Thinning system and thinning method

Abstract

To provide a thinning system and a thinning method that enable reduction in cost and shortening of a working period through digitalization of work for selecting trees subject to thinning and work for preparing a list of trees subject to thinning.SOLUTION: A thinning system includes a portable information terminal 1, a server 2, a felling device 3, a management device 5, and a control device 4. The portable information terminal acquires position information of trees subject to thinning, image information of the trees, and information on a type and a size of the trees. The server receives, via a communication network 6, the information acquired by the portable information terminal, and records and processes the information. The control device is configured such that the information recorded and processed by the server is input via the communication network, the felling device is operated with respect to a tree subject to thinning, and operation of the felling device is stopped when the tree is not a tree subject to thinning.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a thinning system and method in which workers select and cut down trees while checking the characteristics and shape of the trees and their relationships with neighboring trees on-site. [Background technology]

[0002] In conventional thinning work, trees to be thinned are selected by examining the tree species, breast height diameter, and the presence or absence of scars or bends, and the target trees are identified by wrapping them with tape as a marker, and this information is recorded in a field notebook. The taped trees are then cut down using a cutting device such as a chainsaw (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] Kyoto University Field Science Education and Research Center, http: / / fserc.kyoto-u.ac.jp / waka / work-kanbatu.html Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the process of selecting trees for thinning is done manually, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive even for experienced workers. In addition, a list of trees to be thinned is created based on the information recorded in the field notebook, and felling work is carried out based on this list and the marking tape, but creating the list also takes time and labor.

[0005] This has resulted in problems such as high costs and time requirements.

[0006] The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a thinning system and method that can reduce costs and work time by digitizing the process of selecting trees to be thinned and creating a list of trees to be thinned. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The thinning system of the present invention solves the above-mentioned problem by comprising a portable information terminal that acquires location information of trees to be thinned, image information of the trees, and information on the type and size of the trees, a server that receives, records, and processes the information acquired by the portable information terminal via a communication network, a felling device that cuts down the trees, and a control device that is mounted on the felling device, to which the information recorded and processed by the server is input via the communication network, operates the felling device for trees to be thinned, and stops the operation of the felling device if the tree is not to be thinned.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the process of selecting trees to be thinned can be simplified by digitizing the process using a mobile information terminal, thereby reducing costs and shortening the work period.

[0009] Furthermore, the above-mentioned problem is also solved by further providing a management device that accesses the server and receives the recorded and processed information.

[0010] The information displayed on the display device of the management equipment allows the manager to understand the overall picture of the thinning work.

[0011] Furthermore, the management device also solves the above-mentioned problem by displaying and printing the locations of trees to be thinned, images of the trees, and a table of tree types and sizes.

[0012] By displaying and printing the created table and creating a work schedule, it is possible to simplify the creation of a list of trees to be thinned, reducing costs and shortening the work period.

[0013] In addition, the location information of the trees to be thinned is latitude and longitude information obtained from GNSS signals transmitted from GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) satellites, the image information of the trees is still images or videos taken with a camera, and the information on the type and size of the trees is audio information input by the worker or information selected by the worker from the type and size of trees displayed on the mobile information terminal, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem.

[0014] By using information selected from latitude and longitude information, still or video images taken by a camera, audio information, or tree type and size, workers no longer need to record information in a field notebook, which reduces costs and shortens the work period.

[0015] In addition, the mobile information terminal further acquires information on at least one reference position adjacent to the tree to be thinned and transmits it to the server via the communication network, and the server calculates the direction of the tree to be thinned from at least one of the reference positions and transmits it to the control device via the communication network, which the control device uses to control the operation of the felling device, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem.

[0016] By using the reference position information, the location of trees to be thinned can be accurately measured even when the radio wave conditions from the satellite are poor and there is a large error in the longitude and latitude.

[0017] Furthermore, the reference position is a survey stake, a landmark landform, a landmark structure, or an electronic reference point, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem.

[0018] The reference position may be a survey stake, a landmark landform, a landmark structure, or an electronic reference point.

[0019] Furthermore, when the felling device approaches a tree, the control device displays felling instructions for the tree to be thinned, and if the tree is not to be thinned, it notifies the operator that it is not to be thinned and stops the operation of the felling device, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem.

[0020] By controlling the felling equipment with a control device, it is possible to prevent trees that are not targeted for thinning from being mistakenly felled.

[0021] In addition, the control device solved the above-mentioned problem by transmitting and recording the location information of the cut trees to the server via the communication network when the trees to be thinned were cut down.

[0022] By comparing the location information of the trees to be thinned with the location information of the trees that have been cut down, it is possible to confirm that the thinning was carried out correctly.

[0023] In addition, the above-mentioned problem is also solved by the fact that the tree-cutting device is a chainsaw, a feller buncher, or a harvester.

[0024] The tree-cutting device may be a chainsaw, a feller buncher, a harvester, or any other type of device.

[0025] The thinning method of the present invention includes the steps of acquiring location information, image information of the trees, and information on the type and size of the trees to be thinned using a mobile information terminal, transmitting the information acquired by the mobile information terminal via a communications network and recording and processing it on a server, and inputting the information recorded on the server via the communications network into a control device mounted on a tree-cutting device that cuts down the trees at the start of the thinning work, wherein the control device operates the tree-cutting device for trees to be thinned and stops operation if the tree is not to be thinned, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem.

[0026] According to this method, by digitizing the work using a mobile information terminal, the process of selecting trees to be thinned can be simplified, reducing costs and shortening the work period.

[0027] The above-mentioned problem was also solved by further including a process of accessing the server with a management device, receiving the recorded information, and creating a table of the locations of trees to be thinned, images of the trees, and the types and sizes of the trees.

[0028] By automating the creation of tables using management equipment, the burden of work can be reduced and simplified, resulting in lower costs and shorter work times.

[0029] In addition, the above-mentioned problem was solved by operating the felling device to record the location of the trees that had been felled on the server via the communication network, and then entering the information into a table created by accessing the server using the management device.

[0030] By comparing the location information of the trees to be thinned with the location information of the trees that have been cut down, it is possible to confirm that the thinning was carried out correctly. [Effects of the Invention]

[0031] Therefore, according to the present invention, by simplifying the process of selecting trees to be thinned and creating a list of trees to be thinned, it is possible to provide a thinning system and thinning method that can reduce costs and shorten the work period. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a thinning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table to be created. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between trees to be thinned, trees not to be thinned, trees after felling, and a reference position. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart showing a thinning method according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a thinning system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] The thinning system comprises a mobile information terminal 1, a server 2, a harvesting device 3, a control device 4, and a management device 5, all of which are interconnected via a communications network 6, for example, the Internet.

[0036] The mobile information terminal 1 acquires information such as the location information of the trees to be thinned, image information of the trees, and information such as the type of tree, size (e.g., diameter at breast height), any bends or damage to the tree, and the distance to adjacent trees that has been visually confirmed by the worker.It can be a dedicated device equipped with GPS, camera, and recording functions, or it can be used by installing a thinning app on a smartphone or tablet.

[0037] Here, the location information of the trees to be thinned is latitude and longitude information obtained from GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) signals transmitted from satellites. The image information of the trees is a still image or video captured by a camera. Furthermore, information such as the type of tree, size, whether the tree is bent or damaged, and the distance to adjacent trees is obtained by voice input from the worker. Furthermore, information selected by the worker from a list displayed on the mobile information terminal 1, such as the type of tree, size, whether the tree is bent or damaged, and the distance, may also be used.

[0038] The mobile information terminal 1 may further acquire information on at least one reference position adjacent to the tree to be thinned. The reference position may be a survey stake, a landmark topography, a landmark structure, or an electronic reference point. This reference position information is sent to the server 2 via the communication network 6. The server 2 calculates the direction of the tree to be thinned from at least one reference position, sends this information to the control device 4 via the communication network 6, and the control device 4 uses it to control the operation of the tree cutting device 3.

[0039] The server 2 is a main computer that receives, records, and processes information acquired by the mobile information terminal 1 via the communication network 6, and in this example is an upper management server that exists on the cloud.

[0040] The felling device 3 is used to cut down trees, and may be, for example, a chainsaw, a feller buncher, or a harvester. In the following description, a chainsaw will be used as an example.

[0041] The control device 4 controls the tree-cutting device 3 and is configured to be able to acquire latitude and longitude information from GNSS satellites. It is also able to measure the direction of the reference position. Information recorded and processed by the server 2 is input to this control device 4 via the communication network 6, and the control device 4 operates the tree-cutting device 3 for trees that are to be thinned, and stops the operation of the tree-cutting device 3 for trees that are not to be thinned.

[0042] In detail, when the felling device 3 approaches a tree, the control device 4 displays felling instructions for the tree to be thinned, and if the tree is not to be thinned, it notifies the worker that it is not to be thinned and stops the operation of the felling device 3.

[0043] When the trees to be thinned are cut down, the location information of the cut trees is transmitted to the server via the communication network 6 and recorded.

[0044] The management device 5, which can be a personal computer, accesses the server 2 to receive and manage the recorded and processed information. This management device 5 displays on its monitor a table such as that shown in Figure 2, which shows the locations of trees to be thinned, images of the trees, and the types and sizes of the trees. This table can also be printed out on paper and displayed on the mobile information terminal 1 via the communication network 6.

[0045] Figure 2 shows an example of a table to be created, which includes information such as the type of tree, diameter at breast height, whether it is bent or damaged, distance to adjacent trees, location information (latitude, longitude), direction from a reference position, whether it has been cut down, and a link to an image.

[0046] Figure 3 shows the relationship between trees not targeted for thinning, trees targeted for thinning, trees after felling, and the reference position. In Figure 3, white circles indicate trees not targeted for thinning 10-1 to 10-8, hatched circles indicate trees targeted for thinning 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, and 11-4, dashed white circles indicate trees after felling 12-1, and crosses indicate reference positions X1 and X2. Survey stakes, landmark topography, landmark structures, electronic reference points, etc. are used as reference positions X1 and X2.

[0047] For example, for tree 11-1 to be cut down, in addition to location information of latitude and longitude, the direction from reference position X1 and the direction from reference position X2 are recorded in server 2. Similarly, for tree 11-2 to be cut down, in addition to location information of latitude and longitude, the direction from reference position X1 and the direction from reference position X2 are recorded in server 2. Similarly, for tree 11-3 to be cut down, in addition to location information of latitude and longitude, the direction from reference position X1 and the direction from reference position X2 are recorded in server 2.

[0048] In this way, by using the reference position information, even when the radio wave conditions from the satellite are poor and there is a large error in the longitude and latitude information, the positions of the trees 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, and 11-4 to be thinned can be accurately measured and instructions can be given to the workers.

[0049] Although Figure 3 shows an example in which directions from two reference positions are used, it is also possible to record and use directions from one or more reference positions, which will enable more accurate positioning of trees to be cut down.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows a thinning method according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, the mobile information terminal 1 acquires location information of the trees to be thinned, image information of the trees, and information on the type and size of the trees (step ST1). The location information is longitude and latitude information acquired from GNSS signals transmitted from GNSS satellites. The image information of the trees is still images or video captured by a camera. The type and size information of the trees is information input by voice from the worker. In addition, the worker may also input information such as bends or damage to the trees, and the distance to adjacent trees, by voice.

[0051] Next, the information acquired by the mobile information terminal 1 is transmitted to the server 2 via the communication network 6, where it is recorded and processed (step ST2). The server 2 selects trees to be thinned based on their latitude and longitude and their orientation from multiple reference positions. It also uses voice recognition to extract information such as the tree's type, size, any bending or damage to the tree, and the distance to adjacent trees.

[0052] The recorded information and processing results are then sent to the management device 5 via the communication network 6. The management device 5 creates a table like the one shown in Fig. 2 based on the information received from the server 2 and displays it on a display device. It also prints it out on a printer as needed.

[0053] When thinning work begins, the information recorded in the server 2 is input via the communication network 6 to the control device 4 mounted on the tree-cutting device 3 that cuts down the trees. The control device 4 determines whether the tree is a target for thinning based on the information acquired from the server 2, its own position information, and orientation information relative to a reference position (step ST4). If it is determined that the tree is a target for thinning, the control device 4 operates the tree-cutting device 3 (step ST5) and cuts down the tree (step ST6).

[0054] When the felling is complete, the location information of the felled tree is transmitted to the server 2 via the communication network 6 (step ST7) and recorded (step ST8). Then, the server 2 transmits, via the communication network 6, an entry that the tree has been felled to a table in the management device 5 (step ST8).

[0055] On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST4 that the tree is not a target for thinning, the operator is notified that the tree is not a target for thinning, and the operation of the felling device 3 is stopped.

[0056] As described above, according to the present invention, by digitizing the process of selecting trees to be thinned and creating a list of trees to be thinned, costs can be reduced and the work period can be shortened.

[0057] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various modified forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0058] I have explained about thinning, but it can also be applied for purposes such as cutting down trees that are in the way of building a new work road.

[0059] Furthermore, although the operation of the felling device is stopped when the tree is not a target for thinning, it is also possible to simply notify the user with a light or an alarm sound.

[0060] Furthermore, although the example has been described in which the tree-cutting device is a chainsaw, it goes without saying that the present invention may be applied to other tree-cutting devices such as high-performance forestry machines, for example, feller bunchers and harvesters. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1. Mobile information terminal 2 Server 3. Logging equipment 4. Control device 5 Management equipment 6. Communication Networks 10-1~10-8 Trees not subject to thinning 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4 Trees to be thinned 12-1 Trees after felling X1,X2 Reference position

Claims

1. a mobile information terminal that acquires location information of trees to be thinned, image information of the trees, and information on the type and size of the trees; a server that receives, records, and processes the information acquired by the mobile information terminal via a communication network; A tree-cutting device for cutting down trees; a control device mounted on the tree-cutting device, which receives the information recorded and processed by the server via the communication network, operates the tree-cutting device for trees that are to be thinned, and stops the operation of the tree-cutting device when the tree is not to be thinned; A thinning system characterized by comprising:

2. 2. The thinning system according to claim 1, further comprising a management device that accesses the server and receives the recorded and processed information.

3. 3. The thinning system according to claim 2, wherein the management device displays and prints the locations of trees to be thinned, images of the trees, and a table of tree types and sizes.

4. The thinning system described in claim 1, characterized in that the location information of the trees to be thinned is latitude and longitude information obtained from GNSS signals transmitted from GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) satellites, the image information of the trees is still images or videos taken by a camera, and the information on the type and size of the trees is audio information input by the worker or information selected by the worker from the type and size of trees displayed on the mobile information terminal.

5. The thinning system described in claim 1, characterized in that the mobile information terminal further acquires information on at least one reference position adjacent to the tree to be thinned and transmits it to the server via the communication network, and the server calculates the direction of the tree to be thinned from at least one of the reference positions and transmits it to the control device via the communication network, which is used by the control device to control the operation of the felling device.

6. The thinning system according to claim 5, wherein the reference position is a survey stake, a landmark terrain, a landmark structure, or an electronic reference point.

7. The thinning system described in claim 1, characterized in that the control device displays felling instructions for trees that are to be thinned when the felling device approaches a tree, and if the tree is not to be thinned, notifies the worker that it is not to be thinned and stops operation of the felling device.

8. The thinning system described in claim 7, characterized in that when the control device cuts down the trees to be thinned, it transmits and records the location information of the cut trees to the server via the communication network.

9. 2. The thinning system of claim 1, wherein the felling device is a chainsaw, a feller buncher, or a harvester.

10. a step of acquiring location information of trees to be thinned, image information of the trees, and information on the type and size of the trees by a mobile information terminal; a step of transmitting the information acquired by the mobile information terminal via a communication network and recording and processing the information in a server; and inputting the information recorded in the server via the communication network into a control device mounted on a tree-cutting device at the start of thinning work, A thinning method characterized in that the control device operates the felling device on trees that are to be thinned, and stops operation if the tree is not to be thinned.

11. The thinning method described in claim 10, further comprising a step of accessing the server with a management device to receive the recorded information and creating a table of the locations of trees to be thinned, images of the trees, and the types and sizes of the trees.

12. The thinning method described in claim 11, characterized in that the location information of trees cut down by operating the cutting device is recorded on the server via the communication network, and the server is accessed by the management device and entered into a table created.

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