JP2023168570A - Harvesting determination device - Google Patents

Abstract

To predict timing at which a harvesting object should be harvested.SOLUTION: A harvesting determination device 100 comprises: a density measurement unit 110; and a prediction unit 120. The density measurement unit 110 measures the density (one example of growth information) of a specific component included in a harvesting object F. The prediction unit 120 predicts harvesting timing of the harvesting object F on the basis of the history of the measurement results by the density measurement unit 110. The harvesting object F is, for example, fruit of a plant P, fruits such as melons, water melons, peaches, apples and mangoes, but not limited to them. The harvesting determination device 100 is used at a plant factory for example, but its application range is not limited thereto.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a program, a harvest determination device, and a harvest determination method.

The economic value of a harvested plant such as a fruit is largely influenced by the content of a specific component (for example, sugar content) contained in the harvested material. Generally, for harvested objects whose sugar content is important, after harvesting, the sugar content is measured using near-infrared light irradiation and an optical sensor.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that while a light source is rotated relative to the harvested object, the harvested object is irradiated with light, and the light transmitted through the harvested object is spectrally analyzed. It is described that the distribution of sugar content in a target object is measured.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-24651

As described above, the economic value of a harvested plant such as a fruit is largely influenced by the content of a specific component contained in the harvested material. Therefore, the economic value of an object to be harvested is determined by the timing at which the object is harvested. Here, if the timing at which the harvested object should be harvested is predicted in advance, it becomes easier to make a shipping plan and the like.

An example of the problem to be solved by the present invention is predicting the timing at which an object to be harvested should be harvested.

The first invention associates plant identification information that mutually identifies a plurality of plants having an object to be harvested, and measurement information including growth information indicating the growth status of the object to be harvested and measurement date and time of the growth information. an acquisition unit that acquires the
a transmitter that transmits the acquired plant identification information and measurement information to the outside;
a receiving unit that receives information indicating an expected harvest timing of the harvest target using the history of measurement information corresponding to the transmitted plant identification information and the transmitted measurement information;
It is a terminal device equipped with.

Another invention includes a circulation moving unit that circulates a plurality of plants having objects to be harvested;
a harvest determining unit that is provided in a part of the route in the circulation moving unit and predicts the timing of harvesting the harvested object;
a cooling unit that is provided in another part of the path in the circulation moving unit and cools the plants;
It is a plant growth system equipped with

Still another invention stores plant identification information that mutually identifies a plurality of plants having a harvest target, and measurement information including growth information indicating the growth status of the harvest target and measurement date and time thereof, in association with each other. a memory section to
a receiving unit that receives the new measurement information in association with the plant identification information from an external device via a public communication line;
The measurement information corresponding to the plant identification information received by the reception unit is read from the storage unit, and using the read measurement information and the new measurement information received by the reception unit, A forecasting department that predicts harvest timing;
a transmitting unit that transmits the prediction result of the prediction unit to the outside via a public communication line;
It is a harvest judgment device equipped with.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a harvest determination device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a first example of processing performed by a prediction unit. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a second example of processing performed by the prediction unit. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a harvest determination device according to Example 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a plant growth system according to Example 2. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a plant growth system according to Example 3. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the handling of the plant P after shipping. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a user terminal. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a harvest determination device. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of harvest promotion information on a user terminal.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in all the drawings, similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

In addition, in the description given below, the harvest determination device 100 is shown not as a configuration in hardware units but as blocks in functional units. For example, the prediction unit 120 can be realized by any combination of hardware and software, including a CPU of any computer, a memory, a program loaded into the memory, a storage medium such as a hard disk that stores the program, and an interface for network connection. be done. There are various modifications of the method and device for realizing this.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a harvest determination device 100 according to an embodiment. The harvest determination device 100 according to the embodiment includes a concentration measurement section 110 and a prediction section 120. The concentration measurement unit 110 measures the concentration of a specific component (an example of growth information) contained in the harvested object F. The prediction unit 120 predicts the harvest timing of the harvest target F based on the history of measurement results by the concentration measurement unit 110. The harvested object F is, for example, a fruit of a plant P, such as a melon, watermelon, peach, apple, or mango, but is not limited thereto. The harvest determination device 100 is used, for example, in a plant factory, but is not limited thereto. This will be explained in detail below.

The concentration measuring unit 110 measures the concentration of a specific component (hereinafter referred to as a specific component) contained in the harvested object F multiple times (for example, periodically). The concentration measurement unit 110 determines the concentration of a specific component contained in the harvested object F, for example, based on the intensity of light or reflected waves that have passed through the harvested object F. For example, if the specific component is sugar, the light detected by the concentration measurement unit 110 will be near-infrared light. The light source of the light detected by the concentration measuring section 110 has a light emitting element such as an LED or an organic EL element, and is arranged near the harvested object F.

The prediction unit 120 predicts the timing of harvesting the harvested object F based on the history of the measurement results of the concentration measurement unit 110. A detailed example of the processing performed by the prediction unit 120 will be described later using FIGS. 2 and 3. The prediction unit 120 then outputs the prediction result. This predicted result is output to the outside as, for example, character data indicating the harvest timing, or image data indicating the history and predicted transition of the measurement results.

Further, the harvest determination device 100 further includes a measurement result storage section 122. The measurement result storage unit 122 stores the measurement results obtained by the concentration measurement unit 110 in association with the measurement date and time. When there are multiple harvested objects F (or plants P), the measurement result storage unit 122 stores the measurement results and measurement date and time by the concentration measurement unit 110 as information for mutually identifying the harvested objects F (or plants P) (hereinafter referred to as identification). information and descriptions). This identification information is input to the concentration measuring section 110, for example, when measuring the harvested object F. The prediction unit 120 then predicts the timing of harvesting the harvested object F using the information stored in the measurement result storage unit 122.

Note that the measurement result storage unit 122 may be provided at a location different from the harvest determination device 100. In this case, the measurement result storage section 122 communicates with the prediction section 120 via a communication line.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a first example of processing performed by the prediction unit 120. In the example shown in this figure, the prediction unit 120 predicts the harvest timing of the harvest target F using an approximation formula. For example, it is determined that it is time to harvest the harvested object F when the concentration of the specific component becomes equal to or higher than the reference value. Here, the prediction unit 120 predicts the timing at which the concentration of the specific component becomes equal to or higher than the reference value (that is, the harvest timing) by applying the change in the concentration of the specific component to a predetermined approximation formula.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a second example of processing performed by the prediction unit 120. In the example shown in this figure, the prediction unit 120 predicts the harvest timing based on the difference in the concentration of the specific component between different measurement timings. Specifically, the prediction unit 120 calculates the difference (ΔC) between the concentration of the specific component in the latest measurement result and the concentration of the specific component in the previous measurement result. The prediction unit 120 then determines the history of ΔC and predicts the timing at which ΔC becomes equal to or less than the reference value. This predicted timing is then determined as the harvest timing. In this case, even if the concentration of a specific component in a particular harvested object F does not increase due to individual differences in the harvested object F, the harvest timing of that harvested object F can be predicted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the prediction unit 120 predicts the harvest timing of the harvested object F based on the history of the measurement results of the concentration measurement unit 110. Therefore, it becomes easier to plan the shipment of the harvested material F.

Note that the prediction unit 120 may correct the harvest timing by subtracting the best-before date and the time required for distribution (that is, moving it forward) from the harvest timing determined in the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Specifically, when the time required for distribution is about 5 days, the prediction unit 120 sets the expected harvest timing date so that the concentration of the specific component will reach its maximum one week later. In this way, the concentration of the specific component in the harvested object F will be at its highest when it reaches the consumer.

(Example 1)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the harvest determination device 100 according to the first embodiment. The harvest determination device 100 shown in this figure has the same configuration as the harvest determination device 100 according to the embodiment, except that it includes a measurement result storage section 122, a reference storage section 124, and an input section 130.

The measurement result storage section 122 stores a history of measurement results of the concentration measurement section 110. For example, the measurement result storage unit 122 stores the measurement results of the concentration measurement unit 110 in association with information indicating the measurement date and time. Further, when identification information is given to the harvested object F, the measurement result storage section 122 stores the measurement result of the concentration measurement section 110 in association with the identification information of the harvested object F. The prediction unit 120 then predicts the timing of harvesting the harvested object F using the information stored in the measurement result storage unit 122.

The reference storage unit 124 stores information used by the prediction unit 120 to predict the timing of harvesting the harvested object F. For example, when the prediction unit 120 predicts the harvest timing using an approximate formula, the reference storage unit 124 stores information for generating this approximate formula. Further, when the prediction unit 120 predicts the harvest timing based on the difference in the concentration of a specific component between different measurement timings, the reference storage unit 124 stores this difference in correspondence with the time required until the harvest timing, for example. I remember putting it on.

Further, the reference storage unit 124 stores information used when predicting the harvesting timing of the harvesting object F for each type of the harvesting object F. For this reason, the prediction unit 120 can vary the prediction standard for the harvest timing depending on the type of the harvested object F. In this way, the accuracy of predicting the timing of harvesting the harvested object F increases.

The input unit 130 includes an input device such as a touch panel or a keyboard, and the type of the harvested object F is input thereto. The prediction unit 120 reads out information corresponding to the type of the harvested object F input to the input unit 130 from the reference storage unit 124 and uses it. Note that the information indicating the type of the harvested object F input into the input section 130 is stored in the measurement result storage section 122 in association with the identification information of the harvested object F. When predicting the harvesting timing of the harvesting object F again, the prediction unit 120 determines the type of the harvesting object F using the information stored in the measurement result storage unit 122.

This example also provides the same effects as the embodiment. Moreover, since the standard for predicting the harvest timing can be made different depending on the type of the harvest target F, the accuracy of predicting the harvest timing of the harvest target F is increased.

(Example 2)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a plant growing system 10 according to the second embodiment. The plant growing system 10 according to this embodiment is used in a plant factory, for example, and includes a harvest determining device 100, an irradiation unit 200, a sorting device 300, a harvesting device 310, a refrigeration device 320, and a cooling unit 330. The harvest determination device 100 has the same configuration as the first embodiment.

In the plant growing system 10, a plurality of plants P are circulated by an annular circulation moving section 210, for example, a belt conveyor. An irradiation unit 200 is provided above the plurality of plants P. The irradiation unit 200 irradiates the plants P with light having a wavelength suitable for the growth of the plants P. Here, the irradiation unit 200 may change the wavelength of the light according to the growth stage of the plant P.

The plurality of plants P are given identification information to identify each other. This identification information is stored, for example, in an IC chip attached to the growth container of the plant P. The harvest determination device 100 uses the identification information of the plant P as the identification information of the harvested object F. Then, the harvest determination device 100 predicts the harvest timing of the harvest target F that the plant P has, as in the first embodiment. At this time, the harvest determination device 100 reads the identification information of the plant P having the harvest target F that is the inspection target from the above-mentioned IC chip. Further, the prediction unit 120 of the harvest determination device 100 determines that the harvest target F should be harvested when the concentration of the specific component in the harvest target F satisfies the standard. The harvest determination device 100 then outputs identification information corresponding to the harvest object F determined to be harvested to the classification device 300.

Further, a cooling section 330 is provided above a part of the circulation moving section 210. The cooling unit 330 cools the plant P to an extent that it does not freeze. Preferably, humidity is also maintained above a certain value. As a result, depending on the type of plant P (for example, leafy vegetables such as cabbage and Chinese cabbage, asparagus, etc.), the concentration of specific components (for example, sugar content and free amino acids) in the harvested object F increases. This is considered to be to prevent the plant P itself from freezing.

In this embodiment, the measurement result storage unit 122 of the harvest determination device 100 stores not only the history of the measurement results by the concentration measurement unit 110 but also the operation history of the irradiation unit 200 and the cooling unit 330.

The classification device 300 is provided in a part of the circulation moving unit 210, and reads the identification information of the plants P passing through the classification device 300 from the above-mentioned IC chip. Then, when the read identification information matches the identification information received from the harvest determination device 100, the classification device 300 moves the plant P to a separate location other than the circulation moving unit 210 in order to harvest the harvested object F. Move to root.

The harvested objects F of the plants P that have been moved to a route different from the circulating movement unit 210 are harvested and boxed by the harvesting device 310, and stored in a refrigerated state (preferably in a higher humidity state) by the refrigeration device 320. The refrigeration device 320 may store the harvested object F in a state where the humidity is further increased.

According to this embodiment as well, the timing of harvesting the harvested object F can be predicted with high precision, making it easier to plan the shipment of the harvested object F. Furthermore, since the cooling section 330 is provided above a part of the circulation moving section 210, the sugar content of the harvested object F tends to increase.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the plants P (and the objects F to be harvested) are arranged in a line, but depending on the growth status and sugar content of the individual plants P and objects F to be harvested, the order in which the plants P are arranged may be changed. May be replaced. For example, the plants P may be rearranged and grouped so that the plants P having the same growth state and the same sugar content of the harvest target F may be grouped together, and the operations of the irradiation unit 200 and the cooling unit 330 may be optimized for each group.

(Example 3)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a plant growth system 10 according to the third embodiment. The plant growing system 10 according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the plant growing system 10 according to the second embodiment except for the following points.

First, the harvest determination device 100 outputs to the classification device 300 the identification information of the plants P for which the period up to the expected harvest timing of the harvest target F falls below the standard. The classification device 300 removes the plants P that have received the identification information from the circulating movement section 210 and ships them. The plant P is delivered to the customer with the unharvested harvest object F attached.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining how to handle the plants P after shipping. The customer who received the plant P has a user terminal 400. The user terminal 400 can communicate with the harvest determination device 100 via the public communication line 20. The user terminal 400 transmits measurement information of the harvest object F to the harvest determination device 100 via the public communication line 20. The harvest determination device 100 uses the new measurement information received from the user terminal 400 and the measurement information (including the measurement information in the plant growth system 10) stored in advance in the measurement result storage unit 122 to identify the harvest target. Predict the harvest timing of F. The harvest determination device 100 then transmits the predicted results to the user terminal 400 via the public communication line 20.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the user terminal 400. The user terminal 400 is a mobile terminal, and includes a measurement section 410 and a communication section 420. The measurement unit 410 acquires measurement information of the harvest target F. Here, the measurement section 410 has the same function as the concentration measurement section 110 of the harvest determination device 100. As the user terminal 400, a general-purpose mobile communication terminal such as a smartphone can be used. In the latter case, the measurement unit 410 acquires the concentration of the specific component contained in the harvested object F as measurement information.

The communication unit 420 communicates with the harvest determination device 100 via the public communication line 20. The communication unit 420 has, for example, a wireless communication function. The communication unit 420 transmits the measurement information measured by the measurement unit 410 to the harvest determination device 100 in association with the identification information of the plant P. The identification information of the plant P is read by the measurement unit 410, for example.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the harvest determination device 100 in this embodiment. The harvest determining device 100 shown in this figure has the same configuration as the harvest determining device 100 according to the first embodiment, except that it includes a communication section 140 (receiving section and transmitting section). The communication unit 140 receives measurement information and identification information of the plant P transmitted from the user terminal 400 (an example of an external device). The prediction unit 120 reads the history of measurement information corresponding to the identification information of the plant P received by the communication unit 140 from the measurement result storage unit 122, and uses the read history and the measurement information received by the communication unit 140 to harvest Predict the harvest timing of object F. Furthermore, the prediction unit 120 stores the newly received measurement information in the measurement result storage unit 122 in association with the identification information of the plant P. The communication unit 140 then transmits the prediction result of the prediction unit 120 to the user terminal 400.

Further, when the harvesting timing of the harvesting object F approaches, the prediction unit 120 transmits harvest promotion information indicating that the harvesting timing is approaching to the user terminal 400 via the communication unit 140. Thereby, the user of the user terminal 400 can recognize that the timing for harvesting the harvested object F is approaching.

Each figure in FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of display of harvest promotion information on the user terminal 400. In the examples shown in these figures, the harvest promotion information indicates the time (in the example shown in the figures, the number of days) until the scheduled harvest date. The display changes depending on the time based on the scheduled harvest date. The harvest promotion information also includes the history of the plant S, recommended storage environment after harvest, nutritional content, etc. Although not shown in the figure, a standard image of the harvest target F at that timing may be attached to the harvest promotion information.

Note that since the type of the harvested object F is already stored in the measurement result storage unit 122, the user of the user terminal 400 does not need to input the type of the harvested object F into the user terminal 400.

Furthermore, the measurement unit 410 of the user terminal 400 may acquire a color image of the harvested object F as measurement information. In this case, the growth information includes information indicating the color of the harvested object F. The prediction unit 120 of the harvest determination device 100 predicts the harvest timing of the harvest object F based on the color of the harvest object F, for example, the area ratio of a specific color in the harvest object F.

According to this embodiment, since the user of the user terminal 400 obtains the plant P after the harvest target F has been grown to some extent, the user of the user terminal 400 can obtain the harvest target The possibility of harvesting F increases. Then, the user can enjoy the process of growing the harvested object F until it can be harvested. At this time, since the timing of harvesting the harvested object F can be predicted, the enjoyment becomes even greater.

Although the embodiments and examples have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely illustrative of the present invention, and various configurations other than those described above may be adopted.

10 Plant growth system 100 Harvest judgment device 110 Concentration measuring section 120 Prediction section 130 Input section 140 Communication section (receiving section and transmitting section)
20 Public communication line 210 Circulation unit 330 Cooling unit 400 User terminal (external device)

Claims (1)

a concentration measurement unit that measures the concentration of a specific component contained in the harvest target;
a prediction unit that predicts the harvest timing of the harvest target based on the history of measurement results by the concentration measurement unit;
Harvest judgment device equipped with.

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