Plant cultivation device and plant cultivation method

Abstract

To provide a mechanism for performing both control of the environment in a plant cultivation device and process control of an operation process for cultivating a plant.SOLUTION: A plant cultivation device has: a plurality of sensors for monitoring the growth state of a plant being cultivated; environment control means for controlling an environment which is a state of at least one of light, air, water, and space in the plant cultivation device; and process control means for controlling an operation process for cultivating the plant.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plant cultivation device and a plant cultivation method. [Background technology]

[0002] As a background art of this technical field, there is Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-61575 (Patent Document 1). This publication states that "the purpose of the plant management device 1a is to inform the user of the cultivation state according to the growing environment of each plant, and to encourage appropriate cultivation management. The plant management device 1a includes: a temperature detection unit 16, a humidity detection unit 17, and an illuminance detection unit 18 which detect various detection values ​​indicative of the state of the environment surrounding the plant; a first memory unit 11 which stores the various detection values ​​detected by the temperature detection unit 16, the humidity detection unit 17, and the illuminance detection unit 18; a CPU 10 which determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the cultivation state of the plant or whether there is a problematic tendency, based on the various detection values ​​detected by the temperature detection unit 16, the humidity detection unit 17, and the illuminance detection unit 18 and predetermined determination criterion information; an indicator light 14 and a sound unit 15 which notify the cultivation state of the plant according to the determination result of the cultivation state of the plant by the CPU 10; and a first communication unit 12 which transmits the various detection values ​​stored in the first memory unit 11 to the external device 2a according to the power supply generated by the induced electromagnetic field or radio waves supplied from the external device 2a" (see abstract). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-61575 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 describes a mechanism for notifying a user of a cultivation state in a plant cultivation device. However, the plant cultivation device described in this Patent Document does not disclose a mechanism for managing the work process of cultivating plants. Therefore, the present invention provides a mechanism for managing both the environment within a plant cultivation device and the process of cultivating plants. The present invention also provides a mechanism for implementing environmental management or process management in the plant cultivation device based on a recipe received from a management server. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, for example, the configurations described in the claims are adopted. The present application includes multiple means for solving the above problems. One example is a plant cultivation device characterized by having multiple sensors that monitor the growth state of the plants being cultivated, an environment management means that manages the environment, which is at least one of the conditions of light, air, water, and space within the plant cultivation device, and a process management means that manages the work process of cultivating the plants. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mechanism for performing both environmental management within a plant cultivation device and process management of the work process for cultivating plants. Alternatively, a mechanism can be provided in which environmental management or process management is performed in the plant cultivation device based on a recipe received from the management server. Problems, configurations and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an example of a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a cultivation apparatus 1A. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an example of a diagram showing the appearance of a cultivation apparatus 1A. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the inside of the cultivation apparatus 1A. [Figure 4] An example of a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the cultivation room 10A viewed from the longitudinal direction. [Figure 5A] 1 shows examples of a cultivation plate and a cultivation tray arranged in a cultivation apparatus 1A. [Figure 5B] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an artificial light source provided in the cultivation apparatus 1A. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an air circulation device provided in the cultivation apparatus 1A. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a nutrient solution circulating device provided in the cultivation apparatus 1A. [Figure 8] 1 is an example of an overall configuration diagram of a plant cultivation system 800. [Figure 9] 8 is an example of a hardware configuration of a management terminal 810. [Figure 10] 8 is an example of a hardware configuration of a management server 820. [Figure 11] 8 is an example of a hardware configuration of a work terminal 830. [Figure 12] This is an example of basic recipe 1200. [Figure 13] 13 is an example of a working recipe 1300. [Figure 14] 14 illustrates an example of a recipe registration process flow 1400. [Figure 15] 15 is an example of an environment management process flow 1500. [Figure 16] 16 is an example of a process management process flow 1600. [Figure 17] 17 is an example of a growth state monitoring process flow 1700. [Figure 18] 13 is an example of a display screen showing the growth state being monitored. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cultivation facility that controls both the internal and external environments of the cultivation apparatus 1A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The cultivation apparatus of the present invention is used in an artificial light type plant factory, and is preferably used in a plant factory with a large production scale where it has been difficult to control the cultivation environment in the past. EXAMPLES

[0009] A cultivation apparatus 1A of a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. FIG. 1 is an example of a functional block diagram showing the configuration of a cultivation apparatus 1A of the present invention. The cultivation apparatus 1A includes a cultivation room 10A, a plurality of cultivation chambers 20A, an air circulation device 30, a nutrient solution circulation device 40, an operation unit 50, a control unit 60, and a display unit . As shown in Fig. 2, the cultivation room 10A has a rectangular parallelepiped outer wall that can seal the inside, and can maintain a cultivation environment independent of the environment (temperature and humidity) of the work room of the plant factory in which the cultivation apparatus 1A is placed. It is preferable to use a heat insulating material as the material for the outer wall so that it is less susceptible to the influence of the environment of the work room outside the cultivation room 10A. Fig. 3 shows the cultivation apparatus 1A with the outer wall of the cultivation room 10A removed.

[0010] FIG. 4 shows an example of a schematic cross-sectional view of the cultivation room 10A of the present invention viewed from the longitudinal direction. As shown in Fig. 4, the multiple cultivation chambers 20A are formed by dividing the cultivation room 10A vertically with shelves 111 at a predetermined interval, and each has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. The multiple cultivation chambers 20A can be formed by providing exteriors to a conventionally known multi-tiered cultivation shelf. In this embodiment, the multiple cultivation chambers 20A are formed by providing exteriors (external walls of the cultivation room 10A) to a five-tiered cultivation shelf 100.

[0011] In each cultivation chamber 20A, a plurality of nutrient solution trays 210 and cultivation plates 220 as shown in Fig. 5A are arranged such that their short sides run along the longitudinal direction of the cultivation chamber 20A as shown in Fig. 5B. The nutrient solution trays 210 are configured as rectangular trays that are approximately the same size as the rectangular cultivation plates 220 and can be arranged so that the cultivation plates 220 can be fitted into them. In this embodiment, 16 nutrient solution trays 210 are arranged in each cultivation chamber 20A, with the cultivation plates 220 fitted into the nutrient solution trays 210 that are approximately 30 cm x 120 cm (see Fig. 5B).

[0012] In addition, since the shape of the cultivation chamber 20A is suitable for use in a plant factory with a large production scale, it is preferable that the length in the longitudinal direction is at least twice as long as the length in the lateral direction. In this embodiment, the ratio of the length in the lateral direction to the length in the longitudinal direction is 1:5. However, the size of the cultivation chamber 20A (the number of cultivation plates 220 arranged in the cultivation chamber 20A) is not limited to the size of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0013] In the present embodiment, the nutrient solution tray 210 and the cultivation plate 220 are rectangular, but may be square. In the case of a square, one side of the square cultivation plate 220 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the cultivation chamber 20A. In this manner, when the nutrient solution tray 210 is arranged, each of the multiple cultivation chambers 20A is in a sealed or semi-sealed state.

[0014] The nutrient solution tray 210 has an outlet 211 (see FIG. 4) for discharging the supplied nutrient solution at one end in the longitudinal direction (downstream of the nutrient solution flow). The nutrient solution tray 210 has an inclined surface inclined at a predetermined angle (for example, about 1 degree) with respect to the short side of the cultivation chamber 20A so that the downstream side of the nutrient solution flow is downward, and this makes it possible to create a unidirectional flow at a predetermined flow rate according to the supply flow rate without the supplied nutrient solution remaining in the nutrient solution tray 210. A nutrient solution recovery pipe 470, which will be described later, is disposed below the outlet 211 (see FIG. 4).

[0015] The nutrient solution tray 210 does not have to be sized to accommodate one cultivation plate 220, and may be configured so that a plurality of cultivation plates 220 can be arranged on one nutrient solution tray 210. 5B, an artificial light source 230 is disposed above each cultivation chamber 20A, and a dimmer 231 for adjusting the brightness of the artificial light source 230 is connected to the artificial light source 230. In this embodiment, two artificial light sources 230 are disposed along the longitudinal direction of the nutrient solution tray 210 and the cultivation plate 220 (the transverse direction of the cultivation chamber 20A). As the artificial light source 230, an LED that consumes little power and can be configured to be thin is preferably used. Alternatively, a fluorescent lamp may be used as the artificial light source.

[0016] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the air circulation device 30 is positioned adjacent to the cultivation shelf 100 at one longitudinal end of the cultivation room 10A, and supplies air adjusted to predetermined conditions to each cultivation chamber 20A at a predetermined flow rate, collects the air that has passed through the interior of each cultivation chamber 20A and adjusts it to the predetermined conditions, repeating this process to circulate the air.

[0017] The configuration of the air circulation device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The air circulation device 30 only needs to have the function of adjusting at least the temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, and air flow rate (flow rate). In this embodiment, the air circulation device 30 includes an air sterilization device 310, a direct expansion type (a method of directly cooling air with a refrigerant) air conditioner 320 having heating, cooling, and dehumidification functions, a humidifier 330 having a humidification function, a carbon dioxide supply device 340 that adjusts the carbon dioxide concentration, a suction pump 350, and a compression pump 360. Incidentally, a chiller device of the partial expansion type (a type in which air is cooled via water using a refrigerant) may be used as a device having a function of adjusting temperature.

[0018] Each cultivation chamber 20A and the air circulation device 30 are connected via an air recovery pipe 370A and an air supply pipe 380. The air recovery pipe 370A and the air supply pipe 380 extend in the longitudinal direction of the cultivation chamber 20A. The air recovery pipe 370A is formed with a plurality of air recovery ports 371 provided at a predetermined interval. The air supply pipe 380 is formed with a plurality of air supply ports 381 provided at a predetermined interval, and these air supply ports 381 are provided with constant flow valves (not shown). In addition, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a carbon dioxide concentration sensor (not shown) are attached to predetermined locations of each cultivation chamber 20A to monitor the temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration of the circulating air.

[0019] The air collected from each cultivation chamber 20A by the suction pump 350 through the air collection pipe 370A is sterilized through the air sterilization device 310 and sent to the air conditioner 320. In the air conditioner 320, the temperature is adjusted and the air is dehumidified according to the measurement results of the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor, and then the air is humidified by the humidifier 330. Then, the carbon dioxide supply device 340 supplies carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide supply source 341 such as a carbon dioxide cylinder according to the measurement result of the carbon dioxide concentration sensor. Then, the compression pump 360 supplies air adjusted to a predetermined condition and a predetermined flow rate to each cultivation chamber 20A through the air supply pipe 380. The set value of the air flow rate may be fixed or may be variable.

[0020] At this time, the air flow direction in the cultivation chamber 20A is along the short side direction of the cultivation chamber 20A as shown in Fig. 4. This makes it possible to shorten the time from air supply to collection, compared to when the air flow direction is along the long side direction of the cultivation chamber 20A. This makes it possible to reduce the changes in the cultivation environment, such as temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration, that occur between the upstream and downstream sides of the air flow. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the air flow direction in the cultivation chamber 20A may be from the top to the bottom of the cultivation chamber 20A.

[0021] In addition, in the embodiment, one cultivation apparatus 1A has one cultivation room 10A, and one cultivation room 10A has multiple cultivation chambers 20A and one air circulation device 30, and air is supplied from the one air circulation device 30 to the multiple cultivation chambers 20A. However, this is not limited to the above, and one cultivation apparatus 1A may have one cultivation room 10A, and one cultivation room 10A may have multiple cultivation chambers 20A and multiple air circulation devices 30 corresponding to each cultivation chamber 20A, and air may be sent to each of the multiple cultivation chambers 20A from the corresponding air circulation device 30. In this case, the temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, flow rate (flow rate), etc. of the circulating air can be changed for each cultivation chamber 20A.

[0022] In addition, one cultivation apparatus 1A may have multiple cultivation rooms 10A, and each of the multiple cultivation rooms 10A may have multiple cultivation chambers 20A and one air circulation device 30. Furthermore, one cultivation apparatus 1A may include multiple cultivation rooms 10A, and each of the multiple cultivation rooms 10A may include multiple cultivation chambers 20A and multiple air circulation devices 30 corresponding to each cultivation chamber 20A. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the nutrient solution circulation device 40 is positioned below the cultivation chamber 10A and supplies nutrient solution adjusted to predetermined conditions to the nutrient solution trays 210 of each cultivation chamber 20A at a predetermined flow rate, collects the nutrient solution that has passed through each nutrient solution tray and adjusts it to the predetermined conditions, repeating this process to circulate the nutrient solution.

[0023] The configuration of the nutrient solution circulating device 40 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The nutrient solution circulating device 40 only needs to have a function of adjusting at least the temperature and nutrients (various simple fertilizer ions such as nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, etc.) of the nutrient solution. In this embodiment, the nutrient solution circulating device 40 includes a nutrient solution sterilizing device 410, a nutrient solution tank 420 connected to a city water supply source, a chiller device (not shown) having heating and cooling functions, a nutrient supplying device 440, an oxygen supplying device 450 that supplies oxygen to adjust the dissolved oxygen concentration, and a nutrient solution pressure pump 460.

[0024] Each cultivation chamber 20A and the nutrient solution circulating device 40 are connected via a nutrient solution recovery pipe 470 and a nutrient solution supply pipe 480. The nutrient solution recovery pipe 470 extends in the longitudinal direction of the cultivation chamber 20A and is configured to recover the nutrient solution discharged from the outlet of the nutrient solution tray 210. Similarly, the nutrient solution supply pipe 480 extends in the longitudinal direction of the cultivation chamber 20A, and a plurality of nutrient solution supply ports 481 are formed in the nutrient solution supply pipe 480 at predetermined intervals. The nutrient solution supply ports 481 may open so as to face downward in the nutrient solution supply pipe 480, but it is preferable that the nutrient solution supply ports 481 open so as to face the direction along the flow direction of the nutrient solution as in this embodiment (see Figures 4 and 7). This allows the flow rate of the nutrient solution to be increased for the same supply amount compared to when the nutrient solution supply ports 481 open downward.

[0025] In addition, in the embodiment, one cultivation apparatus 1A has one cultivation room 10A, and one cultivation room 10A has multiple cultivation chambers 20A and one nutrient solution circulation device 40, and nutrient solution is supplied from one nutrient solution circulation device 40 to the multiple cultivation chambers 20A. The set value of the flow rate of the nutrient solution may be fixed or may be changeable. However, this is not limited to the above, and one cultivation apparatus 1A may have one cultivation room 10A, and one cultivation room 10A may have multiple cultivation chambers 20A and multiple nutrient solution circulation devices 40 corresponding to each cultivation chamber 20A, and nutrient solution may be sent to each of the multiple cultivation chambers 20A from the corresponding nutrient solution circulation device 40. In this case, the temperature, nutrients, flow rate, etc. of the nutrient solution can be changed for each cultivation chamber 20A.

[0026] In addition, one cultivation apparatus 1A may include multiple cultivation rooms 10A, and each of the multiple cultivation rooms 10A may include multiple cultivation chambers 20A and one nutrient solution circulating device 40. Furthermore, one cultivation apparatus 1A may include multiple cultivation rooms 10A, and each of the multiple cultivation rooms 10A may include multiple cultivation chambers 20A and multiple nutrient solution circulation devices 40 corresponding to each cultivation chamber 20A. In addition, a water temperature sensor (not shown) is attached to the nutrient solution tank 420, and a single fertilizer sensor SFS that measures the concentrations of various nutrients is attached near the connection port of the nutrient solution tank 420 to the nutrient solution recovery pipe 470, and monitors the water temperature and various single fertilizer ion concentrations during circulation. The chiller device adjusts the temperature of the nutrient solution according to the measurement results of the water temperature sensor.

[0027] The nutrient supplying device 440 includes a single fertilizer ion concentration control unit 441, a single fertilizer sensor SFS, and a single fertilizer ion supplying plunger 442. In this nutrient supplying device 440, the single fertilizer ion concentration control unit 441 drives the single fertilizer ion supplying plunger 442 according to the measurement results of the various single fertilizer sensors SFS to adjust the single fertilizer ion concentration of the nutrient solution. The single fertilizer ion concentration of the nutrient solution may be measured using a pH sensor and an EC sensor.

[0028] The nutrient solution stored in the nutrient solution tank 420 is adjusted to a predetermined water temperature by a chiller device, adjusted to a predetermined single fertilizer ion concentration by a nutrient supplying device 440, and adjusted to a predetermined dissolved oxygen amount by an oxygen supplying device 450. After that, the nutrient solution is supplied to the nutrient solution tray 210 arranged in each cultivation chamber 20A through the nutrient solution supply pipe 480 by a nutrient solution pressure pump 460. As shown in FIG. 4, the nutrient solution flows through the nutrient solution tray 210 along the short side direction of the cultivation chamber 20A at a predetermined flow rate, is discharged from the outlet 211 of the nutrient solution tray 210, and flows into the nutrient solution recovery pipe 470. The nutrient solution collected by the nutrient solution recovery pipe 470 connected to each cultivation chamber 20A is sterilized by the nutrient solution sterilization device 410 and then flows into the nutrient solution tank 420.

[0029] At this time, the flow direction of the nutrient solution in the cultivation chamber 20A is along the short side direction of the cultivation chamber 20A. This makes it possible to shorten the time from supply to collection of the nutrient solution compared to when the flow direction of the nutrient solution is along the long side direction of the cultivation chamber 20A. In addition, the nutrient solution tank 420 may be provided for each cultivation chamber 20A, or only one may be provided for each cultivation room 10A.

[0030] The operation unit 50 is composed of buttons, a keyboard, etc. for setting up the cultivation room 10A to create a predetermined cultivation environment, and is positioned on the outside of one longitudinal end of the cultivation room 10A (the side where the air circulation device 30 is located) as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The control unit 60 is located inside the cultivation room 10A and receives signals from the air circulation device 30, the nutrient solution circulation device 40, and the operation unit 50, and controls the air circulation device 30, the nutrient solution circulation device 40, and the display unit 70 described below, and is composed of a computer device, for example, including a central processing unit, RAM, ROM, etc.

[0031] The display unit 70 is configured with an LCD panel or the like to display the measurement results monitored by various sensors in each cultivation chamber 20A in the cultivation room 10A, the specified cultivation environment set by the operation unit 50, etc. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the display unit 70 is disposed on the outside of one end side of the longitudinal direction of the cultivation room 10A (the side where the air circulation device 30 is disposed). The operation unit 50, the control unit 60 and the display unit 70 may be configured separately from the cultivation room 10A, rather than being integral with the cultivation room 10A. In this case, a control panel equipped with the operation unit, the control unit and the display unit may be placed at a predetermined location in the plant factory, and the cultivation environment of the multiple cultivation chambers 20A in each of the multiple cultivation rooms 10A may be centrally managed using this control panel. EXAMPLES

[0032] In the second embodiment, a configuration for controlling the cultivation apparatus 1A based on the basic recipe 1200 or the operation recipe 1300 received from the management server 820 will be described. FIG. 8 is an example of an overall configuration diagram of a plant cultivation system 800. The plant cultivation system 800 includes a management terminal 810 and an operation terminal 830, each of which is connected to a management server 820 via a network. The cultivation apparatus 1A may be directly connected to the management server 820 via the network, or may be connected to the management server 820 via the management terminal 810 via the network. Regardless of whether the network is wired or wireless, each terminal can transmit and receive information via the network.

[0033] The management terminal 810 is a terminal that manages and controls the cultivation apparatus 1A. It may be a device built into the cultivation apparatus 1A, or a device such as a computer independent of the cultivation apparatus 1A may be configured to control the air circulation device 30, the nutrient solution circulation device 40, the artificial light source, etc. of the cultivation apparatus 1A via a network. The management server 820 is a device that stores and manages the basic recipe 1200 and the operation recipe 1300 that are read into the management terminal 810 or the cultivation apparatus 1A. The work terminal 830 is a terminal through which a worker confirms and inputs information according to each work process of plant cultivation.

[0034] Each terminal of the plant cultivation system 800 and the management server 820 may be, for example, a portable terminal (mobile terminal) such as a smartphone, tablet, mobile phone, or personal digital assistant (PDA), or a wearable terminal such as glasses, wristwatch, or clothing. They may also be stationary or portable computers, or servers located on the cloud or a network. In terms of function, they may be a VR (Virtual Reality) terminal, an AR terminal, or an MR (Mixed Reality) terminal. Or they may be a combination of a plurality of these terminals. For example, a combination of one smartphone and one wearable terminal may function logically as one terminal. They may also be other information processing terminals.

[0035] Each terminal and management server 820 of the plant cultivation system 800 includes a processor that executes an operating system, applications, programs, etc., a main storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), an auxiliary storage device such as an IC card, a hard disk drive, an SSD (Solid State Drive), a flash memory, etc., a communication control unit such as a network card, a wireless communication module, a mobile communication module, etc., an input device such as a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, a voice input, an input by motion detection by imaging of a camera unit, etc., and an output device such as a monitor or a display. The output device may be a device or a terminal that transmits information to be output to an external monitor, display, printer, device, etc.

[0036] The main memory stores various programs and applications (modules), and the processor executes these programs and applications to realize the various functional elements of the overall system. Each of these modules may be implemented in hardware by integration or the like. Each module may be an independent program or application, or may be implemented as a subprogram or function within a single integrated program or application.

[0037] In this specification, each module is described as an entity (subject) that performs processing, but in reality, a processor that processes various programs, applications, etc. (modules) executes the processing. Various databases (DB) are stored in the auxiliary storage device. A "database" is a functional element (storage unit) that stores a data set so that it can handle any data operation (e.g., extraction, addition, deletion, overwriting, etc.) from a processor or an external computer. There are no limitations on the method of implementing the database, and it may be, for example, a database management system, spreadsheet software, or a text file such as XML or JSON.

[0038] FIG. 9 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the management terminal 810. The management terminal 810 is configured as a terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet, a notebook PC, or a desktop PC. The main memory device 901 stores programs and applications such as a recipe registration management module 911, an environment management module 912, a process management module 913, a growth status monitoring module 914, and an encryption processing module 915, and each functional element of the management server 101 is realized by the processor 903 executing these programs and applications.

[0039] The recipe registration management module 911 receives the basic recipe 1200 and the working recipe 1300 from the management server 820 , and stores them in the basic recipe DB 921 and the working recipe DB 922 . The environment management module 912 manages the environment inside the cultivation apparatus 1A based on a basic recipe that specifies environmental value data (environmental value information) related to at least one of the conditions of light, air, water, and space used when cultivating a plant.

[0040] Specifically, the environmental management module 912 reads the basic recipe 1200 stored in the basic recipe DB 921, and based on the read information, controls the air circulation device 30, the nutrient solution circulation device 40, the artificial light source, the robot manipulator, the conveyor, etc. inside the cultivation apparatus 1A, and controls the cultivation density, light wavelength, photon flux density, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, electrical conductivity, pH value, various ion concentrations, water temperature, water flow rate, lateral air flow rate, air flow rate from above, dissolved oxygen concentration, etc. inside the cultivation apparatus. In addition, the environmental management module 912 acquires, calculates, and manages information regarding the cultivation density, light wavelength, photon flux density, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, electrical conductivity, pH value, various ion concentrations, water temperature, water flow velocity, lateral air flow velocity, air flow velocity from above, dissolved oxygen concentration, etc. from various sensors installed inside the cultivation apparatus 1A.

[0041] The process management module 913 manages the work process of cultivating a plant based on a work recipe that specifies the work process to be performed according to the elapsed time from the start of plant cultivation. Here, the start time is specified as, for example, either the start time of cultivating a plant or the time of sowing. Specifically, the process management module 913 reads the work recipe 1300 stored in the work recipe DB 922, and controls the robot manipulator, conveyor, etc. based on the read information to execute the work process of cultivating plants. Alternatively, the process management module 913 displays each work step required as a work process on the output device 905 such as a monitor or an external work terminal 830 based on the work recipe 1300, and manages the work of workers.

[0042] The growth status monitoring module 914 monitors and displays the growth status of the cultivated plant based on information obtained from various sensors. For example, it monitors the photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, water absorption rate, leaf area, leaf height, leaf number, plant weight, growth abnormality, bacterial count, etc., related to the cultivated plant. The growth state monitoring module 914 displays the expected growth state that is expected when the plant is cultivated according to the environmental value data defined in the basic recipe, and the actual growth state of the plant acquired by a plurality of sensors in a comparative manner. Furthermore, the growth state monitoring module 914 can display an alert or change the applied basic recipe when the actual growth state deviates from the expected growth state by a predetermined range or more.

[0043] The cryptographic processing module 915 enhances the security of the plant cultivation system 800 by encrypting and decrypting the contents of communication between the management server 820, the work terminal 830, the cultivation apparatus 1A, and various devices within the cultivation apparatus 1A. The cultivation apparatus 1A may be an apparatus incorporating the operation unit 50, the control unit 60, and the display unit 70 inside the apparatus, but these may be substituted by the management terminal 810. In this case, the input device 904 corresponds to the operation unit 50, the processor 903 corresponds to the control unit 60, and the output device 905 corresponds to the display unit 70.

[0044] The auxiliary storage device 902 includes a basic recipe DB 921 and an operation recipe DB 922 . The basic recipe DB 921 stores a basic recipe 1200. The working recipe DB 922 stores a working recipe 1300. These multiple databases may be implemented in a single database, or may be implemented in multiple divided databases.

[0045] FIG. 10 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the management server 820. The management server 820 is configured, for example, by a server placed on a cloud. The main memory device 1001 stores programs and applications such as a server recipe management module 1011, and the processor 1003 executes these programs and applications to realize each functional element of the management server 820.

[0046] The server recipe management module 1011 manages the basic recipes 1200 and the working recipes 1300 stored in the server basic recipe DB 1021 and the server working recipe DB 1022 of the auxiliary storage device 1002 . In addition, in response to a request from the management terminal 810 or the cultivation apparatus 1A, the basic recipe 1200 and the operation recipe 1300 are transmitted to the management terminal 810 or the cultivation apparatus 1A.

[0047] FIG. 11 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the work terminal 830. The work terminal 830 is composed of a terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet, a wearable terminal such as a glass-type terminal, a notebook PC, or a desktop PC. The main memory device 1101 stores programs and applications such as a work step management module 1111, and the processor 1103 executes these programs and applications to realize the various functional elements of the work terminal 830.

[0048] The work step management module 1111 cooperates with the process management module 913 of the management terminal 810 to display information on each work step in the plant cultivation work process, sequentially accepts input from workers, and manages and confirms the progress of the work steps. Information about each work step of each work process based on the work recipe 1300, such as information about the work performer, work content, work target, etc., is stored in work step management information 1121 of the auxiliary storage device 1102.

[0049] The work terminal 830 has, for example, a barcode reader or an RFID reader as the input device 1104, and the progress of the work steps is managed by having the worker read the barcode or RFID tag when performing each work step. In addition, by reading the barcode attached to the worker's name tag or the like with a barcode reader, information about the worker performing the work can also be managed. In addition, by analyzing images from the built-in or external camera unit 1106, it is possible to track the work of workers, track the movements of workers, and track the movement of cultivation plates and cultivation trays inside the cultivation device 1A. The environment management module 912 may also have the function of the work terminal 830 .

[0050] FIG. 12 is an example of a basic recipe 1200. A plurality of basic recipes 1200 are defined according to a plurality of varieties 1210 to be cultivated and their specifications 1220, and the cultivation environment of the cultivation device 1A for various varieties and specifications can be controlled and managed. The basic recipe 1200 has environmental value data 1230 related to the conditions of light, air, water, and space to be applied inside the cultivation device 1A when cultivating a plant. The environmental value data 1230 specifies information such as the cultivation density, light wavelength, photon flux density (PPFD), temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration (CO2), electrical conductivity (EC), pH value (pH), various ion concentrations, water temperature, water flow rate, horizontal air flow rate (horizontal flow rate), air flow rate from above (upper air flow rate), and dissolved oxygen concentration in the cultivation device, and these values ​​to be applied are determined according to the elapsed time from the start of cultivation.

[0051] The basic recipe 1200 has index value alert data 1240 that indicates an expected growth state that is expected when a plant is cultivated according to the environmental value data defined in the basic recipe. As the index value alert data 1240, for example, information related to the plant to be cultivated, such as photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, water absorption rate, leaf area, leaf height, leaf number, plant weight, growth abnormality, and bacterial count, is defined. In the cultivation apparatus 1A described in this embodiment, the cultivation environment of the plant to be cultivated can be appropriately managed based on the basic recipe 1200 and the operation recipe 1300 managed by the management server 820. In addition, when the cultivation apparatus 1A is a cultivation apparatus that can be sealed or almost sealed from the outside, it is possible to reproduce a special cultivation environment that is significantly different from the outside air conditions by the basic recipe 1200.

[0052] For example, by increasing the photon flux density higher than normal, increasing the cultivation temperature higher than normal, and increasing the carbon dioxide concentration higher than in the human working environment, it becomes possible to cultivate plants more productively than in conventional plant factories. By storing and managing the parameter values ​​suitable for these cultivations in the form of a basic recipe 1200 on the management server 820 and distributing them from the management server 820, it becomes possible to reproduce the same cultivation environment on multiple cultivation devices 1A distributed across multiple different locations.

[0053] FIG. 13 is an example of a working recipe 1300 . The work recipe 1300 specifies a work environment 1310 and work constraint conditions 1320 for each of a plurality of work steps. The work recipe 1300 specifies the work steps of cultivation to be performed according to the time elapsed from the start of cultivation, the status of the plant cultivation device, or the status of the plant cultivation system 800, changes in the environmental value data 1230 of the basic recipe 1200 (i.e., changes in the environment), and the like. Process management using the working recipe 1300 is managed by absolute time from a specific point in time such as sowing. Alternatively, when the environmental value data 1230 of the basic recipe 1200 changes and the cultivation environment changes, the working recipe 1300 may be associated with this, and by referring to the working recipe 1300, process management may be performed when the growing environment is changed. Examples of work processes include sowing, transplanting from 150 to 32 plants, transplanting from 32 to 12 plants, harvesting, trimming, packaging, storage, and transportation. The progression of a series of activities from the seeds (raw material) to growing, harvesting, and packaging and shipping the finished product is called a process.

[0054] The work environment 1310 specifies the constraints of the work environment that must be satisfied when performing each work process. For example, for the work process "seeding", the constraints specify that the work time is 300 seconds, and that the allowable temperature fluctuation range from the reference temperature of 25 degrees specified at the elapsed time 0 hours (the timing of sowing) of the basic recipe 1200 is ±5 degrees. Similarly, the allowable range of variation in the sowing process is stipulated as a range of variation of ±10% from the reference value of the basic recipe 1200 for humidity and a range of 400 to 1000 ppm for carbon dioxide concentration.

[0055] The task constraints 1320 also stipulate items that need to be controlled in addition to the task environment when performing the task. For example, the task constraints 1320 stipulate points of caution for workers when performing tasks that are not automated. For example, the shelf allocation logic specifies the number of plants to be grown for each work process, and which shelves and positions of which equipment to use when growing plants. Furthermore, when reproducing the cultivation environment in the cultivation device 1A using the basic recipe 1200, the control method may differ depending on the device. The control logic for each device specifies the control content specific to each device. For example, to set the environmental temperature to 20 degrees, the air conditioner setting temperature is set to 20 degrees in device X. On the other hand, it is set to A+1 degrees in device Y. Device Z does not have an air conditioner, so the control content is specified to control the temperature to 20 degrees using cold and hot water.

[0056] The work constraint conditions 1320 stipulate the work steps (one process) to be performed in each work process, and the process management module 913 reads the work recipe 1300 stored in the work recipe DB 922, and based on the read information, controls the robot manipulator, conveyor, etc., to carry out the work process of cultivating plants. Alternatively, the process management module 913 displays each work step required as a work process on the output device 905 such as a monitor or an external work terminal 830 based on the work recipe 1300, and manages the work of workers. For example, preparing tools such as trays for sowing, a worker sowing the seeds, placing the trays with the seeds in an automated machine, the automated machine moving the trays to a designated position, and growing the seeds for a period of time in an environmentally controlled device are all examples of work steps.

[0057] When monitoring the work of workers, the progress of the work steps is managed by having the worker read a barcode or an RFID tag connected to the work terminal 830 or the management terminal 810 at the timing of performing each work step. In addition, by reading the barcode attached to the worker's name tag or the like with a barcode reader, information about the worker performing the work can also be managed. In this way, the work constraint conditions 1320 manage and control the entire work process by appropriately acquiring and managing at least one of information on the worker, information on the work content, and information on the work target for each work step (each process) performed in each work process.

[0058] For example, the process of 150→32 transplantation (primary transplantation) will be explained. The primary transplanting has sub-processes, that is, a shelving process of removing the cultivation tray from the closed or semi-closed cultivation apparatus 1A, a transplanting process of transplanting, and a shelving process of putting the cultivation tray back into the cultivation apparatus 1A.

[0059] In the shelf-picking process, for example, the following data is specified in the work constraints 1320 as data to be acquired. 1. Start time of work 2. ID of the person who performed the work 3.Device ID 4. Display the work content (seedling raising process) 5. Read the barcode on the device 6. Check the tray ID of the cultivation tray that is outside the shelf of the cultivation device 1A. 7. Measure the time it takes for the shelf to open 8.Measure the temperature difference caused by opening and closing the cultivation tray door 9. Measure the time when the cultivation tray comes off the shelf 10. Measure the time it takes for the shelf to close 11. Measure the temperature difference when opening and closing the door of the cultivation device 1A to remove the cultivation tray.

[0060] Furthermore, for example, the following data acquisition procedure is stipulated in the work constraints 1320. 1. Work start information is obtained by reading the worker's ID with a barcode reader 2. Obtain the start ID by reading the barcode attached to the cultivation device 1A. 3. The contents of the work process and the work steps in the process are displayed by reading the barcode attached to the cultivation device 1A (seedling raising process release work) 4. The time that the shelf door is open is measured by obtaining the time when the door is opened with the hand switch. 5. The time when the cultivation tray leaves the shelf is measured by obtaining the RFID reader signal at the entrance of the shelf. 6. The time when the shelf door is closed is measured by obtaining the time when the door is closed with a hand switch. 7. Obtain the end ID of the cultivation device 1A by reading the barcode attached to the cultivation device 1A.

[0061] Similarly, the work recipe 1300 specifies a transplanting step for transplanting and a storage step for putting the plants back into the cultivation apparatus 1A. In the cultivation apparatus 1A described in this embodiment, it becomes possible to appropriately manage the work process of plant cultivation based on a list of work steps for each work process described in these work recipes 1300 managed by the management server 820, confirmation items, data information to be acquired, etc. In addition, if the cultivation apparatus 1A is a cultivation apparatus that can be sealed or nearly sealed from the outside, when performing work processes such as sowing, transplanting, and harvesting, it is necessary to remove the cultivation tray from the cultivation apparatus 1A, which can be sealed or semi-sealed according to the basic recipe 1200, to the outside of the cultivation apparatus 1A. In this case, the basic recipe 1200 specifies environmental value data within the plant cultivation device, and the work recipe 1300 specifies, in the work environment 1310 and work constraint conditions 1320, the environmental value data that must be satisfied when the plant to be cultivated is taken outside the plant cultivation device.

[0062] FIG. 14 shows an example of a recipe registration process flow 1400. The recipe registration management module 911 of the management terminal 810 receives the selection of the plant to be cultivated in the cultivation apparatus 1A from the cultivation manager or operator (step 1410). The recipe registration management module 911 receives the selection of the specifications of the plant to be cultivated (step 1420). The recipe registration management module 911 downloads the basic recipe 1200 and the operation recipe 1300 corresponding to the selected plant and specifications from the management server 820 (step 1430). The recipe registration management module 911 registers the downloaded basic recipe 1200 and working recipe 1300 in a basic recipe DB 921 and working recipe DB 922 of the management terminal 810 .

[0063] The management server 820 has basic recipes 1200 registered in accordance with multiple specifications for multiple plants, and by receiving and registering the basic recipes 1200 corresponding to the plants to be cultivated and their specifications, the cultivation device 1A can be controlled to reproduce the optimal cultivation environment. Furthermore, the management server 820 has work recipes 1300 registered in accordance with multiple specifications for multiple plants, and by receiving and registering the work recipes 1300 corresponding to the plants to be cultivated and their specifications, the cultivation work process can be controlled and managed.

[0064] FIG. 15 is an example of an environment management process flow 1500. The environment management module 912 of the management terminal 810 reads the basic recipe 1200 stored in the basic recipe DB 921 (step 1510). The environment management module 912 controls the environment within the cultivation apparatus 1A according to the loaded basic recipe 1200. For example, the environmental management module 912 controls the air circulation device 30, the nutrient solution circulation device 40, the artificial light source, the robot manipulator, the conveyor, etc. inside the cultivation apparatus 1A based on the environmental value data 1230 defined in the basic recipe 1200, and controls the cultivation density, light wavelength, photon flux density, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, electrical conductivity, pH value, various ion concentrations, water temperature, water flow rate, lateral air flow rate, upper air flow rate, dissolved oxygen concentration, etc. inside the cultivation apparatus.

[0065] The cultivation apparatus 1A of this embodiment is a sealed or semi-sealed cultivation apparatus, and can accurately control and manage the cultivation environment regarding light, air, water, and space based on the basic recipe 1200 with almost no influence from the outside air outside the apparatus. The cultivation device 1A is not limited to a closed or semi-closed type cultivation device, but can also be applied to an open type cultivation device that cultivates plants in the same environment as the outside air in the environment where people work inside the cultivation factory. Based on the basic recipe 1200 downloaded from the management server 820, the cultivation environment regarding light, air, water, and space for plants cultivated on an open shelf or the like is controlled and managed. Although it is not perfect compared to a closed or semi-closed type cultivation device, even the open type can sufficiently control and manage the cultivation environment.

[0066] FIG. 16 is an example of a process control process flow 1600. The process management processing flow 1600 is started in response to a change in the value of the environmental value data 1230 of the basic recipe 1200. Alternatively, the process management processing flow 1600 may be managed based on an absolute time from a specific point in time such as sowing, and may be started when a predetermined time has passed. The process management module 913 of the management server 820 reads the work recipe 1300 stored in the work recipe DB 922 (step 1610).

[0067] The process management module 913 confirms the start of work for the work process defined in the work recipe 1300 (step 1620). For example, each work step of the work process defined in the work recipe 1300 is displayed on a monitor or the screen of the work terminal 830, and the worker confirms the work content and taps a work start button. Alternatively, the start of work may be confirmed by reading information indicating the start of work, a barcode, an RFID tag, or the like, using a barcode reader, a camera, or an RFID reader connected to the work terminal 830. In addition, in a process such as transplanting, the operation may be started by detecting that the door of the cultivation apparatus 1A has been opened in order to remove the cultivation tray.

[0068] The process management module 913 obtains information identifying each work step of the work process defined in the work recipe 1300 and related information (step 1630). According to each work step acquired here, a worker or a robot manipulator or conveyor of the cultivation apparatus 1A carries out each work step of the work process. When work steps are performed manually by workers, check items can be set for each work step, and confirmation data can be obtained for each check item using a barcode reader, RFID reader, or input from the worker, allowing the progress of the work steps to be managed.

[0069] The process management module 913 acquires various data related to the environment, etc. from a plurality of sensors, such as a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a carbon dioxide concentration sensor, installed inside the cultivation apparatus 1A and at a work location outside the cultivation apparatus 1A (step 1640). It is determined whether the data on the environment, etc. acquired from the sensor is within the range of the work environment 1310 and the work constraint conditions 1320, which are the constraint conditions defined in the work recipe 1300 (step 1650).

[0070] If it is within the range of the constraints (Yes in step 1650), each work step is carried out as is, and the work is repeated until it is completed (No in step 1680). If it is outside the range of the constraints (No at step 1650), an alert is displayed (step 1670). The work environment 1310 specifies the constraints on the work environment that must be met when performing a work process. For example, for the work process "seeding", the constraints specify that the work time is 300 seconds, and for temperature, the allowable temperature fluctuation range from the reference temperature of 25 degrees specified at elapsed time 0 hours (the timing of sowing) in the basic recipe 1200 is ±5 degrees.

[0071] The temperature inside the sealed or semi-sealed cultivation apparatus 1A is controlled at 25 degrees Celsius based on the basic recipe 1200, and sowing is performed outside the cultivation apparatus 1A. If the temperature in the work area where the sowing is performed falls outside the range of 25 degrees ±5 degrees, an alert is issued. In addition, an alert will be sent if the work time exceeds the 300 seconds set as a constraint. In this manner, the cultivation apparatus 1A of this embodiment is a cultivation apparatus capable of sealing the inside of the cultivation apparatus 1A in which the plants are cultivated from the outside, and the basic recipe 1200 specifies the environmental value data within this cultivation apparatus 1A, while the working recipe 1300 specifies the environmental value data that must be satisfied when the plant being cultivated is taken outside the cultivation apparatus 1A.

[0072] FIG. 17 shows an example of a growth state monitoring process flow 1700. The growth state monitoring module 914 of the management server 820 reads the basic recipe 1200 stored in the basic recipe DB 921 (step 1710). The growth state monitoring module 914 acquires various data from a plurality of sensors installed inside and outside the cultivation apparatus 1A (step 1720). The growth status monitoring module 914 monitors and displays the growth status of the cultivated plant based on information obtained from various sensors (step 1730). For example, it monitors the photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, water absorption rate, leaf area, leaf height, leaf number, plant weight, growth abnormality, bacterial count, etc., related to the cultivated plant.

[0073] The growth state monitoring module 914 displays an expected growth state that is expected when a plant is cultivated according to the environmental value data 1230 defined in the basic recipe 1200, and an actual growth state of the plant acquired by a plurality of sensors in a comparative manner. The expected growth state is defined in the index value alert data 1240. For example, the index value alert data 1240 specifies information related to the cultivated plant, such as photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, water absorption rate, leaf area, leaf height, number of leaves, plant weight, growth abnormality, and number of bacteria.

[0074] The growth state monitoring module 914 checks whether the actual growth state is within a predetermined range from the expected growth state (step 1740). If the actual growth state deviates from the expected growth state by more than a predetermined range (for example, by more than 5%), an alert is displayed (step 1750). Furthermore, the growth state monitoring module 914 may cooperate with the environment management module 912 to change the basic recipe 1200 to be applied to the cultivation apparatus 1A when the actual growth state deviates from the expected growth state by a predetermined range or more. The growth state monitoring module 914 repeats the growth state monitoring process until an instruction to end monitoring is received (step 1760).

[0075] FIG. 18 is an example of a display screen showing the growth state being monitored. The growth state monitoring module 914 displays the actual growth state of the plant acquired by a plurality of sensors on a monitor, which is the output device 905 of the management terminal 810, or on the screen of the operation terminal 830. Items to be displayed include photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, water absorption rate, leaf area, leaf height, leaf number, plant weight, growth abnormality, and bacterial count, which are listed in the index value alert data 1240 of the basic recipe 1200. The example in Fig. 18 shows an example in which the weight increase rate of a plant being cultivated is displayed by measuring the plant weight.

[0076] The portion indicated by the dashed line is an assumed growth state 1810 assumed when cultivated based on the environmental value data 1230, and the portion indicated by the solid line is an actual growth state 1820. The growth state monitoring module 914 is thus capable of displaying the assumed growth state and the actual growth state in a comparative manner. The transplanted parts are indicated by 1830 and 1840. It can be seen that by removing the plants from the sealed or semi-sealed cultivation apparatus 1A for transplantation, the cultivation environment changes, albeit for a short period of time, causing a significant delay in the growth rate of the plants.

[0077] The growth state monitoring module 914 displays an alert when a deviation of a predetermined value (for example, 5% or more) occurs between an assumed growth state 1810 such as 1830 or 1840 and an actual growth state 1820. Or, the working recipe 1300 to be applied may be modified, for example by changing the environmental value data 1230 to promote retarded growth.

[0078] The cultivation device 1A of this embodiment is a sealed or semi-sealed type, and the inside is set to an environment different from normal outside air, for example, by setting the photon flux density higher than normal, the cultivation temperature higher than normal, and the carbon dioxide concentration higher than the human working environment, which allows for more productive cultivation than in conventional plant factories. In the work process, if the plant is removed from such a special cultivation environment and a work process such as transplanting is performed in a normal outside air environment, a significant delay will occur in the cultivation of the plant. Therefore, in this embodiment, constraint conditions such as a work environment 1310 and work constraint conditions 1320 are set for the work process performed outside the cultivation apparatus 1A by the work recipe 1300, and the work environment is maintained within a certain range of environmental quality that does not deviate significantly from the inside of the cultivation apparatus 1A. This allows environmental management and process management of the entire plant cultivation process to be performed together, thereby improving the speed and quality of plant cultivation. EXAMPLES

[0079] In the third embodiment, a configuration will be described in which a cultivation apparatus 1A is placed in a closed or semi-closed cultivation facility 1, and the environment outside the cultivation apparatus 1A is also managed. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a cultivation facility that controls both the internal and external environments of the cultivation apparatus 1A. The cultivation facility 1 is a structure whose interior can be sealed or semi-sealed from the outside of the facility. The cultivation facility 1 is equipped with the cultivation apparatus 1A described in Example 1 or Example 2 inside, and can control the light, air, water, and space outside the cultivation apparatus 1A. The cultivation facility 1 constitutes a part of a plant cultivation system 800, and is connected to a management terminal 810, a management server 820, an operation terminal 830, and the cultivation apparatus 1A via a network.

[0080] The cultivation facility 1 is equipped with multiple sensors 1901 that monitor various conditions of light, air, water, and space, and is also equipped with an air circulation device 1903 and an artificial light source 1902, etc., for managing the environment outside the cultivation apparatus 1A, which are the various conditions of light, air, water, and space. The air circulator 1903 has the same function as the air circulator 30 installed in the cultivation apparatus 1A, that is, the function of adjusting at least the temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, and air flow rate (flow rate). The artificial light source 1902 has the same function as the artificial light source 230 installed in the cultivation apparatus 1A, and is capable of adjusting the light to any brightness or wavelength.

[0081] The cultivation facility 1 can adjust and manage the light, air, water, and spatial environment within the cultivation facility 1 (and outside the cultivation apparatus 1A) in accordance with the basic recipe 1200 described in the second embodiment. The basic recipe 1200 is received by the management terminal 810 from the management server 820 and stored in the basic recipe DB 921. The environmental management module 912 of the management terminal 810 reads the basic recipe 1200 stored in the basic recipe DB 921, and based on the read information, controls the air circulation device, artificial light source, robot manipulator, conveyor, etc. inside the cultivation facility 1, and controls the light wavelength, photon flux density, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, various ion concentrations, lateral air flow velocity, and air flow velocity from above, etc. within the cultivation facility 1. In addition, instead of the management terminal 810, a management server 820 may be configured to operate the cultivation facility 1.

[0082] In this way, based on the basic recipe 1200 received from the management server 820, it is possible to manage various environments of light, air, water, and space inside the cultivation apparatus 1A and in the cultivation facility 1 (outside the cultivation apparatus 1A). The basic recipe 1200 applied to the cultivation apparatus 1A defines a constraint condition that is an allowable range of variation from the environment in the cultivation apparatus managed based on the environmental value data 1230. The basic recipe 1200 applied to the cultivation facility 1 defines a constraint condition that is an allowable range of variation from the environment in the cultivation facility 1 (i.e., outside the cultivation apparatus) managed based on the environmental value data 1230. The environments inside and outside the cultivation apparatus 1A change due to the growth and movement of the plants being cultivated, work being performed on the plants, and the like, but the environments are managed so as to satisfy these constraints.

[0083] When the environment management module 912 detects, based on information from various sensors, that the environment inside or outside the cultivation apparatus 1A has exceeded the allowable fluctuation range of the environmental values ​​defined as the constraint conditions, it outputs an alert to the management terminal 810 or the management server 820. In addition, the environment management module 912 controls the air circulation device, the nutrient solution circulation device 40, the artificial light source, the robot manipulator, the conveyor, etc., and adjusts the environment inside or outside the cultivation apparatus 1A so that it falls within the constraint conditions.

[0084] Here, the environmental value data 1230 set inside and outside the cultivation apparatus 1A will be described. Since no human beings (workers) performing work will generally enter the interior of the sealed or semi-sealed cultivation device 1A, the environment within the plant cultivation device, which is managed by the basic recipe, is set to correspond to the plant to be cultivated. On the other hand, since there is a possibility that workers will be present outside the cultivation apparatus 1A but inside the cultivation facility 1 to perform work on cultivated plants, the environment outside the plant cultivation apparatus, which is managed by the basic recipe, is set to accommodate the people performing the work. The environment inside the cultivation apparatus 1A can also be set outside the range acceptable to the people working there; for example, the outside of the cultivation apparatus 1A can be set to an environment with a carbon dioxide concentration of 1000 ppm or less, which is the carbon dioxide concentration set by the environmental sanitation management standards for air environments, while the inside of the cultivation apparatus 1A can be set to a carbon dioxide concentration that exceeds this standard value, creating an environment that allows for more productive plant cultivation than in conventional plant factories.

[0085] When carrying out the work process in the second embodiment, the cultivated plant may be taken out of the cultivation apparatus 1A. In such a case, the cultivated plant is temporarily placed in an environment that is significantly different from the environment inside the cultivation apparatus 1A. As explained in FIG. 18, even a short period of change in the cultivation environment can cause a significant delay in the growth rate of a plant.

[0086] Therefore, in this embodiment, the environment outside the cultivation apparatus 1A is also controlled to suppress fluctuations in the cultivation environment of the plants as much as possible and maintain the growth rate. For example, when no worker is present, the environment outside the cultivation apparatus 1A is determined based only on the optimum environmental values ​​for the cultivated plants. Specifically, the environment is set to be the same as or close to the environment inside the cultivation apparatus 1A. On the other hand, if there are no cultivated plants outside the cultivation apparatus 1A, the environment is determined based only on the appropriate values ​​for the environment for the worker. For example, the environment is set to be suitable for the worker, such as a carbon dioxide content of 1000 ppm or less, a temperature between 17 and 28 degrees, and a relative humidity between 40 and 70%.

[0087] In addition, if workers and cultivated plants are mixed, a value between the appropriate environmental value for the cultivated plants and the appropriate environmental value for the workers is set. That is, the environment inside the cultivation facility 1 (outside the cultivation apparatus 1A) is set based on environmental value data calculated from both the basic recipe that defines the environment inside the cultivation apparatus 1A and the basic recipe for the cultivation facility 1 that defines the environment outside the cultivation apparatus 1A. For example, the environment outside the cultivation apparatus 1A is set based on the constraint conditions of the basic recipe of the cultivation apparatus 1A and the constraint conditions of the basic recipe of the cultivation facility 1. Specifically, an environmental setting value is calculated that minimizes the sum of the deviation from the environmental tolerance range for the cultivated plant defined in the basic recipe of the cultivation apparatus 1A to the set environmental value and the deviation from the environmental tolerance range for the worker defined in the basic recipe of the cultivation facility 1 to the set environmental value. Here, the optimum environmental value for a cultivated plant may include a mixture of multiple items and values. Furthermore, a method may be considered in which importance coefficients are assigned to cultivated plants and humans, and the environmental setting value is calculated to minimize the sum of the deviations described above taking into account the importance.

[0088] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modified examples. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the configurations described. It is also possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. It is also possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration.

[0089] In addition, the above-mentioned configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, etc. may be realized in part or in whole by hardware, for example, by designing them as integrated circuits. In addition, the above-mentioned configurations, functions, etc. may be realized in software by a processor interpreting and executing a program that realizes each function. Information such as the program, table, file, etc. that realizes each function can be stored in a memory, a recording device such as a hard disk or SSD (Solid State Drive), or a recording medium such as an IC card, SD card, or DVD.

[0090] In addition, the control lines and information lines shown are those that are considered necessary for the explanation, and not all control lines and information lines in the product are necessarily shown. In reality, it can be considered that almost all components are connected to each other. The above-described embodiments disclose at least the configurations described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1...plant cultivation system 800, 810...management terminal, 820...management server, 830...work terminal, 911...recipe registration management module, 912...environment management module, 913...process management module, 914...growth state monitoring module, 915...encryption processing module, 921...basic recipe DB, 922...work recipe DB

Claims

1. A plant cultivation device, comprising: A plurality of sensors for monitoring the growth state of the cultivated plants; An environment control means for controlling an environment, which is at least one state of light, air, water, and space within the plant cultivation device; and a process management means for managing a work process for cultivating the plant, The environmental management means is configured to manage the environment in the plant cultivation device based on a basic recipe that defines environmental value information related to at least one condition of light, air, water, and space used when cultivating the plant, the process management means is configured to manage the work process for cultivating the plant based on a work recipe that defines the work process for cultivating the plant, The work process is defined as a series of activities performed outside the plant cultivation apparatus based on at least one of the elapsed time from a predetermined starting point, the status of the plant cultivation apparatus, or a change in the environment. A plant cultivation device characterized by the above.

2. The other management server stores a plurality of the basic recipes determined for each plant to be cultivated, and the environment management means manages the environment in the plant cultivation device based on the basic recipe received from the other management server corresponding to the plant to be cultivated.

2. The plant cultivation device according to claim 1 .

3. The other management server stores a plurality of the work recipes determined for each of the plants to be cultivated, and the process management means manages the work process for cultivating the plants based on the work recipes received from the other management server corresponding to the plants to be cultivated.

2. The plant cultivation device according to claim 1 .

4. A plant cultivation device as described in claim 3, characterized in that the specified start point is either a start point of cultivating the plant or a point of sowing the plant.

5. A plant cultivation device as described in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the work recipe defines, for each work process to be performed, constraints on the work environment outside the plant cultivation device that must be satisfied when performing the work process.

6. A plant cultivation device as described in Claim 5, characterized in that the constraint condition of the working environment is an acceptable range of variation from the environment within the plant cultivation device, which is managed based on the environmental value information of the basic recipe.

7. The plant cultivation device as described in Claim 6, characterized in that the environmental value information relates to temperature, and the constraints on the working environment relate to an acceptable range of temperature fluctuation from the temperature within the plant cultivation device which is managed based on the environmental value information.

8. A plant cultivation device as described in Claim 6, characterized in that the environmental value information relates to humidity, and the constraints on the working environment relate to an acceptable range of humidity fluctuation from the humidity within the plant cultivation device which is managed based on the environmental value information.

9. The plant cultivation device described in Claim 6, characterized in that the environmental value information relates to carbon dioxide concentration, and the constraints on the working environment relate to an allowable range of variation in carbon dioxide concentration from the carbon dioxide concentration in the plant cultivation device managed based on the environmental value information.

10. The plant cultivation device described in Claim 5, characterized in that the process management means displays, together with the work process defined in the work recipe, the constraint conditions of the work environment that must be satisfied when carrying out the work process.

11. The plant cultivation device of claim 5, characterized in that the process management means displays an alert when the constraint conditions of the work environment that must be met when carrying out the work process are not satisfied.

12. The plant cultivation device is a cultivation device capable of sealing the inside of the plant cultivation device in which the plant is cultivated from the outside, the basic recipe defines environmental value information within the plant cultivation device, and the work recipe defines environmental value information to be satisfied when the plant to be cultivated is taken out of the plant cultivation device.

2. The plant cultivation device according to claim 1 .

13. A method for cultivating a plant in a plant cultivation apparatus, comprising: acquiring information from a plurality of sensors that monitor the growth state of the plant being cultivated; An environment in the plant cultivation device is managed based on a basic recipe that defines environmental value information, the environment being at least one state of light, air, water, and space in the plant cultivation device, and the environmental value information is related to at least one state of light, air, water, and space used when cultivating the plant; managing the work process for cultivating the plant based on a work recipe that defines a work process for the cultivation of the plant; The work process is defined as a series of activities performed outside the plant cultivation apparatus based on at least one of the elapsed time from a predetermined starting point, the status of the plant cultivation apparatus, or a change in the environment. A method comprising:

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