KR102593851B1 - System for monitoring vital signs of animal in shelter - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for monitoring vital signs of animals in a shelter according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor unit installed in a shelter and detecting bio signals of each animal housed in the shelter; a signal analysis unit that analyzes the biological signal detected by the sensor unit and generates change trend information of the biological signal; and an alarm warning unit that uses the change trend information generated by the signal analysis unit to alert at least one of a veterinarian terminal and an animal owner terminal of a risk related to the health status of the animal.

Description

System for monitoring vital signs of animals in shelters {SYSTEM FOR MONITORING VITAL SIGNS OF ANIMAL IN SHELTER}

Embodiments of the present invention relate to vital signal monitoring technology, and more specifically, to a system and method for monitoring vital signs of animals in a shelter.

Recently, attempts have been made to develop devices that monitor signals of animal biological activity. In this way, by monitoring the animal's vital signs, it is used to develop treatments for heart disease or respiratory disease, or to provide companion animal healthcare by securing the animal's vital signs. In particular, cats and dogs, the closest companion animals in our lives, are treated as family members, so checking their health status has become an important issue.

Pets cannot speak and complain when they are uncomfortable. This means that it is difficult to detect diseases and observe their behavior and response to treatment. A significant increase or decrease in an animal's breathing or heart rate is a sign of major illness such as dehydration, heart disease, fever or shock, and in particular heart rate is an emotion-related physiological indicator for assessing mental status (such as anxiety and depression) in animals. There is a problem that measuring vital signs is physically inconvenient and not easy.

Therefore, an efficient method for checking the health status of animals is needed. As the market for wearable healthcare devices for companion animals has recently increased, there is a need for devices that secure vital signs of companion animals without anesthesia or surgery.

Related prior art includes Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0037525 (Title of the invention: Bio-signal acquisition device for laboratory animals and bio-signal measurement system for laboratory animals equipped with the same, Publication date: 2019.04.08.) .

One embodiment of the present invention uses a non-contact sensor installed in a shelter to measure vital signs without contacting the animals in the shelter, thereby alerting them to risks related to the animal's health. Through this, the animal's health status can be alarmed. Provides a system and method for monitoring vital signs of animals in shelters that can efficiently manage their health status.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the problem(s) mentioned above, and other problem(s) not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

A system for monitoring vital signs of animals in a shelter according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor unit installed in a shelter and detecting bio signals of each animal housed in the shelter; a signal analysis unit that analyzes the biological signal detected by the sensor unit and generates change trend information of the biological signal; and an alarm warning unit that uses the change trend information generated by the signal analysis unit to alert at least one of a veterinarian terminal and an animal owner terminal of a risk related to the health status of the animal.

The system for monitoring biological signals of animals in a shelter according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a signal conversion unit that converts the biological signals detected by the sensor unit into a frequency detection method.

The signal converter extracts time-domain waveform data from the sensing signal detected by the sensor unit, and converts the extracted time-domain waveform data into a frequency-domain waveform through Fourier transform. The biological signal can be generated by converting the data into data and extracting a feature vector from the frequency domain waveform data.

The sensor unit may be installed in each of a plurality of spaces defined within the shelter, and may be installed to correspond to each of the housed animals.

The sensor unit includes a radar sensor that measures at least one of the heart rate, respiration rate, movement, and blood pressure of each of the animals using the radar principle, and the heart rate, respiration rate, movement, and At least one of the blood pressures may be detected as the biosignal.

The sensor unit further includes a thermal image sensor for measuring the body temperature of each of the animals, recognizes the presence of each of the animals through a change in the body temperature of each animal measured by the thermal image sensor, and The biosignal can be detected only when each animal is recognized as being present.

The sensor unit may further include a camera for photographing each animal housed in the shelter in real time.

When the alarm warning unit warns of a risk related to the health status of the animal, it may transmit real-time video captured by the camera to at least one of the veterinarian terminal and the animal owner terminal, if necessary.

A method of monitoring vital signs of animals in a shelter according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of a sensor installed in the shelter detecting the vital signals of each animal housed in the shelter; A signal analysis unit analyzing the biological signal detected by the sensor unit to generate change trend information of the biological signal; And an alarm warning unit using the change trend information generated by the signal analysis unit to alert at least one of a veterinarian terminal and an animal owner terminal of a risk related to the health status of the animal.

A method for monitoring vital signs of animals in a shelter according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of a signal conversion unit extracting waveform data in the time-domain from the sensing signal detected by the sensor unit; converting the extracted time-domain waveform data into frequency-domain waveform data by the signal converter through Fourier transform; And the signal converter may further include extracting a feature vector from the frequency domain waveform data to generate the biological signal.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a non-contact sensor installed in a shelter can be used to measure vital signs without contacting the animals in the shelter, thereby alerting them to risks related to the animal's health. Through this, Animal health can be managed efficiently.

Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for monitoring vital signs of animals in a shelter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of detecting biological signals by measuring minute displacement differences in the chest of an animal such as a dog.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the installation position of the sensor unit of FIG. 1.
Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a sensor unit in one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a diagram showing another example of the sensor unit in one embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 6 and 7 are flowcharts illustrating a method of monitoring vital signs of animals in a shelter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 to 10 are diagrams illustrating an example experiment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The advantages and/or features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and will be implemented in various different forms, but the present embodiments only serve to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and are within the scope of common knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

In addition, the preferred embodiments of the present invention to be implemented below are provided in each system function configuration in order to efficiently explain the technical components constituting the present invention, or system functions commonly provided in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. The configuration will be omitted whenever possible, and the description will focus on the functional configuration that must be additionally provided for the present invention. If a person has ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains, he or she will be able to easily understand the functions of conventionally used components among the functional configurations not shown and omitted below, as well as the omitted configurations as described above. The relationships between elements and components added for the present invention will also be clearly understood.

In addition, in the following description, "transmission", "communication", "transmission", "reception" and other similar terms of signals or information refer to the direct transmission of signals or information from one component to another component. In addition, it also includes those transmitted through other components. In particular, “transmitting” or “transmitting” a signal or information as a component indicates the final destination of the signal or information and does not mean the direct destination. This is the same for “receiving” signals or information.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for monitoring vital signs of animals in a shelter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the biological signal monitoring system 100 of animals in a shelter facility according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor unit 110, a signal conversion unit 120, a signal analysis unit 130, and an alarm warning unit ( 140) and a control unit 150.

The sensor unit 110 is installed in a shelter and can detect biological signals of each animal housed in the shelter. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the sensor unit 110 can detect bio-signals related to heart rate by measuring minute displacement differences in the chest of an animal such as a dog 201.

Additionally, the sensor unit 110 can detect biological signals related to the breathing rate by measuring the difference in displacement of the diaphragm due to the animal's breathing. In addition, the sensor unit 110 can detect biological signals related to movement by measuring the difference in movement displacement caused by the animal's movement.

At this time, the sensor unit 110 may be installed in each of a plurality of spaces defined within the shelter, and may be installed to correspond to each of the housed animals. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, one or more sensor units 110 may be installed on the top or side of a cage, which is an example of the protection facility.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sensor unit 110 may include a radar sensor 111 that measures the heart rate, breathing rate, movement, etc. of each of the animals using the radar principle. The sensor unit 110 may detect the heart rate, the breathing rate, the movement, etc. measured by the radar sensor 111 as the biological signals.

As shown in FIG. 5, the sensor unit 110 may further include a thermal image sensor 112 for measuring the body temperature of each of the animals. Here, the thermal image sensor 112 may be provided in the radar sensor 111. However, it is not limited to this, and the thermal image sensor 112 may be provided separately from the radar sensor 111.

The sensor unit 110 recognizes the presence of each of the animals through changes in body temperature of each of the animals measured by the thermal image sensor 112, and determines that each of the animals is present in the shelter. The biosignal can be detected only when recognized.

That is, the sensor unit 110 can recognize whether each of the animals is within the shelter through the thermal image sensor 112, and the radar only when each of the animals is within the shelter. The biological signal can be detected by operating the sensor 111. As a result, according to an embodiment of the present invention, power consumption can be reduced by reducing the load on the radar sensor 111.

Meanwhile, the sensor unit 110 may further include a camera (not shown) for photographing each animal housed in the shelter in real time. The sensor unit 110 may output real-time images captured through the camera when monitoring the biological signals.

The signal conversion unit 120 may convert the biological signal detected by the sensor unit 110 into a frequency detection method. In the case of animals, there are many difficulties in measuring biological signals using waveform detection. Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, in order to measure the biological signals of each of the animals using the frequency detection method, the signal conversion unit 120 is used to convert the biological signals of the waveform detection method into the biological signals of the frequency detection method. It can be converted into a signal.

That is, the signal conversion unit 120 extracts time-domain waveform data from the sensing signal detected by the sensor unit 110, and converts the extracted time-domain waveform data through Fourier transform. It can be converted to frequency-domain waveform data.

The signal converter 120 may extract a feature vector from the waveform data in the frequency domain. To this end, the signal converter 120 can extract the feature vector by removing signals in the low-frequency band and passing only signals in the high-frequency band through a high-pass filter (HPF). In addition, the signal converter 120 can generate a biological signal using the frequency detection method using the extracted feature vector.

For example, in the case of measuring the heart rate of an animal, a detailed description of the method for converting the biological signal of the animal into the frequency detection method is as follows.

1. Extract the animal’s heart rate waveform through the radar sensor (see “111” in FIG. 4).

2. The extracted waveform data is a time-domain waveform and is converted to a frequency-domain waveform. At this time, filtering can be performed as needed. Theoretically, it is converted through Fourier Transform. The reason for converting to the frequency axis waveform is that animals are small, so the size of the waveform in the time-domain is small, making it difficult to distinguish between noise and signal. For reference, due to the characteristics of the radar sensor, the size of the heart rate waveform is proportional to the size of the animal.

3. Extract the frequency from the frequency-domain to the heartbeat waveform.

4. Convert the frequency obtained in this way to the period of the waveform and then calculate the heart rate.

The signal analysis unit 130 may analyze the biological signal detected by the sensor unit 110 and generate change trend information of the biological signal. More specifically, the signal analysis unit 130 may analyze the frequency detection biological signal generated by the signal conversion unit 120 and generate change trend information of the biological signal.

For example, when the heart rate and respiratory rate of each animal are measured through the sensor unit 110, the signal analysis unit 130 analyzes the heart rate and respiratory rate of each animal and calculates change values of the heart rate and respiratory rate of each animal. Based on the calculated change values, change trend information for the heart rate and respiratory rate of each of the animals can be generated.

In addition, when the movement (motion) of each of the animals is measured through the sensor unit 110, the signal analysis unit 130 analyzes it to calculate a motion change value for each of the animals, and calculates the calculated motion change. Based on the value, change trend information regarding the motion of each of the animals can be generated.

The alarm warning unit 140 can calculate a risk index related to the health status of the animal using the change trend information generated by the signal analysis unit 130, and compare the calculated risk index with a preset reference value. there is.

As a result of the comparison, if the calculated risk index is greater than the preset reference value, the alarm warning unit 140 sends the animal to at least one of a veterinarian terminal (veterinarian's mobile terminal) and an animal owner terminal (animal owner's mobile terminal). You can be alerted to risks related to your health status with an alarm.

When the alarm warning unit 140 warns of risks related to the animal's health status, the veterinarian terminal and the animal owner can send real-time images captured by a camera provided in the sensor unit 110 as needed. Can be transmitted to at least one of the terminals.

The control unit 150 includes the biological signal monitoring system 100 of animals in a shelter according to an embodiment of the present invention, that is, the sensor unit 110, the signal conversion unit 120, and the signal analysis unit 130. , it is possible to generally control the operation of the alarm warning unit 140, etc.

Meanwhile, the bio-signal monitoring system 100 of animals in a shelter according to an embodiment of the present invention transmits the bio-signals through a network connection with a monitoring terminal (not shown) installed in the shelter and stores them in a database (DB) ( (not shown), it is possible to build big data related to biological signals and provide a business model for animal health management-related services through deep learning based on the built big data. The business model can be provided to companies or institutions that require health care services, such as animal hospitals, insurance companies, research institutes, etc.

The device described above may be implemented with hardware components, software components, and/or a combination of hardware components and software components. For example, devices and components described in embodiments may include, for example, a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable array (FPA), It may be implemented using one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers, such as a programmable logic unit (PLU), microprocessor, or any other device capable of executing and responding to instructions. A processing device may execute an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications that run on the operating system. Additionally, a processing device may access, store, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to the execution of software. For ease of understanding, a single processing device may be described as being used; however, those skilled in the art will understand that a processing device includes multiple processing elements and/or multiple types of processing elements. It can be seen that it may include. For example, a processing device may include multiple processors or one processor and one controller. Additionally, other processing configurations, such as parallel processors, are possible.

Software may include a computer program, code, instructions, or a combination of one or more of these, which may configure a processing unit to operate as desired, or may be processed independently or collectively. You can command the device. Software and/or data may be used on any type of machine, component, physical device, virtual equipment, computer storage medium or device to be interpreted by or to provide instructions or data to a processing device. , or may be permanently or temporarily embodied in a transmitted signal wave. Software may be distributed over networked computer systems and stored or executed in a distributed manner. Software and data may be stored on one or more computer-readable recording media.

Figures 6 and 7 are flowcharts illustrating a method of monitoring vital signs of animals in a shelter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The method described here is only one embodiment of the present invention. In addition, various steps may be added as needed, and the steps below may also be performed by changing the order, so the present invention is as follows. It is not limited to each step described or its order.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6 , in step 610, the sensor unit 110 may detect biological signals of each animal housed in the shelter.

Next, in step 620, the signal conversion unit 120 may convert the biological signal detected by the sensor unit 110 into a frequency detection method.

This will be explained in detail with further reference to FIG. 7 as follows. First, in step 710, the signal conversion unit 120 may extract time-domain waveform data from the sensing signal detected by the sensor unit 110.

Thereafter, in step 720, the signal converter 120 may convert the extracted time-domain waveform data into frequency-domain waveform data through Fourier transform.

Thereafter, in step 730, the signal converter 120 may generate the biosignal by extracting a feature vector from the frequency domain waveform data.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 6, in step 630, the signal analysis unit 130 analyzes the biological signal converted by the signal conversion unit 120 into a frequency detection method to provide change trend information of the biological signal. can be created.

Next, in step 640, the alarm warning unit 140 reports the health status of the animal to at least one of the veterinarian terminal and the animal owner terminal using the change trend information generated by the signal analysis unit 130. You can be alerted to risks related to

Experiment example

Hereinafter, an experimental example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10.

First, referring to FIG. 8, when detecting a dog's vital signs in a healthy state through the sensor unit (detection sensor) as in [Case #1], it can be confirmed that the biological signals are stably measured within the normal heart rate range (sleep State heart rate: approximately 70 to 120 beats). On the other hand, when the biological signals of a dog in poor health are detected through a detection sensor, as in [Case #2], it can be confirmed that the biological signals are measured in an unstable pattern outside the normal heart rate range.

Next, referring to Figure 9, when detecting the dog's vital signs in a healthy state through the sensor unit (detection sensor) as shown in [Case #1] of Figure 8, it can be seen that the time to enter the sleep state is short. , In addition, it can be confirmed that there is no movement during sleep (entering a deep sleep state). On the other hand, when the biological signals of a dog in a poor state are detected through a detection sensor, as shown in [Case #2] of Figure 8, it can be confirmed that the time to enter the sleep state increases, and it also prevents stable rest. You can check what you can't do.

Lastly, referring to Figure 10, when the dog's vital signs in a healthy state are detected through the sensor unit (detection sensor) as shown in [Case #1] of Figure 8, the dog enters the sleep state again without any particular activity even if it wakes up during sleep. You can check that. On the other hand, when the biological signals of a dog in poor health are detected through a detection sensor, as shown in [Case #2] of Figure 8, it can be confirmed that the dog is awake and unable to maintain sleep (heart rate is relatively high).

The method according to the embodiment may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc., singly or in combination. Program instructions recorded on the medium may be specially designed and configured for the embodiment or may be known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CDROMs and DVDs, and magneto-optical media such as floptical disks. Includes magneto-optical media and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc. Examples of program instructions include machine language code, such as that produced by a compiler, as well as high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc. The hardware devices described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the embodiments, and vice versa.

As described above, although the embodiments have been described with limited examples and drawings, various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art from the above description. For example, the described techniques are performed in a different order than the described method, and/or components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. are combined or combined in a different form than the described method, or other components are used. Alternatively, appropriate results may be achieved even if substituted or substituted by an equivalent.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments and equivalents of the claims also fall within the scope of the following claims.

110: sensor unit
111: radar sensor
112: thermal imaging sensor
120: signal conversion unit
130: Signal analysis unit
140: Alarm warning unit
150: control unit

Claims (10)

A sensor unit installed in a shelter and detecting vital signs of each animal housed in the shelter;
a signal analysis unit that analyzes the biological signal detected by the sensor unit and generates change trend information of the biological signal; and
An alarm warning unit that uses the change trend information generated by the signal analysis unit to alert at least one of a veterinarian terminal and an animal owner terminal of a risk related to the health status of the animal.
Including,
The sensor unit includes a radar sensor that detects at least one of the heart rate and breathing rate of each of the animals as the biological signal using the radar principle,
A signal conversion unit that converts the biological signal detected by the radar sensor into a frequency detection method.
It further includes,
The signal converter extracts time-domain waveform data from the biological signal detected by the radar sensor and converts the extracted time-domain waveform data into frequency-domain waveform data, , Extracting feature vectors from the waveform data in the frequency domain, removing signals in the low-frequency band through a high-pass filter (HPF) and passing only signals in the high-frequency band to extract the feature vectors, and extracting the extracted features. Generating biological signals using the frequency detection method using vectors,
The sensor unit further includes a thermal image sensor for measuring the body temperature of each of the animals, and determines whether each of the animals is in the shelter through a change in the body temperature of each animal measured by the thermal image sensor. Recognizes and operates the radar sensor to detect the biological signal only when each of the animals is within the shelter in order to reduce the load caused by the operation of the radar sensor,
The alarm warning unit calculates a risk index related to the health status of the animal using the change trend information generated by the signal analysis unit, compares the calculated risk index with a preset reference value, and calculates the comparison result. If the risk index is greater than the preset reference value, an alarm is sent to at least one of the veterinarian terminal and the animal owner terminal to warn of a risk related to the health status of the animal,
The sensor unit further includes a camera for filming each animal housed in the shelter in real time,
When the alarm warning unit alerts to a risk related to the animal's health status, it transmits real-time video captured by the camera to at least one of the veterinarian terminal and the animal owner terminal. Animal vital signs monitoring system.
delete delete According to paragraph 1,
The sensor unit
A system for monitoring vital signs of animals in a shelter, characterized in that it is installed in each of a plurality of spaces divided within the shelter, and is installed to correspond to each of the housed animals.
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