NZ715135B2 - A method, a device and a system for determining a state of an animal - Google Patents

Abstract

device (5) attached to the neck (6) of an animal (2) comprises an accelerometer (17) which produces first and second signals indicative of the raised and lowered state of the head (7) of the animal (2) and movement of the animal (2). A microprocessor (20) in the device (5) processes the first and second signals to determine if the animal is ruminating, resting, feeding or in a highly active state during respective second predefined time periods of approximately 15 minutes duration. Data indicative of the ruminating, resting, feeding and the highly active state of the animal is stored by the microprocessor (20) in the device (5) and is periodically wirelessly communicated to a base station computer which further processes the data to determine various health states of the animal. second signals to determine if the animal is ruminating, resting, feeding or in a highly active state during respective second predefined time periods of approximately 15 minutes duration. Data indicative of the ruminating, resting, feeding and the highly active state of the animal is stored by the microprocessor (20) in the device (5) and is periodically wirelessly communicated to a base station computer which further processes the data to determine various health states of the animal.

Description

"A method, a device and a system for determining a state of an animal” The present invention relates to a method, a device and a system for determining the state of an animal.

Devices and s for determining the-state of an animal are known. Such s, typically, are electronic devices and they may include sensors, for ring, for example, the temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and the like of an animal. Other such devices are provided for determining when an animal is in a relatively highly active state in order to tate the ion of oestrus in the animal.

Attempts have been made to provide methods and devices for determining other states of an animal, for example, for ining when an animal is feeding or ruminating. However, to date such methods and devices lack accuracy.

There is therefore a need for a method for ining at least one state of an animal, for example, ruminating, resting, feeding or the like, which addresses lack of accuracy issues of known methods and devices. There is also a need for a device and a system for ining at least one of such states of an animal which addresses accuracy issues of known methods and devices.

The present invention is ed towards providing such a method, a device and a system.

According to the invention there is ed a method for determining a state of an animal, the method comprising reading signals from a sensing means indicative of two sensed conditions of the animal by a signal processor, and operating the signal processor to determine at least one state of the animal from a plurality of states in response to the frequency of the signals read from the sensing means being indicative of one of the sensed conditions being in a predefined state, wherein a first one of the sensed ions of the animal comprises the orientation of the head of the animal, and a second one of the sensed ions of the animal comprises the level of activity of the animal, the at least one state of the animal which is determined comprises ruminating, and the animal is determined as ruminating by the signal processor in response to the signals read from the sensing means indicative of the first one of the sensed conditions being indicative of the head of the animal being in a raised state, and two or more of the frequency components of the signals read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions lying within a predefined frequency range indicative of ting, and the average value of the magnitude values of the frequency components of the signals read from the sensing means lying within the predefined frequency range indicative of ruminating being within a predefined range of magnitudes indicative of ruminating.

In another aspect of the invention one of the determined states of the animal is feeding. and the state of the animal is determined as feeding by the signal processor in response to the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the first one of the sensed conditions being indicative of the head of the animal being in a lowered state, and the second one of the sensed conditions tive of the level of activity of the animal being indicative of a low level of activity indicative of feeding.

Preferably, the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed ions is ined by the signal processor as being indicative of a low level of activity of the animal which is indicative of feeding in response to the spread of values of the magnitude of the signals read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions lying within a first predefined range of magnitude values indicative of feeding.

In another aspect of the invention the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions is determined by the signal processor as being indicative of a low level of activity which is indicative of feeding in response to the spread of the values of the magnitude of the signal read from the g means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions about the mean value f lying within a range indicative of the first ined range of magnitude values.

In another aspect of the invention one of the determined states of the animal comprises resting. and the . state of the animal is determined as resting by the signal sor in se to the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions being indicative of a low level of activity of the animal indicative of resting.

In another aspect of the invention the signals read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions is ined by the signal processor as being indicative of a low level of activity which is indicative of resting in response to the spread of values of the magnitude of the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions lying within a second predefined range of magnitude values indicative of resting.

Preferably, the signals read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions is determined by the signal processor as being tive of a low level of activity of the animal which is indicative of resting in response to the spread of the values of the magnitude of the signal read from the sensing means tive of the second one of the sensed conditions about the mean value thereof lying within a range indicative of the second predefined range of magnitude values.

In a further aspect of the invention the second predefined range of magnitude values of the spread of values of the ude of the signal read from the sensing means tive of the second one of the sensed conditions is less than the first predefined range of magnitude values of the spread of values of the ude of the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions.

In another aspect of the invention the state of the animal is determined by the signal processor as ruminating in response to the spread of values of the magnitude of the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions lying within a third predefined range of magnitude values indicative of ruminating.

Preferably, the state of the animal is determined by the signal processor as ruminating in response to the spread of the values of the magnitude of the signal read from the g means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions about the mean value thereof lying within a range of magnitude values indicative of the third ined range of magnitude values.

In another aspect of the invention the third predefined range of magnitude values lies n the first predefined range of magnitude values and the second predefined range of the three values.

In a further embodiment of the invention the state of the animal is determined by the signal processor as being in a highly active state in response to the s read from the sensing means indicative of the first one of the sensed conditions being indicative of the head of the animal being in a raised state, and the second one of the sensed conditions being indicative of a high level of activity of the animal.

In another aspect of the invention the state of the animal is determined by the signal processor as being in the highly active state in response to the spread of values of the ude of the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions lying within a fourth predefined range of magnitude values indicative of the highly active state.

Preferably, the animal is determined by the signal processor as being in the highly active state in response to the spread of the values of the magnitude of the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions about the mean value thereof lying within a range tive of the fourth predefined range of magnitude values.

In another aspect of the invention the fourth predefined range of magnitude values is greater than the first predefined range of magnitude .

In one embodiment of the invention the state of the head of the animal and the spread of the values of the magnitude of the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions are initially determined by the signal processor.

Advantageously, the frequency of the signal read from the sensing means is analysed by the signal processor in order to determine if the animal is ruminating in response to the head of the animal being ined as being in the raised state, and the spread of values of the magnitude of the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions lying within the third predefined range of magnitude .

In one embodiment of the ion the frequency of the signal read from the sensing means is determined by the signal processor from the frequency domain of the signal read from the sensing means. ably, a Fast Fourier Transform is carried out by the signal processor on the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions to produce a frequency se of the signal tive of the second one of the sensed conditions, so that the frequency domain of the signal indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions can be analysed.

In one embodiment of the invention the signal is read from the sensing means during respective first predefined time periods, and the state of the animal during each corresponding first ined time period is determined by the signal processor from the signal read from the sensing means at the end of the first predefined time period and is stored.

Preferably, the states of the animal determined at the respective ends of a plurality of sequential ones of the first predefined time periods during respective second predefined time periods are tabulated at the ends of the respective corresponding second predefined time periods, and the states of the animal and the number of the first ined time periods in each second predefined time period in which the animal was in the respective states are stored, each second predefined time period being of duration to comprise a predefined number of the first predefined time periods.

Preferably, the first time periods run consecutively one after the other. in one embodiment of the invention each first predefined time period is of duration in the range of 5 seconds to 25 s, and preferably, each first predefined time period is of on in the range of 10 seconds to 12 seconds, and ideally, each first ined time period is of duration of approximately 10 seconds, and preferably, 10.24 seconds. in r embodiment of the invention each second predefined time period is of duration up to 60 minutes, and preferably, each second predefined time period is of duration up to 30 minutes, and advantageously, each second predefined time period is of duration of approximately 15 minutes.

Advantageousiy, the second predefined time periods run utively one after the other.

In another ment of the invention the signals read from the g means are sampled at a rate in the range of 6 Hz to 50 Hz, and preferably, at a sampling rate in the range of 6 Hz to 25 Hz, and advantageously, at a sampling rate of approximately 12.5 Hz.

Advantageousiy, the sampled values of the signal read from the sensing means are buffered during each first predefined time period.

In another embodiment of the invention the sensing means ses at least one sensor, and preferably, the sensing means comprises an accelerometer. Advantageousiy, the accelerometer is configured to produce a signal indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer is subjected along at least one axis thereof. Preferably, the accelerometer is adapted for attaching to the animal, and is configured for determining the state of the head of the animai. Advantageousiy, the signal indicative of the acceleration to which the rometer is subjected along the axis thereof is indicative of the state of the head of the animal.

In another embodiment of the invention the signal read from the rometer indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer is ted along the axis thereof is indicative of the level of activity of the animal.

In another aspect of the invention the accelerometer produces signals indicative of acceleration to which the accelerometer is subjected along two axes dicular to each other, and preferably, the accelerometer is configured for attaching to the animal so that the signal produced by the accelerometer indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer is subjected along one of the axes thereof is tive of the state of the head of the animal, and the signal indicative of the ration to which the rometer is subjected along the other one of the axes is indicative of the level of activity of the Advantageously, the signals read from the sensing means are processed in a microprocessor.

In one aspect of the invention data in which data relating to the state of the animal is communicated to a remote computing means.

Advantageously, the remote computing means ses one of a computer located at a remote base station and a cloud computer server.

In another aspect of the invention the data relating to the state of the animal is communicated to the remote computing means via a relay station.

Advantageously. the data relating to the state of the animal is communicated in response to the animal being in the vicinity of the relay station. in a further aspect of the invention the data relating to the state of the animal is transmitted wirelessly to the remote computing means.

In a further aspect of the invention the data relating to the state of the animal is communicated to a portable handheld powered device in a Near Field Communications protocol. in a further embodiment of the invention the data relating to the state of the animal is further processed in the remote computing means and the portable handheld powered device to determine further states of the animal, including the onset of oestrus, and other health states of the .

In another embodiment of the invention data indicative of at least one predefined location visited by the animal is stored by the signal sor, and preferably, the time at which the animal visited the at least one predefined on is stored by the signal processor, and ideally, the duration of the visit to the at least one predefined location is stored by the signal processor. Preferably, the ty of the at least one predefined location is determined by the signal processor from an identification signal received when the animal is nt the at least one predefined location, and preferably, the identification signal is received wirelessly.

In one embodiment of the invention the identification signal is generated adjacent the at least one predefined location, and in an alternative embodiment of the invention the identification signal is d from a means adjacent the at least one predefined location capable of producing or uring a signal to be indicative of the at least one predefined location. In one embodiment of the invention the means for producing or configuring the signal to be indicative of the at least one predefined location comprises a means for wirelessly transmitting a signal indicative of the at least one ined location.

Preferably, data indicative of a plurality of respective predefined locations visited by the animal is stored by the signal processor, and ageously, the respective times and the respective ons of the visits to the respective ones of the predefined locations are stored by the signal processor.

Advantageously, the data indicative of the predefined locations, and preferably the times at which the predefined locations are visited, and advantageously, the durations of the visits to the predefined locations are communicated to remote ing means. Advantageously, the data indicative of the locations visited by the animal, the times at which the predefined locations are visited and the durations of the visits to the respective predefined locations are stored by the signal processor for each second predefined time period, and ageously is communicated along with the data stored relating to the states of the animal for each of the second predefined time periods.

The invention also es a device for determining the state of an animal, the device comprising a sensing means for monitoring at least two conditions of the animal and for producing signals indicative of the sensed conditions, and a signal processor configured to read the signals from the sensing means, and to determine at least one ruminating state of the animal from a plurality of states in response to the frequency of the signal read from the sensing means being indicative of one of the sensed conditions being in a predefined state, wherein a first one of the sensed conditions of the animal comprises the orientation of the head of the , a second one of the sensed conditions of the animal comprises the level of activity of the animal, and the at least one state of the animal is ting, and the signal processor is further configured to carry out the method according to the invention for determining the state of the animal.

In one aspect of the invention the device comprises a communicating means for communicating data relating to the state of the animal to a remote computing means, and preferably, for communicating the data relating to the state of the animal wirelessly. Advantageously, the icating means comprises a radio eiver, which preferably, is operable in a high powered mode for long range communications and in a low powered mode for short range communications. Advantageously, the communicating means ses a short range receiver for wirelessly receiving a wirelessly transmitted signal at a short range, which advantageously, comprises a short range receiver.

In one ment of the ion the short range receiver is adapted for receiving an inductively coupled low ncy signal.

Preferably, the signal processor is configured to read identification signals received from respective ones of a ity of predefined locations as the animal visits each of the predefined locations, and advantageously, the signal processor is configured to store the identities of the respective predefined locations, the times at which the tive predefined locations are visited by the animal, and the durations of the respective visits by the animal to each of the respective predefined locations.

In one embodiment of the invention the communicating means is adapted to receive the identification signals from each of the ined locations, and ably, the signal processor is adapted to read the identification signals received by the communicating means in response to reception thereof. Preferably, the identification signals from the predefined locations are received through the receiver.

In another embodiment of the invention the device is configured to store an identifying code identifying the identity of the device.

Advantageously, the icating means comprises a low energy communications module. Preferably, the low energy communications module is configured to facilitate reading out the identifying code from the device, and ably, the low energy communications module is configured to facilitate reading out the identifying code through an al powered device, such as a smart mobile phone configured by a . suitable software application, namely, an app, to permit reading of the identifying code from the device h the low energy communications .

Advantageously, the low energy communications module is configured to permit two-way ications between the signal processor of the device and the external powered . ageously, the low energy communications module is configured to facilitate programming of the signal processor of the device by the external powered device, and advantageously, the low energy communications module is configured to permit reprogramming of the signal processor of the device by the external powered device.

In r embodiment of the invention the low energy communications module is configured to permit one or both of uploading and downloading of data to and from the device by the al powered device. in one aspect of the invention the low energy communications module comprises a Near Field Communications module. in an alternative aspect of the invention the lower energy ications module comprises a blue tooth low energy module.

In one embodiment of the invention the transceiver is configured to transmit data stored in the device which is indicative of the states of the animal and the predefined locations visited by the animal, the times and durations of the respective visits, and preferably, the data is wirelessly transmitted by the transceiver.

In one aspect of the ion the transceiver is responsive to an activation signal received from the remote computing means to it the stored data relating to the states of the animal and the predefined locations visited by the animal, the times and the durations of the respective visits.

In another embodiment of the invention the data indicative of the states of the animal and the identity of the predefined locations visited by the animal, the times and durations of the visits are transmitted through the transceiver at predefined time intervals.

In a further embodiment of the invention the transceiver is responsive to an activation signal received from one of a ity of relay stations to transmit the stored data relating to the states of the animal and the predefined locations visited by the , the times and durations of the respective visits for reception by the relay station, for subsequent transmission by the relay station to the remote computing means.

Advantageously, the transceiver is le in two power modes, namely, a high power mode for transmitting data to the base station, and a low power mode for transmitting the data to the relay station. in one aspect of the invention the sensing means comprises an accelerometer.

Preferably, the accelerometer is configured to produce a signal indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer is ted along at least one axis thereof.

Advantageously, the accelerometer is adapted for attaching to the animal, and is configured for determining the state of the head of the . in r aspect of the invention the signal indicative of the ration to which the accelerometer is subjected along the axis thereof is indicative of the state of the head of the animal.

Preferably, the signal read from the accelerometer indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer is subjected along the axis thereof is indicative of the level of activity of the animal.

In a further aspect of the invention the accelerometer produces signals indicative of acceleration to which the accelerometer is subjected along two axes perpendicular to each other.

Preferably, the accelerometer is configured for attaching to the animal so that the signal produced by the accelerometer indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer is subjected along one of the axes thereof is indicative of the state of the head of the animal, and the signal indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer is subjected along the other one of the axes is indicative of the level of activity of the animal.

The ion also es a system for determining a state of an animal, the system comprising a device according to the ion for determining the state of an animal, and a remote computing means for receiving data communicated wirelessly by the device.

Preferably, at least one relay station is provided for receiving the data transmitted by the device and for relaying the received data to the remote computing means. Advantageously, each relay station comprises a transmitter for transmitting an activation signal to the device to activate the device to transmit the data for reception by the relay station.

In one aspect of the invention the remote computing means comprises one of a er d at a remote base station and a cloud computer server.

The invention will be more clearly tood from the ing description of some preferred embodiments thereof, which are given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a system according to the invention for determining the state of an animal, Fig. 2 is a block representation of a device also ing to the invention for determining the state of the animal for use in the system of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of an animal with the deVice of Fig. 2 attached thereto, Fig. 4 is a side view of a portion of the animal r to Fig. 3 with the device of Fig. 2 attached to the animal, and with the portion of the animal in a different state to that of Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a flowchart of a routine carried out by the device of Fig. 1 for determining the state of the animal, Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a system according to another embodiment of the invention for determining the state of an animal, and Fig. 7 is a block representation of a device according to r embodiment of the invention for determining the state of the animal for use in the system of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 5, there is illustrated a system according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, for determining a state of an animal, in this embodiment of the invention for determining the state of a cow 2 from a ity of states, including resting, feeding, ruminating and a highly active state. The system 1 comprises a device also according to the invention, ted generally by the reference numeral 5, for ing to the animal, namely, for attaching to the neck 6 of the cow 2 for detecting two conditions of the cow 2, namely, a first condition indicative of the state of the head 7 of the cow 2, in other words, r the head 7 of the cow 2 is in a lowered state corresponding to feeding, or a raised state corresponding, for example, to ruminating and other states of the cow 2 in which the head of the cow 2 would be in a raised state, and a second condition, which in this embodiment of the invention is the level of activity of the cow 2. The state of the cow is determined from the ed state of the head 7 of the cow 2, and from the detected level of activity of the cow 2 as will be described below. However, before bing how the device 5 determines the state of the cow 2, the system 1 and the device 5 will first be described. Typically, each cow 2 of a herd of cows will be provided with one of the devices 5 attached thereto.

The system 1 as well as comprising the device 5 also comprises a remote computing means, which may be a computer located at a remote base station, such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer or the like. The computer may also comprise a mobile smart phone with computing capacity, or any other suitable computing device. Alternatively, the remote computing means may comprise a cloud computer server. However, in this embodiment of the ion the remote computing means comprises a computer 10 located in a base station.

A plurality of relay stations 12 are provided located strategically around fields, in animal houses, milking parlours and the like for receiving data transmitted by the s 5 which is indicative of the state of the animal for relaying to the base station 10. Each relay station 12 comprises a short range transceiver 11 for ssly transmitting an activation signal, , a wake-up signal for reception by the devices 5 as the cows 2, to which the devices 5 are attached, come within range of the relay station 12 to activate the tive devices 5 to transmit data relating to the state of the cow 2. This will be described in more detail below. The transceiver 11 in turn receives the data transmitted by the respective devices 5 in response to the wake-up signal. A long range transmitter 13 is also located in each relay station 12 for transmitting the data relating to the states of the respective cows 2 received from the s 5 to the base n computer 10.

Turning now to the devices 5, each device 5 comprises a housing 14 which is adapted for securing to the neck 6 of the cow 2 by a strap 15 which extends around the neck 6 of the cow 2. The strap 15 is adapted for securing the housing 5 to the neck 6 of the cow 2 with the housing 14 of the device 5 adjacent one side of the neck 6 as illustrated in Fig. 1. Additionally, the housing 14 is secured to the strap 15 so that the orientation of the housing 14 on the neck 6 of the cow 2 remains substantially constant.

A memory chip 16 located in the housing 14 stores a unique identifying code for identifying the device 5, which in turn, as will be described below, is used for identifying the cow 2.

A sensing means, which in this ment of the invention comprises an accelerometer 17 is located within the housing 14 for detecting the state of the head 7 of the cow 2, and also for detecting the level of activity of the cow 2. The level of ty of the cow which is determined is essentially any activity of the cow, for example, motive movement of the cow, nt of any part of the body of the cow, such as, for e, the movement of a limb of the cow, movement of the neck, head and the like of the cow, which is detectable by the accelerometer 17 when it is attached to the cow 2 as will be described below.

However, in this embodiment of the invention no distinction between the ent types of movement of the cow is made.

The rometer 17 is of the type which produces signals which are indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer 17 is subjected along three axes which are at right angles to each other, , an X-axis, a Y-axis and a . In this embodiment of the ion the signals which are indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer 17 is subjected along the Z-axis are not used. 'The accelerometer 17 is located in the housing 14, so that first signals produced by the accelerometer 17, which are indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer 17 is subjected along the Y-axis are indicative of the first condition of the cow 2, namely, the state of the head 7, in other words, whether the head 7 of the cow 2 is in the raised state illustrated in Fig. 3 and the lowered state illustrated in Fig. 4, while second signals produced by the accelerometer 17, which are indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer 17 is subjected along the X-axis are indicative of the second condition, , the level of activity of the animal.

A signal processor, in this embodiment of the invention a microprocessor 20 located in the housing 14 continuously samples the first and second signals from the accelerometer 17 at a sampling rate of 12.5 Hz into a buffer 18 located in the housing 14. At the end of respective consecutive first predefined time s of 10.24 seconds the microprocessor 20 reads the buffered data from the buffer 18 and determines from the buffered data the state of the cow 2 during each of the respective first ined time periods. The operation of the microprocessor 20 in determining the states of the cow 2 from the buffered data will be bed in detail below. icating means, which in this embodiment of the invention comprises a transceiver 22, a short range receiver 23 and a low energy communications module 24 are located in the housing 14. In this embodiment of the invention the low energy communications module comprises a Near Field ications module 24, which is described below. The transceiver 22 of each device 5 is adapted for transmitting the data indicative of the state of the cow 2 directly to the base station computer 10, and also to any of the relay stations 12 when the cow 2 to which the corresponding device 5 is attached comes within range of the relay station 12, as will be described below. in this embodiment of the invention the transceiver 22 is operable under the control of the rocessor 20 in two power modes, namely, a high powered mode for transmitting data directly to the remote base station er 10, and a low powered mode for transmitting data to one of the relay ns 12 when the cow 2, and in turn the device 5 is within range of the relay station 12. The rocessor 20 is configured so that on the transceiver 22 receiving a wake-up or activating signal from the base station computer 10, the microprocessor 20 operates the transceiver 22 in the high powered mode and transmits data indicative of the state of the cow 2 stored in the microprocessor 20 directly to the base station computer 10 since the last transmission of data which was made by the device 5. Additionally, the transceiver 22 is operable in the high powered mode for transmitting data indicative of the state of the animal directly to the base station computer 10 in response to the microprocessor 20 determining an emergency arising from the state of the cow 2. The eiver 22 is operated by the microprocessor 20 in the low powered mode in response to a wake-up or activating signal received by the transceiver 22 from one of the relay stations 12 within which the cow 2 and in turn the device 5 thereof is within the range, for transmitting data relating to the state of the cow 2 since the last data transmission which was made by the device 5, for reception by the transceiver 11 of the relay station 12 to be relayed in turn by the long range transmitter 13 of the relay station 12 to the base n computer 10.

The Near Field ications module 24 of each device is configured for two-way communications with a portable handheld powered device, for example, a mobile smart phone 26 which is capable of communicating in a Near Field Communications protocol at a frequency in the order of 13.56 MHz. The smart phone 26 is programmed with a re application, namely, an app in order to facilitate y communications in the Near Field Communications ol with the device 5 through the Near Field Communications module 24. The communication range of the Near Field Communications module 24 is approximately 40mm to 50mm. The microprocessor 20 and the Near Field Communications module 24 are configured to facilitate programming and reprogramming of the microprocessor 20 through the Near Field ications module 24 by the smart phone 26 operating under the control of the app. onally, the rocessor 20 and the Near Field Communications module 24 are configured so that the identifying code stored in the memory chip 16 of the device 5 can be read out of the memory chip 16 into the smart phone 26 to facilitate cross-referencing of the identifying code of the device 5 with the identity of the cow 2 to which the device is attached, so that each device 5 is identified with the cow 2 to which that device is ed. The identifying code of each device 5 is cross-referenced with the identity of the ponding cow 2 in the smart phone 26, and also in the base station computer 10.

Additionally, the smart phone 26 may store the identifying code of each device cross-referenced with the identity of the corresponding cow, and any other data relating to that cow 2 in the smart phone 26 under the control of the app, and may also store the identifying code of the device 5 cross-referenced with the identity of the cow 2 and any other data relating to the cow 2 which may be stored in a cloud database.

The Near Field Communications module 24 is also configured so that data may be downloaded from and uploaded to each device 5 by the smart phone 26 under the control of the app. The downloaded data would be any data stored in the devices 5 by the corresponding microprocessors 20, including but not limited to data indicative of the states of the respective cows stored by the corresponding microprocessor . Such data wouid be read from or written to the device 5 by the smart phone 26 in a Near Field Communications ol under the control the smart phone 26.

The receiver 23 of each device 5 comprises an inductively coupled low frequency signal receiver coii which typically operates at 120 to 140 kHz. The receiver 23 is provided for receiving identification signals from predefined locations d by the cow 2 to which the device 5 is attached. The microprocessor 20 on reading an identification signal of a predefined location received by the receiver 23 records the identity of the predefined location from the received identification signai, the time at which the identification signai is ed and the duration of reception of the identification . The identity of the predefined locations, the times of the visits to the predefined locations by the cow 2 and the durations of the visits are stored in the microprocessor 20 for subsequent transmission through the transceiver 22 or the Near Field Communications module 24. Transmitters, which are described with reference to the device which is bed with reference to Figs. 6 and 7, which transmit such identification signals typically are located adjacent water troughs, feeding troughs and the like, so that when such water troughs and feeding troughs are visited by the cow 2 to which the device 5 is attached, a record of the visits, the times and the durations of the visits to such troughs are recorded and stored by the microprocessor 20. This aspect of the device 1 is not further described in respect of the device 5, but is bed in detail with respect to the device which is described with nce to Figs. 6 and 7.

A battery 25 located in the g 14 powers the ents of the device 5 requiring electrical powering.

The operation of the microprocessor 20 in determining the state of the cow 2 will now be described with reference to Fig. 5, which illustrates a flowchart 30 of a software routine through which the microprocessor is programmed to operate. Under block 31 of the flowchart 30, the microprocessor 20 samples the first and second signals read from the accelerometer 17 which are indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer 17 is subjected along the X and Y axes, respectively, into the buffer 18 at the sampling rate of 12.5 Hz during each first ined time period of 10.24 seconds. In block 32 at the end of each first predefined time period, the sampled values of the first and second signals are read by the rocessor from the buffer 18. in block 33 the microprocessor 20 determines the average value of the d values of the first signal. If the average value of the sampled values of the first signal is below a predefined threshold value, the microprocessor 20 determines the head 7 of the cow 2 to which the device is attached to be in the lowered state. On the other hand, if the average value of the sampled values of the first signal is above the predefined threshold value, the microprocessor 20 ines that the head 7 of the cow 2 is in the raised state. However, it will be appreciated that in some configurations of the accelerometer, the e value of the sampled values of the first signal being above the predefined threshold value may be indicative of the head of the cow 2 being in the lowered state, and an average value of the d values being below the predefined threshold value may be indicative of the head of the cow 2 being in the raised state.

In block 34 the microprocessor 20 determines the spread of the sampled values of the second signal in order to determine the level of activity of the animal. In this embodiment of the invention the microprocessor 20 is programmed to measure the standard deviation of the sampled values of the second signal. Having computed the standard deviation of the second signal, the microprocessor 20 proceeds to block 35, which compares the standard deviation of the second signal with first, second, third and fourth predefined ranges of standard deviation. The first predefined range of standard deviations is indicative of the animal feeding, and is greater than the second predefined range of standard ions which is indicative of the animal being in a resting state. The third predefined range of standard deviations may be indicative of the animal ruminating, and lies n the first and second predefined ranges of standard deviation. The fourth predefined range of standard deviations is indicative of a highly active state of the animal, and is greater than the first predefined range of standard deviations.

Irrespective of the determined state of the head 7 of the cow 2, if the standard ion of the sampled values of the second signal is within the second predefined range of standard deviations, the microprocessor 20 determines that the cow 2 is resting, and the microprocessor 20 moves to block 38, which is described below. If the microprocessor 20 determines that the first signal is indicative of the head of the animal being in the lowered state and the standard deviation of the sampled values of the second signal lies within the first predefined range of standard deviations, the microprocessor 20 determines the state of the animal as being feeding, and the microprocessor 20 moves to block 38. If the sampled values of the first signal are indicative of the head 7 of the cow 2 being in the raised state, and the standard deviation of the sampled values of the second signal lie within the third predefined range of standard deviation values which is tive of the possibility of the cow 2 rUminating, the microprocessor 20 moves to block 36, which es the frequency domain of the second signal. in this ment of the invention a Fast Fourier Transform is carried out on the sampled values of the second signal by the microprocessor 20 for that first predefined time period in order to produce the frequency se of the second signal. The microprocessor 20 then moves to block 37 and determines if a frequency component or components of the frequency response of the second signal lie within a predefined frequency range which is indicative of ting, and if so, the magnitude of that frequency component or the magnitudes of those frequency components which are within the predefined frequency range are determined. If only one frequency component of the frequency response of the second signal lies within the ined frequency range, and the magnitude of that frequency lies within a predefined range of ude values, then the microprocessor 20 ines that the animal is ting. If, on the other hand. two or more of the frequency components of the frequency response of the second signal lie within the predefined ncy range, the e value of the magnitude of those frequency components which lie within the predefined frequency range is computed, and if the computed average magnitude value lies within the predefined range of magnitude values, the microprocessor 20 determines that the animal is ruminating. It is known that the frequency of ruminating by an animal lies in the range of 0.7 Hz to 1.4 Hz. Depending on how the accelerometer 17 detects the frequency of ruminating, the predefined range of frequencies within which one or more of the frequency components of the frequency response of the second signal must lie may correspond ly with the frequency of rumination, namely, between 0.7 Hz and 1.4 Hz, or a frequency range which is indicative of the ruminating frequency range of 0.7 Hz to 1.4 Hz. if in block 37 the microprocessor 20 determines that the cow 2 is ting, the microprocessor 20 moves to block 38. if the rocessor 20 determines from the sampled values of the first signal that the head of the animal is in the raised state and the standard deviation of the sampled values of the second signal lie within the fourth predetermined range of standard deviation values which is indicative of a highly active state of the cow 2, the microprocessor 20 determines that the cow 2 is in a highly active state, and the microprocessor moves to block 38.

The microprocessor 20 is configured with four rs corresponding to the four states of the cow 2. in block 38 at the end of each first predefined time period, the counter corresponding to the determined state of the cow for that first predefined time period is incremented by one by the microprocessor 20.

In block 39 at the end of each of respective consecutive second predefined time periods, which in this embodiment of the invention is 15 minutes, the microprocessor 20 tabulates from the four rs the number of the first predefined time periods the cow 2 was in each of the respective states during that second predefined time , and this data is stored by the microprocessor 20 for each second ined time period for subsequent transmission. onally, at the end of each second predefined time period, the four counters are reset to zero.

Turning now to the recovery of data from the devices 5. In normal operation of the devices 5, no data is transmitted until the cow 2 to which one of the devices 5 is attached comes within range of one of the relay stations 12. On receiving a wake-up signal from the short range transceiver 11 of the relay station 12 through the transceiver 22 of the device 5 now within range of the transceiver 11 of the relay n 12. the microprocessor 20 of that device 5 operates the transceiver 22 in the low powered mode, and transmits through the transceiver 22 the stored data relating to states of the cow 2 during each one of the second predefined time periods of 15 minutes, and the number of the first predefined time periods that the cow 2 was in each of those states for each of the second predefined time periods since the last transmission of data from that device 5 occurred. The stored data, which has been stored in the microprocessor 20 since the last transmission of data, ng to the identity of the predefined location visited by the cow 2, the times of the visits and the durations of the respective visits is also transmitted through the transceiver 22 along with the stored data relating to the states of the cow 2. The transmitted data is received by the short range transceiver 11 of the relay station 12, which in turn relays the data to the base n computer 10 through the long range transmitter 13.

The data is packaged for transmission by the microprocessor 20 into data packets, with the data packet comprising the fying code of the device 5 stored in the memory chip 16 along with the data relating to the states of the cow 2 during the tive second predefined time periods and the number of the first predefined time periods that the cow 2 was in each of those states during each of the respective second ined time periods, as well as the data relating to the identity of the predefined locations visited by the cow 2, the times of the visits and the durations of the visits.

In the event that a period greater than a predefined time period has elapsed since the last transmission from one of the devices 5 has been received by the base station computer 10, the base station computer 10 transmits an activation signal for reception by the transceiver 22 of that device 5 to activate the microprocessor 20 of that device 5 to transmit the data indicative of the states of the animal since the last transmission from that device was made. On receipt of the activation signal, the microprocessor 20 operates the transceiver 22 in the high powered mode, and transmits through the transceiver 22 the stored data relating to the states of the cow 2 during each one of the second predefined time periods and the number of the first predefined time periods the cow 2 was in each of those states for each of the second predefined time periods since the last transmission of data from that device 5 was made for direct ion by the base station computer 10.

By operating the transceiver 22 of the device 5 in the low powered mode for issions of data to the relay stations 12, icant power saving is achieved in the device 5. Accordingly, ed that the interval between transmissions of data indicative of the states of the cow made by each device 5 to the relay stations 12, and in turn to the base n computer 10 are less than the predefined time interval, the transmissions of the data indicative of the states of the cow 2 are made with the transceiver 22 of the corresponding device 5 ing in the low powered mode. in the event that the rocessor 20 determines that during a number of consecutive second predefined time periods the state of the animal has remained in a highly active state, which could be indicative of the onset of oestrus, the microprocessor 20 is programmed to operate the transceiver 22 in the high powered mode and to output an alert signal h the transceiver 22 for reception by the base station computer 10. The alert signal includes the identifying code of the device 5 together with a signal alerting to the continuous highly active state of the animal.

The base station computer 10 is programmed to carry out further processing of the received data for determining various health states of the animal as will be bed briefly below. The base station computer 10 is programmed to determine various health states of the respective cows 2 from the data received from the respective devices 5 attached to the cows. For e, the onset of oestrus, is determined by comparing the highly active state of the cow 2 to ical states of the cow 2 and to the active states of other cows in the same herd. In the event of the highly active state in the cow 2 being greater than its normal active state and being greater than the highly active state of the other cows in the herd. then the onset of oestrus would be indicated, as would other reproductive issues, for e, cystic ovarian diseases be indicated. Lameness would be indicated in the case of an animal resting excessively.

Lack of ruminating and feeding of the animal would be indicative of an animal as being in poor health.

In use, each cow 2 of a herd of cows will be provided with one of the devices 5 attached to the neck 6 of the corresponding cow 2 by the corresponding strap 15 as already described. initially the identifying code of the tive s 5 are sequentially read from the devices 5 through the Near Field Communications module 24 by the smart phone 26 which is programmed with the appropriate app. The identifying codes of the respective devices 5 are stored and cross-referenced in the smart phone 26 with the actual identity of the ponding cows 2. This cross-referenced stored data is relayed to the base station computer 10 by the smart phone 26 and stored also in the base n computer 10 so that the base station er 10 can readily identify the animals from the corresponding fying codes of the respective devices 5. if any programming or ramming of the microprocessors 20 in the respective devices 5 is required, the necessary programming or reprogramming is carried out by the smart phone 26 operating under the control of the app through the Near Field Communications module 24 of the relevant device 5.

As each cow 2 comes within range of the short range transceiver 11 of any one of the relay stations 12, the device 5 is activated in response to a wake-up signal received from the short range transceiver 11, and the device 5 transmits through the transceiver 22 operating in the low powered mode the data relating to the states of the cow 2 during the second predefined time periods since the last transmission from that device 5 was made. The data relating to the state of the cow 2 received by the relay station 12 is then transmitted by the long range transmitter 13 of the relay station 12 to the base station computer 10. The base station computer 10 then s out further analysis of the received data to determine the health and other states of the cow 2 from the ed data.

If the microprocessor 20 of any of the devices 5 determines that the ponding cow 2 remains in a highly active state during a predefined number of second predefined time periods which could be indicative of oestrus, the transceiver 22 is operated in the high powered mode, and an alert signal is transmitted directly to the base station computer 10 by the transceiver 22 of that device 5. The alert signal includes the identifying code of the device 5 and data relating to the highly active state of the cow over the relevant predefined number of second predefined time periods.

Where it is desired to download data relating to the states of the cow onto the smart phone 26, the smart phone 26 is operated under the control of the app and is brought into close proximity within 50mm of the device 5 from which the data is to be downloaded. An activation signal is produced by the smart phone 26 and is transmitted in a Near Field Communications protocol for reception by the Near Field Communications module 24 of the device 5. On receipt of the activation signal, the microprocessor 20 is ed to download the data in a Near Field ications protocol through the Near Field Communications module 24 to the smart phone 26. The data relating to the states of the animal is packaged in data packets which include the identity code of the device 5 and the data relating to the states of the cow 2 as already described.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, there is illustrated a system according to another embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 40, which comprises a device 42 also according to the invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral 42. The system 40 and the device 42 are ed for ining the state of an animal, in this case a cow 43, and are substantially similar to the system 1 and the device 5, tively, described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5, and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. However, in this embodiment of the invention the system 40 and the device 42 as well as determining the states of the cow 43, also stores data indicative of the identity of predefined locations visited by the cow 43, for e, drinking troughs 44, feeding troughs 45 and other such locations. In this embodiment of the ion each ined location 44, 45 is provided with a short range transmitter 47 for ssly and intermittently, typically at one-second intervals, transmitting an identification signal containing data identifying the corresponding predefined location 44, 45 for reception by the receiver 23 of the device 42. in this embodiment of the invention each transmitter 47 has a transmission range for transmitting the corresponding identifiCation signal of not more than a few metres. ing on the size and length of the drinking trough or feeding trough, so that the identification signal is only picked up by the short range transceiver 23 of the device 5. The identification signal is a low frequency signal of frequency typically in the range of 120 kHz to 140 kHz for reception by the inductively coupled receiver 23.

The signal processor 20 is configured to read the identification s received from the predefined locations 44, 45 and to store the data indicative of the identity of each predefined on 44, 45 visited by the cow 43, as well as the times at which the animal visited the predefined locations 44, 45 and the duration of each of the visits of the cow 43 to the predefined ons 44, 45. This data regarding the identity of the predefined locations, the times at which the predefined location 44, 45 are visited and the durations of the visits during each second predefined time period is stored by the microprocessor 20 for each of the second predefined time periods. and is transmitted with the data relating to the states of the cow 43 during the second predefined time periods when the data stored for the respective predefined second time periods is being transmitted to the base station computer 10 or to one of the relay stations 12 for relaying to the base n computer 10. On receipt of the data indicative of the predefined locations 44, 45 d by the cow 43, the times and durations of the visits, the base station computer 10 by analysing the data can determine if the cow 43 is drinking sufficiently and feeding sufficiently, and from this data the health of the cow 43 can also be determined. in this embodiment of the ion the data relating to the states of the animal and the ined locations visited by the animal together with the times and durations of the visits may also be downloaded through the Near Field Communications module 24 to the smart phone 26 operating under the control of the app.

While the devices 5 and 42 have been described as comprising a sensing means provided by an accelerometer, any other le g means could be provided. For example, it is envisaged that a tilt switch could be provided for determining the state of the head of the animal, and other le movement and activity detectors could be provided for detecting the level of activity of the animal.

Additionally, it will be appreciated that while the devices according to the invention have been described as comprising a microprocessor for processing the signals read from the accelerometer or other sensing means, in n cases, it is envisaged that the microprocessor may be dispensed with, and the processing of the signals produced by the sensing means would be carried out remotely, for example, in a base station computer, a mobile smart phone or the like, or in a cloud computer server. in which case, it is envisaged that the raw data produced by the sensing means would be transmitted unprocessed by the devices to the base station computer, mobile smart phone or other such remote device. it will also be appreciated that while the devices have been described as being secured to the side of the neck of an animal, the devices may be secured in any suitable on on the neck or head or other suitable part of the animal, or the devices may be implanted in the animals.

It will also be appreciated that while the systems have been described as comprising a plurality of relay stations, in certain cases, the relay stations may be omitted, and the devices would be configured to communicate directly with the base station computer or a smart phone.

While it is desirable, it is not essential that the devices should comprise a Near Field ications module, and the receiver 23 could also be sed with if a record of predefined locations visited by the animal is not required.

It will also be appreciated that while the devices, method and systems have been described for determining specific states of a cow, the devices, method and systems may be provided for determining other states of a cow or indeed any states of any other .

It is also envisaged that data relating to the state or states of the cow may be read from the devices 5 and 42 by the smart phone 26 through the Near Field Communications module 24 of the devices in a Near Field Communications ol.

While the signals tive of the acceleration to which the accelerometer is subjected along the X and Y axes only have been used in determining the states of the animal, it is envisaged that the signals indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer is ted along the three axes at right angles to each other, namely, the X, Y and Z axes, may be used in determining the state of the animal. it is envisaged that an animal lying on its side could be detected from signals indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer is subjected along the . It is also envisaged that a more accurate indication of the activity of the animal could be determined by using the s from the rometer indicative of the ration to which the accelerometer is subjected along both the X and the Z axes. In particular, it is possible that by using the s indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer is subjected along the X and Z axes, it may be le to differentiate between motive movement of the animal, and other movement of the animal, such as movement of the neck of the animal or other parts thereof.

It is also envisaged that by reading signals from the accelerometer indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer is subjected along the Z-axis, if the devices are secured to the animal with the Z-axis appropriately located, the signals read from the accelerometer indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer is subjected along the Z-axis would be indicative of an animal lying on its side if the animal were lying on its side. This data could also be subsequently ed by the base station computer, and if the animal were detected to be lying on its side for extended periods, this could be an indication of ill health of the animal.

While the devices have been described for detecting the states of a cow, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the devices may be used for detecting the states of any other animal besides a cow.

It is also envisaged that the devices may be secured to the animals by other means besides a Strap, for example, in n cases, it is envisaged that the devices may be implanted in the animals at riate locations, and when implanted would be d relatively closely to the skin of the animal in order to tate Near Field Communications with the devices.

While the system 40 and the device 42 have been described as receiving transmitted identification s of the respective predefined locations on visiting of such predefined locations by an animal, it is envisaged that instead of transmitters for transmitting identification signals being provided at each predefined location, an RFlD device may be provided at each predefined location, which on transmission of a signal by the short range transceiver 23 of the device 5 would reflect and alter the transmitted signal so that the reflected signal would include the identification of the ponding predefined location. onally, it is ged that in order to save power, the devices 5 and 42 may be operated to minimise the number of transmissions of data from the devices 5 and 42 to the relay stations. This would be carried out by preventing transmissions to the relay stations unless a predefined d time had passed since the last transmission had been made by the device 5 or the device 42.

Claims (90)

Claims 1.

1. A method for determining a state of an animal, the method comprising reading signals from a sensing means indicative of two sensed conditions of the animal by a signal processor, and ing the signal processor to determine at least one state of the animal from a ity of states in response to the frequency of the signals read from the sensing means being indicative of one of the sensed ions being in a predefined state, wherein a first one of the sensed conditions of the animal comprises the orientation of the head of the animal, and a second one of the sensed conditions of the animal comprises the level of activity of the , the at least one state of the animal which is determined ses ruminating, and the animal is determined as ruminating by the signal processor in response to the signals 10 read from the sensing means indicative of the first one of the sensed conditions being indicative of the head of the animal being in a raised state, and two or more of the frequency components of the signals read from the sensing means tive of the second one of the sensed conditions lying within a predefined frequency range indicative of ting, and the average value of the magnitude values of the frequency components of the signals read from the sensing means lying within the predefined frequency 15 range indicative of ruminating being within a predefined range of magnitudes indicative of ruminating.

2. A method as d in Claim 1 in which one of the determined states of the animal is feeding, and the state of the animal is determined as feeding by the signal processor in response to the signals read from the sensing means indicative of the first one of the sensed conditions being indicative of the 20 head of the animal being in a d state, and the second one of the sensed conditions indicative of the level of activity of the animal being indicative of a low level of activity indicative of feeding.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 2 in which the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions is determined by the signal processor as being indicative of a 25 low level of activity of the animal which is indicative of feeding in response to the spread of values of the magnitude of the signals read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions lying within a first predefined range of magnitude values indicative of feeding.

4. A method as claimed in Claim 3 in which the signal read from the sensing means indicative of 30 the second one of the sensed conditions is ined by the signal processor as being indicative of a low level of activity which is indicative of feeding in response to the spread of the values of the magnitude of the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions about the mean value thereof lying within a range indicative of the first ined range of magnitude values.

5. A method as claimed in Claim 3 or 4 in which one of the determined states of the animal comprises resting, and the state of the animal is determined as resting by the signal processor in response to the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions being indicative of a low level of activity of the animal indicative of resting.

6. A method as claimed in Claim 5 in which the signals read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions is determined by the signal processor as being indicative of a low level of activity which is tive of resting in response to the spread of values of the magnitude of 10 the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions lying within a second ined range of ude values indicative of g.

7. A method as claimed in Claim 6 in which the signals read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions is determined by the signal processor as being indicative of a 15 low level of activity of the animal which is indicative of resting in response to the spread of the values of the magnitude of the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed ions about the mean value f lying within a range indicative of the second predefined range of magnitude values. 20

8. A method as claimed in Claim 6 or 7 in which the second predefined range of magnitude values of the spread of values of the magnitude of the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions is less than the first predefined range of magnitude values of the spread of values of the magnitude of the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions.

9. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 6 to 8 in which the state of the animal is determined by the signal processor as ruminating in response to the spread of values of the ude of the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions lying within a third predefined range of magnitude values indicative of ruminating.

10. A method as d in Claim 9 in which the state of the animal is ined by the signal processor as ruminating in response to the spread of the values of the magnitude of the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions about the mean value thereof lying within a range of magnitude values tive of the third predefined range of magnitude values.

11. A method as claimed in Claim 9 or 10 in which the third predefined range of magnitude values lies between the first predefined range of magnitude values and the second predefined range of the three

12. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 11 in which the state of the animal is determined by the signal processor as being in a highly active state in response to the signals read from the sensing means indicative of the first one of the sensed conditions being indicative of the head of the animal being 10 in a raised state, and the second one of the sensed conditions being indicative of a high level of activity of the animal.

13. A method as claimed in Claim 12 in which the state of the animal is determined by the signal processor as being in the highly active state in response to the spread of values of the magnitude of the 15 signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions lying within a fourth predefined range of magnitude values indicative of the highly active state.

14. A method as claimed in Claim 13 in which the animal is determined by the signal sor as being in the highly active state in response to the spread of the values of the magnitude of the signal read 20 from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions about the mean value thereof lying within a range indicative of the fourth predefined range of magnitude .

15. A method as claimed in Claim 13‘or 14 in which the fourth predefined range of magnitude values is greater than the first predefined range of ude values.

16. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 15 in which the state of the head of the animal and the spread of the values of the magnitude of the signal read from the g means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions are lly determined by the signal processor. 30

17. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 16 in which the frequency of the signal read from the sensing means is analysed by the signal processor in order to determine if the animal is ruminating, in response to the head of the animal being determined as being in the raised state, and the spread of values of the magnitude of the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions lying within the third predefined range of magnitude values.

18. A method as claimed in Claim 17 in which the frequency of the signal read from the sensing means is determined by the signal processor from the frequency domain of the signal read from the sensing means.

19. A method as claimed in Claim 18 in which a Fast Fourier Transform is carried out by the signal processor on the signal read from the sensing means indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions to produce a frequency response of the signal indicative of the second one of the sensed 10 conditions, so that the frequency domain of the signal indicative of the second one of the sensed conditions can be analysed.

20. A method as d in any one of the preceding Claims in which the signal is read from the sensing means during respective first predefined time periods, and the state of the animal during each first 15 ined time period is determined by the signal processor from the signal read from the sensing means at the end of the ponding first predefined time period and is stored.

21. A method as d in Claim 20 in which the states of the animal determined at the respective ends of a plurality of sequential ones of the first predefined time periods during respective second 20 predefined time periods are tabulated at the ends of the respective corresponding second predefined time periods, and the states of the animal and the number of the first predefined time periods in each second predefined time period in which the animal was in the respective states are stored, each second ined time period being of duration to comprise a predefined number of the first ined time

22. A method as claimed in Claim 21 in which each second predefined time period is of duration up to 60 minutes.

23. A method as claimed in Claim 21 or 22 in which each second predefined time period is of 30 duration up to 30 minutes.

24. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 21 to 23 in which each second predefined time period is of duration of 15 minutes.

25. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 21 to 24 in which the second predefined time periods run consecutively one after the other.

26. A method as claimed in any of Claims 20 to 25 in which the first time periods run consecutively one after the other.

27. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 26 in which each first ined time period is of duration in the range of 5 seconds to 25 seconds.

28. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 27 in which each first predefined time period is of duration in the range of 10 seconds to 12 seconds.

29. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 28 in which each first predefined time period is 15 of duration of 10 seconds.

30. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 29 in which the signals read from the g means are sampled at a rate in the range of 6 Hz to 50 Hz. 20

31. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 30 in which the signals read from the sensing means are sampled at a sampling rate in the range of 6 Hz to 25 Hz.

32. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 31 in which the signals read from the g means are sampled at a ng rate of 12.5 Hz.

33. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 32 in which the d values of the signal read from the sensing means are buffered during each first predefined time period.

34. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the sensing means comprises 30 at least one sensor.

35. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the sensing means comprises an accelerometer.

36. A method as d in Claim 35 in which the accelerometer is configured to produce a signal indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer is subjected along at least one axis thereof.

37. A method as claimed in Claim 35 or 36 in which the accelerometer is adapted for attaching to the animal, and is configured for determining the state of the head of the animal.

38. A method as claimed in Claim 36 or 37 in which the signal indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer is ted along the axis thereof is indicative of the state of the head of the animal.

39. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 36 to 38 in which the signal read from the accelerometer indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer is subjected along the axis thereof is indicative of the level of activity of the animal. 15

40. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 35 to 39 in which the accelerometer produces signals indicative of acceleration to which the rometer is subjected along two axes perpendicular to each other.

41. A method as d in Claim 40 in which the accelerometer is configured for attaching to the 20 animal so that the signal produced by the accelerometer indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer is subjected along one of the axes thereof is indicative of the state of the head of the animal, and the signal tive of the acceleration to which the accelerometer is subjected along the other one of the axes is indicative of the level of activity of the animal. 25

42. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the signals read from the sensing means are processed in the signal sor.

43. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which data relating to the state of the animal is communicated to a remote ing means.

44. A method as claimed in Claim 43 in which the remote computing means ses one of a computer located at a remote base station and a cloud computer server.

45. A method as claimed in Claim 43 or 44 in which the data relating to the state of the animal is communicated to the remote computing means via a relay station.

46. A method as claimed in Claim 45 in which the data relating to the state of the animal is communicated in response to the animal being in the vicinity of the relay station.

47. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 43 to 46 in which the data relating to the state of the animal is transmitted wirelessly to the remote computing means. 10

48. A method as claimed in any of Claims 43 to 47 in which the data relating to the state of the animal is further processed in the remote computing means to ine further states of the animal, including the onset of oestrus, and other health states of the animal.

49. A method as d in any one of claims 43 to 48 in which data tive of at least one 15 predefined location visited by the animal is stored by the signal sor.

50. A method as claimed in Claim 49 in which the time at which the animal visited the at least one predefined location is stored by the signal processor. 20

51. A method as claimed in Claim 49 or 50 in which the duration of the visit to the at least one predefined location is stored by the signal processor.

52. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 49 to 51 in which the identity of the at least one predefined location is determined by the signal processor from an identification signal received when the 25 animal is adjacent the at least one predefined location.

53. A method as claimed in Claim 52 in which the fication signal is received wirelessly.

54. A method as claimed in Claim 52 or 53 in which the identification signal is generated adjacent 30 the at least one predefined location.

55. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 52 to 54 in which the fication signal is derived from a means adjacent the at least one predefined location capable of ing or configuring a signal to be indicative of the at least one predefined location.

56. A method as claimed in Claim 55 in which the means for ing or configuring the signal to be indicative of the at least one predefined location comprises a means for wirelessly transmitting a signal indicative of the at least one predefined location.

57. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 49 to 56 in which data indicative of a plurality of tive ined locations visited by the animal is stored by the signal processor. 10

58. A method as claimed in Claim 57 in which data indicative of a plurality of respective times and respective durations of the visits to the tive ones of the predefined locations is stored by the signal processor.

59. A method as claimed in Claim 58 in which the data indicative of the predefined locations, the 15 times at which the predefined locations are visited, and the durations of the visits to the predefined locations is communicated to the remote computing means.

60. A method as claimed in Claim 59 in which the data indicative of the locations visited by the animal, the times at which the predefined locations are visited and the durations of the visits to the 20 respective ned locations is stored by the signal processor, and is communicated along with the data stored relating to the states of the animal.

61. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the data relating to the state of the animal is communicated from the signal processor to a le handheld powered device in a Near 25 Field Communications protocol.

62. A method as claimed in Claim 61 in which the data relating to the state of the animal is further processed in the portable handheld d device to determine further states of the animal, including the onset of oestrus, and other health states of the animal.

63. A device for determining the state of an animal, the device comprising a sensing means) for monitoring at least two conditions of the animal and for producing signals indicative of the sensed conditions, and a signal processor configured to read the signals from the sensing means, and to determine at least one ting state of the animal from a plurality of states in se to the frequency of the signal read from the sensing means being indicative of one of the sensed conditions being in a predefined state, wherein a first one of the sensed conditions of the animal comprises the orientation of the head of the animal, a second one of the sensed conditions of the animal comprises the level of activity of the animal, and the at least one state of the animal is ruminating, and the signal processor is further configured to carry out the method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims for determining the state of the animal.

64. A device as claimed in Claim 63 in which the device comprises a communicating means for 10 wirelessly communicating data relating to the state of the animal to a remote computing means.

65. A device as claimed in Claim 64 in which the communicating means comprises a radio transceiver. 15

66. A device as d in Claim 65 in which the radio transceiver is operable in a high d mode for long range communications and in a low powered mode for short range communications.

67. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 64 to 66 in which the communicating means comprises a short range receiver for wirelessly receiving a ssly transmitted signal at short range.

68. A device as claimed in Claim 67 in which the short range receiver is adapted for receiving an inductively coupled low frequency signal.

69. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 64 to 68 in which the signal processor is configured to 25 read identification signals received from respective ones of a plurality of ined locations as the animal visits each of the predefined locations.

70. A device as d in Claim 69 in which the signal processor is configured to store the identities of the respective predefined locations, the times at which the respective predefined locations are visited 30 by the animal, and the durations of the respective visits by the animal to each of the respective ined locations.

71. A device as claimed in Claim 69 or 70 in which the communicating means is adapted to receive the identification signals from each of the ined locations.

72. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 69 to 71 in which the device is configured to store an identifying code identifying the identity of the device.

73. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 64 to 72 in which the communicating means comprises a low energy communications module.

74. A device as claimed in Claim 73 in which the low energy ications module is configured 10 to facilitate reading out the identifying code from the device.

75. A device as claimed in Claim 74 in which the low energy communications module is configured to facilitate reading out the identifying code through an external powered device configured by a re application to permit reading of the identifying code from the device through the low energy 15 communications module.

76. A device as claimed in Claim 75 in which the low energy communications module is configured to permit y communications between the signal processor of the device and the external powered device.

77. A device as claimed in Claim 75 or 76 in which the low energy ications module is configured to facilitate programming of the signal processor of the device by the external powered device.

78. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 75 to 77 in which the low energy communications 25 module is configured to permit ramming of the signal processor of the device by the al powered device.

79. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 75 to 78 in which the low energy communications module is configured to permit one or both of uploading and downloading of data to and from the device 30 by the external powered device.

80. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 73 to 79 in which the low energy communications module comprises a Near Field Communications module.

81. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 63 to 80 in which the sensing means comprises an rometer.

82. A device as claimed in Claim 81 in which the accelerometer is adapted for attaching to the animal, and is configured for determining the state of the head of the animal.

83. A device as claimed in Claim 81 or 82 in which the accelerometer is configured to produce a signal indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer is subjected along at least one axis 10 thereof.

84. A device as d in Claim 83 in which the signal indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer is subjected along the axis thereof is indicative of the state of the head of the . 15

85. A device as claimed in Claim 83 or 84 in which the signal read from the accelerometer indicative of the acceleration to which the accelerometer is subjected along the axis thereof is indicative of the level of activity of the animal.

86. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 81 to 85 in which the accelerometer produces signals 20 indicative of acceleration to which the rometer is subjected along two axes perpendicular to each other.

87. A device as claimed in Claim 86 in which the rometer is configured for attaching to the animal so that the signal ed by the accelerometer indicative of the acceleration to which the 25 accelerometer is subjected along one of the axes thereof is indicative of the state of the head of the animal, and the signal indicative of the ration to which the accelerometer is subjected along the other one of the axes is indicative of the level of ty of the animal.

88. A system for determining a state of an animal, the system comprising a device as claimed in any 30 one of Claims 63 to 87 for determining the state of an animal, and a remote computing means for receiving data communicated wirelessly by the device.

89. A system as claimed in Claim 88 in which at least one relay station is provided for receiving the data transmitted by the device and for relaying the ed data to the remote computing means.

90. A system as claimed in Claim 88 or 89 in which the remote computing means comprises one of a computer located at a remote base station and a cloud computer server.