WO2023144877A1

WO2023144877A1 - Animal management assistance device, animal management assistance method, and recording medium

Info

Publication number: WO2023144877A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/002636
Authority: WO
Inventors: 健二福田
Original assignee: 日本電気株式会社
Priority date: 2022-01-25
Filing date: 2022-01-25
Publication date: 2023-08-03

Abstract

This animal management assistance device comprises: an acquisition means and an output means. The acquisition means acquires excretion related information related to excretion performed by a subject animal. On the basis of the excretion related information, the output means outputs, to a terminal device of the handler of the subject animal, notification information related to the excretion performed by the subject animal.

Description

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT SUPPORT DEVICE, ANIMAL MANAGEMENT SUPPORT METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM

The present disclosure relates to technology for supporting animal rearing.

For the health management of pet animals (hereinafter referred to as "pets"), methods have been proposed for acquiring, managing, and analyzing pet toilet data. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a device that monitors a pet's urination volume, weight, etc., and provides information on the pet's medical condition to the user.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021/019838

However, in Patent Literature 1, it is difficult for the breeder to grasp information about the pet's excretion every time the pet excretes.

One object of the present disclosure is to provide an animal management support device that can easily grasp information on pet excretion.

In order to solve the above problems, in one aspect of the present disclosure, an animal management support device includes:
Acquisition means for acquiring excretion-related information related to excretion of the target animal;
output means for outputting notification information related to the excretion of the target animal to a terminal device of a breeder of the target animal based on the excretion-related information;
Prepare.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for supporting animal management includes:
Acquiring excretion-related information related to the excretion of the target animal,
Based on the excretion-related information, notification information related to the excretion of the target animal is output to the terminal device of the breeder of the target animal.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the recording medium comprises
Acquiring excretion-related information related to the excretion of the target animal,
A program is recorded that causes a computer to execute a process of outputting notification information related to excretion of the target animal to a terminal device of a breeder of the target animal based on the excretion-related information.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily grasp information on pet excretion.

1 shows the overall configuration of a communication system to which an animal management support device is applied; 1 shows an overall processing flow of a communication system to which an animal management support device is applied; It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a home system. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a pet terminal; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a main server and user terminals; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a toilet unit and a toilet server; FIG. 4 shows an example display of information sent by the main server. Fig. 3 shows another display example of information sent by the main server; FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an animal management support device according to a second embodiment; FIG. 9 is a flowchart of processing by the animal management support device of the second embodiment;

<First embodiment>
[overall structure]
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a communication system to which an animal management support device according to the present disclosure is applied. The communication system 1 includes a home system 100 installed at a pet breeder's home 5 , a main server 200 , a user terminal 300 used by the pet breeder, and a toilet server 400 . A pet P stays at a breeder's house 5, and a pet terminal 20 is attached to the pet P. - 特許庁A fixed camera 15 and a toilet unit 410, which is a pet toilet, are installed at a predetermined location in the home 5. FIG. The home system 100, the main server 200, and the toilet server 400 can communicate by wire or wirelessly. Also, the main server 200 and the breeder's user terminal 300 can be wirelessly communicated. Note that the breeder is a pet owner who keeps a pet at home, a manager who manages an animal in an animal protection facility, or the like.

As a basic operation, the home system 100 generates message information about the pet P based on the location and behavior of the pet P (hereinafter also referred to as "state of pet P"), and sends it to an interactive SNS (Social Network Service). ) to the user terminal 300 of the breeder. Here, the message information includes text messages, stamps, and the like. When the state of the pet P satisfies a predetermined condition (hereinafter referred to as "message information transmission condition"), the main server 200 transmits message information such as text messages and stamps prepared in advance corresponding to the condition. is transmitted to the breeder's user terminal 300 using an interactive SNS. As a result, the breeder can receive the message information according to the state of the pet P and grasp the state of the pet.

The generated message information should be based on the pet P's behavior, location, and state. Also, the trigger for transmitting the message information is not particularly limited as long as it relates to the action, location, and state of the pet P. For example, message information may be sent based on a breeder's request. Also, an interactive dialogue is possible, such as the pet P returning an image, a message, or a stamp in response to the transmission of an image or message from the breeder. For example, when the breeder sends a message "Have you eaten?"

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the main server 200 transmits the captured image of the pet P to the user terminal 300 of the breeder. Specifically, when the state of the pet P meets a predetermined condition, the main server 200 transmits the photographed image of the pet P at that time to the user terminal 300 of the breeder via the interactive SNS. . In this case, the photographed image of the pet P may be an image photographed of the pet P, or may be an image of the pet's line of sight photographed by a camera attached to the pet P as described later. The breeder can see the actual state of the pet P by looking at the image of the pet P transmitted to the user terminal 300 .

[Overall flow]
FIG. 2 shows the overall processing flow of a communication system to which the animal management support device according to the present disclosure is applied. In FIG. 2, the route of information transmission differs depending on where the pet P is.

When the pet P enters the toilet unit 410 , the toilet unit 410 acquires information regarding excretion of the pet P and transmits it to the toilet server 400 . Then, the toilet server 400 transmits information regarding excretion of the pet P to the main server 200 . A plurality of toilet units 410 may be installed in the home 5 of the breeder. On the other hand, when the pet P has not entered the toilet unit 410 , the pet terminal 20 and the fixed camera 15 acquire information about the state of the pet P and transmit it to the home terminal 10 . The home terminal 10 then transmits information about the state of the pet P to the main server 200 . The main server 200 generates message information and notification information based on the information acquired from the restroom server 400 and the home terminal 10 and transmits them to the user terminal 300 .

Specifically, when the pet P enters the toilet unit 410, the toilet unit 410 detects that the pet P has entered the toilet unit 410 and starts photographing the pet P. The toilet unit 410 also measures the weight of the pet P, the amount of urine, and the like. The toilet unit 410 stores information related to excretion such as entry/exit status of the pet P, length of stay, body weight, amount of urine (hereinafter referred to as "excretion related information"), a still image of the pet P or A moving image (hereinafter also referred to as a “toilet image”) is transmitted to the toilet server 400 . Toilet server 400 transmits excretion-related information and toilet images to main server 200 . If it takes time to measure the pet P's weight, urine volume, etc., the toilet server 400 may transmit only the pet P's entry status and the toilet image to the main server 200 first. As a result, the main server 200 can transmit notification information, which will be described later, to the user terminal 300 of the pet P breeder in real time.

The main server 200 generates notification information based on the excretion-related information in order to notify the breeder that the pet P has entered the toilet unit 410 . Then, the main server 200 uses the push notification function of the interactive SNS to transmit the notification information to the user terminal 300 of the breeder of the pet P. FIG. The notification information is generated based on the excretion-related information, and may include at least one of the excretion-related information. In this case, the notification information includes a text message describing the pet P's excretion time, stay time, weight, amount of urine, and the like, a toilet image, and the like. Further, the notification information may be information indicating that the pet has excreted (hereinafter referred to as "excretion information") without including the excretion-related information itself.

The notification information may also include a URL for accessing the toilet server 400. By opening the push notification and accessing the URL described in the notification information, the owner of the pet P can view the detailed excretion information and the past excretion-related information stored in the toilet server 400. It becomes possible.

Note that the toilet server 400 is an external server, and the breeder of the pet P has previously registered an ID that uniquely identifies the user in the toilet server 400 and the main server 200 respectively. The main server 200 links the user ID of the toilet server 400 (hereinafter referred to as "household ID") and the user ID of the main server 200 in advance, thereby enabling transmission and reception of information for each user. there is

In this way, the main server 200 acquires information from the external toilet server 400 and transmits a push notification to the user terminal 300, so that the owner of the pet P can access the external toilet server 400 each time. , it becomes possible to easily grasp that the pet P has excreted, and the user experience can be improved.

Also, when the pet P has not entered the toilet unit 410 , the pet terminal 20 transmits the output information of each sensor of the pet terminal 20 to the home terminal 10 . Also, the fixed camera 15 shoots a moving image of the shooting range and transmits the moving image to the home terminal 10 . The home terminal 10 transmits various information acquired from the pet terminal 20 and the fixed camera 15 to the main server 200 . The main server 200 determines the state of the pet P at the home 5 based on various information transmitted from the home terminal 10, generates message information, and transmits the message information to the breeder's user terminal 300 via the interactive SNS. The "condition" of the pet P includes the location where the pet P is, the behavior of the pet P, the biological condition of the pet P (health condition such as fever and lack of water, emotional state such as emotions, excitement and depression). etc.). This allows the breeder to grasp the state of the pet from multiple perspectives.

[Home system]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the home system 100 installed in the home 5. As shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 3, the home system 100 includes the home terminal 10, the fixed camera 15, and the pet terminal 20, but the home system 100 does not have to include all of the above configurations, and some good.

The home terminal 10 is, for example, a terminal device such as a PC, tablet, or smartphone, and includes a communication unit 11, a processor 12, a memory 13, and a recording medium 14.

The communication unit 11 communicates with external devices. Specifically, the communication unit 11 wirelessly communicates with the pet terminal 20 attached to the pet P using, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark). Also, the communication unit 11 communicates with the main server 200 by wire or wirelessly.

The processor 12 is a computer such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the entire home terminal 10 by executing a program prepared in advance. The processor 12 may be a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), DSP (Demand-Side Platform), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or the like. The processor 12 executes an image transmission process, which will be described later, by executing a program prepared in advance.

The memory 13 is composed of ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The memory 13 stores various programs executed by the processor 12 . The memory 13 is also used as a working memory while the processor 12 is executing various processes.

The recording medium 14 is a non-volatile, non-temporary recording medium such as a disk-shaped recording medium or semiconductor memory, and is configured to be detachable from the home terminal 10 . The recording medium 14 records various programs executed by the processor 12 . When home terminal 10 transmits information and images about pet P to main server 200 , a program recorded in recording medium 14 is loaded into memory 13 and executed by processor 12 . Images captured by the fixed camera 15 and information received from the pet terminal 20 are temporarily stored in the memory 13 .

The fixed camera 15 is installed at a predetermined position inside the home 5. Basically, a necessary number of fixed cameras 15 are installed so as to cover the entire space in which the pet P can move. The fixed camera 15 is always in operation, takes a moving image of the shooting range, and transmits the moving image to the home terminal 10. - 特許庁

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the pet terminal 20 attached to the pet P. As shown in FIG. The pet terminal 20 is, for example, attached to the pet instead of the collar of the pet P, or attached to the collar worn by the pet. Pet terminal 20 includes communication unit 21 , processor 22 , memory 23 , pet camera 24 , acceleration sensor 25 , air pressure sensor 26 , biosensor 27 , and microphone 28 .

The communication unit 21 communicates with external devices. Specifically, the communication unit 21 wirelessly communicates with the home terminal 10 by, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

The processor 22 is a computer such as a CPU, and controls the entire pet terminal 20 by executing a program prepared in advance. The processor 12 periodically transmits information acquired by each sensor to the home terminal 10 by executing a program prepared in advance.

The memory 23 is composed of ROM, RAM, and the like. The memory 23 stores various programs executed by the processor 22 . The memory 23 is also used as a working memory while the processor 22 is executing various processes. Furthermore, the memory 23 temporarily stores information detected by each sensor.

The pet camera 24 is a camera for capturing images from the pet's line of sight. For example, the pet camera 24 may be configured to detect the orientation of the neck of the pet P to determine the photographing direction, or may be mounted near the head of the pet P, and the front of the pet P may be wide-angle. It may be used as a camera for photographing. The pet camera 24 captures an area including the line-of-sight direction of the pet P and transmits the captured image to the home terminal 10 . Thereby, the home terminal 10 can acquire the image of the pet's line of sight.

The acceleration sensor 25 is a 3-axis acceleration sensor, measures the movement of the pet P in 3-axis directions, and transmits the results to the home terminal 10 . Based on the output of the acceleration sensor 25, the home terminal 10 can estimate the amount of activity of the pet P and the like. Also, the atmospheric pressure sensor 26 measures the atmospheric pressure at the location of the pet P and transmits it to the home terminal 10 . Based on the output of the atmospheric pressure sensor 26, the home terminal 10 can detect vertical movement of the pet P, such as jumping. Also, although not shown in FIG. 4, a gyro sensor may be used. Alternatively, a 6-axis sensor in which a 3-axis acceleration sensor and a 3-axis gyro sensor (3-axis angular velocity sensor) are integrated may be used. A 9-axis sensor integrated with an axial geomagnetic sensor may be used. Note that the sensor is not limited to the above as long as it is a sensor capable of measuring the amount of activity of an animal.

The biological sensor 27 is a sensor that measures the biological information of the pet P. For example, the body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate of the pet P are measured and transmitted to the home terminal 10 . The home terminal 10 transmits the acquired biometric information to the main server 200 .

The microphone 28 collects sounds around the pet P and transmits them to the home terminal 10 . Home terminal 10 transmits the sound to main server 200 . The main server 200 can estimate the pet's exercise state, mental state, and the like based on, for example, the sound of the pet P running around and breathing sounds.

[Main server]
FIG. 5A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main server 200. As shown in FIG. The main server 200 transmits and receives messages to and from the user terminal 300 using an interactive SNS. Main server 200 includes communication unit 211 , processor 212 , memory 213 , recording medium 214 , and database 215 .

The communication unit 211 transmits and receives data to and from an external device. Specifically, the communication unit 211 transmits and receives information among the home terminal 10, the toilet server 400, and the user terminal 300 of the breeder.

The processor 212 is a computer such as a CPU, and controls the entire main server 200 by executing a program prepared in advance. Note that processor 212 may be a GPU, FPGA, DSP, ASIC, or the like. Specifically, the processor 212 transmits message information, images, and notification information to the user terminal 300 of the breeder.

The memory 213 is composed of ROM, RAM, and the like. The memory 213 is also used as working memory during execution of various processes by the processor 212 . The recording medium 214 is a non-volatile, non-temporary recording medium such as a disk-shaped recording medium or a semiconductor memory, and is configured to be removable from the main server 200 . A recording medium 214 records various programs executed by the processor 212 .

The database 215 stores information and images received from the home terminal 10 and the toilet server 400 through the communication unit 211. That is, message information, images, and notification information transmitted and received by users of a large number of terminals including the home terminal 10, the toilet server 400, and the user terminal 300 are stored in the database 215. FIG. The database 215 also stores message information transmission conditions and message information prepared in advance for each transmission condition (for example, a predetermined message, stamp, etc.) for each user. Note that the main server 200 may include an input unit such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display unit such as a liquid crystal display for the administrator to give instructions and input.

[User terminal]
FIG. 5B is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the user terminal 300 used by the breeder. The user terminal 300 is, for example, a smartphone, tablet, PC, or the like. User terminal 300 includes communication unit 311 , processor 312 , memory 313 , and touch panel 314 .

The communication unit 311 transmits and receives data to and from an external device. Specifically, the communication unit 311 transmits and receives information to and from the main server 200 .

The processor 312 is a computer such as a CPU, and controls the entire user terminal 300 by executing a program prepared in advance. Note that processor 312 may be a GPU, FPGA, DSP, ASIC, or the like. Specifically, a messaging application for an interactive SNS executed by the main server 200 is installed in the user terminal 300 . A messaging app is an app that provides the exchange of information such as text messages, stamps, and images. Processor 312 receives message information, images, and notification information transmitted by the messaging application via main server 200 and displays them on touch panel 314 . In addition, processor 312 transmits message information input by the breeder to main server 200 using a messaging application.

The memory 313 is composed of ROM, RAM, and the like. The memory 313 is also used as working memory during execution of various processes by the processor 312 . The touch panel 314 displays message information, images, and notification information received by the user terminal 300 . The touch panel 314 also functions as a user input device.

[Toilet unit]
FIG. 6A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the toilet unit 410 used by the pet P. As shown in FIG. Toilet unit 410 includes communication unit 411 , processor 412 , memory 413 , toilet camera 414 and sensor 415 . Note that the toilet unit 410 is an example of a toilet device.

The communication unit 411 communicates with external devices. Specifically, the communication unit 411 wirelessly communicates with the restroom server 400 by, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

The processor 412 is a computer such as a CPU, and controls the entire toilet unit 410 by executing a program prepared in advance. The processor 412 transmits information acquired by the toilet camera 414 and the sensor 415 to the toilet server 400 .

The memory 413 is composed of ROM, RAM, and the like. The memory 413 stores various programs executed by the processor 412 . The memory 413 is also used as working memory while the processor 412 is executing various processes.

The toilet camera 414 is a camera for taking pictures of pets. The toilet camera 414 starts shooting when the sensor 415 detects that the pet has entered the toilet unit 410 , and finishes shooting when it detects that the pet has left the toilet unit 410 . Then, the photographed still image or moving image is transmitted to the toilet server 400 . Thereby, the toilet server 400 can acquire the toilet image of the pet.

The sensor 415 is a sensor that measures weight, measures the pet's weight and urine volume, and transmits the results to the toilet server 400 . Further, the sensor 415 detects the presence or absence of weight, and if the weight continues to be detected for a predetermined time or longer, the sensor 415 transmits the result to the toilet server 400 . Thereby, the toilet server 400 can estimate the time when the pet entered the toilet unit 410 and the time when the pet left the toilet unit 410 . Toilet unit 410 and toilet server 400 use toilet camera 414, a thermography camera, or the like instead of detecting the presence or absence of weight and estimating the time when the pet enters or leaves the room. It is also possible to estimate the entry/exit time of the pet by detecting that the pet is staying.

[Toilet server]
FIG. 6B is a block diagram showing the configuration of the toilet server 400. As shown in FIG. The toilet server 400 acquires excretion-related information and toilet images from the toilet unit 410 and transmits them to the main server 200 . Toilet server 400 includes communication unit 401 , processor 402 , memory 403 , recording medium 404 and database 405 .

The communication unit 401 transmits and receives data to and from an external device. Specifically, the communication unit 401 transmits and receives information to and from the toilet unit 410 and the main server 200 .

The processor 402 is a computer such as a CPU, and controls the entire toilet server 400 by executing a program prepared in advance. Note that the processor 402 may be a GPU, FPGA, DSP, ASIC, or the like. Specifically, processor 402 transmits information obtained from toilet unit 410 to main server 200 .

The memory 403 is composed of ROM, RAM, and the like. The memory 403 is also used as working memory during execution of various processes by the processor 402 . The recording medium 404 is a non-volatile, non-temporary recording medium such as a disk-shaped recording medium or a semiconductor memory, and is configured to be detachable from the toilet server 400 . A recording medium 404 records various programs executed by the processor 402 .

The database 405 stores excretion-related information and toilet images received from the toilet unit 410 through the communication unit 401 . That is, the database 405 stores excretion-related information and toilet images of a large number of toilet units 410 . As a result, the database 405 is in a state of storing detailed information and history information regarding pet excretion in relation to the plurality of toilet units 410 . The restroom server 400 may include an input unit such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display unit such as a liquid crystal display for the administrator to give instructions and input.

[Display example]
FIG. 7 shows a display example of message information and notification information transmitted by the main server 200. As shown in FIG. In this example, message information and notification information transmitted from the main server 200 are displayed on the breeder's user terminal 300 . It is assumed that the breeder's name is "Ichiro" and the pet P's name is "Tama".

When the pet P enters the toilet unit 410, a push notification is sent to the breeder's user terminal 300. When the breeder opens the push notification, a text message 331 as notification information, a toilet image 332, and detailed information 333 are displayed on the messaging application of the user terminal 300 .

The text message 331 is a message that informs the breeder that the pet P has entered the toilet unit 410. Here, at 15:13, the text message "(notification) event at 15:10" is displayed on the user terminal 300. FIG. 15:10 indicates pet P excretion time. The excretion time may be any time while the pet P stays in the toilet unit 410 , for example, it may be the time when the pet P enters the toilet unit 410 or the time when the pet P leaves the toilet unit 410 . It may be the time of day.

The toilet image 332 is an image of the pet captured by the toilet unit 410. Although one toilet image is displayed in FIG. 7, a plurality of toilet images may be displayed. In addition, the main server 200 selects an image in which the face of the pet P is shown in front by image analysis or the like from among the toilet images of the pet P acquired from the toilet server 400, and causes the user terminal 300 to display the image. good too.

The detailed information 333 is a URL for accessing the toilet server 400. By accessing the detailed information 333, the breeder can view detailed excretion-related information and past excretion-related information stored in the toilet server 400. FIG. Note that the detailed information 333 is not limited to the URL notation, and a QR code (registered trademark) or the like may be used to access the toilet server 400 .

When the pet P has not entered the toilet unit 410, message information corresponding to the state of the pet P is displayed on the messaging application of the breeder's user terminal 300. For example, in FIG. 7, when the breeder sends the text message 324 "What are you doing?" Information is generated and transmitted to the user terminal 300 . As a result, a text message 335 indicating that the pet P is walking is displayed on the user terminal 300 .

FIG. 8 shows a display example of notification information when there are multiple pets or when there are multiple toilet units 410 . If there are multiple pets or multiple toilet units 410 , the main server 200 may include the individual name of the pet and information specifying the toilet unit 410 in the notification information and transmit the notification information to the user terminal 300 . In FIG. 8, the text message 331x includes the individual name of the pet "Kiji" and the information specifying the toilet unit "corridor toilet". In the text message 331x, the target pet's name is used as the pet's individual name, but the pet's individual name may be any information that can identify the pet. For example, a management ID or the like may be used as the individual name of the pet.

A pet breeder registers an ID that uniquely identifies a pet (hereinafter referred to as a "pet ID") for each pet in the toilet server 400 in advance. In addition, the owner of the pet P registers in the toilet server 400 in advance an ID that uniquely identifies the toilet unit (hereinafter referred to as "toilet ID") for each toilet unit. Note that the pet ID and toilet ID are associated with the household ID described above, and one household ID is associated with one or more pet IDs and toilet IDs.

When there are multiple pets, when the toilet unit 410 transmits the excretion-related information and the toilet image to the toilet server 400, the toilet server 400 uses a prepared image recognition model or the like to determine which pet is from the toilet image. It is estimated whether the toilet unit 410 has been entered. Toilet server 400 then transmits to main server 200 excretion-related information including the pet ID of the pet presumed to have entered toilet unit 410 and a toilet image. Individual names of pets corresponding to pet IDs are registered in advance in the main server 200 . The main server 200 extracts the individual name of the pet based on the pet ID acquired from the restroom server 400 . The main server 200 then transmits notification information including the individual name of the pet to the user terminal 300 . As a result, the user terminal 300 displays a message including the individual name of the pet, such as the text message 331x.

When there are a plurality of toilet units, when the toilet unit 410 transmits its own toilet ID, excretion-related information, and a toilet image to the toilet server 400, the toilet server 400 transmits the excretion-related information including the toilet ID, The toilet image is transmitted to the main server 200.例文帳に追加Information specifying a toilet corresponding to a toilet ID is registered in advance in the main server 200 . Based on the toilet ID obtained from the toilet server 400, the main server 200 extracts information specifying the toilet. Then, main server 200 transmits notification information including information specifying the toilet used by the pet to user terminal 300 . As a result, the user terminal 300 displays a message, such as the text message 331x, including information specifying the restroom. The information specifying the toilet includes, for example, the installation location and the name of the pet that is mainly used, such as "corridor toilet" and "ball toilet".

According to the display example of FIG. 8, even when there are multiple pets or multiple toilet units 410, the pet breeder can grasp which pet has entered which toilet unit 410. .

[Modification]
In the first embodiment, when the pet P enters the toilet unit 410, the main server 200 generates notification information including the excretion time, the toilet image, and the URL, and causes the user terminal 300 to display the notification information. The notification information may include information as to whether the excretion state of the pet P is abnormal. The excretion state refers to the number of excretion times of the pet P per day, the timing of excretion of the pet P, and the like. The main server 200 determines whether the excretion state of the pet P is abnormal. Specifically, the main server 200 determines the excretion state of the pet P by abnormality detection using machine learning. For example, based on information such as daily excretion times, frequency of excretion, and amount of excretion of the pet P, a state determination model that learns the normal pattern of excretion of the pet P is created in advance. Then, the main server 200 compares the excretion time, the number of excretion times, and the amount of excretion of the pet P on a certain day with the normal pattern, and determines that the excretion state is abnormal when there is a difference from the normal pattern. The main server 200 transmits to the user terminal 300 notification information including the determination result of the excretion state such as “normal” or “abnormal”. If the excretion state is normal, for example, notification information such as "Today is as usual" may be transmitted. The state determination model may be created for each pet, or may be created for each animal, such as a state determination model for dogs and a state determination model for cats.

In addition, the main server 200 not only determines whether there is an abnormality in the pet's excretion state or not, but if there is an abnormality in the excretion state, the state determination model is used to identify the type of abnormality, and the result is sent to the user. You may transmit to the terminal 300. FIG. Types of abnormalities include "abnormal excretion frequency," in which the number of excretion times is less than or greater than the daily average, and "abnormal excretion timing," in which a person does not excrete in the morning for several consecutive days. There is By determining the excretion state of the animal and including it in the notification information in this manner, the breeder can grasp the excretion state of the animal in more detail.

<Second embodiment>
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the animal management support device 50 of the second embodiment. An animal management support device 50 of the second embodiment includes acquisition means 51 and output means 52 .

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of processing by the animal management support device 50. FIG. The acquisition unit 51 acquires excretion-related information related to the excretion of the target animal (step S51). Based on the excretion-related information, the output unit 52 outputs notification information related to excretion of the target animal to the terminal device of the breeder of the target animal (step S52).

According to the animal management support device 50 of the second embodiment, it is possible to easily grasp information related to pet excretion.

Some or all of the above embodiments can also be described as the following additional remarks, but are not limited to the following.

(Appendix 1)
Acquisition means for acquiring excretion-related information related to excretion of the target animal;
output means for outputting notification information related to the excretion of the target animal to a terminal device of a breeder of the target animal based on the excretion-related information;
An animal management support device comprising:

(Appendix 2)
The excretion-related information includes at least one of the excretion time of the target animal, the time of entering the toilet device, the time of leaving the toilet device, the staying time of the toilet device, or the amount of excretion in the toilet device. ,
The animal management support device according to appendix 1, wherein the output means outputs the excretion information to the terminal device of the breeder.

(Appendix 3)
the excretion-related information includes an image of the target animal;
3. The animal management support apparatus according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein the output means outputs an image of the target animal.

(Appendix 4)
4. The animal management support apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein the output means outputs notification information including whether or not the excretion time of the target animal matches the normal pattern.

(Appendix 5)
a state determination means for determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the excretion state of the target animal based on whether the excretion time of the target animal matches the normal pattern;
5. The animal management support apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, wherein the output means outputs the result of determination by the state determination means to the terminal device of the breeder.

(Appendix 6)
The state determination means identifies the type of abnormality,
6. The animal management support apparatus according to Supplementary Note 5, wherein the output means outputs the type of abnormality specified by the state determination means to the terminal device of the breeder.

(Appendix 7)
The state determination means uses a state determination model regarding the excretion state of the target animal, which learns the relationship between excretion-related information related to excretion of the same animal as the target animal and the excretion state of the same animal as the target animal. , determining the presence or absence of an abnormality in the excretion state of the target animal, or identifying the type of abnormality,
7. The animal management support apparatus according to Supplementary Note 5 or 6, wherein the output means outputs the result of determination by the state determination means or the type of abnormality specified by the state determination means to the terminal device of the breeder.

(Appendix 8)
8. Any one of Appendices 1 to 7, comprising generating means for generating a state determination model regarding the excretion state of the target animal by learning a relationship between the excretion-related information related to the excretion of the target animal and the excretion state of the target animal. or the animal management support device according to item 1.

(Appendix 9)
the excretion-related information includes individual identification information indicating the individual of the target animal;
9. The animal management support apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 8, wherein the output means outputs notification information including an individual name corresponding to the individual identification information.

(Appendix 10)
the excretion-related information includes toilet identification information indicating a toilet device used by the target animal;
10. The animal management support apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 9, wherein the output means outputs information specifying the toilet used by the target animal based on the toilet identification information.

(Appendix 11)
the excretion-related information includes at least one of body weight and urine volume of the target animal;
11. The animal management support apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 10, wherein the output means outputs at least one of body weight and urine volume of the target animal.

(Appendix 12)
12. The animal management support device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 11, wherein the notification information includes additional information for accessing detailed information or history information regarding excretion of the target animal.

(Appendix 13)
The acquisition means acquires the excretion-related information from an external device,
13. The animal management support device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 12, wherein the external device acquires excretion-related information from a toilet device installed in the home of the breeder.

(Appendix 14)
A detection means for detecting that the target animal has entered the toilet device,
when the detection means detects that the target animal has entered the toilet apparatus, the acquisition means acquires the excretion-related information;
14. The animal according to any one of appendices 1 to 13, wherein the output means outputs notification information related to excretion of the target animal to a terminal device of a breeder of the target animal based on the excretion-related information. Management support device.

(Appendix 15)
Acquiring excretion-related information related to the excretion of the target animal,
An animal management support method for outputting notification information related to the excretion of the target animal to a terminal device of a keeper of the target animal based on the excretion related information.

(Appendix 16)
Acquiring excretion-related information related to the excretion of the target animal,
A recording medium recording a program for causing a computer to execute a process of outputting notification information related to the excretion of the target animal to a terminal device of a keeper of the target animal based on the excretion related information.

Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments and examples, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and examples. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure.

10 home terminal 15 fixed camera 20 pet terminal 100 home system 200 main server 300 user terminal 400 toilet server 410 toilet unit

Claims

Acquisition means for acquiring excretion-related information related to excretion of the target animal;
output means for outputting notification information related to the excretion of the target animal to a terminal device of a breeder of the target animal based on the excretion-related information;
An animal management support device comprising:
The excretion-related information includes at least one of the excretion time of the target animal, the time of entering the toilet device, the time of leaving the toilet device, the staying time of the toilet device, or the amount of excretion in the toilet device. ,
2. The animal management support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said output means outputs excretion information to said breeder's terminal device.
the excretion-related information includes an image of the target animal;
3. The animal management support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said output means outputs an image of said target animal.
The animal management support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the output means outputs notification information including whether or not the excretion time of the target animal matches a normal pattern.
a state determination means for determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the excretion state of the target animal based on whether the excretion time of the target animal matches a normal pattern;
5. The animal management support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said output means outputs the result of determination by said state determination means to said breeder's terminal device.
The state determination means identifies the type of abnormality,
6. The animal management support apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said output means outputs the type of abnormality specified by said state determination means to said breeder's terminal device.
The state determination means uses a determination model regarding the excretion state of the target animal that has learned the relationship between excretion-related information related to excretion of the same animal as the target animal and the excretion state of the same animal as the target animal. , determining the presence or absence of an abnormality in the excretion state of the target animal, or identifying the type of abnormality,
7. The animal management support apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said output means outputs the result of determination by said state determination means or the type of abnormality specified by said state determination means to said breeder's terminal device.
8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising generating means for generating a state determination model regarding the excretion state of the target animal by learning a relationship between excretion-related information related to the excretion of the target animal and the excretion state of the target animal. The animal care support device according to any one of the items.
the excretion-related information includes individual identification information indicating the individual of the target animal;
9. The animal management support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said output means outputs notification information including an individual name corresponding to said individual identification information.
the excretion-related information includes toilet identification information indicating a toilet device used by the target animal;
10. The animal management support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the output means outputs information specifying the toilet used by the target animal based on the toilet identification information.
the excretion-related information includes at least one of body weight and urine volume of the target animal;
The animal management support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the output means outputs at least one of body weight and urine volume of the target animal.
The animal management support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the notification information includes additional information for accessing detailed information or history information regarding excretion of the target animal.
The acquisition means acquires the excretion-related information from an external device,
13. The animal management support device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the external device acquires excretion-related information from a toilet device installed in the breeder's home.
A detection means for detecting that the target animal has entered the toilet device,
when the detection means detects that the target animal has entered the toilet apparatus, the acquisition means acquires the excretion-related information;
14. The output means according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the output means outputs notification information related to excretion of the target animal to a terminal device of a breeder of the target animal based on the excretion-related information. Animal care support device.
Acquiring excretion-related information related to the excretion of the target animal,
An animal management support method for outputting notification information related to the excretion of the target animal to a terminal device of a keeper of the target animal based on the excretion related information.
Acquiring excretion-related information related to the excretion of the target animal,
A recording medium recording a program for causing a computer to execute a process of outputting notification information related to the excretion of the target animal to a terminal device of a keeper of the target animal based on the excretion related information.