In this case, the moisture state coefficient θ is 100. As an example, the moisture state coefficient θ is represented as a bar graph as shown in FIG. 6B. That is, when the voltage value at time t is V (t) and the acquired moisture state coefficient θ is θ (t), a bar having a height corresponding to the magnitude of the moisture state coefficient θ (t) ( This is expressed as a shaded portion in FIG. 6B). With such a display, the user can easily grasp the moisture state of the soil 21 at the present time. Note that the display mode of the moisture state information is not limited to this, and for example, the numerical value of the moisture state coefficient θ may be displayed.

According to the moisture measuring apparatus 1 configured as described above, as the moisture status information, for the output value of the moisture content sensor 110 point in time the moisture that has been detected from the drain hole 23 is detected by the waste water sensor 120, the present time The moisture state coefficient θ, which is the ratio of the output value of the moisture amount sensor, is acquired. Therefore, the moisture state in arbitrary soil can be measured.

(Modification 3)
Further, the notification control unit 134, water status represented by the moisture status information acquired by the moisture status acquisition unit 133, the water status of the soil at a timing suitable for the watering of the soil 21 (hereinafter, "relevant positive moisture status If the water content is higher than that of “)”, it may be notified that watering the soil 21 is prohibited. Further, the notification control unit 134, water status represented by the moisture status information acquired by the moisture status acquisition unit 133, if the moisture is less state than suitable positive moisture status, the prompting watering to soil 21 You may notify.

Specifically, the moisture measuring apparatus 1, the threshold value θth representing the proper positive moisture status, stored in advance in, for example, ROM 140. And the alerting | reporting control part 134 alert | reports that watering to the soil 21 is prohibited, when the moisture state coefficient (theta) acquired by the moisture state acquisition part 133 is more than threshold value (theta) th. In addition, the notification control unit 134 notifies that the soil 21 is watered when the moisture state coefficient θ acquired by the moisture state acquisition unit 133 is less than the threshold θth.

As a specific example of the notification mode, an example of moisture state information displayed on the display unit 31 is shown in FIGS . 7A and 7B . The moisture state information shown in FIGS . 7A and 7B is represented as a bar graph C having a height corresponding to the magnitude of the moisture state coefficient θ. In addition, the region D in which the bar graph C is displayed includes a partial region D1 corresponding to θth ≦ θ ≦ 100 and a portion corresponding to 0 ≦ θ ≦ θth, with a height position corresponding to the threshold θth as a boundary. It is divided into a region D2. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the tip of the bar graph C is located in the partial region D1, the display unit 31 displays that watering the soil 21 is prohibited. For example, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the tip of the bar graph C is located in the partial region D2, the display unit 31 displays a message that encourages watering the soil 21. With such a display, the user can easily determine the timing of watering the soil 21.

As mentioned above, the reason for giving water “when the soil is dry” is that if the pot is always in a damp state, the roots will not be able to breathe and will rot. Because it will wither. However, it is difficult for a beginner who is not accustomed to plant growth to determine whether or not it is in a dry state. Such contrast problems, the moisture measuring apparatus 1 according to this modification, suitable positive and moisture conditions are shown threshold [theta] th is preset, and the threshold value [theta] th, on the basis of the moisture status coefficient θ at the present time, water Notify that watering is prohibited or encourage watering. Therefore, the user can easily determine whether or not the soil 21 is in a dry state, that is, whether or not the timing is suitable for watering.

(Modification 4)
Modification 3 described above, the moisture measuring apparatus 1, for each type of plant, the type threshold representing a proper positive moisture status of the soil to develop the type of plant, may be stored for example in the ROM 140.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the type threshold value table stored in the ROM 140. Plants Type threshold table shown in FIG. 8, for each type of plant, and stores the type threshold representing a proper positive moisture status of the soil to cultivate that type of plant. For example, when the type of the plant is "Monstera", a classification threshold representing a proper positive moisture status of the soil to cultivate "Monstera""[theta]th-m" are stored in association with "Monstera".

Claims (11)

A moisture sensor that obtains an output value according to the amount of moisture contained in the soil contained in a container having a drain hole;
A drainage sensor for detecting the discharge of moisture from the drainage hole;
A moisture state deriving unit for deriving moisture state information representing the moisture state of the soil based on the output value acquired by the moisture amount sensor and detection of moisture discharge by the drainage sensor;
A transmitter for transmitting the moisture state information derived by the moisture state deriving unit to the outside;
A moisture state measuring device comprising: The moisture state deriving unit is a moisture state information representing a moisture state of the soil at an arbitrary time point based on the output value at the time point when water discharge is detected by the drainage sensor and the output value at an arbitrary point of time. Deriving,
The moisture state measuring device according to claim 1. The moisture state deriving unit derives, as the moisture state information, a ratio of the output value at an arbitrary time with respect to the output value at the time when water discharge is detected by the drain sensor.
The moisture state measuring apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The moisture state deriving unit is at an arbitrary time point with respect to a difference between the output value when the drainage sensor detects moisture discharge and a predetermined output value acquired by the moisture amount sensor when the soil is dry. The ratio of the difference between the output value and the predetermined output value is derived as the moisture state information.
The moisture state measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein A notification control unit that controls the notification unit to notify the moisture state information derived by the moisture state deriving unit;
The moisture state measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The notification control unit performs control for notifying the notification unit that the moisture state of the soil is sufficient when water discharge is detected by the drain sensor.
The moisture state measuring apparatus according to claim 5. The notification control unit performs control to notify the notification unit that watering to the soil is prohibited when the value of the moisture state represented by the moisture state information is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.
The moisture state measuring apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein When the value of the moisture state represented by the moisture state information is lower than the predetermined threshold, the notification control unit performs control to notify the notification unit that watering the soil is promoted.
The moisture state measuring apparatus according to claim 7. For each type of plant, further comprising a storage unit that associates and stores a type threshold value representing a moisture state of the soil at a timing suitable for watering the soil for growing the type of plant,
The notification control unit specifies the type threshold corresponding to the type of plant selected by the user from the storage unit, and uses the specified type threshold as the predetermined threshold.
The moisture state measuring device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that. An acquisition step of acquiring an output value according to the amount of water contained in the soil contained in a container having a drain hole;
A waste water detection step for detecting the discharge of moisture from the drain hole;
Moisture state derivation step for deriving moisture state information representing the moisture state of the soil based on the output value acquired by the acquisition step and detection of moisture discharge by the drainage detection step;
A transmission step of transmitting the moisture state information derived in the moisture state derivation step to the outside;
A moisture state measuring method comprising: A computer having a moisture sensor and a drainage sensor;
Means for acquiring an output value corresponding to the amount of water contained in soil contained in a container having a drain hole in the moisture amount sensor;
Means for causing the drainage sensor to detect the discharge of moisture from the drainage hole;
Means for deriving moisture state information representing the moisture state of the soil based on the output value acquired by the moisture amount sensor and detection of moisture discharge by the drainage sensor;
Means for transmitting the derived moisture state information to the outside;
A program characterized by functioning as

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