JP2008092878A - Estrus detection method, disease detecting method and estrus detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for detecting the start of estrus and the disease contraction of livestock to detect the estrus and the disease contraction from the number of steps of the livestock and detect the estrus in high accuracy. <P>SOLUTION: One day is divided into a plurality of measuring time zones, a pedometer 30 is attached to a livestock 8, and the number of steps of the livestock is measured. The estrus of the livestock is decided to be started, when formula w<SB>i</SB>(0)>A<SB>i</SB>+σ<SB>i</SB>×α<SB>i</SB>is satisfied continuously Q<SB>i</SB>times (Q<SB>i</SB>is an integer of 3 or larger), wherein w<SB>i</SB>(0) is the measured number of steps in one measuring time zone, A<SB>i</SB>is the average value of the difference between the step numbers w<SB>i</SB>(1) and w<SB>i</SB>(m) at the same measuring time zone, w<SB>i</SB>(m) is the step number of the one time zone for the past m days from the previous day, σ<SB>i</SB>is the standard deviation, and α<SB>i</SB>is a preset estrus correction factor (1≤α<SB>i</SB>). Since the decision is based on the average value of the measuring time zone of the same time, the average value varies in synchronism with the measured value of the measuring time zone and enables decision of high accuracy. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for detecting the start of estrus and morbidity in livestock, and more particularly to a technique for detecting estrus and morbidity from the number of steps of livestock.

In order to shorten the calving interval and increase calf production, it is important to discriminate the estrus time of the cow, and a technique for measuring the number of steps of the cow and determining the start time of estrus has been put into practical use. For example, efficient insemination is performed by detecting the estrus start time and grasping the pregnancy possible period according to the following known documents.
JP 2003-325077 A

  However, in the method of the prior art, the accuracy of detection of the start time is poor and sufficient results are not obtained.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention attaches a pedometer to a female livestock, divides 24 hours a day into a plurality of measurement time zones having the same time every day, and determines the measurement time from the measurement results of the pedometer. the number of steps w _i of the livestock in the band to previously obtain every band the measurement time, the number of steps of the measurement time period of the one measurement time slot and the same time from the previous day past predetermined number of days m days w _i (1) to w _i The average value A _i and standard deviation value σ _{i of} (m) are obtained by the following formulas (1) and (2), the measured value w _i (0) of the number of steps in the one measurement time zone on the day, and the average value From A _i , a preset estrus correction coefficient α _i (where 1 ≦ α _i ) and the standard deviation value σ ₁ , the following equation (3) is continuously Q _i times (Q _i is 3 This is an estrus period detection method that determines that the estrus period of the livestock has started when the above is established.
A _i = (w _i (1) + w _i (2) + …… + w _i (m)) / m (1)
σ _i = √ [{(w _i (1) −A _i ) ² + (w _i (2) −A _i ) ² + …… + (w _i (m) −A _i ) ² } / m] (2)
w _i (0)> A _i + σ _i × α _i (3)
The present invention also attaches a pedometer to livestock, divides 24 hours a day into a plurality of measurement time zones at the same time every day, and from the measurement results of the pedometer, the step count w of the livestock within the measurement time zone. _i is obtained for each measurement time zone, and the average value A _{i of the} number of steps w _i (1) to w _i (m) in the measurement time zone at the same time as the one measurement time zone in the past m days from the previous day. And the standard deviation value σ _i are calculated by the following formulas (1) and (2), the measurement value w _i (0) of the number of steps in the one measurement time zone on the day, and the average value A _i are set in advance. From the disease correction coefficient β _i (where 0 <β _i <1) and the standard deviation value σ ₁ , the following formula (4) is continuously established R _i times (R _i is an integer of 3 or more). In this case, the disease detection method determines that the livestock is affected.
A _i = (w _i (1) + w _i (2) + …… + w _i (m)) / m (1)
σ _i = √ [{(w _i (1) −A _i ) ² + (w _i (2) −A _i ) ² + …… + (w _i (m) −A _i ) ² } / m] (2)
w _i (0) <A _i −σ _i × β _i ...... (4)
Further, the present invention provides a pedometer to be attached to livestock, a receiving device that wirelessly receives the measurement result of the pedometer, an input means for inputting a numerical value, and a numerical value input by the input means for an estrus correction coefficient α _i. And 24 hours a day are divided into a plurality of measurement time zones having the same time every day, and the number of steps of the livestock within the measurement time zone is obtained for each measurement time zone from the measurement result of the pedometer The average value A _i and the standard deviation value σ _{i of the} number of steps in the measurement time zone at the same time as the one measurement time zone in the past predetermined days m days from the previous day are expressed by the following equations (1), (2),
A _i = (w _i (1) + w _i (2) + …… + w _i (m)) / m (1)
σ _i = √ [{(w _i (1) −A _i ) ² + (w _i (2) −A _i ) ² + …… + (w _i (m) −A _i ) ² } / m] (2)
And a measurement value w _i (0) of the number of steps in the one measurement time zone of the day, the average value A _i, and a preset estrus correction coefficient α _i (where 1 ≦ α _i ) and the standard deviation value σ ₁ , the following equation (3):
w _i (0)> A _i + σ _i × α _i (3)
Is an estrus period detection device having a judging means for judging that the estrus period of the livestock has started when Q _i is continuously established Q _i times or more (Q _i is an integer of 3 or more).
Further, the present invention includes means for setting a numerical value input by the input means to a disease correction coefficient β _i (where 0 <β _i <1),
The determination means includes the following equation (4):
w _i (0) <A _i −σ _i × β _i ...... (4)
Is an estrus detection device configured to determine that the livestock is afflicted when Ri is continuously established _Ri times (R _i is an integer of 3 or more).

Since the start time of estrus is accurately detected, the success rate of insemination increases. In addition, since diseased livestock can be found, early treatment can be realized.
Since the average and standard deviation of the measurement time zone at the same time are obtained, the number of steps when the livestock is placed in the same situation can be compared, compared to the case where the average value of the continuous measurement time zone is used. Increases accuracy.
Since the total number of steps up to the previous day is used as a reference and compared with the number of steps on the current day, the change on the current day is not included in the reference value, and the comparison accuracy is increased.

Reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1 indicates an estrus timing detection apparatus capable of implementing the present invention.
The estrus timing detection device 10 includes a counting device 20 and a pedometer 30.
The tally device 20 includes a computer 21 disposed indoors and a communication device 23 disposed outdoors, and the communication device 23 and the computer 21 are configured to transmit and receive signals by wired connection. ing. An antenna 22 is connected to the communication device 23, and as described later, the pedometer 30 and the communication device 23 are configured to transmit and receive signals via the antenna 22.

  The pedometer 30 is attached to the leg or neck of the livestock 8 (here, a cow) by a belt or the like. A housing is attached to the belt of the pedometer 30, and a walking discrimination device 31, a control device 32, a clock 33, an antenna 34, and a battery 35 are disposed inside the housing. The walking discriminating device 31, the control device 32, and the clock 33 are operated by electric power supplied from the battery 35 (FIG. 2).

  When the livestock 8 walks with the pedometer 30 attached, vibration is applied to the pedometer 30, and the walking discrimination device 31 determines whether or not the cow with the pedometer 30 walked one step from the state of the applied vibration. . If it is determined that the user has taken one step, the walking determination device 31 outputs a signal to the control device 32. The control device 32 advances the counter every time a signal indicating walking is input.

In the present invention, 24 hours a day are divided into a plurality of measurement time zones, and the counter value is reset to zero at the measurement start time of each measurement time zone, and the counter is incremented until the measurement end time. The
When the measurement of the i-th measurement time zone ends within the pedometer 30 and the measurement of the i + 1-th measurement time zone (the first measurement time zone of the next day when i = n) is started, the i-th measurement time zone starts. The number of steps in the measurement time zone is transferred from the counter to the storage device.

In the control device 32 of each pedometer 30, an identification number for distinguishing the pedometers 30 from each other is stored, and the value of the step count is obtained as step count data after the measurement of the i-th measurement time zone is completed. It is transmitted from the antenna 34 in the pedometer 30 together with the identification number immediately or after the measurement is completed and after a predetermined time has elapsed.
In the (i + 1) th (or the next day's first) measurement time zone, the counter value starts from zero.
The transmission circuit in the control device 32 is configured such that power is supplied from the battery 35 only when data is transmitted, so that the life of the battery 35 is extended.

When the transmission data is received by the communication device 23 via the antenna 22 of the counting device 20, the received data is stored in the storage device of the computer 21 in association with the identification number and the measurement time in the measurement time zone. The
When stored in the storage device of the computer 21, a storage completion signal is transmitted from the totaling device 20 with an identification number. If the pedometer 30 corresponding to this receives, the transmission of the step count data of the i-th measurement time slot | zone will be complete | finished.

  The individual of the livestock 8 is managed by the identification number also on the counting device 20 side, and if the identification number is known, it is possible to determine which livestock 8 is the received step count data. In the storage device of the computer 21, the step count data is stored in association with the measurement time zone for each livestock 8.

24 hours a day is divided in the same way every day, and if it is divided into n measurement time zones, the start time and end time of the i-th (1 ≦ i ≦ n) measurement time zone are every day. It is the same time. The end time of the i-th measurement time zone is the measurement start time of the (i + 1) -th measurement time zone (if i = n, the first measurement time zone of the next day), and each measurement time zone is divided to be continuous. ing.
In the computer, in order to compare the received number of steps in the i-th measurement time zone with the number of steps in the past, first, the measurement at the same time every day from the previous day (the day before the current day) to the predetermined number of days ago. An average value is obtained from the number of steps in the time zone (here, the i-th measurement time zone).

Here, when the number of steps m days before the i-th measurement time zone is represented by w _i (m), the average number of steps A _i from the previous day to m days ago is
A _i = (w _i (1) + w _i (2) + …… + w _i (m)) / m (1)
It is.
The standard deviation σ _i from the previous day to m days ago is calculated from the average number of steps A _i and the number m of measurement time zones.
σ _i = √ [{(w _i (1) −A _i ) ² + (w _i (2) −A _i ) ² + …… + (w _i (m) −A _i ) ² } / m] (2)
(√ (X) represents the square root of X).
In calculating the average number of steps A _i and the standard deviation value σ _i , the number of steps w _i (0) in the i-th measurement time zone of the day is not used.

Breeding activities such as feeding and cleaning work are carried out at the same time every day, and livestock behave at the same time every day at the same time in order to take actions according to those breeding activities. Become. As described above, the average number of steps A _{i in} the same measurement time zone on the current day and the past several days is the result of averaging the number of steps when the same action is taken, so the average number of steps A _i is the time of the measurement time zone. It changes according to.

In the present invention, the measurement results of daily steps of livestock in the breeding place and the presence or absence of estrus are examined in advance, and an estrus correction coefficient α _i (1 ≦ α _i ≦ 2) of 1 to 2 is set. .
Further, the reference number Q _i is input in advance by the input device (keyboard or mouse) of the computer 21 (3 ≦ Q _i ), and the number of steps w _i (0) in the i-th measurement time zone of the day, From the average number of steps A _{i in} the measurement time zone at the same time in the past predetermined number of days m, the standard deviation value σ _i, and the estrus correction coefficient α _i ,
w _i (0)> A _i + σ _i × α _i (3)
When the measurement time zone in which is satisfied continues for more than the reference count Q _i times, the livestock starts estrus at the middle time between the measurement start time and the measurement end time in the measurement time zone in which equation (3) is established first It comes to judge that. That is, first, an intermediate time between the measurement start time and the measurement end time in the measurement time zone in which the expression (3) is established is determined as the estrus start time.
However, the measurement start time may be determined as the estrus start time, or the measurement end time may be the estrus start time.

  The graphs in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the number of steps and calculated values of cows when 24 hours a day are divided into 24 measurement time zones starting from 0 o'clock. 3 is N0.448 cow, Figure 4 is No. 365 cow), the number of steps (◇) in each measurement time zone, and the same as each measurement time zone for 7 days from 1 day before to 7 days before the measurement time zone Add 1.5 times the standard deviation of each time zone for 7 days from 1 day before to 7 days before the average value (□) of the number of steps in the time measurement time body and the average value of each measurement time zone. A plot of the value obtained by subtracting 0.5 times the standard deviation of each time zone for 7 days from 1 day before to 7 days before the average value of each measurement time zone (▲) , And the line segment connecting them.

  In FIG. 3, the measurement start time is 15:00 of April 15th, 2006 from 17:00 to 21:00, and the number of steps in one hour is 3 times or more in succession. It exceeds the value obtained by adding five times the value, and 17:30 can be determined as the estrus start time.

  In FIG. 4, the measurement start time is a measurement time zone of November 10th, 2005 from 3:00:00 to 11:00, and the number of steps is continuously three times or more, and the average value is 1.5 times the standard deviation. Since the added value is exceeded, 3:30 can be determined as the estrus start time.

  Figures 5 and 6 show the same number of steps from the same data for the past 24 hours (24 consecutive measurement time zones in the past) and 7 days each (7 x 24 consecutive measurement time zones). This is the result of calculating the average number of steps (▲) and plotting it along with the number of steps in each measurement time zone.

In the case of FIGS. 3 and 4, the fluctuation of the average value for each measurement time zone is synchronized with the fluctuation value of the number of steps for each measurement time zone, and the estrus start time can be clearly determined.
On the other hand, in FIGS. 5 and 6, the average value is substantially constant and does not follow the fluctuation for each measurement time zone, so the estrus start time cannot be detected.

Note that the number of steps is measured in advance, and a disease correction coefficient β _i (where 0 <β _i <1) is set. Further, the reference number R _i (3 ≦ R _i ) is input in advance by the input means of the computer 21, and the disease correction coefficient β _i and the reference number R _{i are used} in FIG. From the measurement time zone with 0:00 as the measurement start time,
w _i (0) <A _i −σ _i × β _i ...... (4)
Is continuously established R _i times (R _i = 3, β _i = 0.5 in FIG. 3), and it can be determined that this cow was affected at 3:30.

In the above, the length of each measurement time zone is 1 hour, but it may be shorter (for example, 30 minutes) or longer (for example, 2 hours). Moreover, it is not limited to the case where all the measurement time zones of the day are set to the same length. For example, the length of the measurement time zone can be set to a short time when the number of steps is the time of the day. .
Moreover, although the above demonstrated the case where livestock was a cow, it can apply widely to the livestock raised by the regular schedule every day.

The reference times Q _i and R _i can be changed at any time by an input device of the computer 21. In addition, the estrus correction coefficient α _i and morbidity correction coefficient β _i can be changed, and if the ranch is different, the breeding method and the breeding environment are different. Can be changed.
In the above embodiment, the communication device 23 and the computer 21 are configured to be able to transmit and receive signals by wired connection. However, the communication device 23 and the computer 21 are not connected by wired connection, but are connected by wireless communication, wireless LAN, telephone line, and cellular phone line. May be.

Diagram for explaining the estrus detection system Pedometer internal circuit block diagram Graph to explain how to determine estrus start time from number of steps of cow (1) Graph to explain how to determine the estrus start time from the number of steps of the cow (2) Graph of the number of steps in each measurement period of cows and the average value of consecutive measurement periods (1) Graph of the number of steps in each measurement period of cows and the average value of continuous measurement periods (2)

Explanation of symbols

8 ... Cow 20 ... Counting device 21 ... Computer 30 ... Pedometer

Claims (4)

A pedometer is attached to a female livestock,
The 24 hours a day and divided into a plurality of measurement time zone to be the same time every day, to previously obtain the number of steps w _i of the livestock in the measurement time zone for each of the measurement time zone from the measurement result of the pedometer,
The average value A _i and standard deviation value σ _{i of the} number of steps w _i (1) to w _i (m) in the measurement time zone at the same time as the one measurement time zone from the previous day in the past predetermined number of m days are represented by the following (1). , (2)
A _i = (w _i (1) + w _i (2) + …… + w _i (m)) / m (1)
σ _i = √ [{(w _i (1) −A _i ) ² + (w _i (2) −A _i ) ² + …… + (w _i (m) −A _i ) ² } / m] (2)
The measurement value w _i (0) of the number of steps in the one measurement time zone on the day, the average value A _i , a preset estrus correction coefficient α _i (where 1 ≦ α _i ), and the standard deviation value σ _{From 1} , the following equation (3),
w _i (0)> A _i + σ _i × α _i (3)
The estrus period detection method that determines that the estrus period of the livestock has started when is established for a reference number of times Q _i (Q _i is an integer of 3 or more) continuously. Put a pedometer on livestock,
The 24 hours a day and divided into a plurality of measurement time zone to be the same time every day, to previously obtain the number of steps w _i of the livestock in the measurement time zone for each of the measurement time zone from the measurement result of the pedometer,
The average value A _i and standard deviation value σ _{i of the} number of steps w _i (1) to w _i (m) in the measurement time zone at the same time as the one measurement time zone from the previous day in the past predetermined number of m days are represented by the following (1). , (2)
A _i = (w _i (1) + w _i (2) + …… + w _i (m)) / m (1)
σ _i = √ [{(w _i (1) −A _i ) ² + (w _i (2) −A _i ) ² + …… + (w _i (m) −A _i ) ² } / m] (2)
The measurement value w _i (0) of the number of steps in the one measurement time zone on the day, the average value A _i , a disease correction coefficient β _i (where 0 <β _i <1), and the standard deviation From the value σ ₁ , the following equation (4):
w _i (0) <A _i −σ _i × β _i ...... (4)
Is a disease detection method for determining that the domestic animal has been affected when R _i is continuously established for a reference number of times _Ri (R _i is an integer of 3 or more). A pedometer attached to livestock,
A receiving device for wirelessly receiving the measurement result of the pedometer;
An input means for inputting numerical values;
Means for setting a numerical value input by the input means to an estrus correction coefficient α _i ;
Dividing 24 hours a day into a plurality of measurement time zones having the same time every day, and obtaining the number of steps of the livestock within the measurement time zone for each measurement time zone from the measurement result of the pedometer, The average value A _i and the standard deviation value σ _{i of the} number of steps in the measurement time zone at the same time as the one measurement time zone for a predetermined number of days are expressed by the following equations (1), (2),
A _i = (w _i (1) + w _i (2) + …… + w _i (m)) / m (1)
σ _i = √ [{(w _i (1) −A _i ) ² + (w _i (2) −A _i ) ² + …… + (w _i (m) −A _i ) ² } / m] (2)
And calculating means obtained by
The measurement value w _i (0) of the number of steps in the one measurement time zone on the day, the average value A _i , a preset estrus correction coefficient α _i (where 1 ≦ α _i ), and the standard deviation value σ _{From 1} , the following equation (3),
w _i (0)> A _i + σ _i × α _i (3)
An estrus period detecting device having a judging means for judging that the estrus period of the livestock has started when Q _i is continuously established for Q _i times (Q _i is an integer of 3 or more). Means for setting the numerical value input by the input means to a disease correction coefficient β _i (where 0 <β _i <1);
The determination means includes the following equation (4):
w _i (0) <A _i −σ _i × β _i ...... (4)
4. The estrus detection device according to claim 3, wherein the estrus detection device is configured to determine that the livestock is afflicted when R _i continues for R _i times (R _i is an integer of 3 or more).

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