WO2022014278A1

WO2022014278A1 - Management device, management method, and management program

Info

Publication number: WO2022014278A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/023648
Authority: WO
Inventors: 泰徳磯部
Original assignee: ソニーグループ株式会社
Priority date: 2020-07-16
Filing date: 2021-06-22
Publication date: 2022-01-20
Also published as: JPWO2022014278A1; CN115802886A

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an imaging device and an imaging method with which an action can be identified with high accuracy even if a reference atmospheric pressure changes due to the position of livestock. [Solution] A management device comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires atmospheric pressure information, within a prescribed range, from an animal to be managed, such acquisition based on position information of the animal; an atmospheric pressure estimation unit that uses the atmospheric pressure information to estimate a reference atmospheric pressure at the position of the animal; and a posture estimation unit that estimates whether the animal is in a standing state or a laying-down state according to a difference between the reference atmospheric pressure and an atmospheric pressure based on an output signal of an atmospheric pressure sensor attached to the animal.

Description

Management equipment, management methods, and management programs

This disclosure relates to management equipment, management methods, and management programs.

In dairy farming and livestock, it is generally known that the health condition of livestock such as sheep, goats, dairy cows and beef cattle affects productivity and fertility. Therefore, a barometric pressure sensor or the like is attached to the livestock or the like, and the behavior of the livestock is specified by the difference from the reference pressure.

However, there is a difference in elevation in a wide range of grazing land, and the reference pressure changes depending on the position of livestock in the grazing land. For this reason, it may be difficult to identify the behavior of livestock and the like.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-626822

Therefore, this disclosure provides a management device, a management method, and a management program capable of specifying the behavior with higher accuracy even if the reference atmospheric pressure changes depending on the position of the livestock.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present disclosure, an acquisition unit that acquires atmospheric pressure information within a predetermined range from the animal based on the position information in the animal to be managed, and an acquisition unit.
An atmospheric pressure estimation unit that estimates the reference atmospheric pressure at the position of the animal using the atmospheric pressure information, and
A posture estimation unit that estimates whether the animal is in an upright state or a prone state according to the differential pressure between the reference pressure and the pressure based on the output signal of the pressure sensor attached to the animal.
A management device is provided.

The acquisition unit acquires a plurality of barometric pressure information, position information, and altitude information from each of the plurality of reference stations arranged based on the range in which the animal moves.
The barometric pressure estimation unit may estimate the reference barometric pressure by using the position information and the altitude information of the animal and the plurality of barometric pressure information, the position information, and the altitude information.

The posture estimation unit (306b) may presume that the posture estimation unit (306b) is in a prone position when the differential pressure is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

The posture estimation unit may estimate whether the animal is in an upright position or a prone position when it is determined that the animal is not in a moving state based on the output information of the acceleration sensor attached to the animal.

The animal may be equipped with a receiving unit that acquires position information using satellite information, and the position information may be acquired based on an output signal of the receiving unit.

The reference station has a receiving unit that acquires position information using satellite information, and the position information of the reference station may be acquired based on the output signal of the receiving unit.

The acquisition unit also acquires temperature information within a predetermined range from the animal, and the acquisition unit also acquires temperature information within a predetermined range.
Using the temperature information, the temperature at the position of the animal is estimated, and the temperature is estimated.
A temperature estimation unit that estimates the body surface temperature of the animal based on the temperature difference between the estimated temperature and the temperature based on the output signal of the temperature sensor attached to the animal may be further provided.

The temperature estimation unit may correct the body surface temperature based on the output signal of the illuminance sensor attached to the animal.

When it is estimated that the patient is in the prone position, the display unit may be further provided with information indicating that the accuracy of the estimated value of the temperature estimation unit may be lowered.

The acquisition unit also acquires humidity information within a predetermined range from the animal, and the acquisition unit also acquires humidity information within a predetermined range.
The humidity at the position of the animal is estimated using the humidity information, and the humidity is estimated.
A sweating estimation unit that estimates the amount of sweating of the animal based on the humidity difference between the estimated humidity and the humidity based on the output signal of the humidity sensor attached to the animal may be further provided.

In the case of being presumed to be in the prone position, the display unit may be further provided with information indicating that the accuracy of the estimated value of the sweating estimation unit may be lowered.

The warm sweat estimation unit may stop the estimation when there is a predetermined amount of rainfall.

According to the present disclosure, an acquisition step of acquiring atmospheric pressure information within a predetermined range from the animal based on the position information in the animal to be managed, and the acquisition step.
A barometric pressure estimation step for estimating the reference barometric pressure at the position of the animal using the barometric pressure information, and
A posture estimation step of estimating whether the animal is in an upright state or a prone state according to the differential pressure between the reference pressure and the pressure based on the output signal of the pressure sensor attached to the animal.
A management method is provided.

According to the present disclosure, an acquisition step of acquiring atmospheric pressure information within a predetermined range from the animal based on the position information in the animal to be managed, and the acquisition step.
A barometric pressure estimation step for estimating the reference barometric pressure at the position of the animal using the barometric pressure information, and
A posture estimation step of estimating whether the animal is in an upright state or a prone state according to the differential pressure between the reference pressure and the pressure based on the output signal of the pressure sensor attached to the animal.
Is provided with a management program that causes the computer to execute.

The schematic diagram which shows one configuration example of the management system 1 in embodiment of this technique. The block diagram which shows the structural example of the 1st information acquisition part. The block diagram which shows the structural example of the 2nd information acquisition part. A block diagram showing a configuration example of a management device. A block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the state estimation unit. The figure which shows typically the positional relationship between the 1st information acquisition part attached to the target livestock, and a plurality of 2nd information acquisition part in the periphery. The figure which shows the relationship example of the position, the altitude, and the atmospheric pressure value of the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 in the periphery. The flowchart which shows the processing example of the 1st information acquisition part. The flowchart which shows the processing example of the 2nd information acquisition part. The flowchart which shows the processing example of the standing / prone estimation processing. The flowchart which shows the detailed processing example of step S204 of FIG. The flowchart which shows the estimation processing example of a body surface temperature. The flowchart which shows the sweating estimation processing example.

Hereinafter, the management device, the management method, and the embodiment of the management program will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the main components of the management device will be mainly described, but the management device may have components and functions not shown or described. The following description does not exclude components or functions not shown or described.

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present technology. The management system 1 includes a plurality of sensors 10, a plurality of reference atmospheric pressure sensors 20, and a management device 30. In FIG. 1, the satellite 40 is further illustrated.

The sensor 10 is attached to the neck, abdomen, etc. of livestock. The sensor 10 acquires information on the condition of the livestock. The sensor 10 transmits, for example, a signal including information for identifying a livestock, information on the current position, information on atmospheric pressure, information on temperature, information on humidity, information on illuminance, and information on acceleration to, for example, the management device 30.

The reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 acquires, for example, information on the environment in the range where livestock are grazing. The reference pressure sensor 20 transmits a signal including information for identifying the reference pressure sensor 20, current position information, atmospheric pressure information, temperature information, humidity information, and illuminance information to the management device 30. The reference barometric pressure sensors 20 are installed at appropriate intervals on the target pasture. The accuracy of the reference air pressure sensor 20 increases as the installation density increases, but on the other hand, the cost of installation work and maintenance increases. Therefore, an appropriate number will be arranged depending on the scale of the grazing land. Since the placement density does not have to be constant, it is possible to densely place where the target animal is likely to be present and to sparsely place where it is not. The reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 according to this embodiment corresponds to the reference station.

The management device 30 is a device that identifies and manages the behavior of livestock using signals transmitted from the sensor 10 and the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20. The management device 30 is, for example, a server. Livestock include, but are not limited to, sheep, goats, cows such as dairy cows and beef cattle, buffaloes, yaks and the like. The management device 30 may be included in a device (cloud server or the like) connected via a network. In addition, the livestock according to this embodiment corresponds to animals.

The satellite 40 outputs a satellite signal for the sensor 10 and the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 to specify the current position.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the sensor 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor 10 includes a sensor unit 202, a GNSS receiving unit 204, a communication unit 206, and a control unit 208.

The sensor unit 202 measures the atmospheric pressure, acceleration, air temperature, humidity, and illuminance at the position where the sensor 10 is attached to the livestock. That is, the sensor unit 202 includes a pressure sensor 202a, an acceleration sensor 202b, a temperature sensor 202c, a humidity sensor 202d, and an illuminance sensor 202e. The barometric pressure sensor 202a measures the barometric pressure at the height of the collar case, which is the mounting position, for example.

The acceleration sensor 202b is, for example, a three-axis acceleration sensor, and can measure gravity, movement, vibration, impact, and the like in a collar at a position where the sensor 10 is attached to a domestic animal.
The GNSS receiving unit 204 acquires information on the current position and time by, for example, GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). The GNSS receiving unit 204 according to this embodiment corresponds to the receiving unit.

The temperature sensor 202c can measure the temperature of the collar, which is the position where the sensor 10 is attached to the livestock, for example. In this way, the temperature sensor 202c can acquire data on the body surface temperature of livestock, for example.

The humidity sensor 202d can measure the humidity of a collar in which the sensor 10 is attached to livestock, for example. In this way, the humidity sensor 202d can acquire data on the body surface humidity of livestock, for example.

The illuminance sensor 202e can measure the illuminance of a collar in which the sensor 10 is attached to livestock, for example. In this way, the illuminance sensor 202e can acquire data regarding, for example, sunshine on livestock.

The communication unit 206 wirelessly communicates with the management device 30 by wireless communication such as LPWA (Low Power, Wide Area). As a result, the sensor 10 is capable of long-distance, low power consumption communication. Further, the communication unit 206 may directly communicate with the communication unit 208 (see FIG. 3) of the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20. This makes it possible to determine, for example, how far the communicable reference barometric pressure sensor 20 in the vicinity is from RSSI (radio wave strength) by using wireless communication conforming to Bluetooth (registered trademark). In this case, the communication unit 206 also communicates with the management device 30 information regarding the radio wave intensity with the surrounding reference pressure sensor 20.

The control unit 208 controls the sensor unit 202, the GNSS receiving unit 204, and the communication unit 206. For example, the control unit 208 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 208 controls the sensor unit 202, the GNSS receiving unit 204, and the communication unit 206, and outputs a signal including information acquired by the sensor unit 202 and the GNSS receiving unit 204 at predetermined time intervals, for example, at intervals of 3 seconds. , Control to communicate with the management device 30 via the communication unit 206.

Further, the control unit 208 calculates the moving speed in time series, for example, by integrating the output values of the acceleration sensor 202b. As a result, when the moving speed at a certain point in time is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, it is determined that the livestock to be managed has not stopped. The control unit 208 transmits a signal including, for example, information indicating a moving state (stop or movement) of livestock, information indicating a moving speed, information regarding acceleration, and the like to the management device 30 via the communication unit 206.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 has the same configuration as the sensor 10, and has a sensor unit 202, a GNSS receiving unit 204, a communication unit 206, and a control unit 208. The sensor unit 202 differs from the sensor 10 in that it does not have the acceleration sensor 202b. The reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 may also be provided with the acceleration sensor 202b. In this case, the acceleration sensor 202b is used to detect that the vehicle has moved from the installed position (for example, it has been tied to a tree but has fallen), and is transmitted to the management device 30 together with the sensor information. Therefore, it is possible to urge the installer to confirm the state of the reference pressure sensor 20.

At the time of installation, the sensor installation condition information (height from the ground, shade / sun, etc.) according to the installation location is registered in the management standard atmospheric pressure sensor 20 in advance. The reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 transmits sensor installation condition information to the management device 30 in advance. In this way, the sensor 10 and the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 collect information including at least the atmospheric pressure value and the position information in the management device 30 by wireless communication by LPWA or the like.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the management device 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the management device 30 includes a storage unit (database) 300, a data aggregation unit 302, a data collation unit 304, a state estimation unit 306, a data presentation unit 308, and a display unit 310. .. The management device 30 includes a CPU.

The storage unit 300 can be realized by using, for example, an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 300 stores various programs for executing this management operation. As a result, the management device 30 constitutes each unit by, for example, executing a program stored in the storage unit 300. Further, the management device 30 stores map information in which each point of the pasture land is associated with the altitude. Further, the storage unit 300 also stores the installation condition information transmitted from the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 in association with the identification number of the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20.

The data aggregation unit 302 stores information included in the communication signals transmitted from the sensor 10 and the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 in the storage unit 300 in chronological order. That is, the storage unit 300 stores identification information for each sensor 10, acquisition time, position, atmospheric pressure value, acceleration, temperature, humidity, and illuminance. Similarly, the storage unit 300 stores identification information for each reference pressure sensor 20, acquisition time, position, pressure value, acceleration, temperature, humidity, and illuminance.

The data collation unit 304 uses the position information and the time information of the target sensor 10 to extract data in the same time zone in the vicinity thereof. That is, the data collation unit 304 acquires information such as position, altitude, barometric pressure value, temperature, and humidity based on the transmission signal from the reference barometric pressure sensor 20 in the vicinity of the target sensor 10, for example, within a radius of 20 meters. .. The data collation unit 304 according to the present embodiment corresponds to the acquisition unit.

The state estimation unit 306 compares the value of the data extracted by the data collation unit 304 with the data transmitted from the target sensor 10, and estimates the state (standing / lying down) of the target to which the sensor 10 is attached. Then, it is stored in the storage unit 300. The details of the state estimation unit 306 will be described later.

The data presentation unit 308 presents the estimation result in response to the request from the user to the display unit 310.
The display unit 310 is, for example, a monitor and displays data supplied from the data presentation unit 308. The data presentation unit 308 according to this embodiment corresponds to the presentation unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the state estimation unit 306. As shown in FIG. 5, the state estimation unit 306 has a barometric pressure estimation unit 306a, a posture estimation unit 306b, a temperature estimation unit 306c, and a sweat estimation unit 306d.

The atmospheric pressure estimation unit 306a estimates the reference atmospheric pressure at the position of the target livestock by using the atmospheric pressure value of the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 in the peripheral portion of the livestock to which the sensor 10 is attached. In this embodiment, the atmospheric pressure that serves as a comparative control of the atmospheric pressure based on the output of the atmospheric pressure sensor 202a attached to the livestock is referred to as a reference atmospheric pressure.

FIG. 6A is a diagram schematically showing the positional relationship between the sensor 10 attached to the target livestock and the plurality of reference atmospheric pressure sensors 20 in the vicinity. As shown in FIG. 6A, the barometric pressure estimation unit 306a via the data collation unit 304 (see FIG. 4) indicates the position, altitude, barometric pressure value, temperature, and humidity of the reference barometric pressure sensor 20 around the livestock to which the sensor 10 is attached. And acquire information such as illuminance. In this way, by referring to the reference pressure sensor 20 in the vicinity using, for example, GNSS, it is possible to obtain the altitude, the pressure value, the temperature, the humidity, the illuminance, and the like as the reference information close to the position where the livestock is. ..

FIG. 6B is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the position, altitude, and atmospheric pressure value of the surrounding reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20. As shown in FIG. 6B, the barometric pressure estimation unit 306a uses information on the position, altitude, and barometric pressure value of the surrounding reference barometric pressure sensor 20 and the position information of the livestock to which the sensor 10 is attached to refer to the position of the livestock. Estimate the barometric pressure. For example, in FIG. 6B, the altitude at the position of the first reference pressure sensor 20a is 500 meters, the altitude at the position of the livestock is 550 meters, and the altitude at the position of the second reference pressure sensor 20b is 600 meters. ..

As shown in FIG. 6B, the atmospheric pressure estimation unit 306a acquires the elevation information of the sensor 10 and the plurality of reference

atmospheric pressure sensors

20a and 20b from the map information. Alternatively, the barometric pressure estimation unit 306a may acquire the installation height and altitude of the reference

barometric pressure sensors

20a and 20b from the installation condition information transmitted from the reference barometric pressure sensor 20 stored in the storage unit 300 (see FIG. 4). good.

Then, the atmospheric pressure estimation unit 306a acquires the atmospheric pressure of the reference

atmospheric pressure sensors

20a and 20b, and estimates the atmospheric pressure corresponding to the installation height of the reference

atmospheric pressure sensors

20a and 20b of the sensor 10 by linear approximation. For example, since the atmospheric pressure at an altitude of 500 meters near the sensor 10 is 1024 hectopascals and the atmospheric pressure at an altitude of 600 meters is 1024 hectopascals, the atmospheric pressure estimation unit 306a is, for example, 1024- (600-550) ÷ (600-500). ) X (1024-1000) estimates that the atmospheric pressure at the installation height at altitude 550 is 1012 hectopascals. When the reference

atmospheric pressure sensors

20a and 20b have a large amount of information, the atmospheric pressure estimation unit 306a may estimate the atmospheric pressure of the sensor 10 by regression analysis or the like.

The posture estimation unit 306b uses the average value of the atmospheric pressure at the installation height in the place where the livestock with the sensor 10 is attached as the reference pressure. That is, the posture estimation unit 306b uses the average value of the atmospheric pressures at the points corresponding to the sensors 10 estimated by the atmospheric pressure estimation unit 306a in time series as the reference pressure. In this way, the reference pressure can be calculated with higher accuracy even in grazing land with a large difference in atmospheric pressure due to topographical and diurnal changes.

The differential pressure between this reference atmospheric pressure and the atmospheric pressure measured by the atmospheric pressure sensor 202a of the sensor 10 is defined as the relative atmospheric pressure. Depending on whether the relative air pressure is high or low, it is estimated whether the livestock to which the sensor 10 is attached is in the lying posture or the standing posture. The posture estimation unit 306b estimates whether the livestock to which the sensor 10 is attached is in the lying position or the standing position when the target livestock is estimated to be stopped. For example, the change in the height difference of the neck of livestock is about several tens of centimeters to 1 m, and the relative atmospheric pressure is, for example, 10 hectopascals. That is, the posture estimation unit 306b estimates that the posture is lying down if it is 10 hectopascals lower than the reference atmospheric pressure, and that it is in the standing posture if it is not. This predetermined value may be set according to the size of livestock and the altitude. In this way, by collating the atmospheric pressure values of a plurality of reference atmospheric pressure sensors 20 installed in a wide rangeland with position information, it is possible to detect minute changes in atmospheric pressure and determine the state of standing or lying down. It becomes.

The temperature estimation unit 306c performs an standing / prone estimation process by the posture estimation unit 306b before estimating the body surface temperature, and uses the result for body surface temperature estimation. For example, when the sensor 10 is attached to the abdomen or the like, it may come into contact with the ground when lying down, and may not be able to accurately measure the body surface temperature due to the influence of the ground temperature or the like. Therefore, the temperature estimation unit 306c is affected by the difference in standing / prone posture, and if the body surface temperature cannot be estimated correctly, the data presentation unit 308 (see FIG. 4) and the display unit 310 indicate to that effect. Notify the user via. Further, the temperature estimation unit 306c filters the results that cannot be estimated correctly, and displays the display form showing the data that cannot be estimated correctly via the data presentation unit 308 and the display unit 310.

The temperature estimation unit 306c uses the output signal of the temperature sensor 202c for body surface temperature estimation. For example, the temperature estimation unit 306c uses the output value of the illuminance sensor 202e of the sensor 10 to determine whether the temperature value is in the sun or in the shade. Then, the temperature estimation unit 306c filters and uses the temperature information of the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 in the vicinity where the conditions match, corrects the influence of the environmental temperature of the sensor 10, and estimates it as the body surface temperature. In this way, by comparing the temperature of the reference pressure sensor 20 with the temperature of the temperature sensor 202c attached to the animal, it is possible to estimate the body surface temperature of the livestock. In addition, it is known that the body surface temperature is useful for livestock estrus detection and health management, and since the influence of environmental temperature can be corrected and the livestock body surface temperature can be estimated with higher accuracy, livestock estrus detection. And health management can be performed more efficiently.

The sweating estimation unit 306d determines that the person is sweating if the humidity is higher than the measured humidity of the surrounding reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20, and estimates the amount of sweating from the difference between the values. Further, the sweating estimation unit 306d performs an standing / prone estimation process by the posture estimation unit 306b before estimating the sweating amount, and uses the result for the sweating amount estimation. For example, if the ground is wet after it rains, it may not be possible to estimate an accurate value in the prone position due to the influence of moisture such as a puddle on the ground. If the body surface humidity cannot be estimated correctly due to the influence of the difference in standing / prone posture, the user is notified via the data presentation unit 308 and the display unit 310. Further, the temperature estimation unit 306c filters the results that cannot be estimated correctly, and displays the display form showing the data that cannot be estimated correctly via the data presentation unit 308 and the display unit 310.

More specifically, the sweat estimation unit 306d uses the output value of the humidity sensor 202d in the sweat amount estimation. The sensor 10 refers to the past weather (rainfall) information in the vicinity based on the position information, and estimates whether or not the humidity near the ground is high. Then, when the sweating estimation unit 306d estimates that the humidity near the ground is high, the estimated sweating amount when lying down is estimated to have low reliability. Further, the sweating estimation unit 306d estimates that it is impossible to determine if there is current rainfall (it is impossible to determine whether it is the effect of rain or the effect of sweat). In this case, the sweat estimation unit 306d stops the estimation of the sweat amount. In this way, by comparing the humidity in the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 with the humidity in the humidity sensor 202d attached to the animal, it is possible to estimate the sweating state of the livestock. In addition, by knowing the amount of sweating, it is possible to know how much the livestock is exposed to heat stress, which can be utilized for health management. As can be seen from these, when the environment is changed due to the position of the livestock, the information of the surrounding reference pressure sensor 20 is used to correct the environmental change, so that more accurate management of the livestock becomes possible.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the sensor 10. As shown in FIG. 7, the GNSS receiving unit 204 acquires position information and time information from the GNSS (step S100).

Next, the sensor unit 202 measures the values of atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity (step S102).
Next, the control unit 208 integrates the output values of the acceleration sensor 202b and acquires information indicating the moving state (stopped or moved) of the livestock (step S104).

Next, the control unit 208 transmits a signal including information on the measurement time, the measurement position, the sensor value (atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity, illuminance), and the moving state of the livestock via the communication unit 206 (cloud). (Step S106). The sensor 10 may take the form of periodically transmitting such information, or may acquire and transmit information at a designated timing in response to a request from the user.

Next, the control unit 208 puts each unit into a sleep state until the next transmission, and repeats the process from step S100.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20. As shown in FIG. 8, it differs from the processing example of the sensor 10 shown in FIG. 7 in that the processing of step S104 is not performed. Further, the control unit 208 transmits a signal including information on the measurement time, the measurement position, the sensor value (atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity, illuminance), and the sensor installation condition to the cloud via the communication unit 206 (step S106a). In this case, it differs from the processing example of the sensor 10 shown in FIG. 7 in that information on the sensor installation conditions is transmitted.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the standing / prone estimation process. As shown in FIG. 9, the data collation unit 304 of the management device 30 uses the position information of the sensor 10 (target mounting sensor) to extract a nearby reference pressure sensor 20 (reference sensor) from the storage unit 300 (database). (Step S200).

Next, the data collation unit 304 extracts the sensor value supplied from the extracted reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 from the storage unit 300 (step S202).

Next, the state estimation unit 306 uses the atmospheric pressure value of the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 (reference sensor) in the vicinity, the installation height of the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 from the ground, and the altitude information to position the sensor 10 (target mounting sensor). Atmospheric pressure is estimated. Then, the state estimation unit 306 compares the estimated atmospheric pressure value with the atmospheric pressure value of the sensor 10 and estimates whether the target livestock is in the standing state or the prone position (step S204).

Next, the data presentation unit 308 displays the estimation result on the display unit 310 (step S206), and ends the process (step S206).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a detailed processing example of step S204 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 208 of the sensor 10 integrates the output values of the acceleration sensor 202b and calculates the moving speed in time series. Then, the sensor 10 transmits a signal including information regarding the movement speed and the behavior estimation based on the acceleration to the management device 30 (step S300).

Next, the state estimation unit 306 of the management device 30 determines whether or not an action that is performed only when standing up, for example, walking, is performed by using the information regarding the behavior estimation based on the movement speed and the acceleration (step S302). ). When it is determined that the behavior that is performed only when standing up is performed (Y in step S302), the state estimation unit 306 estimates that the livestock is in a standing state (step S304), and ends the process.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the state estimation unit 306 is not performing an action that is performed only when standing up (N in step S302), the barometric pressure estimation unit 306a of the state estimation unit 306 is used to provide information on the surrounding topography and a reference barometric pressure sensor in the vicinity. Using the atmospheric pressure value of 20 (reference sensor), the installation height of the reference pressure sensor 20 from the ground, and the altitude information, the atmospheric pressure near the ground surface, which is the installation height, of the position of the sensor 10 (target mounting sensor) is estimated. (Step S306). The barometric pressure estimation unit 306a may adjust the estimated value by referring to the weather information and the topographical information from the Internet as reference values at the time of estimation.

Next, the attitude estimation unit 306b of the state estimation unit 306 compares the estimated atmospheric pressure value near the ground surface with the atmospheric pressure value of the sensor 10 (step S308), and determines whether or not the relative atmospheric pressure difference is equal to or greater than the threshold value (step). S310). When the relative atmospheric pressure difference is equal to or greater than the threshold value (Y in step S308), the processing from step S304 is performed.

On the other hand, when the relative atmospheric pressure difference is less than the threshold value (N in step S308), the posture estimation unit 306b estimates that the target livestock is in a prone position (step S312), and ends the process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of body surface temperature estimation processing. As shown in FIG. 11, the temperature estimation unit 306c of the management device 30 estimates the air temperature at the position of the sensor 10 (target mounting sensor) using the temperature value of the reference pressure sensor 20 (reference sensor) in the vicinity. Then, the temperature estimation unit 306c compares the estimated air temperature with the temperature of the sensor 10 and estimates the body surface temperature of the target livestock (step S406). Further, using the output signal of the illuminance sensor 202e of the sensor 10, it is estimated whether or not the sensor 10 is in direct sunlight, and the body surface temperature is determined depending on whether the sensor 10 is in direct sunlight or not. The correction coefficient used for the correction of may be changed.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of sweating estimation processing. As shown in FIG. 12, the sweat estimation unit 306d of the management device 30 estimates the humidity at the position of the sensor 10 (target mounting sensor) using the humidity value of the reference pressure sensor 20 (reference sensor) in the vicinity. Then, the temperature estimation unit 306c compares the estimated humidity with the humidity of the sensor 10 and estimates the amount of sweating of the target livestock (step S506). In this case, when the amount of sweating is large, the humidity becomes higher than the humidity estimated based on the surrounding reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20. Therefore, the sweating estimation unit 306d estimates the amount of sweating according to the relative humidity difference.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the data collation unit 304 acquires the atmospheric pressure information within a predetermined range from the livestock based on the position information in the livestock to be managed, and the atmospheric pressure estimation unit 306a determines from the livestock. It was decided to estimate the reference pressure at the position of livestock using the pressure information within the range. In this way, since the reference pressure is estimated from the livestock using the pressure information within a predetermined range based on the position information of the livestock, even if the livestock is grazing on a wide rangeland with a height difference, the reference at the position of the livestock. Atmospheric pressure can be estimated with higher accuracy, and deterioration of the detection accuracy of standing and lying down in livestock can be suppressed.

Note that this technology can take the following configurations.

(1) An acquisition unit that acquires atmospheric pressure information within a predetermined range from the animal based on the position information in the animal to be managed, and
An atmospheric pressure estimation unit that estimates the reference atmospheric pressure at the position of the animal using the atmospheric pressure information, and
A posture estimation unit that estimates whether the animal is in an upright state or a prone state according to the differential pressure between the reference pressure and the pressure based on the output signal of the pressure sensor attached to the animal.
A management device.

(2) The acquisition unit acquires a plurality of barometric pressure information, position information, and altitude information from each of the plurality of reference stations arranged based on the range in which the animal moves.
The management device according to (1), wherein the atmospheric pressure estimation unit estimates the reference pressure using the animal's position information and altitude information and the plurality of atmospheric pressure information, position information, and altitude information.

(3) The management device according to (1) or (2), wherein the posture estimation unit (306b) estimates that the patient is in a prone position when the differential pressure is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

(4) The posture estimation unit estimates whether the animal is in an upright position or a prone position when it is determined that the animal is not in a moving state based on the output information of the acceleration sensor attached to the animal. The management device according to any one of (1) to (3).

(5) Any of (1) to (4), wherein the animal is equipped with a receiving unit that acquires position information using satellite information, and the position information is acquired based on an output signal of the receiving unit. The management device described in Crab.

(6) The management device according to (2), wherein the reference station has a receiving unit that acquires position information using satellite information, and the position information of the reference station is acquired based on an output signal of the receiving unit. ..

(7) The acquisition unit also acquires temperature information within a predetermined range from the animal.
Using the temperature information, the temperature at the position of the animal is estimated, and the temperature is estimated.
(1) to (1) to (1) to (1) to further include a temperature estimation unit that estimates the body surface temperature of the animal based on the temperature difference between the estimated temperature and the temperature based on the output signal of the temperature sensor attached to the animal. The management device according to any one of 6).

(8) The management device according to (7), wherein the temperature estimation unit corrects the body surface temperature based on the output signal of the illuminance sensor attached to the animal.

(9) Further, a presenting unit is provided which causes the display unit to present information indicating that the accuracy of the estimated value of the temperature estimation unit may be lowered when the prone position is estimated. The management device according to (7) or (8).

(10) The acquisition unit also acquires humidity information within a predetermined range from the animal.
The humidity at the position of the animal is estimated using the humidity information, and the humidity is estimated.
(1) to (9) further include a sweating estimation unit that estimates the amount of sweating of the animal based on the humidity difference between the estimated humidity and the humidity based on the output signal of the humidity sensor attached to the animal. ) Is described in any of the management devices.

(11) Further, a presenting unit is provided which causes the display unit to present information indicating that the accuracy of the estimated value of the sweating estimation unit may be lowered when the prone position is estimated. The management device according to (10).

(12) The management device according to (10) or (11), wherein the sweat estimation unit estimates the amount of sweat by referring to the weather information based on the position information of the animal.

(13) The management device according to any one of (10) to (12), wherein the warm sweat estimation unit stops estimation when there is a predetermined amount of rainfall.

(14) An acquisition step of acquiring atmospheric pressure information within a predetermined range from the animal based on the position information in the animal to be managed, and
A barometric pressure estimation step for estimating the reference barometric pressure at the position of the animal using the barometric pressure information, and
A posture estimation step of estimating whether the animal is in an upright state or a prone state according to the differential pressure between the reference pressure and the pressure based on the output signal of the pressure sensor attached to the animal.
A management method.

(15) An acquisition step of acquiring atmospheric pressure information within a predetermined range from the animal based on the position information in the animal to be managed, and
A barometric pressure estimation step for estimating the reference barometric pressure at the position of the animal using the barometric pressure information, and
A posture estimation step of estimating whether the animal is in an upright state or a prone state according to the differential pressure between the reference pressure and the pressure based on the output signal of the pressure sensor attached to the animal.
A management program that lets your computer run.

The aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the individual embodiments described above, but also include various modifications that can be conceived by those skilled in the art, and the effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned contents. That is, various additions, changes and partial deletions are possible without departing from the conceptual idea and purpose of the present disclosure derived from the contents specified in the claims and their equivalents.

1: Management system, 10: Sensor, 20: Reference barometric pressure sensor, 30: Management device, 40: Satellite, 202a: Barometric pressure sensor, 202b: Acceleration sensor, 202c: Temperature sensor, 202d: Humidity sensor, 202e: Illuminance sensor, 304 : Data collation unit, 306: State estimation unit, 306a: Atmospheric pressure estimation unit, 306b: Attitude estimation unit, 306c: Temperature estimation unit, 306d: Sweating estimation unit, 308: Data presentation unit, 310: Display unit.

Claims

An acquisition unit that acquires atmospheric pressure information within a predetermined range from the animal based on the position information in the animal to be managed, and
An atmospheric pressure estimation unit that estimates the reference atmospheric pressure at the position of the animal using the atmospheric pressure information, and
A posture estimation unit that estimates whether the animal is in an upright state or a prone state according to the difference pressure between the reference pressure and the pressure based on the output signal of the pressure sensor attached to the animal.
A management device.
The acquisition unit acquires a plurality of barometric pressure information, position information, and altitude information from each of the plurality of reference stations arranged based on the range in which the animal moves.
The management device according to claim 1, wherein the atmospheric pressure estimation unit estimates the reference pressure using the animal's position information and altitude information and the plurality of atmospheric pressure information, position information, and altitude information.
The management device according to claim 1, wherein the posture estimation unit estimates that the patient is in a prone position when the differential pressure is equal to or less than a predetermined value.
The posture estimation unit estimates whether the animal is in an upright state or a prone state when it is determined that the animal is not in a moving state based on the output information of the acceleration sensor attached to the animal. The management device described in.
The management device according to claim 1, wherein the animal is equipped with a receiving unit that acquires position information using satellite information, and the position information is acquired based on an output signal of the receiving unit.
The management device according to claim 2, wherein the reference station has a receiving unit that acquires position information using satellite information, and the position information of the reference station is acquired based on an output signal of the receiving unit.
The acquisition unit also acquires temperature information within a predetermined range from the animal, and the acquisition unit also acquires temperature information within a predetermined range.
Using the temperature information, the temperature at the position of the animal is estimated, and the temperature is estimated.
The first aspect of the present invention further comprises a temperature estimation unit that estimates the body surface temperature of the animal based on the temperature difference between the estimated temperature and the temperature based on the output signal of the temperature sensor attached to the animal. Management device.
The management device according to claim 7, wherein the temperature estimation unit corrects the body surface temperature based on the output signal of the illuminance sensor attached to the animal.
7. A claim 7 further comprises a presenting unit that causes the display unit to present information indicating that the accuracy of the estimated value of the temperature estimation unit may be lowered when the prone position is estimated. The management device described in.
The acquisition unit also acquires humidity information within a predetermined range from the animal, and the acquisition unit also acquires humidity information within a predetermined range.
The humidity at the position of the animal is estimated using the humidity information, and the humidity is estimated.
The first aspect of the present invention, further comprising a sweating estimation unit that estimates the amount of sweating of the animal based on the humidity difference between the estimated humidity and the humidity based on the output signal of the humidity sensor attached to the animal. Management device.
10. The claim 10 further comprises a presenting unit that causes the display unit to present information indicating that the accuracy of the estimated value of the sweating estimation unit may be lowered when it is estimated to be in the prone position. The management device described in.
The management device according to claim 10, wherein the sweating estimation unit refers to weather information based on the position information of the animal and estimates the amount of sweating.
The management device according to claim 10, wherein the sweat estimation unit stops estimation when there is a predetermined amount of rainfall.
An acquisition process for acquiring barometric pressure information within a predetermined range from the animal based on the position information in the animal to be managed, and
A barometric pressure estimation step for estimating the reference barometric pressure at the position of the animal using the barometric pressure information, and
A posture estimation step of estimating whether the animal is in an upright state or a prone state according to the differential pressure between the reference pressure and the pressure based on the output signal of the pressure sensor attached to the animal.
A management method.
An acquisition process for acquiring barometric pressure information within a predetermined range from the animal based on the position information in the animal to be managed, and
A barometric pressure estimation step for estimating the reference barometric pressure at the position of the animal using the barometric pressure information, and
A posture estimation step of estimating whether the animal is in an upright state or a prone state according to the differential pressure between the reference pressure and the pressure based on the output signal of the pressure sensor attached to the animal.
A management program that lets your computer run.