Plant management device, plant management method, and program

Abstract

The plant management apparatus may include an environment control unit that controls an environment of a plurality of cultivation racks for cultivating plants in a plant workshop for at least one cultivation rack among the plurality of cultivation racks by controlling an environment control device for controlling an environment state in the plant workshop. The plant management apparatus may include a receiving unit that receives information indicating a harvest time of a plant. The plant management apparatus may include a selection unit that selects, based on environmental control information indicating a relationship between a growing period of a plant and an environmental control condition of an environmental control device, environmental control information indicating a relationship between the growing period of the plant and the environmental control condition. At least one cultivation shelf satisfying a harvesting time condition is selected as a target cultivation shelf from among the plurality of cultivation shelves for cultivating plants in an environment controlled by the environment control device under respective environment control conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The contents of the following patent application are incorporated herein by reference: Application 2023-047677, 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 discloses a cultivation method, which includes the following steps: preparing corresponding information obtained by associating optical characteristic information indicating the characteristics of light irradiating leafy vegetables with quantitative quality information that quantifies the quality of leafy vegetables; setting optical characteristic information; and irradiating leafy vegetables with light. (List of citations) (Patent Documents) Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-13560 Summary of the Invention

[0003] (Technical issue) When cultivating plants in a plant farm, a system is needed that considers not only the harvest time and yield but also the quality of the plants to select appropriate environmental control conditions. (Solution to the problem)

[0004] A plant management device according to one aspect of the present invention may include an environmental control unit that controls the environment of at least one of a plurality of cultivation racks used for cultivating plants in a plant facility by controlling environmental control equipment for controlling the environmental state in the plant facility. The plant management device may include a receiving unit that receives information indicating the harvest time of the plants. The plant management device may include a selection unit that selects at least one cultivation rack that meets the harvest time conditions from the plurality of cultivation racks cultivating plants in an environment controlled by the environmental control equipment as a target cultivation rack based on environmental control information indicating the relationship between the plant's growth period and the environmental control conditions of the environmental control equipment. The plant may be a vegetable, fruit, or flower. The plant may be at least one of a vegetable, fruit, or flower.

[0005] In a plant management device, when no cultivation rack meets the conditions for harvest time, the selection unit can choose at least one cultivation rack as the target cultivation rack based on environmental control information. This target cultivation rack can be selected by adjusting the growth period to meet the harvest time conditions through changes in environmental control conditions. The environmental control unit can control the environmental control equipment under the changed environmental control conditions to alter the environment of the target cultivation rack.

[0006] In any plant management device, the receiving unit can receive the information further indicating the yield of the plants to be harvested at the harvest time. The selection unit can select at least one cultivation rack that meets the conditions of harvest time and yield from the plurality of cultivation racks as the target cultivation rack.

[0007] In any plant management device, when no cultivation rack meets the conditions for harvest time and yield, based on environmental control information, the selection unit can select at least one cultivation rack as the target cultivation rack, which can adjust at least one of the growth period and yield by changing the environmental control conditions to meet the conditions for harvest time and yield. The environmental control unit can control the environmental control equipment under the changed environmental control conditions to change the environment of the target cultivation rack.

[0008] In any plant management device, the receiving unit receives information indicating not only the yield of plants awaiting harvest at the designated harvest time but also the quality of the plants. Based on the environmental control information indicating plant quality in addition to growth period and yield, the selection unit can select at least one cultivation rack from the plurality of cultivation racks that meets the conditions of harvest time, yield, and quality as the target cultivation rack.

[0009] In any plant management device, when there is no cultivation rack that meets at least one of the conditions for harvest time, yield, and quality, the selection unit, based on environmental control information, can select at least one cultivation rack that can adjust at least one of the growth period, yield, or quality by changing the environmental control conditions to meet the conditions for harvest time, yield, and quality as the target cultivation rack. The environmental control unit can control the environmental control equipment under the changed environmental control conditions to change the environment of the target cultivation rack. When the environmental control equipment is controlled to shorten the harvest time, the selection unit can assess the quality of the plant by reducing a predetermined rate based on the number of days the harvest time is shortened, determine whether the quality of the assessed plant meets the quality conditions, and select at least one cultivation rack that meets the conditions for harvest time, yield, and quality as the target cultivation rack. When the environmental control equipment is controlled to extend the harvest time, the selection unit can assess the quality of the plant by increasing a predetermined rate based on the number of days the harvest time is extended, determine whether the quality of the assessed plant meets the quality conditions, and select at least one cultivation rack that meets the conditions for harvest time, yield, and quality as the target cultivation rack. When the environmental control equipment is controlled to shorten the harvest time, the selection unit can assess the quality of the plants based on the number of days the harvest time is shortened, aiming to increase a predetermined rate, determine whether the quality of the assessed plants meets the quality conditions, and select at least one cultivation rack that can meet the conditions for harvest time, yield, and quality as the target cultivation rack. Conversely, when the environmental control equipment is controlled to extend the harvest time, the selection unit can assess the quality of the plants based on the number of days the harvest time is extended, aiming to decrease a predetermined rate, determine whether the quality of the assessed plants meets the quality conditions, and select at least one cultivation rack that can meet the conditions for harvest time, yield, and quality as the target cultivation rack.

[0010] In any plant management device, when there is no cultivation rack that meets the harvest time condition, the selection unit can select a cultivation rack that is planned to have a harvest time closest to the harvest time condition as a candidate cultivation rack, and then select the candidate cultivation rack as the target cultivation rack when the number of days that the harvest time of the candidate cultivation rack needs to be changed to meet the harvest time condition is within a predetermined number of days that can be adjusted by changing the environmental control conditions.

[0011] In any plant management device, quality may include at least one of the following: plant size, taste, and color intensity.

[0012] In any plant management device, environmental control conditions may include control conditions for at least one of the temperature within the plant nursery or the amount of light from a light source illuminating the plants. Environmental control conditions may indicate hourly settings for both the temperature within the plant nursery and the light source during the plant's growing season.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, a plant management method may include: controlling the environment of at least one of a plurality of cultivation racks used for cultivating plants in a plant facility by controlling an environmental control device for controlling the environmental state in the plant facility via an environmental control unit. The plant management method may also include: receiving information indicating the harvest time of plants via a receiving unit. Furthermore, the plant management method may include: selecting, via a selection unit, at least one cultivation rack that meets the harvest time condition from the plurality of cultivation racks cultivating plants in an environment controlled by the environmental control device under corresponding environmental control conditions, as a target cultivation rack, based on environmental control information indicating the relationship between the plant's growth period and the environmental control conditions of the environmental control device.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, a program enables a computer to control the environment of at least one of a plurality of cultivation racks used for cultivating plants in a plant factory, by controlling an environmental control device for controlling the environmental state in the plant factory. The program also enables the computer to receive information indicating the harvest time of the plants. Furthermore, the program enables the computer to select, based on environmental control information indicating the relationship between the plant's growth period and the environmental control conditions of the environmental control device, at least one cultivation rack that meets the harvest time condition from the plurality of cultivation racks cultivating plants in an environment controlled by the environmental control device under corresponding environmental control conditions as a target cultivation rack.

[0015] 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

[0016] 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 environmental control condition information. Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for adjusting harvest time. Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process of selecting cultivation racks that meet the required harvest time, yield, and quality. Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating an example of hardware construction. Detailed Implementation

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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 farm 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 a plant management device 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 devices. Hereinafter, 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 be collectively referred to as environmental control devices.

[0019] 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. Spaces 12 can be spaces with high insulation and airtightness. 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.

[0020] The light source device 40 includes a plurality of light sources 42 that emit artificial light, such as LEDs or incandescent lamps, and emits artificial light to the plant 30 from each of the plurality of light sources 42. The plurality of light sources 42 may be arranged to face the cultivation surface of the cultivation rack 20.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] In a plant management system constructed in this way, it is desirable to be able to cultivate plants 30 at the desired harvest time by changing the environmental control conditions of the environmental control equipment.

[0028] 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 a receiving unit 102, a selection unit 104, an environmental control unit 110, and a storage unit 120.

[0029] The receiving unit 102 receives information indicating the harvest time of the plant 30. The receiving unit 102 can receive this information from a requesting source of the plant 30. The requesting source can be a terminal that sends information according to instructions from the supplier of the plant 30. The receiving unit 102 can also receive information further indicating the yield of the plant 30 to be harvested at the specified harvest time. In addition to indicating the yield, the receiving unit 102 can also receive information indicating the quality of the plant 30. That is, the receiving unit 102 can receive information from the requesting source indicating the conditions for the harvest time, yield, and quality of the plant 30.

[0030] Based on environmental control information indicating the relationship between the growth period and the environmental control conditions of the environmental control equipment, the selection unit 104 selects at least one cultivation rack 20 from a plurality of cultivation racks 20 used for cultivating plants 30 in an environment controlled by the environmental control equipment under the corresponding environmental control conditions. If no cultivation rack 20 meets the harvest time condition, the selection unit 104 may, based on the environmental control information, select at least one cultivation rack 20 whose growth period can be adjusted by changing the environmental control conditions to meet the harvest time condition as the target cultivation rack. The growth period refers to the time from the start of cultivation of the plant 30 on the cultivation rack 20 to harvest. The environmental control conditions indicate the control conditions used to control the operation of each environmental control device. The environmental control conditions may include control conditions for at least one of the temperature within the plant workshop 10 or the amount of light from the light source 42 irradiating the plant 30. The environmental control conditions may indicate the hourly set conditions for the temperature within the plant workshop 10 and the hourly set conditions for the light source 42 during the growth period of the plant 30.

[0031] When the receiving unit 102 receives information indicating the harvest time and yield, the selection unit 104 can select at least one cultivation rack 20 that meets the conditions for harvest time and yield from the plurality of cultivation racks 20 as the target cultivation rack 20 of the request source. When there is no cultivation rack 20 that meets the conditions for harvest time and yield, based on environmental control information, the selection unit 104 can select at least one cultivation rack 20 that can adjust at least one of the growth period or yield by changing the environmental control conditions to meet the conditions for harvest time and yield as the target cultivation rack 20.

[0032] When the receiving unit 102 receives information indicating harvest time, yield, and quality, based on environmental control information indicating the quality of the plant 30 in addition to the growth period and yield, the selection unit 104 can select at least one cultivation rack 20 that meets the conditions for harvest time, yield, and quality from the plurality of cultivation racks 20 as the target cultivation rack 20. When there is no cultivation rack 20 that meets the conditions for harvest time, yield, and quality, based on the environmental control information, the selection unit 104 can select at least one cultivation rack 20 that can adjust at least one of the growth period, yield, or quality by changing the environmental control conditions to meet the conditions for harvest time, yield, and quality as the target cultivation rack 20.

[0033] By controlling the environmental control equipment, the environmental control unit 110 controls the environment of the plurality of cultivation racks 20 for at least one cultivation rack 20. By controlling at least one of the following: light source device 40, nutrient solution supply device 50, carbon dioxide supply device 60, air conditioning device 70, or air supply device 80, the environmental control unit 110 controls the environment of the plurality of cultivation racks 20 for at least one cultivation rack 20. The environmental control unit 110 can change the environment of the target cultivation rack 20 by controlling the environmental control device under environmental control conditions that are changed to adjust at least one of the growth period, yield, or quality.

[0034] Environmental control conditions may include at least one of the following: temperature within the plant nursery 10 (temperature of the target space) or the amount of light from the light source 42 illuminating the plants 30. Environmental control condition information may be, for example... Figure 3 The information shown refers to the following: For each environmental control condition, the environmental control condition information can indicate the light intensity of the light source 42 controlling the target space, the temperature controlling the target space, and the growth stage, yield, size, flavor, and color intensity of the plant 30. The light intensity of the light source 42 can indicate the light intensity at each stage obtained by dividing the growth stage into multiple phases. The light intensity of the light source 42 can indicate, for example, the time and amount of light used to irradiate the plant 30 daily. The temperature condition can indicate the temperature at each stage of the growth stage. For example, the temperature condition can indicate the temperature at each time of day. Size can be indicated, for example, by a three-level index. Flavor can be indicated, for example, by a five-level index. Color intensity can be indicated, for example, by a three-level index. Each quality indicator is not limited to the above and can be appropriately set according to the type of plant 30, etc.

[0035] The environmental control conditions information, including growth period, yield, size, taste, and color intensity, can be generated by changing the environmental control conditions at each stage of the growth period and actually cultivating plants 30 in each cultivation rack 20 of the plant factory 10, and evaluating the cultivation results, and can be stored in the storage unit 120.

[0036] like Figure 4 As shown, if there is no cultivation rack 20 that meets the harvest time condition, but there is a cultivation rack 20 with condition A1 and harvest time T2, when the environmental control condition starting from the current time point T0 changes from condition A1 to condition A2 or condition A3, causing the harvest time to change from T2 to T1 (earlier than T2) or T3 (later than T2) to meet the harvest time condition, the selection unit 104 selects the cultivation rack 20. Then, by changing the environmental control condition from condition A1 to condition A2 or condition A3 at the current time point T0 to meet the harvest time condition, the environmental control unit 110 controls the environmental control equipment.

[0037] For example, when plant 30 is a variety such as lettuce, in order to set the growth period to be shorter than the current growth period, the environmental control unit 110 can control the air conditioning equipment 70 to make the temperature higher than the temperature during the current growth period. In order to set the growth period to be longer than the current growth period, the environmental control unit 110 can control the air conditioning equipment 70 to make the temperature lower than the temperature during the current growth period.

[0038] Alternatively, in order to set the growth period to be shorter than the current growth period, the environmental control unit 110 can control the light source device 40 such that the light intensity is greater than the light intensity during the current growth period. Conversely, in order to set the growth period to be longer than the current growth period, the environmental control unit 110 can control the light source device 40 such that the light intensity is less than the light intensity during the current growth period.

[0039] When no cultivation rack 20 meets the harvest time requirements, the selection unit 104 can select a cultivation rack 20 with a harvest time closest to the required harvest time as a candidate cultivation rack 20. Furthermore, the selection unit 104 can deduce the number of days required to change the harvest time of the candidate cultivation rack 20 to meet the harvest time requirements. When this number of days falls within a predetermined number of days that can be adjusted by changing environmental control conditions, the selection unit 104 can select that candidate cultivation rack 20 as the target cultivation rack 20. The environmental control unit 110 can control the air conditioning equipment 70 and the light source equipment 40 to adjust at least one of the temperature or light intensity at a predetermined ratio according to the number of days the harvest time has changed.

[0040] When the current harvest time is shortened, selection unit 104 can assess the quality of plant 30 by reducing a predetermined ratio based on the number of days the harvest time is shortened, and determine whether the quality conditions are met. The quality of plant 30 resulting from a shortened or extended harvest time varies depending on the type of plant 30. Therefore, selection unit 104 can assess the quality of plant 30 by increasing a predetermined ratio based on the number of days the harvest time is shortened, and determine whether the quality conditions are met. Furthermore, when the current harvest time is extended, selection unit 104 can assess the quality of plant 30 by maintaining the current quality or increasing the predetermined ratio based on the number of days to be extended, and determine whether the quality conditions are met. Alternatively, when the current harvest time is extended, selection unit 104 can assess the quality of plant 30 by maintaining the current quality or reducing the predetermined ratio based on the number of days to be extended, and determine whether the quality conditions are met. The ratio can be generated by changing environmental control conditions and actually cultivating plants 30 in each cultivation rack 20 of the plant factory 10, evaluating the cultivation results, and can be stored in the storage unit 120.

[0041] Figure 5This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process for selecting cultivation racks that meet the requested harvest time, yield, and quality.

[0042] The receiving unit 102 receives information from the request source indicating the desired conditions for the harvest time, yield, and quality of the target plant 30 (S100). Based on the environmental control information and the environmental control conditions of each current cultivation rack 20, the selection unit 104 determines whether there is a cultivation rack 20 that meets the received conditions (S102). When there is a cultivation rack 20 that meets the conditions, the selection unit 104 selects the cultivation rack 20 that meets the conditions as the target cultivation rack 20 (S106).

[0043] On the other hand, when there is no cultivation rack 20 that meets the conditions, the selection unit 104 can select at least one cultivation rack 20 that can adjust at least one of the growth period, yield or quality by changing the environmental control conditions to meet the conditions of harvest time, yield and quality as the target cultivation rack (S104).

[0044] In the plant management apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, a cultivation rack 20 that meets the conditions for a requested harvest time is selected from a plurality of cultivation racks 20 used for cultivating plants 30 in the plant workshop 10. Furthermore, when no cultivation rack 20 meets the conditions for a requested harvest time, the environmental control conditions of the cultivation rack 20 are adjusted individually to meet the conditions for the requested cultivation time. Therefore, plants 30 can be provided more reliably within the harvest time that meets the requested conditions. In addition to harvest time, at least one of yield and / or quality is further considered to provide plants 30 that meet the requested conditions at the appropriate time.

[0045] Figure 6 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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

[0056] 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: Receiving unit; 104: Select 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: An environmental control unit controls the environment of at least one of a plurality of cultivation racks used for cultivating plants in a plant factory by controlling environmental control equipment for controlling the environmental state in the plant factory. A receiving unit that receives information indicating the harvest time of the plant; as well as The selection unit selects at least one cultivation rack from the plurality of cultivation racks that meets the harvest time condition as the target cultivation rack, based on environmental control information indicating the relationship between the growth period and the environmental control conditions of the environmental control device. The plurality of cultivation racks cultivate the plants in an environment controlled by the environmental control device under the corresponding environmental control conditions.

2. The plant management device according to claim 1, wherein, When no cultivation rack meets the harvest time condition, based on the environmental control information, the selection unit selects at least one cultivation rack that can adjust the growth period to meet the harvest time condition by changing the environmental control conditions as the target cultivation rack. The environmental control unit controls the environmental control equipment under the changed environmental control conditions to change the environment of the target cultivation rack.

3. The plant management device according to claim 1, wherein, The receiving unit also receives the information indicating the yield of the plants to be harvested at the harvest time, and The selection unit selects at least one cultivation rack from the plurality of cultivation racks that meets the conditions of harvest time and yield as the target cultivation rack.

4. The plant management device according to claim 3, wherein, When no cultivation rack meets the conditions for harvest time and yield, based on the environmental control information, the selection unit selects at least one cultivation rack that can adjust at least one of the growth period and yield by changing the environmental control conditions to meet the conditions for harvest time and yield as the target cultivation rack. The environmental control unit controls the environmental control equipment under the changed environmental control conditions to change the environment of the target cultivation rack.

5. The plant management device according to claim 3, wherein, The receiving unit receives information indicating not only the yield of the plants to be harvested at the harvest time, but also the quality of the plants. Based on the environmental control information that indicates the quality of the plant in addition to the growth period and the yield, the selection unit selects at least one cultivation rack from the plurality of cultivation racks that meets the conditions of harvest time, yield and quality as the target cultivation rack.

6. The plant management device according to claim 5, wherein, When no cultivation rack meets at least one of the conditions for harvest time, yield, and quality, based on the environmental control information, the selection unit selects at least one cultivation rack as the target cultivation rack, which can adjust at least one of the growth period, yield, or quality to meet the conditions for harvest time, yield, and quality by changing the environmental control conditions. The environmental control unit controls the environmental control equipment under the changed environmental control conditions to change the environment of the target cultivation rack.

7. The plant management device according to claim 6, wherein, When the environmental control equipment is controlled to shorten the harvest time, the selection unit assesses the quality of the plant by a predetermined reduction rate based on the number of days the harvest time is shortened, determines whether the quality of the assessed plant meets the quality conditions, and selects at least one cultivation rack that can meet the conditions of harvest time, yield, and quality as the target cultivation rack. When the environmental control device is controlled to extend the harvest time, the selection unit assesses the quality of the plant to be improved by a predetermined rate based on the number of days the harvest time of the plant is extended, determines whether the quality of the assessed plant meets the quality conditions, and selects at least one cultivation rack that can meet the conditions of harvest time, yield and quality as the target cultivation rack.

8. The plant management device according to claim 6, wherein, When the environmental control equipment is controlled to shorten the harvest time, the selection unit assesses the quality of the plant to be improved by a predetermined rate based on the number of days the harvest time is shortened, determines whether the quality of the assessed plant meets the quality conditions, and selects at least one cultivation rack that can meet the conditions of harvest time, yield, and quality as the target cultivation rack. When the environmental control device is controlled to extend the harvest time, the selection unit assesses the quality of the plant as decreasing by a predetermined rate based on the number of days the harvest time of the plant is extended, determines whether the quality of the assessed plant meets the quality conditions, and selects at least one cultivation rack that can meet the conditions of harvest time, yield and quality as the target cultivation rack.

9. The plant management device according to claim 2, wherein, When there is no cultivation rack that meets at least one harvest time condition, the selection unit selects the cultivation rack that is planned to have a harvest time closest to the harvest time condition as a candidate cultivation rack, and then selects the candidate cultivation rack as the target cultivation rack when the number of days that the harvest time of the candidate cultivation rack needs to be changed to meet the harvest time condition is within a predetermined number of days that can be adjusted by changing the environmental control conditions.

10. The plant management device according to claim 4, wherein, When there is no cultivation rack that meets at least one harvest time condition, the selection unit selects the cultivation rack that is planned to have a harvest time closest to the harvest time condition as a candidate cultivation rack, and then selects the candidate cultivation rack as the target cultivation rack when the number of days that the harvest time of the candidate cultivation rack needs to be changed to meet the harvest time condition is within a predetermined number of days that can be adjusted by changing the environmental control conditions.

11. The plant management device according to claim 6, wherein, When there is no cultivation rack that meets at least one harvest time condition, the selection unit selects the cultivation rack that is planned to have a harvest time closest to the harvest time condition as a candidate cultivation rack, and then selects the candidate cultivation rack as the target cultivation rack when the number of days that the harvest time of the candidate cultivation rack needs to be changed to meet the harvest time condition is within a predetermined number of days that can be adjusted by changing the environmental control conditions.

12. The plant management device according to claim 5, wherein, The quality includes at least one of the plant's size, taste, or color intensity.

13. The plant management device according to claim 1, wherein, The environmental control conditions include the control of at least one of the temperature within the plantation or the amount of light from the light source irradiating the plants.

14. A plant management method, comprising: The environment control unit controls the environment of at least one of the multiple cultivation racks used for cultivating plants in the plant factory by controlling the environmental control equipment used to control the environmental state in the plant factory. The receiving unit receives information indicating the harvest time of the plant. as well as By selecting a unit, based on environmental control information indicating the relationship between the growth period and the environmental control conditions of the environmental control device, at least one cultivation rack that meets the harvest time condition is selected from the plurality of cultivation racks as the target cultivation rack, and the plurality of cultivation racks cultivate the plants in an environment controlled by the environmental control device under the corresponding environmental control conditions.

15. A program that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform: By controlling environmental control equipment used to control the environmental state in the plant workshop, the environment of the plurality of cultivation racks used for cultivating plants in the plant workshop is controlled. Receive information indicating the harvest time of the plant; as well as Based on environmental control information relating the growth period and the environmental control conditions of the environmental control equipment, at least one cultivation rack that meets the harvest time condition is selected from the plurality of cultivation racks as the target cultivation rack, and the plants are cultivated in the plurality of cultivation racks in an environment controlled by the environmental control equipment under the corresponding environmental control conditions.

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