JP6516988B2 - Feed tank control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a feed tank management apparatus that performs, for example, residual amount of feed, change management, and the like for a feed tank for storing feed made of grains and the like.

  For example, feed such as corn, wheat and mixed feed is always stored in a feed tank called silo, taken out from the outlet as needed, and supplied according to the purpose. There is.

  By the way, foreign materials such as insects and small animals may be mixed in the feed tank, and mold may be generated in the tank and feed. When insects and small animals get mixed in with feed, when the feed is taken out from the feed tank outlet, it tends to get stuck in the outlet, and the health condition of livestock that have eaten the feed mixed with insects, small animals, mold etc. There is a risk of With regard to molds in particular, aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone etc. are mentioned as mold poisons by the feed safety method, and the maximum reference value which may be contained in the feed is set for them, and it is possible to prevent livestock disease prevention. Great care is taken in order to

  In addition, when the storage amount of feed in the feed tank is not grasped, when the feed in the feed tank is taken out and used, the necessary amount may not be sufficiently secured. In that case, there arises a problem that the livestock can not be sufficiently fed.

  Because of the above-mentioned problems, it is necessary to carefully grasp the situation in the feed tank. For example, while going to the place where the feed tank is installed, the dumpling disposed on the outer periphery of the feed tank is climbed to the top of the tank, and a lid attached to the top of the tank is opened to open and close. However, in this case, in addition to the need to go to the installation place of the feed tank, it is necessary to climb to the upper part of the tank, and there is a disadvantage that it takes time and work and is difficult.

  It is also known to make part or all of the side wall of the feed tank transparent so that the inside of the tank can be viewed. However, in this case as well, it is troublesome because it is necessary to go to the installation place of the feed tank, and it is not possible to obtain information from the upper part of the tank where mold, insects, small animals and the like are easily observed. There is a disadvantage that it is difficult to grasp the

  Therefore, there is also proposed a feed tank management apparatus which can grasp the remaining amount of feed in the feed tank without having to go to the tank installation site or climb in the tank.

  For example, Patent Document 1 listed below includes a sensor for detecting the amount of feed in a feed tank, a transmitter / receiver comprising a receiver for receiving a signal of the sensor and a modem, and a signal transmitted via a telephone line. A feed delivery management system is disclosed which comprises a reception discrimination device installed at a feed distribution center that receives and discriminates.

  Further, in Patent Document 2 below, a hopper for feeding the feed from the feed port provided at the upper portion and taking the feed from the outlet provided at the lower portion, and disposed immediately below the feed port of this hopper, There is disclosed a feed tank comprising an ultrasonic distance sensor for emitting a beam of ultrasonic waves and a vibrator attached to the outer wall of the hopper.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-316336 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-115840

  However, in the feed delivery management system described in Patent Document 1 described above, when the feed is reduced to the position of the sensor disposed in the tank, the sensor transmits a signal (see paragraph 0007). Although the remaining amount of feed in the tank can be determined, it is not possible to obtain information on the contamination of insects, molds and the like.

  In the feed tank described in Patent Document 2, ultrasonic waves are emitted from the ultrasonic distance sensor, applied to the feed, and the amount of feed remaining in the tank is grasped by catching the reflection thereof. However, it is difficult to accurately measure the remaining amount of feed in the tank because of the ultrasonic reflection from the inner wall of the tank as well as the feed. Furthermore, it is not possible to grasp the contamination of insects and molds. In addition, in this feed tank, the dips of feed in the tank are smoothed by a shaker attached to the outer wall of the hopper. However, installation of such a shaker takes time and damage to the tank There is a risk of speeding

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a feed tank capable of accurately grasping the condition in the feed tank even in a position away from the feed tank, and capable of reliably performing the remaining amount of feed, management of changes and the like. Providing a management device for

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a feed tank management device having a feed inlet at the upper portion and a feed outlet at the lower portion, the monitoring device provided in the feed tank, and the information provided on the manager side A monitoring device, the monitoring device including an imaging unit attached to the upper inner wall of the feed tank, and a tank communication unit capable of transmitting image data captured by the imaging unit via a communication line; The information management apparatus has a manager side communication means capable of receiving the image data through the communication line, and an information output means for converting the image data into an information and outputting the image data. I assume.

  According to the above invention, the inside of the feed tank is imaged by the imaging means, the image data thereof is transmitted by the tank communication means via the communication line, and the image data is received by the administrator communication means, and the information output means Since the information can be converted into information and output, it is possible to manage the remaining amount of feed and control of variations by grasping the condition in the feed tank even if it is at a place away from the feed tank. In addition, since management is performed based on image data obtained by imaging the inside of the feed tank, it is more direct and accurate than management by sensors such as ultrasonic waves, and it is possible to manage not only residual quantity but also feed anomalies. Become.

  In the feed tank management apparatus according to the present invention, the information output unit obtains the remaining amount of feed from the ratio of the area of the top surface of the feed to the field of view of the imaging unit based on the image data, and outputs the result. It is preferred to have means. According to this aspect, since the remaining amount of feed is determined from the ratio of the area of the feed to the field of view of the imaging means, the remaining amount of feed can be accurately grasped even if the top surface of the feed has irregularities or the like.

  In the feed tank management apparatus according to the present invention, the inner wall of the feed tank is graduated at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction, and the information output means is an upper surface of the feed stored in the feed tank It is preferable to have a means to display the said image in the aspect which understands the said graduation. According to this aspect, the height of the upper surface of the feed can be easily grasped by the scale attached to the inner wall of the feed tank, and the remaining amount of the feed can be accurately grasped even if the upper surface of the feed is uneven or the like. can do.

  In the feed tank management apparatus according to the present invention, the information output means determines the ratio of the area of the region where at least one of color tone, brightness and particle shape is abnormal in the entire area of the feed upper surface based on the image data. It is preferable to have means for outputting the result. According to this aspect, the ratio of the area of the region where at least one of the color tone, the brightness, and the particle shape is abnormal in the entire area of the upper surface of the feed is determined, and the result is output. Can accurately and quickly determine whether the

  In the feed tank management device of the present invention, the monitoring device preferably comprises a mobile communication terminal with a camera function. According to this aspect, the camera of the mobile communication terminal can be used as the imaging means, and the communication means of the mobile communication terminal can be used as the tank side communication means, and processing of the imaged image, transmission processing of image data, etc. It can be performed by the computer program installed in the communication terminal.

  In the feed tank management device of the present invention, the monitoring device is preferably attached to the inside of a lid provided at the feed port of the feed tank. According to this aspect, the operation of installation and maintenance of the monitoring device is facilitated, and the monitoring device can be attached simply by replacing the lid of the existing feed tank.

  In the feed tank management device of the present invention, the monitoring device has position information acquisition means by the global positioning system, and can transmit position information data obtained by the position information acquisition means by the tank side communication means. It is preferable that the information management device has means for receiving the position information data by the manager side communication means and displaying the position of the feed tank on a map. According to this aspect, since it is possible to display on the map the position of the feed tank where feed replenishment, feed replacement, and the like are required, the manager can easily go to the location of the feed tank.

  In the feed tank management device of the present invention, preferably, a solar cell panel for supplying power to the monitoring device is attached to the outer wall of the feed tank. According to this aspect, it is possible to attach and operate the monitoring device even on a feed tank installed at a place where there is no power supply.

  In the feed tank management apparatus according to the present invention, preferably, the imaging means has a zoom function, and the zoom magnification can be changed according to the remaining amount of the feed. According to this aspect, the distance between the imaging means and the upper surface of the feed becomes longer as the remaining amount of feed decreases, but by changing the zoom factor according to the remaining amount of feed, abnormality or the like of the upper surface of the feed can be obtained. It can be made easy to identify.

  In the feed tank management apparatus according to the present invention, the information output means obtains the remaining amount of feed from the ratio of the area of the upper surface of the feed to the field of view of the imaging means based on the image data and the zoom magnification. It is preferable to have means for outputting According to this aspect, since the remaining amount of feed is determined from the ratio of the area of the feed to the field of view of the imaging means, the remaining amount of feed can be accurately grasped even if the top surface of the feed has irregularities or the like.

  In the feed tank management device of the present invention, preferably, the monitoring device has a lighting means for lighting the inside of the feed tank. According to this aspect, it is possible to obtain a clear image by illuminating with the illumination means, even when the weather is bad or at night, and the illumination by the external light can not be obtained sufficiently.

  Further, the present invention is a method of feed management in a feed tank based on the information output by the management device.

  The feed management is management of the remaining amount of feed, and control of contamination due to abnormalities such as mold of feed. The contamination of the feed can be judged by the ratio of the area of the area in which at least one of the color tone, brightness and particle shape of the feed is abnormal.

  According to the above invention, since the image data obtained by imaging the inside of the feed tank can be received by the administrator communication means and converted into information and output by the information output means, the feed can be obtained even at a place away from the feed tank The situation in the tank can be grasped to manage the remaining amount of feed and abnormalities, and since it is managed based on image data, it is possible to directly and accurately manage the remaining amount of feed and abnormalities. .

It is a perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the management apparatus of the feed tank which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing of the feed tank of the management apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the management process by the management apparatus. The state which imaged the inside of a feed tank by the imaging means of the monitoring apparatus of the management apparatus is shown, and the inside of a feed tank is explanatory drawing in the empty state. The state which imaged the inside of a feed tank by the imaging means of the monitoring apparatus of the management apparatus is shown, and it is explanatory drawing of the state which the predetermined quantity of feed was stored in the feed tank. It is the photograph of the state which imaged the inside of a feed tank by the imaging means of the monitoring apparatus of the management apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which image-processed FIG. 7 and displayed only the area | region where the color tone and the brightness are abnormal by a diagram.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1-8, one Embodiment of the management apparatus of the feed tank which concerns on this invention is described.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the feed tank management device 10 (hereinafter referred to as the “management device 10”) includes a monitoring device 30 provided in the feed tank 20 and an information management device 40 provided on the administrator side. And have.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the feed tank 20 in this embodiment has a substantially spindle shape in which the upper side and the lower side are gradually reduced in diameter, and the feed of the feed K (see FIG. 6) can be fed into the upper end thereof. A mouth 21 is provided, and a feed outlet 22 for taking feed K is provided at the lower end. As the feed K, for example, corn, wheat, mixed feed and the like can be mentioned.

  Further, an upper lid 23 is attached to the feed inlet 21 so as to be openable and closable. The upper lid 23 has a substantially hat shape in which the lower side is opened and the upper side is closed, and the monitoring device 30 is attached to the inside of the ceiling wall 23a (see FIG. 2). In addition, the shape of the upper cover 23 is an example, and limitation in particular is not carried out. The upper lid 23 constitutes the "lid" and the "upper inner wall of the feed tank" in the present invention.

  Furthermore, the lower lid 24 is attached to the feed outlet 22 of the feed tank 20 so as to be openable and closable. The lower lid 24 is provided with a slide-type or rotary-door type damper (not shown) which is convenient for taking out the feed K by a constant amount.

  The feed tank 20 may have, for example, a cylindrical shape, and the shape and structure thereof are not particularly limited as long as the feed inlet 21 and the feed outlet 22 are provided.

  The feed tanks 20 are usually arranged in plural. Moreover, although not particularly shown, a feed pipe is connected to each feed outlet 22 of a plurality of feed tanks 20, and the outlets of these feed pipes are grouped together, and the types of feed pipes 20 in the plurality of feed tanks 20 are provided. Different types of feed K may be supplied by supplying different feeds K.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the inner wall of the feed tank 20, a plurality of graduations are attached at predetermined intervals along the vertical direction of the feed tank 20 in order to grasp the remaining amount of feed K by the monitoring device 30. ing.

  In this embodiment, a scale 25 in which the numbers “4”, “3”, “2” and “1” are surrounded by a square frame is attached at a predetermined interval from the top of the tank to the bottom. Further, at a position adjacent to these graduations 25, a graduation 26 in which the numbers “4”, “3”, “2” and “1” are enclosed by a square frame with downward numerals inverted vertically with the graduation 25 It is attached at a predetermined interval from the upper side to the lower side of the tank so as to be in a position aligned with each number. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the scale 25, 26 arranged in such two rows is provided on the inner wall of the feed tank 20 at a position opposed in the circumferential direction.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, along the circumferential direction of the feed tank 20, a plurality of graduations 25 and 26 of the same height, which are disposed opposite to each other in the circumferential direction, are connected to the inner wall of the feed tank 20. A continuously extending circumferential scale 27 is provided, which makes it easy to visually identify on which numerical scale the upper surface of the feed K stored in the tank is located, and the remaining amount of feed K is more It is possible to accurately grasp. Further, between the adjacent scales 25 and 26, an auxiliary scale 28 is attached at predetermined intervals along the vertical direction of the feed tank 20, whereby the remaining amount of feed K can be grasped more finely. There is.

  The scales 25 to 28 may be printed directly on the inner wall of the feed tank 20, may be engraved and inked, or may be pasted with a tape or the like on which each scale is printed. There is no particular limitation on. Further, in this embodiment, the scales 25 and 26 are labeled “4”, “3”, “2” and “1” in order from the top of the tank, but conversely, “1” "," "2", "3", "4" may be attached. Furthermore, the scales 25 and 26 are numbers “1” to “4”, but numbers “4” or more are added, scale intervals are more finely added (0.1 interval etc.), or rough It may be used (1, 3, 5, etc.), and it may be a scale using letters, kanji, etc.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, although a plurality of feed tanks 20 are installed, unique identification numbers (for example, “A”, “B”, etc.) which can be grasped by the monitoring device 30 on the inner wall of each feed tank 20 , “C”, etc.) is suitably attached. In this way, it is possible to identify which feed tank 20 among the plurality of feed tanks 20 has a problem such as shortage of feed K, generation of mold, mixing of foreign matter, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a monitoring device 30 is attached to the inside (the lower surface side) of the upper lid 23 attached to the feed inlet 21 of the feed tank 20 so as to be openable and closable.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, as the monitoring device 30, an imaging means 31 capable of imaging the feed K in the feed tank 20, and an image obtained by converting the image taken by the imaging means 31 into data And tank-side communication means 35 capable of transmitting data via the communication line 39. The tank side communication unit 35 includes a computer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and can process an image captured by the imaging unit 31 into image data. .

  Moreover, it is preferable that the imaging means 31 has an auto focus function. According to this, when the inside of the feed tank is imaged by the imaging means 31, the feed K, foreign substances such as insects and small animals, molds and the like are firmly focused, and it becomes possible to clearly grasp them.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the imaging means 31 have a zoom function, and that the zoom magnification can be changed according to the remaining amount of the feed K. This zoom function makes it possible to grasp the upper surface of the feed K, even when the distance between the upper surface of the feed K and the imaging means 31 becomes longer in accordance with the remaining amount of the feed K stored in the feed tank 20. The effect is obtained.

  Moreover, it is preferable to have the illumination means 33 which can illuminate the feed tank 20 in the monitoring apparatus 30. As the illumination means 33, for example, a flash of a camera, an incandescent lamp, a fluorescent lamp, a lamp, an LED or the like can be adopted.

  The number of pixels of the imaging means 31 needs to be at least 1000 pixels or more, and preferably 100,000 to 10,000,000 pixels.

  When only the remaining amount of the feed K in the feed tank 20 is to be confirmed, the number of pixels of the imaging means 31 is preferably 10,000 to 3,000,000. In the case of confirming the contamination of foreign matter and the condition of mold generated in the feed tank 20, the number of pixels of the imaging means 31 is preferably 1,000,000 to 10,000,000. By setting the number of pixels of the imaging means 31 to a predetermined range, reading of the scales 25 to 28 and checking of foreign matter, mold and the like can be easily performed, and the volume of image data does not become too large. Less load on the

  The monitoring device 30 also has position information acquisition means 37 for acquiring position information data of the feed tank 20 by the global positioning system (GPS) (see FIG. 3). The position information data obtained by the position information obtaining means 37 can be transmitted by the tank side communication means 35 (see FIG. 3).

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the monitoring device 30 be provided with a speaker capable of making a warning sound, a human voice, and the like. In this case, it is possible to threaten small animals and the like that have entered the feed tank 20, to chase them away, or to notify a person around the feed tank 20 of an abnormality.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a solar cell panel 29 is attached to the outside (upper surface side) of the ceiling wall 23a of the upper lid 23 attached to the feed inlet 21 of the feed tank 20, and the solar cell The panel 29 is electrically connected to the monitoring device 30 by a wire (not shown) or the like. As a result, the electric power generated by the solar cell panel 29 is supplied to the monitoring device 30.

  By the way, the communication line 39 used for the tank side communication means 35 and the administrator side communication means 41 of the information management apparatus 40 to be described later and transmitting and receiving image data captured by the imaging means 31 is, for example, 3G, 4G, LTE So-called wireless communication circuits such as mobile data communication such as Wi-Fi, wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi, and Internet communication via an access point such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and wired communication lines such as electric wires and optical fibers Can be adopted.

  In this embodiment, the tank side communication means 35 of the monitoring device 30 and the manager side communication means 41 (described later) of the information management device 40 can mutually communicate via the communication line 39 (see FIG. 3), it is also possible to operate the imaging means 31 and the illumination means 33 of the monitoring device 30 by the operation on the information management device 40 side.

  In addition, it is preferable that the imaging in the feed tank 20 by the said imaging means 31 is performed regularly (for example, once in 12 hours). The image data captured by the imaging unit 31 is transmitted to the administrator communication unit 41 of the information management apparatus 40 described later by the tank communication unit 35 and the communication line 39. Preferably, data transmission is done periodically.

  As the monitoring device 30 described above, for example, a mobile communication terminal with a camera function such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a digital camera, a video camera (including a surveillance camera (so-called security camera), fixed point observation camera, etc.) Etc. can be adopted.

  The monitoring device 30 in this embodiment is a smart phone which is a mobile communication terminal with a camera function, and the camera constitutes an imaging means 31, the flash constitutes an illumination means 33, and the camera has a zoom function as described above It has an autofocus function and has a speaker. Further, in the computer of the monitoring device 30, a program and application software for converting the image picked up by the image pickup means 31 into image data and transmitting the image data are installed.

  Although the monitoring device 30 in this embodiment is attached to the inside of the upper lid 23 of the feed tank 20 and is attached to the top of the feed tank 20, it may be attached to the upper inner wall of the feed tank 20.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the information management device 40 provided on the administrator side takes the communication line 39 of the image data captured by the imaging means 31 of the monitoring device 30 and transmitted by the tank side communication means 35. It has an administrator side communication means 41 that can be received via the interface, and an information output means 45 for converting the image data into information and outputting it.

  The information output unit 45 includes an operation unit 42 configured of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, an image display unit 43 such as a display, and an audio output unit 44 such as a speaker as needed. In addition, an input unit 46 configured of a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like is connected to the calculation unit 42.

  When the administrator communication unit 41 receives the image data captured by the imaging unit 31 of the monitoring device 30 and transmitted by the tank communication unit 35 via the communication line 39, the image data is sent to the calculation unit 42. Are processed by a predetermined program and output to the image display unit 43 and the audio output unit 44. In addition, setting of processing conditions by the calculation unit 42 can be performed from the input unit 46.

  As one example of the output system of the information output means 45, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the upper surface of the feed K stored in the feed tank 20 by the scale 25, 26 attached in the vertical direction There is a method of displaying an image on the image display unit 43 in such a manner that the scales 25 and 26 can be recognized.

  Further, as another example of the output method of the information output means 45, the periphery of the feed upper surface is detected based on image data, and the area of the feed upper surface is determined. There is a method of obtaining the remaining amount of feed from the ratio and displaying the result on the image display unit 43 or generating a warning sound by the voice output unit 44.

  In this case, the ratio of the area of the upper surface of the feed to the field of view of the imaging means 31 varies with the viewing angle which changes with the focal length of the camera, the zoom magnification etc., the distance between the camera and the feed, and the shape of the tank. The calculation formula considered in advance is programmed, and the remaining amount is calculated by the calculation unit 42, and the result is output to the image display unit 43 or the sound output unit 44.

  Furthermore, as still another example of the output method of the information output means 45, the ratio of the area of the region where at least one of the color tone, the brightness and the particle shape is abnormal in the entire area of the feed upper surface is determined based on the image data. There are methods of displaying the result on the image display unit 43 and generating a warning sound by the sound output unit 44.

  The feed K stored in the feed tank 20 has a substantially constant color tone, lightness, and particle shape. Therefore, when at least one of these is abnormal, it can be determined that mold, foreign matter and the like are present.

  For example, when an area having abnormal color tone and / or lightness, or an inhomogeneity area twice or more the average particle size of feed K is visually recognized, it is determined that mold or foreign matter is present in that area. it can. The size of the heterogeneity region can be calculated from the contrast with the average size of the feed K and the inner diameter of the feed tank 20 determined from the image.

  FIG. 7 shows a photograph of the inside of the feed tank 20 imaged by the imaging means 31. This FIG. 7 is subjected to image processing, and a region C1 in which at least one of color tone, lightness and particle shape is abnormal is illustrated. What is displayed is shown in FIG.

Assuming that the total area of the upper surface of feed K is C, and the total area of regions where at least one of color tone, brightness and particle shape of feed K is abnormal due to generation of mold etc. is C ₁ , the following formula (1 The area ratio (%) of the abnormal area to the feed K is determined by

C ₁ / C × 100% (1)
Contamination status of feed K depends on the area ratio of abnormal area to feed K (also referred to as contamination rate). For example, 0.001 to less than 1% is mild, 1 to less than 5% is moderate, and more than 5% is high It can be judged as contamination.

  When mold is generated, mold poisons such as aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone and the like may occur, which may impair the health of the reared animals. For example, when the mold color is white or green to black, it is judged to be an Aspergillus-type mold, and in particular, there is a concern about contamination with aflatoxin B1. In addition, when the feed K stored in the feed tank 20 contains wheat or corn, and the color of the mold is white to red, it is judged to be a mold of Fusarium spp. Contamination of nivarenol and zearalenone is a concern.

  Further, the information management device 40 receives the position information data of the feed tank 20 which is obtained by the position information obtaining means 37 of the monitoring device 30 and received by the administrator communication means 41, and determines the position of the feed tank 20. It has a means to display on a map. In this embodiment, the position of the feed tank 20 is displayed on the map displayed on the information output means 45.

  The image display unit 43 of the information output unit 45 displays information such as shooting date and time by the imaging unit 31 of the monitoring device 30, zoom magnification, F value, output of the illumination unit 33 (guide number of flash, etc.) You may do it.

  As the information management device 40 described above, for example, a personal computer, a mobile communication terminal with a camera function such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet terminal, etc. can be used, and it is connected to the communication line 39 wirelessly or by wire. There is no particular limitation as long as the image data transmitted by the tank communication unit 35 can be received. In addition, the information management apparatus 40 in this embodiment is a tablet terminal which has a display, and the display has comprised the "information output means" in this invention.

  Next, an embodiment of the management procedure in the feed tank 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

  First, the inside of the feed tank 20 is imaged by the imaging means 31 of the monitoring device 30 attached to the upper lid 23 of the feed tank 20 (step S1).

  Thereafter, the captured image is digitized by the imaging unit 31 (step S2).

  Next, the image data is transmitted by the tank communication unit 35 to the administrator communication unit 41 of the information management apparatus 40 via the communication line 39 (step S3).

  Further, when the position information of the feed tank 20 is acquired by the position information acquiring means 37, the position information data is sent to the tank communication means 35, and the manager of the information management device 40 via the communication line 39. It is transmitted to the side communication means 41 (step S4).

  After that, the above-mentioned image data and position information data are received by the administrator communication means 41 of the information management device 40 (step S5).

  Thereafter, based on the above image data, a standard image of feed K with scales 25 and 26, a residual amount of feed K based on feed area, an area ratio (%) of abnormal part of feed K, and position information data. Based on the position information, the information output unit 45 outputs the position information via the image display unit 43 and the audio output unit 44 (step S6).

  Then, according to the management apparatus 10, the inside of the feed tank 20 is imaged by the imaging unit 31, the image is converted into data, and the image data is transmitted by the tank communication unit 35 via the communication line 39. Since the image data can be received by the manager side communication means 41 and converted into information and output by the information output means 45, the situation in the feed tank 20 can be grasped even if it is in a place away from the feed tank 20. It is possible to appropriately manage changes such as residual amount of mold, occurrence of mold, contamination of insects and small animals, and the like.

  In addition, since management is performed based on image data obtained by imaging the inside of the feed tank 20, a sensor for detecting the amount of feed in the feed tank in the feed delivery management system described in Patent Document 1; In the feed tank of the present invention, it is more direct and accurate than the control by the ultrasonic sensor etc., and it is possible to reliably manage not only the remaining amount of feed K but also the change of feed K.

  In addition, when generation | occurrence | production of mold | fungi is recognized in the feed tank 20, the safety | security as the feed K can be judged from the mode. When the size of the mold is small, the mold can be rapidly expelled from the feed tank 20 to push the spread of the mold. Next, when the feed K is stored in the feed tank 20 Secondary pollution can be prevented.

  By the way, one of the information output means 45 in this embodiment is a means for obtaining the remaining amount of feed from the ratio of the area of the feed K to the field of view of the imaging means 31 based on image data and outputting the result (See Figure 6). According to this, the remaining amount of the feed K is determined from the ratio of the area of the feed K to the field of view of the imaging means 31. Therefore, even if the upper surface of the feed K has irregularities or the like, the remaining amount of the feed K is accurately grasped. Can.

  Moreover, the other one of the information output means 45 in this embodiment shows the upper surfaces of the feed K stored in the feed tank 20 and the scales 25 and 26 by the scales 25 and 26 attached in the vertical direction. In a mode, it is a means to display an image (refer FIG.5 and FIG.6). According to this, the height of the upper surface of the feed K can be easily grasped by the scales 25 and 26 attached to the inner wall of the feed tank 20. Therefore, even if the upper surface of the feed K has irregularities or the like, the feed The remaining amount of K can be accurately grasped.

Furthermore, still another one of the information output means 45 in this embodiment determines the ratio of the area of the region where at least one of color tone, lightness and particle shape is abnormal in the entire area of the upper surface of the feed based on the image data. , It is a means to output the result. That is, by calculating the ratio of the area C ₁ of the abnormal area of color tone and / or lightness to the total area C of the upper surface of the feed K as in the above-mentioned formula (1), the result is output It can be accurately and quickly grasped whether or not the feed K is affected by mold or the like.

  Moreover, the monitoring apparatus 30 in this embodiment consists of a mobile communication terminal with a camera function (refer FIG. 2). According to this, the camera of the mobile communication terminal can be used as the imaging means 31, and the communication means of the mobile communication terminal can be used as the tank side communication means 35, and processing of an imaged image, transmission processing of image data, etc. It can be performed by a computer program installed in the mobile communication terminal.

  Furthermore, the monitoring device 30 in this embodiment is attached to the inside of the upper lid 23 provided at the feed inlet 21 of the feed tank 20 (see FIG. 2). According to this, the operation of mounting and maintenance of the monitoring device 30 becomes easy, and the monitoring device 30 can be attached only by replacing the lid of the existing feed tank, and the convenience can be improved.

  Further, in this embodiment, the monitoring device 30 has the position information acquiring means 37 by the global positioning system, and the position information data of the feed tank 20 obtained thereby is obtained by the information management device 40. As it is displayed on the information output means 45, it is possible to easily grasp the position of the feed tank 20 where supplementation of the feed K, replacement of the feed K, etc. is required, and the manager can find the position of the feed tank. You can go to 20 locations quickly.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the solar cell panel 29 capable of supplying power to the monitoring device 30 is attached to the outside of the ceiling wall 23a of the upper lid 23 attached to the feed inlet 21 of the feed tank 20. The monitoring device 30 can also be installed and operated on the feed tank 20 installed where there is no supply.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the imaging means 31 of the monitoring apparatus 30 has a zoom function, and the zoom magnification can be changed according to the remaining amount of the feed K. Therefore, the distance between the imaging means 31 and the upper surface of the feed K becomes longer along with the decrease of the remaining amount of the feed K, but the zoom magnification is changed according to the remaining amount of the feed K. An abnormality or the like can be easily identified.

  Furthermore, since the monitoring device 30 in this embodiment has the illumination means 33 for illuminating the inside of the feed tank 20, when the weather is bad or at night, illumination by external light can not be sufficiently obtained. However, by illuminating by the illumination means 33, a clear image can be obtained (see FIG. 2).

10 Feed tank management device (management device)
Reference Signs List 20 feed tank 21 feed inlet 22 feed outlet 23 upper lid 23a ceiling wall 24 lower lid 25, 26 scale 27 circumferential scale 28 auxiliary scale 29 solar battery panel 30 monitor 31 imaging means 33 illumination means 35 tank side communication means 37 position Information acquisition means 39 communication line 40 information management device 41 administrator side communication means 42 arithmetic unit 43 image display unit 44 voice output unit 45 information output means 46 input means

Claims (11)

A feed tank control device having a feed inlet at the top and a feed outlet at the bottom,
A monitoring device provided in the feed tank;
And an information management device provided on the side of the administrator,
The monitoring apparatus includes an imaging unit attached to an upper inner wall of the feed tank, and a tank communication unit capable of transmitting image data captured by the imaging unit via a communication line.
The information management apparatus has a manager side communication means capable of receiving the image data through the communication line, and an information output means for converting the image data into an information and outputting the image data .
The feed tank management apparatus , wherein the imaging means has a zoom function, and the zoom magnification can be changed according to the remaining amount of the feed.   The information output means comprises means for obtaining the remaining amount of feed from the ratio of the area of the upper surface of the feed to the field of view of the imaging means based on the image data, and outputting the result. Feed tank management device.   A scale is attached to the inner wall of the feed tank at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction, and the information output unit is configured to display the image in a manner that the upper surface of the feed stored in the feed tank and the scale can be recognized. An apparatus for managing feed tanks according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising means for displaying. On the inner wall of the feed tank, downward and downward inverted numbers are attached to the scale of the numerals attached at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction and the numerals attached to the graduation at a position adjacent to the graduations. The scale is arranged in two rows, and the information output means has a means for displaying the image in a manner that the upper surface of the feed stored in the feed tank and the scale of the two rows can be seen. The feed tank management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The information output means has means for obtaining the ratio of the area of the region where at least one of color tone, lightness and particle shape is abnormal in the entire area of the upper surface of the feed based on the image data, and outputting the result The feed tank management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . The feed tank management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the monitoring device comprises a mobile communication terminal with a camera function. The feed tank management device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the monitoring device is attached to the inside of a lid provided at the feed port of the feed tank. The monitoring device has position information acquisition means by a global positioning system, and position information data obtained by the position information acquisition means can be transmitted by the tank side communication means, and the information management device is: The feed tank management according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , further comprising means for receiving the position information data by the manager side communication means and displaying the position of the feed tank on a map. apparatus. The feed tank management device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein a solar cell panel for supplying power to the monitoring device is attached to an outer wall of the feed tank. The information output means comprises means for obtaining the remaining amount of feed from the ratio of the area of the upper surface of the feed to the field of view of the imaging means based on the image data and the zoom factor, and outputting the result. The management apparatus of the feed tank as described in any one of 1-9 . The feed tank management device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the monitoring device comprises lighting means for lighting the inside of the feed tank.