Location identification support device, location identification support system, location identification support method, and computer program

Abstract

To more easily know the location of a particular animal with respect to animals housed within a target area.SOLUTION: A position identification support device includes an information acquisition unit that acquires identification information indicating a specific animal from among a plurality of animals individually equipped with target terminal devices, and an output control unit that controls the target terminal device attached to the animal indicated by the acquired identification information such that an output device included in the target terminal device outputs in a manner perceivable by human.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for recognizing the location of animals in a given area. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, the most common form of dairy cow rearing has been tethered rearing, where dairy cows are tied to a specific location. In contrast to this, new forms of rearing have been proposed in recent years, where dairy cows are allowed to move freely within a designated area. Specific examples of such rearing forms include free stalls and loose barns (free barns). In raising dairy cows, there is a demand for knowing the condition of each individual dairy cow. To meet this demand, a technology has been proposed in which sensor modules are attached to dairy cows to acquire information, as described in Patent Document 1, for example. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-9641 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When raising dairy cows, there are times when you want to know the location of a specific cow. In traditional tied-house farming, it was easy to determine the location of the cows. However, in farming methods such as free stalls and loose barns, it is difficult to immediately determine the location of a specific cow. This issue is not limited to dairy cows, but is common to all animals that are raised in a mobile state.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a technology that makes it possible to more easily know the location of a specific animal raised in a target area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a location identification assistance device that includes an information acquisition unit that acquires identification information indicating a specific animal from among a plurality of animals each wearing a target terminal device, and an output control unit that controls an output device provided in the target terminal device to output to the target terminal device worn by the animal indicated by the acquired identification information in a manner that can be sensed by humans.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned location identification assistance device, wherein the information acquisition unit acquires the identification information from another device via a network, and the output control unit transmits output control information, which is information for controlling the output device, via the network so that it reaches the target terminal device 10.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned location identification assistance device, further comprising a location information acquisition unit that acquires the location of the animal indicated by the identification information, and transmits information indicating the location to a user terminal operated by a user.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is the location identification assistance device, wherein the information acquisition unit acquires identification information of animals that satisfy predetermined conditions from a management device that analyzes the status of the animals.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is a location identification assistance system comprising a plurality of target terminal devices and a location identification assistance device, wherein the target terminal devices are equipped with output devices attached to individual animals and that perform output in a manner detectable by humans, and the location identification assistance device comprises an information acquisition unit that acquires identification information indicating a specific animal from among the plurality of animals wearing the target terminal devices, and an output control unit that controls the output device of the target terminal device to operate in response to the target terminal device attached to the animal indicated by the acquired identification information.

[0011] One aspect of the present invention is a location identification assistance method having an information acquisition step of acquiring identification information indicating a specific animal from among a plurality of animals each wearing a target terminal device, and an output control step of controlling an output device provided in the target terminal device to output in a manner detectable by humans to the target terminal device worn by the animal identified by the acquired identification information.

[0012] One aspect of the present invention is a computer program for causing a computer to function as the above-described location identification assistance device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The present invention makes it easier to know the location of a particular animal in relation to animals kept within a target area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of a location identification support system 100 according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of a target terminal device 10. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a location identification assistance device 40. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mechanism for acquiring location information. [Figure 5] 1 is a sequence chart showing a specific example of the operation of the location identification support system 100. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing a system configuration of a modified example of the location identification support system 100 of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Specific configuration examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of a location identification support system 100 according to the present invention.

[0016] The position identification assistance system 100 includes a plurality of target terminal devices 10, wireless communication devices 20, a gateway 30, a position identification assistance device 40, and a user terminal device 50. The target terminal devices 10 and the wireless communication devices 20 transmit and receive data by performing wireless communication. This wireless communication may be, for example, short-range wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth (registered trademark)), a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Wi-Fi, or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area). The wireless communication devices 20 and the gateway 30 transmit and receive data by performing communication. The communication performed between the wireless communication devices 20 and the gateway 30 may be wireless communication or wired communication.

[0017] The gateway 30, the location identification assistance device 40, and the user terminal device 50 communicate with each other via a network 90. ​​The network 90 may be a network using wireless communication or a network using wired communication. The network 90 may also be configured by combining multiple networks.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the target terminal device 10. The target terminal device 10 is configured using a communication-enabled information device. The target terminal device 10 may be configured using a small information device such as a single-board computer. The target terminal device 10 is attached to an animal to be kept. The target terminal device 10 may be configured as a device in the shape of a collar, an earring or a nose ring, or a device attached to the limbs or torso. The target terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 11, an output unit 12, a memory unit 13, and a control unit 14.

[0019] The communication unit 11 is configured using a communication interface. The communication unit 11 connects to the wireless communication device 20 via wireless communication and communicates data with the wireless communication device 20.

[0020] The output unit 12 outputs information in a manner perceivable by humans. For example, the output unit 12 may be configured using one or more light-emitting devices. In this case, the output unit 12 performs output by emitting light. The output unit 12 may emit light in one predetermined manner or in multiple predetermined manners, according to the control of the control unit 14. When light is emitted in multiple manners, it is desirable that the state of the animal being kept and the manner of light emission corresponding to that state are previously associated. For example, the output unit 12 may be configured using a speaker. In this case, the output unit 12 outputs sound.

[0021] The storage unit 13 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 13 stores data used by the control unit 14. The data stored in the storage unit 13 is read by the control unit 14. The storage unit 13 functions as, for example, an identification information storage unit 131. The identification information storage unit 131 stores terminal identification information that has been assigned to the device in advance. It is desirable that the terminal identification information is assigned a value that does not overlap with terminal identification information stored in other target terminal devices 10. In this way, by storing different terminal identification information for each target terminal device 10, it becomes possible to distinguish between individual target terminal devices 10 using the terminal identification information.

[0022] The control unit 14 is configured using a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory. The control unit 14 functions as an output control unit 141 when the processor executes a program. Note that all or part of the functions of the control unit 14 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a semiconductor storage device (e.g., an SSD: Solid State Drive), as well as storage devices such as a hard disk or semiconductor storage device built into a computer system. The program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0023] The output control unit 141 receives output control information from another device via the communication unit 11. The output control unit 141 determines whether the received output control information is addressed to the device itself. For example, if the terminal identification information included in the output control information matches the terminal identification information stored in the identification information storage unit 131 of the device itself, the output control unit 141 determines that the output control information is addressed to the device itself. On the other hand, if the terminal identification information included in the output control information does not match the terminal identification information stored in the identification information storage unit 131 of the device itself, the output control unit 141 determines that the output control information is not addressed to the device itself. The output control unit 141 controls the output unit 12 according to the output control information addressed to the device itself. For example, if output control information addressed to the device itself indicating that the output unit 12 is to emit light is received, the output control unit 141 causes the output unit 12 to emit light in a predetermined manner.

[0024] The wireless communication device 20 is a communication device that performs wireless communication. The wireless communication device 20 may be implemented in any manner as long as it is capable of wireless communication with the target terminal device 10. The wireless communication device 20 performs data communication with other devices such as the location identification assistance device 40 via the gateway 30.

[0025] The gateway 30 communicates with the location identification assistance device 40 via a network 90. ​​The gateway 30 may be provided with a SIM card, for example, and connected to the network 90 via a mobile communication network. The gateway 30 may also be connected to the network 90 by performing communication over a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), for example. The means by which the gateway 30 connects to the network 90 does not need to be limited.

[0026] The positioning support device 40 is configured using an information processing device. The positioning support device 40 is configured using an information processing device such as a personal computer or a server. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the positioning support device 40. The positioning support device 40 includes a communication unit 41, a storage unit 42, and a control unit 43.

[0027] The communication unit 41 is configured using a communication interface and performs data communication with other devices (for example, the wireless communication device 20 and the gateway 30) via the network 90.

[0028] The storage unit 42 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive, a semiconductor storage device, etc. The storage unit 42 functions as an authentication information storage unit 421 and a terminal identification information storage unit 422.

[0029] Authentication information storage unit 421 stores information (hereinafter referred to as "authentication information") used to authenticate user terminal device 50. For example, authentication information storage unit 421 may store identification information indicating a user (hereinafter referred to as "user identification information") in association with authentication information used to authenticate the user. The authentication information may be, for example, information indicating a password, biometric information (e.g., iris information, fingerprint information, face information, etc.), or other information.

[0030] The terminal identification information storage unit 422 stores terminal identification information assigned to each target terminal device 10. The terminal identification information storage unit 422 may further store other identification information (hereinafter referred to as "management identification information") assigned to animals to which the target terminal devices 10 are attached. In this case, the terminal identification information storage unit 422 may store the management identification information of a certain animal in association with the terminal identification information of the target terminal device 10 attached to that animal. The management identification information may be, for example, the identification information of an ear tag given to a cow. The management identification information may also be, for example, identification information used in another device attached to the cow. For example, identification information assigned to equipment including a device that acquires biological information of the cow (for example, a vital sensor) or a device that acquires information indicating the movement of the cow (for example, a gyro sensor) may be used as the management identification information.

[0031] The control unit 43 is configured using a processor such as a CPU and a memory. The control unit 43 functions as a request information acquisition unit 431, an authentication unit 432, an output control unit 433, a location information acquisition unit 434, and an information provision unit 435 by the processor executing a program. Note that all or part of the functions of the control unit 43 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC, a PLD, or an FPGA. The program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a semiconductor storage device (e.g., an SSD), as well as storage devices such as a hard disk or semiconductor storage device built into a computer system. The program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0032] The request information acquisition unit 431 receives request information transmitted from the user terminal device 50. The request information is information indicating a request to execute output to the target terminal device 10 attached to a specific animal. The request information includes identification information for identifying the animal. For example, the request information may include terminal identification information or management identification information. The request information may include identification information indicating the user of the user terminal device 50. The request information may include authentication information used to authenticate the user of the user terminal device 50.

[0033] Authentication unit 432 authenticates the user of user terminal device 50, which is the sender of the request information, using the authentication information included in the request information and the authentication information stored in authentication information storage unit 421. For example, authentication unit 432 may perform authentication processing using the authentication information stored in association with the user identification information included in the request information and the authentication information included in the request information.

[0034] The output control unit 433 controls the target terminal device 10 of the animal identified by the identification information included in the request information so that the target terminal device 10 executes the output process. For example, if the request information includes management identification information, the output control unit 433 reads out the terminal identification information stored in the terminal identification information storage unit 422 in association with the management identification information. Then, the output control unit 433 transmits output control information including the read-out terminal identification information. The output control unit 433 may include information indicating an output mode of the output unit 12. The output mode may be information indicating simply emitting light, information indicating emitting light in a specific pattern or a specific color, or information indicating emitting a specific sound. Such information indicating the output mode may be included in the request information, for example.

[0035] The location information acquisition unit 434 acquires information indicating the location of the target terminal device 10 (hereinafter referred to as "location information") controlled by the output control unit 433. The location information acquisition unit 434 may acquire the location information by any means. A specific example of the processing performed by the location information acquisition unit 434 will be described below.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a mechanism for acquiring location information. For example, a plurality of wireless communication devices 20 may be installed in a predetermined area (an area in which an animal wearing a target terminal device 10 is allowed to move; hereinafter, referred to as the "target area"; for example, an area indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 4), and the location of the target terminal device 10 may be estimated by receiving from the target terminal device 10 the reception strength of signals transmitted from each of the wireless communication devices 20 (20-1 to 20-4). Such location estimation can be performed by acquiring the reception strength of signals transmitted from each of the wireless communication devices 20, after the locations of the plurality of wireless communication devices 20 have been identified in advance. In this case, the target terminal device 10 needs to transmit the reception strength of each signal transmitted from each of the wireless communication devices 20 to the location identification assistance device 40. In this case, only the target terminal device 10 that has received output control information addressed to itself may transmit information indicating the reception strength. Alternatively, information indicating the reception strength may be transmitted from another device worn by the animal wearing the target terminal device 10.

[0037] 4, for example, a predetermined wireless signal (e.g., a beacon) may be transmitted from the target terminal device 10 or another device attached to the animal, and location estimation may be performed based on the reception strength of the beacon received by each wireless communication device 20. In such a case, only the target terminal device 10 that has received output control information addressed to itself may transmit a beacon. Alternatively, a beacon may be transmitted from another device attached to the animal to which the target terminal device 10 is attached.

[0038] For example, one or more camera devices capable of capturing an image of the target area may be installed, and location estimation may be performed by detecting the target terminal device 10 emitting light in an image captured by the camera devices. In this case, location estimation is possible by specifying camera parameters such as the installation position and angle of view of each camera device in advance. More specifically, the location information acquisition unit 434 acquires an image captured by the camera device during a period in which the target terminal device 10 is emitting light after the output control information is transmitted by the output control unit 433. The location information acquisition unit 434 detects a pixel area of ​​a specific color (the emission color of the target terminal device 10) from the acquired image, and estimates location information in real space according to the detected pixel area.

[0039] For example, one or more camera devices capable of capturing images of the target area may be installed, and the location may be estimated based on the shape, pattern, and size of the animal in the images captured by the camera devices. In this case, as in the above explanation, the camera parameters such as the installation position and angle of view of each camera device are specified in advance, making it possible to perform location estimation.

[0040] The information providing unit 435 transmits the location information acquired by the location information acquiring unit 434 to the user terminal device 50 that is the sender of the request information.

[0041] The user terminal device 50 is configured using an information processing device equipped with a user interface, such as a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet, personal computer, wearable computer, television set, game console, smart speaker, or the like. The user terminal device 50 receives an operation from a user to generate request information and transmits the generated request information to the position identification assistance device 40. Furthermore, upon receiving position information from the position identification assistance device 40, the user terminal device 50 outputs the received position information to the user. For example, the output may be in the form of displaying the location of the target animal to be located on a map, or in the form of displaying information indicating the location of the target animal to be located (identification information indicating the location) in the form of text or an image, or by outputting text indicating the location of the target animal to be located (identification information indicating the location) as audio.

[0042] 5 is a sequence chart showing a specific example of the operation of the positioning assistance system 100. First, the user operates the user terminal device 50 to specify the identification information of the animal whose location is to be specified. The specified identification information may be terminal identification information or management identification information. The user terminal device 50 generates request information including the specified identification information and transmits it to the positioning assistance device 40 (step S101).

[0043] When receiving the request information, the positioning assistance device 40 performs authentication processing using the authentication information included in the request information (step S102). If the user terminal device 50 is not authenticated, the processing ends there. On the other hand, if the user terminal device 50 is authenticated, the positioning assistance device 40 executes output control processing (step S103). Specifically, the positioning assistance device 40 generates output control information to be transmitted to the target terminal device 10 corresponding to the identification information included in the request information. Then, the positioning assistance device 40 transmits the output control information to the multiple target terminal devices 10 (step S104). This transmission of the output control information may be performed via the wireless communication device 20, or via the wireless communication device 20 and the gateway 30, for example.

[0044] When the target terminal device 10 receives the output control information, it determines whether the received output control information is addressed to the target terminal device 10 (step S105). If the output control information is not addressed to the target terminal device 10 (step S105-NO), the target terminal device 10 does not output the information and ends the operation based on the received output control information (step S106). On the other hand, if the output control information is addressed to the target terminal device 10 (step S105-YES), the target terminal device 10 operates the output unit 12 in accordance with the received output control information and performs output (step S107).

[0045] The position identification assistance device 40 acquires the position information of the target terminal device 10 that is the transmission destination (destination) of the output control information (step S108). The position identification assistance device 40 transmits the acquired position information to the user terminal device 50 (step S109). Upon receiving the position information, the user terminal device 50 outputs the received position information (step S110).

[0046] The location identification support system 100 configured in this manner makes it easier to determine the location of a specific animal kept within a target area. Specifically, this is as follows. In the location identification support system 100, when a user inputs identification information for an animal whose location he or she wishes to determine into the user terminal device 50, the target terminal device 10 of the animal outputs information corresponding to the identification information. This output is generated in a manner that can be sensed by humans. Therefore, in a specific area where animals are present, the user can easily determine the location of the animal whose location he or she wishes to determine by sensing the output of the target terminal device 10. For example, if the output unit 12 of the target terminal device 10 emits light, the location of the animal can be easily determined by searching for the light.

[0047] Furthermore, in location identification support system 100, when a user inputs identification information for an animal whose location he or she wishes to identify into user terminal device 50, location information indicating the location of the animal according to the identification information is output from user terminal device 50. Therefore, the user can easily know the location of the animal whose location he or she wishes to identify based on the output from user terminal device 50.

[0048] (Variation) FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of a modified example of the localization support system 100 of the present invention. The localization support system 100 shown in FIG. 6 further includes a management device 60. The management device 60 is a device that analyzes the status of an animal based on the output of a sensor attached to the animal and provides the result to a user. The management device 60 may analyze information indicating the animal's health condition or whether it is in estrus, for example, based on the animal's biological information. The management device 60 may analyze information indicating the animal's health condition or whether it is in estrus, for example, based on information indicating the animal's movement. If the analysis result satisfies a predetermined condition (hereinafter referred to as the "notification condition"), the management device 60 transmits request information including identification information of the animal about which information satisfying the condition to the localization support device 40. Upon receiving the request information from the management device 60, the localization support device 40 performs processing based on the received request information and transmits output control information to the target terminal device 10. The localization support device 40 also transmits the location information and information indicating the analysis result of the animal, which is included in the request information received from the management device 60, to the user terminal device 50. The user terminal device 50 outputs the location information and information indicating the analysis results, thereby enabling the user to immediately know the location of animals that satisfy predetermined conditions.

[0049] Location identification assistance device 40 may transmit the location information to management device 60 instead of transmitting it to user terminal device 50. In this case, management device 60 may transmit the analysis result and the location information to user terminal device 50. This completes the explanation using FIG. 6.

[0050] The output control unit 433 may operate the output units 12 of multiple target terminal devices 10 at the same time. For example, the output control unit 433 may operate in this manner when request information includes multiple pieces of identification information or when multiple pieces of request information are received at the same time.

[0051] When the output units 12 of a plurality of target terminal devices 10 are operated at the same timing, the output control unit 433 may control the output units 12 of the plurality of target devices 10 to output in the same manner. For example, the output control unit 433 may control the output units 12 of the plurality of target devices 10 to emit light of the same color or to blink in the same pattern. With this configuration, even if a plurality of animals become targets for which the positions are to be determined at the same time, it becomes possible to more quickly confirm the location of the target animal.

[0052] When the output units 12 of multiple target terminal devices 10 are operated at the same timing, the output control unit 433 may control the output units 12 of the multiple target devices 10 to output in different modes. For example, the output control unit 433 may control the output units 12 of the multiple target devices 10 to emit light in different colors or to blink in different patterns (while some output units 12 remain lit). In this case, the information providing unit 435 may transmit to the user terminal device 50 information associating identification information related to each target terminal device 10 with the output mode of that target terminal device 10. The user terminal device 50 associates the identification information related to each target terminal device 10 with the output mode of that target terminal device 10 and outputs the associated information to the user. With this configuration, when multiple target terminal devices 10 are outputting at the same timing, the user can more quickly locate the location of the target animal according to the output mode of each target terminal device 10.

[0053] The wireless communication device 20 and the gateway 30 may be configured as an integrated device. The wireless communication device 20 may be configured to connect to the network 90 directly without going through the gateway 30.

[0054] The positioning assistance device 40 may be configured not to include the position information acquisition unit 434 and the information provision unit 435. The positioning assistance device 40 may be configured not to include the output control unit 433. The positioning assistance device 40 may be configured not to include the authentication unit 432. The positioning assistance system 100 may be configured as a system including at least the positioning assistance device 40 and the target terminal device 10. The target terminal device 10 may be directly connected to the network 90 so as to be able to communicate with the network 90.

[0055] The positioning assistance device 40 does not necessarily have to be configured as a single device. For example, the positioning assistance device 40 may be configured using a plurality of information processing devices. The plurality of information processing devices constituting the positioning assistance device 40 may be communicably connected via a communication path such as a network 90, and may be configured as a system such as a cluster machine or a cloud.

[0056] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 100...location identification support system, 10...target terminal device, 11...communication unit, 12...output unit, 13...storage unit, 14...control unit, 20...wireless communication device, 30...gateway, 40...location identification support device, 41...communication unit, 42...storage unit, 421...authentication information storage unit, 422...terminal identification information storage unit, 43...control unit, 431...request information acquisition unit, 432...authentication unit, 433...output control unit, 434...location information acquisition unit, 435...information provision unit

Claims

1. an information acquisition unit that acquires identification information indicating a specific animal from among a plurality of animals each equipped with a target terminal device; an output control unit that controls an output device of the target terminal device attached to the animal indicated by the acquired identification information to perform output in a manner that can be sensed by a human; a location information acquisition unit that acquires the location of the animal indicated by the identification information by identifying the location of the target terminal device based on the reception strength at the target terminal device of each signal transmitted from a plurality of wireless communication devices installed at a plurality of pre-specified locations; an information providing unit that provides information to a user terminal device operated by a user; Equipped with the output control unit controls the output devices of the plurality of target terminal devices to output in different output modes when the plurality of target terminal devices are operated at the same timing; The information providing unit is a location identification assistance device that, when multiple target terminal devices are operated at the same time, provides the user terminal device with the identification information related to each target terminal device and the output mode of each target terminal device in association with each other.

2. the information acquisition unit acquires the identification information from another device via a network; the output control unit transmits output control information, which is information for controlling the output device, to the target terminal device via a network; The location identification assistance device according to claim 1 .

3. The location identification assistance device according to claim 1 , further comprising an information providing unit that transmits information indicating the location to a user terminal operated by a user.

4. A location identification support device is provided, the target terminal device comprises an output device attached to each animal and configured to produce an output in a manner perceptible by a human; The location identification assistance device is an information acquisition unit that acquires identification information indicating a specific animal from among a plurality of animals equipped with the target terminal device; an output control unit that controls an output device of the target terminal device to operate for the target terminal device attached to the animal indicated by the acquired identification information; a location information acquisition unit that acquires the location of the animal indicated by the identification information by identifying the location of the target terminal device based on the reception strength at the target terminal device of each signal transmitted from a plurality of wireless communication devices installed at a plurality of pre-specified locations; an information providing unit that provides information to a user terminal device operated by a user; Equipped with the output control unit controls the output devices of the plurality of target terminal devices to output in different output modes when the plurality of target terminal devices are operated at the same timing; A location identification support system in which, when multiple target terminal devices are operated at the same time, the information providing unit provides the user terminal device with the identification information related to each target terminal device and the output mode of each target terminal device in association with each other.

5. an information acquisition step of acquiring identification information indicating a specific animal from among a plurality of animals each equipped with a target terminal device; an output control step of controlling the target terminal device attached to the animal indicated by the acquired identification information so that an output device included in the target terminal device executes output in a manner that can be sensed by a human; a location information acquisition step of acquiring the location of the animal indicated by the identification information by identifying the location of the target terminal device based on the reception strength at the target terminal device of each signal transmitted from a plurality of wireless communication devices installed at a plurality of pre-specified locations; an information providing step of providing information to a user terminal device operated by a user; and In the output control step, when the plurality of target terminal devices are operated at the same timing, the output devices of the plurality of target terminal devices are controlled so as to output in different output modes, In the information providing step, when multiple target terminal devices are operated at the same time, the location identification support method provides the user terminal device with the identification information associated with each target terminal device and the output mode of each target terminal device in association with each other.

6. A computer program for causing a computer to function as the location identification assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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