WO2002015792A1

WO2002015792A1 - Estrous detection system

Info

Publication number: WO2002015792A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/001322
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jong-Taek Yoon
Original assignee: Yoon Jong Taek
Priority date: 2000-08-03
Filing date: 2001-08-03
Publication date: 2002-02-28
Also published as: KR100387226B1; AU2001277785A1; KR20020011607A

Abstract

An estrous detection system for accurately detecting estrus in an animal to increase a conception rate is provided. The estrous detection system includes a transmitting unit including a plurality of heat detecting units for wirelessly transmitting heat detection signals in response to signals of switches operating due to mountings of the animals, and a main control unit wirelessly connected to the transmitting unit. The main control unit receives and displays the heat detection signals transmitted from the heat detecting units and performs entire control so that heat detection information can be provided in the form of voice through a public switched telephone network. Accordingly, estrus of animals can be quickly detected, so an accurate mating time can be determined.

Description

ESTROUS DETECTION SYSTEM

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an estrous detection system, and more particularly, to an estrous detection system for accurately detecting estrus in an animal to increase a conception rate.

Background Art

Generally, it is important to produce superior stocks and increase breeding efficiency in breeding domestic and wild animals. Accordingly, it is important for breeders to timeiy and accurately perceive the indications of estrus in female animals and to inseminate the female animals at an optimal time. For this, a diary about individual insemination and diseases should be written for reliable management, a comfortable and stable environment should be prepared, and animals are given feed of good quality because these conditions increases the intensity of the indications of estrus in animals.

In cattle, estrus is diagnosed by the following conventional methods. Estrus is detected based on natural estrous phenomena or detected by inspecting changes in the pH of the vaginal mucus of a cow or changes in the electrical resistance of the vaginal mucus.

In cows, estrus occurs every 21 days on an average and repeats until the cows are pregnant. General indications that a cow is in estrus include nervousness, decreased appetite, bawling, roaming to look for a bull, damp vulva due to increased vaginal mucus, and a red or lightly swollen vulva. In addition, cows in estrus mount other cows or allow themselves to be mounted by other cows or bulls and take a mating posture. Breeders' decision on these indications are different depending on the breeding scale. In breeding on a small scale, estrus is detected based on general external indications. In breeding on a large scale, estrus is usually detected based on mounting behavior. However, such indications of estrus are different depending on a variety of reasons such as a breed, an individual animal, a breeding pattern, and nutritive conditions. In addition, since estrus in cows lasts for a relatively short period (usually, 12-24 hours), it frequently happens that estrus is not detected and an optimal time for insemination is missed. Accordingly, it can be said that the basic cause of failure in increasing cattle is failure or inaccuracy in detecting estrus.

According to a certain research, only about 60% of cows in estrus is detected by a specialist in a farm, and of the detected cows, about 45% exhibit an abnormal estrous cycle. Accordingly, cows should be observed very attentively for 24 hours a day. In cows, the estrous period and the ovulatory phase are very short, so it is difficult to confirm estrus if the cows are not continuously observed. For this reason, a variety of approaches of detecting estrus have been developed. One of them is detecting estrus by inspecting changes in the pH of vaginal mucus of a cow depending on the degree of estrus. However, the pH of vaginal mucus may change due to other factors, so this method is not accurate. Accordingly, more accurate and simpler methods of measuring estrus have been developed. One of them is sensing a proper mating period by inspecting a direct correlation between changes in the electrical resistance of vaginal mucus. This method is based on the fact that the electrical resistance of vaginal mucus decreases as a cow gets nearer to an estrous period. In other words, the electrical resistance of vaginal mucus has a regular cycle during an estrous period, has a high value while a cow is not in estrus, and has a low value at the onset of estrus. A measuring unit used for this method is a Draminski measuring unit which includes a detector, electronic parts, a handle, and a switch. Two ring-shaped electronic plugs are provided at an end of the detector and act as sensors for detecting electrical resistance. When using the Draminski measuring unit, a vagina is opened, and 3/4 of the detector is softly inserted into the vagina. Next, the detector is carefully rotated in a 180-degree arc two or three times, and the switch is pushed. After 1.5-2 seconds, a resistance value displayed on the liquid crystal display (LCD) of the measuring unit is read. By using the Draminski measuring unit, it is not necessary to observe cows all day. Moreover, parturition can be easily planned, and pregnancy can be easily and quickly diagnosed. However, the conventional estrus detecting methods have many problems. First, if observation of estrus is done carelessly or wrongly during an estrous period, a proper insemination time, i.e., a proper mating time, is missed, thereby greatly decreasing a conception rate and lengthening a parturition interval. Consequently, a breeding coefficient decreases. Second, time and labor is necessary for detecting an estrous period, and the additional cost of mating is required when a proper mating time is missed, thereby causing a financial loss. For the direct financial loss, when the estrous period of a dairy cow is missed, 150-230 dollars are additionally required for buying feed. When the estrous period of a cow is missed, 80-150 dollars are additionally required for buying feed. Also, the additional cost of insemination is required. When it is assumed that there are about million cows, an additionally required cost is astronomical. Third, although a method of detecting estrus by inspecting changes in the electrical resistance of vaginal mucus has an advantage of easily measuring an estrous period using a Draminski measuring unit, it is disadvantageous in that a breeder should observe the indications of estrus and directly insert the measuring unit into the vagina of a cow to measure the estrous period. It is difficult to reliably detect the estrous period of a cow because estrus frequently begins at night, particularly at dawn, rather than during a day. Disclosure of the Invention

To solve the above problems, it is a first object of the present invention to provide an estrous detection system in which a heat detection signal generated when a cow in estrus continuously allows itself to be mounted is sensed, the heat detection signal is transmitted to the outside using a wireless transmitting method, and the transmitted heat detection signal is received and displayed.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide an estrous detection system in which a frequency band is set for each cow so that a cow in estrus can be identified based on the frequency band of a heat detection signal transmitted from the cow.

It is a third object of the present invention to provide an estrous detection system for informing a breeder at a remote place of the identification (ID) of a cow for which a heat detection signal is generated, the time at which a heat detection signal is generated, and the number of occurrences of a heat detection signal through a public switched telephone network (PSTN) in the form of voice or for storing the above information and outputting it through an output device, so that the breeder can decide an accurate proper mating time of the cow.

It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide an estrous detection system including a heat detecting unit which has a switch unit for generating a heat detection signal and which is enclosed by a fabric stuck to each cow using an adhesive so that the switch unit can operate during the mounting of a male animal to generate a heat detection signal.

To achieve one or more objects of the invention, there is provided an estrous detection system for detecting estrus of animals. The estrous detection system includes a transmitting unit including a plurality of heat detecting units for wirelessly transmitting heat detection signals in response to signals of switches operating due to mountings of the animals, and a main control unit wirelessly connected to the transmitting unit. The main control unit receives and displays the heat detection signals transmitted from the heat detecting units and performs entire control so that heat detection information can be provided in the form of voice through a public switched telephone network.

An estrous detection system according to the present invention can be applied to any animals performing fertilization in a mounting position. Particularly, the present invention can be effectively used for animals whose estrous cycle is irregular and whose indications of estrus are difficult to observe. A representative animal whose estrous cycle is irregular and whose indications of estrus are difficult to observe is a cow. In the following description, an example in which an estrous detection system according to the present invention is applied to cows will be explained. However, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that an estrous detection system according to the present invention can also be applied to other animals.

Brief Description of the Drawings The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail a preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the entire configuration of an estrous detection system according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a heat detecting unit (HDU) shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the exterior of the main control unit (MCU) of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the interior of the MCU of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a procedure of outputting heat detection information in an estrous detection system according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a procedure of providing heat detection information in an estrous detection system according to the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a procedure of providing heat detection information at the request of a call.

Best mode for carrying out the Invention Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an estrous detection system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1 , which shows the entire configuration of an estrous detection system according to the present invention, the estrous detection system includes a transmitting unit 10, a main control unit

(MCU) 20, output units 30 and 50, a personal computer 40, and a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 60.

The transmitting unit 10 includes a plurality of heat detecting units

(HDUs). Each of the HDUs wirelessly transmits a frequency corresponding to its identification (ID) in response to the signal of a switch operating due to a mounting. Each HDU is enclosed by a fabric, and the fabric is stuck to the rump of a cow using glue or strong adhesive. Such an HDU should be exactly stuck to a portion of a cow contacting a bull during a mounting of the bull. Even if an HDU is exactly stuck to the rump of a cow using an adhesive, the HDU can be fixed to a cow using a leather belt to prevent the HDU from being detached due to environmental or physical factors. An HDU performs transmission using analog modulation such as amplitude modulation (AM) or frequency modulation (FM), or digital modulation such as amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulation or frequency shift keying (FSK) modulation. In addition, when multi-channel HDUs are used, interference between the HDUs can be prevented because the HDUs can use different frequencies. Each HDU includes a power supply unit 11 , an ID input unit 12, a switching unit 13, an encoder 14, a radio frequency (RF) transmission module 15, and a light emitting diode (LED) 16. Each member will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

The MCU 20 is wirelessly connected to each HDU of the transmitting unit 10. The MCU 20 receives a heat detection signal from each of the plurality of HDUs and informs a breeder of information such as the ID of a cow in heat, heat time, and the number of times of heat in various forms (for example, printing, alarm, and voice). Additionally, the MCU 20 controls the entire estrous detection system so that each member of the estrous detection system can smoothly function. It is preferable to position the MCU 20 at a place which is within a communication range (for example, within a radius of 500 m-1 Km when a personal frequency band of 300 MHz is used) of the transmitting unit 10 and where a frequency transmitted from the transmitting unit 10 can be easily received. The MCU 20 contains an RS232 port and a compact line printer 30 in order to provide a variety of services in association with other external devices. The structure of the MCU 20 and its relationship with peripheral devices will be described later with reference with FIG. 3.

The personal computer 40 is connected to the MCU 20 through the RS232 port. The personal computer 40 receives various kinds of information from the MCU 20 through a serial data communication and transmits information to the MCU 20. Since the personal computer 40 contains a graphic user interface (GUI), it can easily provide statistical and general information to a user. In addition, since the personal computer 40 transmits and receives data, it can upgrade the functions of the MCU 20. Moreover, by connecting the printer 50 to the personal computer 40, information which a user desires can be printed out. The PSTN 60 is connected to the MCU 20 and allows a breeder to be informed of information such as heat detection signals stored in the MCU 20 in the form of voice through a telephone 65 of the breeder. Accordingly, even if the breeder is not in a farm, he/she can hear information about estrus of cows in real time. The telephone 65 may be a wire or wireless communication terminal, and its relationship with the MCU 20 will be described later with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of an HDU shown in FIG. 1. The HDU includes a power supply unit 11 , an ID input unit 12, a switching unit 13, an encoder 14, a RF transmission module 15, and an LED 16.

The power supply unit 11 is provided for driving the members of the HDU. It is preferable to use an alkali-manganese battery having a long duration for the power supply unit 11. The ID input unit 12 is provided for inputting the ID of each HDU to discriminate the corresponding HDU from the other HDUs. An ID may be made of numerals, alphabet letters, or a combination of numerals and alphabet letters. The switching unit 13 is realized as a switch which is turned ON or OFF according to a pressure on a push button, thereby detecting existence/non-existence of a pressure. The switch is turned on when a cow is mounted (that is, when a pressure is applied to the push button) and is turned off when the pressure is removed. The encoder 14 is connected to the power supply unit 11 , the ID input unit 12, and the switching unit 13. The encoder 14 is driven by power supplied from the power supply unit 11 and encodes the ID of the relevant HDU input from the ID input unit 12 to generate a signal which can be easily transmitted. In other words, the encoder 14 outputs the encoded ID in response to an ON-signal input from the switching unit 13. The RF transmission module 15 is connected to the encoder 14. The RF transmission module 15 receives an ID encoded by the encoder 14, generates a frequency corresponding to the ID, and transmitting the frequency through an antenna. The RF transmission module 15 includes a local oscillator, a modulation circuit, a signal amplifier, a filter, and a transmitting antenna. The local oscillator generates a stable and predetermined frequency corresponding to the ID of the relevant HDU. The modulation circuit is connected to the encoder 14 and converts a low frequency generated from the local oscillator into a high frequency for easy transmission. Amplitude modulation of changing an amplitude using a signal wave (a modulation wave), frequency modulation of changing a frequency, or phase modulation of changing a phase can be used as a modulation method. The signal amplifier amplifies the frequency modulated by the modulation circuit to generate a high frequency. The filter filters the frequency amplified by the signal amplifier to output only a frequency of a predetermined band. The filtered frequency is transmitted through the transmitting antenna. Here, the bandwidth of the filter can be freely selected by a designer. The LED 16 is connected to the encoder 14 and emits light in response to a signal output from the encoder 14 sensing the ON/OFF signal of the switching unit 13 to allow a user to be informed of an ON/OFF state. To let a user easily recognize a heat detection signal, alarm sound may be output using a buzzer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the exterior of the MCU of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 3, the MCU 20 includes a receiving antenna ANT for receiving a wireless frequency transmitted from the RF transmission module 15 of FIG. 2, a power switch 31 for supplying backup power, a display unit 32 composed of LEDs for displaying a cow in estrus, a function key part 33 for commanding to perform a variety of functions (for example, display of the state of a cow, display of a beginning time of the state, display of a real time and an estrous detection time, a function of communication, a voice message sending function, a recording function, and a real-time output function) of an estrous detection system according to the present invention, a 7-segment 34 for displaying a real time and an estrous detection time, a keypad 35 for generating a dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal for telephonic communication and setting the value (for example, an ID of a cow) of each function key in the function key part 33, and a microphone 36 for allowing a user to talk with a caller through telephone. In addition, the MCU 20 can be provided with a printing function in its inside so that it can print out information stored it its inside or can be connected to an external printer through a printer port so that information stored in its inside can be printed out through the external printer.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the interior of the MCU of FIG. 1. An RF receiving module 24 receives and demodulates a frequency transmitted from the RF transmission module 15 of FIG. 2 to reproduce an original signal. The RF receiving module 24 includes a receiving antenna for receiving a radio frequency, a high frequency amplifier for amplifying the received frequency, a local oscillator for oscillating a stable and constant frequency to convert the frequency, a mixer for mixing the amplified frequency output from the high frequency amplifier with the frequency output from the local oscillator to generate an intermediate frequency, an intermediate frequency amplifier for amplifying the intermediate frequency output from the mixer to have an appropriate strength, and a detector for extracting and reproducing the frequency amplified by the intermediate frequency amplifier, performing demodulation to reproduce an original signal which has been modulated and transmitted by the RF transmitting module 15 of FIG. 2, and applying a part of its output to the high frequency amplifier and the intermediate frequency amplifier to perform automatic gain control. Here, the automatic gain control is maintaining an output constant even if an input changes. In other words, gain is controlled such that the degrees of amplification of the high frequency amplifier and the intermediate frequency amplifier are decreased when a frequency is strong, and the degrees of amplification of the high frequency amplifier and the intermediate frequency amplifier are increased when a frequency is weak. In addition, the RF receiving module includes a decoder for converting the reproduced original frequency into a digital signal which can be processed by the controller 28.

A controller 28 receives the ID of an HDU through the RF receiving module 24, displays the switching information of the HDU through an LED 32, outputs different control signals for commanding the operations of members of the MCU 20 which operate to output relevant information, receives upgraded information by operating in association with peripheral devices, and controls the entire MCU 20 to perform a function of transmitting the relevant information to a breeder at a remote place or providing the information at the breeder's request.

An LED 32 is connected to the controller 28 and emits light in response to a signal output from the controller 28 to allow a breeder to check there is a cow in estrus. A 7-segnment 34 usually displays a real time and displays an estrous detection time at the breeder's request when estrus is detected. In addition, a buzzer can be used to output alarm sound to allow the breeder to easily recognize a heat detection signal. A flash memory 36 is a kind of programmable read-only memory (PROM) which is re-writable. The flash memory 36 is realized as a memory chip which electrically erases stored contents and writes new contents. Accordingly, the flash memory 36 stores various types of information (for example, a real time, the ID of a cow in estrus, and a voice message) input to the controller 28 and the breeder's telephone number. A flash memory has advantages of being smaller than a hard disc, not requiring backup power, and being resistant to impact. A real time clock (RTC) 38 is included in a computer system to accurately record and report a real time. The RTC 38 generates pulses at regular time intervals to allow a time to be accurately recorded in the computer and when there is an operation which should be performed on the basis of a certain time, reports the beginning time of the operation. Accordingly, once a heat detection signal is generated, the controller 28 accesses a real time from the RTC 38, stores the real time in the flash memory 36, and displays the stored time indicating a estrous detection time at the request of a user. The RS232 driver 42 is a port for providing serial input or output of data according to V.24 specifications. The RS232 driver 42 uses a synchronous or asynchronous protocol so that the controller 28 can easily operate in association with other peripheral devices. Accordingly, various types of information stored in the MCU 20 can be easily and systematically provided to a user in association with the GUI of the personal computer 40. The printer port 44 is used for connecting the controller 28 to the compact line computer 30. Accordingly, the controller 28 is interfaced with the compact line printer 30 through a parallel (or serial) interface, so information received by the controller 28 can be output. An information providing unit 70 provides information about estrus stored in the controller 28 to a breeder at a remote place. The information providing unit 70 transmits the information to the breeder's telephone in the form of voice stored previously or sends the information by way of an automatic response system (ARS) at the breeder's request through telephone. The information providing unit 70 includes a telephone line interface unit 72, a ring detector 74, a DTMF generator 76, a voice message sender 78, and a DTMF receiver 79.

The telephone line interface unit 72 is connected to the controller 28, drives a relay in response to a control signal of the controller 28, makes a telephone connected to the controller automatically go off hook in which a call for an external telephone can be made, and make the telephone automatically go on hook by disconnecting the relay when a call ends. The ring detector 74 detects a ring signal (75 Vrms and 20 Hz) on a telephone line and transmits an on-hook/off-hook detection signal to the controller 28. The ring detector 74 outputs a high signal as the on-hook/off-hook detection signal when a ring signal is detected and outputs a low signal when a ring signal is not detected. In other words, the ring detector 74 detects and transmits a ring back tone signal to the controller 28, and then the controller 28 can identify whether the breeder's telephone is in an on-hook state or in an off-hook state based on the detected signal. The DTMF generator 76 generates DTMF signals corresponding to the breeder's telephone number stored in the flash memory 36 in response to a control signal of the controller 28. The DTMF signals discriminate keys corresponding to numerals, respectively, in the breeder's telephone number from one another. A DTMF signal is composed of two different frequencies (i.e., a high frequency and a low frequency) to prevent the DTMF signal from being copied by a person's voice. DTMF signals corresponding to keys are as follows.

The voice message sender 78 extracts a voice message stored in the flash memory 36 and transmits information required by a breeder in response to a control signal of the controller 28. The DTMF receiver 79 receives DTMF signals corresponding to the telephone number of the MCU 20 which is input by the breeder and DTMF signals corresponding to keys input by the breeder to hear desired information and transmits the received DTMF signals to the controller 28. A handshake transmission method is used for data transmission between the controller 28 and the DTMF receiver 79. In other words, the DTMF receiver 79 transmits a strobe signal indicating a message, "Data will be sent", to the controller 28 and transmits the data. The controller 28 transmits an enable signal indicating a message, "The data has been received and processed", to the DTMF receiver 79.

A backup battery 22 supplies backup power to the controller 28. A test switch 26 is provided interface between the controller 28 and a user so that various types of diagnoses and information can be input through switch input.

The operation of an estrous detection system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a procedure of outputting heat detection information in an estrous detection system according to the present invention. It is assumed that multi-channel HDUs having different frequencies are used to prevent interference with each other. In step 502, a breeder steadily sticks a multi-channel HDU to the rump of a cow. In step 504, backup power is applied to an MCU to start an RTC to display a real time through a 7-segment. Here, the HDU should be stuck to an exact portion of the cow contacting a bull during a mounting. Thereafter, an encoder inspects whether there is a heat detection signal applied from a switching unit in step 506. If a heat detection signal is not applied, the inspection is continued. If a heat detection signal is applied, occurrence of the heat detection signal is displayed through an LED, and the heat detection signal including the radio frequency (i.e., the ID) of the HDU is transmitted to the MCU through an RF transmission module in step 508. Here, the encoder transmits the heat detection signal through the RF transmission module to the MCU when the heat detection signal applied from the switching unit is continued for a predetermined time (3-5 seconds). This is for preventing erroneous detection when the switching unit is turned on for a short time due to, for example, short contact not purposing mating or the cow's rejection of the bull's mounting. In addition, the RF transmission module transmits the heat detection signal to the MCU a predetermined number of times (for example, three times) to reduce a probability of an RF receiving module not receiving the heat detection signal.

A controller 28 detects a signal input from the RF receiving module 24 and determines whether a heat detection signal is received in step 510. If a heat detection signal is not received, the controller 28 waits until a heat detection signal is received. If a heat detection signal is received, the controller 28 displays that the heat detection signal is generated through an LED, displays a heat detection time through a 7-segment at the breeder's request, and stores heat detection information (for example, the real time of heat detection and the ID of a cow in estrus) in a flash memory in step 512. Thereafter, the controller 28 determines whether output of the stored heat detection information is requested by the breeder in step 514. If the output is requested, the heat detection information is output through a printer connected to the controller 28 in step 516. If the output is not requested, it is determined whether association with an external device (for example, a personal computer) is requested in step 518. If the association is requested, the controller transmits various types of information stored in the flash memory to the personal computer by way of serial data communication and receives upgraded information from the personal computer, thereby providing statistical and comprehensive information to the breeder in step 520. Here, the personal computer includes a GUI so that the breeder can easily and quickly search desirable information. Thereafter, the procedure goes to step 514 and repeats step 514 through 520. If the information requested by the breeder is output in step 516 or if the breeder does not request association with an external device in step 518, the procedure ends.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a procedure of providing heat detection information in an estrous detection system according to the present invention. It is assumed that the telephone number of a telephone connected to an MCU is set, and a voice message and the telephone number are stored in a flash memory.

A controller 28 detects a signal input from an RF receiving module 24 and determines whether a heat detection signal is received in step 602. If a heat detection signal is not received, the controller 28 waits until a heat detection signal is received. If a heat detection signal is received, the controller 28 displays that the heat detection signal is generated through an LED, displays a heat detection time through a 7-segment at the breeder's request, and stores heat detection information (for example, the real time of heat detection and the ID of a cow in estrus) in a flash memory in step 604. Thereafter, the controller 28 detects a signal applied from a test switch 26 and determines whether a receiving party requests to provide heat detection information through a PSTN in step 606. If provision of the heat detection information is not requested, the procedure ends. If provision of the heat detection information is requested, the controller 28 drives a relay through a telephone line interface unit 72 to make its telephone line go off hook in step 608. Thereafter, in step 610, a dial tone is detected, and DTMF signals corresponding to the previously stored telephone number of the receiving party is generated through a DTMF generator and transmitted to the receiving party through the PSTN. It is determined whether a ring detector 74 detects an off hook signal in step 612. If an off hook signal is detected, a voice message about the heat detection information previously stored in the flash memory is automatically sent in step 614. Thereafter, the controller 28 determines whether the voice message about the heat detection information has been completely sent in step 616. If the sending of the voice message has not been completed, the procedure goes back to step 614 to send the remaining voice message. If the sending of the voice message has been completed, the controller 28 disconnects the relay through the telephone line interface unit 72 to make its telephone line go on hook in step 618, and the procedure ends.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a procedure of providing heat detection information at the request of a call. It is assumed that the telephone number of a telephone connected to an MCU is set, heat detection information and guiding messages about other service information are stored in a flash memory, and an ARS for automatically sending a guide message is provided.

A controller 28 detects a signal input from an RF receiving module 24 and determines whether a heat detection signal is received in step 702. If a heat detection signal is not received, the controller 28 waits until a heat detection signal is received. If a heat detection signal is received, the controller 28 displays that the heat detection signal is generated through an LED, displays a heat detection time through a 7-segment at the breeder's request, and stores heat detection information (for example, the real time of heat detection and the ID of a cow in estrus) in a flash memory in step 704.

Thereafter, the controller 28 determines whether a call is requested by a caller -through a DTMF receiver in step 706. If a call is not requested, the procedure goes back to step 704. If a call is requested, a guiding message (for example, "Please enter a service code. Push a button number 1 for heat detection information and push a button number 2 for other services.") is sent in step 708. Thereafter, it is determined whether the caller selects a service code in step 710. If a service code is not selected, the procedure goes back to step 708 to continue the sending of the guiding message. If a service code is selected, a service corresponding to the sen/ice code is provided in step 712, and the procedure ends.

The above-described embodiment has been used in a descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the attached claims. For example, the shape and structure of each member specifically described in the embodiment can be modified.

Industrial Applicability As described above, according to an estrous detection system according to the present invention, a heat detection signal generated when a cow in estrus allows itself to be mounted continuously is sensed and transmitted to an external device through wireless transmission, and information corresponding to the heat detection signal is displayed. Therefore, estrus of animals can be quickly detected, so an accurate mating time can be determined.

In addition, the present invention allows a user to be provided with heat detection information at a remote place through a public switched telephone network (PSTN), so time and labor necessary for catching the indications of estrus can be reduced.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An estrous detection system for detecting estrus of animals, the estrous detection system comprising: a transmitting unit comprising a plurality of heat detecting units for wirelessly transmitting heat detection signals in response to signals of switches operating due to mountings of the animals; and a main control unit wirelessly connected to the transmitting unit, the main control unit receiving and displaying the heat detection signals transmitted from the heat detecting units, the main control unit performing entire control so that heat detection information can be provided in the form of voice through a public switched telephone network.

2. The estrous detection system of claim 1 , further comprising a personal computer connected to the main control unit, the personal computer comprising a graphic user interface for providing statistical and comprehensive information, receiving various types of information from the main control unit, and providing upgraded information to the main control unit.

3. The estrous detection system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the main control unit and the personal computer are selectively connected to a printer to print out desired information.

4. The estrous detection system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of heat detecting units use different frequency bands.

5. The estrous detection system of claim 1 , wherein each of the heat detecting units comprises: a power supply unit for supplying power to the heat detecting unit; an identification input unit for inputting the identification of the heat detecting unit which is used for discriminating the heat detecting unit from the other heat detecting units; a switching unit which is turned ON or OFF according to a pressure on a push button, thereby detecting existence/non-existence of a pressure and generating a heat detection signal; an encoder connected to the power supply unit, the identification input unit, and the switching unit, the encoder encoding the identification of the heat detecting unit, which is input from the identification input unit, to generate a signal which can be easily transmitted; a radio frequency transmission module connected to the encoder, the radio frequency transmission module receiving the encoded identification from the encoder, generating a frequency corresponding to the identification, and transmitting the frequency through an antenna; and a display unit connected to the encoder, the display unit displaying the heat detection signal generated from the switching unit in the form of alarm light or alarm sound.

6. The estrous detection system of claim 1 , wherein the main control unit comprises: a backup battery for supplying backup power to the main control unit; a radio frequency receiving module for receiving and demodulating a frequency transmitted from the radio frequency transmission module; a controller connected to the backup battery and the radio frequency receiving module, the controller receiving the identification of a heat detecting unit through the radio frequency receiving module, displaying switching information of the heat detecting unit, outputting different control signals for commanding the operations of members of the main control unit, and entirely controlling the main control unit to provide the heat detection information through the public switched telephone network; a flash memory connected to the controller, the flash memory storing various types of information input to the controller and a telephone number of a breeder; and a information providing unit connected to the controller, the information providing unit providing the heat detection information stored in the flash memory to a user at a remote place through the public switched telephone network under the control of the controller.

7. The estrous detection system of claim 6, further comprising: a test switch connected to the controller, the test switch allowing input of information to realize user interface; a display unit connected to the controller, the display unit displaying the heat detection signal received from the controller in the form of alarm light or alarm sound; a 7-segnment connected to the controller, the 7-segment usually displaying a real time and displaying an estrous detection time at the breeder's request when estrus is detected; a real time clock connected to the controller, the real time clock recording and reporting a real time; and an RS232 driver connected to the controller, the RS232 driver providing serial input or output of data so that the controller can operate in association with other peripheral devices.

8. The estrous detection system of claim 6, wherein the information providing unit comprises: a telephone line interface unit connected to the controller, the telephone line interface unit driving or disconnecting a relay in response to a control signal of the controller, making a telephone connected to the controller automatically go off hook or on hook to maintain or break a state in which a call for an external telephone can be made; a ring detector connected to an external telephone line, the ring detector detecting a ring signal on the external telephone line and transmitting an on-hook/off-hook detection signal to the controller; a dial tone multi-frequency (DTMF) generator connected to the controller, the dial tone multi-frequency generator generating DTMF signals corresponding to the telephone number of a receiving party, which is stored in the flash memory, in response to a control signal of the controller; a voice message sender connected to the controller, the voice message sender extracting a voice message stored in the flash memory and transmits information in response to a control signal of the controller; and a DTMF receiver connected to the external telephone line through the relay, the DTMF receiver receiving and transmitting a telephone number input by a caller and DTMF signals corresponding to key signals to the controller.