WO2022009779A1 - Derivation device, evaluation device, derivation method, and evaluation method - Google Patents

Abstract

A derivation device 2 is provided with an irradiation unit 11, a light detection unit 12, a calculation unit 51, and a derivation unit 53. The irradiation unit 11 applies light to a plant body that is to be evaluated. The light detection unit 12 detects delayed fluorescence emitted from the plant body α after stop of light application to the plant body α by the irradiation unit 11. The calculation unit 51 calculates a cumulative amount of light of delayed fluorescence in a predetermined time period, from the detection result by the light detection unit 12. The derivation unit 53 derives an index value for use in freshness evaluation of the plant body α, on the basis of the cumulative amount of light calculated by the calculation unit 51.

Description

Derivation device, evaluation device, derivation method, and evaluation method

The present invention relates to a derivation device, an evaluation device, a derivation method, and an evaluation method.

Devices for evaluating the freshness of an evaluation target by irradiating the evaluation target with light are known (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). In Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the evaluation target is irradiated with light, and the freshness of the evaluation target is evaluated based on the detection result of the light from the evaluation target.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-300351 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-096712

According to the freshness evaluation using light irradiation, the evaluation can be easily performed without damaging the evaluation target. For example, the apparatus described in Patent Document 1 detects autofluorescence emitted from an evaluation target irradiated with light. The apparatus described in Patent Document 2 detects the reflected light emitted from the evaluation target irradiated with the light. However, the correlation between autofluorescence or reflected light and the freshness of the evaluation target is not always high. Therefore, simply detecting the light from the evaluation target makes the relationship between the detection result and the freshness unclear, and it is difficult to ensure the accuracy of the evaluation. Since the intensity of the light emitted immediately by the evaluation target fluctuates according to various environments such as temperature, it is difficult to ensure the reproducibility of the freshness evaluation.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a derivation device capable of deriving an index value that improves the accuracy of freshness evaluation of a plant. Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an evaluation device capable of improving the accuracy of the freshness evaluation of a plant. Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a derivation method capable of deriving an index value that improves the accuracy of the freshness evaluation of a plant. Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide an evaluation method capable of improving the accuracy of the freshness evaluation of a plant.

The derivation device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an irradiation unit, a light detection unit, a calculation unit, and a derivation unit. The irradiation unit irradiates the plant to be evaluated with light. The light detection unit detects delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant after the irradiation unit stops irradiating the plant with light. The calculation unit calculates the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence in a predetermined time from the detection result of the photodetection unit. The derivation unit derives an index value used for evaluating the freshness of the plant based on the integrated light amount calculated by the calculation unit.

In one of the above embodiments, the delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant is detected, and the integrated light amount of the delayed fluorescence in a predetermined time is calculated from the detection result. As a result of diligent research, the inventor of the present application has found that the accuracy of freshness evaluation can be improved by an index value based on the integrated light intensity of delayed fluorescence. According to the above-mentioned derivation device, an index value that improves the accuracy of the freshness evaluation of the plant can be derived.

In one of the above embodiments, the predetermined time may be 5 seconds or longer. In this case, the accuracy of the freshness evaluation of the plant can be further improved by the index value derived in the derivation unit.

In one of the above aspects, the calculation unit may calculate the integrated light amount from the start of detection of delayed fluorescence by the photodetection unit until a predetermined time elapses. The amount of delayed fluorescent light emitted by plants decays over time. The integrated light intensity of delayed fluorescence calculated by the calculation unit has relatively small variation among plants. Therefore, the accuracy of the freshness evaluation can be further improved by the index value derived in the derivation unit.

In one of the above embodiments, the photodetector may start detecting delayed fluorescence in the plant after saturation excitation. In this case, since the amount of delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant is improved, the reproducibility of the freshness evaluation can be further improved by the index value derived in the derivation unit.

In the above one aspect, an electronic shutter unit that electronically controls the start and stop of light detection in the photodetection unit may be further provided. The electronic shutter unit may start the light detection in the photodetection unit after the light irradiation to the plant body by the irradiation unit is stopped. When the electronic shutter is used, the distance between the plant and the photodetector can be reduced, and the switching speed between the start and stop of the photodetection can be improved. Therefore, the detection intensity of delayed fluorescence can be improved, and delayed fluorescence immediately after the light irradiation is stopped can be detected.

In one of the above embodiments, the photodetector may detect delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant in an environment of 11 ° C. or higher and 35 ° C. or lower. Even in this case, the accuracy of the freshness evaluation of the plant can be ensured according to the index value derived in the derivation unit.

In one of the above embodiments, the irradiation unit may irradiate the plant with light having a wavelength of 350 to 750 nm. In this case, since the amount of delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant is improved, the accuracy of the freshness evaluation of the plant can be further improved by the index value derived in the derivation unit.

The evaluation device according to another aspect of the present invention includes an irradiation unit, a light detection unit, a calculation unit, a derivation unit, a reference acquisition unit, and an evaluation unit. The irradiation unit irradiates the plant to be evaluated with light. The light detection unit detects delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant after the irradiation unit stops irradiating the plant with light. The calculation unit calculates the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence in a predetermined time from the detection result of the photodetection unit. The derivation unit derives an index value used for evaluating the freshness of the plant based on the integrated light amount calculated by the calculation unit. The standard acquisition unit acquires standard data for evaluating the freshness of plants. The evaluation unit evaluates the freshness of the plant based on the standard data acquired by the standard acquisition unit and the index value derived by the derivation unit.

In another aspect described above, the reference data for the freshness evaluation of the plant is acquired, and the freshness evaluation of the plant is output based on the acquired reference data and the index value. According to the above evaluation device, the accuracy of the freshness evaluation of the plant can be improved.

In another aspect described above, at least one of the dimension information detection unit and the weight information detection unit may be further provided. The dimensional information detection unit may detect the dimensional information of the plant body. The weight information detection unit may detect the weight information of the plant body. The reference acquisition unit may acquire reference data related to the detection result in at least one of the dimension information detection unit and the weight information detection unit. The size and weight of a plant is related to the amount of delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant. Therefore, the accuracy of the freshness evaluation can be further improved based on the reference data acquired based on these.

The derivation method in still another aspect of the present invention is to irradiate the plant to be evaluated with light, to detect delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant after the light irradiation to the plant is stopped, and to detect delayed fluorescence. From the detection result, the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence in a predetermined time is calculated, and the index value used for the freshness evaluation of the plant is derived based on the calculated integrated light amount.

In yet another embodiment described above, delayed fluorescence emitted by a plant is detected, and the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence in a predetermined time is calculated from the detection result. According to the above derivation method, an index value that improves the accuracy of the freshness evaluation of the plant can be derived.

The evaluation method in still another aspect of the present invention is to irradiate the plant to be evaluated with light, to detect the delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant after the light irradiation to the plant is stopped, and to detect the delayed fluorescence. From the detection result, the integrated light amount of the delayed fluorescence in a predetermined time is calculated, the index value used for the freshness evaluation of the plant is derived based on the calculated integrated light amount, and the standard for the freshness evaluation of the plant. It includes acquiring data and evaluating the freshness of the plant based on the reference data and the index value.

In still another aspect described above, the reference data for the freshness evaluation of the plant is acquired, and the freshness evaluation of the plant is output based on the acquired reference data and the index value. According to the above evaluation method, the accuracy of the freshness evaluation of the plant can be improved.

One aspect of the present invention provides a derivation device capable of deriving an index value that improves the accuracy of plant freshness evaluation. Another aspect of the present invention provides an evaluation device capable of improving the accuracy of the freshness evaluation of a plant. Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a derivation method capable of deriving an index value that improves the accuracy of the freshness evaluation of a plant. Yet another aspect of the present invention provides an evaluation method that can improve the accuracy of the freshness evaluation of a plant.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the evaluation device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the evaluation device. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in freshness evaluation. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the detection results of delayed fluorescence emitted by plants. FIG. 5 is a timing chart of a control signal used for detection control of delayed fluorescence. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the setting of reference data. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the peak light amount of delayed fluorescence. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an error range. FIG. 9 is a graph showing the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence when the integrated time data is set.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description, the same code will be used for the same element or the element having the same function, and duplicate description will be omitted.

First, the configuration of the evaluation device in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the evaluation device according to the present embodiment.

The evaluation device 1 evaluates the freshness of the plant α. In the present specification, "freshness" also includes the meaning of "ripeness". The plant α is the whole or a part of the plant. The plant body α includes leaves, fruits, petals, stems, roots, and the like of the plant.

The evaluation device 1 includes a derivation device 2 for deriving an index value for evaluating the freshness of the plant α. The evaluation device 1 includes a measurement unit 10, an index processing unit 50, and an evaluation processing unit 60. The derivation device 2 includes a measurement unit 10 and an index processing unit 50.

The measuring unit 10 measures the amount of delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant α. In the present embodiment, the measuring unit 10 includes a housing 30. The plant α is provided inside 31 of the housing 30. The measuring unit 10 measures the amount of delayed fluorescence from the plant α provided inside 31 of the housing 30. The housing 30 blocks light from the outside. Therefore, the light from the outside (turbulent light) that may affect the detection result does not enter the inside 31 of the housing 30.

The measuring unit 10 includes an irradiation unit 11 and a light detection unit 12. At least a part of each of the irradiation unit 11 and the light detection unit 12 is provided inside 31 of the housing 30. The irradiation unit 11 irradiates the plant α with light. The light emitted from the irradiation unit 11 is excitation light for the plant α. In the present embodiment, the irradiation unit 11 includes a plurality of LEDs. The irradiation unit 11 irradiates the plant α with light until the excitation is saturated in the plant α. The irradiation unit 11 irradiates the plant α with light having a wavelength of, for example, 350 to 750 nm.

The light detection unit 12 detects light. In the present embodiment, the photodetector 12 is arranged on the same side as the irradiation unit 11 with respect to the plant α. In other words, in the present embodiment, the photodetection unit 12 is arranged so as to face the surface of the surface of the plant α that has been irradiated with light by the irradiation unit 11.

The photodetection unit 12 detects delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant α. In the present embodiment, the measuring unit 10 includes a fluorescence filter 33 arranged between the photodetecting unit 12 and the plant α. The fluorescence filter 33 extracts and transmits light having a wavelength range of delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant α. For example, the light that passes through the fluorescent filter 33 has only the wavelength range of delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant α. The photodetection unit 12 detects the light emitted by the plant α that has passed through the fluorescence filter 33. The photodetector 12 starts detecting delayed fluorescence in the plant α after saturation excitation.

As a modification of the present embodiment, the photodetection unit 12 may be arranged on the opposite side of the irradiation unit 11 with respect to the plant body α. In other words, in this modification, the plant α is arranged between the irradiation unit 11 and the light detection unit 12. For example, in this modification, the photodetector 12 is arranged so as to face the surface of the plant α that is not irradiated with light by the irradiation unit 11.

In the present embodiment, the measurement unit 10 further includes a temperature control unit 13, a dimensional information detection unit 14, and a weight information detection unit 15. At least a part of each of the temperature control unit 13, the dimension information detection unit 14, and the weight information detection unit 15 is provided inside 31 of the housing 30.

The temperature control unit 13 detects the temperature of the inside 31 of the housing 30. The temperature control unit 13 detects the temperature of the plant α. The temperature control unit 13 cools the inside 31 of the housing 30 by, for example, cooling the thermoelectric element. The temperature control unit 13 cools the plant α, for example, by cooling the thermoelectric element.

The dimensional information detection unit 14 detects the dimensional information of the plant α. For example, the dimension information detection unit 14 includes an image pickup device. For example, the dimension information detection unit 14 captures an image of the plant α and detects the dimensions of the plant α from the image acquired by the imaging. For example, the dimension information detection unit 14 detects the dimensions of the plant α from the contour of the plant α detected by the edge processing of the image of the plant α. The dimensional information detection unit 14 may measure the width of the plant α by a laser or the like. For example, the dimension information detection unit 14 may detect the dimension of the plant α depending on the position where the irradiation light from the laser fixed to the housing 30 is blocked. In the present embodiment, the dimensional information detection unit 14 detects the dimensional information of the plant α in a state where the plant α is arranged inside the housing 30. The dimensional information detection unit 14 measures the size of the plant α in a state where the irradiation unit 11 irradiates the plant α with light, or a state in which the light detection unit 12 detects delayed fluorescence from the plant α. Information may be detected.

The weight information detection unit 15 detects the weight information of the plant α. For example, the weight information detection unit 15 includes a scale. In the present embodiment, the weight information detection unit 15 detects the weight information of the plant α in a state where the plant α is arranged inside 31 of the housing 30. The weight information detection unit 15 is the weight of the plant α in a state where the irradiation unit 11 irradiates the plant α with light, or a state in which the light detection unit 12 detects delayed fluorescence from the plant α. Information may be detected.

The measurement unit 10 further includes a general control unit 20, a light irradiation control unit 21, a signal processing unit 22, an electronic shutter unit 23, a temperature control unit 24, and a dimension detection control unit 25. The measuring unit 10 controls various devices in the measuring unit 10 by these.

The integrated control unit 20 transmits a control command for controlling various corresponding devices to each of the light irradiation control unit 21, the signal processing unit 22, the electronic shutter unit 23, the temperature control unit 24, and the dimension detection control unit 25. .. The integrated control unit 20 receives signals output from the light detection unit 12, the temperature control unit 13, the dimension information detection unit 14, and the weight information detection unit 15. The integrated control unit 20 transmits the acquired signal to the index processing unit 50.

The light irradiation control unit 21 controls the irradiation unit 11. The light irradiation control unit 21 controls the irradiation of light from the irradiation unit 11 to the plant α, for example, in response to a control command from the overall control unit 20. The light irradiation control unit 21 controls, for example, the time for the irradiation unit 11 to irradiate the plant body α with light, the timing at which the irradiation unit 11 stops irradiating the plant body α with light, and the like.

The signal processing unit 22 processes the signal output from the light detection unit 12. The signal processing unit 22 reads, for example, a signal acquired from the optical detection unit 12 in response to a control command from the integrated control unit 20. The signal processing unit 22 removes noise from the signal output from the light detection unit 12.

The electronic shutter unit 23 electronically controls the start and stop of light detection in the light detection unit 12. For example, the electronic shutter unit 23 controls the light detection unit 12 to open and close the electronic shutter in response to a control command from the integrated control unit 20. The electronic shutter unit 23 starts the light detection in the photodetection unit 12 after the light irradiation from the irradiation unit 11 to the plant α is stopped. For example, the electronic shutter unit 23 starts the light detection in the light detection unit 12 in synchronization with the stop of the light irradiation from the irradiation unit 11 to the plant α.

The temperature control unit 24 controls the temperature control unit 13. For example, the temperature control unit 24 acquires the temperature of the inside 31 of the housing 30, that is, the temperature of the plant α from the temperature control unit 13 in response to a control command from the integrated control unit 20. The temperature control unit 24 controls, for example, the temperature of the inside 31 of the housing 30, that is, the temperature of the plant α, in response to a control command from the integrated control unit 20. In the present embodiment, the temperature control unit 24 preferably controls the temperature of the plant α to 3 ° C. or higher and 23 ° C. or lower. The temperature control unit 24 may control the temperature of the plant α to 11 ° C. or higher and 35 ° C. or lower. The photodetection unit 12 detects delayed fluorescence of the plant α in an environment of the temperature set by the temperature control unit 24.

The dimension detection control unit 25 controls the dimension information detection unit 14. The dimension detection control unit 25 controls the timing of imaging of the plant α, for example, in response to a control command from the integrated control unit 20. The dimension detection control unit 25 processes the image of the plant α, for example, in response to a control command from the integrated control unit 20.

The index processing unit 50 processes the signal received from the integrated control unit 20. The index processing unit 50 acquires the detection result of delayed fluorescence in the light detection unit 12 from the integrated control unit 20, and derives the index value used for the freshness evaluation of the plant α based on the detection result. The index processing unit 50 includes a calculation unit 51, a storage unit 52, a derivation unit 53, and an output unit 54.

The calculation unit 51 calculates the detection result of delayed fluorescence in the light detection unit 12. The calculation unit 51 calculates the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence in a predetermined time from the detection result of the photodetection unit 12. The time interval in which the calculation unit 51 calculates the integrated light intensity of delayed fluorescence is set in advance. This time interval corresponds to the predetermined time. The calculation unit 51 integrates the light amount of delayed fluorescence by integrating the detection results of the photodetection unit 12 in the time interval. The calculation unit 51 calculates the integrated light amount from the start of detection of delayed fluorescence by the photodetection unit 12 until a predetermined time elapses. The predetermined time is, for example, 5 seconds or more. The calculation unit 51 outputs the calculation result to the derivation unit 53.

In the present embodiment, the light amount information of delayed fluorescence from the plant α is output from the integrated control unit 20 at predetermined time intervals. The calculation unit 51 calculates the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence by adding the light amount information output from the integrated control unit 20 at a predetermined time. As a modification of the present embodiment, the calculation unit 51 may calculate the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence by time integration based on the light amount information output from the integrated control unit 20. For example, the calculation unit 51 calculates a regression curve based on the light amount information output from the integrated control unit 20, and performs time integration on the calculated regression curve at a predetermined time.

The storage unit 52 stores various information. The storage unit 52 stores in advance the integrated time data used for the calculation of the calculation unit 51. The calculation unit 51 calculates the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence in the time corresponding to the integrated time data. In other words, the integrated time data corresponds to the predetermined time described above. The storage unit 52 stores in advance the time division, that is, the integrated time of the light amount of delayed fluorescence as the integrated time data. The calculation unit 51 acquires this integrated time from the storage unit 52. The storage unit 52 may store a database in which the integrated time data is associated with at least one of the temperature, size, and weight of the plant to be evaluated. The storage unit 52 may store the index value acquired from the index processing unit 50.

The derivation unit 53 derives an index value used for evaluating the freshness of the plant α based on the integrated light amount calculated by the calculation unit 51. The derivation unit 53 includes the integrated light amount calculated by the calculation unit 51, the temperature acquired from the temperature control unit 13, the dimensional information detected by the dimensional information detection unit 14, and the weight detected by the weight information detection unit 15. An index value used for evaluating the freshness of the plant α may be derived based on at least one of the information.

The output unit 54 outputs the index value derived by the out-licensing unit 53. The output unit 54 outputs the index value to the evaluation processing unit 60. The output unit 54 may output an index value on the display screen of the derivation device 2.

The evaluation processing unit 60 evaluates the freshness of the plant α based on the index value derived by the derivation unit 53. The evaluation processing unit 60 evaluates the freshness of the plant α based on the index value and the detection results of at least one of the temperature control unit 13, the dimension information detection unit 14, and the weight information detection unit 15. May be good. The evaluation processing unit 60 includes a storage unit 61, a reference acquisition unit 62, an evaluation unit 63, and an output unit 64.

The storage unit 61 stores various information. The storage unit 61 stores in advance reference data that serves as a reference for evaluating the freshness of the plant α. The storage unit 61 may store a database in which reference data is associated with at least one of temperature, size, and weight of the plant to be evaluated. The storage unit 61 may store the index value acquired from the index processing unit 50 and the evaluation result obtained by the evaluation processing unit 60.

The standard acquisition unit 62 acquires standard data that serves as a standard for evaluating the freshness of the plant α. The reference acquisition unit 62 acquires reference data from a database stored in advance in the storage unit 61, for example. The reference acquisition unit 62 is acquired from the integrated light amount calculated by the calculation unit 51, the temperature information detected by the temperature control unit 13, the dimensional information acquired from the dimensional information detection unit 14, and the weight information detection unit 15. At least one value of the weight information may be acquired and the reference data associated with this value may be acquired. The reference acquisition unit 62 may acquire reference data from the outside of the evaluation device 1. The reference acquisition unit 62 may acquire reference data according to the input of the user.

The evaluation unit 63 evaluates the freshness of the plant α based on the standard data acquired by the standard acquisition unit 62 and the index value derived by the derivation unit 53. In the present embodiment, the reference data is a threshold value for classifying whether or not the plant α is immature. The evaluation unit 63 compares, for example, the reference data with the index value, and evaluates the freshness of the plant α according to the comparison result. For example, the evaluation unit 63 evaluates that the plant α is immature when the index value is higher than the reference data, and evaluates that the plant α is appropriately ripe when the index value is lower than the reference data. .. The evaluation unit 63 outputs, for example, the evaluation result to the output unit 64 and the storage unit 61.

The output unit 64 outputs the evaluation result of the evaluation unit 63. The output unit 54 may output the evaluation result on the display screen of the evaluation device 1.

Next, the hardware configuration of the evaluation device 1 and the derivation device 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the evaluation device 1 and the derivation device 2. The evaluation device 1 and the derivation device 2 include a measuring device 100 and an arithmetic unit 200. The measuring device 100 includes a processor 101, a main storage device 102, an auxiliary storage device 103, a communication device 104, an input device 105, an output device 106, a light irradiation device 111, an optical sensor 112, and an image pickup device 114. And a weight measuring device 115. The arithmetic unit 200 includes a processor 201, a main storage device 202, an auxiliary storage device 203, a communication device 204, an input device 205, and an output device 206. Each of the measuring device 100 and the arithmetic unit 200 includes one or a plurality of computers composed of these hardware and software such as a program.

For example, at least a part of the measuring unit 10 is realized by the measuring device 100. At least a part of the index processing unit 50 and the evaluation processing unit 60 is realized by the arithmetic unit 200. The evaluation device 1 includes a plurality of arithmetic units 200, and the index processing unit 50 and the evaluation processing unit 60 may be realized by different arithmetic units 200.

Various configurations in the evaluation device 1 can be combined and replaced in various ways. For example, the arithmetic unit 200 may be included in the measuring device 100. In this case, the processor 101, the main storage device 102, the auxiliary storage device 103, the communication device 104, the input device 105, and the output device 106 in the measuring device 100 are the processor 201, the main storage device 202, and the auxiliary storage in the arithmetic device 200, respectively. It may be integrated into the device 203, the communication device 204, the input device 205, and the output device 206.

When the measuring device 100 and the arithmetic unit 200 are composed of a plurality of computers 150, these computers may be connected locally or may be connected via a communication network such as the Internet or an intranet. By this connection, one evaluation device 1 and a derivation device 2 are logically constructed.

Processor 101 and processor 201 execute operating systems, application programs, and the like. The main storage device 102 and the main storage device 202 are composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). For example, at least a part of the integrated control unit 20, the light irradiation control unit 21, the signal processing unit 22, the electronic shutter unit 23, the temperature control unit 24, and the dimension information detection unit 14 is realized by the processor 101 and the main storage device 102. Will be done. For example, at least a part of the arithmetic unit 51, the derivation unit 53, and the evaluation unit 63 is realized by the processor 201 and the main storage device 202.

The auxiliary storage device 103 and the auxiliary storage device 203 are storage media composed of a hard disk, a flash memory, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 203 generally stores a larger amount of data than the main storage devices 102 and 202. For example, at least a part of the storage units 52 and 61 is realized by the auxiliary storage device 203.

The communication device 104 and the communication device 204 are composed of a network card or a wireless communication module. For example, at least a part of the reference acquisition unit 62 is realized by the communication device 204. The input device 105 and the input device 205 are composed of a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like. For example, at least a part of the reference acquisition unit 62 is realized by the input device 205. The output device 106 and the output device 206 are composed of a display, a printer, and the like. For example, at least a part of the output unit 54 and the output unit 64 is realized by the output device 206. For example, the output device 206 displays an index value or an evaluation result.

The light irradiation device 111 functions as an irradiation unit 11. The optical sensor 112 functions as a photodetector 12. The optical sensor 112 is, for example, a photomultiplier tube. The temperature control device 113 functions as a temperature control unit 13. The temperature control device 113 includes, for example, a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element is, for example, a Pelche element. The image pickup apparatus 114 functions as a dimensional information detection unit 14. The weight measuring device 115 functions as a weight information detection unit 15.

Auxiliary storage devices 103 and 203 store data necessary for programs and processing in advance. This program causes a computer to execute each functional element of the evaluation device 1. Depending on the program, for example, the processes S2 to S8, which will be described later, are executed in the computer. This program may be provided after being recorded on a tangible recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a semiconductor memory. This program may be provided as a data signal via a communication network.

Next, an example of the processing in the evaluation method will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in freshness evaluation. These processes include processes in the method of deriving the index value used for the freshness evaluation.

First, the plant α to be evaluated is placed inside the housing 30 (process S1). The plant α is arranged, for example, on the weight information detection unit 15. At this time, the weight information detection unit 15 detects the weight information of the plant body α, and the dimension information detection unit 14 detects the dimensional information of the plant body α on the weight information detection unit 15. For example, the dimension information detection unit 14 takes an image of the plant α on the weight information detection unit 15.

Next, the irradiation unit 11 irradiates the plant α with light (process S2). The irradiation unit 11 irradiates the plant α with light until the plant α is in a saturated excited state. Under the control of the light irradiation control unit 21, the irradiation unit 11 stops the irradiation of the plant body α after the saturation excitation of the plant body α.

Next, the photodetector 12 detects delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant α (process S3). The photodetection unit 12 starts detecting delayed fluorescence after the irradiation of light by the irradiation unit 11 is stopped. "After stopping" includes the same time as stopping. For example, the electronic shutter unit 23 releases the shutter immediately after the irradiation of light by the irradiation unit 11 is stopped.

4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining the detection of delayed fluorescence emitted by plants. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the detection results of delayed fluorescence emitted by plants. In FIG. 4, the vertical axis shows the output level from the photodetector 12 according to the intensity of delayed fluorescence. The horizontal axis shows the passage of time. The data L shows the amount of delayed fluorescence detected by the photodetector 12. FIG. 5 is a timing chart of a control signal used for detection control of delayed fluorescence. FIG. 5 shows control signals R1 and R2 input from the integrated control unit 20 to the light irradiation control unit 21 and the electronic shutter unit 23, and a timing signal R3 indicating the timing of light detection in the light detection unit 12. The control signal R1 is input from the integrated control unit 20 to the light irradiation control unit 21. A control signal R2 is input from the integrated control unit 20 to the electronic shutter unit 23.

The control signal R1 is a HighLow signal. The light irradiation control unit 21 controls switching between the start and stop of light irradiation in the irradiation unit 11 in response to the input of the rise and fall of the control signal R1. In other words, ON and OFF of the light irradiation in the irradiation unit 11 are switched according to the rise and fall of the control signal R1.

For example, the control signal R1 is input by a time _{T 1} from the start of processing to the light emission control unit 21 in the state of the High. Control signal R1 is falling from the processing start after a time T ₁ elapses, is input to the light emission control unit 21 in the state of Low. In this case, the irradiation unit 11 starts the irradiation of light treatment at the same time as the start to the plant alpha of, after a time T ₁ has elapsed since the start of processing to stop the irradiation of light to the plant alpha. In other words, the irradiation unit 11 irradiates light to the plant α by time T _1. The control signal R1 is input to the light irradiation control unit 21 in the Low state for the time T _{2 after the time T 1 has} elapsed from the start of the process. Therefore, the irradiation unit 11 does not irradiate the plant α with light for _{the time T 2} after the lapse of the _{time T 1 from the start of the treatment.}

The control signal R2 is a HighLow signal. The electronic shutter unit 23 controls switching between the start and stop of light detection in the photodetection unit 12 in response to the input of the rise and fall of the control signal R2. In other words, the opening and closing of the electronic shutter in the photodetection unit 12 is switched according to the rise and fall of the control signal R2. The control signal R2 is synchronized with the control signal R1. The control signal R2 is input to the electronic shutter unit 23 in the Low state while the control signal R1 is input to the light irradiation control unit 21 in the High state.

For example, the control signals R2, in a state of Low for a time _{T 1} from the start of processing in the electronic shutter 23 is input. Control signal R2 rises after a time _{T 1} has elapsed since the start of processing is input in the state of the High electronic shutter portion 23. In this case, the light detection unit 12 starts optical detection after a time T ₁ has elapsed since the start of processing. The control signal R2 is input to the electronic shutter unit 23 in a state of High for the time T _{2 after the time T 1 has} elapsed from the start of the process. Therefore, the photodetection unit 12 performs light detection for time T _{2 after time T 1 elapses from the start of processing.} The time T ₂ may be longer than the integrated time in which the arithmetic unit 51 integrates the amount of delayed fluorescence. The photodetection unit 12 outputs light detection in synchronization with the timing signal R3.

At time T ₂ where the light irradiation is stopped at the irradiation unit 11, the delayed fluorescence that is emitted from a plant α is incident on the light detector 12. Therefore, only the delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant α is detected by the photodetector 12. Because the process start until the time T ₁ has elapsed the electronic shutter of the optical detection unit 12 is closed, the output from the light detector 12 as shown in FIG. 4 is 0V. After time T ₁ has elapsed since the start of processing, open the electronic shutter of the optical detection unit 12 outputs corresponding to the light amount of delayed fluorescence emitted from the plant α is observed only T ₂ at least the time. The amount of delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant α becomes a peak light amount at the same time as the light irradiation from the irradiation unit 11 to the plant α is stopped, and then attenuates with the passage of time.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, time T ₁ is 2 seconds and time T ₂ is 5 seconds. The detection result in the photodetector 12 is output at 10 ms intervals according to the timing signal R3. The intervals between the time T ₁ , the time T ₂ , and the timing signal R3 are not limited to this.

Next, the calculation unit 51 calculates the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant α (process S4). The calculation unit 51 calculates the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence in a predetermined time from the detection result of delayed fluorescence in the light detection unit 12. The calculation unit 51 acquires a time interval for calculating the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence from the storage unit 52. The calculation unit 51 calculates the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence by integrating the detection results of the photodetection unit 12 in the time interval. In other words, the calculation unit 51 calculates the integrated light amount from the start of detection of delayed fluorescence by the photodetection unit 12 until a predetermined time elapses.

Next, the derivation unit 53 derives the index value based on the integrated light amount calculated by the calculation unit 51 (process S5). In the present embodiment, the derivation unit 53 derives the integrated light amount calculated by the calculation unit 51 as an index value.

Next, the temperature control unit 13 detects the current temperature (process S6). The temperature acquired by the temperature control unit 13 is output to the evaluation unit 63.

Next, the standard acquisition unit 62 acquires the standard data (process S7). The reference acquisition unit 62 acquires reference data from, for example, the storage unit 61. In the present embodiment, the reference acquisition unit 62 acquires reference data related to the detection results in at least one of the temperature control unit 13, the dimension information detection unit 14, and the weight information detection unit 15.

Next, the evaluation unit 63 evaluates the freshness of the plant α based on the index value derived in the out-licensing unit 53 and the reference data (process S8). For example, the evaluation unit 63 compares the index value derived by the derivation unit 53 with the reference data, and evaluates the freshness of the plant α based on the comparison result.

The freshness of the plant α is evaluated by the above treatments S1 to S8. The order of processes S1 to S8 is not limited to the above description. For example, the process S6 may be performed together with any of the processes from the process S1 to the process S5 and the process S7. The process S7 may be performed together with any process from the process S1 to the process S6. The detection of the size and weight of the plant α may also be performed together with any of the treatments from the treatment S2 to the treatment S7. The process S6 does not have to be performed.

Next, acquisition of integrated time data and reference data will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. In the present embodiment, the reference data is a threshold value for classifying whether or not the plant α is immature. If the index value derived in the derivation unit 53 is larger than the reference data, the plant α is evaluated to be immature, and if the index value is smaller than the reference data, the plant α is evaluated to be appropriately ripe.

FIGS. 6 to 9 are diagrams for explaining an example of setting reference data. Reference data were derived by testing with multiple samples. These samples are plants of the same species or similar to plant α. These samples may be different kinds of plants having the same characteristics as the plant α. Avocado fruit was used as a sample in this test.

In FIGS. 6, 7, and 9, six samples α1, α2, α3, α4, α5, and α6 having different freshness, that is, maturity, are calculated from 6 ° C. of the integrated light intensity of delayed fluorescence calculated by the calculation unit 51. The temperature dependence at 28 ° C. is shown. In FIGS. 6, 7, and 9, the vertical axis shows the output level of the integrated light amount, and the horizontal axis shows the temperature of the plant. The data D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6 show the characteristics of the samples α1, α2, α3, α4, α5, α6, respectively. The samples α1 to α6 were cut after the test, and whether or not they were ripe was judged by the hardness, color, and aroma in the cross section. As a result, it was determined that the samples α1 to α4 were immature and the samples α5 and α6 were properly ripe. In other words, the samples α5 and α6 are less fresh and more mature than the samples α1 to α4. Hereinafter, the samples α1 to α4 are referred to as “immature group”, and the samples α5 and α6 are referred to as “appropriate group”.

In the present embodiment, the boundary value between the integrated light amount of the immature plant and the integrated light amount of the appropriately ripe plant is set as the reference data. For example, the boundary value between the data D1 to D4 of the immature group and the data D5 and D6 of the suitable mature group is set as the reference data TH. FIG. 6 shows the temperature dependence of the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence calculated by the calculation unit 51 with the integrated time set to 29.97 seconds. In the example shown in FIG. 6, at 24.1 ° C., an intermediate value between the minimum value of the immature group data D1 to D4 and the maximum value of the suitable mature group data D5 and D6 is set as the reference data TH. rice field.

The boundary between the data D1 to D4 of the immature group and the data D5 and D6 of the suitable mature group becomes ambiguous as the integrated time for integrating the light amount of delayed fluorescence in the arithmetic unit 51 approaches 0. FIG. 7 shows the temperature dependence of the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence when the integrated time is 0 seconds. In other words, FIG. 7 is a graph showing the peak light intensity of delayed fluorescence. As shown in FIG. 7, the peak light intensity of delayed fluorescence in the immature group and the peak light intensity of delayed fluorescence in the suitable mature group are close to each other. When the error ranges E1 and E2 are taken into consideration for the peak light amount of delayed fluorescence, the error range E1 and E2 of the peak light amount of delayed fluorescence in the immature group and the error range E1 and E2 of the peak light amount of delayed fluorescence in the suitable mature group overlap. ing.

When the integration time is increased from 0 seconds for the immature group data D1 to D4 and the suitable mature group data D5 and D6, the immature group data D1 to D4 and the suitable mature group data D5 and D6 are separated. The integrated time data is the integrated time when the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence in the immature samples α1 to α4 and the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence in the appropriately mature samples α5 and α6 are separated from the error ranges E1 and E2.

Here, the error ranges E1 and E2 are 2σ intervals of the fluctuation value of the amount of light when delayed fluorescence from the same plant is repeatedly detected. The fluctuation value is, for example, 7.5%. The variation value is, for example, the average of the CV (Coefficient of Variation) values. The CV value was calculated by detecting the integrated light intensity of delayed fluorescence 5 times at the same location of the same plant under the same temperature, and calculating the integrated light intensity obtained 1 to 5 times. This integrated light amount is the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence from the start of detection of delayed fluorescence by the photodetector 12 to the lapse of 29.97 seconds. The variation value is the average of the CV values calculated under all temperature conditions for each sample. As shown in FIG. 8, the error range E1 is, for example, a 2σ interval in the positive direction with respect to the data D1, and the error range E2 is, for example, a 2σ interval in the negative direction with respect to the data D1.

When the integration time is increased from 0 seconds for the immature group data D1 to D4 and the appropriate mature group data D5 and D6, when the integration time becomes 5 seconds, the error of the immature group data D1 to D4 The ranges E1 and E2 and the error ranges E1 and E2 of the data D5 and D6 of the suitable mature group were separated from each other. FIG. 9 shows the temperature dependence of the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence when the integrated time is 5 seconds. As a result, in this test, the integrated time data is set to 5 seconds. In this case, when obtaining the index value used for the freshness evaluation of the plant α, the calculation unit 51 calculates the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence for 5 seconds or more from the detection result in the light detection unit 12. As described above, the integrated time data is the integrated time when the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence in the immature samples α1 to α4 and the integrated light amount of delayed fluorescence in the appropriately mature samples α5 and α6 are separated from the error range E1 and E2. Is. That is, the integrated time data is the integrated time in which the error ranges E1 and E2 of the immature group data D1 to D4 and the error ranges E1 and E2 of the suitable mature group data D5 and D6 do not overlap.

As described above, the derivation device 2 detects the delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant α, and calculates the integrated light amount of the delayed fluorescence in a predetermined time from the detection result. The accuracy of the freshness evaluation can be improved by the index value based on the integrated light intensity of delayed fluorescence. Therefore, according to the derivation device 2, an index value that improves the accuracy of the freshness evaluation of the plant α can be derived.

The evaluation device 1 acquires the reference data for the freshness evaluation of the plant α, and outputs the freshness evaluation of the plant based on the acquired reference data and the index value. According to the evaluation device 1, the accuracy of the freshness evaluation of the plant α can be improved.

The predetermined time is, for example, 5 seconds or more. In this case, the accuracy of the freshness evaluation of the plant α can be further improved by the index value derived by the out-licensing unit 53.

The calculation unit 51 calculates the integrated light amount from the start of detection of delayed fluorescence by the photodetection unit 12 until a predetermined time elapses. The amount of delayed fluorescent light emitted by plant α decays over time. The integrated light intensity of delayed fluorescence calculated by the calculation unit 51 varies relatively little from plant to plant. In other words, the individual differences in the integrated light intensity of delayed fluorescence are relatively small. Therefore, the accuracy of the freshness evaluation can be further improved by the index value derived by the out-licensing unit 53.

The photodetector 12 may start detecting delayed fluorescence in the plant α after saturation excitation. In this case, since the amount of delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant α is improved, the reproducibility of the freshness evaluation can be further improved by the index value derived by the out-licensing unit 53.

The electronic shutter unit 23 electronically controls the start and stop of light detection in the light detection unit 12. The electronic shutter unit 23 starts the light detection in the light detection unit 12 after the light irradiation of the plant α by the irradiation unit 11 is stopped. When the electronic shutter is used, the distance between the plant α and the photodetector 12 can be reduced, and the switching speed between the start and stop of the photodetection can be improved. Therefore, the detection intensity of delayed fluorescence can be improved, and delayed fluorescence immediately after the light irradiation is stopped can be detected.

The irradiation unit 11 irradiates the plant α with light having a wavelength of 350 to 750 nm. In this case, since the amount of delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant α is improved, the accuracy of the freshness evaluation of the plant α can be further improved by the index value derived by the out-licensing unit 53.

The reference acquisition unit 62 may acquire reference data related to the detection result in at least one of the dimension information detection unit 14 and the weight information detection unit 15. The size and weight of the plant α are related to the amount of delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant α. Therefore, the accuracy of the freshness evaluation can be further improved based on the reference data acquired based on these.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist thereof.

For example, the processes in each functional unit described in the above embodiment may be collectively performed, or may be separated and performed in another functional unit. For example, the process of detecting the dimension of the plant α from the image acquired by the dimension information detection unit 14 is not performed by the dimension information detection unit 14, but by any of the dimension detection control unit 25, the general control unit 20, and the calculation unit 51. It may be done. The noise removal of the signal output from the optical detection unit 12 may be performed by either the integrated control unit 20 or the calculation unit 51 instead of the signal processing unit 22. In the lead-out unit 53, noise may be removed from the integrated light amount.

1 ... Evaluation device, 2 ... Derivation device, 11 ... Irradiation unit, 12 ... Light detection unit, 14 ... Dimension information detection unit, 15 ... Weight information detection unit, 23 ... Electronic shutter unit, 51 ... Calculation unit, 53 ... Derivation unit , 62 ... Criteria acquisition unit, 63 ... Evaluation department, TH ... Criteria data, α ... Plants.

Claims (11)

It is a derivation device
An irradiation part that irradiates the plant to be evaluated with light,
A light detection unit that detects delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant after the irradiation of the plant is stopped by the irradiation unit.
A calculation unit that calculates the integrated light intensity of the delayed fluorescence in a predetermined time from the detection result in the photodetection unit.
A derivation unit for deriving an index value used for evaluating the freshness of the plant is provided based on the integrated light amount calculated by the calculation unit. The derivation device according to claim 1.
The predetermined time is 5 seconds or more. The out-licensing device according to claim 1 or 2.
The calculation unit calculates the integrated light amount from the start of detection of the delayed fluorescence by the photodetection unit until the predetermined time elapses. The derivation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The photodetector starts detecting delayed fluorescence in the plant after saturation excitation. The derivation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
Further, an electronic shutter unit for electronically controlling the start and stop of light detection in the photodetection unit is provided.
The electronic shutter unit starts light detection in the photodetection unit after the light irradiation of the plant body by the irradiation unit is stopped. The derivation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The photodetector detects the delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant in an environment of 11 ° C. or higher and 35 ° C. or lower. The derivation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The irradiation unit irradiates the plant with light having a wavelength of 350 to 750 nm. It ’s an evaluation device,
An irradiation part that irradiates the plant to be evaluated with light,
A light detection unit that detects delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant after the irradiation of the plant is stopped by the irradiation unit.
A calculation unit that calculates the integrated light intensity of the delayed fluorescence in a predetermined time from the detection result in the photodetection unit.
A derivation unit that derives an index value used for evaluating the freshness of the plant based on the integrated light amount calculated by the calculation unit, and a derivation unit.
The standard acquisition unit that acquires the standard data for the freshness evaluation of the plant,
It is provided with an evaluation unit for evaluating the freshness of the plant based on the reference data acquired by the standard acquisition unit and the index value derived by the derivation unit. The evaluation device according to claim 8.
Further, at least one of a dimensional information detecting unit for detecting the dimensional information of the plant and a weight information detecting unit for detecting the weight information of the plant is further provided.
The reference acquisition unit acquires the reference data related to the detection result in at least one of the dimension information detection unit and the weight information detection unit. It ’s a derivation method.
Irradiating the plant to be evaluated with light and
To detect delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant after the light irradiation to the plant is stopped,
From the detection result of the delayed fluorescence, the integrated light amount of the delayed fluorescence in a predetermined time can be calculated.
Based on the calculated integrated light amount, the index value used for the freshness evaluation of the plant is derived. It ’s an evaluation method.
Irradiating the plant to be evaluated with light and
To detect delayed fluorescence emitted by the plant after the light irradiation to the plant is stopped,
From the detection result of the delayed fluorescence, the integrated light amount of the delayed fluorescence in a predetermined time can be calculated.
Based on the calculated integrated light quantity, the index value used for the freshness evaluation of the plant is derived, and
Acquiring the standard data for the freshness evaluation of the plant and
It comprises evaluating the freshness of the plant based on the reference data and the index value.

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