Stall system

Abstract

To provide a stall system that can obtain biological information of a horse in a stall.SOLUTION: A stall system comprises: a load detector arranged on a floor surface of a stall, and for detecting the load of an object horse; and a biological information generation unit for generating biological information of the object horse on the basis of the load.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a horse stall system. [Background technology]

[0002] Horses are used as racehorses, and are also used in sports such as horse riding and in farming. Patent Document 1 discloses an information providing device as a device for grasping the condition of a horse using a sensor. The information providing device of Patent Document 1 includes an acquisition unit that acquires biological information of a horse scheduled to run in a race obtained by a vital sensor, and an output control unit that outputs information including the biological information acquired by the acquisition unit to another device.

[0003] Additionally, Patent Document 2 discloses a horse weight measuring device that includes a measurement stand and a load sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-109631 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2011-52994 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, the information providing device of Patent Document 1 requires a vital sensor to be attached to the horse in order to obtain biological information of the horse, whereas the horse weight measuring device of Patent Document 2 can only measure the horse's weight.

[0006] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a horse stable system capable of obtaining biological information of a horse in a horse stable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, A load detector is installed on the floor of the stable to detect the load of the target horse; A biometric information generating unit that generates biometric information of the target horse based on the load; A horse stable system is provided comprising: Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the horse stable system of the present invention, biological information of the horse in the stable can be obtained. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a horse stable system according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] Fig. 2(a) is a side view of the load detector, and Fig. 2(b) is a plan view of the load detector. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a method for estimating the condition of a subject horse using the stable system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] <Embodiment> A horse stable system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs.

[0011] The horse stable system of this embodiment places a load detector on the stable floor and generates biometric information of the horse in the stable by analyzing the load detected by the load detector. The horse stable system of this embodiment also estimates the condition of the horse based on the generated biometric information. A horse stable is a space where a horse spends much of its day, and in many cases one stable is provided for each horse. For example, a number of horse stables are arranged side by side in a stable. A horse stable includes, for example, fixed structures such as walls and fences provided on a pair of long sides and one short side of a rectangular floor, and movable bodies such as a door and a horse plug bar provided on one short side of the rectangular floor. The area of ​​a horse stable is, for example, 2 m2. 2 ~4m 2 That's about it.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the horse stable system 100 mainly includes a load detector 10, a control device 20, an input device 30, and a display device 40.

[0013] The load detector 10 is installed on the stable floor F (FIG. 2(a)) and detects the load of a subject horse (hereinafter, referred to as "subject horse OH"). As shown in FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b), the load detector 10 has a first load detection unit 111, a second load detection unit 112, a third load detection unit 113, and a fourth load detection unit 114, and a rectangular mounting plate 12 supported by these.

[0014] In the following description, for convenience, the short side direction and long side direction of the mounting plate 12 are respectively defined as the X direction and the Y direction (FIG. 2(b)), and the center of the mounting plate 12 is defined as the origin O. Furthermore, the positive and negative sides of the X and Y directions are defined as shown in FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b).

[0015] The first load detection unit 111, the second load detection unit 112, the third load detection unit 113, and the fourth load detection unit 114 each detect the load of the target horse OH. Since the first load detection unit 111 to the fourth load detection unit 114 have the same structure, the structure of the second load detection unit 112 will be described here as a representative example.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 2(a), the second load detection unit 112 has a support base SB, a flexure body FM which is a long member, and a spacer SP. The support base SB is placed on the bottom surface of a recess RC (having substantially the same shape as the mounting plate 12) which is rectangular in plan view and provided on the floor F of the stable, and supports the flexure body FM in a cantilever manner. A free end FMa of the flexure body FM (the end opposite to the fixed end FMb fixed to the support base SB) is fixed to the bottom surface of the mounting plate 12 via a spacer SP. A strain gauge (not shown) is attached to the flexure body FM, and the flexure body FM and the strain gauge form a load cell.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2(b), the first load detection unit 111 is disposed on the positive side of the X direction and the negative side of the Y direction, with the longitudinal direction of the flexure body FM coinciding with the Y direction. The free end FMa of the flexure body FM is located on the positive side of the Y direction relative to the fixed end FMb of the flexure body FM. The second load detection unit 112 is disposed on the negative side of the X direction and the negative side of the Y direction, with the longitudinal direction of the flexure body FM coinciding with the Y direction. The free end FMa of the flexure body FM is located on the positive side of the Y direction relative to the fixed end FMb of the flexure body FM.

[0018] The third load detection unit 113 is disposed on the negative side of the X direction and the positive side of the Y direction, with the longitudinal direction of the flexure body FM aligned with the Y direction. The free end FMa of the flexure body FM is located on the negative side of the Y direction relative to the fixed end FMb of the flexure body FM. The fourth load detection unit 114 is disposed on the positive side of the X direction and the positive side of the Y direction, with the longitudinal direction of the flexure body FM aligned with the Y direction. The free end FMa of the flexure body FM is located on the negative side of the Y direction relative to the fixed end FMb of the flexure body FM.

[0019] The mounting plate 12 functions as a weighing dish of the load detector 10. In this embodiment, the mounting plate 12 is a flat plate that is rectangular in plan view and made of metal (for example, stainless steel, steel, or the like).

[0020] The mounting plate 12 is supported near each of its four corners by the first load detection unit 111 to the fourth load detection unit 114. In this embodiment, the mounting plate 12 is disposed inside the recess RC with a small gap between it and the wall surface that defines the recess RC. The upper surface of the mounting plate 12 may be flush with the upper surface of the stable floor F.

[0021] In this embodiment, the floor F of the stable is rectangular in plan view, and the long side direction of the floor F coincides with the Y direction. That is, the long side direction of the floor F, the long side direction of the mounting plate 12, and the long side direction of the recess RC coincide with each other, and the short side direction of the floor F, the short side direction of the mounting plate 12, and the short side direction of the recess RC coincide with each other. The entrance to the stable is on the positive side of the Y direction. A door is provided at the entrance. However, the arrangement of the mounting plate 12, recess RC, etc. relative to the stable is not limited to this.

[0022] The control device 20 acquires various information regarding the target horse OH based on the load of the target horse OH detected by the load detector 10. The control device 20 is connected to the first load detection unit 111 to the fourth load detection unit 114 of the load detector 10 by wire or wirelessly.

[0023] The control device 20 is a dedicated or general-purpose computer, and includes a bio-information generating unit 21, a state estimating unit 22, and a storage unit 23 therein.

[0024] The bio-information generating unit 21 generates bio-information of the target horse OH based on the load of the target horse OH detected by the load detector 10. The generated bio-information includes, for example, information on the respiration of the target horse OH, information on the heart rate of the target horse OH, information on the center of gravity of the target horse OH, information on the load (weight) of the target horse OH, etc. The bio-information generating unit 21 will be described in detail later.

[0025] The condition estimation unit 22 estimates the condition of the subject horse OH based on the biological information of the subject horse OH generated by the biological information generation unit 21. The estimated condition of the subject horse OH includes the presence or absence of injury or signs of injury, whether or not it is in heat, the presence or absence of disease, posture, etc. The condition estimation unit 22 will be described in detail later.

[0026] The storage unit 23 stores data necessary for the operation of the control device 20, data generated by the operation of the control device 20, etc. The storage unit 23 may be, for example, a hard disk or a non-volatile memory.

[0027] The control device 20 may be realized by, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), etc. Various functional blocks included in the control device 20, such as the bioinformation generating unit 21 and the state estimating unit 22, may be appropriately realized by the control device 20 as a CPU reading and executing program data stored in the storage unit 23.

[0028] The input device 30 is a user interface for making a predetermined input to the control device 20. The input device 30 is connected to the control device 20 by wire or wirelessly. The input device 30 may be, for example, a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like.

[0029] The display device 40 is a user interface that displays information to a user of the stable system 100. The display device 40 is connected to the control device 20 by wire or wirelessly.

[0030] The display device 40 may be, for example, a visual display device such as a display that visually displays information. The visual display device may be integrated with a touch panel of the input device 30. The display device 40 may include an audio output device in addition to or instead of the visual display device. The audio output device presents information to a user of the stable system 100 by audio.

[0031] At least two of the control device 20, the input device 30, and the display device 40 may be integrally configured.

[0032] A method for estimating the state of a target horse OH in a stable using the horse stable system 100 of this embodiment will be described.

[0033] As shown in the flowchart of Figure 3, estimating the condition of the target horse OH using the stable system 100 includes a load detection process S1 for detecting the load of the target horse OH, a bio-information generation process S2 for generating bio-information of the target horse OH based on the detected load of the target horse OH, a condition estimation process S3 for estimating the condition of the target horse OH based on the generated bio-information, and a display process S4 for displaying the estimated condition of the target horse OH on the display device 40.

[0034] [Load detection process S1] In the load detection process S1, the load detector 10 is used to detect the load of the target horse OH on the mounting plate 12. The load of the target horse OH on the mounting plate 12 is distributed and applied to the first load detection unit 111 to the fourth load detection unit 114 arranged at the four corners of the mounting plate 12, and is detected in a distributed manner by these.

[0035] Each of the first load detection unit 111 to the fourth load detection unit 114 detects a load (load change) and outputs it as an analog signal. The output analog signal is converted into a digital signal in an A / D conversion unit (not shown) and input to the control device 20. Hereinafter, the digital signals obtained by A / D converting the analog signals output from the first load detection unit 111, the second load detection unit 112, the third load detection unit 113, and the fourth load detection unit 114 are referred to as load signals s1, s2, s3, and s4, respectively. The sampling period of the A / D conversion is arbitrary, but as an example, it may be 5 milliseconds.

[0036] [Biological information generation process S2] In the biological information generating step S2, the biological information generating unit 21 generates (calculates, acquires) biological information of the target horse OH based on the load signals s1, s2, s3, and s4. An example of the generated biological information and the method of generating it is as follows.

[0037] (1)Partial load The loads of the target horse OH indicated by each of the load signals s1, s2, s3, and s4 (i.e., partial loads of the target horse OH) are also a type of bioinformation. Hereinafter, the partial loads of the target horse OH based on the load signals s1, s2, s3, and s4 will be referred to as partial loads W1, W2, W3, and W4, respectively.

[0038] (2) Overall load (weight, horse weight) The total load (weight, horse body weight) of the subject horse OH is calculated by summing the partial loads W1, W2, W3, and W4 of the subject horse OH indicated by the load signals s1, s2, s3, and s4. Hereinafter, this will be referred to as the total load W.

[0039] (3) Position of center of gravity The position of the center of gravity G of the target horse OH is the position of the center of gravity G of the target horse OH on the mounting plate 12, i.e., the position of the center of gravity G of the target horse OH in the XY coordinates in Fig. 2(b) (hereinafter simply referred to as the XY coordinates). The position of the center of gravity G is calculated, for example, by the following formulas 1 and 2, where the position of the center of gravity G in the XY coordinates is (x, y) and the coordinates of the free ends of the first load detection unit 111, the second load detection unit 112, the third load detection unit 113, and the fourth load detection unit 114 in the XY coordinates are (X1, Y1), (X2, Y2), (X3, Y3), and (X4, Y4), respectively.

[0040]

number

number

[0041] (4) Center of gravity trajectory The center of gravity trajectory GT, that is, the trajectory of the temporal change in the position of the center of gravity G, is also a type of biological information. The center of gravity trajectory GT is generated based on the position of the center of gravity G of the subject horse OH, which is calculated at a predetermined cycle.

[0042] (5) Misalignment of center of gravity Information that the position of the center of gravity G is biased is also a type of biometric information. Specifically, for example, the biometric information generating unit 21 can determine that the position of the center of gravity G is biased based on the fact that the average position of the center of gravity G in a predetermined period is biased to one side with respect to the past average position.

[0043] (6)Respiration information The respiratory information of the target horse OH includes the respiratory rate, respiratory depth, etc. of the target horse OH. The respiratory information of the target horse OH is calculated as follows based on the partial loads W1, W2, W3, W4 of the target horse OH, the total load W of the target horse OH, the position of the center of gravity G, the center of gravity trajectory GT, etc.

[0044] As an example of a method for generating respiration information, a method for generating respiration information of a horse based on the movement of the horse's center of gravity in response to the horse's breathing will be described.

[0045] Within a horse's body, the lungs are located in the cranial (rostral, anterior) region of the torso, and organs such as the liver are located caudal (posterior) to the lungs, via the diaphragm.

[0046] When a horse inhales, the diaphragm moves toward the tail, and the liver also moves toward the tail. This causes the horse's center of gravity to move toward the tail. Conversely, when a horse exhales, the diaphragm moves toward the head, and the liver also moves toward the head. This causes the horse's center of gravity to move toward the head. Therefore, as the horse breathes, the horse's center of gravity vibrates along the direction of the horse's body axis that extends between the head and tail (i.e., it traces a simple harmonic motion path).

[0047] Therefore, for example, the bio-information generating unit 21 generates respiration information of the target horse OH based on the trajectory of the center of gravity G that vibrates along the body axis AX (FIG. 2(a)) of the target horse OH, which is included in the center of gravity trajectory GT of the target horse OH. Specifically, for example, the bio-information generating unit 21 calculates the respiration rate of the target horse OH based on the period of vibration of the center of gravity G along the body axis AX, and generates information regarding the depth of respiration of the target horse OH based on the amplitude of the vibration of the center of gravity G along the body axis AX.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the findings of the inventors of the present invention, in general, the speed at which the center of gravity of a horse moves in response to exhalation is greater than the speed at which the center of gravity moves in response to inhalation. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the horse is exhaling or inhaling based on the speed at which the center of gravity of the horse moves in the direction of its body axis.

[0049] As another example of a method for generating respiration information, a method for generating respiration information of a horse based on a partial load of the horse will be described.

[0050] The resting respiratory rate of a horse (adult horse) is generally about 8 to 20 times per minute. In other words, the respiratory frequency of a horse is generally about 0.13 Hz to 0.33 Hz.

[0051] Here, since the center of gravity G moves in response to the respiration of the target horse OH, each of the partial loads W1, W2, W3, and W4 also changes slightly in response to the respiration of the target horse OH. Therefore, for example, the bioinformation generating unit 21 performs frequency analysis (for example, fast Fourier transform) on a waveform showing the temporal variation of any one of the partial loads W1, W2, W3, and W4, and generates respiration information of the target horse OH based on the value of a peak frequency that appears in a predetermined band (for example, a band of 0.13 Hz to 0.33 Hz) corresponding to the horse's respiration. Specifically, for example, the bioinformation generating unit 21 calculates the respiration rate of the target horse OH based on the value of the identified peak frequency. As an example, the respiration rate of the target horse OH per minute can be calculated by multiplying the identified peak frequency value by 60.

[0052] As another example of a method for generating respiration information, a method for generating respiration information of a horse based on the total load (horse body weight) of the horse will be described.

[0053] According to the findings of the inventors of the present invention, when a horse breathes, a mechanical vector is generated in the vertical direction due to the expansion and contraction of the horse's lungs, which may affect the measured value of the horse's total load (horse body weight). Therefore, for example, it is possible to generate respiration information for a horse based on the measurement of the fluctuation (i.e., the temporal variation) of the measured value of the horse's total load in response to the horse's breathing.

[0054] Specifically, for example, the bioinformation generating unit 21 performs frequency analysis (for example, fast Fourier transform) on a waveform showing the temporal variation of the total weight W of the subject horse OH, and obtains the value of a peak frequency that appears in a predetermined band (for example, a band of 0.13 Hz to 0.33 Hz) corresponding to the horse's respiration. Then, based on the obtained peak frequency value, it generates respiration information (for example, respiration rate) of the subject horse OH.

[0055] In addition, it is possible to obtain more detailed respiratory information by taking into account the habitual living position of the target horse OH in the stable.

[0056] (7) Heart rate information The heart rate information of the target horse OH includes the heart rate, heart rate depth, etc. of the target horse OH. The heart rate information of the target horse OH is calculated as follows based on the partial loads W1, W2, W3, W4 of the target horse OH, the total load W of the target horse OH, the position of the center of gravity G, the center of gravity trajectory GT, etc.

[0057] As an example of a method for generating heart rate information, a method for generating heart rate information of a horse based on a partial load of the horse will be described.

[0058] The resting heart rate of a horse (adult horse) is generally about 20 to 40 beats per minute, which is about four times higher than the respiratory rate. That is, the frequency of a horse's heart rate is generally about 0.33 to 0.67 Hz. Therefore, for example, from a waveform showing the temporal variation of any one of the partial loads W1, W2, W3, and W4, a component with a higher frequency than the respiratory frequency (for example, a component with a frequency of 0.1 Hz or more) is extracted by filtering or the like. This results in a respiratory waveform having a frequency of about 0.13 Hz to 0.33 Hz and a heart rate waveform having a frequency of about 0.33 to 0.67 Hz and appearing as a notch (a small wave such as a V-shaped or U-shaped wave) on the respiratory waveform. The biological information generating unit 21 generates heart rate information of the target horse OH based on the heart rate waveform.

[0059] Specifically, for example, the bioinformation generating unit 21 calculates the heart rate of the subject horse OH based on the period in which notches appear in the heart rate waveform, and generates information on the magnitude of the heart rate of the subject horse OH based on the amplitude of the heart rate waveform. As an example, the heart rate per minute can be calculated by dividing 60 [seconds] by the period [seconds] in which notches appear.

[0060] Note that components with frequencies higher than the heart rate (for example, components with frequencies of 0.33 Hz or higher) may be extracted by filtering or the like from a waveform showing the temporal variation of any one of the partial loads W1, W2, W3, and W4 (i.e., the heart rate waveform may be extracted without extracting the respiratory waveform). Furthermore, the bioinformation generating unit 21 may perform frequency analysis on the waveform showing the temporal variation of any one of the partial loads W1, W2, W3, and W4, and generate heart rate information of the subject horse OH based on the value of the peak frequency that appears in a predetermined band (for example, a band of 0.33 Hz to 0.67 Hz) corresponding to the horse's heart rate.

[0061] As another example of a method for generating heart rate information, a method for generating heart rate information of a horse based on the total load (body weight) of the horse will be described.

[0062] When the horse's heart pumps blood once, a mechanical vector is generated in the vertical direction due to the pumping action of the heart, which may affect the measurement of the horse's total load (horse body weight). Therefore, for example, heart rate information of the horse can be generated based on the measurement of the fluctuation (i.e., the temporal variation) of the measurement of the horse's total load according to the horse's heart rate.

[0063] Specifically, for example, the bio-information generating unit 21 performs frequency analysis (for example, fast Fourier transform) on a waveform showing temporal fluctuations in the total load W of the subject horse OH, and determines the value of a peak frequency that appears in a predetermined band (for example, a band of 0.33 Hz to 0.67 Hz) corresponding to the horse's heart rate. Then, based on the determined peak frequency value, it generates heart rate information (for example, heart rate) of the subject horse OH. For example, the heart rate for one minute can be calculated by multiplying the determined peak frequency value by 60.

[0064] In addition, when a horse activates the trembling of the cutaneous muscles and skeletal muscles to adapt to the external temperature environment, a specific change in weight is observed due to the trembling of the cutaneous muscles and skeletal muscles, etc. Therefore, for example, the bioinformation generating unit 21 may generate information that the subject horse OH is trying to adapt to the external temperature environment based on the fact that the total load W of the subject horse OH shows a specific change.

[0065] [State estimation process S3] In the condition estimation step S3, the condition estimation unit 22 estimates the condition of the subject horse OH based on the biological information generated in the biological information generation step S2. An example of the estimated condition and the estimation method thereof is as follows.

[0066] (1) Presence or absence of injury or signs of injury In the case of a heavy quadruped animal such as a horse, it is desirable for the weight load on the limbs to be uniform, and in a horse that has no injury or signs of injury, the weight load on the limbs is generally uniform. Therefore, by comparing the degree of compaction of each leg and its surroundings to detect the uniformity and / or non-uniformity of the weight load on the limbs, it is possible to detect the occurrence of injury or signs of injury in the legs.

[0067] Specifically, for example, the condition estimation unit 22 estimates whether the target horse OH has an injury or signs of injury based on the degree of bias in the partial loads W1, W2, W3, and W4 (information regarding the loads on each leg of the target horse OH). In this case, if the condition estimation unit 22 determines that the partial loads W1, W2, W3, and W4 are uniform or almost uniform, it estimates that the target horse OH has no injury or signs of injury. If the condition estimation unit 22 determines that the partial loads W1, W2, W3, and W4 are uneven, it estimates that the target horse OH has an injury or signs of injury. The threshold value for determining whether the loads are uniform or uneven can be set as appropriate.

[0068] The values ​​of the partial loads W1, W2, W3, and W4 are affected by the position of the target horse OH on the mounting plate 12. Therefore, when determining whether the partial loads W1, W2, W3, and W4 are uniform, the values ​​of the partial loads W1, W2, W3, and W4 may be adjusted based on the position of the center of gravity G of the target horse OH. Specifically, for example, when the center of gravity G of the target horse OH is located on the positive side of the X direction, the values ​​of the partial loads W1 and W4 may be decreased and the values ​​of the partial loads W2 and W3 may be increased before making a determination. In this way, by adjusting the values ​​of the partial loads W1, W2, W3, and W4 based on the position of the center of gravity G of the target horse OH before making a determination, the influence of the variation in the values ​​of the partial loads W1, W2, W3, and W4 caused by the position of the target horse OH on the mounting plate 12 can be suppressed. As a result, the determination of whether the partial loads W1, W2, W3, and W4 are uniform can be accurately performed regardless of the position of the target horse OH on the mounting plate 12.

[0069] Furthermore, if a horse has an injury or a sign of injury in a leg, the horse tends to move its center of gravity to the opposite half of its body (the right or left half) to the leg that has the injury or the sign of injury in order to protect the leg. Therefore, the condition estimation unit 22 can estimate the presence or absence of an injury or a sign of injury of the target horse OH based on the degree of deviation of the center of gravity G. Specifically, for example, the condition estimation unit 22 can determine that the target horse OH has an injury or a sign of injury when the average position of the center of gravity G of the target horse OH in a predetermined period of time is deviated by more than a predetermined threshold value with respect to a predetermined reference position (for example, the average center of gravity position of the target horse OH calculated based on past measurements).

[0070] In addition, according to the findings of the inventors of the present invention, when a horse shifts its center of gravity to the opposite half of its body (right or left half) to protect an injured or potentially injured leg, the horse becomes unstable and the fluctuation (time variation) of the detected value of the total load W becomes large. Therefore, for example, when the time variation of the total load W of the subject horse OH (for example, the standard deviation of the time variation of the total load W) becomes equal to or exceeds a predetermined threshold, the condition estimation unit 22 can estimate that the subject horse OH is injured or has a potential injury.

[0071] (2) Whether or not the person is in heat During the breeding season for horses, which is from winter to spring, each horse goes into heat once or several times. When a horse goes into heat, it becomes restless and tends to change its posture or move around in its stable. Therefore, for example, the state determination unit 22 can estimate that the subject horse OH is in heat based on the center of gravity trajectory GT of the subject horse OH, the pattern indicated by the center of gravity trajectory GT, the periodicity of the movement of the center of gravity G indicated by the center of gravity trajectory GT, and the like.

[0072] Specifically, for example, the memory unit 23 stores a table that associates a predetermined pattern (one type or multiple types) of the center of gravity trajectory GT with information indicating that the target horse OH is in heat. The state estimation unit 22 then estimates that the target horse OH is in heat based on the table and the center of gravity trajectory GT of the target horse OH received from the bio-information generation unit 21. As an example, the state estimation unit 22 can estimate that the target horse OH is in heat when the center of gravity trajectory GT received from the bio-information generation unit 21 matches or is similar to a predetermined pattern stored in the table.

[0073] (3) Presence or absence of any disease In horses, colic (a general term for diseases accompanied by abdominal pain, mainly caused by the digestive tract) is a serious disease that affects the prognosis of life. Horses suffering from colic may feel great pain and may stand up or jump up and down. Therefore, for example, based on an instantaneous increase in at least one of the total load W or partial loads W1, W2, W3, and W4 of the target horse OH that occurs when the target horse OH stands up or jumps up on the mounting plate 12, it can be estimated that the target horse OH is suffering from colic. Specifically, for example, the condition estimation unit 22 can estimate that the target horse OH is suffering from colic when the fluctuation range of at least one of the total load W or partial loads W1, W2, W3, and W4 of the target horse OH in a predetermined period (for example, a short period suitable for determining the presence or absence of an instantaneous increase) exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

[0074] Also, a horse suffering from colic may assume a lying position (lateral or supine position, etc.). In this case, the trajectory of the horse's center of gravity will exhibit a trajectory that is significantly different from normal and resembles a momentary movement. Therefore, for example, the condition estimation unit 22 can estimate that the subject horse OH is suffering from colic based on the fact that the center of gravity G of the subject horse OH has moved beyond a predetermined distance within a predetermined period (for example, a short period suitable for determining the instantaneous amount of movement of the center of gravity).

[0075] (4) Posture The state estimation unit 22 can estimate the posture of the target horse OH as the state of the target horse OH. Here, the posture of the target horse OH includes the direction of the body axis AX of the target horse OH and / or the position of the head and / or tail of the target horse OH in the direction of the body axis AX.

[0076] As described above, the horse's center of gravity vibrates along the horse's body axis in response to the horse's breathing. Therefore, the state estimation unit 22 can estimate the direction in which the body axis AX of the target horse OH extends based on the vibration direction of the trajectory that vibrates in response to the breathing of the target horse OH, which is included in the center of gravity trajectory GT of the target horse OH.

[0077] As described above, the speed of movement of the horse's center of gravity in response to the horse's exhalation is greater than the speed of movement of the horse's center of gravity in response to the horse's inhalation. Therefore, the state estimation unit 22 can estimate, based on the speed of the center of gravity G in the trajectory that vibrates in response to the breathing of the target horse OH, which is included in the center of gravity trajectory GT of the target horse OH, which side of the vibration direction of the trajectory the head of the target horse OH is located on and which side of the vibration direction of the trajectory the tail of the target horse OH is located on. Specifically, for example, the state estimation unit 22 calculates the speed of the center of gravity G toward one side of the vibration direction and the speed of the center of gravity G toward the other side of the vibration direction for the trajectory that vibrates in response to the breathing of the target horse OH. Then, the trajectory with a small speed of movement of the center of gravity G is regarded as the trajectory in response to the inhalation, and estimates that the head of the target horse OH is located on the starting point side of the trajectory and the tail of the target horse OH is located on the end point side of the trajectory.

[0078] In addition, according to the findings of the inventors of the present invention, each individual horse usually has a fixed position in the stable that it prefers to spend time in (i.e., a fixed position). If the horse is experiencing some abnormality, the horse will tend to spend time in a situation that is different from the fixed position that it normally prefers to spend time in. Therefore, for example, by accumulating data on the position of the subject horse's OH in the stable and using it as a background value, it is possible to estimate that there is an abnormality in the subject horse's OH if the subject horse's OH is spending time in a situation that is different from its fixed position. This estimation method also makes it possible to estimate the presence or absence of abnormalities other than those of the legs (for example, internal abnormalities such as illness).

[0079] Specifically, for example, the average position of the center of gravity G over a predetermined period of time in the past, the average distribution area of ​​the center of gravity trajectory GT, etc. are stored in the memory unit 23. Then, the condition estimation unit 22 can estimate that an internal abnormality is occurring in the subject horse OH based on the fact that the center of gravity trajectory GT of the subject horse OH shows a unique trajectory different from the past center of gravity trajectories GT (for example, remaining at a position away from the average distribution area by more than a predetermined threshold for a period of time exceeding the predetermined threshold).

[0080] [Display process S4] In the display step S4, the bioinformation generated in the bioinformation generation step S2, the condition determined in the condition determination step S3, etc. are displayed on the display device 40. When the bioinformation of the subject horse OH and / or the condition of the subject horse OH satisfy a predetermined condition, a visual and / or an auditory alert may be issued by the display device 40.

[0081] The effects of the horse stall system 100 of this embodiment are summarized below.

[0082] According to the horse stable system 100 of this embodiment, since the load detector 10 is provided on the floor F of the horse stable, it is possible to obtain biological information of the subject horse OH in the horse stable.

[0083] According to the horse stable system 100 of this embodiment, the condition of the subject horse OH can be suitably estimated using the load detector 10 installed on the floor F of the horse stable.

[0084] The horse stall system 100 of this embodiment detects the load using a load detector 10 installed on the horse stall floor F, and obtains biological information of the subject horse OH based on the load. Therefore, there is no need to attach a sensor to the subject horse OH to obtain the biological information, and the stress imposed on the subject horse OH is small.

[0085] In the stable system 100 of this embodiment, the load detector 10 is installed in the stable where the subject horse OH spends most of its time, so there is no need to lead the subject horse OH to a measuring device or the like to obtain biometric information. In addition, because it is possible to obtain information continuously over a long period of time from the subject horse OH, biometric information of the subject horse OH can be generated with high accuracy. Then, based on the biometric information obtained with high accuracy, the condition of the subject horse OH can be estimated with high accuracy.

[0086] <Modification> The following variations on the above embodiment may also be used.

[0087] In the horse stall system 100 of the above embodiment, the number of load detection units included in the load detector 10 is not limited to four. The load detector 10 may have three or less load detection units, or five or more load detection units.

[0088] In the stable system 100 of the above embodiment, estimation of the condition of the target horse OH is not essential. In other words, the condition estimation unit 22 of the control device 20 is not an essential component of the stable system 100. If the condition of the target horse OH is not estimated, the stable system 100 executes the load detection step S1 and the bio-information generation step S2, and then executes the display step S4 without executing the condition estimation step S3. The display step S4 may be omitted, in which case, for example, only the collection and storage of bio-information may be performed.

[0089] As long as the characteristics of the present invention are maintained, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and other forms conceivable within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention are also included within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0090] According to the horse stable system of the present invention, biometric information of the subject horse can be generated and utilized, for example, for various treatments for keeping the subject horse in good condition. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 10 load detector; 111 first load detection unit; 112 second load detection unit; 113 third load detection unit; 114 fourth load detection unit; 12 placement plate; 20 control device; 21 bio-information generation unit; 22 state estimation unit; 23 memory unit; 30 input device; 40 display device; 100 horse stall system; OH subject horse

Claims

1. a load detector that is installed on the floor of the stable and detects the load of the target horse; a biometric information generating unit that generates biometric information of the subject horse based on the load; A stable system comprising:

2. The horse stall system according to claim 1 , wherein the biological information includes information about the respiration of the target horse and / or information about the heart rate of the target horse.

3. The horse stall system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the biological information includes information relating to the center of gravity of the target horse.

4. The horse stall system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a condition estimation unit that estimates the condition of the subject horse based on the biological information.

5. The condition of the subject horse is the presence or absence of an injury or a sign of an injury to the subject horse, The biological information includes information about the load on each leg of the subject horse, information about the center of gravity of the subject horse, and / or information indicating the total load of the subject horse; The stable system of claim 4, wherein the condition estimation unit estimates whether the target horse has an injury or signs of injury based on the degree of imbalance in the load on each leg of the target horse, the degree of imbalance in the center of gravity of the target horse, and / or temporal fluctuations in the total load of the target horse.

6. The state of the subject horse is whether or not the subject horse is in estrus, The biological information includes information regarding the trajectory of the center of gravity of the subject horse, 5. The stable system of claim 4, wherein the state estimation unit estimates whether the subject horse is in heat based on at least one of the trajectory of the center of gravity position, the pattern indicated by the trajectory, and the periodicity of the movement of the center of gravity position indicated by the trajectory.

7. The condition of the subject horse is the presence or absence of a disease in the subject horse, The biological information includes at least one of information indicating the total load of the subject horse, information regarding the load on each leg of the subject horse, and information regarding the trajectory of the center of gravity of the subject horse; The stable system of claim 4, wherein the condition estimation unit estimates whether the subject horse has a disease or not based on the range of fluctuation in the total load or the load on each leg, and / or the amount of movement of the center of gravity position within a specified time period.

8. The state of the subject horse is the posture of the subject horse, The biological information includes information regarding the trajectory of the center of gravity of the subject horse, The stable system of claim 4, wherein the state estimation unit estimates the orientation of the subject horse's body axis and / or the position of the subject horse's head and / or tail as the posture of the subject horse based on the trajectory of the subject horse's center of gravity position.

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