Estrus Detection via Activity Switch Scores

The patent replaces complex medical imaging (ultrasound) and biochemical analysis (progesterone measurement) with simple mechanical motion detection using accelerometers and gyroscopes. The system detects estrus through changes in movement patterns, switching counts, and activity levels, eliminating the need for expensive and complex diagnostic equipment while maintaining detection accuracy.

The invention uses low-cost, disposable motion sensors that can be attached to animals rather than expensive reusable medical equipment. These simple sensors track movement patterns and switching behaviors to detect estrus, providing an economical alternative to ultrasound machines and laboratory testing facilities.

The patent introduces motion sensors as an intermediary between the animal's physiological state and the observer. Instead of directly observing behavior, the system uses sensors to capture subtle movement patterns, switching frequencies, and activity changes that indicate estrus, even in silent cases where behavioral signs are absent. This intermediary measurement layer bridges the gap between simple observation and reliable detection.

The system monitors multiple dynamic parameters including movement intensity, switching frequency between activities, and activity duration patterns. By tracking changes in these parameters over time rather than relying on single static observations, the system can detect estrus through subtle physiological changes that precede or accompany behavioral changes, improving reliability while maintaining operational simplicity.