Sound collection device and sound collection method

Abstract

To easily obtain an animal's actual call that serves effectively to chase away the animal.SOLUTION: A sound collection device (3) comprises: a detection part (31) that detects that an animal (A1), which is a call collection object, enters a prescribed area (R); a stimulus application part (32) that applies a stimulus to the animal by taking the opportunity of the entry of the animal into the prescribed area; and a sound recording part (33) that records the call released by the animal getting stimulated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a voice collection device and a voice collection method.

Background Art

[0002] In arable land across the country, damage caused by wildlife such as deer and wild boars is significant. As a method to prevent the invasion of wild animals into arable land, a physical fence is currently the most effective, but it requires a huge cost to surround a vast arable land. Therefore, in recent years, measures to drive away wildlife by voice have been studied.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0003]

Non-Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The voices used in conventional voice-based wildlife control measures as described in Non-Patent Document 1 were artificial voices. For this reason, there was a problem that wild animals would get used to the voices and the effect would not continue. On the other hand, if it were possible to record and use the warning sounds actually emitted by wild animals, the continuation of the effect could be expected. However, wild animals do not emit cries such as warning sounds at the timing desired by humans, and it has been very difficult to collect actual cries.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to easily obtain the cries actually emitted by animals, which are effective in driving away animals.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a voice collection device according to one aspect of an invention includes a detection unit that detects that an animal to be targeted for collecting a cry has entered a predetermined area, a stimulation application unit that applies a stimulus to the animal upon the animal entering the predetermined area, and a recording unit that records the cry emitted by the animal that has received the stimulus.

[0007] A voice collection method according to another aspect of an invention includes a detection step in which a device that detects that an animal has entered a predetermined area detects that the animal to be targeted for collecting a cry has entered the predetermined area, a stimulation application step in which a device that applies a stimulus to the animal applies a stimulus to the animal upon the animal entering the predetermined area, and a recording step in which a device that records sound records the cry emitted by the animal that has received the stimulus.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily obtain the actual cry of an animal, which is effective in driving away the animal.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] <Voice collection device> First, a voice collection device according to an embodiment of another invention will be described in detail.

[0011] [Configuration of Voice Collection Device] The voice collection device 3 is for collecting the cries of the animal A1 that emits a voice (the target of cry collection). The "animal that emits a voice" includes animals to be driven away to a distance (pests), animals that should avoid contact with people (wild animals to be protected, animals that may carry pathogens, etc.). Animals to be driven away to a distance include deer, wild boars, etc. Animals that should avoid contact with people include wild animals to be protected, animals that may carry pathogens, etc.

[0012] For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the voice collection device 3 includes a detection unit 31, a stimulation unit 32, and a recording unit 33. The voice collection device 3 according to the present embodiment further includes an output unit 34 and a control unit 35. The voice collection device 3 according to the present embodiment is used in a form in which at least the detection unit 31, the stimulation unit 32, and the recording unit 33 are attached to a support column 36 erected on the ground at the place of use (inside the farmland, around the farmland, etc.), as shown in FIG. 2 for example. Note that the arrangement of the detection unit 31, the stimulation unit 32, and the recording unit 33 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 2 and is arbitrary. Also, at least two of the detection unit 31, the stimulation unit 32, the recording unit 33, the output unit 34, and the control unit 35 may be an integrated device housed in one housing. Also, at least any one of the detection unit 31, the stimulation unit 32, the recording unit 33, the output unit 34, and the control unit 35 may be arranged separately from the others.

[0013] [Detection Unit] The detection unit 31 detects that the animal A1, which is the target for collecting the crying sound, has entered a predetermined area. The detection unit 31 according to this embodiment is composed of a sensor camera (infrared sensor) that detects the infrared rays emitted by the animal A1. In this case, the predetermined area refers to the detectable range of the infrared sensor. Also, in this case, the detection unit 31 is arranged around the farmland, inside the farmland (peripheral part), etc., and detects the animal A1 that has approached or intruded into the farmland. When the detection unit 31 detects that the animal A1 has entered the predetermined area, it transmits a predetermined detection signal to the control unit 35. Note that the detection unit 31 may be, for example, a pressure sensor, a voice sensor, etc. The pressure sensor is laid around the farmland, inside the farmland, etc., and detects that the animal A1 has stepped on it with its feet. In this case, the predetermined area is the pressure-receiving part of the pressure sensor. The voice sensor detects the daily crying sound, breathing pattern of the animal A1, and the sound made by the movement of the animal A1 (such as the sound of plants and trees swaying). In this case, the predetermined area is the sound-collecting range of the microphone of the voice sensor. Also, the detection unit 31 may be composed of a camera and an image analysis device. The camera is arranged at a position where it can photograph around the farmland and inside the farmland. The image analysis device detects the animal A1 when the animal A1 appears in the photographed image output by the camera. In this case, the predetermined area is the photographable range of the camera. Also, in this case, the control unit 35 may also serve as the image analysis device.

[0014] 〔Stimulation application unit〕 The stimulation application unit 32 applies stimulation to the animal A1. Further, the stimulation application unit 32 applies stimulation to the animal A1 when the animal A1 enters a predetermined area, that is, when the stimulation application unit 32 acquires a stimulation application signal from the control unit 35. The stimulation application unit 32 according to the present embodiment is configured by a lighting fixture that irradiates light to the animal A1. That is, the stimulation applied by the stimulation application unit 32 according to the present embodiment is light. By doing so, it is possible to apply stimulation to the animal with a simple configuration. Note that the stimulation application unit 32 may be configured by a device that gives an impact to the animal A1 (for example, throws an object), a device that emits an unpleasant odor, an electric fence, or the like. Further, the stimulation application unit 32 may be configured by an acoustic device that reproduces the cry of another animal different from the animal A1 prepared in advance. Other animals include dogs, natural enemies of the target animal A1, animals that the target animal A1 is not accustomed to, and the like. In this way, since the target animal A1 is more likely to make a cry (especially a warning sound), it is possible to more easily collect the cry of the target pest animal.

[0015] 〔Recording unit〕 The recording unit 33 records the cries made by the animal A1 when it receives a stimulus. The cries include warning sounds. The warning sounds are sounds that the animal A1 makes when it senses danger and alerts surrounding animals to the danger and encourages them to be on guard. The cries may also include sounds made by the animal A1 when it is startled, sounds made by the animal A1 when it is in pain due to a stimulus, and the like. The recording unit 33 according to this embodiment is configured as an IC recorder. The recording unit 33 according to this embodiment starts recording when it acquires a recording start signal from the control unit 35. The recording unit 33 stops recording a predetermined time after the stimulus application unit 32 applies a stimulus to the animal A1. The recording unit 33 may be configured to continue recording at all times. Also, a single sound collecting device 3 may be provided with a plurality of recording units 33. In this case, the plurality of recording units 33 are arranged at intervals from each other and surrounding a predetermined area R, for example, as shown in FIG. 3. When the stimulating unit 32 applies a stimulus, the animal A1 does not necessarily face the recording unit 33 attached to the support 36 together with the stimulating unit 32. If the animal A1 does not face the recording unit 33, there is a possibility that the sound cannot be collected. However, if multiple recording units 33 are provided, the likelihood that one of the recording units 33 is in the direction the animal A1 is facing when it makes a cry increases, and therefore the accuracy of collecting the cry can be improved.

[0016] [Output section] The output unit 34 outputs the recorded data of the bird's cry to another device. The other devices include, for example, the audio processing device 1, the audio output device 2, and a storage device (not shown) capable of storing audio data, which will be described later. The output unit 34 according to this embodiment is an output terminal provided on the IC recorder. By including this output unit 34, the output unit 34 can store the data of the bird's cry in another device and process the data in another device.

[0017] [Control Unit] The control unit 35 controls each part 31-34 of the voice collection device 3. The control unit 35 according to the present embodiment is composed of a substrate including an interface for exchanging signals with each part, a processor for executing various processes, a memory storing a program for operating the processor, and the like. Specifically, when the control unit 35 acquires a detection signal from the detection unit 31, it supplies a stimulation application signal to the stimulation application unit 32. Also, when the control unit 35 acquires a detection signal, it supplies a recording start signal to the recording unit 33.

[0018] [Function and effect of voice collection device] As described above, in the voice collection device 3, when the detection unit 31 detects the animal A1, the recording unit 33 automatically starts recording, and the stimulation application unit 32 automatically applies a stimulation to the animal A1. Since the stimulated animal A1 emits a vocalization immediately after being stimulated, the recording unit 33 can record the vocalization with a high probability. Therefore, according to the voice collection device 3, it is possible to easily obtain the vocalization actually emitted by the animal A1, which is effective for driving away the animal.

[0019] [Voice collection method] Next, a voice collection method according to an embodiment of another invention will be described.

[0020] [Flow of voice collection method] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the voice collection method includes a detection step S11, a stimulation application step S12, and a recording step S13. In the voice collection method according to the present embodiment, until the collection of the vocalization is completed (step S14: YES), every time the animal A1 enters the predetermined area R, the detection step S11, the stimulation application step S12, and the recording step S13 are repeated. The timing for ending the collection of the vocalization is, for example, the timing when a person collects voice data, the timing when the battery of the device to be used runs out, and the like. By doing so, it becomes possible to collect the vocalizations of a plurality of individuals.

[0021] [Detection step] In the initial detection step S11, a device that detects that the animal A1 has entered the predetermined area R detects that the animal A1, which is the target for collecting the vocalization, has entered the predetermined area R. Examples of the device used in the detection step S11 include a device (such as an IC recorder) that constitutes the detection unit 31 of the above-described voice collection device 3.

[0022] [Stimulation application step] After detecting that the animal A1 has entered the predetermined area R, the process proceeds to the stimulation application step S12. In the stimulation application step S12, a device that applies a stimulus to the animal A1 applies a stimulus to the animal A1 upon detecting that the animal A1 has entered the predetermined area R. Examples of the device used in the stimulation application step S12 include a device (such as a lighting device) that constitutes the stimulation application unit 32 of the above-described voice collection device 3.

[0023] [Recording step] After detecting that the animal A1 has entered the predetermined area R and immediately before moving to the stimulation application step, or in parallel with the stimulation application step, the process moves to the recording step S13. In the recording step S13, a device that records sound records the vocalization emitted by the animal A1 that has received the stimulus. Examples of the device used in the recording step S13 include a device (such as an IC recorder) that constitutes the recording unit 33 of the above-described voice collection device 3.

[0024] [Modification example of the voice collection method] In the voice collection method described above, each step S11 to S13 was performed by each device, but it is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, at least one of the detection that an animal has entered a predetermined area, the application of a stimulus to the animal (switch operation of a lighting device), and the start of recording (switch operation of an IC recorder) may be performed by a person.

[0025] [Function and effect of the voice collection method] In the voice collection method described above, when the device that detects animal A1 detects animal A1 in the detection step S11, the device that records in the recording step S13 starts recording, and the device that applies a stimulus in the stimulus application step S12 applies a stimulus to animal A1. Since the stimulated animal A1 emits a cry immediately after being stimulated, the cry can be recorded with a high probability in the recording step S13. Therefore, according to the voice collection method, it is possible to easily obtain the cry actually emitted by animal A1, which is effective for driving away animals.

[0026] <Voice processing device> Next, a voice processing device according to an embodiment of another invention will be described in detail.

[0027] [Configuration of voice processing device] The voice processing device 1 generates a pseudo-cry for making the cry emitted by animal A1 (the target of cry collection) audible to animal A2, which is a control target related to animal A1. "Animals that emit sounds" include deer, wild boars, etc. "Relationship" includes parent-child relationship, opposite-sex relationship, belonging to the same group, etc. "Control" includes not attracting animal A2, driving animal A2 far away, etc. "Control target animals" include animals that need to be driven far away, animals that should avoid contact with people, etc. As shown in FIG. 6, the voice processing device 1 includes an input unit 11, a processing-side output unit 12, a processing-side storage unit 13, and a processing-side control unit 14.

[0028] [Input unit] Voice data is input to the input unit 11. The input unit 11 is composed of, for example, a terminal to which a cable connected to the voice collection device 3 is connected, or a communication unit that communicates with the voice collection device 3 by wire or wirelessly. Note that the input unit 11 may be a drive that reads a medium in which voice data is stored.

[0029] [Processing-side output unit] The processing-side output unit 12 according to this embodiment outputs the generated data of the pseudo-calls. The processing-side output unit 12 is composed of, for example, a terminal to which a cable connected to the voice output device 2 is connected, a communication unit that communicates with the voice output device 2 by wire or wirelessly, a drive that writes the call data to a medium, and the like. Note that the processing-side output unit 12 may be configured to output a pseudo-call based on the data. That is, the processing-side output unit 12 may be a speaker. In this way, it is not necessary to separately prepare a dedicated device (such as the voice output device 2 described later) for outputting the pseudo-call.

[0030] 〔Processing-side storage unit〕 The processing-side storage unit 13 stores a voice processing program 131 in which the operations of the voice processing device 1 are described. The voice processing program 131 may be created from scratch or may be created using existing software (such as Praat, etc.). The processing-side storage unit 13 according to this embodiment is composed of a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, and the like. Note that the processing-side storage unit 13 may be configured to be able to store at least one of the call data input to the input unit 11 and the data of the pseudo-call. The program is 〔Processing-side control unit〕 The processing-side control unit 14 includes an acquisition unit 141, an extraction unit 142, a generation unit 143, and an output processing unit 144. The processing-side control unit 14 according to this embodiment is composed of a processor. By the processor executing the voice processing program 131 stored in the processing-side storage unit 13, the voice processing program 131 can cause the processing-side control unit 14 to function as the above control blocks 141 to 144.

[0031] (Acquisition unit) The acquisition unit 141 executes an acquisition process. In the acquisition process, the acquisition unit 141 acquires data of the cries (each emitted by a plurality of animals A1 making sounds in a specific situation) collected by the above voice collection device 3. The "specific situation" varies depending on the type of the animal A1 making the sound. When the animal A1 making the sound is a pest, the specific situation is when it feels physical or psychological crisis. That is, when the animal A1 making the sound is a pest, the acquisition unit 141 acquires data of warning sounds. This warning sound is a sound that can be emitted regardless of age and gender.

[0032] (Extraction unit) The extraction unit 142 executes an extraction process. In the extraction process, the extraction unit 142 extracts specific parts from the acquired data of a plurality of cries. The cry is a sound combined with a closed vowel sound and an open vowel sound. The extraction unit 142 extracts the open vowel sound part from the cry. Since the open vowel sound part is considered to be a biologically meaningful part in the cry, by extracting this part, a pseudo-cry that can control the target animal A2 with a higher probability can be generated. Note that the extraction unit 142 may be configured to extract a part of the open vowel sound. The extraction unit 142 extracts the part where the pronunciation is clear from the open vowel sound. In this way, since the unclear pronunciation part of the open vowel sound is removed, data of a pseudo-cry with a clearer pronunciation can be generated. Note that the open vowel sound can be easily digitized in terms of fundamental frequency, sound intensity, sound length, etc. using commercially available voice analysis software. Using these numerical values, in addition to individual identification, it is also possible to judge breed differences, gender differences, age differences, language differences, etc.

[0033] (Generation unit) The generation unit 143 executes a generation process. In the generation process, the generation unit 143 generates data of a pseudo-call sound imitating the call sound of animal A1 based on the extracted plurality of parts. The generation unit 143 according to the present embodiment generates an average waveform obtained by averaging each waveform of the plurality of parts respectively extracted from the data of each call sound. Then, the generation unit 143 generates data of a pseudo-call sound by matching a stop sound to the average waveform. By doing so, compared with the case of using other calculation methods, data of a pseudo-call sound can be easily generated. The data of the pseudo-call sound generated from the call sound of a deer (wild boar) becomes data for a deer (wild boar) (data of a pseudo-warning sound) for driving away the deer (wild boar) far away.

[0034] Note that the generation unit 143 may be configured to generate data of a pseudo-call sound using pitch synchronous overlap and add instead of generating an average waveform. In this case, the generation unit 143 first generates data of a plurality of synthesized sounds in which only the fundamental frequencies are different based on the data of a certain call sound. Specifically, without changing the spectrogram (the form of the voice including stop sounds and open sounds), only the fundamental frequency is changed from the original fundamental frequency to be small (for example, about 10 Hz) to generate data of a synthesized sound. This creation of the synthesized sound is repeated while changing the frequency change width to generate data of a plurality of synthesized sounds. Then, the generation unit 143 generates an addition waveform obtained by overlapping and adding the data of the plurality of synthesized sounds. Then, the generation unit 143 generates the data of the pseudo-call sound by matching the stop sound to the addition waveform. Also, the generation unit 143 may be configured to generate only data for either a deer or a wild boar, or may be configured to be able to generate three or more types of data including data for an animal other than a deer and a wild boar (for example, a cow).

[0035] (Output processing unit) The output processing unit 144 executes an output process. In the output process, the output processing unit 144 controls the processing side output unit 12 so that the processing side output unit 12 outputs data of a pseudo-call sound.

[0036] [Modification Example of Voice Processing Device] The voice processing device 1 may be configured such that the acquisition unit 141 acquires data of the extracted open vowel sounds. In this case, the processing side control unit 14 may not include the extraction unit 142.

[0037] Also, part or all of the functions of the control blocks 141 to 144 can be realized by a logic circuit. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit functioning as each of the control blocks 141 to 144 is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition to this, for example, it is also possible to realize the functions of the control blocks 141 to 144 by a quantum computer.

[0038] Also, each process executed by the control blocks 141 to 144 may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI may operate in the processing side control unit 14, or may operate in another device different from the voice processing device (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server, etc.).

[0039] [Function and Effect of Voice Processing Device] The voice processing device 1 described above generates data of pseudo vocalizations using the data of the vocalizations respectively emitted by a plurality of animals A1 that make sounds in a specific situation. The pseudo vocalizations based on such data reflect each feature of the vocalizations of the plurality of animals A1. And all of the many animals A2 that are the control targets and hear this pseudo vocalization will misperceive it as the vocalization emitted by an individual having a relationship with themselves, and will take actions according to the pseudo vocalization. For this reason, according to the voice processing device 1, in the place where the control target animal A2 exists, by directly outputting the pseudo vocalization based on the generated data or sending the data to a playback device for output, it becomes possible to control the control target animal A2 regardless of the individual.

[0040] <Voice Output Device> Next, a voice output device 2 according to an embodiment of another invention will be described.

[0041] [Configuration of the voice output device] The voice output device 2 emits a pseudo call sound. As shown in FIG. 7, the voice output device 2 includes a speaker 21, an output-side storage unit 22 (storage unit), an operation unit 23, and an output-side control unit 24.

[0042] [Output-side storage unit] The output-side storage unit 22 stores the data 221 of the pseudo call sound. The output-side storage unit 22 according to the present embodiment is composed of a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, etc. The data 221 that stores the data 221 of the pseudo call sound stored in the output-side storage unit 22 is the data generated by the voice processing device 1. That is, the data 221 is generated based on a plurality of specific parts respectively extracted from the data of a plurality of calls emitted by a plurality of animals that make sounds in a specific situation.

[0043] In addition, the output-side storage unit 22 according to the present embodiment stores two types of data 221 of pseudo call sounds for deer and wild boar. Note that the data 221 of the pseudo call sound stored in the output-side storage unit 22 may be only the data of either deer or wild boar, or may be three or more types of data including data for animals other than deer and wild boar (for example, cows).

[0044] [Operation unit] The operation unit 23 is operated by the user of the voice output device 2. The operation unit 23 according to the present embodiment includes two buttons. Each button corresponds to a deer and a wild boar respectively. Note that the number of buttons included in the operation unit 23 may be one, or may be three or more, depending on the type of data of the pseudo call sound stored in the output-side storage unit 22. Also, the operation unit 23 may be composed of a switch, a sensor, or a touch panel.

[0045] [Output-side control unit] The output-side control unit 24 calls the data of the pseudo cry from the output-side storage unit 22 based on an operation being performed on the operation unit 23, and outputs it to the speaker 21. As a result, the speaker 21 outputs a pseudo cry based on the data. The output-side control unit 24 according to the present embodiment calls the data 221 of the pseudo cry corresponding to the button that has been operated from among the data 221 of a plurality of types of pseudo cries stored in the output-side storage unit 22, and provides it to the speaker 21. That is, when a button corresponding to a deer (wild boar) is operated, the output-side control unit 24 provides the data 221 of the pseudo cry for deer (wild boar) to the speaker 21.

[0046] [Modification example of the voice output device] The voice output device 2 may include an input unit to which data of a pseudo cry is input from the voice processing device 1. In this way, the data of the pseudo cry can be easily updated simply by loading new data of the pseudo cry (without replacing the output-side storage unit 22). Further, the voice output device 2 may include a second operation unit and an amplification unit. The second operation unit is for volume adjustment and is operated by the user. The amplification unit increases or decreases the volume of the pseudo cry emitted by the speaker 21 according to the operation performed on the second operation unit. In this way, the volume of the pseudo cry output by the speaker 21 can be adjusted according to the size of the place where the voice output device 2 is used and the number of animals A2 to be controlled.

[0047] [Operation and effect of the voice output device] The voice output device 2 can prevent the controlled animal A2 from approaching or drive it away by making the controlled animal A2 of the same species that has a relationship with the animal A1 (the target of bark collection) that emits a bark sound hear a pseudo-bark sound. Therefore, according to the voice output device 2, by outputting a pseudo-bark sound at the location where the controlled animal A2 exists, the controlled animal A2 can be controlled regardless of the individual. In particular, by making a deer (wild boar) sitting in the farm hear a pseudo-bark sound for deer (wild boar), the deer (wild boar) can be easily driven away. Also, by making a deer (wild boar) around the farm hear a pseudo-bark sound for deer (wild boar), it is also possible to prevent the deer (wild boar) from approaching the farmland.

[0048] <Animal control method> Next, an animal control method according to an embodiment of another invention will be described.

[0049] [Flow of animal control method] As shown in FIG. 8, the animal control method includes a collection step S21, an extraction step S22, a generation step S23, and an output step S24.

[0050] (Collection step) In the initial collection step S21, barks emitted by a plurality of individual animals A1 that make sounds when in a specific situation (when receiving a stimulus) are collected. The collection of barks is performed using the above voice collection device 3. Note that in the collection step S21, barks may be collected using a general recording device, and the bark data may be transferred from the recording device to the voice processing device 1.

[0051] (Extraction step) After collecting the barks, the process proceeds to the extraction step S22. In the extraction step S22, specific parts are extracted from the collected data of the plurality of barks. The extraction of the specific parts is performed using the above voice processing device 1. Note that in the extraction step, the extraction of the specific parts may be performed using a general voice processing device different from the voice processing device 1.

[0052] (Generation Step) After extracting specific parts from the call data, the process moves to generation step S23. In generation step S23, based on the multiple extracted parts, data of a pseudo-call that mimics the call of animal A1 is generated. The generation of the pseudo-call data is performed using the above-mentioned voice processing device 1.

[0053] (Output Step) After generating the pseudo-call data, the process moves to output step S24. In output step S24, a pseudo-call based on the generated data is played for the target animal A2 to be controlled. The pseudo-call is played using the above-mentioned voice output device 2. Note that in output step S24, the pseudo-call may also be played using a general playback device that stores the data of the pseudo-call or reads a medium that stores the data of the pseudo-call.

[0054] [Function and Effect of Animal Control Method] The animal control method described above controls the target animal A2 by playing a pseudo-call based on the data generated by the above-mentioned voice processing device 1 for the target animal A2. Therefore, according to this animal control method, the target animal A2 can be controlled regardless of the individual.

[0055] [Summary] The voice collection device according to aspect 1 of the present invention includes a detection unit that detects that an animal to be the target of collecting a call has entered a predetermined area, a stimulation unit that gives a stimulus to the animal on the occasion that the animal has entered the predetermined area, and a recording unit that records the call made by the animal that has received the stimulus.

[0056] The voice collection device according to aspect 2 of the present invention may be configured such that, in the above aspect 1, the stimulation unit is constituted by a lighting fixture that irradiates light to the animal.

[0057] In the voice collection device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, in the above Embodiment 1 or 2, the stimulation application unit may be configured by an acoustic device that reproduces the voice of another animal different from the animal, which is prepared in advance.

[0058] In the voice collection device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, in any one of the above Embodiments 1 to 3, the detection unit may be configured by an infrared sensor that detects infrared rays emitted by the animal.

[0059] In the voice collection device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, in any one of the above Embodiments 1 to 4, the configuration may further include an output unit that outputs the recorded voice data to another device.

[0060] The voice collection method according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention includes a detection step in which a device that detects that an animal has entered a predetermined area detects that the animal that is the target of collecting the voice has entered the predetermined area, a stimulation application step in which a device that gives a stimulus to the animal gives a stimulus to the animal when the animal enters the predetermined area, and a recording step in which a device that records voice records the voice emitted by the animal that has received the stimulus.

[0061] In the voice collection method according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention, in the above Embodiment 6, each time the animal enters the predetermined area, the detection step, the stimulation application step, and the recording step may be repeated.

[0062] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Signs

[0063] 1 Voice processing device 11 Input unit 12 Output unit on the processing side 13 Storage unit on the processing side 131 Voice processing program 14 Processing-side control unit 141 Acquisition unit 142 Extraction unit 143 Generation unit 144 Output processing unit 2 Voice output device 21 Speaker 22 Output-side storage unit 221 Data of pseudo calls 23 Operation unit 24 Output-side control unit 3 Voice collection device 31 Detection unit 32 Stimulation application unit 33 Recording unit 34 Output unit 35 Control unit 36 Support column A1 Animal (target for call collection) A2 Animal (control target) R Predetermined area

Claims

1. A detection unit that detects that an animal to be vocalized has entered a predetermined area, A stimulation unit that gives a stimulus to the animal when the animal enters the predetermined area, A recording unit that records the vocalization made by the animal that has received the stimulus, A voice collection device comprising the above.

2. The stimulation unit is composed of a lighting fixture that irradiates light to the animal, The voice collection device according to Claim 1.

3. The stimulation unit is composed of an acoustic device that reproduces the vocalization of another animal different from the animal, prepared in advance, The voice collection device according to Claim 1.

4. The detection unit is composed of an infrared sensor that detects the infrared rays emitted by the animal, The voice collection device according to Claim 1.

5. The voice collection device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, further comprising an output unit that outputs the recorded data of the vocalization to another device. The voice collection device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. A device for detecting that an animal has entered a predetermined area includes a detection step of detecting that the animal to be vocalized has entered the predetermined area, A device for stimulating the animal includes a stimulation step of giving a stimulus to the animal when the animal enters the predetermined area, A device for recording sound includes a recording step of recording the vocalization made by the animal that has received the stimulus, A voice collection method including the above.

7. Each time the animal enters the predetermined area, the detection step, the stimulation step, and the recording step are repeated. The voice collection method according to Claim 6.

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