阅读说明：本技术 养鸡系统、养鸡方法以及程序 (Chicken raising system, chicken raising method, and program ) 是由 山本泰子 杉野聪 田代义和 蓑岛国彦 于 2019-01-10 设计创作，主要内容包括：养鸡系统(10)具备：摄像部(21),其拍摄鸡舍(100)内的图像；以及监视部(32),其求出在特定区域内存在的鸡的密度的波动,并对所求出的波动进行监视,该特定区域为由摄像部(21)拍摄到的图像的至少一部分的区域。(A chicken raising system (10) is provided with: an imaging unit (21) that images the interior of the chicken house (100); and a monitoring unit (32) that obtains fluctuations in the density of chickens that are present within a specific region that is a region of at least a portion of the image captured by the imaging unit (21), and monitors the obtained fluctuations.)

1. A chicken raising system is provided with:

an image pickup unit that picks up an image of the inside of the chicken house; and

and a monitoring unit configured to obtain a fluctuation in density of chickens existing in a specific region of at least a part of the image captured by the imaging unit, and monitor the obtained fluctuation.

2. The chicken keeping system of claim 1, wherein,

the monitoring unit calculates, for each of a plurality of unit regions obtained by dividing the specific region, a ratio of a portion estimated to shoot a chicken in the unit region, and monitors fluctuation of the calculated ratio.

3. The chicken keeping system of claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the specific region is a region of a part of the image, and includes a part of at least one of the feeder and the water feeder.

4. The chicken raising system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,

the chicken raising system further includes a notification unit configured to notify that the fluctuation monitored by the monitoring unit exceeds a threshold value.

5. The chicken keeping system of claim 2, wherein,

the monitoring unit performs the following processing:

transforming the image into a black and white image; and

and calculating the proportion of the white part in the unit area as the proportion of the part estimated to shoot the chicken in the unit area.

6. The chicken raising system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein,

the monitoring unit further performs the following processing: the amount of activity of the chicken in the specific area is calculated by image processing using the image captured by the image capturing section, and the calculated amount of activity is monitored.

7. The chicken keeping system of claim 6, wherein,

the chicken raising system further includes a notification unit configured to notify that the activity amount monitored by the monitoring unit is lower than a threshold.

8. The chicken raising system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein,

the monitoring unit performs the following processing:

transforming the image into a black and white image; and

the activity amount is calculated based on the number of pixels included in the specific area of the black-and-white image, the pixels having a color changed from that of the image of the previous frame.

9. The chicken keeping system of claim 3, wherein,

at least one of the feeder and the water feeder is subjected to a color matching different from that of a chicken.

10. The chicken raising system according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

the chicken raising system is provided with a plurality of the image pickup units.

11. A method for raising chicken comprises raising chicken with chicken feed,

the images of the inside of the chicken house are taken,

fluctuations in the density of chickens present within a specific region that is a region of at least a part of the captured image are found, and the found fluctuations are monitored.

12. The chicken raising method according to claim 11,

for each of a plurality of unit regions obtained by dividing the specific region, a ratio of a portion estimated to shoot a chicken in the unit region is calculated, and fluctuation of the calculated ratio is monitored.

13. A program for causing a computer to execute the chicken raising method according to claim 11 or 12.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a chicken raising system used in a chicken house or the like.

Background

Chicken raising is prevalent as an industry in various countries around the world including japan. As a technique related to raising chickens, patent document 1 discloses an automatic mortality determination method that automatically determines the mortality of chickens from images captured by a thermal imager (thermography).

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In the raising of broiler chickens, a method for effectively increasing the weight of chickens is sought. For example, if monitoring the concentration of chickens around the feeder in the chicken house is performed, the feeding state of chickens can be improved and the weight gain of chickens can be promoted by changing the environment around the feeder when there are few chickens around the feeder.

The invention provides a chicken raising system, a chicken raising method and a program capable of monitoring the intensive state of chickens in a chicken house.

Means for solving the problems

A chicken raising system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an image pickup unit that picks up an image of the inside of the chicken house; and a monitoring unit configured to obtain a fluctuation in density of chickens existing in a specific region of at least a part of the image captured by the imaging unit, and monitor the obtained fluctuation.

In a chicken raising method according to an aspect of the present invention, an image of a chicken house is captured, fluctuations in the density of chickens present in a specific area that is an area of at least a part of the captured image are obtained, and the obtained fluctuations are monitored.

A program according to an embodiment of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the chicken raising method.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

The chicken raising system, the chicken raising method and the program of the invention can monitor the intensive state of the chickens in the chicken house.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a chicken raising system according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the chicken raising system according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a flow chart of a first monitoring action.

Fig. 4A is a diagram showing an example of an image of the inside of the chicken house captured by the imaging unit.

Fig. 4B is a diagram showing another example of the image of the chicken house captured by the imaging unit.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an image showing a deteriorated food intake state.

Fig. 6 is a flow chart of a second monitoring action.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing various states of chickens in the chicken house.

Fig. 8 is a graph showing a density deviation and a temporal change in activity amount.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a water feeder.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of a chicken raising system including a plurality of imaging devices.

Detailed Description

The embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are all general or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connection modes of the constituent elements, steps, order of the steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Further, among the components of the following embodiments, components not described in the independent claims representing the uppermost concept will be described as arbitrary components.

The drawings are schematic and not necessarily strictly illustrated. In the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted or simplified.

(embodiment mode)

[ Structure ]

First, the configuration of the chicken raising system according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a chicken raising system according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the chicken raising system according to the embodiment.

As shown in fig. 1, the chicken raising system 10 according to the embodiment is installed in, for example, a chicken house 100. The chicken variety to be raised in the chicken house 100 is, for example, broiler (broiler) (more specifically, chunky (japanese: チャンキー) broiler, kobao (japanese: コッブ (cobb)) broiler, or ace (japanese: アーバーエーカ (Arbor acids)) broiler), but may be another variety such as a so-called free-range chicken. A feeder 50, a water feeder (not shown), and the like are disposed in the chicken house 100.

The chicken raising system 10 monitors the feeding state of chickens in the chicken house 100 by performing image processing on the images in the chicken house 100 captured by the imaging device 20. When it is determined that the food intake state of the chicken has deteriorated, an image for notifying the deterioration of the food intake state is displayed on the display device 40. That is, the display device 40 notifies the manager of the chicken house 100 of the deterioration of the food intake state. Thus, the manager of the chicken house 100 can effectively increase the weight of the chicken by improving the state of food intake.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 1 and 2, the chicken raising system 10 includes an imaging device 20, an information terminal 30, and a display device 40. The following describes each apparatus in detail.

[ image pickup apparatus ]

The camera device 20 is used to take images of the inside of the chicken house 100. The imaging device 20 is attached to, for example, the ceiling of the chicken house 100, and the imaging unit 21 captures an image when looking over the inside of the chicken house 100. The image here is a still image, and the imaging device 20 always captures, for example, a moving image composed of a plurality of images (in other words, frames). The imaging device 20 includes an imaging unit 21.

The imaging unit 21 is an imaging module including an image sensor and an optical system (such as a lens) for guiding light to the image sensor. Specifically, the image sensor is a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, or the like. The information terminal 30 performs image processing on the image captured by the imaging unit 21 to monitor the food intake state of the chickens in the chicken house 100.

[ information terminal ]

The information terminal 30 is an information terminal used by an administrator or the like of the chicken house 100. The information terminal 30 monitors the state of food intake by the chickens in the chicken house 100 by performing image processing on the images in the chicken house 100 captured by the imaging device 20. The information terminal 30 is, for example, a personal computer, but may be a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The information terminal 30 may be a dedicated device used in the chicken raising system 10. Specifically, the information terminal 30 includes a communication unit 31, a monitoring unit 32, and a storage unit 33.

The communication unit 31 is an example of an acquisition unit, and acquires an image captured by the imaging unit 21 included in the imaging device 20. Further, the communication unit 31 transmits image information for displaying an image indicating that the food intake state has deteriorated to the display device 40 based on the control of the monitoring unit 32.

Specifically, the communication unit 31 is a communication module that performs wired communication or wireless communication. In other words, the communication module is a communication circuit. The communication method of the communication unit 31 is not particularly limited. The communication unit 31 may include two types of communication modules for performing communication with the imaging device 20 and the display device 40, respectively. Further, a relay device such as a router may be interposed between the communication unit 31 and the imaging device 20 and the display device 40.

The monitoring unit 32 is an information processing unit that performs image processing on the image acquired by the communication unit 31 to monitor the food intake state of the chickens in the chicken house 100. Specifically, the monitoring unit 32 continuously or periodically performs at least one of a first monitoring operation and a second monitoring operation, which will be described later, to monitor the food intake state of the chickens in the chicken house 100.

Specifically, the monitoring unit 32 is realized by a microcomputer, but may be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The monitoring unit 32 may be implemented by a combination of two or more of a microcomputer, a processor, and a dedicated circuit. The details of the image processing and the food intake state determination performed by the monitoring unit 32 will be described later.

The storage unit 33 stores a control program executed by the monitoring unit 32. Further, the storage unit 33 also stores a threshold value for determining the food intake state. The storage unit 33 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[ display device ]

The display device 40 displays an image to notify the manager or the like of the chicken in the chicken house 100 of the food intake state of the chicken. The display device 40 has a display unit 41. The display unit 41 displays an image based on the image information transmitted from the communication unit 31. The display unit 41 is an example of a notification unit that notifies the user of the deterioration of the food intake state by displaying an image.

Specifically, the display device 40 may be a monitor for a personal computer, a smart phone, or a tablet terminal, for example. In the case where the information terminal 30 is a smartphone or the like, the information terminal 30 may be provided with a display unit 41 instead of the display device 40. Specifically, the display unit 41 is realized by a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, or the like.

Further, it is not essential to notify that the food intake state is deteriorated by an image. In this case, the chicken raising system 10 may be provided with a sound output unit such as a speaker as the notification unit instead of the display unit 41.

[ first monitoring action ]

In the chicken house 100, the state in which the chickens gather in the periphery of the feeder 50 is considered to be good in the feeding state. Thus, the chicken keeping system 10 monitors the dense state of the chickens at the periphery of the feeder 50. The following describes details of such a first monitoring operation. Fig. 3 is a flow chart of a first monitoring action.

First, the image pickup unit 21 of the image pickup device 20 picks up an image of the inside of the chicken house 100 (S11). Fig. 4A is a diagram showing an example of an image of the inside of the chicken house 100 captured by the imaging unit 21.

Next, the monitoring unit 32 of the information terminal 30 acquires the image of the inside of the chicken house 100 captured by the imaging unit 21, and converts the acquired image into a monochrome image (S12). When the image captured by the imaging unit 21 is a color image, the monitoring unit 32 converts the acquired color image into a grayscale image, and compares the pixel values of a plurality of pixels included in the grayscale image with respective threshold values to binarize the image. That is, the monitoring unit 32 converts the grayscale image into a monochrome image. The black-and-white image is an image in which each of a plurality of pixels is either white or black. In other words, the monochrome image is an image captured by the imaging unit 21 and binarized.

Since the body of the chicken is white, a white portion in the black-and-white image is a portion estimated to be a shot of the chicken. In the first monitoring operation, since the dense state of chickens in the vicinity of the feeder 50 is determined, the accuracy of determining the dense state can be improved by distinguishing the portion where the chickens are shot from the other portions. Therefore, the threshold used for binarization is appropriately determined so as to selectively make the portion where the chicken is shot white. The feeder 50 and the like disposed in the chicken house 100 are preferably colored black as much as possible in binarization. That is, the feeder 50 is preferably colored differently from a chicken.

Next, the monitoring unit 32 determines a specific region, which is a region of at least a part of the monochrome image (S13). Specifically, the specific area is an area including a part of the black-and-white image, and is an area including a part of the feeder 50. In fig. 4A, a specific area a of the periphery of the feeder 50, which is long in the horizontal direction of the image, is illustrated. In fig. 4A, a region around the feeder 50 is selectively set as a specific region a. Further, the specific area may be divided into a plurality. Fig. 4B is a diagram showing an example of an image of the inside of the chicken house 100 captured by the imaging unit 21 in a case where the specific area is divided into a plurality of areas. In fig. 4B, in addition to the specific region a1, a specific region a2 is shown. Which portion in the image is set as the specific region is determined by a setter or the like at the time of setting the imaging device 20, for example, based on experience or experiments. In such a case that the imaging range of the imaging unit 21 is narrow, the specific region may be the entire image.

Next, the monitoring unit 32 divides the specific area into a plurality of unit areas (S14). Fig. 4A (or fig. 4B) illustrates a rectangular unit region a obtained by dividing a specific region into a grid. The method of dividing the specific region (the size, the number of divisions, and the like of the unit region) is determined by, for example, an installer or the like based on experience or experiments.

Next, the monitoring unit 32 calculates, for each of the plurality of unit areas, the proportion of the portion estimated to shoot a chicken in the unit area (S15). Specifically, the monitoring unit 32 calculates the ratio of the area of the white portion to the total area of the unit regions as the ratio of the portion estimated to shoot the chicken in the unit region. More specifically, the monitoring unit 32 calculates the ratio of the area of the white portion by dividing the total number of white pixels included in the unit area by the total number of pixels included in the unit area.

Next, the monitoring unit 32 calculates the fluctuation of the ratio of the portion estimated to shoot a chicken calculated for each of the plurality of unit areas (S16). In other words, the monitoring unit 32 obtains spatial fluctuations in the density of chickens present in the specific region. Specifically, the fluctuation here is a standard deviation, but may be a variance. Hereinafter, the fluctuation of the ratio of the portion estimated to be a chicken shot calculated for each of the plurality of unit regions is also referred to as a density deviation.

A state in which the density variation is relatively small means that the state of food intake is good. According to the experiment of the inventor, the chicken can be effectively increased in weight by continuing the state in which the density deviation is relatively small. Therefore, the monitoring section 32 determines whether the density deviation (that is, the fluctuation calculated in step S16) exceeds the first threshold (S17).

When the density deviation exceeds the first threshold value (yes in S17), that is, when it is estimated that the eating state of the chicken taking the feed is poor, the monitoring unit 32 causes the communication unit 31 to transmit image information for displaying an image indicating that the eating state is deteriorated. The display device 40 receives the image information, and the display unit 41 displays an image indicating that the food intake state is deteriorated based on the received image information (S18). Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an image showing a deteriorated food intake state. In other words, when the fluctuation monitored by the monitoring unit 32 exceeds the first threshold value, the display unit 41 displays an image as shown in fig. 5 to notify that the food intake state is deteriorated.

On the other hand, when the density deviation is equal to or less than the first threshold value (no in S17), that is, when the eating state of the chicken ingested feed is estimated to be good, the image showing the deterioration of the eating state is not displayed. In this case, the display unit 41 may display an image indicating that the food intake state is good.

More specifically, when the state in which the density deviation exceeds the first threshold value continues for a fixed period or longer, an image indicating that the food intake state has deteriorated is displayed on the display unit 41. That is, when the density deviation does not return to the first threshold value or less for a period equal to or longer than a fixed period, an image showing that the food intake state is deteriorated is displayed. The first threshold value is appropriately determined by a setter or the like based on experience or through experiments. The first threshold may not be a fixed threshold, and may be changed according to the age of the chicken, for example.

According to the first monitoring operation described above, the dense state of the chickens around the feeder 50 in the chicken house 100 can be monitored, and when the dense state of the chickens around the feeder 50 falls, the notification of the fall can be made.

[ second monitoring action ]

In addition, the chickens moving around the feeder 50 are estimated to stay not only around the feeder 50 but to be taking feed. Thus, it is considered that the more the activity amount of the chicken at the periphery of the feeder 50, the better the feeding state. Accordingly, the chicken keeping system 10 may also monitor the activity of the chickens at the periphery of the feeder 50. Specifically, the monitoring unit 32 may calculate the amount of activity of the chicken in a specific area by image processing using the image captured by the imaging unit 21, and monitor the calculated amount of activity. The following describes details of such a second monitoring operation. Fig. 6 is a flow chart of a second monitoring action.

First, the image pickup unit 21 of the image pickup device 20 picks up an image of the inside of the chicken house 100 (S21). The monitoring unit 32 of the information terminal 30 converts the image of the chicken house 100 captured by the imaging unit 21 into a monochrome image (S22), and determines an area of at least a part of the monochrome image as a specific area (S23). These steps S21 to S23 are the same as steps S11 to S13 in fig. 3.

Next, the monitoring unit 32 calculates the amount of activity based on the number of pixels included in the specific area of the monochrome image to be processed, the pixels having changed colors from the color of the image of the previous frame (S24). Specifically, the monitoring unit 32 compares the monochrome image to be processed with the monochrome image of the previous frame of the monochrome image, and counts the number of pixels included in the specific area, the color of which has changed from the color of the monochrome image of the previous frame. The pixels whose color changes here include both pixels that change from black to white and pixels that change from white to black. Then, the monitoring unit 32 calculates the number of counted pixels as the activity amount. The monitoring unit 32 may calculate the ratio of the counted number of pixels to the total number of pixels included in the specific area as the activity amount.

Next, the monitoring unit 32 determines whether or not the calculated activity level is lower than a second threshold (S25). When the activity level is lower than the second threshold value (yes in S25), that is, when it is estimated that the food intake state of the chicken taking the feed is poor, the monitoring unit 32 causes the communication unit 31 to transmit image information for displaying an image showing that the food intake state has deteriorated. The display device 40 receives the image information, and the display unit 41 displays an image indicating that the food intake state is deteriorated based on the received image information (S26). In other words, when the activity amount monitored by the monitoring unit 32 is lower than the second threshold, the display unit 41 displays an image such as that shown in fig. 5 to notify that the food intake state is deteriorated.

On the other hand, when the activity level is equal to or greater than the second threshold value (no in S25), that is, when the eating state of the chicken taking the feed is estimated to be good, the image showing the deterioration of the eating state is not displayed. In this case, the display unit 41 may display an image indicating that the food intake state is good.

More specifically, when the state in which the activity level is lower than the second threshold continues for a fixed period or longer, an image indicating that the food intake state has deteriorated is displayed on the display unit 41. That is, when the activity level does not return to the second threshold value or more for a period equal to or longer than the fixed period, an image showing that the food intake state has deteriorated is displayed. The second threshold value is appropriately determined by a setter or the like based on experience or through experiments. The second threshold may not be a fixed threshold, and may be changed according to the age of the chicken, for example.

According to the second monitoring operation described above, the activity level of the chickens in the chicken house 100 around the feeder 50 can be monitored, and when the activity level decreases, the decrease can be notified.

[ summary of ingestion status ]

As described above, if the density deviation and the activity amount are continuously or periodically monitored by the monitoring unit 32, the chicken raising system 10 can estimate the feeding state of the chickens in the chicken house 100. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing various states of chickens in the chicken house 100.

As shown in fig. 7 (a), when the chickens are distributed uniformly around the feeder 50 and are moving, the feeding state is good. In this case, the density deviation becomes small and the activity amount becomes large.

In addition, as shown in fig. 7 (b), in the case where the chicken moves around the feeder 50, the feeding state is not good. In this case, the density deviation becomes large and the activity amount becomes large.

In addition, as shown in fig. 7 (c), in the case where the chickens gather around the feeder 50 to some extent but the number of chickens sleeping is large, the feeding state is not good. In this case, the density deviation becomes small and the activity amount becomes small.

As shown in fig. 7 (d), when the chickens are not concentrated around the feeder 50 but sleep in the chicken house 100 in a scattered manner, the state of food intake is not good. In this case, the density deviation becomes large and the activity amount becomes small.

As described above, if the density deviation and the activity amount are continuously or periodically monitored by the monitoring unit 32, the chicken raising system 10 can estimate the feeding state of the chickens in the chicken house 100. The density deviation and the temporal change in activity amount monitored by the monitoring unit 32 are shown in fig. 8, for example. Fig. 8 is a graph showing a density deviation and a temporal change in activity amount. The monitoring unit 32 may monitor a moving average of density variation and a moving average of activity.

[ modification 1]

In the above embodiment, the area around the feeder 50 may be selectively set as the specific area, or the area around the water feeder 60 as shown in fig. 9 may be selectively set as the specific area. Fig. 9 is a schematic view showing the water feeder 60. That is, the specific region may be a region that is a part of the image captured by the imaging unit 21 and includes a portion where at least one of the feeder 50 and the water feeder 60 is captured.

As with the feeder 50, the water feeder 60 is preferably set to a color tone that is as black as possible in binarization. That is, the water feeder 60 is preferably color-matched differently from a chicken.

In addition, a portion including at least one of the shoot feeder 50 and the water feeder 60 in the specific region is not necessarily required. For example, when abnormality in the chicken house 100 is determined based on the density state of the chickens in the chicken house 100, the specific area may not include the parts of the paddle feeder 50 and the water feeder 60.

[ modification 2]

A plurality of cameras 20 may be provided in the chicken house 100. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of such a chicken raising system.

The chicken raising system 10a shown in fig. 10 includes two imaging devices, an imaging device 20 and an imaging device 20 a. That is, the chicken raising system 10a includes a plurality of imaging devices. In the chicken raising system 10a, the first monitoring operation and the second monitoring operation are performed using, for example, images taken by the imaging device 20 and images taken by the imaging device 20 a. The chicken raising system 10a can expand the monitoring target range in the chicken house 100 as compared with the chicken raising system 10.

[ Effect and the like ]

As described above, the chicken raising system 10 includes: an imaging unit 21 that images the inside of the chicken house 100; and a monitoring unit 32 that obtains fluctuations in the density of chickens present in a specific region that is a region of at least a part of the image captured by the imaging unit 21, and monitors the obtained fluctuations.

This chicken raising system 10 is capable of monitoring the concentration of chickens within the chicken house 100.

For example, the monitoring unit 32 calculates the ratio of the portion estimated to shoot a chicken in each of the plurality of unit regions obtained by dividing the specific region, and monitors the fluctuation of the calculated ratio.

This chicken raising system 10 is capable of monitoring the concentration of chickens within the chicken house 100.

The specific region is, for example, a region that is a part of the image and includes a part of at least one of the feeder 50 and the water feeder 60.

The chicken raising system 10 can monitor the density of the chickens in the peripheral area of the feeder 50 and the water feeder 60 as the feeding state of the chickens.

For example, the chicken raising system 10 further includes a notification unit that notifies that the fluctuation monitored by the monitoring unit 32 exceeds a threshold value. The notification unit is, for example, a display unit 41 that performs notification by displaying an image.

This chicken raising system 10 can notify the density deviation of the chickens in the chicken house 100 of the rise.

For example, the monitoring unit 32 converts the image into a black-and-white image, and calculates the ratio of white portions in the unit area as the ratio of portions estimated to be the chicken shots in the unit area.

The chicken raising system 10 can calculate the density deviation by regarding the white portion of the black-and-white image as the portion where the chicken is shot.

In addition, for example, the monitoring unit 32 performs the following processing: the amount of activity of the chicken in the specific area is calculated by image processing using the image captured by the imaging unit 21, and the calculated amount of activity is monitored.

The chicken raising system 10 is capable of monitoring the activity of chickens in the chicken house 100.

For example, the chicken raising system 10 further includes a notification unit that notifies that the activity amount monitored by the monitoring unit 32 is lower than the threshold value. The notification unit is, for example, a display unit 41 that performs notification by displaying an image.

This chicken raising system 10 can notify a decrease in the activity amount of the chickens in the chicken house 100.

For example, the monitoring unit 32 converts the image into a monochrome image, and calculates the activity amount based on the number of pixels included in a specific area of the monochrome image, the pixels having a color changed from the color of the image of the previous frame.

The chicken raising system 10 can calculate the activity amount based on the change in pixel color of the black-and-white image.

For example, at least one of the feeder 50 and the water feeder 60 is colored differently from a chicken.

Thus, if the feeder 50 and the water feeder 60 are color-matched so as to be distinguished from the chicken in binarization, the accuracy of determination of the dense state can be improved.

For example, the chicken raising system 10a includes a plurality of imaging units 21.

This chicken raising system 10a can expand the monitoring target range in the chicken house 100.

(other embodiments)

The chicken raising system according to the embodiment has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

For example, the invention may be implemented as a system targeted to diurnal avians. Diurnal poultry include, for example, ducks, turkeys, guinea fowl, and the like in addition to chickens.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the chicken raising system is implemented as a system including a plurality of devices, but may be implemented as a single device or may be implemented as a client server system.

In addition, the distribution of the components included in the chicken raising system among a plurality of apparatuses is an example. For example, the components included in one device may be included in another device. For example, the information terminal may include a display unit instead of the display device, and the display device may be omitted.

The general or specific aspects of the present invention can be realized by a device, a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM, or any combination of a device, a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. For example, the present invention may be implemented as a chicken raising method, as a program for causing a computer to execute the chicken raising method, or as a non-transitory recording medium in which the program is recorded.

In the above embodiment, the processing executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. The sequence of the plurality of processes in the operation of the chicken raising system described in the above embodiment is an example. The order of the plurality of processes may be changed, or the plurality of processes may be executed in parallel.

In the above-described embodiment, the constituent elements such as the monitoring unit may be realized by executing a software program suitable for the constituent elements. Each component may be realized by reading a software program recorded in a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor and executing the software program.

The components such as the monitoring unit may be realized by hardware. Specifically, the constituent elements such as the monitoring unit may be realized by a circuit or an integrated circuit. These circuits may be formed as a whole as one circuit or may be independent circuits. These circuits may be general circuits or dedicated circuits.

In addition, embodiments obtained by implementing various modifications to the embodiments that occur to those skilled in the art, or embodiments obtained by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

Description of the reference numerals

10. 10 a: a chicken raising system; 20. 20 a: a camera device; 21: an image pickup unit; 32: a monitoring unit; 41: a display unit; 50: a feeder; 60: a water feeder; 100: a chicken house.