Livestock parturition detection system and parturition detection method

Abstract

To provide a domestic animal childbirth detection system which can detect a childbirth stage of a domestic animal with high accuracy.SOLUTION: A domestic animal childbirth detection system according to the present invention has a sensor module having a three-axis acceleration sensor and an atmospheric pressure sensor, a relay connected to the sensor module through short-range radio communication means, and a management server connected to the relay through a communication network. The sensor module transmits data on measured values of acceleration and air pressure. The relay transmits childbirth monitoring data including the measured value data with an identification code for a domestic animal breeder added thereto, to the management server through the communication network. The management server detects a feature pattern of movement of a tail of a domestic animal from the childbirth monitoring data, and determines, based on a calculated degree of matching between the detected feature pattern of domestic-animal tail movement and a feature pattern of domestic-animal tail movement previously registered in a database, at which stage of a plurality of preset stages in a childbirth period a domestic animal is.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for detecting parturition in livestock such as cows and horses. [Background technology]

[0002] In the livestock industry, it is important to reduce the risk of accidents occurring during livestock birth. In particular, with large livestock animals such as cows, there are cases where the fetus is not delivered normally during birth, or where the mother cow crushes her calf immediately after giving birth. To prevent such fatal accidents during birth, breeders are present to assist the mother during birth.

[0003] However, in order to provide assistance at the time of birth, the farmer must constantly monitor the cows, including at night, which places a heavy burden on the farmer. Also, when the number of cows to be raised increases, it becomes difficult to secure sufficient manpower, which leads to the problem of being unable to monitor the cows adequately.

[0004] In order to improve this situation, a system has been proposed that uses a temperature measuring / transmitting module that is inserted into the cow's vagina to predict and notify the cow of delivery (see Patent Document 1). This temperature measuring / transmitting module is configured to measure the temperature inside the cow's vagina and detect when water breaks or is pushed out of the vagina during delivery based on a lower temperature limit set by the breeder.

[0005] However, the calving prediction and notification system of Patent Document 1 raises concerns about the risk of infectious diseases caused by inserting a temperature measuring / transmitting module into the cow's vagina for a long period of time.In addition, because the system of Patent Document 1 makes judgments based on temperature measurements, it is necessary to improve the accuracy of temperature measurements in order to always make stable judgments by canceling out the effects of the temperature difference between summer and winter, and between daytime and nighttime, and to improve the accuracy of temperature measurements, which results in high device costs.

[0006] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 proposes a system in which three-dimensional acceleration sensors are attached to the tail and legs of livestock and the calving or estrus state of the cow is determined from the vibration frequency measured by these two acceleration sensors.

[0007] However, the detection device in Patent Document 2 determines the state of delivery or estrus of a cow only from the number of times the cow lifts its tail and the amount of movement such as walking detected by a three-dimensional acceleration sensor, so the information provided is insufficient for a more detailed analysis of the signs of delivery and the progress of the stage.In addition, the tail sensor used in the detection device in Patent Document 2 is attached by tightly tightening the many protrusions provided on the tail holder made of reinforced plastic so that they come into contact with or bite into the skin of the cow's tail, which may cause stress or pain to the cow, and there are problems with wearing it for long periods of time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 2007-296042 [Patent Document 2] JP 2011-234668 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2017-60407 A [Patent Document 4] JP 2018-170969 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems with the prior art described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a livestock birth detection system and detection method capable of detecting the detailed birth stage of a livestock based on measurement data transmitted from a sensor module including a three-axis acceleration sensor and an air pressure sensor attached to the livestock's tail by a holder configured to reduce stress caused by wearing it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides a livestock parturition detection system, comprising: a sensor module attached to the tail of the livestock by a holder; a repeater connected to the sensor module by a short-range wireless communication means; and a management server connected to the repeater via a communication network, The sensor module includes a three-axis acceleration sensor and an air pressure sensor, and transmits measurement value data in which the acceleration and air pressure measured by each sensor are associated with an identification number of the sensor module to the repeater. The repeater generates delivery monitoring data for the livestock in which a predetermined breeder identification code is associated with the measurement value data received from the sensor module and transmits the data to the management server. The management server includes a system control unit that performs a process to determine the delivery state of the livestock and controls the entire system, and a database in which individual information of the livestock to be managed is stored. The individual information of the livestock to be managed includes the identification number of the sensor module and breeder information and the specific breeder identification code associated with the measurement value data. The information for determining the stage of delivery includes pre-registered information for determining the stage of delivery, which includes characteristic patterns of the tail movements of the livestock and characteristic patterns of the tail movements at multiple stages set during the delivery period, and when the system control unit receives the delivery monitoring data of the livestock from the repeater, it obtains individual information of the livestock from the database based on the breeder identification code and the identification number of the sensor module included in the delivery monitoring data, detects the characteristic pattern of the tail movements of the livestock based on the measurement data included in the delivery monitoring data, and determines which stage the livestock is at during the delivery period based on the results of calculating the degree of match between the detected characteristic pattern of the tail movements of the livestock and the characteristic patterns of the tail movements at the multiple stages registered in the information for determining the stage of delivery.

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides a method for detecting a birth state of a livestock in a livestock birth detection system comprising: a sensor module including a three-axis acceleration sensor and an air pressure sensor attached to the tail of the livestock by a holder; a repeater connected to the sensor module by short-range wireless communication means; and a system control unit connected to the repeater via a communication network for performing a process of determining the birth state of the livestock and controlling the entire system, and a management server including a database in which individual information of livestock to be managed is registered, the method comprising: The individual information of the livestock to be managed includes the identification number of the sensor module and the breeder information of the livestock associated with the specific breeder identification code, and birth stage determination information in which characteristic patterns of tail movements at a plurality of stages set during a birth period are preregistered, and the step of the sensor module transmitting measurement value data in which the identification number of the sensor module is associated with the acceleration and air pressure measurements measured by the three-axis acceleration sensor and the air pressure sensor, to the repeater; the repeater generating birth monitoring data of the livestock in which a specific breeder identification code is associated with the measurement value data received from the sensor module and transmitting the data to the management server; and the management server detecting the breeder information included in the received birth monitoring data of the livestock. The method includes the steps of: acquiring from the database individual information of the livestock associated with a breeder identification code and an identification number of the sensor module; detecting, by the management server, a characteristic pattern of the tail movement of the livestock from measurement data included in the livestock's birth monitoring data; determining, by the management server, at which stage during the birth period the livestock is at based on the result of calculating the degree of match between the detected characteristic pattern of the tail movement of the livestock and the characteristic patterns of multiple stages of tail movement registered in the birth stage determination information; and, when the management server determines that the livestock is at a predetermined stage during the birth period, sending a notification corresponding to the predetermined stage to a pre-registered livestock breeder information terminal. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, a sensor module including a three-axis acceleration sensor and an air pressure sensor can be attached to the tail of a livestock using a holder that is configured to be worn for long periods of time without causing stress to the livestock, and based on the measurement data of acceleration and air pressure transmitted from the sensor module, the livestock's delivery state can be detected and it can be determined which of a number of stages set during the delivery period the livestock's delivery state is in. In addition, by notifying the livestock breeder's information terminal of the determined stage of delivery, it is possible to reduce the labor required for monitoring the delivery status and prevent the opportunity to provide assistance being overlooked, thereby enabling livestock delivery to be managed safely and efficiently. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a livestock delivery detection system according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of fetal monitoring data according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a management server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing an example of a configuration of a holder for a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the holder according to the present embodiment is attached to a cow's tail. [Figure 8] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating another example of the configuration of the holder for the sensor module according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing a delivery state determination process of the management server according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, specific examples of the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that in the embodiments of the present invention, cows will be described as examples of livestock, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0015] <Overall composition> First, the overall configuration of the livestock parturition detection system according to the present invention will be described.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a livestock birth detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the birth detection system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with: a sensor module attached to the tail of each cow raised in each management area (40A, 40B) by a holder (in Fig. 1, sensor modules A1, A2, A3, B1, and B2 corresponding to five cows are shown, and collectively referred to as sensor module 20); relays A and B (collectively referred to as relays 30) installed in each management area and connected to each sensor module 20 by short-range wireless communication means; and a management server 10 connected to each relay 30 via a communication network 5. The detailed configurations of the sensor module 20, the relay 30, the management server 10, and the holder will be described later.

[0017] The parturition detection system 1 according to this embodiment can individually handle a plurality of independent management areas (40A, 40B). For example, as shown in Fig. 1, each measurement value data transmitted from the sensor module 20 (A1, A2, A3) attached to each cow raised in the cowshed A in the management area 40A is received by the repeater 30 (repeater A), and each measurement value data transmitted from the sensor module 20 (B1, B2) attached to each cow raised in the cowshed B in the management area 40B is received by the repeater 30 (repeater B), and each repeater 30 (repeater A and repeater B) generates parturition monitoring data by adding individual identification information that serves as an identifier for identifying each cow to each measurement value data received by each repeater 30, and transmits the data to the management server 10 via a predetermined communication network 5. The management server 10 can determine the delivery status of each cow based on each delivery monitoring data received from each repeater 30 (repeater A and repeater B) and notify the determination result to the breeder information terminal (41, 42) of each cow based on the identification information added to the delivery monitoring data. One or more repeaters 30 can be installed in one management area and configured to cover each management area in its entirety. In this case, the sensor modules handled by each repeater can be assigned in advance using the sensor module identification numbers described below, thereby avoiding duplication of relay processing.

[0018] The parturition detection system 1 is connected to the management server 10 via a breeder information terminal (41, 42) consisting of a personal computer PC, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like, and a communication network 5 such as the Internet, a LAN, or a WAN. This allows the management server 10 to transmit notifications and warnings according to the parturition state of the cow, which will be described later, to the breeder information terminal (41, 42), and the breeder, who is the user of the parturition detection system 1, can access the management server 10 from the breeder information terminal (41, 42) to register identification information for identifying the cow in advance and obtain information regarding the parturition state of the cow. At this time, the breeder information terminal (41, 42) accesses the management server 10, for example, through a web browser or a predetermined application, and obtains information from the management server 10 and / or a database connected to the management server 10. The management server 10 and / or the database connected to the management server 10 may be configured using cloud computing.

[0019] The delivery detection system 1 may include various sensors for measuring environmental conditions (air pressure, temperature, humidity, etc.) in each management area (40A, 40B) and transmitting the measurement data to the management server 10. These sensors may be configured to transmit the measurement data to the management server 10 via the repeater 30 wirelessly or by wire.

[0020] The reference air pressure sensor (2A, 2B) can be used as one of the sensors for measuring the environmental conditions in each management area (40A, 40B). The reference air pressure sensor measures the reference air pressure in each management area (40A, 40B) and is installed at a predetermined position (for example, on the ground in a cowshed) in each management area (40A, 40B). Each reference air pressure sensor (2A, 2B) transmits the air pressure value measured at predetermined intervals (for example, several tens of milliseconds to several seconds) to a repeater 30 (repeater A or repeater B) associated with each reference air pressure sensor, and each repeater 30 (A, B) adds individual identification information that serves as an identifier for identifying each management area to the air pressure value data received by each repeater 30 and transmits it to the management server 10 as the reference air pressure data for each management area. The reference air pressure data for each management area transmitted to the management server 10 is stored (accumulated) in the database 100.

[0021] <Sensor module> Next, the sensor module of the livestock parturition detection system according to the present invention will be described.

[0022] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2, sensor module 20 includes a three-axis acceleration sensor 21 for measuring acceleration reflecting the movement of the cow's tail, and an air pressure sensor 22 for measuring air pressure at the position of the tail. Sensor module 20 further includes a calculation unit 23, a wireless transmission unit 24, an antenna 25, a memory unit 26, and a battery 27, and is configured as an active sensor module that performs wireless communication by itself.

[0023] The sensor module 20 is attached to the cow's tail with a holder described later so that the built-in 3-axis acceleration sensor 21 and air pressure sensor 22 can accurately detect the movement and height position of the tail. The sensor module 20 measures the acceleration corresponding to the movement of the tail in each of the forward / backward, left / right, and up / down directions with the 3-axis acceleration sensor 21 at predetermined time intervals described later, and measures the air pressure at the height position of the tail where the sensor is attached with the air pressure sensor 22.

[0024] The sensor module 20 transmits measurement data corresponding to the movement of the cow's tail measured by the 3-axis acceleration sensor 21 and the air pressure sensor 22 to the repeater 30 at predetermined intervals (for example, every few seconds to a few minutes). At this time, the sensor module 20 adds an identification number, which is an identifier for the sensor module 20 itself, to the measurement data of these sensors as identification information for identifying the cow and transmits the data. Note that the identification information for identifying the cow is not limited to this, and any identification information can be used.

[0025] The three-axis acceleration sensor 21 measures the acceleration of the cow's tail in the front-to-back (X-axis), left-to-right (Y-axis), and up-down (Z-axis) directions at predetermined time intervals (for example, every tens of milliseconds to a few seconds) and outputs the measured values ​​to the calculation unit 23.

[0026] The air pressure sensor 22 is a high-precision, high-resolution air pressure sensor capable of detecting changes in air pressure on the order of a few centimeters, and measures the air pressure at the height of the sensor module 20 attached to the cow's tail at predetermined time intervals (for example, every tens of milliseconds to a few seconds), and outputs the measured air pressure value to the calculation unit 23.

[0027] As the cow approaches parturition, it begins to frequently raise its tail. Unlike when urinating or defecating, this behavior is known to be characterized by the fact that the tail remains raised for a certain period of time or more. The livestock parturition detection system according to the present invention can accurately grasp such behavior, which is difficult to detect with only a three-axis acceleration sensor, by providing an air pressure sensor. In addition, the height position of the sensor module 20 differs by several tens of centimeters between the lying and standing postures of the cow, and the lying and standing postures can be distinguished from each other by the resulting difference in the measured air pressure. Furthermore, if the height position of the sensor module 20 remains low even after a predetermined time has passed, it can be determined that the sensor module 20 has fallen off the cow's tail.

[0028] Since atmospheric pressure fluctuates depending on the weather, etc., it is desirable to use relative atmospheric pressure that offsets atmospheric pressure fluctuations due to weather, etc., when determining changes in atmospheric pressure corresponding to the tail lifting movement of a cow or a lying or standing posture. In this embodiment, "relative atmospheric pressure" refers to atmospheric pressure that has been converted so that the posture of the cow can be determined without being influenced by atmospheric pressure fluctuations due to weather, etc. Relative atmospheric pressure will be described later.

[0029] The calculation unit 23 includes a microprocessor, an I / O circuit, an A / D conversion circuit, etc., although not shown, and converts each sensing signal detected by the 3-axis acceleration sensor 21 and the air pressure sensor 22 into digital data, performs predetermined arithmetic processing (e.g., conversion) to calculate measurement values ​​of acceleration and air pressure, generates measurement value data in which the identification number of the sensor module 20 is associated with this measurement value data as an identifier for identifying the cow, and outputs the measurement value data to the wireless transmission unit 24.

[0030] The wireless transmission unit 24 has a data transmission function, and transmits the measurement data generated by the calculation unit 23 to the repeater 30 using short-range wireless communication at predetermined intervals (for example, every few seconds to several minutes). As a method of short-range wireless communication, a wireless LAN such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or ZigBee (registered trademark), etc., can be used. Although the sensor module 20 of this embodiment is equipped with only the wireless transmission unit 24, it is also possible to configure it to include a wireless receiving unit.

[0031] The memory unit 26 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a rewritable non-volatile memory, and stores the identification number of the sensor module 20 and programs and software required for each process executed by the calculation unit 23. The memory unit 26 also temporarily stores the measurement value data of each sensor acquired by the sensor module 20.

[0032] <Repeater> Next, the repeater of the livestock parturition detection system according to the present invention will be described.

[0033] 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention. The repeater 30 is connected to the sensor module 20 by short-range wireless communication means. One or more repeaters 30 are installed inside (or outside) a management area such as a cowshed, and cover the entire management area. The repeater 30 is connected to the management server 10 via a communication network using wireless communication or wired communication.

[0034] 3, the repeater 30 includes a wireless receiving unit 31, a control unit 32, a setting input unit 33, a network transmitting unit 34, and a storage unit 35. The repeater 30 may further include a timer (not shown).

[0035] The wireless receiving unit 31 has a data receiving function and receives the measurement data of each cow transmitted from each sensor module 20 (A1, A2, A3) using a short-range wireless communication method compatible with the sensor module 20 that transmitted the data.

[0036] The control unit 32 includes a central processing unit (CPU), an I / O circuit, etc., not shown, and performs processes such as generating calving monitoring data for each cow by associating (specifically adding) a breeder identification code as identification information for identifying the owner of the cow to the measurement value data received from each sensor module 20 (A1, A2, A3) via the wireless receiving unit 31, and outputting the data to the network transmitting unit 34. If the repeater 30 is equipped with a timer, the control unit 32 may add measurement date and time data obtained from the timer to the calving monitoring data for each cow.

[0037] The setting input unit 33 accepts various inputs for setting up communication with each sensor module 20 (A1, A2, A3) and with the management server 10. The setting input unit 33 may be configured to include, for example, a touch panel, but is not limited to this. The setting input unit 33 also accepts inputs for setting up communication when multiple repeaters 30 are used in cooperation with each other.

[0038] The network transmission unit 34 has a wired LAN port and a wireless LAN port (not shown), and transmits the cow delivery monitoring data generated by the control unit 32 to a preset network address of the management server 10 via a predetermined communication network. The network address of the management server 10 is, for example, an IP address in the case of an Internet connection, and is notified in advance by the business operator that operates the management server 10. The notified IP address is input from the setting input unit 33 and stored in the memory unit 35.

[0039] The storage unit 35 includes a rewritable non-volatile memory etc., and stores a breeder identification code for identifying the owner of the cow, the IP address of the management server 10, and programs and software required for each process executed by the control unit 32. It also temporarily stores the measurement data received from each sensor module 20. The breeder identification code is also registered in the database of the management server 10. The breeder identification code can be set arbitrarily by the owner of the cow, but a unique identification number assigned to the repeater itself may also be used.

[0040] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of parturition monitoring data according to an embodiment of the present invention. The parturition monitoring data 400 is configured to include measurement data in which the identification number of the corresponding sensor module is associated with the measurement data of acceleration and air pressure at the cow's tail, a breeder identification code added by a repeater, and data on the measurement date and time. Note that this embodiment shows an example in which a header is added for database registration. By configuring the parturition monitoring data of cows as shown in Fig. 4, the management server 10 can identify individual cows and determine their parturition status based on the received parturition monitoring data. Specifically, a correspondence table (not shown) that associates the breeder identification code and the identification number of the sensor module 20 attached to each cow with the individual information of the cow is registered in advance on the management server 10 side from the breeder information terminal (41, 42) and stored in a database 100 connected to the management server 10.When the management server 10 receives calving monitoring data from the repeater 30, it can obtain the individual information of the corresponding cow from the correspondence table stored in the database 100 based on the breeder identification code and the identification number of the sensor module 20 contained in the calving monitoring data, and process the calving monitoring data using the obtained individual information of the cow.

[0041] <Management Server> The management server of the livestock parturition detection system according to the present invention will be described below.

[0042] Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a management server according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 5, the management server 10 includes a system control unit 11, which is composed of a CPU, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, etc. (not shown) and controls the entire system, a calculation processing unit 12, which is included in the system control unit 11 and performs calculation processing of various data and judgment processing based on the calculation results, a delivery status judgment unit 13 and a delivery status notification unit 14, which are functional means realized by causing the CPU to execute a program or software installed in the auxiliary storage device of the system control unit 11.

[0043] Each function of the delivery status determination unit 13 and the delivery status notification unit 14 may be executed by another information processing device (not shown) that can access the database 100 connected to the management server 10 and / or a database on the cloud (not shown).

[0044] The management server 10 further includes a communication unit 15 having a function of receiving calving monitoring data of each cow from the multiple repeaters 30 via the communication network 5 and sending a notification corresponding to the calving stage of each cow determined based on the received calving monitoring data to the relevant breeder information terminal, a data storage unit 16 for storing various data used to control the calving detection system, and a display unit 17 having a function of displaying various information on a screen such as a liquid crystal display according to a predetermined format. The data storage unit 16 can temporarily store the results of the determination by the calving state determination unit 13, the calving monitoring data obtained from each repeater 30, etc.

[0045] The database 100 stores various information on livestock (hereinafter, cows are taken as an example) to be managed. Specifically, the database 100 is composed of a correspondence table (hereinafter, referred to as an individual identification information table) 101 that associates the identification number of the sensor module and the breeder identification code with the individual information of the cow, a birth stage determination information file 102 that is auxiliary data of the individual information of the cow linked to the individual identification information table and that registers characteristic patterns of tail movement at multiple stages (e.g., labor, water rupture, etc.) set during the birth period of each cow, a birth state determination result file 103 of each cow by the birth state determination unit 13, and a birth monitoring data file 104 of each cow. The individual information of the cow is managed as a data table having a field for the individual identification information of the cow, a field for the measurement date and time, a field for the stage of birth state, and a field for breeder information. The breeder information may include personal information of the breeder who is the user of this system and access information to the breeder information terminal used by the breeder. However, the configuration of the database 100 is not limited to this.

[0046] The system control unit 11 causes the calculation processing unit 12 to calculate the measurement data included in the received delivery monitoring data for each cow for each predetermined period (a time period during which an amount of data is obtained that can determine which stage of delivery the cow is in; for example, 1 to 10 minutes), detects a characteristic pattern of the cow's tail movement (a characteristic change in the direction and magnitude of acceleration) from the acceleration data, detects changes in the height position of the tail based on the air pressure data, and calculates the time the cow continues to lift its tail. It is also possible to determine whether the cow is standing or lying down from the acceleration and air pressure data. As a method for determining the height position of the tail and whether the cow is standing or lying down from the measured air pressure, it is preferable to use a method (for example, Patent Document 3) based on the "relative air pressure", which is the difference between the air pressures measured by the reference air pressure sensors (2A, 2B) and the air pressure sensor 22.

[0047] Following the detection of the characteristic pattern of the cow's tail movement by the calculation processing unit 12, the system control unit 11 acquires information for determining the corresponding cow's stage of delivery from the database based on the identification number of the sensor module and the breeder identification code included in the delivery monitoring data, and activates the delivery state determination unit 13 to determine which stage of the delivery period the cow is in based on the results of calculating the degree of agreement between the characteristic pattern of the cow's tail movement detected by the calculation processing unit 12 and the characteristic patterns of the tail movement of multiple stages registered in the delivery stage determination information. The data is then stored in the data storage unit 16 of the management server 10 and in the database 100 in association with the identification number of the sensor module and the breeder identification code, which are the identification information of the cow. The characteristic pattern of the cow's tail movement used for these determinations is a behavior specification model defined by the relationship between the measurement values ​​of each sensor and the characteristic patterns of the tail movement acquired at multiple stages during each cow's past delivery period. An example of the behavior specification model is described below.

[0048] The behavior identification model used to determine the above-mentioned delivery state is a model in which a region is defined that represents the relationship between the maximum value and standard deviation of the L2 norm of the acceleration sensor measurement values ​​during a predetermined time period (e.g., 1 to 10 minutes) and the movement pattern of the cow's tail (e.g., Patent Document 4). Such a behavior identification model is created in advance by a machine learning method such as SVM (Support Vector Machine). Note that various machine learning methods such as neural networks are used to train the behavior identification model.

[0049] The system control unit 11 of the management server 10 acquires each measurement data from the sensor module 20 attached to each cow at predetermined time intervals (e.g., a few seconds to a few minutes) and temporarily stores it in the data memory unit 16.Based on the measurement data, the system control unit 11 judges the delivery status of each cow and adds the results to the database 10 and / or a database on the cloud.

[0050] By constructing a database 10 and / or a cloud-based database relating to the activity status of multiple cows and multiple types of cows (big data), it is possible to analyze the movement of the cow's tail, which is a sign of when the cow will give birth, and to enable highly accurate detection of the stage of cow birth.

[0051] <Holder> A holder for attaching a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention to the tail of a livestock will be described with reference to Figs.

[0052] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a holder for a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a holder for a sensor module according to this embodiment attached to a cow's tail. As shown in Fig. 6, a holder for a sensor module 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body portion 52 provided with a pocket portion 51 for storing the sensor module 20, and attachment portions 53 attached to the upper and lower ends of the main body portion 52 and configured to be wrapped around the cow's tail. The attachment portion 53 is composed of a pair of belt portions (53a, 53b).

[0053] A hook surface (55a, 55b) of a hook-and-loop fastener is disposed on one end of the surface (called the first surface) of each belt portion (53a, 53b) that contacts the cow's tail, and a loop surface (54a, 54b) of a hook-and-loop fastener is disposed on the other end of the surface (called the second surface) opposite to the first surface of each belt portion (53a, 53b). As a result, when the hook surface (55a, 55b) is engaged with the loop surface (54a, 54b) of each belt portion (53a, 53b), each belt portion (53a, 53b) becomes ring-shaped, and when the loop surface (54a, 54b) and the hook surface (55a, 55b) are peeled away, each belt portion (53a, 53b) becomes belt-shaped.

[0054] Each belt portion (53a, 53b) is formed in a horizontally long rectangular belt shape from a synthetic fiber fabric such as polyester. The pocket portion 51 is formed in a bag shape and stores the sensor module 20. The pocket portion 52 is provided with a flap 56, which prevents the sensor module 20 from jumping out of the pocket portion 52 and protects the sensor module 20 from foreign matter. The pair of belt portions (53a, 53b) are formed in a stretchable belt shape by weaving rubber threads. The main body portion 52 and the pocket portion 51 are formed from a water-repellent fabric woven from synthetic fiber threads, and a mesh-like fabric may be used in part to further improve breathability. Although not shown, an adhesive surface is formed on the first surface of the main body portion 52 of the holder 50 that contacts the cow's tail in order to prevent the holder from shifting or falling off. The adhesive surface is formed using, for example, an adhesive sheet.

[0055] 7, the holder 50 is attached by wrapping it around the cow's tail by engaging the hook surfaces (55a, 55b) of the hook-and-loop fasteners of the belt portions (53a, 53b) of the attachment portion 53 with the loop surfaces (54a, 54b) of the corresponding hook-and-loop fasteners. Note that the attachment position of the holder 50 is preferably set at the base of the tail in terms of noise and accuracy of the detection signal measured by the sensor of the attached sensor module.

[0056] The sensor module holder according to the present invention is not limited to the form shown in FIG. 6, and the position of main body portion 52 provided with pocket portion 51 relative to the pair of belt portions of mounting portion 53, as well as the size of each portion, can be changed as desired to suit the type and build of the cow.

[0057] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the holder for the sensor module according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 8, the sensor module holder 50 includes a main body 52 provided with a pocket portion 51 for storing the sensor module 20, and an attachment portion 53 composed of an upper right belt portion (53a-1) and a lower right belt portion (53b-1) attached to the right end of the main body 52, and an upper left belt portion (53a-2) and a lower left belt portion (53b-2) attached to the left end of the main body 52. ​​The attachment portion 53 composed of these belt portions is configured so that the main body 52 is wrapped around the cow's tail.

[0059] The hook surfaces (55a, 55b) of the hook-and-loop fasteners are arranged on one end of the surface (called the first surface) of the upper left belt part (53a-2) and the lower left belt part (53b-2) that contacts the cow's tail, and the loop surfaces (54a, 54b) of the hook-and-loop fasteners are arranged on the other end of the surface (called the second surface) opposite to the first surface of the upper right belt part (53a-1) and the lower right belt part (53b-1). As a result, the upper right belt part (53a-1) and the upper left belt part (53a-2) form a pair of belt parts, and the lower right belt part (53b-1) and the lower left belt part (53b-2) form a pair of belt parts, forming a pair of belt parts. When the hook surfaces (55a, 55b) of the left belt portions (53a-2, 53b-2) are engaged with the loop surfaces (54a, 54b) of the right belt portions (53a-1, 53b-1), the belt portions and main body portion 52 become loop-shaped, and when these are peeled off, the belt portions and main body portion 52 become strip-shaped. The configurations of the belt portions, pocket portions, and main body portion are similar to those of the example shown in FIG. 6, and therefore detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0060] It is also possible to omit the upper right belt portion (53a-1) and the lower right belt portion (53b-1) and form the loop surfaces (54a, 54b) of the hook-and-loop fastener directly on the right end portion of the main body portion 52.

[0061] By being equipped with the above-mentioned configuration, the holder of the present invention does not tighten around the cow's tail with a hard material as in the attachment means described in Patent Document 2, and by making the area of ​​the main body that comes into contact with the skin of the cow's tail when attached small, it has the effect of significantly reducing the stress on the cow, even when worn for long periods of time.

[0062] Hereinafter, the operation of the management server of the parturition detection system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0063] 9 is a flowchart showing the delivery state determination process of the management server according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flow from start to finish shown in FIG. 9 is repeated at a predetermined time interval and accumulated in the data storage unit 16 of the management server 10.

[0064] As shown in Figure 9, first, in step S701, the system control unit 11 of the management server 10 receives parturition monitoring data including measurement data acquired by the sensor module 20 attached to each cow from the repeater 30 at predetermined time intervals, and stores the received parturition monitoring data in chronological order in the data memory unit 16.

[0065] In step S702, the calculation processing unit 12 of the management server 10 reads out the time-series parturition monitoring data of the cow acquired in step S701 from the data storage unit 16 for each predetermined period (a time period during which a quantity of data is obtained that allows one to determine at which stage of parturition the cow is in, for example 1 to 10 minutes), and detects a characteristic pattern of the cow's tail movement based on the acceleration data (in three-axis directions) among the measurement data included in the parturition monitoring data.

[0066] In step S703, the calculation processing unit 12 of the management server 10 calculates the duration of the tail lifting movement based on the air pressure data among the measurement data contained in the time-series parturition monitoring data of the cow acquired in step S701.

[0067] In step S704, the system control unit 11 of the management server 10 reads (i.e., acquires) information for determining the calving stage of the corresponding cow from the database 100 based on the sensor module identification number and the breeder identification code included in the calving monitoring data.

[0068] In step S705, the delivery status determination unit 13 of the management server 10 calculates the degree of match between the characteristic patterns of the tail movement of the cow at multiple pre-registered stages, which are included in the delivery stage determination information acquired in step S704, and the characteristic patterns detected in step S702, and determines that the stage corresponding to the characteristic pattern with the highest degree of match is the stage at which the delivery monitoring data was acquired.

[0069] In step S706, the system control unit 11 of the management server 10 controls to transmit a notification corresponding to the stage of the calving status of the cow determined in step S705 to the pre-registered breeder information terminal of the cow via the communication unit 15. In addition, the system control unit 11 associates the notified calving status stage with date and time information and stores it in the database 100. The order of steps S701 to S707 is not limited to this order, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0070] The notification corresponding to the stage of the cow's birth status is, for example, a notification in the form of email when labor begins, and a notification including an email and an alarm sound to call attention when the water breaks. Note that any other highlighting or notification format can be adopted for the warning. Also, if an abnormal characteristic pattern of tail movement that differs from the characteristic pattern seen in normal childbirth is detected, an emergency alarm may be issued.

[0071] According to the livestock parturition detection system and parturition detection method of the present invention described above, the parturition stage can be determined with higher accuracy than with conventional techniques, thereby achieving the effect of enabling efficient parturition assistance. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a system and method for detecting parturition that is inexpensive and highly reliable, without causing stress to livestock or the risk of infectious diseases occurring.

[0072] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified in various ways without departing from the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1. Delivery detection system 2A, 2B Reference air pressure sensor 5. Communication Network 10 Management Server 11 System control section 12 Processing unit 13 Delivery status assessment section 14 Delivery Status Notification Department 15 Communications Department 16 Data storage unit 17 Display 20 Sensor Module 21 3-axis acceleration sensor 22 Barometric pressure sensor 23 Arithmetic section 24 Radio transmitter 25 Antenna 26 Memory section 27 Batteries 30 Repeater 31 Radio receiving unit 32 Control section 33 Setting input section 34 Network Transmitter 35 Storage section 40A, 40B controlled area 41, 42 Owner information terminal 50 Holder 51 Pocket 52 Main body 53 Mounting part 53a, 53b Belt section 53a-1 Upper right belt part 53a-2 Upper left belt section 53b-1 Lower right belt part 53b-2 Lower left belt section 54a, 54b Loop surface 55a, 55b hook surface 56 Flap 100 Databases 101 Individual Identification Information Table 102 Information file for determining stage of labor 103 Delivery status determination result file 104 Fetal monitoring data file

Claims

1. A livestock delivery detection system comprising: a sensor module attached to a tail of a livestock by a holder; a repeater connected to the sensor module by a short-range wireless communication means; and a management server connected to the repeater via a communication network, The sensor module includes a three-axis acceleration sensor and an air pressure sensor, and transmits measurement data to the relay device in which the measurement values ​​of acceleration and air pressure measured by each sensor are associated with an identification number of the sensor module; the relay generates livestock birth monitoring data in which a predetermined breeder identification code is associated with the measurement data received from the sensor module, and transmits the generated data to the management server; The management server includes a system control unit that performs a process of determining the delivery state of the livestock and controls the entire system, and a database in which individual information of the livestock to be managed is stored; The individual information of the livestock to be managed includes the identification number of the sensor module, the livestock breeder information associated with the specific breeder identification code, and parturition stage determination information in which characteristic patterns of tail movement at a plurality of stages set during parturition are registered in advance, A livestock birth detection system characterized in that, when the system control unit receives the livestock birth monitoring data from the repeater, it obtains individual information of the livestock from the database based on the breeder identification code and the identification number of the sensor module contained in the birth monitoring data, detects a characteristic pattern of the livestock's tail movement based on the measurement data contained in the birth monitoring data, and determines which stage the livestock is at during the birth period based on the results of calculating the degree of match between the detected characteristic pattern of the livestock's tail movement and the characteristic patterns of the tail movement at multiple stages registered in the birth stage determination information.

2. The livestock delivery detection system described in claim 1, characterized in that when the system control unit of the management server determines that the livestock is at a predetermined stage among multiple stages set during the delivery period, it controls the sending of a notification corresponding to the predetermined stage to a pre-registered livestock breeder information terminal of the livestock via a communication network.

3. the holder includes a main body portion provided with a pocket portion for storing the sensor module, and an attachment portion configured to wrap the main body portion around the tail of the livestock; the attachment portion is composed of a pair of belt portions, each of which has a loop surface of a hook and loop fastener disposed on one side thereof and a hook surface of a hook and loop fastener disposed on the other side thereof, and is configured to fasten the tail of the livestock by engaging the hook surface of each of the hook and loop fasteners with the loop surface of each of the hook and loop fasteners; The livestock delivery detection system described in claim 1, characterized in that an adhesive sheet is formed on the side of the main body opposite to the side on which the pocket portion is provided, the adhesive surface being arranged on the side that comes into contact with the livestock's tail.

4. The livestock birth detection system described in claim 1, characterized in that when the system control unit detects that the sensor module has fallen off the livestock's tail based on measurement data contained in the received livestock birth monitoring data, it controls the system to send alarm information to the livestock breeder information terminal.

5. A method for detecting a delivery state of a livestock in a livestock delivery detection system comprising: a sensor module including a three-axis acceleration sensor and an air pressure sensor attached to the tail of the livestock by a holder; a repeater connected to the sensor module by a short-range wireless communication means; and a management server including a system control unit connected to the repeater via a communication network for performing a process of determining a delivery state of the livestock and controlling the entire system, and a database in which individual information of livestock to be managed is registered, the method comprising: the individual information of the livestock to be managed includes the identification number of the sensor module, the livestock breeder information associated with the specific breeder identification code, and parturition stage determination information in which characteristic patterns of tail movement at a plurality of stages set during parturition are registered in advance; a step of transmitting measurement value data to the repeater, the measurement value data being the acceleration and atmospheric pressure measured by the three-axis acceleration sensor and the atmospheric pressure sensor, associated with an identification number of the sensor module; a step in which the relay generates delivery monitoring data of the livestock in which a predetermined breeder identification code is associated with the measurement data received from the sensor module, and transmits the data to the management server; The management server acquires from the database individual information of the livestock associated with the breeder identification code and the identification number of the sensor module included in the received livestock birth monitoring data; A step in which the management server detects a characteristic pattern of the tail movement of the livestock from measurement data included in the livestock birth monitoring data; The management server determines which stage the livestock is in during the parturition period based on a result of calculating a degree of coincidence between the detected characteristic pattern of the livestock's tail movement and the characteristic patterns of the tail movement of a plurality of stages registered in the parturition stage determination information; A method for detecting livestock parturition, characterized in that, when the management server determines that the livestock is at a predetermined stage during the parturition period, it sends a notification corresponding to the predetermined stage via a communications network to a pre-registered livestock breeder information terminal of the livestock.

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