JP2023163149A - forest management system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a forest management system which can provide a higher additional value to an investor of a forest to maintain the forest.SOLUTION: A forest management system 10 includes: a forest database; an interface for allowing a communication with a user terminal; and an additional value information generation unit including an access management unit and a map-geography analysis unit. The forest database holds access right information which defines an access right of a user terminal to forest information of a forest with growing trees, user information for specifying an investor-investor candidate person linked to the forest information, and additional value information 2 including geography information of the forest and work road information. The map-geography analysis unit analyzes the geography information and extracts a route that can be formed as a feature work road, and adds the road to the additional value information as a road net formation plan. The access management unit receives an access request from the investor-investor candidate person and permits the investor-investor candidate person to view the work road information and/or the road net formation plan.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a forest management system, and is particularly applicable to a forest management system that can provide high added value to generate high profits in businesses that utilize forests.

With the intensification of activities related to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations, such as ``accessible and clean energy,'' ``creating livable cities,'' and ``protecting the richness of land,'' forests, especially Projects that restore, manage, and develop satoyama are attracting attention.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a tree management system that can preserve and manage trees in a forest in a predetermined section and evaluate the asset value of the trees in real time. The management system disclosed in the document identifies each standing tree, evaluates the asset value based on information such as location, tree species, volume, and age, and further sells it as a financial product (Paragraph 0085, Paragraph 0092, etc.). To this end, the management system provides a means to connect with terminals at forest management contractors, wood processors, and lumber markets, and also connects with terminals at financial institutions and users (holders) who purchase standing timber. It is said that a means for connecting may be provided. In the invention of Patent Document 1, furniture manufacturers and home sales manufacturers are exemplified as owners of standing wood, and by purchasing standing wood with an eye on the future, such as the birth of a child or marriage, the customers can use the proceeds to purchase final processed products after a predetermined period of time. It is said that the funds can be used to cover forest maintenance and management costs through operations up to the point in time when the funds are received. Furthermore, since the asset value of standing trees is managed in real time, they can be resold at will (paragraphs 0165 to 0166, Figures 9 and 10, paragraphs 0181 to 0192, Figure 15A). , FIG. 15B, etc.). Here, "standing tree" is pronounced as "ryuboku" and refers to a tree that is still growing on the land or a collection of trees.Under the Japanese Civil Law, it is regarded as a fixture on the land, that is, real estate, and there are no concerns regarding standing trees. It is possible to register the preservation of ownership based on Sulu law. Furthermore, "volume" refers to the volume of processed wood.

Patent Document 2 discloses a forest restoration support system that supports business entities that restore and cultivate forests. Quantify and demonstrate the value of forests targeted by reconstruction and development plans and solicit investment. The value of a forest is assessed based on its aesthetic value, tourism value, and commercial value, including advertising value, as well as its _CO2 absorption value, disaster prevention value, environmental conservation value, and job creation value. It is said that it can be added to the evaluation. The business entity will determine the investment amount based on the value evaluated by this forest restoration support system and solicit investments from investors, and at that time, a forest restoration and development plan will be presented through this forest restoration support system ( Paragraphs 0009 to 0015). Investors are assumed to be general investors such as individuals and corporations, companies wishing to purchase CO ₂ emission rights, tourism businesses and supporting companies interested in forest cultivation, etc. (Paragraph 0026).

Patent Documents 3 and 4 disclose a technology for constructing a database by identifying individual trees from images taken from above of a forest, specifying their positions by latitude and longitude, and also determining attributes such as tree species. ing.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-238191 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-121880 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-100099 JP2008-46837A

The present inventor discovered a new problem in that the investment management systems for forests or forest trees described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not sufficiently take into account the means for returning profits to investors.

In the tree management system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the asset value of each tree is calculated in real time and the information is provided to investors who have invested in the tree, but the value is based on the value of the tree as timber. Stay in. In the forest restoration support system disclosed in Patent Document 2, various values are reflected in the investment amount, such as not only the value of trees as timber, but also the commercial value, disaster prevention value, and environmental conservation value of the forest. In other words, in addition to the value of the tree as wood, a variety of other values are reflected in the investment amount. However, even in that case, the profits earned by the entity operating the forest restoration support system in some way will only be returned to investors. In this way, both the standing tree management system of Patent Document 1 and the forest restoration support system of Patent Document 2 contribute to improving the liquidity of investment funds and increasing their attractiveness as financial products, and as a result, the amount of money collected By allocating investment to forest management and conservation, we increase the value of forests and, as a result, return profits to investors. The background behind these two conventional technologies is a business model built on the premise that if forests are managed properly, the profits from the forests will exceed the costs of managing and conserving them. It means that it exists. However, the recent decline in the forestry industry and the devastation of forests unfortunately clearly indicate that the above assumptions are not met and that even if forests are properly managed, sufficient profits cannot necessarily be made. .

Therefore, the inventor believed that it was necessary to solicit funds from investors and provide investors with an unprecedented added value in a system for managing forests. However, it has been found that it is difficult to provide investors with higher added value than before using the conventional techniques including Patent Documents 1 and 2 mentioned above.

An object of the present invention is to realize a forest management system that can provide high added value to generate high profits in businesses that utilize forests.

Means for solving these problems will be described below, but other problems and novel features will become clear from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is as follows.

That is, the forest management system is implemented as software on a computer that has a storage device and can communicate with a plurality of terminals via a network, and is configured as follows.

The forest management system includes a forest database held in a storage device, an interface and an access management unit that enable communication with one or more user terminals via a network. The forest database holds at least tree information, user information that identifies a user linked to the tree information, and access authority information that defines the user's access authority to the value-added information. There is. When the access management unit receives an access request from a user terminal, it checks the user who issued the request against the user information in the forest database, and grants access to the user according to the corresponding access authority information.

Here, the users may include various people such as investors, management companies, operating companies, and general users. For example, an investor is a person who invests in trees growing in a forest managed by the forest management system, a certain section, or the entire forest. Management businesses are those who manage these forests, standing trees, etc., operating businesses are those who conduct businesses that utilize them, and general users are the users of those businesses. Furthermore, the access authority information includes the storage location of the value-added information and the type of access to the value-added information, such as viewing (reading) only, writing including addition and overwriting, and the like. In a broader sense, it may include various uses such as executing software (application programs) stored at the access destination, downloading software from the access destination, and installing and executing the downloaded software. In this specification, access right and access authority are synonymous, and the specific contents of "access" include only viewing (reading), writing including addition and overwriting, and execution of software, as explained here. Various types of access may be available, such as downloading.

A brief explanation of the effects obtained by the embodiment is as follows.

In other words, it is possible to realize a forest management system that can provide high added value to generate high profits in businesses that use forests.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the forest management system of the present invention and a plurality of terminals connected thereto. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a forest management system for managing a forest before clear-cutting using the forest management system of the present invention and operating it as an investment target. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a forest management system for operating a project in which standing trees planted after clear-cutting a forest are designated as commemorative trees. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a forest management system for operating standing trees planted after clear-cutting a forest as a graveyard for tree burial. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a forest management system for managing forests for the purpose of preserving the natural environment and conducting forest ecological research as an investment target. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method of collecting standing tree information. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of displaying collected tree information on a map. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a forest management system suitable for operating a business that supports outdoor activities in a forest.

1. Overview of Embodiments First, an overview of typical embodiments disclosed in this application will be described. Reference numerals in the drawings that are referred to in parentheses in the general description of exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative of what is included in the concept of the component to which they are attached.

[1] Forest management system that can provide individual value-added information to users (Figure 1)
A forest management system (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention is implemented as software in a computer that has a storage device (11) and can communicate with a plurality of terminals (15 to 19) via a network (14). , is configured as follows.

The forest management system (10) includes an interface (13) for enabling communication between the forest database (1) held in the storage device and one or more user terminals (16) via the network. ) and an access management section (3).

The forest database includes tree information (4), user information (5) that identifies the user linked to the tree information, and access authority that defines the user's access authority to the value-added information (2). At least information (6) is retained.

When the access management unit receives an access request from the user terminal, the access management unit checks the user who issued the access request with the user information, and grants access to the user according to the corresponding access authority information. do.

Here, the value-added information (2) may be held as data in the storage device (11) of the forest management system (10) or connected to the network (14) via the interface (13). It may also be stored in an external device.

This makes it possible to realize a forest management system that can provide high added value to generate high profits in businesses that utilize forests. This is because the value-added information is provided individually to each user, for example, based on conditions stipulated in a contract with that user, and therefore can be provided as a benefit specific to that user. The tree information refers to a section (area) of a forest or an individual tree, and includes an identifier (ID) and its coordinates (e.g. latitude and longitude), as well as attribute information of the section (area) or tree (e.g. , tree species, tree height, tree age).

[2] Investing in standing trees in anticipation of their future value as timber (Figure 2)
In the forest management system (10) of [1], the tree information includes identification information (7) of the tree, position information (8) of the tree, and attribute information (9).

The forest database can hold an investor or an investment candidate as the user information, and the access rights granted to the investor or investment candidate as the corresponding access authority information.

The added value information further includes topographical information (55) of the forest where the trees grow and working road information (56), and the access management department, upon receiving an access request from an investor or an investment candidate, , the investor or investment candidate who issued the access request is checked against the user information, and the location information and the attribute information are provided to the investor or investment candidate based on the corresponding access authority information. and permission to view the terrain information and the work road information.

Here, the location information may be coordinates specified by latitude and longitude, for example. An index (landmark) may be set within the forest and relative coordinates may be used with this as a reference. The topographical information may be topographical information expressed by contour lines created by a public organization such as the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan or a company that creates maps, or may be updated to more accurate topographical information through on-site surveying. . Further, the information may be converted into information mainly based on standing trees, such as directions and slopes such as north-facing slopes/south-facing slopes. In addition, working road information includes forest roads that can be used by vehicles, paths that can be used by people, tracks that can be used for trolleys, hiking trails, and other roads that are open to people other than forest managers. Any passage may be included. Furthermore, it may also include a transportation route for the purpose of transporting timber or other materials, such as an overhead line constructed for collecting timber in a place where it is difficult for people to pass. Further, the work road information held in the forest database may include supplementary information such as the route, width, and slope of the path, whether it is paved or not, and whether or not people and vehicles can pass through it.

As a result, not only investors who have already invested in forest trees, but also investment candidates considering investing in forest trees can obtain information for evaluating the value of the trees. Attribute information of a standing tree includes, for example, the tree species, tree height, trunk thickness, etc., and by mapping the positional information of the standing tree to the topographical information, it is possible to determine the growing environment, for example, whether it is a flat land, a south-facing slope, or a north-facing slope. By knowing what kind of trees are growing on the slope or around it, potential investors can evaluate the growing environment of the trees they are considering investing in. In addition, by viewing the road information, investment candidates can estimate the cost required for management and felling of the tree they are considering investing in, and can include this in the factors that affect the value of the tree. Furthermore, in conjunction with the above-mentioned topographical information, it is also possible to predict future work road construction.

[3] Multiple investors/investment candidates for one tree In the forest management system (10) of [2], the forest database may contain one or more investors/investment candidates for one tree information as user information. and/or one or more investment candidates and access authority information corresponding to each can be maintained. Investors or investment candidates may be individuals, corporations such as companies, or organizations without legal personality. (In the case of an organization without legal personality, some consideration is necessary in terms of contract, but this point is not a problem for inventions.) Therefore, as mentioned above, we adopted the unitless notation as "one or more". .

As a result, even one tree or one plot can receive investment from multiple investors. Furthermore, investment candidates can be linked to trees and plots that have already been linked to investors. This improves convenience when considering transfer of investor status from a current investor to an investment candidate.

[4] Providing road network improvement plans to investors/investment candidates as added value (Figure 1)
The forest management system (10) in [3] can further include a map/terrain analysis section (61). The map/terrain analysis unit is configured to analyze the terrain information, extract routes that can be developed as working roads in the future, and add them to the value-added information as a road network development plan. When the access management unit receives an access request from an investor or an investment candidate, the access management unit compares the investor or investment candidate who issued the access request with the user information, and performs the following based on the corresponding access authority information. , permit the investor or the investment candidate to view the road network development plan.

The road network development plan may further include a route on which overhead wires for accumulating wood can be laid. In addition, for each work road, we show the types and combinations of forestry machines that can be used, and what kind of work each road can be used for, such as logging, timber collection, afforestation, and childcare. Alternatively, it may be provided as an added value for guessing.

Thereby, higher added value can be provided to investors/investment candidates who are users of the forest management system than with conventional investment management systems for standing trees. Road networks such as forest roads and working roads are important factors in calculating the cost of felling and transporting standing trees, and future road network development plans are extremely important for predicting the future asset value of standing trees. It becomes a factor. Therefore, this road network development plan is information with extremely high added value for investors and investment candidates considering investment.

[5] Memorial tree project (user-specific information linked to contracted trees and stored) (Figure 3)
In the forest management system (10) of [1], the tree information can be configured to include tree identification information (7), position information (8) of the tree, and attribute information (9). The user information is information that associates a user with identification information of a tree with which the user has contracted.

The value-added information includes information (53) unique to the associated user for each tree identification information, and the access management unit provides information to the user based on the user information. The information unique to the user is allowed to be added to the value-added information in accordance with the trees of the associated identification information.

This makes it possible to realize a forest management system that can provide high added value in projects that utilize forest trees as commemorative trees. For example, users can not only view the growth of the trees for which they have contracted at any time, but also write and read growth records for themselves and their families through the forest database in association with the growth progress of the trees. can provide high added value to customers. Therefore, businesses that lease or purchase forests and carry out commemorative tree business using the forest management system (10) of the present invention may, for example, invest in clear-cut forests with the expectation of profits commensurate with the added value provided. On the other hand, it will be easier to invest in afforestation, tree planting, road network development, etc.

[6] Grant the user of the memorial tree the right to disclose it to a third party. In the forest management system (10) of [4], the forest database includes information specific to the user as well as information specific to the user. The access management unit may further hold individual access authority management information (not shown) that allows the user to specify a third party's access authority to the When there is an access request, access is permitted based on the individual access authority management information.

As a result, it is possible to realize a forest management system that can provide even higher added value in projects where forest trees are used as commemorative trees, etc. For example, a business operator can develop a business in which the trees they have invested in are used as commemorative trees. In a more detailed example, a user contracts or purchases a standing tree as a graduation commemorative tree, and configures it so that graduates can view commemorative photos and graduation albums by associating it with the standing tree. It is possible to develop a project that records the growth of the tree and makes it available to graduates, their families, and friends.

[7] Selling standing trees as a graveyard for tree funerals (classification of users) (Figure 4)
In the forest management system (10) of [1], the tree information includes tree identification information (7), location information (8) and attribute information (9) of the tree, and the user information is This is information that associates the identification information of the tree in which the user has invested, and can be configured to include the upper user (5-1) and lower user (5-2).

The forest database holds upper access authority information (6-1) that defines the access rights of the upper users and lower access authority information (6-2) that defines the access rights of the lower users. When there is an access request from a higher-level user, the access management section allows access based on the higher-level access authority information, and when there is an access request from a lower-level user, the access management section grants access based on the upper-level access authority information. Grant access based on access privilege information.

This allows users to be stratified. For example, a higher-level user can create added value by investing in and managing multiple trees, and then resell the created added value to lower-level users as the added value of each individual tree. can. In order to provide added value, higher-ranking users provide additional value-added information as needed, and lower-ranking users enjoy the added value by accessing the added-value information. For example, a graveyard manager for a tree funeral becomes a high-level user and adds the cemetery's management results and memorial service plans/records to added-value information, and the bereaved family who buries the deceased becomes a low-level user and adds the information. The cemetery's management results and memorial service plans and results, which can be obtained by accessing value information, become added value that can be enjoyed by the bereaved families, who are lower-level users. The forest management system should be configured so that the bereaved families, who are subordinate users, can store the unique information of the deceased (e.g., date of death, posthumous name, photograph of the deceased) as unique value-added information, and freely view and update it at any time. In other words, this is also an added value that lower-level users can enjoy.

[8] Investment in certain areas (Figure 5)
In the forest management system (10) of [1], the tree information includes identification information of a predetermined area, positional information and attribute information of the area, identification information of a standing tree, and positional information and attribute information of the standing tree, When the access management unit receives an access request from a user, the access management unit checks the user who issued the access request with the user information, and grants access to the area to the user based on the corresponding access authority information. Browsing of the location information and attribute information and the location information and attribute information of the standing tree is permitted.

This makes it possible to invest not only in individual trees, but also in forest areas, such as certain sections. The added value information that can be obtained includes, for example, images such as aerial photographs of the area, live images of the area, distribution of flora and fauna in the area, and power generation results of biomass power generation using thinned wood obtained from the area. The user is, for example, an investor in the area, and by investing, the investor can contribute to forest management and nature conservation in the area.

This makes it possible to invest in a certain area of forest and develop a business that creates added value to that forest. Furthermore, it is also possible to resell each tree within the area or each subdivided small area. A business that has invested in a certain area of forest is considered a high-level user, and the users of that business and those who have invested in resold standing trees or small areas are positioned as low-level users, and each has access rights to value-added information. It can be added value by giving. For example, consumers as lower-level users participate in various hands-on activities carried out as a business in the forest in a certain area, and lower-level investors as lower-level users have the right to name the forest in the certain area. , the right to name or own hiking trails within the territory, or enjoy the benefits of reselling them as CO ₂ emissions credits.

[9] Provision of physical access information (route guidance) to the site In the forest management system of [8], the added value information includes physical access information including route guidance information to the predetermined area. Can be configured. Here, physical access information refers to guide information for actually going to the site, such as a map that provides directions from the nearest station, bus stop, accommodation facility, interchange, etc., and transportation facilities that use those destinations. Contains information. When the access management unit receives an access request from a user, the access management unit checks the user who issued the access request with the user information, and provides the physical access to the user based on the corresponding access authority information. Allow viewing of access information.

As a result, when users who have invested in forests and trees growing in forests actually visit the forests and trees they have invested in, it is possible to provide them with added value information that helps them physically access the forests and trees they have invested in. Although it is sufficient to simply use "access information" and "access guidance" as commonly used terms, in this specification, the term "access" which is intended to access computer information is frequently used. , I purposely distinguish it as ``physical''.

[10] Information provision when a person carrying a user terminal (with GPS function) is active in the field In the forest management system of [8], the user terminal operates within the forest managed by the forest management system. when the user terminal is within the predetermined area, the user terminal is able to use its own location information and connect to the forest management system; Preserve further authorization information.

When the access management unit receives an access request from a user, the access management unit refers to the location information of the user terminal that issued the access request, and if the user terminal is within the predetermined area, takes a corresponding action. The user is permitted to access the value-added information based on the local access authority information in addition to the access authority information.

As a result, when users who have invested in a forest or the trees growing in the forest actually visit the forest or trees they have contracted for and engage in activities within the forest, they can increase the added value of the surrounding area based on their location within the forest. can provide information.

[11] Returning information on the natural environment and wildlife ecology to users (Figure 5)
In the forest management system (10) of [8], the interface can communicate with one or more researcher terminals (18) via the network, and the forest database includes the tree information as the user information. Researcher information (5-1) that identifies the researcher linked to the information, and researcher access authority information (6-1) that defines the access right to write the research results of the researcher as the value-added information. The user's access authority information (6-2) may include the authority to view the research results.

When the access management unit receives an access request from the researcher terminal, the access management unit compares the researcher who issued the access request with the researcher information, and writes the research results to the researcher as the value-added information. When an access request is received from the user terminal, the user who issued the access request is checked against the user information, and when the corresponding access authority information includes the authority to view the research results, Permit the user to view the research results.

This makes it possible to realize a forest management system that can provide high added value in projects that use forests to support natural environment protection and wildlife ecological research. For example, if a user has invested in ecological research on wildlife in the forest in which they have invested, they can view the research results. In this way, the forest management system of the present invention can contribute to the establishment of businesses that generate added value.

[12] Permit viewing of research results when a person carrying a user terminal (with GPS function) is active in the field In the forest management system (10) of [11], the user terminal is connected to the forest management system. When operating within a forest managed by a forest management system, the vehicle is configured to have its own location information available and to be able to connect to the forest management system. The forest database further holds local access authority information (not shown) that is additionally permitted when the user terminal is within the predetermined area.

When the access management unit receives an access request from a user, the access management unit refers to the location information of the user terminal that issued the access request, and if the user terminal is within the predetermined area, performs the corresponding access. Based on the local access authority information in addition to the authority information, the user is permitted to view the research results.

As a result, users who have invested in forests that are the subject of environmental protection or ecological research, or the trees that grow in those forests, can actually visit the forests in which they have invested and engage in activities within the forests. Based on the location, research results in the surrounding area can be provided as value-added information.

[13] Permit the person carrying the user terminal to use the application program (Figure 8)
In the forest management system (10) of [1], the tree information includes identification information of a predetermined area, and position information and attribute information of the area. When the access management unit receives an access request from a user, the access management unit checks the user who issued the access request with the user information, and provides a predetermined application to the user based on the corresponding access authority information. Permit use (62) of program (59).

This makes it possible to provide users with the added value of using application programs in projects that utilize forests.

[14] When a person carrying a user terminal (with GPS function) operates in the field In the forest management system of [13], when the user terminal operates within the forest managed by the forest management system, The user terminal can use its own location information and connect to the forest management system, and the forest database includes local access authority information that is additionally granted when the user terminal is within the predetermined area. Hold further.

When the access management unit receives an access request from a user, the access management unit refers to the location information of the user terminal that issued the access request, and if the user terminal is within the predetermined area, takes a corresponding action. Based on the local access authority information in addition to the access authority information, the user is permitted to use a predetermined application program.

This makes it possible to provide particularly high-value-added application programs to users who operate within a predetermined area of managed forests in projects that utilize forests.

[15] Group work by users working locally In the forest management system of [14], when the access management unit receives an access request from a user, if the user terminal is within the predetermined area. The access authority granted to the user based on the local access authority information includes information exchange with other user terminals in the same area.

As a result, in a business that utilizes a forest, it is possible to enable mutual communication with users who operate within a predetermined area of a managed forest, thereby increasing the added value of the provided application program.

[16] Update of added value information by administrator (Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 5)
In the forest management system (10) according to any one of [1] to [15], the forest database includes manager information (25) that identifies a manager linked to the tree information, and the Administrator access authority information (26) defining access rights for an administrator to update value-added information can also be held.

When the access management unit receives an access request from the administrator terminal (17), the access management unit checks the administrator who issued the access request with the administrator information, and allows the administrator to update the corresponding value-added information. do.

As a result, the results of management work (for example, thinning, pruning, and underbrush removal) performed by forest managers in projects that use forests are updated sequentially as added-value information, and are provided as additional value-added information to users who have access privileges. provided as value.

[17] The manager uses the forest management system by carrying a GPS terminal. In the forest management system (10) of [16], the manager terminal uses its own GPS terminal when operating within the forest managed by the forest management system. The location information of the forest management system can be used, and the forest management system can be connected to the forest management system. When the access management unit receives an access request from the administrator terminal, the access management unit allows the administrator terminal to access a management plan regarding surrounding trees based on its own location information.

As a result, when a manager manages a forest in a project that uses the forest, information such as a management plan can be provided from the forest management system by carrying the manager terminal with him or her.

[18] Collecting information on standing trees using images from above (Figures 6 and 7)
In the forest management system (10) according to any one of [2] to [7], the position information and attribute information of the standing trees are extracted from an image taken of the forest from above.

This makes it possible to reduce the cost of creating a forest database.

[19] Extracting tree information from a 3D model that combines images taken from multiple angles (Figures 6 and 7)
In the forest management system (10) of any one of [2] to [7], the positional information and attribute information of the standing tree include images taken from multiple angles, including images taken from above of the forest. is extracted from the synthesized 3D model.

This dramatically improves the accuracy of extracted tree location and attribute information, and also extracts with high precision the components necessary to evaluate the value of trees, such as working roads and mountain streams. be done.

[20] Extracting topographical information from a three-dimensional model that combines images taken from multiple angles In the forest management system (10) of any one of [2] to [15], the topographical information and the working road The information is extracted from a three-dimensional model that combines images taken from multiple angles, including images taken of the forest from above.

Thereby, the accuracy of extracted topographical information can be dramatically improved. Furthermore, components necessary to evaluate the value of standing trees, such as work roads, mountain streams, and the suitability of constructing overhead wires for timber collection, can be extracted with high precision.

2. Details of Embodiment The embodiment will be described in further detail.

[Embodiment 1] Basic Configuration A forest management system according to an embodiment of the present invention is a forest management system 10 that can provide individual value-added information to users. For example, in a system that manages forests by soliciting funds from users who are investors, it is possible to generate high added value that can be added to the value (profit) obtained by properly managing forests. As explained in ``Problems that Inventions Try to Solve,'' there are limits to the income that forests themselves can generate. Therefore, the present invention focuses on a business that generates profits by providing individual information as added value to users. The inventor believes that by linking and managing user-specific information to forests or trees growing there, and granting access privileges to those users, the linked information can become added value for users. Thought. What kind of information is of added value to what kind of users is a business perspective, and the present invention is a forest management system for realizing such a business.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the forest management system of the present invention and a plurality of terminals connected thereto. The forest management system 10 is implemented as software in a computer that has a storage device 11 and can communicate with a plurality of terminals 15 to 19 via a network 14, and is configured as follows.

The forest management system 10 includes a forest database 1 held in a storage device 11, an interface 13 for enabling communication with a user terminal 16, etc. via a network 14, and an access management section 3. In other words, the above-mentioned computer includes a storage device 11, an information processing section 12, and an interface 13, and the access management section 3 is implemented as software executed by the information processing section 12. The interface 13 is an interface for communicating with various other devices such as a business terminal 15, an administrator terminal 17, a researcher terminal 18, and a local terminal 19. Compliant with short-range wireless communication standards such as (registered trademark). It may be a single interface or multiple interfaces.

The forest database 1 defines tree information 4, user information 5 that identifies the user linked to the tree information, and access privileges for that user to the value-added information 2 based on given conditions. It holds access authority information 6. Here, the tree information 4 refers to any identifiable investment unit, such as a compartmentalized area of the forest that is the target of management and investment in the forest management system 10 of the present invention, or standing trees growing within the forest, and for example, It can be identified using an identifier and coordinate information such as latitude and longitude. The conditions given here are the conditions stipulated in a contract or the like.

The access management section 3 is installed in the information processing section 12 as software. When the access management unit 3 receives an access request from the user terminal 16, the access management unit 3 checks the user who issued the access request with the user information 5 of the forest database 1, and adds value according to the corresponding access authority information 6. Added value is provided by allowing the user to access the information 2. The information processing unit 12 may further include a value-added information generation unit 60 as software. The added value information generation unit 60 includes, for example, a map/terrain analysis unit 61 (described later), and analyzes forest map/topography information to create a road network maintenance plan. The created road network development plan can be provided as part of the added value information 2.

This road network development plan may further include routes on which overhead wires for accumulating wood can be laid. Even in terrain where it is difficult to construct a working road, if timber can be transported using overhead wire collection, the value of standing timber can be highly valued.

In addition, for each work road, we show the types and combinations of forestry machines that can be used, and what kind of work each road can be used for, such as logging, timber collection, afforestation, and childcare. Alternatively, it may be provided as an added value for guessing. Road network development plans are formulated based on regional, geological, and meteorological conditions. More preferably, it is formulated based on a wealth of knowledge, such as by referring to construction examples in surrounding areas and seeking guidance from people with experience in construction work in the area.

More preferably, the road network maintenance plan is not limited to forestry work, but is formulated with a wider range of purposes in mind. At this time, road network maintenance plans are developed, taking into account not only the limited number of timber transports, but also the ability to withstand repeated use over a long period of time, resistance to collapse, and ease of repair and management. It would be good if a

Here, the added value information 2 includes, for example, environmental information such as the management environment of the forest, the natural environment surrounding the forest, and the economic environment surrounding the forest, historical information on the growth and management of trees growing in the forest, and furthermore, information specific to the user. The forest management system 10 may be held as data in the storage device 11, or may be stored in an external device connected to the network 14 via the interface 13.

This makes it possible to realize a forest management system that can provide high added value to generate high profits in businesses that utilize forests. This is because the value-added information is provided individually to each user, for example, based on conditions stipulated in a contract with that user, and therefore can be provided as a benefit specific to that user.

Here, people who use the forest are collectively referred to as users, and users can include a variety of people such as investors, management companies, operating companies, and general users. For example, an investor is a person who invests in trees growing in a forest managed by the forest database, a certain section, or the entire forest. A management business is a person who manages them, an operating business is a person who runs a business using them, and a general user is a user of that business. Furthermore, the access authority information includes the storage location of the value-added information and the type of access to the value-added information, such as viewing (reading) only, writing including addition and overwriting, and the like. In a broader sense, execution of software stored at the access destination and use of software downloaded from the access destination may also be included. For example, when a forest owner or a person entrusted with a forest has a management company carry out a business using the forest, the management company is given the authority to access the forest database as the above-mentioned user. Conduct business using. General users, who are the consumers of the business, are given access rights to value-added information provided by the operating company. This access authority may be the authority to view information about the forest, which is value-added information, or the authority to execute application software used when working in the forest. Note that the definitions of terms such as "user" and "access" are the same throughout this specification. More specific forms are illustrated and detailed in Embodiments 2 to 5 below.

The forest management system 10 may be connected to a business terminal 15, a manager terminal 17, a researcher terminal 18, a local terminal 19, etc. in addition to the user terminal 16 via the network 14. The business terminal 15 is a business that conducts forest investment business using the forest management system 10, and is given the authority to access the forest database 1 by the access unit 3, and can also access value-added information as necessary. Permission to access 2 is granted. The administrator terminal 17 is a terminal used by an administrator who manages the forest, and can include, for example, a camera 41 and a GPS (Global Positioning System) 42. The researcher terminal 18 is a terminal used by a researcher who conducts research on the ecology of flora and fauna inhabiting this forest when the research is targeted for investment, as will be described later in the fifth embodiment. The local terminal 19 is a terminal installed in a forest, and can include, for example, a live camera 41 and an environmental sensor 43, and can be accessed and controlled by the researcher from the researcher terminal 18.

In this specification, the user terminal 16, the operator terminal 15, the administrator terminal 17, the researcher terminal 18, the local terminal 19, etc. are explained separately, but this is for the purpose of aiding understanding, and the distinction is not necessarily There is no need to be done. Furthermore, the distinctions between users, business operators, managers, researchers, etc. are made to aid understanding and are not strict. For example, when a forest management company operates a forest as an outdoor activity facility, it lends a user terminal 16 equipped with a camera 41 and a GPS 42 to users visiting the site and lets them use it within the forest. Access from those considering use is treated as access from a general user terminal 16 that does not require the implementation of a camera 41 and GPS 42, and users and those considering use can invest in the forest. The present invention may be applied regardless of whether or not there is. Further, the forest management system 10 may be provided with a user interface such as a monitor, a mouse, a keyboard, etc., and may also serve as a business terminal.

[Collection and data processing of topographical information including standing tree information and working roads]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method of collecting standing tree information, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of displaying the collected standing tree information as a map.

In the forest management system 10 of the present invention, the position information 8 and attribute information 9 of standing trees may be extracted from an image of the forest taken from above. For example, the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 3 and 4 can be adopted. Thereby, the cost for creating the forest database 1 of the forest management system 10 of the present invention can be suppressed.

In the forest management system 10 of the present invention, the positional information 8 and attribute information 9 of standing trees are further extracted from a three-dimensional model that is a composite of images taken from multiple angles, including images taken of the forest from above. suitable. This makes it possible to dramatically improve the accuracy of the extracted tree location information 8 and attribute information 9, and furthermore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the extracted tree position information 8 and attribute information 9. Furthermore, the components necessary to evaluate the value of the tree, such as working roads and mountain streams, can also be highly accurate. can be extracted into

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 3 and 4 can be applied using images taken from a drone 44 flying above. As in Patent Document 3, tree species can be determined by photographing and analyzing multispectral images.

Furthermore, a three-dimensional model of the entire forest is created by varying the flight altitude of the drone 44 flying above and combining images taken of the forest from diagonally above. From the three-dimensional model, it is possible to accurately determine the exact coordinates (latitude and longitude) of each tree, as well as tree attribute information such as tree height and trunk thickness. In addition, structures such as working roads and mountain streams can be accurately determined. Furthermore, in addition to the drone 44 flying in the sky, the drone 44 is also flown along a mountain stream to capture images of the surrounding area, and a forest manager (worker) 45 performs thinning, pruning, underbrush cutting, etc. of the forest. When carrying out management work, it is also possible to use images taken from a camera attached to a helmet or the like while moving along a work path, entering a forest area, or even climbing a tree.

A three-dimensional model is created by combining these videos and images, and the extracted standing trees, working path 91, and mountain stream 92 are mapped on a map containing contour lines published by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, for example, to create a map like the one shown in Figure 7. can be created. Since the height and position obtained from the three-dimensional model are more accurate than the contour lines on the map, contour lines modified based on this are used in FIG. However, in FIG. 7, illustration of the contour lines is omitted. The technology for creating a three-dimensional model from images taken from a moving object such as a drone 44 and mapping it on a map is similar to the technology used in Google's Street View (registered trademark), for example. It can be realized by applying.

The standing tree information obtained from the photographed images is stored in the forest database 1, and other information such as map information, topographic information, and information regarding the working road 91 and the mountain stream 92 is included in added value information 2 as natural and managed environment information. will be managed accordingly. Photographing a forest such as standing trees and/or producing a three-dimensional model may be performed continuously, whether regularly or irregularly. Further, it is more preferable that a part or all of the information is stored, managed, and utilized as added-value information as historical information of the standing tree.

Several embodiments will be described below regarding forest investment using the forest management system of the present invention and forest management business using the investment funds. Such a business may be promoted by the owner of the forest or mountain forest as a business entity, or by a business entity entrusted by the owner or a business entity entrusted with the business by a trust company. good. Note that the embodiments shown below are just some examples, and the forest management system of the present invention can be applied to various other embodiments without changing the inventive concept.

[Embodiment 2] Investing in standing trees in anticipation of their future value as timber (before clear-cutting)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a forest management system for managing a forest before clear-cutting and operating it as an investment target using the forest management system of the present invention. Individual standing trees within managed forests can be targeted for investment. Profits are returned to investors when the invested trees grow and are shipped as lumber. Standing trees can grow into large, high-grade timber, or can be thinned and used as raw materials for laminated wood, or as fuel for biomass power generation.

In the forest management system 10 of this embodiment, the tree information 4 of the forest database 1 includes tree identification information (ID) 7, position information (coordinates) 8 and attribute information 9 of the tree, and furthermore, the tree information 4 of the forest database 1 includes tree identification information (ID) 7, position information (coordinates) 8 of the tree, and attribute information 9. Investment candidates can be included as user information 5. Permitted access rights for investor candidates are also held as the corresponding access rights information 6. This is because it is necessary to give those considering investment the authority to access various value-added information in order to estimate the return on investment and decide whether or not to invest. For example, the authority granted to an investment candidate can be set to expire after a certain period of time.

The added value information 2 further includes topographical information 55 of a forest where standing trees grow and working road information 56. When the access management unit 3 receives an access request from an investor or investment candidate who is a user, the access management unit 3 identifies the investor or investment candidate who issued the access request with the user information registered in the forest database 1. After collation, based on the corresponding access authority information, the investor or investment candidate is permitted to view the position information 8 and attribute information 9 of the corresponding standing tree, as well as the topographical information 55 and the working road information 56.

Here, the location information may be coordinates specified by latitude and longitude, for example. For example, by connecting GPS to the camera of the above-mentioned drone 44 or forest manager (worker) 45, and using the photographed position as an absolute value based on latitude and longitude, it can be compared with other map information and topographic information. can be facilitated. On the other hand, an index (landmark) may be provided within the forest and relative coordinates may be used as a reference. In this way, the topographical information may be topographical information expressed by contour lines created by a public organization such as the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan or by a company that creates maps, and updated to more accurate topographical information through on-site surveying. It's okay to be. Further, the information may be converted into information based on standing trees, such as directions such as north-facing slopes/south-facing slopes, and slopes.

As a result, not only investors who have already invested in forest trees, but also investment candidates considering investing in forest trees can obtain information for evaluating the value of the trees. Attribute information of a standing tree includes, for example, the tree species, tree height, trunk thickness, etc., and by mapping the positional information of the standing tree to the topographical information, it is possible to determine the growing environment, for example, whether it is a flat land, a south-facing slope, or a north-facing slope. By knowing what kind of trees are growing on the slope or around it, potential investors can evaluate the growing environment of the trees they are considering investing in. In addition, by viewing the road information, investment candidates can estimate the cost required for management and felling of the tree they are considering investing in, and can include this in the factors that affect the value of the tree. Furthermore, it is also possible to predict future construction of work roads in conjunction with the above-mentioned topographical information.

Forest database 1 provides user information for not only one investor or investment candidate but also multiple investors for one tree information corresponding to one tree or one plot that is the unit of investment. It is more preferable to configure the system so that investors and/or investment candidates can be registered and access authority information corresponding to each can be held. As a result, even one tree or one plot can receive investment from multiple investors. Furthermore, investment candidates can be linked to trees and plots that have already been linked to investors. This improves convenience when considering transfer of investor status from a current investor to an investment candidate.

The forest database 1 further includes administrator information 25 that identifies the administrator linked to the tree information, and administrator access authority information 26 that defines the access rights for that administrator to update value-added information. It is more preferable to be configured so that it can be held.

When the access management unit 3 receives an access request from the administrator terminal 17, it checks the administrator who issued the access request with the administrator information 25 of the forest database 1, and responds based on the administrator access authority information 26. Allow the administrator to update value-added information.

The term administrator here refers to the person who plans the management of forest thinning, pruning, undergrowth removal, etc., and carries out the actual work, but the person who makes the plan and the person who carries out the work have separate access rights. Information 26 may also be given. An administrator who creates a management plan formulates a future management plan while looking at management results, and an administrator who executes management performs management in accordance with the formulated management plan and registers the results. By appropriately specifying the access authority information 26 to be given to the administrator (worker) who executes the management, it is possible to specify, for example, whether or not the worker is given the authority to change the management plan according to the local situation. can do. In addition, the results of management work performed by forest managers (workers) in projects that use forests are updated as added value information and provided as added value to investors who have access rights.

The administrator terminal 17 in FIG. 2 is assumed to be a terminal carried by an administrator (worker) who carries out forest management work, and is equipped with a camera 41 and a GPS 42, for example, and is installed in the forest management system 10. It is configured so that it can be connected to. When the forest management system 10 turns on the power and operates within the forest managed by the forest management system 10, it can acquire its own position information using the GPS 42 and use the position information. When receiving an access request from the administrator terminal 17, the access management unit 3 of the forest management system 10 allows the administrator terminal to access the management plan regarding surrounding trees based on its own location information. For example, when a manager (worker) shoots an image of the surrounding area in a forest with the camera 41, attaches position information acquired by the GPS 42, and sends an access request to the forest management system 10, the access management unit 3 , responds to the administrator terminal 17 with information and a management plan regarding surrounding trees based on the received position information. On the administrator terminal 17, the tree information received from the forest management system 10 (attributes such as standing tree identifier, tree species, tree age, etc.) and the management plan for the tree (whether or not it is subject to thinning, etc.) are displayed superimposed on the captured surrounding image. This can be shown to the manager (operator) by doing the following:

As a result, when a manager manages a forest in a project that uses the forest, information such as a management plan can be provided from the forest management system by carrying the manager terminal with him or her. Using location information, the location of the manager (worker) can be compared with information such as tree information and its management plan, making necessary information available for appropriate use and helping to improve the efficiency and quality of management work.

[Addition of map/terrain analysis section]
It is preferable that the information processing unit 12 of the forest management system 10 of this embodiment includes a value-added information generation unit 60 including a map/terrain analysis unit 61 implemented as software (FIG. 1). The map/topography analysis unit 61 analyzes the map/topography information 55 held in the natural/managed environment database 50, extracts routes suitable for forest roads/work roads, and sets routes that can be developed as work roads in the future. Develop a network development plan. The formulated road network improvement plan can be added as value-added information to the working road information 56 also held in the natural/managed environment database 50 (FIG. 2). It is inevitable that the working road information 56 includes road network information that currently exists, and there is an example in which the working road information 56 includes not only road networks that already have maintenance plans, but also undetermined road network maintenance plans. Although this has been described, each may be configured to be managed as separate data. When the access management unit 3 receives an access request from an investor/investment candidate, the access management unit 3 compares the person who issued the access request with the user information held in the forest database 1, and updates the corresponding access authority information with the user information held in the forest database 1. Based on this, the investor or investment candidate will be permitted to view the road network development plan.

This allows investors/investment candidates to be provided with higher added value than conventional investment management systems for standing timber. Road networks such as forest roads and working roads are important factors in calculating the cost of felling and transporting standing trees, and future road network development plans are extremely important for predicting the future asset value of standing trees. It becomes a factor. Therefore, this road network development plan is information with extremely high added value for investors and investment candidates considering investment.

The road network improvement plan may include routes suitable for forest roads and working roads extracted by the map/terrain analysis unit 61 as the predicted road network. Alternatively, routes suitable for forest roads and working roads extracted by the map/topography analysis unit 61 are displayed on the operator terminal 15 from the interface 13 via the network 14, and the operator can formulate a road network maintenance plan based on the routes and forest roads. It may be configured such that it can be input into the management system 10.

The map/terrain analysis unit 61 can be implemented, for example, with reference to the road network route design device disclosed in JP-A No. 2017-201936. As explained in ``Collection and data processing of topographical information including standing tree information and working roads'' in Embodiment 1, in addition to map contour information, the forest can be viewed not only from the sky but also from multiple angles, including inside the forest. More accurate topographical information can be extracted from a 3D model created by combining captured images. When generating such topographical information, it is possible to configure it to include not only highly accurate contour lines but also detailed information such as huge rocks, fallen trees, streams and streams (tracks of water flowing) that appear during rainfall, etc. The map/terrain analysis section 61 can be configured with higher precision. This is because such detailed information is an extremely important factor in estimating the maintenance cost when constructing a work road.

[Embodiment 3] Memorial Tree Project FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a forest management system 10 suitable for operating a project in which standing trees planted after clear-cutting a forest are used as memorial trees.

In the forest management system 10, the tree information 4 in the forest database 1 is configured to include identification information (ID) 7 for each tree, position information (coordinates) 8 and attribute information 9 for the tree, and the corresponding usage The user information 5 associates a user with identification information of a standing tree with which the user has contracted. In this embodiment, the added value information 2 includes user-specific information 53 associated with each tree identification information, and the access management unit 3 includes information 53 unique to the user associated with each tree identification information. Allows the user to write information unique to the user as value-added information 2. As a result, it is possible to realize a forest management system that can provide high added value in projects that use forest trees as commemorative trees as investment targets.

In this embodiment, for example, as added-value information 2, there is a tree history database 52 that holds photos and growth records of individual trees at each age, and information unique to each user, such as birth, Shichi-Go-San, and enrollment. It is equipped with a user-specific database 53 that records and stores commemorative photos and documents such as those taken at the time of graduation or graduation. Users can not only view the growth of the trees they have invested in at any time, but also write and read growth records for themselves and their families through the forest database, in association with the growth progress of the trees. It is possible to provide high added value in businesses that operate standing trees as commemorative trees, etc.

In the forest management system 10 of the present embodiment, the forest database 1 includes information specific to users as well as third party access to the specific information (for example, commemorative photos stored in the user specific database 53). The authority (for example, the authority for viewing by relatives or friends) can be further configured to hold individual access authority management information (not shown in FIG. 3, etc.) that can be defined by the user. I can do it. When there is a request for access to the unique information (for example, a request to view a commemorative photo) from someone other than the user (the above-mentioned third party, for example, a relative or friend), the access management unit 3 Access can be permitted based on the set individual access authority management information.

As a result, it is possible to realize a forest management system that can provide even higher added value in projects that use forest trees as commemorative trees as investment targets. For example, an investor can develop a business in which trees growing in the forest in which they have invested are used as commemorative trees. In a more detailed example, in a business run by an investor, a user purchases a standing tree as a graduation commemorative tree, associates it with the said standing tree, and configures it so that graduates can view commemorative photos and graduation albums. It is possible to develop a business that records the recent status of the tree along with the growth of the tree and makes it available to graduates, their families, and friends.

In particular, it would be good for this memorial tree project to provide clear-cut forest plots to businesses as investment targets. At the time of clear-cutting, there was a problem in raising the cost of reforestation, but by providing high added value, business operators can expect high profits and easily attract investment for reforestation. becomes. Furthermore, if trees can be planted all at once after clear-cutting, the trees in the plot will be of the same age, which will help the trees to be used as memorial trees.

[Embodiment 4] Tree funeral business FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a forest management system for operating standing trees planted after clear-cutting a forest as a tree funeral cemetery.

In the forest management system 10, the tree information 4 in the forest database 1 is configured to include identification information (ID) 7 for each tree, position information (coordinates) 8 and attribute information 9 for the tree, and the corresponding usage The user information 5 associates a user with identification information of a standing tree with which the user has contracted. As in the third embodiment, the user information of the forest database 1 is information that associates a user with the identification information of a tree contracted by the user, but in this embodiment, the user information of the upper user 5-1 and the lower user 5-2.

The forest database 1 can hold upper access authority information 6-1 that defines the access rights of higher-level users, and lower access authority information 6-2 that defines the access rights of lower-level users, and can perform access management. Part 3 grants access based on the upper level access authority information 6-1 when there is an access request from a higher level user, and based on the lower level access authority information 6-2 when there is an access request from a lower level user. do.

This allows users to be stratified. For example, a high-level user creates added value by investing in and managing multiple trees, and then allows lower-level users to use and sell the created added value as the added value of each individual tree. be able to. In order to provide added value, higher-ranking users provide additional value-added information as needed, and lower-ranking users enjoy the added value by accessing the added-value information. Although the case of two hierarchies, upper and lower, has been described, it is also possible to have multiple hierarchies of three or more hierarchies.

More specifically, the forest management system 10 of the fourth embodiment can be applied to a graveyard business for tree burial, as an example. As shown in FIG. 4, the added value information 2 includes an upper user database 53-1 and a lower user database 53-2. The upper user database 53-1 stores not only cemetery management plans and results, but also memorial service plans and results, and the lower user database 53-2 stores information about the deceased, which is user-specific information, such as , date of death, posthumous posthumous name, and photograph of the deceased are to be preserved. The graveyard manager of the tree funeral becomes a high-ranking user and adds the management results of the cemetery and memorial service plans and results to the added-value information, and the bereaved family who buries the deceased becomes a lower-ranking user and adds that added-value information. The cemetery's management results and memorial service plans and results obtained by accessing the site provide added value that can be enjoyed by the bereaved family members who are lower-level users. The forest management system should be configured so that the bereaved families, who are subordinate users, can store the unique information of the deceased (e.g., date of death, posthumous name, photograph of the deceased) as unique value-added information, and freely view and update it at any time. In other words, this is also an added value that lower-level users can enjoy.

Similar to the fourth embodiment, the configuration may be such that a subordinate user can grant access authority to a third party. The bereaved family can also grant access to relatives and friends of the deceased, allowing them to visit the grave online.

[Embodiment 5] Business centered on the protection of the natural environment Figure 5 shows an example of the configuration of a forest management system for managing forests for the purpose of preserving the natural environment and conducting forest ecological research as an investment target. FIG.

In the forest management system 10, the forest database 1 includes, as tree information 4, identification information (identifier) 7 of a predetermined area, positional information 8 and attribute information 9 of the area, identification information 7 of a standing tree, and positional information of the standing tree. 8 and attribute information 9 may be configured so that they can be held together. The location information 8 of the area includes, for example, the boundary line, and the attribute information 9 includes, for example, the area of the area, the type of growing trees, a coniferous forest, a broadleaf forest, a beech forest, and the like.

This makes it possible to invest in forests not only in individual trees, but also in areas such as specific plots. The added value information that can be obtained includes, for example, images such as aerial photographs of the area, live images of the area, distribution of flora and fauna in the area, and power generation results of biomass power generation using thinned wood obtained from the area. By investing, investors who are users can contribute to forest management and nature conservation in the area.

By combining the management of each area and the management of each individual tree, we can invest in a certain area of forest, develop a business that creates added value to that forest, and manage each tree or subdivide within that area. It can be sold in small area units. As explained in Embodiment 4, by applying user stratification, businesses that have invested in a certain area of forest are considered to be top users (investors), and those who have invested in resold standing trees or small areas. By positioning them as lower-level users (investors) and giving each of them access rights to value-added information, it is possible to add value to each of them. For example, a top user can enjoy the right to name the forest in the certain area, the right to name or own a hiking course in the area, or the benefit of reselling it as CO ₂ emission rights. On the other hand, lower-level users who have purchased naming rights, etc. can publish videos of their forests and use them to advertise their contribution to environmental conservation.

As another more specific example, the forest management system 10 of this embodiment can be used to develop a business that supports natural environment protection and wildlife ecology research using forests.

In the forest management system 10, the forest database 1 includes researcher information 5 that identifies the researcher linked to the tree information as investor information 2, and research information that defines access rights to write the research results as value-added information 2. The configuration is such that user access authority information 6 can be held. Investor information 2 of forest database 1 is configured so that individuals and organizations investing in or supporting research can be registered as users for the same forest area or for individual trees growing in that area. You may.

Alternatively, similar to the fourth embodiment, user hierarchy may be applied. Researchers who conduct such research are positioned as high-level users on this forest system 10, and users who invest in or support the research are positioned as low-level users. The access authority information of the subordinate user may include the authority to view research results stored as value-added information 2.

In addition to the added value information described in other embodiments, such as the natural/managed environment database 50 and the tree history database 52, the added value information 2 includes, for example, the distribution of animals and plants growing in the forest and the activities of the animals. It is preferable to include an activity record database 54 that stores history, photo collections of animals and plants, and the like. Further, the researcher terminal 18 is a terminal used by a researcher who carries out this research. The local terminal 19 is a terminal installed in a forest, and can be equipped with, for example, a live camera 41 and an environmental sensor 43, and preferably can be accessed and controlled by the researcher from the researcher terminal 18.

When the access management unit 3 receives an access request from the researcher terminal 18, the access management unit 3 checks the researcher who issued the access request with the researcher information in the forest database 1, and sends the research results to the researcher as value-added information 2. When writing is permitted and an access request is received from the user terminal 16, the user who issued the access request is checked against the user information in the forest database 1, and the corresponding access authority information 6 is used to view the research results. If the permission is included, the user is permitted to view the research results in the activity record database 54.

This makes it possible to realize a forest management system that can provide high added value in projects that use forests to support natural environment protection and wildlife ecological research. For example, if a user makes additional investment or support for ecological research on wildlife in a forest in which he or she has invested or supported, the system can be configured so that the user can view the research results. In this way, the forest management system of the present invention can contribute to the establishment of businesses that generate added value.

[Embodiment 6] Additional embodiments common to various embodiments (business forms) Various embodiments including the above-mentioned embodiments 2 to 5, that is, various business forms based on forest trust, include: As appropriate, the forest management system 10 of the present invention may be configured to provide further added value in the embodiments described below.

[Providing physical access information (directions) to the site]
The forest management system 10 of the present invention can be configured to be able to provide physical access information (guidance) to the site.

The forest management system 10 is configured so that the added value information 2 includes physical access information including guide information to an area contracted by a user or an area including contracted trees. Here, physical access information refers to guide information for actually going to the site, such as a map that provides directions from the nearest station, bus stop, accommodation facility, interchange, etc., and transportation facilities that use those destinations. Contains information. In order to provide such physical access information as part of the value-added information 2, for example, it is necessary to provide information on wide-area maps, roads, and transportation facilities as part of the map/topographic information 55 or separately. It is preferable to save it in the environment database 50.

When the access management unit 3 receives an access request from a user, etc., the access management unit 3 checks the person who issued the access request with the user information in the forest database 1, and requests the user based on the corresponding access authority information. Permit viewing of physical access information.

As a result, users such as investors who have invested in forests and trees growing in those forests can be provided with added-value information that helps them physically access the forests and trees they have contracted with when they actually visit the forests and trees they have contracted with. .

Here, if the physical access information is limited to general access guidance, it is not necessarily necessary to limit access authority to related parties such as users, so the access management section 3 responds to all access requests. It may be configured to provide such general physical access information. On the other hand, if there is an access request from a user or other related party, in addition to general access guidance, information on local events, information on the best time to see autumn leaves, flowering information if flowers are in bloom, information on animals, etc. The system may be configured to additionally provide ecological information (fish migration upstream, migratory bird arrivals), etc. In addition to events that are open to everyone, information on events to be held locally includes information tailored to individual users, such as reunions for the memorial tree project in Embodiment 3 and joint memorial services for the tree funeral project in Embodiment 4. It is preferable that the forest management system 10 is configured to be able to provide useful information to users in accordance with each type of business.

[Providing information when a person carrying a device with GPS function is active in the field]
The business model assumes that users visit their own contracted areas or areas containing contracted trees and work in the surrounding forests, in order to provide added value to forest investments and stabilize the business. Beneficial. In order to realize such a business model, the forest management system 10 of the present invention assumes a user terminal 16 equipped with a GPS 42, and is preferably configured as follows.

When the user terminal 16 operates within a forest managed by the forest management system 10, the user terminal 16 can use its own position information and is connected to the forest management system 10. For example, a communication network using a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) is established in the forest to enable communication with the user terminal 16. Further, it may be configured to be able to communicate via a public wireless network such as a mobile phone.

The forest database 1 of the forest management system 10 further holds local access authority information that is additionally granted when the user terminal 16 is within a predetermined area, and the access management unit 3 receives access requests from users. When receiving the access request, if the user terminal is within a predetermined area recorded in the forest database 1 by referring to the location information of the user terminal 16 that issued the access request, the corresponding normal access authority is granted. The user is permitted to view the value-added information based on the local access authority information specified in addition to the information.

As a result, when users who have invested in a forest or the trees growing in the forest actually visit the forest or trees they have contracted for and engage in activities within the forest, they can increase the added value of the surrounding area based on their location within the forest. can provide information. In other words, more value-added information is provided when the user actually visits the forest and engages in activities than when the user accesses the forest management system 10 from home. It can be configured as follows. For example, when you visit a tree with which you have a contract, the growth history of that tree and information about the wild birds that nest in that tree can be displayed on the user terminal 16, and the information about the growth history of that tree and the wild birds that nest in that tree can be displayed on the user terminal 16. When a plant is photographed, its name, characteristics, etc. may be displayed superimposed on the photographed image.

Such a function can be used, for example, in a forest management system that assumes a project before clear-cutting, as in Embodiment 1, and in a forest management system that assumes a project that starts with afforestation after clear-cutting, as in Embodiments 2 and 3. It is considered to be particularly effective in a business centered on protection of the natural environment as in the fifth embodiment.

[Embodiment 7] Outdoor activity support project In Embodiments 2 to 5, the basic structure of Embodiment 1 can be applied to various projects by appropriately adding various forms as shown in Embodiment 6. explained. By further combining and adding various forms as shown in Embodiment 6, it is possible to provide users with experiential services as added value, and as a result, the forest management system of the present invention can: It can be used for a variety of business operations, such as the operation of adventure education facilities and recreational facilities that mainly involve outdoor activities.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a forest management system 10 suitable for operating a business that supports outdoor activities in a forest. The forest management system 10 is configured to hold an application program 59 in addition to the forest database 1 in the storage device 11, and allow the application execution unit 62 of the information processing unit 12 to execute the program.

In the forest management system 10, the forest database 1 holds, as tree information 4, identification information (identifier) 7 of a predetermined area, position information 8 of the area, and attribute information 9. Furthermore, it may be configured to hold a mixture of the tree identification information, the position information, and the attribute information of the tree. As a result, an operator (manager), which is a type of user of the forest management system 10, can be allowed to operate a business using the forest in units of areas such as fixed sections. The business at this time is, for example, a business that provides the area to general users as a place for outdoor activities.

When the access management unit 3 receives an access request from a user (general user), the access management unit 3 checks the user who issued the access request with the user information 5-2, and sets the corresponding access authority information 6-2. Based on this, the user can be permitted to use the predetermined application program 59. This makes it possible to provide users with the added value of using application programs in projects that utilize forests. At this time, the operator (administrator) is given the authority to manage the application program as access authority information 6-1. Management in this case means version upgrades to correct defects in application programs, additions and updates of data used by application programs, and the like.

Although the application program 59 is shown in FIG. 8 as being stored in the storage device 11 of the forest management system 10 and executed by the application execution unit 62 of the information processing unit 12, the application program 59 runs on the network 14. It may also be configured to be stored in another computer connected via the computer and executed on that computer. At this time, the access authority information 6-1, 6-2 includes various information for using the computer to be accessed and the application program 59. Here, the application program 59 can be used in various ways, such as downloading and installing the program on the user terminal 16 and running it, or running the application program 59 from the user terminal 16 on another computer. included.

When general users participating in this mobile phone outdoor activity support project are active in the field, the user terminal It is more preferable to configure the mobile phone 16 to be equipped with a GPS function so as to be able to provide services using the user's location information.

In the forest management system 10, the user terminal 16 is preferably configured to be able to use its own location information when operating within the forest managed by the forest management system 10. Although an example is shown in which the user terminal 16 is equipped with a GPS function, the method of specifying and using the position information is arbitrary. For example, antennas for short-range wireless communication may be arranged in a forest in the form of landmarks, and the location of the user terminal may be specified based on which antennas it is possible to communicate with.

The user terminal 16 that is allowed to use its own location information can connect to the forest management system 10, and the forest database 1 is additionally permitted when the user terminal 16 is within a predetermined area. Further retain local access privilege information. When the access management unit 3 receives an access request from a user, it refers to the location information of the user terminal 16 that issued the request, and if the user terminal is within a predetermined area, takes a corresponding action. The user is permitted to use a predetermined application program based on the local access authority information in addition to the access authority information. This makes it possible to provide particularly high-value-added application programs to users who operate within a predetermined area of managed forests in projects that utilize forests.

For example, when a general user participating in an outdoor activity support project carries a GPS-equipped terminal with him and goes on-site, he can start and use an application program according to his location. More specifically, we provide an application program that provides users conducting fieldwork with information on the flora and fauna that grow in various locations, and allows them to observe and report on the flora and fauna on the spot. can do.

In the forest management system 10 of the present embodiment, when receiving an access request from a user, the access management unit 3 includes information on other user terminals in the same area in the access authority granted to the user. It is more preferable to configure it to include exchange. For example, it is possible to divide users into groups and enable group work in which multiple users belonging to each group work on a common problem while exchanging information.

As a result, in a business that utilizes a forest, it is possible to enable mutual communication with users who operate within a predetermined area of a managed forest, thereby increasing the added value of the provided application program.

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described above based on the embodiments, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto and can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. For example, individual inventive concepts adopted in each embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with other embodiments. That is, it goes without saying that the investment environment database 51 can be useful added-value information for the natural environment conservation/ecology research project of the fifth embodiment, as well as the memorial tree project of the third embodiment and the tree burial project of the fourth embodiment. This can become value-added information that is welcomed by users. Additionally, adding the administrator's ID and access authority to the forest database, categorizing users, etc. can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, one forest management system may be configured so that it can be shared by a plurality of different business operators running a plurality of different businesses.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention can be suitably utilized for the forest management system which can provide high added value to generate high profit in the business which utilizes a forest.

1 Forest database 2 Value-added information 3 Access management department 4 Tree information 5, 5-1, 5-2 User identification information 6, 6-1, 6-2 User access authority information 7 Area or standing tree identification information 8 Location information of area or tree (coordinates (latitude/longitude))
9 Attribute information of area or standing tree 10 Forest management system 11 Storage device 12 Information processing unit 13 Interface 14 Network 15 Business terminal 16 User terminal 17 Administrator terminal 18 Researcher terminal 19 Local terminal 25 Administrator identification information 26 Administrator access authority information 35 researcher identification information 36 researcher access authority information 41 camera 42 GPS
43 Sensor 44 Drone 45 Administrator 50 Natural/managed environment database 51 Investment environment database 52 Tree history database 53 Investor-specific database 54 Activity record database 55 Terrain information 56 Work road information 58 Application program 60 Value-added information generation unit 61 Map/ Terrain analysis section 62 Application execution section 90 Map 91 Work road 92 Mountain stream

Claims (17)

A forest management system implemented as software on a computer that has a storage device and can communicate with multiple terminals via a network,
comprising a forest database held in the storage device, an interface for enabling communication with one or more user terminals via the network, an access management section and a map/topography analysis section,
The forest database includes tree information of a forest where standing trees grow, user information that identifies investors and/or investment candidates linked to the tree information, and topographical information and working road information of the forest. retaining at least access privilege information defining the user's access rights to value-added information;
The forest database holds investors and/or investment candidates as the user information, and when the user is an investor, the user information includes identification of the user and the standing trees in which the user has invested. This is information that associates information, and when the user is an investment candidate, it is information that associates the identification information of the user and the tree that the user is considering investing in, and the corresponding access authority information is the information that associates the identification information of the user and the tree that the user is considering investing in. or the access rights granted to investment candidates, respectively.
The map/terrain analysis unit can analyze the terrain information to extract routes that can be developed as working roads in the future, and add them to the value-added information as a road network development plan;
When the access management unit receives an access request from an investor or an investment candidate, the access management unit compares the investor or investment candidate who issued the access request with the user information, and performs the following based on the corresponding access authority information. , permitting the investor or the investment candidate to view the work road information and/or the road network development plan;
Forest management system. In claim 1,
The tree information includes tree identification information, location information and attribute information of the tree,
The user information is information that associates a user with identification information of a tree with which the user has contracted,
The added value information includes information unique to the associated user for each identification information of the standing tree,
The access management unit instructs the user to add information unique to the user to the value-added information in accordance with the tree of identification information associated with the user based on the user information. To give permission,
Forest management system. In claim 1,
In addition to user-specific information, the forest database may further hold individual access authority management information that allows the user to specify access authority for third parties to the unique information,
The access management unit allows access based on the individual access authority management information when there is a request for access to the unique information from a person other than the user.
Forest management system. In claim 1,
The tree information includes tree identification information, location information and attribute information of the tree,
The user information is information that associates the identification information of the user and the tree with which the user has contracted, and includes upper-level users and lower-level users,
The forest database can each hold upper access authority information that defines the access rights of the upper users and lower access authority information that defines the access rights of the lower users,
The access management unit permits access based on the upper level access authority information when there is an access request from a higher level user, and grants access based on the lower level access authority information when there is an access request from a lower level user. grant access based on,
Forest management system. In claim 1,
The tree information includes identification information of a predetermined area, position information and attribute information of the area, identification information of the tree, position information and attribute information of the tree,
When the access management unit receives an access request from a user, the access management unit checks the user who issued the access request with the user information, and grants access to the area to the user based on the corresponding access authority information. permitting viewing of the location information and attribute information and the location information and attribute information of the standing tree;
Forest management system. In claim 5,
The value-added information includes physical access information including route guidance information to the predetermined area,
When the access management unit receives an access request from a user, the access management unit checks the user who issued the access request with the user information, and provides the physical access to the user based on the corresponding access authority information. Allow viewing of access information,
Forest management system. In claim 5,
When the user terminal operates within a forest managed by the forest management system, the user terminal can use its own location information and can be connected to the forest management system,
The forest database further retains local access authority information that is additionally permitted when the user terminal is within the predetermined area;
When the access management unit receives an access request from a user, the access management unit refers to the location information of the user terminal that issued the access request, and if the user terminal is within the predetermined area, takes a corresponding action. permitting the user to access value-added information based on the local access authority information in addition to the access authority information;
Forest management system. In claim 5, the interface is capable of communicating with one or more researcher terminals via the network,
The forest database includes researcher information that identifies the researcher linked to the tree information as the user information, and researcher access authority that defines the access right to write the research results of the researcher as the value-added information. information can be retained,
The user's access authority information may include the authority to view the research results,
When the access management unit receives an access request from the researcher terminal, the access management unit compares the researcher who issued the access request with the researcher information, and writes the research results to the researcher as the value-added information. allow,
When the access management unit receives an access request from the user terminal, the access management unit checks the user who issued the access request with the user information, and the corresponding access authority information includes the authority to view the research results. Sometimes, the user is allowed to view the research results,
Forest management system. In claim 8,
When the user terminal operates within a forest managed by the forest management system, the user terminal can use its own location information and can be connected to the forest management system,
The forest database further retains local access authority information that is additionally permitted when the user terminal is within the predetermined area;
When the access management unit receives an access request from a user, the access management unit refers to the location information of the user terminal that issued the access request, and if the user terminal is within the predetermined area, takes a corresponding action. permitting the user to view the research results based on the local access authority information in addition to the access authority information;
Forest management system. In claim 1,
The tree information includes identification information of a predetermined area, position information and attribute information of the area,
When the access management unit receives an access request from a user, the access management unit checks the user who issued the access request with the user information, and provides a predetermined application to the user based on the corresponding access authority information. permit use of the program;
Forest management system. In claim 10,
When the user terminal operates within a forest managed by the forest management system, the user terminal can use its own location information and can be connected to the forest management system,
The forest database further retains local access authority information that is additionally permitted when the user terminal is within the predetermined area;
When the access management unit receives an access request from a user, the access management unit refers to the location information of the user terminal that issued the access request, and if the user terminal is within the predetermined area, takes a corresponding action. permitting the user to use a predetermined application program based on the local access authority information in addition to the access authority information;
Forest management system. In claim 11,
When the access management unit receives an access request from a user and the user terminal is within the predetermined area, the access authority granted to the user based on the local access authority information is the same. including information exchange with other user terminals within the area,
Forest management system. In claim 1,
The forest database further holds administrator information that identifies the administrator linked to the tree information, and administrator access authority information that defines access rights for the administrator to update value-added information. ,
When the access management unit receives an access request from an administrator terminal, the access management unit checks the administrator who issued the access request with the administrator information, and permits the administrator to update the corresponding value-added information.
Forest management system. In claim 13,
The manager terminal can use its own location information and connect to the forest management system when operating in a forest managed by the forest management system,
When the access management unit receives an access request from the administrator terminal, the access management unit allows access to a management plan regarding surrounding trees based on the location information of the administrator terminal itself.
Forest management system. In claim 1,
The position information and attribute information of the standing tree are extracted from an image taken from above of the forest.
Forest management system. In claim 1,
The positional information and attribute information of the standing tree are extracted from a three-dimensional model that is a composite of images taken from multiple angles, including images taken from above of the forest.
Forest management system. In claim 1,
The terrain information and the road information are extracted from a three-dimensional model that is a composite of images taken from multiple angles, including images taken from above of the forest.
Forest management system.

Images