Abnormal chicken detection support device

Abstract

To reduce the burden on workers in visually inspecting the health of egg-laying hens in large-scale poultry farms and to support the reliable detection of abnormal hens, including those in cages located in poorly visible locations. [Solution] An abnormal chicken detection support device that supports the detection of abnormal chickens or abnormal cages housing abnormal chickens in a multi-tiered cage row in which cage rows housing layer hens of approximately the same age and breed are arranged in multiple tiers. The device comprises a mobile body that can move along the multi-tiered cage row, an image capturing unit that is attached to the mobile body and captures individual images of the layer hens housed in cages on each tier at each position in the multi-tiered cage row, and a display control unit that displays each image corresponding to the cage on each tier at each position in the multi-tiered cage row as a still image and lists it on a display together with the cage number.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an abnormal chicken detection support device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, high-density large-scale poultry farming has become common, with some chicken coops housing more than 100,000 chickens. In farms with 100,000 chickens, statistically, 10 to 20 chickens die each day. Causes of these deaths include stress, fighting between chickens (such as pecking at the rear), getting caught in feeders, and equipment problems such as malfunctioning drinking fountains or ventilation equipment. Chickens can also die from avian influenza, gastrointestinal diseases, respiratory diseases, and other illnesses.

[0003] On the other hand, as shown in Non-Patent Document 1, workers are recommended to patrol the poultry house daily to find dead chickens, inspect equipment such as feeders and water dispensers, and observe the health of the chickens.

[0004] However, large-scale poultry farms use multi-tiered cage rows in which laying hens are housed, and workers must visually inspect each cage row from the bottom to the top. This creates a significant workload. Furthermore, because the bottom and top cage rows are difficult to inspect visually, abnormal chickens are likely to be overlooked.

[0005] To address this issue, Patent Documents 1 to 3 propose detection systems that automatically detect abnormal chickens, such as dead chickens. These detection systems automatically detect abnormal chickens by capturing images of laying hens in cages and using artificial intelligence (AI) or the like to recognize the images.

[0006] However, the above detection systems are expensive and require a great deal of cost and effort to install and operate the imaging and processing devices. Furthermore, the analysis of captured images requires highly accurate image recognition processing, which tends to make the entire system complicated and increases the burden of operation and maintenance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-201578 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-146498 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-039126 [Non-patent literature]

[0008] [Non-Patent Document 1] Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Livestock Bureau "Technical Guidelines for Raising and Managing Layer Hens" July 26, 2023, Livestock No. 1066 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Meanwhile, the inventors of the present invention have come to complete the present invention from a new perspective, focusing on the daily patrol work of workers and assisting them in their visual inspection work, rather than the conventional idea of ​​automatically detecting dead chickens and other abnormal chickens, thereby reducing the workload while preventing abnormal chickens from being overlooked.

[0010] In other words, the main objective of the present invention is to reduce the burden on workers in visually inspecting the health of egg-laying hens in large-scale poultry farms, and to assist in reliably detecting abnormal hens, including those in cages located in poorly visible locations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In other words, the abnormal chicken detection support device of the present invention is an abnormal chicken detection support device that supports the detection of abnormal chickens or abnormal cages housing abnormal chickens in a multi-tiered cage row in which cage rows housing layer hens of approximately the same age and the same breed are arranged in multiple tiers, and is characterized by comprising: a mobile body that can move along the multi-tiered cage row; an image capturing unit that is provided on the mobile body and captures individual images of the layer hens housed in the cages of each tier at each position in the multi-tiered cage row; and a display control unit that displays each image corresponding to the cage of each tier at each position in the multi-tiered cage row as a still image and lists it on a display together with the cage number.

[0012] With this abnormal chicken detection support device, still images of cages on each tier are displayed together with the cage numbers on a display, so workers can find abnormal chickens in each cage simply by looking at the still images of the cages displayed on the display, without having to visually inspect each cage from the bottom to the top tier.As a result, the burden on workers in visually inspecting the health of egg-laying hens at large-scale poultry farms can be reduced, and support can be provided for reliable detection of abnormal chickens, including in cages located in poorly visible locations.

[0013] Furthermore, the abnormal chicken detection support device according to the present invention may further include a position information acquisition unit that acquires position-related information related to the image capturing position of the image capturing unit, and an image information recording unit that links and records each image captured by the image capturing unit and the position-related information acquired by the position information acquisition unit. With this configuration, images captured for each cage can be collected and stored on a server. As a result, the stored information can be effectively utilized. For example, it can be used as training data for machine learning. Furthermore, by analyzing the stored information, it becomes possible to detect and respond to early signs of diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza.

[0014] It is desirable that the image capturing unit captures one image each time the moving body moves a predetermined distance to obtain multiple images for each cage, the image information recording unit records the multiple images for each cage as a group of original images, and the display control unit selects an image captured at a predetermined position from the group of original images, or a single image synthesized using the group of original images, as the still image. With this configuration, it is possible to display the most appropriate still image for each cage, and abnormal chickens in each cage can be found simply by looking at the display.

[0015] The majority of captured images of laying hens are often normal images containing healthy laying hens, and by comparing such normal images or normal images with abnormal images, it is possible to efficiently extract abnormal chickens or abnormal cages. In view of this point, it is desirable that the abnormal chicken detection support device according to the present invention further comprises an image comparison unit that compares images corresponding to different cages or compares an image corresponding to a specified cage with a past image corresponding to the specified cage, and an alarm determination unit that alerts the user based on the comparison results of the image comparison unit. Here, the notification determination unit can be configured to perform notification processing such as displaying the comparison result on a display, displaying an image suspected of being abnormal on a display, displaying an indication of the presence of an abnormal chicken, or issuing an acoustic notification such as an alarm sound, depending on the comparison result by the image comparison unit. This allows the worker to focus only on cages that may be abnormal, contributing to improved work efficiency and reduced workload.

[0016] In addition, it is desirable that the abnormal chicken detection support device according to the present invention further comprises a bird number information recording unit that records information on the number of birds housed in each cage at the time each image is captured. In this case, the image comparison unit can perform a comparison process of the images using the bird number information. Furthermore, the notification determination unit can notify the user using the bird number information in addition to the comparison result. With this configuration, the notification judgment unit and image comparison unit can use information on the number of birds contained in each cage at the time of image capture, making it possible to more accurately evaluate whether or not there is an abnormality, thereby improving the accuracy of notifications to the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The present invention configured in this way reduces the burden on workers in large-scale poultry farms when visually inspecting the health of laying hens, and helps ensure that abnormal hens are discovered, even in cages located in poorly visible locations. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an abnormal chicken detection support device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] 2A and 2B are a left side view and a front view, respectively, schematically illustrating the abnormal chicken detection support device of the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a list display of still images according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is another functional block diagram of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an abnormal chicken detection support device according to a modified embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the abnormal chicken detection support device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in all of the drawings shown below, parts are omitted or exaggerated as appropriate for ease of understanding. Identical components are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0020] <Configuration of the abnormal chicken detection support device> The abnormal chicken detection support device 100 of this embodiment supports the detection of abnormal chickens or abnormal cages housing abnormal chickens in egg-laying chicken houses (large-scale poultry farming facilities) that have artificial environment adjustment functions, such as closed egg-laying chicken houses (windowless chicken houses).

[0021] Here, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the layer hen house has a multi-tiered cage row 40. In this multi-tiered cage row, a plurality of cage rows 41 housing layer hens are arranged in multiple vertical tiers. In the multi-tiered cage row 40 of this embodiment, two cage rows 41 are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, and are arranged in multiple tiers (four tiers in this case) in the vertical direction.

[0022] The cage rows 41 are each made up of a plurality of cages 42 arranged in one direction, each housing laying hens of approximately the same age and breed. The laying hens of approximately the same age include laying hens that differ in age by up to one month, and preferably by up to about two weeks.

[0023] Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the abnormal chicken detection support device 100 includes a mobile body 2 that can move along a multi-stage cage row 40, an image capturing unit 3 provided on the mobile body 2, and a display control unit 4 that displays images captured by the image capturing unit 3 on a display D.

[0024] 1 and 2, the moving body 2 moves along a guide rail 5 provided along the multi-stage cage row 40. The moving body 2 is provided with wheels 21 that run along the guide rail 5. The guide rail 5 may be a guide wire that is stretched from one end of the multi-stage cage row 40 to the other, or may be a part (for example, an edge) of a feeding trough 43 (feeding tray) provided in a predetermined cage row 41 in the multi-stage cage row 40.

[0025] The moving body 2 can move linearly from one end of the multi-stage cage row 40 to the other end by moving along the guide rails 5. This moving body 2 can be moved automatically or manually by an operator (for example, by pushing it by hand) when performing patrol work inside the poultry house (checking for abnormal chickens). When moving the moving body 2 automatically, it is possible to configure the moving body 2 so that its wheels 21 are driven by a drive motor (not shown) and it travels along the guide rails 5.

[0026] The image capturing units 3 individually capture images of the laying hens housed in the cages 42 at each position of the multi-tiered cage row 40. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a plurality of image capturing units 3 are provided on the moving body 2 corresponding to each tier of the cage row 41. The plurality of image capturing units 3 provided corresponding to each tier of the cage row 41 are arranged in a vertical line.

[0027] For example, if the multi-stage cage row 40 has four stages, the image capturing unit 3 (31) corresponds to the bottom (first) cage row 41, the image capturing unit 3 (32) corresponds to the second cage row 41, the image capturing unit 3 (33) corresponds to the third cage row 41, and the image capturing unit 3 (34) corresponds to the fourth cage row 41. The image capturing unit in this embodiment is a camera module including an imaging element such as a CMOS sensor or a CCD sensor and a lens system.

[0028] Each image capturing unit 3 is configured to capture an image of the inside of the cage 42 from the front side of the cage 42, and specifically, is configured to capture an image of the laying hens in the cage 42 through a space formed between a feed trough 43 for feeding and an egg collection belt 44 of the cage 42. The egg collection belt 44 is provided below the feed trough 43. This makes it possible to capture an image of the laying hens in the cage 42 while avoiding obstruction of the view by the feed trough 43 or the egg collection belt 44. Alternatively, each image capturing unit 3 may be configured to capture an image of the laying hens in the cage 42 from above the feed trough 43 for feeding of the cage 42.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the display control unit 4 displays images captured by each image capturing unit 3 (31 to 34) on a display D. The display D is provided in the moving object 2 together with the display control unit 4. The display control unit 4 of this embodiment is configured by a portable information processing device CTL such as a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, or a notebook computer. The display control unit 4 may be integrated with the display D or may be separate from the display D. The moving object 2 is equipped with a battery (not shown) for supplying power to the image capturing unit 3, the display D, the information processing device CTL, etc.

[0030] The display control unit 4 also displays, as still images, images corresponding to the cages 42 at each stage at each position in the multi-stage cage row 40 on the display D in a list together with the cage numbers.

[0031] For example, if the cage numbers are assigned sequentially from one end of the cage row 41 as 1, 2, 3, ..., when displaying a list of images of cages 42 in each row at the 27th position, images of "1st row - No. 27," "2nd row - No. 27," "3rd row - No. 27," and "4th row - No. 27" are displayed on the display D together with their respective cage numbers, as shown in Fig. 4. Note that the display format is not limited to Fig. 4, and for example, the images of each row may be displayed side by side, either vertically or horizontally.

[0032] The abnormal chicken detection support device 100 of this embodiment is equipped with a position information acquisition unit 6 that acquires position-related information relating to the image capturing position of the image capturing unit 3. The function of the position information acquisition unit 6 is fulfilled by the information processing device CTL.

[0033] This position information acquisition unit 6 acquires, for example, a pulse signal (stepping signal) from a rotary encoder provided on the wheel 21 of the moving body 2. Then, the position information acquisition unit 6 calculates the distance from one end of the cage train 41 to acquire the position of the moving body 2 relative to the cage train 41. The position information of the moving body 2 may be information about the distance from one end of the cage train 41, or may be information indicating the corresponding cage number.

[0034] In addition, the position information acquisition unit 6 can also acquire the position of the mobile body 2 relative to the cage row 41 by reading a position information identifier, such as a QR code (registered trademark), provided on the cage row 41 using a reading camera provided on the mobile body 2.

[0035] Furthermore, the abnormal chicken detection support device 100 of this embodiment includes an image information recording unit 7 that links and records each image captured by the image capturing unit 3 and the position-related information acquired by the position information acquiring unit 6. The functions of the image information recording unit 7 are fulfilled by the information processing device CTL.

[0036] The image information recording unit 7 records each image captured by the image capturing unit 3 in association with the position information (for example, distance information or cage number information) acquired by the position information acquiring unit 6. Additionally, the image information recording unit 7 may record each image captured by the image capturing unit 3 in association with the image capturing time information of each image.

[0037] Here, the abnormal chicken detection support device 100 is configured so that the image capturing unit 3 captures an image when the image capturing unit 3 reaches, for example, the center position of each cage 42, based on the position related information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 6. Specifically, the abnormal chicken detection support device 100 has an image capturing control unit 8 that controls the multiple image capturing units 3, and the image capturing control unit 8 controls the shutter operation (image capturing timing) of the multiple image capturing units 3 based on the position related information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 6. The function of the image capturing control unit 8 is exerted by the information processing device CTL.

[0038] With this configuration, the display control unit 4 manages the captured still images in association with the cage numbers as the moving object 2 moves along the multi-stage cage row 40, and sequentially switches between the still images displayed in a list on the display D for each cage number. This allows the worker to visually check the images of each cage 42 captured as the moving object 2 moves, in accordance with the progression of the cage numbers, improving the efficiency of the checking work.

[0039] The image capturing unit 3 may also be configured to capture one image each time the moving object 2 moves a predetermined distance, thereby acquiring multiple images for each cage 42. Here, the image capturing unit 3 is controlled by the above-mentioned imaging control unit 8, and captures one image each time the moving object 2 moves a distance of, for example, 10 mm or more, thereby acquiring multiple images for each cage 42.

[0040] In this case, the image information recording unit 7 can record, as an original image group, a plurality of images for each cage 42. The original image group corresponding to each cage 42 is generated by identifying a plurality of images corresponding to each cage 42 based on positional relation information linked to each image.

[0041] The display control unit 4 then displays, as still images, images captured at predetermined positions from the original image group corresponding to the cages 42 on each level at each position of the multi-level cage row 40, along with the cage numbers, in a list on the display D. Note that the images captured at predetermined positions selected from the original image group are images captured at or near the center of the cages 42. The image displayed along with the cage number does not have to be one, and may be multiple (for example, an image of the left half of the cage, an image of the center of the cage, and an image of the right half of the cage, etc.).

[0042] In addition, the display control unit 4 may display a single image synthesized using a group of original images corresponding to the cages 42 of each stage at each position of the multi-stage cage row 40 as a still image on the display D together with the cage numbers.

[0043] 5, the abnormal chicken detection support device 100 of this embodiment may further include an image comparison unit 9 that compares different images with each other, and a notification determination unit 10 that notifies the user based on the comparison result of the image comparison unit 9. The functions of the image comparison unit 9 and the notification determination unit 10 are fulfilled by the information processing device CTL.

[0044] The image comparison unit 9 compares images corresponding to different cages, or compares an image corresponding to a specific cage 42 with a past image corresponding to the specific cage 42.

[0045] Here, when comparing images corresponding to different cages 42, it is conceivable to compare images corresponding to cages 42 in different stages at each position of the multi-stage cage row 40. For example, it is conceivable to compare an image of a cage 42 in the first stage at the 27th position with an image of a cage 42 in another stage at the 27th position. This makes it possible to detect differences between stages.

[0046] Furthermore, images corresponding to different cages 42 may be compared regardless of their positions in the cage row 40. For example, it is conceivable to compare an image of the first cage 42 at the 27th position with an image of the third cage 42 at the 25th position. This makes it possible to detect differences between cages 42 that are spatially separated.

[0047] Furthermore, when comparing an image corresponding to a specific cage 42 with a past image corresponding to the specific cage 42, it is possible to compare the image captured this time with the previous or previous image of the same cage 42. This makes it possible to detect changes over time.

[0048] The image comparison unit 9 may also be configured to calculate, for each image to be compared, a total gradation value obtained by adding up the brightness values ​​(grayscale values) of each pixel in the entire image, or a total value obtained by adding up the intensity values ​​of pixels in a specific wavelength band, etc. This allows for quantitative evaluation of differences between images based on brightness and wavelength components.

[0049] Furthermore, the image comparison unit 9 may be configured to extract the difference between the two images to be compared and calculate the area of ​​the image region where no change is detected, i.e., the area of ​​the image without change, based on the difference. This makes it possible to evaluate the presence or absence of movement of the laying hens and the amount of change in terms of area.

[0050] The notification determination unit 10 notifies the user based on the comparison result of the image comparison unit 9. Specifically, the notification determination unit 10 performs notification processing according to the comparison result by the image comparison unit 9, such as displaying the comparison result on the display D, displaying an image suspected of being abnormal on the display D, displaying an indication of the presence of an abnormal chicken or abnormal cage, or issuing an acoustic notification such as an alarm sound.

[0051] Here, the abnormal chicken detection support device 100 may further include a bird number information recording unit 11 that records information about the number of birds housed in each cage 42 at the time each image is captured. The bird number information recorded in this bird number information recording unit 11 is updated by input operations by the user.

[0052] The notification determining unit 10 may then execute the notification process described above based on the comparison result between images by the image comparing unit 9 and the latest feather number information recorded in the feather number information recording unit 11.

[0053] <Effects of this embodiment> According to the abnormal chicken detection support device 100 of this embodiment, still images of the cages 42 on each tier are displayed together with the cage numbers on the display D, so that the worker does not need to visually inspect each cage 42 from the bottom to the top tier, and can find abnormal chickens in each cage 42 simply by looking at the still image of the cage 42 displayed on the display D. As a result, the burden on workers in visually inspecting the health of egg-laying hens in large-scale poultry farms can be reduced, and support can be provided in ensuring that abnormal chickens are found, even in cages 42 located in poorly visible locations.

[0054] <Modified embodiment of the present invention> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0055] For example, although the image capturing unit 3 in the above embodiment is provided for each cage row 41, it may be common to multiple cage rows 41. In this case, one image capturing unit 3 (camera module) captures images of multiple cage rows 41 (for example, two cages 42 adjacent to each other vertically) in a single image. Then, the display control unit cuts out the multiple cages 42 included in the single image by image processing, generates an image for each cage 42, and displays it on the display D.

[0056] Furthermore, the images of each cage 42 collected by the abnormal chicken detection support device 100 may be transmitted to a management server via wired or wireless communication. The images of each cage 42 transmitted to the management server can be stored in a database. Furthermore, the collected images of each cage 42 can be recognized by artificial intelligence (AI) or the like, allowing for analysis such as the detection of abnormal chickens.

[0057] When multi-stage cage rows 40 are arranged on both sides of an aisle, the movable body 2 may be provided with an image capturing unit 3 corresponding to each multi-stage cage row 40 located on both sides of the aisle, as shown in Fig. 6. With this configuration, it becomes possible to perform the inspection work for the multi-stage cage rows 40 arranged on both sides of the aisle all at once by simply moving the movable body 2 from one end of the multi-stage cage row 40 to the other end once, thereby improving the efficiency of the inspection work.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the moving body 2 moves along the guide rail 5, but it may also be configured to run automatically or manually on the floor of the passage. Also, the moving body 2 may be configured to be carried and moved by an operator.

[0059] The display control unit 4 of the embodiment can switch between a still image mode in which a still image corresponding to each cage is displayed and a moving image mode in which a moving image corresponding to each cage is displayed. Furthermore, the display control unit 4 can switch to a live mode in addition to the still image mode and the moving image mode.

[0060] In addition, when the moving body 2 is configured to travel automatically, the information processing device CTL may be configured to start the automatic travel. Also, the information processing device CTL may be configured to switch the moving body between forward and backward travel.

[0061] In addition, if the mobile body 2 is configured to travel automatically, its travel speed can be increased within the range of the imaging capabilities of the image capturing unit 3, and the image information can be recorded in the image information recording unit 7. This data can also be transferred to another server or computer, and an analytical device such as AI can be used to determine whether there are any abnormal chickens or cages, and an alert can be sent to workers, which is also an effective method of supporting the detection of abnormal chickens.

[0062] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 100 Abnormal chicken detection support device 40 Multi-stage cage row 41 Cage Row 42 Cage 2. Mobile 3. Image capturing unit 4 Display control section 6 ...Location information acquisition unit 7. Image information recording section 9. Image comparison section 10 Notification Judgment Unit 11. Bird count information recording section

Claims

1. An abnormal chicken detection support device for supporting the task of visually inspecting a multi-tiered cage row in which layers of egg-laying hens of approximately the same age and the same breed are housed, to find abnormal chickens or abnormal cages housing abnormal chickens, a moving body that is movable along the multi-stage cage row; an image capturing unit that captures images of the laying hens housed in each of the cages from the bottom to the top at each position of the multi-tiered cage row; a display for an operator to visually observe the image captured by the image capturing unit; a display control unit that displays, as still images, images corresponding to each of the cages from the lowest to the highest level at each position of the multi-level cage row, together with cage numbers, on the display; the image capturing unit, the display, and the display control unit are provided in the moving body, The display control unit manages the captured still images in association with cage numbers as the moving body moves along the multi-stage cage row, and sequentially switches between the still images displayed in a list on the display for each cage number, in this abnormal chicken detection support device.

2. An abnormal chicken detection support device that supports the detection of abnormal chickens or abnormal cages housing abnormal chickens in a multi-stage cage row in which cage rows housing egg-laying hens of approximately the same age and the same breed are arranged in multiple stages, a moving body that is movable along the multi-stage cage row; an image capturing unit provided on the moving body for capturing images of the laying hens housed in the cages at each stage at each position of the multi-stage cage row; a position information acquisition unit that acquires position related information related to an imaging position of the image imaging unit; an image information recording unit that records each image captured by the image capturing unit and the position related information acquired by the position information acquiring unit in association with each other; a display control unit that displays, as still images, images corresponding to cages at each stage at each position of the multi-stage cage row, together with cage numbers, as a list on a display; the image capturing unit captures one image each time the moving object moves a predetermined distance, thereby acquiring a plurality of images for each cage; the image information recording unit records a plurality of images for each cage as a group of original images; The display control unit selects an image captured at a predetermined position from the group of original images, or a single image synthesized using the group of original images, as the still image.

3. an image comparison unit that compares images corresponding to different cages, or compares an image corresponding to a specific cage with a past image corresponding to the specific cage; 3. The abnormal chicken detection support device according to claim 1, further comprising: a notification determination unit that notifies a user based on a comparison result of the image comparison unit.

4. a bird number information recording unit that records information about the number of birds housed in each cage when each image is captured, 4. The abnormal chicken detection support device according to claim 3, wherein the notification determination unit uses the feather number information in addition to the comparison result to evaluate whether or not there are abnormal chickens and notifies the user of the result.

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