Stress evaluation system, stress evaluation server, and stress evaluation method

Abstract

To provide a stress evaluation system capable of accurately evaluating a stress state of an animal.SOLUTION: A stress evaluation system according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires biological information of an animal, a storage unit in which a change in the biological information and an evaluation value related to stress are associated with each other, an evaluation unit that evaluates a stress score of the animal from the acquired change in the biological information and the evaluation value with reference to the storage unit, and an output unit that outputs a result of the evaluation. According to such a configuration, the owner can more appropriately manage the health condition of the animal by accurately evaluating the stress state of the animal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a stress assessment system and a stress assessment method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when assessing the stress state of an animal, biometric information has been measured using dedicated equipment and the results analyzed using an algorithm. For example, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, electrodes are placed in contact with a pet's paw pads, a weak current is passed through, and the biopotential obtained is calculated using a unique algorithm to assess the level of relaxation, excitement, and tension. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-187631 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned devices only allow for instantaneous evaluation, and also place a heavy burden on small animals when measuring (it is impossible to distinguish between true stress and stress caused by the burden of measurement).

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a stress evaluation system that can accurately evaluate the stress state of an animal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, an acquisition unit for acquiring ecological information of animals; an analysis unit that analyzes the animal's eating habits based on the biological information; a detection unit that detects a change in the trend; a notification unit that notifies the detection result; A stress evaluation system comprising the above is obtained. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, by accurately assessing the stress state of an animal, owners can more appropriately manage the health condition of their animals. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating sensing of animals in a home according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of a server according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is an example of a data table used in the system of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a processing flow according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention will be described below by listing the contents of the embodiments. The present invention has the following configuration. [Item 1] an acquisition unit for acquiring ecological information of animals; a storage unit in which the change in the biological information is associated with an evaluation value related to stress; an evaluation unit that refers to the storage unit and evaluates a stress score of the animal based on the change in the acquired biological information and the evaluation value; an output unit that outputs the result of the evaluation; A stress assessment system comprising: [Item 2] The animal stress evaluation system according to claim 1, the storage unit stores a short-term stress index in which a change in the biological information and the evaluation value related to the stress are associated under a first condition, and a long-term stress index in which a change in the biological information and the evaluation value related to the stress are associated under a second condition; The evaluation unit evaluates at least one of the short-term stress score and the long-term stress score depending on whether at least one of the first condition and the second condition is satisfied. Stress assessment system. [Item 3] The animal stress evaluation system according to claim 1, the acquisition unit is at least one of a wearable device including an acceleration sensor attached to the animal and a weighing scale for the animal, The change in the biological information is a change in the behavior of the animal obtained by analyzing numerical information obtained from the wearable device or the weighing scale using machine learning. Stress assessment system. [Item 4] The animal stress evaluation system according to claim 3, The change in the animal's behavior includes at least one of the animal's behavior, eating, sleeping, walking, breathing, or weight. Stress assessment system. [Item 5] The animal stress evaluation system according to claim 1, further comprising an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires information about the surrounding environment of the animal; the evaluation unit evaluates the stress score based on a change in the environmental information. Stress assessment system. [Item 6] The animal stress evaluation system according to claim 1, A suggestion unit that suggests a measure to reduce stress of the animal based on the result of the evaluation, Stress assessment system. [Item 7] The animal stress evaluation system according to claim 1, the acquisition unit further includes a correction unit that acquires a range of change in the biological information of the animal over time and corrects the evaluation value based on the range of change over time. A stress assessment system comprising:

[0010] <Details of implementation form> Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <First Embodiment> <Configuration Overview> The present invention relates to a system for assessing stress in an animal.

[0012] The stress assessment system of the present invention comprises an acquisition unit that acquires biometric information of an animal, a memory unit that associates changes in the biometric information with evaluation values ​​related to stress, an evaluation unit that evaluates the animal's stress score from the changes in the biometric information acquired by referring to the memory unit and the evaluation values, and an output unit that outputs the results of the evaluation.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the memory unit stores a short-term stress index in which changes in biometric information and evaluation values ​​related to stress are associated under a first condition, and a long-term stress index in which changes in biometric information and evaluation values ​​related to stress are associated under a second condition, and the evaluation unit evaluates at least either the short-term stress score or the long-term stress score depending on whether at least either the first condition or the second condition is met.

[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, the acquisition unit is at least one of a wearable device including an acceleration sensor attached to the animal and an animal scale, and the change in biological information is a change in the animal's behavior obtained by analyzing, by machine learning, the numerical information obtained from the wearable device or the scale. The change in the animal's behavior includes at least one of the animal's gestures, eating, sleeping, walking, breathing, and weight.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the device further comprises an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires information about the surrounding environment of the animal, and the evaluation unit evaluates the stress score based on changes in the environmental information.

[0016] In another embodiment of the present invention, the device further comprises a suggestion unit that suggests measures to reduce stress in the animal based on the results of the evaluation.

[0017] In another embodiment of the present invention, the acquisition unit further includes a correction unit that acquires the range of change in the animal's biometric information over time and corrects the evaluation value based on the range of change over time.

[0018] According to the present invention, stress can be comprehensively evaluated based on biological information, behavioral changes, environmental information, etc. of animals, and stress reduction measures can be proposed as needed. Furthermore, by taking into account short-term and long-term indicators and individual differences, more appropriate stress evaluation becomes possible.

[0019] <Hardware configuration example> 1 and 2 show examples of the hardware configuration of this system. This system includes a server 1 that provides services, and a weight measurement means 8, a sensor 5, a communication terminal 2, and a user terminal 3 that are connected to the server 1 via a network such as the Internet. The server 1 is also connected to an analysis server 4 via the network. For ease of explanation, FIG. 1 shows one weight measurement means 8, one communication terminal 2, one user terminal 3, and one analysis server 4, but multiple terminals of each can be connected to the network of this system.

[0020] The server 1 can provide services to the user terminal 3 via an application. The user terminal 3 can send and receive information to and receive services from the server 1 by downloading the application from the server 1 or another server, running the application, and accessing the server 1 via web page viewing software such as a browser.

[0021] The communication terminal 2 can acquire weight data and behavior measurement data by performing short-range wireless communication with the weight measurement means 8 and the acceleration sensor 5 attached to an animal (e.g., a cat 6). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 , a collar-shaped (or pendant-shaped) wearable device is first attached to the cat 6. The wearable device has a built-in acceleration sensor and / or temperature sensor. The weight measurement means 8 and the sensor 5 transmit data to a receiving device 7 installed in the same house via short-range wireless communication such as BLUETOOTH (registered trademark) LAW ENERGY (BLE). The receiving device 7 then transfers the data to a communication terminal 2 such as a router, and the communication terminal 2 transmits the data to a server 1 via a network. The weight measurement means 8 and the sensor 5 may also transmit data directly to the user terminal 3 via short-range wireless communication such as BLUETOOTH (registered trademark) LAW ENERGY (BLE). Here, the receiving device 7 is, for example, equipped with a Linux (registered trademark)-based operating system and may also be equipped with various sensors such as a temperature sensor for measuring air temperature. However, it is of course also possible to use a built-in chipset or the like that does not include an OS.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, acceleration sensor 5 is a sensor that detects acceleration in three mutually orthogonal axial directions (x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis), and is built into a collar that is worn around the cat's neck. The front-to-back direction of the cat is defined as the X direction, the left-to-right direction as the Y direction, and the up-to-down direction as the Z direction, and the collar is attached to the cat so that acceleration signals in each direction can be detected according to the cat's movements. The type of sensor is not limited to this, and any sensing device that can acquire information about the cat's movements, such as a gyro sensor or motion sensor, can be used.

[0023] Returning to FIG. 1, the user terminal 3 may be, for example, a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer, or may be a smartphone, a tablet, a mobile terminal, or other information terminal.

[0024] 3 is a functional block diagram of the server 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that the configuration shown in the figure is an example, and the server 1 may have other configurations.

[0025] As shown in the figure, a server 1 is connected to a database (not shown) and constitutes part of the system. The server 1 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer, or may be logically realized by cloud computing.

[0026] The server 1 includes at least a control unit 10, a memory 11, a storage 12, a transmitting / receiving unit 13, an input / output unit 14, etc., which are electrically connected to one another via a bus 15.

[0027] The control unit 10 is a computing device that controls the overall operation of the server 1, controls the transmission and reception of data between each element, and performs information processing necessary for application execution and authentication processing. For example, the control unit 10 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and executes programs stored in the storage 12 and deployed in the memory 11 to perform various information processing.

[0028] The memory 11 includes a main memory configured with a volatile storage device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and an auxiliary memory configured with a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disc Drive). The memory 11 is used as a work area for the processor 10, and also stores a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) that is executed when the server 1 starts up, various setting information, etc.

[0029] The storage 12 stores various programs such as application programs. A database (not shown) that stores data used in each process may be constructed in the storage 12.

[0030] The transmitting / receiving unit 13 connects the server 1 to a network. The transmitting / receiving unit 13 may include a short-range communication interface for Bluetooth (registered trademark) and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy).

[0031] The input / output unit 14 is an information input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and an output device such as a display.

[0032] A bus 15 is commonly connected to the above elements and transmits, for example, address signals, data signals and various control signals.

[0033] <Network configuration example> An example of a network configuration of a stress assessment system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. The stress assessment system of this embodiment comprises a wearable device attached to an animal, a weighing scale for the animal, a computer system, and various sensors connected via a network.

[0034] The wearable device has a built-in wireless communication module and transmits data on detected changes in animal activity and behavior to a computer system via wireless communication, using short-range wireless communication standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

[0035] The weighing scale also has a built-in wireless communication module, and transmits the measured weight data of the animal to the computer system via wireless communication. The communication between the weighing scale and the computer system uses short-range wireless communication standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

[0036] The various sensors included in the environmental information acquisition unit also have built-in wireless communication modules and transmit data about changes in the animal's surrounding environment to the computer system via wireless communication. Communication between the various sensors and the computer system uses short-range wireless communication standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

[0037] A computer system is connected to a wide area network such as the Internet, which allows the computer system to utilize external computer resources such as cloud servers. For example, the computer system can analyze data collected from a wearable device or a weight scale using a machine learning model built on a cloud server.

[0038] As described above, the stress assessment system of this embodiment is a network formed by wireless communication between the wearable device, the scale, various sensors, and the computer system. Furthermore, the computer system can utilize external resources such as cloud servers by connecting to a wide area network such as the Internet. This network configuration makes it possible to efficiently collect and analyze biological information and environmental information about animals and comprehensively assess stress.

[0039] <Explanation of each part> Each unit will be described with reference to Figure 4. As described above, the stress assessment system of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires biological information of an animal, a storage unit in which changes in the biological information are associated with evaluation values ​​related to stress, an assessment unit that evaluates the stress score of the animal from the acquired changes in the biological information and the evaluation value by referring to the storage unit, and an output unit that outputs the results of the assessment.

[0040] <Acquisition part> The acquisition unit of the stress assessment system according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail. The acquisition unit is for acquiring biological information of an animal and may include a wearable device attached to the animal and a weighing scale for the animal.

[0041] Wearable devices are attached to an animal's collar or harness to detect changes in the animal's activity and behavior. Wearable devices are equipped with an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a GPS receiver, and other sensors. The acceleration sensor detects changes in acceleration accompanying the animal's movement. The gyro sensor detects changes in the animal's posture and direction. The GPS receiver acquires the animal's location information. The data acquired by these sensors is transmitted to a computer system via a wireless communication module.

[0042] The weighing scale is for measuring the weight of an animal over time. The weighing scale includes a platform on which the animal sits, a load cell for measuring the weight, and a display for displaying the measurement results. The weight data measured by the weighing scale is transmitted to a computer system via a wireless communication module.

[0043] The acquisition unit collects biological information from the animal, such as changes in activity and behavior detected by the wearable device and changes in weight measured by the scale. These biological information are important indicators for assessing the animal's stress state. For example, a decrease in activity and weight loss suggest a loss of appetite and passive behavior due to stress.

[0044] The acquisition unit also includes a correction unit that acquires the range of changes in the animal's biological information over time and corrects the evaluation value based on the range of changes over time. The correction unit is intended to improve the accuracy of the stress evaluation by taking into account individual differences. For example, an active individual and an inactive individual may experience different levels of stress even if the same level of decrease in activity occurs. The correction unit takes such individual differences into account and appropriately adjusts the evaluation value.

[0045] As described above, the acquisition unit of this embodiment acquires biological information of an animal using a wearable device and a weight scale, and modifies the evaluation value based on the extent of change over time, thereby enabling a more accurate evaluation of the animal's stress state.

[0046] <Storage section> The memory unit of the stress assessment system according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail. The memory unit stores changes in the animal's biological information and stress-related assessment values ​​in association with each other. The memory unit is realized by a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk of a computer system.

[0047] The storage unit stores a short-term stress index in which a change in the animal's biological information and an evaluation value related to stress are associated with a first condition, and a long-term stress index in which a change in the animal's biological information and an evaluation value related to stress are associated with a second condition. The short-term stress index is used to evaluate an acute stress state, and the long-term stress index is used to evaluate a chronic stress state.

[0048] The short-term stress index is a stress evaluation value that is associated with a temporary large change in the animal's biological information. For example, a large decrease in the animal's activity level in a short period of time or a sudden loss of body weight is associated with a high short-term stress evaluation value.

[0049] On the other hand, the long-term stress index is one that is associated with a high stress evaluation value when changes in an animal's biological information fluctuate gradually over a long period of time, for example, when an animal's activity level gradually decreases over several weeks to several months or when its body weight continues to decrease slowly.

[0050] The storage unit stores a threshold value for distinguishing between short-term stress indexes and long-term stress indexes. This threshold value is set in advance depending on the type, age, sex, etc. of the animal. For example, since young animals tend to be more sensitive to stress, the threshold value for the short-term stress index is set low.

[0051] The storage unit also stores rules for relating the stress evaluation value to changes in the animal's behavior or environment. For example, rules are set so that the stress evaluation value will be higher if the animal is kept in an overcrowded environment or in an environment with a high noise level.

[0052] As described above, the storage unit of this embodiment stores changes in an animal's biological information and stress-related evaluation values, which are separated into short-term stress indices and long-term stress indices and associated with each other. The storage unit also stores thresholds for distinguishing between short-term and long-term stress indices, and rules for associating changes in the animal's behavior or environment with stress evaluation values. In this way, by using the information stored in the storage unit, it is possible to evaluate the animal's stress state from multiple angles.

[0053] <Examples of short-term stress indicators> An example of a short-term stress indicator associated with the first condition will now be described. Possible short-term stress indices based on information obtained from an acceleration sensor include the following: The following are examples, and the actual concepts of the indices and combinations of parameters can be changed as appropriate depending on the species and individual animal. A high short-term stress rating is associated with an animal's activity decreasing by 50% or more compared to normal activity within one day. A high short-term stress rating is associated with an animal's sleep duration increasing by 30% or more within a day compared to normal sleep. A decrease in an animal's walking speed of 30% or more compared to normal within one day is associated with a high short-term stress rating. Possible short-term stress indicators based on information obtained from a weight scale include: A high short-term stress rating is associated with an animal losing more than 5% of its normal body weight within one week. A high short-term stress rating is associated with an animal's weight fluctuation rate increasing by more than two times within one week compared to normal.

[0054] <Examples of long-term stress indicators> An example of a long-term stress indicator associated with the second condition will now be described. Possible long-term stress indicators based on information obtained from an acceleration sensor include the following: A high long-term stress rating is associated with an animal's activity level decreasing by 30% or more compared to normal activity for a period of one month or more. A sustained increase in an animal's sleep time of 20% or more compared to normal for a period of one month or more is associated with a high long-term stress rating. A sustained decrease in an animal's walking speed of 20% or more compared to normal for a period of one month or more is associated with a high long-term stress rating. Possible long-term stress indicators based on information obtained from a weight scale include the following: A high long-term stress score is associated with an animal losing 10% or more of its body weight compared to normal for a period of 3 months or more. A high long-term stress score is associated with an animal's weight fluctuation rate increasing by 1.5 times or more compared to normal over a period of 3 months or more. As described above, short-term stress indices and long-term stress indices differ in the degree of change in an animal's biological information and the duration over which that change continues. By combining these indices, it becomes possible to evaluate an animal's stress state in more detail.

[0055] <Evaluation Department> The evaluation unit of the stress evaluation system according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail. The evaluation unit evaluates the stress state of an animal based on changes in the animal's biological information acquired by the acquisition unit and the evaluation value stored in the storage unit. The evaluation unit is realized by hardware such as a CPU and memory of a computer system, and software such as a stress evaluation program.

[0056] The evaluation unit determines whether a change in the animal's biological information acquired by the acquisition unit satisfies the conditions of the short-term stress index or the long-term stress index stored in the storage unit. For example, if a change in activity level or sleep time satisfies the conditions of the short-term stress index, the evaluation unit assigns a high short-term stress evaluation value to the animal. On the other hand, if a change in activity level or sleep time satisfies the conditions of the long-term stress index, the evaluation unit assigns a high long-term stress evaluation value to the animal.

[0057] The evaluation unit integrates the short-term stress assessment value and the long-term stress assessment value to evaluate the animal's overall stress state. For example, the evaluation unit calculates a weighted average of the short-term stress assessment value and the long-term stress assessment value to determine the animal's stress score. In this case, the evaluation unit assigns different weights to the short-term stress assessment value and the long-term stress assessment value. For example, for young individuals, a greater weight is assigned to the short-term stress assessment value. On the other hand, for older individuals, a greater weight is assigned to the long-term stress assessment value.

[0058] The evaluation unit corrects the stress score based on rules stored in the memory unit that associate changes in the animal's behavior and environment with the stress evaluation value. For example, the evaluation unit corrects the stress score upward if the animal is kept in an overcrowded environment. On the other hand, the evaluation unit corrects the stress score downward if the animal is getting enough exercise and rest.

[0059] Furthermore, the evaluation unit improves the accuracy of stress evaluation by taking into account the individual differences of the animals stored in the storage unit. For example, the evaluation unit sets a high sensitivity to changes in activity level for active individuals, while the evaluation unit sets a low sensitivity to changes in activity level for inactive individuals.

[0060] As described above, the evaluation unit of this embodiment evaluates the stress state of an animal from multiple angles based on changes in the animal's biological information acquired by the acquisition unit and the evaluation value stored in the storage unit. The evaluation unit integrates the short-term stress index and the long-term stress index, takes into account changes in the animal's behavior and environment, and also takes into account individual differences, making it possible to more accurately evaluate the animal's stress state.

[0061] <Output section> The output unit of the stress assessment system according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail. The output unit is used to present the stress state of the animal assessed by the assessment unit to the user in an easy-to-understand manner. The output unit is realized by an output device such as a display or printer of a computer system.

[0062] The output unit displays the stress score calculated by the evaluation unit in the form of a number, a chart, etc. For example, the output unit displays the stress score as a number from 0 to 100, with a higher number indicating a more severe stress state. The output unit also displays changes in the stress score in a chart such as a line graph, allowing the transition in the stress state to be visually grasped.

[0063] The output unit presents detailed information about the animal's stress state along with the stress score. For example, if the stress score is high, the output unit identifies and displays the changes in biological information or environmental factors that caused the high stress score. The output unit also suggests specific measures to improve the stress state. For example, if the animal's activity level is decreasing, the output unit suggests increasing the amount of exercise.

[0064] The output unit has a function for sharing the stress state evaluation results with relevant parties such as animal breeders and veterinarians. For example, the output unit transmits the evaluation results to relevant parties via communication means such as email or SNS. The output unit also stores the evaluation results in a database on a cloud server so that relevant parties can access them at any time.

[0065] The output unit has a function for notifying relevant parties of changes in the animal's stress state. For example, the output unit sends a warning message to relevant parties when the stress score exceeds a preset threshold. The output unit also alerts relevant parties when the stress state does not improve over a long period of time.

[0066] Furthermore, the output unit analyzes the evaluation results of the stress state of the animals and proposes improvements to the rearing environment. For example, the output unit compares the stress states of multiple animals and identifies specific environmental factors that cause stress. The output unit also compares past evaluation results with current evaluation results to analyze changes in the stress state due to changes in the rearing environment.

[0067] As described above, the output unit of this embodiment presents the stress state of the animal evaluated by the evaluation unit to the user in an easy-to-understand manner. The output unit has functions such as displaying the stress score and detailed information, sharing with related parties, issuing warnings, and proposing improvements to the rearing environment, thereby making it possible to effectively support stress management for animals.

[0068] <Environmental information acquisition department> The environmental information acquisition unit of the stress assessment system according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail. The environmental information acquisition unit is for acquiring information about the rearing environment of the animals. The environmental information acquisition unit may include various sensors such as a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an illuminance sensor, and a sound sensor as environmental information acquisition devices. These sensors are installed in the rearing space of the animals.

[0069] The environmental information acquisition unit continuously measures the temperature of the animal's breeding space using temperature sensors. The temperature sensors are placed in multiple locations in the breeding space to enable detailed understanding of the temperature distribution. The environmental information acquisition unit also detects temperature changes and analyzes whether sudden temperature changes are causing stress to the animals.

[0070] The environmental information acquisition unit continuously measures the humidity in the animal's breeding space using humidity sensors. The humidity sensors are placed in multiple locations in the breeding space to enable detailed understanding of the humidity distribution. The environmental information acquisition unit also detects changes in humidity and analyzes whether excessive humidity is causing stress to the animals.

[0071] The environmental information acquisition unit continuously measures the brightness of the animal's breeding space using illuminance sensors. The illuminance sensors are placed in multiple locations in the breeding space to enable detailed understanding of the illuminance distribution. The environmental information acquisition unit also detects changes in the light-dark cycle and analyzes whether the irregular light-dark cycle is causing stress to the animal.

[0072] The environmental information acquisition unit uses sound sensors to continuously measure the noise level in the animal's enclosure. The sound sensors are placed in multiple locations in the enclosure to enable detailed understanding of the noise distribution. The environmental information acquisition unit also detects sudden loud noises and sustained noises, and analyzes whether excessive noise is causing stress to the animals.

[0073] The environmental information acquisition unit transmits data collected from various sensors to the evaluation unit via wireless communication. The evaluation unit analyzes the data received from the environmental information acquisition unit and evaluates whether the rearing environment is causing stress. For example, the evaluation unit adjusts the stress score upward when the temperature or humidity is outside the appropriate range.

[0074] The environmental information acquisition unit collects data for comparative analysis of the rearing environments of multiple animals. For example, the environmental information acquisition unit collects environmental data from multiple rearing spaces within the same facility and compares the stress risk for each rearing space. This makes it possible to efficiently identify areas for improvement in the rearing environment.

[0075] As described above, the environmental information acquisition unit of this embodiment continuously collects information about the animal's rearing environment and identifies environmental factors that cause stress. The environmental information acquisition unit can provide information useful for managing stress in animals by analyzing various environmental data such as temperature, humidity, illuminance, and noise in detail.

[0076] <Proposal Department> The proposal unit of the stress assessment system according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail. The proposal unit proposes specific measures to reduce the stress of an animal based on the results of the stress state assessment by the assessment unit. The proposal unit is realized by hardware such as a CPU and memory of a computer system, and software such as a program for generating stress reduction measures.

[0077] The suggestion unit analyzes the stress state evaluation results received from the evaluation unit and identifies the factors causing the stress. For example, if a decrease in activity level is the main cause of stress, the suggestion unit determines that lack of exercise is the problem. Also, if weight loss and loss of appetite are the main causes of stress, the suggestion unit determines that a change in the rearing environment or a stress-related digestive disorder is the problem.

[0078] The suggestion unit generates specific measures to reduce stress depending on the identified cause of stress. For example, if lack of exercise is the cause of stress, the suggestion unit suggests increasing the number of walks or providing toys to increase the amount of exercise indoors. Also, if a change in the breeding environment is the cause of stress, the suggestion unit suggests improving temperature and humidity management or providing a hideout.

[0079] The suggestion unit customizes stress reduction measures taking into account individual differences between animals. For example, the suggestion unit may suggest gentle exercise rather than vigorous exercise for elderly animals. For sensitive animals, the suggestion unit may avoid sudden changes in the environment and suggest gradually improving the breeding environment.

[0080] The proposal department proposes feasible stress reduction measures, taking into account the circumstances of the keeper. For example, the proposal department prioritizes cost-effective and time-saving methods, taking into account the keeper's budget and time constraints. The proposal department also provides easy-to-understand explanations based on the keeper's skill and knowledge level.

[0081] Furthermore, the proposal section evaluates the effectiveness of stress reduction measures based on past cases and expert knowledge. For example, the proposal section provides information for owners to use when selecting stress reduction measures by showing the percentage of similar cases in which a particular method was successful. The proposal section also explains the advantages and precautions of the proposed method, taking into account the opinions of veterinarians and other experts.

[0082] As described above, the suggestion unit of this embodiment proposes specific measures for reducing stress in animals based on the results of the stress state evaluation by the evaluation unit. The suggestion unit is able to identify the cause of stress and generate feasible and effective stress reduction measures by taking into account individual differences between animals and the circumstances of the keeper. This allows the keeper to more appropriately manage stress in animals.

[0083] <Correction part> The correction unit of the stress assessment system according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail. The correction unit is configured to improve the accuracy of stress assessment by taking into account individual differences between animals. The correction unit analyzes the range of change over time in the animal's biological information acquired by the acquisition unit, and corrects the results of the stress assessment performed by the evaluation unit.

[0084] The correction unit accumulates data on changes in the animal's biological information received from the acquisition unit and learns the trends of changes for each individual. For example, the correction unit analyzes patterns of daily and weekly fluctuations in activity level to understand the normal range of fluctuation for each individual. The correction unit also analyzes trends in weight gain and loss to understand the normal range of weight fluctuation for each individual.

[0085] The correction unit corrects the results of the stress assessment by the evaluation unit based on the learned tendency of changes in the biological information for each individual. For example, if the activity level of an individual is significantly outside of a normal fluctuation range, the correction unit determines that the stress state of the individual is more severe. On the other hand, if the change in the activity level of an individual is within the normal fluctuation range, the correction unit determines that the stress state of the individual is less severe.

[0086] The correction unit corrects the results of the stress assessment taking into account changes in biological information associated with the growth and aging of the animal. For example, the correction unit learns that the activity level of young individuals tends to be higher than that of mature individuals, and adjusts the standard for stress assessment of young individuals. In addition, the correction unit learns that the activity level of elderly individuals tends to decrease, and adjusts the standard for stress assessment of elderly individuals.

[0087] The correction unit corrects the results of the stress assessment taking into consideration attribute information such as the sex and breed of the animal. For example, the correction unit learns that activity levels tend to differ between males and females and sets a standard for stress assessment for each sex. The correction unit also learns standard values ​​for weight for each breed and sets an evaluation standard for weight changes for each breed.

[0088] Furthermore, the correction unit corrects the results of the stress assessment, taking into account the impact of changes in the rearing environment on the biological information of the animals. For example, the correction unit learns the pattern of changes in activity level due to changes in temperature, and performs a stress assessment that excludes the impact of temperature. The correction unit also detects changes in weight due to changes in food, medication, etc., and performs a stress assessment that takes these impacts into account.

[0089] As described above, the correction unit of this embodiment improves the accuracy of stress assessment by taking into account various factors such as individual differences, growth, sex, breed, and rearing environment of animals. The correction unit analyzes data on changes in biological information received from the acquisition unit over the long term and adaptively learns the characteristics of each individual, thereby making it possible to more appropriately correct the results of stress assessment by the evaluation unit. This makes it possible to more accurately grasp the stress state of animals and perform appropriate stress management.

[0090] <Data Structure> The data structure of a stress assessment system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figure 5. The stress assessment system of this embodiment is configured by associating multiple data tables in order to efficiently manage biological information and environmental information of animals, stress assessment results, etc.

[0091] First, an "animal information table" is provided to manage basic information about animals. In the animal information table, an individual identification number is set as the primary key to identify the animal, and attribute information such as the animal's type, breed, sex, age, and weight is stored. Information about the breeder and the breeding facility is also associated with the animal information table.

[0092] Next, a "biometric information table" is provided to manage the biological information of the animal acquired by the acquisition unit. In the biological information table, the individual identification number and time information are set as a composite primary key, and various types of biological information such as activity level, sleep time, weight, heart rate, etc. are stored in chronological order. Information on the device used for measurement, measurement conditions, etc. are also associated with the biological information table.

[0093] Furthermore, an "environment information table" is provided for managing information about the animal's rearing environment acquired by the environmental information acquisition unit. In the environmental information table, the individual identification number and time information are set as a composite primary key, and various types of environmental information such as temperature, humidity, illuminance, and noise level are stored in chronological order. Information about the sensors used for measurement, measurement conditions, etc. are also associated with the environmental information table.

[0094] In addition, an "evaluation result table" is provided to manage the results of the stress evaluation by the evaluation unit. The individual identification number and the evaluation time are set as a composite primary key in the evaluation result table, and the calculated stress score and detailed evaluation information are stored. The evaluation result table also associates information such as the criteria used in the evaluation and version information of the algorithm.

[0095] In addition to these data tables, a "proposal information table" is provided for managing information on stress reduction measures generated by the proposal unit. The proposal information table has the individual identification number and the time of proposal set as a composite primary key, and stores the details of the proposed reduction measures, their expected effects, etc. The proposal information table also associates feedback from the owner, the implementation status, etc.

[0096] By associating and configuring the data tables as described above, the stress assessment system of this embodiment can track changes in the stress state of each animal over the long term and support effective stress management. Furthermore, by analyzing the accumulated data, it is possible to improve the accuracy of stress assessment according to the type and breed of animal, rearing environment, etc. Furthermore, it can be used for information sharing and benchmarking with other rearing facilities.

[0097] <Processing flow> First, as part of the periodic measurement process, the acquisition unit periodically acquires biological information from the animal (SQ01), and the environmental information acquisition unit acquires environmental information (SQ02). This information is then stored in the storage unit (SQ03).

[0098] Next, as part of the stress evaluation process, the evaluation unit receives biometric information from the acquisition unit (SQ03), acquires the evaluation value from the storage unit (SQ05), and calculates a stress score (SQ06). The calculated score is passed to the correction unit (SQ07), which corrects the score to take individual differences into account (SQ08). The corrected score is returned to the evaluation unit (SQ09) and provided to the output unit as the evaluation result (SQ10). The output unit displays the evaluation result (on a user terminal, etc.) (SQ11).

[0099] In the stress state detection process, if a stress state is detected, the evaluation unit notifies the suggestion unit of the stress state (SQ12). The suggestion unit generates stress reduction measures (SQ13) and provides them to the output unit (SQ14). The output unit displays the stress reduction measures (SQ15).

[0100] In the continuous monitoring process, the acquisition unit provides changes in biological information to the correction unit (SQ16), and the correction unit learns the individual's tendencies and corrects the evaluation value (SQ17). The corrected evaluation value is provided to the evaluation unit (SQ18). In this way, each part works together to evaluate the stress state of an animal and support appropriate stress management.

[0101] <Modification> The stress assessment system of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. Some modifications will be described below.

[0102] 1. Transformation of wearable devices In the embodiment, a wearable device is used to acquire biological information from an animal, but other types of devices can also be used. For example, a patch-type sensor that is attached to the surface of the animal's body or an implant-type sensor that is embedded in the body can also be used. Using these devices enables continuous monitoring over a longer period of time.

[0103] 2. Transformation of the environmental information acquisition section In the embodiment, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, etc. are used to acquire information about the animal's rearing environment, but other types of sensors can also be added. For example, using a carbon dioxide concentration sensor, an ammonia concentration sensor, etc., makes it possible to evaluate air quality. Also, a camera can be used to capture images of the animal's behavior, and the stress state can be evaluated by image analysis.

[0104] 3. Transformation of the evaluation part In the embodiment, the short-term stress index and the long-term stress index are used as the stress assessment method, but other assessment methods can also be adopted. For example, machine learning can be used to build a model that determines the stress state from past data, and the assessment can be performed using that model. This allows for more advanced stress assessment.

[0105] 4. Deformation of the proposed part In the embodiment, stress reduction measures are proposed, but the proposal method can be more detailed. For example, multiple options can be presented to the keeper to select from, depending on the individual differences of the animal and the keeper's preferences. In addition, a database of past cases can be constructed and the effectiveness of reduction measures in similar cases can be presented to support the keeper's decision-making.

[0106] 5. Deformation of the corrected area In the embodiment, the stress assessment results are corrected taking into account individual differences, but corrections taking other factors into account are also possible. For example, the assessment results can be corrected taking into account the influence of environmental factors such as season, weather, and day of the week. Furthermore, when there are multiple animals, interactions with other individuals may affect the stress state, so corrections can be made taking such social factors into account.

[0107] <Embodiment 2> <Method for evaluating the stress-reducing effect of food and drink> As shown in Figure 7, the invention according to embodiment 2 of the present invention relates to a method for objectively evaluating the stress-reducing effect of a food or drink using an animal stress evaluation system. This method makes it possible to quantitatively measure the effect of a specific food or drink on an animal's stress level using a stress score based on the animal's biological information. This method allows scientific verification of the stress-reducing effect of a food or drink by comparing the stress score before and after administration of the food or drink.

[0108] The method of the present invention comprises the following main steps: -Measurement of stress scores of animals before food and drink administration -Administering the target food or drink to animals -Re-measurement of stress scores of animals after food and drink administration -Evaluation of effectiveness by comparing stress scores before and after administration This method makes it possible to objectively and quantitatively evaluate the stress-reducing effects of various foods and beverages, and is expected to contribute to improving animal welfare and developing new functional foods. Each step is explained in detail below.

[0109] <Pre-administration steps> In this step, a stress score in the initial state of the target animal is obtained (step S701). Specifically, the above-mentioned stress evaluation system is used to measure the animal's biological information, and the evaluation unit of the system calculates the stress score. This measurement is used as a reference value before the target food or drink is administered, so it is desirable to perform it while the animal is in a normal environment. By performing the measurement multiple times and averaging the results, a more reliable baseline score can be obtained.

[0110] <Administration steps> In this step, the food or drink to be evaluated is administered to the animal (step S702). The administration method is appropriately selected depending on the properties of the food or drink and the type of animal. For example, in the case of a liquid, it can be administered orally or mixed with drinking water, and in the case of a solid, it can be mixed with regular feed or given directly. The dosage and frequency of administration are set to an appropriate amount that will achieve the expected effect, after confirming safety in advance. In addition, the time of administration and environmental conditions are recorded so that they can be used for later analysis.

[0111] <Post-administration steps> After the target food or drink is administered, the stress score is obtained again at a certain time interval (step S703). This time interval is set taking into consideration the expected duration of action and metabolism of the target food or drink. The measurement method is the same as the pre-administration step, and is performed using the stress assessment system of claim 1. By performing post-administration measurements multiple times and obtaining time-series data, it is possible to observe changes in the effects of the food or drink over time.

[0112] <Evaluation steps> In this step, the stress scores before and after administration are compared to evaluate the stress effect of the target food or drink on the animal (steps S704, S705). The evaluation method may be, for example, the following method. 1. Calculate the difference in stress scores before and after administration. 2. Use statistical methods (e.g., t-test, analysis of variance, etc.) to verify the significance of the differences. 3. Calculate effect sizes (e.g., Cohen's d) to quantify the magnitude of the effect. 4. If time series data after administration are available, analyze the pattern of change over time. 5. If necessary, compare with a control group (such as a placebo group). The results of these analyses will be comprehensively interpreted to evaluate whether or not the target foods and drinks have a stress-reducing effect, as well as their degree and duration. The effects of individual differences and environmental factors will also be considered.

[0113] Through each of the above steps, it becomes possible to scientifically and objectively evaluate the stress-reducing effects of food and drink.

[0114] <Third Embodiment> <Food manufacturing method that takes into account the effects of stress> As shown in Figure 8, the invention according to embodiment 3 of the present invention is a food production method that utilizes the above-mentioned animal stress evaluation system. The present invention objectively evaluates the stress state of an animal and produces food and drink with an optimal composition based on the evaluation results. This method utilizes the above-mentioned stress evaluation system to identify the composition of food and drink that is most effective in reducing stress in animals, and provides a process for producing a product based on that composition.

[0115] The procedure of the manufacturing method according to the present invention is as follows: 1. Administering a target food or drink to an animal while systematically changing its composition 2. A step of measuring stress scores before and after administration of each composition and evaluating the effect on stress. 3. Based on the evaluation results, identify the composition with the greatest stress-reducing effect. 4. Producing food and beverages using the identified optimal composition

[0116] The present invention enables the development of foods and beverages optimized for reducing stress in animals, the efficient development of feeds and functional foods suitable for individual animal species and breeds, and applications in a wide range of fields such as pet food and livestock feed. The steps of the production method according to the present invention are now explained.

[0117] <Administration steps> In this step, the composition of the target food and drink is systematically changed and sequentially administered to the animals (step S802). Specifically, the following procedure is performed: 1. Base composition: Determine the base composition of the food or beverage to be evaluated, including the ratio of major nutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrates) and specific functional ingredients. 2. Identify variables: Identify the ingredients or additives to be modified in the formulation. These may include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, dietary fiber, neurotransmitter-related compounds, prebiotics / probiotics, antioxidants, and other additives. 3. Varying the composition: Prepare multiple compositions with gradually changing concentrations and ratios of the identified variables, with an appropriate number of samples to obtain statistically significant results. 4. Formulation of a dosing plan: Determine the administration order, interval, and duration of each component. When doing so, provide an appropriate withdrawal period to prevent the effects of the previous component from affecting the next evaluation. 5. Administration: Administer each composition to animals according to the established plan. The administration method should be selected appropriately depending on the type of target animal and the properties of the food and drink.

[0118] <Evaluation steps> In this step, the stress score of the animal is obtained before and after administration of each composition, and the effect on stress is evaluated (steps S801, S803, S804). Specifically, this is carried out in the following procedure: 1. Baseline measurement: Before administration of each composition, the stress score is measured using the stress assessment system of claim 1. 2. Post-administration measurement: After administration, measure the stress score multiple times at appropriate intervals. The timing of measurement should be determined taking into account the expected duration of action of the target ingredient. 3. Data collection: In addition to the measured stress scores, environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, noise level, etc.) and animal behavioral observations are also recorded. 4. Analysis: For each composition, statistical analysis will be conducted on the change in stress score before and after administration. Specifically, the rate of reduction in score, duration of effect, individual differences, etc. will be evaluated. 5. Comparative evaluation: Compare the analytical results for all compositions to identify the composition with the greatest stress reduction effect and its characteristics.

[0119] <Composition identification step> In this step, the composition that most reduces stress on animals is identified based on the evaluation results (step S805). Specifically, the following steps are performed: 1. Effect ranking: Rank the stress-reducing effect of each composition. 2. Statistical analysis: A significant difference test is performed between the most effective composition and other compositions. 3. Component analysis: Identify the components common to the effective compositions and their concentration ranges. 4. Consideration of interactions: Analyze synergistic or antagonistic effects between multiple ingredients. 5. Determining the optimal composition: The results of the above analyses are comprehensively evaluated to identify the composition that is believed to have the greatest stress-reducing effect.

[0120] <Manufacturing steps> In this step, a food or drink having the identified optimal composition is actually produced (step S806). Specifically, the process is carried out as follows: 1. Formulating manufacturing specifications: Based on the identified optimal composition, the raw materials, blending ratios, and manufacturing conditions required for manufacturing are determined. 2. Scale-up study: Adjust the laboratory-level composition to industrial production scale. If necessary, optimize the manufacturing equipment and process. 3. Setting quality control standards: To ensure product consistency, quality standards are set for each raw material and the final product. 4. Prototype production: Produce small-scale prototypes based on set specifications. 5. Quality evaluation: Nutritional analysis, safety testing, stability testing, etc. are conducted on the prototype. 6. Full-scale production: After making any necessary adjustments based on the prototype results, full-scale production begins. Through each of the above steps, it becomes possible to scientifically and efficiently develop and produce food and beverages that are optimized to reduce stress in animals.

[0121] As described above, the stress assessment system of the present invention can be developed in various ways. By appropriately combining these modifications, more advanced and precise stress assessment and management can be achieved.

[0122] The above-described embodiment is merely an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 1 server 2. Communication terminals 3. User terminal 4. Analysis Server 5 sensors 6 animals 7. Receiving device 8 Weight measurement means

Claims

1. an acquisition unit for acquiring ecological information of animals; a storage unit in which the change in the biological information is associated with an evaluation value related to stress; an evaluation unit that refers to the storage unit and evaluates a stress score of the animal based on the change in the acquired biological information and the evaluation value; an output unit that outputs the result of the evaluation; A stress assessment system comprising:

2. The animal stress evaluation system according to claim 1, the storage unit stores a short-term stress index in which a change in the biological information and the evaluation value related to the stress are associated under a first condition, and a long-term stress index in which a change in the biological information and the evaluation value related to the stress are associated under a second condition; The evaluation unit evaluates at least one of the short-term stress score and the long-term stress score depending on whether at least one of the first condition and the second condition is satisfied. Stress assessment system.

3. The animal stress evaluation system according to claim 1, the acquisition unit is at least one of a wearable device including an acceleration sensor attached to the animal and a weighing scale for the animal, The change in the biological information is a change in the behavior of the animal obtained by analyzing numerical information obtained from the wearable device or the weighing scale using machine learning. Stress assessment system.

4. The animal stress evaluation system according to claim 3, The change in the animal's behavior includes at least one of the animal's behavior, eating, sleeping, walking, breathing, or weight. Stress assessment system.

5. The animal stress evaluation system according to claim 1, further comprising an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires information about the surrounding environment of the animal; the evaluation unit evaluates the stress score based on a change in the environmental information. Stress assessment system.

6. The animal stress evaluation system according to claim 1, A suggestion unit that suggests a measure to reduce stress of the animal based on the result of the evaluation, Stress assessment system.

7. The animal stress evaluation system according to claim 1, the acquisition unit further includes a correction unit that acquires a range of change in the biological information of the animal over time and corrects the evaluation value based on the range of change over time. A stress assessment system comprising:

8. A method for evaluating the stress-reducing effect of food and drink, using the stress evaluation system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, a pre-administration step of obtaining the stress score of the animal; an administration step of administering the target food or drink to the animal; a post-administration step of obtaining the stress score of the animal after the administration; and an evaluation step of comparing the stress score in the pre-administration step with the stress score in the post-administration step to evaluate the stressful effect of the target food or drink on the animal. Method for evaluating the stress-reducing effect of foods and drinks

9. A method for producing food and drink using the stress assessment system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, An administration step of sequentially administering to the animal the target food and drink while changing the composition thereof; an evaluation step of obtaining the stress score of the animal before and after the administration and evaluating the effect of each of the compositions on the stress of the animal; identifying the composition that best reduces the stress of the animal based on the evaluation; and producing the food or beverage having the specified composition. Food production method.

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