Environmental information output device and environmental information output method

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By dividing farm fields into regular hexagonal grids and aligning north-south directions, the method simplifies the comparison and analysis of diverse environmental data sets, addressing ambiguity in contour maps and enhancing data interpretation accuracy.

JP7828085B2Active Publication Date: 2026-03-11NAT AGRI & FOOD RES ORG

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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office: JP · JP
Patent Type: Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date: 2023-01-11
Publication Date: 2026-03-11

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing methods using contour maps for analyzing soil and environmental data in farm fields face ambiguity in comparing different data sets, require skilled interpretation, and lead to inconsistent analysis results due to personal interpretation.

Method used

The method divides a specific area into regular hexagonal grids, aligning the north-south direction with one side of the hexagon, and outputs first and second environmental data as field maps, allowing for easy comparison and analysis of different data sets by correlating them with the grid system.

Benefits of technology

This approach eliminates ambiguity in contour maps, enabling straightforward comparison of different environmental data sets and facilitating accurate analysis by absorbing fluctuations in sampling points and expressing three-dimensional relationships effectively.

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Abstract

To provide an environmental information output device and an environmental information output method that can eliminate the ambiguity that occurs in contour maps and easily compare different farm field maps based on different environmental data.SOLUTION: An environmental information output device of the present invention is characterized in that it divides a specific region into grids of the same shape and area to create a basic field map, uses first environmental data and second environmental data different from the first environmental data as the environmental data, generates a first field map by associating the first environmental data with the grids of the basic field map, generates a second field map by associating the second environmental data with the grids of the basic field map, and outputs the first field map and the second field map as the field maps.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an environmental information output device and an environmental information output method that output measured environmental data for a farm field in a specific area as a farm field map. [Background technology]

[0002] Japan's agricultural sector faces a serious future labor shortage due to a declining and aging workforce. To address this issue, efforts have been made to improve agricultural efficiency by promoting the consolidation and intensification of farmland, using larger agricultural machinery, and dividing fields into larger plots. However, this has led to problems stemming from soil physical properties, such as shallowing of the plowed soil due to compaction by large agricultural machinery and reduced crop yields due to uneven soil fertility. Meanwhile, global warming in recent years has led to the frequent occurrence of large-scale natural disasters, such as massive typhoons, sudden downpours, and linear rain band floods and water damage, making soil physical properties, which evaluate the drainage capacity of fields, increasingly important. Against this background, the present inventor has proposed a method for diagnosing soil physical properties in farm fields (Patent Document 1), a method for supporting agricultural machine operation using a soil hardness contour map (Patent Document 2), and the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7123381 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-132572 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] These methods have used contour maps. Figure 19 shows an example of an analysis method using a contour map. In Figure 19, the environmental data, such as soil hardness, topsoil soil moisture over time, and wheat grain yield, are shown in soil hardness contour maps. Using these soil hardness contour maps, it can be seen that yield is not simply affected by points with high or low soil moisture, but rather that points where soil moisture changes (points with narrow contour lines) tend to affect yield. However, as can be seen from Figure 19, when comparing contour maps based on different environmental data, it is difficult to grasp the differences at the same location. Furthermore, detailed analysis of contour maps such as soil hardness requires skill, and it is difficult to say that anyone can perform the analysis correctly. Furthermore, there may be differences in evaluation and analysis results depending on the person. Furthermore, the identification of locations may seem arbitrary.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an environmental information output device and an environmental information output method that eliminate the ambiguity that occurs in contour maps and make it easy to compare different field maps based on different environmental data. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The environmental information output device of the present invention described in claim 1 is an environmental information output device that outputs measured environmental data for a field in a specific area as a field map, and divides the specific area into grids of the same shape and area to create a basic field map, and uses first environmental data and second environmental data different from the first environmental data as the environmental data, generates a first field map by correlating the first environmental data with the grids of the basic field map, and generates a second field map by correlating the second environmental data with the grids of the basic field map, and outputs the first field map and the second field map as the field maps. The grid is a regular hexagon, the north-south direction of the basic farm field map is aligned with one side of the regular hexagon, and the basic farm field map is output together with an aerial photograph or a topographical map, with the north-south direction aligned. It is characterized by: The present invention as set forth in claim 2 is characterized in that, in the environmental information output device as set forth in claim 1, the environmental data is soil data on element concentration, fertilizer components, heavy metals, particle size composition, soil hardness, soil moisture, permeability, drainage, or wavelength-specific intensity of reflected light from the soil. The present invention as set forth in claim 3 is characterized in that, in the environmental information output device as set forth in claim 1, the environmental data is meteorological data on atmospheric composition, ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, solar radiation, precipitation, rainfall intensity, wind direction, or wind force. The present invention as set forth in claim 4 is characterized in that, in the environmental information output device as set forth in claim 1, the environmental data is biological data on plants, animals, bacteria, or DNA per unit area, unit volume, or unit weight. The present invention as set forth in claim 5 is characterized in that, in the environmental information output device as set forth in claim 1, the first environmental data is soil data on element concentration, fertilizer components, heavy metals, particle size composition, soil hardness, soil moisture, permeability, drainage, or intensity of reflected light by wavelength from the soil, and the second environmental data is biological data on plants, animals, bacteria, or DNA per unit area, unit volume, or unit weight. The present invention as set forth in claim 6 is characterized in that, in the environmental information output device as set forth in claim 1, the first environmental data is meteorological data on atmospheric composition, ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, solar radiation, precipitation, rainfall intensity, wind direction, or wind force, and the second environmental data is biological data on plants, animals, bacteria, or DNA per unit area, unit volume, or unit weight. The present invention of claim 7 is characterized in that, in the environmental information output device of claim 1, the first environmental data is soil data regarding element concentration, fertilizer components, heavy metals, particle size composition, soil hardness, soil moisture, permeability, drainage, or wavelength-specific intensity of reflected light from the soil, and the second environmental data is meteorological data regarding atmospheric composition, ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, solar radiation, precipitation, rainfall intensity, wind direction, or wind force. The present invention of claim 8 is characterized in that in the environmental information output device of claim 1, the first environmental data and the second environmental data are environmental data with different measurement dates and times. The present invention of claim 9 is characterized in that, in the environmental information output device of claim 1, the first environmental data and the second environmental data are environmental data having different measurement depths or measurement altitudes. The present invention as set forth in claim 10 is characterized in that in the environmental information output device as set forth in claim 1, the display in the grid is an average value of the environmental data. The present invention of claim 11 is characterized in that in the environmental information output device of claim 1, the display in the grid is a standard deviation value of the environmental data. Claim 12 The environmental information output method of the present invention described in is an environmental information output method for outputting environmental data measured by a measuring device for a field in a specific area as a field map, wherein the specific area is divided into grids of the same shape and area to form a basic field map, first environmental data and second environmental data different from the first environmental data are used as the environmental data, the first environmental data is made to correspond to the grids of the basic field map to generate a first field map, the second environmental data is made to correspond to the grids of the basic field map to generate a second field map, and the first field map and the second field map are output as the field maps. The grid is a regular hexagon, the north-south direction of the basic farm field map is aligned with one side of the regular hexagon, and the basic farm field map is output together with an aerial photograph or a topographical map, with the north-south direction aligned. It is characterized by: Claim 13 The environmental information output method of the present invention described in is an environmental information output method for outputting environmental data measured by a measuring device for a field in a specific region as a field map, wherein the specific region is divided into grids of the same shape and area to create a basic field map, and a field potential map is generated by corresponding the environmental potential calculated using first environmental data and second environmental data different from the first environmental data to the grid of the basic field map, and the field potential map is output as the field map. The grid is a regular hexagon, the north-south direction of the basic farm field map is aligned with one side of the regular hexagon, and the basic farm field map is output together with an aerial photograph or a topographical map, with the north-south direction aligned. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the first field map and the second field map are divided by grids of the same shape and area, eliminating the ambiguity that occurs in contour maps and making it easy to compare different field maps based on different environmental data, as well as to compare field maps based on different numbers of sampled measurement data. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] A basic farm field map in an environmental information output device according to an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2] An explanatory diagram showing an example of assigning identification numbers to the grids of the basic field map shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Field map when the average value of soil hardness penetration resistance is used as environmental data [Figure 4] Field map when standard deviation of soil hardness penetration resistance is used as environmental data [Figure 5] Field map using average soil moisture content as environmental data [Figure 6] Field map using standard deviation of soil moisture content as environmental data [Figure 7] Field map using average wheat grain weight as environmental data [Figure 8] Field map using standard deviation of wheat grain weight as environmental data [Figure 9] A field map using the average values of images of vegetation, etc. taken by a drone using visible light as environmental data. [Figure 10] A field map using standard deviation values from images of vegetation captured by a drone using visible light as environmental data. [Figure 11] Field map using wheat lodging as environmental data [Figure 12] Field map using wheat lodging as environmental data [Figure 13] Field map using wheat growth unevenness as environmental data [Figure 14] Field map using wheat growth unevenness as environmental data [Figure 15] A conventional contour map and a field map according to this embodiment when soil moisture content is used as environmental data [Figure 16] Multiple field maps with multiple environmental data [Figure 17] A field map showing field potential calculated using multiple environmental data [Figure 18] Field maps of soil moisture content plotted in different grid configurations [Figure 19] An example of an analysis method using a contour map DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An environmental information output device according to a first embodiment of the present invention divides a specific area into grids of the same shape and same area to create a basic field map, uses first environmental data and second environmental data different from the first environmental data as environmental data, generates a first field map by matching the first environmental data to the grid of the basic field map, and generates a second field map by matching the second environmental data to the grid of the basic field map, and outputs the first field map and the second field map as the field maps. The grid is a regular hexagon, and the north-south direction of the basic field map is aligned with one side of the regular hexagon. The basic field map is output together with an aerial photograph or a topographical map, with the north-south direction aligned. This is what we do. According to this embodiment, the first field map and the second field map are divided by grids of the same shape and area, eliminating the ambiguity that occurs with contour maps and making it easy to compare data between different field maps based on different environmental data, as well as to compare data between field maps with different numbers of measurement data samples. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by making the grids regular hexagonal, adjacent grids are not arranged in a straight line but are staggered, which makes it possible to absorb slight fluctuations in the sampling points. Furthermore, since one grid is surrounded by six other grids, the interaction between the grids is easily reflected. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the first environmental data and the second environmental data are environmental data with different measurement depths or measurement altitudes, the relationship at a position where they are diagonally adjacent to the vertical grid (environmental data with different measurement depths or measurement altitudes) can be expressed with equal distances between the grids, which is very effective for mapping environmental data in three-dimensional space. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even if the orientation of the farm field basic map is changed, it is easy to grasp the north-south direction.

[0010] In the second embodiment of the present invention, in the environmental information output device according to the first embodiment, the environmental data is soil data on element concentrations, fertilizer components, heavy metals, particle size composition, soil hardness, soil moisture, permeability, drainage, or the intensity of reflected light by wavelength from the soil. According to this embodiment, by using soil data as environmental data, it is possible to evaluate the influence of the chemical and physical properties of the soil.

[0011] In the third embodiment of the present invention, in the environmental information output device according to the first embodiment, the environmental data is meteorological data on atmospheric composition, ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, solar radiation, precipitation, rainfall intensity, wind direction, or wind force. According to this embodiment, by using weather data as environmental data, it is possible to evaluate the influence of weather.

[0012] In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, in the environmental information output device according to the first embodiment, the environmental data is biological data on plants, animals, bacteria, or DNA per unit area, unit volume, or unit weight. According to this embodiment, by using biological data as environmental data, it is possible to evaluate the growth and yield of plants, or the impact of pests and diseases.

[0013] In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in the environmental information output device according to the first embodiment, the first environmental data is soil data on element concentrations, fertilizer components, heavy metals, particle size composition, soil hardness, soil moisture, permeability, drainage, or the intensity of reflected light by wavelength from the soil, and the second environmental data is biological data on plants, animals, bacteria, or DNA per unit area, unit volume, or unit weight. According to this embodiment, by using soil data as the first environmental data and biological data as the second environmental data, it is possible to evaluate the relationship between the influence of the chemical and physical properties of the soil and the growth and yield of plants, or the influence of pests and diseases.

[0014] A sixth embodiment of the present invention is an environmental information output device according to the first embodiment, in which the first environmental data is meteorological data on atmospheric composition, ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, solar radiation, precipitation, rainfall intensity, wind direction, or wind force, and the second environmental data is biological data on plants, animals, bacteria, or DNA per unit area, unit volume, or unit weight. According to this embodiment, by using meteorological data as the first environmental data and biological data as the second environmental data, it is possible to evaluate the relationship between the effects of weather and plant growth and yield, or the effects of pests and diseases.

[0015] In a seventh embodiment of the present invention, in the environmental information output device according to the first embodiment, the first environmental data is soil data on element concentration, fertilizer components, heavy metals, particle size composition, soil hardness, soil moisture, permeability, drainage, or the wavelength-specific intensity of reflected light from the soil, and the second environmental data is meteorological data on atmospheric composition, ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, solar radiation, precipitation, rainfall intensity, wind direction, or wind force. According to this embodiment, by using soil data as the first environmental data and meteorological data as the second environmental data, it is possible to evaluate the relationship between the influence of the chemical and physical properties of the soil and the influence of meteorology.

[0016] In the eighth embodiment of the present invention, in the environmental information output device according to the first embodiment, the first environmental data and the second environmental data are environmental data having different measurement dates and times. According to this embodiment, it is possible to evaluate changes over time.

[0017] A ninth embodiment of the present invention is an environmental information output device according to the first embodiment, in which the first environmental data and the second environmental data are environmental data having different measurement depths or measurement altitudes. According to this embodiment, changes can be evaluated according to depth in the soil or altitude from the ground surface.

[0018] The tenth embodiment of the present invention is an environmental information output device according to the first embodiment, in which the grid display is an average value of environmental data. According to this embodiment, by using the average value of the environmental data, it is possible to evaluate whether the environmental data is high or low, hard or soft, normal or abnormal, and the like.

[0019] The eleventh embodiment of the present invention is an environmental information output device according to the first embodiment, in which the grid display is a standard deviation value of environmental data. According to this embodiment, the standard deviation value of the environmental data is used to evaluate the variation relative to the average.

[0020] A method for outputting environmental information according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention divides a specific region into grids of the same shape and area to form a basic field map, uses first environmental data and second environmental data different from the first environmental data as environmental data, generates a first field map by correlating the first environmental data with the grid of the basic field map, generates a second field map by correlating the second environmental data with the grid of the basic field map, and outputs the first field map and the second field map as the field maps. The grid is a regular hexagon, and the north-south direction of the basic field map is aligned with one side of the regular hexagon. The basic field map is output together with an aerial photograph or a topographical map, with the north-south direction aligned. This is what we do. According to this embodiment, the first field map and the second field map are divided by grids of the same shape and area, eliminating the ambiguity that occurs with contour maps and making it easy to compare different field maps based on different environmental data, as well as to compare field maps based on different numbers of measurement data samples. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by making the grids regular hexagonal, adjacent grids are not arranged in a straight line but are staggered, which makes it possible to absorb slight fluctuations in the sampling points. Furthermore, since one grid is surrounded by six other grids, the interaction between the grids is easily reflected. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the first environmental data and the second environmental data are environmental data with different measurement depths or measurement altitudes, the relationship at a position where they are diagonally adjacent to the vertical grid (environmental data with different measurement depths or measurement altitudes) can be expressed with equal distances between the grids, which is very effective for mapping environmental data in three-dimensional space. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even if the orientation of the farm field basic map is changed, it is easy to grasp the north-south direction.

[0021] An environmental information output method according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention divides a specific region into grids of the same shape and area to create a basic field map, and generates a field potential map by corresponding environmental potential calculated using first environmental data and second environmental data different from the first environmental data to the grids of the basic field map, and outputs the field potential map as the field map. The grid is a regular hexagon, and the north-south direction of the basic field map is aligned with one side of the regular hexagon. The basic field map is output together with an aerial photograph or a topographical map, with the north-south direction aligned. This is what we do. According to this embodiment, the environmental potential map calculated using second environmental data that is different from the first environmental data is divided into grids of the same shape and area, eliminating the ambiguity that occurs in contour maps and making it possible to grasp the environmental potential of the divided areas. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by making the grids regular hexagonal, adjacent grids are not arranged in a straight line but are staggered, which makes it possible to absorb slight fluctuations in the sampling points. Furthermore, since one grid is surrounded by six other grids, the interaction between the grids is easily reflected. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the first environmental data and the second environmental data are environmental data with different measurement depths or measurement altitudes, the relationship at a position where they are diagonally adjacent to the vertical grid (environmental data with different measurement depths or measurement altitudes) can be expressed with equal distances between the grids, which is very effective for mapping environmental data in three-dimensional space. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even if the orientation of the farm field basic map is changed, it is easy to grasp the north-south direction. [Example]

[0022] An environmental information output device according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The environmental information output device of this embodiment is a device that outputs measured environmental data for a specific area of a field as a field map, and the specific area is divided into grids of the same shape and area to create a basic field map.

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a basic farm field map in the environmental information output device according to this embodiment. The basic field map shown in Figure 1 has regular hexagonal grids. By using regular hexagonal grids, adjacent grids are not aligned in a straight line but are staggered, as shown in Figure 1(b), which makes it possible to absorb slight fluctuations in the sampling points. In addition, since one grid is surrounded by six other grids, the interaction between the grids is easily reflected. In addition, by aligning the north-south direction of the basic field map with one side of the regular hexagon, it is easy to understand the north-south direction even if the orientation of the basic field map is changed. In a regular hexagon, the longest diagonal is parallel to one side of the regular hexagon.

[0024] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of assigning identification numbers to the grids of the basic farm field map shown in FIG. In Figure 2, all grids are assigned identification numbers by assigning the letters a, b, c, etc. to grids aligned north-south, and the numbers 1, 2, 3, etc. to grids aligned east-west. By assigning identification numbers to grids in this way, it is easy to compare data for specific points across different field maps based on different environmental data.

[0025] Figures 3 and 4 are field maps when soil hardness is used as environmental data. Figure 3 shows the case where the average value of penetration resistance at a depth of 12 cm is used, and Figure 4 shows the case where the standard deviation value of penetration resistance at a depth of 12 cm is used. As shown in Figure 3, the average value of penetration resistance can be used to evaluate the hardness of the soil between the grids. As shown in Figure 4, the standard deviation of the penetration resistance can be used to evaluate the rapid changes in soil hardness within the grid. When using the soil hardness shown in Figures 3 and 4, by using a soil hardness field map measured at multiple different depths, it is possible to spatially distinguish changes in soil hardness for each soil layer, such as whether it is topsoil or subsoil.

[0026] Figures 5 and 6 are field maps when soil moisture content is used as environmental data. Figure 5 shows the case where the average value of soil moisture content at a depth of 0 to 10 cm is used, and Figure 6 shows the case where the standard deviation value of soil moisture content at a depth of 0 to 10 cm is used. As shown in Figure 5, by using the average value of the soil moisture content, it is possible to evaluate the degree of soil moisture content between grids. As shown in Figure 6, the standard deviation of soil moisture content can be used to evaluate rapid changes in soil moisture content within a grid. 5 and 6, soil moisture content measured at multiple different depths can be used to spatially distinguish changes in soil moisture content for each soil layer, making it possible to distinguish, for example, between grids, the quality of permeability, water retention, or drainage within a field, or the wavelength-specific intensity of reflected light from the soil. Furthermore, using soil hardness measured at multiple different depths and soil moisture content measured at multiple different depths as environmental data makes it possible to comprehensively distinguish rainwater retention, water damage, drought damage, and the like.

[0027] Figures 7 and 8 are field maps when wheat grain weight is used as environmental data, with Figure 7 showing the case where the average wheat grain weight is used and Figure 8 showing the case where the standard deviation of wheat grain weight is used. As shown in FIG. 7, by using the average value of wheat grain weight, it is possible to evaluate the difference in wheat grain weight between grids. As shown in Figure 8, the standard deviation of wheat grain weight can be used to evaluate rapid changes in wheat grain weight within a grid. In addition, plant leaf area and tree height can also be used as environmental data, and by measuring them at multiple different heights above ground level, it is possible to spatially determine changes in plant biomass, such as growth status and yield.

[0028] Figures 9 and 10 are field maps in which images of vegetation, etc., captured by a drone using visible light were used as environmental data. Figure 9 shows the case where the average value of visible light was used, and Figure 10 shows the case where the standard deviation value of visible light was used. As shown in Figure 9, by using the average value of images of vegetation, etc. taken by a drone using visible light, it is possible to evaluate the amount of vegetation, etc. between grids. As shown in Figure 10, by using the standard deviation value of images of vegetation, etc. taken by a drone using visible light, it is possible to evaluate sudden changes in vegetation, etc. within a grid.

[0029] Figure 11 shows a field map when wheat lodging is used as environmental data. Figure 11(a) shows an aerial photograph of the state of wheat lodging (showing the lodged and normal locations), and Figure 11(b) shows the case when the average value of wheat lodging is used as a numerical value. As shown in Figure 11, by using the average value of wheat lodging, it is possible to evaluate whether wheat is lodging or not (normal) between grids.

[0030] Figure 12 shows a field map when wheat lodging is used as environmental data. Figure 12(a) shows an aerial photograph of the state of wheat lodging (showing a mixture of areas with and without lodging, as well as areas with uniform lodging), and Figure 12(b) shows the case when the standard deviation value, which quantifies wheat lodging, is used. As shown in Figure 12, by using the standard deviation value of wheat lodging, it is possible to grasp sudden changes within the grid and evaluate areas where wheat lodging and no lodging are mixed, and areas where wheat lodging is uniform.

[0031] Figure 13 shows a field map when wheat growth unevenness is used as environmental data. Figure 13(a) shows an aerial photograph of the wheat growth condition (showing areas with growth unevenness and areas with no growth unevenness (normal)), and Figure 13(b) shows the case when the average value of the wheat growth condition quantified is used. As shown in FIG. 13, by using the average value of the wheat growth state, it is possible to evaluate between grids whether there is uneven wheat growth or not (normal).

[0032] Figure 14 shows a field map when wheat growth unevenness is used as environmental data. Figure 14(a) shows an aerial photograph of the wheat growth condition (showing areas with growth unevenness and areas with no growth unevenness (normal)), and Figure 14(b) shows the case when the standard deviation value, which is a numerical representation of the wheat growth condition, is used. As shown in Figure 14, by using the standard deviation value of wheat growth conditions, it is possible to grasp sudden changes within the grid and evaluate areas where wheat growth is mixed with uneven and no unevenness, and areas where growth is uniform without unevenness.

[0033] As shown in Figures 3 to 14, by using the average value of environmental data, it is possible to evaluate whether the data is high or low, hard or soft, normal or abnormal, etc. between grids. Furthermore, by using the standard deviation value of environmental data, it is possible to grasp sudden changes within a grid and evaluate variations relative to the average. In this example, the average and standard deviation were used, but by quantifying the changes between and within grids using a regression equation for a certain variable, such as NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), which is commonly used as a vegetation index, it is possible to grasp and examine environmental data in more detail.

[0034] FIG. 15 shows a conventional contour map and a farm field map according to this embodiment when soil moisture content is used as environmental data. In contrast to the conventional contour map shown in Figure 15(a), the field map of this embodiment shown in Figure 15(b) is divided into grids of the same shape and area, eliminating the ambiguity that occurs in contour maps and making it easier to identify locations.

[0035] Figure 16 shows multiple field maps based on multiple environmental data. Figure 16(a) is an aerial photograph taken by a drone. Figure 16(b) is a field map based on wheat growth volume (tree height in cm). Figure 16(c) is a field map based on soil physical quantities (soil hardness in kPa). Figure 16(d) is a field map based on soil moisture (sedimentary moisture content in %). As shown in Figure 16, first environmental data and second environmental data different from the first environmental data are used as environmental data, the first environmental data is associated with the grid of the basic field map to generate a first field map, the second environmental data is associated with the grid of the basic field map to generate a second field map, and the first field map and the second field map are output as field maps, making it easy to compare data between different field maps based on different environmental data. Furthermore, since a plurality of different farm field maps are divided into grids of the same shape and area, comparison between farm field maps with different numbers of sampled measurement data can be easily performed.

[0036] In addition, by using environmental data such as element concentrations, fertilizer components, heavy metals, particle size composition, soil hardness, soil moisture, permeability, drainage, or soil data on the intensity of light reflected from the soil by wavelength, the effects of the chemical and physical properties of the soil can be evaluated. In addition, by using meteorological data regarding atmospheric composition, ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, solar radiation, precipitation, rainfall intensity, wind direction, or wind force as environmental data, the impact of weather can be evaluated. Furthermore, by using biological data on plants, animals, fungi, or DNA per unit area, volume, or weight as environmental data, it is possible to evaluate plant growth and yield, or the impact of pests and diseases. By using soil data as the first environmental data and biological data as the second environmental data, it is possible to evaluate the relationship between the effects of the chemical and physical properties of the soil and the growth and yield of plants, or the effects of pests and diseases. Furthermore, by using meteorological data as the first environmental data and biological data as the second environmental data, it is possible to evaluate the relationship between the influence of meteorology and the growth or yield of plants, or the influence of pests and diseases. Furthermore, by using soil data as the first environmental data and meteorological data as the second environmental data, it is possible to evaluate the relationship between the influence of the chemical and physical properties of the soil and the influence of meteorology. Furthermore, by setting the first environmental data and the second environmental data as environmental data measured at different dates and times, it is possible to evaluate changes over time. Furthermore, by setting the first environmental data and the second environmental data to be environmental data measured at different depths or altitudes, it is possible to evaluate changes according to depth in the soil or altitude from the ground surface. When the first environmental data and the second environmental data are environmental data measured at different depths or altitudes, it is preferable to use a regular hexagonal grid. By using a regular hexagonal grid, it is possible to express the relationship between grids at diagonal positions that are in contact with the vertical grid at equal distances, which is very effective for mapping environmental data in three-dimensional space.

[0037] Measuring instruments for measuring environmental data may include, for example, solar radiation sensors, temperature and humidity sensors, cameras, near-infrared sensors, odor sensors, electromagnetic wave sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and laser sensors, but for meteorological data in particular, data provided by the Japan Meteorological Agency or the like may be used. When using a camera as a measuring device, soil property data can be obtained from the color of the soil and the degree to which the soil clods crumble, soil tillability data can be obtained from the shade of the soil color and the size of the clods, and soil moisture content data can be obtained from the brightness of the soil color and the size of the clods. Furthermore, a camera can also be used to obtain data on soil moisture content and organic matter content from the brightness of the soil color. Since soil with a high moisture content appears dark and soil with a low moisture content appears whitish, the brightness of the soil color can be used to determine the soil moisture content and organic matter content. When a near-infrared sensor is used as the measuring device, the absorption spectrum of the soil is measured, and the absorption spectrum can be used to obtain soil moisture content data. When an odor sensor is used as the measuring device, the odor of the soil can be used as evaluation data for the reduction state or microbial activity. As a measuring device, an electromagnetic wave sensor or an ultrasonic sensor can be used to measure soil moisture, and a laser sensor can be used to measure the shape of the soil mass.

[0038] Figure 17 shows a field map indicating the field potential calculated using multiple environmental data, where Figure 17(a) is the field potential map and Figure 17(b) is principal component analysis data showing the details of cluster classification in the field potential map. The field potential map shown in Figure 17(a) was generated by matching the environmental potential calculated using environmental data such as penetration resistance, soil moisture, wheat grain yield, and biomass (plant growth status) to the grid of the basic field map. The numbers "1 to 5" shown in each graph in FIG. 17(b) are the cluster classification numbers shown in FIG. 17(a). As shown in Figure 17, environmental potential calculated using multiple environmental data as environmental data can be associated with the grid of the basic field map to generate a field potential map, and the field potential map can be output as the field map. In this way, the environmental potential map calculated using multiple environmental data is divided into grids of the same shape and area, eliminating the ambiguity that occurs with contour maps and making it possible to grasp the environmental potential of the divided area.

[0039] Figure 18 shows field maps of soil moisture content represented using different grid shapes, with Figure 18(a) showing a square grid and Figure 18(b) showing a diamond grid. In this way, grids other than regular hexagons can also be used.

[0040] The environmental information output method according to this embodiment divides a specific area into grids of the same shape and area to create a basic field map, uses first environmental data and second environmental data different from the first environmental data as environmental data, generates a first field map by corresponding the first environmental data to the grid of the basic field map, generates a second field map by corresponding the second environmental data to the grid of the basic field map, and outputs the first field map and the second field map as field maps. According to the environmental information output method of this embodiment, the first field map and the second field map are divided by grids of the same shape and area, eliminating the ambiguity that occurs with contour maps and making it easy to compare different field maps based on different environmental data, as well as to compare field maps based on different numbers of sampled measurement data. In this way, the environmental information output device and the environmental information output method of this embodiment visualize the output data on a display device, making it easy to compare different field maps based on different environmental data, as well as to compare field maps based on different numbers of sampled measurement data. [Industrial Applicability]

[0041] The environmental information output device and method according to the present invention have been described as outputting multiple field maps based on different environmental data, but even when outputting a single field map, the field map is divided into grids of the same shape and area, eliminating the ambiguity that occurs with contour maps, allowing for database creation and facilitating statistical analysis.

Claims

1. An environmental information output device that outputs measured environmental data for a specific area of a farm field as a farm field map, a basic field map is created by dividing the specific area into grids of the same shape and area; As the environmental data, first environmental data and second environmental data different from the first environmental data are used, generating a first farm field map by associating the first environmental data with the grid of the farm field basic map; generating a second farm field map by associating the second environmental data with the grids of the farm field basic map; outputting the first field map and the second field map as the field map; The grid is a regular hexagon, The north-south direction of the farm field basic map is aligned with one side of the regular hexagon; The basic farm field map is output together with an aerial photograph or a topographical map, with the north-south direction aligned. An environmental information output device characterized by:

2. The environmental data was soil data on element concentrations, fertilizer components, heavy metals, particle size composition, soil hardness, soil moisture, permeability, drainage, or wavelength-specific intensity of reflected light from the soil.