JP2002523066A - Method and apparatus for monitoring animal activity - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: Sensor means (2, 4, 5) for sensing at least one operating condition of an animal and for transmitting information to an evaluation station (21) operatively connected to the sensor means. A device for monitoring the activity of an animal, including a transmitting means (3, 7, 9). According to the invention, the sensor means comprise at least one intensity measuring device (4), the output signal of which represents the movement of the animal with respect to amplitude, transients and / or rise times, processing for determining various states of the animal. It is supplied to said evaluation station (21) which comprises a vessel (25).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the operation of animals comprising sensor means for sensing at least one operating condition of the animal, and transmission means operatively connected to the sensor means and for transmitting information to an evaluation station. It relates to a device for monitoring activity.

[0002] The invention also relates to a method for monitoring an animal's movement activity, including sensing at least one state of movement of the animal and transmitting the information to an evaluation station for processing the obtained information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Such a device and such a method are made from EP-A 0 786 203, which describes the movement of a livestock animal, such as a milking animal, by registering the movement of the animal in a predetermined area, such as a milking box. A motion activity system for determining physical condition is described. Known systems that include activity sensors carried by the monitored animal are based on recording the number of movements registered for one or more steps in a computer. The number of registered movements is compared in a computer with corresponding information for different animals. Based on the results of the comparison, the computer displays animals having a number of movements that deviate from the average value for the number of movements of the animal.
An indication of a deviation is then determined as a sign of an abnormal physical condition of the animal, such as a wound, illness, fever, or the like.

[0004] Known systems based on the registration of the number of movements are quite complex and often lead to misleading results.

[0005] Another activity measurement unit is described in WO 97/24027, which is also intended to be carried by livestock animals. It is based on an evaluation of the electrical pulses generated when the animal moves. The evaluation is made on a time basis in such a way that information is sent to the evaluation station when the number of pulses in a predetermined time exceeds a certain threshold. The frequency of the transmitted information is collected and used to diagnose various animal conditions.

[0006] The unit known from WO 97/24027 is also based on the registration of the number of activities / movements, which is reported to the evaluation system in the preferred energy saving manner,
It is somewhat difficult to get quick results on the actual movement of the animal. Yet another motion activity system is found in US Pat. No. 5,183,056 and in EP-A 0423394 which describes inductive motion sensors. Those known sensors are based on spherical magnetic members movable in an elliptical cavity surrounded by an electric coil. Movement of the magnetic member in the cavity generates various electrical signals from the coil depending on the actual position of the magnetic member in the cavity. Motion activity systems are mainly used for cardiac pacemakers and as anti-theft sensors.

[0007] The known systems described above must be attached to the body of the object to be monitored in a fairly secure manner. If the object is an animal that moves freely within a predetermined area, the signal generated by the system must be transmitted by a wireless transmitter for evaluation at an evaluation station. This wireless transmitter increases the cost of the system, each of which is itself quite complex.

[0008] It is well known to utilize transponder units attached to animals for identification of individual livestock animals. Such transponder identifiers are eg US
-A-4510495, US-A-4247758, US-A-4618861
And WO 95/32616.

[0009] Although such transponders only provide identification information, they do not provide any information about animal movement.

[0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a reliability which is mainly a basic stationary positioning system which generates activity information which is easy to evaluate at an evaluation station in order to obtain a fast and accurate diagnosis of various conditions of the monitored animal. To overcome the shortcomings of the known systems described above to have a high monitoring system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This object is achieved by a device of the type specified at the outset, wherein the sensor means comprises an intensity measuring device whose output signal is related to the amplitude, transient and / or rising time of the animal. It represents movement and is supplied to the evaluation station including a processor for the determination of various states of the animal.

It is also achieved by a method of the type specified at the outset, wherein the sensed operating state is an indication of the animal's movement intensity in terms of signal amplitude, transient, and / or rise time, and said signal is the animal's movement intensity. Are processed at the evaluation station for the determination of various states of the

[0013] The purpose is based on direct monitoring of animals in a predetermined animal area, mainly by a stationary basic monitoring system, which evaluates the amplitude, transient and / or rise time of the generated signal. This provides a safe and fast system for diagnosing various conditions such as general agitation, restlessness and heat.

Preferably, the intensity measuring device is an image capturing device for observing the movement of an animal, and the image captured by the device is supplied to the evaluation station in the form of an electrical output signal. Thereby, the obtained information is easily transferred to the evaluation station and evaluated.

[0015] Preferably, the intensity measuring device includes a combination of an inductive motion activity sensor worn by an observed animal and an image capturing device for observing the motion of the animal, and an output signal from the activity sensor and the image capturing device. Are processed at the evaluation station for the determination of the various states of the animal, and if both of the signal generating means display significant signal values simultaneously, consider the state to be true. This allows the information obtained from the two intensity measuring sources, i.e. from the inductive sensor and from the image capture device, to be compared with each other and to provide a safe condition of the condition of the animal when the two measuring sources generate a coincident signal. A decision can be made.

Preferably, the image capture device is a basic, mainly stationary device including a video camera, IR camera or digital camera. Thereby, the electrical signal is generated in analog or digital form, which can be used directly by the evaluation station, which preferably includes electronics processing means.

Preferably, the comparing means comprises a reference signal stored in memory and an obtained output signal for evaluating a strong animal movement indicating a particular state of the animal when a predetermined threshold is crossed. Compare. This provides a reference to the normal state of the actual animal.

Preferably, said intensity measuring device is combined with identification means worn by an animal,
The identification means is in information communication with the evaluation station for identification of the animals actually monitored. This allows only the monitored animal to be identified, which is important when comparing the stored individual animal data with the data obtained from the captured images.

Preferably, said identification means is a transponder wirelessly connected to a transponder receiver, said transponder receiver being electrically connected to said evaluation station. This provides a fast and direct transmission of simple information about individual animals.

Preferably, an output signal from the processor is used as a control signal for a milking robot. This allows the generated signal indicating the state of the animal to be used directly for the operation of an animal handling device such as a milking robot.

With the device and method according to the invention, it is possible to register all the movements taken by the animal monitored by the basic image capture device. Therefore, from the generated signal, it is possible to have information on the instantaneous "psychological state" of the animal only by judging the amplitude and / or frequency and / or rise time and / or transient of the signal. Accordingly, transient-rich signals may be determined as animal fever.
High frequency signals are often indicative of anxious or restless animals, while signals with fast rise time definitions can be indicative of excited animals. On the other hand, a calm and regular signal with no transients or the like will indicate a quiet animal.

The signal evaluated at the evaluation station may be used as such a health indicator, but it can also be used as a control input for an automatic milking robot or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows in a simple manner the image capture area monitored by the invention. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram for a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a diagram showing the processing output of the image capture device registered on the tape giving samples for different signal indications and its decision.

Detailed Description FIG. 1 shows in a simple manner an image capture area 1 monitored by a stationary basic monitoring device 4 shown in the form of a camera device. The camera device 4 is preferably an electric cable 3
To generate an image signal which is supplied to the evaluation station 21 (FIG. 2). The animal 6 to be monitored is equipped with a transponder 2 connected wirelessly 7 to a transponder receiver 22 (FIG. 2) for supplying individual animal identification data to the evaluation station.

Preferably, but not necessary, the guidance activity sensor 5 is also worn by the animal 6. The activity sensor 5 is also in wireless communication 9 with an evaluation station through a receiver 23 (FIG. 2) for supplying signals representing animal movements comparable to those obtained from the camera device 4. A guidance device 5 including a wireless transmitter is mounted in a suitable location on the animal's body, for example on one of the legs as shown.

The evaluation signal at the evaluation station may be used as a control input to the milking robot 8 shown in FIG.

FIG. 1 b shows a robot chamber with a milking robot 8, a monitoring device 4 and a gate 10 to the robot chamber. The milking robot 8 includes a teat cup 13, a valve 11 connected to the teat cup 13 and a pulsator 12 connected to the teat cup. The monitoring device 4 is connected to the evaluation station 21 and the gate 10, and the teat cup 13, the valve 11 and The pulsator 12 is connected to a control station 14 connected to an evaluation station 21.

The evaluation station 21 receives a signal from the monitoring device 4. The signals are evaluated and then transferred to a control station for controlling the milking robot 8. If the evaluated signal establishes that an unusual event has occurred, for example, that the animal to be milked is in a panic condition, the milking operation is controlled by control station 14 such as closing valve 11 and turning pulsator 12 off. It can be stopped and interrupted by removing the teatcup 13. Thereafter, the milking robot waits for the gate 10 to be opened to release the animal, or for the animal to calm down and try to milk again.

The evaluated signal can also control the feeding of the animal.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram for a preferred embodiment of the present invention including a camera device and a guidance motion sensor 5. Transponder 2 to identify the animal actually monitored
Is also used.

As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the camera device 4 is a basic monitoring device that supplies signals of captured images of the whole or a part of the monitored animal. Said signal is supplied to the evaluation station 21 via the cable 3. Said supply signals are processed by an evaluation station 21 for the determination of various conditions of the monitored animal. Evaluation is Figure 3
As described further below with respect to amplitude, frequency, transients and / or rise times.

Basically, the camera device 4 may be the only signal source for implementing the present invention. However, to obtain a more reliable determination of the generated signal design, the camera device source is combined with the inductive motion sensor 5 described above. Therefore, the comparing means 24 compares the information signals obtained from the two intensity measuring sources, that is, the information signals obtained from the inductive sensor 5 and from the camera device 4 with each other. Produce a safe determination of the state of the

Preferably, the transponder signal from the transponder receiver 22 activates the memory device 26 so that the actual state of the animal can be compared with the normal values for the animal stored in the memory device 26. is there. The individual data stored for the actual animal is then supplied to the comparison means 24 for individual evaluation.

The resulting evaluation signal is processed in processing means 25 for various purposes as shown in FIG. The processing means 25 generates a control signal for the milking robot 8.
Other processing means generated signals are provided to a personal computer 28 programmed to visually describe the animal condition that has occurred and to a printer device 27.

FIG. 3 shows a tape registration obtained from the printer 27 shown in FIG. 2, for example. The registration print shown in FIG. 3 is a plot of intensity versus time compressed for illustrative purposes only, and may show some possible displays obtained by the system according to the present invention.

The first section 31 of the intensity / time diagram shows a calm and regular progression of a signal having a normal amplitude / intensity and a long rise time. Such a signal is representative of a quiet animal.

The second section 32 shown in FIG. 3 is a signal characterized by a high amplitude / intensity and a fairly fast rise time. This signal indicates that the animal is excited.

The third section 33 of FIG. 3 shows a high frequency signal indicating an anxious or restless animal.

Finally, the fourth zone 34 of FIG. 3 once again shows a somewhat regular signal progression similar to that of zone 31, but is rich in transients. Such a signal determines that the animal is fevering.

It should be noted that the camera 4 may be located on the animal as shown in FIG. 1 or on the robot arm of the robot 8.

The described device and method according to the invention is applicable to all domestic animals, but preferably relates to milking animals such as cows, sheep, goats, buffaloes and horses.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows, in a simple manner, an image capture area monitored according to the invention.

FIG. 1b: robotic chamber with milking robot 8, monitoring device 4 and gate 1 to robotic chamber
Indicates 0.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram for a preferred example of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram showing the processing output of the image capture device registered on the tape giving samples for different signal representations and its decision.

[Procedural Amendment] Submission of translation of Article 34 Amendment of the Patent Cooperation Treaty

[Submission date] March 9, 2000 (200.3.9)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE ), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SL, SZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR , BY, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL , IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. Sensor means (2, 4, 5) for sensing at least one operating condition of an animal, said sensor means comprising at least one intensity measuring device (4, 5) whose output signal is indicative of the movement of the animal. And transmission means (3, 7, 9) for the transmission of the output signal from the intensity measuring device (4, 5) to the evaluation station (21) for the determination of various conditions of the animal. An apparatus for monitoring the activity of an animal (6), wherein the output signal from said intensity measuring device (4,5) is representative of the animal's movement in terms of amplitude, transient and / or rise time, and said intensity measuring device (4, 5) comprises an image capture device (4) for observing the movement of the animal, wherein the image captured by said device is supplied to the evaluation station (21) in the form of an electrical output signal. apparatus. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said intensity measuring device includes a combination of an inductive activity sensor mounted on an animal to be observed and an image capturing device for observing the movement of the animal. Output signals from the activity sensor (5) and the image capture device (4) are used to determine various states of the animal at the evaluation station (2).
Apparatus according to claim 1, processed in 1), wherein the condition is considered true if both of the signal generating means display significant signal values simultaneously. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the image capturing device is a basic, mainly stationary device including a video camera, an IR camera or a digital camera. 4. A memory (26) for comparing a strong animal movement which indicates a particular state of the animal when a predetermined threshold is crossed.
And comparing the reference signal stored in the memory with the obtained output signal.
The apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 3. 5. The intensity measuring device (5) is combined with an identification means (2) worn by an animal, said identification means being used for identifying said actually monitored animal (6) by said evaluation station (21). 2. The information connection of claim 1 wherein:
The device according to any one of claims 4 to 4. 6. The transponder, wherein the identification means (2) is a transponder wirelessly connected to a transponder receiver (22), the transponder receiver being electrically connected to the evaluation station (21). An apparatus according to claim 5. 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein an output signal from the processor is used as a control signal for a milking robot (8). 8. A method for monitoring the movement activity of an animal (6), including sensing at least one movement state of the animal and transmitting the information to an evaluation station (21) for processing the obtained information. Wherein the sensed operating condition is a signal amplitude,
Displaying the movement intensity of the animal with respect to transients and / or rise times;
And wherein the indication of the motion intensity of the animal includes signal generation by an image capture device (4) for observing the motion of the animal, wherein the image captured by the device is supplied to the evaluation station (21) in the form of an electrical signal. A method comprising: 9. An activity sensor comprising a combination of signal generation by an inductive activity sensor (5) worn by an animal to be monitored (6) and signal generation by an image capture device (4) for observing animal movement. And the output signal from the image capture device is processed at the evaluation station (21) for determination of various states of the animal, and the state if both of the signal generating means simultaneously display significant signal values. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein is considered true. 10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising a transponder signal from a transponder worn by the animal for identification of the animal actually monitored. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the transponder signal is activity reference data stored individually in the evaluation station for all animals that can be monitored. 12. A method comprising: comparing a generated reference signal with a stored reference signal for evaluation of strong movements that indicate a serious condition of the animal when a predetermined threshold is crossed. A method according to any of claims 8 to 11. 13. The method according to claim 8, further comprising determining the signals processed at the evaluation station to obtain control signals for use in connection with the milking robot. Or the method described.