ESTRUS NOTIFICATION METHOD, ESTRUS NOTIFICATION PROGRAM, AND ESTRUS NOTIFICATION DEVICE

Abstract

 On a farm (F), livestock animals (A) are pastured and to each livestock animal (A), a communications device (101) that measures the step count of the livestock animal (A) is attached. An estrus notifying apparatus (103) receives, via relay devices (102) installed on the farm (F), measurement result information indicating the step counts of the livestock animals (A) from the communications devices (101). The estrus notifying apparatus (103) determines from measurement results of the step counts of the livestock animals (A) from the communications devices (101), whether the livestock animals (A) indicate estrus. If a livestock animal (A) is determined as indicating estrus, the estrus notifying apparatus (103) determines whether another livestock animal (A) that is in estrus is near the livestock animal (A). If no other livestock animal (A) in estrus is present, the estrus notifying apparatus (103) determines the livestock animal (A) to be a livestock animal indicating estrus and transmits identification information of the livestock animal (A) to a client apparatus (104).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an estrus notifying method, an estrus notifying program, and an estrus notifying apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] It is known that that the behavior of a female cow in estrus becomes more active and the step count per unit time of the female cow increases. Further, a technique is known that uses this characteristic of the behavior of a female cow in estrus becoming more active to detect estrus from the measured step count of the female cow.

[0003] Related techniques include disposing IC tag readers at various locations within a cattle shed and when a female cow passes through such a location, the reader and an IC tag attached to the female cow communicate; the distance traveled by the female cow is calculated from the reader with which the IC tag last communicated and the current reader; and estrus is detected (e.g., Patent Document 1). Further, a technique of detecting estrus from the frequency that a female cow exhibits mounting behavior and the duration thereof is known (e.g., Patent Document 2)

[0004] 

Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-189751

Patent Document 2: Published Japanese-Translation of PCT Application, Publication No. H9-507389

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0005] Among behaviors of cows, a behavior called "herd behavior" known in which a cow behaves like other nearby cows. For example, if a female cow in estrus is nearby, a female that is not in estrus may be influenced by the female cow in estrus and also walk around like the female cow in estrus.

[0006] With the conventional techniques, if estrus of a livestock animal is to be detected while monitoring measured step counts of livestock animals, a livestock animal whose behavior has become more active consequent to the influence of other nearby livestock animals and the herd behavior described above, may be detected as a livestock animal in estrus. Therefore, the conventional techniques have a problem in that a worker, etc. is given notification of a livestock animal in estrus for a livestock animal that is not actually in estrus.

[0007] One object of the present invention, which solves the problems associated with the conventional techniques above, is to provide an estrus notifying method, an estrus notifying program, and an estrus notifying apparatus that can prevent the erroneous reporting of a livestock animal that is not in estrus as a livestock animal in estrus.

MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEM

[0008] To solve the problems above and achieve an object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an estrus notifying method, an estrus notifying program, and an estrus notifying apparatus that determine estrus based on a step count measurement result from a step counting device attached to each livestock animal among plural livestock animals are proposed. The estrus notifying method, the estrus notifying program, and the estrus notifying apparatus collect the step count measurement result of each livestock animal and position information of each livestock animal; determine for each livestock animal and based on the step count measurement result, whether estrus is indicated; judge based on a collection result of the position information and when among the livestock animals, a specific livestock animal is determined as indicating estrus, whether among the livestock animals, another livestock animal that is determined as being in estrus is present near the specific livestock animal; determine the specific livestock animal as being in estrus if among the livestock animals, no other livestock animal determined as being in estrus is present near the specific livestock animal; and output identification information of the specific livestock animal determined as being in estrus.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, an effect is achieved in that erroneous reporting of a livestock animal that is not in estrus as a livestock in estrus can be prevent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] 

FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting one example of an estrus notifying method of an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting an example of system configuration of a notifying system 200;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting a hardware configuration example of a communications device of the present embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting a hardware configuration example of a relay device 102;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting a hardware configuration example of an estrus notifying apparatus 103, etc.;

FIG. 6 is a diagram depicting an example of the contents of a measurement result information table 201;

FIG. 7 is a diagram depicting an example of the contents of a step count DB 202;

FIG. 8 is a diagram depicting an example of the contents of an estrus history DB 203;

FIG. 9 is a diagram depicting an example of the contents of a transmission-source relay device DB 204;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram depicting a functional configuration example of the estrus notifying apparatus 103;

FIG. 11 is a diagram depicting an example of display by a client apparatus 104;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart depicting an example of a process performed by a communications device 101;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart (part 1) depicting an example of a process performed by the estrus notifying apparatus 103; and

FIG. 14 is a flowchart (part 2) depicting an example of the process performed by the estrus notifying apparatus 103.

BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0011] Embodiments of an estrus notifying method, an estrus notifying program, and an estrus notifying apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting one example of the estrus notifying method of the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, livestock animals A are raised within the premises of a farm F managed by a worker W. Here, the worker W is one who is engaged in the livestock industry. The farm F is a facility that has a pasture area for pasturing the livestock animals A. A livestock animal A is an animal that can move within the pasture area in which the livestock animal A is pastured. For example, a livestock animal A is an animal that moves by ambulation, such as a cow, pig, horse, etc. Further, in this example, livestock animals A1 to Ax are assumed to be raised on the farm F.

[0013] A communications device 101 is attached to each livestock animal A1 to Ax. Here, the communications device 101 is a portable computer that measures a step count of the livestock animal A to which the communications device 101 is attached. For example, when the livestock animal A walks, the livestock animal A steps with the right-front leg, sending the leg out toward the ground in the direction of travel. Upon planting the right-front leg on the ground, next, the livestock animal A steps with the left-front leg, sending the leg out toward the ground in the direction of travel. Upon planting the left-front leg on the ground, again, the livestock animal A steps with the right-front leg, and repeats this series of actions. In other words, the step count of the livestock animal A can be the number of times that the livestock animal A steps with the right-front leg or the left-front leg, sending the leg out toward the ground in the direction of travel.

[0014]  For example, when the emotional or physical state of the livestock animal A changes, such as with the onset of estrus or illness, giving birth, the appearance of a natural predator, etc., the step count per unit time of the livestock animal A increases or decreases compared to that for the normal state. Here, estrus is an excited state accompanying reproductive activity of the livestock animal A. Illness is a state in which the physical or emotional state of the livestock animal A is poor or unfavorable.

[0015] Birth is a state when a calf is pushed out from the womb or a state indicating a sign thereof. A change consequent to the appearance of a natural predator is a state of being physically and emotionally cornered by the appearance of a natural predator such as a wolf. If an abnormal state of the livestock animal A occurs, the step count measured from the livestock animal A has a characteristic of changing. Therefore, from measurement results of the step count of the livestock animal A, the worker W can know whether the livestock animal A has entered an abnormal state.

[0016] The communications device 101 is capable of communicating with multiple relay devices 102 installed within the premises of the farm F. Here, the relay device 102 is a computer that is capable of communicating with the communications device 101 and an estrus notifying apparatus 103 described hereinafter. Each of the relay devices 102 is installed at a different position in the farm F.

[0017] The relay device 102 can communicate with a communications device 101 located within a given range. For example, the relay device 102 can communicate with a communications device 101 located within a range of a 150-meter radius around the relay device 102. The communications device 101 transmits to the estrus notifying apparatus 103, via a communicable relay device 102, measurement result information indicating measurement results of the step count of the livestock animal A.

[0018] The estrus notifying apparatus 103 is a computer that is connected to the relay devices 102, and via the relay devices 102, is able to receive the measurement result information transmitted by the communications device 101. Further, for example, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can be communicable connected to the client apparatus 104, via a given line.

[0019] The client apparatus 104 is a portable computer having a display 105 and capable of communicating with the estrus notifying apparatus 103. The client apparatus 104, upon receiving information from the estrus notifying apparatus 103, displays on the display 105, images based on the received information.

[0020] Here, as a technique of finding an abnormal state of a pastured livestock animal A, for instance, an example will be given describing a technique of finding an estrus state of a female cow. When a female cow has entered estrus, the behavior of the female cow becomes active and the female cow walks more than when not in estrus. If the worker W is in the vicinity of the female cow, the worker W can visually check the state of the female cow to know whether the female cow is in estrus. Nonetheless, since the worker W has other work such as cleaning the cattle shed, the worker W cannot always visually monitor the state of the female cow.

[0021] If a female cow enters estrus when the worker W is not around, the worker W may not realize that the female cow has entered estrus, losing an opportunity to mate the female cow having a possibility of becoming impregnated. The loss of an opportunity to mate a female cow having a possibility of becoming impregnated is a financial loss for the worker W and the manager of the farm F.

[0022] When pasturing female cows, the worker W may also pasture stud bulls for natural mating to occur. However, natural mating by a stud bull is not desirable from the viewpoint of current livestock management ideals of producing better offspring. Furthermore, since bulls are aggressive, only an experienced worker W can handle the bulls and thus, is problematic.

[0023] Further, a technique is present that uses the characteristic that when a female cow is in estrus, the behavior of the female cow becomes more active whereby the step count increases and if the measured step count becomes a given value or greater, the worker W is notified. Nonetheless, the step count of a female cow increases and decreases consequent to other factors in addition to an abnormal state such as estrus. For example, in an environment in which a female cow that is in estrus is nearby, a female cow that is not in estrus walks at the same pace as the female cow that is in estrus and thus, the step count of the female cow that is not in estrus increases.

[0024] Therefore, when a livestock animal A in estrus is to be detected from the measured step count of the livestock animal A, a livestock animal A that is not actually in estrus may be detected as a livestock animal A in estrus. As a result, the worker W may be given notification of a livestock animal A that is not actually in estrus, as a livestock animal A in estrus. Thus, the worker W goes to the livestock animal A for which notification of estrus was received even though the livestock animal A is not in estrus and does not particularly required attending to, whereby the work load placed on the worker W needlessly increases.

[0025] Thus, according to the estrus notifying method of the present embodiment, a livestock animal A for which the step count has increased to an extent indicating estrus is determined to be in estrus, if a livestock animal A in estrus is not nearby, and notification is given to the worker W. On the other hand, if a livestock animal A in estrus is near the livestock animal A for which the step count has increased, the increased step count is consequent to the effects of the livestock animal A in estrus and therefore, the livestock animal A for which the step count has increased is determined to not be in estrus and no notification is given to the worker W, whereby erroneous reporting of a livestock animal A not in estrus as a livestock animal A in estrus can be prevent.

[0026] Hereinafter, one example of the estrus notifying method of the present embodiment will be described. In the embodiment, estrus will be taken as one example of an abnormal state of the livestock animal A. Further, in the present embodiment, the livestock animal A will be described as a female cow. Female cows have a characteristic in that the when in estrus, the female cow has a step count that increases per unit time compared to periods when not in estrus.

(1) The communications device 101 measures the step count of the livestock animal A and at given transmission intervals, transmits to the estrus notifying apparatus 103, via a relay device 102 installed in the pasture area, measurement result information indicating measurement results of the step count of the livestock animal A. Here, as one example, the communications device 101 is assumed to transmit the measurement result information at a transmission interval of one hour.

(2) The estrus notifying apparatus 103, via the relay device 102, receives the measurement result information transmitted by the communications device 101. The estrus notifying apparatus 103 obtains the step count of the livestock animal A from the received measurement result information and based on the obtained step count, determines whether livestock animal A indicates estrus. For example, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines that the livestock animal A indicates estrus, if the step count of the livestock animal A is threshold or greater.

[0027] If the livestock animal A1 indicates estrus, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines whether another livestock animal A that is in estrus is present near the livestock animal A1 that indicates estrus. For example, as depicted in (

) in FIG. 1, no other livestock animal A in estrus is assumed to be near the livestock animal A1 that indicates estrus. In this case, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines livestock animal A1 is in estrus and transmits to the client apparatus 104of the worker W, notification indicating that the livestock animal A1 is in estrus (Refer to arrow for (3) in FIG. 1).

[0028] The client apparatus 104 receives from the estrus notifying apparatus 103, the notification indicating that the livestock animal A1 indicates estrus and displays on the display 105, an image based on the received notification. From the contents displayed on the display 105, the worker W can know that the livestock animal A1 is in estrus and can, for example, take a measure suitable for the livestock animal A1, such as mating the livestock animal A1.

[0029] On the other hand, as depicted in (□) in FIG. 1, the livestock animal A2, which indicates estrus is assumed to be near the livestock animal A1 that indicates estrus. In this case, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines that the increased step count of the livestock animal A1 is a result of herd behavior influenced by the livestock animal A2 and further determines that livestock animal A1 is not in estrus. The estrus notifying apparatus 103, upon determining that the livestock animal A1 is not in estrus, does not transmit to the client apparatus 104, notification that the livestock animal A1 is in estrus.

[0030] As described, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines a livestock animal A for which the step count has increased to an extent indicating estrus, to be in estrus, if no livestock animal A in estrus is near the livestock animal A for which the step count has increased and notifies the worker W. On the other hand, if a livestock animal A in estrus is near the livestock animal A for which the step count has increased, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines the livestock animal A for which the step count has increased to not be in estrus and does not notify the worker W, thereby enabling erroneous reporting of a livestock animal A that is not in estrus as a livestock animal A in estrus to be prevented.

(Example of system configuration of notifying system)

[0031] An example of system configuration of a notifying system of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting an example of system configuration of a notifying system 200. In FIG. 2, the notifying system 200 includes one or more of the communications devices 101, the relay device 102 in plural, and the estrus notifying apparatus 103.

[0032] Each of the communications devices 101, when transmitting measurement result information, further transmits communications device identification information thereof. Here, the communications device identification information is information that can identify one communications device 101 from among plural communications devices 101. For example, the communications device identification information is information representing a communications device ID specific to each of the communications devices 101.

[0033] In the notifying system 200, the communications device 101 and the relay device 102 are connected through a wireless communications network 210. The communications device 101 and the relay device 102 each have a given range around the device 101, 102 (e.g., a range of a 150-meter radius around the device 101, 102), as a communications area in which communication through the wireless communications network 210 is possible. When having a positional relation enabling communication, the communications device 101 and the relay device 102 are connected by the wireless communications network 210. For example, near field communication such as radio frequency identification (RFID) is applicable as the wireless communications network 210.

[0034] Further, the relay device 102, the estrus notifying apparatus 103, and the client apparatus 104 are connected via a network 220. For example, the network 220 is the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), etc.

[0035] Each communications device 101 has a measurement result information table 201 and is a portable computer attached to each livestock animal A1 to Ax raised on the farm F. The communications device 101 has a function of measuring the step count of the livestock animal A to which the communications device 101 is attached and a communications function through the wireless communications network 210. For example, a pedometer with an additional function of communication via the wireless communications network 210 is applicable as the communications device 101. Contents of the measurement result information table 201 will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0036] The relay device 102 is installed within the premises of the farm F and is a computer having a communications function via the wireless communications network 210 and communications function via the network 220. The relay devices 102 are respectively installed at a different installation site.

[0037] The estrus notifying apparatus 103 has a step count DB 202, an estrus history DB 203, a transmission-source relay device DB 204, etc., and is a computer having a communications function via the network 220. For example, a server included in a cloud computing system, a personal computer (PC), note PC, etc. used by a manager of the farm F or the worker W are applicable as the estrus notifying apparatus 103. Contents of the step count DB 202, the estrus history DB 203 and the transmission-source relay device DB 204 will be described with reference to FIGs. 7 to 9.

[0038] The client apparatus 104 is a computer having the display 105 that displays images based on various types of information, and a communications function via the network 220. For example, a PC or note PC, mobile telephone, smartphone, and the like used by the worker W of the farm F are applicable as the client apparatus 104.

(Hardware configuration example of communications device)

[0039] A hardware configuration example of the communications device 101 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting a hardware configuration example of the communications device of the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, the communications device 101 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 301, memory 302, an interface (I/F) 303, a sensor 304, and a timer 305, respectively connected by a bus 300.

[0040] Here, the CPU 301 governs overall control of the communications device 101. The memory 302 includes read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and flash ROM. The ROM and the flash ROM, for example, store various types of programs such as a boot program. The RAM is used as a work area of the CPU 301.

[0041] The I/F 303 is connected to the wireless communications network 210 through a communications line and is connected to other apparatuses such as the relay devices 102, via the wireless communications network 210. The I/F 303 administers an internal interface with the wireless communications network 210 and controls the input and output of data from external apparatuses.

[0042] The sensor 304 outputs information for detecting behavior of the communications device 101. For example, when the sensor 304 is implemented by a gyroscope or a triaxial accelerometer and the communications device 101 accelerates, the sensor 304 outputs information according to the acceleration. The timer 305 has a function of measuring time. For example, the timer 305 is implemented by a real time clock (RTC) and measures the actual time. Further, the timer 305 may measure the time that elapses from a given time point. Configuration may be such that the timer 305 is disposed external to the communications device 101 and the communications device 101 obtains the measurement results of the timer 305 through the wireless communications network 210.

(Hardware configuration example of relay device)

[0043] A hardware configuration example of the relay device 102 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting a hardware configuration example of the relay device 102. In FIG. 4, the relay device 102 includes a CPU 401, memory 402, and an I/F 403, respectively connected by a bus 400.

[0044] Here, the CPU 401 governs overall control of the relay device 102. The memory 402 includes ROM, RAM, and flash ROM. The ROM and flash ROM, for example, store various types of programs such as a boot program. The RAM is used as a work area of the CPU 401.

[0045] The I/F 403 is connected to the wireless communications network 210 through a communications line and is connected to other apparatuses such as the communications device 101, via the wireless communications network 210. The I/F 403 is further connected to the network 220 through a communications line and through the network 220, is connected to other apparatuses such as the estrus notifying apparatus 103. The I/F 403 administers an internal interface with the wireless communications network 210 and the network 220; and controls the input and output of data from external apparatuses.

(Hardware configuration example of estrus notifying apparatus and client apparatus)

[0046] A hardware configuration example of the estrus notifying apparatus 103 and the client apparatus 104 will be described. Here, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 and the client apparatus 104 will be indicated as simply "the estrus notifying apparatus 103, etc.".

[0047] FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting a hardware configuration example of the estrus notifying apparatus 103, etc. In FIG. 5, the estrus notifying apparatus 103, etc. include a CPU 501, ROM 502, RAM 503, a magnetic disk drive 504, a magnetic disk 505, an optical disk drive 506, an optical disk 507, a display 508, an I/F 509, a keyboard 510, a mouse 511, a scanner 512, and a printer 513, respectively connected by a bus 500.

[0048] Here, the CPU 501 governs overall control of the estrus notifying apparatus 103, etc. The ROM 502 stores programs such as a boot program. The RAM 503 is used as a work area of the CPU 501. The magnetic disk drive 504, under the control of the CPU 501, controls the reading and writing of data with respect to the magnetic disk 505. The magnetic disk 505 stores data written thereto under the control of the magnetic disk drive 504.

[0049] The optical disk drive 506, under the control of the CPU 501, controls the reading and writing of data with respect to the optical disk 507. The optical disk 507 stores data written thereto under the control of the optical disk drive 506, the data being read out by a computer.

[0050] The display 508 displays documents, images, and functional information in addition to a cursor, icons, and toolboxes. A CRT, TFT liquid crystal display, plasma display, and the like may be employed as the display 508.

[0051] The I/F 509 is connected to the network 220 through a communications line, and is connected to other apparatuses such as the relay device 102 and the client apparatus 104, via the network 220. The I/F 509 administers an internal interface with the network 220, and controls the input and output of data from external apparatuses. A modem, LAN adapter, etc. may be employed as the I/F 509.

[0052] The keyboard 510 has keys for inputting text, numerals, various instructions, etc. and inputs data. The keyboard 510 may be a touch panel input pad, a numeric pad, etc. The mouse 511 is used to move the cursor, select a range, move or change the size of a window, etc. As long as functions identical to a pointing device are provided, a trackball, a joy stick, and the like may be employed.

[0053] The scanner 512 optically reads images and takes in image data into the estrus notifying apparatus 103. The scanner 512 may have an optical character reader (OCR) function. The printer 513 prints image data and document data. A laser printer or ink jet printer may be employed as the printer 513.

[0054] Further, for example, among the components described above, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 may be configured to omit the optical disk drive 506, the optical disk 507, the display 508, the mouse 511, the scanner 512, and the printer 513. The client apparatus 104 may be configured to omit the optical disk drive 506, the optical disk 507, the mouse 511, the scanner 512, and the printer 513.

(Example of information stored by communications device)

[0055] An example of the information stored by the communications device 101 will be described. As described above, the communications device 101 stores the measurement result information table 201. For example, the measurement result information table 201 is implemented by the memory 302 of the communications device 101.

<Example of contents of measurement result information table>

[0056] FIG. 6 is a diagram depicting an example of the contents of the measurement result information table 201. In FIG. 6, the measurement result information table 201 has fields for dates and times of measurement, and measurement values. By setting information into these fields, measurement result information for each combination of a measurement value and the date and time of the measurement is stored as a record in the measurement result information table 201. In the example depicted in FIG. 6, records of measurement result information 600-1 to 600-6 are stored in the measurement result information table 201.

[0057] Here, the date and time of measurement represents the date and time of past transmissions of measurement result information. In the case of the present embodiment, as one example, the date and time of measurement indicates the date and time of the most recent two transmissions of the measurement result information. The measurement value represents a past measurement value of the step count of the livestock animal A at the time of transmission of the measurement result information. In the case of the present embodiment, as one example, the measurement values of the step counts of the livestock animal A at the time of the most recent two transmissions of the measurement result information are indicated.

[0058] For example, the communications device 101 cumulates, as the current measurement value, the step count of the livestock animal A from the time when the measurement value is set to "0" until the current time. With each step that the livestock animal A takes, the communications device 101 instantaneously accelerates. Upon detecting this acceleration via the sensor 304, the communications device 101 increments the current measurement value by "+1".

[0059] When the transmission time for the measurement result information arrives according to the measurement result of the timer 305, the communications device 101 stores measurement result information in which the current measurement value is correlated with the date and time of measurement for this transmission time. If the transmission time for the measurement result information is a one-hour interval, for example, transmission occurs every hour, on the hour.

[0060] For example, in FIG. 6, the measurement result information 600-1 indicates that the measurement value at 2:00 on 2012/02/20 is "C2". Here, "C2" is a positive integer. Similarly, the measurement result information 600-2 indicates that the measurement value at 1:00 on 2012/02/20 is "C1". Here, "C1" is a positive integer. When a transmission time for the measurement result information arrives, the communications device 101 transmits to the estrus notifying apparatus 103, via the relay device 102, each record of measurement result information stored in the measurement result information table 201. In the example depicted in FIG. 6, the communications device 101 transmits the measurement result information 600-1, 600-2.

[0061] Each time the transmission time for the measurement result information arrives, the communications device 101 transmits the measurement value at the previous transmission and the measurement value at the current transmission, thereby enabling the estrus notifying apparatus 103 to stably obtain measurement results for the communications device 101. For example, even if the estrus notifying apparatus 103 cannot receive the measurement result information previously transmitted from the communications device 101, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can obtain the measurement value for the previous transmission at the current transmission time.

[0062] Although an example has been described where the communications device 101 stores measurement result information in which the two most recent transmission times and measurement value are correlated, configuration is not limited hereto. The communications device 101 may store three records of the measurement result information in which the three most recent transmission times and corresponding measurement values are correlated. For instance, in this case, in the example depicted in FIG. 6, a measurement value at "2012/2/20, 0:00" is stored. The communications device 101 may store three or more records of the measurement result information. The more measurement result information transmitted by the communications device 101 at one transmission, the more assuredly the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can receive the measurement value for each transmission time.

(Example of information stored by estrus notifying apparatus)

[0063] Examples of the contents of the various DBs 202, 203, 204, 205, and 206 stored by the estrus notifying apparatus 103 will be described. For example, in the description hereinafter, the various DBs 202, 203, 204, 205, and 206 are implemented by a memory apparatus such as the ROM 502, the RAM 503, the magnetic disk 505, and the optical disk 507 of the estrus notifying apparatus 103.

<Example of contents of step count DB 202>

[0064] FIG. 7 is a diagram depicting an example of the contents of the step count DB 202. In FIG. 7, the step count DB 202 has fields for dates, step count, and estrus detection flags. By setting information into these fields, step count information for each combination of a date, a step count, and an estrus detection flag step is stored as a record in the count DB 205. In the example depicted in FIG. 7, records of the step count information 700-1 to 700-3 are stored in the step count DB 202.

[0065] Here, a date represents the date when the step count was measured and, for example, is indicated as year/month/day. The step count represents the step count of the livestock animal A. Here, in the step count field, time slot fields are prepared and for each time slot, the step count DB 202 stores a step count of the livestock animal A. In the example depicted in FIG. 7, time slot fields of one-hour intervals, e.g., "0:00 to 1:00", "1:00 to 2:00", etc. are prepared.

[0066] For example, each value set as the step count of the livestock animal A in the time slot field is a value obtained by subtracting the measurement value at the head time of the time slot from the measurement value at the end time of the time slot. In the example depicted in FIG. 7, N302 is stored in the time slot field "1:00-2:00" for "2012/02/20". For example, as depicted in FIG. 6, when the measurement value at the time point "2012/02/20, 2:00" is "C2" and the measurement value at the time point "2012/02/20, 1:00" is "C1", N302=C2-C1.

[0067] The estrus detection flag field has an ON/OFF field that stores information indicating whether the estrus detection flag is ON or OFF. Here, as one example, "1" stored in the ON/OFF field indicates that the estrus detection flag is ON. Meanwhile, "0" stored in the ON/OFF field indicates that the estrus detection flag is OFF. Further, the estrus detection flag field has a flag ON date/time field that stores information indicating the date and time that the estrus detection flag was turned ON.

[0068] For example, if the estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines that in the step count DB 202, the step counts of the livestock animal A stored in time slot fields for the two most recent time slots are respectively a threshold or greater, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 sets the estrus detection flag to ON. For example, in the estrus notifying apparatus 103, a different threshold is set for each time slot, such as a threshold for the step count during the time slot "0:00-1:00" and a threshold for the step count during the time slot "1:00-2:00".

[0069] Further, for example, when a given period has elapsed since the estrus notifying apparatus 103 set the estrus detection flag to ON, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 sets the estrus detection flag to OFF. More specifically, for example, since the estrus period of a female cow is on the order of a half of a day to one day, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 sets the estrus detection flag to OFF when 24 hours have elapsed since setting the estrus detection flag to ON. Further, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 may receive a user operation from the worker W and in response to the user operation from the worker W, set the estrus detection flag to OFF. If the worker W has visually confirmed the livestock animal A in estrus, the estrus notifying apparatus 103, for example, may set the estrus detection flag to ON, in response to a user operation from the worker W.

[0070]  The fields described above are stored for each communications device ID, in the step count DB 202, enabling the step count DB 202 to store step count information for each communications device ID. In the step count DB 202, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 stores to the time slot field that corresponds to the communications device ID received with measurement result information, the step count of the livestock animal A having the communications device 101 of the received communications device ID. In the example depicted in FIG. 7, the step count information stored for the communications device 101 having the communications device ID "G1" is depicted. The estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines whether the step count stored for each communications device ID is a threshold or greater and if so, sets the estrus detection flag to ON.

<Example of contents of estrus history DB 203>

[0071] FIG. 8 is a diagram depicting an example of the contents of the estrus history DB 203. In FIG. 8, the estrus history DB 203 has fields for livestock animal IDs, communications device IDs, and estrus history. By setting information into these fields, estrus history information for each combination of a livestock animal ID, a communications device ID, and estrus history, is stored as a record in the estrus history DB 203. In the example depicted in FIG. 8, records of the estrus history information 800-1 to 800-x are stored in the estrus history DB 203.

[0072] Here, a livestock animal ID represents an identifier of the livestock animals A1 to Ax. A communications device ID represents an identifier of communications devices G1 to Gx. The estrus history field stores information indicating the year/month/date of past estrus days. For example, in FIG. 8, the estrus history information 800-1 indicates that for the livestock animal A1 having the communications device 101 of the communications device ID "G1", the last estrus date was "2012/02/11", and the second to last estrus date was "2012/01/20".

[0073] For example, when setting the estrus detection flag to ON, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 identifies the communications device ID that corresponds to the estrus detection flag that was set to ON. After identifying the communications device ID, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 stores into the last estrus date field for the estrus history information corresponding to the identified communications device ID, information indicating the date when the estrus detection flag was turned ON this time. Thus, when updating the last estrus date, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 stores the estrus date by shifting, one-by-one, the estrus dates stored to date. For example, when updating information of the last estrus date, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 stores as the second to last estrus date, the date stored as the last estrus date.

[0074] Configuration may be such that the worker W can access the estrus notifying apparatus 103 from the client apparatus 104 and update the estrus history information in the estrus history DB 203. For example, the worker W accesses the estrus notifying apparatus 103 and inputs the livestock animal ID of a livestock animal A for which estrus was visually confirmed and the date when estrus was confirmed. The estrus notifying apparatus 103 stores estrus history information into the estrus history DB 203, based on the contents input by the worker W. Storage, by the estrus notifying apparatus 103, of the estrus history information that is based on visual confirmation by the worker W, enables highly accurate estrus history information to be stored in the estrus history DB 203.

[0075] The estrus notifying apparatus 103, via the estrus history DB 203, stores past estrus dates of the livestock animals A1 to Ax. Therefore, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can determine from the current dates and times when the livestock animals A1 to Ax indicated estrus and from the last estrus dates of the livestock animals A1 to Ax, whether the current indication of estrus coincides with the estrus cycle of the livestock animal A.

[0076] For example, the estrus cycle of female cow is known to be an interval of about 21 days. In the example depicted in FIG. 8, livestock animal A1 is assumed to have indicated estrus on "2012/02/20". In this case, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 refers to the estrus history DB 203 and since the last estrus date for the livestock animal A1 is "2012/02/11", the condition of the estrus cycle of the female cow is not satisfied and the livestock animal A1 can be determined to not be in estrus.

[0077] On the other hand, the livestock animal A2 is assumed to have indicated estrus on "2012/02/20". In this case, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 refers to the estrus history DB 203 and since the last estrus date of the livestock animal A2 is "2012/01/31", the conditions of the estrus cycle of the female cow is satisfied and the livestock animal A2 can be determined to be in estrus. Therefore, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can detect estrus of the livestock animals A1 to Ax, from the measured step count and the estrus cycle of the livestock animal A, enabling the accuracy of detection of estrus to be increased.

<Example of contents of transmission-source relay device DB>

[0078] FIG. 9 is a diagram depicting an example of the contents of the transmission-source relay device DB 204. In FIG. 9, the transmission-source relay device DB 204 has fields for communications device IDs and relay device IDs. By setting information into these fields, transmission source relay device information for each combination of a communications device ID and a relay device ID is stored as a record in the transmission-source relay device DB 204. For instance, in the example depicted in FIG. 9, records of the transmission source relay device information 900-1 to 900-x are stored in the transmission-source relay device DB 204.

[0079] The communications device ID represents an identifier of the communications devices 101 attached to the livestock animals A1 to Ax. The relay device ID represents an identifier of the relay device 102 that relayed the measurement result information most recently transmitted by the communications device 101. In the example depicted in FIG. 9, transmission source relay device information 900-1 indicates that the most recent measurement result information from the communications device 101 attached to the livestock animal A1 and having the communications device ID "G1" was transmitted to the estrus notifying apparatus 103, via the relay device 102 having the relay device ID "B1". Further, the transmission source relay device information 900-2 indicates that the most recent measurement result information from the communications device 101 attached to the livestock animal A2 and having the communications device ID "G2" was transmitted to the estrus notifying apparatus 103, via the relay device 102 having the relay device ID "B1".

[0080] As described above, each relay device 102 can communicate with communications devices 101 that are within a given range centered about the relay device 102. Therefore, in the example depicted in FIG. 9, the communications device 101 of the communications device ID "G1" and the communications device 101 of the communications device ID "G2" are within the given range centered about the relay device 102 of the relay device ID "B1", indicating that the livestock animal A1 having the communications device 101 of the communications device ID "G1" and the livestock animal A2 having the communications device 101 of the communications device ID "G2" are located within a given range centered about the relay device ID "B1".

[0081] Further, the estrus notifying apparatus 103, via the transmission-source relay device DB 204, stores the relay device 102 with which the communications devices 101 last communicated. Therefore, when detecting estrus of a livestock animal A, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can notify the worker W of the relay device IDs of the relay devices 102 near livestock animal A having the communications device 101. As a result, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can reduce the work load of the worker W when searching for a livestock animal A in estrus. The estrus notifying apparatus 103 may transmit transmission source relay device information to the client apparatus 104, when there is request for the transmission source relay device information from the worker W. As a result, the worker W can know whether an arbitrary livestock animal A is near a relay device 102.

(Functional configuration example of estrus notifying apparatus 103)

[0082] A functional configuration example of the estrus notifying apparatus 103 will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram depicting a functional configuration example of the estrus notifying apparatus 103. In FIG. 10, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 includes an obtaining unit 1001, a first determining unit 1002, a judging unit 1003, a second determining unit 1004, and an output unit 1005. Functions forming a control unit, e.g., the obtaining unit 1001 to the output unit 1005, are implemented by executing on the CPU 501, a program stored on the magnetic disk 505, etc. depicted in FIG. 5 or by the I/F 509 or the magnetic disk 505. Process results of the functional units are stored to the RAM 503, for example.

[0083] The obtaining unit 1001 has a function of collecting step count measurement results of the livestock animals A1 to Ax and position information of the livestock animals A1 to Ax. For example, the obtaining unit 1001 receives, via the network 220, the measurement result information transmitted by the communications device 101 and thereby, obtains measurement results of the step counts of the livestock animals A. Further, when receiving the measurement result information, the obtaining unit 1001 also receives the relay device ID of the relay device 102 that relayed to the estrus notifying apparatus 103, the measurement result information transmitted by the communications device 101.

[0084]  As described above, the relay devices 102 are disposed at given locations on the farm F and each relay device 102 has a communications area of a given range centered about the relay device 102. By receiving the relay device ID, the obtaining unit 1001 can obtain information indicating whether among the livestock animals A1 to Ax any are within the communications area of the relay device 102.

[0085] Further, for example, if the communications device 101 has a positioning function such as a global positioning system (GPS), the obtaining unit 1001 may obtain position information of the livestock animals A1 to Ax by receiving positioning results from the communications device 101.

[0086] The first determining unit 1002 has a function of determining for each of the livestock animals A1 to Ax and based on the measurement results obtained by the obtaining unit 1001, whether estrus is indicated. For example, the first determining unit 1002 determines whether the respective step counts of the livestock animals A1 to Ax satisfy a given condition. For example, the first determining unit 1002 determines a livestock animal A whose step count is a give threshold or greater to be a livestock animal A indicating estrus.

[0087] Further, for example, the measured step count of the livestock animal A may increase consequent to a transient abnormal state such a when a natural predator appears. From the perspective of preventing a livestock animal A for which the step count has increased consequent to a transient abnormal state from being determined as a livestock animal A indicating estrus, the first determining unit 1002 may determine whether each step count of the livestock animal A consecutively measured for a given period satisfies a given condition. In the case of the present embodiment, the first determining unit 1002 determines whether the step counts for the two most recent time slots stored in the step count DB 202 are respectively a threshold or greater. The determination condition of the first determining unit 1002 is not limited to that described above and for example, can be arbitrarily defined by the worker K, such as the step counts for the three most receive time slots being a threshold or greater.

[0088] The judging unit 1003 has a function of judging based on the position information obtained by the obtaining unit 1001, whether another livestock animal A determined to be in estrus is present near a specific livestock animal A that is among the livestock animals A1 to Ax and determined by the first determining unit 1002 to indicate estrus. For example, the judging unit 1003 identifies from the relay device ID obtained together with the measurement result information, the relay device 102 in whose communication area the livestock animal A indicating estrus is located.

[0089] The judging unit 1003 refers to the transmission-source relay device DB 204 and identifies other livestock animals A located in the communications area of the identified relay device 102. The judging unit 1003 refers to the step count DB 202 and judges whether the estrus detection flag that corresponds to the identified communications device 101 is ON. Thus, the judging unit 1003 can judge whether other livestock animals A in estrus are present near the livestock animal A indicating estrus.

[0090] The second determining unit 1004 has a function of determining the specific livestock animal A determined to indicate estrus by the first determining unit 1002, to be in estrus, if no other livestock animal A in estrus is judged by the judging unit 1003 to be near the specific livestock animal A indicating estrus. For example, the second determining unit 1004 sets the estrus detection flag that corresponds to the communications device 101 attached to the livestock animal A determined to be in estrus, to ON.

[0091] The output unit 1005 has a function of outputting the identification information of the specific livestock animal A determined to be in estrus by the second determining unit 1004. For example, the output unit 1005 identifies from the estrus history DB 203, livestock animal ID that corresponds to the communications device ID of the communications device 101 for which the estrus detection flag is ON and, via the network 220, transmits to the client apparatus 104, information indicating the identified livestock animal ID. Thus, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can notify the worker W of the livestock animal A in estrus and prompt the worker W to attend to the livestock animal A in estrus.

[0092] The output unit 1005 may identify from the transmission-source relay device DB 204, the relay device ID of the relay device 102 that last communicated with the communications device 101 for which the estrus detection flag is ON and, via the network 220, transmit to the client apparatus 104, information indicating the identified relay device ID. Thus, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can notify the worker W of the vicinity of the livestock animal A in estrus, thereby enabling a reduction of the work load placed on the worker W in searching for the livestock animal A in estrus.

[0093] The estrus notifying apparatus 103 may have an estrus cycle determining unit 1006. Here, the estrus cycle determining unit 1006 has a function of referring to a memory unit 1006a that stores the last estrus time point of the specific livestock animal A determined to indicate estrus, and determining whether a given period has elapsed from the last estrus time point until the measurement time point of the measurement result.

[0094] For example, the estrus cycle determining unit 1006 refers to the estrus history DB 203 stored in the memory unit 1006a and determines whether the date and time when the livestock animal A indicated estrus is after a given period has elapsed since the last estrus date. For example, when the livestock animal A is a female cow, the estrus cycle of a female cow is known to be an interval of about 21 days. Therefore, the estrus cycle determining unit 1006 determines whether the date and time that estrus was indicated is before or after 21 days have elapsed since the last estrus date.

[0095] If the estrus cycle determining unit 1006 that the given period has elapsed, the second determining unit 1004 determines the specific livestock animal A that has been determined to indicate estrus by the first determining unit 1002, to be a livestock animal in estrus. Thus, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can increase the accuracy in detecting a livestock animal A in estrus and can prevent a livestock animal A that is not in estrus from being notified to the worker W, as a livestock animal A in estrus.

[0096]  The estrus notifying apparatus 103 may have an updating unit 1007. Here, the updating unit 1007 has a function of updating at the measurement time point of the step count measurement result of the specific livestock animal A, the last estrus time point stored in the memory unit 1006a, if the specific livestock animal is determined to be in estrus by the second determining unit 1004. For example, based on the step count measured on "2012/02/20" for the livestock animal A2, the second determining unit 1004 is assumed to determine the livestock animal A2 as a livestock animal A in estrus. In this case, in the estrus history DB 203, the updating unit 1007 updates the last estrus date that corresponds to the livestock animal A2 to "2012/02/20". Thus, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can update the estrus history information in the estrus history DB 203 each time a livestock animal A in estrus is detected, reducing the work for updating the estrus history information by the worker W, thereby enabling the work load of the worker W to be reduced.

(Display example of client apparatus 104)

[0097] One example of display by the client apparatus 104 will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram depicting an example of display by the client apparatus 104. As described above, the estrus notifying apparatus 103, upon detecting a livestock animal A in estrus, transmits the livestock animal ID of the livestock animal A in estrus to the client apparatus 104. The client apparatus 104 receives the livestock animal ID of the livestock animal A indicating estrus and displays on the display 105, an image based on the received information.

[0098] As depicted in FIG. 11, the client apparatus 104 receives the livestock animal ID and displays on the display 105, a message 1101 indicating the received livestock animal ID. Further, the estrus notifying apparatus 103, upon detecting the livestock animal A in estrus, may also transmit the relay device ID of the relay device 102 that relayed the measurement result information transmitted by the communications device 101 attached to the livestock animal A.

[0099] Thus, by receiving the relay device ID from the estrus notifying apparatus 103, the client apparatus 104, via the message 1101, can notify the worker W of the relay device 102 having the received relay device ID, as being the relay device 102 near the livestock animal A in estrus.

[0100] Further, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 may transmit to the client apparatus 104, information indicating the step count of the livestock animal A in estrus measured during a given period. The client apparatus 104 receives the information indicating the step count of the livestock animal A in estrus measured during the given period and as depicted in FIG. 11, displays a step count transition image 1102 indicating transition of the step count of the livestock animal A in estrus. In the example depicted in FIG. 11, the client apparatus 104 displays the step count transition image 1102 indicating transition of the step count of the livestock animal A over six hours from "21:00" on "2012/02/19" until "2:00" on "2012/02/20".

[0101] In FIG. 11, a plot 1111 is a plot representing the step count of the livestock animal A received from the estrus notifying apparatus 103 at "21:00" on "2012/02/19". A plot 1112 represents the step count of the livestock animal A received from the estrus notifying apparatus 103 at "22:00" on the same date as the plot 1111. A plot 1113 represents the step count of the livestock animal A received from the estrus notifying apparatus 103 at "23:00" on the same date as the plot 1111.

[0102] A plot 1114 represents the step count of the livestock animal A received from the estrus notifying apparatus 103 at "0:00" on "2012/02/20". A plot 1115 represents the step count of the livestock animal A received from the estrus notifying apparatus 103 at "1:00" on the same date as the plot 1114. A plot 1116 represents the step count of the livestock animal A received from the estrus notifying apparatus 103 at "2:00" on the same date as the plot 1114. The client apparatus 104 displays on the display 105, the step count transition image 1201 that includes an image in which the plots 1211 to 1216 are connected by a line.

[0103] Here, for example, the step count of the livestock animal A represented by the plot 1115 is a value that is higher than a threshold Th0-1 set for the step count for the time slot from 0:00 to 1:00. Further, the step count of the livestock animal A represented by the plot 1116 is higher than a threshold Th1-2 set for the step count for the time slot from 1:00 to 2:00. Since the step counts of the two most recent time slots respectively are greater than or equal to a threshold, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 notifies the client apparatus 104 that the livestock animal A has entered estrus.

(Example of process performed by communications device 101)

[0104] An example of a process performed by the communications device 101 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart depicting an example of a process performed by the communications device 101. In FIG. 12, the communications device 101 determines from the output value of the sensor 304, whether acceleration of the communications device 101, greater than or equal to a given value has occurred (step S1201). If acceleration greater than or equal to the given value has not occurred (step S1201: NO), the communications device 101 transitions to the operation at step S1203.

[0105] If acceleration greater than or equal to the given value has occurred (step S1201: YES), the communications device 101 increments the current measurement value by "+1" (step S1202). Consequent to the operation at step S1202, the communications device 101 can cumulate the measurement value by incrementing the current measurement value by +1 each time the communications device 101 accelerates consequent to ambulation of the livestock animal A.

[0106] The communications device 101 determines from measurement results of the timer 305, whether the transmission time for the measurement result information has arrived (step S1203). For example, at step S1203, the communications device 101 determines that the transmission time for the measurement result information has arrived when the time measured by the timer 305 indicates each hour, on the hour. If the transmission time for the measurement result information has not arrived (step S1203: NO), the communications device 101 ends the series of operations according to the present flowchart.

[0107] If the transmission time for the measurement result information has arrived (step S1203: YES), the communications device 101 stores the measurement result information to the measurement result information table 201 (step S1204). For example, at step S1204, the communications device 101 stores to the measurement result information table 201, measurement result information in which the date and time at which the current measurement result information was transmitted and the current measurement value are correlated. Consequent to the operation at step S1204, the communications device 101 can store a measurement value each time measurement result information is transmitted.

[0108] The communications device 101 transmits to the relay device 102, each record of measurement result information stored in the measurement result information table 201 and the communications device ID thereof (step S1205), and ends the series of operations according to the present flowchart. Consequent to the operation at step S1205, the communications device 101 can transmit measurement result information at a given transmission interval. Further, consequent to the operation at step S1205, the communications device 101 can transmit not only the measurement value for the current transmission time of the measurement result information, but also the measurement values for past transmissions of the measurement result information.

[0109] As described above, the relay device 102, upon receiving the measurement result information and communications device ID transmitted from the communications device 101, transmits the received measurement result information and communications device ID, and the relay device ID thereof, to the estrus notifying apparatus 103, via the network 220. Thus, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can obtain the measurement result information, the communications device ID, and the relay device ID, via the relay device 102.

[0110] The communications device 101 may reset the current measurement value to "0" at a given timing. For example, the communications device 101 sets the current measurement value to "0" at a given time, such as every hour, on the hour. The communications device 101 may set the current measurement value to "0", if an instruction to set the current measurement value to "0" is received from the estrus notifying apparatus 103, via the relay device 102.

(Example of process performed by estrus notifying apparatus 103)

[0111] One example of a process performed by the estrus notifying apparatus 103 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart (part 1) depicting an example of a process performed by the estrus notifying apparatus 103. FIG. 14 is a flowchart (part 2) depicting an example of the process performed by the estrus notifying apparatus 103. As depicted in FIG. 13, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines whether measurement result information, a communications device ID, and a relay device ID have been received (step S1301). The estrus notifying apparatus 103 stands by until measurement result information, a communications device ID, and a relay device ID have been received (step S1301: NO).

[0112] When measurement result information, a communications device ID, and a relay device ID have been received (step S1301: YES), the estrus notifying apparatus 103 uses the received communications device ID and relay device ID to update the stored contents of the transmission-source relay device DB 204 (step S1302). For example, at step S1302, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 updates the relay device ID correlated with the communications device ID that matches the received communications device ID, to match the received relay device ID. Consequent to the operation at step S1302, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can store transmission source relay device information indicating the relay device 102 in whose communications area a communications device 101 was located when the communications device 101 transmitted the most recent measurement result information.

[0113] The estrus notifying apparatus 103 calculates the step count of the livestock animal A based on the received measurement result information and stores the calculated step count of the livestock animal A to the step count DB 202 (step S1303). The calculation of the step count of the livestock animal A and storage to the step count DB 202 by the estrus notifying apparatus 103 is described above. Consequent to the operation at step S1303, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can store to the step count DB 202, information indicating the step count of the livestock animal A for each time slot of a one-hour interval.

[0114] The estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines whether the livestock animal A having the communications device 101 that transmitted the currently received measurement result information indicates estrus (step S1304). For example, at step S1304, if the communications device ID received at step S1301 is "G1", the estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines whether in the step count DB 202, the step counts of the livestock animal A for the two most recent time slots indicated by the step count information that corresponds to the communications device ID "G1" are respectively a threshold or greater.

[0115] If the step counts of the livestock animal A for the two most recent time slots are respectively a threshold or greater, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines that the livestock animal A having the communications device 101 that transmitted the current measurement result information indicates estrus. On the other hand, if either of the step counts of the livestock animal A for the two most recent time slots is less than the threshold, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines that estrus is not indicated. The condition for determining that a livestock animal A indicates estrus is not limited to the condition described above and may be arbitrarily set by the worker W.

[0116] If the livestock animal A does not indicate estrus (step S1304: NO), the estrus notifying apparatus 103 ends the series of operations according to the present flowchart. On the other hand, if the livestock animal A indicates estrus (step S1304: YES), the estrus notifying apparatus 103 identifies the communications device ID of the communications device 101 located in the communications area of the same relay device 102 as the communications device 101 that transmitted the current measurement result information (step S1305).

[0117] For example, the relay device ID received at step S1301 is assumed to be "B1". In this case, at step S1305, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 identifies from the transmission-source relay device DB 204, the communications device ID for which relay device ID is "B1". Thus, if the contents stored by the transmission-source relay device DB 204 are the contents depicted as an example in FIG. 9, the communications device IDs "G1" and "G2" are identified. The estrus notifying apparatus 103 identifies among the identified communications device ID, the communications device ID excluding the communications device ID received at step S1301. For example, the communications device ID receives at step S1301 is assumed to be "G1". In this case, the communications device ID "G2" is identified. Consequent to the operation at step S1305, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can identify the communications device 101 that is attached to another livestock animal A located near the livestock animal A having the communications device 101 that transmitted the current measurement result information.

[0118] The estrus notifying apparatus 103 obtains from the step count DB 202, the step count information that corresponds to the communications device ID identified at step S1305 (step S1306). For example, as described above, if the communications device ID "G2" is identified at step S1305, then at step S1306, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 obtains from the step count DB 202, the step count information that corresponds to communications device ID "G2". Consequent to the operation at step S1306, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can obtain the step count information for another livestock animal A that is located near the livestock animal A having the communications device 101 that transmitted the current measurement result information.

[0119] The estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines whether another livestock animal A in estrus is present, based on the step count information obtained at step S1306 (step S1307). For example, as described above, if the step count information that corresponds to the communications device ID "G2" is obtained at step S1306, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines whether the estrus detection flag correlated with the communications device ID "G2" is ON. Consequent to the operation at step S1307, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can determine whether another livestock animal A in estrus is present near the livestock animal A indicating estrus.

[0120] If no other livestock animal A in estrus (step S1307: NO), the estrus notifying apparatus 103 sets the estrus detection flag for the livestock animal A determined at step S1304 to indicate estrus, to ON, and stores the flag ON date/time (step S1308). For example, if the communications device ID received at step S1301 is "G1", then at step S1308, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 sets the estrus detection flag correlated with the communications device ID "G1" in the step count DB 202 to ON. The estrus notifying apparatus 103 stores the current date and time as the flag ON date/time. The estrus notifying apparatus 103 may store among the dates and times of measurement included in the received measurement result information, the last date and time of measurement as the flag ON date/time.

[0121] The estrus notifying apparatus 103 stores to the estrus history DB 203, the current date as the last estrus date that the livestock animal A was determined to be in estrus (step S1309). For example, if the communications device ID received at step S1301 is "G1", then step S1309, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 stores the current date as the last estrus date correlated with the communications device ID "G1" in the estrus history DB 203. Further, when storing the last estrus date, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 shifts the dates that have been stored as the last estrus date, by one such that, for example, the date stored as the last estrus date becomes stored as the second to last estrus date, etc. Consequent to the operation at step S1309, each time a livestock animal A in estrus is detected, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can update the estrus history information of detected livestock animal A.

[0122] The estrus notifying apparatus 103 transmits to the client apparatus 104, the livestock animal ID of the livestock animal A in estrus and the relay device ID received at step S1301 (step S1310), and ends the series of operations according to the present flowchart. Consequent to the operation at step S1310, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can notify the worker W of the livestock animal A in estrus and the relay device 102 near the livestock animal A in estrus.

[0123] On the other hand, if another livestock animal A in estrus is present (step S1307: YES), the estrus notifying apparatus 103, as depicted in FIG. 14, obtains from the estrus history DB 203, estrus history information for each livestock animal A that indicates estrus and for each livestock animal A that is in estrus (step S1311). For example, at step S1311, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 obtains the estrus history information that corresponds to the received communications device ID and to the communications device ID identified at step S1305. If the communications device ID received at step S1301 is "G1" and the communications device ID identified at step S1301 is "G2", the estrus history information for the communications device IDs "G1" and "G2" is obtained. Consequent to the operation at step S1311, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can obtain estrus history information that indicates the livestock animals A that indicate estrus and that indicates the last estrus date of the livestock animals A that are in estrus.

[0124] The estrus notifying apparatus 103 uses the estrus history information obtained at step S1311 to determine whether the estrus cycle of each livestock animal A that indicates estrus and of each livestock animal A that is in estrus is normal (step S1312). For example, at step S1312, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines whether the current date is a given number of days after the last estrus date of each of the livestock animals A.

[0125] More specifically, for example, the estrus cycle of a female cow is known to be an interval of about 21 days. Therefore, if the estrus history information that corresponds to the communications device IDs "G1" and "G2" is obtained at step S1311, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines whether from the last estrus date of the livestock animal A1 and of the livestock animal A2 until the current date, 21 days have elapsed. With respect to a livestock animal A for which 21 days have elapsed from the last estrus date until the current date, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines that the estrus cycle is normal. Further, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 may determine whether the current date is within a given range above and below 21 days, such as a range of 19 to 23 days from the last estrus date of the livestock animals A. Consequent to the operation at step S1312, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can determine whether the estrus cycle of each livestock animal A indicating estrus and the estrus cycle of each livestock animal A in estrus respectively coincide with the estrus cycle of a female cow.

[0126] The estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines based on the determination result at step S1312, whether a livestock animal A is present for which the estrus cycle is normal (step S1313). If no livestock animal A is present for which the estrus cycle is normal (step S1313: NO), the estrus notifying apparatus 103 transitions to the operation at step S1318. If a livestock animal A is present for which the estrus cycle is normal (step S1313: YES), the estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines whether the estrus detection flag for the livestock animal A for which the estrus cycle is normal is set to OFF (step S1314). If the estrus detection flag for the livestock animal A for which the estrus cycle is normal is ON (step S1314: NO), the estrus notifying apparatus 103 transitions to the operation at step S1318.

[0127] If the estrus detection flag for the livestock animal A for which the estrus cycle is normal set to OFF (step S1314: YES), the estrus notifying apparatus 103 sets the estrus detection flag for the livestock animal A for which the estrus cycle is normal to ON, and stores the flag ON date/time (step S1315). At step S1315, for example, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 sets to ON, the estrus detection flag that is correlated with the same communications device ID as the communications device ID of the communications device 101 attached to the livestock animal A for which the estrus cycle has been determined to be normal at step S1313. Consequent to the operation at step S1315, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can detect, as a livestock animal A in estrus, a livestock animal A that indicates estrus, even when other livestock animals A in estrus are near the livestock animal A that indicates estrus.

[0128] The estrus notifying apparatus 103, similar to step S1309, stores the current date as the last estrus date for the livestock animal A having the communications device 101 for which the estrus detection flag is set to ON (step S1316). The estrus notifying apparatus 103, similar to step S1310, transmits to the client apparatus 104, the livestock animal ID of the livestock animal A indicating estrus (step S1317), and transitions to the operation at step S1318. At step S1317, similar to step S1310, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 may also transmit the relay device ID.

[0129] The estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines based on the determination result at step S1312, whether a livestock animal A is present for which the estrus cycle is not normal (step S1318). If no livestock animal A is present for which the estrus cycle is not normal (step S1318: NO), the estrus notifying apparatus 103 ends the series of operations according to the present flowchart. If a livestock animal A is present for which the estrus cycle is not normal (step S1318: YES), the estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines whether the estrus detection flag for the livestock animal A for which the estrus cycle is not normal is ON (step S1319). If the estrus detection flag for the normal livestock animal A for which the estrus cycle not is set to OFF (step S1319: NO), the estrus notifying apparatus 103 ends the series of operations according to the present flowchart.

[0130] If the estrus detection flag for the livestock animal A for which the estrus cycle is not normal is set to ON (step S1319: YES), the estrus notifying apparatus 103 sets the estrus detection flag for the livestock animal A for which the estrus cycle is not normal to OFF, and clears the flag ON date/time (step S1320). At step S1320, for example, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 sets to OFF, the estrus detection flag that is correlated with the same communications device ID as the communications device ID of the communications device 101 that is attached to the livestock animal A for which the estrus cycle has been determined to be not normal at step S1318.

[0131] The estrus notifying apparatus 103 clears the last estrus date for the livestock animal A having the communications device 101 for which the estrus detection flag is set to OFF and stores the second to last estrus date as the last estrus date (step S1321), and ends the series of operations according to the present flowchart. At step S1321, for example, if the estrus detection flag that was set of OFF at step S1320 is for the communications device ID "G1", the estrus notifying apparatus 103 clears the last estrus date that corresponds to the communications device ID "G1" in the estrus history DB 203 and stores the second to last estrus date as the last estrus date.

[0132] As described above, if another livestock animal A in estrus is near a livestock animal A for which the step count has increased, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 of the present embodiment determines the livestock animal A for which the step count has increased to be a livestock animal A that has been influenced by the other livestock animal A and does not give notification to the worker W. As a result, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can prevent a livestock animal A that is not actually in estrus and for which step count has increased consequent to the effects of another livestock animal A, from being notified to the worker W, as a livestock animal A in estrus, thereby preventing the work load of the worker W from increasing consequent to an erroneous report.

[0133] The estrus notifying apparatus 103 uses the measured step count and the estrus cycle to detect estrus of a livestock animal A. Therefore, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can increase the accuracy of detecting a livestock animal A in estrus and can further prevent the work load of the worker W from increasing consequent to an erroneous report.

[0134] The estrus notifying apparatus 103, upon detecting a livestock animal A in estrus, can update the estrus history information for the detected livestock animal A and therefore, can reduce the burden on the worker W for updating the estrus history information, enabling the work load of the worker W to be reduced.

[0135] As described above, when consecutively measured step counts are respectively greater than or equal to a threshold, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines the livestock animal A for which the step count is measured, to indicated estrus. When a step count is measured that is greater than or equal to the threshold the indicates estrus, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 may determine whether another livestock animal A in estrus is near the livestock animal A for which the measured step count is greater than or equal to the threshold. If another livestock animal A in estrus is near the livestock animal A for which the measured step count is greater than or equal to the threshold, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines that the step count is greater than or equal to the threshold consequent to the effects of the other livestock animal A. Configuration may be such that the estrus notifying apparatus 103 does not count, as a step count indicating estrus, the step count that has been determined be greater than or equal to the threshold consequent to the effects of another livestock animal A.

[0136] More specifically, for example, the step counts of the livestock animal A1 consecutively measured for two time slots are assumed to respectively be greater than or equal to the threshold. However, among the two time slots, in one time slot, the livestock animal A2 near the livestock animal A1 entered estrus. In this case, although the step counts of the livestock animal A1 are consecutively greater than or equal to the threshold, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines that the step counts are greater than or equal to the threshold consequent to the livestock animal A2 in estrus being near the livestock animal A1 during the one time slot. In this case, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 determines that the livestock animal A1 does not indicate estrus. Thus, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 can obtain the same effects as the present embodiment.

[0137] In the present embodiment, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 obtains, as position information of the livestock animal A, the relay device ID of the relay device 102 that relayed the measurement result information transmitted from the communications device 101. Although there is a technique of attaching a communications apparatus having a GPS function to the livestock animal A and obtaining position information of the livestock animal A from information obtained by GPS, attaching communications apparatuses having a GPS function to the livestock animals A is costly. Furthermore, since the GPS function continuously emits electronic signals, consumption of the battery, which is the driving power source, is fast and frequent battery replacement for the communications apparatus or replacement of the communications apparatus is required. Therefore, in this case, not only is the initial cost high, but the burden of battery or apparatus replacement falls on the worker W. On the contrary, the estrus notifying apparatus 103 obtains the relay device ID as position information of the livestock animal A, thereby enabling reductions in the initial cost, and the work load placed on the worker W for battery replacement, etc.

[0138] The estrus notifying method described in the present embodiment may be implemented by executing a prepared program on a computer such as a personal computer and a workstation. The program is stored on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, read out from the computer-readable medium, and executed by the computer. The program may be distributed through a network such as the Internet.

EXPLANATIONS OF LETTERS OR NUMERALS

[0139] 

101

communications device

102

relay device

103

estrus notifying apparatus

104

client apparatus

Claims

1. An estrus notifying method executed by a computer that determines estrus based on a step count measurement result from a step counting device attached to each livestock animal among a plurality of livestock animals, the estrus notifying method comprising:

collecting the step count measurement result of each livestock animal and position information of each livestock animal;

determining for each livestock animal and based on the step count measurement result, whether estrus is indicated;

judging based on a collection result of the position information and when among the plurality of livestock animals, a specific livestock animal is determined as indicating estrus, whether among the plurality of livestock animals, another livestock animal that is determined as being in estrus is present near the specific livestock animal;

determining the specific livestock animal as being in estrus if among the plurality of livestock animals, no other livestock animal determined as being in estrus is present near the specific livestock animal; and

outputting identification information of the specific livestock animal determined as being in estrus.

2. The estrus notifying method according to claim 1, wherein
the collecting includes collecting by communication via a relay device among a plurality of relay devices respectively having a different installation position, the step count measurement result of a livestock animal located in a communications area of the relay device, and correlating the position information of the livestock animal with the relay device used in the communication.

3. The estrus notifying method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising
determining whether a given period has elapsed from a last estrus time point until a measurement time point of the step count measurement result of the specific livestock animal, by referring to a memory unit that stores the last estrus time point when the specific livestock animal entered estrus, the determining of whether the given period has elapsed being performed when another livestock animal determined as being in estrus is near the specific livestock animal, wherein
the determining of the specific livestock animal as being in estrus includes determining the specific livestock animal as being in estrus, if the given period has elapsed.

4. The estrus notifying method according to claim 3, further comprising
updating the last estrus time point stored in the memory unit to the measurement time point of the step count measurement result of the specific livestock animal, if the specific livestock animal is determined as being in estrus.

5. An estrus notifying program executed by a computer that determines estrus based on a step count measurement result from a step counting device attached to each livestock animal among a plurality of livestock animals, the estrus notifying program causing the computer to execute a process comprising:

collecting the step count measurement result of each livestock animal and position information of each livestock animal;

determining for each livestock animal and based on the step count measurement result, whether estrus is indicated;

judging based on a collection result of the position information and when among the plurality of livestock animals, a specific livestock animal is determined as indicating estrus, whether among the plurality of livestock animals, another livestock animal that is determined as being in estrus is present near the specific livestock animal;

determining the specific livestock animal as being in estrus if among the plurality of livestock animals, no other livestock animal determined as being in estrus is present near the specific livestock animal; and

outputting identification information of the specific livestock animal determined as being in estrus.

6. The estrus notifying program according to claim 5,
the collecting includes collecting by communication via a relay device among a plurality of relay devices respectively having a different installation position, the step count measurement result of a livestock animal located in a communications area of the relay device, and correlating the position information of the livestock animal with the relay device used in the communication.

7. An estrus notifying apparatus that determines estrus based on a step count measurement result from a step counting device attached to each livestock animal among a plurality of livestock animals, the estrus notifying apparatus comprising:

an obtaining unit that collects the step count measurement result of each livestock animal and position information of each livestock animal;

a first determining unit that determines for each livestock animal and based on the step count measurement result, whether estrus is indicated;

a judging unit that based on a collection result of the position information and when among the plurality of livestock animals, a specific livestock animal is determined as indicating estrus, judges whether among the plurality of livestock animals, another livestock animal that is determined as being in estrus is present near the specific livestock animal;

a second determining unit that determines the specific livestock animal as being in estrus if among the plurality of livestock animals, no other livestock animal determined as being in estrus is present near the specific livestock animal; and

an output unit that outputs identification information of the specific livestock animal determined as being in estrus.

8. The estrus notifying apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
the obtaining unit collects by communication via a relay device among a plurality of relay devices respectively having a different installation position, the step count measurement result of a livestock animal located in a communications area of the relay device, and correlates the position information of the livestock animal with the relay device used in the communication.

Drawing