System and method for estrus detection using real-time location
First Claim
1. A method for estrus detection, comprising:
- generating signals by a plurality of identification devices positioned within a free stall pen;
triangulating the signals to determine location information associated with a dairy livestock;
storing the location information associated with the dairy livestock, the location information comprising a plurality of coordinate locations of the dairy livestock within the free stall pen at each of a plurality of times during a time period including a first time and a second time, wherein the plurality of coordinate locations comprises at least a first (X, Y, Z) location of the dairy livestock at the first time and a second (X, Y, Z) location of the dairy livestock at the second time;
determining, based on at least the first and second (X, Y, Z) locations, a turn index parameter indicating a number of times the dairy livestock reverses directions during the time period; and
determining whether the dairy livestock is likely to be in estrus based at least in part upon whether the determined turn index parameter is in excess of a baseline turn index parameter by more than a first predefined amount.
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Abstract
A method for estrus detection includes storing location information associated with a dairy livestock. This information includes coordinate locations of the dairy livestock within a free stall pen at each of a plurality of times during a time period including a first time and a second time. The coordinate locations comprise at least a first (X, Y, Z) location of the dairy livestock at the first time and a second (X, Y, Z) location of the dairy livestock at the second time. The method further includes determining, based on at least the first and second (X, Y, Z) locations, a turn index parameter indicating a number of times the dairy livestock reverses directions during the time period. The method further includes determining whether the dairy livestock is likely to be in estrus based at least in part upon whether the determined turn index parameter is in excess of a baseline turn index parameter by more than a first predefined amount.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for estrus detection, comprising:
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generating signals by a plurality of identification devices positioned within a free stall pen; triangulating the signals to determine location information associated with a dairy livestock; storing the location information associated with the dairy livestock, the location information comprising a plurality of coordinate locations of the dairy livestock within the free stall pen at each of a plurality of times during a time period including a first time and a second time, wherein the plurality of coordinate locations comprises at least a first (X, Y, Z) location of the dairy livestock at the first time and a second (X, Y, Z) location of the dairy livestock at the second time; determining, based on at least the first and second (X, Y, Z) locations, a turn index parameter indicating a number of times the dairy livestock reverses directions during the time period; and determining whether the dairy livestock is likely to be in estrus based at least in part upon whether the determined turn index parameter is in excess of a baseline turn index parameter by more than a first predefined amount. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for estrus detection, comprising:
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generating signals by a plurality of identification devices positioned within a free stall pen; triangulating the signals to determine location information associated with a dairy livestock; storing the location information associated with the dairy livestock, the location information comprising a plurality of coordinate locations of the particular dairy livestock within the free stall pen at each of a plurality of times during a time period including a first time and a second time, wherein the plurality of coordinate locations comprises at least a first (X, Y, Z) location of the particular dairy livestock at the first time and a second (X, Y, Z) location of the particular dairy livestock at the second time; determining an alley walking parameter corresponding to a percentage of the time period that the dairy livestock was walking in a walking alley of the free stall pen; determining a mobility count parameter corresponding to a number of times during the time period that the dairy livestock moved greater than a predefined distance during a time interval within the time period; and determining whether the particular dairy livestock is likely to be in estrus based at least in part upon whether a heat index for the particular dairy livestock is in excess of a baseline heat index by more than a predefined amount, the heat index for the particular dairy livestock corresponding to a multiplication product of the alley walking parameter and the mobility count parameter. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method for estrus detection, comprising:
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generating signals by a plurality of identification devices positioned within a free stall pen; triangulating the signals to determine location information associated with a dairy livestock; storing the location information associated with the dairy livestock, the location information comprising a coordinate location of the dairy livestock within the free stall pen at each of a plurality of times during a time period; determining a stall standing parameter corresponding to a percentage of the time period that the dairy livestock was standing in a stall of the free stall pen; determining a stall lying parameter corresponding to a percentage of the time period that the dairy livestock was lying in the stall of the free stall pen; determining an alley walking parameter corresponding to a percentage of the time period that the dairy livestock was walking in a walking alley of the free stall pen; determining an alley lying parameter corresponding to a percentage of the time period that the dairy livestock was lying in the walking alley of the free stall pen; determining an alley standing parameter corresponding to a percentage of the time period that the dairy livestock was standing stationary in the walking alley of the free stall pen; determining a feeding parameter corresponding to a percentage of the time period that the dairy livestock was located within a predefined distance of a feed lane of the free stall pen; and determining a watering parameter corresponding to a percentage of the time period that the dairy livestock was located within a predefined distance of a water trough of the free stall pen; and determining whether a heat index for the dairy livestock is in excess of a baseline heat index by more than a predefined amount, the heat index for the dairy livestock corresponding to a function of the stall standing parameter, the stall lying parameter, the alley walking parameter, the alley lying parameter, the alley standing parameter, the feeding parameter, and the watering parameter. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification