• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    Within a view field (115), a camera (110) records image data (Dg) representing a body portion of an animal (A). A reader unit (120) registers identity data (D|) from a data carrier (150) on the animal (A) and a data processor (130) associates the recorded image data (Dg) with the registered identity data (D|). A passageway (140) only allows a single animal (A) at the time within the camera's view field (115). The camera (110) is arranged so that the view field (115) covers an identification zone (Z) within the passageway (140). To reduce the risk that the reader unit (120) interferes with other nearby equipment, the data processor (130) detects the presence of any animal (A) within the view field (115) of the camera (110) based on the recorded image data (Dg), and activates the reader unit (120) if and only if an animal (A) is detected within the identification zone (Z).(Fig. 1)
    公开号:SE1650117A1
    申请号:SE1650117
    申请日:2016-01-29
    公开日:2017-05-05
    发明作者:Eriksson Göran；Forsén Gösta；GUNNARSSON Tommy
    申请人:Delaval Holding Ab；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    System and Method for lmaging and Processing Animal Data THE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART The present invention relates generally to data processing inconnection with animal handling. More particularly the inventionrelates to a system according to the preamble of claim 1 and acorresponding method. The invention also relates to a computerprogram and a processor-readable medium.
    The so-called body condition score (BCS) of a milking animalprovides a reasonably accurate measure of the anima|'s energyreserves by reflecting the amount of body fat, and how this fat isdistributed on the rear body of the animal. The BCS targets atkey stages of lactation, and has been developed for dairy pro-duction systems. The BCS affects dry matter intake, milk pro-duction, reproduction, cow health and welfare. Especially, theBCS is an important factor in connection with dry-off. However,it is also important to keep track of the BCS during peak lacta-tion and the period thereafter in order to feed the animal ade-quately. ln addition, the BCS in early lactation may affect thesex of future calves and the productive and reproductive capa-city of heifers yet to be born. lrrespective of the farming systemor cow genetics, it has been found that milk production is opti-mized when mature cows calve between BCS 5.0 and 6.0. Theproduction benefits decline with increasing BCS and the risk ofmetabolic health disorders at calving is greater, such that in-creasing BCS beyond 5.0 in mature cows and 5.5 in first and se-cond calvers cannot be justified. Recommended calving BCStargets are a compromise between wantíng cows with sufficientenergy reserves for milk production, while not being so fat as tocompromise cow health.
    WO 2010/063527 discloses an arrangement for determining aBCS of an animal, which arrangement contains a three-dimen- sional (3D) camera system directed towards the animal and pro-vided for recording at least one 3D image of the animal. An ima-ge processing device forms a 3D surface representation of aportion of the animal from the 3D image. The surface is statis-tically analysed for determining the BCS of the animal based onthe statistically analysed surface of the 3D surface represen-tation.
    PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRIOR ART Although the existing systems for deriving BCS data may be ef-ficient as such, there is still room for improvement. Specifically,if an independent provider of a BCS-data-collecting system wi-shes to co-locate their system with another provider's equip-ment, for instance an automatic milking arrangement, there is arisk that the two systems interfere with one another. Namely, onone hand, both systems are likely to operate in the same, or atleast neighboring radio bands for exchanging data with radiotransponders for identifying the animals; and, on the other hand,the two systems will not be coordinated with one another. Thislack of coordination leads to a relatively high probability that ra-dio energy emitted from one of the systems disturbs the radiocommunication in the other system, and vice versa. lt is there-fore generally problematic for systems from different providersto co-exist in the same area, such as a given farm environment.
    SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Consequently, the object of the present invention is to mitigatethe above problem, and offer a stand-alone solution for asso-ciating various image data with individual animals in a herd ofanimals.
    According to one aspect of the invention, the object is achievedby the initially described system, wherein a passageway is confi-gured to only allow a single animal at the time within the viewfield of the camera. The camera is arranged so that the view field covers an identification zone within the passageway. Thedata processor is configured to detect the presence of anyanimal within the view field of the camera based on the recordedimage data. lf and only if an animal is detected within theidentification zone, the data processor is configured to generatea trigger signal configured to activate the reader unit.
    The camera is preferably arranged in the exit passagewayassociated with a parlour, such as a rotary parlour. When theanimals exit the parlour the have to pass the passageway in aparticular direction through the view field. The passageway hasa widht at least in the area of the view filed which only allowsone animal at a time to pass the view field.
    According to another preferred embodiment the passageway hasa gate configured to enable animals to pass in a particulardirection thorugh the view filed. ln this embodiment the camerais arranged so that the view field covers an identification zonewithin the passageway in the proximity to the gate. The gate ispreferably a non-return gate, wherein the gate is configured toexclusively enable animals to pass in a particular directionthorugh the view field. This embodiment may be arrangedanywhere within the barn that houses the animals. lt is alsopossible to arrange this embodiment in a pasture.
    This system is advantageous because it ensures that the readerunit is active exclusively when needed, i.e. when there is an ani-mal within the camera's view field.
    According to a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the inven-tion, the data processor is configured to maintain the reader unitin an active state during a given interval after having generatedthe trigger signal. Preferably, the given interval is defined to endwhen: the identity data has been registered; a particular timehas elapsed since the trigger signal was generated and/or therecorded image data reflects that the animal no longer is locatedwithin the identification zone, whichever occurs first. This is ad- vantageous because it further reduces the risk of any unne-cessary operation of the reader unit.
    According to another preferred embodiment of this aspect of theinvention, the reader unit contains a scanner configured to re-gister the identity data from data carriers on the animals in theform of radio-frequency identification tags. Thus, the data car-riers may be represented by conventional radio transponders.This, in turn, enables a straightforward implementation of thesystem in cooperation with existing systems, for instance for mil-king animals in order to effect body condition scoring.
    According to a further preferred embodiment of this aspect ofthe invention, the recorded image data is presumed to representa rear body portion of a milking animal and the data processor isspecifically configured to derive a BCS measure based on therecorded image data. Hence, BCS data for a herd of cows canbe readily collected via a system that is fully independent fromany other systems in the farm environment.
    According to another aspect of the invention, the object is achie-ved by the method described initially, wherein the methodfurther involves registering the identity data when the animal islocated within an identification zone of a passageway. Theidentification zone is configured to only allow a single animal atthe time Within the view field of the camera. The passagewayalso has a gate configured to enable animals to pass in aparticular direction through the view field. The identification zo-ne is located within the passageway in proximity to the gate.The method further involves detecting the presence of anyanimal within the view field of the camera, and generating atrigger signal for activating the reader unit if and only if an ani-mal is detected within the identification zone. The advantages ofthis method, as well as the preferred embodiments thereof, areapparent from the discussion above with reference to the propo-sed system. The gate is preferably a non-return gate, whereinthe gate is configured to exclusively enable animals to pass in a particular direction through the view field.
    According to a further aspect of the invention the object isachieved by a computer program loadable into the memory of atleast one processor, and includes software adapted to imple-ment the method proposed above when said program is run onat least one processor.
    According to another aspect of the invention the object is achie-ved by a processor-readable medium, having a program recor-ded thereon, where the program is to control at least one pro-cessor to perform the method proposed above when the prog-ram is loaded into the at least one processor.
    Further advantages, beneficial features and applications of thepresent invention will be apparent from the following descriptionand the dependent claims.
    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is now to be explained more closely by means ofpreferred embodiments, which are disclosed as examples, andwith reference to the attached drawings.
    Figure 1 shows a system according to one embodiment ofthe invention; andFigure 2 illustrates, by means of a flow diagram, the gene- ral method according to the invention.
    DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE IN-VENTION ln Figure 1, we see system for data processing according to oneembodiment of the invention. The system contains a camera110, a reader unit 120, a data processor 130 and a passageway140.
    The camera 110 is configured to record image data Dimg within a view field 115. The camera 110 is arranged with the view field115 oriented in such a direction that the image data Dimg repre-sents at least one specific body portion of any animal A locatedin an identification zone Z.
    More precisely, the passageway 140 is positioned relative to theidentification zone Z such that only a single animal A at the timeis allowed within the view field 115 of the camera 110. The pas-sageway 140 also has a non-return gate 145 that is configuredto exclusively enable animals to pass in a particular direction Dthrough the view field 115 and the identification zone Z. lt isespecially advantageous if the non-return gate 145 is of a typethat is opened by the animal A by positioning its nose/front partof the head under the gate, and then pushes the gate slightlyupwards while moving itself forwards. Namely, such a gate de-sign forces the animal A to locate its head in a relatively well-defined space in order to pass through the identification zone Z.
    The reader unit 120 is therefore preferably arranged as close aspossible to said well-defined space because this allows a relati-vely short readout range - and thus low emission of energy the-re from. The reader unit 120 is configured to register identity da-ta Dm from a data carrier 150, e.g. included in a transponder, onthe animal A of which the camera 110 currently records the ima-ge data Dimg. To this aim, the reader unit 120 may contain ascanner configured to register the identity data Dm from datacarriers 150 in the form of radio-frequency identification tags.However, alternative remote sensing technologies are also con-ceivable according to the invention, such as designs based in-ductive, ultrasonic or optic signals.
    The camera 110 is arranged so that the identification zone Zdefined within the passageway 140 is located in proximity to thenon-return gate 145. For instance, the camera 110 and the non-return gate 145 may be arranged relative to the passageway 140in such a manner that an animal A within the identification zoneZ having the data carrier 150 attached to its ear will be positio- ned with its rear part closest to the camera 110 when the animalA lowers its head for opening the non-return gate 145.
    The data processor 130 is configured to associate the recordedimage data Dimg with the registered identity data Dm. For examp-le, the recorded image data Dimg may represent a rear body por-tion of a milking animal, and the data processor 130 may beconfigured to derive a BCS measure based on the recordedimage data Dimg. Thus, an individual BSC rating can be providedfor each animal when passing through the passageway 140.
    According to the invention, the data processor 130 is furtherconfigured to detect the presence of any animal A within theview field 115 of the camera 110 based on the recorded imagedata Dimg. lf, and only if, an animal A is thus detected within theidentification zone Z, the data processor 130 is configured togenerate a trigger signal TS, which, in turn, is configured toactivate the reader unit 120. ln other words, the reader unit 120will exclusively be activated when an animal A that can be ex-pected to have a data carrier 150 is found to be situated withinthe identification zone Z.
    To further reduce the risk of unnecessary operation of the rea-der unit 120, the data processor 130 is preferably configured tomaintain the reader unit 120 in an active state during a giveninterval after having generated the trigger signal TS. The dataprocessor 130 is preferably configured to cause the given inter-val to end whenthe identity data DID has been registered, whena particular time has elapsed since the trigger signal TS wasgenerated; and/or when the recorded image data Dimg reflectsthat the animal A no longer is located within the identificationzone Z, for instance, whichever occurs first. Thereby, the risk ofinterference from the proposed data processing system with anyother remote-sensing system for registering identity data Dm canbe kept very low. lt is generally advantageous if the data processor 130 is confi- gured to associate the recorded image data Dimg with the regis-tered identity data Dm in a fully automatic manner, for instanceby an executing computer program. Therefore, the data proces-sor 130 may be communicatively connected to a memory unit135 storing a computer program product, which, in turn, containssoftware SW for making at least one processor in the data pro-cessor execute the above-described actions when the computerprogram product SW is run on the at least one processor. ln order to sum up, and with reference to the flow diagram inFigure 2, we will now describe the general method for proces-sing data according to the invention. ln a first step 210, image data is recorded. ln a subsequent step220, it is checked if the recorded image data is deemed to rep-resent an animal (e.g. a cow) located within an identificationzone of a passageway. lf so, a step 230 follows; and otherwise,the procedure loops back and stays in step 220. ln step 230, a trigger signal is generated, which trigger signal isconfigured to activate a reader unit. The trigger signal is genera-ted if and only if an animal is detected within the identificationzone, and the reader unit is configured to register identity datafrom a data carrier on the animal of which the camera recordsimage data.
    Then, in a step 240, the recorded image data associated withthe registered identity data. For example, this may involve lin-king a BSC measure derived from the image data to a particularanimal ID.
    Thereafter, the procedure ends. However, the procedure onlyends with respect to said particular associating of image datawith identity data. ln practice, of course, the procedure conti-nues in order to produce further associations between image da-ta and identity data with respect to other animals, and/or withrespect to updated recordings of the same animal.
    All of the process steps, as well as any sub-sequence of steps,described with reference to Figure 2 above may be controlled bymeans of a programmed processor. Moreover, although theembodiments of the invention described above with reference tothe drawings comprise processor and processes performed in atleast one processor, the invention thus also extends to computerprograms, particularly computer programs on or in a carrier, ad-apted for putting the invention into practice. The program maybe in the form of source code, object code, a code intermediatesource and object code such as in partially compiled form, or inany other form suitable for use in the implementation of the pro-cess according to the invention. The program may either be apart of an operating system, or be a separate application. Thecarrier may be any entity or device capable of carrying the prog-ram. For example, the carrier may comprise a storage medium,such as a Flash memory, a ROM (Read Only Memory), for ex-ample a DVD (Digital Video/Versatile Disk), a CD (CompactDisc) or a semiconductor ROM, an EPROM (ErasableProgrammable Read-Only Memory), an EEPROM (ElectricallyErasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), or a magneticrecording medium, for example a floppy disc or hard disc.Further, the carrier may be a transmissible carrier such as anelectrical or optical signal which may be conveyed via electricalor optical cable or by radio or by other means. When theprogram is embodied in a signal which may be conveyed directlyby a cable or other device or means, the carrier may be consti-tuted by such cable or device or means. Alternatively, the carriermay be an integrated circuit in which the program is embedded,the integrated circuit being adapted for performing, or for use inthe performance of, the relevant processes.
    Although the invention is advantageous in connection with cowmilking, the invention is equally well adapted for implementationin milking machines for any other kind of mammals, such asgoats, sheep or buffaloes.
    The term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps or components. However, the term does not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more additional features, inte-gers, steps or components or groups thereof.
    The invention is not restricted to the described embodiments inthe figures, but may be varied freely within the scope of theclaims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (12)
    [1] 1. A system for data processing, comprising: a camera (110) configured to record image data (Dimg)within a view field (115), which image data (Dimg) represents atleast one specific body portion of an animal (A), a reader unit (120) configured to register identity data (Dm)from a data carrier (150) on the animal (A) of which the camera(110) is configured to record the image data (Dimg), and a data processor (130) configured to associate the recor-ded image data (Dimg) with the registered identity data (Dm),characterized in that the system further comprises: a passageway (140) configured to only allow a single ani-mal (A) at the time within the view field (115) of the camera(110), the camera (110) being arranged so that the view field(115) covers an identification zone (Z) within the passageway(140), andthe data processor (130) is configured to: detect the presence of any animal (A) within the viewfield (115) of the camera (110) based on the recordedimage data (Dimg), and generate a trigger signal (TS) if and only if an animal (A) is detected within the identification zone (Z), the trigger signal (TS) being configured to activate the reader unit (120).
    [2] 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the passagewayhas a gate (145) configured to enable animals to pass in aparticular direction (d) through the view field (115) and whereinthe camera (110) is arranged so that the view field (115) coversan identification zone (z) within the passageway (140) inproximity to the gate.
    [3] 3. The system according toany one of the proceding claims,wherein the data processor (130) is configured to maintain thereader unit (120) in an active state during a given interval afterhaving generated the trigger signal (TS). i 12
    [4] 4. The system according to cIaim3, wherein the data pro-cessor (130) is configured to cause the given interval to endwhen: the identity data (Dm) has been registered, a particular time has elapsed since the trigger signal (TS)was generated, or the recorded image data (Dimg) reflects that the animal (A)no longer is located within the identification zone (Z).
    [5] 5. The system according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein the reader unit (120) comprises a scanner configured toregister the identity data (Dm) from data carriers (150) in theform of radio-frequency identification tags.
    [6] 6. The system according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein the recorded image data (Dimg) represents a rear bodyportion of a milking animal and the data processor (130) is confi-gured to derive a body condition score (BCS) based on the re-corded image data (Dimg).
    [7] 7. A method of processing data, comprising: recording, via a camera (110) having a view field (115),image data (Dimg) representing at least one specific body portionof an animal (A), registering, via a reader unit (120), identity data (Dm) froma data carrier (150) on the animal (A) of which the camera (110)records image data (Dimg), and associating the recorded image data (Dimg) with the regis-tered identity data (Dm),the method characterized by registering the identity data (Dm) when the animal (A) islocated within an identification zone (Z) of a passageway (140),which identification zone (Z) is configured to only allow a singleanimal (A) at the time within the view field of the camera, theidentification zone (Z) being located within the passageway(140), 13 detecting the presence of any animal (A) within the viewfield (115) of the camera (110), and generating a trigger signal (TS) if and only if an animal (A)is detected within the identification zone (Z), the trigger signal(TS) being configured to activate the reader unit (120).
    [8] 8. The method according to claim 7, comprising:maintaining the reader unit (120) in an active state duringa given interval after having generated the trigger signal (TS).
    [9] 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the given inter-val ends when: the identity data (Dm) has been registered, aparticular time has elapsed since the trigger signal (TS) wasgenerated, or the recorded image data (Dimg) reflects that theanimal (A) no longer is located within the identification zone (Z).
    [10] 10. The method according to any one of the claims 7 to 9,wherein the recorded image data (Dimg) represents a rear bodyportion of a milking animal and the method further comprises: deriving a body condition score (BSC) based on the recor-ded image data (Dimg).
    [11] 11. A computer program loadable into the memory of at leastone processor (130), comprising software for controlling thesteps of any of the claims 7 to 10 when the program is run onthe at least one processor.
    [12] 12. A processor-readable medium (135), having a program re-corded thereon, where the program is to make at least one pro-cessor (130) control the steps of any of the claims 7 to 10 whenthe program is loaded into the at least one processor (130).
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    法律状态:
    2018-09-18| NAV| Patent application has lapsed|
    2018-11-06| NAV| Patent application has lapsed|
    优先权:
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    SE1551425|2015-11-04|PCT/SE2016/051078| WO2017078600A1|2015-11-04|2016-11-03|System and method for imaging and processing animal data|
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