Wearable device for companion animal

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a wearable device for companion animal health management. This wearable device comprises: one or more sensor units configured to sense or measure movement information regarding a companion animal; a beacon signal generation unit that generates a beacon signal indicating location information regarding the companion animal; and a communication unit configured to transmit, to a user terminal or a server associated with the companion animal, first companion animal information including at least one of the movement information and the location information sensed and generated by the sensors and the beacon signal generation unit.

Description

Wearable devices for pets

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wearable device for a companion animal, and a companion animal health management system and method using the same, and more particularly, to a wearable device capable of detecting the location and health status of a companion animal, and a companion animal health management system and method capable of transmitting companion animal information detected or measured through the wearable device to a user terminal or server at a preset cycle or time.

[0002]

[0003] The number of households with pets has recently increased, and the concept of pet owners and their pets as family is evolving. In developed countries like Europe, these pets are managed through implantable electronic tags. In Korea, a mandatory animal registration system has been in place nationwide since 2014, requiring pet owners to register their pets with a national registration chip to protect them and prevent loss or abandonment. There are two methods for registering pets using national registration chips: implanting an electronic tag into the pet's body or attaching an externally attached radio frequency identification device. Conventional national registration chips record a pet's unique number or personal information, which can only be accessed with a separate scanner. This creates the problem of requiring a visit to a designated location, such as a shelter or veterinary hospital, that has a scanner to retrieve personal information (e.g., owner information) from the national registration chip in the event of a lost pet.

[0004] Furthermore, with changing perceptions of companion animals, pet owners are increasingly visiting veterinary clinics to monitor their pets' health, including for illness, injury, and regular checkups. Furthermore, wearable devices with various functions, such as pet health management and location tracking, are being developed. However, conventional wearable devices for companion animal health management consume significant battery power for location tracking and health management. Furthermore, conventional wearable devices use rechargeable batteries, which increases the risk of battery explosion. Furthermore, wearing the device around a pet's neck further increases the risk.

[0005]

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a wearable device capable of efficiently detecting the location and health status of a pet while providing personal information and owner information of the pet, and a pet health management system and method using the same.

[0007]

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a pet health management system using a wearable device comprises: a wearable device configured to detect or measure first pet information including at least one of movement information or location information about the pet; and a server configured to communicate with the wearable device and receive and store the first pet information from the wearable device; and the wearable device is further configured to communicate with a user terminal associated with the pet and transmit the first pet information to at least one of the user terminal and the server at a preset cycle or time.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the wearable device generates a beacon signal, and the user terminal calculates a location value of the wearable device based on at least one of the intensity, generation time, or direction of the beacon signal.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the user terminal is configured to transmit or receive second pet information including at least one of personal information or owner information about the pet to the wearable device or the server.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the server is configured to use an artificial intelligence-based pet information analysis model to produce health prediction information including at least one of movement information or location information of the pet based on at least one of the received first pet information or the received second pet information, and to determine an abnormal state when the received first pet information falls outside a preset range of the health prediction information.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the wearable device includes a sensor unit that detects or measures the movement information of the companion animal and a communication unit that removes data noise from the movement information and then transmits it to the user terminal.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the server is configured to measure the respiratory rate of the companion animal based on the received movement information.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the wearable device generates a beacon signal, and the user terminal determines whether communication with the wearable device is possible when the beacon signal is not received from the wearable device, and if it is determined that communication with the wearable device is impossible, outputs a message indicating that the companion animal is a certain distance away from the user terminal.

[0015] According to one embodiment, when a beacon signal generated by the wearable device is received, the user terminal receives first companion animal information detected or measured by the wearable device during a time when communication with the wearable device is impossible.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a wearable device for pet health management includes one or more sensor units configured to detect or measure movement information about a pet, a beacon signal generation unit configured to generate a beacon signal indicating location information about the pet, and a communication unit configured to transmit first pet information including at least one of the movement information or the location information detected or generated by the sensor and the beacon signal generation unit to a user terminal or server associated with the pet.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the sensor unit, the beacon signal generating unit, and the communication unit are installed on a circuit board, and the board further includes a processor configured to digitize the first companion animal information or remove noise from the numerical value of the first companion animal information, and a storage unit configured to store the numerical value of the first companion animal information from which noise has been removed by the processor.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the beacon signal generating unit is installed at a position on the substrate that is a predetermined distance away from the processor, the sensor unit, the communication unit, and the storage unit, and the processor, the sensor unit, the communication unit, and the storage unit are installed at a position on the substrate opposite to the transmission direction of the beacon signal.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the wearable device includes a removable battery for supplying power to the wearable device and a switch configured to turn ON or OFF power supply to the wearable device by the battery.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the device includes an identification unit configured to transmit second pet information including at least one of the pet's personal information or owner information to the user terminal or server.

[0021] In one embodiment, the battery is electrically connected to one surface of the substrate, and the identification part is configured to be installed on the other surface of the substrate.

[0022] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for managing the health of a companion animal using a wearable device includes a step of activating communication with at least one of a user terminal or a server associated with a companion animal by a communication unit of the wearable device, a step of detecting or measuring first companion animal information including at least one of movement information or location information about the companion animal by a sensor unit of the wearable device, and a step of transmitting the first companion animal information to one of the user terminal or the server by the communication unit at a preset cycle or time.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the step of activating communication with at least one of a user terminal or a server associated with a companion animal by means of a communication unit of a wearable device includes the step of activating communication with the user terminal when movement or change in position of the companion animal is detected by the sensor unit.

[0024] According to one embodiment, if the user terminal does not receive the location information from the wearable device for a predetermined period of time, the communication unit of the wearable device includes a step of deactivating communication with at least one of the user terminal or the server.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the user terminal further includes a step of receiving first companion animal information sensed or measured by the wearable device during a time when communication with the wearable device is inactive when the location information is re-detected from the wearable device.

[0026]

[0027] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a wearable device for companion animals can increase the generation distance of a beacon signal by installing a beacon signal generation unit at a predetermined distance or more in a position facing a circuit group (e.g., a processor, a sensor unit, a communication unit, a storage unit, etc.) on a circuit board installed therein.

[0028] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a wearable device can be made lighter by using a removable battery, and the risk of battery explosion can be reduced.

[0029] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, personal information or owner information of a pet can be transmitted to a user terminal via a wearable device, thereby enabling identification of personal information or owner information of a lost or abandoned pet without the pet having to visit an animal shelter or animal hospital.

[0030] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an identification unit that transmits personal information or owner information of a companion animal to the outside is installed on one side of a battery facing the beacon signal generator centered on the circuit board, thereby minimizing interference between the signal generated by the identification unit and the signal generated by the beacon signal generator. Accordingly, the signal generated by the beacon signal generator can easily reach a user terminal located at a distance.

[0031] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the health status of a pet can be more accurately determined by detecting the movement and posture of the pet from various directions through a sensor unit such as a 6-axis gyro sensor mounted on a wearable device.

[0032] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0033]

[0034] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent similar elements, but are not limited thereto.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a pet health management system using a wearable device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a user terminal and a server according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a wearable device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a side view of a wearable device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of detecting and measuring movement information using a wearable device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of location information detection using a wearable device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a learning unit trained to generate data on health information of a companion animal based on first companion animal information collected according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for managing the health of a pet using a wearable device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043]

[0044] Hereinafter, specific details for implementing the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, in the following description, specific descriptions of widely known functions or configurations will be omitted if they may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure.

[0045] In the attached drawings, identical or corresponding components are assigned the same reference numerals. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments below, duplicate descriptions of identical or corresponding components may be omitted. However, even if a description of a component is omitted, it is not intended that such component is not included in any embodiment.

[0046] The advantages and features of the disclosed embodiments, and the methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described below, along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided solely to ensure the completeness of the disclosure and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the present disclosure of the scope of the invention.

[0047] The terms used in this disclosure will be briefly explained, and the disclosed embodiments will be described in detail.

[0048] The terms used in this disclosure have been selected from widely used, current terms, taking into account the functions of the disclosure. However, these terms may vary depending on the intentions of engineers working in the relevant fields, precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Furthermore, in certain cases, terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in such cases, their meanings will be described in detail in the description of the relevant invention. Therefore, the terms used in this disclosure should not be defined simply as names, but rather based on the meanings of the terms and the overall content of the disclosure.

[0049] In this disclosure, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates that they are singular. In addition, plural expressions include singular expressions unless the context clearly indicates that they are plural.

[0050] When it is said throughout this disclosure that a part "includes" a certain component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0051] In this specification, the description of “A and / or B” means A, or B, or A and B.

[0052] Also, the term 'module' or 'part' used in the specification means a software or hardware component, and the 'module' or 'part' performs certain roles. However, the 'module' or 'part' is not limited to software or hardware. The 'module' or 'part' may be configured to reside on an addressable storage medium and may be configured to execute one or more processors. Thus, as an example, the 'module' or 'part' may include at least one of components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, or variables. The functionality provided within the components and 'modules' or 'parts' may be combined into a smaller number of components and 'modules' or 'parts', or further separated into additional components and 'modules' or 'parts'.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a 'module' or 'unit' may be implemented as a processor and a memory. 'Processor' should be broadly construed to include a general-purpose processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a controller, a microcontroller, a state machine, and the like. In some circumstances, a 'processor' may also refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and the like. A 'processor' may also refer to a combination of processing devices, such as, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a combination of multiple microprocessors, a combination of one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such combination of configurations. In addition, 'memory' should be broadly construed to include any electronic component capable of storing electronic information. 'Memory' may refer to various types of processor-readable media, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), flash memory, magnetic or optical data storage, registers, etc. Memory is said to be in electronic communication with the processor if the processor can read information from, and / or write information to, the memory. Memory integrated in a processor is in electronic communication with the processor.

[0054] FIG. 1 is a drawing schematically showing the configuration of a pet health management system (100) using a wearable device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] A companion animal health management system (100) using a wearable device may include a wearable device (110), a user terminal (130), and a server (150). The wearable device (110) may be configured to detect or measure first companion animal information including at least one of movement information and location information about the companion animal. The server (150) may be configured to communicate with the wearable device (110) and receive and store the first companion animal information from the wearable device (110).

[0056] The wearable device (110) can communicate with a user terminal (130) associated with a companion animal, and can be further configured to transmit first companion animal information to at least one of the user terminal and the server at a preset period or time. Each of the wearable device (110), the user terminal (130), and the server (150) can communicate via a network (170).

[0057] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a user terminal and a server according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] As illustrated, the user terminal (130) may include a memory (212), a processor (214), a communication unit (216), an input / output interface (218), and an input / output device (220). Similarly, the server (150) may include a memory (232), a processor (234), a communication unit (236), and an input / output interface (238). As illustrated in FIG. 2, the user terminal (130) and the server (150) may be configured to communicate information and / or data via a network (170) using their respective communication units (216, 236). In addition, the input / output device (220) may be configured to input information and / or data to the user terminal (130) or output information and / or data generated from the user terminal (130) via the input / output interface (218).

[0059] The memory (212, 232) may include any non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. According to one embodiment, the memory (212, 232) may include a non-permanent mass storage device such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a disk drive, a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, etc. As another example, a non-permanent mass storage device such as a ROM, an SSD, a flash memory, a disk drive, etc. may be included in the user terminal (130) and the server (150) as a separate permanent storage device distinct from the memory. In addition, the memory (212, 232) may store an operating system and at least one program (e.g., a code for an application that receives digitized first pet information including movement information and location information of a pet detected or measured from a wearable device and noise-removed information about the digitized first pet information, or provides second pet information including personal information or owner information of the pet, etc., which is installed and operated on at least one of the user terminal (130) or the server (150).

[0060] These software components can be loaded from a computer-readable recording medium separate from the memory (212, 232). This separate computer-readable recording medium may include a recording medium directly connectable to the user terminal (130) and the server (150), and may include, for example, a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy drive, a disk, a tape, a DVD / CD-ROM drive, a memory card, etc. As another example, the software components may be loaded into the memory (212, 232) through a communication unit (216, 236) other than a computer-readable recording medium. For example, at least one program may be loaded into the memory (212, 232) based on a computer program (for example, an application or web browser that detects movement information based on a pet health management system, detects abnormal health conditions such as diseases and injuries based on movement information, and measures or detects location information based on a beacon signal received from a wearable device) that is installed by developers or by files that a distribution system provides through a network (170).

[0061] The processor (214, 234) may be configured to process instructions of a computer program by performing basic arithmetic, logic, and input / output operations. Instructions may be provided to the processor (214, 234) by the memory (212, 232) or the communication unit (216, 236). For example, the processor (214, 234) may be configured to execute instructions received according to program code stored in a recording device such as the memory (212, 232).

[0062] The communication unit (216, 236) may provide a configuration or function for the user terminal (130) and the server (150) to communicate with each other via the network (170), and may provide a configuration or function for the user terminal (130) and / or the server (150) to communicate with another user terminal (130), another server (150), or another system (for example, a separate wireless communication or cloud system, etc.). For example, a request or data (for example, detection of movement information based on a pet health management system, detection of abnormal health conditions such as diseases and injuries based on movement information, and measurement or detection of location information by a beacon signal received from a wearable device, etc.) generated by the processor (214) of the user terminal (130) according to a program code stored in a recording device such as a memory (212) may be transmitted to the server (150) via the network (170) under the control of the communication unit (216, 236). Conversely, a control signal or command provided under the control of the processor (234) of the server (150) may be received by the user terminal (130) through the communication unit (216) of the user terminal (130) via the communication unit (236) and the network. For example, the user terminal (130) may receive, from the server (150) through the communication unit (216), detection of abnormal health conditions such as diseases and injuries based on movement information based on a companion animal health management system.

[0063] The input / output interface (218) may be a means for interfacing with an input / output device (220). As an example, the input device may include a device such as a camera, keyboard, microphone, mouse, etc., including a wireless signal receiving sensor, an audio sensor, and / or an image sensor, and the output device may include a device such as a display, a speaker, a haptic feedback device, etc. As another example, the input / output interface (218) may be a means for interfacing with a device that integrates a configuration or function for performing input and output, such as a touch screen. For example, when the processor (214) of the user terminal (130) processes a command of a computer program loaded into the memory (212), the information and / or data provided by the server (150), a wearable device, or another user terminal (130) may be used to detect or measure movement information of the companion animal, detect or generate location information, and display health information of the companion animal (e.g., abnormal health conditions such as diseases and injuries) on the display through the input / output interface (218). In FIG. 2, the input / output device (220) is illustrated as not being included in the user terminal (130), but is not limited thereto, and may be configured as a single device with the user terminal (130). In addition, the input / output interface (238) of the server (150) may be a means for interfacing with a device (not shown) for input or output that is connected to the server (150) or that the server (150) may include. In FIG. 2, the input / output interfaces (218, 238) are illustrated as elements configured separately from the processors (214, 234), but is not limited thereto, and the input / output interfaces (218, 238) may be configured to be included in the processors (214, 234).

[0064] The user terminal (130) and the server (150) may include more components than those shown in FIG. 2. However, it is not necessary to explicitly illustrate most of the conventional technical components. According to one embodiment, the user terminal (130) may be implemented to include at least some of the input / output devices (220) described above. In addition, the user terminal (130) may further include other components such as a transceiver, a Global Positioning System (GPS) module, a camera, various sensors, a display, a database, etc. For example, the user terminal (130) may be implemented to further include various components such as an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a camera module, various physical buttons, buttons using a touch panel, input / output ports, and a vibrator for vibration.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the processor (214) of the user terminal (130) may be configured to operate an application or a web browser application that provides a companion animal health management system. At this time, program code associated with the application may be loaded into the memory (212) of the user terminal (130). While the application is operating, the processor (214) of the user terminal (130) may receive information and data provided from the input / output device (220) through the input / output interface (218) or may receive information and / or data from a wearable device or a server (150) through the communication unit (216), and may process the received information and / or data and store it in the memory (212). In addition, such information and / or data may be provided to the server (150) through the communication unit (216).

[0066] While the application or web browser application is running, the processor (214) may receive input signals and images, videos, etc. through input devices such as a camera, microphone, a wireless signal receiving sensor, a touch screen, a keyboard, an audio sensor, and / or an image sensor connected to an input / output interface (218), or communication signals and images, videos, etc. by the wireless signal receiving sensor, and may store the communication signals and images, videos, etc. of the signals by the received wireless signal receiving sensor in the memory (212) or provide them to the server (150) through the communication unit (216) and the network (170). Additionally, the processor (214) may provide movement information received from a wearable device, health abnormality information calculated based on the movement information (i.e., digitized inclination values ​​and acceleration values, etc.), location information (i.e., location information generated from a communication signal received by the wireless signal receiving sensor), etc. to the server (150) through the network (170) and the communication unit (216).

[0067] The processor (234) of the server (150) may be configured to manage, process, and / or store information and / or data received from a plurality of user terminals (130) and / or a plurality of external systems. According to one embodiment, the processor (234) may receive information on classification of abnormal health conditions such as diseases and injuries based on movement information, movement information received from wearable devices, location information, etc. from a database (not shown). Then, the processor (234) may extract classification of abnormal health conditions, presence of abnormal health conditions, disease information, etc. for movement information received from wearable devices based on classification of abnormal health conditions such as diseases and injuries based on movement information. Then, information on classification of abnormal health conditions, presence of abnormal health conditions, disease information, etc. for classified and stored movement information (e.g., digitized movement information, etc.) may be extracted.

[0068] The processor (234) can extract health abnormality classification, health abnormality classification, disease information, etc. for movement information received from a wearable device based on classification of health abnormalities such as diseases and injuries according to movement information for classification of health abnormalities.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the processor (234) can classify the abnormal health condition of the companion animal based on at least one of a slope value or an acceleration value of movement information (e.g., digitized movement information, etc.) received by the user terminal (130). According to another embodiment, the processor (234) can calculate an average value or a maximum value for movement information (e.g., a slope value or an acceleration value, etc.) received from a wearable device, and classify the abnormal health condition of the companion animal by comparing the average value or the maximum value for the calculated movement information. Accordingly, the processor (234) can classify whether the companion animal is in an abnormal health condition, extract disease information, etc.

[0070] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a wearable device (110) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 4 is a side view of a wearable device (110) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0071] A wearable device (110) may include a beacon signal generator (115), a processor (112), a sensor unit (114), a storage unit (116), a communication unit (118), and a switch (120). In addition, components of the wearable device (110) may be installed on a circuit board installed therein.

[0072] In one embodiment, the processor (112), sensor unit (114), storage unit (116), and communication unit (118) of the wearable device (110) may be configured to be clustered in a first area (c) on the circuit board. In addition, the beacon signal generation unit (115) may be installed at a location that is a first distance (D1), which is a predetermined distance, from the first area (c) on the circuit board or the processor (112).

[0073] The sensor unit (114) may be configured to detect or measure movement information about the companion animal. In one embodiment, the sensor unit (114) may include a gyro sensor and / or an acceleration sensor, for example, the sensor unit (114) may be a gyro sensor and / or an acceleration sensor configured to detect movement or posture in six directions. The sensor unit (114) may measure movement information about the companion animal. In one embodiment, the sensor unit (114) may detect or measure movement information (e.g., tilt or acceleration of the companion animal) according to the movement of the companion animal, and may measure health information and / or abnormal health conditions, such as trauma or disease, of the companion animal based on the movement information. An embodiment of measuring health information and / or abnormal health conditions according to the above-described movement information will be described below with reference to FIG. 5.

[0074] The beacon signal generating unit (115) can generate a beacon signal indicating location information about the companion animal. In one embodiment, the user terminal receives the beacon signal generated from the beacon signal generating unit (115) and can generate location information of the wearable device (110) based on the intensity and direction of the received beacon signal. For example, the beacon signal generating unit (115) can be configured to generate a beacon signal for a preset period of time, and the user terminal can receive the generated beacon signal and calculate the location of the wearable device (110) based on the intensity and direction of the received beacon signal.

[0075] The beacon signal generation unit (115) may be installed at a location at least a predetermined distance away from the processor (112), the sensor unit (114), the storage unit (116), and the communication unit (118) on a circuit board installed inside the wearable device (110). In one embodiment, the beacon signal generation unit (115) may be installed at a location at least a predetermined distance (for example, a first distance (D1)) away from the processor (112), the sensor unit (114), the storage unit (116), and the communication unit (118) on one surface of the circuit board, so as to minimize interference between signals or electromagnetic waves generated by other components and signals generated from the beacon signal generation unit (115). In addition, the processor (112), sensor unit (114), storage unit (116), and communication unit (118) may be configured to be installed at a position opposite (or in the opposite direction) to the transmission direction of the beacon signal generated from the signal generation unit (115) on the circuit board.

[0076] The processor (112) may be configured to digitize the first companion animal information or remove noise from the numerical value of the first companion animal information. In one embodiment, the processor (112) may digitize the movement information detected or measured by the sensor unit (114) and remove noise from the digitized movement information. Here, the noise may be a numerical value that falls outside a preset numerical range. The storage unit (116) may be configured to store the movement information for the companion animal detected or measured by the sensor unit (114) and / or the numerical value of the first companion animal information from which noise has been removed by the processor (112).

[0077] The communication unit (118) may be configured to transmit first companion animal information including at least one of movement information or location information detected or generated by the sensor unit (114) and the beacon signal generation unit (115) to a user terminal or server associated with the companion animal. In addition, the communication unit (118) may be configured to transmit the first companion animal information to at least one of the user terminal or the server at a preset period or time. In one embodiment, the communication unit (118) may be configured to transmit movement information measured from the sensor unit (114) or movement information corrected by the processor (112) (e.g., digitized movement information or noise-removed movement information) to at least one of the user terminal or the server at a preset period or time. For example, the wearable device (110) may transmit the first companion animal information to at least one of the user terminal or the server at midnight every day via the communication unit (118). In another embodiment, the communication unit (118) may be configured to transmit at least one of the first companion animal information or the second companion animal information to at least one of the user terminal or the server according to preset conditions. For example, the wearable device (110) may be configured to transmit at least one of the first companion animal information or the second companion animal information when the communication unit (118) determines that the wearable device is in a state where communication with the user terminal is possible. In this way, by transmitting data or information to at least one of the user terminal or the server at a preset cycle or time by the communication unit (118) or by performing a communication function with the outside only under preset conditions, the power consumption of the wearable device (110) can be minimized.

[0078] The battery (122) may be configured to supply power to the wearable device (110). In addition, the battery (122) may be configured to be detachably connected to the wearable device (110) and electrically connected to the substrate. In one embodiment, the battery (122) may be electrically connected to a switch (120), and the switch (120) may be configured to turn ON or OFF power supply to the wearable device (110) by the battery (122). In one embodiment, the battery (122) may be a detachable battery, and may be, for example, an alkaline battery, a lithium-ion battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a lithium polymer battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, or the like. In one embodiment, the battery (122) may be, but is not limited to, a button cell battery or a coin cell battery, and may be another type of battery that is removable from the wearable device (110).

[0079] The user terminal may be configured to transmit or receive second companion animal information including at least one of personal information or owner information to the wearable device (110) or the server. In one embodiment, the owner's user terminal may transmit the second companion animal information to the identification unit (124) of the wearable device (110). In addition, the identification unit (124) may be configured to transmit the second companion animal information including at least one of the companion animal's personal information or owner information to the user terminal or the server. Here, the identification unit (124) may be a wireless communication-capable device such as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) or a data representation method including a QR code. In one embodiment, when a companion animal owner loses a companion animal, the identification unit (124) included in the wearable device (110) may be configured to transmit the second companion animal information by tagging the companion animal through the finder's user terminal. In another embodiment, the identification unit (124) may be configured in the form of a QR code printed on one side of the exterior of the wearable device (110), and when a pet owner loses a pet, the identification unit (124) configured in the wearable device (110) may be configured to transmit second pet information by recognizing the pet through a camera of the user terminal of the finder.

[0080] The battery (122) may be configured such that one surface thereof is electrically connected to a circuit board, and an identification unit (124) is installed or attached to the other surface. In one embodiment, the circuit board and the identification unit (124) may be connected and / or installed at opposite positions centered on the battery (122), and the circuit board and the identification unit (124) may be connected and / or installed at a distance of a second distance (D2). Since the circuit board and the identification unit (124) are connected and / or installed at opposite positions centered on the battery (122), interference between a signal that may be generated by the identification unit (124) and a signal generated by the beacon signal generator (115) or the communication unit (118) can be reduced.

[0081] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of detecting and measuring movement information using a wearable device (110) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the wearable device (110) may be wearable on a body part of a companion animal, and may be configured to detect or measure movement information of the companion animal. The wearable device (110) may detect or measure an abnormal health condition based on the movement information of the companion animal. Additionally, the wearable device (110) may classify an abnormal health condition according to the inclination of the wearable device (110), and may calculate information such as whether there is an abnormal health condition or disease information.

[0082] In one embodiment, when a pet's leg is fractured or dislocated, the pet's body inclination may be measured differently compared to a normal state with respect to the Y-axis. In addition, the inclination of the pet's fractured or dislocated leg with respect to the Y-axis or X-axis may be greater than the inclination of the leg in a normal state. In addition, the inclination of the pet's fractured leg may be determined to be fractured or dislocated if it falls outside a preset inclination range. Here, the preset inclination range may be set differently depending on the type of pet (e.g., dog breed, cat breed, etc.) or may be set as a range according to the ratio of the inclination.

[0083] In one embodiment, if a pet has an anal disease, the inclination of the pet's body may be measured differently with respect to the X-axis compared to a normal state. In this case, the inclination of the pet's anal area may be greater than the inclination of the pet's head. In addition, if the inclination of the pet's anal area is outside a preset inclination range, the pet may be determined to have an anal disease. In addition, depending on the type of pet (e.g., dog breed, cat breed, etc.), the preset inclination range may be set differently or may be set as a range according to the ratio of the inclination.

[0084] In one embodiment, when a pet licks a specific area, the inclination of the pet's body may be measured differently with respect to at least one of the X-axis, Y-axis, or Z-axis compared to a normal state. For example, when a pet licks its anus, the pet's hind legs may be lifted, causing the pet's body to incline in one direction around the Y-axis, and as its face moves toward the anus, the body's incline may change in one direction around the X-axis and Z-axis. In this way, the pet's body may incline in one direction around at least one of the X-axis, Y-axis, or Z-axis as its face position moves in the direction where the specific area is located.

[0085] In one embodiment, the server may be configured to measure the respiration rate of the pet based on movement information received from the wearable device (110). For example, the respiration rate may be measured by measuring the number of times or cycles in which the pet's body tilt changes relative to at least one of the X-axis, Y-axis, or Z-axis as the pet breathes.

[0086] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of location information detection using a wearable device (110) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0087] The wearable device (110) may include a beacon signal generation unit that generates a beacon signal, and the user terminal (130) may receive the beacon signal generated from the wearable device (110) to indicate location information about the companion animal. The location information about the companion animal may be calculated by calculating the location value of the wearable device based on at least one of the intensity, generation time, and direction of the beacon signal (S).

[0088] In one embodiment, when the user terminal (130) is located in a second range (R2), which is a non-connected range (DA) outside the preset first range (R1) of the wearable device (110), the user terminal (130) may determine that communication with the wearable device (110) is impossible. In this case, the user terminal (130) may be configured to output or provide a notification or message to the user. Specifically, when the user terminal (130) does not receive a beacon signal (S) from the wearable device (110), the user terminal (130) may determine whether communication with the wearable device (110) is possible, and when it is determined that communication with the wearable device is impossible, the user terminal (130) may output a message indicating that the companion animal is a certain distance away from the user terminal (130).

[0089] In one embodiment, when the user terminal (130) is located within the first range (R1), which is a preset connection range (CA) of the wearable device (110), the user terminal (130) may receive a beacon signal (S) generated from the wearable device (110) and display location information about the companion animal.

[0090] In one embodiment, when a beacon signal (S) generated by a wearable device (110) is received, the user terminal (130) can receive first companion animal information detected or measured by the wearable device (110) during a time when communication with the wearable device (110) is impossible.

[0091] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a learning unit trained to generate data on health information of a companion animal based on first companion animal information collected according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0092] The first companion animal information (720) may be movement information or location information measured or detected by a wearable device. The learning unit (710) may include an artificial neural network model (1000) trained to extract health abnormality classification, health abnormality status classification, and disease information based on the first companion animal information (720; for example, collected first companion animal information or first companion animal information for learning, etc.) stored in a server, for example. The learning unit (710) or the artificial neural network model (1000) used by the learning unit may be generated, stored, or updated by an external computing device and executed by the processor (234) illustrated in FIG. 2. As illustrated, the learning unit (710) may extract health prediction information (730, 732) based on information (for example, collected first companion animal information or first companion animal information for learning, etc.) previously stored in the memory of a server (for example, an information processing system).

[0093] According to one embodiment, the aforementioned artificial intelligence-based pet information analysis model may be implemented as an artificial neural network model (1000). In machine learning technology and cognitive science, the artificial neural network model (1000) is a statistical learning algorithm implemented based on the structure of a biological neural network or a structure that executes the algorithm.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the artificial neural network model (1000) may represent an artificial neural network model having problem-solving capabilities by learning to reduce the error between the correct output corresponding to a specific input and the inferred output by repeatedly adjusting the weights of synapses, which are artificial neurons that form a network by combining synapses, as in a biological neural network. For example, the artificial neural network model (1000) may include any probability model, neural network model, etc. used in artificial intelligence learning methods such as machine learning and deep learning.

[0095] The artificial neural network model (1000) can be implemented as a multilayer perceptron (MLP) composed of multiple layers of nodes and their different connections. The artificial neural network model (1000) according to the present embodiment can be implemented using one of various artificial neural network structures including MLP. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the artificial neural network model (1000) can be composed of an input layer (1020) that receives an input signal or data (1010) from the outside, an output layer (1040) that outputs an output signal or data (1050) corresponding to the input data, and n hidden layers (1030_1 to 1030_n) located between the input layer (1020) and the output layer (1040) that receive a signal from the input layer (1020), extract features, and transmit them to the output layer (1040). Here, the output layer (1040) can receive signals from the hidden layers (1030_1 to 1030_n) and output them to the outside.

[0096] The learning method of the artificial neural network model (1000) includes a supervised learning method that learns to optimize problem solving by inputting a teacher signal (correct answer), and an unsupervised learning method that does not require a teacher signal. According to one embodiment, an artificial neural network model (1000) configured to output analysis results indicating the health status of the companion animal from the first companion animal information for learning can be trained using supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and / or semi-supervised learning. The artificial neural network model (1000) trained in this way can output information indicating the health status of the companion animal corresponding to the first companion animal information when the first companion animal information is input.

[0097] According to one embodiment, a method for managing a pet's health using a wearable device can train an artificial neural network model (1000) configured to output an analysis result from one or more batches of collected first pet information (e.g., digitized slope values ​​and acceleration values ​​of the pet, etc.) input by a wearable device and first pet information for learning (e.g., normal slope values ​​and acceleration values ​​of the companion animal and abnormal slope values ​​and acceleration values ​​of the companion animal, etc.) using supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and / or semi-supervised learning. The artificial neural network model (1000) trained in this way can output health prediction information (730, 732).

[0098] According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the input variable of the artificial neural network model (1000) capable of outputting the analysis result may be an embedding vector (1010) extracted from the collected first pet information and the first pet information for learning, which is composed of one vector data element of the collected first pet information and the first pet information for learning. Under this configuration, the output variable may be composed of a result vector (1050) representing the analysis result for the input vector.

[0099] According to another embodiment, an artificial neural network model (1000) may be trained to generate health prediction information (whether the pet has a health problem, disease information, etc.) for the first companion animal information collected according to input variables (such as numerical slope values ​​and acceleration values ​​of the companion animal) and the first companion animal information for learning (such as slope values ​​and acceleration values ​​of the companion animal's normal state and slope values ​​and acceleration values ​​of the companion animal's abnormal state). For example, such input variables may be a vector (1010) composed of vector data elements representing a plurality of analysis results included in the collected first companion animal information and the first companion animal information for learning. Under such a configuration, the output variables may be composed of a result vector (1050) representing health prediction information (730, 732) associated with the collected first companion animal information and the first companion animal information for learning.

[0100] In this way, by matching a plurality of input variables and a plurality of corresponding output variables to the input layer (1020) and the output layer (1040) of the artificial neural network model (1000), and adjusting the synapse values ​​between the nodes included in the input layer (1020), the hidden layer (1030_1 ... 1030_n, where n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2), and the output layer (1040), the artificial neural network model (1000) can be trained to infer the correct output corresponding to a specific input. In inferring the correct output, the correct answer data of the analysis result can be used, and such correct answer data can be obtained as a result of the annotation work of the annotator. Through this learning process, the characteristics hidden in the input variables of the artificial neural network model (1000) can be identified, and the synapse values ​​(or weights) between the nodes of the artificial neural network model (1000) can be adjusted so that the error between the output variables calculated based on the input variables and the target output is reduced.

[0101] Using the artificial neural network model (1000) learned in this way, health prediction information (730, 732) can be extracted from the collected first companion animal information and / or the first companion animal information for learning. For example, using the artificial neural network model (1000), health prediction information (730, 732) according to at least one of the collected first companion animal information and the first companion animal information for learning can be extracted. Alternatively, using the artificial neural network model (1000), health prediction information (730, 732) according to at least one of the collected first companion animal information and the first companion animal information for learning can be extracted.

[0102] In one embodiment, when the collected first companion animal information is input, the artificial neural network model (1000) can extract health prediction information (730, 732) by distinguishing the digitized slope value and acceleration value of the collected first companion animal information. For example, the artificial neural network model (1000) can extract health prediction information (730, 732) for the movement information by calculating the average movement information of the movement information (e.g., digitized slope value and acceleration value, etc.) of the collected companion animal and / or the movement information (e.g., digitized slope value and acceleration value, etc.) of the first companion animal information for learning based on the collected first companion animal information and the first companion animal information for learning, and can extract health prediction information (730, 732) for the movement information, and can extract health abnormality and disease information of the companion animal based on the movement information to generate health prediction information (730, 732).

[0103] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for managing the health of a companion animal using a wearable device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The following embodiment can be described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0104] As illustrated, a method for managing pet health using a wearable device can be initiated by activating communication with at least one of a user terminal or server associated with a pet by a communication unit of the wearable device (S710).

[0105] In one embodiment, when a movement or change in location of a companion animal is detected by the sensor unit of the wearable device (110), communication with the user terminal (130) may be activated. For example, when a companion animal is out for a walk, the wearable device (110) may detect the movement or change in location of the companion animal by the sensor unit including at least one of an inclination sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a beacon signal generator. When a change in movement information or location information is detected by the sensor unit, the wearable device (110) may be changed to an ON state, and communication with the user terminal (130) may be activated. Additionally, referring to FIG. 6, when the user terminal (130) is located in a first range (R1), which is a connection range (CA) capable of receiving a beacon signal (S) generated from the wearable device (110), the communication unit may be activated.

[0106] In one embodiment, when the user terminal (130) does not receive location information from the wearable device (110) for a predetermined period of time, the communication unit of the wearable device (110) may deactivate communication with at least one of the user terminal (130) or the server. For example, referring to FIG. 6, when the user terminal (130) is located in a second range (R2), which is a non-connected range (DA) where the beacon signal (S) generated from the wearable device (110) is not received, the communication unit may be deactivated.

[0107] Next, the first pet information including at least one of movement information or location information about the pet can be detected or measured (S730) by the sensor unit of the wearable device (110).

[0108] In one embodiment, when the user terminal (130) re-detects location information from the wearable device (110), the user terminal (130) may receive first companion animal information sensed or measured by the wearable device (110) during a period of inactivity in communication with the wearable device (110). For example, when the user terminal (130) is re-detected after being out of the connection range (CA) with the wearable device (110) for a certain period of time, the user terminal (130) may receive first companion animal information sensed or measured by the wearable device (110) during the period of time when the user terminal (130) was out of the connection range (CA).

[0109] Finally, the communication unit may transmit the first companion animal information to either the user terminal or the server at a preset period or time (S750). In one embodiment, the wearable device (110) may transmit the accumulated first companion animal information since the last transmission of the first companion animal information at the preset period or time to the user terminal (130) or the server.

[0110] The companion animal health management system and method using a wearable device described herein may be implemented by various means. For example, these techniques may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the disclosure of this specification may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0111] In a hardware implementation, the processing units used to perform the techniques may be implemented within one or more ASICs, DSPs, digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, a computer, or a combination thereof.

[0112] Accordingly, the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the disclosure of this specification may be implemented or performed by any combination of a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or those designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0113] In a firmware and / or software implementation, the techniques may be implemented as instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), flash memory, a compact disc (CD), a magnetic or optical data storage device, etc. The instructions may be executable by one or more processors and may cause the processor(s) to perform certain aspects of the functionality described herein.

[0114] If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium.

[0115] For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included within the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, whereas discs reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0116] A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium may be coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. Alternatively, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

[0117] The preceding description of the present disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to various modifications without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples described herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0118] Although exemplary implementations may refer to utilizing aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter in the context of one or more standalone computer systems, the present subject matter is not so limited, but rather may be implemented in conjunction with any computing environment, such as a network or distributed computing environment. Furthermore, aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter may be implemented on or across multiple processing chips or devices, and storage may be similarly affected across multiple devices. Such devices may include personal computers, network servers, and handheld devices.

[0119] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are described as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.

[0120] Although the methods described in this specification have been described through specific embodiments, they can also be implemented as computer-readable codes on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include any type of recording device that stores data readable by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable recording media include ROMs, RAMs, CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, and optical data storage devices. Furthermore, the computer-readable recording media can be distributed across network-connected computer systems, allowing the computer-readable codes to be stored and executed in a distributed manner. Furthermore, functional programs, codes, and code segments for implementing the embodiments can be readily inferred by programmers skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0121] While the present disclosure has been described in connection with certain embodiments herein, it should be understood that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, which would be apparent to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the claims appended to this specification.

Claims

1. In wearable devices for pet health management, One or more sensor units configured to detect or measure movement information about a companion animal; A beacon signal generating unit that generates a beacon signal indicating location information about a pet; and A communication unit configured to transmit first companion animal information including at least one of the movement information or the location information detected or generated by the sensor and the beacon signal generator to a user terminal or server associated with the companion animal. A wearable device comprising:

2. In paragraph 1, The above sensor unit, the beacon signal generation unit and the communication unit are installed on a circuit board, The above substrate is, A processor configured to digitize the first pet information or remove noise from the numerical value of the first pet information; and A storage unit configured to store the numerical value of the first companion animal information from which noise has been removed by the above processor. A wearable device further comprising:

3. In paragraph 2, The beacon signal generating unit is installed at a location on the substrate at a predetermined distance from the processor, the sensor unit, the communication unit, and the storage unit. A wearable device, wherein the processor, the sensor unit, the communication unit, and the storage unit are installed on the substrate at a position opposite to the transmission direction of the beacon signal.

4. In paragraph 2, A removable battery that powers the wearable device; and A switch configured to turn ON or OFF the power supply to the wearable device by the battery. A wearable device comprising:

5. In paragraph 4, An identification unit configured to transmit second pet information including at least one of the pet's personal information or owner information to the user terminal or server. A wearable device comprising:

6. In paragraph 5, A wearable device, wherein the battery is configured to be electrically connected to the substrate on one side and the identification part is installed on the other side.

Images