Body weight measuring device and body weight measuring method

Abstract

To measure the body weight of an animal while reducing or eliminating a deviation of output from a force sensor.SOLUTION: A body weight measuring system comprises: a plurality of floor parts that form a floor surface on which an animal stays; a plurality of force sensors that measure the weight applied to the plurality of floor parts; and a control unit that controls the body weight measuring system. The control unit repeatedly executes processing of determining a first group formed of some of the plurality of force sensors, the one or more force sensors measuring the weight applied to the floor parts on which the animal stays, and a second group formed of some other of the plurality of force sensors measuring the weight applied to the floor parts on which the animal does not stay, on the basis of information that is related to the behavior of the animal on the floor surface and is input to the control unit, calculating the body weight of the animal on the basis of the output from the force sensors included in the first group, and performing zero point adjustment for the force sensors included in the second group.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a weight measurement device and a weight measurement method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, weighing devices for measuring the weight of animals exist. The pet toilet of Patent Document 1 includes a weighing platform, an excretion tray, a first weighing scale, a second weighing scale, and a control device. The weighing platform is a platform on which the animal stands and excretes. A mesh is formed on the bottom of the weighing platform. The animal's urine passes through the mesh and falls onto the excretion tray. The first weighing scale measures the weight of the excretion tray containing the urine. The second weighing scale measures the total weight of the structure including the weighing platform and the animal. The control unit determines the animal's weight by subtracting the measurement value of the second weighing scale after the animal steps off the weighing platform from the measurement value of the second weighing scale from the time the animal steps on the weighing platform until the time the animal steps off the weighing platform. As a result, the animal's weight can be determined without being affected by the weight of the urine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-33767 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the pet toilet described in Patent Document 1, the animal's feces remain on the mesh, making it impossible to distinguish between the body weight and the weight of the excreted feces.

[0005] Force sensors used to measure weight include strain gauge sensors and piezoelectric sensors. Strain gauge sensors experience temperature drift, where the output changes depending on the temperature of the environment in which they are used. Piezoelectric sensors experience creep over time. As a result, in both types of sensors, the measured value deviates from the correct value over time after calibration. The technology in Patent Document 1 does not take into account the deviations that may occur in these force sensors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve at least part of the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized in the following aspects.

[0007] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a weighing system for measuring the weight of an animal. The weighing system for measuring the weight of an animal includes a plurality of floor sections constituting a floor surface on which the animal rests, a plurality of force sensors each measuring a weight acting on the plurality of floor sections, and a control unit for controlling the weighing system. Based on information related to the behavior of the animal on the floor surface input to the control unit, the control unit determines a first group consisting of a portion of the plurality of force sensors, the first group including one or more force sensors each measuring a weight acting on one or more floor sections on which the animal rests, and a second group consisting of another portion of the plurality of force sensors, the second group including one or more force sensors each measuring a weight acting on one or more floor sections on which the animal does not rest, calculates the weight of the animal based on outputs from the force sensors included in the first group, and performs zero-point adjustment on the force sensors included in the second group. In this embodiment, when a force sensor is included in the second group that does not bear the weight of the animal in the repeated process, a zero point adjustment is performed for that force sensor. Then, when a force sensor is included in the first group that bears the weight of the animal in the repeated process, the weight of the animal is calculated based on the output from that force sensor. This reduces or eliminates deviations in the output of the force sensor, allowing the weight of the animal to be measured. (2) In the weight measurement system of the above aspect, the force sensor may be a strain gauge sensor or a piezoelectric sensor. In such an embodiment, by repeatedly adjusting the zero point and calculating the animal's weight, the deviation in the force sensor output caused by temperature drift that occurs in strain gauge sensors and piezoelectric sensors can be reduced or eliminated, and the animal's weight can be measured. (3) The weight measurement system of the above embodiment may further include a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the environment in which the plurality of force sensors are arranged, and the control unit may correct the output of the force sensors included in the first group according to the output from the temperature sensor. In such an embodiment, the weight of an animal can be measured by taking into account the temperature of the environment in which the force sensor is placed, thereby reducing or eliminating the deviation in the output of the force sensor due to the temperature drift that occurs in strain gauge sensors. (4) In the weight measurement system of the above form, the control unit may calculate the weight of the animal based on the output from the force sensors included in the first group when the time during which the range of fluctuation in the output from the plurality of force sensors remains within a predetermined settling range continues for more than a predetermined reference time. In this manner, the weight of the animal can be measured accurately. (5) In the weight measurement system of the above form, when the first group includes only one force sensor, the control unit may calculate the weight of the animal based on the output from the only force sensor included in the first group. In this manner, the proportion of the calculated animal's weight that is accounted for by unavoidable errors in the output of each force sensor can be reduced compared to the manner in which the animal's weight is calculated based on the output from multiple force sensors included in the first group. (6) In the weight measurement system of the above form, the control unit may calculate the weight of the animal based on the output from the force sensors included in the first group, regardless of the number of force sensors included in the first group. In this embodiment, the animal's weight can be measured more frequently and / or at more convenient times than in an embodiment in which the animal's weight is calculated when the number of force sensors included in the first group is one. (7) In the weight measurement system of the above aspect, the control unit may use, as information related to the animal's behavior, a first output for each of the plurality of force sensors in a first time interval during which the time during which the range of output fluctuation remains within a predetermined settling range continues for a predetermined reference time or longer, a second output for a second time interval following the first time interval during which the range of output fluctuation remains outside the settling range, and a third output for a third time interval following the second time interval during which the time during which the range of output fluctuation remains within the settling range continues for a predetermined reference time or longer, and determine, from among the plurality of force sensors, force sensors for which the difference between the first output and the third output is smaller than a predetermined change threshold as force sensors to be included in the second group, and perform the zero point adjustment. With this configuration, it is possible to determine the force sensors to be included in the second group by excluding the force sensors on which the weight of the animal is being applied, and therefore it is possible to appropriately perform zero point adjustment for the force sensors on which the weight of the animal is not being applied. (8) The weight measurement system of the above-described form may further include a camera that photographs the floor surface, and the control unit may determine, based on image information acquired by the camera as information related to the animal's behavior, one or more force sensors among the plurality of force sensors that measure the weight acting on one or more floor sections that can be determined not to be occupied by the animal as force sensors included in the second group, perform the zero point adjustment, and determine other sensors among the plurality of force sensors as force sensors included in the first group, and calculate the weight. This configuration allows the force sensors included in the second group to be easily and reliably determined and the zero point adjustment to be performed. Furthermore, the force sensors that measure the weight acting on the floor portion, on which it is not possible to determine whether an animal is present, are taken into consideration when calculating the animal's weight. This reduces the possibility of the animal's weight being calculated as being too low. (9) In the weight measurement system of the above form, an attracting unit that attracts the animal to some of the floor sections among the plurality of floor sections and is capable of switching the some of the floor sections to which the animal is attracted can also be provided, and when the attracting unit is attracting the animal to some of the plurality of floor sections, the control unit determines, based on information about the some of the floor sections to which the attracting unit is attracting the animal as information related to the behavior of the animal, a force sensor among the plurality of force sensors that measures the weight acting on a floor section that is not included in the some of the floor sections as a force sensor to be included in the second group, and performs the zero point adjustment. In this embodiment, when the animal is attracted to a certain floor section by the attracting section, the force sensors on which the animal's weight is not applied can be determined to be included in the second group, and zero point adjustment can be performed for those force sensors. Therefore, zero point adjustment can be performed for each force sensor at a desired timing and / or frequency. (10) In the weight measurement system of the above form, when the attracting unit attracts the animal to one of the plurality of floor sections, the control unit may determine, among the plurality of force sensors, a force sensor that measures the weight acting on the one of the plurality of floor sections as a force sensor included in the first group, and calculate the weight. In this manner, when the animal is attracted to a part of the floor by the attracting part, the force sensor on which the animal's weight is applied is determined to be the force sensor included in the first group, and the weight can be calculated based on the output of those force sensors. (11) According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for measuring the weight of an animal, the method comprising the steps of: determining, based on information related to the behavior of the animal on a floor surface comprising a plurality of floor sections, a first group comprising a portion of a plurality of force sensors that measure weights acting on the plurality of floor sections, and a second group comprising another portion of the plurality of force sensors, wherein the first group is a group comprising one or more force sensors that measure weights acting on one or more floor sections among the plurality of floor sections on which the animal is standing, and the second group is a group comprising one or more force sensors that measure weights acting on one or more floor sections among the plurality of floor sections on which the animal is not standing; calculating the weight of the animal based on outputs from the force sensors included in the first group; and performing zero-point adjustment on the force sensors included in the second group. The present disclosure can be realized in various forms other than a weight measurement system and a method for measuring the weight of an animal, such as a weight measurement device, an animal breeding method or an animal health management method, a computer program for implementing those methods, or a non-transitory recording medium on which that computer program is recorded. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a weight measurement system 11 for measuring the weight of an animal AM as seen from the side. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the weight measurement system 11 as viewed from above. [Figure 3] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another state of the weight measurement system 11 for measuring the weight of the animal AM as seen from the side. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another state of the weight measurement system 11 as seen from above. [Figure 5] 1 is a flowchart showing a method for measuring the weight of an animal AM using the weight measurement system 11. [Figure 6] 1 is a graph showing an output Wo from a force sensor. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a weight measurement system 12 according to a second embodiment as viewed from the side. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a weight measurement system 13 according to a third embodiment as viewed from the side. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a weight measurement system 14 according to a fourth embodiment as viewed from the side. [Figure 10] 10 is a graph showing an output Wo of a force sensor that is a piezoelectric sensor when a static load is applied to the force sensor. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a weight measurement system 11 according to another embodiment as viewed from the side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A. First embodiment: Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a weight measurement system 11 for measuring the weight of an animal AM as seen from the side. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the weight measurement system 11 as seen from above. Figs. 1 and 2 show an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are perpendicular to each other. The X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis form a left-handed system.

[0010] The weight measurement system 11 can measure the weight of an animal. The weight measurement system 11 also functions as a facility for raising an animal AM. In this embodiment, the animal AM is a pig. Only one animal AM is raised in one weight measurement system 11. The weight measurement system 11 includes four floor units 110-140, four force sensors 210-240, four temperature sensors 310-340, and a control unit 900.

[0011] The four floor sections 110-140 form a floor surface FL on which the animals AM stand (see FIG. 2). The floor surface FL has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. When viewed from above, each of the floor sections 110-140 has a substantially rectangular shape. The floor surface FL is made up of four floor sections 110-140 arranged in two rows and two columns. In the weight measurement system 11 of this embodiment, there is no other configuration on which the animals AM kept in the weight measurement system 11 can stand other than the four floor sections 110-140. Note that in FIGS. 2 and 4, the floor sections 110-140 are shown separated from each other to facilitate understanding of the technology.

[0012] Each of the floor sections 110-140 has a substantially rectangular plate-like member with a mesh structure as a component constituting part of the floor surface FL (see the middle section of Figure 1). Liquids, including urine from the animal AM, and minute solids pass through the mesh-structured plate-like member and fall downward. The feces DG of the animal AM and feed that has fallen onto the floor surface FL may remain on the plate-like member of each of the floor sections 110-140 (see the middle center of Figure 1, and the middle and lower center sections of Figure 2).

[0013] The four force sensors 210-240 measure the weights acting on the four floor sections 110-140, respectively (see the middle section of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). That is, the weight measurement system 11 includes four force sensors 210-240 that measure the weights acting on the floor sections 110-140, respectively. The force sensors 210-240 are disposed below the floor sections 110-140, respectively (see the middle section of FIG. 1). Specifically, the force sensors 210-240 are strain gauge type sensors.

[0014] The four temperature sensors 310 to 340 can measure the temperature of the environment in which the four force sensors 210 to 240 are disposed (see the middle part of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). The temperature sensors 310 to 340 are provided in contact with the force sensors 210 to 240, respectively.

[0015] The control unit 900 controls the weight measurement system 11 (see the lower part of FIG. 1). The control unit 900 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 910, which is a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 920, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 930, and a touch panel 960. The touch panel 960 can display images and accept information input from the user. The RAM 920 includes a main memory, which is a semiconductor memory, and an SD drive (Solid State Drive), which is an auxiliary storage device. The RAM 920 stores, for example, a correction table 922 that indicates the amount of correction for the outputs of the force sensors 210 to 240 according to the ambient temperature. The CPU loads computer programs stored in the SD drive into the main memory and executes them to realize various functions described below.

[0016] The control unit 900 is connected to the force sensors 210-240 and the temperature sensors 310-340. The control unit 900 can calculate the weight of the animal AM based on the output Wo from the force sensors 210-240. The control unit 900 can perform zero-point adjustment for each of the force sensors 210-240. In this specification, "zero-point adjustment" refers to setting the output of a force sensor at that time to an output equivalent to a weight of zero, assuming that the weight of the animal AM is not being applied to that force sensor at that time. As a result, a force sensor that has been zero-point adjusted will output a signal equivalent to a load of zero, regardless of whether or not there is a foreign object such as feces or food on the floor above the corresponding sensor.

[0017] Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing another state of the weight measurement system 11 for measuring the weight of the animal AM as seen from the side. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing another state of the weight measurement system 11 as seen from above. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis shown in Figs. 3 and 4 correspond to the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

[0018] The animal AM can move to various locations on the floor surface FL. In Figures 1 and 2, the animal AM is on floor section 110. In contrast, in Figures 3 and 4, the animal AM is on floor section 140. Each of the floor sections 110 to 140 is large enough for one animal AM to stand within the area of ​​one floor section (see the lower left part of Figure 2 and the upper right part of Figure 4).

[0019] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for measuring the weight of an animal AM using the weight measurement system 11. The processing of each step in FIG. 5 is executed by the control unit 900. In step S100, it is determined whether an event has occurred that triggers the start of the process of measuring the weight of the animal AM. In this embodiment, the trigger is when the fluctuation range of each output Wo of the four force sensors 210-240 remains within a predetermined settling range Acs for a period of time equal to or longer than a predetermined reference time Tc. This settling range Acs can be determined in advance based on the expected weight of the animal AM, the required accuracy of the force sensor measurements, the performance of the force sensors, etc.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a graph showing the output Wo from one of the force sensors 210-240. In the graph of FIG. 6, the horizontal axis represents time t. In the example of FIG. 6, during time period P2, the output Wo from the force sensors 210-240 fluctuates significantly, and the fluctuation range of the output Wo is not within the settling range Acs (see the center of the middle row of FIG. 6). On the other hand, during time periods P1 and P3, the fluctuation range of the output Wo from the force sensors 210-240 remains within the settling range Acs for a period of time equal to or longer than the reference time Tc (see the left and right lower rows of FIG. 6). This reference time Tc can be determined based on the behavioral characteristics of the animal AM. For example, if a pig serving as the animal AM is assumed to be sleeping as a condition for the output Wo to settle, the reference time Tc can be set to 5 minutes.

[0021] Therefore, in time section P1, the fact that the reference time Tc has elapsed since the fluctuation range of the output Wo entered the settling range Acs satisfies the condition related to that force sensor among the conditions for starting the process of measuring the weight of the animal AM. In time section P3, the fact that the reference time Tc has elapsed since the fluctuation range of the output Wo entered the settling range Acs satisfies the condition related to that force sensor among the conditions for starting the process of measuring the weight of the animal AM. And for all force sensors 210-240, the fact that the reference time Tc has elapsed since the fluctuation range of the output Wo entered the settling range Acs serves as a trigger for starting the process of measuring the weight of the animal AM.

[0022] The force sensors that will be classified into the second group (described later) are sensors that measure the load on the floor where the animal AM is not standing, and therefore satisfy the settling condition earlier. The force sensors that will be classified into the first group (described later) are sensors that measure the load on the floor where the animal AM is standing, and therefore satisfy the settling condition later than the force sensors that will be classified into the second group.

[0023] By performing such processing, it is possible to accurately measure the weight of the animal AM by avoiding time periods in which the output Wo of the force sensor fluctuates greatly.

[0024] The determination condition for determining whether the fluctuation range of the output Wo from the force sensor remains within the settling range Acs for a period of time equal to or longer than the reference time Tc can be determined, for example, by the following procedure. When a maximum value occurs in the output Wo of the force sensor, the above determination condition is met if, in the time interval going back by the reference time Tc from the time when the maximum value occurred, all of the outputs Wo are within a range whose upper limit is the maximum value and whose width is the width Wcs of the settling range Acs. When a minimum value occurs in the output Wo of the force sensor, the above determination condition is met if, in the time interval going back by the reference time Tc from the time when the minimum value occurred, all of the outputs Wo are within a range whose lower limit is the minimum value and whose width is the width Wcs of the settling range Acs. The above determination is made each time a maximum or minimum value occurs in the output Wo.

[0025] If an event has occurred that triggers the start of the process of measuring the weight of the animal AM, the process proceeds to step S200. If no event has occurred that triggers the start of the process of measuring the weight of the animal AM, the process of step S100 is repeated.

[0026] In step S200, a first group and a second group are determined based on information related to the behavior of the animal AM on the floor surface FL.

[0027] The first group is composed of one or more force sensors that measure the weight acting on one or more of the four floor sections 110-140 on which the animal AM is standing. In the example of Figs. 1 and 2, the first group is force sensor 210 (see the lower left part of Fig. 2 and the lower left part of Fig. 4). In the example of Figs. 3 and 4, the first group is force sensor 240 (see the upper right part of Fig. 4 and the upper right part of Fig. 2).

[0028] The first group is preferably made up of some of the four force sensors 210 to 240. However, in part of the process of step S200 in Fig. 5 that is repeatedly executed, the first group may be made up of all four force sensors 210 to 240. In such a case, the process of step S200 ends without performing the process of determining the second group. Furthermore, zero point adjustment is not performed in step S400, which will be described later.

[0029] The second group is made up of another part of the four force sensors 210-240. The second group is made up of one or more force sensors that measure the weight acting on one or more of the four floor sections 110-140 on which the animal AM is not standing. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the second group is the force sensors 220-240 (see FIG. 2 in particular). In the example of FIGS. 3 and 4, the second group is the force sensors 210-230 (see FIG. 4 in particular).

[0030] Specifically, the first group and the second group are determined by the following process.

[0031] The control unit 900 uses the first output Wp1 in the first time interval P1, the second output Wp2 in the second time interval P2, and the third output Wp3 in the third time interval P3 for each of the four force sensors 210-240 as information related to the behavior of the animal AM. The third time interval P3 is a time interval that includes the current time and includes the time when the condition is satisfied in step S100 that the reference time Tc has elapsed since the fluctuation range of the output Wo for all of the force sensors 210-240 fell within the settling range Acs. The following describes a method for determining the group to which a force sensor should belong, focusing on one force sensor.

[0032] The first time interval P1 is a time interval during which the fluctuation range of the output Wo remains within a predetermined settling range Acs for a period of time equal to or longer than a predetermined reference time Tc (see the lower left part of FIG. 6). The first time interval P1 is a time interval during which an event occurs that triggers the start of the process of measuring the weight of the animal AM, and is the time interval immediately preceding the third time interval P3, during which the same triggering event occurs and includes the current time.

[0033] The first output Wp1 is the output of the force sensor in the first time interval P1. More specifically, the control unit 900 uses the output Wp1e of the force sensor at the time when the reference time Tc has elapsed since the fluctuation range of the output Wo entered the settling range Acs in the first time interval P1 as the first output Wp1. The output Wo at the time when the reference time Tc has elapsed since the fluctuation range of the output Wo entered the settling range Acs in the first time interval P1 is indicated by an upward-pointing black triangle in FIG. 6.

[0034] The second time interval P2 is a time interval following the first time interval P1, and is a time interval in which the fluctuation range of the output Wo is outside the settling range Acs (see the center of the middle part of FIG. 6). The second output Wp2 is the output of the force sensor in the second time interval P2.

[0035] The third time interval P3 is a time interval following the second time interval P2, during which the fluctuation range of the output Wo remains within the settling range Acs for a period equal to or longer than the reference time Tc (see the lower right portion of FIG. 6). The third output Wp3 is the output of the force sensor during the third time interval P3 (see the lower right portion of FIG. 6). More specifically, the control unit 900 uses the output Wp3e of the force sensor at the time when the reference time Tc has elapsed since the fluctuation range of the output Wo entered the settling range Acs during the third time interval P3 as the third output Wp3. The output Wo at the time when the reference time Tc has elapsed since the fluctuation range of the output Wo entered the settling range Acs during the third time interval P3 is indicated by a downward-pointing black triangle in FIG. 6.

[0036] Of the force sensors 210-240, those for which the difference between the first output Wp1 and the third output Wp3 is smaller than a predetermined change threshold Dth are determined to be included in the second group (see the middle left part of FIG. 6). Note that in step S100, for all of the force sensors 210-240, the measurement trigger condition is satisfied, that is, the reference time Tc has elapsed since the fluctuation range of the output Wo fell within the settling range Acs. Therefore, each force sensor included in the second group is also a force sensor for which the fluctuation range of the output Wo has remained within the settling range Acs for a period of time equal to or longer than the reference time Tc.

[0037] The reason why the output Wo of the force sensor fluctuates greatly is because the animal AM moves on the floor connected to that force sensor. By performing the above processing, force sensors whose output value Wp3 when the fluctuation of the force sensor output becomes small is close to the output value Wp1 before the fluctuation of the force sensor output becomes large are classified into the second group (see the middle part of Figure 6). As a result, the force sensors measuring the load on the floor from which it is presumed that the animal AM has left are determined to be in the second group (see the right part of Figure 1 and the left part of Figure 3). In other words, the force sensors to be included in the second group are determined by excluding the force sensors that are presumed to be bearing the weight of the animal AM at that time.

[0038] On the other hand, among the four force sensors 210 to 240, the force sensors other than the force sensors determined to be in the second group are determined to be included in the first group. Note that there may be cases where no force sensors are determined to be in the second group. In such cases, all of the force sensors 210 to 240 are determined to be included in the first group.

[0039] 5, the weight of the animal AM is calculated based on the outputs Wo from the force sensors included in the first group. In calculating the weight of the animal AM, the control unit 900 corrects the outputs of the force sensors included in the second group in accordance with the outputs from the temperature sensors 310-340. The amount of correction for the output of each force sensor is determined by referencing a correction table 922 in RAM 920 based on the output from the corresponding temperature sensor. The control unit 900 determines the sum of the weights represented by the corrected outputs Wo of the force sensors included in the first group as the weight of the animal AM.

[0040] By performing such processing, the deviation in the output Wo of the force sensor caused by the temperature drift that occurs in the strain gauge type sensor can be reduced or eliminated by taking into account the temperature of the environment in which the force sensors 210 to 240 are placed, and the weight of the animal AM can be measured.

[0041] The control unit 900 calculates the weight of the animal AM based on the outputs Wo from the force sensors included in the first group, regardless of the number of force sensors included in the first group.

[0042] By performing such processing, the weight of the animal AM can be measured more frequently than in a mode in which the weight of the animal AM is calculated only when the number of force sensors included in the first group is 1. As a result, it is highly likely that the weight of the animal AM can be measured at a more preferable timing, such as at a time included in the same time slot every day.

[0043] In step S400, zero-point adjustment is performed on the force sensors in the second group. That is, the steady-state deviation of the output Wo of the force sensors in the second group is canceled. As a result, when a foreign object such as feces or food is on the floor, the output of the force sensor that measures the load becomes zero.

[0044] By performing such processing, the following effect can be obtained in step S300, which is performed subsequently in the repeated processing of Fig. 5. That is, the weight of the animal AM can be measured by reducing or eliminating the deviation in the output Wo of the force sensor caused by feces or food.

[0045] The set of processes from step S100 to step S400 is executed within a time period that does not change the position and posture of the animal AM on the floor surface FL. The time period that does not change the position and posture of the animal AM on the floor surface FL can be determined depending on the state of the animal, such as whether the animal is asleep or awake.

[0046] In step S500, it is determined whether or not the termination condition for the processing in FIG. 5 has been satisfied. In this embodiment, the termination condition is that an instruction to terminate the processing has been given via touch panel 960 (see the center of the middle row in FIG. 1). If the termination condition has been satisfied, the processing in FIG. 5 ends. If the termination condition has not been satisfied, the processing returns to step S100, and the steps from step S100 onwards are repeated. That is, unless the termination condition for step S500 is satisfied, the processing from step S100 to step S400 is repeated.

[0047] In this embodiment, when a force sensor is included in the second group, on which the weight of the animal AM is not applied, during the repeated process, a zero point adjustment is performed for that force sensor (see S400 in FIG. 5). Then, when a force sensor is included in the first group, on which the weight of the animal AM is applied, during the repeated process, the weight of the animal AM is calculated based on the output Wo from that force sensor (see S300 in FIG. 5). This makes it possible to measure the weight of the animal AM while reducing or eliminating deviations in the force sensor output Wo caused by feces or food. Furthermore, since there is no need to move the animal to another location to measure its weight, the risk of pathogenic bacteria infection in the animal can be reduced.

[0048] B. Second embodiment: Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a side view of the weight measurement system 12 of the second embodiment. The weight measurement system 12 of the second embodiment includes a camera 500 that captures an image of the floor surface FL (see the upper right part of Figure 7). In the weight measurement system 12 of the second embodiment, the method of determining the first and second groups in step S200 of Figure 5 is different from that of the weight measurement system 11 of the first embodiment. In other respects, the weight measurement system 12 of the second embodiment is the same as the weight measurement system 11 of the first embodiment.

[0049] In step S200 of Fig. 5, the control unit 900 uses image information acquired by the camera 500 as information related to the behavior of the animal AM. Specifically, the camera 500 is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera. The camera 500 may also be a camera equipped with a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor. The camera 500 is connected to the control unit 900. To facilitate understanding of the technology, the installation location of the camera 500 is indicated by dashed lines in Figs. 2 and 4.

[0050] Based on the image information acquired by the camera 500, the control unit 900 determines one or more floor sections among the four force sensors 210-240 that can be determined to be free of the animal AM. Then, the control unit 900 determines one or more force sensors that measure the weights acting on those floor sections as force sensors to be included in the second group. In the example of FIG. 2, the force sensors 220-240 are determined as force sensors to be included in the second group. In the example of FIG. 4, the force sensors 210-230 are determined as force sensors to be included in the second group.

[0051] Meanwhile, the control unit 900 determines the other sensors of the four force sensors 210 to 240 as force sensors included in the first group. In the example of Fig. 2, the force sensor 210 is determined as the force sensor included in the first group. In the example of Fig. 4, the force sensor 240 is determined as the force sensor included in the second group.

[0052] In the second embodiment, by using image information from the camera 500, it is possible to easily and reliably determine the force sensors included in the second group and perform zero point adjustment (see the upper right part of FIG. 7).

[0053] Furthermore, force sensors that measure the weight acting on floor portions where it is not possible to determine whether the animal AM is standing are considered as the first group when calculating the weight of the animal AM. This reduces the possibility that the outputs of force sensors on floor portions where the animal AM is actually standing are excluded, resulting in an erroneous calculation of an underestimate of the animal AM's weight. Note that force sensors that measure the weight acting on floor portions where it is not possible to determine whether the animal AM is standing also undergo zero point adjustment through repeated processing (see S500 and S400 in Figure 5). This reduces the possibility that the weight will be erroneously calculated as being overestimated due to the inclusion of force sensors that measure the weight acting on floor portions where it is not possible to determine whether the animal AM is standing in the first group.

[0054] C. Third embodiment: FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a side view of a weight measurement system 13 of the third embodiment. The weight measurement system 13 of the third embodiment includes an inducer unit 710 that attracts animals AM (see the upper left part of FIG. 8). In the weight measurement system 13 of the third embodiment, the measurement trigger in step S100 of FIG. 5 is different from that of the weight measurement system 11 of the first embodiment. Also, the method of determining the first and second groups in step S200 is different from that of the weight measurement system 11 of the first embodiment. In other respects, the weight measurement system 13 of the third embodiment is the same as the weight measurement system 11 of the first embodiment.

[0055] The attractor unit 710 attracts animals to one of the four floor sections 110 to 140. The attractor unit 710 is connected to the control unit 900. The attractor unit 710 comprises a first unit 711 to a fourth unit 714. The first unit 711 attracts animals AM to the floor section 110. The second unit 712 attracts animals AM to the floor section 120. The third unit 713 attracts animals AM to the floor section 130. The fourth unit 714 attracts animals AM to the floor section 140. The attractor unit 710 can switch one of the floor sections to attract the animal AM using the first unit 711 to the fourth unit 714.

[0056] The first unit 711 to the fourth unit 714 are disposed above the four floor sections 110 to 140, respectively. The first unit 711 to the fourth unit 714 can each suspend a chain 715 above the head of the animal AM, and can also store the chain 715 (see the upper left and upper right sections of Figure 8). The first unit 711 to the fourth unit 714 can each hang the chain 715 near the vertices of the substantially rectangular floor surface FL. To facilitate understanding of the technology, the installation locations of the first unit 711 to the fourth unit 714 are indicated by dashed lines in Figures 2 and 4.

[0057] The incentive unit 710 selectively causes one of the first unit 711 to the fourth unit 714 to lower the chain 715. Then, the pig as the animal AM is attracted to the vicinity of one of the vertices of the substantially rectangular floor surface FL to play by biting the chain 715 or hitting it with its nose. As a result, the animal AM will only be able to stand on one of the floor sections located below the hanging chain 715 (see the upper left part of FIG. 13). The timing at which the incentive unit 710 lowers the chain 715 may be a predetermined timing, or may be a timing according to an instruction input by the user via the touch panel 960.

[0058] In the third embodiment, the measurement trigger of step S100 in Figure 5 includes, in addition to the conditions of the measurement trigger in the first embodiment, the attracting unit 710 attracting the animal AM to one of the four floors 110-140 by any of the first unit 711 to fourth unit 714 (see the lower right part of Figure 6 and the upper left part of Figure 13).

[0059] 5, the control unit 900 uses information about one floor section to which the inducer unit 710 is attracting the animal AM as information related to the behavior of the animal AM. Based on the information about the floor section, the control unit 900 determines, among the four force sensors 210-240, the force sensors that measure the weight acting on a floor section other than the one floor section as force sensors to be included in the second group.

[0060] Meanwhile, the control unit 900 determines, among the four force sensors 210 to 240, the force sensor that measures the weight acting on one floor section to which the attracting unit 710 is attracting the animal AM, as the force sensor to be included in the first group.

[0061] In the third embodiment, as a result of the animal AM being attracted to one of the floor sections by the first unit 711 to the fourth unit 714, the force sensors on which the weight of the animal AM is not applied are determined to be force sensors included in the second group, and zero point adjustment can be performed on those force sensors. Therefore, zero point adjustment can be performed on each force sensor at a timing and / or frequency desired by the user.

[0062] Furthermore, when the animal AM is attracted to a part of the floor by any one of the first unit 711 to the fourth unit 714, the force sensor on which the weight of the animal AM is applied is determined to be the force sensor included in the first group, and the weight can be reliably calculated based on the output of those force sensors.

[0063] D. Fourth embodiment: FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a side view of a weight measurement system 14 of the fourth embodiment. The weight measurement system 14 of the fourth embodiment includes an inducer unit 760 that attracts animals AM (see the middle left part of FIG. 9). In the weight measurement system 14 of the fourth embodiment, the measurement trigger in step S100 of FIG. 5 is different from that of the weight measurement system 11 of the first embodiment. Also, the method of determining the first and second groups in step S200 is different from that of the weight measurement system 11 of the first embodiment. In other respects, the weight measurement system 14 of the third embodiment is the same as the weight measurement system 11 of the first embodiment.

[0064] The attractor unit 760 includes a first container unit 761 and a second container unit 762. The first container unit 761 attracts the animal AM to the floor unit 110. The second container unit 762 attracts the animal AM to the floor unit 130. The attractor unit 760 can switch between the first container unit 761 and the second container unit 762 to attract the animal AM to one of the floor units.

[0065] The first container portion 761 and the second container portion 762 are bait boxes arranged adjacent to the floor portions 110 and 130, respectively. The first container portion 761 and the second container portion 762 are arranged near the vertices of the substantially rectangular floor surface FL, respectively. To facilitate understanding of the technology, the installation locations of the first container portion 761 and the second container portion 762 are indicated by dashed lines in Figures 2 and 4.

[0066] The user selectively puts feed into either the first container part 761 or the second container part 762, and inputs information indicating the container part into which the feed was put into the control part 900 via the touch panel 960. The pig as the animal AM will only stand on the floor part adjacent to the first container part 761 or the floor part adjacent to the second container part 762 to eat the put-in feed.

[0067] In the third embodiment, the measurement trigger in step S100 of Figure 5 includes, in addition to the measurement trigger conditions in the first embodiment, the user inputting information about the container into which the bait has been placed into the control unit 900 via the touch panel 960.

[0068] 5, the control unit 900 uses, as information related to the behavior of the animal AM, information on which of the first container unit 761 or the second container unit 762 is being used. Based on the information on the container unit, the control unit 900 determines, as the force sensors to be included in the second group, those force sensors among the four force sensors 210 to 240 that measure the weight acting on a floor portion other than the floor portion adjacent to that container unit.

[0069] On the other hand, the control unit 900 determines, among the four force sensors 210 to 240, the force sensor that measures the weight acting on one floor portion adjacent to the container portion being used as the force sensor to be included in the first group.

[0070] According to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to perform zero point adjustment for each force sensor with a simple configuration at a desired timing and / or frequency.

[0071] E. Other Embodiments: E1. Alternative Embodiment 1: (1) In the above embodiment, the weight measurement system 11 includes four force sensors 210-240 and four temperature sensors 310-340 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). However, the number of temperature sensors may be fewer than the number of force sensors. For example, in the weight measurement system, the number of temperature sensors for measuring the temperature of the environment in which the multiple force sensors are arranged may be one.

[0072] (2) In the above embodiment, the control unit 900 uses the force sensor output Wp1e obtained when the reference time Tc has elapsed since the fluctuation range of the output Wo entered the settling range Acs in the first time interval P1 as the first output Wp1 (see the lower left part of FIG. 6). The control unit 900 uses the force sensor output Wp3e obtained when the reference time Tc has elapsed since the fluctuation range of the output Wo entered the settling range Acs in the third time interval P3 as the third output Wp3. However, the representative value of the force sensor output in a certain time interval may be other values, such as the average, maximum, or minimum value of the force sensor output in that time interval. In other words, the representative value of the force sensor output in a certain time interval may be any value that reflects the force sensor output in that time interval.

[0073] (3) In the third embodiment, the weight measurement system 13 includes an attractor 710 that attracts the animal AM (see the upper left part of FIG. 8). In the fourth embodiment, the weight measurement system 14 includes an attractor 760 that attracts the animal AM (see the middle left part of FIG. 9). However, in a mode in which the weight measurement system does not include an attractor, it is also possible to guide the animal to a specific floor section by providing a factor that repels the animal, such as spraying water at the animal, and then measure the weight and perform zero point adjustment of the force sensor.

[0074] (4) In the third embodiment, the attractor 710 attracts the animal to one of the four floor sections 110 to 140 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). However, the attractor may attract the animal so that the animal is positioned on two or more floor sections at the same time. In other words, the attractor may attract the animal to some of the floor sections among the plurality of floor sections. However, it is preferable that the attractor be able to switch the floor sections that attract the animal.

[0075] (5) In the first embodiment, among the four force sensors 210 to 240, the force sensors other than the force sensors determined to be in the second group are determined to be included in the first group (see S200 in FIG. 5). However, the first group and the second group may be determined based on their own criteria. In such an aspect, there may be force sensors that are not included in either the first group or the second group. However, the first group and the second group are determined so that there is no force sensor that is included in either the first group or the second group.

[0076] (6) In the first embodiment, the amount of correction for the force sensor output is determined by referencing the correction table 922 in RAM 920 based on the output Wo from the temperature sensors 310 to 340 (see S300 in FIG. 5 and the lower part of FIG. 1). However, a function can be used instead of a table to correct the force sensor output. The function takes the temperature sensor measurement value as input and the force sensor correction amount as output.

[0077] (7) In the first embodiment, the control unit 900 uses the first output Wp1 in the first time interval P1, the second output Wp2 in the second time interval P2, and the third output Wp3 in the third time interval P3 of each of the four force sensors 210 to 240 as information related to the behavior of the animal AM (see FIG. 6). In the second embodiment, the control unit 900 uses image information acquired by the camera 500 as information related to the behavior of the animal AM (see FIG. 7). In the third embodiment, the control unit 900 uses information about one floor section to which the inducer unit 710 is attracting the animal AM as information related to the behavior of the animal AM (see FIG. 8). In the fourth embodiment, the control unit 900 uses information about one floor section to which the inducer unit 760 is attracting the animal AM as information related to the behavior of the animal AM (see FIG. 9).

[0078] In this way, various information can be used as information related to the behavior of the animal AM, such as information about the position of the animal AM itself, information about factors that move the animal AM to a specific position, etc. However, it is preferable that the information related to the behavior of the animal AM is information related to the position of the animal AM on the floor surface FL.

[0079] (8) In the above embodiment, no particular mention is made of the time elapsed between the weight calculation in step S300 and the zero point adjustment in step S400. The weight calculation in step S300 and the zero point adjustment in step S400 may be performed consecutively or in parallel. Furthermore, between steps S100 and S500, the zero point adjustment may be performed before the weight calculation. The time elapsed between the weight calculation in step S300 and the zero point adjustment in step S400 may be any time.

[0080] (9) In the above embodiment, the weight calculation in step S300 and the zero point adjustment in step S400 are both performed according to the determination result in step S100. However, whether or not the weight calculation in step S300 and the zero point adjustment in step S400 are performed may be determined by their own independent determination processes.

[0081] (10) In the above embodiment, no particular mention is made of processing based on the second output Wp2 itself in the second time interval P2 in which the fluctuation range of the output Wo is outside the settling range Acs. However, if the second output Wp2 is analyzed and has specific characteristics, such as characteristics of a waveform when the animal AM sneezes or coughs, a warning can be issued via the touch panel 960 as an output unit.

[0082] (11) In the weight measurement system of the above type, the control unit 900 can count the number of times the floor section bearing the largest load changes among multiple floor sections, and estimate the animal's exercise volume based on the accumulated amount over a predetermined period of time.

[0083] E2. Alternative Embodiment 2: FIG. 10 is a graph showing the output Wo of a force sensor that is a piezoelectric sensor when a static load is applied to the force sensor. In FIG. 10, the horizontal axis represents time. In the above embodiment, the force sensors 210 to 240 are strain gauge sensors (see the middle of FIG. 1 and the middle of FIG. 3). However, the force sensor may also be, for example, a piezoelectric sensor. In piezoelectric sensors, creep occurs over time. In FIG. 10, creep causes the output Wo of the force sensor to gradually increase over time.

[0084] In Fig. 10, time T0 is the time when the zero point adjustment of the force sensor is performed in step S400 of Fig. 5. As a result of the zero point adjustment of the force sensor at time T0, the output Wo of the force sensor is set to 0 at time T0. Thereafter, when a load is applied to the force sensor, ΔWo, which is the output Wo at that time, is added when calculating the weight of the animal AM (see S500 and S300 of Fig. 5).

[0085] In this embodiment as well, the weight of the animal AM can be measured by reducing or eliminating the deviation in the output Wo of the force sensor caused by creep that occurs in the piezoelectric sensor.

[0086] E3. Alternative Embodiment 3: In measuring the weight of the animal AM, the control unit 900 performs correction for the force sensors included in the first group among the force sensors 210-240 in accordance with the outputs Wo from the temperature sensors 310-340 (see S300 in FIG. 5 and the lower part of FIG. 1). Then, the control unit 900 determines the total weight represented by the corrected outputs Wo of the force sensors included in the first group as the weight of the animal AM (see S300 in FIG. 5 and the lower part of FIG. 1).

[0087] However, the weight measurement system may also be configured without a temperature sensor. The weight of the animal may be determined by summing the weights represented by the outputs of the force sensors in the first group, without considering the temperature of the environment in which the force sensors are located. Even in such a configuration, deviations in the force sensor outputs Wo caused by feces, food, etc. can be reduced or eliminated, and the weight of the animal AM can be measured.

[0088] E4. Alternative Embodiment 4: In the first embodiment, the trigger for starting the process of measuring the weight of the animal AM is the time during which the fluctuation range of the outputs Wo from the four force sensors 210-240 remains within a predetermined settling range Acs for a period of time equal to or longer than a predetermined reference time Tc (see S100 in FIG. 5 and the lower right part of FIG. 6). However, the trigger for starting the process of measuring the weight of the animal AM may be another event. For example, if the animal lives a regular life due to the control of the timing of the on / off of the lights illuminating the floor surface and the timing of feeding by the weight measurement system, the arrival of a time when the animal is likely to be asleep may be the trigger.

[0089] For example, pigs prefer corners rather than the center of the breeding space. Also, pigs sleep in places far from where they defecate. For this reason, if the trigger is the arrival of a time when pigs are likely to be sleeping, as described above, the force sensors on the floor where the pigs sleep can be grouped as the first group, and the force sensors on other floor parts can be grouped as the second group.

[0090] E5. Alternative Embodiment 5: Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a weight measurement system 15 of another embodiment as seen from the side. In the above embodiment, the floor surface FL is made up of four floor sections 110-140 arranged in two rows and two columns (see Figs. 2 and 4). However, the floor surface FL may be made up of another number of floor sections 110-140, such as two, three, five, six, eight, or ten. The number of floor sections making up the floor surface can be determined based on the size of the floor surface and the characteristics of the animal.

[0091] 11, the floor surface FL is made up of 25 floor sections arranged in 5 rows and 5 columns, including floor sections 161 to 165. In an embodiment including such a large number of floor sections, the force sensors including force sensors 261 to 265 can be classified into the second group and zero-point adjusted frequently (see S400 in FIG. 5). As a result, the weight of the animal AM can be measured more accurately.

[0092] E6. Alternative Embodiment 6: In the above embodiment, the control unit 900 calculates the weight of the animal AM based on the output Wo from the force sensors included in the first group, regardless of the number of force sensors included in the first group (see S300 in FIG. 5). However, when the first group includes only one force sensor, the control unit 900 can also calculate the weight of the animal AM based on the output Wo from only one force sensor included in the first group.

[0093] When calculating the weight of the animal AM based on the outputs Wo from multiple force sensors, the calculated weight of the animal AM includes unavoidable errors from each of the multiple force sensors, and the proportion of these errors in the calculated weight of the animal AM increases as the number of force sensors increases.

[0094] However, by adopting the above-described embodiment, the proportion of the calculated weight of the animal AM that is accounted for by errors that cannot be eliminated in the output Wo of each force sensor can be reduced compared to the embodiment in which the weight of the animal AM is calculated based on the output Wo from multiple force sensors included in the first group.

[0095] E7. Alternative Embodiment 7: In the first embodiment described above, when determining the first group and the second group, the control unit 900 uses, as information related to the behavior of the animal AM, the first output Wp1, the second output Wp2, and the third output Wp3 for each of the four force sensors 210 to 240. However, in an embodiment including the camera 500, an embodiment including the incentive unit 710, or an embodiment including the incentive unit 710, the first group and the second group may be determined based on information related to the state of those components rather than based on the outputs of the force sensors (see the upper right part of FIG. 7, the upper part of FIG. 8, and the middle left part of FIG. 9).

[0096] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described in the Summary of the Invention section can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the above-described problems or achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 11-15...Weight measurement system, 110-140...Floor section, 161-165...Floor section, 210-240...Force sensor, 261-265...Force sensor, 310-340...Temperature sensor, 500...Camera, 710...Inducer section, 711...First unit, 712...Second unit, 713...Third unit, 714...Fourth unit, 715...Chain, 760...Inducer section, 761...First container section, 762...Second container section, 900...Control section, 910...CPU, 920...RAM, 922... Correction table, 930...ROM, 960...touch panel, AM...animal, Acs...settling range, DG...feces, Dth...change threshold, FL...floor surface, P1...first time interval, P2...second time interval, P3...third time interval, T0...time, Tc...reference time, Wcs...settling range width, Wo...force sensor output, Wp1...first output, Wp1e...first output, Wp2...second output, Wp3...third output, Wp3e...third output, t...time, ΔWo...output when load is applied to force sensor

Claims

1. 1. A weighing system for measuring the weight of an animal, comprising: a plurality of floor sections that form a floor surface on which animals sit; a plurality of force sensors that measure weights acting on the plurality of floor portions, respectively; a control unit that controls the weight measurement system, The control unit Based on information related to the behavior of the animal on the floor surface input to the control unit, a first group consisting of a part of the plurality of force sensors, the first group consisting of one or more force sensors each measuring a weight acting on one or more floor sections on which the animal is standing among the plurality of floor sections; determining a second group consisting of another part of the plurality of force sensors, the second group consisting of one or more force sensors that measure weights acting on one or more floor sections among the plurality of floor sections that are not carrying the animal; calculating a weight of the animal based on outputs from the force sensors included in the first group; performing zero point adjustment on the force sensors included in the second group; A weight measurement system that performs repeated processing.

2. The weight measurement system according to claim 1, A weight measurement system, wherein the force sensor is a strain gauge sensor or a piezoelectric sensor.

3. The weight measurement system according to claim 2, further comprising: a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of an environment in which the plurality of force sensors are arranged; The control unit A weight measurement system that corrects the outputs of the force sensors included in the first group according to the outputs from the temperature sensor.

4. The weight measurement system according to claim 1, The control unit A weight measurement system that calculates the weight of an animal based on the output from the force sensors included in the first group when the time during which the range of fluctuation in the output from the plurality of force sensors remains within a predetermined settling range continues for more than a predetermined reference time.

5. The weight measurement system according to claim 1 or 4, The control unit A weight measurement system that, when the force sensor included in the first group is only one force sensor, calculates the weight of the animal based on the output from the only force sensor included in the first group.

6. The weight measurement system according to claim 1 or 4, The control unit A weight measurement system that calculates the weight of an animal based on outputs from the force sensors included in the first group, regardless of the number of force sensors included in the first group.

7. The weight measurement system according to claim 1 or 4, The control unit may include, as the information related to the behavior of the animal: For each of the plurality of force sensors, a first output in a first time section during which the time during which the range of fluctuation in the output is within a predetermined settling range continues for a predetermined reference time or longer; a second output in a second time interval following the first time interval, in which the fluctuation range of the output is outside the settling range; a third output in a third time interval following the second time interval, during which the time during which the range of output fluctuations is within the settling range continues for at least the reference time; A weight measurement system that determines, among the plurality of force sensors, a force sensor whose difference between the first output and the third output is smaller than a predetermined change threshold as a force sensor to be included in the second group, and performs the zero point adjustment.

8. The weight measurement system according to claim 1, further comprising: a camera for photographing the floor surface; The control unit determining, as the force sensors to be included in the second group, one or more force sensors that measure the weight acting on one or more floor portions that can be determined not to have the animal on them based on the image information acquired by the camera as information related to the behavior of the animal, and performing the zero point adjustment; The weight measurement system determines other sensors of the plurality of force sensors as force sensors included in the first group, and calculates the weight.

9. The weight measurement system according to claim 1, further comprising: an attracting unit that attracts animals to some of the floor sections among the plurality of floor sections, the attracting unit being capable of switching the some of the floor sections that attract animals; The control unit A weight measurement system in which, when the attracting unit is attracting an animal to some of the plurality of floor sections, based on information related to the animal's behavior, the force sensors among the plurality of force sensors that measure the weight acting on floor sections that are not included in the some of the floor sections to which the attracting unit is attracting the animal are determined to be force sensors to be included in the second group, and the zero point adjustment is performed.

10. The weight measurement system according to claim 9, The control unit When the attracting portion attracts the animal to some of the plurality of floor portions, A weight measurement system that determines, among the plurality of force sensors, a force sensor that measures a weight acting on the part of the floor portion as a force sensor included in the first group, and calculates the weight.

11. 1. A method for measuring the weight of an animal, comprising: A step of determining a first group consisting of a part of a plurality of force sensors that measure weights acting on the plurality of floor sections, and a second group consisting of another part of the plurality of force sensors, based on information related to the behavior of the animal on a floor surface that is composed of a plurality of floor sections, the first group is a group consisting of one or more force sensors that measure weights acting on one or more floor sections on which the animal is standing, among the plurality of floor sections; the second group is a group consisting of one or more force sensors that measure weights acting on one or more floor sections among the plurality of floor sections on which the animal is not standing; calculating a weight of the animal based on outputs from the force sensors included in the first group; performing a zero point adjustment on the force sensors included in the second group; A method for repeatedly executing

Images