BE1024805B1 - Monitoring and detection device for beekeeping - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a swarm detection method for hive comprising the steps of: - detecting the direction of movement of bees (12) on the board of flight (3) of a hive (6) and determining the number x of outgoing bees (12) and number y of incoming bees (12) per unit of time; determining the x-y difference between the number of outgoing bees (12) and the number of incoming bees per unit of time, a swarm being detected when the difference x-y is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Description

(73) Holder (s):

LURQUIN Philippe

5670, OIGNIES-EN-THIERACHE Belgium (72) Inventor (s):

LURQUIN Philippe

5670 OIGNIES-EN-THIERACHE Belgium (54) Monitoring and detection device for beekeeping (57) The present invention relates to a swarming detection method comprising the steps of: - detecting the direction of movement of bees (12 ) on the flight board (3) of a hive (6) and of determining the number x of bees (12) outgoing and the number y of bees (12) entering per unit of time; - determination of the difference x-y between the number of outgoing bees (12) and the number of incoming bees per unit of time, swarming being detected when the difference x-y is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Figure 4

BELGIAN INVENTION PATENT

FPS Economy, SMEs, Middle Classes & Energy

Publication number: 1024805 Deposit number: BE2016 / 5912

Intellectual Property Office International Classification: A01K 47/00 A01K 47/06 A01K 57/00 Date of issue: 07/10/2018

The Minister of the Economy,

Having regard to the Paris Convention of March 20, 1883 for the Protection of Industrial Property;

Considering the law of March 28, 1984 on patents for invention, article 22, for patent applications introduced before September 22, 2014;

Given Title 1 “Patents for invention” of Book XI of the Code of Economic Law, article XI.24, for patent applications introduced from September 22, 2014;

Having regard to the Royal Decree of 2 December 1986 relating to the request, the issue and the maintenance in force of invention patents, article 28;

Given the patent application received by the Intellectual Property Office on 09/12/2016.

Whereas for patent applications falling within the scope of Title 1, Book XI of the Code of Economic Law (hereinafter CDE), in accordance with article XI. 19, §4, paragraph 2, of the CDE, if the patent application has been the subject of a search report mentioning a lack of unity of invention within the meaning of the §ler of article XI.19 cited above and in the event that the applicant does not limit or file a divisional application in accordance with the results of the search report, the granted patent will be limited to the claims for which the search report has been drawn up.

Stopped :

First article. - It is issued to

LURQUIN Philippe, Rucher des Fachettes Rue de Rocroi 34, 5670 OIGNIES-EN-THIERACHE Belgium;

represented by

PRONOVEM - Office Van Malderen, Avenue Josse Goffin 158, 1082, BRUXELLES;

a Belgian invention patent with a duration of 20 years, subject to payment of the annual fees referred to in article XI.48, §1 of the Code of Economic Law, for: Monitoring and detection device for beekeeping.

INVENTOR (S):

LURQUIN Philippe, Rucher des Fachettes Rue de Rocroi 34, 5670, OIGNIES-EN-THIERACHE;

PRIORITY (S):

DIVISION:

divided from the basic application: filing date of the basic application:

Article 2. - This patent is granted without prior examination of the patentability of the invention, without guarantee of the merit of the invention or of the accuracy of the description thereof and at the risk and peril of the applicant (s) ( s).

Brussels, 07/10/2018, By special delegation:

BE2016 / 5912

Monitoring and detection device for beekeeping

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device and a method for detecting the swarming of a colony of bees from a hive.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the detection of the presence of a queen during the inspection of a hive.

STATE OF THE ART In beekeeping, swarming represents a significant loss for the beekeeper if he cannot recover the swarm leaving the hive. During this swarming process, a significant proportion of the bees in a mother colony leave the hive to found a new colony, usually with the former queen or with a young queen in a secondary swarm. The mother colony having lost most of its workers, the production of honey drops considerably, while the new queen will only lay eggs at best ten days later.

During the swarming, the beekeeper can try to recover the swarm to introduce it into a new hive and thus recover its foragers. Indeed, the swarm generally settles initially in the immediate vicinity of the initial hive, before following a scout who has found an adequate place to establish the new colony. If the beekeeper finds the swarm, he can usually recover it to have him adopt an empty hive. To do this, you must act quickly and be notified as soon as possible of the swarming event.

To date, commercial structures such as Arnia.co.uk offer for sale scales weighing hives in real time to monitor, so as to firstly determine the production of honey, and secondly , the massive departure of bees as in the case of a swarming.

However, such detection has some drawbacks: the weight measurement is "noisy" by external elements such as humidity, rain, wind, or even a honey harvest or any other human intervention. In addition, the

BE2016 / 5912 weight loss is only observed after the swarm has flown away. However, in order to maximize the probability of recovering the swarm, it is essential to detect the swarm as early as possible.

Furthermore, the electronics currently offered on the hives do not allow easy detection of the presence and position of the queen, which therefore requires time-consuming visual monitoring and requiring significant training.

AIMS OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to propose a device and a method for automatically and early detection of swarming from a hive.

The present invention also aims to provide a method and a device for quickly finding a queen among the bees of a hive.

Summary of the invention The present invention relates to a method of detecting swarming for hives comprising the steps of:

detecting the direction of movement of bees on the flight board of a hive and determining the number x of outgoing bees and the number y of incoming bees per unit of time;

determination of the difference x-y between the number of outgoing bees and the number of incoming bees per unit of time, swarming being detected when the difference x-y is greater than a predetermined threshold.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a swarming alert device for a hive comprising:

- a device for detecting the direction of movement of bees on a flight board leaving the hive;

- a processor configured to determine, in use, the number of incoming bees and the number of outgoing bees per unit of time;

an alert system configured to send an alert signal to a beekeeper if the difference between the number of outgoing bees and the number of incoming bees exceeds a predefined threshold.

According to preferred modes of the invention, the device of the invention comprises at least one or an appropriate combination of the following characteristics:

BE2016 / 5912 the device for detecting the direction of movement of the bees comprises at least one optical scanning strip;

the device for detecting the direction of movement of the bees comprises two optical scanning bars, arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the direction of entry-exit;

the device for detecting the direction of movement of the bees comprises a camera.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a method of detecting the presence and the position of a queen on a hive frame comprising the steps consisting in:

providing a hive comprising vertical frames disposed in the hive body;

having in front of a chosen frame and at the top of this an optical scanning strip connected to an image analysis processor configured so as to recognize a queen among other bees;

lift the selected frame in front of the scanning bar, an image of the face of the frame being acquired during this movement;

detecting the presence and position of the queen by image analysis using the processor;

a signal indicating the presence of the queen and her position.

Advantageously, the speed of exit from the chosen frame is determined by the detection of a predetermined pattern on the frame. This predetermined pattern can advantageously be the pattern produced by the repetition of the cells of the frame.

Alternatively, bees can hide the pattern of cells, the predetermined pattern on the frame includes a periodic pattern on the edge of the frame to define the speed of the frame and / or a non-periodic pattern to identify the frame.

Advantageously, the visual signal indicating the position of the queen is produced by a row of LEDs disposed along the scanning strip, an LED designating the vertical line in which the queen has been detected lighting up during detection. , thus defining the lateral position of the queen on the face of the frame.

Preferably, an audible signal sounds when the queen is detected so as to warn the beekeeper of the queen's vertical position on the frame.

Advantageously, two scanning bars are arranged on either side of the frame chosen so as to allow the simultaneous acquisition of the image of the two sides of the frame.

BE2016 / 5912 The present invention also relates to a device for detecting a queen on a hive frame comprising at least one scanning bar, an image analysis processor and a device capable of producing a visual signal and / or sound designating the position of the queen.

Brief Description of the Figures [0020] Figure 1 shows a side section of a hive comprising an example of a swarm detection device according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a top view of the main body of a hive with a queen detection device according to the invention.

FIG. 3 represents a frame comprising examples of optical markers according to preferred embodiments of the invention.

Figure 4 shows two optical scanning bars arranged on either side of a frame being extracted, said bars being simply placed on the adjacent frames.

Reference numerals of Figures 1 bar optical scanning ^period (scanning): 2 ^nd bar optical scanning: plank flight: rain cover: Roof: hive box: floor: Processor: LED module and optical scanning: Framework chosen: bees: optical mark allowing the determination of the optical scanning speed: queen: optical mark making it possible to identify the frame: LED: LED designating the vertical of the queen: frame cell: CCD detector (one-dimensional)

BE2016 / 5912: optical element: optical window

Detailed description of the invention A first aspect of the invention relates to a swarming detection method in which the direction of movement of the bees 12 on the flight board 3 of a hive is detected. From this detection, the total input / output balance per unit of time is determined. Indeed, during the swarming, a significant quantity of bees collectively leave the hive in a very short time. The threshold for outgoing bee flow above which swarming is likely depends on the size of the colony, the breed of bees and other parameters. Also, the swarm detection threshold is determined by the beekeeper, according to his experience.

A simple method for detecting the direction of movement of the bees on the flight board is, for example, to have two optical scanning bars (1,2) as shown in FIG. 1. In this case, it suffices to detect the order in which a bee crosses the bars to determine its direction of movement. An outgoing bee will first pass the first bar 1, and then the second bar 2, and vice versa for an incoming bee. It then suffices to determine on each bar segment (1,2) in which order the corresponding segments on the two bars are crossed.

Alternatively, one can use only one bar (1) and use the asymmetry of the bees to determine their directions of movement. For example, the bees' heads have a flat surface perpendicular to the axis of movement, while the end of the abdomen ends in a point. An outgoing bee will therefore first present a wide segment to finish with a narrow segment. This is an example here, and other anatomical elements of the bee could be used (size of the abdomen in relation to the head and thorax, ...). However, since the speed and direction of movement of the bee is unknown, it can be difficult to reliably determine the direction of movement with a single bar. Or the bars (1,2) can either be integrated into the flight board as shown in Figure 1, or above the outlet of the hive. For example, you can integrate or fix the bar (s) in or under the rain guard

4. In this case, adequate optics will focus the image of the bees on the flight board in front of the exit on the linear CCD detector (ie one-dimensional) of the scanning bar.

BE2016 / 5912 [0028] Alternatively, a camera placed so as to observe the bees on the flight board at the exit of the hive can be used to determine the number of outgoing bees.

In addition to the optical detection means of the direction of movement of the bees, the device of the invention comprises a processor 9 configured to determine the direction of movement of each bee at the exit of the hive on the flight board, d '' define the number in each direction and determine the input / output balance per unit of time.

The presence of optical means detecting the direction of movement of the bees can advantageously also be used to detect the presence of intruders characterized by a larger size than those of bees such as hornets, in particular Asian hornets.

The processor further comprises an alert system making it possible to alert the beekeeper of the impending swarming when the bee entry / exit balance per unit of time exceeds the predetermined threshold. The alert could for example be given by an audible signal, on a distant site by wire (for example for a hive near the beekeeper's home) or, preferably, via an alert message via a or telecommunications networks, wired or not.

Preferably, the alert means include wireless telecommunication means (Wifi, 3G, 4G, or mobile telephony), the beekeeper alert comprising sending a message to the beekeeper via the telecommunications network. The alert means can also be used to alert the beekeeper of the intrusion of pests such as hornets.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of detecting the position of a queen 14 on a hive frame in which there is on either side of a chosen frame 11 and at the top of it. ci two optical scanning bars connected to an image analysis processor configured to recognize a queen among other bees. The frame chosen between the two scanning bars is then lifted, as shown in FIG. 4, so as to acquire an image of each face of the frame during this movement.

It is understood that the invention can also be applied sequentially, one face after the other, if only an optical scanning strip is available.

Then, an image analysis makes it possible to detect the position of the queen (if it is present) due to the morphological differences of the queen by

BE2016 / 5912 report to the workers. A signal then indicates to the beekeeper the face and position of the queen on the frame.

The image analysis is preferably carried out in real time, as the acquisition takes place.

In order to obtain an image quality independent of the frame exit speed, the actual frame exit speed is determined by the detection of a predetermined vertical pattern on the frame. This pattern can for example be formed by the periodic repetition of the hexagonal cells on the frame. The real image can then, for example, be reconstructed, taking care to obtain regular hexagons under the bees. The detection of the hexagons of the frame can nevertheless prove to be complicated: certain cells can be clogged with wax, others open following the birth of young workers, ... Finally, even if all the cells are closed , the wax may have insufficient contrast to reliably reconstruct the image.

Preferably, the frame comprises a high contrast pattern 13, 15 allowing easy detection of the speed (and possibly of the direction) of movement of the frame. This pattern can be periodic, which simplifies the calculation of the speed, or non-periodic, which allows the coding of additional information, such as an identification of the frame, the hive, ...

The pattern is preferably affixed in the form of a printed label comprising an identification code and a periodic pattern. The code and the periodic pattern can of course be printed on separate labels as shown in Figure 3. Advantageously, the patterns are arranged on the side uprights of the frames 7, so that no bee can hide the patterns . Advantageously, a visual signal indicating the lateral position of the queen is produced by two rows of LEDs 16 arranged on either side of the chosen frame 11, an LED 17 designating the vertical line in which the queen has been detected and illuminating when it is detected, thus defining its lateral position and the face on which it is located. The vertical position can for example be designated by an audible signal such as a "beep" when the queen is facing the detection bar. Thus, the beekeeper knows according to the moment when the "beep" sounds if the queen is rather at the top ("beep" at the start of emergence) or rather at the bottom ("beep" at the end of movement) of the chosen frame.

It can be seen that advantageously, most of the elements allowing the implementation of both the swarm detection method and the queen detection are identical, namely at least one scanning strip and one

BE2016 / 5912 processor. The invention therefore also relates to a kit comprising at least one scanning strip and a processor enabling the two methods to be implemented. For example, the scanning bar (s) can be removably integrated into the flight board (for example in a suitable groove) and out of their housings to be placed on either side of a hive frame during the beekeeper's visit to his hive.

BE2016 / 5912

Claims (12)

1. Hive swarming detection method comprising the steps of: detection of the direction of movement of bees (12) on the flight board (3) of a hive (6) and determination of the number x of bees (12) coming out and the number y of bees (12) incoming per unit of time; determination of the difference x-y between the number of outgoing bees (12) and the number of incoming bees per unit of time, swarming being detected when the difference x-y is greater than a predetermined threshold. 2. Hive swarm alert device comprising: a device for detecting the direction of movement of bees on a flight board (3) at the outlet of the hive (6); a processor (9) configured to determine, in use, the number of incoming bees (12) and the number of outgoing bees (12) per unit of time; an alert system configured to send an alert signal to a beekeeper if the difference between the number of outgoing bees (12) and the number of incoming bees (12) exceeds a predefined threshold. 3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the device for detecting the direction of movement of the bees comprises at least one optical scanning strip (1). 4. Device according to claim 3, in which the device for detecting the direction of movement of the bees comprises two optical scanning bars (1,2), arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction of entry. -exit. 5. Device according to claim 2, wherein the device for detecting the direction of movement of the bees comprises a camera. 6. Method for detecting the presence and position of a queen (14) on a beehive frame comprising the steps of: providing a beehive comprising vertical frames (7) disposed in the hive body; having in front of a chosen frame (11) and at the top of this an optical scanning strip (10) connected to an image analysis processor (9) configured so as to recognize a queen among other bees; BE2016 / 5912 lift the selected frame in front of the scanning bar, an image of the face of the frame being acquired during this movement; detecting the presence and position of the queen by image analysis using the processor; 5 a signal indicating the presence of the queen and her position. 7. Method according to claim 6, in which the speed of exit from the chosen frame is determined by the detection of a predetermined pattern on the frame. 8. Method according to claim 7, in which the predetermined motif is the motif produced by the repetition of the cells of the frame. 9. Method according to claim 7, in which the predetermined pattern on the frame comprises a periodic pattern on the edge of the frame making it possible to define the speed of the frame and / or a non-periodic pattern making it possible to identify the frame. 10. Method according to one of claims 6 to 9, in which the visual signal indicating the position of the queen is produced by a row of LEDs (16) arranged on 15 along the scanning strip (10), an LED (17) designating the vertical line in which the queen has been detected, lighting up during the detection, thus defining the lateral position of the queen on the face of the frame. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein an audible signal sounds upon detection of the queen so as to warn the beekeeper of the vertical position of the 20 queen on the frame. 12. Method according to any one of claims 6 to 11, in which two scanning bars are arranged on either side of the chosen frame so as to allow the simultaneous acquisition of the image of the two faces of the frame. 13. Device for detecting a queen on a hive frame comprising at least one scanning bar, an image analysis processor and a device capable of producing a visual and / or audio signal designating the position of the queen . BE2016 / 5912