Management device, management method, and management program

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an imaging device and an imaging method with which an action can be identified with high accuracy even if a reference atmospheric pressure changes due to the position of livestock. [Solution] A management device comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires atmospheric pressure information, within a prescribed range, from an animal to be managed, such acquisition based on position information of the animal; an atmospheric pressure estimation unit that uses the atmospheric pressure information to estimate a reference atmospheric pressure at the position of the animal; and a posture estimation unit that estimates whether the animal is in a standing state or a laying-down state according to a difference between the reference atmospheric pressure and an atmospheric pressure based on an output signal of an atmospheric pressure sensor attached to the animal.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management device, a management method, and a management program. [Background technology]

[0002] In dairy farming, it is generally known that the health of livestock such as sheep, goats, dairy cows, and beef cattle affects productivity and fertility. For this reason, barometric pressure sensors are attached to livestock and their behavior is determined based on the difference between the measured and reference barometric pressures.

[0003] However, large pastures have differences in elevation, and the reference atmospheric pressure changes depending on the location of livestock within the pasture, which can make it difficult to identify the behavior of livestock. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-062822 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a management device, a management method, and a management program that are capable of identifying behavior with higher accuracy even if the reference atmospheric pressure changes depending on the location of livestock. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, according to the present disclosure, there is provided an acquisition unit that acquires atmospheric pressure information within a predetermined range from an animal to be managed based on location information of the animal; an atmospheric pressure estimation unit that estimates a reference atmospheric pressure at the location of the animal using the atmospheric pressure information; a posture estimation unit that estimates whether the animal is standing or lying down based on a pressure difference between the reference atmospheric pressure and an atmospheric pressure based on an output signal from an atmospheric pressure sensor attached to the animal; A management device is provided, comprising:

[0007] the acquisition unit acquires a plurality of pieces of atmospheric pressure information, position information, and altitude information from a plurality of reference stations arranged based on a range in which the animal moves; The atmospheric pressure estimation unit may estimate the reference atmospheric pressure using the position information and altitude information of the animal and the plurality of pieces of atmospheric pressure information, position information, and altitude information.

[0008] The posture estimation unit (306b) may estimate that the subject is in a prone position when the pressure difference is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

[0009] The posture estimation unit may estimate whether the animal is standing or lying down based on output information from an acceleration sensor attached to the animal when it is determined that the animal is not moving.

[0010] The animal may be fitted with a receiver that acquires location information using satellite information, and the location information may be acquired based on an output signal from the receiver.

[0011] The reference station may have a receiving unit that acquires position information using satellite information, and the position information of the reference station may be acquired based on an output signal of the receiving unit.

[0012] the acquisition unit also acquires temperature information within a predetermined range from the animal, using the temperature information to estimate the air temperature at the location of the animal; The device may further comprise a temperature estimation unit that estimates the body surface temperature of the animal based on the temperature difference between the estimated air temperature and a temperature based on an output signal of a temperature sensor attached to the animal.

[0013] The temperature estimation unit may correct the body surface temperature based on an output signal of an illuminance sensor attached to the animal.

[0014] The temperature estimation device may further include a presentation unit that causes a display unit to present information indicating that the accuracy of the temperature estimation unit's estimated value may be declining when the patient is estimated to be in the prone state.

[0015] the acquisition unit also acquires humidity information within a predetermined range from the animal; using the humidity information to estimate humidity at the location of the animal; The device may further comprise a perspiration estimation unit that estimates the amount of perspiration of the animal based on a humidity difference between the estimated humidity and a humidity based on an output signal of a humidity sensor attached to the animal.

[0016] The device may further include a presentation unit that causes a display unit to present information indicating that the accuracy of the estimate value of the sweat estimation unit may be reduced when the prone state is estimated.

[0017] The temperature and sweat estimating unit may stop the estimation when a predetermined amount of rainfall occurs.

[0018] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an acquisition step of acquiring atmospheric pressure information within a predetermined range from an animal to be managed based on location information of the animal; an atmospheric pressure estimation step of estimating a reference atmospheric pressure at the location of the animal using the atmospheric pressure information; a posture estimation step of estimating whether the animal is standing or lying down based on a pressure difference between the reference atmospheric pressure and an atmospheric pressure based on an output signal of an atmospheric pressure sensor attached to the animal; A management method is provided, comprising:

[0019] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an acquisition step of acquiring atmospheric pressure information within a predetermined range from an animal to be managed based on location information of the animal; an atmospheric pressure estimation step of estimating a reference atmospheric pressure at the location of the animal using the atmospheric pressure information; a posture estimation step of estimating whether the animal is standing or lying down based on a pressure difference between the reference atmospheric pressure and an atmospheric pressure based on an output signal of an atmospheric pressure sensor attached to the animal; A management program is provided that causes a computer to execute the above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a first information acquisition unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a second information acquisition unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management device. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of a state estimation unit. [Figure 6A] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the positional relationship between a first information acquisition unit attached to a target livestock and a plurality of second information acquisition units in the vicinity. [Figure 6B] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the position, altitude, and atmospheric pressure value of the surrounding reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by a first information acquisition unit. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by a second information acquisition unit. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing example of standing / prone position estimation processing. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a detailed processing example of step S204 in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for estimating a body surface temperature. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a sweat estimation process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of a management device, a management method, and a management program will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description will focus on the main components of the management device, but the management device may include components and functions that are not shown or described. The following description does not exclude components and functions that are not shown or described.

[0022] (First embodiment) 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example configuration of a management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present technology. The management system 1 includes a plurality of sensors 10, a plurality of reference atmospheric pressure sensors 20, and a management device 30. In FIG. 1, a satellite 40 is further shown.

[0023] The sensor 10 is attached to the neck, abdomen, or the like of the livestock. The sensor 10 acquires information about the condition of the livestock. The sensor 10 transmits a signal including, for example, information to identify the livestock, current location information, atmospheric pressure information, temperature information, humidity information, illuminance information, and acceleration information to, for example, the management device 30.

[0024] The reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 acquires information about the environment of the area where livestock are grazing, for example. The reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 transmits a signal to the management device 30 that includes information to identify the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20, information about its current location, atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity, and illuminance. The reference atmospheric pressure sensors 20 are installed at appropriate intervals in the target pasture. The higher the installation density of the reference atmospheric pressure sensors 20, the higher the accuracy, but on the other hand, the cost of installation and maintenance increases. For this reason, an appropriate number of reference atmospheric pressure sensors 20 are installed depending on the size of the pasture, etc. The installation density does not need to be constant, so it is possible to install them densely in places where the target animals are likely to be present and sparsely in places where they are not. The reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 in this embodiment corresponds to the reference station.

[0025] The management device 30 is a device that identifies and manages the behavior of livestock using signals transmitted from the sensor 10 and the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20. The management device 30 is, for example, a server. The livestock include, but are not limited to, sheep, goats, cattle such as dairy cows and beef cattle, buffalo, and yaks. The management device 30 may be included in a device (such as a cloud server) that is connected via a network. The livestock in this embodiment correspond to animals.

[0026] The satellite 40 outputs a satellite signal that allows the sensor 10 and the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 to identify their current positions.

[0027] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the sensor 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor 10 includes a sensor unit 202, a GNSS receiving unit 204, a communication unit 206, and a control unit 208.

[0028] The sensor unit 202 measures the air pressure, acceleration, temperature, humidity, and illuminance at the position where the sensor 10 is attached to the livestock. That is, the sensor unit 202 has an air pressure sensor 202a, an acceleration sensor 202b, a temperature sensor 202c, a humidity sensor 202d, and an illuminance sensor 202e. The air pressure sensor 202a measures the air pressure at the height of the collar case, which is the attachment position, for example.

[0029] The acceleration sensor 202b is, for example, a three-axis acceleration sensor, and is capable of measuring gravity, movement, vibration, shock, and the like at the collar where the sensor 10 is attached to the livestock. The GNSS receiver 204 acquires information on the current position and time, for example, from a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). The GNSS receiver 204 according to this embodiment corresponds to a receiver.

[0030] The temperature sensor 202c can measure the temperature at, for example, the collar where the sensor 10 is attached to the livestock. In this way, the temperature sensor 202c can obtain data relating to, for example, the body surface temperature of the livestock.

[0031] The humidity sensor 202d can measure the humidity at, for example, a collar attached to a livestock to which the sensor 10 is attached. In this way, the humidity sensor 202d can obtain data relating to, for example, the body surface humidity of the livestock.

[0032] The illuminance sensor 202e can measure, for example, the illuminance at a collar attached to a livestock with the sensor 10. In this way, the illuminance sensor 202e can obtain, for example, data relating to sunlight on the livestock.

[0033] The communication unit 206 communicates wirelessly with the management device 30 using wireless communication such as LPWA (Low Power, Wide Area). This allows the sensor 10 to communicate over long distances with low power consumption. The communication unit 206 may also communicate directly with the communication unit 208 (see FIG. 3) of the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20. This makes it possible to determine the distance from a nearby reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 that can communicate using RSSI (radio signal strength indicator) by using wireless communication conforming to Bluetooth (registered trademark), for example. In this case, the communication unit 206 also communicates information regarding the radio wave strength between the communication unit 206 and the nearby reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 to the management device 30.

[0034] The control unit 208 controls the sensor unit 202, the GNSS receiving unit 204, and the communication unit 206. For example, the control unit 208 is configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 208 controls the sensor unit 202, the GNSS receiving unit 204, and the communication unit 206, and performs control to transmit signals including information acquired by the sensor unit 202 and the GNSS receiving unit 204 to the management device 30 via the communication unit 206 at predetermined time intervals, for example, every three seconds.

[0035] The control unit 208 also calculates the moving speed in time series, for example, by integrating the output value of the acceleration sensor 202b. As a result, if the moving speed at a certain point in time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that the livestock being managed is not stationary. The control unit 208 transmits a signal including, for example, information indicating the moving state of the livestock (stationary or moving), information indicating the moving speed, and information regarding acceleration to the management device 30 via the communication unit 206.

[0036] 3 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 has the same configuration as the sensor 10, and includes a sensor unit 202, a GNSS receiving unit 204, a communication unit 206, and a control unit 208. The sensor unit 202 differs from the sensor 10 in that it does not include an acceleration sensor 202b. The reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 may also include an acceleration sensor 202b. In this case, the acceleration sensor 202b can be used to detect that the sensor has been moved from its installed location (for example, if it has fallen from a tree after being tied to it), and this information can be transmitted to the management device 30 along with sensor information, prompting the installer to check the status of the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20.

[0037] When the management reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 is installed, sensor installation condition information (height from the ground, shade / sun, etc.) tailored to the installation location is registered in advance. The reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 transmits the sensor installation condition information in advance to the management device 30. In this way, the sensor 10 and the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 collect information including at least the atmospheric pressure value and location information in the management device 30 via wireless communication such as LPWA.

[0038] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of management device 30. As shown in Fig. 4, management device 30 has a storage unit (database) 300, a data aggregation unit 302, a data collating unit 304, a state estimation unit 306, a data presentation unit 308, and a display unit 310. Management device 30 is configured to include a CPU.

[0039] The storage unit 300 can be realized using an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 300 stores various programs for executing this management operation. As a result, the management device 30 configures each unit by, for example, executing the programs stored in the storage unit 300. The management device 30 also stores map information that associates each point in the pasture with the altitude. The storage unit 300 also stores installation condition information transmitted from the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20, associating it with the identification number of the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20.

[0040] The data aggregation unit 302 stores, in chronological order, information contained in the communication signals transmitted from the sensor 10 and the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 in the storage unit 300. That is, the storage unit 300 stores information regarding the identification information, acquisition time, position, atmospheric pressure value, acceleration, temperature, humidity, and illuminance for each sensor 10. Similarly, the storage unit 300 stores information regarding the identification information, acquisition time, position, atmospheric pressure value, acceleration, temperature, humidity, and illuminance for each reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20.

[0041] The data collating unit 304 uses the position information and time information of the target sensor 10 to extract data from the vicinity of the target sensor 10 for the same time period. That is, the data collating unit 304 acquires information such as the position, altitude, atmospheric pressure value, temperature, and humidity based on the transmission signal from the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 in the vicinity of the target sensor 10, for example, within a radius of 20 meters. The data collating unit 304 according to this embodiment corresponds to the acquiring unit.

[0042] The state estimation unit 306 compares the value of the data extracted by the data collating unit 304 with the data transmitted from the target sensor 10, estimates the state (standing / lying) of the target to which the sensor 10 is attached, and stores the state in the storage unit 300. Details of the state estimation unit 306 will be described later.

[0043] The data presentation unit 308 presents the estimated results on the display unit 310 in response to a request from the user. The display unit 310 is, for example, a monitor, and displays the data supplied from the data presentation unit 308. Note that the data presentation unit 308 according to this embodiment corresponds to the presentation unit.

[0044] Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of state estimation unit 306. As shown in Fig. 5, state estimation unit 306 has an atmospheric pressure estimation unit 306a, a posture estimation unit 306b, a temperature estimation unit 306c, and a sweating estimation unit 306d.

[0045] The atmospheric pressure estimation unit 306a estimates the reference atmospheric pressure at the location of the target livestock using the atmospheric pressure value of the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 in the vicinity of the livestock to which the sensor 10 is attached. In this embodiment, the atmospheric pressure that is used as a comparison target for the atmospheric pressure based on the output of the atmospheric pressure sensor 202a attached to the livestock is referred to as the reference atmospheric pressure.

[0046] 6A is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the positional relationship between the sensor 10 attached to the target livestock and a plurality of reference atmospheric pressure sensors 20 in the vicinity. As shown in FIG. 6A, the atmospheric pressure estimation unit 306a acquires information such as the position, altitude, atmospheric pressure value, temperature, humidity, and illuminance of the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 in the vicinity of the livestock to which the sensor 10 is attached via the data collating unit 304 (see FIG. 4). In this way, by referencing the surrounding reference atmospheric pressure sensors 20 using, for example, GNSS, it is possible to obtain the altitude, atmospheric pressure value, temperature, humidity, illuminance, and the like as reference information close to the location of the livestock.

[0047] Figure 6B is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the positions, altitudes, and atmospheric pressure values ​​of surrounding reference atmospheric pressure sensors 20. As shown in Figure 6B, the atmospheric pressure estimation unit 306a estimates the reference atmospheric pressure at the location of the livestock using information about the positions, altitudes, and atmospheric pressure values ​​of surrounding reference atmospheric pressure sensors 20 and information about the location of the livestock equipped with sensors 10. For example, in Figure 6B, the altitude at the location of the first reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20a is 500 meters, the altitude at the location of the livestock is 550 meters, and the altitude at the location of the second reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20b is 600 meters.

[0048] The atmospheric pressure estimation unit 306a acquires altitude information of the sensor 10 and the plurality of reference atmospheric pressure sensors 20a, 20b from map information as shown in Fig. 6B. Alternatively, the atmospheric pressure estimation unit 306a may acquire the installation height and altitude of the reference atmospheric pressure sensors 20a, 20b from installation condition information transmitted from the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 stored in the storage unit 300 (see Fig. 4).

[0049] The atmospheric pressure estimation unit 306a then acquires the atmospheric pressure from the reference atmospheric pressure sensors 20a, 20b and estimates the atmospheric pressure corresponding to the installation height of the reference atmospheric pressure sensors 20a, 20b of the sensor 10 by linear approximation. For example, since the atmospheric pressure at an altitude of 500 meters near the sensor 10 is 1024 hectopascals and the atmospheric pressure at an altitude of 600 meters is also 1024 hectopascals, the atmospheric pressure estimation unit 306a estimates the atmospheric pressure at the installation height at altitude 550 to be 1012 hectopascals by linear calculation of, for example, 1024-(600-550)÷(600-500)×(1024-1000). When there is a large amount of information from the reference atmospheric pressure sensors 20a, 20b, the atmospheric pressure estimation unit 306a may estimate the atmospheric pressure of the sensor 10 by regression analysis or the like.

[0050] The posture estimation unit 306b sets the reference pressure to the average value of the atmospheric pressure at the installation height where the livestock attached to the sensor 10 are located. In other words, the posture estimation unit 306b sets the reference pressure to the average value of the atmospheric pressure at the point corresponding to the sensor 10 estimated in time series by the atmospheric pressure estimation unit 306a. In this way, it becomes possible to calculate the reference pressure with higher accuracy even in a pasture with large differences in elevation where atmospheric pressure changes greatly due to topography and daily changes.

[0051] The pressure difference between this reference atmospheric pressure and the atmospheric pressure measured by the atmospheric pressure sensor 202a of the sensor 10 is defined as the relative atmospheric pressure. Whether the livestock attached to the sensor 10 is lying down or standing up is estimated based on whether this relative atmospheric pressure is high or low. The posture estimation unit 306b estimates whether the livestock attached to the sensor 10 is lying down or standing up when it is estimated that the target livestock is stationary. For example, the change in elevation of the livestock's neck ranges from several tens of centimeters to one meter, which corresponds to a relative atmospheric pressure of, for example, 10 hectopascals. That is, the posture estimation unit 306b estimates the livestock to be lying down if the reference atmospheric pressure is 10 hectopascals lower than the reference atmospheric pressure, and otherwise estimates the livestock to be standing up. This predetermined value may be set according to the size and altitude of the livestock. In this way, by comparing the atmospheric pressure values ​​of multiple reference atmospheric pressure sensors 20 installed across a wide range of pasture with position information, it is possible to detect minute changes in atmospheric pressure and determine whether the livestock is standing up or lying down.

[0052] Before estimating the body surface temperature, the temperature estimation unit 306c performs standing / prone estimation processing using the posture estimation unit 306b, and uses the results to estimate the body surface temperature. For example, if the sensor 10 is attached to the abdomen or the like, it may come into contact with the ground when lying prone, which may result in an inaccurate measurement of the body surface temperature due to the influence of the ground temperature or the like. Therefore, if the body surface temperature cannot be accurately estimated due to the influence of the difference between standing and lying prone postures, the temperature estimation unit 306c notifies the user of this via the data presentation unit 308 (see FIG. 4 ) and the display unit 310. Furthermore, the temperature estimation unit 306c filters out results that are not accurately estimated, and displays a display format showing the inaccurately estimated data via the data presentation unit 308 and the display unit 310.

[0053] The temperature estimation unit 306c uses the output signal of the temperature sensor 202c to estimate the body surface temperature. For example, the temperature estimation unit 306c uses the output value of the illuminance sensor 202e of the sensor 10 to determine whether the temperature value is in the sun or in the shade. The temperature estimation unit 306c then filters and uses the temperature information of a nearby reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 that matches the conditions, corrects for the influence of the environmental temperature of the sensor 10, and estimates the body surface temperature. In this way, by comparing the temperature at the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 with the temperature at the temperature sensor 202c attached to the animal, it is possible to estimate the body surface temperature of livestock. Furthermore, body surface temperature is known to be useful for detecting estrus and managing the health of livestock. Since the influence of the environmental temperature can be corrected for and the body surface temperature of livestock can be estimated with higher accuracy, estrus detection and health management of livestock can be performed more efficiently.

[0054] The perspiration estimation unit 306d determines that the user is sweating if the humidity is higher than the humidity measured by the surrounding reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20, and estimates the amount of perspiration from the difference between the two values. The perspiration estimation unit 306d also performs a standing / lying down estimation process using the posture estimation unit 306b before estimating the amount of perspiration, and uses the results to estimate the amount of perspiration. For example, if the ground is wet after rain, an accurate value may not be estimated when the user is lying down due to the influence of moisture from puddles on the ground. If the body surface humidity is not accurately estimated due to the influence of the difference between standing and lying down postures, the data presentation unit 308 and the display unit 310 notify the user of this. The temperature estimation unit 306c also filters out results that are not accurately estimated and displays the data in a display format that shows the inaccurate data via the data presentation unit 308 and the display unit 310.

[0055] More specifically, the perspiration estimation unit 306d uses the output value of the humidity sensor 202d to estimate the amount of perspiration. The sensor 10 uses the location information to refer to past weather (rainfall) information in the surrounding area and estimate whether the humidity near the ground is high. If the perspiration estimation unit 306d estimates that the humidity near the ground is high, it estimates that the estimated value of the amount of perspiration when lying prone is low in reliability. Furthermore, the perspiration estimation unit 306d estimates that if there is current rainfall, it is impossible to determine (it is impossible to distinguish between the influence of rain and the influence of sweat). In this case, the perspiration estimation unit 306d stops estimating the amount of perspiration. In this way, by comparing the humidity measured by the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 with the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 202d attached to the animal, it is possible to estimate the perspiration state of livestock. Furthermore, knowing the amount of perspiration allows us to determine the degree of heat stress the livestock is exposed to, which can be used for health management. As can be seen from these, when the livestock are subject to environmental changes depending on their location, more accurate livestock management is possible by correcting the environmental changes using information from the surrounding reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20.

[0056] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the sensor 10. As shown in Fig. 7, the GNSS receiver 204 acquires position information and time information from the GNSS (step S100).

[0057] Next, the sensor unit 202 measures the values ​​of the atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity (step S102). Next, the control unit 208 integrates the output value of the acceleration sensor 202b and acquires information indicating the movement state (stop or movement) of the livestock (step S104).

[0058] Next, the control unit 208 transmits a signal including information on the measurement time, measurement location, sensor values ​​(barometric pressure, temperature, humidity, illuminance), and the movement status of the livestock to the management device 30 (cloud) via the communication unit 206 (step S106). The sensor 10 may transmit this information periodically, or may obtain and transmit information at a specified timing in response to a request from a user.

[0059] Next, the control unit 208 puts each unit into a sleep state until the next transmission, and repeats the process from step S100.

[0060] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20. As shown in Figure 8, this example differs from the example of processing by the sensor 10 shown in Figure 7 in that the processing in step S104 is not performed. In addition, the control unit 208 transmits a signal including information on the measurement time, measurement position, sensor values ​​(air pressure, temperature, humidity, illuminance), and sensor installation conditions to the cloud via the communication unit 206 (step S106a). In this case, this example differs from the example of processing by the sensor 10 shown in Figure 7 in that information on the sensor installation conditions is transmitted.

[0061] 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the standing / prone position estimation process. As shown in Fig. 9, the data collating unit 304 of the management device 30 uses the position information of the sensor 10 (target mounted sensor) to extract a nearby reference air pressure sensor 20 (reference sensor) from the storage unit 300 (database) (step S200).

[0062] Next, the data collating unit 304 extracts the sensor value supplied from the extracted reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 from the storage unit 300 (step S202).

[0063] Next, the state estimation unit 306 estimates the air pressure at the position of the sensor 10 (target mounted sensor) using the air pressure value of a nearby reference air pressure sensor 20 (reference sensor), the installation height of the reference air pressure sensor 20 from the ground, and altitude information.The state estimation unit 306 then compares the estimated air pressure value with the air pressure value of the sensor 10, and estimates whether the target livestock is standing or lying down (step S204).

[0064] Next, the data presentation unit 308 displays the estimation result on the display unit 310 (step S206), and ends the process (step S206).

[0065] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a detailed processing example of step S204 in Fig. 9. As shown in Fig. 10, the control unit 208 of the sensor 10 integrates the output value of the acceleration sensor 202b and calculates the moving speed in time series. Then, the sensor 10 transmits a signal including information related to behavior estimation based on the moving speed and acceleration to the management device 30 (step S300).

[0066] Next, the state estimation unit 306 of the management device 30 determines whether the livestock is performing a behavior that is only performed when standing, such as walking, using information related to behavior estimation based on the moving speed and acceleration (step S302). If it is determined that the livestock is performing a behavior that is only performed when standing (Y in step S302), the state estimation unit 306 estimates that the livestock is in a standing state (step S304) and ends the process.

[0067] On the other hand, if the state estimation unit 306 determines that the subject is not performing an action that is only performed when standing up (N in step S302), the atmospheric pressure estimation unit 306a of the state estimation unit 306 estimates the atmospheric pressure near the ground surface, which is the installation height of the sensor 10 (target mounted sensor), using surrounding terrain information, the atmospheric pressure value of a nearby reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 (reference sensor), the installation height of the reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 from the ground, and altitude information (step S306). Note that the atmospheric pressure estimation unit 306a may refer to weather information and terrain information from the Internet as reference values ​​when making the estimation and adjust the estimated value.

[0068] Next, the attitude estimation unit 306b of the state estimation unit 306 compares the estimated atmospheric pressure value near the ground surface with the atmospheric pressure value of the sensor 10 (step S308), and determines whether the relative atmospheric pressure difference is equal to or greater than a threshold value (step S310). If the relative atmospheric pressure difference is equal to or greater than the threshold value (Y in step S308), the process from step S304 is performed.

[0069] On the other hand, if the relative air pressure difference is less than the threshold value (N in step S308), the posture estimation unit 306b estimates that the target livestock is lying down (step S312), and ends the process.

[0070] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for estimating body surface temperature. As shown in Fig. 11, the temperature estimation unit 306c of the management device 30 estimates the air temperature at the position of the sensor 10 (target mounted sensor) using the temperature value of a nearby reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 (reference sensor). The temperature estimation unit 306c then compares the estimated air temperature with the temperature of the sensor 10 to estimate the body surface temperature of the target livestock (step S406). In addition, the output signal of the illuminance sensor 202e of the sensor 10 may be used to estimate whether the sensor 10 is under direct sunlight, and a correction coefficient used to correct the body surface temperature may be changed depending on whether the sensor is under direct sunlight or not.

[0071] Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a perspiration estimation process. As shown in Fig. 12, the perspiration estimation unit 306d of the management device 30 estimates the humidity at the position of the sensor 10 (target mounted sensor) using the humidity value of a nearby reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20 (reference sensor). Then, the temperature estimation unit 306c compares the estimated humidity with the humidity of the sensor 10 and estimates the amount of perspiration of the target livestock (step S506). In this case, if the amount of perspiration is high, the humidity will be higher than the humidity estimated based on the surrounding reference atmospheric pressure sensor 20. Therefore, the perspiration estimation unit 306d estimates the amount of perspiration according to the relative humidity difference.

[0072] As described above, according to this embodiment, the data collating unit 304 acquires atmospheric pressure information within a predetermined range from the livestock based on the location information of the managed livestock, and the atmospheric pressure estimating unit 306a estimates the reference atmospheric pressure at the location of the livestock using the atmospheric pressure information within the predetermined range from the livestock. In this way, because the reference atmospheric pressure is estimated using atmospheric pressure information within a predetermined range from the livestock based on the location information of the livestock, it is possible to estimate the reference atmospheric pressure at the location of the livestock with higher accuracy even when the livestock are pastured in a wide range of pasture with differences in elevation, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the accuracy of detecting whether the livestock are standing or lying down.

[0073] The present technology can be configured as follows:

[0074] (1) an acquisition unit that acquires atmospheric pressure information within a predetermined range from an animal to be managed based on location information of the animal; an atmospheric pressure estimation unit that estimates a reference atmospheric pressure at the location of the animal using the atmospheric pressure information; a posture estimation unit that estimates whether the animal is standing or lying down based on a pressure difference between the reference atmospheric pressure and an atmospheric pressure based on an output signal from an atmospheric pressure sensor attached to the animal; A management device comprising:

[0075] (2) the acquisition unit acquires a plurality of pieces of atmospheric pressure information, position information, and altitude information from a plurality of reference stations arranged based on the range in which the animal moves; The management device according to (1), wherein the atmospheric pressure estimation unit estimates the reference atmospheric pressure using the animal's location information and altitude information and the plurality of pieces of atmospheric pressure information, location information, and altitude information.

[0076] (3) The management device according to (1) or (2), wherein the posture estimation unit (306b) estimates that the subject is in a prone position when the differential pressure is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

[0077] (4) A management device described in any of (1) to (3), wherein the posture estimation unit estimates whether the animal is standing or lying down when it is determined that the animal is not moving based on output information from an acceleration sensor attached to the animal.

[0078] (5) A management device described in any of (1) to (4), in which the animal is equipped with a receiving unit that acquires location information using satellite information, and the location information is acquired based on an output signal from the receiving unit.

[0079] (6) The management device described in (2), wherein the reference station has a receiving unit that acquires location information using satellite information, and the location information of the reference station is acquired based on an output signal of the receiving unit.

[0080] (7) The acquisition unit also acquires temperature information within a predetermined range from the animal, using the temperature information to estimate the air temperature at the location of the animal; The management device described in any one of (1) to (6) further comprises a temperature estimation unit that estimates the body surface temperature of the animal based on the temperature difference between the estimated air temperature and the temperature based on the output signal of a temperature sensor attached to the animal.

[0081] (8) The management device according to (7), wherein the temperature estimation unit corrects the body surface temperature based on an output signal of an illuminance sensor attached to the animal.

[0082] (9) The management device described in (7) or (8) further includes a presentation unit that causes a display unit to present information indicating that the accuracy of the temperature estimation unit's estimated value may be declining when the prone state is estimated.

[0083] (10) The acquisition unit also acquires humidity information within a predetermined range from the animal, using the humidity information to estimate humidity at the location of the animal; The management device described in any one of (1) to (9) further comprises a sweat estimation unit that estimates the amount of sweat of the animal based on the humidity difference between the estimated humidity and the humidity based on the output signal of a humidity sensor attached to the animal.

[0084] (11) The management device described in (10) further includes a presentation unit that causes a display unit to present information indicating that the accuracy of the estimation value of the sweat estimation unit may be declining when the prone state is estimated.

[0085] (12) The management device according to (10) or (11), wherein the sweat estimation unit estimates the amount of sweat by referring to weather information based on the location information of the animal.

[0086] (13) The management device according to any one of (10) to (12), wherein the temperature and sweating estimation unit stops estimation when a predetermined amount of rainfall occurs.

[0087] (14) an acquisition step of acquiring atmospheric pressure information within a predetermined range from the animal based on location information of the animal; an atmospheric pressure estimation step of estimating a reference atmospheric pressure at the location of the animal using the atmospheric pressure information; a posture estimation step of estimating whether the animal is standing or lying down based on a pressure difference between the reference atmospheric pressure and an atmospheric pressure based on an output signal of an atmospheric pressure sensor attached to the animal; A management method comprising:

[0088] (15) an acquisition step of acquiring atmospheric pressure information within a predetermined range from the animal based on location information of the animal; an atmospheric pressure estimation step of estimating a reference atmospheric pressure at the location of the animal using the atmospheric pressure information; a posture estimation step of estimating whether the animal is standing or lying down based on a pressure difference between the reference atmospheric pressure and an atmospheric pressure based on an output signal of an atmospheric pressure sensor attached to the animal; A management program that causes a computer to execute the following.

[0089] The aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the individual embodiments described above, but include various modifications that may be conceived by those skilled in the art, and the effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described contents. In other words, various additions, modifications, and partial deletions are possible within the scope of the conceptual idea and spirit of the present disclosure, which is derived from the contents defined in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1: Management system, 10: Sensor, 20: Reference atmospheric pressure sensor, 30: Management device, 40: Satellite, 202a: Atmospheric pressure sensor, 202b: Acceleration sensor, 202c: Temperature sensor, 202d: Humidity sensor, 202e: Illuminance sensor, 304: Data matching unit, 306: State estimation unit, 306a: Atmospheric pressure estimation unit, 306b: Posture estimation unit, 306c: Temperature estimation unit, 306d: Sweat estimation unit, 308: Data presentation unit, 310: Display unit.

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires atmospheric pressure information within a predetermined range from an animal based on location information of the animal; an atmospheric pressure estimation unit that estimates a reference atmospheric pressure at the location of the animal using the atmospheric pressure information; a posture estimation unit that estimates whether the animal is standing or lying down based on a pressure difference between the reference atmospheric pressure and an atmospheric pressure based on an output signal from an atmospheric pressure sensor attached to the animal; Equipped with the acquisition unit acquires a plurality of pieces of atmospheric pressure information, position information, and altitude information from a plurality of reference stations arranged based on a range in which the animal moves; The atmospheric pressure estimation unit estimates the reference atmospheric pressure using the animal's location information and altitude information and the plurality of pieces of atmospheric pressure information, location information, and altitude information.

2. The management device according to claim 1 , wherein the posture estimation unit estimates that the subject is in a prone position when the differential pressure is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

3. The management device of claim 1 , wherein the posture estimation unit estimates whether the animal is standing or lying down when it is determined that the animal is not moving based on output information from an acceleration sensor attached to the animal.

4. The management device according to claim 1 , wherein the animal is equipped with a receiver that acquires location information using satellite information, and the location information is acquired based on an output signal from the receiver.

5. The management device according to claim 1 , wherein the reference station has a receiving unit that acquires position information using satellite information, and the position information of the reference station is acquired based on an output signal of the receiving unit.

6. the acquisition unit also acquires temperature information within a predetermined range from the animal, using the temperature information to estimate the air temperature at the location of the animal; The management device according to claim 1 , further comprising a temperature estimation unit that estimates the body surface temperature of the animal based on the temperature difference between the estimated air temperature and a temperature based on an output signal of a temperature sensor attached to the animal.

7. The management device according to claim 6 , wherein the temperature estimation unit corrects the body surface temperature based on an output signal of an illuminance sensor attached to the animal.

8. The management device according to claim 6, further comprising a presentation unit that causes a display unit to present information indicating that the accuracy of the estimated value of the temperature estimation unit may be reduced when the prone state is estimated.

9. the acquisition unit also acquires humidity information within a predetermined range from the animal; using the humidity information to estimate humidity at the location of the animal; The management device according to claim 1 , further comprising a sweat estimation unit that estimates the amount of sweat of the animal based on a humidity difference between the estimated humidity and a humidity based on an output signal of a humidity sensor attached to the animal.

10. The management device according to claim 9 , further comprising a presentation unit that causes a display unit to present information indicating that the accuracy of the estimation value of the sweat estimation unit may be reduced when the prone state is estimated.

11. The management device according to claim 9 , wherein the sweating estimation unit estimates the amount of sweating by referring to weather information based on the location information of the animal.

12. The management device according to claim 9 , wherein the sweat estimator stops the estimation when a predetermined amount of rainfall occurs.

13. an acquisition step of acquiring atmospheric pressure information within a predetermined range from the animal based on location information of the animal; an atmospheric pressure estimation step of estimating a reference atmospheric pressure at the location of the animal using the atmospheric pressure information; a posture estimation step of estimating whether the animal is standing or lying down based on a pressure difference between the reference atmospheric pressure and an atmospheric pressure based on an output signal of an atmospheric pressure sensor attached to the animal; Equipped with In the acquiring step, a plurality of pieces of atmospheric pressure information, position information, and altitude information are acquired from a plurality of reference stations arranged based on a range in which the animal moves; In the atmospheric pressure estimation step, the reference atmospheric pressure is estimated using the position information and altitude information of the animal and the plurality of pieces of atmospheric pressure information, position information, and altitude information.

14. an acquisition step of acquiring atmospheric pressure information within a predetermined range from the animal based on location information of the animal; an atmospheric pressure estimation step of estimating a reference atmospheric pressure at the location of the animal using the atmospheric pressure information; a posture estimation step of estimating whether the animal is standing or lying down based on a pressure difference between the reference atmospheric pressure and an atmospheric pressure based on an output signal of an atmospheric pressure sensor attached to the animal; Equipped with In the acquiring step, a plurality of pieces of atmospheric pressure information, position information, and altitude information are acquired from a plurality of reference stations arranged based on a range in which the animal moves; The atmospheric pressure estimation step estimates the reference atmospheric pressure using the animal's position information and altitude information and the plurality of pieces of atmospheric pressure information, position information, and altitude information.

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