JP2023173274A - Management support device, management support method, and management support program - Google Patents

Abstract

To achieve a technique that maintains or improves the quality of vegetables and fruits.SOLUTION: A management support device (10) determines environmental conditions in a container where vegetables and fruits are accommodated. This device includes: an identifying unit (13) that identifies the state of vegetables and fruits in the container; and a determination unit (14) that determines, based on the identified state, environmental conditions in the container necessary for maintaining or improving the state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a management support device, a management support method, and a management support program.

The selling price of fruits and vegetables is greatly influenced by the quality at the time of harvest. In order to improve and stabilize fruit quality, it is common to improve cultivation management during the fruit growing period. However, cultivation management for improving and stabilizing the quality of fruits may require complicated operations, or it may be difficult for only experienced agricultural producers to determine the timing of processing. Therefore, there is a need to develop technology that improves and stabilizes the quality of fruits that can be easily used by inexperienced producers who aim to sell fruits and vegetables with high added value, as well as distributors who handle the fruits after harvest. It has been demanded.

As a technology aimed at improving and stabilizing the quality of fruits and vegetables after harvesting, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that promotes coloration of the pericarp by irradiating the pericarp of the fruit after harvest with light from an LED light source. A device for promoting fruit color development is described. Additionally, Patent Document 2 describes a method for preserving fresh foods in which the condition of a plant is determined based on the color of the plant obtained from image data taken of the plant, and the temperature during storage is controlled according to the determination result. has been done.

JP2012-213360A Re-published patent 2016/159274

After harvesting, fruits and vegetables are stored in containers for a predetermined period of time, and then transported to stores and distributed on the market. Even if attempts are made to prevent deterioration in the quality of fruits and vegetables by appropriately managing fruits and vegetables during such storage and transportation, the quality generally deteriorates. Therefore, it would be beneficial if there was a technology to stabilize the quality of fruits and vegetables in such a distribution process. Furthermore, it would be even more beneficial if the quality of fruits and vegetables could not only be maintained but also improved during the fruit and vegetable distribution process.

The technology described in Patent Document 1 is a technology that promotes coloration of the pericarp of fruit, but the optimal light irradiation conditions may differ depending on the type and condition of the fruit, and it is suitable for irradiation to improve the quality of various fruits and vegetables. Setting conditions is not easy. Further, Patent Document 2 aims to prevent deterioration in the quality of fresh foods, and does not aim to improve the quality of fruits and vegetables after harvest.

One aspect of the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to realize a technique for maintaining or improving the quality of fruits and vegetables.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a management support device according to one aspect of the present invention is a management support device that determines environmental conditions in a storage container containing fruits and vegetables, and specifies the state of the fruits and vegetables in the storage container. and a determining unit that determines environmental conditions within the container for maintaining or improving the specified condition based on the specified condition.

A management support method according to one aspect of the present invention is a management support method for determining environmental conditions in a storage container containing fruits and vegetables, and includes a specifying step of identifying the state of the fruits and vegetables in the storage container, and a specified state. and a determining step of determining environmental conditions within the storage container to maintain or improve the condition based on.

The management support device according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer, and in this case, the control device is controlled to be realized by the computer by operating the computer as each part (software element) included in the device. A program and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a technique for maintaining or improving the quality of fruits and vegetables can be realized.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of main parts of a management system according to one aspect of the present invention. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of environmental condition determination processing executed by the management support device according to one aspect of the present invention. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for determining transfer timing, storage period, and environmental conditions, which is executed by the transfer support device according to one aspect of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a sorting process executed by a sorting device according to one aspect of the present invention.

[Management system 100]
A management system 100 according to one aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a main configuration of a management system 100 according to an aspect of the present invention. The management system 100 manages, for example, environmental conditions in the production process and distribution process of fruits and vegetables. The fruits and vegetables managed in the management system 100 are stored in a closed space, for example, in a storage container. The fruit and vegetable production process may be, for example, a process of growing fruits and vegetables in an indoor space such as a plant factory. For example, the fruit and vegetable distribution process may include storing, transporting, and selling fruits and vegetables after harvesting. The management system 100 maintains or improves the quality of fruits and vegetables by controlling environmental conditions within a closed space in which fruits and vegetables are housed during production and distribution processes.

Examples of fruits and vegetables to be managed in the management system 100 include apples, grapes, citrus fruits, pears, persimmons, peaches, plums, cherries, bananas, kiwi fruits, blueberries, pineapples, tropical fruits, chestnuts, loquats, Fruit trees such as prunes; fruit vegetables such as cucumbers, eggplants, tomatoes, green peppers, pumpkins, sweet corn, green beans, snow peas, green peas, fava beans, and edamame; fruit vegetables such as strawberries, melons, and watermelons; Not limited.

A storage container (not shown) that stores fruits and vegetables to be managed in the management system 100 is, for example, a container that can store a plurality of fruits and vegetables. For example, the container is configured such that the temperature and humidity inside the container can be adjusted, and the fruits and vegetables stored therein can be irradiated with light. For example, the container includes a control device (not shown) that controls the environment inside the container. Such a control device controls, for example, the temperature, humidity, and light irradiation inside the container.

A storage container that stores fruits and vegetables to be managed in the management system 100 may be equipped with an LED light source. For example, such an LED light source emits light in a wavelength range that promotes coloring of the skin of fruits and vegetables. By irradiating fruits and vegetables with light from an LED light source, the production of polyphenols containing anthocyanins, which are coloring substances, in the skin of fruits and vegetables is promoted, and coloring of fruits and vegetables can be promoted.

As an example, the container to be managed in the management system 100 can store and transport fruits and vegetables. For example, the storage container is placed on the loading platform of a vehicle and transported. For example, the storage container is configured such that the internal environment during transportation can be adjusted. The internal temperature, humidity, and light irradiation of the storage container can be controlled by a control device during transportation.

As shown in FIG. 1, the management system 100 includes a management support device 10 and a transfer support device 20. The management system 100 further includes a sorting device 30. The management system 100 also includes an imaging device 40, a measuring device 50, an input device 60, an output device 70, and a storage device 80. Furthermore, the management system 100 includes a transport device 90. In the management system 100, the environmental conditions within the container can be controlled based on the environmental conditions determined by the management support device 10 or the transfer support device 20.

The imaging device 40 photographs fruits and vegetables and generates image data. The imaging device 40 is, for example, a visible light camera. The imaging device 40 generates image data of fruits and vegetables in the storage container. The imaging device 40 outputs the generated image data to the management support device 10 and the sorting device 30. The imaging device 40 may store the generated image data in the storage device 80.

The measuring device 50 measures components of fruits and vegetables. The measuring device 50 is, for example, a saccharimeter that measures the sugar content of fruits and vegetables, or an acidometer that measures the acidity of fruits and vegetables. The measuring device 50 may be a non-destructive measuring device that non-destructively measures components of fruits and vegetables. The measuring device 50 outputs the measurement results of the components of fruits and vegetables to the management support device 10 and the sorting device 30. The measuring device 50 may store the measurement results of the components of fruits and vegetables in the storage device 80.

The input device 60 accepts input operations to the management system 100 by the user. The input device 60 receives, for example, an input representing an instruction to start processing for determining the environmental conditions inside the storage container in the management support device 10. In addition, the input device 60 receives an input representing an instruction to start processing of predicting the transfer time of fruits and vegetables, determining the storage period, and determining the environmental conditions in the storage container in the transfer support device 20. Furthermore, the input device 60 accepts input of data used in the transfer support device 20 to predict the transfer timing of fruits and vegetables and determine the storage period. Furthermore, the input device 60 receives an input representing an instruction to start sorting processing of fruits and vegetables in the sorting device 30 .

The output device 70 outputs, for example, information representing the environmental conditions inside the container determined by the management support device 10. Further, the output device 70 outputs, for example, information representing the transfer time predicted by the transfer support device 20, the determined storage period, and the determined environmental conditions. Further, the output device 70 outputs information representing the results of the sorting performed by the sorting device 30. The mode of output by the output device 70 is not particularly limited. The output device 70 may be, for example, a display device that displays this information as an image, a printing device that prints this information, or an alarm device that outputs this information as audio. Further, the output device 70 may be a display that displays this information, and may be a display of a mobile device such as a smartphone.

The storage device 80 stores programs and data used in the management system 100. The storage device 80 stores various data input via the input device 60, for example. Furthermore, the storage device 80 stores, for example, images of fruits and vegetables photographed by the imaging device 40 and measured values of fruits and vegetables measured by the measuring device 50. Further, the storage device 80 stores, for example, information used in the management support device 10 to determine the environmental conditions inside the container. Further, the storage device 80 stores, for example, information used in the transfer support device 20 to predict the transfer time, determine the storage period, and determine the environmental conditions within the storage container. Further, the storage device 80 stores, for example, information used for sorting fruits and vegetables in the sorting device 30. The storage device 80 may have a database that stores various data on a cloud or a server.

The transport device 90 transports fruits and vegetables between the sorting device 30, the management support device 10, and the transfer support device 20. The transport device 90 may transport a storage container in which fruits and vegetables are stored. The conveying device 90 is, for example, a belt conveyor, a screw conveyor, a pan conveyor, or the like. The transportation device 90 includes a control unit (not shown), and thereby the transportation between the sorting device 30, the management support device 10, and the transfer support device 20 can be automated. As an example, the transport device 90 transports fruits and vegetables in the order of the sorting device 30, the management support device 10, and the transfer support device 20. Further, the transport device 90 transports fruits and vegetables in the order of the sorting device 30, the transfer support device 20, and the management support device 10, as an example.

(Management support device 10)
The management support device 10 determines the environmental conditions within the storage container containing fruits and vegetables. For example, the management support device 10 determines environmental conditions within the storage container for maintaining or improving the condition of fruits and vegetables.

The management support device 10 includes a control section 11 . The control unit 11 centrally controls each unit of the management support device 10, and is realized by, for example, a processor and a memory. In this example, the processor accesses storage (not shown), loads a program (not shown) stored in the storage into memory, and executes a series of instructions contained in the program. This configures each part of the control section 11. As the respective units, the control unit 11 includes a data acquisition unit 12, a specifying unit 13, and a determining unit 14.

<Data acquisition unit 12>
The data acquisition unit 12 acquires at least one of image data obtained by photographing fruits and vegetables in the storage container and measurement results of components of the fruits and vegetables. The data acquisition unit 12 acquires image data of fruits and vegetables generated by the imaging device 40 . Further, the data acquisition unit 12 acquires the measurement results of the components of fruits and vegetables measured by the measuring device 50. The data acquisition unit 12 may acquire image data of fruits and vegetables stored in the storage device 80 and measurement results of components of fruits and vegetables. The data acquisition unit 12 outputs at least one of the acquired image data and information representing the measurement results to the identification unit 13.

<Specification part 13>
The specifying unit 13 specifies the state of fruits and vegetables in the storage container. The specifying unit 13 specifies the state of the fruit or vegetable based on at least one of image data of the fruit or vegetable and measurement results of components of the fruit or vegetable. The specifying unit 13 specifies the state of fruits and vegetables based on image data obtained by photographing the fruits and vegetables. For example, the identification unit 13 identifies the color of fruits and vegetables based on the image data of fruits and vegetables. Further, the specifying unit 13 specifies, for example, the degree of damage of fruits and vegetables based on the image data of the fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, the identification unit 13 identifies the sugar content of fruits and vegetables based on the measurement results of the sugar content of fruits and vegetables, for example. In addition, the identifying unit 13 identifies the acidity of fruits and vegetables, for example, based on the measurement results of the acidity of fruits and vegetables. That is, the specifying unit 13 specifies at least one of the color, sugar content, acidity, and damage level of fruits and vegetables. The specifying unit 13 outputs information representing the condition of the specified fruits and vegetables to the determining unit 14.

<Decision unit 14>
Based on the state of the fruits and vegetables identified by the identifying unit 13, the determining unit 14 determines environmental conditions within the storage container for maintaining or improving the state. For example, the determining unit 14 determines environmental conditions within the storage container for maintaining or improving at least one of the color, degree of damage, sugar content, and acidity of the specified fruits and vegetables. The environmental conditions determined by the determination unit 14 are at least one of the temperature conditions, humidity conditions, and light irradiation conditions within the container. The determining unit 14 outputs information representing the determined environmental conditions to a control device (not shown) that controls the environment inside the container.

Here, the temperature conditions include information such as a set temperature in the container, a period for maintaining the set temperature, a timing to increase the set temperature, and a timing to lower the set temperature. Further, the humidity conditions include information such as the set humidity in the container, the period for maintaining the set humidity, the timing to increase the set humidity, and the timing to lower the set humidity. Furthermore, the light irradiation conditions include information such as the illuminance, wavelength, and irradiation time of the light irradiated onto the fruits and vegetables in the storage container.

For example, the determining unit 14 determines light irradiation and temperature conditions within the storage container in order to maintain or improve the color of the specified fruit or vegetable. The coloration of fruits and vegetables is promoted by light irradiation and temperature conditions. The determining unit 14 determines light irradiation and temperature conditions within the storage container so that the fruit or vegetables have a desired color. For example, the determining unit 14 determines light irradiation conditions within the storage container to maintain or improve the sugar content of fruits and vegetables. The sugar content of fruits and vegetables is improved by irradiation with light. The determining unit 14 determines light irradiation conditions within the storage container so that the sugar content of fruits and vegetables becomes a desired sugar content. For example, the determining unit 14 determines the temperature within the storage container for maintaining or improving the acidity of fruits and vegetables. The acidity of fruits and vegetables is reduced by increasing the temperature of the environment surrounding the fruits and vegetables, which generally improves their taste. The determining unit 14 determines the temperature conditions within the storage container so that the acidity of the fruits and vegetables becomes a desired acidity.

The determining unit 14 determines environmental conditions for setting the state of the fruits and vegetables as the reference state when the state of the fruits and vegetables identified by the specifying unit 13 is inferior to the reference state. The determination unit compares the state of the fruits and vegetables identified by the identification unit 13 with a predetermined reference state, and determines the environmental conditions within the storage container based on the comparison result. The reference state may be a state of fruits and vegetables that satisfies the quality required for fruits and vegetables, a state of fruits and vegetables that have high commercial value required in the distribution process, and the like.

For example, if the degree of coloration required for a certain fruit or vegetable is 5, the reference state is set to the degree of coloration 5. Then, when the degree of coloring of the fruits and vegetables identified by the specifying unit 13 is 3, the determining unit 14 determines the light irradiation and temperature conditions for promoting the coloring degree to 5 based on the light irradiation in the storage container. Determine as temperature condition. Further, for example, if the sugar content required for a certain fruit or vegetable is 20, the reference state is set to have a sugar content of 20. Then, when the sugar content of the fruits and vegetables identified by the specifying unit 13 is 15, the determining unit 14 determines the light irradiation conditions for promoting the sugar content to 20 as the light irradiation conditions in the storage container. Furthermore, for example, if the acidity required for a certain fruit or vegetable is 0.5, the reference state is set to acidity 0.5. Then, when the acidity of the fruits and vegetables specified by the specifying unit 13 is 1, the determining unit 14 determines the temperature conditions for setting the acidity to 0.5 as the temperature conditions in the storage container.

The determining unit 14 may refer to a data table that stores the relationship between the state of fruits and vegetables and the environmental conditions within the storage container. Such a data table stores the relationship between the environmental conditions inside the storage container and the state of fruits and vegetables before and after they are stored in the storage container controlled by the environmental conditions. For example, when acquiring the state of fruits and vegetables, the determining unit 14 determines the state of the fruits and vegetables prepared in advance in the data table, the environmental conditions in the container, and the fruits and vegetables stored in the container controlled by the environmental conditions. Based on the relationship with the condition of the fruits and vegetables, determine the environmental conditions within the container to improve the condition of the fruit or vegetables to the standard condition.

The determining unit 14 performs machine learning using learning data in which the environmental conditions within the storage container are associated with the states of fruits and vegetables before and after they are stored in the storage container controlled by the environmental conditions. Using the trained model obtained by this method, input information representing the state of fruits and vegetables before and after they are stored in the storage container, and obtain output information representing the environmental conditions inside the storage container. . That is, the determining unit 14 may determine the environmental conditions within the storage container using the learned model.

The trained model described above is generated using, for example, a known machine learning method such as a neural network, a decision tree, a random forest, or a support vector machine. The learned model described above is an environmental condition estimation model that has learned the correlation between the environmental conditions in the storage container and changes in the state of fruits and vegetables. The learning data for generating the trained model described above is information obtained from fruits and vegetables stored in storage containers in the past and representing state changes before and after storage in storage containers with controlled environmental conditions. include. A model generation device that uses such learning data to generate an environmental condition estimation model for estimating the environmental conditions inside the container is also included in the scope of the present invention.

The management support device 10 determines environmental conditions within the storage container that maintain or improve the condition of the fruits and vegetables based on the condition of the fruits and vegetables, so that the quality of the fruits and vegetables can be maintained or improved within the storage container. Therefore, for example, after harvesting the fruits and vegetables, the quality of the fruits and vegetables can be improved while they are being stored in the storage container. In addition, the management support device 10 determines the environmental conditions within the container to maintain or improve the condition of the fruits and vegetables based on the image data of the fruits and vegetables and the measurement results of the fruits and vegetables. Decisions and controls can be made automatically.

(Transfer support device 20)
The transfer support device 20 determines the transfer timing for transferring the fruits and vegetables, the storage period for the fruits and vegetables, and the environmental conditions for the fruits and vegetables. For example, the transfer support device 20 determines the environmental conditions within the storage container in which the fruits and vegetables are stored during the transportation and storage of the fruits and vegetables.

The transfer support device 20 includes a control section 21 . The control unit 21 centrally controls each unit of the transfer support device 20, and is implemented by, for example, a processor and a memory. In this example, the processor accesses storage (not shown), loads a program (not shown) stored in the storage into memory, and executes a series of instructions contained in the program. Each part of the control section 21 is thereby configured. As the respective units, the control unit 21 includes a data acquisition unit 22, a transfer timing prediction unit 23, a storage period determination unit 24, and an environmental condition determination unit 25.

<Data acquisition unit 22>
The data acquisition unit 22 acquires information representing the state of fruits and vegetables in the storage container, the availability of a transfer means for transporting the storage container, and the inventory status of fruits and vegetables at the fruit and vegetable sales location to which the storage container is transferred. The data acquisition unit 22 may acquire image data of fruits and vegetables generated by the imaging device 40. Further, the data acquisition unit 22 may acquire the measurement results of the components of fruits and vegetables measured by the measuring device 50. The data acquisition unit 22 may acquire information representing the state of the fruits and vegetables stored in the storage device 80, the availability of the transport means, and the inventory status of the fruits and vegetables. The data acquisition unit 22 outputs the acquired information to the transfer timing prediction unit 23. Here, the transportation means is intended to be, for example, a transportation vehicle such as a truck. Further, the sales place is intended to be, for example, a store that sells fruits and vegetables, such as a supermarket or a fruit and vegetable store.

<Transfer timing prediction unit 23>
The transfer timing prediction unit 23 is configured to: Predict when fruits and vegetables will be transported. For example, the transfer timing prediction unit 23 refers to a data table that stores the relationship between the state of fruits and vegetables, the availability of transport means, the inventory status of fruits and vegetables, and the transfer timing of fruits and vegetables. When the transfer timing prediction unit 23 acquires the condition of the fruits and vegetables, the availability of the transportation means, and the inventory status of the fruits and vegetables, it predicts the transfer timing of the fruits and vegetables based on the relationship between these pieces of information prepared in advance in the data table and the transfer timing. Then, it is output to the storage period determining section 24 and the environmental condition determining section 25. Further, the transfer timing prediction unit 23 outputs the predicted transfer timing of fruits and vegetables to the output device 70.

The data table used by the transfer timing prediction unit 23 to predict the transfer timing of fruits and vegetables may be created in advance based on past results. Furthermore, the data in the data table described above may be modified based on the actual time of transfer.

The transport timing prediction unit 23 collects real-time information such as the condition of fruits and vegetables, the availability of transport means, and the inventory status of fruits and vegetables, as well as trends in sales prices for each season in the sales area of the fruits and vegetables, inventory fluctuations, etc. Based on historical data, the time for transporting fruits and vegetables may be predicted. Such historical data may be generated by the transfer support device 20 accumulating each data, or may be generated from data accumulated on the cloud. The transfer support device 20 may be configured to add newly obtained information such as the sales unit price and inventory status to the historical data and update the historical data at any time. Furthermore, the transfer timing prediction unit 23 may further refer to information representing the relationship between the weather and sales results in past sales areas. Here, the information representing the relationship between the weather and sales results in a sales region includes, for example, the influence of weather on sales results, such as sales being good on sunny, hot days and poor sales on rainy and cold days. It can be information that represents In this way, by predicting the transfer timing with reference to various data, the transfer timing prediction unit 23 can improve prediction accuracy and strategically predict the transfer timing.

<Storage period determination unit 24>
The storage period determining unit 24 determines the storage period of fruits and vegetables based on the transfer timing predicted by the transfer timing prediction unit 23. The storage period determining unit 24 determines the storage period of the fruits and vegetables by adding the number of days until the predicted transfer time to the time of harvesting the fruits and vegetables or the time of storing the fruits and vegetables in the storage container. The storage period determining unit 24 outputs the determined storage period of fruits and vegetables to the environmental condition determining unit 25. Further, the storage period determining unit 24 outputs the determined storage period of fruits and vegetables to the output device 70.

The storage period determining unit 24 determines the storage period of fruits and vegetables based on the transport timing predicted by the transport timing prediction unit 23 and historical data such as changes in sales prices for each season in the sales area of the fruits and vegetables, inventory fluctuations, etc. You may. Such historical data is similar to the historical data that the transfer timing prediction unit 23 refers to when predicting the transfer timing. For example, the storage period determining unit 24 may determine the storage period so as to store the item until the time when the unit sales price becomes high. In this way, the storage period determining unit 24 can appropriately determine the storage period by referring to various data and can strategically determine the storage period. You can also do it.

<Environmental condition determination unit 25>
The environmental condition determination unit 25 determines the environmental conditions within the storage container that accommodates fruits and vegetables. The environmental condition determining unit 25 determines the state of the fruits and vegetables based on the transport timing of the fruits and vegetables predicted by the transport time prediction unit 23, the storage period of the fruits and vegetables determined by the storage period determining unit 24, and the state of the fruits and vegetables in the storage container. Determine the environmental conditions within the containment vessel to maintain or improve the

For example, when the condition of the fruits and vegetables is inferior to the reference condition, the environmental condition determining unit 25 determines the environmental conditions so as to improve the condition of the fruits and vegetables during transportation and storage of the fruits and vegetables. The method for determining the environmental conditions in the environmental condition determining section 25 is similar to the method for determining the environmental conditions in the determining section 14 of the management support device 10 described above.

The transfer support device 20 determines the environmental conditions within the storage container that maintain the condition of the fruits and vegetables during the transportation and storage of the fruits and vegetables, so that it is possible to prevent the condition of the fruits and vegetables from deteriorating during the transportation and storage of the fruits and vegetables. can. Furthermore, the transfer support device 20 determines environmental conditions within the storage container that improve the condition of the fruits and vegetables during the transportation and storage of the fruits and vegetables, so that the condition of the fruits and vegetables is improved until the fruits and vegetables are transferred to the sales location. be able to.

(Sorting device 30)
The sorting device 30 sorts fruits and vegetables based on their condition. The sorting device 30 sorts fruits and vegetables according to their size, shape, color, presence or absence of blemishes, and the like. For example, the sorting device 30 sorts fruits and vegetables into predetermined grades.

The sorting device 30 includes a control section 31. The control unit 31 centrally controls each unit of the sorting device 30, and is realized by, for example, a processor and a memory. In this example, the processor accesses storage (not shown), loads a program (not shown) stored in the storage into memory, and executes a series of instructions contained in the program. This configures each part of the control section 31. The control section 31 includes a data acquisition section 22 and a sorting section 33 as the respective sections.

<Data acquisition unit 32>
The data acquisition unit 32 acquires at least one of image data obtained by photographing fruits and vegetables in the storage container and measurement results of components of the fruits and vegetables. The data acquisition unit 32 acquires image data of fruits and vegetables generated by the imaging device 40 . Further, the data acquisition unit 32 acquires the measurement results of the components of fruits and vegetables measured by the measuring device 50. The data acquisition unit 32 may acquire image data of fruits and vegetables stored in the storage device 80 and measurement results of components of fruits and vegetables. The data acquisition unit 32 outputs at least one of the acquired image data and information representing the measurement results to the selection unit 33.

<Sorting section 33>
The sorting unit 33 sorts the fruits and vegetables based on at least one of image data obtained by photographing the fruits and vegetables and measurement results of components of the fruits and vegetables. The sorting unit 33 outputs information representing the fruit and vegetable sorting results to the output device 70. For example, the sorting unit 33 identifies the condition of the fruits and vegetables according to the size, shape, color, presence or absence of scratches, etc. of the fruits and vegetables based on the image data obtained by photographing the fruits and vegetables, and sorts the fruits and vegetables based on the specified condition of the fruits and vegetables. do. For example, the sorting unit 33 identifies the state of the fruits and vegetables according to the sugar content, acidity, etc. of the fruits and vegetables based on the measurement results of the components of the fruits and vegetables, and sorts the fruits and vegetables based on the specified condition of the fruits and vegetables. The sorting unit 33 may sort fruits and vegetables according to predetermined grades.

The sorting device 30 sorts fruits and vegetables based on the image data of the fruits and vegetables and the measurement results of the fruits and vegetables, so that the fruits and vegetables can be automatically sorted.

(Environmental condition determination process)
The flow of environmental condition determination processing (management support method) by the management support device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of environmental condition determination processing executed by the management support device 10 according to one aspect of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the data acquisition unit 12 first acquires at least one of image data obtained by photographing fruits and vegetables in the storage container and measurement results of components of the fruits and vegetables (step S11). Next, the specifying unit 13 specifies the state of the fruit or vegetable based on at least one of the image data of the fruit or vegetable and the measurement results of the components of the fruit or vegetable (step S12, identification step). Based on the state of the fruits and vegetables, the determining unit 14 determines environmental conditions within the storage container for maintaining or improving the state (step S13, determining step). The determining unit 14 outputs information representing the determined environmental conditions to a control device (not shown) that controls the environment inside the container (step S14), and ends the environmental condition determining process.

(Transfer support processing)
The flow of the transfer support process (transfer support method) by the transfer support device 20 will be explained with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a transfer support process executed by the transfer support device 20 according to one aspect of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the data acquisition unit 22 first determines the state of the fruits and vegetables in the container, the availability of the transport means for transporting the container, and the inventory status of fruits and vegetables at the fruit and vegetable sales location to which the container is transferred. Information representing the information is acquired (step S21). Next, the transfer timing prediction unit 23 determines the state of the fruits and vegetables in the storage container, the empty status of the transfer means for transferring the storage container, and the inventory status of fruits and vegetables at the fruit and vegetable sales place to which the storage container is transferred. Based on this, the transfer timing of fruits and vegetables is predicted (step S22, transfer timing prediction step). Then, the storage period determination unit 24 determines the storage period of the fruits and vegetables based on the time of transportation of the fruits and vegetables (step S23). Next, the environmental condition determination unit 25 determines the environmental conditions in the storage container to maintain or improve the condition of the fruits and vegetables, based on the transport timing of the fruits and vegetables, the storage period of the fruits and vegetables, and the condition of the fruits and vegetables in the storage container. is determined (step S24). The environmental condition determination unit 25 outputs information representing the determined environmental conditions to a control device (not shown) that controls the environment inside the container (step S25), and ends the transfer support process.

(Sorting process)
The flow of the sorting process (sorting method) by the sorting device 30 will be explained with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a sorting process executed by the sorting device 30 according to one aspect of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, first, the data acquisition unit 32 acquires at least one of image data obtained by photographing fruits and vegetables in the storage container and measurement results of components of the fruits and vegetables (step S31). Next, the sorting unit 33 sorts the fruits and vegetables based on at least one of the image data obtained by photographing the fruits and vegetables and the measurement results of the components of the fruits and vegetables (step S32, sorting process). Then, the sorting unit 33 outputs information representing the fruit and vegetable sorting results to the output device 70 (step S33), and ends the sorting process.

Such a configuration will lead to the development of fruit and vegetable production and distribution technology. This will contribute to achieving Goal 2 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ``Zero Hunger.''

[Example of implementation using software]
The functions of the management support device 10, transfer support device 20, and sorting device 30 (hereinafter referred to as "devices") are programs for making a computer function as the devices, and each control block of these devices (in particular, The control unit 11, the control unit 21, and each unit included in the control unit 31) can be realized by programs (management support program, transfer support program, and selection program) for making the computer function.

In this case, these devices are equipped with a computer having at least one control device (for example a processor) and at least one storage device (for example a memory) as hardware for executing the above program. By executing the above program using this control device and storage device, each function described in each of the above embodiments is realized.

The above program may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media instead of temporary. This recording medium may or may not be included in the above device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the device via any transmission medium, wired or wireless.

Further, part or all of the functions of each of the control blocks described above can also be realized by a logic circuit. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit functioning as each of the control blocks described above is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition to this, it is also possible to realize the functions of each of the control blocks described above using, for example, a quantum computer.

Further, each process described in each of the above embodiments may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI may operate on the control device, or may operate on another device (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

(summary)
A management support device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a management support device that determines environmental conditions in a storage container containing fruits and vegetables, and includes a specifying section that specifies the state of the fruits and vegetables in the storage container; and a determination unit that determines environmental conditions within the container for maintaining or improving the condition based on the condition.

A management support device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a management support device according to the first aspect of the present invention, in which the determining section determines when the state of the fruits and vegetables specified by the specifying section is inferior to a reference state. The management support device according to claim 1, which determines environmental conditions for setting the state of the fruits and vegetables to the reference state.

A management support device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a management support device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, in which the determining unit determines an environmental condition within the storage container and controls the environmental condition. Using a trained model obtained by performing machine learning using learning data in which the states of fruits and vegetables are associated with each other before and after being stored in the storage container, Information representing the state of fruits and vegetables before and after storage is input, and information representing the environmental conditions within the storage container is output.

A management support device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the management support device according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, wherein the storage container is capable of storing and transporting fruits and vegetables.

A management support device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the management support device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, in which the identification unit determines whether the fruit or vegetable is photographed based on image data of the fruit or vegetable. identify the state of

A management support device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a management support device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, in which the environmental conditions include temperature conditions, humidity conditions, and This is at least one of the light irradiation conditions.

A management support device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a management support device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, in which the condition of the fruits and vegetables is determined by the color, sugar content, acidity, and damage of the fruits and vegetables. at least one of the following degrees:

A transfer support device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is configured to check the state of fruits and vegetables in a storage container, the empty status of a transfer means for transferring the storage container, and the condition of the fruits and vegetables at a sales place of the fruits and vegetables to which the storage container is transferred. The apparatus includes a transfer timing prediction unit that predicts the transfer timing of the fruits and vegetables based on the inventory status of the fruits and vegetables.

In the transfer support device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the transfer support device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the storage period of the fruits and vegetables is determined based on the transfer time predicted by the transfer time prediction unit. It further includes a storage period determining section.

A transfer support device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is a transfer support device according to the eighth or ninth aspect of the present invention, in which the transfer time predicted by the transfer time prediction unit and the storage period determination unit are The storage container further includes an environmental condition determination unit that determines environmental conditions within the container for maintaining or improving the condition of the fruits and vegetables based on the determined storage period and the condition of the fruits and vegetables in the container.

A management system according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention includes a management support device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, and a transfer support device according to any one of the eighth to tenth aspects of the present invention. Equipped with equipment.

A management system according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the management system according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, further comprising a sorting device that sorts fruits and vegetables based on their condition.

A management system according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a management system according to the eleventh or twelfth aspect of the present invention, in which fruits and vegetables are arranged between the sorting device, the management support device, and the transport support device. It further includes a transport device for transporting.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

10 Management support device 11 Identification unit 12 Determination unit 20 Transfer support device 23 Transfer timing prediction unit 24 Storage period determination unit 25 Environmental condition determination unit 30 Sorting device 33 Sorting unit 100 Management system

Claims (9)

A management support device that determines environmental conditions within a storage container containing fruits and vegetables, the management support device comprising:
a specifying unit that specifies the state of fruits and vegetables in the storage container;
A management support device, comprising: a determination unit that determines environmental conditions within the storage container for maintaining or improving the specified condition, based on the identified condition. The management support device according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines environmental conditions for setting the state of the fruits and vegetables to the reference state when the state of the fruits and vegetables identified by the identifying unit is inferior to the reference state. . The determining unit performs machine learning using learning data in which environmental conditions within the storage container are associated with states of fruits and vegetables before and after storage in the storage container controlled by the environmental conditions. Using the trained model obtained by performing the above, input information representing the state of fruits and vegetables before and after storing them in the storage container, and output information representing the environmental conditions inside the storage container. The management support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the management support device obtains an output of. The management support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage container is capable of storing and transporting fruits and vegetables. The management support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the identification unit identifies the state of the fruits and vegetables based on image data obtained by photographing the fruits and vegetables. The management support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the environmental condition is at least one of a temperature condition, a humidity condition, and a light irradiation condition within the storage container. The management support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the state of the fruits and vegetables is at least one of color, sugar content, acidity, and damage level of the fruits and vegetables. A management support method for determining environmental conditions in a storage container containing fruits and vegetables, the method comprising:
a specifying step of specifying the state of fruits and vegetables in the storage container;
A management support method comprising: a determination step of determining, based on the identified state, environmental conditions within the container for maintaining or improving the state. A management support program for causing a computer to function as the management support device according to claim 1, wherein the management support program causes the computer to function as the specifying section and the determining section.

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