Analytical support device, analytical support method, and computer program

Abstract

An analysis assistance device comprising an individual tracking unit that, for a target animal to be analyzed, acquires behavior history information individually indicating a behavior history of the target animal on the basis of at least one of: image information acquired by an image sensor acquiring an image of the target animal; acoustic information acquired by an acoustic sensor acquiring sound produced by the target animal; information acquired by a wearable sensor worn by the target animal; and information acquired from terminal information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for analyzing the behavior of animals in a predetermined area. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-008052 filed in Japan on January 21, 2022, and incorporates the content herein.

Background Art

[0002] The common marmoset (marmoset: Callithrix jacchus) is an animal with a highly developed brain. Therefore, the common marmoset is often used in experiments on neuroscience (see, for example, Patent Document 1). For example, the common marmoset is used for evaluating brain functions by means of tool tasks. More specifically, in model marmosets of depression and schizophrenia as acute experimental models by drug administration, evaluations of cognitive functions and motivation have been reported.

[0003] In addition, the common marmoset is known to exhibit social behaviors similar to those of humans. For example, the common marmoset has characteristics such as forming family groups and showing food-sharing behaviors. Since the common marmoset has individuality and sociality for each individual, when analyzing the behavior of the common marmoset, it is necessary to track each individual among a plurality of cohabiting individuals and evaluate the behavior. There is no system that can measure the life-long changes in behavior including the evaluation of social behavior.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, evaluating behavior is difficult using only task-based tasks, such as those used in conventional cognitive function assessments. Such tasks are common not only when the animal being evaluated is a common marmoset, but also when other animal species are used.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a technology that makes it possible to more appropriately observe the behavior of animals, including their social behavior, over time and to evaluate changes in that behavior. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is an analysis support device comprising an individual tracking unit that acquires behavioral history information indicating the behavioral history of each individual target animal, based on at least one of the following pieces of information: image information obtained by an image sensor that acquires an image of the target animal, acoustic information obtained by an acoustic sensor that acquires sounds emitted by the target animal, information obtained from a wearable sensor attached to the target animal, and information obtained from a terminal device. One aspect of the present invention is the above-described analysis support device, wherein the wearable sensor is an acceleration sensor that obtains acceleration information of the target animal to which it is worn.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is the above-described analysis support device, wherein the individual tracking unit identifies individuals in the information used by using individual information stored in the memory unit, and acquires the behavioral history information for each identified individual.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is the above-described analysis support device, wherein information is presented to the target animal using a terminal device, and the behavioral history information is acquired for each identified individual.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is an analysis support method comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring at least one of the following information from a target animal, which is an animal to be analyzed: image information obtained by an image sensor that acquires an image of the target animal; acoustic information obtained by an acoustic sensor that acquires sounds emitted by the target animal; information obtained from a wearable sensor attached to the target animal; and information obtained from a terminal device; and an individual tracking step of acquiring behavioral history information indicating the behavioral history for each individual target animal based on the acquired information about the target animal.

[0011] One aspect of the present invention is a computer program for causing a computer to function as the above-mentioned analysis support device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] This invention makes it possible to more appropriately observe animal behavior, including social behavior, over time and evaluate changes in that behavior. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of the analysis support system 100 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows a specific example of the functional configuration of the analysis support device 70. [Figure 3] This diagram shows a specific example of the configuration of cage 10. [Figure 4A] This is an example of a figure showing the analysis of animal behavior using the analysis support device 70. [Figure 4B] This is an example of a figure showing the analysis of animal behavior using the analysis support device 70. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] The following describes specific examples of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of the analysis support system 100 of the present invention. The analysis support system 100 collects information on the behavior of the animal to be analyzed (hereinafter referred to as "target animal") and supports the analysis of the target animal based on the collected information. The target animal can be any animal. For example, the target animal may be a mammal, a bird, a reptile, an amphibian, or an invertebrate including an insect. In the following description, an example in which a common marmoset is used as the target animal will be described. In the analysis support system 100, the target animal is kept in a cage 10.

[0015] The analysis support system 100 comprises multiple wireless tags 101, wireless tag receivers 20, a distance image sensor 30, a visible light image sensor 40, an acoustic sensor 50, a terminal device 60, and an analysis support device 70. The wireless tags 101 and the wireless tag receivers 20 transmit and receive data by short-range wireless communication. The distance image sensor 30, the visible light image sensor 40, the acoustic sensor 50, the terminal device 60, and the analysis support device 70 communicate data via wireless or wired communication.

[0016] The wireless tag 101 is attached to the target animal. The wireless tag 101 may be attached to the target animal non-invasively or implanted in the animal's body. If attached non-invasively, for example, the wireless tag 101 may be attached to a device such as a collar or bracelet and then attached to the target animal. If implanted in the body, for example, the wireless tag 101 may be implanted under the skin of the target animal. Each wireless tag 101 stores identification information that is different from other wireless tags 101. When the wireless tag 101 approaches the wireless tag receiver 20 within a predetermined distance, it transmits the identification information to the wireless tag receiver 20. Based on this identification information, it becomes possible to identify (individually identify) which target animal has approached the wireless tag receiver 20.

[0017] The wireless tag receiver 20 communicates wirelessly with a wireless tag 101 located within a predetermined distance. The wireless tag receiver 20 outputs the identification information received from the wireless tag 101 to the analysis support device 70. When outputting the identification information, the wireless tag receiver 20 may output it together with additional information. The additional information may be, for example, the date and time when the identification information was received, the identification information (device identification information) indicating the wireless tag receiver 20, or other information.

[0018] The acceleration sensor 102 is attached to the target animal either alone or in combination with the wireless tag 101. The acceleration sensor 102 may be non-invasively attached to the target animal or implanted inside the target animal. When non-invasively attached, for example, the acceleration sensor 102 may be provided in a device such as a collar, bracelet, or belly band, and attached by attaching such a device to the target animal. When implanted inside, for example, the acceleration sensor 102 may be implanted subcutaneously in the target animal. Each acceleration sensor 102 stores different identification information from other acceleration sensors 102. Acceleration information is stored in each acceleration sensor 102. Based on this acceleration information, it becomes possible to record which target animal made what movement at what time. The acceleration sensor may be configured as a wearable sensor (wearable sensor). Also, instead of or in addition to the acceleration sensor, a sensor for obtaining physiological information of the target animal or a barometer for measuring the air pressure in the space where the target animal exists may be used as a wearable sensor.

[0019] The distance image sensor 30 captures distance images at a short period. The short period is a short period sufficient to track the movement of the target animal within the cage 10. The short period may be, for example, about 0.01 seconds, about 0.1 seconds, or about 1 second. The distance image sensor 30 may be configured using a device that uses laser light such as LiDAR (light detection and ranging), or may be configured using other devices.

[0020] The distance image sensor 30 is installed to image the target animal within the cage 10. A plurality of distance image sensors 30 may be used. For example, by installing a plurality of distance image sensors 30 to image in different fields of view, the entire cage 10 may be imaged with fewer blind spots. Information regarding the distance image captured by the distance image sensor 30 is output to the analysis support device 70.

[0021] The visible light image sensor 40 captures visible light images at a short period. The short period is a period short enough to track the movement of the target animal within the cage 10. The short period may be, for example, about 0.01 seconds, about 0.1 seconds, or about 1 second. The imaging period in the distance image sensor 30 and the imaging period in the visible light image sensor 40 may be the same or different. Also, instead of the visible light image sensor 40, other types of image sensors such as an infrared image sensor or a thermography sensor may be used.

[0022] The visible light image sensor 40 may be configured using a so-called image sensor such as a CMOS sensor. The visible light image sensor 40 is installed to image the target animal within the cage 10. A plurality of visible light image sensors 40 may be used. For example, by installing a plurality of visible light image sensors 40 to image in different fields of view, the entire cage 10 may be imaged with fewer blind spots. The position where the distance image sensor 30 is installed and the position where the visible light image sensor 40 is installed may be the same or different. Information regarding the visible light image captured by the visible light image sensor 40 is output to the analysis support device 70.

[0023] The acoustic sensor 50 acquires ambient acoustic information. The acoustic sensor 50 is configured, for example, using a microphone. The acoustic sensor 50 is installed to acquire sounds emitted by the target animal in the cage 10 (for example, the animal's vocalizations). Multiple acoustic sensors 50 may be used. For example, multiple acoustic sensors 50 may be installed at different locations to acquire acoustics, thereby acquiring more acoustics throughout the cage 10 and roughly identifying the location of the sound source. The acoustic information acquired by the acoustic sensor 50 is output to the analysis support device 70.

[0024] The terminal device 60 is an information processing device having a user interface for the target animal. The terminal device 60 may include, for example, a display device and an input device. This display device and input device may be configured as a touch panel device. The terminal device 60 performs tests on the target animal by displaying images on the display according to predetermined rules. For example, the terminal device 60 may perform tests on the target animal by operating as follows: First, a trigger image is displayed on the touch panel device.

[0025] A trigger image is an image displayed in the initial state before the test on the target animal begins. The test begins when the target animal performs an action that meets a predetermined condition in response to the display of the trigger image. For example, the predetermined condition may be that the target animal touches the touch panel. In this case, the trigger image displayed on the touch panel may be an image that is likely to attract the target animal's interest and motivates it to touch it. Specifically, an image of an animal of the same species as the target animal may be used as the trigger image.

[0026] As in this embodiment, if the target animal is a common marmoset, an image of a common marmoset or an image of an animal closely related to the common marmoset may be used. An image of the target animal's favorite food may also be used as a trigger image. Note that the predetermined conditions are not limited to the target animal touching the touch panel. For example, the predetermined conditions may be the target animal approaching within a predetermined distance of the touch panel, or the target animal entering the cage where the terminal device 60 is installed.

[0027] When the above predetermined conditions are met while the trigger image is displayed (for example, when the target animal touches the touch panel on which the trigger image is displayed), the terminal device 60 performs a task. The task performed may be one type or one of several types. For example, one of the following three types of tasks (tests) may be performed.

[0028] Task 1: A task to display a white circular image on a touch panel and to test whether the target animal will touch the touch panel. Task 2: A task in which one of several shapes (e.g., rectangle, triangle, star) is randomly selected and displayed in white on a touch panel, and the task is to test whether the target animal will touch the touch panel. Task 3: A task in which a target animal is tested by randomly selecting one of several colors (e.g., blue, white, red, yellow, black) to be used for display, displaying a predetermined shape (e.g., a circle) using that color, and then having the target animal touch the touch panel.

[0029] In each task, if the target animal completes the task (for example, if the target animal touches the touch panel in tasks 1-3 above), the terminal device 60 provides the target animal with a substance that is highly palatable to the target animal. A specific example of a highly palatable substance is a liquid reward (e.g., MediDrop Sucralose, ClearH2O). The highly palatable substance is not limited to a liquid; it may also be a solid or a gas. The highly palatable substance may be something that the target animal can eat or drink, or it may be something that is not meant to be eaten or drunk (e.g., catnip for cats). For example, the terminal device 60 may control the feeding device 121, which is connected to it in a communicative manner, to output a substance such as a liquid reward from the feeding device 121.

[0030] Each task is conducted over six consecutive days, in the order of Task 1, Task 2, and Task 3. For example, Task 1 is conducted for six consecutive days first, then Task 2 for six consecutive days, and then Task 3 for six consecutive days.

[0031] Figure 2 shows a specific example of the functional configuration of the analysis support device 70. The analysis support device 70 is configured using information equipment capable of communication. The analysis support device 70 may also be configured using information processing equipment such as a personal computer, a server device, or a cloud system. The analysis support device 70 includes a communication unit 71, a storage unit 72, and a control unit 73.

[0032] The communication unit 71 is configured using a communication interface. The communication unit 71 communicates data with other devices (e.g., wireless tag receiver 20, distance image sensor 30, visible light image sensor 40, acoustic sensor 50, terminal device 60). The communication unit 71 also acquires data from the acceleration sensor 102 via the data input / output unit 74.

[0033] The memory unit 72 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The memory unit 72 functions as an individual information storage unit 721, an action history information storage unit 722, and an analysis information storage unit 723.

[0034] The individual information storage unit 721 stores information used to identify each individual of the target animals (hereinafter referred to as "individual information"). Individual identification information may be composed of multiple types of information. Individual information may be, for example, identification information stored in a wireless tag 101 attached to each target animal. Individual information may also be, for example, information relating to the face image of each target animal. Information relating to the face image may be the face image itself, or it may be information indicating feature quantities extracted from a previously taken face image.

[0035] Individual information may be information about the body images of each target animal. Information about body images may be the body images themselves, or it may be information indicating feature quantities extracted from previously taken body images. More specifically, feature quantities indicating body patterns may be used as individual information. Individual information may also be a trained model obtained by performing learning processing such as machine learning or deep learning using images of multiple target animals. In addition, any information that allows identification of an individual in a target image based on the output of devices such as the wireless tag receiver 20, distance image sensor 30, visible light image sensor 40, acoustic sensor 50, and acceleration sensor 102 may be used as individual information. Furthermore, not all of these sensors are essential, and they may be used in appropriate combinations depending on the object being observed.

[0036] The behavioral history information storage unit 722 stores information indicating the behavioral history of each individual target animal (hereinafter referred to as "behavioral history information"). The behavioral history information may, for example, be information indicating the results of collecting location information (e.g., spatial coordinates) of each individual at predetermined intervals (e.g., movement trajectory). The behavioral history information may, for example, be information indicating the amount of exercise of each individual for each predetermined period. The behavioral history information may, for example, be information that associates the date and time when the marmoset's vocalizations were acquired by the acoustic sensor 50 with the type of vocalizations acquired. The behavioral history information may, for example, be a collection of information indicating the results of tasks performed by the terminal device 60 and the date and time when the tasks were performed. The behavioral history information may, for example, be a collection of time-series acceleration information of each individual acquired by the acceleration sensor 102. The behavioral history information may be obtained, for example, based on information obtained from the terminal device 60 (e.g., test results), and these pieces of information may be shown.

[0037] The analysis information storage unit 723 stores information obtained by performing analysis using behavioral history information (hereinafter referred to as "analysis information"). The analysis information may be obtained, for example, by processing by the control unit 73 of the analysis support device 70. The analysis information may be, for example, information indicating the location preferences of each target animal. The analysis information may be, for example, information indicating statistical values ​​or history of inter-individual distances for each combination of target animals. The analysis information may be, for example, information indicating the detection history of specific behaviors in each target animal. Specific behaviors are one or more specific behaviors predetermined. Specific behaviors may include, for example, grooming, mating, playing, parent feeding offspring, etc.

[0038] The control unit 73 is configured using a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory. The control unit 73 functions as an information recording unit 731, an individual tracking unit 732, an analysis unit 733, and an individual information update unit 734 when the processor executes a program. Note that all or part of the functions of the control unit 73 may be implemented 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. Computer-readable recording media include, for example, portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor memory devices (e.g., SSDs: Solid State Drives), as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor memory devices built into computer systems. The program may also be transmitted via a telecommunications line. Depending on the processing power of the processor, a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) may be added to enhance image processing capabilities.

[0039] The information recording unit 731 acquires behavioral history information based on information output from the wireless tag receiver 20, distance image sensor 30, visible light image sensor 40, acoustic sensor 50, terminal device 60, and data input / output unit 74, and records it in the behavioral history information storage unit 722. For example, when identification information of the wireless tag 101 is acquired from the wireless tag receiver 20, the information recording unit 731 records the date and time of acquisition and information indicating the individual corresponding to the acquired identification information as behavioral history information. For example, the information recording unit 731 may record distance images and visible light images as behavioral history information at predetermined intervals. The information recording unit 731 may also record acoustic information output from, for example, the acoustic sensor 50 as behavioral history information. Specifically, the information recording unit 731 may detect the marmoset's vocalizations by performing voice recognition processing, and record the date and time the vocalizations were acquired and the type of vocalization acquired (for example, information indicating the type of emotion of the marmoset) as a correspondence. The information recording unit 731 may record, for example, information indicating the results of a task performed by the terminal device 60 and the date and time the task was performed. The information recording unit 731 may also record, for example, acceleration information of each individual obtained via the data input / output 74, along with the date and time information.

[0040] The individual tracking unit 732 tracks the position (spatial coordinates) of each individual target animal using either or both of the distance image output from the distance image sensor 30 and the visible light image output from the visible light image sensor 40. For example, the individual tracking unit 732 may operate as follows.

[0041] First, the individual tracking unit 732 detects the position of the target animal in the image. This detection may be performed, for example, by pattern matching using the image pattern of the target animal, or by using a trained model obtained by performing a learning process using images of the target animal in advance, or by other types of processing. Next, the individual tracking unit 732 obtains three-dimensional coordinates corresponding to the position in the image based on camera parameters. The individual tracking unit 732 identifies the individual target animal located at the above three-dimensional coordinates using the individual information stored in the individual information storage unit 721. At this time, it is desirable to use individual information related to the image rather than the identification information of the wireless tag 101. Furthermore, the individual tracking unit 732 can record and analyze the behavior of each individual in more detail by using the acceleration information of each individual obtained from the acceleration sensor 102 in combination.

[0042] By repeatedly performing this process at predetermined intervals (e.g., 100 milliseconds, 1 second, etc.), it becomes possible to track the spatial coordinates of the positions of multiple target animals. The individual tracking unit 732 records the information obtained through this process in the behavioral history information storage unit 722. The individual tracking unit 732 may also estimate the amount of movement of each individual based on the tracking results. In this case, the individual tracking unit 732 may record the estimated amount of movement in the behavioral history information storage unit 722.

[0043] The analysis unit 733 acquires analysis information by performing analysis processing based on one or more of the information output from each of the devices, including the wireless tag receiver 20, distance image sensor 30, visible light image sensor 40, acoustic sensor 50, terminal device 60, and acceleration sensor 102, as well as the information recorded in the behavior history information storage unit 722. The analysis unit 733 records the acquired analysis information in the analysis information storage unit 723.

[0044] The analysis unit 733 may, for example, analyze the location preferences of each target animal. For example, based on the location history of each target animal, it may obtain the length of time spent in one place and the frequency of being located in a particular place, and if this information satisfies predetermined conditions, it may analyze that location as a location with high preference.

[0045] The analysis unit 733 may, for example, acquire information showing statistical values ​​and history of inter-individual distances for each combination of target animals based on the location history of each target animal. The analysis unit 733 may detect specific behaviors in each target animal based on, for example, one or more of the following: distance images, visible light images, and acoustic information. Such detection of specific behaviors may be performed using a trained model obtained by pre-training machine learning or deep learning using, for example, one or more of the following: distance images, visible light images, and acoustic information. The analysis unit 733 may acquire a detection history of specific behaviors in each target animal.

[0046] As an example of detecting such specific behaviors, trained models using visible light images and / or acoustic information can be used to detect grooming behavior of specific individuals, as well as the frequency and preferences of vocal data and vocal communication between specific individuals.

[0047] The individual information update unit 734 updates the individual information recorded in the individual information storage unit 721 at predetermined timings. The predetermined timing may be set in advance according to the growth of each individual, or it may be set at a predetermined interval regardless of the growth of each individual. For example, if the target animal is within a predetermined period since birth, the individual information may be updated at a shorter interval. Conversely, if the target animal is an animal that has been born for a predetermined period of time, the individual information may be updated at a relatively longer interval. The individual information is updated using, for example, information identified as corresponding to each individual from captured distance images or visible light images (e.g., facial images). By updating in this way, it becomes possible to accurately identify each individual even if its appearance changes due to growth, aging, etc.

[0048] Figure 3 shows a specific example of the configuration of the cage 10. The cage 10 has a cage body 11, one or more small rooms 12, and a passageway 13. The cage body 11 is equipped with facilities for one or more target animals to live in. The cage body 11 may have, for example, a step 111 that is higher than the floor of the cage body 11. In Figure 3, the cage body 11 and the small rooms 12 are connected by a passageway 13, but instead of a passageway 13, the small rooms 12 may be directly connected to the cage body 11.

[0049] Each small room 12 is equipped with a wireless tag receiver 20, a terminal device 60, and a feeding device 121. The wireless tag receiver 20 is preferably configured to be able to receive identification information from the wireless tag 101 of a target animal that has entered its designated small room 12, but not to be able to receive identification information from the wireless tag 101 of a target animal that has entered another small room 12. With this configuration, it becomes possible to determine which target animal has entered which small room 12 based on the identification information output from each wireless tag receiver 20.

[0050] As described above, the terminal device 60 performs tasks on the target animal. Depending on the results of the tasks, the terminal device 60 controls the feeding device 121 to output a highly palatable substance from the feeding device 121. The target animal that completes the tasks can obtain the substance output from the feeding device 121.

[0051] Furthermore, if multiple terminal devices 60 are provided in the analysis support system 100, different tasks may be performed on some or all of the terminal devices 60. For example, if multiple small rooms 12 are provided as shown in Figure 3, different tasks may be performed on each terminal device 60 provided in each small room 12.

[0052] In the analysis support system 100 configured in this way, each individual can be identified based on individual information, and then the behavioral history information of each target animal can be recorded. Therefore, it becomes possible to evaluate the behavior of animals more appropriately using such behavioral history information.

[0053] Furthermore, in the analysis support system 100, one or more types of analysis processes are performed in the analysis unit 733. The results of these analysis processes are recorded in the analysis information storage unit 723. Therefore, it becomes possible to evaluate animal behavior more appropriately using such analysis information.

[0054] The analysis support device 70 does not necessarily have to be configured as a single device. For example, the analysis support device 70 may be configured using multiple information processing devices. The multiple information processing devices that make up the analysis support device 70 may be connected to each other via a communication path such as a network and configured as a system such as a cluster machine or cloud.

[0055] Figures 4A and 4B show the analysis results obtained by the analysis support system 100 of the present invention. The analysis shown in Figures 4A and 4B uses a scenario in which three common marmosets are kept in a cage 11 as an example. Figure 4A is an analysis diagram immediately after tracking the movement trajectory of each individual using this analysis support device, and Figure 4B is an analysis diagram of the movement trajectory of each individual after tracking their movement trajectory for 5 minutes, with three different marmosets shown in different colors. The analysis results may also show an analysis of location preferences over a one-hour period. In that case, for example, symbols (e.g., dots) indicating the location may be color-coded according to the length of time each individual stayed.

[0056] In summary, by evaluating behavioral changes in each individual over a period corresponding to the individual's lifespan and the time-dependent changes observed in the subject, it is possible to assess the onset of disease from an early stage based on changes in behavior and preferences. For example, by evaluating not only behavioral changes in dementia but also changes in the animal's motivation and inter-individual communication, it is possible to evaluate the effectiveness of specific drugs in the early stages of disease and to identify very early biomarkers for diagnosis.

[0057] While embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the spirit of this invention. For example, instead of the acceleration sensor 102 as described above, a sensor that obtains physiological information of the target animal or a barometer (pressure sensor) that measures the atmospheric pressure in the space where the target animal is present may be used as a wearable sensor. In this case, the behavioral history information may be configured as information showing the history of physiological information, or as information showing the history of atmospheric pressure measurements. [Industrial applicability]

[0058] This technology can be applied to observing animal behavior, including social behavior, over time and evaluating changes in that behavior. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 100…Analysis support system, 10…Cage, 101…Wireless tag, 102…Accelerometer, 111…Step, 12…Small room, 121…Feeding device, 13…Passageway, 20…Wireless tag receiver, 30…Distance image sensor, 40…Visible light image sensor, 50…Acoustic sensor, 60…Terminal device, 70…Analysis support device, 71…Communication unit, 72…Storage unit, 721…Individual information storage unit, 722…Behavioral history information storage unit, 723…Analysis information storage unit, 73…Control unit, 731…Information recording unit, 732…Individual tracking unit, 733…Analysis unit, 734…Individual information update unit

Claims

1. An individual tracking unit that acquires behavioral history information indicating the behavioral history of each individual target animal based on information obtained from a terminal device provided in the small room of a cage which is an animal to be analyzed located inside a cage including a cage body and a small room. Equipped with, A wireless tag receiver is installed in the aforementioned small room. The wireless tag receiver is configured to be able to receive identification information from a wireless tag attached to a target animal that has entered the small room, but not to be able to receive identification information from a wireless tag attached to a target animal that has entered another small room. The individual tracking unit determines the target animal that has entered the small room based on the identification information received by the wireless tag receiver. The terminal device performs a predetermined test on the target animal and outputs the results of the test performed on the target animal. The individual tracking unit is an analysis support device that associates the results of the test with identification information from a wireless tag attached to the target animal on which the test was performed, and acquires this information as behavioral history data.

2. The individual tracking unit further acquires the behavioral history information based on information obtained from a wearable sensor attached to the target animal, The analysis support device according to claim 1, wherein the wearable sensor is an acceleration sensor that obtains acceleration information of the target animal to which it is attached.

3. The analysis support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the individual tracking unit identifies an individual in the information used by using individual information stored in the memory unit, and acquires the behavioral history information for each identified individual.

4. The analysis support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the individual tracking unit further acquires the behavioral history information based on at least one of the following: image information obtained by an image sensor that acquires an image of the target animal, or acoustic information obtained by an acoustic sensor that acquires sounds emitted by the target animal, in addition to the information obtained from the terminal device.

5. The analysis support device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an analysis unit that obtains the length of time spent in one place or the frequency of being located in a specific place based on the location history of the target animal, and analyzes the location of the target animal that is highly preferred.

6. The analysis support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the terminal device performs a test on the target animal, and if the test is completed by the target animal, provides the target animal with a substance that is highly palatable to the target animal.

7. The analysis support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the terminal device comprises a display device for displaying images related to the test to the target animal and an input device for receiving input from the target animal.

8. An acquisition step of acquiring information from a terminal device provided in a small room of a target animal, which is an animal to be analyzed located inside a cage including a cage body and a small room, Based on the acquired information about the target animal, an individual tracking step is performed to acquire behavioral history information showing the behavioral history for each individual of the target animal, Equipped with, A wireless tag receiver is installed in the aforementioned small room. The wireless tag receiver is configured to be able to receive identification information from a wireless tag attached to a target animal that has entered the small room, but not to be able to receive identification information from a wireless tag attached to a target animal that has entered another small room. In the individual tracking step, the target animal that entered the small room is determined based on the identification information received by the wireless tag receiver. The terminal device performs a predetermined test on the target animal and outputs the results of the test performed on the target animal. The individual tracking step involves an analysis support method that associates the results of the test with identification information from a wireless tag attached to the animal on which the test was performed, and obtains this information as behavioral history data.

9. A computer program for causing a computer to function as an analysis support device according to either claim 1 or 2.

Images