Plant management device, plant management method, and program

Abstract

The plant management apparatus may include a determination unit that determines a harvest time of the plant based on prediction information indicating at least one of a predicted market price or a predicted demand of the plant. The plant management apparatus may include an environment control unit that controls an environment control device for controlling an environment in a plant workshop in which a plant is cultivated such that the plant can be harvested at a harvest time. The determination unit may determine the time point at which the predicted market price is the highest within the target period as the harvest time of the plant.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The contents of the following patent application are incorporated herein by reference: Application 2023-047602, filed in Japan on March 24, 2023. This invention relates to plant management devices, plant management methods, and procedures. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 provides a plant cultivation facility that can increase plant yield, a plant cultivation method, an LED lighting device for plant cultivation, a shelf board for plant cultivation shelves, and a plant cultivation shelf. (List of cited references) (Patent Documents) Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-122672 Summary of the Invention

[0003] (Technical issue) In a plant factory where plants are cultivated, the hope is to harvest the plants at the appropriate time. (Solution to the problem)

[0004] A plant management apparatus according to one aspect of the invention may include a determining unit that determines the harvest time of the plant based on forecast information indicating at least one of a predicted market price or a predicted demand for the plant. The plant management apparatus may include an environmental control unit that controls environmental control equipment for controlling the environment in a plantation where the plant is cultivated, enabling the plant to be harvested at the designated harvest time. The determining unit may determine the time when the predicted market price is highest within a target period as the harvest time of the plant. The plant may be a vegetable, fruit, or flower. The plant may be at least one of a vegetable, fruit, or flower. An acquiring unit may acquire forecast information predicted using a learning model trained using supervised learning with daily weather information and event information including at least one event as explanatory variables, and the plant's market price and demand as target variables. The forecast information may be information indicating the relationship between daily predicted market price and daily predicted demand, or information indicating the relationship between weekly predicted market price and weekly predicted demand.

[0005] In this plant management device, the forecast information at least indicates the predicted market price of the plant. The determining unit can further determine the plant yield at harvest time based on the forecast information. The environmental control unit can control environmental control equipment to enable the harvesting of the plant at that yield at harvest time.

[0006] In any plant management device, forecast information can indicate the relationship between the predicted market price and the predicted demand. The determining unit can determine the yield by multiplying the predicted demand at harvest time, as indicated by the forecast information, by a predetermined ratio. The predetermined ratio can be determined in advance based on the market size of the plants and the maximum yield of plants that the plant farm can cultivate.

[0007] In any plant management device, the plant workshop may include multiple cultivation racks on which plants are grown. A determining unit may further determine the number of target cultivation rack groups based on yield, specifying the plants to be harvested at harvest time. By installing each of the one or more cultivation racks in a separate space and individually controlling the environment of each space via environmental control equipment, plants can be cultivated under different environmental conditions for each space.

[0008] In any plant management device, the environmental control equipment may include an air conditioning unit that regulates at least one of the temperature or humidity within the plant nursery. The environmental control unit may control the air conditioning unit based on temperature / humidity information indicating the relationship between the cultivation period and temperature / humidity conditions, such that at least one of the temperature or humidity within the plant nursery meets the temperature / humidity conditions that match the plant's harvest time.

[0009] In any plant management device, temperature / humidity conditions can be predetermined within a range that can maintain the intended quality of the plants.

[0010] In any plant management device, the environmental control equipment may further include an air supply device that controls at least one of the air volume or air direction supplied to the plant facility. The environmental control unit may control the air supply device such that at least one of the temperature or humidity within the plant facility meets the temperature / humidity conditions that match the harvest time of the plants with the harvest time.

[0011] In any plant management device, the environmental control equipment may include a light source that illuminates the plants with artificial light. The environmental control unit can control the light source based on light quantity information indicating the relationship between the growth period and light conditions, such that the light quantity meets the requirements that match the plant's harvest time.

[0012] In any plant management device, light conditions can be predetermined within a range that can maintain the intended quality of the plant. The environmental control unit can adjust the air volume or wind speed supplied to the plant by controlling the air supply equipment, based on at least one of temperature / humidity conditions or light conditions, to meet predetermined air supply conditions for suppressing leaf tip burn.

[0013] In any plant management device, when forecast information is updated, the determining unit can determine the updated harvest time for the plants based on the updated forecast information. The environmental control unit can further control the environmental control equipment to match the plant harvest time with the updated harvest time.

[0014] In any plant management device, when the forecast information is updated, the determining unit can further determine the updated yield of the plants based on the updated forecast information. When the updated yield is greater than the yield before the update, the environmental control unit can control the environmental control equipment to shorten the incubation period of the newly added cultivation racks to the incubation period of the existing target cultivation racks, thereby adjusting the method so that plants in both the existing target cultivation racks and the newly added cultivation racks can be harvested at the same harvest time. When the updated yield is less than the yield before the update, the environmental control unit can control the environmental control equipment to extend the incubation period of the reduced cultivation racks, thereby adjusting the method so that the harvest time of the plants in the reduced cultivation racks matches the next harvest time.

[0015] A plant management method according to one aspect of the invention may include: determining the harvest time of plants based on forecast information of at least one of a predicted market price or a predicted demand for the plants, by a determining unit. The plant management method may also include: controlling environmental control equipment for controlling the environment in a plantation where plants are cultivated, via an environmental control unit, so that the plants can be harvested at the harvest time.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, a program can cause a computer to determine the harvest time of plants based on forecast information of at least one of predicted market price or predicted demand. The program can also cause the computer to control environmental control equipment used to control the environment in a plantation where plants are cultivated, so that the plants can be harvested at the designated harvest time.

[0017] The summary does not necessarily describe all the necessary features of the embodiments of the present invention. The present invention may also be a combination of the features described above. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional blocks of the overall structure of the plant management system according to this embodiment. Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional blocks of a plant management device. Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of forecast information indicating the relationship between forecasted market prices and forecasted demand. Figure 4 This is a graph illustrating an example of temperature / humidity information indicating the relationship between temperature and humidity during the cultivation period. Figure 5This is a diagram illustrating an example of light quantity information indicating the relationship between light quantity and growth period. Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a plant environmental control process based on predictive information. Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating an example of hardware construction. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The present invention will be described below through embodiments, but these embodiments do not limit the invention as described in the claims. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessary for the present invention.

[0020] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates an example of functional blocks representing the overall structure of the plant management system according to this embodiment. The plant management system manages the growth status of plants 30 cultivated in the plant nursery 10. The plant management system includes multiple cultivation racks 20, a light source device 40, a nutrient solution supply device 50, a carbon dioxide supply device 60, an air conditioning device 70, an air supply device 80, sensors 90, and plant management devices 100. The light source device 40, nutrient solution supply device 50, carbon dioxide supply device 60, air conditioning device 70, and air supply device 80 are examples of environmental control equipment.

[0021] Cultivation racks 20 are used to cultivate plants 30 such as vegetables, fruits, or flowers. This can be adjusted by staggering the sowing dates of each group of one or more cultivation racks 20, allowing the plants 30 to be harvested at different times. Furthermore, by installing one or more cultivation racks 20 in separate spaces 12 and individually controlling the environment within each space 12 using an environmental control device, plants 30 can be cultivated under different environmental conditions for each space 12. The spaces can be highly insulated and airtight. In this embodiment, the plant management device 100 individually controls the environmental conditions of each group of cultivation racks 20. However, the plant management device 100 can also individually control the environmental conditions of each of the multiple shelves included in a single cultivation rack 20.

[0022] The light source device 40 includes a plurality of light sources 42, such as LEDs or incandescent lamps, for emitting artificial light, and a dimmer for adjusting the light intensity of the plurality of light sources 42, wherein artificial light is emitted from each of the plurality of light sources 42 onto the plant 30. The plurality of light sources 42 may be arranged to face the cultivation surface of the cultivation rack 20. The light source device 40 can control the light intensity of the plurality of light sources 42 by controlling the power, current, or voltage supplied to the dimmer.

[0023] The nutrient solution supply device 50 has a pump 52 and a pipe 54, and supplies a nutrient solution containing fertilizer components such as potassium or calcium to the cultivation rack 20 through the pump 52 and the pipe 54. The nutrient solution supply device 50 appropriately adjusts the fertilizer concentration and supplies the nutrient solution with the adjusted fertilizer concentration to the plant 30. The nutrient solution supply device 50 supplies nutrient solution to the plant 30 by atomizing the nutrient solution with the adjusted fertilizer concentration and spraying it onto the roots of the plant 30. The nutrient solution supply device 50 can also function as an irrigation device, supplying water to the medium in which the plant 30 is grown. The irrigation amount supplied to the cultivation rack 20 can be adjusted by regulating the amount of nutrient solution supplied from the nutrient solution supply device 50 to the cultivation rack 20.

[0024] The carbon dioxide supply device 60 has a container 62 and a nozzle 64. The container 62 stores carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide supply device 60 supplies the carbon dioxide stored in the container 62 to each space 12 within the plant farm 10 through the nozzle 64.

[0025] Air conditioning equipment 70 controls the temperature and humidity of the air within the plant nursery 10 and circulates the air with controlled temperature and humidity to each space. Air supply equipment 80 includes circulators or fans for supplying air into the plant nursery 10. Sensors 90 include various types of sensors for measuring the environmental conditions surrounding the plants 30 and the growth status of the plants 30. Sensors 90 include various types of sensors used to measure the temperature, humidity, light intensity, and carbon dioxide concentration of the stems, leaves, and fruits of the plants 30, respectively.

[0026] The plant management device 100 controls the growth status of the plant 30 by controlling the light source device 40, nutrient solution supply device 50, carbon dioxide supply device 60, air conditioning device 70, and air supply device 80. The plant management device 100 communicates with the light source device 40, nutrient solution supply device 50, carbon dioxide supply device 60, air conditioning device 70, and air supply device 80 via a wireless or wired network. The plant management device 100 is an example of a growth status assessment device.

[0027] The plant management device 100 may be a computer with a central processing unit (CPU) and memory. The light source device 40, nutrient solution supply device 50, carbon dioxide supply device 60, air conditioning device 70, and air supply device 80 may also include computers with a central processing unit (CPU) and memory.

[0028] The computer can be a personal computer, tablet, smartphone, workstation, server computer, or general-purpose computer, or it can be a computer system formed by connecting multiple computers. Such a computer system is also a computer in a broad sense. The computer can be a dedicated computer designed for environmental control in a plant factory, or it can be dedicated hardware implemented using dedicated circuitry. The computer can be implemented through a virtual computer environment. When using the computer, the plant management device 100, light source device 40, nutrient solution supply device 50, carbon dioxide supply device 60, air conditioning device 70, and air supply device 80 are implemented by executing programs using the computer.

[0029] In a plant management system constructed in this way, it is expected that an appropriate yield of plants can be harvested at the right time, taking into account market prices and demand.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional blocks of a plant management device 100. The plant management device 100 includes an acquisition unit 102, a determination unit 104, an environmental control unit 110, and a storage unit 120. The storage unit 120 stores programs that run on the plant management device 100. The programs are executed on a processor included in the plant management device 100, causing the processor to act as the acquisition unit 102, the determination unit 104, and the environmental control unit 110.

[0031] Acquisition unit 102 acquires forecast information indicating the relationship between the predicted market price and the predicted demand for plants 30 cultivated in plant farm 10. Acquisition unit 102 can acquire forecast information from a forecasting server that generates forecast information using a learning model that predicts future market prices and demand for plants 30 based on past market prices and demand. The forecasting server can use a learning model for each type of plant 30 to predict the predicted market price and predicted demand for each plant 30. For example, the forecasting server can use daily weather information, event information, etc., as explanatory variables and market price and demand as target variables, and perform machine learning using a supervised learning algorithm to generate a trained forecasting model. The algorithm can be any scheme such as a neural network, support vector machine, multiple regression analysis, or decision tree. Acquisition unit 102 can also acquire forecast information from a server provided by an organization that provides forecast information on market prices and demand. The acquisition unit 102 can acquire prediction information predicted by using a learning model, which is trained by supervised learning with daily weather information and event information containing at least one event as explanatory variables, and with the market price and demand of plant 30 as target variables.

[0032] Unit 104 determines the harvest time of plant 30 based on the predicted information. For example... Figure 3 As shown, forecast information can be, for example, information indicating the relationship between daily forecast market price (yuan) and daily forecast demand (t). Forecast information can also be information indicating the relationship between weekly forecast market price (yuan) and weekly forecast demand (t). Forecast information can also be information indicating the relationship between forecast market price (yuan) and forecast demand (t) for each predetermined period other than a day or a week.

[0033] The determining unit 104 can determine the time point when the predicted market price is highest within the target time period as the harvest time T of plant 30. This target time period is allocated at least one set of cultivation racks 20 with the same sowing date. This set of cultivation racks 20 may include multiple cultivation racks 20 with the same sowing date. This set of cultivation racks 20 may include multiple cultivation racks 20 with the same sowing date that exist in spaces 20 where environmental conditions can be individually controlled. For example, for target time periods A to H, the determining unit 104 can determine "September 10th" when the predicted market price is highest as the harvest time T of plant 30. For target time periods I to G, the determining unit 104 can determine "September 12th" as the harvest time T of plant 30.

[0034] The determining unit 104 can also determine the yield S of the plant at harvest time T of the plant 30 based on the predicted information. The determining unit 104 can determine the yield S of the plant 30 by multiplying the predicted demand of the plant 30 at harvest time T as indicated by the predicted information by a predetermined ratio. The predetermined ratio can be predetermined based on the market size of the plant 30 and the maximum yield of the plant 30 that can be cultivated in the plant farm 10. The determining unit 104 can also determine the number of groups of cultivation racks 20 that serve as target cultivation racks with the plant 30 at harvest time T to meet the yield S. The yield of the plant 30 in each group of cultivation racks 20 can be predetermined based on actual measurements and stored in the storage unit 120.

[0035] The environmental control unit 110 controls at least one of the following: a light source device 40, a nutrient solution supply device 50, a carbon dioxide supply device 60, an air conditioning device 70, or a ventilation device 80, within the plant farm 10, so that the plants 30 can be harvested at harvest time T. The environmental control unit 110 also controls at least one of the following: a light source device 40, a nutrient solution supply device 50, a carbon dioxide supply device 60, an air conditioning device 70, or a ventilation device 80, so that the yield S of the plants 30 can be harvested at harvest time T.

[0036] The environmental control unit 110 can control the air conditioning equipment 70 based on temperature / humidity information indicating the relationship between the cultivation period and temperature / humidity conditions, so that at least one of the temperature or humidity in the plant farm 10 meets the temperature / humidity conditions that allow the plants 30 to be harvested at harvest time T.

[0037] When plant 30 is a variety whose growing period can be shortened with increasing temperature, such as lettuce, if the harvest time T is earlier than the planned harvest time for the current growing period, the environmental control unit 110 can control the air conditioning equipment 70 to raise the temperature of the space, thereby advancing the harvest time of plant 30. Alternatively, if the harvest time T is later than the planned harvest time for the current growing period, the environmental control unit 110 can control the air conditioning equipment 70 to lower the temperature of the space, thereby delaying the harvest time of plant 30.

[0038] However, when the temperature in the space is too high, plant 30 may develop physiological problems such as leaf tip burn. In this regard, temperature / humidity conditions can be predetermined within a range that maintains the intended quality of plant 30. For example, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the plant management device 100 can determine the humidity and temperature corresponding to the cultivation period during which the plant 30 is allowed to be harvested at harvest time T based on the temperature / humidity information stored in the storage unit 120 regarding the relationship between indicated temperature and cultivation period with humidity.

[0039] The environmental control unit 110 can control the air supply equipment 80 and adjust at least one of the air volume (wind speed) or wind direction supplied to the plant farm 10, so that at least one of the temperature or humidity in the plant farm 10 meets the temperature / humidity conditions that allow the plants 30 to be harvested at harvest time T.

[0040] The environmental control unit 110 can control the light source device 40 based on the light information indicating the relationship between the cultivation period and light conditions, so that the light quantity of the light source 42 meets the light quantity conditions that allow the plants 30 to be harvested at harvest time T.

[0041] When plant 30 is a variety whose growing period, such as lettuce, can be shortened with increased light, if the harvest time T is earlier than the planned harvest time for the current growing period, the environmental control unit 110 can control the light source device 40 to increase the amount of light in the space, thereby advancing the harvest time of plant 30. Alternatively, if the harvest time T is later than the planned harvest time for the current growing period, the environmental control unit 110 can control the light source device 40 to reduce the amount of light in the space, thereby delaying the harvest time of plant 30.

[0042] However, when the amount of light in the space is too high, the plant 30 may suffer from physiological disorders such as leaf tip burn. In this regard, the light conditions can be predetermined within a range that can maintain the intended quality of the plant 30.

[0043] For example, such as Figure 5As shown, the plant management device 100 can determine the amount of light corresponding to the cultivation period during which the plant 30 is allowed to be harvested at harvest time T based on the light amount information stored in the storage unit 120 indicating the relationship between light amount and cultivation period.

[0044] Temperature / humidity information and light information can be pre-generated based on statistical data obtained by actually measuring each variety of plant 30 and simultaneously changing the conditions of temperature and humidity or light, and stored in storage unit 120.

[0045] A gentle breeze can effectively suppress leaf tip burn. In this regard, the environmental control unit 110 can control the air supply device 80 according to at least one of temperature / humidity conditions or light intensity conditions, and adjust at least one of the air volume or wind speed supplied to the plant 30 to meet the predetermined air supply conditions for suppressing leaf tip burn.

[0046] Here, the forecast information becomes more accurate as the time interval from the forecast time point shortens. In this regard, the acquisition unit 102 can periodically acquire updated forecast information from the forecast server. When the forecast information is updated, the determination unit 104 can determine the updated harvest time of the plant 30 based on the updated forecast information. The environmental control unit 110 also controls at least one of the light source device 40, nutrient solution supply device 50, carbon dioxide supply device 60, air conditioning device 70, or air supply device 80 so that the plant 30 can be harvested at the updated harvest time.

[0047] When the forecast information is updated, the determining unit 104 can determine the updated harvest time and yield of the plant 30 based on the updated forecast information. For each group of control target cultivation racks 20, the environmental control unit 110 can also control at least one of the light source equipment 40, nutrient solution supply equipment 50, carbon dioxide supply equipment 60, air conditioning equipment 70, or air supply equipment 80 so that the harvest time of the plant 30 matches the updated harvest time and the plant 30 is harvested with the updated yield.

[0048] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for environmental control of plant 30 based on predictive information.

[0049] The acquisition unit 102 acquires forecast information corresponding to the type of the target plant 30 from the forecast server (S100). The determination unit 104 determines the time point when the predicted market price is highest within the target time period as the harvest time T of the plant 30 within the target time period based on the forecast information, and further determines the yield S based on the predicted demand at harvest time T (S102). The determination unit 104 determines the number of cultivation racks 20 that meet the yield requirement (S104). The determination unit 104 determines the cultivation period of the plant 30 starting from the current time point, i.e., the cultivation period during which harvesting is permitted at harvest time T (S106).

[0050] The environmental control unit 110 determines the environmental conditions that meet the cultivation period (S108), and the environmental control unit 110 controls the environmental control equipment based on the determined environmental conditions (S110).

[0051] Next, if the acquisition unit 102 does not obtain updated prediction information from the prediction server ("No" in S112), the environmental control unit 110 maintains the current environmental conditions and controls the environmental control device.

[0052] On the other hand, if the acquisition unit 102 obtains updated prediction information from the prediction server ("Yes" in S112), the determination unit 104 determines the harvest time T' and yield S again based on the updated prediction information (S114). When the harvest time T' is earlier than the harvest time T, the environmental control unit 110 can control the air conditioning equipment 70 to raise the temperature of the space to advance the harvest time of the plants 30. Alternatively, when the harvest time T' is later than the harvest time T, the environmental control unit 110 can control the air conditioning equipment 70 to lower the temperature of the space to advance the harvest time of the plants 30. When the harvest time T' is earlier than the harvest time T, the environmental control unit 110 can control the light source equipment 40 to increase the amount of light in the space to advance the harvest time of the plants 30. Alternatively, when the harvest time T' is later than the harvest time T, the environmental control unit 110 can control the light source equipment 40 to decrease the amount of light in the space to advance the harvest time of the plants 30.

[0053] When the yield S' is greater than the yield S, the environmental control unit 110 can control the environmental control equipment so that the cultivation period of the newly added cultivation rack 20 is shorter than the cultivation period of the existing control target cultivation rack 20, thereby adjusting the process so that both the existing control target cultivation rack 20 and the newly added cultivation rack 20 can harvest plants 30 at the same time.

[0054] When the yield S' is less than the yield S, the environmental control unit 110 can control the environmental control equipment to extend the cultivation period of the reduced cultivation rack 20, preferably to maximize the cultivation period of the reduced cultivation rack 20, thereby adjusting the time of harvest of the plants 30 of the reduced cultivation rack 20 to match the next harvest time.

[0055] Figure 7 An example of a computer 1200 is shown, in which all or part of the aspects of this embodiment may be implemented. A program installed in the computer 1200 may cause the computer 1200 to perform operations related to the apparatus or one or more "units" of the apparatus according to various embodiments of the invention. Alternatively, the program may cause the computer 1200 to perform the operations or the one or more "units". The program may cause the computer 1200 to perform processes or steps within processes according to various embodiments of the invention. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 1212 to cause the computer 1200 to perform specific operations related to some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described in this specification.

[0056] The computer 1200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 1212 and RAM 1214, which are interconnected via a host controller 1210. The computer 1200 also includes a communication interface 1222 and an input / output unit, which are connected to the host controller 1210 via an input / output controller 1220. The computer 1200 also includes a ROM 1230. The CPU 1212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 1230 and RAM 1214, thereby controlling the various units.

[0057] Communication interface 1222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The hard disk drive can store programs and data used by the CPU 1212 in computer 1200. ROM 1230 stores startup programs executed by computer 1200 at startup, and / or programs related to the hardware of computer 1200. These programs are provided via computer-readable storage media such as CR-ROM, USB memory, or IC cards, or via a network. These programs are installed on RAM 1214 (also an example of a computer-readable storage medium) or ROM 1230 and executed by CPU 1212. The information written in these programs is read by computer 1200 and provides cooperation between the programs and the various hardware resources described above. Apparatus or methods can be constructed by implementing operations or information processing according to the use of computer 1200.

[0058] For example, in the case of communication between computer 1200 and external devices, CPU 1212 can execute a communication program loaded in RAM 1214 and instruct communication interface 1222 to perform communication processing based on the procedures written in the communication program. Under the control of CPU 1212, communication interface 1222 reads transmission data stored in RAM 1214 or a transmission buffer provided by a storage medium such as a USB memory, transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes received data received from the network into a receive buffer provided on the storage medium, etc.

[0059] Additionally, the CPU 1212 can read all or necessary portions of files stored on external storage media (such as a USB memory) or in a database into the RAM 1214 to perform various types of processing on the data in the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 can then write the processed data back to the external storage media.

[0060] Various types of information (such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases) can be stored in storage media for information processing. The CPU 1212 can perform various types of processing on data read from RAM 1214 (including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgments, conditional branches, unconditional branches, information retrieval / replacement, etc., as described in this disclosure and specified by the program's instruction sequence), and write the results back to RAM 1214. Furthermore, the CPU 1212 can also retrieve information from files, databases, etc., in the storage medium. For example, when multiple entries are stored in the storage medium, and each entry has an attribute value of a first attribute associated with the attribute value of a second attribute, the CPU 1212 can retrieve from the multiple entries the entry that specifies the attribute value of the first attribute and meets the conditions, and read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in that entry, thereby obtaining the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies predetermined conditions.

[0061] The aforementioned program or software module may be stored on computer 1200 or on a computer-readable storage medium near computer 1200. Alternatively, a storage medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet may be used as a computer-readable storage medium, thereby providing the program to computer 1200 via the network.

[0062] Computer-readable media can include any tangible device capable of storing instructions that can be executed by suitable means. Therefore, a computer-readable medium storing instructions includes an article of writing containing instructions that can be executed to create means for performing the operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable media can include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. Specific examples of computer-readable media can include floppy disks (registered trademark), magnetic disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM (registered trademark)), static random access memory (SRAM), portable optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile optical disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc (registered trademark), memory sticks, integrated circuit cards, etc.

[0063] Computer-readable instructions may include source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages. Source code or object code includes traditional procedural programming languages. Traditional procedural programming languages ​​may be assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, status setting data, or object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk (registered trademark), Java (registered trademark), C++, and programming languages ​​such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. Computer-readable instructions may be provided locally or via a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, or to programmable circuitry. The processor or programmable circuitry may execute the computer-readable instructions to create means for performing the operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, etc.

[0064] Although the present invention has been described through embodiments, the scope of the invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. Furthermore, embodiments with these changes or improvements are also included within the scope of the invention, according to the claims.

[0065] The operations, processes, steps, and stages of each process performed by the apparatus, system, program, and method shown in the claims, embodiments, or diagrams may be performed in any order, provided that the order is not indicated by words such as "before" or "before," and the output of the previous process is not used in the subsequent process. Even if phrases such as "first" or "next" are used to describe the process in the claims, embodiments, or diagrams, it does not necessarily mean that the process must be performed in this order. List of reference numerals

[0066] 10: Plant Factory; 20: Cultivation rack; 30: Plants; 40: Light source equipment; 42: Light source; 50: Nutrient solution supply equipment; 52: Pump; 54: Pipeline; 60: Carbon dioxide supply equipment; 62: Container; 64: Nozzle; 70: Air conditioning equipment; 80: Air supply equipment; 90: Sensor; 100: Plant management equipment; 102: Acquisition Unit; 104: Define the unit; 110: Environmental Control Unit; 120: Storage unit; 1200: Computer; 1210: Host controller; 1212: CPU; 1214: RAM; 1220: Input / output controller; 1222: Communication interface; 1230: ROM.

Claims

1. A plant management device, comprising: A determining unit that determines the harvest time of plants based on forecast information, the forecast information indicating at least one of the forecasted market price of the plants or the forecasted demand for the plants; as well as An environmental control unit controls environmental control equipment used to control the environment in a plantation where the plant is cultivated, so that the plant can be harvested at the harvest time.

2. The plant management device according to claim 1, wherein, The forecast information at least indicates the forecast market price of the plant, and The determining unit determines the time point when the predicted market price is highest within the target time period as the harvest time of the plant.

3. The plant management device according to claim 1, wherein, The forecast information indicates the relationship between the forecasted market price and the forecasted demand. The determining unit further determines the yield of the plant at the harvest time based on the predicted information, and The environmental control unit controls the environmental control equipment so that the plant yield can be harvested at the harvest time.

4. The plant management device according to claim 3, wherein, The determining unit determines the yield by multiplying the predicted demand at the harvest time, as indicated by the forecast information, by a predetermined ratio.

5. The plant management device according to claim 3, wherein, The plant facility includes multiple cultivation racks on which the plants are grown, and The determining unit further determines, based on the yield, the number of target cultivation racks for harvesting the plants at the harvest time.

6. The plant management device according to claim 1, wherein, The environmental control equipment includes air conditioning equipment that regulates at least one of the temperature or humidity within the plant workshop, and The environmental control unit controls the air conditioning equipment based on temperature / humidity information indicating the relationship between the cultivation period and temperature / humidity conditions, so that at least one of the temperature or humidity in the plant farm meets the temperature / humidity conditions that match the harvest time of the plants with the harvest time.

7. The plant management device according to claim 6, wherein, The temperature / humidity conditions are predetermined within a range that can maintain the intended quality of the plant.

8. The plant management device according to claim 6, wherein, The environmental control equipment also includes an air supply device, which controls at least one of the air volume or air direction supplied to the plant workshop. The environmental control unit controls the air supply equipment so that at least one of the temperature or humidity in the plant workshop meets the temperature / humidity conditions that match the harvest time of the plants with the harvest time.

9. The plant management device according to claim 1, wherein, The environmental control equipment includes a light source device having a light source for irradiating the plants with artificial light, and The environmental control unit controls the light source device based on light information indicating the relationship between the cultivation period and light conditions, so that the light intensity of the light source meets the light conditions that match the harvest time of the plant with the harvest time.

10. The plant management device according to claim 9, wherein, The light conditions are predetermined within a range that can maintain the intended quality of the plant.

11. The plant management device according to claim 8, wherein, The environmental control equipment includes a light source device having a light source for irradiating the plants with artificial light. The environmental control unit controls the light source device based on light quantity information indicating the relationship between the cultivation period and light conditions, so that the light quantity of the light source meets the light quantity conditions that match the harvest time of the plant with the harvest time. The environmental control unit adjusts the air volume or wind speed supplied to the plant by controlling the air supply device according to at least one of the temperature / humidity conditions or the light conditions, so as to meet the predetermined air supply conditions for suppressing leaf tip burn.

12. The plant management device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, When the prediction information is updated, the determining unit determines the harvest time for the renewed plant based on the updated prediction information, and The environmental control unit further controls the environmental control equipment so that the harvest time of the plants matches the updated harvest time.

13. The plant management device according to claim 12, wherein, When the prediction information is updated, the determining unit further determines the renewed yield of the plant based on the updated prediction information. When the updated yield is greater than the original yield, the environmental control unit controls the environmental control equipment to shorten the cultivation period of the newly added cultivation racks compared to the existing target cultivation racks. This adjusts the method so that both the existing target cultivation racks and the newly added cultivation racks can harvest the plants at the same time. When the updated yield is less than the yield before the update, the environmental control unit controls the environmental control equipment to extend the cultivation period of the reduced cultivation rack, thereby adjusting the harvest time of the plants on the reduced cultivation rack to match the next harvest time.

14. A plant management method, comprising: The harvest time of the plant is determined by a determining unit based on forecast information of at least one of the predicted market price of the indicator plant or the predicted demand for the plant. as well as An environmental control unit controls environmental control equipment used to control the environment in a plantation where the plant is cultivated, so that the plant can be harvested at the harvest time.

15. A program, when executed by said computer, for causing the computer to perform: The harvest time of the indicator plant is determined based on forecast information of at least one of the predicted market price of the indicator plant or the predicted demand for the plant; and An environmental control device is used to control the environment in a plantation where the plant is cultivated, so that the plant can be harvested at the harvest time.

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