JP5657901B2 - Crop monitoring method, crop monitoring system, and crop monitoring device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a crop monitoring method for monitoring various crops, and in particular, a crop monitoring method for monitoring a growing crop that has been reserved for purchase by a prospective purchaser, and a crop monitoring system and crop monitoring for implementing the method. Relates to the device.

  In recent years, with the rapid spread of the Internet, various crop sales systems using the Internet have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 provides a purchaser with product image data that is a product sample indicating the shipment state of a crop and production plan data that represents the date from the sowing date to the shipment date of the crop through the Internet. There is disclosed a sales system that accepts an order from a purchaser and presents image data indicating the production status of the product to the purchaser. Here, the image data includes, for example, an entire image showing the entire product development place and an enlarged image showing one of the products (representative). According to this sales system, a production plan corresponding to various purchase conditions such as the quantity desired by the purchaser and the desired date can be established, so that it is possible to realize the production on order of the agricultural products and the purchaser. Can check the production status with image data.

JP 2005-78238 A

  In the case of the above conventional sales system, the purchaser can confirm how one of the representative products is growing by using the image data as described above. However, it is representative and different from what actually reaches the purchaser. In other words, in this sales system, the purchaser cannot confirm the growth status of the crop that is actually purchased.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its main purpose is that the prospective purchaser confirms the growth status of the growing agricultural product for which purchase reservation has been made, using a communication technology such as the Internet. An object is to provide a crop monitoring method that can be performed, and a crop monitoring system and crop monitoring apparatus for carrying out the method.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a crop monitoring method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a server including a storage unit that stores image data obtained by imaging using an imaging device, and the server via a communication network. In a crop monitoring method for monitoring crops using a client terminal that is communicably connected and has a display unit, the imaging device performs an imaging process of repeatedly imaging growing crops over time and the server accepts the image data obtained as a result of imaging by the imaging device from the imaging apparatus, and an image data storage step of storing the received image data in the storage unit, is stored in the storage unit A crop identification step of determining whether or not the crops included in the plurality of image data are the same, and the farm Crops compares the image data including the crop that has been determined to be identical by the object identification step, a growth state determination step of determining the state of growth of the crop on the basis of the result of the comparison, which has already ordered book was made When receiving a request for information indicating the progress of the growth from the client terminal, to give the determination result of the growth state of the crop by the growth state determination step to the image data including the crop stored in the storage unit, An image data transmission step of transmitting the image data to which the determination result is given to the client terminal, the client terminal receiving the image data transmitted from the server, and receiving the received image data A display step of displaying on the display unit is executed.

  In the growth state determination step of the crop monitoring method according to the aspect, the server specifies the size of the crop based on the image data, and determines the growth state of the crop based on the specified size. It may be.

  In the growth state determination step of the crop monitoring method according to the aspect, the server acquires color information of the crop from the image data, and determines the growth state of the crop based on the acquired color information. It may be.

  Further, in the crop monitoring method according to the aspect, the server further executes a harvest time estimation step of estimating a harvest time of the crop for which the purchase reservation has been made based on a determination result of the growth state determination step, and the image In the data transmission step, the server assigns the harvest time information related to the harvest time estimated in the harvest time estimation step to the image data stored in the storage unit, and the image data to which the harvest time information is assigned is provided. You may make it transmit.

A crop monitoring system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a server including a storage unit that stores image data obtained by imaging by an imaging device, and a communication unit that is connected to the server via a communication network. and a client terminal comprising, in agricultural monitoring system for monitoring crops by performing communication with the client terminal and the server, the imaging by the server, is repeated at a thus time to the imaging apparatus The storage unit for storing the image data of the growing crop obtained as a result, and the crop identification for determining whether the crops included in the plurality of image data stored in the storage unit are the same. And the image data including the crop determined to be the same by the crop identification unit. And determining the growth state determining means, the growth of the crop on the basis of the result of the comparison, when receiving a request for information indicating the growth course of crops already ordered book is made from the client terminal, stored in the storage unit Image data transmitting means for giving a determination result of the growing state of the crop by the growing state determining means to the image data including the farm product being sent, and transmitting the image data to which the determination result is given to the client terminal And the client terminal includes a display unit that receives the image data transmitted from the server and displays the received image data.

Further, agricultural monitoring device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit for storing the image data of the crops during the growing obtained as a result of imaging to be performed repeatedly at a thus time to the imaging apparatus, stored in the storage unit Crop identification means for determining whether or not the crops included in the plurality of image data are the same, and image data including the crop determined to be the same by the crop identification means comparison, and determines the growth state determining means, the growth of the crop on the basis of the result of the comparison, when receiving a request for information indicating the growth course of crops already ordered book is made from the outside of the client terminal, the determination result of the state of growth of the crops imparted by the growing state determining means to the image data including the crop stored in the storage unit, the determination result is applied The image data and an image data transmission unit to be transmitted to the client terminal.

  Further, in the crop monitoring apparatus according to the aspect, the growth state determination unit is configured to specify the size of the crop based on the image data and determine the growth state of the crop based on the specified size. It may be.

  Furthermore, in the crop monitoring apparatus according to the aspect, the growth state determination unit is configured to acquire color information of the crop from the image data, and to determine a growth state of the crop based on the acquired color information. It may be.

  According to the crop monitoring method, the crop monitoring system, and the crop monitoring apparatus according to the present invention, the prospective purchaser who made the purchase reservation can confirm the growth status of the growing crop for which the purchase reservation has been made.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the crop monitoring system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the monitoring server which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The perspective view which shows the installation aspect of the camera which images a crop. The figure which shows an example of the layout of the member information database provided in the monitoring server which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the layout of the reservation information database provided in the monitoring server which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the layout of the crop information database provided in the monitoring server which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the layout of the image information database provided in the monitoring server which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the crop information update process which the monitoring server which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention performs. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the monitoring information provision process which the monitoring server and client terminal which concern on Embodiment 1 of this invention perform. The figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display part which the client terminal of Embodiment 1 of this invention comprises. The block diagram which shows the structure of the crop monitoring system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the layout of growth degree information DB provided in the monitoring server which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the crop identification process which the monitoring server which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention performs. The figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display part which the client terminal of other embodiment of this invention comprises. The figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display part which the client terminal of other embodiment of this invention comprises. The figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display part which the client terminal of other embodiment of this invention comprises.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below exemplify methods and apparatuses for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to the following. . The technical idea of the present invention can be variously modified within the technical scope described in the claims.

(Embodiment 1)
[Configuration of crop monitoring system]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a crop monitoring system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the crop monitoring system according to the present embodiment includes a monitoring server 1 for monitoring crops that are being harvested and being grown, and a client terminal 2 such as a personal computer and a mobile phone operated by the user. , 2,...

  The monitoring server 1 is communicably connected to the client terminals 2, 2,... Via the Internet 100, and transmits / receives various data to / from the client terminals 2, 2,. The client terminals 2, 2,... Are provided with a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, and information such as image data received from the monitoring server 1 is displayed on the display unit. As will be described later, the monitoring server 1 is connected to a plurality of cameras 3, 3,... Provided in the farm so as to be communicable via a dedicated line or the like. Receive. These cameras 3, 3,... Are configured by an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

Hereinafter, the details of the configuration of the monitoring server 1 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the monitoring server 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the monitoring server 1 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU 10 as a control unit that controls the operation of various devices, a main storage device 11, an auxiliary storage device 12, a communication interface ( I / F) 13 and an input / output interface (I / F) 14. The CPU 10, the main storage device 11, the auxiliary storage device 12, the communication I / F 13, and the input / output I / F 14 are connected by a bus.

  The CPU 10 executes a computer program stored in the auxiliary storage device 12. As a result, the monitoring server 1 can execute various processes to be described later while controlling operations of various devices.

  The main storage device 11 is configured by SRAM, DRAM, or the like, and is used for reading a computer program stored in the auxiliary storage device 12. The main storage device 11 is also used as a work area for the CPU 10 when the CPU 10 executes a computer program.

  The auxiliary storage device 12 is configured by a nonvolatile storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk, and stores various computer programs to be executed by the CPU 10, data used for executing the computer programs, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 12 is provided with a member information database (DB) 12A, a reservation information database (DB) 12B, a crop information database (DB) 12C, and an image information database (DB) 12D. Details of these databases will be described later.

  The communication I / F 13 is an interface device for the monitoring server 1 to communicate with an external device via a communication network. The monitoring server 1 transmits / receives various data to / from the client terminals 2, 2,... Via the communication I / F 13.

  The input / output I / F 14 is an interface device for connecting the CPU 10 and various external devices. The input / output I / F 14 is connected to the plurality of cameras 3, 3,. The monitoring server 1 receives image data from the cameras 3, 3,... Via the input / output I / F 14.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an installation mode of the cameras 3, 3,... In FIG. 3, the code | symbol F has shown the plantation. In the farm F, a plurality of ridges H, H,... Are formed in parallel. A plurality of cucumber seedlings 4A, 4A,... And a plurality of tomato seedlings 4B, 4B are formed along the longitudinal direction of each ridge H. ,..., And a plurality of seedlings 4C, 4C,. As described above, in the present embodiment, a plurality of seedlings are planted in the cocoon H formed in the soil, but the present invention is not limited to this, and is planted in, for example, a cultivation bed for hydroponics. May be. In this embodiment, seedlings of a plurality of types of fruit vegetables are planted in the farm F, but one type may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 3, two cameras 3 and 3 fixed at an appropriate height by the column 3 </ b> A are arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction of the ridge H, and two cameras fixed in the same manner are also provided. Cameras 3 and 3 are juxtaposed along the parallel direction of 畝 H, H,. These cameras 3, 3,... Are attached to the support 3 </ b> A so that the installation angle can be adjusted, and the imaging range can be adjusted appropriately by adjusting the installation angle.

  In this embodiment, four cameras 3, 3,... Are provided, but the number is not limited to this number. Further, the positions where the cameras 3, 3,... Are not limited to those shown in FIG. 3 and may be provided at positions where the crops growing in the farm F can be imaged.

Next, the member information DB 12A, reservation information DB 12B, crop information DB 12C, and image information DB 12D will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the member information DB 12A provided in the monitoring server 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the member information DB 12A stores a member ID field 101 in which a member ID for identifying each member is stored, a name field 102 in which the name of each member is stored, and an e-mail address of each member. And an address field 104 in which the address of each member is stored.

  The information stored in the member information DB 12A described above is generated based on the contents received from each user at the time of pre-registration for using the crop monitoring system of the present embodiment. The user who has completed this pre-registration becomes a member who can monitor the crop using the crop monitoring system of the present embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the reservation information DB 12B provided in the monitoring server 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the reservation information DB 12B includes a reservation ID field 111 for storing a reservation ID for identifying each reservation made by a member, a reservation date / time field 112 for storing the date and time when each reservation is made, It has a member ID field 113 in which the member ID of the member who made the reservation is stored, and a crop ID field 114 in which the crop ID for identifying each of the reserved crops is stored. The reservation information stored in the reservation information DB 12B is updated each time a member makes a reservation.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the layout of the crop information DB 12C provided in the monitoring server 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the crop information DB 12C includes a crop ID field 121 in which the crop ID of each crop is stored, a crop name field 122 in which the name of each crop is stored, and a sowing date in which the sowing date of each crop is stored. A field 123, a size field 124 for storing information indicating the size (size) of each crop, a saturation field 125 for storing information regarding the color of the surface of each crop, and information indicating the growth state of each crop are stored. It has a status field 126, a scheduled harvest date field 127 in which the planned harvest date of each crop is stored, and a reservation field 128 in which information indicating whether each crop is reserved is stored.

  In the present embodiment, the size field 124 stores information of any one of “L (large)”, “M (medium)”, and “S (small)” according to the size of the crop. In the saturation field 125, either “dark” or “light” information is stored according to the saturation of a specific color (for example, red when the crop is tomato, green when cucumber is used). The The status field 126 stores information on “good”, “normal”, and “bad” according to the growing state of the crop.

  Information stored in the crop information DB 12C described above is appropriately updated based on image data acquired by the cameras 3, 3,. Details of the processing will be described later.

  The image information DB 12D stores image data including crops obtained by the cameras 3, 3,. The cameras 3, 3,... Repeatedly perform imaging processing at preset time intervals (for example, every 3 hours). Then, a plurality of image data obtained as a result is stored in the image information DB 12D together with information such as the imaging date and time. Specifically, it is stored as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the image information DB 12D provided in the monitoring server 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the image information DB 12D includes an image ID field 131 for storing an image ID for identifying each image data, an imaging date / time field 132 for storing the imaging date / time of each image data, and the auxiliary storage device 12. The image data field 133 stores information indicating the storage position of the image data, and the crop ID field 134 stores the crop ID of the crop included in the image data. In the example shown in FIG. 7, only one crop ID is stored in the crop ID field 134. However, when a plurality of crops are included in the imaging range, a plurality of crop IDs are stored. become. The association between the image data and the crop ID may be performed manually while the operator confirms the content of the image data, or may be determined in advance based on the imaging range of each camera 3 or the like. Further, the monitoring server 1 may automatically perform it by executing predetermined image processing.

[Operation of crop monitoring system]
Next, the operation of the crop monitoring system configured as described above will be described with reference to a flowchart and the like. The main processing executed by the crop monitoring system of the present embodiment includes (1) crop information update processing for updating crop information, and (2) providing crop monitoring information to members. There is monitoring information provision processing. Details of each of these processes will be described below.

(1) Crop information update process FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the crop information update process executed by the monitoring server 1 of the present embodiment. Note that the following crop information update processing is repeatedly executed at a predetermined timing, for example, every time the imaging processing by the cameras 3, 3,.

  First, the monitoring server 1 determines the crop ID of the crop that is the target of the crop information update process according to a predetermined rule (for example, in ascending order of the number) (S101). Next, the monitoring server 1 accesses the image information DB 12D, and reads out image information including the crop ID of the crop to be processed (S102). Thereby, for example, 10 pieces of image data obtained by the latest 10 imaging processes are acquired. It should be noted that “10” here is an example, and other numbers may be used. However, as will be described later, two or more pieces of image data are required to perform image data comparison processing.

  Next, the monitoring server 1 specifies the size of the crop by performing predetermined image processing such as edge extraction on the newest image data (S103). For example, when the crop is a tomato, the diameter of the tomato is calculated and ranked in three stages of “L”, “M”, and “S” according to the numerical value.

  Further, the monitoring server 1 obtains color information relating to the color of the surface of the crop by performing predetermined image processing on the newest image data, and analyzes the color information (S104). For example, when the crop is a tomato, it is determined whether the color of the surface of the crop to be processed is “deep” or “light” depending on whether the saturation of red is higher than a predetermined value.

  Further, the monitoring server 1 executes a process for comparing the acquired ten image data (S105). As a result, it is possible to measure changes in time such as the size of the crop to be processed and the size of the seedling in which the fruits are grown, and the degree of growth of the crop can be calculated based on the change in time. .

  Next, the monitoring server 1 determines the growth state of the crop in three stages based on information on the size of the crop identified in step S103, the analysis result in step S104, and the degree of growth of the crop obtained as a result of step S105. By ranking, the growth state of the crop is determined (S106). This determination process may be performed based on the score given as follows. High scores are given in the order of “L”, “M”, and “S”, and a high score is given when the surface color is judged as “dark” compared to a case where it is judged as “light”. To do. In addition, statistical data indicating the average value of the degree of growth of agricultural products is stored, and as a result of comparison with the statistical data, a high score is given when the degree of growth is above the average, and a low score is given when the degree of growth is below the average. Like that. Then, the growth state is determined by ranking “good”, “normal”, and “bad” in descending order of the total score of these scores.

  Next, the monitoring server 1 estimates the harvest date of the crop to be processed based on the growth state determined in step S106 (S107). Specifically, for each type of crop, data on the best time to harvest (for example, three months after the sowing date) is stored, and when the growth state is “good”, it is 2 The harvest date is reached earlier in the week, when the growth state is “normal”, the harvest date is reached according to the appropriate harvest date data, and when the growth status is “bad”, the harvest date is reached two weeks later than the appropriate harvest date data. By judging, the harvest date of the crop to be processed is estimated.

  Then, the monitoring server 1 updates the crop information DB 12C by storing the information obtained in the above steps in each field of the crop information DB 12C (S108). Specifically, any of the information “L”, “M”, and “S” obtained in step S103 is stored in the size field 124, and either “dark” or “light” obtained in step S104 is stored. Such information is stored in the saturation field 125, and any of “good”, “normal”, and “bad” information obtained in step S106 is stored in the status field 126, and the harvest date estimated in step S107. Is stored in the expected harvest date field 127 to update the crop information DB 12C.

Next, the monitoring server 1 determines whether or not the crop information update process has been executed for all the crops in the farm F (S109). Here, when it is determined that there is a crop that has not yet been processed (NO in S109), the monitoring server 1 returns to step S101 and executes subsequent steps S102 to S108. On the other hand, when it is determined that the crop information update process has been performed for all the crops (YES in S109), the monitoring server 1 ends the process.
Based on the contents of the crop information DB 12C updated in this way, the following (2) monitoring information provision processing is executed.

(2) Monitoring Information Providing Process FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the monitoring information providing process executed by the monitoring server 1 and the client terminal 2 according to the first embodiment. In order to perform the following monitoring information provision processing, a member who has completed membership registration must access the monitoring server 1 using the client terminal 2 and be authenticated by a predetermined member authentication processing. Hereinafter, a process after the member authentication process is completed will be described.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, the client terminal 2 transmits an image for requesting transmission of image data including a crop growing in the farm F for which the client terminal 2 has made a purchase reservation in accordance with an instruction from the member. The request is transmitted to the monitoring server 1 (S111). This image transmission request includes a reservation ID of a purchase reservation made by the member.

  When the monitoring server 1 receives the monitoring information transmission request transmitted from the client terminal 2 (S121), the monitoring server 1 uses the reservation ID included in the received image transmission request as a search key to make a reservation related to the member from the reservation information DB 12B. Information is read (S122). Then, the monitoring server 1 reads out the image information relating to the crop for which purchase reservation has been made from the image information DB 12D using the crop ID included in the read reservation information as a search key (S123), and also searches for the crop ID. As a key, the crop information related to the crop is read from the crop information DB 12C (S124).

  Next, the monitoring server 1 generates screen information related to the screen displayed on the client terminal 2 based on the image information and the crop information read as described above (S125). Specifically, the image data included in the image information read out in step S123 and the crop name, sowing date, growth state, size, and planned harvest date included in the crop information read out in step S124. Screen information including status information and a reservation ID is generated. The monitoring server 1 transmits the screen information generated in this way to the client terminal 2 (S126).

When the client terminal 2 receives the screen information transmitted from the monitoring server 1 (S112), the client terminal 2 displays the received screen information on the display unit (S113).
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the client terminal 2. As shown in FIG. 10, on this screen, an image including one seedling, an enlarged image of a fruit (a crop) that is a seedling in the image, and various pieces of information related to the fruit are associated with each other. It is displayed. In the example of the screen shown in FIG. 10, information on the crop name, the sowing date, the growing state, the size and the scheduled harvest date, and the reservation ID are displayed as various information related to this fruit.

  Through the above processing, the member can confirm the growth process of the crop for which purchase reservation has been made, with an image. Here, when the growth state of the crop is not good, or when the color of the surface of the crop in the image is not preferable, there may be a function of accepting a reservation cancellation from the member.

  In addition, when the reserved crop reaches the scheduled harvest date, the fact is notified to the member using an e-mail. At that time, the e-mail address stored in the e-mail address field 103 of the member information DB 12A is used. Further, when delivering the harvested crops to the member who is the reservation person, the address stored in the address field 104 of the member information DB 12A is used.

(Embodiment 2)
Since the monitoring target of the crop monitoring system of the present invention is a growing crop, the size of the crop increases with the growth of the crop, and the appearance in the image data changes due to the influence of adjacent crops or leaves. Changes can occur. Therefore, it may be necessary to identify crops in the image data. The crop monitoring system according to the second embodiment is a system that can perform such identification. Specifically, the crops represented in a plurality of image data acquired at intervals of time are the same. It has a function of determining whether or not there is.

[Configuration of crop monitoring system]
As in the case of the first embodiment, the crop monitoring system of the present embodiment also includes a reservation server and a client terminal that are communicably connected via the Internet. The monitoring server and the plurality of cameras are also connected to be communicable via a dedicated line or the like as in the case of the first embodiment. Details of the configuration of the monitoring server in the second embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the monitoring server 5 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, the auxiliary storage device 12 included in the monitoring server 5 of the present embodiment is provided with a growth degree information DB 12E in addition to the four databases in the first embodiment. Since the other configuration of the monitoring server 5 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the layout of the growth degree information DB 12E provided in the monitoring server 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the growth degree information DB 12E is a crop name field 201 in which the name of each crop is stored, a sowing time field 202 in which the sowing time of each crop is stored, and a time at which the growth of each crop is measured. It has a measurement time field 203 in which the measurement time is stored, and a growth speed field 204 in which information indicating the speed at which each crop grows is stored.

  The above-mentioned growth degree information stored in the growth degree information DB 12E is set based on statistical data relating to the growth of agricultural products. FIG. 12 illustrates growth degree information regarding “tomato”. When the sowing time is “February”, the actual diameter is “0.10 cm / day” when measured in “April”. Information indicating that the actual diameter increases at a rate of “0.08 cm / day” when measured in “May” is shown. Similarly, when the sowing time is “March”, information indicating that the actual diameter increases at a speed of “0.12 cm / day” when measured in “April” is shown.

  In the present embodiment, information indicating the speed at which the crop is grown is used as the information on the degree of growth, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, information on various matters that change with growth, such as information on the speed at which the seedlings grow and information on changes in actual colors, can be used as information on the degree of growth.

[Operation of crop monitoring system]
Next, the operation of the crop monitoring system configured as described above will be described with reference to a flowchart and the like. Note that the crop monitoring system of this embodiment executes (1) crop information update processing and (2) monitoring information provision processing, as in the case of Embodiment 1, and (1) crop information update processing Among them, the crop identification process for identifying the crop is executed. Below, the detail of this crop identification process is demonstrated.

  The crop identification process executed by the monitoring server 5 is a process performed after the image information is read in step S102 in the crop information update process shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the crop represented in the image data (hereinafter referred to as “latest image data”) is the same as the crop represented in the other image data. As a result of the crop identification process, the monitoring server 5 executes the steps after step S103 in the crop information update process when it is determined that the crop is the same, and when it is determined that the crop is not the same, the same crop is displayed. The crop identification process is repeated until the image data being identified can be identified.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the crop identification process executed by the monitoring server 5 of the present embodiment.
The monitoring server 5 accesses the crop information DB 12C, refers to the crop information of the crop to be processed, and checks the sowing date stored in the sowing date field 123, sowing time of the crop (month of sowing date). Is identified (S201). Then, using the identified sowing time, the month of the date of image capture of the latest image data and the crop name as search keys, the growth degree information related to the crop to be processed is read from the growth degree information DB 12E (S202). Specifically, for example, when the crop is tomato and the months of sowing time and latest image data are February and April, respectively, one row in the layout example of the growth degree information DB 12E shown in FIG. The monitoring server 5 reads the growth degree information that is the eye record.

  Next, the monitoring server 5 obtains information regarding the size of the crop in the image data (hereinafter referred to as “previous image data”) acquired by the camera 3 immediately before the latest image data and the growth rate in the growth degree information. The size of the crop on the date of capturing the latest image data is estimated (S203). For example, when there is a week between the imaging date of the latest image data and the imaging date of the previous image data, the actual diameter of the crop in the previous image data is 5.0 cm, and the growth rate in the growth degree information When the information related to “0.10 cm / day” is related, the actual diameter of the crop is estimated to be 5.7 cm on the imaging date of the latest image data.

  Next, the monitoring server 5 calculates the size (actual diameter) of the crop represented in the latest image data by performing the same processing as Step S103 in the crop information update processing described above (S204). Then, based on whether or not the calculated crop size matches the crop size estimated in step S203, the monitoring server 5 determines that the crop in the previous image data is the same as the crop in the latest image data. It is determined whether or not there is (S205). Note that since it is rare that the above two sizes completely match, even if there is a difference between these sizes, it is determined that they match if the difference is, for example, several millimeters.

  Thus, the crop identification process ends. After that, as described above, when it is determined that the crops in the previous image data and the latest image data are the same, the steps after step S103 in the crop information update process are executed, and when it is determined that they are not the same, the same crop The crop identification process is repeated until the image data in which is represented can be identified. By performing this crop identification process, it is possible to provide accurate monitoring information to members even if the monitoring target is a crop that changes with growth.

(Other embodiments)
Since the screen illustrated in FIG. 10 is an example, for example, the screen may be a screen that displays the actual enlarged image only when the pointer of the input device is placed on the actual image. In addition, the following screen examples can be considered.
FIGS. 14, 15 </ b> A, and 15 </ b> B are diagrams illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit included in the client terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the example shown in FIG. 14, in addition to the display contents shown in FIG. 10, buttons with characters “Reserved” and “3 days ago” are provided at the bottom of the screen. Here, when the member clicks the “Reserved” button, as shown in FIG. 15A, an image of a seedling, an enlarged image of a fruit (a crop) at the time when a purchase reservation is made, and various information related to the fruit are displayed. Displayed in correspondence. When the member clicks the button “3 days ago”, as shown in FIG. 15B, the seedling image, the actual enlarged image, and various types of information related to the actual fruit three days ago are displayed in association with each other. In this way, not only the state of the current crop but also the state of the crop at the time of reservation and three days ago can be confirmed on the screen, so that the member can easily grasp the progress of the growth. Here, “3 days ago” is merely an example, and it goes without saying that “1 week ago” or “10 days ago” may be used.

  As described above, in order to generate the screen information indicating the state of the crop at the time prior to the current time, such as at the time of reservation or three days ago, the monitoring server 1 stores the crop information at these times in the crop information DB 12C. It must be accumulated. Then, the monitoring server 1 reads out the image information and the crop information at a plurality of points in time in steps S123 and S124 in the above-described (2) monitoring information provision processing, and screen information in step S125 based on the image information and the crop information. Should be generated.

  In the above example, the state of the crop at a plurality of points in time is displayed on a separate screen, but the state of the crop at a plurality of points in time can be displayed on one screen. In this case, it is possible to more easily compare the state of each crop.

  The crop monitoring system according to each of the above embodiments can be used when the crop is cultivated in any environment, outdoors or indoors. It can also be used in so-called plant factories, in which case there are advantages such as easy installation and maintenance of the camera.

  The crop monitoring method, crop monitoring system, and crop monitoring device of the present invention are a crop monitoring method, crop monitoring system, crop monitoring device, and the like for monitoring various crops such as vegetables and fruits using communication technologies such as the Internet. Useful as.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Monitoring server 2 Client terminal 3 Camera 3A Support | pillar 4A, 4B, 4C Seedling 5 Monitoring server 11 Main storage device 12 Auxiliary storage device 12A Member information database 12B Reservation information database 12C Agricultural product information database 12D Image information database 12E Growth degree information database 100 Internet

Claims (8)

Agricultural product monitoring using a server having a storage unit for storing image data obtained by imaging by an imaging device, and a client terminal connected to the server via a communication network and having a display unit In the crop monitoring method
The imaging device performs an imaging process of repeatedly imaging the growing crops over time,
The server is
An image data storage step of receiving image data obtained as a result of imaging by the imaging device from the imaging device, and storing the received image data in the storage unit;
A crop identification step of determining whether or not the crops included in the plurality of image data stored in the storage unit are the same;
A growth state determination step of comparing image data including the crop determined to be the same by the crop identification step, and determining a growth state of the crop based on the comparison result,
When a request for information indicating the progress of growth of a crop that has already been reserved for purchase is received from the client terminal, the growth state of the crop by the growth state determination step is added to the image data including the crop stored in the storage unit. An image data transmission step of transmitting the image data to which the determination result is assigned to the client terminal,
The client terminal is
A crop monitoring method, comprising: receiving image data transmitted from the server, and displaying the received image data on the display unit. The crop monitoring method according to claim 1 , wherein in the growth state determination step, the server specifies a size of the crop based on the image data, and determines a growth state of the crop based on the specified size. .   The crop according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the growth state determination step, the server acquires color information of the crop from the image data, and determines a growth state of the crop based on the acquired color information. Monitoring method. The server further executes a harvesting time estimation step of estimating a harvesting time of the crop for which the purchase reservation has been made based on a determination result by the growth state determination step,
In the image data transmission step, the server assigns harvest time information related to the harvest time estimated in the harvest time estimation step to the image data stored in the storage unit, and the harvest time information is given to the image data. The crop monitoring method according to claim 1, wherein data is transmitted. A server including a storage unit that stores image data obtained by imaging by an imaging device; and a client terminal that is connected to the server via a communication network and includes a display unit. In the crop monitoring system that monitors crops by communicating with client terminals,
The server is
A storage unit for storing image data of growing crops obtained as a result of imaging repeatedly performed at intervals by the imaging device;
Crop identification means for determining whether or not the crops included in the plurality of image data stored in the storage unit are the same;
Comparison of image data including crops determined to be the same by the crop identification unit, and a growth state determination unit that determines a growth state of the crop based on the comparison result,
When a request for information indicating the progress of the growth of a crop that has already been reserved for purchase is received from the client terminal, the growth state of the crop by the growth state determination means is added to the image data including the crop stored in the storage unit. Image data transmission means for transmitting the image data to which the determination result is attached to the client terminal,
The client terminal is
A crop monitoring system, comprising: a display unit that receives image data transmitted from the server and displays the received image data. A storage unit for storing image data of growing crops obtained as a result of imaging repeatedly performed at intervals by the imaging device;
Crop identification means for determining whether or not the crops included in the plurality of image data stored in the storage unit are the same;
Comparison of image data including crops determined to be the same by the crop identification unit, and a growth state determination unit that determines a growth state of the crop based on the comparison result,
When a request for information indicating the progress of the growth of a crop that has already been reserved for purchase is received from an external client terminal, the growth of the crop by the growth state determination means is added to the image data including the crop stored in the storage unit. An agricultural product monitoring apparatus comprising: an image data transmitting unit that provides a determination result of a state and transmits image data to which the determination result is provided to the client terminal.   The crop according to claim 6, wherein the growth state determination unit is configured to specify a size of the crop based on the image data and determine a growth state of the crop based on the specified size. Monitoring device.   The said growth state determination means is comprised so that the color information of the said crop may be acquired from the said image data, and the growth state of the said crop may be determined based on the acquired color information. Crop monitoring equipment.

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