Methods for detecting estrus in tetrapods

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for detecting estrus in tetrapods. It comprises at least one electronic device and a remote host unit mounted on the collars of each tetrapod. The electronic device includes a processor electrically connected to an accelerometer, an input unit, a storage unit, a transmission unit, and a power supply unit. The processor is electrically connected to a remote processor within the remote host unit via the transmission unit. The remote processor is further connected to a display device. The method uses the accelerometer to detect the activity level, standing, head-raising, and riding behaviors of each tetrapod, as well as their duration, and compares this data with normal data to accurately determine whether each tetrapod is in estrus.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a method for detecting estrus in tetrapods, particularly a method that uses a detector to detect the activity level, standing, head-raising and riding behaviors of each tetrapod and the duration of these behaviors, and then compares the data with normal data to accurately determine whether each tetrapod is in estrus. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Note that with the development of technology, the related animal husbandry industry has also become more data-driven and scientific. One of the key points of current technology is to artificially inseminate four-legged animals such as cattle, sheep, horses, pigs and even camels to increase the success rate of reproduction and productivity.

[0003] Therefore, accurately calculating the estrus cycle and time of various animals is a key focus for related industries. To this end, there is a method that uses detectors on the limbs of various animals to determine the timing of estrus and calculate the estrus cycle of each animal. However, the method of only installing detectors on the limbs can only calculate the estrus cycle before and after riding behavior, and cannot accurately calculate the exact estrus time of four-legged animals. This is the key point that those engaged in this industry urgently need to study and improve. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned problems and deficiencies, the inventor collected relevant information, conducted multiple evaluations and considerations, and based on years of experience accumulated in this industry, through continuous trial and modification, finally designed this invention patent for a method for detecting estrus in four-legged animals.

[0005] The main objective of this invention is a method for detecting estrus in tetrapods, comprising the following detection steps: (A01) placing an electronic device on the tetrapod's collar and activating the device; (A02) collecting acceleration data through an accelerometer within the electronic device, and sequentially assigning numbers X1 to X10 based on the tetrapod's left-right movement direction per second, Y1 to Y10 based on the tetrapod's forward-backward movement direction per second, and Z1 to Z10 based on the tetrapod's up-down movement direction per second; (A03) calculating the change in acceleration; (A04) detecting whether the electronic device is tilted with its front end facing upwards; if so, proceeding to step (A041); otherwise, proceeding to step (A042); (A041) The calculated acceleration changes are summed to a total acceleration change. The acceleration changes per second are then added to the total acceleration change. The acceleration changes when the electronic device is tilted are summed to a total tilt acceleration change. The acceleration changes per second when tilted are then added to the total tilt acceleration change. Then step (A05) is executed. (A042) The calculated acceleration changes are summed to a total acceleration change. The acceleration changes per second are then added to the total tilt acceleration change. Then step (A05) is executed. (A05) After a fixed time, a total of 1 and a total of 2 are obtained. If they are, step (A06) is executed. If not, step (A02) is executed. (A06) Set a first threshold value and a second threshold value, and compare whether the value of the sum of 1 exceeds the first threshold value and whether the value of the sum of 2 exceeds the second threshold value. If yes, proceed to step (A061); if no, proceed to step (A062). (A061) If it is determined that the person is in heat, proceed to step (A07). (A062) If it is determined that the person is not in heat, proceed to step (A07). (A07) Set the values ​​of the sum of 1 and the sum of 2 to 0, and proceed to step (A02).

[0006] A secondary objective of the present invention is that the accelerometer of the acceleration detector in the electronic device in step (A02) is set to 10Hz.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is that the formula for calculating the change in acceleration (S) in step (A03) is: S=|X2-X1|+|X3-X2|+…+|X10-X9|+|Y2-Y1|+|Y3-Y2|+…+|Y10-Y9|+…|Z2-Z1|+|Z3-Z2|+…+|Z10-Z9|.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is that in step (A04), the tilt of the electronic device can be determined by the G value of the Y axis, and the electronic device is determined to be tilted according to the formula (Y1+Y2+…+Y10) / 10>0.5G.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is that in step (A05), the calculated acceleration changes are summed into a total acceleration change, and the acceleration changes per second are added to the total acceleration change for 30 minutes to obtain a total value of 1. If it is determined that the electronic device is tilted, the acceleration changes when the electronic device is tilted are calculated separately and summed into a total acceleration change when tilted. The acceleration changes per second when tilted are added to the total acceleration change when tilted for 30 minutes to obtain a total value of 2.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is that the first threshold value in step (A06) is a value formed by multiplying the average value of the sum of 1 accumulated over the past three days by 2, and the second threshold value is a value formed by multiplying the average value of the sum of 2 accumulated over the past three days by 2.

Implementation Method

[0012] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a simplified block diagram of the tetrapod estrus detection method of the present invention. As can be clearly seen from the figure, the tetrapod estrus detection method of the present invention comprises at least one electronic device 1 and a remote host 2, which are disposed on the collar of each tetrapod (such as cattle, sheep, pigs, or camels).

[0013] The at least one electronic device 1 is provided with a processor 11, and the processor 11 is electrically connected to an accelerometer 12, an input unit 13, a storage unit 14, a transmission unit 15 and a power supply unit 16 respectively. The processor 11 is electrically connected to a remote processor 21 in the remote host 2 via the transmission unit 15. The remote processor 21 is further connected to a display device 22 to display whether each of the four-legged animals is in estrus.

[0014] As described above, the accelerometer of the accelerometer 12 in the at least one electronic device 1 is set to 10Hz, and the accelerometer 12 is sequentially numbered X1 to X10 on the X-axis according to the left-right movement direction of each quadruped per second, sequentially numbered Y1 to Y10 on the Y-axis according to the forward-backward movement direction of each quadruped per second, and sequentially numbered Z1 to Z10 on the Z-axis according to the up-down movement direction of each quadruped per second. The acceleration change is calculated using the formula: S = |X2-X1| + |X3-X2| + ... + |X10-X9| + |Y2-Y1| + |Y3-Y2| + ... + |Y10-Y9| + ... |Z2-Z1| + |Z3-Z2| + ... + ... |Z10-Z9| calculates the change in acceleration. Then, the G (gravitational acceleration) value on the Y-axis can be used to determine whether the at least one electronic device 1 is tilted. According to the formula (Y1+Y2+…+Y10) / 10>0.5G, it is determined that the at least one electronic device 1 is tilted. The calculated changes in acceleration are then summed to a total change in acceleration. The change in acceleration per second is added to the total change in acceleration and accumulated to 30 minutes to obtain a total value of 1. If it is determined that the at least one electronic device 1 is tilted, the change in acceleration when the electronic device 1 is tilted is calculated separately and summed to a total change in acceleration when tilted. The change in acceleration per second when tilted is added to the total change in acceleration when tilted and accumulated to 30 minutes to obtain a total value of 2.

[0015] The average value of the sum 1 accumulated over the past three days multiplied by 2 forms a first threshold value, and the average value of the sum 2 accumulated over the past three days multiplied by 2 forms a second threshold value. By comparing whether the value of the sum 1 is greater than the first threshold value or whether the value of the sum 2 is greater than the second threshold value, the activity level, standing or riding behavior of each quadruped can be determined, and whether each quadruped is in estrus can be determined.

[0016] The calculation based on the estrus state of each of the above-mentioned tetrapods and the formulas of the acceleration detector 12 can be performed by the processor 11 of the at least one electronic device 1, or by the remote processor 21 on the remote host 2. Such simple and equal changes and modifications do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention, and are hereby stated.

[0017] Furthermore, the aforementioned input unit 13 can be various buttons, switches, touch keyboards, etc., to provide the electronic device 1 with the functions of starting, stopping and operating. Such simple and equal changes and modifications do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention, and are hereby stated.

[0018] Furthermore, the aforementioned storage unit 14 is designed to store the values ​​detected by the accelerometer 12, and the power supply unit 16 can be a dry cell battery, lithium battery, rechargeable battery, power cord, or other device that provides the required power. Such simple and equivalent variations and modifications do not limit the scope of protection of this invention and are hereby stated.

[0019] Furthermore, the transmission unit 15 can be a wired network transmission, wireless network transmission, or Bluetooth transmission device. Such simple and equal variations and modifications do not limit the scope of protection of this invention, and are hereby stated.

[0020] Furthermore, the aforementioned display device 22 may be a liquid crystal display screen, a cold light surface display screen, or a light-emitting diode (LED) display screen, etc. Such simple and uniform variations and modifications do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention, and are hereby stated.

[0021] Please refer to Figures 2 and 3, which are flowcharts (I) and (II) of the tetrapod estrus detection method of the present invention. As can be clearly seen from the figures, the electronic device 1 of the present invention performs detection through the following steps:

[0022] (A01) The electronic device 1 is placed on the collar of the quadruped and the electronic device 1 is activated.

[0023] (A02) Acceleration data is collected by the accelerometer 12 in the electronic device 1, and the left and right movement direction of the quadruped per second is sequentially set to the numbers X1 to X10, the forward and backward movement direction of the quadruped per second is sequentially set to the numbers Y1 to Y10, and the up and down movement direction of the quadruped per second is sequentially set to the numbers Z1 to Z10.

[0024] (A03) Calculate the change in acceleration.

[0025] (A04) Detect whether the state of the electronic device 1 is that the front end is tilted upwards. If yes, execute step (A041); otherwise, execute step (A042).

[0026] (A041) The calculated acceleration changes are summed into a total acceleration change, and the acceleration changes per second are simultaneously added to the total acceleration change. The acceleration changes when the electronic device 1 is tilted are summed into a total acceleration change when tilted, and the acceleration changes per second when tilted are simultaneously added to the total acceleration change when tilted. Then step (A05) is executed.

[0027] (A042) The above-calculated acceleration changes are summed into a total acceleration change, and the acceleration changes per second are simultaneously added to the total acceleration change, and then step (A05) is executed.

[0028] (A05) After a fixed period of time, a total of 1 and a total of 2 are obtained. If they are, proceed to step (A06); otherwise, proceed to step (A02).

[0029] (A06) Set a first threshold value and a second threshold value, and compare whether the sum of 1 exceeds the first threshold value and whether the sum of 2 exceeds the second threshold value. If yes, execute step (A061); otherwise, execute step (A062).

[0030] (A061) If the patient is in estrus, proceed to step (A07).

[0031] (A062) If it is determined that the person is not in estrus, proceed to step (A07).

[0032] (A07) Set the values ​​of sum 1 and sum 2 to 0, and execute step (A02).

[0033] Furthermore, in the above step (A02), the accelerometer of the acceleration detector 12 in the electronic device 1 is set to 10Hz, and the formula for calculating the change in acceleration (S) in this step (A03) is: S=|X2-X1|+|X3-X2|+…+|X10-X9|+|Y2-Y1|+|Y3-Y2|+…+|Y10-Y9|+…|Z2-Z1|+|Z3-Z2|+…+|Z10-Z9|.

[0034] In addition, in the above step (A04), it is possible to determine whether the electronic device 1 is tilted by the G (gravitational acceleration) value of the Y-axis, and to determine that the electronic device 1 is in a tilted state according to the formula (Y1+Y2+…+Y10) / 10>0.5G.

[0035] Furthermore, in the above step (A05), the calculated acceleration changes are summed into a total acceleration change. The acceleration change per second is then added to the total acceleration change for 30 minutes to obtain a total value of 1. If it is determined that the electronic device 1 is tilted, the acceleration changes when the electronic device 1 is tilted are calculated separately and summed into a total acceleration change when tilted. The acceleration change per second when tilted is then added to the total acceleration change when tilted for 30 minutes to obtain a total value of 2.

[0036] In addition, the first threshold value in the above step (A06) is a value formed by multiplying the average value of the sum of 1 accumulated over the past three days by 2, and the second threshold value is a value formed by multiplying the average value of the sum of 2 accumulated over the past three days by 2.

[0037] Therefore, the present invention uses a detector to detect the activity level, standing, head-raising and riding behaviors of each quadruped animal and the duration of these behaviors, and then compares them with normal data to accurately determine whether each quadruped animal is in estrus.

[0038] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Therefore, any simple modifications and equivalent structural changes made based on the description and drawings of the present invention should also be included within the patent scope of the present invention and are hereby stated.

[0039] In summary, the tetrapod estrus detection method of the present invention is indeed a highly practical research and development that can achieve its intended effect and purpose in practical applications. In order to meet the application requirements for an invention patent, this application is hereby filed in accordance with the law. We hope that the Examination Board will grant this application as soon as possible to protect the inventor's hard work in research and development. If the Examination Board has any questions, please do not hesitate to write to us for guidance. The inventor will do his best to cooperate. We would be very grateful for your help. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0011] [Figure 1] is a simplified block diagram of the tetrapod estrus detection method of the present invention. [Figure 2] is a flowchart (I) of the tetrapod estrus detection method of the present invention. [Figure 3] is a flowchart (II) of the tetrapod estrus detection method of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for detecting estrus in tetrapods, comprising the following steps: (A01) placing an electronic device on the collar of the tetrapod and activating the device; (A02) collecting acceleration data through an accelerometer within the electronic device, and sequentially assigning numbers based on the tetrapod's left-right movement direction per second, its forward-backward movement direction per second, and its up-down movement direction per second; (A03) calculating the change in acceleration; (A04) detecting the state of the electronic device by determining whether it is tilted through the G value on the Y-axis, and determining the tilt state of the electronic device according to the formula (Y1+Y2+…+Y10) / 10>0.5G, whether it is tilted with the front end facing upwards; if yes, proceed to step (A041); otherwise, proceed to step (A042); (A041) The calculated acceleration changes are summed to a total acceleration change. The acceleration changes per second are then added to the total acceleration change. The acceleration changes when the electronic device is tilted are summed to a total tilt acceleration change. The acceleration changes per second when tilted are then added to the total tilt acceleration change. Then step (A05) is executed. (A042) The calculated acceleration changes are summed to a total acceleration change. The acceleration changes per second are then added to the total tilt acceleration change. Then step (A05) is executed. (A05) After a fixed time, a total of 1 and a total of 2 are obtained. If they are, step (A06) is executed. If not, step (A02) is executed. (A06) Set a first threshold value and a second threshold value, and compare whether the value of the sum of 1 exceeds the first threshold value and whether the value of the sum of 2 exceeds the second threshold value. If yes, proceed to step (A061); otherwise, proceed to step (A062). (A061) If it is determined that the person is in heat, proceed to step (A07). (A062) If it is determined that the person is not in heat, proceed to step (A07). (A07) Set the values ​​of the sum of 1 and the sum of 2 to 0, and proceed to step (A02).

2. The tetrapod estrus detection method as described in claim 1, wherein the accelerometer of the accelerometer in the electronic device in step (A02) is set to 10Hz.

3. The tetrapod estrus detection method as described in claim 1, wherein in step (A03), the left-right movement direction of the tetrapod per second is sequentially set as X1 to X10, the forward-backward movement direction of the tetrapod per second is sequentially set as Y1 to Y10, and the up-down movement direction of the tetrapod per second is sequentially set as Z1 to Z10. The formula for calculating the change in acceleration (S) is: S=|X2-X1|+|X3-X2|+…+|X10-X9|+|Y2-Y1|+|Y3-Y2|+…+|Y10-Y9|+…|Z2-Z1|+|Z3-Z2|+…+|Z10-Z9|.

4. The tetrapod estrus detection method as described in claim 1, wherein in step (A05), the calculated acceleration changes are summed into a total acceleration change, and the acceleration changes per second are added to the total acceleration change for 30 minutes to obtain a sum of 1. If it is determined that the electronic device is tilted, the acceleration changes when the electronic device is tilted are calculated separately and summed into a total acceleration change when tilted, and the acceleration changes per second when tilted are added to the total acceleration change when tilted for 30 minutes to obtain a sum of 2.

5. The tetrapod estrus detection method as described in claim 1, wherein the first threshold value in step (A06) is a value formed by multiplying the average value of the sum of 1 accumulated over the past three days by 2, and the second threshold value is a value formed by multiplying the average value of the sum of 2 accumulated over the past three days by 2.

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