Determination device, determination method, and determination program

Abstract

To provide a determination apparatus, a determination method, and a determination program for objectively determining, rather than subjectively determining using human hands, whether or not felling has been appropriately performed based on data, to provide the results.SOLUTION: A determination apparatus 100 comprises: a plan data acquisition unit 110 for acquiring plan data indicating a felling plan for felling standing trees in a target area; a first image data acquisition unit 120 for acquiring first image data indicating a first image captured before felling in the target area; a second image data acquisition unit 130 for acquiring second image data indicating a second image captured after felling in the target area; a determination unit 150 for determining whether or not felling is appropriate based on the plan data, the first image data, and the second image data; and an output unit 160 for executing output according to the determined result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a determination device, a determination method, and a determination program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 states that "The wood information DB 13A...has at least a permission field 114 in which the type of permission for felling, etc. is stored, and a permission number field 115 in which the permission number identifying the permission is stored." [Prior art document] [Patent documents] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-212833 Summary of the Invention

[0003] A first aspect of the present invention provides a determination device comprising: a plan data acquisition unit that acquires plan data indicating a felling plan for felling standing trees in a target area; a first image data acquisition unit that acquires first image data indicating a first image of the target area taken before the felling; a second image data acquisition unit that acquires second image data indicating a second image of the target area taken after the felling; a determination unit that determines whether the felling is appropriate based on the plan data, the first image data, and the second image data; and an output unit that executes output according to the determination result.

[0004] The determination device may further include an estimation unit that estimates at least one of a felling area where standing trees have been felled and a felling volume based on the first image data and the second image data.

[0005] In any of the determination devices, the determination unit may determine that the felling is inappropriate if the area of ​​the estimated felling area is larger than the felling area in the felling plan.

[0006] In any of the determination devices, the determination unit may determine that the felling is inappropriate if the estimated felling area includes an area outside the felling area in the felling plan.

[0007] In any of the determination devices, the determination unit may determine that the felling is inappropriate if the estimated felling volume is greater than the felling volume in the felling plan.

[0008] Any of the determination devices may further include an identification unit that identifies felled trees based on the first image data and the second image data.

[0009] In any of the determination devices, the determination unit may determine that the felling is inappropriate if the identified tree species is different from the tree species to be felled in the felling plan.

[0010] In any of the determination devices, the determination unit may determine that the felling is inappropriate if the age of the identified standing trees is below the minimum age in the felling plan.

[0011] In any of the determination devices, the determination unit may determine that the felling is inappropriate if the age of the identified standing trees exceeds the maximum age in the felling plan.

[0012] In any of the determination devices, the first image data acquisition unit may identify a first timing that is before the felling based on the start of the felling period in the felling plan, and acquire the first image data based on the first timing.

[0013] In any of the determination devices, the second image data acquisition unit may identify a second timing that is later than the felling depending on the end of the felling period in the felling plan, and acquire the second image data based on the second timing.

[0014] In any of the determination devices, the first image and the second image may be satellite images.

[0015] In any of the determination devices, the satellite image may be a SAR image.

[0016] In any of the determination devices, the output unit may send a message according to the determination result to the contact information in the felling plan.

[0017] A second aspect of the present invention provides a method of determining whether or not to cut down trees in a target area, the method comprising: acquiring plan data indicating a cutting plan for cutting down trees in a target area; acquiring first image data indicating a first image of the target area taken before the cutting down; acquiring second image data indicating a second image of the target area taken after the cutting down; determining whether or not to cut down trees based on the plan data, the first image data, and the second image data; and executing output according to the result of the determination.

[0018] In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a judgment program, which is executed by a computer and causes the computer to function as: a plan data acquisition unit that acquires plan data indicating a felling plan for felling standing trees in a target area; a first image data acquisition unit that acquires first image data representing a first image of the target area taken before the felling; a second image data acquisition unit that acquires second image data representing a second image of the target area taken after the felling; a judgment unit that judges whether the felling is appropriate based on the plan data, the first image data, and the second image data; and an output unit that executes output according to the judgment result.

[0019] The above summary of the invention does not list all of the features of the present invention, and subcombinations of these features may also be inventions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 shows an example of a block diagram of a determination device 100 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] An example of a felling notification form is shown below. [Figure 3] 1 shows an example of a first image and a second image. [Figure 4] An example of a flow in which the determination device 100 according to this embodiment determines whether or not felling is appropriate will be described below. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 shows an example of a block diagram of a determination device 100 according to a modified example of the present embodiment. [Figure 6] 99 illustrates an example computer 9900 in which aspects of the present invention may be embodied, in whole or in part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention according to the claims. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0022] 1 shows an example of a block diagram of a determination device 100 according to this embodiment. The determination device 100 according to this embodiment acquires plan data indicating a felling plan and image data captured before and after felling. Based on this data, the determination device 100 according to this embodiment determines whether felling is appropriate and outputs information according to the determination result.

[0023] The determination device 100 may be a computer such as a personal computer (PC), tablet computer, smartphone, workstation, server computer, or general-purpose computer, or may be a computer system in which multiple computers are connected. Such computer systems are also considered to be computers in a broad sense. The determination device 100 may also be implemented as a virtual computer environment in which one or more programs can be executed within a computer. Alternatively, the determination device 100 may be a dedicated computer designed for determining whether or not tree felling is appropriate, or may be dedicated hardware implemented using dedicated circuits. Furthermore, if the determination device 100 can be connected to the Internet, the determination device 100 may be implemented using cloud computing.

[0024] The determination device 100 includes a plan data acquisition unit 110, a first image data acquisition unit 120, a second image data acquisition unit 130, an estimation unit 140, a determination unit 150, and an output unit 160. Note that these blocks are functionally separated functional blocks and may not necessarily correspond to the actual device configurations. In other words, just because a block is shown in this diagram does not necessarily mean that it is configured by a single device. Also, just because separate blocks are shown in this diagram does not necessarily mean that they are configured by separate devices.

[0025] The plan data acquisition unit 110 acquires plan data indicating a felling plan for felling standing trees in a target area. When a forest owner or the like intends to fell standing trees in a forest, the owner or the like is required to notify the forest owner of the felling plan in advance. The plan data acquisition unit 110 may acquire plan data based on such a notification, for example. The plan data acquisition unit 110 supplies the acquired plan data to at least the determination unit 150.

[0026] The first image data acquisition unit 120 acquires first image data representing a first image of the target area taken before felling. Such a first image may be, for example, selected from archived images or may be a newly captured image. The first image data acquisition unit 120 supplies the acquired first image data to the estimation unit 140.

[0027] The second image data acquisition unit 130 acquires second image data representing a second image of the target area taken after the tree felling. Such a second image may also be, for example, selected from archived images or may be newly captured. The second image data acquisition unit 130 supplies the acquired second image data to the estimation unit 140.

[0028] The estimation unit 140 estimates at least one of the felling area where the trees were felled and the felling volume based on the first image data and the second image data. For example, the estimation unit 140 detects a change between the first image and the second image based on the first image data and the second image data. Then, the estimation unit 140 estimates at least one of the felling area and the felling volume in accordance with the detected change. The estimation unit 140 supplies the estimated information to the determination unit 150.

[0029] The determination unit 150 determines whether or not felling is appropriate based on the plan data, the first image data, and the second image data. The determination unit 150 determines whether or not felling is appropriate based on, for example, the plan data acquired by the plan data acquisition unit 110 and information estimated by the estimation unit 140 based on the first image data and the second image data. The determination unit 150 supplies the result of its determination to the output unit 160.

[0030] The output unit 160 executes output according to the result of the determination made by the determination unit 150. In this way, the determination device 100 according to this embodiment determines whether or not felling is appropriate based on the plan data and image data, and executes output according to the determination result. Examples of the plan data and image data acquired by the determination device 100 when determining whether or not felling is appropriate will now be described in detail.

[0031] Figure 2 shows an example of a logging notification form. According to the Forestry Agency, an external agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, when logging standing trees in a forest, the forest owner or the person who purchased the standing trees is required to notify the mayor of the city, town or village in which the forest to be logged is located of a logging plan between 30 and 90 days before logging begins. Therefore, the determination device 100 may obtain plan data indicating the logging plan based on, for example, such a notification form.

[0032] The felling notification form may have a format specified by a notification from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, or may have a format specified by each local government. As shown in the figure, the felling notification form may have columns for the name, address, and contact information of the person filing the notification. The felling notification form may also have columns for the location of the forest where the standing trees will be felled. The felling notification form may also have columns for the felling plan, more specifically, the felling area, felling method, felling rate, felling species, felling age (minimum and maximum forest age), and felling period (start and end). The determination device 100 may acquire at least one of these items provided in the felling notification form as plan data.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows an example of a first image and a second image. The left side of the figure shows a first image taken of the target area before trees were cut down. The right side of the figure shows a second image taken of the target area after trees were cut down. Comparing the left and right sides of the figure, it can be seen that there is a color change in the L-shaped area in the center of the image. This indicates that trees have been cut down in the L-shaped area. In this way, the first image and the second image may be various images that, when compared with each other, can detect a change in the image that indicates that trees have been cut down.

[0034] As an example, the first and second images may be satellite images. This allows the determination device 100 to determine the appropriateness of felling as if watching from space. In particular, such satellite images may be SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) images. SAR images are radar images using microwaves, a type of radio wave. SAR satellite microwaves can penetrate clouds and do not require sunlight for observation, allowing observation in all weather conditions, including at night. This allows the determination device 100 to acquire images before and after felling at any time, and also reduces changes in the images due to factors other than felling (e.g., differences in weather or shooting time) when comparing the first and second images. The determination device 100 may acquire data representing such first and second images as first image data and second image data, for example.

[0035] However, the present invention is not limited to this. The first image and the second image may be other satellite images other than SAR images, or may be images other than satellite images taken from an aircraft, a drone, etc. The determination device 100 may determine what kind of images the first image and the second image should be, taking into consideration the size and location of the target area, the cost per image, etc.

[0036] The determination device 100 determines whether felling is appropriate based on, for example, such plan data and image data, and executes output in accordance with the determination result. An example of such a determination method will be described in detail using a flow chart.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows an example of a flow in which the determination device 100 according to this embodiment determines whether tree felling is appropriate. In step S410, the determination device 100 acquires plan data. For example, the plan data acquisition unit 110 acquires plan data indicating a felling plan for felling standing trees in a target area. In this case, the plan data acquisition unit 110 may acquire the plan data based on a felling notification form such as that shown in FIG. 2. As an example, the plan data acquisition unit 110 may receive, via a network, a file containing the felling notification form. If the acquired file is saved in text format, the plan data acquisition unit 110 may read the text entered in each field from the received file and acquire it as plan data. At this time, the plan data acquisition unit 110 may read the text entered in all items, such as the name, address, contact information of the person submitting the notice, location of the forest, felling area, felling method, felling rate, felling tree species, felling age (minimum and maximum forest age), and felling period (start and end), and acquire this as plan data.

[0038] In the above description, the case where the received file is saved in text format is shown as an example. However, if the received file is saved in image format, the plan data acquisition unit 110 can read the text from the received file by character recognition using, for example, an optical character reader (OCR). In addition, in the above description, the case where the plan data acquisition unit 110 acquires a file containing a logging notification form via communication over a network is shown as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The plan data acquisition unit 110 may also acquire such a file by reading it from various memory devices.

[0039] The plan data acquisition unit 110 can also acquire plan data through user input. For example, the plan data acquisition unit 110 may prompt the user to fill in each item by displaying a felling notification form such as that shown in FIG. 2 on a monitor. In response, the user may fill in each item. The plan data acquisition unit 110 may acquire, for example, data entered by the user in this manner as plan data. The plan data acquisition unit 110 supplies the acquired plan data to at least the determination unit 150. At this time, the plan data acquisition unit 110 may also supply some or all of the acquired plan data to functional units other than the determination unit 150.

[0040] In step S420, the determination device 100 acquires first image data. For example, the first image data acquisition unit 120 acquires first image data representing a first image captured in the target area before felling. In this case, when part or all of the plan data is supplied from the plan data acquisition unit 110, the first image data acquisition unit 120 may identify any timing before the start of the felling period indicated in the plan data as the first timing. It is more preferable that such first timing be before the start of the felling period and close to the start of the felling period. Next, the first image data acquisition unit 120 may select an image captured in the target area at the first timing from the archive images as the first image. Then, the first image data acquisition unit 120 may acquire the first image data representing the first image via a network or various memory devices. If a desired image is not archived, the first image data acquisition unit 120 may acquire the first image data by sending a photographing request message requesting that a photograph be taken of the target area at a first timing and receiving first image data indicating the newly captured first image. In this manner, for example, the first image data acquisition unit 120 may identify a first timing that is prior to felling in accordance with the start of the felling period in the felling plan, and acquire the first image data based on the first timing. The first image data acquisition unit 120 supplies the acquired first image data to the estimation unit 140.

[0041] In step S430, the determination device 100 acquires second image data. For example, the second image data acquisition unit 130 acquires second image data representing a second image of the target area captured after felling. In this case, when part or all of the plan data is supplied from the plan data acquisition unit 110, the second image data acquisition unit 130 may specify any timing after the end of the felling period indicated in the plan data as the second timing. It is more preferable that such second timing be later than the end of the felling period and close to the end of the felling period. Next, the second image data acquisition unit 130 may select an image of the target area captured at the second timing from the archive images as the second image. Then, the second image data acquisition unit 130 may acquire the second image data representing the second image via a network or various memory devices. If a desired image is not archived, the second image data acquisition unit 130 may acquire the second image data by sending a photographing request message requesting that the target area be photographed at the second timing and receiving second image data indicating the newly photographed second image. In this manner, for example, the second image data acquisition unit 130 may identify the second timing, which is after the felling, in accordance with the end of the felling period in the felling plan, and acquire the second image data based on the second timing. The second image data acquisition unit 130 supplies the acquired second image data to the estimation unit 140.

[0042] In step S440, the determination device 100 estimates the felling area or the felling volume. For example, the estimation unit 140 estimates at least one of the felling area where the trees were felled and the felling volume based on the first image data acquired in step S420 and the second image data acquired in step S430. In this case, the estimation unit 140 may, for example, compare the first image and the second image pixel by pixel to detect pixels whose change is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Then, the estimation unit 140 may estimate the area combining the detected pixels as the felling area.

[0043] The estimation unit 140 may also estimate the felling rate from the degree of change in the first image and the second image. In this case, the estimation unit 140 may use a table in which the degree of change in the image and the felling rate are previously associated, or may use a machine-learned model that outputs the felling rate in response to the input degree of change in the image. The estimation unit 140 may then estimate the felling volume based on (for example, by multiplying) the estimated area of ​​the felling area and the felling rate.

[0044] In the above description, the estimation unit 140 compares the first image and the second image pixel by pixel, but this is not limiting. The estimation unit 140 may divide the first image and the second image into a grid using latitude and longitude lines and compare the first image and the second image for each grid. The estimation unit 140 supplies the estimated information to the determination unit 150.

[0045] In step S450, the determination device 100 determines whether or not felling is appropriate. For example, the determination unit 150 determines whether or not felling is appropriate based on the planning data acquired in step S410 and the information estimated in step S440 based on the first image data acquired in step S420 and the second image data acquired in step S430.

[0046] As an example, the determination unit 150 may determine that felling is inappropriate if the area of ​​the felling area estimated in step S440 is larger than the felling area in the felling plan indicated by the plan data acquired in step S410. On the other hand, the determination unit 150 may determine that felling is appropriate if the area of ​​the estimated felling area is the same as or smaller than the felling area in the felling plan.

[0047] Furthermore, the determination unit 150 may determine that felling is inappropriate if the felling area estimated in step S440 includes an area outside the felling area in the felling plan indicated by the plan data acquired in step S410 (for example, an area other than the location of the forest).On the other hand, the determination unit 150 may determine that felling is appropriate if the entire estimated felling area is within the felling area in the felling plan.

[0048] The determination unit 150 may determine that felling is inappropriate if the felling volume estimated in step S440 is greater than the felling volume in the felling plan indicated by the plan data acquired in step S410 (for example, felling area x felling rate).On the other hand, the determination unit 150 may determine that felling is appropriate if the estimated felling volume is the same as or less than the felling volume in the felling plan.

[0049] In this way, for example, the determination unit 150 can determine whether or not felling is appropriate based on the plan data, the first image data, and the second image data. The determination unit 150 supplies the result of its determination to the output unit 160.

[0050] In step S460, the determination device 100 executes output. For example, when some or all of the plan data is supplied from the plan data acquisition unit 110, the output unit 160 may read out the contact information of the notifier indicated in the plan data. The output unit 160 may then set the contact information as the destination and transmit a message indicating the result of the determination made in step S450, i.e., whether the felling was appropriate or not. In this way, for example, the output unit 160 may transmit a message according to the determination result to the contact information in the felling plan as the destination.

[0051] However, the present invention is not limited to this. The output unit 160 may send the message to a contact address at another institution. Instead of or in addition to sending the message, the output unit 160 may display the determination result on a monitor, print it out using a printer, or output it as audio using a speaker.

[0052] In recent years, the importance of timber traceability has been increasing. Therefore, there has been discussion about registering logging permits in a database that manages timber. However, logging permits are granted relatively easily as long as the logging notification form is approved. Furthermore, post-logging reports often rely on the logger's self-reporting, and the current situation is that no checks are made, or only a simplified check is made, to determine whether the trees were actually logged properly.

[0053] Therefore, the determination device 100 according to this embodiment determines whether felling is appropriate based on the plan data and image data, and outputs the determination result. As a result, the determination device 100 according to this embodiment can objectively determine whether felling has been carried out appropriately based on data, rather than manually and subjectively determining whether felling has been carried out appropriately, and provide the result.

[0054] In this case, according to the determination device 100 of this embodiment, satellite images can also be used as images, so even if felling is carried out over a wide area, images covering the entire felling area can be obtained relatively easily, and the appropriateness of felling can be determined by monitoring from space.

[0055] Furthermore, the determination device 100 according to this embodiment can also identify the first and second timings according to the felling period in the felling plan and acquire the first and second images based on these timings. As a result, the determination device 100 according to this embodiment can automatically identify the timings for capturing images before and after felling, and acquire the first and second images without manual intervention.

[0056] Furthermore, the determination device 100 according to this embodiment can determine whether or not to perform felling based on at least one of the area of ​​the felling area, the range of the felling area, and the felling volume. Therefore, even if any of these pieces of information are missing from the felling plan, the determination device 100 according to this embodiment can determine whether or not to perform felling based on the other pieces of information. Furthermore, the determination device 100 according to this embodiment can also determine whether or not to perform felling based on at least two or more pieces of information, and preferably all of these pieces of information. This reduces the risk of erroneously determining whether or not to perform felling. This effect is particularly effective when using images with low spatial resolution, such as satellite images.

[0057] Furthermore, the determination device 100 according to this embodiment can also send a message according to the determination result to the contact information in the felling plan. As a result, the determination device 100 according to this embodiment can automatically provide the determination result to the person who notified the felling.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows an example of a block diagram of a determination device 100 according to a modified example of this embodiment. In FIG. 5, components having the same functions and configurations as those in FIG. 1 are assigned the same reference numerals, and explanations will be omitted hereinafter except for differences. In the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the determination device 100 determined whether felling is appropriate by focusing on the area and amount of felled trees. In this embodiment, however, the determination device 100 determines whether felling is appropriate by focusing on the felled standing trees. The determination device 100 according to this embodiment further includes an identification unit 510.

[0059] In this embodiment, the first image data acquisition unit 120 supplies the acquired first image data to the identification unit 510. Furthermore, the second image data acquisition unit 130 supplies the acquired second image data to the identification unit 510. Note that in this embodiment, optical images may be used as the first image and the second image to make it easier to identify felled trees.

[0060] The identification unit 510 identifies felled standing trees based on the first image data and the second image data. For example, the identification unit 510 can identify the crowns of the standing trees by analyzing the images and identify the tree species (e.g., red pine, larch, cedar, cypress, broadleaf tree, etc.) based on the spectral reflectance characteristics of the crowns. The identification unit 510 can also identify the age of the standing trees from the crown diameter and tree height. Therefore, the identification unit 510 can identify the tree species and age of the felled standing trees based on the first image data and the second image data. Note that such identification methods are well known, so detailed description will be omitted here. The identification unit 510 supplies the identified information to the determination unit 150.

[0061] The determining unit 150 determines whether or not felling is appropriate based on, for example, the plan data acquired by the plan data acquiring unit 110 and the information identified by the identifying unit 510 based on the first image data and the second image data.

[0062] For example, the determining unit 150 may determine that felling is inappropriate if the tree species identified by the identifying unit 510 is different from the tree species to be felled in the felling plan. On the other hand, the determining unit 150 may determine that felling is appropriate if the tree species identified is the same as the tree species to be felled in the felling plan.

[0063] Furthermore, the determining unit 150 may determine that felling is inappropriate if the age of the standing trees identified by the identifying unit 510 is below the minimum age in the felling plan. On the other hand, the determining unit 150 may determine that felling is appropriate if the age of the identified standing trees is the same as or older than the minimum age in the felling plan.

[0064] Furthermore, the determining unit 150 may determine that felling is inappropriate if the age of the standing trees identified by the identifying unit 510 exceeds the maximum age in the felling plan. On the other hand, the determining unit 150 may determine that felling is appropriate if the age of the identified standing trees is the same as or shorter than the maximum age in the felling plan.

[0065] The determination unit 150 may determine the appropriateness of felling based on the plan data, the first image data, and the second image data, for example. In this way, the determination device 100 according to this embodiment can determine the appropriateness of felling based on at least one of the tree species and the age of the felled trees. As a result, the determination device 100 according to this embodiment can determine the appropriateness of felling from a perspective other than the area and amount felled.

[0066] In the above description, for convenience, the determination device 100 is shown as including the identification unit 510 instead of the estimation unit 140. However, the determination device 100 may include the identification unit 510 in addition to the estimation unit 140. That is, the determination device 100 may determine the appropriateness of felling by focusing on the felled standing trees in addition to the felled area and amount. This allows the determination device 100 of this embodiment to increase the number of perspectives used to determine the appropriateness of felling, allowing for more flexible response to missing information in the felling plan and further reducing the risk of incorrectly determining the appropriateness of felling. When determining the appropriateness of felling based on a combination of multiple perspectives, the determination device 100 can set a weight for each perspective and determine the appropriateness of felling based on a score obtained by weighting and adding the determination results for each perspective.

[0067] Various embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to flowcharts and block diagrams, where the blocks may represent (1) stages of a process in which operations are performed or (2) sections of an apparatus responsible for performing the operations. Particular stages and sections may be implemented by dedicated circuitry, programmable circuitry provided with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, and / or a processor provided with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium. Dedicated circuitry may include digital and / or analog hardware circuitry, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. Programmable circuitry may include reconfigurable hardware circuitry, including logical AND, OR, XOR, NAND, NOR, and other logical operations, flip-flops, registers, memory elements such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), and the like.

[0068] A computer-readable medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions that are executed by an appropriate device, such that the computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon comprises an article of manufacture containing instructions that can be executed to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of computer-readable media may include electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, and semiconductor storage media. More specific examples of computer-readable media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray (RTM) disc, memory stick, integrated circuit card, and the like.

[0069] The computer readable instructions may include either assembler instructions, Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or source or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, JAVA®, C++, etc., and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages.

[0070] The computer-readable instructions may be provided to a processor or programmable circuitry of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, either locally or over a wide-area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN), the Internet, etc., which executes the computer-readable instructions to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, etc.

[0071] 6 illustrates an example of a computer 9900 in which aspects of the present invention may be embodied, in whole or in part. Programs installed on the computer 9900 may cause the computer 9900 to function as or perform operations associated with an apparatus or one or more sections of the apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention, and / or to perform a process or steps of a process according to embodiments of the present invention. Such programs may be executed by the CPU 9912 to cause the computer 9900 to perform specific operations associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0072] The computer 9900 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 9912, a RAM 9914, a graphics controller 9916, and a display device 9918, which are interconnected by a host controller 9910. The computer 9900 also includes input / output units such as a communication interface 9922, a hard disk drive 9924, a DVD drive 9926, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 9910 via an input / output controller 9920. The computer also includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 9930 and a keyboard 9942, which are connected to the input / output controller 9920 via an input / output chip 9940.

[0073] The CPU 9912 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 9930 and RAM 9914, thereby controlling each unit. The graphics controller 9916 retrieves image data generated by the CPU 9912 into a frame buffer or the like provided in the RAM 9914 or into the graphics controller itself, and causes the image data to be displayed on the display device 9918.

[0074] The communication interface 9922 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The hard disk drive 9924 stores programs and data used by the CPU 9912 in the computer 9900. The DVD drive 9926 reads programs or data from the DVD-ROM 9901 and provides the programs or data to the hard disk drive 9924 via the RAM 9914. The IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card and / or writes programs and data to an IC card.

[0075] The ROM 9930 stores therein a boot program or the like that is executed by the computer 9900 upon activation, and / or programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 9900. The input / output chip 9940 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 9920 via a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, etc.

[0076] The programs are provided by a computer-readable medium such as a DVD-ROM 9901 or an IC card. The programs are read from the computer-readable medium, installed in the hard disk drive 9924, RAM 9914, or ROM 9930, which are also examples of computer-readable media, and executed by the CPU 9912. The information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 9900, and causes cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. An apparatus or method may be configured by implementing information manipulation or processing in accordance with the use of the computer 9900.

[0077] For example, when communication is performed between the computer 9900 and an external device, the CPU 9912 may execute a communication program loaded into the RAM 9914 and instruct the communication interface 9922 to perform communication processing based on the processing described in the communication program. Under the control of the CPU 9912, the communication interface 9922 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing area provided in the RAM 9914, the hard disk drive 9924, the DVD-ROM 9901, or a recording medium such as an IC card, and transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes received data received from the network to a reception buffer processing area or the like provided on the recording medium.

[0078] The CPU 9912 may also cause all or a necessary portion of a file or database stored on an external recording medium such as a hard disk drive 9924, a DVD drive 9926 (DVD-ROM 9901), an IC card, etc. to be read into the RAM 9914, and perform various types of processing on the data on the RAM 9914. The CPU 9912 then writes back the processed data to the external recording medium.

[0079] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on the recording medium and subjected to information processing. The CPU 9912 may perform various types of processing on data read from the RAM 9914, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgment, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information search / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the instruction sequences of the programs, and write the results back to the RAM 9914. The CPU 9912 may also search for information in a file, database, etc. on the recording medium. For example, if multiple entries each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute are stored on the recording medium, the CPU 9912 may search for an entry that matches a condition specified by the attribute value of the first attribute from among the multiple entries, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0080] The programs or software modules described above may be stored in a computer-readable medium on or near the computer 9900. A recording medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can also be used as a computer-readable medium, thereby providing the programs to the computer 9900 via the network.

[0081] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0082] It should be noted that the execution order of each process, such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages, in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not specifically stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and that the processes can be performed in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a subsequent process. Even if the operational flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, this does not mean that the processes must be performed in this order. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 100 Judgment device 110 Planning Data Acquisition Department 120 First image data acquisition unit 130 Second image data acquisition unit 140 Estimation part 150 Judgment section 160 Output section 510 Specific part 9900 Computer 9901 DVD-ROM 9910 Host Controller 9912 CPU 9914 RAM 9916 Graphics Controller 9918 Display Device 9920 Input / Output Controller 9922 Communication Interface 9924 Hard Disk Drive 9926 DVD drive 9930 ROM 9940 I / O chip 9942 keyboard

Claims

1. a plan data acquisition unit that acquires plan data indicating a felling plan for felling standing trees in a target area; a first image data acquisition unit that acquires first image data representing a first image captured in the target area before the felling; a second image data acquisition unit that acquires second image data representing a second image of the target area that was taken after the felling; an estimation unit that estimates a felling area where standing trees have been felled based on the first image data and the second image data; a determining unit that determines that the felling is inappropriate when the estimated felling area is larger than the felling area in the felling plan; an output unit that executes output according to the result of the determination; A determination device comprising:

2. The determination device according to claim 1 , wherein the determination unit determines that the felling is inappropriate when the estimated felling area includes an area outside the felling area in the felling plan.

3. The determination device according to claim 1 , further comprising an identification unit that identifies felled trees based on the first image data and the second image data.

4. The determination device according to claim 3 , wherein the determination unit determines that the felling is inappropriate when the identified tree species is different from the tree species to be felled in the felling plan.

5. 5. The determination device according to claim 3, wherein the determination unit determines that the felling is inappropriate when the age of the identified standing trees is below a minimum age specified in the felling plan.

6. 5. The determination device according to claim 3, wherein the determination unit determines that the felling is inappropriate when the age of the identified standing trees exceeds the maximum age in the felling plan.

7. A determination device described in any one of claims 1, 3, and 4, wherein the first image data acquisition unit identifies a first timing that is before the felling based on the start of the felling period in the felling plan, and acquires the first image data based on the first timing.

8. A determination device described in any one of claims 1, 3, and 4, wherein the second image data acquisition unit identifies a second timing that is later than the felling depending on the end of the felling period in the felling plan, and acquires the second image data based on the second timing.

9. The determination device according to claim 1 , wherein the first image and the second image are satellite images.

10. The determination device according to claim 9 , wherein the satellite image is a SAR image.

11. The determination device according to claim 1 , wherein the output unit transmits a message according to the determination result to a contact address in the felling plan.

12. The computer acquires plan data indicating a felling plan for felling standing trees in a target area; The computer acquires first image data representing a first image of the target area taken prior to the felling; The computer acquires second image data representing a second image of the target area taken after the felling; The computer estimates a felling area where standing trees have been felled based on the first image data and the second image data; The computer determines that the felling is inappropriate when the estimated felling area is larger than the felling area in the felling plan, and executes output according to the result of the determination. A determination method comprising:

13. The method is executed by a computer, causing the computer to: a plan data acquisition unit that acquires plan data indicating a felling plan for felling standing trees in a target area; a first image data acquisition unit that acquires first image data representing a first image captured in the target area before the felling; a second image data acquisition unit that acquires second image data representing a second image of the target area that was taken after the felling; an estimation unit that estimates a felling area where standing trees have been felled based on the first image data and the second image data; a determining unit that determines that the felling is inappropriate when the estimated felling area is larger than the felling area in the felling plan; an output unit that executes output according to the result of the determination; A judgment program that functions as a

Images