Plant management system and plant management method

Provided are a plant management system and a plant management method, which do not entail a substantial workload, cost, construction period, or installation space; enable a system to be easily constructed, altered and expanded; have a small maintenance load; enable processing systems to be distributed and arranged in geographically separate locations and in locations where connecting the processing systems is not easy; and are capable of preventing the occurrence of large-scale problems. A plant management system 100 has: a plurality of processing systems 140, 150; and memory tags 112, 122, wherein processing systems 140, 150 include reader-writers 142, 152, 153 and processing devices 141, 151, and, by writing plant management data into the memory tag 112 by means of the reader-writer 142 and then reading the plant management data by the reader-writer 152 of the processing system 150, the plant management data is transferred between the processing systems 140, 150.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a plant management system and a plant management method for managing plants.

BACKGROUND ART

In a conventional way of managing the growths of plants such as seedlings, selection of well-grown plants by visual observation of the appearances of the plants is performed, as well as growing, transplanting and harvesting of the plants. There have recently been inspection devices that inspect the growing conditions of plants based on data other than the appearances of the plants (see Patent Literature 1, for example), and there has been a demand for the use of such inspection devices to inspect the plants, select well-grown plants based on the resultant inspection data, and grow, transplant and harvest the plants.

In order to construct a system for executing a plurality of processing steps (a growing step, a transplantation step, and a harvesting step) using those inspection devices or the like, the plant management data such as the inspection data obtained through these processing steps need to be managed comprehensively, which brings an idea of installing a database such as the one described in Patent Literature 2.

FIG. 4shows a plant management system500as a reference example of the system executing the plurality of processing steps (the growing step, the transplantation step, and the harvesting step), to which a database such as the one described in Patent Literature 2 is applied.

In the plant management system500shown inFIG. 4, plants P are planted in a tray510and grown in a germination and seedling warehouse530. Thereafter, a plurality of the plants P housed in the tray510are inspected using an inspection device541a, and the resultant inspection data are stored in an integrated database581of a host device580through an inspection terminal541b. In this inspection step, a first reader543that is connected by a PLC570to the host device580reads a first barcode513attached to the tray510, to specify the tray510.

In the next transplantation step, the inspection data stored in the integrated database581are referenced and the plants P in the tray510are transplanted into a panel520by a transplantation robot551a. In this transplantation step as well, a second reader554and a third reader555that are connected by the PLC570to the host device580read the first barcode513attached to the tray510and a second barcode523attached to the panel520, to specify the tray510and the panel520.

In the next harvesting step, a fourth reader563connected to the host device580reads the second barcode523attached to the panel520, to specify the panel520, followed by harvesting of the plants P.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literatures

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In this plant management system500, however, the integrated database581needs to be constructed for the purpose of managing the plant management data such as the inspection data comprehensively, as described above, and the processing systems for the processing steps need to be connected to one another, which requires a substantial workload, cost, construction period, or installation space in order to construct the plant management system500.

Moreover, even when altering or expanding a system, the entire plant management system500needs to be stopped, requiring a substantial workload, cost, and/or construction period.

The need to install the integrated database581requires a tremendous amount of workload in operation and maintenance of the integrated database581. In addition, in the case of failure in the integrated database581, there is a risk that all the plant management data might be lost, and equipment such as an uninterruptible device is necessary for the purpose of ensuring redundancy. Furthermore, in the case of a significant increase in the number of trays510or panels520to be handled, not only is it necessary to increase the capacity of the integrated database581, but also the design of the integrated database581needs to be changed.

The need to connect the processing systems for the processing steps to one another raises a problem that it is difficult to install the processing systems in geographically separate locations and in locations where connecting the processing systems is not easy, such as farmhouses and factories.

Moreover, because the processing systems for the processing steps are connected to one another, a single problem that occurs in one site spreads over the entire plant management system500, possibly resulting in a large-scale problem.

The present invention was contrived in order to solve the foregoing problems, and an object thereof is to provide a plant management system and a plant management method that do not entail a substantial workload, cost, construction period, or installation space, enable a system to be easily constructed, altered and expanded, have a small maintenance load, enable processing systems to be distributed and arranged in geographically separate locations and in locations where connecting the processing systems is not easy, and are capable of preventing the occurrence of large-scale problems.

A plant management system according to the present invention is a plant management system for managing plants and solves the foregoing problems with the following configuration. Specifically, the plant management system has: a plurality of processing systems that are provided independently of one another; and a memory tag provided in a plant container and storing plant management data, wherein the plurality of processing systems each include a reader-writer capable of reading and writing plant management data from and into the memory tag, and a processing device connected to the reader-writer, and, by writing plant management data into the memory tag by means of the reader-writer and then reading the plant management data by the reader-writer of a subsequent processing system, the plant management data is transferred between the plurality of processing systems.

A plant management method according to the present invention is a plant management method for managing plants and solves the foregoing problems with the following configuration. Specifically, the plant management method has: providing a plant container with a memory tag for storing plant management data; installing, for each of processing steps, a processing system that includes a reader-writer capable of reading and writing plant management data from and into the memory tag, and a processing device connected to the reader-writer; and transferring plant management data between the plurality of processing systems by writing the plant management data into the memory tag by means of the reader-writer and then reading the plant management data by the reader-writer of a subsequent processing system.

According to an aspect of the invention, a plant container is provided with a memory tag for storing plant management data and a reader-writer and a processing device are disposed in each processing system, so that the plant management data can be transferred between the plurality of processing systems by means of the memory tag provided in the plant container and the reader-writer disposed in each of the processing systems. Therefore, comprehensive plant management is possible through the processing systems, without the need to connect the processing systems to one another or to provide an integrated database for comprehensively managing the plant management data.

Such a configuration not only eliminates the need to construct an integrated database but also is capable of disposing the processing systems independently. Therefore, the plant management system can easily be constructed without requiring a substantial workload, cost, construction period, or installation space.

Because the processing systems are disposed independently of one another, the entire plant management system does not need to be stopped even when a system needs to be altered or expanded. Consequently, systems can be altered or expanded individually with respect to each processing system, enabling easy alteration and expansion of a system without requiring a substantial workload, cost, or construction period.

In addition, because an integrated database is not required, not only is it possible to reduce the workload associated with operating and managing an integrated database, but also the risk of losing all the plant management data due to failure in the integrated database can be avoided, and equipment such as an uninterruptible device for ensuring redundancy is not required. Furthermore, even in the case of a significant increase in the number of plant containers to be handled, such a case can be dealt with by increasing the number of memory tags in accordance with the number of plant containers, without increasing the capacity of the integrated database or changing the design of the same.

Installation of the processing systems independently enables the processing systems to be installed easily in geographically separate locations and in locations where connecting the processing systems is not easy, such as farmhouses and factories.

Moreover, providing the processing systems independently of one another can prevent a single problem of one site from spreading over the entire plant management system, and thus prevent the occurrence of a large-scale problem.

According to another aspect of the invention, the plant management data includes individual management data on a plurality of plants housed in the plant container. Therefore, the plurality of plants in the plant container can be processed individually in an appropriate manner, improving the productivity of the plants.

According to another aspect of the invention, because the memory tag is attached to an outer surface of the plant container, the position of each of the plants in the plant container can be defined based on the position of the memory tag on the plant container. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an additional baseline for defining the positions of the plants in the plant container.

According to another aspect of the invention, at least two processing systems are installed in mutually different facilities, so that the processing steps can be distributed and executed in a plurality of facilities, reducing the scale of each required facility.

According to another aspect of the invention, the inspection data obtained by the processing device of the inspection system is written as the plant management data into the memory tag by the reader-writer of the inspection system, and the plants are transplanted by the processing device of the transplantation system using the inspection data that is read from the memory tag by the reader-writer of the transplantation system. Owing to this configuration, appropriate plant transplantation can be realized in keeping with the inspection data, without connecting the processing systems to one another or without requiring an integrated database for comprehensively managing the plant management data.

According to another aspect of the invention, the processing device of the transplantation system transplants only well-grown plants out of the plurality of plants housed in the plant container, based on the inspection data. Therefore, unlike such a situation where a plurality of plants in a plant container are discarded altogether merely due to the fact that some of the plants grow poorly, the productivity of the plants can be improved by reducing the number of plants to be discarded.

According to another aspect of the invention, because the reader-writer of the harvesting system reads the harvest time data that is stored beforehand in the memory tag as the plant management data, the plants can be harvested at an appropriate harvest time without connecting the processing systems to one another or without requiring an integrated database for comprehensively managing the plant management data. In addition, because the harvesting system does not need to be connected to another inspection system or transplantation system, the harvesting system can be installed in a location such as a farmhouse where connection with another processing system is not easily made.

According to another aspect of the invention, the reader-writer is a noncontact-type reader-writer. Therefore, even when dirt or mud is stuck on the memory tag, reading by the reader-writer is not inhibited, and tasks such as taking inventory of plant containers can easily be performed.

According to another aspect of the invention, the inspection data obtained by the processing device of the inspection system is written as the plant management data into the memory tag by the reader-write of the inspection system, and the processing device of the transplantation system transplants plants by using the inspection data that is read from the memory tag by the reader-writer of the transplantation system. Furthermore, the reader-writer of the transplantation system reads the harvest time data that is stored beforehand in the memory tag as the plant management data. Therefore, appropriate plant transplantation can be realized in keeping with the inspection data and the plants can be harvested at an appropriate harvest time, without connecting the processing systems to one another or without requiring an integrated database for comprehensively managing the plant management data.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention is a plant management system for managing plants, the plant management system having: a plurality of processing systems that are provided independently of one another; and a memory tag provided in a plant container and for storing plant management data, wherein the plurality of processing systems each include a reader-writer capable of reading and writing plant management data from and into the memory tag, and a processing device connected to the reader-writer, and, by writing plant management data into the memory tag by means of the reader-writer and then reading the plant management data through the reader-writer of a subsequent processing system, the plant management data is transferred between the plurality of processing systems. The specific configuration of the plant management system may be in any form as long as the plant management system does not entail a substantial workload, cost, construction period, or installation space, enables a system to be easily constructed, altered and expanded, has a small maintenance load, enables the processing systems to be distributed and arranged in geographically separate locations and in locations where connecting the processing systems is not easy, and is capable of preventing the occurrence of large-scale problems.

For example, the specific aspect of the memory tag may be in any form such as noncontact-type tags as represented by a RFID tag or contact-type tags as represented by a magnetic tape, as long as the tag can store various data. The same applies to the specific aspect of the reader-writer.

The installation aspects for the processing systems (an inspection system, a transplantation system, and a harvesting system) may include any aspects. Specifically, the processing systems may be installed, for example, in the same facility or mutually different facilities.

The following embodiment describes that a tray into which plants are not yet transplanted and a panel transplanted with plants are provided with the memory tags. However, the memory tag may be provided only to the tray into which plants are not yet transplanted or only to the panel transplanted with plants.

EMBODIMENT

A plant management system100, an embodiment of the present invention, is described hereinafter with reference toFIGS. 1 to 3.

First of all, the plant management system100is for managing plants P such as seedlings, and is configured by, as shown inFIG. 1, a tray110and panel120for housing a plurality of plants P, (first and second) memory tags112,122attached to the tray110and panel120and for storing plant management data, a germination and seedling warehouse130for germinating and raising the plants P, an inspection system140for inspecting the growing conditions of the plants P, a transplantation system150for transplanting the plants P, and a harvesting system160for harvesting the plants P. As shown inFIG. 1, the inspection system140, the transplantation system150and the harvesting system160are not connected to one another by a network but are provided independently of one another.

The tray110and the panel120are each a plant container that is opened upward, as shown inFIG. 2, and has a plurality of plant housing regions111,121, which are divided vertically and horizontally. As shown inFIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the positions of the plant housing regions111,121are defined by the rows A to D and columns 1 to 3, based on the positions of the memory tags112,122attached respectively to the sides of the tray110and panel120. It should be noted that there are no restrictions, for example, on the number of the plant housing regions111,121or arrangements thereof.

The memory tags112,122are configured as RFID (Raid Frequency Identification) tags and, as shown inFIG. 2, attached to sides of the tray110and panel120, respectively. In the present embodiment, although the memory tags112,122are configured as passive RFID tags that respond by converting the radio waves radiated from reader-writers142,152,153,162into power, the memory tags112,122may be configured as active RFID tags that incorporate power sources therein.

Individual management data on each of the plants P on the tray110and panel120is stored in the memory tags112,122. Examples of the specific contents of the individual management data include inspection data on each of the plants P acquired using an inspection processing device141, position data on each of the plants P in the tray110and panel120, and harvest time data on each of the plants P.

As shown inFIG. 1, the inspection system140is configured by the inspection processing device141and the first reader-writer142that is connected to the inspection processing device141with a wire or wirelessly.

As shown inFIG. 1, the inspection processing device141is configured by an inspection device141afor inspecting the growing conditions of the plants P and an inspection terminal141bconnected to the inspection device141a. The specific aspect of the inspection device141amay be in any form as long as it can inspect the growing conditions of the plants P, and examples of the specific aspect of the inspection device141ainclude the inspection device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2012-152151. The inspection terminal141bis configured as a personal computer or the like and has a storage unit, an input unit, an output unit, a control unit, a communication unit, an auxiliary storage device, and the like. The first reader-writer142is configured as a noncontact-type RFID reader-writer that is capable of wirelessly reading and writing plant management data from and to the first memory tag112using a predetermined frequency bandwidth, by approaching the first memory tag112configured as a RFID tag. The first reader-writer142is connected to the inspection terminal141b.

As shown inFIG. 1, the transplantation system150is configured by a transplantation processing device151and the (second and third) reader-writers152,153that are connected to the transplantation processing device151with wires or wirelessly.

As shown inFIG. 1, the transplantation processing device151is configured by a transplantation robot151afor automatically transplanting the plants P, a transplantation controller151bconnected to the transplantation robot151a, and a transplantation terminal151cconnected to the transplantation controller151b. As shown inFIG. 1, the transplantation robot151atransplants the plants P housed in the tray110to the panel120. The specific aspect of the transplantation robot151amay be in any form and examples thereof include the transplantation robot disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-93027. The transplantation controller151band the transplantation terminal151care each configured as a personal computer, a server or the like and each have a storage unit, an input unit, an output unit, a control unit, a communication unit, an auxiliary storage device, and the like. The reader-writers152,153have the same configuration as the first reader-writer142and are connected to the transplantation terminal151c, as shown inFIG. 1.

As shown inFIG. 1, the harvesting system160is configured by a harvesting processing device161and the fourth reader-writer162that is connected to the harvesting processing device161with a wire or wirelessly.

As shown inFIG. 1, the harvesting processing device161is configured by a harvesting device161afor automatically harvesting the plants P and a harvesting terminal161bconnected to the harvesting device161a. The harvesting terminal161bis configured as a personal computer, a PLC, or the like, and has a storage unit, an input unit, an output unit, a control unit, a communication unit, an auxiliary storage device, and the like. The fourth reader-writer162has the same configuration as the first reader-writer142and is connected to the harvesting terminal161b, as shown inFIG. 1.

A processing flow of the plant management system100is described next with reference toFIG. 1.

First, the plurality of plants P planted in the tray110are germinated and raised in the germination and seedling warehouse130, and thereafter the tray110is carried to the inspection step.

Next, in the inspection step, each of the plants P housed in the tray110is specified by causing the first reader-writer142to read the plant management data stored in the first memory tag112, and the inspection device141ainspects, one by one, the growing conditions of the plants P in the tray110. Subsequently, the inspection data obtained by the inspection device141aare written into the first memory tag112by the first reader-writer142. Note that this inspection step is carried out approximately several times per day.

In the next transplantation step, each of the plants P in the tray110is specified and the plant housing regions121in the panel120are specified, by causing the second reader-writer152to read the plant management data stored in the first memory tag112and causing the third reader-writer153to read the plant management data stored in the second memory tag122. Then, using the inspection data stored in the first memory tag112, the transplantation robot151atransplants only the well-grown plants P from the tray110to the panel120. The poorly grown plants P are discarded. Next, the third reader-writer153writes, into the second memory tag122, the transplantation data indicating which plants P are transplanted.

Although the above has described that the transplantation step transplants only the well-grown plants P to the panel120, the details of the transplantation step are not limited to this process; thus, for example, a plurality of panels120may be prepared and a transplantation destination panel120may be selected from among the plurality of panels120in accordance with the growing condition of each plant P, the types of the plants P and the like.

Subsequently, in the harvesting step, each of the plants P housed in the panel120is specified and the harvest time of each plant P is read by causing the fourth reader-writer162to read the plant management data stored in the second memory tag122, to harvest the plants P by means of the harvesting device161a.

Although the above has described that the harvesting device161aautomatically harvests the plants P, the specific aspect of the harvesting device161ais not limited to this configuration; thus, for example, the plants P to be harvested may be designated using a laser pointer or the like. Alternatively, the harvesting device161amay be provided with a notification unit, such as a display, that is configured integrally with or separately from the fourth reader-writer162and function to notify, using the notification unit, an operator of the harvest time data and the data on the plants P to be harvested that are read from the second memory tag122by the fourth reader-writer162. In addition, a second inspection step of inspecting the growing condition of each plant P may be provided as a pre-process of the harvesting step, in which only the well-grown plants P are harvested based on the inspection data obtained in this second inspection step.