Systems and methods for detecting estrus
OwnerWilliam B. Yancey, Linda C. Frank +1inventors
InventorsWilliam B. Yancey, Linda C. Frank, Bruce E. Johnson
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Abstract
Methods, devices, and systems are provided for identifying estrus or onset of estrus in a female animal.
Claims25
A system for determining estrus in a female animal, the system comprising:
- (a) a housing adapted for connection to a female animal, the housing enclosing a radio transmitter, a pressure switch, an encoder, an accelerometer, an antenna, and a power supply communicatively connected to each other, wherein the housing is connected to a patch for connection to the female animal, the patch including a stabilization device, and wherein the stabilization device provides a level surface for disposition of the housing at the tailhead of the animal and minimize rocking during mounting activity, the stabilization device having at least two compartments that fit beneath the housing;
- (b) a transceiver comprising a tuner, a power source, an antenna, and a communications link selected from the group of communications links consisting of cellular, RF and Wi-Fi wireless links;
- and
- (c) a central server;
- wherein the data generated by activation of the pressure switch is sent from the transmitter to the transceiver and then from the transceiver to the central server where a determination of estrus is made.
A device for detecting and transmitting a heat mount in a female animal comprising a radio transmitter, a pressure switch, an encoder, an accelerometer, an antenna, and a power supply communicatively connected to each other, and disposed within a hermetically sealed housing adapted to be connected to the female animal, and wherein the housing is connected to a patch for connection to the female animal, the patch including a stabilization device, and wherein the stabilization device provides a level surface for disposition of the housing at the tailhead of the animal and minimize rocking during mounting activity, the stabilization device having at least two compartments that fit beneath the housing.
A method for identifying a female animal in estrus, comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing a device comprising a radio transmitter, a pressure switch, an encoder, an accelerometer, an antenna, and a power supply communicatively connected to each other, and disposed within a housing on the tailhead of the female animal, wherein the housing is connected to a patch for connection to the female animal, the patch including a stabilization device, and wherein the stabilization device provides a level surface for disposition of the housing at the tailhead of the animal and minimize rocking during mounting activity, the stabilization device having at least two compartments that fit beneath the housing;
- (b) exposing the female animal to a mounting animal;
- (c) sensing, through the device, a mount of the female animal by the mounting animal and generating data related to sensing the mount;
- (d) transmitting the mount data to a transceiver;
- (e) sending the mount data from the transceiver through a cellular link to a central server;
- (f) repeating steps (c) through (e) at least once;
- (g) processing the mount data using software linked to the central server, wherein the software comprises predetermined parameters for making a determination of estrus;
- and
- (h) accessing the software to determine whether the female animal is in estrus.
A method of characterizing the estrus cycle of a particular breed or species of animal, comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing a disposable or reusable device comprising a radio transmitter, a pressure switch, an encoder, an accelerometer, an antenna, and a power supply communicatively connected to each other and sealed in a housing on the tailhead of a female animal of the breed or species, wherein the housing is connected to a patch for connection to the female animal, the patch including a stabilization device, and wherein the stabilization device provides a level surface for disposition of the housing at the tailhead of the animal and minimize rocking during mounting activity, the stabilization device having at least two compartments that fit beneath the housing;
- (b) exposing the female animal to a mounting animal;
- (c) sensing through the device a mount of the female animal by the mounting animal and generating data related to sensing the mount;
- (d) transmitting the mount data to a transceiver;
- (e) sending the mount data from the transceiver through a cellular, RF, Wi-Fi Wireless or combination link to a central server;
- (f) repeating steps (c) through (e) at least once;
- (g) accessing the mount data using software linked to the central server;
- (h) making a determination of whether the female animal is in estrus based on the data;
- wherein the steps (c) through (h) are repeated over about 2 weeks to about 2 years to characterize the estrus cycle;
- and
- (i) correlating the determination of estrus to the breed or species of animal and thereby characterizing the estrus cycle of the breed or species.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.