JP7620532B2 - Field management method, field management system, and field management program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a farm field management method, a farm field management system, and a farm field management program.

In recent years, there has been research into using information about field work to analyze cultivation management.

Patent Document 1 discloses that multiple fields are managed as one group before cultivation begins, and that work such as planting, fertilization, pest control, and harvesting are carried out on the multiple fields included in this group according to the same plan.

Patent No. 6337955

In the technology described in Patent Document 1, a user, such as a worker or a field owner, had to set multiple fields into groups before starting cultivation.

In view of the above situation, one of the objectives of the present disclosure is to support users in managing cultivation by classifying multiple fields into field groups. Other objectives can be understood from the following description and explanation of the embodiment.

The means for solving the problems will be explained below using the numbers and symbols used in the description of the embodiment of the invention. These numbers and symbols are added in parentheses for reference purposes to show an example of the correspondence between the description of the claims and the description of the embodiment of the invention. Therefore, the description in parentheses should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the claims.

A field management method according to one embodiment for achieving the above object includes storing work types of one or more works performed in a plurality of fields (400) and work periods (510) during which the one or more works were performed in association with the plurality of fields (400). The field management method also includes classifying the plurality of fields (400) into one or more field groups (410) based on the work types and work periods (510).

The farm field management system (1000) according to one embodiment for achieving the above object includes a data storage unit (150) and a classification unit (170). The data storage unit (150) stores the work types of one or more works performed in the multiple farm fields (400) and the work periods (510) during which the one or more works were performed, in association with the multiple farm fields (400). The classification unit (170) classifies the multiple farm fields (400) into one or more field groups (410) based on the work types and the work periods (510).

In one embodiment of the field management program (320) for achieving the above object, the program causes the computing device (120, 220) to store the work types of one or more works performed in the multiple fields (400) and the work periods (510) during which the one or more works were performed in association with the multiple fields (400). The field management program (320) also causes the computing device (120, 220) to classify the multiple fields (400) into one or more field groups (410) based on the work types and the work periods (510).

According to the above embodiment, by classifying multiple fields into field groups, the user can efficiently manage cultivation.

1 is a schematic diagram of a farm land management system according to one embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a field group displayed by a terminal in one embodiment. 1 is a diagram showing a work period of work performed in a farm field displayed on a terminal in one embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a cultivation calendar displayed by a terminal and a work period of work carried out in a farm field in one embodiment. FIG. 1 is a histogram showing the distribution of fields with respect to work volume as displayed by a terminal in one embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of task data according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks executed by a farm land management system according to an embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing a process performed by a farm land management system in one embodiment. 1 is a box plot showing the distribution of fields with respect to work volume as displayed by a terminal in one embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
A farm field management system 1000 according to this embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the farm field management system 1000 includes a farm field management device 100 and a terminal 200. The farm field management device 100 is communicatively connected to the terminal 200 and a work device 30 via a network 20, for example the Internet.

The work device 30 transmits operation information indicating the operation state when working in the field to the field management device 100. The work device 30 includes any machine that performs one or more tasks in the field, such as a planting machine, a tiller, a sprayer that spreads pesticides and fertilizers, a harvester, and a tractor that pulls a work machine. For example, the operation information includes position information of the work device 30. The work device 30 is equipped with a positioning device, such as a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver, and acquires position information indicating the position of the work device 30 at each time it moves.

The operation information also includes information indicating, for example, the speed of the work implement 30, the steering angle, engine RPM, the ON/OFF status of various clutches, and the position information of the work implement 30 at each time. When the work implement 30 is a vehicle that tows a work machine, such as a tractor, the operation information may also include information such as the PTO (power take-off) RPM when transmitting power to the work machine, and the hitch height and lift arm angle that indicate the attitude of the work machine.

As shown in FIG. 2, the farm field management device 100 classifies a plurality of farm fields 400 into one or more field groups 410, for example, a first field group 410-1, a second field group 410-2, and a third field group 410-3, based on the operation information of the working device 30. The farm field management device 100 classifies a plurality of farm fields 400 into one or more field groups 410 according to the type of crop being cultivated. The type of crop includes information such as the name of the type of crop being cultivated (for example, spring planting, summer planting, etc.), the type of crop, variety (early, mid-season, late), cultivation cycle, cultivation method, etc.

The terminal 200 shown in FIG. 1 displays field information on a plurality of fields 400, distinguishing between the field groups 410. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 200 displays an image showing the areas of the plurality of fields 400 on a map, distinguishing between the field groups 410. The terminal 200 may also display a work performance image 500 showing the work types and work periods 510 of one or more works performed in the plurality of fields 400, classified into the field groups 410, as shown in FIG. 3. This allows a user, for example, an owner or worker of the plurality of fields 400, to easily check the classified field groups 410. The terminal 200 may also display a comparison image 550 showing the cultivation calendar, the work types of the fields 400 classified into the field groups 410, and the work periods 510 side by side, as shown in FIG. 4. This allows the user to easily compare the work performed in the field 400 with the cultivation calendar. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the terminal 200 may display a distribution graph 600 that shows the distribution of the field 400 for each field group 410 with respect to the evaluation values of the field 400, such as the yield of the crop harvested in the field 400, the yield per unit area, and the amount of pesticide sprayed on the field 400. This allows the user to grasp the trends for each field group 410. Furthermore, the user may set the work to be performed in the field 400 for each field group 410.

The cultivation calendar indicates the appropriate times for work to be performed in the cultivation of crops, such as planting, replanting, fertilizing, pest control, and harvesting, depending on the region, for example. The cultivation calendar indicates different times depending on the region, for example. Workers refer to the cultivation calendar to determine the time to perform work when cultivating crops. The cultivation calendar may also indicate the developmental status of crops, such as germination, flowering, and harvestable state. The cultivation calendar may be information made public depending on the region, or may be information registered in the farm field management system 1000 by a user.

In this way, the field management system 1000 assists the user in managing cultivation by classifying multiple fields 400 into one or more field groups 410.

(Configuration of the farm management system)
The configuration of the farm field management device 100 included in the farm field management system 1000 shown in Fig. 1 will be described. The farm field management device 100 includes an input/output device 110, a calculation device 120, a communication device 130, and a storage device 140. The farm field management device 100 is, for example, a computer. Information for the calculation device 120 to execute processing is input to the input/output device 110. The input/output device 110 outputs a result of the processing executed by the calculation device 120. The input/output device 110 includes various input devices and output devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a display, a speaker, and a touch panel. The input/output device 110 may be omitted.

The communication device 130 is electrically connected to the network 20 and communicates with each device via the network 20. For example, the communication device 130 transfers operation information acquired from the operation device 30 to the calculation device 120. The communication device 130 also transfers signals generated by the calculation device 120 to the terminal 200. The communication device 130 includes various interfaces, such as a network interface card (NIC) and a universal serial bus (USB).

The storage device 140 stores various data for classifying the multiple fields 400 into field groups 410, such as the work data 300, the evaluation data 310, and the field management program 320. The storage device 140 is used as a non-transitory tangible storage medium for storing the field management program 320. The field management program 320 may be provided as a computer program product recorded on a computer-readable storage medium 1, or may be provided as a computer program product downloadable from a server.

The work data 300 includes information on one or more works performed in each field 400. The work data 300 includes, for example, work type information indicating the work type associated with the field 400 in which the work was performed, and work period information indicating the work period 510. The work type indicates the type of work performed in the field 400, and includes, for example, tilling, planting, weeding, pest control, harvesting, etc. The work period 510 indicates the period during which the work was performed in the field 400. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the work period information indicates the start time when the work started for each work type and the completion time when the work was completed. The start time may indicate the date when the work started (for example, the "work start date"), and the completion time may indicate the date when the work was completed (for example, the "work completion date").

The work data 300 may also include, for each work type, frequency information indicating the number of times a work was performed in the field 400. For example, the frequency information indicates the number of times a work was performed in the same area included in the field 400.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, in the field 400 represented by "Field A", the work type "planting" was performed "once" between "August 1" and "August 3". Therefore, for the work type "planting", the start time represented in the work period information represents "August 1", and the completion time represents "August 3". Furthermore, the number of times information representing the number of times the work type "planting" was performed represents "once". Similarly, in the field 400 represented by "Field A", the work type "pest control" was performed "twice" between "September 23" and "October 8". For example, the number of times "twice" represents that "pest control" was performed "twice" in the same area of the field 400 represented by "Field A". In this way, the work data 300 may represent the work period 510 and the number of times the work was performed in each field 400 for each work type.

The work data 300 may also include group information indicating the field group 410 into which the field 400 is classified. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the group information indicates a "group number" corresponding to the field group 410 to which the field 400 belongs. The "group number" shown in FIG. 6 indicates that "field A" and "field B" belong to the same field group 410, and indicates that "field A" and "field C" belong to different field groups 410. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the "-" written in the "work start date" when "harvesting" of "field C" began indicates that no work of the work type "harvesting" has been registered in the field 400 represented by "field C".

The evaluation data 310 shown in FIG. 1 represents evaluation values for evaluating the work performed in the field 400, such as the yield of the harvested crop, the yield per unit area, the amount of pesticide or fertilizer applied, the work time representing the time required for the work, and the work efficiency per unit area. The evaluation values may represent quality indicators such as the taste, sugar content, and moisture content of the harvested crop. The evaluation values may be obtained from the operation information of the work device 30, or may be obtained from other devices, such as post-harvest facilities and post-harvest devices. The evaluation values may also be input by the user to the terminal 200 and transmitted from the terminal 200 to the field management device 100.

The computing device 120 shown in FIG. 1 executes the field management program 320 and is used for various data processing for classifying multiple fields 400 into field groups 410. For example, the computing device 120 includes a central processing unit (CPU) and the like.

The computing device 120 reads and executes the field management program 320, thereby realizing a data storage unit 150, a work determination unit 160, a classification unit 170, an estimation unit 180, and an output unit 190, as shown in FIG. 7. The data storage unit 150 stores work data 300. The work determination unit 160 determines the field 400 in which one or more works have been performed, the work type of one or more works performed in the field 400, and the work period 510 based on the operation information of the work device 30. The classification unit 170 classifies the multiple fields 400 into one or more field groups 410 based on the work data 300. The estimation unit 180 estimates the work type and work period of the work not registered in the field 400 based on the work data 300 for each field group 410. The output unit 190 outputs field information regarding the multiple fields 400 divided into field groups 410 to the terminal 200.

Next, the configuration of the terminal 200 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal 200 includes an input/output device 210, a computing device 220, a communication device 230, and a storage device 240. The terminal 200 includes, for example, a computer, a tablet, a mobile phone, and the like. Information for the computing device 220 to execute processing is input to the input/output device 210. The input/output device 210 also outputs the results of the processing executed by the computing device 220. The input/output device 210 includes various input devices and output devices, and includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a display, a speaker, a touch panel, and the like.

The communication device 230 is electrically connected to the network 20 and communicates with each device via the network 20. For example, the communication device 230 transfers information acquired from the farm field management device 100 to the calculation device 220. The communication device 230 also transfers signals generated by the calculation device 220 to the farm field management device 100. The communication device 230 includes various interfaces, such as a network interface card (NIC) and a universal serial bus (USB).

The storage device 240 stores various data for displaying information obtained from the farm field management device 100, such as the display program 330. The storage device 240 is used as a non-transitory tangible storage medium for storing the display program 330. The display program 330 may be provided as a computer program product recorded on a computer-readable storage medium 2, or may be provided as a computer program product downloadable from a server.

The computing device 220 reads and executes the display program 330, and cooperates with the input/output device 210 to realize the display unit 250 as shown in FIG. 7. The display unit 250 acquires field information from the field management device 100 and displays the acquired field information.

(Operation of farmland management device)
When the computing device 120 of the farm field management device 100 receives operation information from the work device 30, it reads and executes the farm field management program 320. By executing the farm field management program 320, the computing device 120 executes the processing shown in Fig. 8, which is a farm field management method.

In step S110, the work determination unit 160 determines the field 400 in which the work was performed, the work period 510, and the work type based on the operation information acquired from the work device 30. For example, the work determination unit 160 determines the field 400 in which the work was performed based on the position information of the work device 30 included in the operation information. For example, the work determination unit 160 determines the field 400 that includes the position indicated in the position information of the work device 30 as the field 400 in which the work was performed by the work device 30.

For example, the work determination unit 160 determines the period from when the work device 30 is started to when the work device 30 is stopped as the work execution period included in the work period 510. The work determination unit 160 may also determine the period from when the work device 30 enters the field 400 area to when it leaves the field 400 area as the work execution period.

For example, the work determination unit 160 determines the work type using a trained model obtained by machine learning. In this case, the trained model is trained to determine the work type from the operation information. The work determination unit 160 may also determine the work type based on the model of the work device 30. In this case, the storage device 140 stores work correspondence data that associates the model of the work device 30 with the work type. The work determination unit 160 determines the work type based on the work correspondence data.

The work determination unit 160 registers the work period 510 in the work data 300 in association with the field 400 where the work was performed and the determined work type. In the example shown in FIG. 6, when the work of the determined work type has not been performed up to the present time in the field 400 where the work was performed, the work determination unit 160 registers the determined work implementation period as the work period 510 in which the work of the work type was performed. For example, the work determination unit 160 registers the time when the work implementation period started, for example, the date, as the start time. In addition, the work determination unit 160 registers the time when the work implementation period ended, for example, the date, as the end time. For example, the example shown in FIG. 6 indicates that "harvesting" has not been performed in "field C" up to the present time. Therefore, when the field 400 where the work was performed is "field C" and the work performed is "harvesting", the work determination unit 160 registers the determined work implementation period as the work period 510 in which "harvesting" was performed in "field C". For example, the registered start time indicates when the work period begins, and the completion time indicates when the work period ends.

When work of the determined work type is being performed in the field 400 where the work was performed, the work determination unit 160 registers the time when the determined work implementation period ended as the completion time of the work period 510. The example shown in FIG. 6 indicates that "pest control" has been performed in "field C" up to the present time. Therefore, when the field 400 where the work was performed is "field C" and the work performed is "pest control", the work determination unit 160 registers the time when the work implementation period ended as the completion time. For example, when the work implementation period during which "pest control" was performed in "field C" is from "8:00 on April 3" to "12:00 on April 3", the work determination unit 160 updates the "work completion date" of "pest control" in "field C" to "April 3".

In this way, the work determination unit 160 updates the work data 300 based on the operation information.

In step S120 shown in FIG. 8, the classification unit 170 classifies the fields 400 into field groups 410 based on the work data 300. For example, the classification unit 170 classifies the multiple fields 400 into one or more field groups 410 based on the work duration 510 for each work type performed in the field 400. The classification unit 170 clusters the multiple fields 400 based on the difference in work duration 510 for each work type between the fields 400, such as the difference in the start time, the difference in the completion time, and the difference in the period from the start time to the completion time of the work duration 510.

For example, the classification unit 170 performs clustering of the multiple fields 400 using any method, such as the K-means method, group average method, Ward's method, etc. In this case, the feature of the field 400 represents the work period 510 for each work type. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the feature representing the field 400 includes the start time (e.g., "work start date") and completion time (e.g., "work completion date") of each work type, such as "planting", "pest control", and "harvesting". For example, the feature representing the field 400 has twice the number of dimensions of the quantity of the work type. In addition, the feature representing the field 400 may include the number of times work of each work type was performed. The distance between the feature values of the two fields 400 used for clustering is calculated by any method, and includes, for example, Euclidean distance, Manhattan distance, Mahalanobis distance, etc. The number of groups to be classified by clustering is input to the terminal 200 and transmitted from the terminal 200 to the farm field management device 100.

In step S130 shown in FIG. 8, the classification unit 170 determines a cultivation calendar corresponding to the field group 410 based on the work type and work period 510 in the fields 400 included in the field group 410. For example, the classification unit 170 determines, from among a plurality of cultivation calendars, the cultivation calendar in which the work type and work period 510 relating to the work performed in the fields 400 included in the field group 410 are most similar. For example, first, the classification unit 170 determines the work period 510 for each work type in all the fields 400 included in the field group 410. For each work type, the classification unit 170 determines the earliest start time among the start times of all the fields 400 included in the field group 410 as the start time in the field group 410. Furthermore, the classification unit 170 determines, for each task type, the latest completion time among the completion times of all the fields 400 included in the field group 410 as the completion time for the field group 410.

Next, the classification unit 170 uses the work period 510 for each work type as a feature and determines, from among the multiple cultivation calendars, the cultivation calendar that is most similar to the work performed in the field group 410. Here, each of the multiple cultivation calendars represents the work period for each work type according to the crop type when cultivating the crop, and is stored in advance in the data storage unit 150 (e.g., the storage device 140). The classification unit 170 determines that the crop type of the crop cultivated in the field 400 included in the field group 410 is the crop type that corresponds to the determined cultivation calendar.

In step S140, the estimation unit 180 estimates an estimated period 570 representing the work period of the unregistered work based on the cultivation calendar corresponding to the field group 410 and the work data 300. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the estimation unit 180 estimates an estimated period 570 of the unregistered work not registered in the field 400 based on a calendar work period 520 representing the work period in the cultivation calendar corresponding to the field group 410 and a work period 510 of the work performed in the field 400. For example, the estimation unit 180 extracts the field 400 in which the work of the work type included in the cultivation calendar is not registered as the first field, and extracts the work type of the unregistered work that is not registered as the first work type. The estimation unit 180 estimates an estimated period 570 in which the work of the first work type will be performed in the extracted first field. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the estimation unit 180 extracts "field F," in which the work of "inter-tillage weeding" included in the cultivation calendar is not registered, as the first field, and extracts "inter-tillage weeding" as the first work type. The estimation unit 180 estimates a first estimated period 570-1 in which "inter-tillage weeding" will be performed in "field F."

The estimation unit 180 first extracts, in the cultivation calendar, the calendar work period 520 in which work of the first work type is performed as the first calendar work period 520-1. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the estimation unit 180 extracts, in the cultivation calendar, the first calendar work period 520-1 in which "inter-tillage weeding" is performed.

Next, the estimation unit 180 extracts the second task type of the registered task registered for the first field, and extracts the calendar task period 520 in which the task of the extracted second task type is performed in the cultivation calendar as the second calendar task period 520-2. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the estimation unit 180 extracts "planting" of the registered task registered for "field F" as the second task type, and extracts the second calendar task period 520-2 in which "planting" is performed in the cultivation calendar.

Next, the estimation unit 180 calculates the corresponding time of the first work period 510-1 in which the registered work of the second work type was performed in the first field for the extracted second calendar work period 520-2. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the estimation unit 180 calculates the corresponding time of the first work period 510-1 in which "planting" was performed in "field F" for the second calendar work period 520-2. Specifically, the estimation unit 180 calculates that the corresponding time of the first work period 510-1 is in the center of the second calendar work period 520-2. For example, the estimation unit 180 calculates the corresponding time for the second calendar work period 520-2 as a start ratio that represents the ratio of the period from the start of the second calendar work period 520-2 to the start of the first work period 510-1. In addition, the estimation unit 180 calculates the completion ratio, which represents the ratio of the period from the start of the second calendar work period 520-2 to the completion of the first work period 510-1, as the corresponding period for the second calendar work period 520-2.

Next, the estimation unit 180 estimates the estimated period 570 during which the unregistered work of the first work type was performed based on the calculated corresponding time and the first calendar work period 520-1. For example, the estimation unit 18 calculates the work period for the calculated corresponding time in the first calendar work period 520-1, and estimates the calculated work period as the estimated period 570. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the estimation unit 180 estimates that the first estimated period 570-1 is in the center of the first calendar work period 520-1 because the timing of the first work period 510-1 is in the center of the second calendar work period 520-2. For example, the estimation unit 180 estimates the time corresponding to the calculated start ratio from the start time to the end time of the first calendar work period 520-1 as the start time of the first estimated period 570-1. In addition, the estimation unit 180 estimates the time from the start time to the end time of the first calendar work period 520-1 that corresponds to the calculated completion ratio as the completion time of the first estimated period 570-1.

In this way, the estimation unit 180 estimates the estimated period 570 of the unregistered work in the field 400 based on the cultivation calendar and the work period 510 in the field 400.

In step S150 shown in FIG. 8, the output unit 190 outputs field information to the terminal 200, the field information representing the information on the multiple fields 400, distinguished by field group 410. The field information includes, for example, information representing the areas of the multiple fields 400, distinguished by field group 410. The field information may also include information representing the evaluation values of the multiple fields 400, distinguished by field group 410. The field information may include information representing the work period 510 of the work performed in the multiple fields 400, distinguished by field group 410. Furthermore, the field information may include information representing the estimated period 570 of the unregistered work in the multiple fields 400, distinguished by field group 410. The field information may include information relating to the cultivation calendar corresponding to the field group 410, such as crop type, work type, and work period.

In step S160, the display unit 250 of the terminal 200 displays the field information acquired from the field management device 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 250 displays an image in which the areas of the multiple fields 400 are distinguished by field groups 410 and shown on a map. For example, the display unit 250 displays the areas of the fields 400 included in the first field group 410-1, the areas of the fields 400 included in the second field group 410-2, and the areas of the fields 400 included in the third field group 410-3 in different display formats, such as colors or patterns. This allows the user to easily understand the field groups 410 into which the multiple fields 400 are classified.

As shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 250 may display a work performance image 500 that shows the work periods 510 of the work performed in a plurality of fields 400, classified into field groups 410 by work type. For example, the display unit 250 displays the work periods 510 of the fields 400 included in the first field group 410-1 and the work periods 510 of the fields 400 included in the second field group 410-2 in order from top to bottom. For example, the display unit 250 displays the work periods 510 of the fields 400 included in the first field group 410-1 in a first direction, for example, upward, from the work periods 510 of the fields 400 included in the second field group 410-2. This allows the user to easily determine whether the field groups 410 classify the fields 400 according to the cropping type.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a display period including a work period 510 (e.g., from August to April) is set in a second direction (e.g., horizontal direction), and the work period 510 is represented in the second direction by a rectangle indicating the corresponding period of the display period. The work periods 510 of work performed in the same field 400 are displayed at the same position in a first direction (e.g., upward) perpendicular to the second direction. Furthermore, the work periods 510 are displayed in different display formats for each work type.

As shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 250 may display the work period 510 of the field 400 included in the field group 410 so as to be comparable with the calendar work period 520 of the cultivation calendar corresponding to the field group 410. For example, the display unit 250 displays the work period 510 of the field 400 included in the field group 410 side by side with the calendar work period 520 of the cultivation calendar corresponding to the field group 410. For example, the calendar work period 520 of the cultivation calendar corresponding to the field group 410 is displayed in a first direction (e.g., upward) of the work period 510 of the field 400 included in the field group 410. This allows the user to easily compare the work performed in the field 400 with the cultivation calendar.

The display unit 250 may display the estimated period 570 of the unregistered work that is not registered for the field 400, in a manner that distinguishes it from the work period 510 of the registered work that is registered for the field 400. For example, the display unit 250 may display the estimated period 570 of the unregistered work and the work period 510 of the registered work in different display formats, for example, with colors or frames. For example, the frame of the work period 510 of the registered work is represented by a solid line, and the frame of the estimated period 570 of the unregistered work is represented by a dashed line. This allows the user to easily check the estimated period 570 of the work that is not registered in the field management system 1000. The display unit 250 may also display a line 560 that represents the current time, as shown in FIG. 4. The user can also create a cultivation plan based on the estimated period 570.

As shown in FIG. 5, the display unit 250 may display a distribution graph 600 showing the distribution of the fields 400 for each field group 410 with respect to the evaluation values of the fields 400. For example, the distribution graph 600 shows the yield per unit area for each predetermined section, and the number of fields 400 included in that section for each field group 410. For example, the distribution graph 600 shows the distribution of the fields 400 included in the first field group 410-1, the distribution of the fields 400 included in the second field group 410-2, and the distribution of the fields 400 included in the third field group 410-3. This allows the user to compare the trends of each field group 410. In addition, the user can analyze the difference from the evaluation value predicted when a crop is cultivated in a cropping type corresponding to the field group 410.

(Modification)
The configuration described in the embodiment is an example, and the configuration can be changed to the extent that the function is not impaired. For example, the work type and work period 510 of the work performed in the field 400 may be input by the user. For example, the user inputs the work type and work period 510 of the work performed in the field 400 to the input/output device 210 of the terminal 200. When the work type and work period 510 are input, the display unit 250 of the terminal 200 transmits information indicating the field 400 in which the work was performed, the work type, and the work period 510 to the field management device 100. The work determination unit 160 of the field management device 100 acquires the work type and work period 510 of the work performed in the field 400 based on the acquired information. In addition, the user may input the work implementation period of one work in the field 400 to the input/output device 210 of the terminal 200. The input work performance period is transmitted from terminal 200 to farm land management device 100.

9, the display unit 250 of the terminal 200 may display a box plot 650 representing the distribution of the evaluation values of the fields 400 for each field group 410. For example, the box plot 650 represents the maximum value of the evaluation values of the fields 400 included in the field group 410 by a maximum value line 660, and the minimum value by a minimum value line 665. The box plot 650 also represents the median by a median line 670. The box plot 650 represents the third quartile (upper quartile) by a third quartile dotted line 671, and the first quartile (lower quartile) by a first quartile dotted line 672.

The display unit 250 may also display a scatter diagram in which each of the two evaluation values of the field 400 is represented on the vertical axis and the horizontal axis. For example, the display unit 250 displays a scatter diagram in which the yield of the field 400 is represented on the vertical axis and the work efficiency in the field 400 is represented on the horizontal axis. The display unit 250 may also display points (e.g., drawn points) representing the evaluation values of the field 400 in the scatter diagram in a manner that makes them identifiable according to the field group 410. For example, the points representing the evaluation values of the field 400 in the scatter diagram are represented in different colors according to the field group 410.

The data storage unit 150 of the field management device 100 may also receive setting information for collectively registering cultivation plans for one or more fields 400 included in the field group 410. For example, the setting information includes information representing a cultivation plan for a first field, but does not include information representing a cultivation plan for a second field included in the same field group 410 as the first field. The cultivation plan also indicates the type of work to be performed in the corresponding field 400 and the planned period for the work.

When the data storage unit 150 receives setting information representing a cultivation plan for at least one field 400, it stores the cultivation plans for the fields 400 included in the same field group 410 as the field 400 corresponding to the received cultivation plan based on the received cultivation plan for the field 400. For example, when the setting information includes information representing a cultivation plan for a first field, but does not include information representing a cultivation plan for a second field included in the same field group 410 as the first field, the data storage unit 150 determines a cultivation plan for the second field. For example, when the data storage unit 150 receives setting information representing work to be performed in the first field, it determines a cultivation plan representing the same work type to be performed in the second field included in the same field group 410 as the first field during the estimated period 570. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, when the data storage unit 150 receives a cultivation plan for "harvesting" in "field C," it determines a cultivation plan for "harvesting" in "field F" during the estimated period 570.

In addition, when the data storage unit 150 receives change information that changes information about at least one field 400, the data storage unit 150 may change information about fields 400 that are included in the same field group 410 as the field 400 corresponding to the received change information, based on the received change information about the field 400.

In step S120 shown in FIG. 8, an example has been shown in which the feature amount used by the classification unit 170 to classify the field 400 represents the start and end times of the work period 510 of the field 400, but this is not limiting. For example, the feature amount may represent the work period 510, and for example, the median value of the work period 510 may be used. Furthermore, the feature amount may represent the time representing the work period 510, such as the start time, end time, or median value, as the elapsed time from a certain reference time, such as the number of days.

The feature may also represent a time representing the work period 510 that does not include the year in which the work was performed. For example, the difference in the time representing the work period 510 represents the smaller of the difference in the time in the same year and the difference in the time in different years. Specifically, when the time representing the two work periods 510 is July 10, 2020 and January 10, 2021, the difference in the time representing the work period 510 represents the same year, for example, 172 days from January 10 to July 10, 2020. Also, when the time representing the two work periods 510 is August 10, 2020 and January 10, 2021, the difference in the time representing the work period 510 represents different years, for example, 172 days from August 10, 2020 to January 10, 2021. The feature may represent the work period 510 with two values, for example, values that rotate in two dimensions. The two values that rotate in two dimensions represent, for example, a value obtained by transforming the time representing the work period 510 using a sine function and a value obtained by transforming the time representing the work period 510 using a cosine function.

The features may also be pre-processed before clustering. For example, the classification unit 170 may reduce the number of dimensions of the features representing the field 400 by principal component analysis.

In addition, in step S120, the classification unit 170 may classify the multiple fields 400 into field groups 410 by determining the cultivation calendar in which the work period 510 of the work performed in the field 400 is most similar among the multiple cultivation calendars. For example, the classification unit 170 determines the cultivation calendar in which the work period 510 of the work performed in the field 400 is most similar among the multiple fields 400. The classification unit 170 classifies the multiple fields 400 so that one or more fields 400 determined to be in the same cultivation calendar are included in one field group 410. For example, the classification unit 170 determines the cultivation calendar corresponding to the field 400 for each work type based on the difference between the feature amount representing the start and end times of the work period 510 of the field group 410 and the feature amount representing the start and end times of the calendar work period 520 of the cultivation calendar. The classification unit 170 may also determine a cultivation calendar corresponding to the field 400 using a trained model obtained by machine learning. In this case, the trained model is trained to determine a corresponding cultivation calendar from the work period 510 for each work type in the field 400. Furthermore, the feature value representing the cultivation calendar may include the number of times work is performed for each work type. In this case, step S130 may be omitted.

In step S140 shown in FIG. 8, the estimation unit 180 may estimate the estimated period 570 of the unregistered work based on the work period 510 of the registered work registered in the multiple fields 400 included in the field group 410. For example, the estimation unit 180 first extracts a first work type in which no work is registered in the first field and the work is registered in the second field among the multiple fields 400 included in the field group 410. The estimation unit 180 estimates the estimated period 570 in which the work of the extracted first work type will be performed in the first field. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the estimation unit 180 extracts "inter-tillage weeding" as the first work type in which no work is registered in "field F" included in the second field group 410-2 and the work is registered in "field C". The estimation unit 180 estimates a first estimated period 570-1 during which "inter-tillage weeding" will be performed in "field F."

Next, the estimation unit 180 extracts a second work type for which work is registered in both the first field and the second field. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the estimation unit 180 extracts "planting" as the second work type for which work is registered in both "Field F" and "Field C."

Next, the estimation unit 180 calculates the relative timing of the first work period 510-1 in which work of the second work type was performed in the first field to the second work period 510-2 in which work of the second work type was performed in the second field. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the estimation unit 180 calculates the relative timing of the first work period 510-1 in which "planting" was performed in "field F" to the second work period 510-2 in which "planting" was performed in "field C". For example, the estimation unit 180 calculates the first period from the start of the second work period 510-2 to the start of the first work period 510-1 as the relative timing. In addition, the estimation unit 180 calculates the second period from the completion of the second work period 510-2 to the completion of the first work period 510-1 as the relative timing.

Finally, the estimation unit 180 estimates the period of the relative timing with respect to the third work period 510-3, which corresponds to the relative timing of the first work period 510-1 with respect to the second work period 510-2, as the estimated period 570 in which work of the first work type was performed in the first field. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the estimation unit 180 estimates the period of the relative timing with respect to the third work period 510-3, which corresponds to the relative timing of the first work period 510-1 with respect to the second work period 510-2, as the first estimated period 570-1 in which "inter-tillage weeding" was performed in "field F". For example, the estimation unit 180 estimates the time that is the calculated first period from the start of the third work period 510-3 in which "inter-tillage weeding" was performed in "field C" as the start of the first estimated period 570-1. The estimation unit 180 also estimates the completion time of the first estimated period 570-1 to be the time that is the calculated second period after the completion time of the third work period 510-3, in which "inter-tillage weeding" was performed in "field C."

In this way, the estimation unit 180 may estimate an estimated period 570 for work that is not registered in a field 400 included in the same field group 410 based on the work period 510 in which work was performed in multiple fields 400 included in the same field group 410.

The display unit 250 of the terminal 200 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 4 and may display the work period 510 of the field 400 included in the field group 410 in any manner so as to be comparable with the calendar work period 520 of the cultivation calendar corresponding to the field group 410. For example, the display unit 250 may display the calendar work period 520 of the cultivation calendar as the background of the work period 510 of the field 400.

The above-described embodiments and modifications are merely examples, and the configurations described in each embodiment and modification may be modified and/or combined as desired as long as the functions are not impaired. Furthermore, some of the functions described in the embodiments and modifications may be omitted as long as the required functions can be realized. For example, some or all of the processing of the farm field management device 100 may be executed by the terminal 200. Also, some or all of the processing of the terminal 200 may be executed by the farm field management device 100. The farm field management program 320 may include a display program 330.

The farm field management system 1000 may not include a terminal 200, and may display information about a plurality of farm fields 400 classified into field groups 410 on an external terminal not included in the farm field management system 1000. The display unit 250 of the terminal 200 may also obtain map information from an external server not included in the farm field management system 1000, and display the map information showing the area display information on the map.

1, 2: Storage medium 20: Network 30: Work device 100: Field management device 110: Input/output device 120: Computing device 130: Communication device 140: Storage device 150: Data storage section 160: Work decision section 170: Classification section 180: Estimation section 190: Output section 200: Terminal 210: Input/output device 220: Computing device 230: Communication device 240: Storage device 250: Display section 300: Work data 310: Evaluation data 320: Field management program 330: Display program 400: Field 410: Field group 500: Work record image 510: Work period 520: Calendar work period 550: Comparison image 560: Line 570: Estimation period 600: Distribution graph 650: Box plot 660 : Maximum value line 665 : Minimum value line 670 : Median value line 671 : Third quartile line 672 : First quartile line 1000 : Farm management system

Claims (16)

storing work types of one or more works performed in a plurality of farm fields and work periods in which the one or more works were performed in association with the plurality of farm fields;
classifying the plurality of fields into one or more field groups based on the work type and the work period;
A field management method comprising: The storing comprises:
and storing the number of times the one or more operations were performed in association with the plurality of farm fields;
The classification step includes:
The farm field management method according to claim 1 , further comprising: classifying the plurality of farm fields into the one or more farm field groups based on the number of tasks, the task type, and the task period. The classification step includes:
The farm field management method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: determining a crop type of the crops cultivated in the one or more farm field groups based on a plurality of cultivation calendars for the crops cultivated in the plurality of farm fields, the work type, and the work period. Determining the type of crop grown in the one or more field groups includes:
The field management method according to claim 3, further comprising: determining, among the multiple cultivation calendars, a cultivation calendar corresponding to which the work type and work period for the one or more tasks performed in the fields included in the one or more field groups are most similar, as the cultivation type of the crop cultivated in the one or more field groups. The classification step includes:
The farm field management method according to claim 1 , further comprising: classifying the fields into the one or more field groups based on a difference in work period for each work type between the fields included in the fields. The work period includes, for each of the work types, a start time when the one or more works are started and a completion time when the one or more works are completed;
The classification step includes:
The farm field management method according to claim 1 , further comprising: classifying the fields into the one or more field groups based on a difference in start time for each work type between the fields included in the fields and a difference in completion time for each work type. The classification step includes:
determining a crop type for a crop cultivated in each of the plurality of farm fields, the crop type corresponding to a cultivation calendar in which the work type and the work period for the one or more works are most similar to the plurality of cultivation calendars;
classifying the plurality of fields into the one or more field groups based on the determined cropping type;
The farmland management method according to claim 3, further comprising: The field management method according to claim 3 , further comprising displaying the type of work and the period of work performed in a field included in at least one of the one or more field groups, and the cultivation calendar corresponding to the crop type of a crop cultivated in the at least one field group. 9. The field management method according to claim 3, further comprising estimating an estimated period of a task not registered for the first field based on a task type and task period of a task performed in a first field included in a first field group among the one or more field groups, and on the cultivation calendar corresponding to the first field group. 9. The field management method according to claim 3, further comprising estimating an estimated period of work not registered for the first field based on a work type and work duration of work performed in a first field included in a first field group among the one or more field groups, and a work type and work duration of work performed in a second field included in the first field group. The farm field management method according to claim 1 , further comprising: displaying the type of work and the period of work performed in a field included in at least one of the one or more farm field groups. The farm land management method according to claim 1 , further comprising: displaying the one or more classified farm land groups in a distinguishable manner on a map. The farm land management method according to claim 1 , further comprising displaying a distribution of the amount of work performed in the farm fields for each of the one or more farm field groups. The farm land management method according to claim 1 , further comprising: determining the work type and the work period based on operation information representing a state of a work implement that performs the one or more works in the multiple farm fields. a data storage unit that stores work types of one or more works performed in a plurality of farm fields and work periods during which the one or more works were performed in association with the plurality of farm fields;
a classification unit that classifies the plurality of fields into one or more field groups based on the work type and the work period;
A farm management system comprising: storing work types of one or more works performed in a plurality of farm fields and work periods in which the one or more works were performed in association with the plurality of farm fields;
classifying the plurality of fields into one or more field groups based on the work type and the work period;
A farm field management program that causes a computing device to execute the above.

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