Data acquisition device, program, and data acquisition method

Abstract

To provide a data collection device capable of efficiently collecting data useful for specifying an activity state of an animal, a program, and a data collection method.SOLUTION: A data collection device 1 includes: a data acquisition unit 11 that acquires positional information continuously indicating an activity amount of a cow C; a specifying unit 13 that analyzes the positional information for a predetermined period and specifies a tendency related to a time change of the activity amount; and a data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 that adjusts an acquisition amount of the positional information on the basis of the specified tendency related to the time change of the activity amount. The data acquisition unit 11 acquires positional information according to an acquisition amount adjusted by the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a data collection device, a program, and a data collection method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, techniques for identifying the activity state of animals being raised have been known. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe this type of technique. Patent Document 1 describes a technique for identifying animal abnormality information from time-series search animal observation data of animals and animal individual information. Patent Document 2 describes a technique for obtaining rules regarding the state of animals or the behavior of animals from time-series data.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] [[ID=三十八]] [[ID=三十九]]By the way, increasing the amount of data acquired can identify the accurate activity state of animals, but the data volume increases and the processing load becomes large. Although the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2 can identify the activity state of animals using time-series data, there is room for improvement in efficiently collecting data useful for identifying the activity state of animals. [[ID=四十]] [[ID=四十一]]

[0005] [[ID=四十二]] [[ID=四十三]]

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] [[ID=四十九]] The present invention relates to a data collection device comprising: a data acquisition unit that continuously acquires data indicating the activity level of an animal; an identification unit that analyzes the data for a predetermined period and identifies a trend regarding the temporal change in the activity level; and a data acquisition amount adjustment unit that adjusts the amount of data to be acquired based on the identified trend regarding the temporal change in the activity level, wherein the data acquisition unit acquires data according to the amount of data to be acquired adjusted by the data acquisition amount adjustment unit.

[0007] The data acquisition amount adjustment unit may adjust the amount of data acquired for each time period by adjusting the frequency of data acquisition by the data acquisition unit for each time period.

[0008] The data acquisition amount adjustment unit may adjust the data acquisition amount to be higher during periods when the activity level is high, and lower during periods when the activity level is low, according to the trend of changes in the activity level over time.

[0009] The aforementioned data may consist of at least one of the following: location information indicating the location where the animal is located, acceleration information obtained from an acceleration sensor installed on the animal, and angular velocity information obtained from an angular velocity sensor installed on the animal.

[0010] The data acquisition amount adjustment unit may adjust the amount of data acquired for each time period by controlling the data acquisition operation by the data acquisition unit.

[0011] The aforementioned data is detected by a sensor, and the data acquisition amount adjustment unit may adjust the amount of data acquired for each time period by discarding the data received from the sensor.

[0012] The data acquisition unit may acquire the data from the sensor, and the data acquisition amount adjustment unit may adjust the amount of data acquired for each time period by controlling the transmission interval of the data by the sensor.

[0013] The data acquisition unit may acquire the data from the sensor, and the data acquisition amount adjustment unit may adjust the amount of data acquired for each time period by controlling the detection interval of the data by the sensor.

[0014] The data acquisition unit is detected by the data detection unit of the sensor, and the data acquisition amount adjustment unit may adjust the amount of data acquired for each time period by controlling the power supply operation to the data detection unit.

[0015] The present invention also relates to a program that enables a computer to implement a data acquisition function that continuously acquires data indicating the activity level of an animal, an identification function that analyzes the data for a predetermined period and identifies a trend regarding the temporal change in the activity level, and a data acquisition amount adjustment function that adjusts the amount of data to be acquired based on the identified trend regarding the temporal change in the activity level, wherein the data acquisition function is a program that acquires data according to the amount of data acquired adjusted by the data acquisition amount adjustment function.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a data collection method performed by a data collection device, comprising: a data acquisition step of continuously acquiring data indicating the activity level of an animal; an identification step of analyzing the data for a predetermined period and identifying a trend regarding the temporal change in the activity level; and a data acquisition amount adjustment step of adjusting the amount of data to be acquired based on the identified trend regarding the temporal change in the activity level, wherein the data acquisition step acquires data according to the amount of data acquired adjusted in the data acquisition amount adjustment step. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, data useful for identifying the activity status of animals can be efficiently collected. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a data collection system in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]It is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the hardware and functional blocks of the sensor device in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the hardware and functional blocks of the data collection device in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a graph showing the result of an additive model for specifying the periodicity of the amount of activity by time zone by the data collection device in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart showing an example of the data collection process executed by the data collection device in one embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in accordance with its embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by the following embodiments. Also, each figure referred to in the following description only schematically shows the shape, size, and positional relationship to the extent that the content of the present disclosure can be understood. That is, the present invention is not limited only to the shape, size, and positional relationship illustrated in each figure.

[0020] (Embodiment) <Data collection system S> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the data collection system S in one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the data collection system S of the present embodiment has a function of collecting data indicating the activity amount of the cow C raised by, for example, a dairy farmer, analyzing the data, and adjusting the acquisition amount of the data. The animals for which data is to be collected are not limited to cows C, but include animals belonging to the category of so-called industrial animals such as pigs, sheep, horses, goats, etc., animals raised in zoos, etc., so-called pet animals, and all animals for which it is beneficial to specify and utilize the activity amount, including humans.

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view showing three cattle pens CB1 to CB3 located within the barn. In Figure 1, 10 cows C are kept in one cattle pen CB, but the number of cows C kept in each cattle pen CB is not particularly limited. For example, there may be fewer than 10 cows or 10 or more cows.

[0022] Within each cattle pen (CB), feeding areas, nursing areas, and watering areas are provided in appropriate locations, and the area is configured so that the cows (C) can eat (feeding), drink milk (sucking), and drink water (drinking) in their respective places.

[0023] The data acquisition system S comprises multiple sensor devices 2 (sensors) and a data acquisition device 1. As shown in Figure 1, all cows C in each barn CB are fitted with a sensor device 2 equipped with a position sensor, and position information indicating the location of the cow C is acquired. The sensor device 2 is equipped with a data transmission function, and the acquired position information is transmitted to the data acquisition device 1, for example, by near-field communication (NFC). In this embodiment, the sensor device 2 is fixed to a tab attached to the ear of the cow C, for example, but it may also be fixed to a collar and attached to the neck of the cow C, or it may be configured to be attached to other parts of the body.

[0024] The data collection device 1 is an information processing device that implements the main functions of the data collection process in this embodiment, located near the barn, including the cow pen CB, for example, in the management building of a dairy farmer. The data collection device 1 acquires and analyzes data indicating the activity level of each cow C, such as location information, from sensor devices 2 attached to each cow C, and performs processing to adjust the amount of data acquired based on the analysis results.

[0025] <Sensor device 2> Next, the functional configuration of the sensor device 2 will be described. Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware and functional block configuration of the sensor device 2.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the sensor device 2 comprises a processing unit 21, a position information detection unit (data detection unit) 22, a power supply unit 23, and a communication unit 24.

[0027] The location information detection unit 22 is a sensor for acquiring location information, which is data indicating the activity level of cow C. The location information detection unit 22 may be configured to detect location information using a satellite positioning system (GNSS; Global Navigation Satellite System), such as GPS. The location information detection unit 22 includes an antenna and receives positioning satellite signals transmitted from multiple positioning satellites, and determines its own position based on the received positioning satellite signals. The location information detected by the location information detection unit 22 may include, for example, the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the location where cow C, which is equipped with the sensor device 2, is located. The timing at which the location information detection unit 22 detects location information is not particularly limited. For example, in this embodiment, the location information detection unit 22 detects location information every 0.2 seconds. The interval at which the location information detection unit 22 detects location information may be adjustable by the data collection device 1. In addition, the location information detection unit 22 acquires time information indicating the timing at which the information was detected, along with the location information.

[0028] The processing unit 21 is implemented by a processor such as a CPU that performs arithmetic processing. The processing unit 21 includes a location information receiving unit 211 and a location information transmitting unit 212.

[0029] The location information receiving unit 211 receives the output signal from the location information detection unit 22 and performs predetermined processing such as AD conversion to convert it into digital data.

[0030] The location information transmission unit 212 performs the process of transmitting the digital location information data generated by the location information reception unit 211 to the communication unit 24. The location information transmission interval may be a fixed transmission interval, or it may be a transmission interval that changes according to a control signal from the data collection device 1. The location information transmission unit 212 also performs the process of transmitting the location information detected by the location information detection unit 22 and associated with time information to the data collection device 1 via the communication unit 24. The time information may include, for example, the date and time when the location information detection unit 22 detected the location information.

[0031] The power supply unit 23 is configured to supply power, which is the driving source for the sensor device 2, to each part of the sensor device 2. The power supply unit 23 is configured, for example, by a battery. The supply and cessation of power from the power supply unit 23 to the position information detection unit 22 may be controlled by the data acquisition device 1.

[0032] The communication unit 24 has the function of receiving digital data representing the sensor output signal from the location information transmission unit 212 of the processing unit 21 and transmitting it wirelessly using a predetermined communication method. In this embodiment, for example, it is configured as a communication module equipped with a communication function compliant with Bluetooth®. The location information transmitted from the location information transmission unit 212 by the communication unit 24 is transmitted as Bluetooth data and received by the data acquisition device 1.

[0033] Furthermore, the method for detecting the location of cow C is not limited to a method using a satellite positioning system. For example, the location of cow C may be detected by a sensor device (sensor) consisting of a sensor unit (data detection unit) attached to cow C that transmits digital data, and a location detection unit (data detection unit) that receives the digital data from the sensor unit and is installed in the cow pen CB. Specifically, for example, the location detection unit, which functions as a locator for using the direction detection function included in Bluetooth, calculates the incident angle of the digital data received from the sensor device as Bluetooth data, and detects the position of the sensor unit as the location information of cow C. The location detection unit then transmits the location information of cow C to the animal management device 1.

[0034] <Data acquisition device 1> Next, the functional configuration of the data acquisition device 1 will be described. Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware and functional block configuration of the data acquisition device 1. The data acquisition device 1 is composed of general-purpose hardware. Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, the program according to the present invention is executed on a general-purpose server computer or personal computer, etc., to realize the functions of the present invention.

[0035] The data acquisition device 1 is an information processing device such as a server computer or a personal computer, and comprises a processing unit 10, a storage unit 30, an input / output unit 40, a data interface (data IF) unit 50, and a communication unit 60. The processing unit 10, the storage unit 30, the input / output unit 40, the data IF unit 50, and the communication unit 60 are connected by a bus, which is an internal communication line not shown in the figure.

[0036] The processing unit 10 is an arithmetic unit composed of a processor such as a CPU, and reads and executes various programs and data from the storage unit 30 (described later) to realize the functions of the data acquisition device 1. In this embodiment, the processing unit 10 executes data processing for each of the functional units: the data acquisition unit 11, the storage processing unit 12, the identification unit 13, and the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14. The operation of each functional unit will be described later.

[0037] The storage unit 30 is a storage area for various programs and data that cause the hardware group to function as a data acquisition device 1, and can be composed of ROM, RAM, flash memory, semiconductor drive (SSD), or hardware (HDD). Specifically, the storage unit 30 stores programs for causing the processing unit 10 to execute each function of this embodiment (control programs for the data acquisition device 1), various parameters, information used to adjust the amount of location information to be acquired, information about cow C, information about cow pen CB, operation input information input from the outside, and the activity level of each cow C.

[0038] The input / output unit 40 consists of various input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, and microphone, which enable data input to the data acquisition device 1 from an external source, and output devices such as a monitor display and speakers.

[0039] The data IF unit 50 has the function of controlling data communication between the processing unit 10, the storage unit 30, the input / output unit 40, and the communication unit 60.

[0040] The communication unit 60 is a communication module that transmits and receives various types of data with the sensor device 2, and is configured as hardware such as a network interface card (NIC). The communication unit 60 can also be used by the data acquisition device 1 to communicate with a communication network.

[0041] Next, we will describe the functions of the data acquisition device 1 that are realized by each program executed by the processing unit 10.

[0042] The data acquisition unit 11 includes an identification information acquisition unit 111 and a location information acquisition unit 112. The data acquisition unit 11 has the function of receiving information output from sensor devices 2 and location detection units attached to each cow C.

[0043] The identification information acquisition unit 111 performs a process to acquire animal identification information of the sensor device 2 that is transmitted to the data collection device 1. The identification information acquisition unit 111 may, for example, acquire information about cow C registered in the sensor device 2 as unique animal identification information, or it may acquire the identification information of the sensor device 2 itself as animal identification information. The animal identification information may include information such as the weight, size, sex, age, medical history, and the cattle stall CB to which cow C belongs.

[0044] The location information acquisition unit 112 performs a process to continuously acquire location information, which is data indicating the activity level of cow C. The location information acquisition unit 112 acquires location information detected by the location information detection unit 22 of the sensor device 2 and transmitted to the data collection device 1 via the communication unit 24. In this embodiment, horizontal plane data such as longitude and latitude are acquired as location information, but information regarding the height of the cow C's location, such as altitude, may also be included. In this embodiment, the location information acquisition unit 112 acquires the location information of cow C detected by the sensor device 2 every 0.2 seconds. For example, the location information acquisition unit 112 may average the five location information points detected consecutively every 0.2 seconds and acquire them as the location information of cow C over a 1-second period. The frequency of location information acquisition by the location information acquisition unit 112 is adjusted by the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 15. The data acquisition unit 11 links the animal identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 111 with the location information of cow C acquired by the location information acquisition unit 112 every second and transmits it to the storage unit 30. Note that the location information of cow C acquired by the location information acquisition unit 112 is not limited to one second. For example, it may be less than one second or more than one second.

[0045] Activity level is a quantitative measure of the physical state of an animal, such as a cow C, while it is performing vital activities. Examples of activity level include the distance traveled and movement of the cow C as indicated by continuously acquired location information, body temperature, and pulse rate. In addition to location information, acceleration information obtained from an acceleration sensor installed on the cow C or angular velocity information obtained from an angular velocity sensor may also be used as data to indicate the activity level of the cow C. In this case, the movement amount, which indicates the amount of movement of the cow C's legs, torso, and head as indicated by at least one of the acceleration information or angular velocity information, may be used as the activity level.

[0046] The memory processing unit 12 executes a process to store the activity level for each cow C based on the animal identification information acquired by the data acquisition unit 11. Specifically, the memory processing unit 12 stores the activity level for each cow C in the memory unit 30 in chronological order.

[0047] The identification unit 13 analyzes location information for a predetermined period and performs a process to identify trends in the temporal changes in the activity level of cow C. The predetermined period is not particularly limited and may be, for example, one week, less than one week, or one week or more (for example, one month). In this embodiment, the identification unit 13 identifies trends in the temporal changes in the activity level of cow C by identifying the periodicity of the activity level of cow C for each time period. As for the time period, for example, one hour out of 24 divisions of a day may be considered as one time period, or one period out of a predetermined standard such as morning, noon, and night may be considered as one time period. In this embodiment, one hour out of 24 divisions of a day is considered as one time period.

[0048] The details of the process by which the identification unit 13 identifies the periodicity of the activity level of cow C for each time period will be explained. First, the identification unit 13 extracts the position information of one cow C every second for a predetermined period from the storage unit 30. The identification unit 13 identifies the activity level for one second by calculating the difference between the position information for each second that is extracted from the storage unit 30 and is chronologically ahead or behind. For example, the identification unit 13 identifies the activity level for one second by calculating the distance cow C moved in one second from the difference between one position and the position information one second earlier. Then, the identification unit 13 obtains the activity level of one cow C in a given time period by adding up multiple activity levels for each time period within the predetermined period. The identification unit 13 then transmits the activity level of cow C for the predetermined period to the storage unit 30, linked to animal identification information.

[0049] Next, the identification unit 13 may identify the periodicity of activity levels for each time period from the activity levels over a predetermined period using, for example, an additive model or a known time series data analysis method such as STL (A Seasonal-Trend Decomposition Procedure Based on LOESS). STL is described, for example, in the following paper.

[0050] RB Cleveland, WS Cleveland, JE McRae, and I. Terpenning (1990) STL: A Seasonal-Trend Decomposition Procedure Based on LOESS. Journal of Official Statistics, 6, 3-73.

[0051] Figure 4 is a graph showing the results of an additive model used by the data acquisition device 1 to identify the periodicity of activity levels for each time period. In Figure 4, the horizontal axis of graphs G1 to G4 represents the date and time, and the vertical axis represents the activity level. Graph G1 in Figure 4 shows the trend of the raw data, which is the activity level. Graph G2 in Figure 4 shows the trend, which is a long-term fluctuation. Graph G3 in Figure 4 shows the seasonality, which is a component that fluctuates periodically over a certain period of time (24 hours in this embodiment). Graph G4 in Figure 4 shows the residual, which is noise that cannot be explained by the trend and seasonality. The raw data for location information shown in graph G1 in Figure 4 is obtained by combining the trend in graph G2, the seasonality in graph G3, and the residual in graph G4. The identification unit 13 identifies the seasonality obtained by the additive model as the periodicity of activity levels for each time period.

[0052] The data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 performs a process to adjust the amount of location information acquired based on the trend of the time change in the activity amount identified by the identification unit 13. For example, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 adjusts the amount of location information acquired for each time period by adjusting the frequency of acquisition of location information for each time period by the data acquisition unit 11 based on the periodicity for each time period identified by the identification unit 13. Specifically, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 15 adjusts the amount of location information acquired to be higher for time periods with high activity levels in the identified periodicity, and lowers the amount of location information acquired for time periods with low activity levels in the identified periodicity. In this case, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 may adjust the amount of location information acquired to be different for all time periods, or it may adjust the amount of location information acquired to be the same for multiple time periods. For example, the amount of location information acquired for three time periods with high activity levels may be adjusted to the amount of location information detected at 1-second intervals, the amount of location information acquired for three time periods with low activity levels may be adjusted to the amount of location information detected at 30-minute intervals, and the amount of location information acquired for the remaining time periods may be adjusted to the amount of location information detected at 10-minute intervals.

[0053] For example, if the amount of location information to be acquired is set to the same amount for all time periods, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 may determine which time periods to increase the amount of location information to acquire and which to decrease the amount of location information to acquire, and adjust based on the determination result. Specifically, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 may execute a process to increase the amount of location information to be acquired during time periods when the activity level is equal to or greater than a first reference value, and a process to decrease the amount of location information to be acquired during time periods when the activity level is equal to or less than a second reference value (second reference value < first reference value). Alternatively, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 may select N time periods (N is an integer value of 1 or more) from among multiple time periods of the day, starting with the time period with the highest activity level, and increase the amount of location information to be acquired during the selected time periods. Conversely, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 may select M time periods (M is an integer value of 1 or more) from among multiple time periods of the day, starting with the time period with the lowest activity level, and decrease the amount of location information to be acquired during the selected time periods. For example, in the periodicity analysis results shown in Figure 4, as shown in graph G3 of Figure 4, the amount of location information acquired may be increased during the time periods of 8:00-9:00, 9:00-10:00, 15:00-16:00, and 18:00-19:00, while the amount of location information acquired during the time periods of 23:00-3:00, 11:00-13:00, and 17:00-18:00 may be decreased.

[0054] Next, we will explain the specific method by which the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 adjusts the amount of location information acquired for each time period. The data acquisition unit 11 acquires data according to the acquisition amount adjusted by the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14.

[0055] For example, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 may adjust the amount of location information acquired for each time period by controlling the operation of the sensor device 2, or it may adjust the amount of location information acquired for each time period by controlling the operation of the data collection device 1 itself without controlling the operation of the sensor device 2.

[0056] For example, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 may adjust the amount of location information acquired by the data acquisition unit 11 for each time period by controlling the location information detection operation of the location information detection unit 22 of the sensor device 2. Specifically, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 controls the location information detection interval of the location information detection unit 22 to widen when the amount of location information acquired is reduced, and controls the location information detection interval of the location information detection unit 22 to narrow when the amount of location information acquired is increased. As a result, the amount of location information acquired by the data acquisition unit 11 is adjusted.

[0057] Alternatively, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 may adjust the amount of location information acquired by the data acquisition unit 11 for each time period by controlling the location information transmission operation of the location information transmission unit 212 of the sensor device 2. Specifically, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 controls the location information transmission interval of the location information transmission unit 212 to widen when the amount of location information acquired is reduced, and controls the location information transmission interval of the location information transmission unit 212 to narrow when the amount of location information acquired is increased. As a result, the amount of location information acquired by the data acquisition unit 11 is adjusted.

[0058] Alternatively, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 may adjust the amount of location information acquired for each time period by controlling the power supply operation from the power supply unit 23 of the sensor device 2 to the location information detection unit 22. For example, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 may adjust the amount of location information acquired for each time period by switching the power supply unit 23 ON / OFF. Specifically, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 15 switches the power supply unit 23 OFF when the amount of location information acquired is to be reduced, stopping the power supply operation from the power supply unit 23 to the location information detection unit 22. As a result, the frequency of location information detection by the location information detection unit 22 decreases, and the amount of location information acquired by the data acquisition unit 11 decreases.

[0059] Alternatively, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 may adjust the amount of location information acquired for each time period by controlling the location information acquisition operation by the data acquisition unit 11 without controlling the operation of the sensor device 2. Specifically, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 controls the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 to increase the acquisition frequency of location information transmitted from the sensor device 2 by the data acquisition unit 11 during periods of high activity, and to decrease the acquisition frequency of location information transmitted from the sensor device 2 by the data acquisition unit 11 during periods of low activity.

[0060] Alternatively, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 may adjust the amount of location information acquired by the data acquisition unit 11 by discarding location information transmitted from the sensor device 2 without controlling the operation of the sensor device 2. Specifically, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 adjusts the amount of location information acquired by the data acquisition unit 11 by selectively discarding location information received from the sensor device 2 before the data acquisition unit 11 acquires it.

[0061] <Data acquisition amount adjustment process by data acquisition device 1> Next, the data acquisition amount adjustment process performed by the data acquisition device 1 in this embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the data acquisition amount adjustment process performed by the data acquisition device 1.

[0062] The data acquisition adjustment process illustrated in Figure 5 is executed at regular time intervals for each cow C being raised in the cattle pen CB (loop of step S11).

[0063] In step S12, the data acquisition unit 11 acquires multiple location information of the cow C, which is detected at predetermined time intervals by the location information detection unit 22, along with animal identification information and time information, from the sensor device 2 attached to the cow C. The amount of location information acquired by the data acquisition unit 11 for all time periods is set to be the same.

[0064] In step S13, the location information acquisition unit 112 of the data acquisition unit 11 performs a process to average multiple location information acquired within a certain time period in step S12. The location information acquisition unit 112 averages, for example, five location information detected consecutively at 0.2-second intervals and acquires it as the location information of cow C over a one-second period. The location information acquired every second in step S13 is linked to the animal identification information and time information and stored in the storage unit 30 in chronological order.

[0065] In step S14, the identification unit 13 extracts the location information of multiple cows C stored in step S13 and calculates the activity level of cow C indicated by the location information. The identification unit 13 identifies the activity level for one second by calculating the difference between the extracted location information for each second that is ahead or behind in time. For example, the identification unit 13 identifies the activity level for one second by calculating the distance cow C traveled in one second based on the difference between one location and the location information one second earlier. Then, the identification unit 13 identifies the activity level of a single cow C in a given time period by adding up the activity levels for multiple one seconds for each time period. In the example of the process shown in Figure 5, one time period is defined as one hour.

[0066] In step S15, the memory processing unit 12 stores the activity levels of the cow C identified in step S14 for each time period in the memory unit 30 in chronological order.

[0067] In step S16, the processing unit 10 determines whether the activity level of one cow C for a predetermined period has been stored in the storage unit 30. In the example of the process shown in Figure 5, the predetermined period is one week. If the processing unit 10 determines that the activity level of one cow C for one week has been stored in the storage unit 30 (step S16; Yes), it proceeds to step S17. On the other hand, if the processing unit 10 determines that the activity level of one cow C for one week has not been stored in the storage unit 30 (step S16; No), it returns to step S12.

[0068] In step S17, the identification unit 13 identifies the periodicity of the activity level for each time period based on the activity level of one cow C for one week extracted from the storage unit 30 by the storage processing unit 12. For example, the identification unit 13 identifies the seasonality obtained by an additive model for the activity level of one cow C for one week as the periodicity of the activity level for each time period.

[0069] In step S18, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 ranks the time periods in descending order of activity level. For example, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 may divide the day into 24 one-hour segments based on the periodicity identified in step S17, and then rank the time periods from 1st to 24th in descending order of activity level.

[0070] In step S19, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 extracts the top three time periods with high activity levels and the bottom three time periods with low activity levels based on the time period ranking obtained in step S18.

[0071] In step S20, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 adjusts the amount of data acquired for each time period. For example, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 adjusts the amount of location information acquired for the top three time periods with high activity levels extracted in step S19, and adjusts the amount of location information acquired for the bottom three time periods with low activity levels. For example, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 controls the sensor device 2 to adjust the detection interval of location information by the sensor device 2, thereby increasing or decreasing the amount of location information acquired by the data acquisition unit 11 for each time period.

[0072] In step S21, the processing unit 10 determines whether the data acquisition amount adjustment process for all cows C in the cow pen CB has been completed. If it is determined that the data acquisition amount adjustment process for all cows C in the cow pen CB has not been completed (step S21; No), the process returns to step S20 and proceeds with the data acquisition amount adjustment process for the other cows C. On the other hand, if it is determined that the data acquisition amount adjustment process for all cows C in the cow pen CB has been completed (step S26; Yes), the process executed by the data acquisition device 1 in the data acquisition amount adjustment process is terminated.

[0073] According to the embodiments described above, the following effects are achieved.

[0074] The data acquisition device 1 according to this embodiment includes a data acquisition unit 11 that continuously acquires location information indicating the activity level of a cow C, a identification unit 13 that analyzes location information for a predetermined period and identifies trends regarding the temporal changes in activity levels, and a data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 that adjusts the amount of location information to be acquired based on the identified trends regarding the temporal changes in activity levels. The data acquisition unit 11 acquires location information according to the acquisition amount adjusted by the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14.

[0075] This allows us to adjust the amount of location information acquired, taking into account the trend of changes in the activity level of cow C over time, thereby efficiently collecting data useful for identifying the activity state of cow C.

[0076] In the data acquisition device 1 according to this embodiment, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 15 adjusts the amount of data acquired for each time period by adjusting the frequency of acquisition of location information for each time period by the data acquisition unit 11.

[0077] This allows for adjustment of the frequency of acquiring location information for each time period used to identify the activity state of cow C, taking into account the periodic changes in cow C's activity level over time. For example, the system can be adjusted to acquire location information at finer sampling intervals during time periods with greater changes in location information, thereby more accurately identifying the activity state of cow C. Conversely, the system can be adjusted to acquire location information at wider sampling intervals during time periods with less change in location information, thereby reducing the amount of unnecessary data to process.

[0078] In the data acquisition device 1 according to this embodiment, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 15 adjusts the amount of location information acquired to be higher during time periods when the activity level is high, and lowers the amount of location information acquired during time periods when the activity level is low, according to the trend of activity level changes over time.

[0079] This allows for a more accurate identification of the activity state by adjusting the amount of location information acquired to be higher during periods of high activity and significant changes in location, and by adjusting the amount of location information acquired to be lower during periods of low change in location, thus reducing the amount of data. Therefore, it prevents the capacity of the data acquisition device 1 from being strained due to an increase in the amount of data, reduces the processing load, and allows for the accurate identification of the activity state of cow C. Thus, the activity state of cow C can be identified efficiently and accurately.

[0080] In the data acquisition device 1 according to this embodiment, the data for identifying the activity level of the cow C is at least one of the following: location information indicating the location where the cow C is located, acceleration information obtained from an acceleration sensor installed on the cow C, and angular velocity information obtained from an angular velocity sensor installed on the cow C.

[0081] This allows for accurate identification of activity levels with simple processing.

[0082] In the data acquisition device 1 according to this embodiment, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 15 adjusts the amount of location information acquired for each time period by controlling the location information acquisition operation by the data acquisition unit 11.

[0083] This allows for the optimization of the amount of location information processed for each time period to identify the activity state of cow C, through a simple process that adjusts the operation of the data acquisition device 1 itself without controlling the operation of the sensor device 2.

[0084] In the data acquisition device 1 according to this embodiment, location information is detected by the sensor device 2, and the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 15 adjusts the amount of location information acquired for each time period by discarding the location information received from the sensor device 2.

[0085] This allows for a simple process that adjusts the operation of the data acquisition device 1 itself without controlling the operation of the sensor device 2, thereby preventing the data acquisition device 1 from becoming overloaded due to an increase in data volume.

[0086] In the data acquisition device 1 according to this embodiment, the data acquisition unit 11 acquires location information from the sensor device 2, and the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 15 adjusts the amount of location information acquired for each time period by controlling the transmission interval of location information by the sensor device 2.

[0087] This allows the frequency of location information transmission from sensor device 2 to data acquisition device 1 to be adjusted according to the activity level. For example, reducing the frequency of location information transmission during periods when cow C's activity level is low can reduce the power consumption of sensor device 2.

[0088] In the data acquisition device 1 according to this embodiment, the data acquisition unit 11 acquires location information from the sensor device 2, and the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 15 adjusts the amount of location information acquired for each time period by controlling the detection interval of location information by the sensor device 2.

[0089] This allows the detection interval of location information from the sensor device 2 to the data acquisition device 1 to be adjusted according to the activity level. For example, increasing the frequency of location information detection during periods of high activity in cow C allows for a more accurate identification of cow C's activity state, while decreasing the frequency of location information detection during periods of low activity reduces the power consumption of the sensor device 2.

[0090] In the data acquisition device 1 according to this embodiment, the data acquisition unit 11 is detected by the location information detection unit 22 of the sensor device 2, and the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 15 adjusts the amount of location information acquired for each time period by controlling the power supply operation to the location information detection unit 22.

[0091] This allows the power supply operation to the location information detection unit 22, which detects location information according to the activity level of cow C, to be adjusted. For example, by stopping the power supply to the location information detection unit 22 during periods of low activity, the power consumption of the sensor device 2 can be reduced.

[0092] The program according to this embodiment is a program that enables a computer to implement a data acquisition function that continuously acquires location information indicating the activity level of cow C, an identification function that analyzes location information for a predetermined period and identifies trends in the temporal changes in activity levels, and a data acquisition amount adjustment function that adjusts the amount of location information to be acquired based on the identified trends in the temporal changes in activity levels. The data acquisition function acquires location information according to the amount of acquisition adjusted by the data acquisition amount adjustment function.

[0093] This allows for the adjustment of the amount of location information acquired for each time period, taking into account trends in the temporal changes of activity levels, thereby enabling the efficient collection of data useful for identifying the activity status of cow C.

[0094] The data acquisition method according to this embodiment is a data acquisition method performed by a data acquisition device 1, and includes a data acquisition step of continuously acquiring location information indicating the activity level of cow C, an identification step of analyzing location information for a predetermined period and identifying a trend regarding the temporal change in the activity level, and a data acquisition amount adjustment step of adjusting the amount of location information to be acquired based on the identified trend regarding the temporal change in the activity level, wherein the data acquisition step acquires location information according to the amount of acquisition adjusted in the data acquisition amount adjustment step.

[0095] This allows for the adjustment of the amount of location information acquired for each time period, taking into account trends in the temporal changes of activity levels, thereby enabling the efficient collection of data useful for identifying the activity status of cow C.

[0096] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified as appropriate.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the processing unit 10 calculated the activity level from location information at multiple points in time transmitted by the sensor device 2, but the data transmitted by the sensor device 2 can be used directly as the activity level. For example, the processing unit 10 may obtain the body temperature of cow C, which is obtained from a temperature sensor attached to cow C, as the activity level, or it may obtain the pulse rate of cow C, which is obtained from a pulse sensor attached to cow C, as the activity level.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the data acquisition amount adjustment unit 14 adjusted the amount of location information acquired for each time period by adjusting the frequency of acquisition of location information for each time period by the data acquisition unit 11. However, the amount of location information acquired for each time period may also be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the amount of information for each individual location piece without changing the frequency of acquisition of location information.

[0099] Also, for example, a position detector installed inside the cattle barn CB [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 1. Data acquisition device 11 Data Acquisition Unit 13 Specific section 14. Data Acquisition Amount Adjustment Unit C. Cow (animal)

Claims

1. A data acquisition unit that continuously acquires data indicating the activity level of animals, A specific unit analyzes the aforementioned data for a predetermined period and identifies trends regarding the temporal changes in the activity level, The system includes a data acquisition amount adjustment unit that adjusts the amount of data acquired based on the trend of the time change of the identified activity level, The data acquisition unit is a data collection device that acquires data according to the acquisition amount adjusted by the data acquisition amount adjustment unit.

2. The data acquisition device according to claim 1, wherein the data acquisition amount adjustment unit adjusts the amount of data acquired for each time period by adjusting the frequency of data acquisition for each time period by the data acquisition unit.

3. The data acquisition device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data acquisition amount adjustment unit adjusts the data acquisition amount to be higher during periods when the activity level is high, and lowers the data acquisition amount during periods when the activity level is low, according to the trend of changes in the activity level over time.

4. The data acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the data comprises at least one of location information indicating the location where the animal is located, acceleration information obtained from an acceleration sensor provided on the animal, and angular velocity information obtained from an angular velocity sensor provided on the animal.

5. The data acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the data acquisition amount adjustment unit adjusts the amount of data acquired for each time period by controlling the data acquisition operation of the data acquisition unit.

6. The aforementioned data is detected by the sensor, The data acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the data acquisition amount adjustment unit adjusts the amount of data acquired for each time period by discarding the data received from the sensor.

7. The data acquisition unit acquires the data from the sensor, The data acquisition amount adjustment unit adjusts the amount of data acquired for each time period by controlling the transmission interval of the data by the sensor, as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. The data acquisition unit acquires the data from the sensor, The data acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the data acquisition amount adjustment unit adjusts the amount of data acquired for each time period by controlling the detection interval of the data by the sensor.

9. The data acquisition unit is detected by the data detection unit of the sensor, The data acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the data acquisition amount adjustment unit adjusts the amount of data acquired for each time period by controlling the power supply operation to the data detection unit.

10. A data acquisition function that continuously obtains data indicating the activity level of animals, A specific function that analyzes the aforementioned data for a predetermined period and identifies trends regarding the temporal changes in the activity level, A program that enables a computer to implement a data acquisition amount adjustment function that adjusts the amount of data acquired based on the trend of the time change of the identified activity amount, The data acquisition function is a program that acquires data according to the acquisition amount adjusted by the data acquisition amount adjustment function.

11. A data acquisition method performed by a data acquisition device, A data acquisition step to continuously obtain data indicating the activity level of animals, A specific step involves analyzing the aforementioned data for a predetermined period and identifying trends regarding the temporal changes in the activity level, The data acquisition amount adjustment step includes adjusting the amount of data acquired based on the identified trend regarding the temporal change of the activity level, The data acquisition step is a data collection method that acquires data according to the acquisition amount adjusted in the data acquisition amount adjustment step.

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