Wireless performance monitoring and data collection system for poultry

Abstract

A wireless performance monitoring and data collection system installed in a poultry house, comprising: a first electronic device, the first electronic device comprising at least one camera; a weight measuring component, wherein the weight measuring component is installed on the floor; a rotatable suspension component, wherein the rotatable suspension component is connected to the first electronic device; and a suspension device connected to the ceiling or a crossbeam of the poultry house; wherein the first electronic device and the weight measuring device are wirelessly connected to each other.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of technology for monitoring the growth and performance of poultry and, more particularly, to a system for weight measurement, growth monitoring, flock activity monitoring, health monitoring and other performance characteristics, and data collection in poultry.

[0002] It is well known that weight measurements and body growth monitoring are performed during poultry farming. Therefore, Taiwanese Patent Publication No. TW202242352A discloses an automatic animal weight measurement system comprising a platform, a weight sensor, a camera, and electronic devices. The platform consists of a base plate, a plurality of columns arranged vertically on the base plate, and an upper plate connected to the columns. Furthermore, the camera is mounted on the underside of the upper plate, and the weighing sensor is connected between the upper surface of the upper plate and at least one suspension cable.

[0003] When using the automatic animal weight measurement system, the animals (e.g., broilers, chickens, laying hens, or ducks) are placed on the floor plate. At the same time, the weighing sensor generates a signal in response to the animals' weight and transmits it to the electronic device. At the same time, the camera captures images of the poultry and sends them to the electronic device. In this way, the electronic device obtains the weight values ​​of the poultry by processing the signals and processes the images to estimate the poultry's body growth parameters.

[0004] As explained in more detail below, one end of the suspension line is connected to the weight sensor, and the other end of the suspension line is attached to the ceiling of the poultry house. However, practical experience has shown that the poultry naturally does not always stand still during weight measurement by the weight sensor and image capture by the camera. Therefore, the running and / or jumping of the poultry on the floor plate causes the platform to vibrate, which means that the signals generated by the weight sensor cannot be accurately mapped to the actual weight of the poultry. In addition, practical experience has shown that the swaying platform can lead to blurred outlines of the poultry in the images, preventing the electronic device from making accurate estimates of body growth through image processing.In addition, turbulence in the poultry house due to ventilation can also lead to fluctuations and inaccuracies in the weighing platform. Furthermore, without flexible suspension, the platform can become loose over time and fall to the floor due to the birds' constant jumping, requiring high maintenance.

[0005] The above description has thus shown that the conventional automatic animal weight measuring system disclosed in Taiwanese Patent Publication No. TW202242352A still has room for improvement. With this in mind, the inventor of the present invention has made great efforts to conduct creative research and ultimately provide a system for weighing and growth monitoring of poultry.

[0006] The main purpose of this novel invention is to disclose a performance monitoring and data acquisition system for poultry. The system comprises a platform, an electronic device with at least one camera, a weight-measuring component, a rotatable suspension device, a connecting device with multidirectional rotation, and a suspension device. The electronic device is arranged in the platform and the weight-measuring component is arranged on the platform. Furthermore, the rotatable suspension device is connected to the weight-measuring device. The suspension device is attached to the ceiling or a crossbeam of the poultry house, and the weight-measuring device and the platform are suspended from the ceiling or crossbeam via the suspension device by means of a connecting device.This allows the vibration of the platform to be compensated by the rotating suspension assembly and the connecting device, so that the weight measurement and body growth monitoring of poultry can be carried out precisely.

[0007] To achieve the above purpose, an embodiment of a poultry performance monitoring and data collection system is provided, comprising: a platform; a first electronic device comprising at least one camera and arranged in the platform; a weight measuring device arranged on the platform; a rotatable suspension device connected to the weight measuring device; a connecting device which is rotatable in several directions and is connected to the rotatable suspension device; and a hanging device; wherein the suspension device is attached to the ceiling or a cross member of the poultry house and the weight measuring device and the platform are suspended via the connecting device on the suspension device below the ceiling or the cross member.

[0008] In one embodiment, the platform comprises: a base plate; a plurality of columns, wherein the plurality of columns are arranged on the base plate; and a cover plate, the cover plate being arranged on the plurality of columns and having a first through-bore.

[0009] In one embodiment, the weight measuring device comprises: a weight sensor having a first threaded hole and a second threaded hole on its bottom and top sides, respectively; a connecting element provided with a first threaded pin and a second threaded pin on its underside and its top side, respectively; and a second electronic device, the second electronic device comprising a display module, the second electronic device being arranged on the cover plate and coupled to the weight sensor; wherein the first threaded rod is arranged to pass through the first through-hole, and the second threaded rod is screwed into the first threaded hole of the weight sensor, so that the weight sensor is attached to the cover plate via the connecting elements.

[0010] In one embodiment, the rotatable suspension assembly comprises: a suspension eyelet, the suspension eyelet comprising a third threaded rod and a first rotatable suspension ring, the third threaded rod being arranged to be screwed into the second threaded bore of the weight sensor; and a rotary hook device comprising a first lifting hook, a first locking member having a recess for enclosing the first lifting hook, and a second rotatable suspension ring, the first rotatable suspension ring being connected to the first lifting hook so as to be suspended from the first lifting hook.

[0011] In a practical embodiment, the performance monitoring and data acquisition system further comprises: a hook eye bolt unit, the hook eye bolt unit having a second lifting hook, a second locking component having a recess for enclosing the second lifting hook, and a fourth threaded rod, the second rotatable suspension ring being connected to the second lifting hook so as to be suspended from the second lifting hook.

[0012] In one embodiment, the connecting device comprises: a base plate unit, the base plate unit comprising: a first base plate, the first base plate having a first side, a second side, has a third side and a fourth side; a first side plate, the first side plate being disposed on the underside of the first base plate to be connected to the first side of the first base plate, and a first hole being formed in the first side plate; a second side plate attached to the underside of the first base plate to be connected to the second side of the first base plate, and wherein a second hole is provided on the second side plate; a third side plate attached to the underside of the first base plate to be connected to the third side of the first base plate, and wherein a third hole is provided on the third side plate; and a fourth side plate attached to the underside of the first base plate to be connected to the fourth side of the first base plate, and wherein the fourth side plate is provided with a fourth hole; a lower rotating device, the lower rotating device comprising: a second base plate, the second base plate also having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, and the second base plate being provided with a second through-hole; a fifth side plate attached to the top of the second base plate to be connected to the first side of the second base plate, and wherein a fifth hole is provided on the fifth side plate; and a sixth side plate attached to the top of the second base plate to be connected to the second side of the second base plate, and wherein a sixth hole is provided on the sixth side plate; and an upper rotating device, the upper rotating device comprising: a third base plate, the third base plate also having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, and a third through hole being provided in the third base plate; a seventh side plate, the seventh side plate being disposed on the underside of the third base plate to be connected to the first side of the third base plate, and a seventh hole being provided in the seventh side plate; and an eighth side plate being attached to the underside of the third base plate to be connected to the second side of the third base plate, and having an eighth hole provided therein; wherein the first bolt is arranged to pass sequentially through the first hole and the fifth hole, and the second bolt is arranged to pass sequentially through the second hole and the sixth hole; wherein the third bolt is arranged to pass successively through the third hole and the seventh hole, and the fourth bolt is arranged to pass successively through the fourth hole and the eighth hole; wherein the lower pivot unit is rotatable in a first free plane relative to the substrate unit, the upper pivot unit is rotatable in a second free plane relative to the substrate unit, and the second free plane is orthogonal to the first free plane.

[0013] In one embodiment, the fourth threaded rod of the hook eye bolt unit is arranged to pass through the second through hole of the second base plate.

[0014] In one embodiment, the suspension assembly comprises a suspension unit, and the suspension unit comprises: N suspension rods, where N is a positive integer; N-1 rod sleeves, wherein two of the N suspension rods are connected to each other via one of the N-1 rod sleeves and the first suspension rod of the N suspension rods is connected to the third through hole of the third base plate; and a first mounting plate, wherein the first mounting plate is connected to the N-th suspension rod of the N suspension rods, and a plurality of ninth holes are provided in the first mounting plate.

[0015] In one embodiment, the suspension assembly further comprises a first fastening unit, the first fastening unit comprising: a second fixing plate provided with a plurality of slotted holes, the plurality of slotted holes corresponding to the plurality of ninth holes; wherein the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate are fastened to the bottom and the top of the plate-shaped object after the plurality of fastening elements are arranged to subsequently pass through the plurality of slotted holes, extend through the plate-shaped object, and pass through the plurality of ninth hole openings.

[0016] In one embodiment, the suspension assembly further comprises a second mounting unit, the second mounting unit comprising: a first vertical plate disposed on the second mounting plate and having a first recess; a second vertical plate disposed on the second mounting plate and having a second recess; wherein the second vertical plate and the first vertical plate are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance; a horizontal plate disposed on the first vertical plate and the second vertical plate, and a fourth through hole disposed in the horizontal plate; wherein the bolts are arranged to pass through the fourth through-hole to press the cross member downward when the cross member is inserted into the first recess and the second recess.

[0017] In one embodiment, a threaded hole is provided on the top side of the first electronic device, and the first threaded pin, which projects through the first through hole of the connecting device, is further screwed into the threaded hole so that the first electronic device is fixed to the underside of the cover plate.

[0018] In one embodiment, after the poultry is positioned to stand on the base plate, the weight sensor generates a signal in response to the weight of the poultry and transmits it to the second electronic device, so that the second electronic device determines the weight value of the poultry by processing the signal.

[0019] In one embodiment, the first electronic device further comprises a processor and a memory device for storing an application, and the processor executes the application to be configured to by controlling the camera, it takes pictures of the poultry on the base plate; by processing the images, the outlines of the poultry are extracted from the images; and By processing the poultry contour, the body growth parameters of the poultry are calculated.

[0020] In one embodiment, the bottom plate and the cover plate (113) are all selected from a group consisting of spherical plates, elliptical plates, triangular plates, square plates, rectangular plates, pentagonal plates and hexagonal plates.

[0021] In one embodiment, the base plate and the cover plate have a radius in the range between 10 cm and 50 cm.

[0022] In one embodiment, the base plate and the cover plate are spaced apart from each other at a distance in the range between 30 cm and 400 cm.

[0023] In one embodiment, the connecting element has a length in the range between 40 cm and 6 m.

[0024] In one embodiment, the suspension rod has a length in the range between 30 cm and 4 m.

[0025] The distance between the base plate and the ground on which the poultry is located is between 0 and 10 cm.

[0026] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0027] They show: Fig. 1: shows a first three-dimensional view of a wireless poultry performance monitoring and data acquisition system according to the present invention. Fig. 2: shows a second three-dimensional view of the wireless power monitoring and data acquisition system according to the present invention. Fig. 3: shows an exploded view of the suspension device.

[0028] In order to more clearly describe the poultry performance monitoring and data acquisition system according to the present invention, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are a first three-dimensional view and a second three-dimensional view of the wireless poultry performance monitoring and data acquisition system according to the present invention. As shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the wireless performance monitoring and data acquisition system 1 (hereinafter referred to as "System 1") according to the present invention comprises a first electronic device 12 having at least one camera 12C, a weight measuring component 13, a rotatable suspension component 14, and a suspension component 17, wherein the first electronic device 12 is connected to the rotatable suspension component 14. Furthermore, the suspension device 17 is attached to the ceiling or a crossbeam of the poultry house.

[0030] With further reference to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, in one embodiment, the rotatable suspension device 14 is designed as a universal joint (also referred to as a universal joint ball) that can be rotated along the X, Y and Z axes to adjust the shooting angle of the camera 12C in the first electronic device 12.

[0031] The weight measuring device 13 is arranged on the ground of the field, more precisely directly below the first electronic device 12, such that the camera 12C in the first electronic device 12 can fully capture the weight measuring device 13. The weight measuring device 13 and the first electronic device 12 communicate wirelessly with each other.

[0032] The weight measuring component 13 further comprises a weight sensor 131 and a second electronic device 132, wherein the weight sensor 131 is a flat surface (plate shape) and the second electronic device 132 is a signal transmission module that transmits signals wirelessly, wherein the second electronic device 132 is arranged on the weight sensor 131, more precisely at the edge of the plane of the weighing sensor 131.

[0033] As described in more detail, the poultry are arranged in three scenarios: first, they jump onto the weight measuring component 13; second, no poultry jumps onto the weight measuring component 13; and third, the poultry remains on the weight measuring device 13. The weight sensor 131 generates a signal corresponding to the current weight and transmits it to the second electronic device 132, whereby the second electronic device 132 establishes a wireless connection with the first electronic device 12 and the camera 12C. By processing and comparing the weight differences between the three situations, the weight value of the poultry can be determined.

[0034] Furthermore, Fig. 3, an exploded view of the suspension assembly 17 is shown, wherein the suspension assembly 17 includes a suspension unit 171, a first attachment unit 172, and a second attachment unit 173. In one embodiment, the suspension unit 171 consists of N suspension rods 1711, N-1 rod sleeves 1712, and a first mounting plate 1713, where N is a positive integer and any two of the N suspension rods 1711 are connected to each other via one of the N-1 rod sleeves 1712. More specifically, the first suspension rod of the N suspension rods 1711 is connected to the rotatable suspension assembly 14, and the first mounting plate 1713 is connected to the Nth suspension rod of the N suspension rods 1711. In addition, a plurality of ninth holes 1709 are formed in the first mounting plate 1713.In some embodiments, two of the suspension rods 1711 are connected to each other by a screw connection or a snap connection, particularly in the case of very high ceilings.

[0035] The first fastening unit 172 includes a second fastening plate 1721, and a plurality of slotted holes 1722 are formed in the second fastening plate 1721 to correspond to a plurality of ninth holes 1709. Furthermore, the first fastening elements 172S are arranged to subsequently pass through the plurality of slotted holes 1722, extend through the plate-shaped objects, and protrude through the plurality of ninth holes 1709, whereupon the first mounting plate 1713 and the second mounting plate 1721 are fastened to each other.

[0036] On the other hand, the second fixing unit 173 includes a first vertical plate 1731, a second vertical plate 1732, and a horizontal plate 1733, wherein the first vertical plate 1731 is arranged on the second fixing plate 1721 and has a first recess 17N1. Compared to the first vertical plate 1731, the second vertical plate 1732 is arranged on the second fixing plate 1721 and has a second recess 17N2. More specifically, the second vertical plate 1732 and the first vertical plate 1731 are spaced apart from each other by a certain distance. In addition, the horizontal plate 1733 is arranged on the first vertical plate 1731 and the second vertical plate 1732 and has a fourth through-hole 1734 provided thereon.According to the present invention, the cross brace of the poultry house can be inserted into the first recess 17N1 and the second recess 17N2, and in this case, the cross brace can be pushed through the fourth through-hole 1734 with a bolt 173S to press it downward. In some embodiments, the first mounting plate 1713 can be used directly to connect to the ceiling or ceiling supports without the need for a second mounting plate 1721 if no H-shaped beams / cross beams are present at the installation site. If H-shaped beams / cross beams are present, the second mounting plate 1721 serves only as an option for connecting to the first mounting plate 1713.

[0037] It should be explained in more detail that the first electronic device 12 and the floor of the poultry house are at a distance of 100 cm to 400 cm. For example, the distance between the first electronic device 12, which includes two cameras 12C, and the floor of the poultry house is 30 cm to 400 cm. This particular arrangement therefore offers the following advantages for system 1: (1) A larger field of view (FOV) to increase the number of effective poultry samples (i.e., covering more poultry in the poultry house); (2) minimizing dust accumulation due to proximity to the ceiling, reducing cleaning requirements for poultry farmers and providing clearer images from the 12C camera; and (3) The cameras 12C can remain in position during the cleaning of the stables because they are mounted closer to the ceiling and thus do not interfere with cleaning equipment or work.

[0038] On the other hand, Fig.2, the first electronic device 12 further comprises a processor 12P and a storage device 12M for storing applications, wherein the processor 12P executes the application configured to: (1) control the camera to capture images of poultry on the weight sensor 131 in three scenarios: jumping down, staying still, and jumping up; (2) extract 2D and 3D parameters of the birds by processing the images; and (3) calculate the performance parameters of the poultry by processing the 2D and 3D parameters in three ways—on the device, on the IPC / edge computer, and in the cloud. This enables monitoring of the (physical) growth of the poultry.

[0039] In short, the first electronic device 12, which includes two cameras 12C, is a machine vision device. Therefore, after a simple correction (which is not limited to linear correction but may also use various other correction methods) of the data received from the camera 12C, the weight measurement component 13, and / or other sensors, the processor of the first electronic device 12 calculates and / or creates the weight relationships corresponding to the corrected 2D and 3D features of the poultry. This realizes the weight prediction of the system 1.

[0040] It should be specifically explained that the above description is based on the present embodiment. However, the embodiment is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, and any equivalent embodiments or modifications within the spirit of the present invention are still within the scope of the present invention.

[0042] List of reference symbols 1 Adjustable fastening device 10 Firm seat 100 ceiling beams 11 Main platform 12 U-shaped bracket, ceiling mounting box 13 Fixing screw 131 Button 132 screw 133 End stop 14 mounting holes 15 fasteners 160 Base 1600 First base plate 1601 First side wall 1602 Second side wall 1603 Third side wall 1604 Fourth side wall 1601 First Hole 1602 Second Hole 1603 Third Hole 1604 Fourth Hole 1605 fifth hole 1606 sixth hole 1607 seventh hole 1608 eighth hole 161 lower swivel unit 1610 second base plate 1611 second through hole 1612 fifth side wall 1613 sixth side wall 162 Upper swivel unit 1620 Third base plate 1621 Third through hole 1622 Seventh side wall 1623 Eighth side wall 20 setting unit 21 Base plate 211 connecting hole 22 Telescopic pole 221 outer tube 222 inner tube 223 Locking element 23 Turned part 24 Elastic hook 26 through hole 27 lead 29 Cover 30 Electrical control system 31 Pressure sensor 32 displacement sensor 33 Control unit 34 Control module 341 processing unit 342 display unit 343 storage unit 344 setting unit 40 shock absorber plate 43 Central hole 50 support cover 70 line C clamping structure Ds displacement signal Ps pressure signal S1 First bolt S2 Second bolt S3 Third Bolt S4 Fourth bolt QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] TW 202242352A [0002, 0005]

Claims

[1] A wireless performance monitoring and data collection system installed in a poultry house, comprising: a first electronic device, the first electronic device comprising at least one camera; a weight measuring component, wherein the weight measuring component is installed on the floor; a rotatable suspension component, wherein the rotatable suspension component is connected to the first electronic device; and a suspension device connected to the ceiling or a crossbeam of the poultry house; wherein the first electronic device and the weight measuring device are wirelessly connected to each other. [2] The wireless performance monitoring and data acquisition system of claim 1, wherein the rotatable suspension device is a ball joint device. [3] A wireless performance monitoring and data acquisition system according to claim 1, wherein the weight measuring device comprises: a weight sensor, wherein the weight sensor has a flat shape; and a second electronic device, wherein the second electronic device is a signal transmission module that transmits signals wirelessly, and wherein the second electronic device is arranged on the weight sensor. [4] The wireless performance monitoring and data acquisition system of claim 3, wherein the first electronic device comprises at least one camera, and the camera is located directly above the weight sensor. [5] The wireless performance monitoring and data acquisition system of claim 1, wherein the suspension assembly comprises a suspension unit, and the suspension unit comprises: N suspension rods, where N is a positive integer; N-1 rod sleeves, wherein each two of the N suspension rods are connected to each other via one of the N-1 rod sleeves and the first suspension rod of the N suspension rods is connected to the rotatable suspension assembly; and a first mounting plate connected to the Nth suspension rod of the N suspension rods and having a plurality of ninth holes arranged thereon. [6] The wireless performance monitoring and data acquisition system according to claim 5, wherein the suspension assembly further comprises a first fixing unit, and the first fixing unit comprises: a second fixing plate provided with a plurality of slotted holes, the plurality of slotted holes corresponding to the plurality of ninth holes, the plurality of fixing members being arranged to subsequently pass through the plurality of slotted holes, pass through the plate-shaped objects, and pass through the plurality of ninth openings, the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate being fixed to the bottom and top of the plate-shaped object. [7] The wireless performance monitoring and data acquisition system of claim 6, wherein the suspension assembly further comprises a second mounting unit, the second mounting unit comprising: a first vertical plate disposed on the second mounting plate and having a first recess; a second vertical plate arranged on the second mounting plate and having a second recess; wherein the second vertical plate and the first vertical plate are spaced apart by a certain distance; and a horizontal plate disposed on the first vertical plate and the second vertical plate and having a fourth through hole disposed thereon; wherein the bolts are arranged to pass through the fourth through-hole to press the cross member downward when the cross member is inserted into the first recess and the second recess. [8] A wireless performance monitoring and data acquisition system according to claim 3, wherein, after the poultry is positioned to remain behind the weight measuring device, the weight sensor responds to the weight of the poultry, generates a signal, and transmits the signal to the second electronic device so that the second electronic device wirelessly transmits it to the first electronic device. [9] The wireless performance monitoring and data acquisition system of claim 8, wherein the first electronic device further comprises a processor and a memory device for storing an application, and the processor executes the application so that it is configured to to capture images of the poultry remaining on the weight sensor by controlling the camera; to extract poultry contours from the images by processing the images; and By processing the poultry contours, the body growth parameters of the poultry are calculated.

Images