Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K11/00—Marking of animals
  • A01K11/006—Automatic identification systems for animals, e.g. electronic devices, transponders for animals
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K29/00—Other apparatus for animal husbandry
  • A01K29/005—Monitoring or measuring activity
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61D—VETERINARY INSTRUMENTS, IMPLEMENTS, TOOLS, OR METHODS
  • A61D17/00—Devices for indicating trouble during labour of animals ; Methods or instruments for detecting pregnancy-related states of animals
  • A61D17/002—Devices for indicating trouble during labour of animals ; Methods or instruments for detecting pregnancy-related states of animals for detecting period of heat of animals, i.e. for detecting oestrus
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61D—VETERINARY INSTRUMENTS, IMPLEMENTS, TOOLS, OR METHODS
  • A61D17/00—Devices for indicating trouble during labour of animals ; Methods or instruments for detecting pregnancy-related states of animals
  • A61D17/004—Devices for indicating trouble during labour of animals ; Methods or instruments for detecting pregnancy-related states of animals for detecting mating action
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B17/00—Monitoring; Testing
  • H04B17/30—Monitoring; Testing of propagation channels
  • H04B17/309—Measuring or estimating channel quality parameters
  • H04B17/318—Received signal strength

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of estrus or heat detection.
• the span of the estrous cycle differs among different animals, as does the span of its different periods. For example, a cow's estrus cycle occurs approximately every 21 days, while an ewe's estrus cycle occurs approximately every 16 days. Within these periods, the estrus or heat period, characterized as the female's sexual receptivity period, of cows lasts about 18 hours, while in ewes this period lasts about 30 hours.
• a first type of methods is based on visual observation of behavior(s) exhibited by a given female(s), for example, mounting other females, chin resting and rubbing, frequent urination, bawling, restlessness, and/or sniffing behavior, to name a few.
• a second type of methods is based on external factors, for example, chin ball markers, teaser animals, and/or movement sensors, to name a few, designed to assist in identifying estrus or heat.
• a system for determining heat of one or more dams located in the surrounding of a sire comprising a processing circuitry configured to: receive information indicative of proximity between the one or more dams and the sire; and determine, based on the received information, for each given dam of the one or more dams, whether the given dam is in heat or not.
• a primary tag is coupled to the sire
• a secondary tag is coupled to each given dam of the one or more dams
• the information indicative of proximity between the one or more dams and the sire is derived from signals transmitted between the secondary tags of the one or more dams and the primary tag of the sire.
• the given dam is determined to be in heat in cases where the number of transmitted signals, transmitted from its respective secondary tag and received by the primary tag, during a set time window, exceeds a first threshold, and (b) the given dam is determined to not be in heat in cases where the number of transmitted signals, transmitted from its respective secondary tag and received by the primary tag, during the set time window, is below the first threshold.
• the first threshold is dynamically adjusted along said given dam's estrus cycle.
• each of said transmitted signals is assigned a score linked to a proximity level of said given dam's secondary tag and said sire's primary tag, and wherein said scores are accumulated to an aggregated score being compared to a score threshold, such that upon said aggregated score exceeds said score threshold, said given dam is determined to be in heat.
• the signals are received by the primary tag with a signal strength that is above a second threshold.
• the signal strength is determined by using Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI).
• RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator
• the given dam is determined to be in heat in cases where the number of transmitted signals, transmitted by the primary tag and received by the given dam’s secondary tag, during a set time window, exceeds a first threshold, and (b) the given dam is determined to not be in heat in cases where the number of transmitted signals, transmitted by the primary tag and received by the given dam’s secondary tag, during the set time window, is below the first threshold.
• the signals are received by the primary tag with a signal strength that is above a second threshold.
• the signal strength is determined by using Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI).
• RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator
• the primary tag includes an internal power source, and wherein the primary tag has low-power time windows, at which the primary tag is configured to be operative with minimal power in order to conserve energy of its internal power source.
• the signals transmitted between the secondary tags and the primary tag are transmitted from the secondary tags to the primary tag at distinct time points within one or more reception time windows of the primary tag.
• each signal of the signals, transmitted by a given secondary tag includes an identifier associated with the given secondary tag.
• a system for determining heat of one or more dams each coupled with a secondary tag, at least some of which being within a broadcasting range of a primary tag attached to a sire
• the system comprising a processing circuitry configured to: synchronize the primary tag and the at least some secondary tags such that one or more reception time windows of the primary tag, at which the primary tag is configured to receive data, coincide with one or more transmission time windows of the at least some secondary tags, at which the at least some secondary tags are configured to transmit data; transmit, by each given secondary tag, at distinct time points within the one or more reception time windows of the primary tag, signals including an identifier associated with the given secondary tag; receive, by the primary tag, during its reception time windows, the signals transmitted by the secondary tags being within the broadcasting range of the primary tag; determine for each given dam of the one or more dams whether the given dam is: (i) in heat, or (ii) not in heat, wherein: (a) the given dam
• the signals are received with a signal strength that is above a second threshold.
• the signal strength is determined by using Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI).
• RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator
• the one or more distinct time points are randomly selected during the reception time windows of the primary tag.
• the primary tag includes an internal power source, and wherein the primary tag has low-power time windows, at which the primary tag is configured to be operative with minimal power in order to conserve energy of its internal power source.
• the synchronization of the primary tag and the secondary tags is performed by: transmitting, by the primary tag, one or more signals, along a specific time period, wherein at least some of the one or more signals include synchronization information enabling determination of at least one reception time window, during which the primary tag is configured to receive data; receiving, by at least some of the secondary tags, at least one of the signals of the at least some signals transmitted by the primary tag; and, based on the received synchronization information received by each given secondary tag of the at least some of the secondary tags, updating an operation scheme of each given secondary tag, wherein (i) the operation scheme defines transmission time windows during which the given secondary tag is configured to transmit data, and (ii) the transmission time windows at least partially overlap with the at least one reception time window.
• each of the secondary tags includes a respective internal power source, and wherein the operation scheme further defines low-power time windows during which the secondary tag is not transmitting data in order to conserve energy of the internal power sources.
• a system for determining a source of pregnancy of one or more pregnant dams located in the surrounding of a plurality of sires
• the system includes a processing circuitry configured to: receive information indicative of proximity between the one or more pregnant dams and the plurality of sires, prior to the pregnancy, while the one or more pregnant dams were in estrus or heat; and determine, based on the received information, for each given pregnant dam of the one or more pregnant dams, a given sire of the plurality of sires which was proximate to the given pregnant dam while the given pregnant dam was in estrus or heat.
• a primary tag is coupled to each sire of the plurality of sires
• a secondary tag is coupled to each given pregnant dam of the one or more pregnant dams
• the information indicative of proximity between the one or more pregnant dams and the plurality of sires is derived from signals transmitted between the secondary tags of the one or more pregnant dams and the primary tags of the plurality of sires, while the one or more pregnant dams were in estrus or heat.
• the signals are received with a signal strength that is above a second threshold.
• the signal strength is determined by using Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI).
• RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator
• each primary tag includes an internal power source, and wherein each primary tag has low-power time windows, at which the primary tag is configured to be operative with minimal power in order to conserve energy of its internal power source.
• the signals transmitted between the secondary tags and the primary tags are transmitted from the secondary tags to the primary tags at distinct time points within one or more reception time windows of the primary tags.
• the signals transmitted between the secondary tags and the primary tags are transmitted from the primary tags to the secondary tags at distinct time points within one or more reception time windows of the secondary tags.
• each signal of the signals, transmitted by a given secondary tag includes an identifier associated with the given secondary tag.
• the sire is a bull and the respective dam is a cow.
• a system for determining a distance between a primary tag and one or more secondary tags being within a broadcasting range of the primary tag comprising a processing circuitry configured to: synchronize the primary tag and the secondary tags such that one or more reception time windows of the primary tag, at which the primary tag is configured to receive data, coincide with one or more transmission time windows of the secondary tags, at which the secondary tags are configured to transmit data; transmit, by each given secondary tag, at distinct time points within the one or more reception time windows of the primary tag, signals including an identifier associated with the given secondary tag; receive, by the primary tag, during its reception time window, the signals transmitted by the secondary tags; determine, for each given secondary tag, based on its received signals, a distance between the given secondary tag and the primary tag.
• the primary tag is configured to be coupled to a sire
• the one or more secondary tags are each configured to be coupled to a respective dam.
• the sire is a bull and the respective dam is a cow.
• the distance is calculated based on the time elapsing between a distinct time point of the distinct time points, at which the secondary tag transmits a signal, and the time at which the transmitted signal was received by the primary tag attached to the sire.
• each given secondary tag transmits its signals after a predefined time interval and the distance is calculated based on the time elapsing until the primary tag receives the signals.
• a secondary tag couplable to a non-human animal
• the secondary tag comprising an independent internal power source and a processing circuitry configured to: receive one or more signals transmitted by a primary tag located within a broadcasting range of the secondary tag, wherein at least some of the one or more signals include synchronization information enabling determination of at least one reception time window, during which the primary tag is configured to receive data; and, based on the received synchronization information, update an operation scheme of the secondary tag, wherein the operation scheme defines: (i) transmission time windows during which the secondary tag is configured to transmit data, the transmission time windows at least partially overlap with the reception time window, and (ii) low-power time windows during which the secondary tag is not transmitting data in order to conserve energy of the internal power source.
• the secondary tag transmits data at one or more distinct time points during the reception time windows of the primary tag, so as to at least reduce a likelihood of collision with signals transmitted by one or more additional secondary tags configured to transmit data during the reception time windows.
• the one or more distinct time points are randomly selected during the reception time windows of the primary tag.
• the primary tag is configured to be coupled to a sire
• the one or more secondary tags are each configured to be coupled to a respective dam.
• the sire is a bull and the respective dam is a cow.
• a method for determining heat of one or more dams located in the surrounding of a sire comprising: receiving information indicative of proximity between the one or more dams and the sire; and determining, based on the received information, for each given dam of the one or more dams, whether the given dam is in heat or not.
• a primary tag is coupled to the sire
• a secondary tag is coupled to each given dam of the one or more dams
• the information indicative of proximity between the one or more dams and the sire is derived from signals transmitted between the secondary tags of the one or more dams and the primary tag of the sire.
• the given dam is determined to be in heat in cases where the number of transmitted signals, transmitted from its respective secondary tag and received by the primary tag, during a set time window, exceeds a first threshold, and (b) the given dam is determined to not be in heat in cases where the number of transmitted signals, transmitted from its respective secondary tag and received by the primary tag, during the set time window, is below the first threshold.
• the signals are received by the primary tag with a signal strength that is above a second threshold.
• the signal strength is determined by using Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI).
• RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator
• the given dam is determined to be in heat in cases where the number of transmitted signals, transmitted by the primary tag and received by the given dam’s secondary tag, during a set time window, exceeds a first threshold, and (b) the given dam is determined to not be in heat in cases where the number of transmitted signals, transmitted by the primary tag and received by the given dam’s secondary tag, during the set time window, is below the first threshold.
• the signals are received by the primary tag with a signal strength that is above a second threshold.
• the signal strength is determined by using Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI).
• RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator
• the primary tag includes an internal power source, and wherein the primary tag has low-power time windows, at which the primary tag is configured to be operative with minimal power in order to conserve energy of its internal power source.
• the signals transmitted between the secondary tags and the primary tag are transmitted from the secondary tags to the primary tag at distinct time points within one or more reception time windows of the primary tag.
• the sire is a bull and the respective dam is a cow.
• a method for determining heat of one or more dams each coupled with a secondary tag, at least some of which being within a broadcasting range of a primary tag attached to a sire, the method comprising: synchronizing the primary tag and the at least some secondary tags such that one or more reception time windows of the primary tag, at which the primary tag is configured to receive data, coincide with one or more transmission time windows of the at least some secondary tags, at which the at least some secondary tags are configured to transmit data; transmitting, by each given secondary tag, at distinct time points within the one or more reception time windows of the primary tag, signals including an identifier associated with the given secondary tag; receiving, by the primary tag, during its reception time windows, the signals transmitted by the secondary tags being within the broadcasting range of the primary tag; determining for each given dam of the one or more dams whether the given dam is: (i) in heat, or (ii) not in heat, wherein: (a) the given dam is determined to be in
• the signals are received with a signal strength that is above a second threshold.
• the signal strength is determined by using Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI).
• RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator
• the one or more distinct time points are randomly selected during the reception time windows of the primary tag.
• the primary tag includes an internal power source, and wherein the primary tag has low-power time windows, at which the primary tag is configured to be operative with minimal power in order to conserve energy of its internal power source.
• each of the secondary tags includes a respective internal power source, and wherein the operation scheme further defines low-power time windows during which the secondary tag is not transmitting data in order to conserve energy of the internal power sources.
• a method for determining a source of pregnancy of one or more pregnant dams located in the surrounding of a plurality of sires, the method: receiving information indicative of proximity between the one or more pregnant dams and the plurality of sires, prior to the pregnancy, while the one or more pregnant dams were in estrus or heat; and determining, based on the received information, for each given pregnant dam of the one or more pregnant dams, a given sire of the plurality of sires which was proximate to the given pregnant dam while the given pregnant dam was in estrus or heat.
• a primary tag is coupled to each sire of the plurality of sires
• a secondary tag is coupled to each given pregnant dam of the one or more pregnant dams
• the information indicative of proximity between the one or more pregnant dams and the plurality of sires is derived from signals transmitted between the secondary tags of the one or more pregnant dams and the primary tags of the plurality of sires, while the one or more pregnant dams were in estrus or heat.
• the signals are received with a signal strength that is above a second threshold.
• the signal strength is determined by using Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI).
• RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator
• each primary tag includes an internal power source, and wherein each primary tag has low-power time windows, at which the primary tag is configured to be operative with minimal power in order to conserve energy of its internal power source.
• the signals transmitted between the secondary tags and the primary tags are transmitted from the secondary tags to the primary tags at distinct time points within one or more reception time windows of the primary tags.
• the signals transmitted between the secondary tags and the primary tags are transmitted from the primary tags to the secondary tags at distinct time points within one or more reception time windows of the secondary tags.
• each signal of the signals, transmitted by a given secondary tag includes an identifier associated with the given secondary tag.
• the sire is a bull and the respective dam is a cow.
• a method for determining a distance between a primary tag and one or more secondary tags being within a broadcasting range of the primary tag comprising: synchronizing the primary tag and the secondary tags such that one or more reception time windows of the primary tag, at which the primary tag is configured to receive data, coincide with one or more transmission time windows of the secondary tags, at which the secondary tags are configured to transmit data; transmitting, by each given secondary tag, at distinct time points within the one or more reception time windows of the primary tag, signals including an identifier associated with the given secondary tag; receiving, by the primary tag, during its reception time window, the signals transmitted by the secondary tags; determining, for each given secondary tag, based on its received signals, a distance between the given secondary tag and the primary tag.
• the primary tag is configured to be coupled to a sire
• the one or more secondary tags are each configured to be coupled to a respective dam.
• the sire is a bull and the respective dam is a cow.
• the distance is calculated based on the time elapsing between a distinct time point of the distinct time points, at which the secondary tag transmits a signal, and the time at which the transmitted signal was received by the primary tag attached to the sire.
• each given secondary tag transmits its signals after a predefined time interval and the distance is calculated based on the time elapsing until the primary tag receives the signals.
• Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of an environment in which the system for estrus or heat detection operates, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter;
• Fig. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating one example of a system for estrus or heat detection, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter
• Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a sequence of operations carried out by a system for estrus or heat detection, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter;
• Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a sequence of operations carried out by a system for estrus or heat detection, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter
• Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating yet another example of a sequence of operations carried out by a system for estrus or heat detection, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter.
• Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating yet another example of a sequence of operations carried out by a system for estrus or heat detection, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter.
• ⁇ should be expansively construed to cover any kind of electronic device with data processing capabilities, including, by way of non-limiting example, a personal desktop/laptop computer, a server, a computing system, a communication device, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a smart television, a processor (e.g. digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.), a group of multiple physical machines sharing performance of various tasks, virtual servers co-residing on a single physical machine, any other electronic computing device, and/or any combination thereof.
• DSP digital signal processor
• FPGA field programmable gate array
• ASIC application specific integrated circuit
• non-transitory is used herein to exclude transitory, propagating signals, but to otherwise include any volatile or nonvolatile computer memory technology suitable to the application.
• the phrase “for example,” “such as”, “for instance” and variants thereof describe non-limiting embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.
• Reference in the specification to “one case”, “some cases”, “other cases” or variants thereof means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment(s) is included in at least one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter.
• the appearance of the phrase “one case”, “some cases”, “other cases” or variants thereof does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s).
• Fig. 2 illustrates a general schematic of the system architecture in accordance with an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter.
• Each module in Fig. 2 can be made up of any combination of software, hardware and/or firmware that performs the functions as defined and explained herein.
• the modules in Fig. 2 may be centralized in one location or dispersed over more than one location.
• the system may comprise fewer, more, and/or different modules than those shown in Fig. 2.
• Any reference in the specification to a method should be applied mutatis mutandis to a system capable of executing the method and should be applied mutatis mutandis to a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores instructions that once executed by a computer result in the execution of the method.
• Any reference in the specification to a system should be applied mutatis mutandis to a method that may be executed by the system and should be applied mutatis mutandis to a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores instructions that may be executed by the system.
• Fig. 1 showing a schematic illustration of an environment in which the system for estrus or heat detection (also interchangeably referred to herein as “system”) operates, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter.
• environment 100 includes an area 102 containing an animal population 104 composed of a plurality of dams, denoted 106, and one or more sires, denoted 108.
• the plurality of dams e.g., cows, sows, mares, ewes, does, and the like
• the one or more sires e.g., bulls, boars, stallions, rams, bucks, and the like
• area 102 may be a controlled environment, e.g., a controlled pen, a controlled barn, and the like.
• area 102 may be an uncontrolled environment, e.g., a meadow, a field, and the like.
• the area 102 may include both controlled areas and uncontrolled areas.
• the one or more sires, or at least one individual thereof may each be associated with a first device (e.g., a tag, a collar, an internal implant, etc.), denoted 110, while the plurality of dams, or at least one individual thereof, may each be associated with a second device (e.g., a tag, a collar, an internal implant, etc.), denoted 112.
• a first device e.g., a tag, a collar, an internal implant, etc.
• the plurality of dams, or at least one individual thereof may each be associated with a second device (e.g., a tag, a collar, an internal implant, etc.), denoted 112.
• the first device 110 is a primary tag
• the second device 112 is a secondary tag.
• the primary and secondary tags can be of different tag-types, e.g., identification tags, monitoring tags, etc., and can be coupled to different body parts of the one or more sires and the one or more dams, respectively (e.g., the ear(s), the tail, the leg(s), the neck, etc.).
• both primary and secondary tags may be of the same tag-type (e.g., monitoring ear tags directed to be coupled to at least one ear of a given sire and a given dam, respectively).
• the primary and secondary tags may be of different tag-types (e.g., the primary tags may be monitoring ear tags, while the secondary tags may be identification collar tags).
• the primary and secondary tags may each follow a respective operation scheme composed of one or more transmission time windows and one or more reception time windows. Both the primary and secondary tags may utilize the transmission and reception time windows to interact with other tags, for example, tags of the same type (e.g., primary-primary or secondary-secondary) or tags of a different type (e.g., primarysecondary or secondary-primary).
• tags of the same type e.g., primary-primary or secondary-secondary
• tags of a different type e.g., primarysecondary or secondary-primary
• the interaction between tags may be achieved through the transmission and reception of signals (e.g., beacon signals, and the like), which enable the transmission of information (e.g., proximity-related information, behavior-related information, identification information, and the like) between the tags.
• signals e.g., beacon signals, and the like
• information e.g., proximity-related information, behavior-related information, identification information, and the like
• a given primary tag may operate according to an operation
• a cattle herd 104 of seven cows 106 and three bulls 108 is dispersed throughout a meadow 102.
• Each of the seven cows 106 has a secondary tag coupled to its right ear, while each of the three bulls 108 has a primary tag coupled to its left ear.
• the primary tags of the three bulls 108 and the secondary tags of the seven cows 106 follow their respective operation schemes, which enable them to interact with one another, through signals transmitted therebetween.
• the transmitted signals are each associated with proximity- related information, indicative of proximity between a given cow or bull and a respective cow or bull of the remaining cows and bulls of cattle herd 104, which is transferred both between the tags and to a control system, external to the tags.
• System 200 can further comprise or be otherwise associated with a data repository 204 (e.g., a database, a storage system, a memory including Read Only Memory - ROM, Random Access Memory - RAM, or any other type of memory, etc.) configured to store data.
• a data repository 204 e.g., a database, a storage system, a memory including Read Only Memory - ROM, Random Access Memory - RAM, or any other type of memory, etc.
• data repository 204 e.g., a database, a storage system, a memory including Read Only Memory - ROM, Random Access Memory - RAM, or any other type of memory, etc.
• Data repository 204 can be further configured to enable retrieval and/or update and/or deletion of the stored data. It is to be noted that in some cases, data repository 204 can be distributed, while system 200 has access to the information stored thereon, e.g., via a wired or wireless network to which system 200 is able to connect (utilizing its network interface 206).
• System 200 further comprises processing circuitry 202.
• Processing circuitry 202 can be one or more processing units (e.g., central processing units), microprocessors, microcontrollers (e.g., microcontroller units (MCUs)) or any other computing devices or modules, including multiple and/or parallel and/or distributed processing units, which are adapted to independently or cooperatively process data for controlling relevant system 200 resources and for enabling operations related to system's 200 resources.
• processing units e.g., central processing units
• microprocessors e.g., microcontroller units (MCUs)
• MCUs microcontroller units
• the processing circuitry 202 may include one or more of: (i) an estrus or heat detection module 208, configured to perform an estrus or heat detection process, as further detailed herein, inter alia, with reference to Figs. 3 and 4, (ii) a distance measurement module 210, configured to perform a distance measurement process, as further detailed herein, inter alia, with reference to Fig. 5, and (iii) a paternity detection module 212, configured to perform a paternity detection process, as further detailed herein, inter alia, with reference to Fig. 6.
• system 200 may be situated within a primary tag, serving as a standalone device.
• the primary tag may perform all the operations of system 200, as explained throughout the description, and provide a list of secondary tags of cows suspected to be in estrus or heat.
• FIG. 3 there is shown a flowchart illustrating one example of a sequence of operations carried out by the system for estrus or heat detection 200, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter.
• the system for estrus or heat detection 200 can be configured to perform an estrus or heat detection process 300, e.g., using the estrus or heat detection module 208.
• the system for estrus or heat detection 200 receives information indicative of proximity between one or more dams and a sire (block 302), and determines, based on the received information, for each given dam of the one or more dams, whether the given dam is in estrus or heat, or not (block 304).
• the sire may be associated with a primary tag, coupled thereto, whereas the one or more dams may each be associated with a respective secondary tag, coupled thereto.
• information indicative of proximity between the one or more dams and the sire may be derived from signals transmitted between the secondary tags of the one or more dams and the sire's primary tag (e.g., based on the signals time of transmittal and arrival, i.e., the difference between the specific time at which a given signal was transmitted by a primary/secondary tag and the specific time at which the given signal was received by a secondary /primary tag).
• information indicative of proximity between the one or more dams and the sire may be derived from other means capable of enabling the acquisition of such information.
• said information may be derived from visual means (e.g., camera(s), etc.), Global Positioning System (GPS) data obtained from a GPS receiver (that can optionally be comprised within the primary and secondary tags), location data obtained from a system for locating the position of at least one animal within a predetermined region of space (as presented in US Patent No. 10,986,816, incorporated herein by reference), and the like.
• GPS Global Positioning System
• system 200 may determine that a given dam is in estrus or heat when the number of transmitted signals, transmitted between the given dam's respective secondary tag and the sire's primary tag, during a set time window (e.g., a window of seconds, minutes, hours, etc.), exceeds a first threshold (for example, a number or a range). Accordingly, in such cases, system 200 may determine that the given dam is not in heat when the number of transmitted signals, transmitted between its respective secondary tag and the sire's primary tag, during the set time window (e.g., the window of seconds, minutes, hours, etc.), is below the first threshold.
• a set time window e.g., a window of seconds, minutes, hours, etc.
• the first threshold may be determined based on data obtained from continuous field observations of behaviors of various animal populations for ongoing time periods.
• the obtained data may include information concerning different types of behaviors in different time periods of the continuous field observations in order to understand how a dam of a specific animal type behaves at those specific times and relate each behavior to a measured signal strength, which is correlated with the observed proximity occurring during the act of a specific behavior.
• the duration of said observations may be hourly (i.e., for several hours), or daily (i.e., for more than 24 hours), while the behaviors may be one or more of: staying proximate to a sire, mounting other females, chin resting and rubbing, frequent urination, bawling, restlessness, and/or sniffing behavior, etc.
• the first threshold optionally being either static or dynamically adjusted (e.g., by the user, by a designated machine learning (ML) model, by the system, based on feedback from correctly determining estrus, and the like), can be developed and optimized for each specific environment and/or animal.
• the first threshold may be dynamically adjusted along each animal's estrus cycle.
• the value of the first threshold may be at its highest since meaningful proximity occurrences related to heat event(s) during that time are improbable.
• the first threshold may gradually decline over time until it reaches its lowest point at the end of the estrus cycle, when meaningful proximity occurrences related to heat event(s) are most likely to occur.
• system 200 can effectively ignore proximity events that are not heat- related.
• the transmitted signals are transmitted from the given dam's respective secondary tag to the sire's primary tag. In another non-limiting example, the transmitted signals, are transmitted from the sire's primary tag to the given dam's respective secondary tag.
• the signals transmitted from the secondary tags may each be transmitted at distinct time points within one or more reception time windows of the primary tag.
• the transmission at distinct time points may at least reduce the likelihood of collisions with signals transmitted by one or more additional secondary tags configured to transmit data during the reception time windows.
• each of the transmitted signals may include an identifier, associated with the given secondary tag.
• the signal strength of each transmitted signal may be determined, for example, using a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) (though other means for determining a strength of a signal may be used as well).
• RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator
• a defined second threshold for example, a number or a range
• the threshold may be determined by measuring or calculating an expected Received Signal Strength associated with a given distance. The measurements or calculations may be carried out as part of field observations during which an expected received signal strength is determined or estimated for a certain distance (e.g., 20 meters) or a range of distances (e.g., 10-30 meters, 0-40 meters, 15-25 meters, and the like).
• the defined second threshold may be environment-dependent. In some cases, the second threshold can be developed and optimized for each specific environment.
• the second threshold can be either static or dynamically adjusted (e.g., by the user, by a designated machine learning (ML) model, by the system, based on feedback from correctly determining estrus, and the like) to adapt to changes in the environment of the systems and methods described herein.
• ML machine learning
• the strength of each transmitted signal may be used to determine a score, representing the contribution or impact level of each signal in determining heat. More particularly, transmitted signals with signal strength above a certain threshold may be assigned a higher score than those with signal strength below said threshold (since signals with signal strength above said threshold indicate greater proximity between said animals). In such cases, after determining a score for each transmitted signal, system 200 may aggregate the scores and compare the aggregated score to a score threshold. Upon the aggregated score being above said score threshold, system 200 may indicate heat.
• system 200 compares each signal strength of said signals to a strength threshold of 4 dBm. As two signals of said signals are of signal strength above said strength threshold, system 200 assigns each of these signals with the score '2', whereas the remaining three signals with signal strength below said strength threshold are each assigned with the score T'.
• System 200 then aggregates the scores of the five transmitted signals and compares the aggregated score ('7') to a determined score threshold of '5'. As the aggregated score ('7') exceeds the determined score threshold ('5'), system 200 indicates that the dam associated with the secondary tag is in heat.
• system 200 receives information indicative of behavior(s) exhibited by said one or more dams and/or sire, such that the determination of whether a given dam is in estrus or heat is based on both distance and behavior information.
• the monitoring tags of the one or more dams can provide system 200 with information relating to behaviors serving as known indications of estrus, e.g., chin resting and rubbing, frequent urination, bawling, restlessness, and/or sniffing behavior, and the like.
• FIG. 4 there is shown a flowchart illustrating another example of a sequence of operations carried out by the system for estrus or heat detection 200, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter.
• the system for estrus or heat detection 200 can be configured to perform an estrus or heat detection process 400, e.g., using the estrus or heat detection module 208.
• system 200 may be configured to determine estrus or heat of one or more dams, associated with respective secondary tags found within a broadcasting range of a primary tag attached to a sire.
• the system for estrus or heat detection 200 synchronizes the primary tag and the respective secondary tags.
• one or more reception time windows of the primary tag, at which time the primary tag is configured to receive data may be configured to coincide with one or more transmission time windows of the respective secondary tags, at which time the respective secondary tags are configured to transmit data (block 402).
• the synchronization of the primary tag and the respective secondary tags may be performed by: (a) transmitting, by the primary tag, one or more signals, during a specific time period (e.g., a time period of seconds, minutes, hours, etc.), such that at least some of the one or more signals include synchronization information enabling determination of at least one reception time window, during which the primary tag is configured to receive data; (b) receiving, by at least some of the respective secondary tags, at least one of the signals of the at least some signals transmitted by the primary tag; and, (c) based on the received synchronization information received by each given respective secondary tag of the at least some of the respective secondary tags, updating the operation scheme of each given respective secondary tag by defining transmission time windows (during which the given secondary tag is configured to transmit data) which at least partially overlap with the at least one reception time window of the primary tag.
• a specific time period e.g., a time period of seconds, minutes, hours, etc.
• synchronizing the primary and secondary tags may be performed by other methods or means capable of yielding the same result.
• the synchronization stage may be a continuous stage, occurring along system’s 200 operation (i.e., in parallel to the signals acquisition stage).
• the system may include continuous or near continuous synchronization.
• the system may include periodical synchronization occurring, for example, every time a secondary tag receives a signal from a primary tag, at specific time periods (e.g., a few times an hour, etc.), and the like.
• the continuous occurrence of the synchronization stage may be due to a potential drift occurring between the inner clocks of the primary and secondary tags.
• the frequency of the synchronization can be optimized to account for potential drift between the inner clocks.
• the one or more distinct time points may be randomly selected during the reception time windows of the primary tag. In other cases, the one or more distinct time points may be deliberately selected for various reasons. In one example, the distinct time points may be deliberately selected to at least reduce the likelihood of collisions between signals transmitted by one or more secondary tags configured to transmit data during the same reception time windows. In another example, the distinct time points may be deliberately selected to at least reduce the likelihood of collisions between signals transmitted by one or more secondary tags and other systems that might be running in the area (e.g., farm).
• the primary tag receives, during its reception time windows, the signals transmitted by the respective secondary tags (block 404).
• System 200 determines, for each given dam of the one or more dams, whether the given dam is: (i) in estrus or heat, or (ii) not in estrus or heat (block 406).
• system 200 may determine that a given dam is in estrus or heat when the number of transmitted signals, transmitted between the given dam's respective secondary tag and the sire's primary tag, during a set time window (e.g., a window of seconds, minutes, hours, etc.), exceeds a first threshold (for example, a number or a range). Accordingly, in such cases, system 200 may determine that the given dam is not in heat when the number of transmitted signals, transmitted between its respective secondary tag and the sire's primary tag, during the set time window (e.g., the window of seconds, minutes, hours, etc.), is below the first threshold.
• a set time window e.g., a window of seconds, minutes, hours, etc.
• the first threshold optionally being either static or dynamically adjusted (e.g., by the user, by a designated machine learning (ML) model, by the system, based on feedback from correctly determining estrus, and the like), can be developed and optimized for each specific environment and/or animal.
• the first threshold may be dynamically adjusted along each animal's estrus cycle.
• the value of the first threshold may be at its highest since meaningful proximity occurrences related to heat event(s) during that time are improbable.
• the first threshold may gradually decline over time until it reaches its lowest point at the end of the estrus cycle, when meaningful proximity occurrences related to heat event(s) are most likely to occur.
• system 200 can effectively ignore proximity events that are not heat- related.
• the transmitted signals, transmitted between the given dam's respective secondary tag and the sire's primary tag are transmitted from the given dam's respective secondary tag to the sire's primary tag.
• the transmitted signals, transmitted between the given dam's respective secondary tag and the sire's primary tag are transmitted from the sire's primary tag to the given dam's respective secondary tag.
• the transmitted signals, transmitted between the given dam's respective secondary tag and the sire's primary tag consist of: (i) a first subset of signals, transmitted from the given dam's respective secondary tag to the sire's primary tag, and (ii) a second subset of signals, transmitted from the sire's primary tag to the given dam's respective secondary tag.
• the signals transmitted from the secondary tags may each be transmitted at distinct time points within one or more reception time windows of the primary tag.
• the transmission of each signal at a distinct time point may at least reduce the likelihood of collisions with signals transmitted by one or more additional secondary tags configured to transmit data during the reception time windows.
• the signal strength of each transmitted signal may be determined and compared to a defined second threshold (for example, a number or a range either static or dynamically adjusted (e.g., by the user, by a designated machine learning (ML) model, by the system, based on feedback from correctly determining estrus, and the like) to adapt to changes in the environment of the systems and methods described herein).
• a defined second threshold for example, a number or a range either static or dynamically adjusted (e.g., by the user, by a designated machine learning (ML) model, by the system, based on feedback from correctly determining estrus, and the like) to adapt to changes in the environment of the systems and methods described herein.
• the determined signal strength corresponds to the distance between the secondary and primary tags, enabling system 200 to consider only signals having a signal strength above said defined second threshold.
• the signal strength of any transmitted signal may be determined, for example, using a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), though other means for determining a strength of a signal may be
• system 200 may utilize the received signals of each given secondary tag to determine a distance between the given secondary tag and the primary tag, using the distance measurement module 210 (block 508).
• the distance may be calculated based on the time elapsing between a distinct time point of the distinct time points, at which the secondary tag transmits a signal, and the time at which the transmitted signal was received by the primary tag attached to the sire.
• each given secondary tag may transmit its signals after a predefined time interval and the distance may be calculated based on the time elapsing until the primary tag receives said signals.
• FIG. 6 there is shown a flowchart illustrating yet another example of a sequence of operations carried out by the system for estrus or heat detection 200, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter.
• system 200 may be configured to determine a source of pregnancy in one or more pregnant or suspected to be pregnant dams located in the surrounding of a plurality of sires, using the paternity detection module 212.
• the system for estrus or heat detection 200 can be configured to perform a paternity detection process 600.
• the system for estrus or heat detection 200 receives information indicative of proximity between the one or more pregnant dams and the plurality of sires, prior to the pregnancy, while the one or more pregnant dams were in estrus or heat (block 602). Based on the received information system 200 determines, for each given pregnant dam of the one or more pregnant dams, a given sire of the plurality of sires which was proximate to the given pregnant dam, while the given pregnant dam was in estrus or heat (block 604).
• each of the plurality of sires may be associated with a respective primary tag, coupled thereto, whereas each of the one or more pregnant dams may be associated with a respective secondary tag, coupled thereto.
• information indicative of proximity between each of the one or more pregnant dams and each of the plurality of sires, prior to the pregnancy, while the one or more pregnant dams were in estrus or heat may be derived from signals transmitted between the secondary tags of the one or more pregnant dams and the primary tags of the plurality of sires, during said time.
• information indicative of proximity between the one or more pregnant dams and the plurality of sires, prior to the pregnancy, while the one or more pregnant dams were in estrus or heat may be derived from other means, such as visual means (e.g., camera(s), etc.), Global Positioning System (GPS) data obtained from a GPS receiver (that can optionally be comprised within the primary and secondary tags), location data obtained from a system for locating the position of at least one animal within a predetermined region of space (as presented in US Patent No. 10,986,816, incorporated herein by reference), and the like, capable of enabling the acquisition of such information.
• GPS Global Positioning System
• system 200 may determine that a given sire is the source of pregnancy of a given dam when the number of transmitted signals, transmitted between the given dam's respective secondary tag and the given sire's primary tag, during a set time window (e.g., a window of seconds, minutes, hours, etc.) of the dam's estrus or heat, exceeds a first threshold (e.g., a number or a range). Accordingly, in such cases, system 200 may determine that the given sire is not the source of pregnancy of the given dam when the number of transmitted signals, transmitted between the dam's respective secondary tag and the given sire's primary tag, during the set time window of the dam's estrus or heat, is below the first threshold.
• a set time window e.g., a window of seconds, minutes, hours, etc.
• the first threshold can be developed and optimized for each specific environment and/or animal.
• the first threshold can be either static or dynamically adjusted (e.g., by the user, by a designated machine learning (ML) model, by the system, based on feedback from correctly determining estrus, and the like) to adapt to changes in the environment of the systems and methods described herein.
• ML machine learning
• system 200 may determine a probability (i.e., percentages chance) that the given sire is, or is not, the source of pregnancy.
• the given sire may be verified as the source of pregnancy by using verification means, e.g., DNA testing and the like.
• verification means e.g., DNA testing and the like.
• the information from these verification means may be utilized to adjust the first threshold, if necessary.
• a particular individual e.g., a given sire, verified as the source of pregnancy, or a given cow
• a designated insurance covering it and its offspring as presented in PCT application PCT/EP2022/078713, incorporated herein by reference.
• the systems and methods described herein may be used to confirm that a certain animal is covered by an insurance policy, for example by confirming the paternity and or heritage of the animal.
• the transmitted signals, transmitted between the given dam's respective secondary tag and the sire's primary tag are transmitted from the given dam's respective secondary tag to the sire's primary tag.
• the transmitted signals, transmitted between the given dam's respective secondary tag and the sire's primary tag are transmitted from the sire's primary tag to the given dam's respective secondary tag.
• the signal strength of each transmitted signal may be determined and compared to a defined second threshold (for example, a number or a range either static or dynamically adjusted (e.g., by the user, by a designated machine learning (ML) model, by the system, based on feedback from correctly determining estrus, and the like) to adapt to changes in the environment of the systems and methods described herein).
• a defined second threshold for example, a number or a range either static or dynamically adjusted (e.g., by the user, by a designated machine learning (ML) model, by the system, based on feedback from correctly determining estrus, and the like) to adapt to changes in the environment of the systems and methods described herein.
• the determined signal strength corresponds to the distance between the secondary and primary tags, enabling system 200 to consider only signals having a signal strength above said defined second threshold.
• the signal strength of any transmitted signal may be determined, for example, using a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) (though other means for determining a strength of a signal may
• the signals transmitted from the secondary tags may each be transmitted at distinct time points within one or more reception time windows of the primary tag.
• the transmission at distinct time points may at least reduce the likelihood of collisions with signals transmitted by one or more additional secondary tags configured to transmit data during the reception time windows).
• each of the transmitted signals may include an identifier, associated with the given secondary tag transmitting it.
• system can be implemented, at least partly, as a suitably programmed computer.
• the presently disclosed subject matter contemplates a computer program being readable by a computer for executing the disclosed method.
• the presently disclosed subject matter further contemplates a machine-readable memory tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine for executing the disclosed method.

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