Remote monitoring system, program used in remote monitoring system, and remote monitoring method

Abstract

To provide a remote monitoring system capable of properly protecting know-how of a producer.SOLUTION: A remote monitoring system 1 of a production site is equipped with a sensor 10, a terminal device 20, and a server device 30. The server device 30 includes: an identity authentication unit 21 which verifies identity; a role ID identifying unit 32 which identifies a role ID 53 assigned to an authenticated user; a terminal display information preparation unit 33 which prepares terminal display information 300 on a menu corresponding to the identified role ID, based on a menu table 80; and a terminal display execution unit 34 which causes the terminal device 20 to display information. The menu table 80 is configured to: (i) allow a user with a first role to refer to measurement data 72 on the terminal device 20 and allow operation / reference regarding production control; and (ii) allow a user in a second role to refer to the measurement data 72 on the terminal device 20 and regulate the operation / reference regarding production control.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a remote monitoring system for remotely monitoring the conditions at a production site for producing agricultural and marine products or processed agricultural and marine products, and also to a program and a remote monitoring method used in the remote monitoring system. [Background technology]

[0002] The drying process of persimmons in the production of dried persimmons is an important step that determines the quality of the dried persimmons. The main parameters that affect the quality of dried persimmons are the temperature and humidity of the drying area. Once the process of making dried persimmons enters the drying stage, producers continuously manage the temperature and humidity of the drying area over a considerable period of time. Producers also continuously monitor the weight of the persimmons being dried to determine the degree of dryness.

[0003] Until now, many producers have managed and monitored the drying process by going to the drying area (production site) and manually measuring the temperature and humidity of the drying area, as well as measuring the weight of the persimmons (products) being dried, and recording these physical quantity data.

[0004] During the drying process, these tasks must be performed at least once a day, and it is a huge burden for aging producers to continue to go to the production site and perform these tasks continuously throughout the drying period (approximately three months from late autumn to winter).

[0005] To reduce this burden, for example, Non-Patent Document 1 proposes a monitoring system in which sensors incorporating so-called IoT (Internet of Things) technology are installed in drying areas, and the temperature and humidity of the drying areas are remotely confirmed and recorded by terminals via a network. However, the monitoring system described in Non-Patent Document 1 does not consider the possibility of multiple producers sharing the same system.

[0006] In this regard, the monitoring system described in Patent Document 1 allows multiple users to share the same system and remotely monitor the temperature, humidity, etc. of the greenhouses they manage. Patent Document 1 also describes a technology that determines whether physical quantities related to temperature and humidity have reached a standard value or gone outside the control range, and notifies or warns producers when the standard value has been reached or the control range has been exceeded. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0007] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Demonstration Experiment: Production Management of Ichida Persimmons Using IoT," [online], 2021, Alstar Co., Ltd., [Retrieved May 9, 2024], Internet (URL: https: / / www.alstar.co.jp / wp / wp-content / uploads / 2021 / 11 / Production Management of Ichida Persimmons Using IoT.pdf) [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-37387 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Incidentally, each producer is said to possess unique know-how, particularly when it comes to producing high-quality, high-value-added agricultural and marine products or processed foods made from them. One example of know-how in the production of dried persimmons is information on the temperature and humidity of the drying area, drying time, and drying cycle. Naturally, security considerations are necessary for the know-how information that each producer treasures. For example, information on alert conditions, such as thresholds that require attention for temperature and humidity, must be protected from being viewed by others, and of course, it must also be protected from unauthorized tampering by others.

[0010] On the other hand, for example, a seller (seller) of products produced by a producer may want to monitor the "condition of the product," such as the weight of dried persimmons, which indicates the degree of dryness, in order to determine the finished state of the products they plan to sell to customers and the time when they will be available for sale.

[0011] From the perspective of balancing the protection of producers' know-how with sellers' requests for monitoring, the monitoring system described in Patent Document 1 can distinguish between greenhouses that can be monitored and those that cannot, but it has the problem that for greenhouses that can be monitored, anyone, regardless of their position (role), can uniformly access information on them in the same way as producers.

[0012] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a remote monitoring system that can appropriately protect a producer's know-how, as well as a program and a remote monitoring method that can appropriately protect a producer's know-how. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] [1] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote monitoring system for remotely monitoring conditions at a production site for producing agricultural and marine products or processed agricultural and marine products. This remote monitoring system includes a plurality of sensors that measure physical quantities indicating the state of the environment or the state of the product at the production site and transmit the measurement data obtained by the measurements to a server device, a terminal device connected to a network, and a server device connected to the sensors and terminal devices via the network. Here, at least two or more roles are defined as roles of users who are expected to operate a terminal device, and each user is uniquely assigned one of the two or more defined roles in advance. In this case, the server device includes the following personal authentication unit, role ID specification unit, terminal display information preparation unit, and terminal display execution unit. The identity authentication unit causes the terminal device to acquire identity authentication information from the user operating the terminal device and performs identity authentication based on the identity authentication information. The role ID identification unit identifies a role ID corresponding to a role previously assigned to an authenticated user who has passed identity authentication. The terminal display information preparation unit prepares terminal display information with a menu corresponding to the role ID identified by the role ID identification unit, based on a menu table that defines a group of submenus that can be provided by the terminal device. The terminal display execution unit transmits the prepared terminal display information to the terminal device and causes the terminal device to display based on the terminal display information. The menu table is configured such that (i) when the role ID of the authenticated user is an ID indicating a first role (e.g., a producer role), the measurement data can be referenced on the terminal device and operations and references related to production control can be performed, and (ii) when the role ID of the authenticated user is an ID indicating a second role different from the first role (e.g., a seller role), the measurement data can be referenced on the terminal device and operations and references related to production control are restricted.

[0014] [2] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote monitoring method using a remote monitoring system for remotely monitoring conditions at a production site for producing agricultural and marine products or processed agricultural and marine products. The underlying remote monitoring system comprises a plurality of sensors that measure physical quantities indicating the state of the environment or the state of the product at the production site and transmit the measurement data obtained by the measurements to a server device, a terminal device connected to a network, and a server device connected to the sensors and terminal devices via the network. Here, at least two or more roles are defined as roles of users who are expected to operate a terminal device, and each user is uniquely assigned one of the two or more defined roles in advance. In this case, the remote monitoring method includes a personal authentication step, a role ID specification step, a terminal display information preparation step, and a terminal display execution step. In the personal authentication step, the terminal device acquires personal authentication information from the user operating the terminal device and transmits the personal authentication information to the server device, causing the server device to perform personal authentication based on the personal authentication information. In the role ID identification step, the server device identifies a role ID corresponding to a role previously assigned to the authenticated user who has passed personal authentication. In the terminal display information preparation step, the server device prepares terminal display information with a menu corresponding to the role ID identified in the role ID identification step, based on a menu table that defines a group of submenus that can be provided by the terminal device. In the terminal display execution step, the server device transmits the prepared terminal display information to the terminal device, and the terminal device performs a predetermined display based on the terminal display information. The menu table is configured so that (i) when the role ID of the authenticated user is an ID indicating a first role (e.g., a producer role), the measurement data can be referenced on the terminal device and operations and references related to production control can be performed, and (ii) when the role ID of the authenticated user is an ID indicating a second role different from the first role (e.g., a seller role), the measurement data can be referenced on the terminal device and operations and references related to production control are restricted.

[0015] [3] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for use in a remote monitoring system for remotely monitoring the conditions at a production site for producing agricultural and marine products or processed agricultural and marine products. This program is configured to cause a computer (information processing device) of a server device to execute each of the steps described in [2] above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a remote monitoring system that can appropriately protect the know-how of a producer, and also to provide a program and a remote monitoring method that can appropriately protect the know-how of a producer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an overview of a remote monitoring system 1 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a tree diagram illustrating an example of a hierarchical relationship between producers, production sites managed by each producer, and sensors installed at each production site, as well as a hierarchical relationship between sellers and each producer. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device 100. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of a sensor 10 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of a terminal device 20 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of a server device 30 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a registered user DB 50. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a menu table 80. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a remote monitoring method according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a terminal display that is displayed on the display of the terminal device 20 when the user's role is a producer. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a terminal display that is displayed on the display of the terminal device 20 when the role of the user is a seller. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a sensor DB 60. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a measurement data DB 70. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the remote monitoring method according to the first embodiment, and is a sequence diagram when the sensor data display function 82 is driven. [Figure 15] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining an embodiment of a thermo-hygrometer 10a. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a remote monitoring method according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of a remote monitoring system, a program used in the remote monitoring system, and a remote monitoring method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, symbols indicating components are sometimes assigned consecutive numbers (e.g., drying areas F1, F2, etc.), but in the specification, explanations may be given using symbols without the consecutive numbers (e.g., drying area F). Subscripts (a, b, A, B, etc.) may also be explained in the same way. Regarding symbols common to each figure, explanations for the other figures will be omitted because the content already explained for the symbols can be used in the explanations for the other figures.

[0019] [Embodiment 1] <Configuration and effects of remote monitoring system 1> Fig. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an overview of a remote monitoring system 1 (this system) according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a tree diagram shown to explain an example of the hierarchical relationship between producers, production sites managed by each producer, and sensors installed at each production site, as well as the hierarchical relationship between sellers and each producer.

[0020] 1. Overview of Remote Monitoring System 1 As shown in Fig. 1, the remote monitoring system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a sensor 10, a terminal device 20, and a server device 30. The remote monitoring system 1 is provided to remotely monitor the status of a production site FLD for producing agricultural and marine products or processed agricultural and marine products from the terminal device 20. It is sufficient for the system to include at least one terminal device 20. "Agricultural and marine products" refers to agricultural products or marine products.

[0021] Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described using the example in which the production site FLD is a drying area F for producing dried persimmons.

[0022] The house H that constitutes the drying area F is where peeled persimmons are hung on racks or the like (see the illustrated product PD), and is where the persimmons are dried. The house H that constitutes the drying area F often also serves as a place for sulfur fumigation. Each drying area F (production site FLD) has sensors 10, such as thermo-hygrometers 10a located inside and outside the house H, and a weighing scale 10b located inside the house H.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, it is assumed that at least one sensor 10 is installed in each drying area F, and each producer manages at least one drying area. Producers often entrust the sale of their products to distributors. In this case, each distributor (Seller A, B, etc.) is responsible for selling the products of at least one producer (Producer A, B, C, etc.).

[0024] In the present remote monitoring system 1, at least two or more roles are defined as roles of users who are expected to operate the terminal device 20. Here, "role" refers to a concept that can be understood by replacing it with words such as job, role, and position. In the first embodiment, the first role is the producer, and the second role is a person who supports the producer, specifically a seller. A "producer" is a person who is directly engaged in production at the production site and has know-how about the production site. A "seller" is a person who sells products (agricultural and marine products or processed foods made from agricultural and marine products) produced by the producer. For example, a regional representative of the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations (JA Zen-Noh) would be an example of a "seller." It is assumed that each user is uniquely assigned one of two or more defined roles in advance.

[0025] Various devices and equipment can be used as the sensor 10 as long as they measure physical quantities that indicate the environmental state of the production site FLD or the state of the product PD. In the example of the first embodiment, a thermo-hygrometer 10a and a weight meter 10b are used as the sensors 10.

[0026] The weighing scale 10b of the first embodiment measures the weight of dried persimmons (product PD) and is designed to output the weight ratio of the current weight of the persimmon to the weight of the persimmon before the drying process as measurement data. Furthermore, the weighing scale (foodstuff weight measuring device) described in a separate application (Patent Application No. 2023-138651) previously filed by the applicants of the present application can be suitably used for the sensing unit of this weighing scale 10b. The weighing scale of the separate application solves the problem of creep, allowing accurate weight measurement even when the product (peeled persimmon) is left hanging for a long period of time. It is also desirable to employ a thermo-hygrometer 10a with a configuration suitable for making dried persimmons. This will be discussed later.

[0027] The "physical quantities indicating the state of the environment at the production site FLD" measured by the sensor 10 refer to, for example, temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind speed, carbon dioxide concentration, etc. The specific location where the measurement is performed is not limited to the environment inside the house H in the example of embodiment 1, but may also be the surrounding environment outside the house H. Furthermore, the "physical quantities indicating the state of the product PD" refer to, for example, the weight, outer diameter, color, sugar content, etc. of the product PD.

[0028] The sensor 10 measures the above-mentioned "physical quantity indicating the state of the environment or the state of the product at the production site" and outputs measurement data 72 acquired by the measurement. The sensor 10 transmits the acquired measurement data 72 directly or indirectly to the server device 30. In the example of the first embodiment, the sensor 10 indirectly transmits the measurement data 72 to the server device 30 via a wireless LAN adapter LA connected via short-range wireless communication BLE and a wireless LAN router RT connected to the wireless LAN adapter LA. Note that in the figure, short-range wireless communication is represented by the symbol BLE, which is an abbreviation for Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark). However, the short-range wireless communication method in the first embodiment is not limited to compliance with the Bluetooth Low Energy standard, and may be compliance with other standards.

[0029] The terminal device 20 is connected to the network NW and can access the server device 30. The terminal device 20 is a device that allows a user to monitor the status of the production site FLD and perform various registration and setting operations from a location remote from the production site FLD. The terminal device 20 may be a so-called "smartphone" equipped with a display, a panel input device, a speaker, and other human I / F functions, as well as a mobile phone function. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a PC (Personal Computer), for example, may also be used as the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 has web browser software 27 installed therein (see FIG. 5) for accessing a predetermined site (see FIG. 6) of a web server 40 included in the server device 30.

[0030] The server device 30 is connected to a network NW, and is connected to the sensors 10 and the terminal devices 20 via the network NW. The server device 30 may be realized as one "physical information processing device," or may be realized as two or more "physical information processing devices." In addition, a physical information processing device directly managed by the provider of the remote monitoring system 1 may be used as the server device 30, or a server device on the cloud managed by a specialist may be used as the server device 30.

[0031] The network NW has the function of connecting two or more information processing devices 100. The network NW can also be said to be a communication network that provides connection paths so that data can be transmitted and received between the sensor 10, the server device 30, the terminal device 20, etc. As long as it has this function, the network NW may be realized by any means. For example, the network NW may be a wired network or a wireless network. The network NW may also include an ad hoc network, a VPN (Virtual Private Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), a WLAN (Wireless LAN), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a WWAN (Wireless WAN), a mobile phone network, a public switched telephone network, etc.

[0032] The sensor 10, the terminal device 20, and the server device 30 have common parts in their basic hardware configurations, and when focusing on the common parts, it can be said that these devices are all information processing devices 100.

[0033] 2. Hardware configuration of information processing device 100 Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device 100. Electronic devices such as a sensor 10, a terminal device 20, and a server device 30 are realized using this information processing device 100. As shown in Fig. 3, the information processing device 100 has a processor 110, a memory 120, a storage 130, an input / output I / F (Interface) 140, and a communication I / F (Interface) 150. These are connected to a bus BS. The memory 120 and the storage 130 are collectively referred to as a storage unit 160.

[0034] The processor 110 operates based on a program stored in the storage unit 160 and controls each unit (functions shown in the functional block diagrams described below) described below. The memory 120 can be configured with volatile or non-volatile memory. The storage 130 can be configured with an auxiliary storage device such as an SDD (Solid State Drive) or HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0035] The communication I / F 150 is an interface that communicates with external devices. The communication I / F 150 receives data from external devices via a communication path or a network NW and sends the data to the processor 110, and transmits data generated by the processor 110 to external devices via the communication path or the network NW.

[0036] The input / output I / F 140 interfaces with input / output devices such as a camera, etc. The processor 110 acquires various data from the input / output devices via the input / output I / F 140 and controls the input / output devices via the input / output I / F 140.

[0037] 3. Functional configuration of sensor 10 Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of sensor 10. As shown in Fig. 4, sensor 10 includes a measurement data acquisition unit 11, a communication I / F 150A that constitutes sensor communication unit 12, and the like. These units can be specifically realized by having processor 110 (see Fig. 3) execute a "sensor-related program 18" stored in storage unit 160A. Sensor 10 also has temporary memory 19 in storage unit 160A.

[0038] 4. Functional configuration of terminal device 20 Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the terminal device 20. As shown in Fig. 5, the terminal device 20 includes an authentication information acquisition unit 21 and the like. These units can be specifically realized by executing various software (denoted by reference numerals 27 and 28) stored in the storage unit 160B by the processor 110 (see Fig. 3). It does not matter whether the software is stored in the terminal device 20 or in the server device 30, or whether the processor that shares the software processing belongs to the software. The terminal device 20 also includes a temporary memory 29 in the storage unit 160B.

[0039] 5. Functional configuration of server device 30 Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server device 30 of the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the server device 30 includes an identity authentication unit 31, a role ID identification unit 32, a terminal display information preparation unit 33, and a terminal display execution unit 34. In addition to these, the server device 30 also includes a buffering unit 35, an alert condition applicability determination unit 36, etc. Each of these units can be specifically realized by executing a server-related program 39A, etc. stored in the storage unit 160B, by the processor 110 (see Fig. 3).

[0040] The server device 30 also includes a web server 40. The server device 30 stores a group of pages for displaying information on the screen of the terminal device 20 and for allowing the user to input various settings using a touch panel or the like.

[0041] Furthermore, the server device 30 has, in the storage unit 160C, a registered user DB 50, a sensor DB 60, a measurement data DB 70, a menu table 80, etc. The server device 30 has, in the storage unit 160C, a temporary memory 39B, etc.

[0042] (1) Registered user DB 50, menu table 80 FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the registered user DB 50. The registered user DB 50 is a database that stores attribute information related to users who operate the terminal device 20. As shown in FIG. 7, the registered user DB 50 may be configured to include a users table 50a and a user_roles table 50b. Each record in the users table 50a stores attribute information for each user. For example, the user ID, user name, login ID and password constituting the personal authentication information (true) 52S, email address, etc., that are uniquely assigned to each user are defined as columns in the database. In addition, IDs (role IDs) corresponding to roles pre-assigned to each user are also defined. A "role ID" is identification information assigned to each type of role, and in the above example, is composed of an identification number to which a unique integer is assigned.

[0043] The users table 50a also defines a column for "the user ID of the user who is the parent of the user." In other words, the "user ID of the user who is the parent of the user" is the user ID of the seller who is in charge of selling the user's product. The "user ID of the user who is the parent of the user" together with the user's own user ID constitutes "sales representative information 54 (information on the parent-child relationship)."

[0044] In a separate user registration process, the user's attribute information (name, address, telephone number, email address, number of drying areas, area where the drying areas are located, etc.) as well as the user's role (producer, seller) are registered, and user registration is usually completed with final confirmation by the system administrator.

[0045] The user_roles table 50b is a table that associates each role ID (user_role_id) with the corresponding role name.

[0046] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a menu table 80. The menu table 80 is a table that defines a group of submenus that can be provided to a user via the terminal device 20. In the menu table 80, the names of submenus, URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) that indicate the link destinations of the submenus, role IDs, etc. are defined in the column direction. The role ID column stores the ID of the role that provides the submenu of the record (row). Explaining this with reference to FIG. 8, for example, the role ID (user_role_id) column for the record with ID (menu_id) = 7 stores 1, and the submenu called the alert condition setting function defined in the record with menu_id = 7 is provided to the person with role ID = 1 (producer).

[0047] The menu table 80 is configured such that (i) when the role ID of an authenticated user is an ID indicating a first role (when the user's role ID is 1), the measurement data 72 on the terminal device 20 can be referenced (sensor data display function) and operations and references related to production control (alert condition setting function) can be performed, and (ii) when the role ID of an authenticated user is an ID indicating a second role different from the first role (when the user's role ID is 2), the measurement data 72 on the terminal device 20 can be referenced (sensor data display function) and operations and references related to production control (alert condition setting function) are restricted.

[0048] (2) A structure that provides menus according to roles Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining the remote monitoring method according to the first embodiment, and is a sequence diagram mainly showing steps from personal authentication step S10 to terminal display execution step S40. Note that a data flow diagram is also used in part of Fig. 9. Fig. 9 also serves as a diagram defining the functions and operations of each unit (personal authentication unit 31, etc.) of server device 30 (the same applies to Figs. 14 and 16, which will be discussed later).

[0049] In the remote monitoring system 1, different menus depending on the role of the user are provided on the terminal device 20. A specific configuration for realizing this function will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0050] (2a) Personal authentication unit 31 The personal authentication unit 31 causes the terminal device 20 to acquire personal authentication information 52S from the user operating the terminal device 20, and performs personal authentication based on the personal authentication information 52S.

[0051] Specifically, the system can be configured as follows: That is, as shown in Fig. 9, when a user inputs a predetermined URL into terminal device 20 (S2), terminal device 20 connects to web server 40 in server device 30 based on the URL and sends a login screen information transmission request (S3). In response, server device 30 transmits login screen information to terminal device 20 (S4), causes terminal device 20 to display a login screen, and prompts the user to input a login ID and password, thereby acquiring the login ID and password (personal authentication information 52) (S5). Next, when the personal authentication information 52 is transmitted from the terminal device 20, the personal authentication unit 31 refers to the personal authentication information (correct) 52S for each user that is pre-registered in the registered user DB 50, and verifies whether there is a record that matches the transmitted personal authentication information 52. If there is a match, the matching record is selected, and the user ID is extracted from the record and recognized as the ID of the authenticated user (S10).

[0052] To explain this in terms of the registered user DB 50 in Figure 7, when the terminal device 20 acquires personal authentication information 52 with {login ID, password} = {○○○○, XXX} from "Sato Ichiro," the personal authentication unit 31 of the server device 30 selects the record with matching personal authentication information (correct) 52S, extracts 13 from the user ID column of that record, and determines that the authenticated user is the person with login ID = 13.

[0053] "Identity authentication information" is unique identification information linked to the user performing the operation, and is not limited to the login ID and password as described above, but may also be the user's biometric information, such as fingerprint information, voice information, or iris information.

[0054] (2b) Role ID identification unit 32 9, the role ID specifying unit 32 specifies a role ID corresponding to a role that has been assigned in advance to the authenticated user who has passed the personal authentication (S20). The specified role ID may be temporarily stored in the temporary memory 39B as an "specified role ID 53'".

[0055] 7, the role ID identification unit 32 refers to the registered user DB 50, selects the record of the authenticated user, for example, user ID=13 (Ichiro Sato), and extracts role ID=1 from the role ID column of that record. Incidentally, role ID=1 indicates the producer (see the user_roles table).

[0056] (2c) Terminal display information preparation unit 33 and terminal display execution unit 34 9, the terminal display information preparation unit 33 prepares the terminal display information 300 with a menu corresponding to the role ID identified by the role ID identification unit based on the menu table 80 (S30). Specifically, the terminal display information preparation unit 33 uses the role ID 53' of the authenticated user (the identified role ID 53') as a key and selects only records that match the role ID 53' from the menu table 80. Then, the terminal display information preparation unit 33 activates only the submenus defined in the selected records and prepares the terminal display information 300 (S30).

[0057] 8 will be described. For example, if the role ID 53' of the authenticated user is 1 (producer), the terminal display information preparation unit 33 selects records in the menu table 80 where the column for user_role_id is 1 (records with menu_id of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10). Then, it activates only the submenus defined in the selected records (dashboard, sensor data display function, alert condition setting function, logout, user settings, and group settings) and prepares the terminal display information 300.

[0058] Here, "terminal display information 300" refers to information generally useful for display on a terminal device. For example, when display is performed by executing web browser software 27 on terminal device 20 under the service of web server 40 in server device 30, terminal display information 300 corresponds to an HTML program for realizing the desired screen display, as well as various information such as files and data referenced by the program. Furthermore, preparing terminal display information 300 not only involves generating new data for display, but also includes launching a prepared page.

[0059] Returning to FIG. 9, after preparing the terminal display information, the terminal display execution unit 34 transmits the prepared terminal display information 300 to the terminal device 20, and causes the terminal device 20 to perform display based on the terminal display information 300 (S40).

[0060] The storage unit 160B of the terminal device 20 stores web browser software 27 (see FIG. 5). Algorithms related to the user I / F (display of measurement data, input of various setting values ​​such as alert conditions) in the terminal device 20 and data accessed in association therewith are implemented in the server device 30, and the terminal display is passively switched by the web browser software 27 of the terminal device 20.

[0061] (3) Example of main menu display corresponding to role ID Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the terminal device 20 when the user's role is a producer. Similarly, Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display when the user's role is a seller.

[0062] When the role ID identification unit, menu table 80, terminal display information preparation unit 33, terminal display execution unit 34, etc. are operating, as shown in Figure 10, when the user's role is a producer (first role), a submenu appears on the display of the terminal device 20, as shown in page P0, which allows the user to refer to the measurement data 72 (here, sensor data display function 82), and also a submenu appears which allows the user to operate and refer to production control (here, alert condition setting function 83).

[0063] As shown in FIG. 11, when the user's role is a seller (second role), a submenu that allows the user to refer to the measurement data 72 (sensor data display function 82) appears on the display of the terminal device 20, as shown in P10, but a submenu that allows the user to operate and refer to production control (alert condition setting function 83) does not appear, and the seller cannot use the alert condition setting function 83.

[0064] For reference, the submenu "Sensor Data Display Function" is a function that displays information about the measurement data 72 for each sensor 10 on the terminal device 20. For example, this function constantly displays the latest measured values ​​of physical quantities (see page P1 in FIG. 10 and page P11 in FIG. 11), displays a list of past measurement data 72 measured by the sensor when a specific window on the display (windows P1a, P1b, and P1c in FIG. 10) is clicked, and displays a trend graph based on the past measurement data measured by the sensor (display realized by P2, P3, and P4 in FIG. 10 (not shown)). By viewing the trend graph, producers can determine whether to repeat the fumigation process, determine the timing of removing the rack (the timing at which the drying process ends), and determine whether ventilation of the greenhouse is necessary. Note that tasks such as ventilation of the greenhouse can be automated using the alert function of this system (described later in the second embodiment).

[0065] The submenu "Alert Condition Setting Function" allows users to refer to, set, and change alert conditions. For example, it allows users to refer to (check), set, and change thresholds, enable / disable the alert function, and define the action to be taken when an alert condition is met (see page 5 of Figure 10). The "alert function" monitors the value of the physical quantity obtained by measurement by the sensor 10 and executes a specified alert action when the measured value exceeds the upper control limit, falls below the lower control limit, or crosses a specified threshold. "Alert conditions" include the upper control limit, lower control limit, and specified threshold values ​​themselves, as well as turning the alert function on / off and defining the alert action.

[0066] (4) Effects of the configuration described above (4a) The remote monitoring system 1 uses the personal authentication information as a clue to identify the role ID previously assigned to the individual, and provides a menu according to the role by referring to a menu table using the role ID as a key. At this time, a user of the first role (e.g., a producer) can refer to the measurement data on their terminal device, and can also operate and refer to production control on their terminal device. On the other hand, a user of the second role (e.g., a seller) can access the measurement data as a service available through their terminal device, but cannot operate or refer to production control (such as checking or changing alert conditions).

[0067] That is, the remote monitoring system 1 is configured so that the level and scope of access authority differs depending on the role with regard to access to information on the production site, etc. Therefore, with the remote monitoring system 1 according to the first embodiment, production control (alerts, etc.) directly related to quality is not disclosed to anyone other than the producer, and is not tampered with by anyone other than the producer, making it possible to appropriately protect the know-how of the producer, who is the user of the first role.

[0068] (4b) Furthermore, when the first role is a producer and the second role is a seller, the present remote monitoring system 1 is even more suitable. By applying the present remote monitoring system 1 to such users, the producer's know-how is appropriately protected, while sellers and others can also monitor the products, and each role can access information to the extent necessary, even on the same platform.

[0069] (4c) Furthermore, if the production site is a drying area for producing dried persimmons, this remote monitoring system 1 is even more suitable. As mentioned above, each producer has their own unique know-how when it comes to dried persimmons. With this remote monitoring system 1, producers can monitor and manage the drying process on the terminal device 20 without going to the site, and at the same time, there is no need to worry about the know-how leaking to anyone other than the producer. Furthermore, by monitoring, sellers can predict, to a certain extent, when dried persimmons can be shipped. By allowing sellers who have information on market sales and the like to view information from the production site, this can also contribute to improving quality control and delivery date management.

[0070] (4d) Furthermore, in this remote monitoring system 1, it is preferable that at least the functions of the submenus defined in the menu table 80 are implemented in the server device 30 as object programs written in an object-oriented language, and that at least the menu table 80 is configured based on the concept of object-relational mapping (ORM).

[0071] Because the sensors 10 can be expensive, in the production of dried persimmons, the sensors 10 are often shared and reused between different drying areas F or between different producers. This means that the content of various databases changes frequently (such as changes to the drying area where the sensor is installed or changes to the producer using the sensor). By defining various tables based on the ORM approach and constructing the database, the system can easily maintain the normalization of the database even if such content changes occur frequently, resulting in a highly flexible system that can withstand various changes at the production site.

[0072] (5) Sensor DB60, measurement data DB70 Fig. 12 is a diagram shown to explain the sensor DB 60. The sensor DB 60 is a database that stores attribute information about each sensor 10. The sensor DB 60 may be configured to include a sensors table 60b and a user_sensors table 60a, as shown in Fig. 12. The sensors table 60b is a table that associates each sensor (sensor_id) with the sensor type (sensor_type_id) corresponding to each sensor, an identification MAC address (identifier), etc.

[0073] The user_sensors table 60a also includes "sensor user allocation information 62" that indicates the correspondence between each sensor (sensor_id) and the producer currently using that sensor. The "sensor user allocation information 62" here is composed of a combination of each sensor (sensor_id) and its corresponding user ID (user_id). Looking through each record in the user_sensors table 60a row-wise, each sensor (sensor_id) appears only once, and the "sensor user assignment information 62" in each record is configured so that each sensor (sensor_id) is assigned only one producer (user_id).

[0074] Fig. 13 is a diagram shown to explain the measurement data DB 70. The measurement data DB 70 is a database that stores measurement data 72 (see Fig. 16 described later) transmitted from each sensor. The measurement data DB 70 may be realized in the form of, for example, a sensor_datas table shown in Fig. 13. Each record in the sensor_datas table (70) stores measurement data transmitted from one of the sensors 10. To ensure that data is recorded in the same format in the database regardless of the type of sensor 10 (and thus the physical quantity being measured), each record contains redundant columns for dry-bulb temperature (temperature), wet-bulb temperature (wt_temp), humidity (humidity), initial weight (sweight), and (most recently measured) weight (weight). Each record also contains columns for information that can be embedded in the transmitted data 73 by the sensor 10, such as the MAC address (identifier) ​​for identifying the sensor 10 that transmitted the measurement data 72, the time (time), radio wave strength (RSSI), and remaining battery level (battery). The reception time (reception_time), when the transmitted data 73 containing the measurement data 72 was received by the server device 30, is also defined as a column. 13, the measurement data of each physical quantity, radio wave intensity, etc. are depicted as being reproduced as independent fields as transmission data 73. However, the transmission data 73 transmitted from the sensor 10 does not necessarily have to be in this type of data string, and may actually be transmitted and received as, for example, encrypted data while including this information.

[0075] (6) Structure to ensure security among producers In order to protect the know-how of the producer, the remote monitoring system 1 according to the first embodiment is designed so that information from the sensors 10 managed by the producer cannot be viewed by other producers. A specific configuration for realizing this function will be described below with reference to Figures 12, 13, and 14.

[0076] 14, it is assumed that the submenus of menu table 80 include a sensor data display function 82 that displays information about measurement data acquired by a sensor. When this sensor data display function 82 is activated, terminal display information preparation unit 33 extracts only measurement data 72 related to the sensor currently being used by the "producer related to the authenticated user" from measurement data DB 70 based on the "sensor user allocation information 62," and prepares terminal display information 300 using the extracted measurement data 72. Here, "producers related to the authenticated user" refers to the producer himself when the user's role is a producer, and to producers within the seller's area of ​​responsibility when the user's role is a seller.

[0077] Specifically, the system can be configured as follows: The terminal display information preparation unit 33 refers to the sensor user allocation information 62 in the sensor DB 60, and identifies the sensor ID linked to the user ID of the producer, thereby identifying the sensor used by that producer (S32).Then, the unit extracts the measurement data 72 related to the identified sensor (S34), and prepares the terminal display information 300 using the extracted measurement data 72 (S36).

[0078] For example, according to FIG. 7, the user ID of the current user "Sato Ichiro" is 13. In this case, the terminal display information preparation unit 33 queries the sensor user assignment information 62 in the user_sensors table 60a in FIG. 12, picks up the sensor_id of the record where user_id is 13, and as a result, identifies that the sensor_ids of the sensors managed by Sato Ichiro are 1, 3, and 5 (S32). Then, it extracts the identification MAC addresses (identifiers) corresponding to the sensor IDs (sensor_id) of 1, 3, and 5 from the sensors table. For example, if the sensor to be displayed has sensor_id=5, the MAC address of that sensor is E61688C2AE56. 13, a record that matches the MAC address = E61688C2AE56 corresponding to the sensor to be displayed is selected, measurement data 72 corresponding to the sensor type (stored separately in temporary memory 39B, etc.) is extracted from the selected record, and terminal display information 300 is prepared using this measurement data 72 (S34, S36). The subsequent terminal display execution (S40) by terminal display execution unit 34 is the same as that described above.

[0079] (7) Effects of the configuration to ensure security among producers According to the present remote monitoring system 1, the terminal display information preparation unit 33 extracts only the measurement data 72 related to the sensor currently being used by the producer from the measurement data DB 70 based on the "sensor user allocation information 62," and prepares the terminal display information 300. As a result, the producer can only view information about the sensor 10 linked to that producer. In other words, the producer cannot view information about sensors 10 linked to other producers. Therefore, producers cannot leak their own know-how to other producers. From this perspective, the present remote monitoring system 1 also makes it possible to appropriately protect the producer's know-how.

[0080] (8) Configuration in which the seller refers only to the sensors of the producers in charge In this remote monitoring system 1, sellers can only refer to measurement data from sensors of the producers they are responsible for. A specific configuration for realizing this function will be described below with reference to Figs. 7 and 14.

[0081] As shown in Figure 7, as mentioned above, the registered user DB 50 contains "sales representative information 54" that indicates the correspondence between each producer (user_id) and the seller (parent_user_id) in charge of selling the producer's products, and the "sales representative information 54" is configured so that only one seller is assigned to each producer (user_id). For example, according to Figure 7, the seller assigned to producer "Sato Ichiro (user_id=13)" is "JA Shinshu Iida," whose parent_user_id is 15.

[0082] Returning to Fig. 14, the terminal display information preparation unit 33 checks the role of the authenticated user by confirming the role ID, etc. (S21). Next, if the role of the authenticated user is seller, the terminal display information preparation unit 33 identifies the producers that the authenticated user is responsible for based on the "salesperson information 54" (S23). In the example of Fig. 7, according to the "salesperson information 54," the producers that the seller (user_role_id=2), "JA Shinshu Iida (user_id=15)," is responsible for can be identified as Sato Ichiro (user_id=13), Tanaka Farm (user_id=14), and Ichida Kaki Kobo (user_id=16).

[0083] Next, the terminal display information preparation unit 33 identifies the sensor 10 (sensor ID 61) currently being used by the identified producer based on the "sensor user allocation information 62" (S32), extracts only the measurement data 72 related to the identified sensor 10 (sensor ID 61) from the measurement data DB 70 (S34), and prepares the terminal display information 300 using the extracted measurement data 72 (S36). The operations indicated by symbols S32 to S36 are the same as those described in the above chapter "(6) Configuration for ensuring security between producers" using Figures 7 and 13. Note that in the above chapter, "producers related to the authenticated user" should be read as "producers supported by the authenticated user seller, if the authenticated user's role is seller." As a result, for example, when the seller “JA Shinshu Iida” is the user, the terminal device 20 can only view (reference the measurement data 72) the sensors used by the three producers, Sato Ichiro (user_id=13), Tanaka Farm (user_id=14), and Ichida Kaki Kobo (user_id=16).

[0084] (9) Effect of the configuration that allows the seller to refer only to the sensors of the producers in charge According to the remote monitoring system 1, the registered user DB 50 contains "sales representative information 54" that indicates the correspondence between each producer and the seller who sells the producer's products. The terminal display information preparation unit 33 then identifies the producer that the authenticated user (the seller in this case) is responsible for based on the "sales representative information 54," extracts only the measurement data of the sensors used by the identified producer, and displays it on the terminal of the seller's user.

[0085] Furthermore, since the "sales representative information 54" is configured such that only one seller is assigned to each producer, for example, only one seller A can access the (measurement data 72) of the sensor used by producer A. Conversely, another seller (seller B) unrelated to producer A cannot access the (measurement data 72) of the sensor used by producer A. In other words, only the responsible seller can access the (measurement data 72) of the sensor used by the producer (see also Figure 2). Therefore, with this remote monitoring system 1, the know-how of producers can be appropriately protected.

[0086] (10) Thermo-hygrometer 10a suitable for drying persimmons In the remote monitoring system 1 according to the first embodiment, the sensor 10 includes a thermo-hygrometer 10a that measures the temperature and humidity of the production site FLD, and it is preferable that the thermo-hygrometer 10a uses a thermistor as the sensing element.

[0087] Commercially available digital temperature and humidity sensors generally use a sensing element made of a wet-dry material. This sensing element utilizes the property that the electrical resistance of the wet-dry film changes depending on the amount of ionic conduction, which varies with the amount of moisture, as moisture adheres to the surface of the wet-dry film made of a wet-dry material and is absorbed into the film, or moisture inside the film escapes from the surface and dehumidifies in response to changes in the external environment.

[0088] During their research, the inventors discovered that commercially available digital thermo-hygrometers using such sensing elements are often unsuitable for use in persimmon drying areas. As mentioned above, drying areas typically involve sulfur fumigation, resulting in large amounts of sulfur components floating around the drying area during the sulfur fumigation process and small amounts of sulfur components remaining after the process is completed. During their field research, the inventors discovered that using a digital thermo-hygrometer like the one described above in such drying areas could result in sulfur components entering the moisture (fine water droplets) adhering to the surface of the thermo-hygrometer's wet / dry membrane, potentially adversely affecting sensing and preventing accurate measurements. Based on this knowledge, they decided to use a thermistor as the sensing element for the temperature and humidity sensor used in embodiment 1.

[0089] 15 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a thermo-hygrometer 10a that uses a thermistor. The components that are generally included in the sensor 10 are given the same reference numerals in the drawings and have been described in detail above, so a description thereof will be omitted here. As shown in Fig. 15, the temperature and humidity sensor controller 530 has at least two input terminals IN. One input terminal IN (on the left side of the drawing) is connected to a thermistor R TH1 are connected to form the "dry-bulb temperature measurement system 510." The other input terminal IN (on the right side of the drawing) is connected to the thermistor R TH2 is connected, and thermistor R TH2 The surface of the gauze G contacts the gauze G, which is then dipped into a liquid container B containing a sufficient amount of water W so as to be immersed in the water W, thereby constituting a "wet-bulb temperature measurement system 520." A controller 530 receives input of potentials from the dry-bulb temperature measurement system 510 and the wet-bulb temperature measurement system 520, calculates humidity (relative humidity) using a predetermined formula based on the input potentials from the two systems, and acquires measurement data 72, such as the dry-bulb temperature, wet-bulb temperature, and humidity. The sensor communication unit 12 (BLE I / F) transmits the measurement data 72 to the server device 30 via the wireless LAN adapter LA and wireless LAN router RT at a predetermined timing.

[0090] The thermo-hygrometer 10a according to this embodiment uses a thermistor that utilizes variations in volume resistance, so it is less affected even if sulfur components adhere to its surface, and can continue to perform stable, highly accurate measurements.

[0091] <Remote monitoring method and program using remote monitoring system 1> Returning to FIG. 9, the remote monitoring method and program used by the remote monitoring system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0092] The remote monitoring method using the remote monitoring system 1 includes the following steps. In a personal authentication step S10, the terminal device 20 acquires "personal authentication information 52" from the user operating the terminal device 20, transmits the "personal authentication information 52" to the server device 30, and causes the server device 30 to perform personal authentication based on the "personal authentication information 52." In a role ID identification step S20, the server device 30 is caused to identify a role ID 53' corresponding to a role pre-assigned to the authenticated user who has passed the personal authentication. In a terminal display information preparation step S30, the server device 30 prepares terminal display information 300 with a menu corresponding to the role ID identified in the role ID identification step S20, based on a menu table 80 that defines a group of submenus that can be provided by the terminal device 20. In a terminal display execution step S40, the server device 30 is caused to transmit the prepared terminal display information 300 to the terminal device 20, and the terminal device 20 performs a predetermined display based on the terminal display information 300.

[0093] The processes of the server device 30 of the first embodiment, such as the personal authentication unit 31, role ID identification unit 32, terminal display information preparation unit 33, terminal display execution unit 34, buffering unit 35 (described later), alert condition applicability determination unit 36, alert action instruction unit 37, and alert condition setting / changing unit 38, can be executed by software that defines those functions (see FIG. 6). When such a series of processes is executed by software, this can be realized by causing the processor 110 (FIG. 3) constituting the server device 30 to execute a program stored in the storage unit 160B.

[0094] The program used in the remote monitoring system 1 of embodiment 1 is a program that causes the computer of the server device 30 to execute at least the identity authentication step S10, role ID identification step S20, terminal display information preparation step S30, and terminal display execution step S40, which are specified in detail above.

[0095] As described above, the menu table 80 is configured such that (i) when the role ID 53' of the authenticated user is an ID indicating the first role, the measurement data 72 in the terminal device 20 can be referenced and operations and references related to production control can be performed, and (ii) when the role ID of the authenticated user is an ID indicating a second role different from the first role, the measurement data 72 in the terminal device 20 can be referenced and operations and references related to production control are restricted.

[0096] Since the main parts of the remote monitoring method and program by the remote monitoring system 1 are common to the main parts of the remote monitoring system 1 according to embodiment 1, the effects of the remote monitoring method and program by the remote monitoring system 1 can be similar to the effects of the remote monitoring system 1 according to embodiment 1.

[0097] [Embodiment 2] The remote monitoring system 2 and remote monitoring method according to the second embodiment basically have the same configuration as the remote monitoring system 1 and remote monitoring method according to the first embodiment (Figures 1, 6, etc.), but differ from the remote monitoring system 1 and remote monitoring method according to the first embodiment in that they further include an automatic transmission and automatic storage function for measurement data and an alert function.

[0098] Figure 16 is a diagram for explaining the remote monitoring method related to embodiment 2, and is a sequence diagram for explaining the function of automatically transmitting measurement data 72, the function of automatically storing transmission data 73 including measurement data 72 in the measurement data DB 70, the alert check function, etc.

[0099] 1. Automatic transmission and storage of measurement data In the remote monitoring system 2 according to the second embodiment, the sensor 10 includes a measurement data acquisition unit 11 (S110) that measures a physical quantity indicating the state of the environment at the production site FLD or the state of the product PD to acquire measurement data 72, and a sensor communication unit 12 (S120) that transmits the acquired measurement data 72 to the server device 30, as shown in Figures 6, 13 and 16. On the other hand, the server device 30 includes a buffering unit 35 (S200) that receives the measurement data 72 transmitted by the sensor 10 and sequentially adds transmission data 73 including the measurement data 72 to the measurement data DB 70 as new records, as shown in Figures 6, 13 and 16.

[0100] Regarding the physical quantity measurements and measurement data transmissions by the sensors 10, for example, the thermo-hygrometer 10a may perform measurements and transmit the measurement data 72 every five minutes, and the weighing scale 10b may perform measurements and transmit the measurement data 72 every 12 hours, so that the sensors 10 voluntarily and periodically repeatedly acquire and transmit the latest measurement data 72 to the server device 30. Conversely, the server device 30 may issue requests to each sensor 10 to acquire and transmit measurement data at appropriate intervals, and each sensor 10 that receives the request may acquire and transmit measurement data in response to the request.

[0101] According to the above configuration, the sensors 10 periodically acquire measurement data and perform sensor communication, and the server device 30 sequentially buffers the measurement data 72 transmitted from each sensor 10 in the measurement data DB 70. Because the latest measurement data 72 is automatically collected and automatically stored, there is no need for producers to go to the production site to manually measure and record temperature, humidity, etc., as conventional producers do, which significantly reduces the burden on producers. Furthermore, because the latest measurement data 72 is sequentially added to the measurement data DB 70, the latest values ​​of the measurement data 72 referenced on the terminal device 20 can also be viewed, resulting in a system with high real-time capabilities.

[0102] 2. Alert function (1) As shown in FIGS. 6 and 16, the server device 30 includes an alert condition determination unit 36 ​​(S210) that, when the buffering unit 35 receives new measurement data 72, compares the evaluation value of the physical quantity based on the received measurement data 72 with a predetermined threshold value and determines whether the alert condition is met based on the magnitude relationship between the evaluation value and the threshold value.

[0103] As an example of alert conditions, refer to page P5 in Figure 10, but for more details, refer to the explanations of the "Alert condition setting function" and "Alert function" mentioned in the chapter "5. Functional configuration of server device 30 (3) Example of main menu display corresponding to role ID." Furthermore, the "evaluation value of the physical quantity based on the received measurement data 72" may be the most recently acquired measurement data 72 itself, or may be defined as an average value of multiple measurement data 72 taken back multiple times, including the most recent measurement.

[0104] (2) The server device 30 further includes an alert action instructing unit 37. When the determination by the alert condition applicability determining unit 36 ​​(S210) indicates that the alert condition is met, the alert action instructing unit 37 instructs the execution of a predetermined alert action (S220).

[0105] (2a) Alert email delivery This alert action instruction unit 37 may refer to the user_sensors table in Figure 12, for example, to determine the producer (user_id) associated with the sensor from the ``sensor user assignment information 62'' based on the identification information (sensor_id) of the sensor 10 that transmitted the measurement data 72, and then refer to the users table in Figure 7, for example, to identify an email address (email) that can be received by the determined producer (user_id), and instruct the mail delivery subsystem 42 to send an email to that email address indicating that the alert condition has been met.

[0106] (2b) Operation of external devices 44 Separately from the above, as shown in Fig. 6, the alert action instruction unit 37 may refer to a separate definition table (not shown) based on the identification information (sensor_id) of the sensor 10 that transmitted the measurement data 72, thereby identifying a specific external device 44 related to the production site where the sensor is located, and instructing the external device 44 to perform a specific operation. Specific examples of "operation and operation of external devices" include controlling the ON / OFF and output up / down of an electric fan 44a (see Fig. 6), heater, lighting fixture, etc. installed in the house H.

[0107] Because the remote monitoring system 2 has the alert function described above, even if there is some abnormality in the physical quantity measured by the sensor 10, the system automatically notifies the producer of the abnormality and takes appropriate measures (such as operating and manipulating external equipment). Therefore, with the remote monitoring system 2, there is no longer any need for producers to be constantly on edge throughout the drying period while checking for abnormalities and taking necessary measures, as was the case with conventional producers, and the burden on producers can be significantly reduced.

[0108] The remote monitoring system 2 and remote monitoring method according to the second embodiment described above can also be provided as a program with a similar configuration. Furthermore, the remote monitoring system 2, remote monitoring method, and program according to the second embodiment have basically the same configuration as the remote monitoring system 1, remote monitoring method, and program according to the first embodiment, except that they further include an automatic transmission and automatic storage function of measurement data and an alert function. Therefore, the remote monitoring system 2, remote monitoring method, and program according to the second embodiment similarly have the corresponding effects of the remote monitoring system 1, remote monitoring method, and program according to the first embodiment.

[0109] Although the present invention has been described above based on the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and for example, the following modifications are also possible.

[0110] (1) In each embodiment, the description is based on a production site (drying area) where dried persimmons are produced as a product. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be particularly suitably applied to production sites (FLD) that produce agricultural and marine products or processed agricultural and marine products while making use of the natural environment, such as drying areas for other dried fruits, greenhouses for vegetable cultivation (e.g., cucumber cultivation), and fish farms.

[0111] (2) The sensor 10 is not limited to those that measure temperature, humidity, weight, etc., as described in each embodiment. For example, any sensor that measures physical quantities related to production, such as hours of sunlight or wind volume, can be appropriately adopted as the sensor 10 of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1,2...remote monitoring system, 10...sensor, 10a...thermo-hygrometer, 10b...weighing scale, 11...measurement data acquisition unit, 12...sensor communication unit, 18...sensor-related program, 19...(sensor) temporary memory, 20...terminal device, 21...personal authentication information acquisition unit, 27...web browser software, 29...(terminal device) temporary memory, 30...server device, 31...personal authentication unit, 32...role ID identification unit, 33...terminal display information preparation unit, 34...terminal display execution unit, 35...buffering unit, 36...alert condition applicability determination unit, 37...alert action instruction unit, 38...alert condition setting / change unit, 39A...(other server-related) program, 39B...(server device) temporary memory, 40...web server, 42...mail distribution subsystem, 44...external device, 44a...electric fan, 50a...users table, 50b...user_roles table, 52...personal authentication information, 52S...personal authentication information (correct), 53'...identified role ID, 54...sales representative information, 60a...user_sensors table, 60b...sensors table, 61...sensor ID, 62...sensor user assignment information, 72...measurement data, 73...transmission data, 80...menu table, 82...sensor data display function, 83...alert condition setting function, 100...information processing device, 110...processor, 120...memory, 130...storage, 140...input / output I / F, 150, 150A...communication I / F, 160, 160A, 160B, 160C...storage unit, 300...terminal display information, 510...dry bulb temperature measurement system, 520...wet bulb temperature measurement system, 530...thermo-hygrometer controller

Claims

1. A remote monitoring system for remotely monitoring conditions at a production site for producing agricultural and marine products or processed agricultural and marine products, a plurality of sensors that measure physical quantities that indicate the state of the environment or the state of the product at the production site and transmit the measurement data acquired by the measurements to a server device; a terminal device connected to a network; and the server device that is connected to the sensors and the terminal device via the network; When it is assumed that at least two or more roles are defined as roles of users who are expected to operate the terminal device, and one of the two or more defined roles is uniquely assigned to each user in advance, The server device an authentication unit that causes the terminal device to acquire personal authentication information from the user operating the terminal device and performs personal authentication based on the personal authentication information; a role ID identification unit that identifies a role ID corresponding to a role that has been assigned in advance to an authenticated user who has passed the personal authentication; a terminal display information preparation unit that prepares terminal display information with a menu corresponding to the role ID identified by the role ID identification unit based on a menu table that is a table that defines a group of submenus that can be provided by the terminal device; a terminal display execution unit that transmits the prepared terminal display information to the terminal device and causes the terminal device to perform display based on the terminal display information; Equipped with The menu table is configured such that (i) when the role ID of the authenticated user is an ID indicating a first role, the measurement data can be referenced on the terminal device and operations and references related to production control can be performed, and (ii) when the role ID of the authenticated user is an ID indicating a second role different from the first role, the measurement data can be referenced on the terminal device and operations and references related to production control are restricted. A remote monitoring system comprising:

2. 2. The remote monitoring system according to claim 1, A remote monitoring system, wherein the first role is a manufacturer and the second role is a seller.

3. 3. The remote monitoring system according to claim 2, The submenus of the menu table include a sensor data display function that displays information about the measurement data acquired by the sensor, the server device further includes a sensor DB in which attribute information regarding each sensor is stored, and a measurement data DB in which the measurement data transmitted from each sensor is stored; The sensor DB includes "sensor user allocation information" that indicates a correspondence between each sensor and the producer currently using the sensor, and the "sensor user allocation information" is configured such that each sensor is assigned to only one producer, When the sensor data display function is activated, the terminal display information preparation unit retrieves only the measurement data related to the sensor currently being used by the producer related to the authenticated user from the measurement data DB based on the "sensor user allocation information", and prepares the terminal display information using the retrieved measurement data. A remote monitoring system comprising:

4. 4. The remote monitoring system according to claim 3, the server device further includes a registered user DB in which attribute information relating to each user is stored; The registered user DB contains "sales representative information" that indicates the correspondence between each manufacturer and the seller in charge of selling the manufacturer's products, and the "sales representative information" is configured such that each manufacturer is assigned to only one seller, If the role of the authenticated user is the merchant, the terminal display information preparation unit identifies the manufacturer that the authenticated user is in charge of based on the "sales representative information", identifies the sensor that the identified manufacturer is currently using based on the "sensor user allocation information", retrieves only the measurement data related to the identified sensor from the measurement data DB, and prepares the terminal display information using the retrieved measurement data. A remote monitoring system comprising:

5. The remote monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the server device includes a measurement data DB in which the measurement data transmitted from each sensor is stored; the sensor comprises a measurement data acquisition unit that measures a physical quantity indicating an environmental state or a product state at the production site and acquires the measurement data, and a sensor communication unit that transmits the acquired measurement data to the server device; the server device includes a buffering unit that receives the measurement data transmitted by the sensor and sequentially adds data including the measurement data to a measurement data DB as a new record; A remote monitoring system comprising:

6. 6. The remote monitoring system according to claim 5, The server device an alert condition determination unit that, when the buffering unit newly receives the measurement data, compares an evaluation value of the physical quantity based on the received measurement data with a predetermined threshold and determines whether an alert condition is met based on the magnitude relationship between the evaluation value and a predetermined threshold; an alert action instruction unit that instructs execution of a predetermined alert action when the determination by the alert condition determination unit corresponds to the alert condition; Equipped with A remote monitoring system comprising:

7. 7. The remote monitoring system according to claim 6, The alert action instruction unit Based on the identification information of the sensor that transmitted the measurement data, the producer associated with the sensor is identified from the "sensor user allocation information," and an email delivery subsystem is instructed to send an email to an email address that the producer can receive, indicating that an alert condition has been met. A remote monitoring system comprising:

8. 7. The remote monitoring system according to claim 6, The alert action instruction unit Based on the identification information of the sensor that transmitted the measurement data, a predetermined external device related to the production site where the sensor is installed is identified, and an instruction is given to the external device to perform a predetermined operation. A remote monitoring system comprising:

9. The remote monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the production site is a drying area for producing dried persimmons.

10. 10. The remote monitoring system according to claim 9, The sensor includes a thermo-hygrometer that measures the temperature and humidity of the production site, and the thermo-hygrometer uses a thermistor as a sensing element. A remote monitoring system comprising:

11. The remote monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, At least the functions of the submenus defined in the menu table are implemented in the server device as object programs written in an object-oriented language, At least the menu table is configured based on the concept of Object-Relational Mapping (ORM). A remote monitoring system comprising:

12. A program used in a remote monitoring system that remotely monitors the conditions at a production site for producing agricultural and marine products or processed agricultural and marine products, The remote monitoring system includes a plurality of sensors that measure physical quantities indicating the state of the environment or the state of the product at the production site and transmit the measurement data acquired by the measurements to a server device, a terminal device connected to a network, and the server device that is connected to the sensors and the terminal device via the network, When it is assumed that at least two or more roles are defined as roles of users who are expected to operate the terminal device, and one of the two or more defined roles is uniquely assigned to each user in advance, The computer of the server device an authentication step of having the terminal device acquire personal authentication information from the user operating the terminal device and performing personal authentication based on the personal authentication information; a role ID specifying step of specifying a role ID corresponding to a role assigned in advance to the authenticated user who has passed the personal authentication; a terminal display information preparation step of preparing terminal display information with a menu corresponding to the role ID identified in the role ID identification step, based on a menu table that is a table defining a group of submenus that can be provided by the terminal device; a terminal display execution step of causing the terminal device to perform a predetermined display based on the prepared terminal display information; Execute The menu table is configured such that (i) when the role ID of the authenticated user is an ID indicating a first role, the measurement data can be referenced on the terminal device and operations and references related to production control can be performed, and (ii) when the role ID of the authenticated user is an ID indicating a second role different from the first role, the measurement data can be referenced on the terminal device and operations and references related to production control are restricted. A program used in a remote monitoring system.

13. A remote monitoring method using a remote monitoring system that remotely monitors conditions at a production site for producing agricultural and marine products or processed agricultural and marine products, The remote monitoring system includes a plurality of sensors that measure physical quantities indicating the state of the environment or the state of the product at the production site and transmit the measurement data acquired by the measurements to a server device, a terminal device connected to a network, and the server device that is connected to the sensors and the terminal device via the network, When it is assumed that at least two or more roles are defined as roles of users who are expected to operate the terminal device, and one of the two or more defined roles is uniquely assigned to each user in advance, The remote monitoring method includes: an authentication step in which the terminal device acquires personal authentication information from the user operating the terminal device, transmits the personal authentication information to the server device, and causes the server device to perform personal authentication based on the "personal authentication information"; a role ID specifying step of causing the server device to specify a role ID corresponding to a role previously assigned to the authenticated user who has passed the personal authentication; a terminal display information preparation step of causing the server device to prepare terminal display information with a menu corresponding to the role ID identified in the role ID identification step, based on a menu table that is a table defining a group of submenus that can be provided by the terminal device; a terminal display execution step of causing the server device to transmit the prepared terminal display information to the terminal device, and the terminal device performing a predetermined display based on the terminal display information; Including, The menu table is configured such that (i) when the role ID of the authenticated user is an ID indicating a first role, the measurement data can be referenced on the terminal device and operations and references related to production control can be performed, and (ii) when the role ID of the authenticated user is an ID indicating a second role different from the first role, the measurement data can be referenced on the terminal device and operations and references related to production control are restricted. A remote monitoring method comprising:

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