Ventilation system, ventilation method, and program

Abstract

To provide an air blowing system, an air blowing method, and a program capable of preventing frost formation in areas of a farm field that are particularly prone to frost. [Solution] The ventilation system 1 comprises an image sensor 200 that acquires an image showing the temperature distribution in the field, a high altitude temperature sensor 301 that measures the air temperature at high altitudes in the field, a ventilation fan 101 that blows air from high altitudes in the field toward a ventilation range toward low altitudes in the field, and a control device 400 that creates a temperature distribution map based on the image acquired by the image sensor 200, analyzes the temperature distribution map to identify low temperature areas, changes the ventilation range of the ventilation fan 101 to include the low temperature area, and controls the ventilation fan 101 to blow air into the ventilation range based on the air temperature at high altitudes in the field or the temperature of the low temperature area measured by the high altitude temperature sensor 301.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air blowing system, an air blowing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an anti-frost fan system that includes multiple anti-frost fans and a control management device for managing the operation of the multiple anti-frost fans. The control management device has multiple operation control modes, including a frost prevention mode in which the anti-frost fans are used for frost prevention, and a power generation mode in which the anti-frost fans are used as generators. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-61526 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The frost prevention fan system described in Patent Document 1 can prevent frost from falling on farm fields in early spring and damaging crop sprouts. However, depending on the topographical conditions of the farm field, there may be areas prone to frost, and there was a problem in that frost formation in such areas prone to frost could not be sufficiently prevented.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a ventilation system, a ventilation method, and a program that can prevent frost from forming in areas of a field that are particularly prone to frost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the air blowing system according to the present invention comprises: an image sensor that acquires an image showing the temperature distribution of the field; a high altitude temperature sensor that measures the air temperature at a high altitude in the field; a blower fan that blows air from a high place in the field toward a low place in the field within a blowing range; a control device that creates a temperature distribution map based on the image acquired by the image sensor, analyzes the temperature distribution map to identify a low-temperature area, changes the airflow range of the blower fan to include the low-temperature area, and controls the blower fan to blow air into the airflow range based on the air temperature at a high altitude of the field or the temperature of the low-temperature area measured by the high-altitude temperature sensor. It is characterized by:

[0007] The control device compares the air temperature at a high altitude in the field measured by the high altitude temperature sensor with the temperature in the low temperature area, and if the temperature difference is greater than or equal to a threshold value, controls the blower fan to blow air into the air blowing range.

[0008] The control device may control the blower fan to blow air into the air blowing range when the temperature of the low temperature region is equal to or lower than a threshold value.

[0009] Further provided is a low-level temperature sensor that measures a temperature near the ground surface of the field; The control device may correct the temperature indicated by the temperature distribution map based on the temperature near the ground surface of the field measured by the low-level temperature sensor.

[0010] The blower fan blows air in an initial blowing range, When the low temperature region is not included in the initial air-blowing range, the control device may change the air-blowing range of the blower fan from the initial air-blowing range so as to include the low temperature region.

[0011] The blower fan includes a depression angle adjustment device that changes the depression angle and a swing device that performs a horizontal swing operation, The control device may control the depression angle adjustment device to change the depression angle of the blower fan, or may control the oscillating device to change the oscillating angle of the blower fan, thereby changing the blowing direction of the blower fan and changing the blowing range of the blower fan.

[0012] The control device may perform interpolation processing on the images acquired by the image sensor, and create the temperature distribution map based on the images that have been subjected to the interpolation processing.

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the air blowing method according to the present invention comprises: A temperature distribution map is created based on an image showing the temperature distribution in the field. Analyzing the temperature distribution map to identify low temperature regions; changing the air blowing range of a blower fan that blows air from a high altitude in the field toward a low altitude in the field to include the low temperature region; controlling the blower fan to blow air into the blowing range based on the air temperature at a high altitude or the temperature of the low temperature region of the field; It is characterized by:

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the program according to the present invention is to On the computer, A temperature distribution map is created based on an image showing the temperature distribution in the field, analyzing the temperature distribution map to identify low temperature regions; changing the air blowing range of a blower fan that blows air from a high altitude in the field toward a low altitude in the field to include the low temperature region; controlling the blower fan to blow air into the blowing range based on the air temperature at a high altitude or the temperature of the low temperature region of the field; It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a ventilation system, a ventilation method, and a program that can prevent frost formation in areas of a farm field that are particularly prone to frost. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an air blowing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the blower fan according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a ventilation system according to an embodiment placed in a farm field. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the air blowing range of the blower fan according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the air blowing range and low temperature region of the blower fan according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart of an air blowing process executed by the air blowing system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An air blowing system 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Identical or corresponding parts in the drawings are given the same reference numerals. The air blowing system 1 according to the embodiment is a system that blows air toward tea plants planted in a field to prevent frost damage to the tea plants.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air blowing system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the air blowing system 1 includes a plurality of air blowing fans 101, 102, 103, ..., an image sensor 200, a high altitude temperature sensor 301, a low altitude temperature sensor 302, a control device 400, and a storage device 500, and is placed in a field 3 where tea plants 2 are planted. The plurality of air blowing fans 101, 102, 103, ... are collectively referred to as air blowing fans 100.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the blower fan 101. As shown in FIG. 2, the blower fan 101 includes a fan 1004 that rotates to blow air, a first motor 1001 that rotates the fan 1004, a motor base 1005 that supports the first motor 1001, a base 1006 that is connected to the motor base 1005 and can rotate to an angle that changes the depression angle of the fan 1004, and a second motor 1002 that drives the base 1006. The base 1006 is mounted on a platform 1007 that can rotate horizontally, and the platform 1007 is driven to rotate horizontally by a third motor 1003. The platform 1007 and the third motor 1003 are mounted on a pole 1008 that stands upright from the ground. The first motor 1001, the second motor 1002, and the third motor 1003 may each include a shock absorber (not shown) that absorbs impact or vibration caused by the rotation of the fan 1004.

[0020] The base 1006 and the second motor 1002 constitute a depression angle adjustment device 1010, and the stand 1007 and the third motor 1003 constitute a swivel device 1020. The blower fan 101 oscillates within a range that can be directed by the depression angle adjustment device 1010 and the swivel device 1020. The blower fans 102, 103, ... have the same configuration as the blower fan 101.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the air blowing system 1 arranged in a field 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the air blowing fan 101 is operated by a first motor 1001 rotating a fan 1004, and prevents frost by blowing warm air from the inversion layer in the field 3 down towards the tea plants 2. The air blowing fan 101 can blow air while changing the depression angle and swinging horizontally using a depression angle adjustment device 1010 and a swinging device 1020. By blowing air while swinging, the air blowing fan 101 blows warm air down towards the field 3 in a fan-shaped range (for example, 60°, 75°, 90°, 120°).

[0022] 1 and 3, the ventilation system 1 includes an image sensor 200 that acquires an image showing the temperature distribution in the field 3. The image sensor 200 acquires a temperature distribution image showing the temperature distribution on the ground of the field 3 and on the leaf surfaces of the tea plants 2, and transmits the image to the control device 400. The image sensor 200 can be placed, for example, at a higher position than the ventilation fan 101 that can capture images of the field 3, but it may also be placed at a lower position than the ventilation fan 101. The image sensor 200 can include, for example, a thermographic camera, but is not limited to this.

[0023] The air blowing system 1 is equipped with a high altitude temperature sensor 301 and a low altitude temperature sensor 302 that measure temperatures. The high altitude temperature sensor 301 is placed at a high altitude in the field 3, for example at the same height as the image sensor 200 or the blower fan 101, and measures the air temperature at the top. The low altitude temperature sensor 302 is placed near the ground surface of the field 3, measures the temperature near the ground surface, and transmits the measured temperature to the control device 400. The high altitude temperature sensor 301 and the low altitude temperature sensor 302 may include, but are not limited to, resistance thermometers and thermocouples.

[0024] The ventilation system 1 includes a control device 400 that controls the ventilation fan 101. The control device 400 is preferably placed in a position that does not interfere with the movement of machines, including tea harvesters that harvest tea leaves from tea trees 2 in the field 3. The control device 400 is connected to the ventilation fan 100, image sensor 200, high altitude temperature sensor 301, low altitude temperature sensor 302, and memory device 500 by wire or wirelessly, and may be placed outside the field 3. The control device 400 may include a circuit including a processing device or a computer, but is not limited to this.

[0025] The control device 400 sets, for each blower fan 100, an air-blowing range, which is the range within which air can reach when the blower fan 100 blows air while changing the depression angle and horizontal angle. The control device 400 sets the air-blowing range of the blower fan 100 by setting the depression angle change range, the horizontal angle change range, or the rotation speed of the fan 1004. The control device 400 sets a portion of the air-blowing range, which is the range within which air can be blown when the rotation speed of the fan 1004 is changed within the swingable range of each blower fan 100, as an initial air-blowing range, and controls each blower fan 100 to operate within the initial air-blowing range. The initial air-blowing range can be selected so that the field 3 is covered without gaps by the multiple blower fans 100, but is not limited to this.

[0026] Fig. 4 is a top view showing the air blowing range of blower fan 100. As shown in Fig. 4, blower fan 101 performs an oscillating motion to blow air into air blowing range 111. The same applies to blower fans 102, 103, and 104 and air blowing ranges 112, 113, and 114.

[0027] The control device 400 acquires an image showing the temperature distribution of the field 3 acquired by the image sensor 200, and creates a temperature distribution map showing the surface temperature of the field 3 based on the acquired image. The control device 400 may acquire measurement data of the temperature near the ground surface of the field 3 from the low-level temperature sensor 302, and correct the temperatures shown on the temperature distribution map based on the acquired data. For example, if the temperature at a point shown as 2.0°C on the temperature distribution map is actually 0.0°C according to the measurement data from the low-level temperature sensor 302, the control device 400 corrects the entire temperature distribution map so that the temperatures shown on the temperature distribution map are 2.0°C lower overall.

[0028] The control device 400 analyzes the created temperature distribution map and determines whether there is a low-temperature area in the field 3 where the temperature is lower than the surrounding area. If it is determined that there is a low-temperature area, the control device 400 determines that there is a high risk of frost formation in the low-temperature area, and controls the blower fan 100 to blow warm air down toward the low-temperature area.

[0029] When the control device 400 determines that there is a low temperature area, it determines for each blower fan 100 whether the low temperature area is included in the initial air blowing range, the low temperature area is not included in the initial air blowing range but is included in the air blowing possible range, or the low temperature area is not included in the air blowing possible range.

[0030] If the low temperature region is included in the initial air-blowing range, it is possible to blow air to the low temperature region by operating the corresponding air-blowing fan 100 in the initial air-blowing range, and therefore the control device 400 does not change the air-blowing range of the corresponding air-blowing fan 100. If the low temperature region is not included in the initial air-blowing range but is included in the air-blowing possible range, the control device 400 changes the air-blowing range of the corresponding air-blowing fan 100 to include the low temperature region. If the low temperature region is not included in the air-blowing possible range, it is impossible for the corresponding air-blowing fan 100 to blow air to the low temperature region, and therefore the control device 400 does not change the air-blowing range of the corresponding air-blowing fan 100.

[0031] 5 is a top view showing the airflow range and low-temperature region of blower fan 100. As shown in FIG. 5, for blower fan 101, low-temperature region 120 indicated by diagonal lines is included in airflow range 111 of blower fan 101, so control device 400 does not change the airflow range of blower fan 101. For blower fans 102 and 103, control device 400 changes airflow ranges 111 and 112 of blower fans 102 and 103 to include low-temperature region 120. For blower fan 104, it is not possible to blow air into low-temperature region 120, so control device 400 does not change airflow range 114 of blower fan 104.

[0032] The control device 400 compares the temperature of the low temperature region on the temperature distribution map with the temperature at a high altitude in the field 3 measured by the high altitude temperature sensor 301. If the difference between the temperature of the low temperature region and the temperature at a high altitude in the field 3 is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the control device 400 controls the fan 1004 of the blower fan 100 to rotate and blow air toward the tea trees 2 in the field 3.

[0033] The control device 400 acquires from the image sensor 200 a temperature distribution image of the field 3, the temperature of which has changed due to the operation of the blower fan 100, and recreates a temperature distribution map. The control device 400 determines whether there is a low temperature area based on the recreated temperature distribution map, and if it determines that there is a low temperature area, it changes the air blowing range.

[0034] The control device 400 stores data on the temperature distribution map and data on the airflow range of the blower fan in the storage device 500. The control device 400 may operate the blower fan 100 based on past data on the temperature distribution map and data on the airflow range of the blower fan stored in the storage device 500.

[0035] The storage device 500 is a storage device that stores programs executed by the control device 400, data used in the programs, data on the temperature distribution map, and data on the air blowing range of the blower fan. The storage device 500 may include, but is not limited to, a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0036] 6 is a flowchart of the air blowing process executed by the air blowing system 1 according to the embodiment. The air blowing process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0037] When the air blowing process is started, the control device 400 of the air blowing system 1 acquires an image showing the temperature distribution in the farm field 3 from the image sensor 200 (step S101).

[0038] When the image showing the temperature distribution in the farm field 3 is acquired, the control device 400 creates a temperature distribution map showing the surface temperature of the farm field 3 based on the acquired image (step S102).

[0039] After creating the temperature distribution map, the control device 400 acquires measurement data of the temperature near the ground surface of the field 3 from the low-level temperature sensor 302 (step S103).

[0040] When the measurement data of the temperature near the ground surface of the farm field 3 is acquired, the control device 400 corrects the temperature indicated by the temperature distribution map based on the acquired measurement data (step S104).

[0041] After correcting the temperatures indicated by the temperature distribution map, the control device 400 analyzes the corrected temperature distribution map and determines whether or not there is a low-temperature region in the field 3 where the temperature is lower than the surrounding area (step S105).

[0042] If it is determined that there is no low temperature region (step S105: NO), if the blower fan 100 is blowing air, it stops blowing air (step S106), and the blowing process ends.

[0043] If it is determined that there is a low temperature region (step S105: YES), the air blowing range of the blower fan 100 is changed so as to include the low temperature region (step S107).

[0044] When the air blowing range of the blower fan is changed, the control device 400 acquires measurement data of the temperature at high places in the farm field 3 from the high place temperature sensor 301 (step S108).

[0045] When the measurement data of the temperature at the high point of the field 3 is acquired, the control device 400 determines whether the difference between the temperature in the low temperature region and the temperature at the high point of the field 3 is equal to or greater than a threshold value based on the acquired measurement data and the temperature distribution map (step S109). If it is determined that the difference is less than the threshold value (step S109: NO), the process proceeds to step S106.

[0046] If it is determined that the temperature is equal to or higher than the threshold value (step S109: YES), the control device 400 controls the blower fan 100 to blow air (step S110), and the process returns to step S101.

[0047] By being provided with the above configuration and performing the air blowing process, the air blowing system 1 according to the embodiment can prevent frost from forming in areas of the farm field that are particularly prone to frost.

[0048] For example, certain areas of a field may become colder than the surrounding area due to differences in ground elevation, differences in elevation of the tea plants, wind exposure, sunlight, etc. In such low-temperature areas, even uniform air blowing across the field to prevent frost may not be sufficient, and frost may form, damaging the tea plants. The air blowing system according to the embodiment identifies low-temperature areas and controls the air blowing area of ​​the blower fan to include the low-temperature areas, thereby focusing air blowing on the low-temperature areas and preventing frost.

[0049] When radiation cooling cools the area near the ground surface of a field, creating a low-temperature region, an inversion layer with a higher temperature than the ground surface may occur at higher elevations in the field. The air blowing system according to the embodiment can blow air when the temperature difference between the air temperature at higher elevations of the field and the low-temperature region is above a threshold, thereby blowing warm air from the inversion layer to the low-temperature region and efficiently preventing frost formation.

[0050] (Variation) Although the embodiments have been described above, the above embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to these. In other words, the embodiments of the present invention are applicable in various ways, and all embodiments are included in the scope of the present invention.

[0051] The ventilation system 1 according to the embodiment is a system for blowing air toward tea plants planted in a field to prevent frost damage to the tea plants, but is not limited to this. It may also be a system for blowing air toward cultivated land where agricultural products other than tea plants, including fruit trees and vegetables, are cultivated.

[0052] Although the ventilation system 1 is described as including the image sensor 200 that acquires an image showing the temperature distribution in the farm field 3, the present invention is not limited to this. Images showing the temperature distribution in the farm field 3 may be acquired by other image acquisition means, including aerial photography.

[0053] Although the high altitude temperature sensor 301 has been described as being placed at a high altitude in the field 3 at the same height as the image sensor 200 or the blower fan 101, this is not limitative. The high altitude temperature sensor 301 may be placed at any location where it is possible to measure the temperature of the inversion layer.

[0054] The control device 400 may control the change in depression angle and the speed of the horizontal swinging movement by the depression angle adjustment device 1010 and the swinging device 1020. For example, the swinging movement may be performed at a constant speed, or the swinging movement speed may be reduced when the blower fan 100 is aiming at a low temperature region, so that air is blown primarily to the low temperature region.

[0055] The control device 400 may perform interpolation on the temperature distribution image acquired by the image sensor 200, which shows the temperature distribution of the ground of the field 3 and the leaf surface of the tea plants 2. The control device 400 may perform, for example, bicubic interpolation to generate the temperature distribution image, but is not limited to this.

[0056] The control device 400 has been described as controlling the fan 1004 of the blower fan 100 to rotate and blow air towards the tea trees 2 in the field 3 when the difference in temperature between the low temperature region and the temperature at a high altitude in the field 3 is equal to or greater than a threshold value, but this is not limited to this. Air may be blown when the temperature of the low temperature region is equal to or less than a threshold value, rather than when there is a temperature difference, or air may be blown regardless of the temperature at a high altitude or the low temperature region.

[0057] It is possible to provide an air blowing system that is already equipped with the configuration for realizing the functions of the present invention, and also to make an existing system function as the air blowing system of the present invention by applying a program. That is, by applying a program for realizing each functional configuration of the air blowing system 1 exemplified in the above embodiment so that it can be executed by a CPU or the like that controls the existing system, it can function as the air blowing system of the present invention. Furthermore, the air blowing method of the present invention can be implemented using the air blowing system.

[0058] Furthermore, the application method of such a program is arbitrary. The program can be applied by storing it on a computer-readable storage medium such as a flexible disk, a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or a memory card. Furthermore, the program can be superimposed on a carrier wave and applied via a communication medium such as the Internet. For example, the program can be distributed by posting it on a bulletin board system (BBS) on a communication network. The program can then be started and executed under the control of an OS in the same way as other application programs, thereby enabling the above-mentioned processing to be performed.

[0059] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and the present invention includes the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1...ventilation system, 2...tea trees, 3...field, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104...ventilation fan, 111, 112, 113, 114...ventilation range, 120...low temperature area, 200...image sensor, 301...high altitude temperature sensor, 302...low altitude temperature sensor, 400...control device, 500...storage device, 1001...first motor, 1002...second motor, 1003...third motor, 1004...fan, 1005...motor base, 1006...base, 1007...mounting stand, 1008...pillar, 1010...depression angle adjustment device, 1020...oscillating device.

Claims

1. an image sensor that acquires an image showing the temperature distribution of the field; a high altitude temperature sensor that measures the air temperature at a high altitude in the field; a blower fan that blows air from a high place in the field toward a low place in the field within a blowing range; a control device that creates a temperature distribution map based on the image acquired by the image sensor, analyzes the temperature distribution map to identify a low-temperature area, changes the airflow range of the blower fan to include the low-temperature area, and controls the blower fan to blow air into the airflow range based on the air temperature at a high altitude of the field or the temperature of the low-temperature area measured by the high-altitude temperature sensor. Ventilation system.

2. the control device compares the air temperature at the high altitude of the field measured by the high altitude temperature sensor with the temperature of the low temperature region, and when the temperature difference is equal to or greater than a threshold, controls the blower fan to blow air into the air blowing range. The ventilation system according to claim 1 .

3. the control device controls the blower fan to blow air into the air blowing range when the temperature of the low temperature region is equal to or lower than a threshold value; The ventilation system according to claim 1 .

4. Further provided is a low-level temperature sensor that measures a temperature near the ground surface of the field; the control device corrects the temperature indicated by the temperature distribution map based on the temperature near the ground surface of the field measured by the low-level temperature sensor; The ventilation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The blower fan blows air in an initial blowing range, When the initial air-blowing range does not include the low-temperature region, the control device changes the air-blowing range of the blower fan from the initial air-blowing range so as to include the low-temperature region. The ventilation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The blower fan includes a depression angle adjustment device that changes the depression angle and a swing device that performs a horizontal swing operation, the control device controls the depression angle adjustment device to change the depression angle of the blower fan, or controls the swing device to change the swing angle of the blower fan, thereby changing the blowing direction of the blower fan and changing the blowing range of the blower fan. The ventilation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. the control device performs interpolation processing on the image acquired by the image sensor, and creates the temperature distribution map based on the image after the interpolation processing. The ventilation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. A temperature distribution map is created based on an image showing the temperature distribution in the field. Analyzing the temperature distribution map to identify low temperature regions; changing the air blowing range of a blower fan that blows air from a high altitude in the field toward a low altitude in the field to include the low temperature region; controlling the blower fan to blow air into the blowing range based on the air temperature at a high altitude or the temperature of the low temperature region of the field; Air blowing method.

9. On the computer, A temperature distribution map is created based on an image showing the temperature distribution in the field, analyzing the temperature distribution map to identify low temperature regions; changing the air blowing range of a blower fan that blows air from a high altitude in the field toward a low altitude in the field to include the low temperature region; controlling the blower fan to blow air into the blowing range based on the air temperature at a high altitude or the temperature of the low temperature region of the field; program.

Images