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WO2005069177A1 - Procede de gestion de ressources - Google Patents

Procede de gestion de ressources Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005069177A1
WO2005069177A1 PCT/AU2005/000025 AU2005000025W WO2005069177A1 WO 2005069177 A1 WO2005069177 A1 WO 2005069177A1 AU 2005000025 W AU2005000025 W AU 2005000025W WO 2005069177 A1 WO2005069177 A1 WO 2005069177A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
resource
time period
server
supplied
maximum quantity
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2005/000025
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
James Dunstone Townsend
Original Assignee
Irrigation Control Networks Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2004900124A external-priority patent/AU2004900124A0/en
Application filed by Irrigation Control Networks Pty Ltd filed Critical Irrigation Control Networks Pty Ltd
Publication of WO2005069177A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005069177A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G25/00—Watering gardens, fields, sports grounds or the like
    • A01G25/16—Control of watering
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01B—SOIL WORKING IN AGRICULTURE OR FORESTRY; PARTS, DETAILS, OR ACCESSORIES OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINES OR IMPLEMENTS, IN GENERAL
    • A01B79/00—Methods for working soil
    • A01B79/005—Precision agriculture
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01C—PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING
    • A01C21/00—Methods of fertilising, sowing or planting
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q50/00—Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
    • G06Q50/02—Agriculture; Fishing; Forestry; Mining

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method and system of management of resources in order to provide particular resource management outcomes.
  • the present invention has particular application with respect to management of water resources for applications such as irrigation using a combination of agronomic and non-agronomic factors including, but not limited to, financial considerations.
  • controllers In respect of irrigation control technology, devices to start and stop irrigation cycles without human intervention (generally known, and referred to hereinafter as "controllers") are well known and are the subject of numerous patents and patent applications. These devices send an electric current (usually 24vAC in horticultural, agricultural or domestic use) to a remote solenoid valve causing the valve to open. Closure of the valve is usually effected by discontinuing the supply of electric current to the solenoid of the valve whereupon the valve is closed by a variety of means not material to the present invention. Most controllers are able to accommodate a number of such valves; opening and closing them in a specified sequence at times and days specified by a user in a procedure generally referred to as a "program” or an "irrigation program". Many of the known devices are capable of storing and executing more than one such "program”, thus adding a degree of flexibility into what may be accomplished.
  • controllers are supported by control systems which may involve remote computers and specialist software programs. These control systems are able to impart considerable additional flexibility into the operation of the controllers.
  • controllers and their support systems are able to take account of plant water requirements and the meteorological factors determining the rate and amount of water use by the plants being managed. For example, in cool temperate regions these controllers reduce the supply of water during late winter and early spring when rainfall supply to the plants is comparatively high. They may also limit supply of water to the early morning or late evening when plant stomata are open for respiration, but there is no direct sunlight to speed evaporation of water from leaves.
  • the support systems for controllers may incorporate software that can receive limited input on which to base certain calculations.
  • the purpose of these calculations is to generate a water supply program that effectively minimises water use yet still achieves a required result.
  • the result may be a desirable growth rate or appearance in the case of ornamental plants grown for the domestic market, or maintenance of a surface suitable for life-style related areas such as a garden lawn.
  • An adequate water supply program is essential for providing a desirable surface for sporting activities such as tennis (particularly clay court and lawn tennis), golf and cricket where the surface condition has a direct effect on the bounce and spin of the ball, and thus on the quality of the game.
  • US-6,453,216 relates to a method of controlling an irrigation system that calculates the start time for a watering event based on measuring the rainfall since a prior watering event, and the water requirements of the plants and soil being irrigated.
  • controllers and support systems produce an outcome that, includes increased efficiency of water consumption, but which is almost exclusively centred on the requirements of the plants being irrigated.
  • management situations are now being encountered which require the best outcome reasonably possible to be produced in circumstances in which one (or more) of the input resources are in less than optimal supply; or in circumstances in which a manager stipulates the maximum amount of resource to be expended on a particular site over a stipulated period of time.
  • the management system must calculate applications of the limiting resource so as to produce the best outcome reasonably possible. This can be conveniently done in at least two ways:
  • the present invention provides a method of managing the supply of a resource to a site, comprising the steps of:
  • the monitoring and supply of the resource according to step (b) may be based upon the maximum quantity and the actual pattern of use of the resource or the assumed pattern of use of the resource. Preferably no more than the maximum quantity of the resource is supplied during the first time period although this is not essential and the maximum may be exceeded.
  • the method may comprise the additional steps of:
  • the resource is a natural resource or a commercial resource.
  • the natural resource may include water or phosphate for use on plants.
  • the manufactured resource may include for example, a manufactured substance such as fertiliser or herbicide, or a financial resource. Most typically the resource is water.
  • the present invention allows authorities to manage the resource as a whole, rather than simply periodically allocating quantities of the resource to users with no idea (and no control) of their actual usage patterns and needs.
  • the present invention may include the additional step of: (e) invoicing or debiting the user with the cost of the total quantity of the resource supplied.
  • the site supplied may include more than one locale.
  • the resource is water for irrigation
  • the user a farmer
  • the first time period and second time period typically correspond to discrete seasons, but may alternatively correspond to calendar months or any other convenient division of time.
  • the estimated maximum quantity and additional maximum quantity are based on an assumed pattern of use.
  • the assumed pattern would reflect the pattern of use for a 'normal' season. An upcoming season might not be considered normal due to a number of reasons such as predictions of drought or flooding due to the El Nino effect.
  • a number of different parameters can also influence the assumed pattern, including,
  • the maximum quantity of water to be supplied for irrigation or crop watering during the first time period, and possibly the second time period would typically be based on the user's normal pattern of water use on a day-by-day, week-by-week or month-by-month basis, appropriate to the time period to be covered. Most farmers would have a recollection or even a record of the pattern of water usage on a particular crop in previous years.
  • the supply of the resource during the first time period may terminate early due to reaching the estimated maximum quantity before the end of the first time period.
  • the supply of water ceases.
  • the user must then estimate the maximum additional quantity of the resource to be supplied over a second time period.
  • this embodiment contemplates the maximum quantity being reached prior to the end of the first time period.
  • the second time period may commence immediately an additional maximum quantity is estimated, that is, before the intended end of the first time period, such that the two time periods overlap.
  • the user reaches the end of the first time period without having used the estimated maximum quantity of water. This can be taken into account when estimating the additional maximum quantity of water to be used during the second time period. For example, if there was unexpected rainfall during the first time period this could lead to an expectation of further unseasonable rainfall during the second time period, reducing the estimate of the additional maximum quantity.
  • the monitoring and control of supply of the resource to the site may be based on other inputs which prompt adjustment of the pattern of resource supply during the first time period or the second time period. For example, with respect to irrigation if detectors indicate to the controller that there is heavy rainfall on the crop or that the ground moisture level is very high, the valves will not turn on, even if an irrigation event is due. Alternatively if the ground moisture level is unacceptably low the valves will turn on and an extra irrigation event is initiated over and above the normal pattern of irrigation.
  • the present invention provides a system for resource management comprising:
  • the server preferably the server:
  • the server may also have the capability to:
  • the information relating to the first time period and second time period typically includes an estimated maximum quantity or an additional maximum quantity respectively.
  • the software may calculate these values from the information provided by the user or other sources.
  • the software and hardware associated with the on-site controller has the means to store and manipulate information including but not necessarily limited to the following data types:
  • chronological data including calendar functionality suitable for recording the first and second time periods and resource supply programs, such as programs for opening and closing valves in a specified sequence at specified times on specified days for watering crops,
  • budgetary data such as the total amount of money to be expended on supplying the resource to the one or more sites
  • agronomic data such as the normal pattern of use of the resource at the one or more sites on a day-by-day, week-by-week or month-by-month basis.
  • This data may be supplied by the user, or from other data sources, such as a Bureau of Meteorology for weather information, resource suppliers for resource cost data or banks for budgetary data relating to the user.
  • the controller or its associated hardware and software may control applications of the resource such that during the first time period the controller does not supply the user with more than the estimated maximum quantity of the resource, and during the second time period the controller does not supply the user with more than the additional maximum quantity.
  • This outcome may be achieved by the controlling the supply of the resource in several ways.
  • the activities of the on-site controller can be pre-set, or reviewed and updated in real time. Assuming that the controller has received information to supply a maximum quantity of water during a first time period according to a normal pattern of use the controller can manipulate supply by various means to avoid exceeding the maximum quantity.
  • the controller can:
  • the present invention provides a method for resource management comprising:
  • the method may also include:
  • a system for resource management comprising: (a) a server,
  • the system including programming code for communicating user information relating to a first time period from one or more remote terminals to a server, - programming code for communicating the user information relating to the first time period from the server to one or more controllers located at one or more sites to which the resource is supplied, the controllers regulating the supply of the resource until an estimated maximum quantity of the resource has been supplied or until the end of the time period, programming code for communicating user information relating to a second time period from one or more remote terminals to a server, programming code for communicating the user information relating to the second time period from the server to the controllers located at one or more sites to which the resource is supplied, the controllers regulating the supply of the resource during the second time period, such that the total quantity of resource supplied does not exceed the sum of the maximum quantity and an additional maximum quantity estimated for the second time period.
  • the method may also include: (e) communicating information regarding controller activities and the pattern and quantity of the resource used as a function of time from the one or more controllers to the server, and
  • the server for use with the method and system of the present invention may be part of a computer network such as a local area network, a wide area network, a metropolitan area network or a home area network.
  • Example 1 the resource is water, provided to irrigate three tomato crops (sites 1, 2 and 3) at a single farm.
  • the water is drawn from a river that is administered by a government instrumentality responsible for management of the river and its catchment area.
  • the farm owner constitutes the user of the water resource, and intends to use the water to irrigate the tomatoes during summer and autumn.
  • the farmer advises a water supplier of his normal pattern of water usage for irrigating equivalent sized tomato crops, including details of the number and timing of irrigation events and the quantity of water used for each irrigation event during summer and autumn.
  • the water supplier enters the information for the summer irrigation into a remote terminal where purpose written software records the normal pattern of irrigation, and based on the assumption that this pattern will be followed in the upcoming summer months, calculates an estimate of the maximum quantity of water to be used during a first time period corresponding to the summer months.
  • the information relating to the first time period is forwarded through a server to three controllers each one located at the site of a tomato crop.
  • the information forwarded includes the normal pattern of irrigations, dates and times for each irrigation event and the maximum quantity of water to be used during the summer months.
  • Software associated with each of the controllers initiates opening and closing of water supply valves in accordance with the normal pattern of irrigation.
  • the controller also accepts other inputs and adjusts the pattern accordingly. For example if detectors indicate to the controller software that there is heavy rainfall on the crop or that the ground moisture level is very high, the valves will not turn on, even if an irrigation event is due.
  • the controller When the quantity of water supplied reaches the estimated maximum quantity for the first time period, the controller maintains all valves in the closed position halting supply of water. The controller also sends a signal back to the remote terminal, via the server, advising the water supplier that the estimated maximum quantity has been supplied plus a record of the pattern of irrigation that was in fact followed. In this example, the supply of water reaches the estimated maximum quantity right at the end of the first time period. The farmer and water supplier can then repeat the method over again for the autumn time period.
  • the method above is followed by the farmer and the water supplier but due to unfavourable rainfall the estimated maximum quantity is reached two weeks before the end of the first period that is, two weeks before the end of summer.
  • the water supplier then enters details of the normal pattern of irrigation for the last two weeks of the summer period and the entire autumn season into the remote terminal.
  • the water authority also inputs further information including forecast weather conditions for the following 14 weeks (last 2 weeks of summer and 12 weeks of autumn) and the actual pattern of irrigation followed during the first period.
  • Software uses this information to calculate a pattern of irrigation appropriate to the second time period and an additional maximum quantity of water to be used during this period.
  • the information relating to the second time period is forwarded through the server to the controllers at each of the three tomato crops.
  • the information forwarded includes the new calculated pattern of irrigation, dates and times for each irrigation event and the additional maximum quantity of water to be used during the second period of time.
  • Software associated with each of the controllers initiates opening and closing of water supply valves in accordance with the normal pattern of irrigation.
  • the controller also accepts other inputs and adjusts the pattern accordingly, but this time it takes into account the quantity of water supplied during the first time period so that the total quantity of water supplied does not exceed the sum of the estimated maximum quantity and the additional maximum quantity.
  • the controller also sends a signal back to the remote terminal, via the server, advising the water authority in real time of the pattern of irrigation that was in fact followed.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Soil Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Human Resources & Organizations (AREA)
  • Primary Health Care (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Agronomy & Crop Science (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Tourism & Hospitality (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention a trait à un procédé de gestion de la fourniture d'une ressource à un site, comprenant l'estimation d'une quantité maximale d'une ressource à fournir à un site en fonction d'un modèle présumé de l'utilisation de la ressource au niveau du site lors d'une première période de temps; et le suivi et le contrôle de fourniture de la ressource au site lors de la première période de temps en fonction de la quantité maximale estimée.
PCT/AU2005/000025 2004-01-13 2005-01-12 Procede de gestion de ressources WO2005069177A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2004900124 2004-01-13
AU2004900124A AU2004900124A0 (en) 2004-01-13 General method for the combination & incorporation of financial and other non-agronomic factors with meteorological and agronomic factors in the management of irrigation and water resources

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005069177A1 true WO2005069177A1 (fr) 2005-07-28

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ID=34754136

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2005/000025 WO2005069177A1 (fr) 2004-01-13 2005-01-12 Procede de gestion de ressources

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WO (1) WO2005069177A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110232502A (zh) * 2019-05-08 2019-09-13 深圳中大环保科技创新工程中心有限公司 基于草地资源质量的价值评估方法及装置

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4819180A (en) * 1987-02-13 1989-04-04 Dencor Energy Cost Controls, Inc. Variable-limit demand controller for metering electrical energy
US5757665A (en) * 1996-06-04 1998-05-26 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Riverine community habitat assessment and restoration methodlogy
CA2338902A1 (fr) * 2000-02-28 2001-08-28 Ozz Utility Management Inc. Appareils de conservation virtuels
US6323774B1 (en) * 1995-09-13 2001-11-27 Gregory L. Mitchell Portable excess water usage control and alarm system
US20020103688A1 (en) * 2000-08-22 2002-08-01 Schneider Gary M. System and method for developing a farm management plan for production agriculture
US6453216B1 (en) * 1999-07-14 2002-09-17 Mccabe James F. Method of controlling an irrigation system
WO2004046833A1 (fr) * 2002-11-20 2004-06-03 Intermoco Solutions Pty Ltd Systeme et procede de commande et/ou d'enregistrement de l'utilisation d'une ressource par un utilisateur

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4819180A (en) * 1987-02-13 1989-04-04 Dencor Energy Cost Controls, Inc. Variable-limit demand controller for metering electrical energy
US6323774B1 (en) * 1995-09-13 2001-11-27 Gregory L. Mitchell Portable excess water usage control and alarm system
US5757665A (en) * 1996-06-04 1998-05-26 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Riverine community habitat assessment and restoration methodlogy
US6453216B1 (en) * 1999-07-14 2002-09-17 Mccabe James F. Method of controlling an irrigation system
CA2338902A1 (fr) * 2000-02-28 2001-08-28 Ozz Utility Management Inc. Appareils de conservation virtuels
US20020103688A1 (en) * 2000-08-22 2002-08-01 Schneider Gary M. System and method for developing a farm management plan for production agriculture
WO2004046833A1 (fr) * 2002-11-20 2004-06-03 Intermoco Solutions Pty Ltd Systeme et procede de commande et/ou d'enregistrement de l'utilisation d'une ressource par un utilisateur

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
FAYE R.M. ET AL: "An intelligent decision support system for irrigation system management.", IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SYSTEMS, MAND AND CYBERNETICS, 1998 *
LE BARS M. ET AL: "A multi-agent system to the common management of a renewable resource: application to water sharing.", PROCEEDINGS OF 13TH INT.CONFERENCE ON TOOLS WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE., November 2001 (2001-11-01), pages 42 - 49 *
RAO D.P. ET AL: "A remote sensing-bases integrated approach for sunstainable development of land water resources.", IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON SYSTEMS, MAN AND CYBERNETICS., vol. 31, no. 2, May 2001 (2001-05-01), pages 207 - 215 *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110232502A (zh) * 2019-05-08 2019-09-13 深圳中大环保科技创新工程中心有限公司 基于草地资源质量的价值评估方法及装置

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