JP7115676B2 - Method for detecting drinking behavior, method for estimating position of sensor device, method for estimating pH, method for monitoring ruminants, device for monitoring ruminants, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention provides a method for detecting the drinking behavior of a ruminant animal using a sensor device installed in the stomach of the ruminant, a method for estimating the position of the sensor device, and a method for detecting the water-drinking behavior of the ruminant animal based on the measurement data of the sensor device. methods for estimating pH values of ruminant animals, methods for monitoring ruminant animals, apparatus for monitoring ruminant animals, and programs.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, miniaturized electronic devices have been proposed for the purpose of installation inside the bodies of humans or animals. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-509744 (Patent Document 1) discloses an apparatus for in vivo detection of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract of humans or non-human animals. The device further includes a sensor for sensing the current location of the device and a transmitter for transmitting data to a system for determining the current location of the device.

In dairy farming or livestock farming, the health condition of cows (dairy cows and beef cattle are collectively referred to in this way) is a major factor affecting productivity and fertility. Conventionally, it has been reported that ruminal acidosis and various metabolic diseases, infectious diseases, or foot diseases associated with ruminal acidosis are caused by feeding large amounts of concentrated feed to cattle. Rumen acidosis is a condition in which rumen pH (pH value of rumen fluid) is lowered. The importance of measuring rumen pH is widely recognized, and the control of rumen acidosis by measuring rumen pH has become an important issue.

On the other hand, watching or observing cattle requires a lot of effort. There is a need for a low-labor, low-cost, and automatic technique for sensing the condition of individual cows. Therefore, it is being considered to place a small sensor device in the cow's stomach and collect information about the environment in the cow's stomach from the sensor device.

For example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses an orally administered sensor terminal capable of wirelessly transmitting sensing data related to lumen function. Similarly, Non-Patent Document 2 discloses the results of a study on the diagnosis and control of subacute ruminal acidosis in dairy cows using a wirelessly transmitted pH sensor. Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is a condition in which the ruminal pH remains low for an extended period of time. For example, Non-Patent Document 3 discloses criteria for SARA.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-509744

Toshihiro Ito, "Development of wireless lumen sensor and sensor network system for early detection of bovine digestive diseases", Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Research Results Report, June 11, 2015, https://kaken.nii.ac .jp/ja/file/KAKENHI-PROJECT-24248044/24248044seika.pdf Atsushi Kimura, ``Study on diagnosis and control of subacute ruminal acidosis in dairy cattle using wireless transmission type pH sensor'', Iwate Vet., Vol.39 (No.2), 51-56 (in Japanese) 2013) Shigeru Sato, Aya Ikeda, Yoshiyuki Tsuchida, et al. "Diagnosis of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) by continuous reticular pH measurements in cows", Vet Res Commun (2012)36, 201-205

Detection of cow drinking behavior is important for the management of cow health. If cows do not drink water for a long period of time, or conversely, if they drink too frequently, it can be expected that there is a serious health, environmental, or facility problem. According to Non-Patent Document 1, it is disclosed that a temporary temperature drop could be detected by a sensor in the cow's stomach when the cow was drinking water. However, the temperature in a cow's stomach can fluctuate due to factors other than drinking water. Therefore, it is required to detect the drinking behavior more accurately.

Also, as disclosed in Non-Patent Document 2, the rumen and the reticulum have different pH values. Accurate diagnosis of the state inside the lumen requires not only measuring the pH value with a sensor device in the stomach, but also estimating the position of the sensor device as accurately as possible.

It is an object of the present invention to grasp drinking behavior, estimate the measurement position when measuring biological information using a sensor, and realize rumen pH measurement by the sensor as safely, simply, and accurately as possible.

A drinking behavior detection method according to an aspect of the present invention is a drinking behavior detection method using a sensor device placed in the stomach of a ruminant. The sensor device includes a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of liquid in the stomach and a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting temperature measurement data from the temperature sensor. Temperature measurement data is received by a wireless receiver. The water drinking behavior detection method comprises steps of calculating an average temperature value per unit time based on the temperature measurement data, and using the average value and the temperature measurement data to determine whether the extent of decrease from the average value exceeds a first threshold. By detecting a first temperature change including a first temperature drop and a first temperature recovery after the temperature drop in which the drop from the average value is less than a second threshold that is less than the first threshold, and detecting drinking behavior.

In the drinking behavior detection method described above, when the first temperature change is not detected, a second temperature decrease in which the width of decrease from the average value exceeds a third threshold smaller than the first threshold; detecting a drinking behavior by detecting a second temperature change including a second temperature recovery in which after the temperature decrease the decrease from the average value is less than a fourth threshold that is less than the third threshold; Prepare more.

A method for estimating the position of a sensor device according to an aspect of the present invention is a method for estimating the position of a sensor device placed in the stomach of a ruminant. The sensor device includes a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of liquid in the stomach and a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting temperature measurement data from the temperature sensor. Temperature measurement data is received by a wireless receiver. The position estimation method comprises the steps of: calculating an average value of temperature per unit time based on the temperature measurement data; and estimating the position of the sensor device within the stomach based on the temperature change.

In the method for estimating the position of the sensor device described above, the step of estimating includes the step of determining whether a temperature change satisfying a first predetermined condition is detected, and the step of determining whether a temperature change satisfying the first predetermined condition is detected. if the sensor device is in the reticulum of the ruminant. The first predetermined condition is that the range of decrease from the average value in temperature decrease exceeds a first threshold, and the range of decrease from the average value in temperature recovery is less than the first threshold and less than the second threshold. , is the condition.

In the above method for estimating the location of a sensor device, the estimating step determines whether a temperature change satisfying a second predetermined condition is detected when no temperature change satisfying the first predetermined condition is detected. and estimating that the sensor device is in the rumen of the ruminant when a temperature change satisfying a second predetermined condition is detected. The second predetermined condition is that the extent of decrease in temperature reduction from the average value exceeds a third threshold, which is smaller than the first threshold, and the extent of decrease in temperature recovery from the average value exceeds the third threshold. The condition is that it is less than the fourth smaller threshold.

A method for estimating the position of a sensor device according to an aspect of the present invention is a method for estimating the position of a sensor device placed in the stomach of a ruminant. The sensor device includes a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of liquid in the stomach and a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting temperature measurement data from the temperature sensor. Temperature measurement data is received by a wireless receiver. The position estimation method comprises the steps of: calculating an average value of temperature per unit time based on the temperature measurement data; detecting a temperature change in the stomach, and in the detecting step, detecting a temperature change that satisfies a predetermined condition a preset number of times within a predetermined detection time. and estimating the position of the .

A pH estimation method according to an aspect of the present invention includes the steps of obtaining an estimation result of the position of the sensor device by executing any of the above-described methods of estimating the position of the sensor device; determining whether the data should be corrected; and, if the pH measurement data should be corrected, based on a predetermined relationship between the rumen and the reticulum with respect to pH, the pH measurement data. A step of calculating the estimated pH value after correction, and a step of calculating the pH measurement data as the estimated pH value when the pH measurement data need not be corrected.

A method of monitoring a ruminant according to one aspect of the invention comprises obtaining a pH estimate by performing the pH estimation method described above, and monitoring the pH estimate.

A ruminant monitoring device according to an aspect of the present invention monitors the position of a sensor device by executing the above method for estimating the position of a sensor device.

A program according to an aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to execute the position estimation method for the sensor device described above.

According to the present invention, it is possible to ascertain drinking behavior, estimate the measurement position when biological information is measured using a sensor, and measure rumen pH using the sensor as safely, simply, and accurately as possible.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the overall configuration of a monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of circuit configuration of a sensor device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a typical hardware configuration of a server; FIG. 1 is a side view of a cow administered with a sensor device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cow's stomach (compound stomach) shown in FIG. 4. FIG. FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing the results of monitoring changes in temperature inside each of the rumen and reticulum of a cow by means of a rumen sensor and a reticulum sensor, respectively; FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing the results of monitoring temperature changes inside each of the rumen and reticulum of a cow by the rumen sensor and the reticulum sensor, respectively; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining detection of water drinking behavior based on temperature change inside the stomach; 4 is a flowchart for explaining a method of detecting drinking behavior according to the present embodiment; 9 is a flowchart for explaining a method of detecting drinking behavior according to another embodiment; 4 is a flow chart showing a method for estimating the position of the sensor device in the cow's stomach according to the present embodiment. 4 is a flow chart showing a pH estimation method according to the present embodiment; It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the SARA estimation method. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the SARA diagnostic method. It is a figure showing an example of a setting screen. It is the figure which showed an example of the daily fluctuation report screen. It is the figure which showed an example of the intraday fluctuation report screen.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the overall configuration of a monitoring system 100 according to one embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, monitoring system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention collects information about the internal state of stomach 3 of cow 1 and monitors the health condition of cow 1 based on the information. Cow 1 is an example of a ruminant animal to be monitored by the monitoring system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The cow 1 shown in FIG. 1 can be either a dairy cow or a beef cow.

A monitoring system 100 comprises a sensor device 2 . The sensor device 2 is placed in the stomach 3 of the cow 1 to detect the internal state of the stomach 3 (mainly the rumen and reticulum). The sensor device 2 is indwelled inside the stomach 3 of the cow 1 by being administered from the mouth of the cow 1 . Various known methods can be applied to orally administer the sensor device 2, so detailed description will not be repeated here. For example, the sensor device 2 may be administered into the stomach through a lumen fistula (a window surgically attached to the lumen of a cow) without being limited to oral administration.

The sensor device 2 measures the temperature and pH of the liquid inside the stomach 3 . The sensor device 2 wirelessly transmits temperature measurement data and pH measurement data together with a unique number assigned to the sensor device 2 and the measurement time. The monitoring system 100 includes a receiver 4 (radio receiver) that receives data signals wirelessly sent from the sensor device 2 . This embodiment is not limited to unidirectional communication from the sensor device 2 . By applying a transmitter/receiver instead of the receiver 4, two-way communication may be possible between the transmitter/receiver and the sensor device 2. FIG. In this case, for example, the transceiver may transmit setting information or control commands to the sensor device 2 . The sensor device 2 may measure the temperature of the liquid inside the stomach 3, or the temperature, pH, position and orientation displacement (three-axis acceleration), ORP/Redox (oxidation-reduction status), Conductivity, Ammonia ion, Chloride ion, Nitrite ion, Ammonia, Methane, Dissolved Oxygen, VFAs (Volatile fatty acid), Lactic Acid, Microbial concentration It may measure one or any combination of measurement targets.

The monitoring system 100 can operate with the sensor device 2 and the receiver 4 as minimum components. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1 , monitoring system 100 further includes network 6 , server 8 , and information terminal 10 . Receiver 4 , server 8 and information terminal 10 are connected to network 6 . Additionally, monitoring system 100 may include water temperature sensor 11 and environmental sensor 12 . Also, the hardware configuration for realizing the monitoring system is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1, and at least some components of the monitoring system may be replaced with alternative components.

Water temperature sensor 11 measures the water temperature of drinking water 13 for cow 1 . The water temperature sensor 11 may display its measured value. The environment sensor 12 is installed for each barn. In FIG. 1, barns 201 and 202 are illustrated. Although not particularly limited, the environment sensor 12 may measure the environment such as temperature, humidity, illuminance, atmospheric pressure, noise, wind speed, and wind direction. Environmental sensors 12 may display their measurements.

The water temperature sensor 11 and the environment sensor 12 can transmit their respective measurements to the receiver 4 wirelessly or by wire. Alternatively, water temperature sensor 11 and environment sensor 12 may transmit their respective measurements via network 6 . Additionally, those measurements may be transmitted to the server 8 .

The receiver 4 may be installed, for example, in each barn. Receiver 4 receives data transmitted from sensor device 2 , water temperature sensor 11 and environment sensor 12 . Receiver 4 may store the received data. Receiver 4 uploads the received and stored data to server 8 through network 6 . Thereby, the server 8 accumulates the measurement data.

The receiver 4 may have a function of outputting received and accumulated data to an external memory (for example, a USB memory, etc.) not shown. The receiver 4 may have a function of displaying received and stored data, and may have a function of editing data. Also, the receiver 4 may constantly monitor the received and accumulated data. Furthermore, the receiver 4 may analyze the received and accumulated data and output the analysis results. The output method is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, display on a screen, output to an external memory, transmission of e-mail, or the like. Data analysis may be performed periodically. The receiver 4 may output a warning to the outside based on the analysis result of the data.

The receiver 4 may transmit information regarding settings to each of the sensor device 2 , the water temperature sensor 11 and the environment sensor 12 . The receiver 4 may be remotely controlled by an external device such as the information terminal 10 . The receiver 4 may be capable of downloading setting information or control programs (firmware) stored in the server 8 .

The receiver 4 may be implemented by a combination of a wireless transmission/reception device and information equipment such as a personal computer. Also, the receiver 4 may include the functions of the water temperature sensor 11 , the environment sensor 12 , and the server 8 . A plurality of each of the water temperature sensor 11 and the environment sensor 12 may be installed.

The network 6 is, for example, a public line such as the Internet, and is used to connect devices such as the receiver 4, the server 8, the information terminal 10, and the like. In places where public lines are not available, each device may be connected by a wired or wireless dedicated line. Furthermore, a public line or a dedicated line may be individually selected for connection between each device.

Server 8 accumulates data uploaded from multiple receivers 4 via network 6 . The server 8 executes various processes for monitoring the state inside the stomach 3 of the cow 1 to which the sensor device 2 has been administered, based on the accumulated data.

The information terminal 10 is a computer that performs various functions such as a display function, a communication function, and a data processing function. In FIG. 1, as the information terminal 10, a personal computer 10a and a smart phone 10b are illustrated. The information terminal 10 can, for example, acquire, browse, and edit data published by the server 8 . Furthermore, the information terminal 10 may remotely control the receiver 4 .

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a sensor device 2 sized to be administered orally to a cow 1 is placed in the stomach 3 of the cow 1 . The sensor device 2 wirelessly transmits the measured values of the temperature and pH in the stomach, and the receiver 4 acquires the information transmitted from the sensor device 2 . Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the condition inside the stomach 3 of the cow 1 can be measured and monitored in real time. Since the size of the sensor device 2 is such that the cow 1 can swallow the sensor device 2 , the sensor device 2 can be safely placed in the stomach 3 of the cow 1 . According to the embodiment of the present invention, the health condition of the cow 1 can be monitored safely, simply and accurately while reducing the influence on the cow 1 .

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the sensor device 2 according to the embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2 , sensor device 2 includes sensor unit 21 , amplifier circuit 22 , A/D converter 23 , CPU (Central Processing Unit) 24 , wireless module 25 and antenna 26 . The sensor device 2 further includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 27, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 28, a nonvolatile memory 29, an RTC (Real Time Clock) 30, and a wired communication interface (I/F) circuit 31. , a battery 32 , and a power supply IC (Integrated Circuit) 33 .

The sensor unit 21 comprises a pH sensor 35 for measuring the pH of the liquid inside the cow's stomach 3 and a temperature sensor 36 for measuring the temperature of that liquid. A detection result (measurement result) by each sensor is output as an analog signal.

The amplifier circuit 22 amplifies the analog signal output from the sensor unit 21 . The A/D converter 23 converts the analog signal output from the amplifier circuit 22 into a digital signal.

The CPU 24 comprehensively controls the operation of the sensor device 2, and outputs predetermined instructions to each part. For example, the CPU 24 uses the measurement result of the sensor unit 21 and the unique number of the sensor device 2 stored in the nonvolatile memory 29 to generate transmission data including pH value, temperature value, and measurement time. The ROM 27 is a storage area in which software programs used to implement predetermined functions of the CPU 24 are stored. A RAM 28 is used as a work area for the CPU 24 .

The wireless module 25 and the antenna 26 wirelessly transmit data sent from the CPU 24 . The nonvolatile memory 29 stores, for example, a unique number of the sensor device 2, a data transmission schedule (for example, transmission interval or scheduled transmission time), and the like.

The CPU 24 acquires the current date and time (year, month, day and time) from the RTC 30 . The measurement data of the sensor unit 21 is associated with the time acquired by the CPU 24 . A battery 32 and a power supply IC 33 supply power to each block of the sensor device 2 .

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a typical hardware configuration of server 8. As shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 3, server 8 includes a CPU 41 that executes programs, a ROM 42 that stores data in a nonvolatile manner, a RAM 43 that stores data in a volatile manner, an HDD 44 that stores data in a nonvolatile manner, and an LED 45. , a switch 46 , a communication IF (Interface) 47 , a power supply circuit 48 , a display 49 and operation keys 50 . Each component is connected to each other by a data bus.

Processing in the server 8 is realized by each piece of hardware and software executed by the CPU 41 . Such software may be stored in the HDD 44 in advance. Software may be stored in other storage media and distributed as program products. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a downloadable program product by a so-called Internet-connected information provider. Such software is temporarily stored in the HDD 44 after being read from the storage medium by a reading device or downloaded via the communication IF 47 or the like. The software is read from the HDD 44 by the CPU 41 and stored in the RAM 43 in the form of an executable program. CPU 41 executes the program.

The recording medium is a non-transitory medium on which the program or the like can be read by the computer. The program here includes not only a program that can be directly executed by the CPU, but also a program in source program format, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

The computer for executing each method according to the present embodiment is not limited to server 8 and may be receiver 4 or information terminal 10 . Both the receiver 4 and the information terminal 10 can employ the configuration shown in FIG. For example, in the case of the smart phone 10b, a flash memory may be employed instead of the HDD 154 shown in FIG. Flash memory can function as a storage medium for storing programs.

<Detection of drinking behavior>
FIG. 4 is a lateral view of the cow 1 administered with the sensor device 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the stomach 3 (double stomach) of the cow 1 shown in FIG. 4 and 5, a cow has four stomachs. The largest of the four stomachs is the rumen 3a. The reticulum 3b is located directly below the cardia 5a (boundary between the esophagus 5 and the stomach 3). The sensor device 2 orally administered to the cow 1 is placed in, for example, the rumen 3a.

A cow's drinking behavior causes a change in the temperature inside each of the rumen 3a and the reticulum 3b. FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show the results of monitoring temperature changes inside each of the rumen and reticulum of a cow by a rumen sensor and a digastric sensor, respectively. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the "rumen sensor" is a sensor for detecting the temperature inside the rumen of a cow, and the "dummy sensor" is a sensor for detecting the temperature inside the rumen of a cow. It is a sensor for In FIGS. 6 and 7, "spike" means that a temperature drop exceeding "threshold 1" occurs with respect to the temperature average value of each section separated by unit time intervals, and then the temperature average value This is a temperature change in which the temperature recovers until the width of the decrease in temperature with respect to is below "threshold 2".

Each of FIGS. 6 and 7 includes a first graph showing changes in temperature values over time, and a second graph showing changes in the number of spikes detected per day based on the temperature detected by the rumen sensor. Graphs include a third graph showing the evolution of the number of spikes per day detected based on the temperature detected by the gastric sensor. Comparing the first graph of FIG. 6 (prior to July 16) and the first graph of FIG. 7, the temperature change detected by the gastric sensor is greater than the temperature change detected by the gastric sensor.

Water swallowed by the cow flows directly into the reticulum. Large temperature changes are therefore detected in the gastric sensor. On the other hand, although the temperature of the anterior pouch of the rumen also decreases due to the water drinking behavior, the temperature change associated with the water drinking behavior is small in the bottom 3c of the rumen. Thus, with the rumen sensor at the bottom of the rumen, the level of temperature drop detected by the rumen sensor is less than the level of temperature drop detected by the gastric sensor.

Furthermore, from a comparison of FIGS. 6 and 7, it can be seen that the temperature inside the reticulum decreases significantly due to drinking water in the cold season. This is because the temperature of drinking water is low in the cold season.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining detection of water drinking behavior based on temperature changes inside the stomach. FIG. 8 schematically shows a one-day temperature change inside the second stomach of the cow shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. The vertical axis of the graph in FIG. 8 represents temperature, and the horizontal axis represents time of day.

In the present embodiment, the drinking behavior is detected by the decrease in stomach temperature of the cow and its subsequent recovery. However, the temperature in the cow's stomach fluctuates at a slow rate due to factors other than drinking water. Therefore, it is necessary to detect characteristic temperature changes associated with drinking behavior. In the present embodiment, the reduction and recovery of the stomach temperature of the cow are determined by comparing the temperature change width with respect to the average temperature within a preset time interval (unit time) and the threshold. From the measured temperature value (“(1) temperature value (° C.)” in FIG. 8) within a unit time (4 hours in the example of FIG. 8), the temperature average value for that unit time (“(2 ) Calculate the average value of unit time”). The first threshold (“(3) threshold 1” in FIG. 8) and the second threshold (“(4) threshold 2” in FIG. 8) are the threshold for temperature decrease and the threshold for temperature recovery, respectively. The first threshold and the second threshold are values representing the degree of decrease with respect to the average temperature value. The absolute value of the second threshold is smaller than the absolute value of the first threshold.

In the change in the temperature measurement value within the unit time, the temperature decrease in which the decrease width with respect to the temperature average value exceeds the first threshold ("(5) Threshold 1 passage" in FIG. 8) and the temperature decrease width from the temperature average value Detects whether there is both a temperature rise below the second threshold (((6) threshold 2 passing” in FIG. 8). One cycle of the above-described temperature drop and temperature recovery (temperature rise) is detected as one drinking behavior.In the example of Fig. 8, "(5) Threshold 1 A cycle of "pass" and "(6) pass threshold 2" is detected, that is, the drinking behavior is detected by detecting the spikes shown in FIGS.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining a method of detecting drinking behavior according to the present embodiment. The processing shown in this flowchart is executed by a computer at predetermined timings. The computer executing this method may be any of the server 8, the information terminal 10 and the receiver 4 shown in FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that the server 8 accumulates the temperature measurement data of the sensor device 2 and detects the drinking behavior based on the accumulated data. It is assumed that each method described below is also executed by the server 8 .

Referring to FIG. 9, when the process is started, in step S1, server 8 calculates an average temperature value per unit time based on the accumulated temperature measurement data. In step S2, the server 8 uses the temperature average value and the temperature measurement data within the unit time to determine the temperature drop exceeding the first threshold, and after the temperature drop, the temperature drop width A determination is made whether a temperature change (large spike) is detected that restores below a second threshold. A large spike is a temperature change detected due to drinking behavior when the sensor device 2 is in the reticulum 3b. On the other hand, when the sensor device 2 is in the rumen 3a, the detected temperature change due to drinking behavior is detected as a small spike. Values stored in the server 8 in advance are used for the unit time, the first threshold, and the second threshold. These set values are stored in the server 8 as the server 8 receives input from the user. For example, the server 8 may determine the first and second thresholds based on measurements of the water temperature sensor 11 shown in FIG. 1, the environment sensor 12, or both. A third threshold and a fourth threshold, which will be described below, are also stored in the server 8 in the same manner as the first and second thresholds. The third and fourth thresholds may also be determined by the server 8 based on measurements of the water temperature sensor 11 shown in FIG. 1, the environment sensor 12, or both.

If the temperature change (large spike) is detected (YES in step S2), server 8 detects a drinking behavior (step S3). On the other hand, if no large spike is detected (NO in step S2), in step S4, the server 8 detects a temperature drop exceeding the third threshold from the temperature average value, and after that temperature drop, the temperature drop width Determine if a temperature change (small spike) is detected that restores below a fourth threshold. Note that the third threshold is smaller than the first threshold, and the fourth threshold is smaller than the third threshold. If a small spike is detected (YES in step S4), server 8 detects drinking behavior (step S3). If a large spike is detected, the date and time of the water drinking behavior is determined when a temperature drop exceeding the first threshold is detected. If a small spike is detected, the date and time of the drinking behavior is determined when the temperature drop exceeding the third threshold is detected. In step S5, the server 8 outputs the detection result. In one example, a message, a symbol, or the like indicating detection of the drinking behavior is displayed on the display screen of the information terminal 10 or the receiver 4 . Note that the process of step S4 may be omitted.

When the temperature in the cow's stomach changes due to factors other than drinking behavior, the speed of temperature change is slower than the speed of temperature change due to drinking behavior. Therefore, the presence or absence of drinking behavior may be detected based on the speed of temperature change. Such embodiments are described below.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a method of detecting drinking behavior according to another embodiment. 9 and 10, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, steps S2A and S2B are executed instead of step S2, and step S4A is executed instead of step S4. 9 differs from the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S2A, the server 8 detects the degree of decrease from the temperature average value and the speed of temperature change during temperature drop and temperature recovery. In step S2B, server 8 determines whether a large spike has been detected based on the degree of decrease from the temperature average value or the speed of temperature change. In step S2B, it may be determined whether the rate of temperature drop, or the rate of temperature recovery, or both, meets a predetermined condition to be determined as a large spike. If a large spike is detected (YES in step S2B), drinking behavior is detected (step S3). If a large spike is not detected (NO in step S2B), in step S4A, server 8 determines whether a small spike is detected based on the degree of decrease from the temperature average value or the speed of temperature change. Similar to step S2B, in step S4A, it may be determined whether the rate of temperature drop, or the rate of temperature recovery, or both, meets a predetermined condition to be determined as a small spike. If a small spike is detected (YES in step S4A), drinking behavior is detected (step S3).

<Estimation of the position of the sensor device>
In the first graph of FIG. 6, the temperature drop width of the single stomach sensor after around July 16th is almost the same as the temperature drop width of the gastric sensor. This result indicates that the movement of the cow's stomach moved the rumen sensor to the reticulum. Since the sensor device can move in the cow's stomach, it is necessary to accurately estimate the position of the sensor device in order to accurately grasp the state in the stomach.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a method for estimating the position of the sensor device 2 in the cow's stomach according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 11, in step S11, server 8 acquires the result of the process of detecting the drinking behavior. That is, before the process of step S11, the process according to the flow shown in FIG. 9 or 10 is executed. Since this flow has already been described, further description will not be repeated. In step S11, the number of large spikes and the number of small spikes are totaled at intervals of a predetermined detection time (for example, 24 hours) from the result of the detection processing of the drinking behavior.

In step S12, the server 8 determines whether or not the number of large spikes (see the process of step S2) is equal to or greater than the first set value, based on the total number of spikes. If the number of large spikes is greater than or equal to the first set value (YES in step S12), server 8 determines whether or not the number of small spikes (see step S4) is greater than or equal to the second set value. (step S13). The second setting value can be set independently of the first setting value. If the number of small spikes is less than the second set value (NO in step S13), it is estimated that the position of the sensor device 2 is inside the reticulum 3b of the cow (step S14). If the number of small spikes is greater than or equal to the second set value (YES in step S13), server 8 estimates that sensor device 2 is moving (step S15).

If the number of large spikes is less than the first set value (NO in step S12), similarly to step S13, it is determined whether the number of small spikes is greater than or equal to the second set value (step S17). If the number of small spikes is greater than or equal to the second set value (YES in step S17), it is estimated that the sensor device 2 is inside the rumen 3a (step S18). If the number of small spikes is less than the second set value (NO in step S17), it is determined that the position of sensor device 2 cannot be estimated (step S19). The server 8 outputs the estimation result in each step (step S16).

Even if the sensor device 2 is inside the rumen 3a, sporadic damage may be caused, for example by the cow 1 drinking a lot of water or by temporary movement of the sensor device 2 inside the rumen 3a. large spikes can occur in These phenomena cause erroneous estimation of the position of the sensor device 2 . In the flow shown in FIG. 11, the number of spikes is totaled at intervals of a predetermined detection time (for example, 24 hours), and it is determined that spikes have occurred more than a set number of times within that time. As a result, erroneous estimation of the position of the sensor device 2 can be suppressed.

When the process of step S4 shown in FIG. 9 is omitted, estimation of the position of the sensor device 2 by detecting small spikes is omitted. In this case, first, in step S11, the server 8 tabulates the number of large spikes at intervals of a predetermined detection time (for example, 24 hours) from the result of the water drinking behavior detection process. If the number of large spikes is greater than or equal to the first set value (YES in step S12), it is estimated that the position of the sensor device 2 is inside the reticulum 3b of the cow (step S14). If the number of large spikes is less than the first set value (NO in step S12), either the process of step S18 or the process of step S19 may be executed. That is, it may be estimated that the position of the sensor device 2 is inside the rumen 3a of the cow, or it may be determined that the position of the sensor device 2 cannot be estimated.

<Estimation of pH value>
In ruminants, especially cattle, the pH value in the stomach is essential information for diagnosing SARA (subacute ruminal acidosis), and information necessary for managing feed supply and the like. It is necessary to grasp the pH value with high accuracy in order to perform accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of cattle.

It is known that there is a difference in the pH value of the cow's stomach between the rumen and the reticulum. If the position of the sensor device 2 cannot be estimated, the difference in pH value may result in an error in the measurement result. In this embodiment, the pH measurement value and the estimation result of the position of the sensor device 2 are used. This allows the pH value to be estimated more accurately.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a pH estimation method according to this embodiment. In step S21, the server 8 acquires the pH value measured by the sensor device 2, that is, the pH measurement value. In step S<b>22 , the server 8 acquires the estimation result of the position of the sensor device 2 . The estimation result of the position of the sensor device 2 can be obtained by executing the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S<b>23 , the server 8 determines whether or not the pH measurement value should be corrected based on the estimation result of the position of the sensor device 2 . For accurate estimation of ruminal pH, it is necessary to correct the pH measurement of the sensor device 2 when the sensor device 2 is located in the reticulum 3b. The server 8 determines whether the sensor device 2 is located in the reticulum. When the sensor device 2 is located in the rumen 3a, the pH measurement of the sensor device 2 corresponds to the rumen pH value. In this case (NO in step S23), the server 8 uses the pH measurement value of the sensor device 2 as it is as the pH estimation value. On the other hand, when it is determined that the sensor device 2 is located inside the reticulum 3b (YES in step S23), the server 8 corrects the pH measurement value of the sensor device 2 to calculate the estimated pH value.

Let the measured pH value of the sensor device 2 be pH ₀ and the estimated pH value be pH ₁ . pH ₁ =pH ₀ when the sensor device 2 is in the rumen 3a. When the sensor device 2 is in the reticulum 3b, pH ₁ =f(pH ₀ ). f is a function for deriving pH estimates from pH measurements and defines a predetermined relationship between the ruminal 3a and reticulum 3b with respect to pH. The function f is derived, for example, by preliminary experiments or the like.

It has been reported that the pH value of the rumen is lower than that of the reticulum by about 0.7 (see Non-Patent Document 2). Using this relationship, the estimated pH value pH ₁ can be calculated using the function f(pH ₀ )=pH ₀ −0.7 in the process of step S24.

At step S26, the server 8 outputs the pH estimated value calculated by the processing at step S24 or step S25. The server 8 may output information indicating the location of the sensor device 2 along with the pH estimate and/or the pH measurement.

The processing of step S24 and the processing of step S25 may be interchanged. When it is determined that the sensor device 2 is positioned inside the reticulum 3b, the server 8 may directly use the pH measurement value of the sensor device 2 as the pH estimate value. If it is determined that the sensor device 2 is located inside the rumen 3a, the server 8 may correct the pH measurement of the sensor device 2 to calculate a pH estimate. For example, a function f expressed as f(pH ₀ )=pH ₀ +0.7 can be used to correct the pH measurement.

<Estimation/Diagnosis of SARA>
The pH estimation method according to this embodiment can be used to estimate SARA or diagnose SARA. FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the flow of the SARA estimation method. Referring to FIG. 13, in step S31, server 8 acquires a pH estimated value. The pH estimate is calculated by the pH estimation method shown in FIG. In step S32, the server 8 calculates the number of hours per day during which the estimated pH value is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Then, the server 8 determines whether the calculated time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time per day. For example, the number of hours per day at which the pH value is approximately 5.6 or less is calculated. It is determined whether the calculated time is a continuous time of 3 hours or more in one day.

If the time per day during which the estimated pH value is equal to or less than the predetermined value is equal to or longer than the predetermined time (YES in step S32), the server 8 estimates SARA in step S33. In step S34, the server 8 outputs a warning indicating the possibility of SARA. For example, the server 8 may display characters, symbols, or the like representing a warning on the screen. Alternatively, the server 8 may output the warning in the form of e-mail. If the time per day during which the estimated pH value is equal to or less than the predetermined value is less than the predetermined time (NO in step S32), the process ends without outputting a warning.

SARA may be diagnosed based on pH estimates. FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the flow of the SARA diagnostic method. The flow shown in FIG. 14 is basically the same as the flow shown in FIG. 13, and steps S33A and S34A are executed instead of steps S33 and S34. At step S33A, the server 8 diagnoses SARA. At step S34A, the server 8 outputs the diagnosis result.

In the flow above, SARA estimation and SARA diagnosis are based on the number of hours per day that the pH estimate is below a predetermined value (accumulated time). However, SARA estimation and SARA diagnosis may be performed based on the duration of the state in which the estimated pH value is equal to or less than a predetermined value (duration time). Also, SARA estimation and SARA diagnosis may be performed based on pH measurements, location estimation results of the sensor device, and predetermined conditions for each estimated location.

<Application>
Each of the drinking behavior detecting method, the sensor position estimating method, the pH estimating method, the SARA estimating method, and the SARA diagnosing method described above is executed by the CPU of the computer executing an application program (software). In this case, the computer implements the ruminant monitoring apparatus according to the present embodiment by executing the program. A ruminant monitoring device implements the drinking behavior detection method, the sensor location estimation method, the pH estimation method, the SARA estimation method, and the SARA diagnosis method described above. Therefore, it can be said that the ruminant monitoring device is each of a drinking behavior detection device, a sensor position estimation device, a pH estimation device, a SARA estimation device, and a SARA diagnosis device.

When executing the application program, the CPU displays various information corresponding to the execution of the above method on the display. An example of the displayed screen is shown below.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen. As shown in FIG. 15, the setting screen 51 includes an input section 52 for inputting criteria for water drinking behavior. The input unit 52 inputs the time interval for temperature averaging, the threshold for temperature drop (first threshold), the threshold for temperature recovery (second threshold), and the number of temperature drops for estimating the position from the temperature drop due to drinking water. This is the part for receiving each input value from the user. The value input to the input section is stored in a storage section (eg, hard disk) of the computer, and read out from the storage section when the above method is executed.

In the screen example shown in FIG. 15, a graph showing the temporal transition of the measurement results of the pH value and the temperature value is displayed. Note that FIG. 15 shows "twice/day" as an example of the number of temperature drops (corresponding to the "first set value" in the process of step S12 in FIG. 11). The number of temperature drops for detecting drinking behavior may be one or three or more.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to display the change in the state of the cow to which the sensor device 2 has been administered in units of one day or in units of a predetermined time less than one day. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a daily variation report screen. FIG. 16 exemplifies a daily fluctuation report screen 61 showing fluctuations in the condition of cows administered with the sensor device 2 . The individual identification code makes it possible to identify which cow's condition the report is for.

The daily variation report screen 61 displays the daily variation of information such as temperature and pH value. The daily variation report screen 61 includes a period display section 62 representing a period during which the sensor device 2 is estimated to be in the cow's reticulum, and an estimated position item 63 for explaining the period display section 62 .

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a daily variation report screen. 16 and 17 are report screens displaying the state of the same cow (individual identification code). As shown in FIG. 17, the intraday variation report screen 71 includes a temperature transition display section 72 that displays variations in temperature values. The temperature transition display section 72 displays the time when the drinking behavior is detected by the drinking behavior detecting method according to the present embodiment, using symbols. Furthermore, a drinking action item 73 is displayed for explaining that the symbol is a symbol indicating the detection of the drinking action. Further, the intraday fluctuation report screen 71, like the daily fluctuation report screen 61, describes a period display portion 74 representing the period during which the sensor device 2 is estimated to be in the second stomach of the cow, and the period display portion 74. contains an estimated location entry 75 for Furthermore, the number of times of drinking behavior may be displayed on the daily variation report screen 61, the intraday variation report screen 71, or both.

In the above embodiment, cattle are targeted. Ruminants generally have multiple stomachs. Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention can be applied to ruminant animals that are not limited to cattle. The size of the sensor device 2 can be determined appropriately according to the type of target ruminant.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of equivalence to the scope of claims.

1 cow, 2 sensor device, 3 stomach, 3a rumen, 3b rumen, 3c fundus, 4 receiver, 5 esophagus, 5a cardia, 6 network, 8 server, 10 information terminal, 10a personal computer, 10b smartphone, 11 water temperature sensor, 12 environment sensor, 13 drinking water, 21 sensor unit, 22 amplifier circuit, 23 A/D converter, 24, 41 CPU, 25 wireless module, 26 antenna, 27, 42 ROM, 28, 43 RAM, 29 nonvolatile 30 RTC, 31 wired communication interface circuit, 32 battery, 33 power supply IC, 35 pH sensor, 36 temperature sensor, 44 HDD, 46 switch, 47 communication IF, 48 power supply circuit, 49 display, 50 operation keys, 51 setting screen, 52 input unit, 61 daily fluctuation report screen, 62, 74 period display unit, 63, 75 estimated position item, 71 intra-day fluctuation report screen, 72 temperature transition display unit, 73 drinking action item, 100 monitoring system, 201, 202 Livestock barn, S1-S5, S2A, S2B, S4A, S11-S19, S21-S26, S31-S34, S33A, S34A Step.

Claims (10)

A water drinking behavior detection method using a sensor device placed in the stomach of a ruminant, wherein the sensor device includes a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the liquid in the stomach, and wirelessly transmits the temperature measurement data of the temperature sensor. wherein the temperature measurement data is received by a wireless receiver, and the drinking behavior detection method comprises:
calculating an average value of the temperature per unit time based on the temperature measurement data;
Using the average value and the temperature measurement data, a first temperature drop in which the amount of decrease from the average value exceeds a first threshold, and after the temperature drop, the amount of decrease in the amount of decrease from the average value is the first detecting said drinking behavior by detecting a first temperature change comprising: a first temperature recovery below a second threshold less than a threshold of . a second temperature drop in which the reduction from the average value exceeds a third threshold smaller than the first threshold when the first temperature change is not detected; and detecting the drinking behavior by detecting a second temperature change comprising a second temperature recovery after which the decrease from the average value is less than a fourth threshold that is less than the third threshold; The drinking behavior detection method according to claim 1, further comprising: A method for estimating the position of a sensor device placed in the stomach of a ruminant, wherein the sensor device comprises a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of liquid in the stomach and wirelessly transmits temperature measurement data of the temperature sensor. a transmitting unit, wherein the temperature measurement data is received by a wireless receiving unit, the position estimation method comprising:
calculating an average value of the temperature per unit time based on the temperature measurement data;
detecting temperature changes in the stomach using the average and the temperature measurement data, including temperature reduction from the average and temperature recovery after the temperature reduction;
estimating a position of the sensor device within the stomach based on the temperature change. The estimating step includes:
determining whether said temperature change satisfying a first predetermined condition is detected;
estimating that the sensor device is in the reticulum of the ruminant when the temperature change satisfying the first predetermined condition is detected;
The first predetermined condition is
The amount of decrease from the average value in the temperature decrease exceeds a first threshold, and the amount of decrease from the average value in the temperature recovery is less than a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold. 4. The method for estimating the position of a sensor device according to claim 3, wherein the condition is: The estimating step includes:
determining whether the temperature change satisfying a second predetermined condition is detected when the temperature change satisfying the first predetermined condition is not detected;
estimating that the sensor device is in the rumen of the ruminant when the temperature change satisfying the second predetermined condition is detected;
The second predetermined condition is
The amount of decrease from the average value in the temperature decrease exceeds a third threshold that is smaller than the first threshold, and the amount of decrease from the average value in the temperature recovery exceeds the third threshold. 5. The method for estimating the position of a sensor device according to claim 4, wherein the condition is that it is less than a fourth smaller threshold. A method for estimating the position of a sensor device placed in the stomach of a ruminant, wherein the sensor device comprises a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of liquid in the stomach and wirelessly transmits temperature measurement data of the temperature sensor. a transmitting unit, wherein the temperature measurement data is received by a wireless receiving unit, the position estimation method comprising:
calculating an average value of the temperature per unit time based on the temperature measurement data;
detecting temperature changes in the stomach using the average and the temperature measurement data, including temperature reduction from the average and temperature recovery after the temperature reduction;
estimating the position of the sensor device in the stomach when the temperature change that satisfies a predetermined condition is detected a preset number of times within a predetermined detection time in the detecting step; A position estimation method for a sensor device. said sensor device further comprising a pH sensor for measuring pH in the stomach of said ruminant;
obtaining pH measurement data from the pH sensor;
obtaining an estimation result of the position of the sensor device by executing the method for estimating the position of the sensor device according to any one of claims 3 to 6;
determining whether the pH measurement data of the sensor device at the estimated position should be corrected based on the estimation result;
If the pH measurement data is to be corrected, calculating a pH estimate by correcting the pH measurement data based on a predetermined relationship between the rumen and reticulum with respect to the pH measurement data. and
and calculating the pH measurement data as the pH estimated value when correction of the pH measurement data is unnecessary. A method of monitoring a ruminant comprising:
obtaining said pH estimate by performing the pH estimation method of claim 7;
monitoring said pH estimate. A ruminant monitoring device for monitoring the position of the sensor device by executing the method for estimating the position of the sensor device according to claim 3. A program that causes a computer to execute the position estimation method of the sensor device according to claim 3.

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