JP-7856828-B1 - Tree Management System

JP7856828B1JP 7856828 B1JP7856828 B1JP 7856828B1JP-7856828-B1

Abstract

[Problem] To facilitate the correspondence between each displayed tree and each tree in the field. [Solution] The system includes a 3D imaging unit (3D scanner) 10 that acquires a 3D point cloud of a target area where multiple trees exist by scanning the area from multiple directions; a tree recognition unit 24-1 that performs point cloud recognition processing on the acquired 3D point cloud to recognize trees; a skeleton recognition unit 24-2 that recognizes the skeleton corresponding to the trunk and thick branches and the branches and leaves separately based on the thickness of each part of the recognized tree; a 3D storage unit 34 that stores the 3D point cloud of the skeleton in association with each tree in the target area; and a display unit 44 that displays the 3D point cloud of the target area in 3D, emphasizing the recognized skeleton. [Selection Diagram] Figure 1

Inventors

高田恵一

Assignees

株式会社エコル

Dates

Publication Date: 20260511
Application Date: 20250709

Claims (4)

A 3D imaging unit acquires a 3D point cloud of a target area where multiple trees exist by scanning the area from multiple directions, The acquired 3D point cloud is subjected to point cloud recognition processing and a tree recognition unit recognizes trees, Based on the thickness of each part of the recognized tree, a skeletal recognition unit recognizes the skeleton corresponding to the trunk and thick branches, and the branches and leaves separately. A 3D memory unit that stores a 3D point cloud of the skeleton associated with each tree in the target area, A 3D point cloud of the target area, with a display unit that emphasizes the recognized skeleton and displays it in 3D, including, Tree management system.
A tree management system according to claim 1, By comparing it with separately prepared map data, the location information of trees is recognized. Tree management system.
A tree management system according to claim 1, The skeleton and the branches and leaves can be displayed as separate layers and processed independently. Tree management system.
A tree management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The target area is part or all of the park. Tree management system.

Description

Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Law applies. The training seminar was held online on May 30, 2025. Participants who had registered in advance were able to view the video of the seminar via a URL that had been distributed to them beforehand. The organizer was the Japan Street Tree Diagnosis Association, and the name of the seminar was "[Public Training] Series "Delving into Urban Forests" Web Seminar #08 "Making Urban Greenery Smarter: Urban Forest Management Evolving with DX"". This disclosure relates to a tree management system for managing trees in parks and other similar areas. Traditionally, management ledgers have been created in parks and other areas to manage trees. These ledgers record diagnostic results and other information for each tree within the management area, allowing for an understanding of the trees' condition and the development of conservation plans. In this context, the use of information processing equipment such as computers is advancing in tree management, and it has been proposed to include data, including images of each tree, in the management ledger. Furthermore, it has been proposed that portable terminals be made accessible to the management ledger, allowing for the input of tree status and the display of tree images. Patent No. 7646284 This block diagram shows the schematic configuration of a tree management system according to an embodiment.This shows an example of 3D point cloud recognition of a target area.This is a point cloud that highlights the skeletal structure of recognized trees, showing the skeletal structure and branches/leaves in different colors.This diagram shows only the framework, with branches, leaves, and other geographical features removed, using the current plan view as a reference.This is an example image showing a display for a single tree.This is a flowchart of the skeletal structure recognition process. The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are not limiting to this disclosure, and configurations formed by selectively combining multiple examples are also included in this disclosure. "System Configuration" Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a tree management system according to an embodiment. First, a 3D scanner 10, which is a 3D imaging unit, is provided as the input device. The 3D scanner 10 measures the shape of an object in three dimensions, and the 3D measurement data is acquired as a collection of points with coordinate values called a point cloud. The 3D scanner 10 also has a camera, and it is preferable to use a scanner that acquires a point cloud with color information added from image information captured simultaneously with the point cloud. In this embodiment, the target area is a part or all of a park containing trees. For example, a worker can actually go to the target park and perform a 3D scan on-site. In this embodiment, in order to improve the accuracy of analyzing the skeletal structure of trees, such as trunks and thick branches, it is advisable to (i) ensure that the tree skeleton is captured in the image, (ii) scan the entire park with minimal blind spots, and (iii) capture the upper part of the tree canopy. Furthermore, 3D scanning can be performed using various means, such as from the air, using robots, or using vehicles. Measurement data from the 3D scanner 10 is supplied to the server computer 20. The server computer 20 includes a communication unit 22 and a point cloud processing unit 24. The communication unit 22 is responsible for exchanging information with the outside world. The point cloud processing unit 24 performs various point cloud processing operations on the measurement data from the 3D scanner 10, including individually recognizing trees, identifying the locations of recognized trees, and processing the data for display. Map data is also supplied to the server computer 20, and this map data can be used for location recognition and combining point cloud data of facilities and roads. Image information acquired by the aforementioned camera can also be used. The communication unit 22 of the server computer 20 has various communication functions. Measurement data from the 3D scanner 10 may be supplied via a communication network such as the Internet, or directly via a local data line. The point cloud processing unit 24 of the server computer 20 has the following functional blocks: a tree recognition unit 24-1, a skeleton recognition unit 24-2, a display point cloud generation unit 24-3, and a tree position recognition unit 24-4. These functional blocks are simply separate functions of the server computer 20 and may consist of a single computer or multiple computers. The tree recognition unit 24-1 performs point cloud recognition processing on the measurement data from the 3D scanner 10 to individually recognize trees. This can be done using conventionally known point cloud recognition techniqu