JP7482061B2 - Work plan management method, work plan management device, work plan management system, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a work plan management method, a work plan management device, a work plan management system, and a program.

In recent years, crop cultivation has been managed by recording the work planned to be done in the field.

Patent Document 1 discloses a system that registers information about the work an operator performs in a farm field when cultivating crops in the field, such as the farm field, work items, work time, and worker, in a server.

Japanese Patent No. 6615620

The system described in Patent Document 1 requires that a series of operations be registered for each field, even when cultivating the same crop at the same time in multiple fields close to one another in a certain area.

In view of the above circumstances, one of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide a work plan management method that makes it easy for an operator to register a work plan. Other objectives can be understood from the following description and explanation of the embodiment.

Below, the means for solving the problem will be explained using the numbers and symbols used in the description of the embodiment of the invention. These numbers and symbols are added in parentheses for reference purposes to show an example of the correspondence between the description of the claims and the description of the embodiment of the invention. Therefore, the description in parentheses should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the claims.

A work plan management method according to one embodiment for achieving the above object includes holding work data (300) and work plan data (310). The work plan management method also includes determining a first work type and a first work period of work performed in at least one first work area (400-1) using a work device performing work in a field. The work plan management method further includes estimating an estimated work plan to be performed in the first work area (400-1) and outputting estimated information representing the estimated work plan. The work plan management method further includes setting the work plan represented in the response to the output of the estimated information as the work plan in the first work area (400-1). The work data (300) associates and stores work area information (302), crop information (303), work type information (306), and work period information (307). The work area information (302) represents the work area (400). The crop information (303) represents the crop being cultivated in the work area (400). The work type information (306) represents the type of work performed in the work area (400). The work period information (307) represents the period during which the work is performed. The work plan data (310) stores registered crop information (311) representing the crop in association with a registered work plan for cultivating the crop. Furthermore, the work plan management method includes estimating first crop information corresponding to the first work area (400-1) based on the first work type, the first work period, the first work area, and the work data (300). Furthermore, the work plan management method includes extracting a registered work plan based on the first crop information and the work plan data (310), and estimating the extracted registered work plan as an estimated work plan to be performed in the first work area (400-1).

A work plan management device (100) according to one embodiment for achieving the above object includes a data storage unit (150), a work determination unit (160), a plan estimation unit (170), and a plan setting unit (180). The data storage unit (150) stores work data (300) and work plan data (310). The work determination unit (160) determines a first work type and a first work period of work performed in at least one first work area (400-1) using a work device performing work in a field. The plan estimation unit (170) estimates an estimated work plan to be performed in the first work area and outputs estimated information representing the estimated work plan. The plan setting unit (180) sets the work plan represented in the response to the output of the estimated information as the work plan in the first work area (400-1). The work data (300) stores work area information (302), crop information (303), work type information (306), and work period information (307) in association with each other. The work area information (302) represents the work area (400). The crop information (303) represents the crop cultivated in the work area (400). The work type information (306) represents the work type of the work performed in the work area (400). The work period information (307) represents the period during which the work is performed. The work plan data (310) stores registered crop information (311) representing the crop in association with a registered work plan for cultivating the crop. The plan estimation unit (170) estimates first crop information corresponding to the first work area (400-1) based on the first work type, the first work period, the first work area, and the work data (300). In addition, the plan estimation unit (170) extracts a registered work plan based on the first crop information and the work plan data (310), and estimates the extracted registered work plan as an estimated work plan to be performed in the first work area (400-1).

A work plan management system (1000) according to one embodiment for achieving the above object includes the above-mentioned work plan management device (100) and a display unit (250). The work data (300) stores group information (305) representing classification based on a combination of crop and crop type in association with other information. The display unit (250) displays an estimated work plan and a work area of the work data (300) associated with the group information (305) corresponding to the first work area (400-1) based on the estimated information.

A program according to one embodiment for achieving the above object causes a computing device (120) to hold work data (300) and work plan data (310). The program also causes the computing device (120) to determine a first work type and a first work period of work performed in at least one first work area (400-1) using a work device performing work in a field. The program also causes the computing device (120) to estimate an estimated work plan to be performed in the first work area (400-1) and output estimated information representing the estimated work plan. The program also causes the computing device (120) to set the work plan represented in the response to the output of the estimated information as the work plan in the first work area (400-1). The work data (300) stores work area information (302), crop information (303), work type information (306), and work period information (307) in association with each other. The work area information (302) represents the work area (400). The crop information (303) represents the crop cultivated in the work area (400). The work type information (306) represents the type of work performed in the work area (400). The work period information (307) represents the period during which the work is performed. The work plan data (310) stores registered crop information (311) representing the crop and a registered work plan for cultivating the crop in association with each other. Furthermore, the program causes the calculation device (120) to estimate first crop information corresponding to the first work area (400-1) based on the first work type, the first work period, the first work area, and the work data (300). Furthermore, the program causes the calculation device (120) to extract a registered work plan based on the first crop information and the work plan data (310), and to estimate the extracted registered work plan as an estimated work plan to be performed in the first work area (400-1).

According to the above embodiment, it is possible to provide a work plan management device that makes it easy to register work plans.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a work plan management system according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of task data according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of work plan data according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining group information according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional block executed by the work plan management system according to the embodiment. 1 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the work plan management system according to an embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of work data currently being processed by a work plan management system according to an embodiment. 1 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the work plan management system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a display image displayed by a terminal in one embodiment. 1 is a flowchart showing a process in which the work plan management system in one embodiment estimates a work plan. 1 is a flowchart showing a process in which the work plan management system in one embodiment estimates a work plan. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of work data currently being processed by a work plan management system in one embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
A work plan management system 1000 according to this embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the work plan management system 1000 includes a work plan management device 100 and a terminal 200. The work plan management device 100 is communicatively connected to the terminal 200 and a work vehicle 30 via a network 20, for example the Internet.

The work vehicle 30 performs work by moving within the field. The work vehicle 30 is equipped with a positioning device, for example, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver, and acquires positioning information indicating the position at each time of movement. The work plan management device 100 acquires operation information in the field from the work vehicle 30, and calculates and stores work data indicating the work area, work type, position information of the work vehicle 30, etc. based on the acquired operation information. The operation information includes information indicating the state of the work vehicle 30 when working in the field, and includes information indicating, for example, the speed, steering angle, engine speed, ON/OFF status of various clutches, position information of the work vehicle 30 at each time, work period, etc. of the work vehicle 30. When the work vehicle 30 is a vehicle that tows a work machine, for example, a tractor, the operation information may include information such as the PTO (power take-off) speed when transmitting power to the work machine, and the hitch height and lift arm angle indicating the attitude of the work machine.

The work plan management device 100 estimates a work plan that represents the schedule of work for cultivating crops in a field based on the operation information of the work vehicle 30. The terminal 200 displays the estimated work plan on the input/output device 210. A user, for example, a worker, checks the displayed work plan and modifies it as necessary, thereby registering the work plan in the work plan management device 100.

In this way, the work plan management system 1000 supports the user in formulating a work plan by estimating a work plan for the work area where the work was performed. This allows the user to easily formulate a work plan and easily register it in the work plan management system 1000.

(Configuration of the work plan management system)
The configuration of the work plan management device 100 included in the work plan management system 1000 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the work plan management device 100 includes an input/output device 110, a calculation device 120, a communication device 130, and a storage device 140. The work plan management device 100 is, for example, a computer. Information for the calculation device 120 to execute processing is input to the input/output device 110. The input/output device 110 outputs a result of the calculation device 120 executing the processing. The input/output device 110 includes various input devices and output devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a display, a speaker, and a touch panel. The input/output device 110 may be omitted.

The communication device 130 is electrically connected to the network 20 and communicates with each device via the network 20. The communication device 130 transfers operation information acquired from the work vehicle 30 to the calculation device 120. The communication device 130 also transfers signals generated by the calculation device 120 to the terminal 200. The communication device 130 includes various interfaces, such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) and a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

The storage device 140 stores various data for setting a work plan in the work area, such as work data 300, work plan data 310, and work plan management program 320. The storage device 140 is used as a non-transitory tangible storage medium for storing the work plan management program 320. The work plan management program 320 may be provided as a computer program product recorded on a computer-readable storage medium 1, or may be provided as a computer program product downloadable from a server.

The work data 300 includes data related to work in the field, for example data calculated from operation information from the work vehicle 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the work data 300 stores identification information 301, work area information 302, crop information 303, crop type information 304, group information 305, work type information 306, work period information 307, and work schedule information 308 in association with one another. The work area information 302, work type information 306, and work period information 307 are registered based on operation information from the work vehicle 30. The crop information 303 and crop type information 304 are used to calculate a work plan. The work schedule information 308 is registered based on the set work plan.

The identification information 301 is used to distinguish the work areas according to the crop being cultivated and the cultivation type of the crop. For example, the identification information 301 is assigned a different value for each work area.

The work area information 302 represents the work area where work was performed. The work area information 302 is calculated, for example, based on the position information of the work vehicle 30 at each time. The work area represented by the work area information 302 may represent the entire field area where the work vehicle 30 performs work, or may represent only a portion of the field area.

Crop information 303 indicates the crops, such as soybeans and radishes, that are being cultivated in the work area represented by work area information 302. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, crop information 303 whose identification information 301 is "ID01" indicates that "soybeans" are being cultivated in the work area "A".

The crop type information 304 indicates the crop type for cultivating the crop represented by the crop information 303 in the work area represented by the work area information 302. The crop type information 304 indicates, for example, the sowing time, such as spring sowing or May sowing, and indicates a combination of the type of work performed to cultivate the crop and the work period in which each work is performed. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the crop type information 304 whose identification information 301 is "ID01" indicates that "soybean" is cultivated in the work area "A" in the "spring sowing" crop type.

The group information 305 is used to classify work areas according to the combination of the crop being cultivated and its cultivation type. When the combination of the crop being cultivated in each work area and its cultivation type is the same, the group information 305 shows the same value. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when one or more work areas 400 are included in the first group 450-1, the same value is registered in the group information 305 corresponding to the work areas 400 included in the first group 450-1. Similarly, the same value is registered in the group information 305 corresponding to the work areas 400 included in the second group 450-2.

The work type information 306 indicates the type of work to be performed in the work area 400 represented by the work area information 302, such as plowing, leveling, fertilizing, sowing, etc. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the work type information 306 for "ID01" indicates that "plowing", "leveling", etc. will be performed in the work area 400 represented by "A" in the work area information 302.

The work period information 307 indicates the period during which the work type indicated by the work type information 306 was performed in the work area 400 indicated by the work area information 302. The work period information 307 indicates, for example, the time when the work started and the time when the work ended. The work period information 307 may also indicate the time when the work vehicle 30 entered the field and the time when it left the field. The work period information 307 may also indicate the time when the work vehicle 30 started, for example, when the engine started, and the time when the work vehicle 30 stopped, for example, when the engine stopped. The work period information 307 may select any format that indicates the period during which work was performed in the field. Also, when the work period information 307 has not been registered, for example, when no period has been registered in the work period information 307 as indicated by "-" as shown in FIG. 2, it indicates that the corresponding work type information 306, for example "land leveling", has not yet been performed.

The work schedule information 308 indicates the planned time for performing work of the work type represented by the work type information 306 in the work area 400 represented by the work area information 302. The work schedule information 308 is set based on the set work plan.

As shown in FIG. 3, the work plan data 310 indicates the type of work to be performed when cultivating the crop represented by the registered crop information 311 in the crop type represented by the registered crop type information 312, and the time when the work type is to be performed. The work plan data 310 stores the registered crop information 311, the registered crop type information 312, the registered work type information 313, and the registered work schedule information 314 in association with one another. The registered work type information 313 indicates the type of work to be performed when cultivating the crop represented by the registered crop information 311 in the crop type represented by the registered crop type information 312. The registered work schedule information 314 indicates the time when the work type represented by the registered work type information 313 is to be performed.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, work plan data 310 indicates the type of work to be performed when cultivating "soybeans" represented in registered crop information 311 with the "spring sowing" represented in registered crop type information 312, and the time when the work of the work type is to be performed. Registered work type information 313 indicates that work such as "plowing," "land preparation," and "sowing" is performed when cultivating "soybeans" with the "spring sowing." Registered work schedule information 314 indicates the period from when a reference work type is performed until when the corresponding work type is performed. For example, registered work schedule information 314 indicates the number of days from the date when the reference "plowing" was performed until "land preparation" is performed, or until "sowing" is performed.

The work data 300 and work plan data 310 shown in FIG. 1 are read by the computing device 120 and used for various data processing to set a work plan in the work area 400. The computing device 120 reads and executes the work plan management program 320 from the storage device 140. For example, the computing device 120 includes a central processing unit (CPU) and the like.

The computing device 120 reads and executes the work plan management program 320, thereby realizing a data storage unit 150, a work judgment unit 160, a plan estimation unit 170, and a plan setting unit 180, as shown in FIG. 5. The data storage unit 150 stores work data 300 and work plan data 310. The work judgment unit 160 calculates the work period and the work area 400 based on the operation information from the work vehicle 30. The work judgment unit 160 also determines the work type of the work performed by the work vehicle 30 based on the operation information from the work vehicle 30. The plan estimation unit 170 estimates the work plan for the work area 400 based on the work data 300 and the work plan data 310. The plan setting unit 180 sets the work plan for the work area 400 in response to a response from the terminal 200.

Next, the configuration of the terminal 200 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal 200 includes an input/output device 210, a computing device 220, a communication device 230, and a storage device 240. The terminal 200 includes, for example, a computer, a tablet, a mobile phone, and the like. Information for the computing device 220 to execute processing is input to the input/output device 210. The input/output device 210 also outputs the results of the processing executed by the computing device 220. The input/output device 210 includes various input devices and output devices, and includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a display, a speaker, a touch panel, and the like.

The communication device 230 is electrically connected to the network 20 and communicates with each device via the network 20. The communication device 230 transfers information acquired from the work plan management device 100 to the calculation device 220. The communication device 230 also transfers signals generated by the calculation device 220 to the work plan management device 100. The communication device 230 includes various interfaces, such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) transceiver, a NIC (Network Interface Card), and a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

The storage device 240 stores various data for setting a work plan in the work area 400, such as the display program 330. The storage device 240 is used as a non-transitory tangible storage medium for storing the display program 330. The display program 330 may be provided as a computer program product recorded on a computer-readable storage medium 2, or may be provided as a computer program product downloadable from a server. The display program 330 may be provided by being recorded on the storage medium 1.

The computing device 220 reads and executes the display program 330, thereby realizing the display unit 250 that cooperates with the input/output device 210 to display a display image representing the work plan in the work area 400, as shown in FIG. 5. The display unit 250 acquires information representing the work plan from the work plan management device 100 and displays the display image.

(Operation of the work plan management system)
When the calculation device 120 of the work plan management device 100 shown in Fig. 1 receives operation information from the work vehicle 30, it executes the work plan management program 320 and starts the processing shown in Fig. 6 which is part of a work plan management method. In step S110, the work determination unit 160 realized by the calculation device 120 determines a work period and a work area 400 based on the operation information from the work vehicle 30.

For example, the work judgment unit 160 determines the work area 400 based on the position information of the work vehicle 30. The work judgment unit 160 acquires position information representing the position at each time measured by the work vehicle 30. The work judgment unit 160 determines the work area 400 based on the acquired position information. For example, the work area 400 is represented by any closed figure, such as a polygon or a rectangle, including the position represented in the acquired position information. For example, the work area 400 is represented by a figure that surrounds all the positions represented in the acquired position information. The work judgment unit 160 registers the work area information 302 representing the determined work area 400 in the work data 300. For example, when the work data 300 includes the work area information 302 representing the work area 400, the work judgment unit 160 extracts the corresponding identification information 301. When the work data 300 does not include work area information 302 representing the work area 400, the work determination unit 160 assigns new identification information 301 and registers the work area information 302 representing the work area 400 in the work data 300 in association with the assigned identification information 301.

The work determination unit 160 also determines that the work period is from the time the work vehicle 30 is started to the time the work vehicle 30 is stopped. The work determination unit 160 may determine the work period based on the time the work of the work vehicle 30 starts and ends, and, for example, the time the work machine towed by the work vehicle 30 starts and stops.

In step S120, the work determination unit 160 determines the work type based on the operation information from the work vehicle 30. For example, the work determination unit 160 estimates the work type using a trained model obtained by machine learning. In this case, the trained model is trained to determine the work type from the operation information. The work determination unit 160 may also calculate the work type based on the model of the work vehicle 30. In this case, the storage device 140 stores work correspondence data that associates the model of the work vehicle 30 with the work represented by the work type. The work determination unit 160 determines the work type based on the work correspondence data. The determined work type is registered in the work data 300 as work type information 306 by the work determination unit 160.

In this way, the work determination unit 160 registers the work area information 302, work type information 306, and work period information 307 in the work data 300 based on the operation information of the work vehicle 30, as shown in FIG. 7.

Next, when an operation for setting a work plan in the work area 400 is input to the input/output device 210 of the terminal 200 shown in FIG. 1, the work plan management system 1000 starts the process shown in FIG. 8, which is part of the work plan management method. When an operation for setting a work plan is input to the input/output device 210 of the terminal 200, the calculation device 220 of the terminal 200 shown in FIG. 1 executes the display program 330. For example, the user inputs an operation for setting a work plan for the first work area 400-1 shown in FIG. 4 to the input/output device 210.

In step S210 shown in FIG. 8, the display unit 250 realized by the computing device 220 of the terminal 200 generates a request signal requesting work data 300 for setting a work plan in the first work area 400-1. When the computing device 120 of the work plan management device 100 receives the request signal, it executes the work plan management program 320 to realize the plan estimation unit 170. Note that the information represented by the request signal includes information representing the first work area 400-1 in which the work plan is set.

In step S220, the plan estimation unit 170 of the work plan management device 100 estimates a work plan for the corresponding first work area 400-1 based on the work data 300. The detailed process by which the plan estimation unit 170 estimates the work plan will be described later.

In step S230, the plan estimation unit 170 determines whether a work plan has been estimated. When a work plan has been estimated, the plan estimation unit 170 executes the process of step S240. When a work plan has not been estimated, the plan estimation unit 170 executes the process of step S280. The estimated work plan may also be referred to as an estimated work plan.

In step S240, the plan estimation unit 170 outputs estimation information representing the estimated work plan to the display unit 250 of the terminal 200.

In step S250, the display unit 250 of the terminal 200 displays a display image showing the estimated information, as shown in FIG. 9. The display image displayed by the display unit 250 includes a work area display field 510, an estimated work type display field 520, a work schedule display field 530, a correction button 540, and a setting button 550.

The work area display field 510 shows the positions of the multiple work areas 400, and for example shows the first work area 400-1 on a map. In the work area display field 510, the first work area 400-1 in which the work plan is set is displayed so as to be distinguishable from the other work areas 400. In addition, the work areas 400 displayed in the work area display field 510 show the classification of the work data 300 according to the group information 305. For example, the work areas 400 included in the first group 450-1 have a display form different from that of other groups so that the user can recognize them as being distinguished from the work areas 400 included in other groups, for example, the second group 450-2. For example, the work areas 400 included in the first group 450-1 are given a color different from that of the work areas 400 included in the second group 450-2. In addition, other display forms of the work areas 400, such as textures and predetermined patterns such as slanting lines arranged at regular intervals, may be changed according to the group.

The estimated crop type display field 520 displays the crop and its crop type estimated to be cultivated in the first work area 400-1 based on the work performed in the first work area 400-1 for which the work plan is set. The estimated crop type display field 520 may display multiple combinations of crops and crop types. The crops and crop types displayed in the estimated crop type display field 520 are displayed so as to correspond to the work areas 400 displayed in the work area display field 510 that cultivate the same crop with the same crop type, for example, the work areas 400 included in the first group 450-1. For example, the crops and crop types displayed in the estimated crop type display field 520 are displayed in the same color as the color applied to the corresponding work area 400.

The work plan display field 530 displays the type of work to be performed in the first work area 400-1 and the planned time when the work will be performed based on the estimated crop and crop type. When multiple crop and crop type combinations are displayed in the estimated crop type display field 520, the work type and planned time displayed in the work plan display field 530 are changed depending on the crop and crop type selected in the estimated crop type display field 520.

When the Modify button 540 is selected, the display unit 250 starts processing to modify the estimated work plan. When the Modify button 540 is selected, the display unit 250 displays a screen on which the work plan, specifically the work type and planned work time, can be modified. When the user inputs a work plan on the displayed screen, the display unit 250 modifies the estimated work plan to the input work plan and displays the modified work plan in the display image.

When the setting button 550 is selected, the display unit 250 starts processing to reflect the work plan for the first work area 400-1 shown in the display image in the work data 300.

When the setting button 550 is selected, in step S260 shown in FIG. 8, the display unit 250 transmits a setting request signal to the work plan management device 100 requesting that the work plan shown in the display image be set. For example, the setting request signal indicates the work plan shown in the display image.

In step S270, the plan setting unit 180 of the work plan management device 100 sets a work plan based on the setting request signal. For example, the plan setting unit 180 extracts the work plan represented in the setting request signal. Based on the extracted work plan, the plan setting unit 180 registers the work type included in the work plan in the work type information 306 of the work data 300 shown in FIG. 2, and registers the planned work time included in the work plan in the work plan information 308.

When the plan estimation unit 170 cannot estimate the work plan in step S230 shown in FIG. 8, it executes the process of step S280. In step S280, the plan estimation unit 170 of the work plan management device 100 transmits a plan input request signal for requesting input of a work plan to the display unit 250 of the terminal 200. In this case, the display unit 250 displays a display image in which an input field for inputting the work plan is provided in the work plan display field 530 of the display screen shown in FIG. 9 in step S250. When the work plan is input, specifically, when the work type and the scheduled work time are input, the display unit 250 generates a setting request signal for setting the input work plan in step S260. In step S270, the plan setting unit 180 of the work plan management device 100 sets the work plan based on the setting request signal.

In this way, the work plan management system 1000 sets the work type of the work to be performed in the first work area 400-1 and the planned work time when the work should be performed in the work data 300. The user can easily understand the work to be performed in the work area 400 by checking each piece of information in the work data 300 stored in the data storage unit 150 of the work plan management device 100.

Specifically, the display unit 250 of the terminal 200 shown in FIG. 5 generates a work schedule request signal that requests the data storage unit 150 of the work plan management device 100 to send the work area information 302 stored in the work data 300 shown in FIG. 2 and the work schedule information 308 corresponding to the work area information 302 in response to a user operation. The data storage unit 150 extracts the requested work area information 302 and work schedule information 308 from the work data 300 based on the work schedule request signal, and generates a work schedule response signal representing the extracted work area information 302 and work schedule information 308. The display unit 250 of the terminal 200 displays the work area information 302 and work schedule information 308 based on the work schedule response signal. The user checks the displayed work area information 302 and work schedule information 308 to understand the work to be performed in the work area 400.

(Estimated Work Plan)
Next, a process in which the plan estimation unit 170 of the work plan management apparatus 100 estimates a work plan in step S220 shown in FIG. 8 will be described. The plan estimation unit 170 executes the process shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B to estimate a work plan for the first work area 400-1. In step S310, the plan estimation unit 170 calculates a similarity between the work in the work area 400 registered in the work data 300 shown in FIG. 7 and the work in the first work area 400-1 corresponding to the work plan to be estimated. For example, the plan estimation unit 170 calculates the similarity based on the work area information 302, work type information 306, work period information 307, the position of the first work area 400-1, the work type of the work performed in the first work area 400-1, and the work period stored in the work data 300. Specifically, the plan estimation unit 170 acquires the work type of the work performed in the first work area 400-1 from the work data 300 as the first work type. Next, the plan estimation unit 170 extracts work areas 400 in which work was performed before the work was performed in the first work area 400-1 and which have the same work type as the first work type. The plan estimation unit 170 calculates the similarity between the work in the extracted work area 400 and the work in the first work area 400-1. The similarity is used to determine whether the combination of crops and cropping types cultivated in the other work areas 400 is similar to the combination of crops and cropping types cultivated in the first work area 400-1.

The similarity is calculated using the distance from the extracted work area 400 to the first work area 400-1 and the time difference between the work period in which the work of the first work type was performed in the extracted work area 400 and the work period in which the work was performed in the first work area 400-1. For example, the similarity may be calculated based on a two-dimensional distance with the distance between the work areas 400 and the time difference as one axis. Specifically, the plan estimation unit 170 calculates the Euclidean distance, which is calculated as the square root of the value obtained by adding the square of the distance to the square of the time difference. The plan estimation unit 170 calculates the similarity by calculating the reciprocal of the calculated Euclidean distance. Also, any distance, for example, Manhattan distance, may be used instead of the Euclidean distance.

In step S320 shown in FIG. 10A, the plan estimation unit 170 determines whether there is a work area 400 whose calculated similarity is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. When there is a work area 400 whose calculated similarity is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the plan estimation unit 170 executes the process of step S330. When there is no work area 400 whose calculated similarity is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the plan estimation unit 170 determines a new group number for the group information 305 corresponding to the first work area 400-1 in the work data 300 shown in FIG. 7, and executes the process of step S360 shown in FIG. 10B.

In step S330 shown in FIG. 10A, the plan estimation unit 170 outputs a high similarity region signal representing information on work areas 400 with high similarity to the display unit 250. For example, the plan estimation unit 170 extracts a predetermined number of work areas 400, for example, four work areas 400, in order from the work areas 400 with similarity equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, in descending order of similarity. The plan estimation unit 170 generates a high similarity region signal representing information on the extracted work areas 400, for example, work area information 302, crop information 303, crop type information 304, etc.

In step S340, the display unit 250 displays information about the work area 400 with high similarity based on the high similarity area signal. The user inputs a selection operation to the input/output device 210 of the terminal 200 to select information about the work area 400 that is most similar to the combination of crop and crop type cultivated in the first work area 400-1 from the displayed information about the work areas 400. Based on the selection operation input to the input/output device 210, the display unit 250 transmits a selection signal representing the selected work area 400 to the plan estimation unit 170 of the work plan management device 100.

In step S350, the plan estimation unit 170 determines whether the crop information 303 and crop type information 304 corresponding to the selected work area 400 are registered in the work data 300 based on the selection signal received from the display unit 250. Specifically, the plan estimation unit 170 extracts group information 305 corresponding to the work area 400 represented by the selection signal from the work data 300 shown in FIG. 2. The plan estimation unit 170 registers the same value as the extracted group information 305 in the group information 305 corresponding to the first work area 400-1. Furthermore, the plan estimation unit 170 extracts identification information 301 having the acquired group information 305 from the work data 300. Furthermore, the plan estimation unit 170 acquires crop information 303 and crop type information 304 corresponding to the identification information 301 extracted from the work data 300. When crop information 303 and crop type information 304 are registered in at least one of the extracted identification information 301, the plan estimation unit 170 acquires the registered crop information 303 and crop type information 304 and executes the process of step S380 shown in FIG. 10B. When the acquired crop information 303 and crop type information 304 are not registered in at least one of the extracted identification information 301, the plan estimation unit 170 executes the process of step S360 to accept crop information 303 and crop type information 304 from the user.

In step S360 shown in FIG. 10B, the plan estimation unit 170 generates an input request signal requesting input of crop information 303 and crop type information 304, and transmits the generated input request signal to the display unit 250 of the terminal 200.

In step S370, the display unit 250 displays a screen requesting the user to provide information about the crop to be cultivated in the first work area 400-1 and the crop type for growing that crop, based on the input request signal. The user performs an input operation to input crop information 303 and crop type information 304 to the input/output device 210 of the terminal 200. Based on the input operation, the display unit 250 transmits the input crop information 303 and crop type information 304 to the plan estimation unit 170 of the work plan management device 100. The plan estimation unit 170 acquires the crop information 303 and crop type information 304 from the display unit 250.

In step S380, the plan estimation unit 170 determines whether a work plan corresponding to the combination of the acquired crop information 303 and crop type information 304 is registered in the work plan data 310. For example, the plan estimation unit 170 determines whether the work plan data 310 contains information in which the registered crop information 311 shown in FIG. 3 is the same as the acquired crop information 303 and the registered crop type information 312 is the same as the acquired crop type information 304. When the work plan data 310 contains information corresponding to the combination of the acquired crop information 303 and crop type information 304, the plan estimation unit 170 executes the process of step S390. When the work plan data 310 does not contain information corresponding to the combination of the acquired crop information 303 and crop type information 304, the plan estimation unit 170 determines that the work plan for the first work area 400-1 cannot be estimated, terminates the process of estimating the work plan, and executes the process of step S280 shown in FIG. 8.

In step S390, the plan estimation unit 170 extracts a registered work plan registered in the work plan data 310, and estimates that it is a work plan for the first work area 400-1 based on the extracted registered work plan. For example, the plan estimation unit 170 acquires registered work type information 313 and registered work schedule information 314 corresponding to information in which the registered crop information 311 shown in FIG. 3 is the same as the acquired crop information 303, and the registered crop type information 312 is the same as the acquired crop type information 304. Based on the acquired registered work type information 313 and registered work schedule information 314, the plan estimation unit 170 estimates the work plan for the first work area 400-1.

Specifically, the plan estimation unit 170 estimates the work plan for the first work area 400-1 based on the information of the first work area 400-1 registered in the work data 300 shown in FIG. 7, the registered work type information 313 acquired from the work plan data 310 shown in FIG. 3, and the registered work schedule information 314. First, the plan estimation unit 170 estimates that the work of the registered work type information 313 acquired from the work plan data 310 will be performed in the first work area 400-1. For example, it is assumed that it is estimated that the crop "soybean" will be cultivated in the first work area 400-1 with the crop type "spring sowing". In this case, the plan estimation unit 170 estimates that "plowing", "land leveling", "sowing", etc. will be performed in the first work area 400-1 as shown in FIG. 11.

Next, the plan estimation unit 170 estimates the time when the work included in the registered work type information 313 will be performed. For example, the plan estimation unit 170 acquires the first work type for which work has already been performed in the first work area 400-1 from the work type information 306. In the work plan data 310 shown in FIG. 3, the registered work schedule information 314 corresponding to the acquired first work type is extracted. The plan estimation unit 170 uses the extracted registered work schedule information 314 as a reference date and time and calculates the difference between the estimated time when work of each work type will be performed and the reference date and time. Furthermore, the plan estimation unit 170 adds the calculated difference to the start date of the work period in which the work of the first work type was performed according to each work type shown in FIG. 11 to calculate the work schedule corresponding to the work type. The calculated work schedule is registered in the work schedule information 308.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the plan estimation unit 170 obtains "plowing" as the first work type. Next, in the example shown in FIG. 3, "-" is extracted from the registered work schedule information 314 corresponding to "plowing". The plan estimation unit 170 obtains the registered work schedule information 314 corresponding to each work type, such as "land leveling" and "seeding", from the work plan data 310, and calculates the difference from the registered work schedule information 314 corresponding to "plowing". In this case, since the registered work schedule information 314 corresponding to "plowing" is "-", the registered work schedule information 314 corresponding to each work type is calculated as the difference. The plan estimation unit 170 registers the date obtained by adding the registered work schedule information 314 corresponding to "land leveling" in the work plan data 310 to the work period information 307 corresponding to "plowing" in the work data 300 shown in FIG. 11 in the work schedule information 308 corresponding to "land leveling" in the work data 300. Similarly, the plan estimation unit 170 registers the calculated dates in the work schedule information 308 corresponding to each work type in the first work area 400-1.

In this way, the plan estimation unit 170 estimates the work type and work timing of the work to be performed in the first work area 400-1, and registers the estimated work type and work timing in the work data 300. Assuming that the plan estimation unit 170 has been able to estimate the work plan for the first work area 400-1, it ends the process of estimating the work plan and executes the process of step S240 shown in FIG. 8.

(Modification)
The configuration described in the embodiment is an example, and the configuration can be changed as long as the function is not impaired. For example, in the above embodiment, the working device that performs work in the field is the work vehicle 30, but is not limited to a vehicle and may be an air vehicle such as a drone.

For example, the registered work schedule information 314 of the work plan data 310 shown in FIG. 3 may be expressed in any manner as long as it can represent the time when the work in the registered work type information 313 is to be performed. For example, a specific date may be registered in the registered work schedule information 314.

The crop type information 304 of the work data 300 shown in FIG. 2 and the registered crop type information 312 of the work plan data 310 shown in FIG. 3 may be expressed in any manner as long as it is possible to distinguish the work plans for the work to be performed in the work area 400. For example, the crop type information 304 and the registered crop type information 312 may include information on the region in which the crop is grown and the cultivation method, such as open-field cultivation or forced cultivation.

The similarity calculated in step S310 shown in FIG. 10A may be calculated by any method as long as it can express the similarity between the combination of crop and crop type cultivated in the first work area 400-1 and the combination of crop and crop type cultivated in the other work areas 400. For example, the similarity may be calculated using an estimation accuracy that indicates the likelihood of the estimated work type when the work type of the work in the first work area 400-1 is estimated. For example, the similarity may be calculated so that the smaller the difference in the estimated probabilities is, the larger the similarity is.

The similarity may also represent the similarity between the combination of crops and crop types cultivated in the extracted work area group and the combination of crops and crop types cultivated in the first work area 400-1 when work areas 400 having the same group information 305 are extracted from the work data 300 as a work area group. For each geometric center of the work area 400 of the work area groups belonging to the same group, the plan estimation unit 170 calculates the average position and variance value of the work area group. Based on the calculated average position and variance value of the work area group, the plan estimation unit 170 calculates the Mahalanobis distance between the work area group and the geometric center of the first work area 400-1, and calculates the similarity using the calculated Mahalanobis distance.

In step S270 shown in FIG. 8, the plan setting unit 180 sets the same work plan as the first work area 400-1 for the work area 400 having the same group information 305 as the first work area 400-1 in the work data 300 shown in FIG. 11. For example, the plan setting unit 180 acquires the group information 305 corresponding to the first work area 400-1 from the work data 300. The plan setting unit 180 extracts identification information 301 having the same group information 305 as the acquired group information 305 of the first work area 400-1. For the work area 400 corresponding to the extracted identification information 301, the plan setting unit 180 sets a work plan to be set in the first work area 400-1.

The plan estimation unit 170 may omit the process of step S340 shown in FIG. 10A. For example, in step S330 shown in FIG. 10A, the plan estimation unit 170 may select the work area 400 with the highest calculated similarity. In this case, the plan estimation unit 170 omits the process of step S340 and performs the process of step S350 based on the selected work area 400.

The plan estimation unit 170 may also omit the processing of step S340 shown in FIG. 10A and estimate work plans corresponding to multiple work areas 400 whose similarity is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. For example, in step S320, the plan estimation unit 170 extracts one or more work areas 400 whose similarity is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. In step S350, the plan estimation unit 170 acquires one or more group information 305 corresponding to each of the extracted one or more work areas 400 based on the work data 300. The plan estimation unit 170 acquires crop information 303 and crop type information 304 corresponding to each of the acquired one or more group information 305. The plan estimation unit 170 extracts one or more registered work plans corresponding to the acquired crop information 303 and crop type information 304 from the work plan data 310, and estimates the extracted one or more registered work plans as estimated work plans for the first work area 400-1. In step S250 shown in FIG. 8, the display unit 250 displays one or more estimated work plans. In step S260, the user selects a work plan for the first work area 400-1 from the one or more estimated work plans. In step S270, the plan setting unit 180 sets the work plan selected from the one or more estimated work plans as the work plan for the first work area 400-1.

In step S340 shown in FIG. 10A, the user may input an operation to set a new group to the display unit 250 of the terminal 200 without selecting the information of the displayed work area 400. In this case, the display unit 250 transmits a signal to set a new group to the plan estimation unit 170 of the work plan management device 100. Based on the signal from the display unit 250, the plan estimation unit 170 sets a new group number in the group information 305 corresponding to the first work area 400-1 in the work data 300 shown in FIG. 11, and executes the processing of step S360 shown in FIG. 10B.

In step S350 shown in FIG. 10A, the plan estimation unit 170 may acquire the crop information 303 and the crop type information 304 without using the group information 305. For example, the plan estimation unit 170 extracts the crop information 303 and the crop type information 304 corresponding to the selected work area 400 from the work data 300 shown in FIG. 11. When the extracted crop information 303 and the crop type information 304 are registered, the plan estimation unit 170 executes the processing of step S360 shown in FIG. 10B. When the extracted crop information 303 and the crop type information 304 are not registered, the plan estimation unit 170 executes the processing of step S380.

The above-described embodiments and modifications are merely examples, and the configurations described in each embodiment and modification may be modified and/or combined as desired as long as the functions are not impaired. Furthermore, some of the functions described in the embodiments and modifications may be omitted as long as the required functions can be realized. For example, when cultivating a crop that does not have multiple crop types, the plan estimation unit 170 may estimate a work plan without using the crop type information 304 and the registered crop type information 312. In this case, the crop type information 304 in the work data 300 and the registered crop type information 312 in the work plan data 310 may be omitted.

[0043] 1, 2: Storage medium 20: Network 30: Work vehicle 100: Work plan management device 110: Input/output device 120: Computing device 130: Communications device 140: Storage device 150: Data retention unit 160: Work judgment unit 170: Plan estimation unit 180: Plan setting unit 200: Terminal 210: Input/output device 220: Computing device 230: Communications device 240: Storage device 250: Display unit 300: Work data 301: Identification information 302: Work area information 303: Crop information 304: Crop type information 305: Group information 306: Work type information 307: Work period information 308: Work schedule information 310: Work plan data 311: Registered crop information 312: Registered crop type information 313: Registered work type information 314: Registered work schedule information 320: Work plan management program 330 : Display program 400 : Work area 400-1 : First work area 450-1 : First group 450-2 : Second group 510 : Work area display field 520 : Estimated production type display field 530 : Work schedule display field 540 : Correction button 550 : Setting button 1000 : Work plan management system

Claims (13)

A data storage unit stores work data and work plan data;
determining , by a work determination unit, a first work type and a first work period of work performed in at least one first work area using a work implement that performs work in a farm field;
Estimating an estimated work plan to be performed in the first work area by a plan estimation unit ;
outputting estimated information representing the estimated work plan by the plan estimation unit ;
setting , by a plan setting unit, a work plan represented in a response to the output of the estimated information as a work plan in the first work area;
Including,
The work data is
work area information indicating a work area in which work was performed before the first work period;
Crop information representative of crops grown in the work area;
Work type information indicating a work type of the work performed in the work area;
Work period information indicating a period during which work was performed in the work area;
associate and remember
The work plan data includes:
Crop registration information representing the crop;
A registered work plan for cultivating a crop represented by the registered crop information;
associate and remember
estimating the estimated work plan
estimating first crop information corresponding to the first work area based on the first work type, the first work period, the first work area, and the work data;
extracting the registered work plan based on the first crop information, and estimating the extracted registered work plan as the estimated work plan to be performed in the first work area;
Includes work plan management methods. Estimating the first crop information includes:
acquiring second work area information, second work type information, and second work period information, which are associated with each other, from the work data;
Calculating a similarity based on the first work area, the first work type, the first work period, the second work area information, the second work type information, and the second work period information;
estimating the first crop information based on the similarity; and
The work plan management method according to claim 1 , further comprising: Acquiring the second work area information, the second work type information, and the work period information associated with each other includes:
The work plan management method according to claim 2 , further comprising: extracting, from the work data, the second work area information and the second work period information corresponding to the second work type information that represents the same work type as the first work type. Calculating the similarity
4. The work plan management method according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising: calculating the similarity based on a distance from the first work area to the second work area represented in the second work area information, and a time difference between the first work period and the work period represented by the second work period information. outputting the estimated information includes estimating a plurality of the estimated work plans and outputting estimated information representing the plurality of the estimated work plans;
5. The work plan management method according to claim 1, wherein setting the work plan in the first work area includes setting the estimated work plan selected from a plurality of the estimated work plans as the work plan in the first work area. The work data stores crop type information representing a crop type being cultivated in the work area,
The work plan data stores registered crop type information that indicates a crop type used in the cultivation of the crop represented by the registered crop information,
The registered work plan represents a work plan for cultivating a crop represented in the corresponding registered crop information in a crop type represented in the corresponding registered crop type information,
estimating the estimated work plan
estimating the first crop information and first crop type information corresponding to the first work area based on the first work type, the first work period, the first work area, and the work data;
extracting the registered work plan based on the first crop information, the first crop type information, and the work plan data, and estimating the extracted registered work plan as the estimated work plan to be performed in the first work area;
The work plan management method according to claim 1 , further comprising: The estimating of the first crop information and the first crop type information includes:
Calculating a similarity indicating a similarity between a combination of a crop and a crop type cultivated in the first work area and a combination of a crop represented by the crop information stored in the work data and a crop type represented by the crop type information;
estimating the first crop information and the first crop type information corresponding to the first work area based on the similarity and the work data;
The work plan management method according to claim 6, further comprising: The work data includes group information representing a classification based on a combination of the crop and the cropping type, and the group information is stored in association with other information;
The estimating of the first crop information and the first crop type information includes:
determining the group information corresponding to the first work area based on the first work type, the first work period, and the work data;
estimating the first crop information and the first crop type information corresponding to the first work area based on the group information and the work data;
The work plan management method according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising: Determining the first work type and the first work period includes determining the first work type and the first work period of work performed in a plurality of the first work areas,
Setting a work plan in the first work area includes:
extracting, from the work data, one or more work areas having the same group information as the group information corresponding to the first work area;
setting a work plan included in a response to the output of the estimated information as a work plan corresponding to the extracted work area;
The work plan management method according to claim 8, further comprising: 10. The work plan management method according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising displaying, by a display unit , the estimated work plan and the work area of the work data that is associated with the group information corresponding to the first work area, based on the estimated information. Holding work data and work plan data;
Determining a first work type and a first work period of work performed in at least one first work area using a work implement that performs work in a farm field;
Estimating an estimated work plan to be performed in the first work area;
outputting estimated information representative of the estimated work plan;
setting a work plan represented in a response to the output of the estimated information as a work plan in the first work area;
and causing a computing device to execute the following:
The work data is
work area information indicating a work area in which work was performed before the first work period;
Crop information representative of crops grown in the work area;
Work type information indicating a work type of the work performed in the work area;
Work period information indicating a period during which work was performed in the work area;
associate and remember
The work plan data is
Crop registration information representing the crop;
A registered work plan for cultivating a crop represented by the registered crop information;
associate and remember
estimating the estimated work plan
estimating first crop information corresponding to the first work area based on the first work type, the first work period, the first work area, and the work data;
extracting the registered work plan based on the first crop information, and estimating the extracted registered work plan as the estimated work plan to be performed in the first work area;
Programs including. a data storage unit that stores work data and work plan data;
a work determination unit that determines a first work type and a first work period of work performed in at least one first work area using a work implement that performs work in a farm field;
a plan estimation unit that estimates an estimated work plan to be performed in the first work area and outputs estimated information representing the estimated work plan;
a plan setting unit that sets a work plan represented in a response to the output of the estimated information as a work plan in the first work area;
Equipped with
The work data is
work area information indicating a work area in which work was performed before the first work period;
Crop information representative of crops grown in the work area;
Work type information indicating a work type of the work performed in the work area;
Work period information indicating a period during which work was performed in the work area;
associate and remember
The work plan data is
Crop registration information representing the crop;
A registered work plan for cultivating a crop represented in the registered crop information;
associate and remember
The plan estimation unit is
estimating first crop information corresponding to the first work area based on the first work type, the first work period, the first work area, and the work data;
a work plan management device that extracts the registered work plan based on the first crop information and the work plan data, and estimates the extracted registered work plan as the estimated work plan to be performed in the first work area. The work plan management device according to claim 12 ;
A display unit;
Equipped with
The work data stores crop type information representing a crop type being cultivated in the work area,
The work plan data stores registered crop type information that indicates a crop type used in the cultivation of the crop represented by the registered crop information,
The registered work plan represents a work plan for cultivating a crop represented in the corresponding registered crop information in a crop type represented in the corresponding registered crop type information,
estimating the estimated work plan
estimating the first crop information and first crop type information corresponding to the first work area based on the first work type, the first work period, the first work area, and the work data;
extracting the registered work plan based on the first crop information, the first crop type information, and the work plan data, and estimating the extracted registered work plan as the estimated work plan to be performed in the first work area;
Including,
The work data includes group information representing a classification based on a combination of the crop and the cropping type, and the group information is stored in association with other information;
The estimating of the first crop information and the first crop type information includes:
determining the group information corresponding to the first work area based on the first work type, the first work period, and the work data;
estimating the first crop information and the first crop type information corresponding to the first work area based on the group information and the work data;
Including,
Determining the first work type and the first work period includes determining the first work type and the first work period of work performed in a plurality of the first work areas,
Setting a work plan in the first work area includes:
extracting, from the work data, one or more work areas having the same group information as the group information corresponding to the first work area;
setting a work plan included in a response to the output of the estimated information as a work plan corresponding to the extracted work area;
Including,
The display unit displays the estimated work plan and the work area associated with the group information corresponding to the first work area, out of the work data, based on the estimated information.
Work plan management system.

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