Growth condition estimation device, plant management system, growth condition estimation method, plant management method, and program

Abstract

SOLUTION: A growth state estimation device comprises: a concentration acquisition unit that acquires the carbon dioxide concentration at a first time point in a plant factory and the carbon dioxide concentration at a second time point after the first time point, which are detected by a sensor installed in the plant factory; a supply amount acquisition unit that acquires the supply amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the plant factory from the first time point to the second time point via a carbon dioxide supply facility having a tank for storing carbon dioxide; a consumption amount determination unit that determines the consumption amount of carbon dioxide consumed by the plants cultivated in the plant factory from the first time point to the second time point based on the carbon dioxide concentration at the first time point, the carbon dioxide concentration at the second time point, and the supply amount of carbon dioxide; and an estimation unit that estimates the growth state of the plants based on relationship information indicating the relationship between the consumption amount of carbon dioxide and the growth state of the plants in the plant factory and the determined consumption amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a growth state estimation device, a plant management system, a growth state estimation method, a plant management method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 states that "a laser scanner 4 scans pulsed ranging light consisting of two wavelengths with different reflectivities depending on the nitrogen content, receives the two wavelengths separately, detects the distance measurement value and light intensity for each pulsed ranging light and for each of the two wavelengths, detects the height of the crop based on the distance measurement value, detects the ratio of the received light intensity of the two wavelengths, and detects the growth condition of the crop based on the detected height and ratio of the received light intensity." [Prior art document] [Patent Documents] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-054395 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] It is desirable to be able to identify the growth state of plants grown in a plant factory while minimizing the need for additional equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] A growth state estimation device according to one aspect of the present invention may include a concentration acquisition unit that acquires a carbon dioxide concentration at a first time point in the plant factory and a carbon dioxide concentration at a second time point after the first time point, both detected by sensors installed in the plant factory. The growth state estimation device may include a supply amount acquisition unit that acquires a supply amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the plant factory from the first time point to the second time point via a carbon dioxide supply facility having a tank for storing carbon dioxide. The growth state estimation device may include a consumption amount determination unit that determines a carbon dioxide consumption amount consumed by plants grown in the plant factory from the first time point to the second time point based on the carbon dioxide concentration at the first time point, the carbon dioxide concentration at the second time point, and the supply amount of carbon dioxide. The growth state estimation device may include an estimation unit that estimates the growth state of the plants based on relationship information indicating a relationship between carbon dioxide consumption and the growth state of the plants in the plant factory and the determined consumption amount.

[0005] In the growth state estimation device, the consumption amount determination unit may determine the amount of carbon dioxide consumed by the plants in the plant factory from the first time point to the second time point, further based on a predetermined basic consumption amount, which is the amount of carbon dioxide consumed in the plant factory during a period corresponding to the period from the first time point to the second time point when the plants are not being cultivated in the plant factory.

[0006] In any of the growth state estimation devices, the consumption amount determination unit may determine the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by people from the first time point to the second time point based on the number of people present in the plant factory and the length of time they stay there between the first time point and the second time point, and may further determine the amount of carbon dioxide consumed by the plants in the plant factory from the first time point to the second time point based on the carbon dioxide emission of the identified people.

[0007] In any of the growth state estimation devices, the supply amount acquisition unit may acquire the amount of nutrient solution supplied to the plant from the first time point to the second time point via a nutrient solution supply facility having a tank for storing a nutrient solution containing fertilizer components. The estimation unit may estimate the growth state of the plant based on the amount of nutrient solution supplied and relationship information indicating a relationship between the amount of nutrient solution supplied and the growth state of the plant. The estimation unit may estimate the growth state of the plant based on the growth state of the plant estimated based on the amount of carbon dioxide consumption and the growth state of the plant estimated based on the amount of nutrient solution supplied.

[0008] In any of the growth state estimation devices, when the growth state of the plant estimated based on the amount of carbon dioxide consumption matches the growth state of the plant estimated based on the amount of nutrient solution supplied, the estimation unit may use the matched growth state as the growth state of the plant for controlling environmental control equipment that controls the environment within the plant factory.

[0009] In any of the growth state estimation devices, when the growth state of the plant estimated based on the carbon dioxide consumption amount does not match the growth state of the plant estimated based on the amount of nutrient solution supplied, the estimation unit does not need to use the inconsistent growth state as the growth state of the plant for controlling environmental control equipment that controls the environment within the plant factory.

[0010] A growth state estimating device according to one aspect of the present invention may include a supply amount acquiring unit that acquires a supply amount of nutrient solution supplied to plants cultivated in a plant factory from a first time point to a second time point after the first time point via nutrient solution supply equipment having a tank that stores nutrient solution containing fertilizer components. The growth state estimating device may include an estimating unit that estimates the growth state of the plant based on relationship information indicating a relationship between the supply amount of nutrient solution and the growth state of the plant and the supply amount of nutrient solution.

[0011] A plant management system according to one embodiment of the present invention may include the growth state estimation device and an environmental control unit that controls environmental control equipment that controls the environment within the plant factory so that the growth state of the plant estimated by the estimation unit becomes a predetermined growth state that should be met at the second point in time.

[0012] In the plant management system, the environmental control equipment may include a nutrient solution supply equipment that supplies a nutrient solution containing fertilizer components to the plant. The environmental control unit may adjust a fertilizer concentration of the nutrient solution supplied to the plant by the nutrient solution supply equipment so that the growth state of the plant estimated by the estimation unit matches a predetermined growth state to be satisfied at the second time point.

[0013] In any of the plant management systems, the environmental control equipment may include an irrigation equipment that supplies water to a medium in which the plant is grown. The environmental control unit may adjust the amount of water irrigated to the medium by the irrigation equipment so that the growth state of the plant estimated by the estimation unit matches a predetermined growth state that should be satisfied at the second time point.

[0014] In any of the plant management systems, the environmental control equipment may include a light source equipment having a light source that irradiates the plant with artificial light, and the environmental control unit may adjust the amount of light irradiated to the plant by the light source equipment and the irradiation time so that the growth state of the plant estimated by the estimation unit becomes a predetermined growth state to be satisfied at the second time point.

[0015] Any of the plant management systems may further include a notification unit that notifies a message indicating an abnormality in the environmental control equipment when the carbon dioxide consumption identified by the consumption identification unit is smaller than a predetermined threshold.

[0016] A growth state estimation method according to one aspect of the present invention may include acquiring a carbon dioxide concentration at a first time point in the plant factory and a carbon dioxide concentration at a second time point after the first time point, both detected by a sensor installed in the plant factory. The growth state estimation method may include acquiring an amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the plant factory from the first time point to the second time point via a carbon dioxide supply facility having a tank for storing carbon dioxide. The growth state estimation method may include determining an amount of carbon dioxide consumed by the plants in the plant factory from the first time point to the second time point based on the carbon dioxide concentration at the first time point, the carbon dioxide concentration at the second time point, and the amount of carbon dioxide supplied. The growth state estimation method may include estimating the growth state of the plants based on relationship information indicating a relationship between the amount of carbon dioxide consumption and the growth state of the plants cultivated in the plant factory and the determined amount of carbon dioxide consumption.

[0017] A growth state estimation method according to one aspect of the present invention may include a step of acquiring a supply amount of nutrient solution supplied to plants cultivated in a plant factory from a first time point to a second time point after the first time point via nutrient solution supply equipment having a tank for storing nutrient solution containing fertilizer components. The growth state estimation method may include a step of estimating the growth state of the plant based on relationship information indicating a relationship between the supply amount of nutrient solution and the growth state of the plant and the supply amount of nutrient solution.

[0018] A plant management method according to an aspect of the present invention may include a step of estimating a growth state of the plant according to any of the growth state estimation methods, and a step of controlling an environmental control device that controls an environment in the plant factory so that the estimated growth state of the plant becomes a predetermined growth state that should be satisfied at the second time point.

[0019] A program according to one aspect of the present invention may cause a computer to acquire a carbon dioxide concentration in a plant factory at a first time point and a carbon dioxide concentration at a second time point after the first time point, both of which are detected by a sensor installed in the plant factory. The program may cause the computer to acquire an amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the plant factory from the first time point to the second time point via a carbon dioxide supply facility having a tank for storing carbon dioxide. The program may cause the computer to determine an amount of carbon dioxide consumed by plants grown in the plant factory from the first time point to the second time point, based on the carbon dioxide concentration at the first time point, the carbon dioxide concentration at the second time point, and the amount of carbon dioxide supplied. The program may cause the computer to estimate a growth state of the plants based on relationship information indicating a relationship between the amount of carbon dioxide consumption and a growth state of the plants in the plant factory and the determined amount of carbon dioxide consumption.

[0020] A program according to one aspect of the present invention may cause a computer to acquire a supply amount of nutrient solution supplied to plants cultivated in a plant factory from a first time point to a second time point after the first time point via nutrient solution supply equipment having a tank for storing nutrient solution containing fertilizer components. The program may cause the computer to estimate a growth state of the plants based on relationship information indicating a relationship between the supply amount of nutrient solution and a growth state of the plants, and the supply amount of nutrient solution.

[0021] 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]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the overall configuration of a plant management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the plant management device. [Figure 3A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of relationship information indicating the relationship between the growth state of a plant and the amount of carbon dioxide consumed. [Figure 3B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of relationship information showing the relationship between the growth state of a plant and the amount of nutrient solution supplied. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for estimating the growth state of a plant 30 based on the amount of carbon dioxide consumed and for controlling the environment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for estimating the growth state of a plant 30 and controlling the environment based on the amount of carbon dioxide consumed and the amount of nutrient solution supplied. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] 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.

[0024] 1 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the overall configuration of a plant management system according to this embodiment. The plant management system manages the growth state of plants 30 cultivated in a plant factory 10. The plant management system includes a plurality of cultivation shelves 20, a light source facility 40, a nutrient solution supply facility 50, a carbon dioxide supply facility 60, an air conditioning facility 70, a ventilation facility 80, a sensor 90, and a plant management device 100. The light source facility 40, the nutrient solution supply facility 50, the carbon dioxide supply facility 60, the air conditioning facility 70, and the ventilation facility 80 are examples of environmental control facilities.

[0025] The cultivation shelf 20 cultivates plants 30 such as vegetables, fruits, or fresh flowers. The light source equipment 40 includes a plurality of light sources 42 that emit artificial light such as LEDs or incandescent lamps, and each of the plurality of light sources 42 irradiates the plants 30 with artificial light. The plurality of light sources 42 may be arranged facing the cultivation surface of the cultivation shelf 20.

[0026] The nutrient solution supplying equipment 50 has a pump 52 and a pipe 54, and supplies a nutrient solution containing fertilizer components such as potassium or calcium to the cultivation shelf 20 via the pump 52 and the pipe 54. The nutrient solution supplying equipment 50 adjusts the fertilizer concentration as appropriate and supplies the nutrient solution with the adjusted fertilizer concentration to the plants 30. The nutrient solution supplying equipment 50 may supply the nutrient solution to the plants 30 by atomizing the nutrient solution with the adjusted fertilizer concentration and spraying it onto the roots of the plants 30. The nutrient solution supplying equipment 50 may also function as an irrigation equipment that supplies moisture to the medium in which the plants 30 are grown. The amount of irrigation water supplied to the cultivation shelf 20 may be adjusted by adjusting the amount of nutrient solution supplied from the nutrient solution supplying equipment 50 to the cultivation shelf 20.

[0027] The carbon dioxide supplying equipment 60 has a tank 62 and a nozzle 64. The tank 62 stores carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide supplying equipment 60 supplies the carbon dioxide stored in the tank 62 into the plant factory 10 through the nozzle 64.

[0028] The air conditioning equipment 70 adjusts the temperature and humidity of the air inside the plant factory 10 and circulates the temperature- and humidity-adjusted air inside the indoor space. The air blowing equipment 80 includes a circulator or an electric fan that supplies air into the plant factory 10.

[0029] The sensor 90 is a CO2 sensor that detects the carbon dioxide concentration in the plant factory 10. A plurality of sensors 90 may be provided in the plant factory 10. A sensor 90 may be provided for each cultivation shelf 20. The sensor 90 periodically detects the carbon dioxide concentration in the plant factory 10 and provides the detection result to the plant management device 100. Only one sensor 90 may be provided in the plant factory 10.

[0030] The plant management device 100 controls the growth state of the plant 30 by controlling the light source equipment 40, the nutrient solution supply equipment 50, the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60, the air conditioning equipment 70, and the ventilation equipment 80. The plant management device 100 communicates with the light source equipment 40, the nutrient solution supply equipment 50, the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60, the air conditioning equipment 70, the ventilation equipment 80, and the sensor 90 via a wireless network or a wired network. The plant management device 100 is an example of a growth state estimation device.

[0031] The plant management device 100 may be a computer having a central processing unit (CPU) and memory. The light source equipment 40, the nutrient solution supply equipment 50, the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60, the air conditioning equipment 70, and the ventilation equipment 80 may each be equipped with a computer having a central processing unit (CPU) and memory.

[0032] The computer may be a personal computer, tablet computer, smartphone, workstation, server computer, general-purpose computer, or a computer system in which multiple computers are connected. Such a computer system is also a computer in a broad sense. The computer may be a dedicated computer designed for environmental control in a plant factory, or dedicated hardware realized by dedicated circuits. The computer may be implemented in a virtual computer environment. When a computer is used, the plant management device 100, the light source equipment 40, the nutrient solution supply equipment 50, the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60, the air conditioning equipment 70, and the ventilation equipment 80 are realized by executing a program on the computer.

[0033] 2 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the plant management device 100. The plant management device 100 includes a concentration acquisition unit 102, a supply amount acquisition unit 104, a consumption amount determination unit 106, an estimation unit 108, an environment control unit 110, a notification unit 112, and a storage unit 120.

[0034] The concentration acquisition unit 102 periodically acquires the carbon dioxide concentration from each of the multiple sensors 90. The concentration acquisition unit 102 may acquire an average value of the carbon dioxide concentrations acquired from each of the multiple sensors 90 as the carbon dioxide concentration in the plant factory 10. The concentration acquisition unit 102 may acquire, from the multiple sensors 90, the carbon dioxide concentration at time T1 in the plant factory 10 and the carbon dioxide concentration at time T2 after time T1. The concentration acquisition unit 102 may acquire the carbon dioxide concentration from each of the multiple sensors 90 every hour, every six hours, every 12 hours, or every 24 hours, and register the average value of the carbon dioxide concentrations from the multiple sensors 90 in the storage unit 120 as the carbon dioxide concentration in the plant factory 10.

[0035] The supply amount acquiring unit 104 acquires the amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the plant factory 10 within a predetermined period via the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 having a tank 62 for storing carbon dioxide. The supply amount acquiring unit 104 acquires the amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the plant factory 10 from time T1 to time T2. The supply amount acquiring unit 104 may acquire the amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the plant factory 10 within a predetermined period for each predetermined period. The supply amount acquiring unit 104 may acquire the amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the plant factory 10 within 1 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours, or 24 hours.

[0036] The consumption amount specifying unit 106 specifies the amount of carbon dioxide consumed by the plants 30 in the plant factory 10 based on the carbon dioxide concentrations in the plant factory 10 detected by the multiple sensors 90 and the amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the plant factory 10 via the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60. The consumption amount specifying unit 106 specifies the amount of carbon dioxide consumed by the plants 30 in the plant factory 10 from time T1 to time T2 based on the carbon dioxide concentration at time T1, the carbon dioxide concentration at time T2, and the amount of carbon dioxide supplied from time T1 to time T2. The consumption amount specifying unit 106 specifies the amount of carbon dioxide consumed by all the plants 30 grown in the plant factory 10. The consumption amount specifying unit 106 specifies the amount of carbon dioxide consumed by all the plants 30 grown in the plant factory 10 that are grown in an area where the carbon dioxide concentrations are detected by the sensors 90 among the plants 30 grown in the plant factory 10 and for which the amount of carbon dioxide supplied to that area from the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 can be determined.

[0037] The consumption amount specifying unit 106 calculates the carbon dioxide concentration (ppm) at the time T1 by the capacity (m 3 ) to derive the amount of carbon dioxide in the plant factory 10 at time T1. The consumption amount specifying unit 106 similarly derives the amount of carbon dioxide in the plant factory 10 at time T2. The consumption amount specifying unit 106 then specifies the amount of carbon dioxide consumed by the plants 30 in the plant factory 10 from time T1 to time T2 by subtracting the amount of carbon dioxide in the plant factory 10 at time T2 from the sum of the amount of carbon dioxide in the plant factory 10 at time T1 and the amount of carbon dioxide supplied from time T1 to time T2.

[0038] The estimation unit 108 estimates the growth state of the plants based on the relationship information indicating the relationship between the carbon dioxide consumption and the growth state of the plants cultivated in the plant factory 10 and the carbon dioxide consumption identified by the consumption amount identification unit 106. The growth state may be distinguished, for example, by dividing the growth state from planting to harvest into multiple stages. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A , the relationship information may divide the growth state from planting to harvest into five stages, and associate a range of carbon dioxide consumption with each stage. As the growth of the plants 30 progresses, the amount of carbon dioxide consumed by the plants 30 increases. Therefore, the relationship information may be information divided into stages so that the greater the carbon dioxide consumption, the more advanced the growth state of the plants 30. The relationship information may be generated by actually measuring the carbon dioxide consumption of each type of plant 30 at each growth stage through experiments, etc., and collecting statistical data. The relationship information may be registered in advance in the storage unit 120.

[0039] The carbon dioxide consumed in the plant factory 10 may be due to factors other than the plants 30. Therefore, a predetermined basic consumption amount, which is the amount of carbon dioxide consumed in the plant factory 10 during a period corresponding to the period from time T1 to time T2 when the plants 30 are not being cultivated in the plant factory 10, may be derived by experiment or the like, and the basic consumption amount may be registered in advance in the storage unit 120.

[0040] The consumption amount specifying unit 106 may specify the amount of carbon dioxide consumed by the plants 30 in the plant factory 10 from time T1 to time T2, further based on the basic consumption amount. That is, the consumption amount specifying unit 106 may specify the amount of carbon dioxide consumed by the plants 30 in the plant factory 10 from time T1 to time T2 by subtracting the amount of carbon dioxide in the plant factory 10 at time T2 from the sum of the amount of carbon dioxide in the plant factory 10 at time T1 and the amount of carbon dioxide supplied from time T1 to time T2, and further calculating the basic consumption amount.

[0041] There is a possibility that people may enter and leave the plant factory 10. When people enter and leave the plant factory 10, the consumption amount specifying unit 106 may specify the amount of carbon dioxide consumed by the plants 30, taking into consideration the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the people. Therefore, the consumption amount specifying unit 106 may specify the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by people from time T1 to time T2 based on the number of people present in the plant factory 10 and the duration of their stay between time T1 and time T2, and may further specify the amount of carbon dioxide consumed by the plants 30 in the plant factory 10 from time T1 to time T2 based on the specified amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the people.

[0042] The memory unit 120 may store the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by one person per unit time. A motion sensor may be installed at the entrance and exit of the plant factory 10, and the plant management device 100 may measure the number of people present in the plant factory 10 and their stay time, and store the results in the memory unit 120. The consumption amount specifying unit 106 derives the total amount of carbon dioxide generated by people in the plant factory 10 between time T1 and time T2 based on the number of people present in the plant factory 10 between time T1 and time T2 and the stay time of each person. The consumption amount specifying unit 106 may then sum up the amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the plant factory 10 between time T1 and time T2 and the total amount of carbon dioxide generated by people, and subtract the amount of carbon dioxide in the plant factory 10 at time T2 from the sum of the total amount and the amount of carbon dioxide in the plant factory 10 at time T1, thereby specifying the amount of carbon dioxide consumed by the plants 30 in the plant factory 10 between time T1 and time T2.

[0043] The environmental control unit 110 controls at least one of the environmental control equipment, namely, the light source equipment 40, the nutrient solution supply equipment 50, the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60, the air conditioning equipment 70, and the ventilation equipment 80, which control the environment within the plant factory 10, so that the growth state of the plant 30 estimated by the estimation unit 108 becomes a predetermined growth state that should be met at time T2.

[0044] The environmental control unit 110 may adjust the fertilizer concentration of the nutrient solution supplied by the nutrient solution supplying equipment 50 to the medium on the cultivation shelf 20 so that the growth state of the plant 30 estimated by the estimating unit 108 reaches a predetermined growth state that should be met at time T2. If the growth state of the plant 30 estimated by the estimating unit 108 has not reached the predetermined growth state that should be met at time T2, the environmental control unit 110 may adjust the fertilizer concentration of the nutrient solution supplied by the nutrient solution supplying equipment 50 to the medium on the cultivation shelf 20 so as to increase it. If the growth state of the plant 30 estimated by the estimating unit 108 is growing worse than the predetermined growth state that should be met at time T2, the environmental control unit 110 may adjust the fertilizer concentration of the nutrient solution supplied by the nutrient solution supplying equipment 50 to the medium on the cultivation shelf 20 so as to decrease it. If the plant 30 is a tomato or the like whose growth condition changes depending on the amount of irrigation, the environmental control unit 110 may adjust the amount of irrigation supplied to the culture medium of the cultivation shelf 20 by the nutrient solution supply equipment 50 so that the growth condition of the plant 30 estimated by the estimation unit 108 becomes a predetermined growth condition that should be met at time T2.

[0045] The environmental control unit 110 may adjust the amount of light irradiated onto the plant 30 by the light source equipment 40 and the irradiation time so that the growth state of the plant 30 estimated by the estimating unit 108 reaches a predetermined growth state that should be met at time T2. If the growth state of the plant 30 estimated by the estimating unit 108 has not reached the predetermined growth state that should be met at time T2, the environmental control unit 110 may increase the amount of light irradiated onto the plant 30 by the light source equipment 40. Alternatively, the environmental control unit 110 may extend the time for which the light source equipment 40 irradiates the plant 30 with light. On the other hand, if the growth state of the plant 30 estimated by the estimating unit 108 is worse than the predetermined growth state that should be met at time T2, the environmental control unit 110 may decrease the amount of light irradiated onto the plant 30 by the light source equipment 40. Alternatively, the environmental control unit 110 may shorten the time for which the light source equipment 40 irradiates the plant 30 with light.

[0046] If the carbon dioxide consumption identified by the consumption amount identifying unit 106 is too small, there is a possibility that an abnormality has occurred in at least one of the environmental control equipment, which controls the environment in the plant factory 10, among the light source equipment 40, the nutrient solution supply equipment 50, the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60, the air conditioning equipment 70, and the ventilation equipment 80. Therefore, if the carbon dioxide consumption identified by the consumption amount identifying unit 106 is smaller than a predetermined threshold, the notification unit 112 notifies a message indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the environmental control equipment. The notification unit 112 may notify the message to a manager who manages the plant factory 10. The notification unit 112 may display the message on a display provided in the plant management device 100. The notification unit 112 may notify the message to a terminal owned by the manager who manages the plant factory 10.

[0047] In the above, an example has been described in which the estimation unit 108 estimates the growth state of the plant based on the relationship information indicating the relationship between the carbon dioxide consumption and the growth state of the plant cultivated in the plant factory 10 and the carbon dioxide consumption identified by the consumption amount identifying unit 106. However, the estimation unit 108 may estimate the growth state of the plant 30 based on the supply amount of nutrient solution supplied by the nutrient solution supply equipment 50 instead of or in addition to the carbon dioxide consumption amount. Note that the nutrient solution supply equipment 50 may supply new nutrient solution to the plant 30 in accordance with the amount of nutrient solution consumed by the plant 30. In other words, the supply amount of nutrient solution supplied by the nutrient solution supply equipment 50 corresponds to the amount of nutrient solution consumed by the plant 30.

[0048] The supply amount acquisition unit 104 may acquire the amount of nutrient solution supplied to the culture medium of the cultivation shelf 20 by the nutrient solution supply equipment 50 between time T1 and time T2. The estimation unit 108 may estimate the growth state of the plant 30 based on the amount of nutrient solution supplied by the supply amount acquisition unit 104 and relationship information indicating the relationship between the amount of nutrient solution supplied and the growth state of the plant cultivated in the plant factory 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B , the relationship information may be generated by dividing the growth state from planting to harvest into five stages and associating a range of the amount of nutrient solution supplied with each stage. As the growth of the plant 30 progresses, the amount of nutrient solution consumed by the plant 30 increases, and therefore the amount supplied also increases. Therefore, the relationship information may be information divided into stages such that a larger amount of nutrient solution supplied indicates a more advanced growth state of the plant 30. The relationship information may be generated by actually measuring the amount of nutrient solution supplied for each type of plant 30 through experiments or the like and collecting statistical data for each growth state of the plant 30. The related information may be registered in advance in the storage unit 120.

[0049] The estimation unit 108 may finally estimate the growth state of the plant 30 based on the growth state of the plant 30 estimated based on the amount of carbon dioxide consumed and the growth state of the plant 30 estimated based on the amount of nutrient solution supplied. Estimating the growth state of the plant 30 using two parameters allows the growth state of the plant 30 to be estimated more accurately.

[0050] When the growth state of the plant 30 estimated based on the amount of carbon dioxide consumption and the growth state of the plant 30 estimated based on the amount of nutrient solution supplied match, the estimation unit 108 may use the matched growth state as the growth state of the plant 30 for controlling the environmental control equipment that controls the environment in the plant factory 10. On the other hand, when the growth state of the plant 30 estimated based on the amount of carbon dioxide consumption and the growth state of the plant 30 estimated based on the amount of nutrient solution supplied do not match, the estimation unit 108 does not need to use the inconsistent growth state as the growth state of the plant 30 for controlling the environmental control equipment that controls the environment in the plant factory 10.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for estimating the growth state of the plant 30 based on the amount of carbon dioxide consumption and for controlling the environment.

[0052] The concentration acquisition unit 102 acquires the carbon dioxide concentrations at time points T1 and T2 detected by the sensor 90 (S100). The supply amount acquisition unit 104 acquires the amount of carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 into the plant factory 10 from time point T1 to time point T2 (S102). The consumption amount determination unit 106 determines the amount of carbon dioxide consumed by the plant 30 from time point T1 to time point T2 based on the carbon dioxide concentrations at time points T1 and T2, the amount of carbon dioxide supplied from time point T1 to time point T2, the basic consumption amount, and the amount of carbon dioxide supplied by people entering and leaving the plant factory 10 (S104).

[0053] If the carbon dioxide consumption is less than the threshold value ("Y" in S106), the notification unit 112 notifies the outside of an equipment error indicating an abnormality in the environmental control equipment (S108). On the other hand, if the carbon dioxide consumption is equal to or greater than the threshold value ("N" in S106), the estimation unit 108 estimates the growth state of the plants 30 in the plant factory 10 based on the related information and the identified carbon dioxide consumption (S110).

[0054] The environment control unit 110 determines whether the estimated growth state of the plant 30 is a predetermined growth state assumed at time T2 (S112). If the estimated growth state of the plant 30 is a predetermined growth state assumed at time T2, the process ends.

[0055] If the estimated growth state of the plant 30 is not the predetermined growth state assumed at time T2, and the estimated growth state of the plant 30 lags behind the predetermined growth state assumed at time T2 ("Y" in S114), the environment control unit 110 controls the nutrient solution supply equipment 50 and the light source equipment 40 to increase the fertilizer concentration of the nutrient solution supplied to the culture medium of the cultivation shelf 20 and the amount of light irradiated on the plant 30 (S116). If the growth state of the plant 30 changes depending on the amount of irrigation, the environment control unit 110 may increase the amount of irrigation supplied to the plant 30 instead of adjusting the fertilizer concentration.

[0056] On the other hand, if the estimated growth state of the plant 30 is more advanced than the predetermined growth state assumed at time T2 ("N" in S114), the nutrient solution supply equipment 50 and the light source equipment 40 are controlled to reduce the fertilizer concentration of the nutrient solution supplied to the culture medium of the cultivation shelf 20 and the amount of light irradiated on the plant 30 (S118). If the growth state of the plant 30 changes depending on the amount of irrigation, the environment control unit 110 may reduce the amount of irrigation supplied to the plant 30 instead of adjusting the fertilizer concentration.

[0057] As described above, the plant management device 100 according to this embodiment identifies the amount of carbon dioxide consumed by all of the plants 30 cultivated in the plant factory 10 and estimates the overall growth state of all of the plants 30 cultivated in the plant factory 10 based on that consumption amount. Furthermore, based on the estimated growth state, the plant management device 100 controls the environmental control equipment so that the environment in the plant factory 10 is in the growth state that the plants 30 should satisfy. By utilizing existing equipment installed in the plant factory 10, the amount of carbon dioxide consumption can be estimated, the growth state of the plants 30 can be grasped, and the environment in the plant factory 10 can be appropriately controlled.

[0058] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for estimating the growth state of the plant 30 based on the amount of carbon dioxide consumed and the amount of nutrient solution supplied, and for controlling the environment.

[0059] The estimation unit 108 estimates the growth state of the plant 30 based on the relationship information indicating the relationship between the carbon dioxide consumption and the growth state of the plant cultivated in the plant factory 10 and the carbon dioxide consumption identified by the consumption amount identification unit 106 (S200). The estimation unit 108 estimates the growth state of the plant 30 based on the relationship information indicating the relationship between the amount of nutrient solution supplied and the growth state of the plant 30 cultivated in the plant factory 10 and the amount of nutrient solution supplied acquired by the supply amount acquisition unit 104 (S202).

[0060] The estimation unit 108 determines whether the growth state of the plant 30 estimated based on the amount of carbon dioxide consumption matches the growth state of the plant 30 estimated based on the amount of nutrient solution supplied (S204). If the estimated growth states match, the environmental control unit 110 controls the environmental control equipment, such as the light source equipment 40 and the nutrient solution supply equipment 50, based on the estimated growth state of the plant 30 (S206). On the other hand, if the estimated growth states do not match, the environmental control unit 110 does not control the environmental control equipment, such as the light source equipment 40 and the nutrient solution supply equipment 50, based on the estimated growth state of the plant 30, and ends the process.

[0061] As described above, the plant management device 100 according to the embodiment identifies the amount of carbon dioxide consumed by all of the plants 30 cultivated in the plant factory 10 and the amount of nutrient solution supplied to the plants 30, and estimates the overall growth state of all of the plants 30 cultivated in the plant factory 10 based on the consumption and supply amounts. The plant management device 100 estimates the final growth state of the plants 30 taking into account the growth state estimated based on each of the carbon dioxide consumption and the amount of nutrient solution supplied, thereby enabling more accurate estimation of the growth state of the plants 30. Therefore, based on the estimated growth state, the plant management device 100 can more accurately control the environmental control equipment so that the environment in the plant factory 10 is in the growth state that the plants 30 should satisfy.

[0062] 6 illustrates an example of a computer 1200 that may embody aspects of the present embodiment in whole or in part. A program installed on the computer 1200 may cause the computer 1200 to perform operations associated with an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention or to function as one or more “parts” of the apparatus. Alternatively, the program may cause the computer 1200 to execute the operations or one or more “parts.” The program may cause the computer 1200 to execute a process or steps of a process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 1212 to cause the computer 1200 to perform specific operations associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0063] The computer 1200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 1212 and a RAM 1214, which are interconnected by a host controller 1210. The computer 1200 also includes a communication interface 1222 and an input / output unit, which are connected to the host controller 1210 via an input / output controller 1220. The computer 1200 also includes a ROM 1230. The CPU 1212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 1230 and RAM 1214, thereby controlling each unit.

[0064] The communication interface 1222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. A hard disk drive may store programs and data used by the CPU 1212 in the computer 1200. The ROM 1230 stores a boot program executed by the computer 1200 upon activation and / or programs dependent on the computer's hardware. The programs may be provided via a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a USB memory, or an IC card, or via a network. The programs may be installed in the RAM 1214 or the ROM 1230, which are also examples of computer-readable storage media, and executed by the CPU 1212. The information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 1200, resulting in cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. An apparatus or method may be configured by implementing operations or processing of information in accordance with the use of the computer 1200.

[0065] For example, when communication is performed between computer 1200 and an external device, CPU 1212 may execute a communication program loaded in RAM 1214 and instruct communication interface 1222 to perform communication processing based on the processing described in the communication program. Under the control of CPU 1212, communication interface 1222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer area provided in RAM 1214 or a storage medium such as a USB memory, and transmits the read transmission data to a network, or writes reception data received from the network to a reception buffer area or the like provided on the storage medium.

[0066] The CPU 1212 may also cause all or a necessary portion of a file or database stored in an external storage medium such as a USB memory to be read into the RAM 1214, and perform various types of processing on the data in the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may then write the processed data back to the external storage medium.

[0067] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored in the storage medium and subjected to information processing. The CPU 1212 may perform various types of processing on data read from the RAM 1214, 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 1214. The CPU 1212 may also search for information in a file, database, etc. in the storage 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 in the storage medium, the CPU 1212 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.

[0068] The above-described programs or software modules may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium on or near the computer 1200. Also, a storage medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as a computer-readable storage medium, thereby providing the programs to the computer 1200 via the network.

[0069] A computer-readable medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions that are executed by an appropriate device. As a result, the computer-readable medium with instructions stored thereon comprises an article of manufacture, including instructions that can be executed to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowchart or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. 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, etc.

[0070] The computer-readable instructions may include either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The source code or object code includes conventional procedural programming languages. The conventional procedural programming languages ​​may be assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, JAVA®, C++, etc., and the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer-readable instructions may be provided to a processor or programmable circuitry of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus locally or over a wide-area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN), the Internet, etc. The processor or programmable circuitry may execute 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] 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.

[0072] 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 later 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]

[0073] 10 Plant factory 20 cultivation rack 30 plants 40 Light source equipment 42 Light source 50 Nutrient solution supply equipment 52 Pump 54 Pipe 60 Carbon dioxide supply equipment 62 Tank 64 nozzles 70 Air conditioning equipment 80 Ventilation equipment 90 Sensors 100 Plant management equipment 102 Concentration acquisition section 104 Supply amount acquisition section 106 Consumption Specification Department 108 Estimation part 110 Environmental Control Department 112 Notification Department 120 Storage section 1200 Computer 1210 host controller 1212 CPU 1214 RAM 1220 Input / Output Controller 1222 communication interface 1230 ROM

Claims

1. a concentration acquisition unit that acquires a carbon dioxide concentration at a first time point in the plant factory and a carbon dioxide concentration at a second time point after the first time point, both detected by a sensor installed in the plant factory; a supply amount acquisition unit that acquires a supply amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the plant factory from the first time point to the second time point via a carbon dioxide supply facility having a tank that stores carbon dioxide; a consumption amount specifying unit that specifies the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by people from the first time point to the second time point based on the number of people present in the plant factory and their staying times from the first time point to the second time point, and that specifies the amount of carbon dioxide consumed by plants cultivated in the plant factory from the first time point to the second time point based on the carbon dioxide concentration at the first time point, the carbon dioxide concentration at the second time point, the supply amount of carbon dioxide, and the carbon dioxide emission amount of the specified people; an estimation unit that estimates the growth state of the plants based on relationship information indicating a relationship between a consumption amount of carbon dioxide and a growth state of the plants in the plant factory and the identified consumption amount; A growth state estimation device comprising:

2. 2. The growth state estimation device according to claim 1, wherein the consumption amount determination unit determines the amount of carbon dioxide consumed by the plants in the plant factory from the first time point to the second time point, further based on a predetermined basic consumption amount, which is the amount of carbon dioxide consumed in the plant factory during a period corresponding to the period from the first time point to the second time point when the plants are not being cultivated in the plant factory.

3. the supply amount acquisition unit acquires a supply amount of the nutrient solution supplied to the plant from the first time point to the second time point via a nutrient solution supply facility having a tank for storing a nutrient solution containing a fertilizer component; the estimation unit estimates the growth state of the plant based on relationship information indicating a relationship between the supply amount of the nutrient solution and the growth state of the plant, and the supply amount of the nutrient solution; 2. The growth state estimation device according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit estimates the growth state of the plant based on a growth state of the plant estimated based on the amount of carbon dioxide consumed and a growth state of the plant estimated based on an amount of nutrient solution supplied.

4. 4. The growth state estimation device according to claim 3, wherein, when the growth state of the plant estimated based on the amount of carbon dioxide consumption matches the growth state of the plant estimated based on the amount of nutrient solution supplied, the estimation unit uses the matched growth state as the growth state of the plant for controlling environmental control equipment that controls the environment in the plant factory.

5. 4. The growth state estimation device according to claim 3, wherein, when the growth state of the plant estimated based on the amount of carbon dioxide consumption does not match the growth state of the plant estimated based on the amount of nutrient solution supplied, the estimation unit does not use the inconsistent growth state as the growth state of the plant for controlling environmental control equipment that controls the environment in the plant factory.

6. The growth state estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, an environmental control unit that controls an environmental control facility that controls an environment in the plant factory so that the growth state of the plant estimated by the estimation unit becomes a predetermined growth state that should be satisfied at the second time point; A plant management system comprising:

7. the environmental control facility includes a nutrient solution supply facility that supplies a nutrient solution containing fertilizer components to the plants; 7. The plant management system according to claim 6, wherein the environmental control unit adjusts a fertilizer concentration of the nutrient solution supplied to the plant by the nutrient solution supply equipment so that the growth state of the plant estimated by the estimation unit becomes a predetermined growth state that should be satisfied at the second time point.

8. The environmental control equipment includes a watering equipment that supplies water to a medium in which the plants are grown; 7. The plant management system of claim 6, wherein the environmental control unit adjusts the amount of water irrigated to the culture medium by the irrigation equipment so that the growth state of the plant estimated by the estimation unit becomes a predetermined growth state that should be met at the second point in time.

9. the environmental control facility includes a light source facility having a light source that irradiates the plants with artificial light, 7. The plant management system of claim 6, wherein the environmental control unit adjusts the amount of light and the irradiation time irradiated to the plant by the light source equipment so that the growth state of the plant estimated by the estimation unit becomes a predetermined growth state that should be satisfied at the second time point.

10. The growth state estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, an environmental control unit that controls an environmental control facility that controls an environment in the plant factory so that the growth state of the plant estimated by the estimation unit becomes a predetermined growth state that should be satisfied at the second time point; a notification unit that notifies a message indicating an abnormality has occurred in the environmental control equipment when the carbon dioxide consumption amount identified by the consumption amount identification unit is smaller than a predetermined threshold.

11. A step of acquiring a carbon dioxide concentration at a first time point in the plant factory and a carbon dioxide concentration at a second time point after the first time point, both detected by a sensor installed in the plant factory; acquiring a supply amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the plant factory from the first time point to the second time point via a carbon dioxide supply facility having a tank for storing carbon dioxide; determining the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by people from the first time point to the second time point based on the number of people present in the plant factory and the duration of their stay between the first time point and the second time point, and determining the amount of carbon dioxide consumed by plants cultivated in the plant factory from the first time point to the second time point based on the carbon dioxide concentration at the first time point, the carbon dioxide concentration at the second time point, the supply amount of carbon dioxide, and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the determined people; estimating the growth state of the plants based on relationship information indicating a relationship between the consumption amount of carbon dioxide and the growth state of the plants in the plant factory and the identified consumption amount; A growth state estimation method comprising:

12. estimating the growth state of the plant according to the growth state estimating method of claim 11; controlling an environmental control facility that controls an environment in the plant factory so that the estimated growth state of the plant becomes a predetermined growth state that should be satisfied at the second time point; A plant management method comprising:

13. A step of acquiring a carbon dioxide concentration at a first time point in the plant factory and a carbon dioxide concentration at a second time point after the first time point, both detected by a sensor installed in the plant factory; acquiring a supply amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the plant factory from the first time point to the second time point via a carbon dioxide supply facility having a tank for storing carbon dioxide; determining the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by people from the first time point to the second time point based on the number of people present in the plant factory and the duration of their stay between the first time point and the second time point, and determining the amount of carbon dioxide consumed by plants cultivated in the plant factory from the first time point to the second time point based on the carbon dioxide concentration at the first time point, the carbon dioxide concentration at the second time point, the supply amount of carbon dioxide, and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the determined people; estimating the growth state of the plants based on relationship information indicating a relationship between the consumption amount of carbon dioxide and the growth state of the plants in the plant factory and the identified consumption amount; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

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