KR102307327B1 - Electronic Sow Management Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic sow management device is provided. Electronic sow management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the sow's activity and respiration rate from the input unit for receiving biometric information of the sow, the communication unit for receiving the movement information of the sow, and the movement information of the sow received through the communication unit, and , a processor for detecting estrus of a sow based on biometric information, activity, and respiration rate of the sow, and a display unit for displaying estrus information detected by the processor. Thereby, it is possible to predict the timing of fertilization by automatically detecting the sow's estrus, and to improve the health management of sows by providing information on the menstrual cycle, the presence of disease, and vitality.

Description

Electronic Sow Management Apparatus

The present invention relates to a sow management technology, and more particularly, to an electronic sow management device for increasing productivity by increasing the sow breeding efficiency and improving the number of shipments per sow per year.

Recently, as the global livestock industry is rapidly expanding in scale, high productivity at low cost is required.

In particular, in the case of Korea, the marketed pigs sow per year (MSY) is currently 17.8, which is significantly lower than 28 in advanced livestock countries, so it is an urgent problem to improve it.

The annual output per sow (MSY), which is an index to manage the reproductive efficiency of sows, is the status of breeding hormones according to the genetic difference of livestock breeds, the number of fertility, the fertilization period, the presence or absence of disease, vitality, nutritional status, and breeding environment. Although it is known that there is no clear alternative to fertility management, fertilization, and mating, and the presence or absence of disease, vitality, and nutritional status for each sow individual, there is no clear alternative. come.

In addition, biometric information collected for each individual sow is manually recorded on a simple paper card or managed in a way that does not even do this, so the correlation between the condition of sows and whether the annual MSY (MSY) deteriorates or improves under what specification conditions. Relationships are not systematically and clearly understood.

Since this manual management relies on the subjective judgment of the manager, the breeding efficiency of sows was greatly influenced by the manager's expertise and experience. In addition, a manager with high professionalism is hired to improve the performance, and the labor cost is high because high frequency observation is required even on weekends. was considerable.

In addition, until now, people have recorded biometric information and history management of sows directly on paper cards, so workability is poor. As a result, the accuracy of the judgment was greatly reduced.

Therefore, in order to increase the reproductive efficiency of sows and increase the annual output per sow (MSY), the management is automated and computerized rather than based on human observation or experience. The specification needs to be improved.

Korean Patent Laid-Open Patent 10-2016-0068032 (2016.06.15) Korean Patent Laid-Open Patent 10-2015-0100990 (2015.09.03)

The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic sow management apparatus capable of predicting the timing of fertilization by automatically detecting estrus of sows.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to display the menstrual cycle, such as expected estrus time, optimal mating time, sow estrus time, pregnancy elapsed time, lactation elapsed time, weaning elapsed time, etc. on the terminal to increase the management efficiency of the farmer. To provide an electronic sow management device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic sow management device capable of improving the health management of sows by providing relevant information by determining the presence or absence of disease and vitality of sows.

According to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, an electronic sow management apparatus includes an input unit for receiving biometric information of sows; Communication unit for receiving movement information of the sow; a processor for detecting sow's activity and respiration rate from the sow's movement information received through the communication unit, and detecting estrus of the sow based on the sow's biometric information, activity and respiration rate; and a display unit for displaying estrus information detected by the processor.

And, the activity includes the activity increase rate and the standing time, the estrus information includes the expected estrus time of the sow, the elapsed time of estrus and the optimal mating time, and the sow motion information is detected by a sensor attached to the sow. can be

In addition, the electronic sow management device, the acquisition unit for recording the sound of the sow; further comprising, the processor extracts features from the sound of the sow recorded by the acquisition unit, biometric information, activity, respiration rate and sound of the sow It is possible to detect estrus in sows based on the characteristics.

And, the communication unit receives the temperature and sunlight information of the livestock house from the temperature sensor and the illuminance sensor installed in the livestock house, and the processor is based on the sow's biometric information, activity, respiration rate, sound characteristics, and the temperature and sunlight amount of the sow house. estrus can be detected.

In addition, the processor uses the sow's bio-information, activity, respiration rate, sound characteristics, and the temperature and sunlight of the livestock as input parameters, and the sow's estimated estrous time and optimal mating time as output parameters. , it can detect estrus in sows.

In addition, the display unit may display the sow's pregnancy elapsed time, delivery expected time, breastfeeding time, and weaning elapsed time.

In addition, the display unit may display at least one piece of information selected from among the information, or sequentially display the information one by one.

In addition, the processor may determine the sow's biological vitality and disease symptoms based on the sow's biometric information, activity, respiration rate, and sound characteristics.

In addition, the communication unit may transmit the sow's estrus information, vitality level, and disease symptoms to an external terminal or an external server.

On the other hand, according to another embodiment of the present invention, sow management method, the step of obtaining biometric information of the sow; obtaining motion information of sows; identifying the sow's activity and respiration rate from the acquired sow's movement information; detecting estrus of sows based on bio-information, activity, and respiration rate of sows; and displaying the detected estrus information.

As described above, according to the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to predict the timing of fertilization by automatically detecting the estrus of the sow, and the expected estrus time, the optimal mating time, the elapsed estrus time of the sow, the elapsed pregnancy time, the elapsed lactation time, It is possible to increase the management efficiency of the farmer by displaying the menstrual cycle, such as the elapsed time of weaning, on the terminal.

In addition, according to embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to improve the health management of sows by providing relevant information by determining the presence or absence of disease and vitality of sows.

1 is an overall block diagram of an electronic sow management system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is an external perspective view of the sow sensor shown in Figure 1;
3 is a view illustrating the installation of the electronic sow management terminal shown in FIG. 1 and the attachment situation of the sow sensor;
4 is an external perspective view of the electronic sow management terminal shown in FIG. 1;
5 is a view showing a specific implementation example of the input unit of the electronic sow management terminal,
Figure 6 is an internal block diagram of the electronic sow management terminal shown in Figure 4;
7 is a flowchart provided for the description of an electronic sow management method according to another embodiment of the present invention, and,
8 is a graph comparing the cough sound of healthy sows and sick sows.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is an overall block diagram of an electronic sow management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The electronic sow management system according to an embodiment of the present invention is a system for effectively managing reproductive efficiency and health of sows by automatically detecting estrus of sows and guiding the physiology/health status of sows in real time.

The electronic sow management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a sow sensor 10, a temperature sensor 20, an illuminance sensor 30, an electronic sow management terminal 100, a sow management server (40) and is constructed, including the farmer terminal (50).

The sow sensor 10 is a sensor for detecting the movement of the sow worn on the sow. As shown in FIG. 2 , the sow sensor 10 may be implemented as an ear tag type. The sow sensor 10 includes an acceleration sensor and/or a gyro sensor for detecting the motion of the sow, and includes a wireless communication means for transmitting motion information.

The electronic sow management terminal 100 receives biometric information of the sow from the farmer, receives motion information of the sow from the sow sensor 10, and records the sound of the sow. 3 illustrates a situation in which the electronic sow management terminal 100 is installed in the stall of the livestock and the sow sensor 10 is attached to the sow's ear.

The situation in FIG. 3 is merely exemplary. It goes without saying that the electronic sow management terminal 100 may be installed in a different area of the livestock house other than the stall, and the sow sensor 10 may also be attached to a site other than the sow's ear.

In addition, the electronic sow management terminal 100 receives biometric information of the sow from the farmer, can record the sound of the sow, and the temperature and sunlight information of the livestock from the temperature sensor 20 and the illuminance sensor 30 installed in the livestock. can receive

The temperature sensor 20 and the illuminance sensor 30 may be configured in the electronic sow management terminal 100 attached close to the sow to measure the temperature and illuminance for each individual sow.

And, the electronic sow management terminal 100 automatically detects the estrus of the sow based on the input/received/recorded information, determines the physiological/health state, and displays the detected/recognized information.

Furthermore, the electronic sow management terminal 100 may transmit and store the detected/understood information to the sow management server 40 , as well as transmit it to the farmer terminal 50 to promptly inform the farmer.

4 is an external perspective view of the electronic sow management terminal 100 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4 , on the exterior of the sow management terminal 100 , a display unit 120 for displaying estrus / menstruation / health state information, an input unit 140 for inputting biometric information and commands of the sow, and a sound acquisition unit 150 is provided. 5 shows a specific implementation example of the input unit 140 .

6 is an internal block diagram of the electronic sow management terminal 100 . The electronic sow management terminal 100 includes, as shown in FIG. 6 , a communication unit 110 , a display unit 120 , a processor 130 , an input unit 140 , and a sound acquisition unit 150 .

The communication unit 110 communicates data with the sow sensor 10 , the temperature sensor 20 , and the illuminance sensor 30 , and communicates with the sow management server 40 and the farmer terminal 50 through a gateway (not shown).

The sound acquisition unit 150 is a means for recording the sound of the sow, and is implemented as a myrophone. The input unit 140 is a means for receiving biometric information of sows and receiving a user command for the electronic sow management terminal 100 .

The processor 130 detects / understands the estrous / physiological / health state of the sow based on the information obtained through the sow sensor 10 , the temperature sensor 20 , the illuminance sensor 30 , and the sound acquisition unit 150 . , is displayed on the display unit 120 .

The process of detecting/recognizing/displaying the estrous/physiologic/health state of the sow by the processor 130 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 7 . 7 is a flowchart provided to explain an electronic sow management method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7 , first, biometric information of the sow is input through the input unit 140 of the electronic sow management terminal 100 ( S210 ). The information input in step S210 includes sow ID, birth date, age, breed, sow, sow, transfer date, mating pig, artificial insemination fluid, number of live litters, stillbirth, weaning, and the like.

Next, the processor 130 of the electronic sow management terminal 100 determines the activity and respiration rate of the sow from the movement information of the sow received from the sow sensor 10 through the communication unit 110 (S220).

The activities identified include the rate of increase in activity and duration of standing. Sows with signs of estrous behavior are unstable, resulting in increased activity and longer standing holding times (ie, standing for a long time once standing). Also, changes in the sow's respiration rate are related to the secretion of reproductive hormones in the sow.

Accordingly, in order to detect the sow's estrus based on the sow's activity and respiration rate, it is identified in step S220.

In addition, the processor 130 of the electronic sow management terminal 100 extracts features from the sound of the sow recorded by the sound acquisition unit 150 (S230).

Sows with signs of estrus will scream or grunt and make a distinctive sound. Accordingly, in order to detect the sow's estrus based on the sound characteristics of the sow, it is extracted in step S230.

On the other hand, the processor 130 of the electronic sow management terminal 100 grasps the temperature and the amount of sunlight from the temperature sensor 20 and the illuminance sensor 30 through the communication unit 110 (S240).

Since the temperature and the amount of sunlight in the barn can affect the sow's reproductive hormones, this is to be identified in step S230 to refer to the sow's estrus detection.

Next, the processor 130 detects the sow's estrus based on the sow's biometric information, activity (activity increase rate and standing time), respiration rate, sound characteristics, and temperature and sunlight of the barn (S250).

Estrus detection in step S250 can be performed using an artificial intelligence model such as Deep Neural Networks (DNN) and Time-Delay Neural Networks (TDNN) using deep learning.

Specifically, it is possible to use an artificial intelligence model trained with sow bio-information, activity, respiration rate, sound characteristics, and house temperature and sunlight as input parameters, and the expected estrous time and optimal mating time of sows as output parameters. This AI model is trained to detect changes in activity, respiration rate, and sound before and after estrus of sows, and to detect estrus in consideration of temperature and sunlight.

Then, the processor 130 displays the estrus information detected in step S250 on the display unit 120 (S260). Specifically, in step S260, the sow's estrous expected time, estrus elapsed time, and optimal mating time are displayed.

All of the displayed information may be displayed together, only one/part of the information determined by the user's selection may be displayed, and may be displayed one by one sequentially alternately.

When mating within 10-25 hours after estrus, the fertility rate is best, and mating within 26-48 hours is next best. Accordingly, the information displayed in step S260 is referred to for the mating time of sows.

Furthermore, in the case of recurrent estrus (estrus after weaning), information on the period from weaning to estrus is also displayed in step S260. The period from weaning to estrus is generally 2 to 17 days, but when this period is 4 to 6 days, a high fertility rate is shown, and this is for reference.

Meanwhile, the information displayed on the display unit 120 in step S260 may further include biometric information in addition to the sow's estrous information. The displayed biometric information may further include biometric information stored in the sow management server 40 in addition to the biometric information input in step S210 .

After estrus, sows go through a process of "mating -> pregnancy -> delivery -> lactation -> weaning -> estrus". Therefore, when the current sow is in a post-pregnancy state, that is, if estrus is not detected again for a predetermined period after the sow's estrus is detected, the processor 130 displays the physiological state of the sow, not the estrus information, on the display unit 120 . information is displayed (S270).

The information on the physiological state of the sow displayed in step S270 includes information about the state of the sow in the menstrual cycle, such as the elapsed pregnancy time, the expected delivery time, the elapsed breastfeeding time, the elapsed weaning time, and the like.

The above time information may be different for each sow. Accordingly, in calculating the above information, it is possible to refer to the biological/physiologic information accumulated for each sow stored in the sow management server 40 for each sow.

All of this information may be displayed together, or only one/part of the information determined by the user's selection may be displayed, or may be displayed one by one sequentially alternately.

When the sow is in estrus again after weaning, since estrus is detected in step S250, the information displayed on the display unit 120 is changed to the expected estrus time, elapsed estrus time, and optimal mating time of the sow. In addition, since this case is recurrent estrus, information on the period from weaning to estrus is also displayed.

On the other hand, the processor 130 recognizes the sow's bio-vitality and disease signs based on the sow's bio-information, activity, cough frequency, respiration rate, and sound characteristics (S280).

Activity includes information on changes in the amount of activity, the number of standing times/required time, and the like. Sows with signs of disease are less active, and their feed/drinking intake and frequency decrease, resulting in fewer standings. In addition, sows with signs of respiratory disease have increased coughing frequency, respiratory rate fluctuations, and sound changes. 8 shows the difference in cough sound between healthy sows and sick sows.

Therefore, based on the sow's activity, cough frequency, respiration rate, and sound characteristics, the biological vitality and disease signs of sows are identified.

Similar to estrus detection, identification of biological vitality and disease signs in step S280 can also be performed using an artificial intelligence model. Specifically, it is possible to use an artificial intelligence model trained with biometric information, activity, respiration rate, and sound characteristics of sows as input parameters, and biological vitality and disease possibility of sows as output parameters. This AI model is trained to detect changes in sow activity, cough frequency, respiration rate and sound to detect vital signs and disease signs.

Then, the processor 130 displays the information on the biological vitality and disease signs of the sow identified in step S280 on the display unit 120 (S290).

So far, the electronic sow management apparatus and method have been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments.

In the above embodiment, the apparatus and method for managing the estrous/physiologic/health condition of the sow are presented, and the sow is mentioned as an example of livestock. Of course, the technical idea of the present invention can also be applied to other livestock other than sows.

On the other hand, it goes without saying that the technical idea of the present invention can also be applied to a computer-readable recording medium containing a computer program for performing the functions of the apparatus and method according to the present embodiment. In addition, the technical ideas according to various embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in the form of computer-readable codes recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may be any data storage device readable by the computer and capable of storing data. For example, the computer-readable recording medium may be a ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical disk, hard disk drive, or the like. In addition, the computer-readable code or program stored in the computer-readable recording medium may be transmitted through a network connected between computers.

In addition, although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and the technical field to which the present invention belongs without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims In addition, various modifications may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or perspective of the present invention.

10: sow sensor
20: temperature sensor
30: light sensor
40: sow management server
50: farmer terminal
100: electronic sow management terminal
110: communication department
120: display unit
130: processor
140: input unit
150: sound acquisition unit

Claims (10)

an input unit for receiving biometric information of sows;
Communication unit for receiving movement information of the sow;
a processor for detecting sow activity and respiration rate from the sow movement information received through the communication unit, and detecting estrus of the sow based on biometric information, activity and respiration rate of the sow;
Including; a display unit for displaying the estrous information detected by the processor;
In activity,
Includes activity growth rate and standing time,
Estrus information includes,
the sow's estimated time of estrus, elapsed time in estrus and optimal mating time,
Sow movement information,
Electronic sow management device, characterized in that detected by a sensor attached to the sow.
delete an input unit for receiving biometric information of sows;
Communication unit for receiving movement information of the sow;
a processor for detecting sow activity and respiration rate from the sow movement information received through the communication unit, and detecting estrus of the sow based on biometric information, activity and respiration rate of the sow;
a display unit for displaying estrus information detected by the processor; and
Acquisition unit for recording the sound of the sow; Including,
The processor is
An electronic sow management device, characterized in that it extracts features from the sound of sows recorded by the acquisition unit, and detects estrus of sows based on bio-information, activity, respiration rate and sound characteristics of sows.
4. The method according to claim 3,
communication department,
Receives the temperature and sunlight information of the livestock house from the temperature sensor and illuminance sensor installed in the livestock house,
The processor is
An electronic sow management device, characterized in that it detects estrus of sows based on biometric information, activity, respiration rate, sound characteristics, and temperature and sunlight of the sow.
5. The method according to claim 4,
The processor is
The sow's estrus is controlled by using an artificial intelligence model that uses the sow's biometric information, activity, respiration rate, sound characteristics, and temperature and sunlight as input parameters, and the predicted estrous time and optimal mating time of the sow as output parameters. Electronic sow management device, characterized in that the detection.
4. The method according to claim 3,
display part,
An electronic sow management device, characterized in that it displays the sow's pregnancy elapsed time, delivery expected time, lactation elapsed time, and weaning elapsed time.
7. The method of claim 6,
display part,
Electronic sow management device, characterized in that displaying at least one piece of information selected from among the information, or sequentially displaying the information one by one.
4. The method according to claim 3,
The processor is
An electronic sow management device, characterized in that the sow's vitality and disease signs are identified based on the sow's biometric information, activity, respiration rate and sound characteristics.
9. The method of claim 8,
communication department,
Electronic sow management device, characterized in that it transmits the sow's estrous information, bio vitality, and disease signs to an external terminal or an external server.
obtaining biometric information of the sow;
obtaining motion information of sows;
identifying the sow's activity and respiration rate from the acquired sow's movement information;
detecting estrus of sows based on bio-information, activity, and respiration rate of sows; and
Including; displaying the detected estrus information;
In activity,
Includes activity growth rate and standing time,
Estrus information includes,
the sow's estimated estrus time, estrus elapsed time, and optimal mating time;
Sow movement information,
Sow management method, characterized in that detected by a sensor attached to the sow.

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