# US 2023/0057738 A1 · Detecting estrus in animals for insemination > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0057738 A1 - Document ID: US20230057738A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/819,759 - Filed: 2022-08-15 - Published: 2023-02-23 - Earliest claimed: 2021-08-20 - Assignees: Groupe Ro-Main Inc. - Applicants: Groupe Ro-Main Inc. - Inventors: Jacquelin Labrecque; Gabrielle Germain; Eva Bourgeais-Boon; Joel Rivest - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230057738A1 ## CPC - A01K 29/005: {Monitoring or measuring activity} - A61B 5/0077: {Devices for viewing the surface of the body, e.g. camera, magnifying lens} - A61B 5/4368: {Sexual arousal evaluation} - A61D 17/002: {for detecting period of heat of animals, i.e. for detecting oestrus (for humans A61B10/0012)} - A61B 2503/40: Animals - A61B 2576/00: Medical imaging apparatus involving image processing or analysis (A61B1/00009, A61B6/52 and A61B8/52 take precedence) - A01K: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61D: VETERINARY INSTRUMENTS, IMPLEMENTS, TOOLS, OR METHODS ## Abstract A method for detecting estrus in sows where insemination is carried out when a determination has been made. In a first method images of a rear profile of each sow are analyzed to make a determination from features relating to a shape, size, and/or color of the vulva whether the sow is in estrus. The analysis can use a program where a large number of images showing the vulva area of a plurality of sows known to be in estrus and known not to be in estrus have been previously analyzed to generate data on the previous images to create a program which generates a signal using the data to make the determination. In a second method a boar is confined and brought into close contact with the sows where images and/or sounds of each sow are analyzed to make a determination whether the sow is in estrus. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for raising livestock comprising: defining a confinement area in which a group of sows are contained, where the sows are potentially in estrus; periodically collecting images of a rear profile of each sow; and analyzing, using a control system, the images to make a determination from features relating to a shape, size, and/or color of the vulva whether the sow is in estrus; providing an output signal in response to a determination that the sow is in estrus. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein the analysis is carried out by the control system using a program where a large number of images showing the vulva area of a plurality of sows known to be in estrus and known not to be in estrus have been previously analyzed to generate data on the previous images to create a program which generates a signal using the data to make the determination. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein the features include texture of or wrinkles on the vulva. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein the features include height or width of the vulva. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein the features include comparison of the size of the vulva to a determinable area of the rear profile of the sow. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein the features include color of the vulva. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein the features include outward protuberance of the vulva. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein at least one image of the area is compared to previous images of the area of the same sow to use differences over time to make the determination. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 including analyzing the images to select for analysis an area on the image showing the vulva of the sow. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein multiple images of the rear profile are analyzed to select one or more suitable images best showing the area. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein multiple images of the area are selected and compared to obtain the determination. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein multiple images of the area are selected and compared to obtain the determination using statistical analysis. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein the sows are confined in individual stalls and the images are obtained by a camera mounted on the stall. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein the sows are unconfined in individual stalls and the images are obtained by a camera mounted on a stall which is frequently visited by the sows. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a system of providing an identification of the sow of which the images are obtained. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein, after a determination of estrus is made, a mark is applied to a sow which is the subject of the determination for subsequent insemination. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein the control system is part of standalone system including a camera, a processor for making the determination and an interface for communication with a worker. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein the control system is arranged to provide data relating to the determinations for a plurality of sows to a sow management system. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein the images are taken manually by a worker holding an imaging device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 including providing a boar which is confined or contained where the confinement area and the container are arranged so that the sows in the containment area are enabled to come into close contact with the boar by movement of the boar or the sow. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method according to claim 20 including providing at least one collecting device arranged to collect images and/or sounds of each sow when in said close contact and analyzing using a control system the images and/or the sounds to make a determination whether the sow is in estrus. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein the control system operates to distinguish between determinations of estrus requiring simple and complex analyses where in simple analyses, an output signal is provided indicative of a determination of estrus in the sow at the boar container and where in complex analyses an output signal is provided requiring additional intervention before a determination of estrus is made. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein insemination is carried out on receipt of a signal indicative that a determination has been made.