JPH01280222A - Method and device for measuring dynamic weight of animal capable of walking - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To accurately measure the still weight of an animal by calculating the walking periodicity of the animal from the weighed value data of the walking animal and setting an effective data section from the weighed value data based on the walking periodicity. CONSTITUTION:An electrical signal showing the weighed value of the animal which walks on a weighing means S is transmitted to a storage means 6A in a measuring and processing part H to store the time sequence data of the weighed value. The walking periodicity thereof is calculated from the time sequence data of the weighed value by a walking periodicity estimating means 6B. Then, the effective data section is set from the time sequence data based on the walking periodicity in an effective data section setting means 6C and the value of the still weight of the walking animal can be accurately measured from the time sequence data in the effective data section by an operation means 6D.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In this specification, "animal dynamic weight measurement method" means "
``Measurement method for obtaining static weight values of an animal during a moving movement''.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a dynamic weight measurement method and apparatus for measuring the weight of an ambulatory animal in a short period of time by determining the weight value of the ambulatory animal while the animal is walking.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, as a means of measuring the weight of an ambulatory animal, the ambulatory animal is forcibly stopped on a scale with the exit closed, so that the ambulatory animal is at rest or in a nearly stable state on the scale. The weight of an animal that can walk is determined based on the weighing data measured in this stable state.

Incidentally, a method for forcing a walking animal to stop on a scale is to close the exit gate of the walking path formed on the scale. Then, when the animal is in a stable state and the desired weight data is obtained, the exit gate is opened. (For example, JP-A-59-73735, JP-A-6D-3062)
(See Publication No. 6) [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] According to the conventional measurement method, it is necessary to wait until the ambulatory animal becomes substantially stationary and stable on the weighing device. There is a disadvantage that it cannot be measured, and there is also a disadvantage that it is easy to cause stress to the animal, especially due to the fact that an ambulatory animal must be forcibly stopped on the scale. This had the disadvantage that it took a long time to come to a standstill.

Moreover, if the stress is memorized, the patient will want to avoid getting on the scale during subsequent repeated measurements, which has the disadvantage of being inefficient in terms of time when measuring the weight of a large number of animals one after another. Ta.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and its purpose is to improve time efficiency and to avoid stress on ambulatory animals, while also allowing the obtained weighing value data to be The object of the present invention is to provide a method for accurately measuring the weight of an animal, which varies depending on walking, and an apparatus that can rationally carry out the method.

In particular, the present invention provides a measuring gait method that allows not only the rapid measurement of the weight of a single animal, but also the individual weight of a large number of animals, numbering up to several thousand or more, quickly and efficiently. We also aim to provide equipment.

In the following, the invention described in the above "2. Scope of Claims", for example, the invention according to "Claim 1" will be abbreviated as "Claim 1 invention", and the structure described in Claim 1 will be referred to as "Claim 1 invention". It will be abbreviated as ``Configuration of Section 1''.

[Regarding the invention of claim 1] [Means for solving the problem] The starting point of the method for measuring the weight of an ambulatory animal according to the present invention is:
It is as follows.

In other words, (1) while an ambulatory animal is made to walk on a scale, the weight value data of the walking animal obtained by the weighing means is sequentially captured; [2) the walking periodicity is calculated from the weight value data; (3) has a first starting point at a point at which a valid data section is set from the weighed value data based on the walking periodicity; Calculate the static weight value of the walking animal by calculation from the weighed value data in the data interval, and (5) dynamically capture the dynamic weight of the walking animal while it is actively walking using the above method. .

The term "gait periodicity" as used herein refers to a period of variation in weighed value data due to weighing variation factors added to the weighing means as the animal walks. Possible factors contributing to this variation include changes over time in the center of gravity as the animal walks, and changes over time in the energy generated and dissipated in the animal's muscles. Since this period of fluctuation is associated with the walking of the animal, it is possible to correlate the period of fluctuation of this weighed value data with the walking period of the animal.

Evaluating the data and determining its effective data interval based on this walking cycle is a major step in calculating an accurate resting weight value when weighing such an animal while it is walking. This is an advantage.

(Summary of the invention of claim 1) (1) <Achieving the purpose with high accuracy in weighing in a short time> The present invention is to weigh the static weight of one walking animal in an extremely short time. It is something that you are trying to get by
For this purpose, the intermediate step between the walking to get the ambulatory animal onto the weighing machine and the walking to get off the weighing machine is
The starting point is to read the static weight of the animal by actively walking on the scale after walking to get the animal onto the scale, and then weighing the animal while walking on the scale. However, if a walking animal is made to walk on a scale and its weight is obtained, then by actively walking on the scale with a rhythm, the spirit of this walking animal will be able to adapt to this walking. Because the walking animal on the scale is directed towards itself, both the body and mind of the walking animal on the scale appear to be in a stable state. From the time you pick it up to the time you unload it,
The fact that it can be done in a short time is described in the patent application filed on April 30, 1988 by the present applicant and the same person, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Measuring the Weight of Ambulatory Animals" (a copy of which is attached to the specification of this application). I have just written it down.

The starting point of the invention of claim 1 in the specification of the present application is to provide a method for obtaining the static weight of the animal with particularly high accuracy while reducing the time during this weighing.

(2) <Advantages of using periodicity during animal walking>1> Every time the animal's legs contact the weighing surface intermittently on the scale, the leg that touches the weighing surface moves from the leg that touches the weighing surface to the weighing surface. Since an impact is applied, the weighing value changes each time each leg makes contact.

(2) The weighing value of the scale changes every time the leg that is in contact with the weighing surface kicks the weighing surface in order to move forward.

3) Furthermore, due to the walking motion of the animal on the scale, the position of the animal's spine swings up and down, and the internal organs also swing up and down, left and right, and back and forth, and the weighed value also fluctuates.

(4) However, the changes in the weighed value due to the causes (1) to (3) above are induced by the rhythm caused by the walking of the animal walking on the scale, so The present inventor considered that the static weight of the animal on the scale can be read by averaging the weighed values in units of one cycle of the animal's walking motion.

<5> [It is easy to obtain the resting weight of the animal by averaging the weighing values during one cycle of walking motion] (a) However, when the leg is lowered onto the weighing surface and hits it with an impact, In this case, it acts as a dynamic load, so it appears as if twice the force of a static load was applied.

Therefore, this leg makes impactful contact with the weighing surface. The weighing value changes greatly at the moment when the weight hits.

(b) At the moment when the leg that is in contact with the weighing surface steps on the weighing surface in order to move the body forward, a change in the weighing value also occurs.

(c) However, in any of the cases described in (a) and (o) above, as a reaction force to the force described in (b) and (0) above, a force of the same magnitude and direction is In contrast, the animal receives an upward force.

Therefore, the weighing value due to the reaction force is Change will soon disappear.

Therefore, if we average the weighed values in units of time equivalent to one cycle of the animal's movement on the scale, we can obtain the above (a) and (1).
111) The change in the weight value due to the force described in item 111) is the same as zero.

6〉Changes in weight values due to the up-and-down movement of the spine and the up-and-down, side-to-side, back-and-forth movement of the internal organs caused by the animal walking on the scale also occur along with the rhythm of walking.
For ease of understanding, if we assume that this change is a sinusoidal relationship with the same period as the walking cycle, then if we average the weight values within a time period equivalent to one walking cycle, we can calculate the weight value caused by the oscillation. The inventors have found that the effect of the change is almost zero and does not interfere with obtaining the static weight of the animal to be measured.

Therefore, the weighing value of an animal walking on a scale can be corrected based on or by averaging the weighing value data corresponding to one or more walking cycles. It has been found that the static weight of an animal can be read relatively accurately despite the small amount of weight value data during a short period of time when the animal walks on the scale.

[Operation of the invention according to claim 1] By using the configuration according to claim 1, as described above, the static weight of the animal can be read with high accuracy just by using the weighing device for a short time.

[Effect of the invention according to claim 1] Due to the above-mentioned action, the static weight can be measured quickly and efficiently, making it easy to manage the health of animals. There is a significant advantage in that the entire weight of the animal can also be determined quickly, efficiently, and accurately.

In order to understand the advantage of the invention of claim 1, when averaging all the weighing value data corresponding to one and a half walking cycles, it is necessary to The advantages of the present invention can be easily understood by taking as an example a situation in which only a value with a large error is obtained.

(Summary of the invention of claim 2) This claim describes how to accurately extract only the data portion corresponding to the walking cycle of a walking animal on a scale from a group of weighed values. This is the starting point of the invention in Section 2.

A part of an animal that has two legs attached to the left and right, such as the left leg of the front legs of a quadruped animal, which kicks the weighing surface in order to move the body forward, during which time the body moves forward. Immediately before the leg, which has moved forward in the air and lands impactfully on the weighing surface, the body part of the base of the left leg is centered on the landing point of the left leg on the weighing surface, and It is lowered along an arc whose radius of rotation is the length of the left leg.

In the next moment, the body part that had been descending comes to be supported by the weighing surface at the moment when the right leg that comes forward lands on the weighing surface, and the descending body part suddenly rises. be.

The moment the right leg lands on the ground, the right leg applies an impulsive force to the weighing surface. When the left leg kicks the weighing surface to move the body forward, the weighing value also shows a maximum value.

In short, when an animal walks on a weighing surface, the weighed value reaches a remarkable peak and a local maximum value appears when its legs come into contact with the weighing surface. However, at times other than the moment when the leg contacts the weighing surface, the weight value changes relatively slowly, and no significant peak-like local maximum value appears.

Therefore, in order to capture the start and end points of one cycle of weighed values that correspond to breaks in one cycle of the animal's walking motion on the weighing surface, the maximum value from the group of weighed values is used to capture the cycle. The inventor has found that it is best to do so.

As a result, it has become possible to very easily capture weighing value data in units of walking cycles of walking animals from a series of weighing value data. This is the remarkable starting point of the invention of claim 2.

[Operation of the invention according to claim 2] For the above reasons, the configuration according to claim 2, that is, captures the maximum value from the weighed value data group and uses it as a periodic starting point of the valid data, and from this, The static weight of the animal to be measured is determined from the small data portion by determining the weighing value data portion that has passed the next walking cycle or the next multiple walking cycles based on the maximum value in the weighing value data group. Can be read with high accuracy.

[Effect of the invention according to claim 2] According to the present invention, a highly accurate static weight value of a walking animal can be obtained quickly and efficiently.

Of course, the above purpose can also be achieved with a large number of ambulatory animals.

Incidentally, the threshold value of the invention of claim 2 may be determined by reading a specific value from a tag attached to each animal and incorporating it into the automatic calculation by wireless communication.

As a result, even if the animal is of the same species, by taking into consideration the body weight status due to the number of years it has lived or its unique developmental state, it becomes easy to detect whether the entire body weight of the animal is on the weighing surface without error. In addition, in carrying out the invention of claim 2, as in the invention of claim 5 described below, if the maximum value that exceeds the threshold for the first time is used as the starting point, it is easy to use a large amount of data up to the last weighed value. Although it is easy to obtain the static weight with high accuracy, it is of course possible to use a plurality of local maximum values.

[Inventions of Claims 3 and 4] In order to determine the threshold value of the invention described in Claim 2, a predetermined value may be used as the threshold value, but it is possible to determine the threshold value by focusing on the maximum value of the weighed value data. If the threshold value is determined using the maximum value, the threshold value can be set in accordance with the weight of the animal to be measured, regardless of changes in the weight of the animal to be measured.

[Inventions of Claims 5 and 6] The method of determining the starting point of the valid data section is specified.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the starting point is the point in time when the maximum value exceeds the threshold value for the first time, and the first important point in time when focusing on the periodicity of walking can be captured.

Further, in claim 6, the starting point is the point at which the maximum value appears after a separately grounded sensor detects that the animal has passed a predetermined first point, and all of the animals are displayed on the weighing surface. By selecting the predetermined first point as the initial position at which the legs should be placed, the effort of detecting whether all the legs are on the weighing surface can be saved.

In addition, in determining the starting point, the method of claim 5 and claim 6 are used.
It is possible to use these methods in combination, and use the point in time at which one of these methods is detected earlier as the starting point.

[Inventions of Claims 7 to 9] This invention specifies a method for determining the end point of a valid data interval, and in each method, the end point is the point in time when a maximum value closely related to gait periodicity appears. .

Incidentally, if a local maximum value appears in the weighed value each time the animal's legs contact the weighing surface, by using the configuration described in claim 9, the four-legged animal can calculate the value between the following four maximum values. There is an advantage in that it is easier to read the static weight correctly if the weighed value of is regarded as one cycle, and in the case of bipedal animals, the weighed value between two adjacent maximum values is regarded as one cycle.

[Invention of Claim 10] In view of the fact that the legs of quadrupedal animals land on the ground at approximately the same time,
The weight is read by determining the cycle based on the maximum value while trying to obtain one maximum value when the object lands.

Therefore, compared to finding the maximum value every time the leg lands,
Weight reading can be simplified.

To explain, animals in the four surroundings, for example, have their front right leg and rear left leg in close temporal contact with the weighing surface, and after a while, the front left leg and rear right leg touch the weighing surface. The legs contact the weighing surface closely in time.

Alternatively, for example, the front right leg and the rear right leg contact the weighing surface in close proximity in time, and then, after a while, the front left leg and the rear left leg contact the weighing surface in temporal proximity. In many cases, the weighing surface comes into contact with the weighing surface.

In such a case, the contacts of the two legs that contact the scale 1 surface in close temporal proximity to the weighing surface are treated as one maximum value by the smoothing described in claim 10, so that There is a significant advantage that it becomes much easier to capture the maximum weight value corresponding to the corresponding walking part.

[Inventions of Claims 11 and 12] This invention specifies a method for determining the end point of a valid data interval, and is effective for removing the last maximum value that occurs when an animal is removed from a weighing device from the valid data interval. be.

[Invention of Claim 13] The weight of the animal is read by calculating the weighing value data within the cycle, with one cycle being between three or four maximum values that appear consecutively within the valid data interval.

[Inventions of Claims 14 to 17] Generally, an average calculation blade is used to read the weight of an animal by calculating weighing value data within a valid data interval.
At that time, by dividing the effective data interval while referring to the local maximum value, averaging the data in each divided interval, and then further averaging the average values for each divided interval, it is possible to read the weight with high layer accuracy. It becomes possible to

In addition, in claim 15, as shown in FIG. 7, the effective data interval is divided while referring to the local maximum values that appear in odd-numbered positions and the local maximum values that appear in even-numbered positions, and the average of each divided interval is calculated. In addition to calculating the average value, the weight of the animal is determined by calculating the average value of the average value, and it is useful to remove the influence of sudden data that appears during the valid data interval. This is considered to be effective.

Incidentally, a moving average method can be used for the above-mentioned average calculation, and in this case, it is also effective to obtain a weighted moving average using a window function.

[Inventions of Claims 18 to 20] The weight is determined by averaging the weighing value data in the valid data interval, and in this case, it is preferable to use a window function to determine a weighted average.

[Invention of Claim 21] The weight value data is taken in as a sampling series and the weight is read by digital processing, which is advantageous in simplifying and speeding up the equipment required for weight reading. .

[Invention of Claim 22] After calculating the correction value by comparing the numerical value obtained by the above-mentioned calculation with the weighed value measured in a stationary state by anesthetizing the animal to be measured, etc., various calculations are performed. By correcting the value, it is possible to more accurately read the correct static weight of the animal being measured.

In other words, the weight calculated by the above-mentioned averaging calculation etc. is not immediately regarded as the weight of the walking animal, but is multiplied by a correction coefficient determined in advance through experiments, etc., or is added or subtracted by a correction value determined in advance through experiments etc. By doing so, it is also possible to improve the -layer measurement accuracy. In other words, there may be a difference between the weight calculated by the above-mentioned averaging calculation and the weight measured with the walking animal standing still. Therefore, correction data such as correction coefficients or correction values for correcting the difference is obtained in advance through experiments, etc., and the calculated weight is corrected using the correction data obtained in advance, thereby further improving measurement accuracy. By the way, the above correction data is for cows, horses, goats,
It is better to decide according to the type of walking animal such as chicken. The reason for this is that different types of walking animals have different walking styles, different systems, etc., and therefore, the above-mentioned differences change depending on the different types of walking animals. Note that when measuring the weight of a stationary walking animal, anesthesia may be used if necessary as described above.

[Invention of Claim 23] By making the animal walk in a straight line toward the exit of the open state in a mentally stable state, it becomes possible to obtain weighed value data with clear periodicity associated with walking.

[Invention of Claim 24] This invention specifies an apparatus for implementing the above method, and the actions and effects of the present invention can be understood based on the actions and effects described in the above method.

In carrying out any of the inventions, the patent application filed on April 30, 1986, attached to this specification, has an invention title of ``Method and Apparatus for Measuring the Weight of Ambulatory Animals'' (the applicant is the patent applicant and As stated in the specification of a separate application filed by the same person, the weighing surface may be provided with an elastic material layer for shock absorption when the legs come in contact with each other, or an anti-slip mechanism may be provided on the weighing surface. Of course it's a good thing. Furthermore, it is also effective to have both an impact buffering effect and an anti-slip effect.

It goes without saying that the invention of the present application may be used in combination with the invention described in the attached specification of the separate application.

Furthermore, in the invention in which the use of a sampling series is not actively described in the present invention, it is of course possible to use a sampling series of weighed values as described in claim 21, but The average value of the weighed values corresponding to the walking cycle of the animal may be calculated from the analog data of the values. For example, the static weight can also be read by calculating the average value directly from the analog data through area calculation.

In addition, in carrying out the invention described above, while sequentially acquiring a sampling series of weighed value data, a state in which the amount of change in the weighed value is larger than a set value is detected, and thus a change in the weighed value is detected. When it is detected that the change is particularly large, the range of weighed value data corresponding to the last walking cycle before the time of change is set as the applicable data range for averaging processing, and the sudden change rate of the movement of the measured animal can be calculated. Of course, this is a good thing because it allows you to measure the static weight by excluding it.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, a case where the present invention is applied to measuring the weight of a cow as a walking animal will be explained based on the drawings.

As shown in Fig. 1, a weighing means (S) whose main part is a weighing device (1) is installed in the walking path where cattle are accustomed to walking, such as between a livestock barn and a pasture. , the cow weighs the scale (1
) The cow's weight was to be measured while walking on it.

The walking path is provided with I(2) on both sides, and the shelf portions (2a) of this fence (2) located on both sides of the weighing device (1) are connected to the weighing device (1). ) on which the cow is made to walk along a straight or substantially straight path, acting as a restrictor to prevent it from moving laterally outward. Then, the left and right shelf portions (2a
) is made slightly larger than the width of the cow so that the above-mentioned regulating action can be performed accurately.

The length of the walking path of the cow on the scale (1) is determined to be long enough for the cow to take at least a walk (for example 3 to 6) with its entire weight on the scale.

Incidentally, in this example, the total length of the weighing device (1) is 3 m, the width is 80 cm, and the distance between the legs, which have a total length of about 2 ms, is about 1.5 m. Then, the weighing device (
The width of 1) corresponds to 1.1 to 1.5 times the width of the inside.

Further, the inlet and outlet of the weighing device (1) are open.

The weighing device (1) includes a weighing table (1a) and a weighing table (1a).
It is equipped with four load cells (lb) (see Fig. 2) arranged so as to receive and support the four corners of ). Incidentally, the output signals of the four load cells (1b) are added and output to the measurement processing section (H).

Further, on the top surface of the weighing platform (1a), a rubber pine (IC) layer is placed as a collision-absorbing elastic material layer to cushion the impact when the cow puts her foot down. That is, the pine (IC) functions as a collision-absorbing elastic material interposed between the surface of the scale (1) that receives the load from the cow and the mechanical output point provided on the scale (1). In addition,
In this case, the top surface of the pine (lc) is
) becomes the surface that receives the load.

In addition, a tag (3) that transmits a radio signal to separate the weighing medium is hung from the neck of the weighing medium, and a device consisting of the tag (3) is placed next to the weighing device (1). A tag S recognition means (4) consisting of a receiving antenna, etc. is provided, and the information received by the tag recognition means (4) is also sent to a measurement processing section (H).
It is now entered into In other words, the measurement processing section (
H) is designed to identify one cow out of a plurality of cows, and measure the weight of the walking cow along with the identifying information.

As shown in FIG. 2, the measurement processing section (H) has an input means (5) for receiving and receiving an electric signal indicating a weighed value sent from the weighing means (S), and determines a static weight value. It is composed of a central control unit (6) that outputs the determined static weight value and an output means (7) that outputs the determined static weight value.

The input means (5) includes an amplifier (5A) for amplifying the analog electrical signal from the weigher (S), a low-pass filter (5B) for smoothing the output of this amplifier, and a predetermined filter for the smoothed signal. Quantize by sampling time A/
It consists of a D converter (5C).

The central controller (6) has a memo'J as a storage means for storing time series data of sampled weight values.
(6A), gait periodicity evaluation means (6B) that calculates the gait periodicity from the time series data, and valid data section setting means (6B) that sets a valid data section from the time series based on the gait periodicity. 6C) and calculation means (6D) for calculating the static weight value of the running animal from the time-series data in the valid data section, and is configured with a microcomputer as its main part.

In this embodiment, the output means (7) is a CRT (7
A) and printer (7B) are used.

Next, the procedure for determining the static weight of a cow walking on the scale (1) will be explained.

FIG. 3 is a graph of the amplifier output of an analog signal indicating the weight value sent from the load cell (1b) as the cow walks on the weighing device (1). In this graph, the area indicated by a is where only the front legs of the walking animal are on the weighing platform (2
1), the area marked b is the state where the entire weight of the cow is placed on the scale (1), and the area marked C is the state where the cow is placed on the scale (1).
Only the cow's hind legs are placed on the weighing table (21).

A signal obtained by applying a low-pass filter to this amplifier output is shown in FIG.

Furthermore, FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the area already shown above, and from this view it can be understood how the analog weight value signal is sampled and quantized.

When the quantized weighing value data (hereinafter simply referred to as weighing value data) becomes larger than a set value (K) that is slightly larger than the weight of the weighing platform (1a), the cow gets on the weighing platform (1a). As a starting point, the weighing value data is sequentially stored in the memory (6A) as a sampling series, and the memory is such that when the weighing value data becomes smaller than the set value (K), the cow gets off the weighing platform (1a). It ends as something.

Next, the gait periodicity evaluation means (6B) calculates the maximum value: W+nax from the stored sampling data, and from this, a data group in a predetermined range, in this example, has a value of 90% or more of the maximum value. The data group is regarded as a weighing value data group with the entire weight of the cow on the weighing platform (1a). Incidentally, the value obtained by multiplying the maximum value by 0.9 becomes the threshold value for setting the valid data section. still,
In this example, 0.9 was multiplied, but the value to be multiplied (
As n), a number greater than 0.8 and less than 1 can be used.

From this weighing value data group, we further use the gait periodicity evaluation method (
6B) evaluates its gait periodicity by examining its maximum value. In the case shown in Figure 3, the local maximum value is W
l, W8. Wl5. W23. There will be five W29s.

Next, the valid data interval setting means (6C) sets a valid data interval T, starting from the time when the first local maximum value W1 appears and ending at the time when the plurality of times, in this case, the fourth maximum value W23 appears. It turns out.

In addition, in setting this valid data section, how many gait cycles should be included depends on the type of walking animal and the weighing method (S).
) can be set in advance using the natural frequency etc.

The sampling data within the valid data section thus set is averaged by the calculating means (6D), and the static weight value of the cow running on the weighing platform (1a) is calculated. By this measurement, an animal weighing, for example, 1000 kg can be detected with accuracy within an error of 1 kg.

In this average calculation, preferably a weighted average calculation method using an appropriate window function, such as a Hamming window, is used, thereby suppressing inconveniences associated with data extraction.

[Another example]

In the embodiments described so far, the sampling data included in the set valid data interval is simply averaged, but more effective smoothing is performed for time series data with large fluctuations. For this purpose, a moving average calculation method can be adopted. In this case, for example, a moving average value is calculated using a window function such as a Hamming window as needed over the valid data section, using a multiple of the obtained walking cycle as the averaging time. The moving average values obtained in this way are evaluated, and the average or maximum value is taken, for example, and used as the static weight of the walking animal walking on the weighing device (1). As shown in FIG. 6, the block diagram of the device according to this second embodiment is different from that of the device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
6) is different in that a moving average value evaluation means (6E) is further provided, and of course, the calculation means (6E)
) performs a moving average calculation as described above. Note that the parts in Figure 6 that are given the same reference numbers as in Figure 2 basically perform the same functions as those in Figure 2, and will not be further explained here to avoid unnecessary duplication. .

Furthermore, in carrying out the present invention, each part can be modified as described below.

That is, the average calculation method averages the weighed value data between three or four consecutive maximum values in the valid data interval.

The average calculation method calculates an average of weighed value data from a plurality of successive maximum values within the valid data interval to a maximum value that appears next to each of the local maximum values, and averages the results. It is.

The method of determining the starting point when setting the valid data section is to set the starting point at the time of the maximum value exceeding a predetermined threshold.

The method of determining the end point when setting the valid data section is to determine the Nth (N
: a natural number) is determined as the end point.

The N is determined to be a time interval sufficient for presenting the walking periodicity from the weighed value data between the starting point and the ending point.

Furthermore, instead of immediately considering the weight calculated by the above-mentioned averaging operation as the weight of the walking animal, it may be multiplied by a correction coefficient determined in advance through experiments, etc., or by adding or subtracting a correction value determined in advance through experiments, etc. By doing so, it is also possible to improve the -layer measurement accuracy.

In addition, if a damper device or the like that controls the damping of the weighing platform (1a) is added to suppress the vibration of the sampling series, -
It is possible to improve layer measurement accuracy.

In carrying out the present invention, as in the embodiments described so far, after storing all weighing pot value data from the time when the walking animal starts getting on the weighing platform (LA) until the time when it gets off,
Instead of calculating the weight, the weight calculation may be performed in parallel with the sampling of the weighed value data. - To explain an example, at the same time as the storage of weighing value data starts, the process of finding the local maximum value is executed, and when three or more local maximum values are found, at each point in time when the local maximum value is found, the weighing value data up to that point is The maximum value of is determined, a threshold value is determined from the maximum value in the same manner as in the above embodiment, and valid data is set from data above the threshold value to calculate the weight.

Then, if the next maximum value does not appear for a predetermined period of time after the last maximum value among the maximum values obtained so far appears, the last maximum value described above will appear. The weight determined at that point is displayed as the weight of the walking animal.

In this way, even if the walking animal unnecessarily stops on the weighing platform (1a), the weight can be displayed, which is a great practical advantage.

Further, in the present invention, it is preferable that the outlet of the weighing device (1) be in an open state. However, the entrance may be closed if necessary. In other words, since the present invention measures one walking animal by placing it on the scale (1), the purpose of the present invention is to prevent subsequent walking animals from getting on the scale (1). A gate or the like may be provided to open and close the exit.

Moreover, in carrying out the present invention, the weighing device (1)
If a plurality of walking animals are arranged side by side in the width direction of the walking route and measured, each of the plurality of walking animals walking side by side in the horizontal direction will walk with a sense of security by watching the walking of the neighboring animal. This is also promising and has great practical advantages.

Furthermore, in the embodiments described so far, the object to be measured is
Although the description has been made of walking animals, in particular cows, the present invention can also be applied to the measurement of other moving objects, for example vehicles such as trucks.

In addition, in the explanation so far, the weight measurement of a walking animal with a -head has been described, but it is also possible to measure the weight of a group of animals of a plurality of types.

Incidentally, although reference numerals are written in the claims section for convenience of reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the structure shown in the accompanying drawings by such entry.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show the principle structure of the method for measuring the dynamic weight of a walking animal and its device according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is an external view showing the dynamic weight measurement of a walking animal, and FIG. 2 is the dynamic weight measuring device. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the weighed value analog signal, Figure 4 is a diagram showing the signal after applying a low-pass filter to the signal in Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a sampling of the main part of Figure 4. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing the state, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing divided sections during averaging calculation. (1)...Weighing device, (5)...Input means, (6b)...Walking periodicity evaluation means, (6C
)...Valid data section setting means, (6d)...
...Calculation means, (7) ...Output means, (S
)...Weighing means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A method for dynamically measuring the weight of an ambulatory animal, comprising: (1) the weight of the animal measured by the weighing means (S) while the animal is walking on the weighing device (1); Sequentially capturing weighing value data of a walking animal, (2) calculating its walking periodicity from the weighing value data, (3) setting a valid data section from the weighing value data based on the walking periodicity, (4) A static weight value of the animal is read using calculation from the weighed value data in the valid data interval. (5) A method for measuring the dynamic weight of an animal that can walk. 2. The method for dynamically measuring the weight of an ambulatory animal according to claim 1, wherein the method for determining the starting point for setting the valid data section from the weighing value data uses the starting point as the point of maximum value exceeding a threshold value. 3. A value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from the maximum value of the weighing value data, or a value obtained by multiplying the maximum value by a predetermined number greater than 0.8 and less than 1: n 3. The dynamic weight measurement method for an ambulatory animal according to claim 2, wherein the threshold value is . 4. The method for dynamic weight measurement of an ambulatory animal according to claim 3, wherein the number: n is 0.9. 5. The method for dynamically measuring the weight of an ambulatory animal according to any one of claims 2 to 4, in which the starting point of the effective data interval is the time point of the maximum value that first exceeds the threshold value. 6. Any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the starting point of the valid data section is a time point at which a maximum value of the weighed value appears after the animal passes a predetermined first point on the walking route on the weighing device (1). A method for dynamic weight measurement of ambulatory animals as described in . 7. The method of determining the end point of the valid data interval setting is based on the Nth (N
7. The method for dynamic weight measurement of an ambulatory animal according to claim 2, wherein the end point is determined at the time of the maximum value of . 8. The dynamic behavior of an ambulatory animal according to claim 7, wherein the N is determined to be a time interval sufficient to present the walking periodicity from the weighed value data between the starting point and the ending point. Weight measurement method. 9. The method for dynamically measuring the weight of an ambulatory animal according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the weight of the animal to be measured continues to appear after the maximum value serving as the starting point. One period is defined as the point in time when the maximum value of the number corresponding to the number of grounding points minus 1 appears, and the end point of the valid data interval is the point of the last maximum value of this first period or multiple periods. A dynamic weight measurement method for ambulatory animals. 10. The animal to be measured is a quadrupedal animal, and the weight values of the two legs that land on the weighing surface closest to each other in terms of time reach a single maximum value when they land on the weighing surface, In addition, the weight value data of the other two legs when they land on the weighing surface is smoothed to the point where they collectively represent one maximum value, and the adjacent two in this smoothed data are According to any one of claims 1 to 8, the weight of the animal to be measured is read using data between two maximum values as one period and one or two periods as one unit. A method for dynamic weighing of ambulatory animals as described. 11. The maximum value of a weighed value, which is a predetermined number that exceeds 1 for the maximum value that appears at the next time point: the maximum value before the time when the maximum value that is larger than the value multiplied by m first appears. Claims 1 to 1 above, wherein the time point of the value is the end point of the valid data interval.
0. The method for dynamic weight measurement of an ambulatory animal according to any one of 0. 12. The method for dynamic weight measurement of an ambulatory animal according to claim 11, wherein the number m is 1.1. 13. In order to read the static weight of the animal to be measured using calculation from the weighing value data within the valid data interval, weighing value data between three or four consecutive maximum values within the weighing value data is used. 13. Dynamic weight measurement of an ambulatory animal according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the static weight of the animal to be measured is read as weighing value data corresponding to one cycle of movement of the animal to be measured. Method. 14. To read the static weight of the measured animal using calculations from the weighing value data within the valid data interval, (1) within the entire interval, (2) or between adjacent maximum values, (3) or , (4) Use the average calculation method for the weighed value data for each cycle of movement that is appropriate for the animal to be measured, or divide the series of weighed value data into multiple pieces using any of (1) to (3) above. 13. The dynamic weight measurement method for an ambulatory animal according to claim 1, wherein the method uses the method of averaging again the plurality of average values obtained by applying the average calculation method to each of the plurality of average values. 15. The average calculation method calculates local maximum values that appear every plurality of local maximum values, from the odd-numbered local maximum value and from the even-numbered local maximum value among the plurality of local maximum values that appear successively in the valid data interval. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the weighing value data for all periods up to the next maximum value are averaged, and the average value of the results is used. Dynamic weight measurement method for an ambulatory animal according to any one of the above. 16. The method for dynamic weight measurement of an ambulatory animal according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the average calculation is performed by a moving average calculation. 17. The method for dynamic weight measurement of an ambulatory animal according to claim 17, wherein a window function is used in the moving average calculation. 18. The ambulatory animal according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein in reading the static weight from the weighing value data in the valid data section, an average calculation method is used to process the weighing value data in the valid data section. Dynamic weight measurement method. 19. The method for dynamically measuring the weight of an ambulatory animal according to claim 18, wherein the average calculation method is performed using a weighted average calculation method. 20. The method for dynamic weight measurement of an ambulatory animal according to claim 19, wherein a window function is used in the weighted average calculation method. 21. A method for measuring the dynamic weight of an ambulatory animal, comprising: (1) reading the static weight of the animal to be measured from the weighing value data of the ambulatory animal obtained by the weighing means according to claim 1; Sequentially importing the weighed value data as a sampling series; (2) obtaining data obtained by smoothing the sampling series;
From this, the gait periodicity is calculated, (3) a valid data section is set from the smoothed data based on the gait periodicity, and (4) an average calculation is performed on the smoothed data in the valid data section. 21. The method for measuring the dynamic weight of an ambulatory animal according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein an average value is obtained, and (5) a static weight value of the ambulatory animal is read from the average value. 22. The method for measuring the dynamic weight of an ambulatory animal according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the static weight of the animal to be measured is read by (a) obtaining a unique calculated value by the calculation; (1) This calculated value has been corrected by the testing side; (2) Or, the only determined calculated value itself is considered to be the static weight of the animal to be measured. ) If a plurality of average values calculated by the above calculation finally appears, (1) the maximum value among them is determined by (2) or the average value of the plurality of average values is determined by (3) or the above (1). ) or the dynamic weight of an ambulatory animal according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the value obtained by modifying the value according to test rules is regarded as the static weight of the animal to be measured. Measurement method. 23. A method for dynamic weight measurement of an ambulatory animal according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the ambulatory animal is placed in an open state through the entrance of the weighing device (1) of the weighing means (S). This is done by having the person walk in a straight line or approximately in a straight line towards the exit. 24. A method for dynamically measuring the weight of an ambulatory animal, comprising: (1) a weighing means (S) for weighing the weight of the ambulatory animal while walking on a scale; (2) the weighing means (S); an input means (5) that sequentially takes in the obtained weighing value data as a sampling series; (3) a gait periodicity evaluation means (6B) that calculates the gait periodicity from the sampling series; and (4) the gait periodicity. (5) a calculation means (6D) for calculating a static weight value of the walking animal from the weighing value data in the valid data period; and (6) output means for outputting the calculated static weight value (
(7) A dynamic weight measurement device for an ambulatory animal. In this specification, "animal dynamic weight measurement method" means "
"Measurement method that obtains the static weight value of an animal while it is moving."