A calving monitoring system for monitoring an animal at the end of the expected gestation period includes a camera device for repeatedly taking images of the animal, a control unit for generating calving information from the images taken, and an alert device for sending an alert message according to the calving information generated. The control unit is configured so as, in each image taken, to recognize an animal image, to segment the animal image into multiple animal parts including a torso, to determine a parameter value relating to first pixels of said torso in the taken images as a time-dependent parametric function, and to detect contractions when the parameter value meets a predetermined contraction criterion. The criterion is that the parameter value exhibits at least two peaks in the predetermined time duration which have at least a predetermined minimum width and/or a predetermined minimum height.

An apparatus for monitoring a biological condition of pregnant breeding cattle includes a training data collection unit to select and use at least two of an implantable device, a wearable device or an imaging device as a training data collection device to create multiple training data, a prediction model training unit to pre-train a prediction model through the multiple training data, a device cooperation cases setting unit to decide and store device cooperation cases by collecting and analyzing sensing data acquired through the training data collection devices, a device cooperation conducting unit to preprocess the sensing data of a monitoring device according to the device cooperation cases when at least one of the training data collection devices is selected as the monitoring device, and a biological condition prediction unit to predict and output a biological condition corresponding to the sensing data preprocessed through the prediction model.

Exemplary embodiments are directed to sensor apparatuses for attachment to an animal that include a housing and a sensor assembly. The housing can be attachable to the animal and includes an internal cavity formed therein. The sensor assembly can be disposed within the internal cavity of the housing. The sensor assembly includes a force sensor and an accelerometer arranged to detect force data and accelerometer data representative of a physiological state of the animal. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to method and sensor systems for detecting a physiological state of an animal.

This invention relates to a method of providing an indication of the oncoming parturition in livestock and an apparatus for carrying out the method. A tail mounted sensor is mounted on the tail of an animal such as a cow or a horse and the tail mounted sensor detects whether the tail is raised or lowered. Each time that the tail is raised by at least a fixed angle of, say 10, for a certain period of time T.sub.1, the sensor records this as a contraction. The sensor then monitors the number of contractions over a given second period of time, T.sub.2. When the number of contractions in the second period of time equal or exceed a certain amount, an alarm is raised. The method and system are such that they can be adjusted for different animals. It is envisaged that less false alarms and less missed births will result as a consequence of this method and apparatus.

Systems and methods for detecting lameness in a limb of an animal are described herein. In an embodiment, a lameness detection system comprises a plurality of wearable footwear elements. Each of the footwear elements comprises a housing that is configured to fit snugly on a paw of the animal during ordinary gait. Each of the footwear elements comprise a sensor or matrix of sensors that is configured to detect and generate data representative of pressure or force exerted by the paw on a ground surface. Each footwear element additionally comprises a wireless transceiver that is configured for short-distance communication of the data captured by the sensors. The system further comprises a computing device with a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with the transceivers of the footwear elements and instructions which, when executed by the computing device, cause the computing device to analyze lameness in a limb of the animal based on data received from the sensors.

The invention relates to a detection tag for the detection of the reproductive status of animals. The detection tag includes two signal transmitters, one of which is activated when the animal is mounted by another animal and the other of which is always on. It can therefore be determined whether the tag is activated or missing. A detection tag in one embodiment comprises a first surface affixable to the hide of an animal, a second and opposite surface including abradable material, first and second electronic signal transmission means configured to transmit first and second electronic signals having detectably different characteristics, the detection tag being configured such that removal of some or all of the abradable material alters the ability of the detection tag to transmit the first signal or alters a characteristic of the first signal.

A method for monitoring oestrus of a cattle animal, for example a cow. The method includes: a) collecting activity data of the animal, b) computing a current activity level based on the activity data, c) deciding whether to generate an oestrus attention signal by comparing at least one current activity level to a corresponding baseline activity level. The computing b) further includes b1) detecting travelling movements of the animal and b2) correcting the baseline activity level for detected travelling movements.

Computer-aided telemedical evaluation is described. A computing environment can receive a video comprising frames of a subject in motion. The computing environment can identify one or more anatomical features of the subject and determine one or more gait cycle patterns for the anatomical features by tracking motion of the anatomical features over a number of frames of the video. The computing environment can also examine the gait cycle patterns to identify symmetry, asymmetry, and other characteristics in the gait cycle patterns with respect to each other, the anatomical features of the subject, and/or inanimate features of the surroundings. Based on the examination, the computing environment can also provide an evaluation of the subject in the video. The evaluation can include the identification of one or more limbs associated with lameness in the subject. Care can then be administered to the subject, in part, based on the evaluation.

Bio-patch and related methods for detecting fertility condition in cows. In some embodiments, a patch can include a patch substrate configured to support a plurality of components, and to allow the patch to be attached to a cow. The patch can further include a detector implemented on or at least partially within the patch structure, and configured to detect one or more conditions associated with a fertility cycle of the cow. The patch can further include an interface component implemented on or at least partially within the patch structure, and in communication with the detector. The interface component can be configured to transmit information related to the one or more conditions, such that the information allows estimation of occurrence of a standing estrus window for the cow.

An apparatus and methods for detection of estrus and optimal time for embryo transfer or artificial insemination in animals. An arched polycarbonate housing is attached to an animal. A circuit board is disposed within the housing. A rechargeable battery mounted on the circuit board provides power to the apparatus. A switch mounted on the circuit board is actuated when a breeding behavior occurs. A controller mounted on the circuit board detects actuations of the switch to generate data indicative of breeding behavior. A transmitter transmits data indicative of breeding behavior to a remote receiver