Display control method

Abstract

To provide a feeding method, a feeding system, and a program effective for more efficient feeding.SOLUTION: A feeding method includes: evaluation of a remaining feed amount on the basis of a result of detection of an in-crawl environment by a sensor installed in a crawl; evaluation of a feed intake activity of aquatic life in the crawl on the basis of a result of the detection of the in-crawl environment; and generation of a feeding speed command value on the basis of the evaluation result on the remaining feed amount and the evaluation result on the feed intake activity, and control of a feeding machine so as to perform feeding at a feeding speed corresponding to the feeding speed command value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses an automatic feeding system that includes an automatic feeder, a remaining feed sensor that detects the amount of remaining food, and a control means that controls the amount of food fed by the automatic feeder based on the amount of remaining food detected by the remaining feed sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-4711 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a feeding method, feeding system, and program that are effective for more efficient feeding. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A feeding method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes evaluating the amount of remaining food based on the results of detection of the environment within the fish cage by a sensor installed in the fish cage, evaluating the feeding activity of the aquatic organisms within the fish cage based on the results of detection of the environment within the fish cage, generating a feeding rate command value based on the evaluation results of the remaining food amount and the evaluation results of the feeding activity, and controlling a feeder to feed at a feeding rate corresponding to the feeding rate command value.

[0006] According to this feeding method, the feeding speed command value is calculated based on the evaluation result of the amount of remaining food, so that the feeding machine can be controlled to suppress the amount of remaining food. Also, the feeding speed command value is calculated based on the evaluation result of the feeding activity, so that the feeding machine can be controlled to suppress the shortage of food when there is no remaining food. Therefore, the amount of feeding can be suppressed from being excessive or insufficient. Therefore, it is effective for more efficient feeding.

[0007] The feeding rate command value may be calculated so that the greater the amount of remaining food, the smaller the feeding rate command value, and the greater the feeding activity, the larger the feeding rate command value. In this case, excess or deficiency of the feeding amount can be more reliably prevented.

[0008] A feeding score may be calculated based on the evaluation result of the remaining food amount and the evaluation result of the feeding activity, and a feeding rate command value may be calculated so that the feeding score follows the target score. In this case, the evaluation result of the remaining food amount and the evaluation result of the feeding activity are combined into one feeding score, so that an appropriate feeding rate command value can be easily calculated.

[0009] The feeding score may be calculated so that the direction of change in the feeding score in response to an increase in the amount of remaining food is opposite to the direction of change in the feeding score in response to an increase in feeding activity. In this case, a feeding score that more accurately represents the amount of food given can be calculated.

[0010] The degree of influence of the feeding activity on the feeding score may be decreased as the evaluation result of the remaining food amount exceeds a predetermined level. In this case, by increasing the degree of influence of the remaining food amount on the feeding score as the remaining food amount exceeds the predetermined level, excessive feeding can be more reliably suppressed.

[0011] The method may further include displaying the feeding score on a user interface, which makes it easier for an operator to recognize whether the feeding is excessive or insufficient.

[0012] The target score may be displayed on the user interface together with the feeding score, which can further improve the ease with which the operator can recognize whether the animal is being fed too much or too little.

[0013] The method may further include correcting the feeding rate command value based on a feeding rate target value planned in advance. In this case, the feeding rate is adjusted according to the feeding state, and deviation of the feeding performance from the feeding plan can be suppressed.

[0014] The method may further include calculating a target feeding rate according to time based on a feeding pattern that indicates the relationship between the feeding rate and the time elapsed from the feeding start time to the feeding end time. In this case, by changing the target feeding rate according to time, the feeding amount can be finely adjusted to suit the ecology of the aquatic organism.

[0015] The feeding start time of the feeding pattern may be changed according to the sunrise time, the feeding end time of the feeding pattern may be changed according to the sunset time, and the feeding rate target value according to the time may be calculated based on the changed feeding pattern. By changing the feeding pattern according to the sunrise time and the sunset time, the user does not need to change the daily feeding start time, making it easier to set the feeding.

[0016] The method may further include evaluating the weight of the aquatic organism and calculating a daily target feeding amount based on the evaluation result of the weight of the aquatic organism, and may calculate a feeding rate target value according to time based on the feeding amount target value and the feeding pattern. In this case, by further based on the evaluation result of the weight of the aquatic organism, a more efficient feeding rate target value can be calculated.

[0017] The feeding rate target value may be calculated according to time so that the total amount of food fed from the feeding start time to the feeding end time according to the feeding pattern matches the feeding amount target value. The evaluation result of the weight of the aquatic organism can be easily and appropriately reflected in the feeding rate target value.

[0018] Evaluating the weight of the aquatic organism may include obtaining a measurement result of the weight of the aquatic organism, evaluating the amount of food intake from the time of measurement of the weight of the aquatic organism to the time of evaluation based on the feeding rate, estimating the weight gain rate of the aquatic organism from the time of measurement to the time of evaluation based on the evaluation result of the amount of food intake, and estimating the weight of the aquatic organism at the time of evaluation based on the measurement result of the weight of the aquatic organism and the estimated result of the weight gain rate of the aquatic organism. In this case, by combining the measurement of the total weight with the estimation of the total weight based on the evaluation result of the amount of food intake, it is possible to suppress a shortage of the increase in the amount of food given relative to the increase in the weight of the aquatic organism.

[0019] The method may further include estimating the population of the aquatic organisms at the time of evaluation based on the predicted rate of decrease in the population of the aquatic organisms, obtaining measurements of the weight of each of the aquatic organisms, estimating the weight of each of the aquatic organisms at the time of evaluation based on the measurements of the weight of each of the aquatic organisms and the estimated rate of weight increase of the aquatic organisms, and estimating the total weight of the aquatic organisms at the time of evaluation based on the estimated weight of each organism and the estimated population. In this case, the total weight of the aquatic organisms can be estimated with higher reliability by further basing the estimation on the predicted rate of decrease in the population of the aquatic organisms.

[0020] The method may further include displaying the feeding pattern on a user interface, in which case the operator can easily recognize the set feeding pattern.

[0021] The sunrise and sunset times may be displayed on the user interface together with the feeding pattern, allowing the operator to easily recognize the relationship between the sunrise and sunset times and the feeding pattern that has already been set.

[0022] The feeding pattern may be changed based on an edit input to the feeding pattern displayed on the user interface, and a feeding rate target value according to the time may be calculated based on the changed feeding pattern. In this case, the feeding pattern can be changed by editing the feeding pattern displayed on the user interface, which further improves usability for the operator.

[0023] The method may further include saving the feeding pattern displayed on the user interface based on a save command input, and reading out the saved feeding pattern and displaying it on the user interface based on a read command input. In this case, by making the set feeding pattern reusable, usability for the operator can be further improved.

[0024] The method may further include allocating the stored feeding pattern to a shortcut object of the user interface based on the input of the allocation command, and reading out the stored feeding pattern and displaying it on the user interface in response to an operation of the shortcut object. In this case, it is possible to further improve usability for the operator by making it easier to call up the stored feeding pattern.

[0025] The method may further include displaying a current feeding rate for each of the plurality of cages on a user interface, which allows an operator to easily recognize the feeding status in the plurality of cages.

[0026] The method may further include displaying the current feeding rate and the achievement rate of the feed amount target value for each of the plurality of fish cages on the user interface. In this case, the feeding status in the plurality of fish cages can be more easily recognized by the operator.

[0027] The method may further include displaying on a user interface a feeding rate, which indicates the amount of feeding as a ratio to the total weight of the aquatic organisms, and a rate of increase in the total weight of the aquatic organisms for each of the plurality of fish pens. In this case, the operator can easily recognize the appropriateness of the feeding conditions.

[0028] Displaying the feeding rate and the growth rate on the user interface may include displaying a distribution chart in which the feeding rate and the growth rate are mapped for each of the plurality of pens on a coordinate system having a first coordinate axis representing the magnitude of the feeding rate and a second coordinate axis representing the magnitude of the growth rate, which allows the operator to more easily recognize the appropriateness of the feeding conditions.

[0029] For each weight gain coefficient, which indicates the ratio of the feeding rate to the growth rate, a plurality of contour lines showing the relationship between the feeding rate and the growth rate may be further displayed on the distribution chart (a plurality of contour lines of the weight gain coefficient may be displayed on the distribution chart). In this case, the operator can more easily recognize the appropriateness of the feeding conditions.

[0030] The amount of remaining food may be evaluated based on images taken by a camera installed in the fish cage facing upward and below the feeding area of ​​the aquatic organisms. In this case, the amount of remaining food can be evaluated with high reliability.

[0031] The feeding activity may further be evaluated based on the images from the camera, in which case the feeding activity can also be evaluated with high reliability.

[0032] The amount of image change caused by the movement of the aquatic organism may be calculated based on the image captured by the camera, and the feeding activity may be evaluated based on the amount of image change. In this case, the feeding activity can be easily evaluated based on the image captured by the camera.

[0033] The feeding activity may be evaluated such that the greater the amount of image change, the lower the feeding activity, which allows the feeding activity to be evaluated with higher reliability.

[0034] A feeding system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a feeding machine that supplies feed into a fish cage housing aquatic organisms, a sensor that detects the environment within the cage, and a feeding control device that adjusts the feeding speed by the feeding machine. The feeding control device has a remaining feed evaluation unit that evaluates the amount of remaining feed based on the detection results of the environment within the cage by the sensor, a feeding activity evaluation unit that evaluates the feeding activity of the aquatic organisms based on the detection results of the environment within the cage, and a speed control unit that generates a feeding speed command value based on the evaluation results of the remaining feed amount and the evaluation results of the feeding activity, and controls the feeding machine to feed at a feeding speed corresponding to the feeding speed command value.

[0035] A program according to one embodiment of the present disclosure causes an apparatus to perform the following operations: evaluate the amount of remaining food based on the results of detection of the environment inside the fish cage by a sensor installed in the fish cage; evaluate the feeding activity of the aquatic organisms in the fish cage based on the results of detection of the environment inside the fish cage; generate a feeding rate command value based on the evaluation results of the remaining food amount and the evaluation results of the feeding activity, and control a feeder to feed at a feeding rate corresponding to the feeding rate command value. Effect of the Invention

[0036] The present disclosure provides a feeding method, feeding system, and program that are effective for more efficient feeding. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0037]

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[0038] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same elements or elements having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted.

[0039] [Aquaculture system] The aquaculture system 1 shown in Fig. 1 is an apparatus used for cultivating aquatic organisms. Specific examples of aquatic organisms include, but are not limited to, salmon and yellowtail. The aquaculture system 1 includes a plurality of fish cages 2 and a feeding system 3. Each of the plurality of fish cages 2 houses one or more aquatic organisms. The feeding system 3 includes a plurality of feeding devices 4 that supply feed to each of the plurality of fish cages 2. Each of the plurality of feeding devices 4 includes a feeder 5 and a sensor 6.

[0040] The feeder 5 is driven by an electric motor or the like, and supplies feed into the corresponding cage 2 at a feeding speed according to a control command. The feeding speed indicates the amount of feed supplied into the cage 2 per unit time. The feeding amount is, for example, the amount (e.g., mass) of feed supplied. The sensor 6 detects the environment inside the corresponding cage 2 (environment inside the cage). Detecting the environment inside the cage 2 means acquiring one or more types of environmental information that at least partially represents the environment inside the cage 2. Specific examples of the environmental information include the temperature inside the cage 2, the brightness inside the cage 2, noise inside the cage 2, images inside the cage 2, etc.

[0041] As an example, the sensor 6 has underwater cameras 7 and 8. The underwater cameras 7 capture images in the water of the corresponding fish pens 2 that enable the size of the aquatic organisms to be recognized. For example, the underwater cameras 7 are stereo cameras that can detect the distance from the underwater cameras 7 to the aquatic organisms. The stereo cameras can detect the size of the aquatic organisms based on the size of the organisms in the images and the distance to the organisms.

[0042] The underwater cameras 8 are cameras capable of detecting remaining bait in the water within the corresponding fish cages 2. The underwater cameras 8 are provided near the bottom of the fish cages 2 and point upward. Remaining bait refers to bait that has been supplied to the fish cages 2 but not ingested by the aquatic organisms. The underwater cameras 8 facing upward near the bottom of the fish cages 2 can detect remaining bait that has not been ingested by the aquatic organisms that feed near the water surface and has instead sunk further down from the depth at which the aquatic organisms feed.

[0043] The feeding control device 100 adjusts the feeding rate of the feeding device 4 by controlling the power source (e.g., the electric motor described above) of the feeding machine 5. For example, the feeding control device 100 is configured to calculate a feeding rate command value based on the detection result of the environment inside the cage by the sensor 6, and control the feeding machine 5 to feed at a feeding rate corresponding to the feeding rate command value.

[0044] For example, the feeding control device 100 may be configured to evaluate the amount of remaining food based on the detection results of the environment inside the fish cage by sensor 6, evaluate the feeding activity of the aquatic organisms in the fish cage 2 based on the detection results of the environment inside the fish cage, generate a feeding rate command value based on the evaluation results of the remaining food amount and the evaluation results of the feeding activity, and control the feeding device to feed at a feeding rate corresponding to the feeding rate command value.

[0045] In this case, the feeding control device 100 may calculate a feeding score based on the evaluation result of the remaining food amount and the evaluation result of the feeding activity, and calculate a feeding rate command value so that the feeding score tracks the target score.

[0046] The feeding system 3 may further include a management device 200. The management device 200 is capable of communicating with the feeding control devices 100 of the multiple feeding devices 4 via a network line such as a local area network, and generates a feeding plan for each of the multiple fish pens 2. The feeding control device 100 controls the feeders 5 so that the feeding performance in the corresponding fish pen 2 does not deviate significantly from the feeding plan.

[0047] For example, the management device 200 calculates the feeding rate target value according to the time on the basis of the feeding pattern that indicates the relationship between the elapsed time from the feeding start time to the feeding end time and the feeding rate on a daily basis. In this case, the feeding control device 100 may correct the feeding rate command value calculated as described above based on the feeding rate target value.

[0048] The management device 200 may further be configured to change the feeding start time according to the sunrise time and change the feeding end time according to the sunset time, and to calculate a feeding rate target value according to the time based on a feeding pattern in which the feeding start time is changed according to the sunrise time and the feeding end time is changed according to the sunset time.

[0049] In addition, the management device 200 may further be configured to evaluate the weight of the aquatic organisms for each of the multiple fish cages 2, and calculate a daily feeding amount target value based on the evaluation results of the weight of the aquatic organisms, and to calculate a feeding rate target value according to the time of day based on the feeding amount target value and the feeding pattern.

[0050] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the feeding control device 100 and the management device 200. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the feeding control device 100 has, as functional components (hereinafter referred to as "functional blocks"), a remaining food evaluation unit 111, a feeding activity evaluation unit 112, a score calculation unit 113, and a speed control unit 114.

[0051] The remaining feed evaluation unit 111 evaluates the amount of remaining feed based on the detection result of the environment inside the fish cage by the sensor 6. For example, the remaining feed evaluation unit 111 evaluates the amount of remaining feed based on an image taken by the underwater camera 8. For example, the remaining feed evaluation unit 111 processes the image taken by the underwater camera 8 to recognize food particles and calculates a numerical value representing the number of food particles as the evaluation result of the remaining feed amount. For example, the remaining feed evaluation unit 111 calculates the number of food particles in the image taken by the underwater camera 8 as the evaluation result of the remaining feed amount. The remaining feed evaluation unit 111 may calculate a value obtained by performing an operation such as multiplying the number of food particles by a predetermined coefficient as the evaluation result of the remaining feed amount.

[0052] The feeding activity evaluation unit 112 evaluates the feeding activity of the aquatic organisms in the cage 2 based on the detection result of the environment inside the cage. The feeding activity evaluation unit 112 may evaluate the feeding activity based on images from the underwater camera 8. For example, the feeding activity evaluation unit 112 calculates the amount of image change caused by the movement of the aquatic organisms based on the images from the underwater camera 8, and evaluates the feeding activity based on the amount of image change. For example, the feeding activity evaluation unit 112 calculates the average amount of change in pixel value of each pixel in the image from the underwater camera 8 as the amount of image change.

[0053] As described above, the underwater camera 8 is disposed near the bottom of the cage 2 and faces upward. Therefore, the underwater camera 8 can capture the movements of aquatic organisms above it. When an aquatic organism is near the underwater camera 8, the amount of image change caused by the organism's movements is large. On the other hand, when an aquatic organism is away from the underwater camera 8 and near the water surface, the amount of image change caused by the organism's movements is small. Fish, which are an example of aquatic organisms, tend to feed near the water surface, so the higher the feeding activity, the more aquatic organisms rise to the surface and the smaller the amount of image change caused by the organism's movements. When the feeding activity is low, the number of aquatic organisms near the underwater camera 8 increases, and the amount of image change caused by the organism's movements is large.

[0054] In response to this property, the feeding activity evaluation unit 112 may evaluate the feeding activity so that the greater the amount of image change, the lower the feeding activity. For example, the feeding activity evaluation unit 112 may calculate the evaluation result of the feeding activity by performing an operation such as multiplying the reciprocal of the numerical value representing the amount of image change by a predetermined coefficient. As a result, the greater the amount of image change, the lower the evaluation result of the feeding activity.

[0055] The score calculation unit 113 may calculate a feeding score based on the evaluation result of the remaining food amount by the remaining food evaluation unit 111 and the evaluation result of the feeding activity by the feeding activity evaluation unit 112. The score calculation unit 113 may calculate the feeding score such that the direction of change in the feeding score as the remaining food amount increases is opposite to the direction of change in the feeding score as the feeding activity increases.

[0056] For example, the score calculation unit 113 may calculate the feeding score such that the higher the feeding activity, the higher the feeding score, and the larger the amount of remaining food, the lower the feeding score. As an example, the score calculation unit 113 may calculate the feeding score by subtracting the evaluation result of the remaining food amount from the evaluation result of the feeding activity. The score calculation unit 113 may calculate the feeding score by performing an operation based on values ​​obtained by weighting the evaluation result of the feeding activity and the evaluation result of the remaining food amount.

[0057] For example, the score calculation unit 113 calculates a feeding score by multiplying the evaluation result of the remaining food amount by the remaining food evaluation unit 111 by minus 1 and adding the result to the evaluation result of the feeding activity by the feeding activity evaluation unit 112, as shown by block 122 and summation point 123.

[0058] The score calculation unit 113 may calculate the feeding score such that the greater the remaining food amount, the higher the feeding score, and the higher the feeding activity, the lower the feeding score. As an example, the score calculation unit 113 may calculate the feeding score by subtracting the evaluation result of the feeding activity from the evaluation result of the remaining food amount. The score calculation unit 113 may also calculate the feeding score by performing an operation based on weighted values ​​of the evaluation result of the remaining food amount and the evaluation result of the feeding activity.

[0059] The speed control unit 114 generates a feeding speed command value based on the evaluation result of the remaining food amount by the remaining feed evaluation unit 111 and the evaluation result of the feeding activity by the feeding activity evaluation unit 112, and controls the feeding machine 5 to feed at a feeding speed corresponding to the feeding speed command value. The speed control unit 114 may calculate the feeding speed command value so that the feeding score follows the target score. The speed control unit 114 may calculate the feeding speed command value so that the feeding speed command value becomes smaller as the remaining food amount increases and becomes larger as the feeding activity increases.

[0060] For example, when the feeding score is calculated such that the higher the feeding activity, the higher the feeding score, and the more the remaining food amount, the lower the feeding score, the speed control unit 114 changes the feeding speed command value according to the deviation obtained by subtracting the target score from the feeding score. The more the remaining food amount, the smaller the feeding score, so the deviation shifts in the negative direction and the feeding speed command value becomes smaller. On the other hand, the higher the feeding activity, the higher the feeding score, so the deviation shifts in the positive direction and the feeding speed command value becomes larger.

[0061] For example, the speed control unit 114 calculates a speed correction value Δm by performing a proportional operation, a proportional-integral operation, or a proportional-integral-differential operation on the deviation obtained by subtracting the target score sc_ref from the feeding score sc, as shown by a summing point 131 and a block 132. The speed control unit 114 adds the speed correction value Δm to the already generated feeding speed command value m, as shown by a summing point 133, to correct the feeding speed command value m. In this way, the feeding speed command value is calculated so that the more the remaining feed amount is, the smaller the feeding speed command value becomes, and the higher the feeding activity is, the larger the feeding speed command value becomes.

[0062] When the feeding score is calculated such that the more the remaining food amount, the higher the feeding score, and the higher the feeding activity, the lower the feeding score, the speed control unit 114 changes the feeding speed command value according to the deviation obtained by subtracting the remaining food score from the target score. The more the remaining food amount, the higher the feeding score, so the deviation shifts in the negative direction and the feeding speed command value becomes smaller. On the other hand, the higher the feeding activity, the lower the feeding score, so the deviation shifts in the positive direction and the feeding speed command value becomes larger.

[0063] The score calculation unit 113 may lower the influence of feeding activity on the feeding score when the evaluation result of the remaining food amount exceeds a predetermined level. For example, the score calculation unit 113 has a calculation method switching unit 121. The calculation method switching unit 121 switches between a normal state and a remaining food priority state in which the influence of feeding activity on the feeding score is lower compared to the normal state.

[0064] For example, in the normal state, the calculation method switching unit 121 outputs the output of the summation point 123 as the feeding score. On the other hand, in the remaining feed priority state, the calculation method switching unit 121 outputs the output of the block 122 as the feeding score. The output of the block 122 is based only on the evaluation result of the remaining food amount by the remaining food evaluation unit 111. Therefore, in the illustrated example, in the remaining food priority state, the influence of feeding activity on the feeding score is zero.

[0065] The calculation method switching unit 121 sets the score calculation unit 113 to a normal state when the amount of remaining feed is below a predetermined level, and switches the score calculation unit 113 from the normal state to a remaining feed priority state when the amount of remaining feed exceeds the predetermined level. When the normal state switches to the remaining feed priority state, the feeding score value becomes lower, and the feeding speed command value becomes smaller. As a result, the amount of remaining feed decreases, and when it falls below the predetermined level, the calculation method switching unit 121 switches from the remaining feed priority state to the normal state.

[0066] The feeding control device 100 may be further configured to correct the feeding speed command value based on a feeding speed target value planned in advance. For example, the speed control unit 114 may have a limiter 117. The limiter 117 limits the feeding speed command value to be equal to or less than the feeding speed target value calculated by the management device 200. For example, when the feeding speed command value m corrected by the speed correction value Δm exceeds the feeding speed target value, the limiter 117 changes the feeding speed command value m to the same value as the feeding speed target value. When the feeding speed command value m corrected by the speed correction value Δm is below the feeding speed target value, the limiter 117 does not change the feeding speed command value m. According to the limiter 117, when the feeding speed target value is zero, the feeding speed command value becomes zero.

[0067] The process of correcting the feeding speed command value based on the feeding speed target value is not necessarily limited to the limit process exemplified by the limiter 117. For example, the feeding control device 100 may calculate an average value of the feeding speed command value m corrected by the speed correction value Δm and the feeding speed target value, and change the value of the feeding speed command value m to the average value. In calculating the average value, the feeding control device 100 may assign a predetermined weight to each of the feeding speed command value m and the feeding speed target value.

[0068] The feeding control device 100 may be configured to change the feeding speed command value by manual operation. For example, the feeding control device 100 may further include a manual input acquisition unit 115 and an automatic / manual switching unit 116. The manual input acquisition unit 115 acquires a feeding speed command value determined by manual operation. The manual input acquisition unit 115 may acquire a feeding speed command value input by manual operation to a user interface 295 of the management device 200 described later from the management device 200. The automatic / manual switching unit 116 switches between an automatic mode in which the feeding machine 5 is controlled based on the feeding speed command value calculated by the speed control unit 114, and a manual mode in which the feeding machine 5 is controlled based on the feeding speed command value acquired by the manual input acquisition unit 115. In the manual mode, the speed control unit 114 controls the feeding machine 5 based on the feeding speed command value acquired by the manual input acquisition unit 115.

[0069] The automatic / manual switching unit 116 may acquire a switching command inputted manually from the management device 200 to a user interface 295 of the management device 200 described below, and switch between the automatic mode and the manual mode in accordance with the acquired switching command.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 2, the management device 200 has a weight measurement unit 216, a weight evaluation unit 211, a feeding amount target value calculation unit 212, a sunrise / sunset information acquisition unit 213, a feeding rate target value calculation unit 214, and a target score setting unit 215.

[0071] The weight measurement unit 216 measures the weight of the aquatic organism. Measuring the weight of the aquatic organism means measuring the weight of at least one aquatic organism in the cage 2, and also includes measuring the total weight (total body weight) of the aquatic organisms in the cage 2. Furthermore, measuring the weight of the aquatic organism includes measuring a value that is correlated to a certain degree with the weight of the aquatic organism, and then estimating the weight of the aquatic organism based on the measurement result.

[0072] As an example, the weight measuring unit 216 measures the size of the aquatic organisms in the image and the distance to the aquatic organisms based on the image taken by the above-mentioned underwater camera 7, and estimates the weight of each of the aquatic organisms based on the measurement results. The weight measuring unit 216 may count the number of aquatic organisms in the cage 2 based on the image taken by the underwater camera 7, and estimate the total weight of the aquatic organisms in the cage 2 based on the estimated weight of each organism and the counted number of organisms. The weight measuring unit 216 may repeat measuring the weight of the aquatic organisms at a predetermined measurement period.

[0073] The weight evaluation unit 211 evaluates the weight of the aquatic organism. Evaluating the weight of the aquatic organism includes measuring the weight of the aquatic organism and estimating the weight of the aquatic organism based on past data. Evaluating the weight of the aquatic organism includes evaluating the weight of each aquatic organism and evaluating the total weight (total weight) of the aquatic organism.

[0074] For example, the weight evaluation unit 211 may perform the following as an example of evaluating the weight of an aquatic organism: acquiring a measurement result of the weight of the aquatic organism; evaluating the amount of food intake from the time of measurement of the weight of the aquatic organism to the time of evaluation based on the feeding rate; estimating the weight gain rate of the aquatic organism from the time of measurement to the time of evaluation based on the evaluation result of the amount of food intake; and estimating the weight of the aquatic organism at the time of evaluation based on the measurement result of the weight of the aquatic organism and the estimated result of the weight gain rate of the aquatic organism. As an example of the measurement result of the weight of the aquatic organism, the weight evaluation unit 211 may acquire the measurement result of the weight of the aquatic organism by the weight measurement unit 216. The rate of increase is a value obtained by making the degree of increase dimensionless and expressing it as a ratio. The rate of increase may be the ratio of the amount of increase to the amount before the increase, or the ratio of the amount of increase to the amount after the increase. For example, the rate of weight increase may be the ratio of the amount of weight increase to the weight before the increase, or the ratio of the amount of weight increase to the weight after the increase.

[0075] The method of measuring the weight of an aquatic organism is not limited to the above-mentioned measurement based on an image taken by the underwater camera 7. The weight evaluation unit 211 may obtain the result of measuring the weight directly by landing one or more aquatic organisms.

[0076] The weight evaluation unit 211 may further estimate the population of the aquatic organisms at the time of evaluation based on the predicted rate of decrease in the population of the aquatic organisms. In this case, the weight evaluation unit 211 may estimate the total weight of the aquatic organisms at the time of evaluation based on the predicted rate of decrease in the population of the aquatic organisms.

[0077] For example, the weight evaluation unit 211 may obtain the measurement results of the weight of each aquatic organism from the weight measurement unit 216, estimate the weight of each aquatic organism at the time of evaluation based on the measurement results of the weight of each aquatic organism and the estimated result of the weight gain rate of the aquatic organism, and estimate the total weight of the aquatic organisms at the time of evaluation based on the estimated result of the weight of each organism and the estimated result of the number of individuals.

[0078] In estimating the number of aquatic organisms, the weight evaluation unit 211 may estimate the number of aquatic organisms at the time of evaluation based on the number of organisms measured before being placed in the cage 2 and the above-mentioned predicted reduction rate. More specifically, the weight evaluation unit 211 may estimate the number of organisms that has decreased by the time of evaluation based on the number of organisms, the predicted reduction rate, and the elapsed time from the measurement time to the time of evaluation, and estimate the number of organisms of aquatic organisms at the time of evaluation by subtracting the estimated result of the reduction from the measured number of organisms.

[0079] The target feeding amount calculation unit 212 calculates a daily feeding amount target value based on the evaluation result of the weight of the aquatic organism. For example, the target feeding amount calculation unit 212 calculates the feeding amount target value by multiplying the total weight by a predetermined target feeding rate. The feeding rate is the ratio of the daily feeding amount to the total weight of the aquatic organism. The target feeding rate is a target value of the feeding rate.

[0080] The target feeding amount calculation unit 212 may determine a target feeding rate for a date based on a feeding rate profile showing the relationship between the date and the feeding rate and the date for which the target feeding amount is to be calculated, and calculate the target feeding amount by multiplying the determined target feeding rate by the total body weight.

[0081] The sunrise / sunset information acquisition unit 213 acquires information on sunrise and sunset times. For example, the sunrise / sunset information acquisition unit 213 acquires information on sunrise and sunset times via a wide area network from an information site that publishes information on sunrise and sunset times. The information on sunrise and sunset times may be stored in advance in the management device 200. In this case, the sunrise / sunset information acquisition unit 213 acquires information on sunrise and sunset times based on data stored in its own device.

[0082] The feeding rate target value calculation unit 214 calculates the feeding rate target value according to time based on the feeding pattern that indicates the relationship between the elapsed time from the feeding start time to the feeding end time and the feeding rate. The feeding pattern may at least indicate the relative change in the feeding rate according to the change in time, and may not indicate the magnitude of the feeding rate at each time. In this case, other information is required to determine the feeding rate target value according to time based on the feeding pattern.

[0083] The feeding rate target value calculation unit 214 may use the above-mentioned daily feeding amount target value as further information and calculate the feeding rate target value according to time based on the feeding amount target value and the feeding pattern. For example, the feeding rate target value calculation unit 214 calculates the feeding rate target value according to time so that the total feeding amount from the feeding start time to the feeding end time according to the feeding pattern matches the feeding amount target value. As an example, the feeding rate target value calculation unit 214 may express the feeding rate at each time as a ratio to the total feeding amount of the day based on the feeding pattern, and calculate the feeding rate target value at each time by multiplying the ratio at each time by the feeding amount target value.

[0084] The feeding rate target value calculation unit 214 may change the feeding start time of the feeding pattern according to the sunrise time, change the feeding end time of the feeding pattern according to the sunset time, and calculate the feeding rate target value according to the time based on the changed feeding pattern.

[0085] The time from the start of feeding to the end of feeding also changes due to the change in the feeding start time and the feeding end time. Hereinafter, this time is referred to as the "feeding time", the feeding time before the feeding start time and the feeding end time are changed is referred to as the "feeding time before change", and the feeding time after the feeding start time and the feeding end time are changed is referred to as the "feeding time after change". The feeding speed target value calculation unit 214 may expand or contract the entire feeding pattern in the time axis direction according to the ratio of the feeding time after change to the feeding time before change.

[0086] The feeding rate target value calculated by the feeding rate target value calculation unit 214 is used to correct the feeding rate command value in the feeding control device 100, as described above. When the process of correcting the feeding rate command value based on the feeding rate target value is the limit process described above, and the feeding rate command value is suppressed to be equal to or lower than the feeding rate target value, the actual feeding amount for one day will always be suppressed to be equal to or lower than the feeding amount target value. To avoid this, the feeding rate target value calculation unit 214 may expand the feeding rate target value calculated based on the feeding amount target value and the feeding pattern by multiplying it by a predetermined magnification factor, for example.

[0087] The target score setting unit 215 sets the above-mentioned target score for the feeding score. The target score setting unit 215 may change the feeding score based on a user input. For example, when the position of the line indicating the target score is changed by the user in the feeding score graph 400 described later, the target score setting unit 215 may set the target score accordingly.

[0088] The management device 200 may further be configured to display the feeding pattern on a user interface. The management device 200 may be configured to change the feeding pattern based on an editing input to the feeding pattern displayed on the user interface.

[0089] The management device 200 may be further configured to save the feeding pattern displayed on the user interface based on a save command input, and to read out the saved feeding pattern and display it on the user interface based on a read command input. The management device 200 may be further configured to assign the saved feeding pattern to a shortcut object (e.g., a shortcut button) of the user interface based on an assignment command input, and to read out the saved feeding pattern and display it on the user interface in response to an operation of the shortcut object.

[0090] Additionally, the management device 200 may be further configured to display the feeding rate profile on a user interface. The management device 200 may be configured to modify the feeding rate profile based on editing inputs to the feeding rate profile displayed on the user interface.

[0091] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the management device 200 has a feeding pattern acquisition unit 221, a target feeding rate acquisition unit 222, a feeding pattern storage unit 223, a feeding pattern storage unit 224, a feeding pattern reading unit 225, and a shortcut processing unit 226.

[0092] The feeding pattern acquisition unit 221 displays a feeding pattern input screen on a user interface 295 described later, and acquires a feeding pattern based on the input to the feeding pattern input screen. For example, the feeding pattern acquisition unit 221 may display a feeding pattern on the feeding pattern input screen and change the feeding pattern based on an edit input for the feeding pattern displayed on the feeding pattern input screen. When the feeding pattern acquisition unit 221 changes the feeding pattern, the above-described feeding rate target value calculation unit 214 calculates a feeding rate target value according to time based on the changed feeding pattern.

[0093] The feeding pattern acquisition unit 221 may display the sunrise time and the sunset time on the feeding pattern input screen together with the feeding pattern. The feeding pattern acquisition unit 221 may display the correspondence between the elapsed time in the feeding pattern and the sunrise time and the sunset time on the feeding pattern input screen.

[0094] The target feeding rate acquisition unit 222 displays a feeding rate input screen on a user interface 295 described later, and acquires a feeding rate profile based on the input to the feeding rate input screen. For example, the target feeding rate acquisition unit 222 may display a feeding rate profile on the feeding rate input screen and change the feeding rate profile based on an edit input for the feeding rate profile displayed on the feeding rate input screen. When the target feeding rate acquisition unit 222 changes the feeding rate profile, the above-described feeding amount target value calculation unit 212 specifies the feeding rate profile of the date for which the feeding amount target value is to be calculated based on the changed feeding rate profile.

[0095] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a planning screen that combines the above-described feeding pattern input screen and feeding rate input screen. The feeding pattern acquisition unit 221 and the target feeding rate acquisition unit 222 display the planning screen 300 shown in FIG. 4 for one of the plurality of fish cages 2 that is the input target for the feeding pattern and the feeding rate profile.

[0096] The planning screen 300 includes a feeding pattern input screen 310 and a feeding rate input screen 320. The planning screen 300 includes a numerical value input section 311, a feeding pattern display section 312, an update button 313, a read button 314, a save button 315, and shortcut buttons 316,317.

[0097] The numerical value input section 311 includes a plurality of numerical value input boxes 311a for each time. The feeding pattern acquisition section 221 displays input numerical values ​​in the plurality of numerical value input boxes 311a. As described later, the numerical values ​​displayed in the plurality of numerical value input boxes 311a are acquired as a feeding pattern. Therefore, displaying input numerical values ​​in the plurality of numerical value input boxes 311a corresponds to an example of displaying an input feeding pattern.

[0098] The feeding pattern display unit 312 displays the feeding pattern displayed in the numerical input unit 311 in a graph. For example, the feeding pattern display unit 312 displays the feeding pattern using a graph in which the horizontal axis represents elapsed time and the vertical axis represents the relative magnitude of the feeding speed. The feeding pattern acquisition unit 221 changes the color of the area corresponding to the time period from sunrise to sunset in the feeding pattern display unit 312 from the area corresponding to other time periods. As a result, the feeding pattern display unit 312 displays the correspondence between the elapsed time in the feeding pattern and the sunrise and sunset times.

[0099] The update button 313 is a button for instructing to update the feeding pattern based on the input to the numerical value input section 311. When the update button 313 is operated (e.g., clicked), the feeding pattern acquisition section 221 changes the feeding pattern based on the numerical values ​​displayed in the numerical value input boxes 311a. For example, the feeding pattern acquisition section 221 acquires, as the changed feeding pattern, a feeding pattern in which the numerical values ​​displayed in the numerical value input boxes 311a are respectively associated with a plurality of times in the same correspondence as that displayed in the numerical value input section 311.

[0100] The save button 315 is a button for inputting a save command to instruct saving the feeding pattern displayed in the numerical input section 311 and the feeding pattern display section 312. The read button 314 is a button for inputting a read command to instruct reading out a saved feeding pattern. The shortcut buttons 316 and 317 are buttons for instructing reading out a saved feeding pattern that has been assigned in advance.

[0101] The feeding rate input screen 320 has a numerical value input section 321, a feeding rate profile display section 322, and an update button 323. The numerical value input section 321 includes a plurality of numerical value input boxes 321a for each period of a predetermined length. Each period is specified, for example, by a start date and an end date. The target feeding rate acquisition section 222 displays the input numerical value in each of the plurality of numerical value input boxes 321a. As described below, the numerical values ​​displayed in the plurality of numerical value input boxes 321a are acquired as a feeding rate profile. Therefore, displaying the numerical values ​​that have been input in the plurality of numerical value input boxes 321a corresponds to an example of displaying the feeding rate profile that has been input.

[0102] The feeding rate profile display unit 322 displays in a graph the feeding rate profile displayed in the numerical value input unit 321. For example, the feeding rate profile display unit 322 displays the feeding rate profile in the form of a graph in which the horizontal axis represents elapsed time and the vertical axis represents the magnitude of the feeding rate.

[0103] Update button 323 is a button that instructs updating the feeding rate profile based on input to numeric input section 321. When update button 323 is operated (e.g. clicked), target feeding rate acquisition section 222 changes the feeding rate profile based on the numerical values ​​displayed in numerical input boxes 321a. For example, target feeding rate acquisition section 222 acquires, as the changed feeding rate profile, a feeding rate profile in which the numerical values ​​displayed in numerical input boxes 321a are respectively associated with a plurality of time periods in the same correspondence as displayed in numerical input section 321.

[0104] 3, based on a save command input, the feeding pattern saving unit 223 saves the feeding pattern displayed on the user interface in the feeding pattern memory unit 224. For example, in response to a save command input by operating (e.g. clicking) the save button 315, the feeding pattern saving unit 223 stores the feeding pattern displayed in the numerical value input unit 311 and the feeding pattern display unit 312 in the feeding pattern memory unit 224.

[0105] The feeding pattern reading unit 225 reads out the saved feeding patterns based on the read command input and displays them on the user interface. For example, the feeding pattern reading unit 225 displays a selection screen for saved feeding patterns in response to a read command input by operating (e.g., clicking) the read button 314, reads out the selected feeding pattern from the feeding pattern storage unit 224, and displays it on the numerical input unit 311 and the feeding pattern display unit 312.

[0106] The shortcut processing unit 226 assigns the saved feeding pattern to a shortcut object of the user interface based on the assignment command input. For example, the shortcut processing unit 226 displays a selection screen for saved feeding patterns in response to an assignment command input by a secondary operation (e.g., right-click) on the shortcut buttons 316 and 317, and assigns the selected feeding pattern to the shortcut buttons 316 and 317.

[0107] The shortcut processing unit 226 reads out the stored feeding pattern in response to the operation of the shortcut object and displays it on the user interface. For example, the shortcut processing unit 226 reads out the feeding pattern assigned to the shortcut button 316, 317 from the feeding pattern storage unit 224 and displays it on the numerical input unit 311 and the feeding pattern display unit 312 in response to the main operation (e.g., left click) on the shortcut button 316, 317.

[0108] The management device 200 may be configured to display the feeding score on the user interface, may be configured to display the current feeding rate on the user interface for each of the multiple fish cages 2, and may be configured to display the feeding rate and the rate of increase in the total weight of the aquatic organisms on the user interface for each of the multiple fish cages 2. The management device 200 may be configured to display the achievement rate of the feeding amount target value on the user interface in addition to the feeding rate.

[0109] For example, the management device 200 further includes a feeding score display unit 231, a feeding amount calculation unit 233, a feeding status display unit 232, a feeding rate calculation unit 234, a growth rate calculation unit 235, and a distribution chart display unit 236. The feeding score display unit 231 displays the feeding score on a user interface. The feeding score display unit 231 may display a target score together with the feeding score on a user interface. For example, the feeding score display unit 231 displays the feeding score for each of the multiple fish cages 2 in a graph, and displays a line representing the target score within the graph.

[0110] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of the feeding score. The feeding score graph 400 shown in Fig. 5 shows the feeding score for each of the multiple cages 2 by a bar graph. In the feeding score graph 400, multiple bar graphs each showing the feeding score of the multiple cages 2 are arranged vertically. The feeding score display unit 231 extends the corresponding bar graph leftward from the zero line 411 as the feeding score increases in the negative direction, and extends the corresponding bar graph rightward from the zero line 411 as the feeding score increases in the positive direction.

[0111] The feeding score display unit 231 displays a target line 412 parallel to the zero line 411 within the feeding score graph 400. When an operation (e.g., a drag operation) is performed to change the position of the target line 412 in the feeding score graph 400, the feeding score display unit 231 changes the display position of the target line 412 in response to the operation. In response to this, the above-mentioned target score setting unit 215 changes the target score based on the position of the target line 412 after the change.

[0112] The feeding amount calculation unit 233 calculates the feeding amount actual value by integrating the feeding rate command value in the feeding control device 100. The feeding status display unit 232 displays the current feeding rate on the user interface for each of the multiple fish cages 2. The feeding status display unit 232 may further display the achievement rate of the feeding amount target value for each of the multiple fish cages 2 on the user interface.

[0113] The feeding status display unit 232 may display the feeding rate and achievement rate for each of the multiple cages 2 numerically or graphically. A status screen 500 shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a screen displayed by the feeding status display unit 232. In the status screen 500, the feeding status display unit 232 displays, for each of the multiple cages 2, the identification information of the cage 2, the feeding rate [g / min], the daily total [kg] which is the actual feeding amount value on the date to which the current time belongs, and the period total [kg] which is the actual feeding amount value for the period to which the current time belongs. The feeding status display unit 232 displays the ratio [%] of the daily total to the target feeding amount value on the date as an example of the achievement rate. Furthermore, the feeding status display unit 232 displays the ratio [%] of the period total to the total of the target feeding amount value for the period as an example of the achievement rate.

[0114] The feeding rate calculation unit 234 calculates the actual value of the feeding rate for one day each time feeding is completed from the feeding start time to the feeding end time. The growth rate calculation unit 235 calculates the increase rate of the total weight each time weight is measured by the weight measurement unit 216. For example, the growth rate calculation unit 235 calculates the increase rate of the total weight per day based on the amount of increase from the total weight based on the previous measurement result to the total weight based on the current measurement result and the period from the previous measurement to the current measurement.

[0115] The distribution chart display unit 236 displays on the user interface the feeding rate and the rate of increase in the total weight of the aquatic organisms for each of the multiple cages 2. For example, the distribution chart display unit 236 displays a distribution chart in which the feeding rate calculated by the feeding rate calculation unit 234 and the rate of increase calculated by the distribution chart display unit 236 are mapped on a coordinate system having a first coordinate axis representing the magnitude of the feeding rate and a second coordinate axis representing the magnitude of the rate of increase for each of the multiple cages 2. The distribution chart display unit 236 may further display on the distribution chart a plurality of contour lines representing the relationship between the feeding rate and the rate of increase for each weight increase coefficient representing the ratio of the feeding rate to the rate of increase (a plurality of contour lines of the weight increase coefficient may be displayed on the distribution chart).

[0116] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a distribution chart displayed by the feeding rate calculation unit 234. The distribution chart 600 shown in FIG. 7 includes coordinates having a horizontal axis (first coordinate axis) representing the magnitude of the feeding rate and a vertical axis (second coordinate axis) representing the magnitude of the growth rate. The distribution chart display unit 236 maps a plurality of data points 612 representing the feeding rate and growth rate for each of the plurality of cages 2 to the coordinates of the distribution chart 600. The distribution chart display unit 236 also displays a plurality of contour lines 611 on the distribution chart 600. The distribution chart display unit 236 can clearly display the magnitude of the feeding rate and growth rate in each cage 2, while clearly displaying the magnitude of the weight gain coefficient in each cage 2.

[0117] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the feeding control device 100 and the management device 200. As shown in FIG. 8, the management device 200 has a circuit 290. The circuit 290 has one or more processors 291, a memory 292, a storage 293, a communication port 294, and a user interface 295. The storage 293 stores a program in a storage medium that causes the management device 200 to calculate a feeding speed target value according to time based on a feeding pattern that represents the relationship between the elapsed time from the feeding start time to the feeding end time and the feeding speed. For example, the storage 293 stores a program that causes the management device 200 to configure each of the above-mentioned functional blocks. Specific examples of the storage medium that configures the storage 293 include non-volatile semiconductor memory and a hard disk.

[0118] The memory 292 temporarily stores the program loaded from the storage 293 in a storage medium. A specific example of the storage medium constituting the memory 292 is a random access memory (RAM). The one or more processors 291 execute information processing corresponding to the program loaded in the memory 292 and constitute each functional block. Intermediate calculation results generated by the information processing of the one or more processors 291 are temporarily stored in the memory 292.

[0119] The communication port 294 communicates with the feeding control device 100 in response to commands from the one or more processors 291. The user interface 295 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal monitor, and an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. The user interface 295 notifies the one or more processors 291 of inputs to the input device, and displays an interface image on the display device in response to commands from the one or more processors 291. In the user interface 295, the input device may be incorporated in the display device, such as a so-called touch panel.

[0120] [Feeding method] Next, as an example of a feeding method, a feeding procedure executed by the feeding system 3 will be illustrated in detail. This procedure includes a feeding rate profile acquisition procedure, a feeding pattern acquisition procedure, a body weight evaluation procedure, a feeding rate target value generation procedure, an automatic feeding control procedure, a manual feeding control procedure, a feeding score display procedure, a feeding status display procedure, and a distribution chart display procedure. Each procedure will be illustrated in detail below.

[0121] (Procedure for obtaining feeding rate profile) This procedure is executed by the management device 200 when the feeding planning function is called by the user interface 295. As shown in Fig. 9, the management device 200 first executes steps S01 and S02.

[0122] In step S01, the target feeding rate acquisition unit 222 displays a feeding rate input screen on the user interface 295. For example, the target feeding rate acquisition unit 222 displays the above-mentioned planning screen 300 on the user interface 295. At this time, the target feeding rate acquisition unit 222 may display the most recently acquired feeding rate profile in the numerical value input unit 321 and the feeding rate profile display unit 322. If no acquired feeding rate profile exists, the target feeding rate acquisition unit 222 may display a predetermined initial profile in the numerical value input unit 321 and the feeding rate profile display unit 322.

[0123] In step S02, the target feeding rate acquisition unit 222 checks whether or not there has been any editing input to the feeding rate profile displayed on the feeding rate input screen 320. If it is determined in step S02 that there has been editing input, the management device 200 executes step S03. In step S03, the target feeding rate acquisition unit 222 updates the numerical value input unit 321 and the feeding rate profile display unit 322 in response to the editing input.

[0124] Next, the management device 200 executes step S04. If it is determined in step S02 that there is no editing input, the management device 200 executes step S04 without executing step S03. In step S04, the target feeding rate acquisition unit 222 checks whether or not there is an update command input by operating the update button 323. If it is determined in step S04 that there is no update command input, the management device 200 returns the process to step S02.

[0125] If it is determined in step S04 that an update command has been input, the management device 200 executes step S05. In step S05, the target feeding rate acquisition unit 222 changes the feeding rate profile based on the numerical values ​​being displayed in the plurality of numerical value input boxes 321a.

[0126] Thereafter, the management device 200 returns the process to step S02. Thereafter, the management device 200 repeats steps S02 to S05 until the planning screen 300 is closed. The management device 200 executes the above procedure for each of the multiple fish pens 2.

[0127] (Feeding pattern acquisition procedure) This procedure is also performed by the management device 200 when the feeding planning function described above is invoked. This procedure includes displaying the feeding pattern on a user interface. This procedure may further include displaying sunrise and sunset times on the user interface along with the feeding pattern, and may further include modifying the feeding pattern based on edit inputs to the feeding pattern displayed on the user interface.

[0128] This procedure may further include saving the feeding pattern displayed on the user interface based on a save command input, and reading out the saved feeding pattern and displaying it on the user interface based on a read command input, and may further include assigning the saved feeding pattern to a shortcut object of the user interface based on an assignment command input, and reading out the saved feeding pattern and displaying it on the user interface in response to an operation of the shortcut object.

[0129] As shown in Fig. 10, the management device 200 executes steps S11 and S12. In step S11, the feeding pattern acquisition unit 221 displays a feeding pattern input screen on the user interface 295. For example, the feeding pattern acquisition unit 221 displays the above-mentioned planning screen 300 on the user interface 295. At this time, the feeding pattern acquisition unit 221 may display the latest feeding pattern that has been acquired on the numerical input unit 311 and the feeding pattern display unit 312. If there is no acquired feeding pattern, the feeding pattern acquisition unit 221 may display a predetermined initial pattern on the numerical input unit 311 and the feeding pattern display unit 312.

[0130] In step S12, the feeding pattern readout unit 225 checks whether or not a readout command has been input by operating the readout button 314. If it is determined in step S12 that a readout command has been input, the management device 200 executes steps S13 and S14.

[0131] In step S13, the feeding pattern reading unit 225 displays a selection screen for the stored feeding patterns. In step S14, the feeding pattern reading unit 225 reads the selected feeding pattern from the feeding pattern storage unit 224 and displays it in the numerical value input unit 311 and the feeding pattern display unit 312.

[0132] Next, the management device 200 executes step S15. If it is determined in step S12 that there is no read command input, the management device 200 executes step S15 without executing steps S13 and S14. In step S15, the shortcut processing unit 226 checks whether or not there is a primary operation on the shortcut buttons 316 and 317. If it is determined in step S15 that there is a primary operation on the shortcut buttons 316 and 317, the management device 200 executes step S16. In step S16, the shortcut processing unit 226 reads out the feeding pattern assigned to the shortcut buttons 316 and 317 from the feeding pattern storage unit 224 and displays it on the numerical input unit 311 and the feeding pattern display unit 312.

[0133] Next, the management device 200 executes step S17. If it is determined in step S15 that there is no primary operation on the shortcut buttons 316, 317, the management device 200 executes step S17 without executing step S16. In step S17, the feeding pattern acquisition unit 221 checks whether or not there is an edit input for the feeding pattern displayed on the feeding pattern input screen 310. If it is determined in step S17 that there is an edit input, the management device 200 executes step S18. In step S18, the feeding pattern acquisition unit 221 updates the numerical input unit 311 and the feeding pattern display unit 312 in response to the edit input.

[0134] Next, the management device 200 executes step S21. If it is determined in step S17 that there is no editing input, the management device 200 executes step S21 without executing step S18. In step S21, the feeding pattern acquisition unit 221 checks whether or not an update command has been input by operating the update button 313. If it is determined in step S21 that an update command has been input, the management device 200 executes step S22. In step S22, the feeding pattern acquisition unit 221 changes the feeding rate profile based on the numerical values ​​displayed in the multiple numerical value input boxes 321a.

[0135] Next, the management device 200 executes step S23. If it is determined in step S21 that no update command has been input, the management device 200 executes step S23 without executing step S22. In step S23, it is confirmed whether or not a save command has been input by operating the save button 315. If it is determined in step S23 that a save command has been input, the management device 200 executes step S24. In step S24, the feeding pattern storage unit 223 stores the feeding pattern displayed in the numerical input unit 311 and the feeding pattern display unit 312 in the feeding pattern memory unit 224.

[0136] Next, the management device 200 executes step S25. If it is determined in step S23 that there is no save command input, the management device 200 executes step S25 without executing step S24. In step S25, the shortcut processing unit 226 checks whether there is an allocation command input by a secondary operation of the shortcut buttons 316, 317. If it is determined in step S25 that there is an allocation command input, the management device 200 executes steps S26, S27. In step S26, the shortcut processing unit 226 displays a selection screen for the saved feeding pattern. In step S27, the shortcut processing unit 226 assigns the selected feeding pattern to the shortcut button 316, 317.

[0137] Thereafter, the management device 200 returns the process to step S12. If it is determined in step S25 that no allocation command has been input, the management device 200 returns the process to step S12 without executing steps S26 and S27. Thereafter, the management device 200 repeats steps S11 to S27 until the planning screen 300 is closed. The management device 200 executes the above procedure for each of the multiple fish pens 2.

[0138] (Weight Assessment Procedure) This procedure includes measuring the weight of the aquatic organism, evaluating the amount of food intake from the time of measuring the weight of the aquatic organism to the time of evaluation based on the feeding rate, estimating the weight gain rate of the aquatic organism from the time of measuring the weight to the time of evaluation based on the evaluation result of the amount of food intake, and estimating the weight of the aquatic organism at the time of evaluation based on the measurement result of the total weight of the aquatic organism and the estimated result of the weight gain rate of the aquatic organism. This procedure further includes estimating the population of the aquatic organism at the time of evaluation based on the number of individuals of the aquatic organisms placed in the cage 2, and may estimate the total weight of the aquatic organism at the time of evaluation based on the estimated result of the population of the aquatic organism at the time of evaluation. For example, the weight per individual of the aquatic organism at the time of evaluation may be estimated based on the measurement result of the weight per individual of the aquatic organism and the estimated result of the weight gain rate of the aquatic organism, and the total weight of the aquatic organism at the time of evaluation may be estimated based on the estimated result of the weight per individual and the estimated result of the population.

[0139] As shown in FIG. 11, the management device 200 executes steps S31, S32, S33, S34, and S35. In step S31, the weight evaluation unit 211 acquires information on the number of individuals measured before being placed in the cage 2. Hereinafter, the information on the number of individuals acquired in step S31 is referred to as the "initial number of individuals." In step S32, the weight measurement unit 216 measures the weight of each aquatic organism. In step S33, the weight evaluation unit 211 waits for the date to change. In step S34, the weight evaluation unit 211 estimates the current number of individuals based on the predicted reduction rate of the aquatic organisms and the initial number of individuals. In step S34, the weight evaluation unit 211 may estimate the current number of individuals by subtracting the actual number of aquatic organisms that died after being placed in the cage 2 from the initial number of individuals.

[0140] In step S35, the weight evaluation unit 211 checks whether or not it is currently time to measure weight. If it is determined in step S35 that it is currently time to measure weight, the management device 200 executes step S36. If it is determined in step S35 that it is not currently time to measure weight, the management device 200 executes step S37. In step S36, the weight measurement unit 216 measures the weight of each aquatic organism. In step S37, the weight evaluation unit 211 estimates the weight of each aquatic organism based on the amount of food intake.

[0141] The weight evaluation unit 211 evaluates the amount of food intake from the most recent weight measurement to the present based on the feeding rate. For example, the weight evaluation unit 211 calculates an actual feeding rate value obtained by integrating the feeding rate from the most recent weight measurement to the present as the evaluation result of the amount of food intake. The weight evaluation unit 211 may calculate a value obtained by subtracting an estimated amount of remaining food from the actual feeding rate value as the evaluation result of the amount of food intake. The weight evaluation unit 211 estimates the weight gain rate of the aquatic organism from the time of measurement to the time of evaluation based on the evaluation result of the amount of food intake, and estimates the current weight of the aquatic organism based on the measurement result of the weight of the aquatic organism and the estimated result of the weight gain rate of the aquatic organism.

[0142] After steps S36 and S37, the management device 200 executes step S38. In step S38, the weight evaluation unit 211 estimates the total weight of the aquatic organisms at the time of evaluation based on the estimated weight per organism and the estimated number of organisms. The management device 200 then returns the process to step S34. The management device 200 executes the above procedure for each of the multiple fish pens 2.

[0143] (Feeding Planning Procedure) This procedure includes calculating a feeding rate target value according to time based on a feeding pattern that indicates the relationship between the feeding rate and the time elapsed from the feeding start time to the feeding end time. This procedure may further include changing the feeding start time according to sunrise and changing the feeding end time according to sunset, and may calculate a feeding rate target value according to time based on a feeding pattern in which the feeding start time is changed according to sunrise and the feeding end time is changed according to sunset.

[0144] This procedure may further include calculating a daily target feeding amount based on the evaluation result of the weight of the aquatic organism, and may calculate a feeding rate target value according to time based on the feeding amount target value and the feeding pattern. For example, the feeding rate target value according to time may be calculated so that the total amount of feed from the feeding start time to the feeding end time according to the feeding pattern matches the feeding amount target value.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 12, the management device 200 executes steps S41, S42, S43, and S44. In step S41, the feeding rate target value calculation unit 214 waits for the date to change. In step S42, the sunrise / sunset information acquisition unit 213 acquires information on the next sunrise / sunset time. In step S43, the feeding amount target value calculation unit 212 calculates the feeding amount target value for one day based on the evaluation result of the weight of the aquatic organism. In step S44, the feeding rate target value calculation unit 214 changes the feeding start time of the feeding pattern according to the sunrise time, changes the feeding end time of the feeding pattern according to the sunset time, and calculates the feeding rate target value according to the time based on the changed feeding pattern and the feeding amount target value. Hereinafter, the feeding rate target value according to the time for one day is referred to as the "feeding plan".

[0146] The management device 200 repeatedly executes the above procedure for each of the multiple fish cages 2. When the feeding pattern acquisition unit 221 changes the feeding pattern, the management device 200 calculates the feeding target speed according to the time based on the feeding pattern after the change.

[0147] (Automatic feeding control procedure) This procedure includes: evaluating the amount of remaining food based on the results of detection of the environment inside the fish cage 2 by a sensor 6 installed in the fish cage 2; evaluating the feeding activity of the aquatic organisms in the fish cage 2 based on the results of detection of the environment inside the fish cage; generating a feeding speed command value based on the evaluation results of the remaining food amount and the evaluation results of the feeding activity; and controlling the feeder 5 to feed at a feeding speed corresponding to the feeding speed command value.

[0148] The feeding rate command value may be calculated so that the greater the remaining feed amount, the smaller the feeding rate command value, and the greater the feeding activity, the greater the feeding rate command value. A feeding score may be calculated based on the evaluation result of the remaining feed amount and the evaluation result of the feeding activity, and the feeding rate command value may be calculated so that the feeding score follows the target score. The feeding score may be calculated so that the direction of change in the feeding score as the remaining feed amount increases is opposite to the direction of change in the feeding score as the feeding activity increases. The degree of influence of the feeding activity on the feeding score may be reduced as the remaining feed amount exceeds a predetermined level.

[0149] The procedure may further include correcting the feeding rate command based on a pre-planned feeding rate target.

[0150] The amount of remaining food may be evaluated based on images from an underwater camera 8 installed facing upward and below the feeding area of ​​the aquatic organisms in the cage 2, and feeding activity may further be evaluated based on images from the underwater camera 8. The amount of image change caused by the movement of the aquatic organisms may be calculated based on the images from the underwater camera 8, and feeding activity may be evaluated based on the amount of image change, or feeding activity may be evaluated so that the greater the amount of image change, the lower the feeding activity.

[0151] As shown in FIG. 13, the feeding control device 100 executes steps S51, S52, S53, S54, and S55. In step S51, the speed control unit 114 waits for an update of the feeding plan. In step S52, the speed control unit 114 waits for the feeding start time in the new feeding plan. In step S53, the speed control unit 114 starts controlling the feeding machine 5 based on the new feeding plan. In step S54, the speed control unit 114 waits for the feeding end time in the new feeding plan. In step S55, the speed control unit 114 stops controlling the feeding machine 5 based on the new feeding plan. The feeding control device 100 repeatedly executes the above procedures.

[0152] FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating a control procedure that is started in step S53 and stopped in step S55. As shown in FIG. 14, the feeding control device 100 executes steps S61, S62, S63, and S64. In step S61, the limiter 117 specifies a feeding speed target value corresponding to the current time based on the current time and the feeding plan. In step S62, the remaining food evaluation unit 111 acquires an underwater image taken by the underwater camera 8. In step S63, the remaining food evaluation unit 111 evaluates the amount of remaining food based on the underwater image, and the feeding activity evaluation unit 112 evaluates the feeding activity based on the underwater image. In step S64, the calculation method switching unit 121 checks whether the evaluation result of the remaining food amount is below a priority threshold, which is an example of the above-mentioned predetermined level.

[0153] If it is determined in step S64 that the evaluation result of the remaining feed amount is below the priority threshold, the feeding control device 100 executes step S65. If it is determined in step S64 that the evaluation result of the remaining feed amount is above the priority threshold, the feeding control device 100 executes step S66.

[0154] In step S65, the calculation method switching unit 121 sets the score calculation unit 113 to the normal state described above. As a result, the score calculation unit 113 calculates the feeding score based on the evaluation result of the remaining food amount and the evaluation result of the feeding activity by the calculation method of the normal state. In step S66, the calculation method switching unit 121 sets the score calculation unit 113 to the remaining food priority state described above. As a result, the score calculation unit 113 calculates the feeding score based on at least the evaluation result of the remaining food amount by the calculation method of the remaining food priority state in which the influence of the feeding activity on the feeding score is lower compared to the calculation method of the normal state.

[0155] After steps S65 and S66, the feeding control device 100 executes steps S67 and S68. In step S67, the speed control unit 114 calculates a feeding speed command value so that the feeding score calculated by the score calculation unit 113 follows the target score. In step S68, the limiter 117 checks whether the calculated feeding speed command value exceeds the feeding speed target value. If it is determined in step S68 that the feeding speed command value exceeds the feeding speed target value, the feeding control device 100 executes step S71. In step S71, the limiter 117 changes the feeding speed command value to the same value as the feeding speed target value.

[0156] Next, the feeding control device 100 executes steps S72 and S73. If it is determined in step S68 that the feeding speed command value is lower than the feeding speed target value, the feeding control device 100 executes steps S72 and S73 without executing step S71. In step S72, the speed control unit 114 controls the feeding machine 5 to feed at a feeding speed corresponding to the feeding speed command value. In step S73, the feeding amount calculation unit 233 updates the calculation result of the feeding amount actual value by integrating the feeding speed command value. After that, the feeding control device 100 returns the process to step S61. The feeding control device 100 repeats the above process at a predetermined control period.

[0157] (Manual Feeding Control Procedure) This procedure is executed by the feeding control device 100 instead of steps S61 to S73 when the automatic / manual switching unit 116 is in the manual mode. As shown in FIG. 15, the feeding control device 100 executes steps S81, S82, and S83. In step S81, the manual input acquisition unit 115 acquires a feeding speed command value set by manual operation. In step S82, the speed control unit 114 controls the feeding machine 5 to feed at a feeding speed corresponding to the feeding speed command value. In step S83, the feeding amount calculation unit 233 updates the calculation result of the feeding amount actual value by accumulating the feeding speed command value. The feeding control device 100 repeats the above process at a predetermined control period.

[0158] (Feeding score display procedure) This procedure is executed by the management device 200 when a function for displaying the feeding score is called by the user interface 295. This procedure further includes causing the user interface 295 to display the feeding score. The user interface 295 may also display the target score together with the feeding score.

[0159] As shown in FIG. 16, the management device 200 executes steps S91, S92, and S93. In step S91, the feeding score display unit 231 acquires the calculation results of the feeding scores for the multiple fish cages 2 from the multiple feeding control devices 100. In step S92, the feeding score display unit 231 displays the feeding scores for each of the multiple fish cages 2. For example, the feeding score display unit 231 displays the above-mentioned feeding score graph 400. At this time, the feeding score display unit 231 displays the target line 412 within the feeding score graph 400. In step S93, the feeding score display unit 231 checks whether the current time is the timing to update the feeding score in each feeding control device 100 (for example, the timing when the above steps S65 and S66 are executed).

[0160] If it is determined in step S93 that the current time is not the timing to update the feeding score, the management device 200 executes step S94. In step S94, the feeding score display unit 231 checks whether or not there is an operation to change the position of the target line 412. If it is determined in step S94 that there is no operation to change the position of the target line 412, the management device 200 returns the process to step S93. Thereafter, the management device 200 waits until the current time is the timing to update the feeding score or an operation to change the position of the target line 412 is performed.

[0161] In step S93, if it is determined that the feeding score is now updated, the management device 200 executes steps S95 and S96. In step S95, the feeding score display unit 231 acquires the calculation results of the feeding scores for the multiple cages 2 from the multiple feeding control devices 100, as in step S91. In step S96, the feeding score display unit 231 updates the display of the feeding score for each cage 2 in the feeding score graph 400.

[0162] If it is determined in step S94 that an operation to change the position of goal line 412 has been performed, management device 200 executes steps S97 and S98. In step S97, feeding score display unit 231 changes the display position of goal line 412 in response to the operation to change the position of goal line 412. In step S98, target score setting unit 215 changes the target score based on the changed position of goal line 412. Thereafter, control of feeding machine 5 in each feeding control device 100 is performed based on the changed target score. Management device 200 repeats steps S93 to S99 until feeding score graph 400 is closed.

[0163] (Feeding status display procedure) This procedure is executed by the management device 200 when a function for displaying the feeding status is called by the user interface 295. This procedure includes displaying the current feeding rate for each of the multiple fish pens 2 on the user interface 295. The achievement rate of the feeding amount target value may further be displayed on the user interface.

[0164] 17, the management device 200 executes steps S101, S102, S103, and S104. In step S101, the feeding status display unit 232 displays a screen displaying the feeding rate for each of the multiple fish cages 2 on the user interface 295. For example, the feeding status display unit 232 displays the above-mentioned status screen 500 on the user interface 295.

[0165] In step S102, the feeding amount calculation unit 233 acquires the feeding speed command value for each of the multiple cages 2 from the multiple feeding control devices 100, and calculates the feeding amount actual value for each of the multiple cages 2. In step S103, the feeding status display unit 232 calculates the achievement rate of the feeding amount actual value to the feeding amount target value for each of the multiple cages 2. In step S104, the feeding status display unit 232 updates the status screen 500 based on the feeding speed command value acquired for each of the multiple cages 2 in step S102, the feeding amount actual value calculated for each of the multiple cages 2 in step S102, and the achievement rate for each of the multiple cages 2 calculated in step S103. After that, the management device 200 returns the process to step S102. The management device 200 repeats steps S102 to S104 until the status screen 500 is closed.

[0166] (Distribution chart display procedure) This procedure is executed by the management device 200 when a distribution chart display function is called by the user interface 295. This procedure includes displaying the feeding rate and the rate of increase in the total weight of the aquatic organisms for each of the multiple fish cages 2 on the user interface 295. A distribution chart may be displayed in which the feeding rate and the rate of increase are mapped for each of the multiple fish cages 2 on a coordinate system having a first coordinate axis representing the magnitude of the feeding rate and a second coordinate axis representing the magnitude of the rate of increase. The distribution chart may further display a plurality of contour lines representing the relationship between the feeding rate and the rate of increase for each weight gain coefficient representing the ratio of the feeding rate to the rate of increase.

[0167] 18, the management device 200 executes steps S111, S112, S113, S114, and S115. In step S111, the distribution chart display unit 236 displays a screen showing the feeding rate and the rate of increase in the total weight of the aquatic organisms for each of the multiple fish cages 2 on the user interface 295. For example, the distribution chart display unit 236 displays the above-mentioned distribution chart 600 on the user interface 295. At this time, the distribution chart display unit 236 displays the above-mentioned multiple contour lines 611 on the distribution chart 600.

[0168] In step S112, the distribution chart display unit 236 waits for the weight measurement result by the weight measurement unit 216 to be updated. In step S113, the feeding rate calculation unit 234 calculates the actual feeding rate for each of the multiple cages 2. In step S114, the growth rate calculation unit 235 calculates the rate of increase in the total weight of the aquatic organisms for each of the multiple cages 2. In step S115, the distribution chart display unit 236 maps multiple data points 612 representing the feeding rate and growth rate for each of the multiple cages 2 to the coordinates of the distribution chart 600 based on the calculation results of steps S113 and S114. Thereafter, the management device 200 returns the process to step S112. The management device 200 repeats steps S112 to S115 until the distribution chart 600 is closed.

[0169] [Effects of this embodiment] As described above, the feeding method performed by the feeding system 3 includes evaluating the amount of remaining food based on the detection results of the environment within the fish cage 2 by the sensor 66 installed in the fish cage 2, evaluating the feeding activity of the aquatic organisms in the fish cage 2 based on the detection results of the environment within the fish cage 2, generating a feeding speed command value based on the evaluation results of the remaining food amount and the evaluation results of the feeding activity, and controlling the feeding machine 5 to feed at a feeding speed corresponding to the feeding speed command value.

[0170] According to this feeding method, the feeding speed command value is calculated based on the evaluation result of the amount of remaining food, so that the feeding machine 5 can be controlled to suppress the amount of remaining food. In addition, the feeding speed command value is calculated based on the evaluation result of the feeding activity, so that the feeding machine 5 can be controlled to suppress the shortage of food when there is no remaining food. Therefore, the amount of feeding can be suppressed from being excessive or insufficient. Therefore, it is effective for more efficient feeding.

[0171] The feeding rate command value may be calculated so that the greater the amount of remaining food, the smaller the feeding rate command value, and the greater the feeding activity, the larger the feeding rate command value. In this case, excess or deficiency of the feeding amount can be more reliably prevented.

[0172] A feeding score may be calculated based on the evaluation result of the remaining food amount and the evaluation result of the feeding activity, and a feeding rate command value may be calculated so that the feeding score follows the target score. In this case, the evaluation result of the remaining food amount and the evaluation result of the feeding activity are combined into one feeding score, so that an appropriate feeding rate command value can be easily calculated.

[0173] The feeding score may be calculated so that the direction of change in the feeding score in response to an increase in the amount of remaining food is opposite to the direction of change in the feeding score in response to an increase in feeding activity. In this case, a feeding score that more accurately represents the amount of food given can be calculated.

[0174] The degree of influence of the feeding activity on the feeding score may be decreased as the evaluation result of the remaining food amount exceeds a predetermined level. In this case, by increasing the degree of influence of the remaining food amount on the feeding score as the remaining food amount exceeds the predetermined level, excessive feeding can be more reliably suppressed.

[0175] The method may further include displaying the feeding score on the user interface 295. In this case, it is possible to improve the ease with which the operator can recognize whether the feeding is excessive or insufficient.

[0176] The target score may be displayed together with the feeding score on the user interface 295. In this case, it is possible to further improve the ease with which the operator can recognize whether the feeding is excessive or insufficient.

[0177] The method may further include correcting the feeding rate command value based on a feeding rate target value planned in advance. In this case, the feeding rate is adjusted according to the feeding state, and deviation of the feeding performance from the feeding plan can be suppressed.

[0178] The method may further include calculating a target feeding rate according to time based on a feeding pattern that indicates the relationship between the feeding rate and the time elapsed from the feeding start time to the feeding end time. In this case, by changing the target feeding rate according to time, the feeding amount can be finely adjusted to suit the ecology of the aquatic organism.

[0179] The feeding start time of the feeding pattern may be changed according to the sunrise time, the feeding end time of the feeding pattern may be changed according to the sunset time, and the feeding rate target value according to the time may be calculated based on the changed feeding pattern. By changing the feeding pattern according to the sunrise time and the sunset time, a more efficient feeding rate target value can be calculated.

[0180] The method may further include evaluating the weight of the aquatic organism and calculating a daily target feeding amount based on the evaluation result of the weight of the aquatic organism, and may calculate a feeding rate target value according to time based on the feeding amount target value and the feeding pattern. In this case, by further based on the evaluation result of the weight of the aquatic organism, a more efficient feeding rate target value can be calculated.

[0181] The feeding rate target value may be calculated according to time so that the total amount of food fed from the feeding start time to the feeding end time according to the feeding pattern matches the feeding amount target value. The evaluation result of the weight of the aquatic organism can be easily and appropriately reflected in the feeding rate target value.

[0182] Evaluating the weight of the aquatic organism may include obtaining a measurement of the weight of the aquatic organism, evaluating the amount of food intake from the time of measurement of the weight of the aquatic organism to the time of evaluation based on the feeding rate, estimating the weight gain rate of the aquatic organism from the time of measurement to the time of evaluation based on the evaluation result of the amount of food intake, and estimating the weight of the aquatic organism at the time of evaluation based on the measurement of the weight of the aquatic organism and the estimated result of the weight gain rate of the aquatic organism. In this case, by combining the measurement of the total weight with the estimation of the total weight based on the evaluation result of the amount of food intake, a delay in the increase in the amount of food fed in accordance with the increase in the weight of the aquatic organism can be suppressed.

[0183] The method may further include estimating the population of the aquatic organisms at the time of evaluation based on the predicted rate of decrease in the population of the aquatic organisms, obtaining measurements of the weight of each of the aquatic organisms, estimating the weight of each of the aquatic organisms at the time of evaluation based on the measurements of the weight of each of the aquatic organisms and the estimated rate of weight increase of the aquatic organisms, and estimating the total weight of the aquatic organisms at the time of evaluation based on the estimated weight of each organism and the estimated population. In this case, the total weight of the aquatic organisms can be estimated with higher reliability by further basing the estimation on the predicted rate of decrease in the population of the aquatic organisms.

[0184] The method may further include displaying the feeding pattern on the user interface 295. In this case, the operator can easily recognize the set feeding pattern.

[0185] Together with the feeding pattern, the sunrise time and the sunset time may be displayed on the user interface 295. In this case, the operator can easily recognize the relationship between the sunrise time and the sunset time and the set feeding pattern.

[0186] The feeding pattern may further be changed based on an edit input to the feeding pattern displayed on the user interface 295, and a feeding rate target value according to time may be calculated based on the changed feeding pattern. In this case, by making it possible to change the feeding pattern by edit input to the feeding pattern displayed on the user interface 295, usability for the operator can be further improved.

[0187] This may further include saving the feeding pattern displayed on the user interface 295 based on a save command input, and reading out the saved feeding pattern and displaying it on the user interface 295 based on a read command input. In this case, by making it possible to reuse the set feeding pattern, usability for the operator can be further improved.

[0188] This may further include allocating the saved feeding pattern to a shortcut object of the user interface 295 based on the allocation command input, and reading out the saved feeding pattern in response to an operation of the shortcut object and displaying it on the user interface 295. In this case, by making it easier to call up the saved feeding pattern, it is possible to further improve usability for the operator.

[0189] The method may further include displaying the current feeding rate for each of the plurality of cages 2 including the cage 2 on the user interface 295. In this case, the operator can easily recognize the feeding status in the plurality of cages 2.

[0190] The method may further include displaying the current feeding rate and the achievement rate of the feed amount target value for each of the plurality of cages 2 including the cage 2 on the user interface 295. In this case, the feeding situation in the plurality of cages 2 can be more easily recognized by the operator.

[0191] The method may further include displaying the feeding rate, which indicates the feeding amount as a ratio to the total weight of the aquatic organisms, and the rate of increase in the total weight of the aquatic organisms for each of the multiple aquatic organisms including the aquatic organism 2, on the user interface 295. In this case, the operator can easily recognize the appropriateness of the feeding conditions.

[0192] Displaying the feeding rate and the growth rate on the user interface 295 may include displaying a distribution chart in which the feeding rate and the growth rate are mapped for each of the multiple cages 2 on a coordinate system having a first coordinate axis representing the magnitude of the feeding rate and a second coordinate axis representing the magnitude of the growth rate. In this case, the operator can more easily recognize the appropriateness of the feeding conditions.

[0193] A plurality of contour lines representing the relationship between the feeding rate and the growth rate may be further displayed on the distribution chart for each weight gain coefficient representing the ratio of the feeding rate to the growth rate, which allows the operator to more easily recognize the appropriateness of the feeding conditions.

[0194] The amount of remaining food may be evaluated based on images taken by an underwater camera 8 that is installed facing upward and below the feeding area of ​​the aquatic organisms in the cage 2. In this case, the amount of remaining food can be evaluated with high reliability.

[0195] The feeding activity may further be evaluated based on images from the underwater camera 8. In this case, the feeding activity can also be evaluated with high reliability.

[0196] Based on the image of the underwater camera 8, the amount of image change caused by the movement of the aquatic organism may be calculated, and the feeding activity may be evaluated based on the amount of image change. In this case, the evaluation of the feeding activity based on the image of the underwater camera 8 can be easily performed.

[0197] The feeding activity may be evaluated such that the higher the amount of image change, the lower the feeding activity. In this case, the feeding activity can be evaluated with higher reliability.

[0198] As described above, the embodiments have been described, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes are possible without departing from the gist thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0199] 1... Aquaculture system, 2... Fish basket, 3... Feeding system, 5... Feeder, 6... Sensor, 8... Underwater camera, 100... Feeding control device, 111... Residual feed evaluation unit, 112... Feeding activity evaluation unit, 114... Speed control unit, 295... User interface.

Claims

1. a first display control step of associating first identification information corresponding to a first cage to which a first feeding machine is attached with a first feeding speed image corresponding to a first feeding speed of the first feeding machine, and also associating second identification information corresponding to a second cage to which a second feeding machine is attached with a second feeding speed image corresponding to a second feeding speed of the second feeding machine, and displaying the associated information on a display unit; In the first display control step, the first identification information, the first feeding speed image, the second identification information, and the second feeding speed image are all displayed on the display unit. A display control method comprising:

2. In the first display control step, the first identification information is associated with a first feeding amount image corresponding to a first feeding amount of the first feeding machine, and the second identification information is associated with a second feeding amount image corresponding to a second feeding amount of the second feeding machine, and the associated images are displayed on the display unit; In the first display control step, the first identification information, the first feed amount image, the second identification information, and the second feed amount image are all displayed on the display unit. The display control method according to claim 1 .

3. in the first display control step, the first identification information is associated with a first feeding amount actual value image corresponding to a first feeding amount actual value of the first feeding machine, and the second identification information is associated with a second feeding amount actual value image corresponding to a second feeding amount actual value of the second feeding machine, and the associated images are displayed on the display unit; In the first display control step, the first identification information, the first feed amount actual value image, the second identification information, and the second feed amount actual value image are all displayed on the display unit.

3. The display control method according to claim 2.

4. in the first display control step, the first identification information is associated with a first achievement rate of the first feeding amount target value of the first feeding machine, and the second identification information is associated with a second achievement rate of the second feeding amount target value of the second feeding machine, and the associated information is displayed on the display unit; In the first display control step, the first identification information, the first achievement rate, the second identification information, and the second achievement rate are all displayed on the display unit.

3. The display control method according to claim 1 or 2.

5. An evaluation step; A calculation step; Further comprising: In the evaluation step, a first remaining feed amount is evaluated based on a detection result of feed not ingested by the aquatic organisms in the first cage during feeding to the first cage, a first feeding activity of the aquatic organisms is evaluated based on the detection result of the aquatic organisms during feeding to the first cage, and a second remaining feed amount is evaluated based on a detection result of feed not ingested by the aquatic organisms in the second cage during feeding to the second cage, and a second feeding activity of the aquatic organisms is evaluated based on the detection result of the aquatic organisms during feeding to the second cage; In the calculation step, a first feeding score is calculated based on the evaluation result of the first remaining food amount and the evaluation result of the first feeding activity, and a second feeding score is calculated based on the evaluation result of the second remaining food amount and the evaluation result of the second feeding activity; In the first display control step, the first identification information is associated with the first feeding score, and the second identification information is associated with the second feeding score, and the associated information is displayed on the display unit.

3. The display control method according to claim 1 or 2.

6. In the first display control step, the first identification information is associated with a first figure whose area corresponds to the first feeding score, and the second identification information is associated with a second figure whose area corresponds to the second feeding score, and the two are displayed on the display unit; In the first display control step, the first identification information, the first figure, the second identification information, and the second figure are all displayed on the display unit.

6. The display control method according to claim 5.

7. In the first display control step, a graph is displayed on the display unit, which shows a relationship between the first cage, a first feeding rate expressed as a ratio of the first feeding amount of the first feeding machine to the total weight of the aquatic organisms in the first cage, and a first total weight gain rate expressing a rate of increase in the total weight of the aquatic organisms in the first cage, and which shows a relationship between the second cage, a second feeding rate expressed as a ratio of the second feeding amount of the second feeding machine to the total weight of the aquatic organisms in the second cage, and a second total weight gain rate expressing a rate of increase in the total weight of the aquatic organisms in the second cage.

3. The display control method according to claim 2.

8. In the first display control step, a first feeding pattern including the first feeding speed image and a first feeding time image corresponding to the first feeding time of the first feeding machine, and a second feeding pattern including the second feeding speed image and a second feeding time image corresponding to the second feeding time of the second feeding machine are displayed on the display unit.

3. The display control method according to claim 1 or 2.

9. Edit Input Step, Further comprising: In the first display control step, one of the first feeding pattern and the second feeding pattern is displayed on the display unit so that it can be edited and input in the editing input step.

9. The display control method according to claim 8.

10. Update step, Further comprising: In the first display control step, one of the first feeding pattern and the second feeding pattern is displayed on the display unit in an updateable manner in the update step.

10. The display control method according to claim 9.

11. In the first display control step, the first identification information is associated with the first feeding time image, and the second identification information is associated with the second feeding time image, and the associated images are displayed on the display unit; In the first display control step, the first identification information, the first feeding time image, the second identification information, and the second feeding time image are all displayed on the display unit.

9. The display control method according to claim 8.

12. a first display control step of displaying on the display unit first identification information corresponding to a first net cage to which a first feeding machine is attached, a first feeding rate image corresponding to a first feeding rate of the first net cage, and a first feeding amount image corresponding to a first feeding amount of the first net cage in association with each other, and displaying on the display unit second identification information corresponding to a second net cage to which a second feeding machine is attached, a second feeding rate image corresponding to a second feeding rate of the second net cage, and a second feeding amount image corresponding to a second feeding amount of the second net cage in association with each other; a second display control step of displaying on the display unit a first feeding pattern corresponding to the first cage, the first feeding pattern including the first feeding rate image and a first feeding time image corresponding to the first feeding time of the first feeding machine, and displaying on the display unit a second feeding pattern corresponding to the second cage, the second feeding rate image and a second feeding time image corresponding to the second feeding time of the second feeding machine; an edit input step; Equipped with In the second display control step, the first feeding pattern is displayed on the display unit so that it can be edited and input in the editing input step, and the second feeding pattern is displayed on the display unit so that it can be edited and input in the editing input step. A display control method comprising:

13. Update step, Further comprising: In the second display control step, the first feeding pattern is displayed on the display unit so as to be updatable in the update step, and the second feeding pattern is displayed on the display unit so as to be updatable in the update step. The display control method according to claim 12 .

Images