Control device, control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a plant control device, a control method, and a program that suppress fluctuations in carbon dioxide concentration in a space of a plant factory.SOLUTION: In a plant management system, a plant management device includes a detection result acquisition unit that acquires a detection result from a sensor that detects entry and exit of a person in a target space of a plant factory, and an environment control unit that controls a carbon dioxide supply facility that supplies carbon dioxide into the target space based on the detection result so that a concentration of carbon dioxide in the target space satisfies a predetermined condition. When the detection result indicates the entry in the target space, the environment control unit controls the carbon dioxide supply facility to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the target space. When the detection result indicates that the exit from the target space, the environment control unit controls the carbon dioxide supply facility to increase the amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the target space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 states that "In a darkroom, plants primarily respire, resulting in a higher concentration of carbon dioxide in the room compared to a brightly lit room. By blowing the air from the darkroom, which has a higher concentration of carbon dioxide, into a brightly lit room, the carbon dioxide generated in the darkroom can be utilized for photosynthesis by plants in the brightly lit room." [Prior art document] [Patent] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2023-000258 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0003] The carbon dioxide concentration inside a plant factory may fluctuate due to the movement of people entering and leaving the factory. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] A control device according to one aspect of the present invention may include a detection result acquisition unit that acquires detection results from a sensor that detects the entry and exit of people in a target space in a plant factory. The control device may also include a control unit that controls a carbon dioxide supply equipment that supplies carbon dioxide into the target space based on the detection results so that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the target space satisfies predetermined conditions.

[0005] In the control device, if the control unit determines that the detection result indicates that someone has entered the target space, it may control the carbon dioxide supply equipment to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the target space.

[0006] In any of the control devices, the control unit may control the carbon dioxide supply equipment to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the target space based on the number of people who have entered the target space, which is determined based on the detection results.

[0007] In any of the control devices, the control unit may control the carbon dioxide supply equipment to increase the amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the target space if the detection result indicates that the person has left the target space.

[0008] In any of the control devices, the control unit may control the carbon dioxide supply equipment to increase the amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the target space based on the number of people who have left the target space, as identified based on the detection results.

[0009] Any of the control devices may include a concentration acquisition unit that acquires the carbon dioxide concentration in the target space from a CO2 sensor that detects the carbon dioxide concentration in the target space. The control device may also include a calibration unit that performs calibration of the CO2 sensor based on the carbon dioxide concentration acquired by the concentration acquisition unit, the amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the target space by the carbon dioxide supply equipment, and the detection result.

[0010] In any of the control devices, the calibration unit may determine the number of people present in the target space based on the detection result, determine the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the people present in the target space based on the number of people and a predetermined amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit time by the people present, determine the total amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the target space by summing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the people present in the target space and the amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the target space by the carbon dioxide supply equipment, determine the carbon dioxide concentration in the target space based on the total amount of carbon dioxide and relational information showing the relationship between the total amount of carbon dioxide and the carbon dioxide concentration in the target space, and perform calibration of the CO2 sensor based on the determined carbon dioxide concentration in the target space and the carbon dioxide concentration detected by the CO2 sensor.

[0011] In any of the control devices, the calibration unit may determine the carbon dioxide concentration in the target space based on the total amount of carbon dioxide and the related information corresponding to the growth state of plants being cultivated in the target space.

[0012] In any of the above-mentioned control devices, the control unit may control at least one environmental control device that controls the environment within the target space. The control device may further include a history management unit that associates the detection result with the control history of the at least one environmental control device and stores it in a storage unit as history information.

[0013] In any of the control devices, the history management unit may further associate the growth status of plants being cultivated in the target space with the history information and store it in the storage unit.

[0014] The control device according to claim 1, further comprising a history management unit that associates the detection results with the growth status of plants cultivated in the target space and stores them in a storage unit as history information.

[0015] The control method according to one aspect of the present invention may include a step of obtaining a detection result from a sensor that detects the entry and exit of a person in the target space of a plant factory. The control method may include a step of controlling a carbon dioxide supply facility that supplies carbon dioxide into the target space based on the detection result so that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the target space satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0016] The program according to one aspect of the present invention may cause a computer to execute a step of obtaining a detection result from a sensor that detects the entry and exit of a person in the target space of a plant factory. The program may cause the computer to execute a step of controlling a carbon dioxide supply facility that supplies carbon dioxide into the target space based on the detection result so that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the target space satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0017] Note that the above summary of the invention does not list all the features of the present invention. Also, sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be inventions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of the overall configuration of a plant management system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of a plant management device. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart showing an example of a control procedure of a carbon dioxide supply facility based on the detection result of a human sensor when a person enters the space of a plant factory. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart showing an example of a control procedure of a carbon dioxide supply facility based on the detection result of a human sensor when a person leaves the space of a plant factory. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart showing an example of a calibration procedure of a CO2 sensor based on the detection result of a human sensor. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Also, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of the overall configuration of the plant management system according to the present embodiment. The plant management system manages the growth state of plants 30 cultivated in the plant factory 10.

[0021] The plant management system includes a human sensor 14, a plurality of cultivation shelves 20, a light source facility 40, a nutrient solution supply facility 50, a carbon dioxide supply facility 60, an air conditioning facility 70, a ventilation facility 80, a sensor 90, and a plant management device 100. The light source facility 40, the nutrient solution supply facility 50, the carbon dioxide supply facility 60, the air conditioning facility 70, and the ventilation facility 80 are examples of environmental control facilities.

[0022] The cultivation shelves 20 cultivate plants 30 such as vegetables, fruits, or flowers. The sowing dates may be staggered for each set of cultivation shelves 20 so that the plants 30 can be harvested at different times. Multiple cultivation shelves 20 may be installed in separate spaces 12 for each set of cultivation shelves 20, and the environment within each space 12 may be individually controlled by environmental control equipment so that the plants 30 are cultivated under different environmental conditions in each space 12. The space 12 may be a space with high thermal insulation and airtightness. Each space 12 is provided with an entrance / exit 11 for people such as workers to enter and exit. A motion sensor 14 is installed near the entrance / exit 11 to detect the entry and exit of people in the space 12. The motion sensor 14 may be an infrared sensor. The motion sensor 14 is an example of a sensor that detects the entry and exit of people in the space 12 of the plant factory 10. Instead of the motion sensor 14, a surveillance camera may be used as a sensor that detects the entry and exit of people in the space 12. In this case, for example, the entry and exit of people in space 12 may be detected by analyzing images captured by a surveillance camera installed near the entrance / exit 11. When detecting the entry and exit of people in space 12 using a surveillance camera, the system may also recognize the people entering and exiting space 12 and identify each individual worker. The motion sensor 14 may be an RFID system. For example, the motion sensor 14 may be an RFID reader, which may detect the entry and exit of people by reading an IC tag held by a person. Each of the spaces 12 is an example of a target space.

[0023] The light source equipment 40 includes multiple light sources 42 that emit artificial light such as LEDs or incandescent lamps, and each of the multiple light sources 42 irradiates the plants 30 with artificial light. The multiple light sources 42 may be arranged facing the cultivation surface of the cultivation shelf 20.

[0024] The nutrient solution supply equipment 50 has a pump 52 and a pipe 54, and supplies nutrient solution containing various fertilizer components such as potassium or calcium to the cultivation shelf 20 via the pump 52 and pipe 54. The nutrient solution supply equipment 50 adjusts the fertilizer concentration as appropriate and supplies the nutrient solution with the adjusted fertilizer concentration to the plants 30. The nutrient solution supply equipment 50 may also supply the nutrient solution to the plants 30 by atomizing the nutrient solution and spraying it onto the root portion of the plants 30. The nutrient solution supply equipment 50 may also function as an irrigation system that supplies water to the growing medium on which the plants 30 are cultivated. The amount of irrigation water supplied to the cultivation shelf 20 may be adjusted by adjusting the amount of nutrient solution supplied from the nutrient solution supply equipment 50 to the cultivation shelf 20.

[0025] The carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 has a tank 62 and a nozzle 64. The tank 62 stores carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 supplies the carbon dioxide stored in the tank 62 to each space 12 within the plant factory 10 via the nozzle 64.

[0026] The air conditioning system 70 controls the temperature and humidity of the air inside the plant factory 10 and circulates the controlled air within each space. The ventilation system 80 includes a circulator or fan that supplies air into the plant factory 10. The sensor 90 includes various sensors that measure the environmental conditions around the plants 30 and the growth status of the plants 30. The sensor 90 also includes various sensors that measure the temperature, humidity, light intensity, and carbon dioxide concentration of the stems, leaves, and fruit parts of the plants 30, respectively.

[0027] The plant management device 100 controls the growth state of the plants 30 by controlling the light source equipment 40, nutrient solution supply equipment 50, carbon dioxide supply equipment 60, air conditioning equipment 70, and ventilation equipment 80. The plant management device 100 communicates with the light source equipment 40, nutrient solution supply equipment 50, carbon dioxide supply equipment 60, air conditioning equipment 70, and ventilation equipment 80 via a wireless or wired network. The plant management device 100 is an example of a growth state estimation device.

[0028] The plant management device 100 may be a computer having a central processing unit (CPU) and memory. The light source equipment 40, nutrient solution supply equipment 50, carbon dioxide supply equipment 60, air conditioning equipment 70, and ventilation equipment 80 may each be equipped with a computer having a central processing unit (CPU) and memory.

[0029] The computer may be a personal computer, tablet computer, smartphone, workstation, server computer, or general-purpose computer, or it may be a computer system in which multiple computers are connected. Such a computer system is also a computer in a broad sense. The computer may be a dedicated computer designed for environmental control of a plant factory, or it may be dedicated hardware realized by dedicated circuits. The computer may be implemented by a virtual computer environment. When a computer is used, the plant management device 100, light source equipment 40, nutrient solution supply equipment 50, carbon dioxide supply equipment 60, air conditioning equipment 70, and ventilation equipment 80 are realized by executing a program on the computer.

[0030] In a plant management system configured in this way, it is preferable that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 be controlled to an appropriate concentration according to predetermined conditions. Therefore, the plant management device 100 controls the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 so that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 satisfies predetermined conditions. However, when people enter and exit the space 12 of the plant factory 10, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 fluctuates. When people are present in the space 12 of the plant factory 10, carbon dioxide is emitted from them as they respire, and the concentration of carbon dioxide in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 increases. Therefore, the plant management device 100 detects the entry and exit of people in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 and controls the amount of carbon dioxide supplied by the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 (m³ 3 Adjust / h.

[0031] Figure 2 shows an example of the functional blocks of the plant management device 100. The plant management device 100 comprises a detection result acquisition unit 102, a concentration acquisition unit 104, a calibration unit 106, a history management unit 108, an environmental control unit 110, and a storage unit 120. The storage unit 120 stores the program that operates in the plant management device 100. The program is executed on the processor of the plant management device 100, causing the processor to function as the detection result acquisition unit 102, the concentration acquisition unit 104, the calibration unit 106, the history management unit 108, and the environmental control unit 110.

[0032] The detection result acquisition unit 102 acquires detection results from the human presence sensor 14, which detects the entry and exit of people in the space 12 of the plant factory 10. The detection results may indicate the date and time when a person entered the space 12 of the plant factory 10, or the date and time when a person left the space 12 of the plant factory 10.

[0033] The history management unit 108 may associate the detection results from the human presence sensor 14 with the control history of at least one environmental control device and store them as history information in the storage unit 120. The detection results from the human presence sensor 14 may include identification information that uniquely identifies workers entering and leaving the space 12. If the human presence sensor 14 is a surveillance camera, the detection results may include image information showing the face of a worker entering and leaving the space 12. If the human presence sensor 14 is an RFID, the detection results may include identification information unique to the IC tag associated with the IC tag held by the worker. The control history shows the control content when the environmental control device controls the environment of space 12 in chronological order. By associating the detection results from the human presence sensor 14 with the control history and storing them, the history information can be used to analyze the relationship between people entering and leaving space 12 and the control of the environmental control device. The history management unit 108 may store in the storage unit 120 as history information, associating the detection results from the human presence sensor 14 with the control history of at least one environmental control device, as well as the history of the growth status of the plants 30. The history information can be used for quality control, such as analyzing the impact of human activity on the growth status of the plants 30. By storing the detection results from the human presence sensor 14 as history in the storage unit 120, the history information can be used to monitor for intrusion by suspicious persons into the space 12 of the plant factory 10, theft, etc. Furthermore, the history information can be used for worker labor management, optimization of production line schedules, etc.

[0034] The environmental control unit 110 controls at least one of the following: a light source 40, a nutrient solution supply 50, a carbon dioxide supply 60, an air conditioning 70, and a ventilation 80, which control the environment of the plant factory 10 so that plants 30 can be cultivated according to predetermined cultivation conditions. The environmental control unit 110 may also control at least one of the following: a light source 40, a nutrient solution supply 50, a carbon dioxide supply 60, an air conditioning 70, and a ventilation 80, so that plants 30 of a predetermined yield can be harvested at a predetermined harvest time.

[0035] The environmental control unit 110 controls the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60, which supplies carbon dioxide into the space 12 of the plant factory 10, based on the detection results of the human presence sensor 14, so that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 meets predetermined conditions.

[0036] The environmental control unit 110 controls the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the space 12 of the plant factory 10 when the detection result of the human presence sensor 14 indicates that a person has entered the space 12 of the plant factory 10. The environmental control unit 110 may control the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the space 12 of the plant factory 10 based on the number of people who have entered the space 12 of the plant factory 10, which is determined based on the detection result of the human presence sensor 14.

[0037] The environmental control unit 110 controls the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 to increase the amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the space 12 of the plant factory 10 if the detection result of the human presence sensor 14 indicates that a person has left the space 12 of the plant factory 10. The environmental control unit 110 may control the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 to increase the amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the space 12 of the plant factory 10 based on the number of people who have left the space 12 of the plant factory 10, which is determined based on the detection result of the human presence sensor 14.

[0038] The amount of carbon dioxide a person exhales through respiration varies depending on the type of work they are doing. The amount of carbon dioxide emitted when a person performs normal work in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 is measured, and an average value is derived and stored in the memory unit 120. For example, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when a person performs normal work in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 is 0.035 (m³). 3 / h·person) is fine.

[0039] If the motion sensor 14 detects that a person has entered the space 12 of the plant factory 10, the environmental control unit 110 will adjust the amount of carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 to equal the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit time, for example, per hour, within the space 12 of the plant factory 10. 3 The amount of carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 (m³) may be reduced by the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per hour by the person in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 if the detection result of the human presence sensor 14 indicates that a person has left the space 12 of the plant factory 10. 3 You may increase / h).

[0040] The environmental control unit 110 identifies the number of people who have entered the space 12 of the plant factory 10 based on the detection results of the human presence sensor 14, derives the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per hour by a person in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 by multiplying it by the number of people, and may reduce the amount of carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 based on the derived amount of carbon dioxide emitted according to the number of people.

[0041] The environmental control unit 110 identifies the number of people who have left the space 12 of the plant factory 10 based on the detection results of the human presence sensor 14, derives the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per hour by a person in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 by multiplying it by the number of people, and may increase the amount of carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 based on the derived amount of carbon dioxide emitted according to the number of people.

[0042] For example, if multiple workers enter the space 12 of the plant factory 10 at the same time to begin work, the amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the space 12 of the plant factory 10 will increase by the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the multiple workers. Therefore, in response to the entry of multiple workers, the environmental control unit 110 controls the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the space 12 of the plant factory 10 by the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the multiple workers.

[0043] For example, if multiple workers who were working in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 finish their work at the same time and leave the space 12 of the plant factory 10, the amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the space 12 of the plant factory 10 will decrease by the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the multiple workers. Therefore, in response to the departure of the multiple workers, the environmental control unit 110 controls the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 to increase the amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the space 12 of the plant factory 10 by the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the multiple workers.

[0044] The concentration acquisition unit 104 acquires the carbon dioxide concentration (ppm) in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 from a CO2 sensor, for example, sensor 90, which detects the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 12 of the plant factory 10. The calibration unit 106 performs calibration of the CO2 sensor based on the carbon dioxide concentration acquired by the concentration acquisition unit 104, the amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the space 12 of the plant factory 10 by the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60, and the detection result of the human presence sensor 14. The calibration unit 106 identifies the number of people present in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 based on the detection result of the human presence sensor 14.

[0045] The calibration unit 106 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by people present in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 (m³) based on a predetermined amount of carbon dioxide emitted when a person performs normal work in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 and the number of people present in the space 12 of the plant factory 10.3 Derive (m / h). Further, the calibration unit 106 determines the supply amount (m / h) of carbon dioxide supplied into the space 12 of the plant factory 10 by the carbon dioxide supply facility 60. 3 / h).

[0046] The calibration unit 106 determines the total amount (m / h) of carbon dioxide supplied into the space 12 of the plant factory 10 by adding the emission amount (m / h) of carbon dioxide emitted by a person present in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 and the supply amount (m / h) of carbon dioxide supplied into the space 12 of the plant factory 10 by the carbon dioxide supply facility 60. 3 / h) and the supply amount (m / h) of carbon dioxide supplied into the space 12 of the plant factory 10 by the carbon dioxide supply facility 60. 3 / h), thereby determining the total amount (m / h) of carbon dioxide supplied into the space 12 of the plant factory 10. 3 / h).

[0047] The calibration unit 106 determines the carbon dioxide concentration (ppm) in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 based on the relationship information indicating the relationship between the total amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the space 12 of the plant factory 10, the total amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the space 12 of the plant factory 10, and the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 12 of the plant factory 10. The relationship information may be a reference table or a function indicating the relationship between the total amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the space 12 of the plant factory 10 and the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 12 of the plant factory 10. The amount of carbon dioxide consumed by the plant 30 varies depending on the growth state of the plant 30. The amount of carbon dioxide consumed by the plant 30 changes depending on the period from the sowing date. The growth state can be specified, for example, by the period from the sowing date. Therefore, the storage unit 120 may store relationship information indicating the relationship between the amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the space 12 of the plant factory 10 and the carbon dioxide concentration in the plant factory 10 according to the period from the sowing date. The calibration unit 106 may specify the period from the sowing date of the plant 30 currently cultivated in the plant factory 10 and specify the relationship information indicating the relationship between the amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the space 12 of the plant factory 10 and the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 according to the measured period. The relationship information may be derived in advance based on the measured values of the total amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the space 12 of the plant factory 10 and the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 12 and stored in the storage unit 120.

[0048] The memory unit 120 may store relational information showing the relationship between the amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the space 12 of the plant factory 10 and the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 12 of the plant factory 10, according to the growth state of the plant 30. The calibration unit 106 may estimate the growth state of the plant 30 based on a trained predictive model in which the image of the plant 30 captured by the imaging device is the explanatory variable and the growth state of the plant 30 is the dependent variable. The calibration unit 106 may identify relational information showing the relationship between the amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the space 12 of the plant factory 10 and the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 12 of the plant factory 10, according to the estimated growth state of the plant 30. The indicator used as the explanatory variable may be an indicator other than the image of the plant 30, as long as it is an indicator that can identify the growth state of the plant 30.

[0049] Furthermore, the calibration unit 106 predicts the carbon dioxide concentration (ppm) in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 based on the amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the space 12 of the plant factory 10 and the identified relationship information. The calibration unit 106 performs calibration of the CO2 sensor based on the predicted carbon dioxide concentration (ppm) in the space 12 of the plant factory 10. The calibration unit 106 performs calibration of the CO2 sensor based on the difference between the predicted carbon dioxide concentration in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 and the carbon dioxide concentration detected by the CO2 sensor.

[0050] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a control procedure for the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 based on the detection results of the human presence sensor 14 when a person enters the space 12 of the plant factory 10.

[0051] The detection result acquisition unit 102 acquires detection results from the human presence sensor 14 that detects the entry and exit of people in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 (S100). The environmental control unit 110 identifies the number of people who have entered the space 12 of the plant factory 10 based on the detection results of the human presence sensor 14 (S102). Furthermore, the environmental control unit 110 derives the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per hour by a person in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 by the number of people (S104). The environmental control unit 110 reduces the amount of carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 based on the amount of carbon dioxide emitted according to the derived number of people (S106). The environmental control unit 110 may reduce the amount of carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 by the amount of carbon dioxide emitted according to the derived number of people.

[0052] Through the above process, it is possible to suppress fluctuations in the carbon dioxide concentration within the space 12 of the plant factory 10 caused by a person entering the space 12 of the plant factory 10.

[0053] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a control procedure for the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 based on the detection results of the human presence sensor 14 when a person leaves the space 12 of the plant factory 10.

[0054] The detection result acquisition unit 102 acquires detection results from the human presence sensor 14, which detects the entry and exit of people in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 (S200). The environmental control unit 110 identifies the number of people who have left the space 12 of the plant factory 10 based on the detection results of the human presence sensor 14 (S202). Furthermore, the environmental control unit 110 derives the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per hour by a person in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 by the number of people (S204). The environmental control unit 110 increases the amount of carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 based on the amount of carbon dioxide emitted according to the derived number of people (S206). The environmental control unit 110 may increase the amount of carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 by the amount of carbon dioxide emitted according to the derived number of people.

[0055] By performing the above process, it is possible to suppress fluctuations in the carbon dioxide concentration inside the space 12 of the plant factory 10 when people leave the space 12 of the plant factory 10.

[0056] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for calibrating the CO2 sensor based on the detection results of the human presence sensor 14.

[0057] The detection result acquisition unit 102 acquires detection results from the human presence sensor 14, which detects the entry and exit of people in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 (S300). The calibration unit 106 determines the number of people present in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 based on the detection results of the human presence sensor 14 (S302).

[0058] The calibration unit 106 derives the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by people present in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 based on a predetermined amount of carbon dioxide emitted when a person performs normal work in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 and the number of people present in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 (S304). The calibration unit 106 determines the total amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the space 12 of the plant factory 10 by summing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by people present in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 and the amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the space 12 of the plant factory 10 by the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60 (S306).

[0059] The calibration unit 106 determines the carbon dioxide concentration (ppm) in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 based on the total amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the space 12 of the plant factory 10 and relational information showing the relationship between the total amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the space 12 of the plant factory 10 and the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 12 of the plant factory 10 (S308).

[0060] The calibration unit 106 performs calibration of the CO2 sensor based on the difference between the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 12 of the identified plant factory 10 and the carbon dioxide concentration detected by the CO2 sensor (S310).

[0061] Through the above process, the total amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the space 12 of the plant factory 10 is determined by considering not only the amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the space 12 of the plant factory 10 by the carbon dioxide supply equipment 60, but also the amount of carbon dioxide emitted based on the respiration of people present in the space 12 of the plant factory 10, which is identified based on the detection results of the human presence sensor 14. Based on this total amount, the CO2 sensor calibration is performed. This allows for more accurate calibration of the CO2 sensor.

[0062] Figure 6 shows an example of a computer 1200 that may embody an aspect of this embodiment in whole or in part. A program installed on the computer 1200 can cause the computer 1200 to function as an operation associated with an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, or as one or more "parts" of said apparatus. Alternatively, the program can cause the computer 1200 to execute said operation or said one or more "parts". The program can cause the computer 1200 to execute a process or a stage of said process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 1212 to cause the computer 1200 to execute a particular operation associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

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

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

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

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

[0067] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored in the storage medium and subjected to information processing. The CPU 1212 may perform various types of processing on the data read from the RAM 1214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgments, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information retrieval / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the program instruction sequence, and write the results back to the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may also retrieve information in files, databases, etc., within the storage medium. For example, if multiple entries are stored in the storage medium, each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute, the CPU 1212 may search among the multiple entries for an entry that matches the condition for which the attribute value of the first attribute is specified, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in that entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

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

[0069] Computer-readable media may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions that can be executed by a suitable device. As a result, computer-readable media having instructions stored therein will comprise a product containing instructions that can be executed to create means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable media may include floppy disks (registered trademark), diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM (registered trademark)), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD), Blu-ray (RTM) disk, memory stick, integrated circuit card, etc.

[0070] Computer-readable instructions may include either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages. Source code or object code may include conventional procedural programming languages. These conventional procedural programming languages ​​may include assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, Java®, C++, etc., and the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. Computer-readable instructions may be provided locally or via a wide area network (WAN), such as a local area network (LAN) or the internet, to the processor or programmable circuit of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device. The processor or programmable circuit may execute computer-readable instructions to create means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, etc.

[0071] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It will be clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0072] It should be noted that the execution order of operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not explicitly stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and that these can be implemented in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a later process. Even if the operation flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using phrases such as "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to perform the operations in that order. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 10 Plant factory 11 Entrance / exit 12 Space 14 motion sensors 20 cultivation rack 30 plants 40 Light source equipment 42 Light source 50 Nutrient solution supply equipment 52 pumps 54 pipes 60 Carbon dioxide supply facilities 62 tanks 64 nozzles 70 Air conditioning equipment 80. Ventilation equipment 90 sensors 100 Plant management equipment 102 Detection result acquisition unit 104 Concentration acquisition section 106 Calibration section 108 History Management Department 110 Environmental Control Unit 120 Storage section 1200 Computers 1210 Host Controller 1212 CPU 1214 RAM 1220 Input / Output Controller 1222 Communication Interface 1230 ROM

Claims

1. A detection result acquisition unit that acquires detection results from sensors that detect the entry and exit of people in a target space in a plant factory, A control unit controls a carbon dioxide supply equipment that supplies carbon dioxide into the target space based on the detection results so that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the target space satisfies predetermined conditions. A control device equipped with the following features.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the carbon dioxide supply equipment to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the target space when the detection result indicates that the person has entered the target space.

3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the carbon dioxide supply equipment to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the target space based on the number of people who have entered the target space as identified based on the detection result.

4. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the carbon dioxide supply equipment to increase the amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the target space when the detection result indicates that the person has left the target space.

5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the carbon dioxide supply equipment to increase the amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the target space based on the number of people who have left the target space as identified based on the detection results.

6. CO2 concentration in the target space is detected ２ A concentration acquisition unit that acquires the carbon dioxide concentration in the target space from a sensor, Based on the carbon dioxide concentration obtained by the concentration acquisition unit, the amount of carbon dioxide supplied into the target space by the carbon dioxide supply equipment, and the detection result, the CO ２ A calibration unit that performs sensor calibration and The control device according to claim 1, further comprising:

7. The calibration unit is Based on the detection results, the number of people present in the target space is identified. Based on the number of persons and a predetermined amount of carbon dioxide emitted per person per unit time, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by persons present in the target space is identified. The total amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the target space is determined by summing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by people present in the target space and the amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the target space by the carbon dioxide supply equipment. Based on the total amount of carbon dioxide and the relationship information showing the relationship between the total amount of carbon dioxide and the carbon dioxide concentration in the target space, the carbon dioxide concentration in the target space is identified. The specified carbon dioxide concentration in the target space and the CO ２ Based on the carbon dioxide concentration detected by the sensor, the CO ２ The control device according to claim 6, which performs sensor calibration.

8. The calibration unit is The control device according to claim 7, which determines the carbon dioxide concentration in the target space based on the total amount of carbon dioxide and the related information corresponding to the growth state of plants cultivated in the target space.

9. The control unit controls at least one environmental control device that controls the environment within the target space, The control device is The control device according to claim 1, further comprising a history management unit that associates the detection result with the control history of at least one environmental control device and stores it in a storage unit as history information.

10. The control device according to claim 9, wherein the history management unit further associates the growth status of plants being cultivated in the target space with the history information and stores it in the storage unit.

11. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising a history management unit that associates the detection results with the growth status of plants cultivated in the target space and stores them in a storage unit as history information.

12. A step in which a computer obtains detection results from a sensor that detects the entry and exit of people in a target space of a plant factory, The computer controls a carbon dioxide supply equipment that supplies carbon dioxide into the target space based on the detection results, such that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the target space satisfies predetermined conditions. A control method comprising:

13. The steps include obtaining detection results from sensors that detect the entry and exit of people in the target space of a plant factory, A step of controlling a carbon dioxide supply equipment that supplies carbon dioxide into the target space based on the detection results, so that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the target space satisfies predetermined conditions. A program that causes a computer to execute something.

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