Work support methods, work support systems, and programs

Abstract

To provide information indicating a risk which may occur in other farms at high accuracy in the case where a pesticide is scattered in a certain farm.SOLUTION: An operation support method containing steps of determining risk information that indicates a level of a risk which may occur in a second farm by scattering a scattering pesticide in a first farm on the basis of information on the scattering pesticide scattered in the first farm and information indicating cultivation crop cultivated in the second farm. The operation support method further contains a step of outputting the determined risk information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a work support method, a work support system, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] When spraying agricultural chemicals in a field, for example, the drift of the agricultural chemicals outside the field may have an adverse effect on the surrounding fields. In contrast, technologies have been developed to support work in the field by providing information indicating risks that may occur during the spraying of agricultural chemicals.

[0003] In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for predicting the effect of agricultural chemicals in other fields based on weather prediction information when spraying agricultural chemicals in a field.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By spraying agricultural chemicals in a certain field, the degree of risk that may occur in other fields can vary depending on a plurality of factors such as the type of agricultural chemicals being sprayed and the type of crops being cultivated in the other fields. However, although Patent Document 1 discloses an idea of predicting the effect of agricultural chemicals in the surrounding fields based on weather conditions and the like, it does not disclose the specific method. Therefore, there has been a problem that, even when using the prior art, it is impossible to provide highly accurate information about the risks that may occur in other fields due to the spraying of agricultural chemicals.

[0006] In light of the above circumstances, one of the purposes of this disclosure is to provide information that accurately indicates the risks that may arise in other fields when pesticides are applied in one field. Other purposes can be understood from the following description and the description of the embodiments. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The means for solving the problem are described below using the numbers and symbols used in the embodiments for carrying out the invention. These numbers and symbols are added in parentheses for reference to show an example of the correspondence between the claims and the embodiments for carrying out the invention. Therefore, the claims should not be interpreted restrictively because of the parenthetical statements.

[0008] The work support method according to the embodiment includes determining risk information indicating the degree of risk that may occur in the second fields (F2, F3) as a result of spraying pesticides in the first field (F1), based on information (D2a) including information about pesticides to be sprayed in the first field (F1) and information (D2b, D2c) including information indicating the crops being cultivated in the second fields (F2, F3), and outputting the determined risk information.

[0009] The work support system (1) according to the embodiment includes a risk determination unit (120) that determines risk information indicating the degree of risk that may occur in the second fields (F2, F3) as a result of spraying pesticides in the first field (F1), based on information (D2a) including information about the pesticides to be sprayed in the first field (F1) and information (D2b, D2c) including information indicating the crops being cultivated in the second fields (F2, F3), and an information output unit (130) that outputs the determined risk information. It is equipped with.

[0010] The program (P1, P2) according to the embodiment causes the computer to determine risk information indicating the degree of risk that may arise in the second fields (F2, F3) as a result of spraying pesticides in the first field (F1), based on information (D2a) including information about the pesticides to be sprayed in the first field (F1) and information (D2b, D2c) including information indicating the crops being cultivated in the second fields (F2, F3), and to output the determined risk information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily display the geographic information of the field in a manner suitable for the user. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a work support system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of one or more fields according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a server device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a work support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of field-specific work information according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of residue standard information according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows an example of a process performed by a work support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the screen displayed by the work support system according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] (First Embodiment) The work support system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the work support system 1 comprises a server device 10 and one or more terminal devices 20.

[0014] The work support system 1 provides information to the user of terminal device 20, for example, about the risks that may arise in other fields (e.g., fields F2 and F3) when pesticides are sprayed in a field that is the target of pesticide spraying (e.g., field F1) among multiple fields located in a geographically close range to each other, such as fields F1, F2, and F3 in Figure 2. Examples of possible risks include pesticides sprayed in field F1 drifting to other fields and remaining in crops grown in those fields in amounts exceeding tolerable levels, or adhering to crops grown without pesticides in those fields and reducing their commercial value. In the following, if multiple fields are not distinguished from each other, they may simply be referred to as field F. In this embodiment, if the distance between two fields F is shorter than a predetermined distance, those two fields F may be said to be geographically close to each other. This predetermined distance may be determined by setting, for example, as the longest distance over which the amount of pesticide that can be used in field F subject to pesticide spraying can reach due to drift when sprayed at a certain location under any assumed weather conditions. Here, the distance between two fields F may refer to the distance between the two points that are closest to each other among all the points in one field F and all the points in the other field F.

[0015] The configuration of the work support system 1 will now be described. As shown in Figure 3, the server device 10 included in the work support system 1 comprises an input / output device 12, an arithmetic unit 14, a communication device 16, and a storage device 18. The server device 10 is, for example, a computer or server device including a cloud.

[0016] Information for the arithmetic unit 14 to execute processing is input to the input / output device 12. Further, the input / output device 12 outputs the result of the processing executed by the arithmetic unit 14. The input / output device 12 includes various input devices and output devices, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a display, a speaker, a touch panel, and the like. The input / output device 12 may be omitted.

[0017] The communication device 16 is communicably connected to the network NT and communicates with a device outside the server device 10 (for example, the terminal device 20) via the network NT. The communication device 16 transfers the information acquired from the terminal device 20 to the arithmetic unit 14. Also, the communication device 16 transfers the information generated by the arithmetic unit 14 to the terminal device 20. The communication device 16 includes various interfaces such as, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card), a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0018] The storage device 18 stores a program P1 and the like including various data and commands for the server device 10 of the present embodiment to execute the processing described later. The storage device 18 is used as a non-transitory tangible storage medium that stores these data and commands. The program P1 may be provided as a computer program product recorded on a computer-readable storage medium M1. Alternatively, the storage medium M1 may be a storage device of an external server that stores the program P1. In this case, the program P1 can be provided as a computer program product downloadable from the server.

[0019] The arithmetic unit 14 reads out and executes a program P1 including commands and data for executing at least a part of the processing described later from the storage device 18. For example, the arithmetic unit 14 includes a central processing unit (CPU; Central Processing Unit) and the like.

[0020] The arithmetic unit 14 reads and executes program P1 to realize the functional units of the server device 10 described later (for example, the information acquisition unit 110, risk determination unit 120, information output unit 130, and information storage unit 140 shown in Figure 5).

[0021] As shown in Figure 4, the terminal device 20 included in the work support system 1 comprises an input / output device 22, an arithmetic unit 24, a communication device 26, and a storage device 28. The terminal device 20 is, for example, a mobile device such as a tablet or a smartphone. However, the terminal device 20 may also be a stationary personal computer or a notebook computer.

[0022] The input / output device 22 receives information for the arithmetic unit 24 to perform processing. The input / output device 22 also outputs the results of the processing performed by the arithmetic unit 24. The input / output device 22 includes various input and output devices, such as speakers and touch panels. Furthermore, if the terminal device 20 is a personal computer, the input / output device 22 may include a keyboard, mouse, microphone, display, etc.

[0023] The communication device 26 is connected to the network NT in a communicative manner and communicates with external devices (e.g., the server device 10) of the terminal device 20 via the network NT. The communication device 26 transfers information obtained from the server device 10 to the arithmetic unit 24. It also transfers information generated by the arithmetic unit 24 to the server device 10. The communication device 26 includes various interfaces such as NIC and USB.

[0024] The storage device 28 stores a program P2, which includes various data and instructions for the work support system 1 of this embodiment to perform the processing described later. The storage device 28 is used as a non-temporary storage medium for storing this data and instructions. The program P2 may be provided as a computer program product recorded on a computer-readable storage medium M2. Alternatively, the storage medium M2 may be a storage device of an external server that stores the program P2. In this case, the program P2 may be provided as a computer program product that can be downloaded from the server.

[0025] The arithmetic unit 24 reads a program P2 containing instructions and data for executing at least a part of the processing described later from the storage device 28 and executes it. For example, the arithmetic unit 24 includes a central processing unit (CPU).

[0026] With the physical configuration shown in Figures 3 and 4, the server device 10 and terminal device 20 realize the functional units shown in Figure 5. As an example, the arithmetic unit 14 of the server device 10 realizes the functions of the information acquisition unit 110, the risk determination unit 120, the information output unit 130, and the information storage unit 140 by executing program P1.

[0027] The information storage unit 140 stores the information acquired or generated by the information acquisition unit 110 and the risk determination unit 120. The information storage unit 140 provides the stored information to the information acquisition unit 110, the risk determination unit 120, and the information output unit 130. For example, the information storage unit 140 stores field information D1, work information D2, pesticide information D3, residue standard information D4, and weather information D5 in advance before the start of the processing described later.

[0028] Field information D1 stores information indicating the geographical characteristics of each of the multiple fields F (for example, fields F1 to F3 in Figure 2) of the work support system 1. For example, field information D1 stores latitude and longitude information indicating the geographical extent of field F, associated with a unique identifier for that field F. For example, if field F has a polygonal shape, field information D1 includes coordinate information indicating the latitude and longitude of the vertices of the polygon of field F. In this embodiment, field information D1 also includes map image information corresponding to the geographical extent of each field F.

[0029] Work information D2 stores, for example, one or more field-specific work information (e.g., first work information D2a, second work information D2b, and third work information D2c) indicating the work to be performed in each of multiple fields F. As an example, first work information D2a indicates the work to be performed in field F1, which is the target of pesticide application. Second work information D2b and third work information D2c indicate the work to be performed in fields F2 and F3, which are adjacent to field F1, respectively.

[0030] Field-specific work information includes, for example, the first work information D2a shown in Figure 6, information indicating which field F the information pertains to ("field"), information indicating the crop being cultivated in that field F ("crop name"), and information indicating the specific details of the work to be performed in that field F from the 1st to the nth time (for example, individual work information D10a_1 to individual work information D10a_n). Each of the individual work information D10a_1 to individual work information D10a_n includes information indicating the period during which the work should be performed in the target field F (for example, the scheduled date for spraying) ("work period") and information indicating the content of the work ("work content"). Hereafter, when multiple individual work information D10a_1 to individual work information D10a_n are not distinguished from each other, they may simply be referred to as individual work information D10.

[0031] Individual work information D10, which indicates each operation, may include additional information ("Remarks") that corresponds to the content of that operation. In the example in Figure 6, in individual work information D10a_k, which indicates the operation to be performed in the kth operation, the "Remarks" section includes information indicating the type of pesticide to be sprayed, corresponding to the "Operation Content" being "Pesticide Spraying". Thus, the first work information D2a includes at least information indicating the type of pesticide to be sprayed and information indicating the period during which the pesticide spraying operation should be carried out in field F1, which is the target of pesticide spraying.

[0032] In addition, in the example in Figure 6, the first work information D2a includes individual work information D10a_n indicating that the work of harvesting the crops being cultivated in field F1 should be carried out. Individual work information D10a_n includes at least information indicating the period during which the harvesting work should be carried out (e.g., the scheduled date of the harvesting work).

[0033] Returning to Figure 5, the second work information D2b and the third work information D2c, like the first work information D2a, each include information indicating which field F the information pertains to ("field"), information indicating the crop being cultivated in that field F ("crop name"), and individual work information indicating the specific details of the work to be performed in the 1st to nth work cycles. For example, the second work information D2b may include individual work information D10b_1 to D10b_n, which are not shown, and the third work information D2c may include individual work information D10c_1 to D10c_n, which are not shown. Note that the first work information D2a, the second work information D2b, and the third work information D2c may each contain a different number of individual work information D10.

[0034] In this embodiment, the second work information D2b may include individual work information D10b_n indicating the work of harvesting crops cultivated in field F2, similar to the individual work information D10a_n in Figure 6, for example. This individual work information D10b_n includes at least information indicating the period during which harvesting work should be carried out in field F2. Furthermore, the third work information D2c may include individual work information D10c_n indicating the work of harvesting crops cultivated in field F3. This individual work information D10c_n includes at least information indicating the period during which harvesting work should be carried out in field F2. Thus, the second work information D2b and the third work information D2c include at least information indicating the type of crops cultivated in fields F2 and F3, which are adjacent to or near field F1, the target of pesticide application, and the period during which harvesting work should be carried out for those crops.

[0035] Returning to Figure 5, pesticide information D3 stores information about the physical properties of each of the one or more pesticides that may be sprayed in any of the fields F. For example, for each of the one or more pesticides that may be sprayed in field F, pesticide information D3 stores information related to the ease with which the pesticide disperses, such as whether it is liquid or solid (e.g., powder or granules), and if solid, the fineness of the powder and specific gravity. In this embodiment, pesticide information D3 stores information indicating whether the ease with which the pesticide disperses is one of several levels (e.g., three levels of ease with which it disperses: low, medium, and high). Alternatively, pesticide information D3 may include information indicating the expected dispersal distance for each of the one or more assumed climatic conditions.

[0036] Residue standard information D4 stores information indicating the permissible limit amount (also called the standard value) of one or more pesticides that can remain in each of one or more crops. Residue standard information D4 stores information indicating the type of one or more pesticides ("pesticide name"), information indicating the one or more crops for which a standard value has been set for that pesticide ("crop name"), and information indicating the residue standard value of that pesticide in that food ("permissible residue amount") in association with each other, as shown in Figure 7 for example. In this example, the "residue standard amount" is, for example, the ratio of the maximum weight of permissible pesticide residue to the weight of the crop, expressed in parts per million (ppm).

[0037] The "acceptable residue level" in residue standard information D4 may, for example, indicate the permissible residue level standard set by the administrative agency of the country to which field F1, the field subject to pesticide application, belongs. Alternatively, the "acceptable residue level" may indicate a value voluntarily set by the owners of fields F1 to F3.

[0038] Weather information D5 includes information about the weather from the present to a predetermined period (for example, one week). For example, weather information D5 may be forecast information about the weather in the area where fields F1 to F3 are located (for example, whether or not there is rainfall, wind direction and speed, and temperature). As an example, weather information D5 may be data provided by an external server that provides weather forecasting services. In this case, the information storage unit 140 may periodically (for example, daily) collect weather forecast data from the external server and update weather information D5.

[0039] As shown in Figure 5, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires at least a portion of the information necessary for processing performed by the server device 10 (for example, field information D1, work information D2, pesticide information D3, residue standard information D4, and weather information D5) from the information storage unit 160 or an external device (for example, a terminal device 20), as will be described later. Alternatively, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires at least a portion of the information necessary for processing described later based on the information acquired from the information storage unit 160 or an external device.

[0040] As will be described later, the risk determination unit 120 determines risk information indicating the degree of risk that may occur in other fields (e.g., fields F2 and F3) as a result of pesticides sprayed in the target field (e.g., field F1) based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 110.

[0041] As described later, the information output unit 130 outputs output information including risk information to an external device (for example, a terminal device 20). Alternatively, the information output unit 130 displays a screen showing the risk information determined by the risk determination unit 120, for example, by using the input / output device 12 for display.

[0042] As shown in Figure 5, as an example, the arithmetic unit 24 of the terminal device 20 realizes the functions of the display unit 210 by executing program P2.

[0043] As will be described later, the display unit 210 uses the input / output device 22 to display fields F2 to F3, which are geographically close to the target field F1, on a map of the region including fields F1 to F3, based on the risk information output by the information output unit 130 of the server device 10, in a manner that allows the user to recognize the degree of risk indicated by the risk information.

[0044] (Operation of the work support system) The work support system 1, with the functional configuration described above, executes the process shown in Figure 8 to provide risk information indicating the risks that may occur in other fields F2 or F3 if pesticides are sprayed in field F1. For example, the work support system 1 starts the process shown in Figure 8 when it receives user input from terminal device 20 indicating that it wants to display information about pesticide spraying work to be performed in field F1. As an example, if terminal device 20 owned by the user of field F1 receives user input such as selecting the "Check risks of spraying work in field F1" button displayed on the display device of input / output device 12, this terminal device 20 outputs information indicating the user input to the server device 10 using the communication device 16. The server device 10 may start the process shown in Figure 8 when it receives this information indicating the user input. Alternatively, the work support system 1 may start the process shown in Figure 8 in response to receiving user input from the terminal device 20 indicating that first work information D2a, which indicates the work of spraying pesticides, should be added to work information D2.

[0045] In the process shown in Figure 8, the information acquisition unit 110 of the server device 10 first acquires work information for the pesticide spraying work to be performed at the target field F1 (step S1001). For example, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires first work information D2a, which indicates the work to be performed at the target field F1 and is stored in the information storage unit 140. The information acquisition unit 110 then determines whether the first work information D2a contains information about pesticide spraying work that should be performed within a predetermined period from the current time (for example, up to one week from the current time). For example, as shown in Figure 6, if the individual work information D10a_k of the first work information D2a, which indicates the work to be performed at field F1, contains "pesticide spraying" in the "work content" and the period indicated by "work period" is partially included within the predetermined period from the current time, the information acquisition unit 110 determines that information about pesticide spraying work that should be performed within the predetermined period exists. In this case, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires individual work information D10a_k for the pesticide spraying operation. Here, the predetermined period may be the period during which weather forecast information for the weather included in weather information D5 exists.

[0046] In step S1001 of Figure 8, if the information acquisition unit 110 does not have any information about pesticide spraying work to be performed within a predetermined period, it may terminate the operation in Figure 8.

[0047] Next, in step S1002, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires pesticide information. For example, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires information indicating the physical properties of the pesticides to be sprayed in field F1, as indicated by the information acquired in step S1001, from among the information on multiple types of pesticides contained in the pesticide information D3 stored in the information storage unit 140 in Figure 5. For example, if the pesticide information D3 includes information indicating the level of drift for each pesticide that can be sprayed in field F1, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires information on the level of drift for the sprayed pesticide indicated by the "Remarks" in the individual work information D10a_k acquired in step S1001. In addition, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires information indicating the residue standard values ​​for one or more crops for the sprayed pesticides from the residue standard information D4 shown in Figure 7.

[0048] Next, in step S1004 of Figure 8, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires field information. For example, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires information from the field information D1 of Figure 5 that indicates the field F (for example, field F1) that is the target of pesticide spraying, as indicated by the information acquired in step S1001. The information acquisition unit 110 also acquires information indicating the geographical locations of the multiple fields F indicated by the field information D1.

[0049] Next, in step S1006 of Figure 8, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires weather information for the period during which the pesticide spraying work should be carried out. For example, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires information from the weather information D5 regarding the estimated weather (e.g., wind direction, wind speed, etc.) in the area containing field F1 during the period including the "work period" of the individual work information D10a_k acquired in step S1001. Alternatively, in step S1006, the information acquisition unit 110 may acquire weather information for the work period via network NT from an external server providing weather forecasting services.

[0050] Next, in step S1008, the risk determination unit 120 determines one or more risk fields that are included in the range where risks may arise due to pesticide application in field F1. For example, for each of the one or more fields F that are different from field F1 obtained in step S1004, the risk determination unit 120 determines the distance between field F1 and the field F. The risk determination unit 120 may then determine all fields F where the determined distance is less than a predetermined estimated maximum drift distance (for example, 100 meters) as risk fields (for example, fields F2 and F3).

[0051] The risk determination unit 120 may determine the estimated maximum drift distance to be sprayed in field F1 based on the information indicating the ease with which the sprayed pesticide is dispersed, obtained in step S1002, and the weather information obtained in step S1006. For example, if the weather information includes wind speed information, the risk determination unit 120 may determine a larger estimated maximum drift distance the stronger the wind speed. Also, the risk determination unit 120 may determine a larger estimated maximum drift distance the greater the ease with which the sprayed pesticide is dispersed.

[0052] Next, in step S1010, the risk determination unit 120 acquires work information for the risk fields. For example, in step S1008, the risk determination unit 120 determines that fields F2 and F3 are risk fields and acquires second work information D2b indicating work at field F2 and third work information D2c indicating work at field F3.

[0053] Next, in step S1012, the risk determination unit 120 determines risk information for the risk field. For example, for each of the one or more risk fields determined in step S1008, the risk determination unit 120 may determine risk information indicating the magnitude of the risk caused by pesticide application in field F1, based on the type of crop cultivated in the risk field indicated by the work information obtained in step S1010 and the pesticide information obtained in step S1002. The risk determination unit 120 may also determine risk information indicating a coefficient (for example, a coefficient with 5 levels ranging from a minimum of level 1 to a maximum of level 5) that indicates the magnitude of the risk in that risk field.

[0054] For example, the risk determination unit 120 may set the magnitude of the risk in a risk field to a predetermined level (for example, level 3 out of levels 1 to 5) if the residue limit value for the pesticide used in step S1002 for the crops cultivated in that risk field is lower than a predetermined value (for example, 0.02 ppm). Alternatively, the risk determination unit 120 may determine the risk information such that the magnitude of the risk in that risk field increases as the residue limit value for the pesticide used in step S1002 for the crops cultivated in that risk field decreases. Furthermore, if the information on the residue limit value for the pesticide used in step S1002 does not include the residue limit value for the crops cultivated in that risk field, the risk determination unit 120 may set the degree of risk in that risk field to a level higher than a predetermined standard (for example, the maximum level). This process addresses the issue where, in cases where legal or socially accepted residue limits for pesticides are not set for certain crops, the actual permissible residue levels may be very low.

[0055] Furthermore, the risk determination unit 120 may determine risk information based on the weather information acquired in step S1006. For example, if the weather information indicates that the wind speed during the period of pesticide application is at or above a predetermined speed (e.g., 5 meters per second) and that field F2 is downwind of the target field F1, the risk information for field F2 may be determined such that the degree of risk is higher than in the other case, for example by increasing the risk level by one level (or more). Also, if the information indicating the physical properties of the pesticide to be sprayed, acquired in step S1002, indicates that the pesticide has properties that make it easily dispersed, the risk information for each risk field (e.g., fields F2 and F3) may be determined such that the degree of risk is higher than in the other case, for example by increasing the risk level by one level (or more).

[0056] Furthermore, if the work information for a risky field acquired in step S1010 includes information indicating the timing of crop harvesting work in the risky field, the risk determination unit 120 may determine the risk information based on the duration of the harvesting work and the duration of pesticide application indicated by the information acquired in step S1001. For example, if the second work information D2b indicating work in field F2 acquired in step S1010 includes individual work information D10b_n indicating crop harvesting work in field F2, and the difference between the start time of the harvesting work indicated by the "working period" in this individual work information D10b_n and the end time of the pesticide application period acquired in step S1001 is shorter than a predetermined period (e.g., 90 days), the risk information for the risky field (e.g., field F2) may be determined to be higher than in other cases, for example, by increasing the risk level by one level. Furthermore, if a minimum period of time that must be observed between pesticide application and harvesting is stipulated by law or voluntary regulations depending on the combination of crop and pesticide, this prescribed period may be the minimum period stipulated by law or voluntary regulations.

[0057] Next, in step S1014 of Figure 8, the information output unit 130 outputs the risk information determined in step S1012. For example, the information output unit 130 outputs the risk information to the terminal device 20 using the communication device 26. Alternatively, the information output unit 130 may output the risk information to the storage device 18 and store it, so that the risk information can be used at a later date. At this time, the information output unit 130 may also output additional information for reference by the user viewing the risk information. The additional information may include map image information corresponding to the geographical range of each field F, including field F1, which is the target of pesticide spraying work included in the field information D1, and fields F2 and F3, which are risk fields. The additional information may also include information on the crops cultivated in fields F1 to F3. Furthermore, the additional information may include information on the work performed in fields F1 to F3. For example, the additional information may include information indicating when pesticide application is carried out in field F1 and when harvesting is carried out in fields F2 and F3.

[0058] Next, in step S1016, the display unit 210 of the terminal device 20 displays the risk information for the risky fields (for example, fields F2 and F3) on a map based on the risk information and additional information output in step S1014. For example, as shown in Figure 9, the display unit 210 uses the map image included in the additional information to display field F1, which is the target of pesticide spraying, and the risky fields F2 and F3, on a map of the area including fields F1 to F3, on the display device (for example, touch panel) of the input / output device 22. For example, the display unit 210 overlays information indicating the degree of risk in fields F2 and F3, as indicated by the risk information, onto the map image including fields F1 to F3 output in step S1014, displaying the degree of risk in a manner that the user can recognize. In the example shown in Figure 9, the display unit 210 displays information indicating the crops being cultivated in field F1, as well as information indicating the details of pesticide application in field F1 (for example, the pesticides to be applied and the timing of the application), based on the additional information, as shown in the text message MS1.

[0059] In the example shown in Figure 9, the display unit 210 displays the area of ​​field F2 in a different manner (for example, by filling it with a warning color) than other fields F (for example, fields F1 and F3) in response to the risk information indicating that the risk in field F2 is higher than a predetermined standard (for example, the maximum level). The display unit 210 also displays information indicating that the risk in field F2 is high (for example, the text "High Risk!") in the text message MS2 attached to field F2. Furthermore, the text message MS2 displays information indicating the planned date of harvest work in field F2 in text, in response to the difference between the timing of pesticide application in field F1 and the planned harvest time in field F2 being shorter than a predetermined period.

[0060] On the other hand, the display unit 210 displays the area of ​​field F3 in a different manner than field F2 (and field F1) (for example, by filling it with a different color than field F2) depending on whether the risk information indicates that the risk at field F3 is low (for example, minimum level). In addition, the display unit 210 displays information indicating that the risk at field F3 is low (for example, the text "low risk") in the text message MS3 attached to field F3. In this embodiment, the display unit 210 determines risk information for one or more risk fields (for example, field F2 and field F3) and displays information indicating the determined risk information on the map for each risk field. When step S1016 is completed, the process in Figure 8 is terminated.

[0061] Thus, the work support system 1 of this embodiment can provide the user with risk information that indicates the degree of risk that may arise in other geographically nearby fields F2 and F3 due to pesticide spraying work performed in field F1, with high accuracy according to the types of crops cultivated in fields F2 and F3. The user can use the provided risk information to take measures such as notifying the owner of field F2, which is at high risk, in advance, taking protective measures in field F2, or reconsidering the type and amount of pesticide to be sprayed before work. For this reason, the work support system 1 can effectively support work in one or more fields F.

[0062] (modified version) The configuration described in the embodiment is just one example, and the configuration can be changed as long as it does not impair the functionality.

[0063] For example, the risk determination unit 120 determined risk information based on information about the pesticides sprayed in field F1, the difference between the timing of pesticide application in field F1 and the timing of harvesting in risk fields (e.g., fields F2 and F3), and weather information for the timing of pesticide application. However, the risk determination unit 120 may also determine risk information based on information about the pesticides sprayed in field F1 and information about the crops cultivated in fields F2 and F3, without using the difference between the timing of pesticide application in field F1 and the timing of harvesting in risk fields (e.g., fields F2 and F3), and weather information for the timing of pesticide application.

[0064] Furthermore, the risk determination unit 120 may determine risk information based, for example, on the proportion of dispersed pesticides remaining in the edible parts of crops grown in a risk field. For example, the greater the extent to which the edible parts of a crop are exposed above the ground level of field F, the more likely it is that dispersed pesticides will remain in the edible parts of the crop. As an example, the risk determination unit 120 may determine risk information such that the degree of risk increases as the extent to which the edible parts of crops grown in a risk field are exposed above the ground level of field F increases. For example, the risk determination unit 120 may determine risk information such that the degree of risk is higher than in other cases when the proportion of exposed edible parts is higher than a predetermined standard, such as when a crop grown in a risk field (e.g., field F2) has a large portion of its edible parts exposed above the soil during cultivation (e.g., spinach). In this case, for example, prior to the processing shown in Figure 8, the information storage unit 140 stores crop information indicating the degree to which the edible part of each of one or more crops is exposed during cultivation. Then, in step S1012 of Figure 8, the risk determination unit 120 determines whether the degree of exposure of the crops cultivated in field F2, as indicated by the second work information D2b indicating the work performed in field F2 and acquired in step S1010, is above a predetermined standard. If it is above the predetermined standard, the risk determination unit 120 may determine the risk information for field F2 to be higher than it would otherwise be, for example, by increasing the risk level by one level (or more).

[0065] Furthermore, the risk determination unit 120 may determine risk information based, for example, on whether the manner in which the pesticide is sprayed in field F1 is such that the pesticide is likely to drift or not. For example, even when spraying the same pesticide, the degree of drift differs depending on the spraying method, such as spraying the pesticide from the air using a drone or helicopter, spraying it upward from the ground towards crops that bear fruit at the top of trees such as apples and oranges, or spraying it downward towards crops that bear fruit on the ground in the field such as spinach. Therefore, if the pesticide is sprayed in a manner that is more likely to drift than a predetermined standard, the risk determination unit 120 may determine the risk information for field F2 to be higher than in other cases. For example, prior to the processing shown in Figure 8, the information storage unit 140 stores crop pesticide information for each of one or more crops, indicating which crops are prone to drifting when pesticides are sprayed (e.g., fruits that grow on trees) and which crops are not prone to drifting (e.g., vegetables that grow on the ground in field F). Then, in step S1012 of Figure 8, the system determines whether the ease with which the sprayed pesticide drifts when applied to crops cultivated in field F1, as obtained in step S1001, is above a predetermined standard. If the ease with which the sprayed pesticide drifts is above a predetermined standard, the risk determination unit 120 may determine the risk information for risky fields (e.g., fields F2 and F3) to be higher than the risk level would otherwise be, for example, by increasing the risk level by one level (or more).

[0066] Alternatively, even when spraying the same pesticide on the same crop, the degree of pesticide drift may differ depending on the spraying method, such as whether a farming tool with a shape that makes it difficult for pesticides to drift, like a drift-reducing nozzle, is used, or whether a farming tool with a shape that makes it easy for pesticides to drift, like a long-range pistol-type spray nozzle, is used. For example, before the processing shown in Figure 8, the information storage unit 140 further stores information in the "Remarks" section of the individual work information D10a_k indicating pesticide spraying, indicating the farming tool used for pesticide spraying and how easily the pesticide drifts when that tool is used. Then, in step S1012 of Figure 8, it is determined whether the information indicated in the "Remarks" section of the individual work information D10a_k has a shape that is more prone to drift than a predetermined standard. Furthermore, if agricultural tools with a shape that is more prone to scattering than predetermined standards are used, the risk determination unit 120 may determine the risk information for risky fields (e.g., fields F2 and F3) to be higher than in the case of other conditions, for example, by increasing the risk level by one level (or more).

[0067] Furthermore, the risk determination unit 120 may determine the risk information such that the degree of risk increases as the distance between field F1 and the risk fields (for example, fields F2 and F3) decreases. For example, in step S1012 of Figure 8, if the distance between field F1 and the risk fields is less than a predetermined standard, the risk determination unit 120 may determine the risk information for the risk fields such that the degree of risk is higher than in the other case, for example, by increasing the risk level by one level (or more). Alternatively, the risk information may be determined such that the degree of risk increases as the distance between the center of field F1 and the center of field F2 increases.

[0068] Furthermore, in step S1016 of Figure 8, the display unit 210 displayed information indicating the determined risk information on a map for each risk field. However, the display unit 210 is not limited to this, and may also display the risk information in a heat map format. In this case, in step S1012, the risk determination unit 120 determines risk information for multiple areas within a risk field (for example, fields F2 and F3) where the degree of risk differs depending on the distance from field F1, which is the target of pesticide application. The multiple areas within a risk field may then be displayed in different ways according to the degree of risk (for example, areas with a higher risk are shown in red, and areas with a lower risk are shown in blue). As an example, the risk determination unit 120 may set the degree of risk to the lowest level for areas within field F2 where the distance from the nearest point in field F1 is farther than the estimated maximum drift distance determined in step S1008. Furthermore, in step S1012, the risk determination unit 120 may determine a dangerous drift distance (for example, half the estimated maximum drift distance) based on the estimated maximum drift distance, where the degree of pesticide dispersion is greater than near the estimated maximum drift distance. The risk determination unit 120 may then determine the risk information such that the degree of risk is higher in areas of field F2 where the distance from the nearest point in field F1 is closer than the dangerous drift distance, by increasing the risk level by one level (or more) compared to areas further than the dangerous drift distance.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the server device 10 executes the processes from steps S1002 to S1014 in Figure 8, and the terminal device 20 executes the process in step S1016. However, the server device 10 may execute all of the processes from steps S1002 to S1016. In this case, the server device 10 may have a display unit having the same functions as the display unit 210. For example, in step S1014, the information output unit 130 outputs risk information and additional information to the display unit of the server device 10. Then, in step S1016, the display unit of the server device 10 may display the risk information as a map, similar to the display unit 210.

[0070] (Note) The work support methods, work support systems, and programs described in each embodiment can be described as follows.

[0071] The work support method relating to the first aspect is: Based on information about the pesticides to be sprayed in the first field and information including information indicating the crops being cultivated in the second field, risk information is determined that indicates the degree of risk that may arise in the second field as a result of spraying the pesticides in the first field. Outputting the determined risk information, Includes.

[0072] The work support method relating to the second embodiment is the work support method relating to the first embodiment, Determining the aforementioned risk information includes determining the aforementioned risk information based on standard information indicating residue limits for one or more pesticides established for one or more food products.

[0073] The work support method relating to the third aspect is the work support method relating to the second aspect, Determining the risk information includes determining the risk information such that, if the standard information does not include information indicating the residue standards for the sprayed pesticides established for the cultivated crops, the risk that may occur in the second field becomes higher than a predetermined level.

[0074] The work support method relating to the fourth aspect is a work support method relating to any of the first to third aspects, Determining the risk information includes determining the risk information such that, if the degree to which the edible parts of the crops cultivated in the second field are exposed to the outside is above a predetermined first standard, the degree of risk occurring in the second field is higher than if it were below the first standard.

[0075] The work support method relating to the fifth aspect is a work support method relating to any of the first to fourth aspects, Determining the risk information includes determining the risk information such that, when the difference between the time when pesticides are sprayed in the first field and the time when the cultivated crops are harvested in the second field is less than or equal to a predetermined interval, the degree of risk occurring in the second field is higher than when the difference is longer than the predetermined interval.

[0076] The work support method relating to the sixth aspect is a work support method relating to any of the first to fifth aspects, Determining the risk information includes determining the risk information such that if the manner in which the spray pesticide is sprayed in the first field is such that the spray pesticide is prone to drift, the degree of risk occurring in the second field is higher than if the spray pesticide is not prone to drift.

[0077] The work support method relating to the seventh aspect is a work support method relating to any of the first to sixth aspects, The method further includes displaying the second field on a map in a manner that allows for the recognition of the degree of risk that would arise in the second field as a result of spraying the pesticide in the first field, based on the outputted risk information and field information indicating the geographical extent of the second field.

[0078] The work support system relating to the eighth aspect is: A risk determination unit that determines risk information indicating the degree of risk that may arise in the second field as a result of spraying the pesticide in the first field, based on information including information about the pesticide to be sprayed in the first field and information indicating the crop being cultivated in the second field. An information output unit that outputs the determined risk information, It is equipped with.

[0079] The program relating to the ninth aspect is: Based on information including information about the pesticides to be sprayed in the first field and information indicating the crops being cultivated in the second field, risk information is determined that indicates the degree of risk that may arise in the second field as a result of spraying the pesticides in the first field. Outputting the determined risk information, Make it run. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0080] 1. Work support system 10 Server devices 12 Input / Output Devices 14 Arithmetic unit 16. Communication equipment 18 Storage device 110 Information Acquisition Department 120 Risk Decision Department 130 Information Output Unit 140 Information storage section 20 Terminal devices 22 Input / Output Devices 24 Arithmetic unit 26 Communication equipment 28 Storage device 210 Display section F1, F2, F3 fields Microsoft Network P1, P2 Program M1, M2 storage medium D1 Field Information D2 Work Information D2a First Operation Information D2b Second Work Information D2c Third Operation Information D10a_1~D10a_n Individual work information D3 Pesticide Information D4 Residue Standards Information D5 Weather Information MS1-MS3 Text Messages

Claims

1. A work support method performed in a work support system built on a computer, Based on information about the pesticides to be sprayed in the first field and information including information indicating the crops being cultivated in the second field, risk information is determined that indicates the degree of risk that may arise in the second field as a result of spraying the pesticides in the first field. Outputting the determined risk information, Includes, Determining the aforementioned risk information includes determining the aforementioned risk information based on standard information indicating the residue limits for one or more pesticides established for one or more food products. Work support method.

2. Determining the risk information includes determining the risk information such that, if the standard information does not include information indicating the residue standards for the sprayed pesticides established for the cultivated crops, the risk that may occur in the second field becomes higher than a predetermined level. The work support method according to claim 1.

3. Determining the risk information includes determining the risk information such that, when the difference between the timing of spraying pesticides in the first field and the timing of harvesting the cultivated crops in the second field is less than or equal to a predetermined interval, the degree of risk occurring in the second field is higher than when the difference is longer than the predetermined interval. The work support method according to claim 1.

4. The method further includes displaying the second field on a map in a manner that allows for the recognition of the degree of risk that may arise in the second field as a result of spraying the pesticide in the first field, based on the outputted risk information and field information indicating the geographical extent of the second field. The work support method according to claim 1.

5. A work support method performed in a work support system built on a computer, Based on information about the pesticides to be sprayed in the first field and information including information indicating the crops being cultivated in the second field, risk information is determined that indicates the degree of risk that may arise in the second field as a result of spraying the pesticides in the first field. Outputting the determined risk information, Includes, Determining the risk information includes determining the risk information such that, if the degree to which the edible parts of the crops cultivated in the second field are exposed to the outside is above a predetermined first standard, the degree of risk occurring in the second field is higher than when it is below the first standard. Work support method.

6. A work support method performed in a work support system built on a computer, Based on information about the pesticides to be sprayed in the first field and information including information indicating the crops being cultivated in the second field, risk information is determined that indicates the degree of risk that may arise in the second field as a result of spraying the pesticides in the first field. Outputting the determined risk information, Includes, Determining the risk information includes determining the risk information such that when the manner in which the sprayed pesticide is applied in the first field is such that the sprayed pesticide is prone to drift, the degree of risk occurring in the second field is higher than when the sprayed pesticide is not prone to drift. Work support method.

7. A risk determination unit that determines risk information indicating the degree of risk that may arise in the second field as a result of spraying the pesticide in the first field, based on information including information about the pesticide to be sprayed in the first field and information indicating the crop being cultivated in the second field. An information output unit that outputs the determined risk information, Equipped with, The risk determination unit is configured to determine the risk information based on standard information indicating residue limits for one or more pesticides established for one or more food products. Work support system.

8. On the computer, Based on information including information about the pesticides to be sprayed in the first field and information indicating the crops being cultivated in the second field, risk information is determined that indicates the degree of risk that may arise in the second field as a result of spraying the pesticides in the first field. Outputting the determined risk information, To execute It is a program, Determining the aforementioned risk information includes determining the aforementioned risk information based on standard information indicating the residue limits for one or more pesticides established for one or more food products. program.

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