EP0624313A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method and device for automatically observing the behavior of animals
Assignee: Nederlandsche Apparatenfabriek NEDAP NV
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Filing: 1994-05-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2014-05-03
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for automatically observing the behavior of animals using at least one automatic identification unit. The identification unit can be mounted at several places in a space where domestic animals are housed, for instance the entrance of the milk parlor (14), a feeding station (10,11) or a drinking unit (12). Thus the number of visits of an animal to a milk parlor (14), feeding station (10,11) and drinking unit (12) can be registered. At the same time, it is possible to register the time and the duration of each visit. Behavioral patterns can be recorded. By means of analysis software, deviations in the individual animal-specific pattern can be signaled and pronouncements can be made about deviations in the sphere of animal health and fertility.
Inventors
- 👤 Pieter Lieuwe Roosenschoon
- 👤 Serge Louis Loosveld
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:15
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K11/00; A01K11/006; A01K29/00; A01K29/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for automatically observing the behavior of animals, characterized in that in the space where the animals are housed, at least one antenna device of an automatic identification device is arranged, which is capable of automatically identifying animals provided with an identification means as soon as they are located in a predetermined zone near the antenna device, and that the number of visits per animal or per group of animals to a predetermined zone per period of time is registered.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1, characterized in that also the duration of the number of visits per period of time is determined, per visit and/or cumulatively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the order in which the animals visit a predetermined zone per period of time is determined.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
39 words
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data relating to a period of time are compared with data relating to other periods of time, so as to enable deviations to be ascertained.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
41 words
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data obtained are combined with other available quantities regarding the animal which are conventionally determined, so as to detect deviations of the animal reagarding health and/or reproduction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for automatically observing the behavior of animals, characterized by one or more automatic identification devices which are adapted to automatically recognize animals provided with a suitable identification label in a number of predetermined zones in a space where animals are housed, and which generate a signal upon recognition of an animal; at least one registration unit which is coupled with the identification devices and stores the signals provided by the identification devices together with a time signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the registration device is provided with or is coupled with a processing apparatus adapted to process the signals into statistical data and to compare them with previous signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the processing apparatus is coupled with a signaling device adapted to signal a significant deviation between the signals being compared.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the processing apparatus has one or more inputs to which other quantities regarding each individual animal are provided.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized in that the processing apparatus is adapted to distinguish signals coming from animals belonging to different groups and, after the signals have been processed or not, to compare them with each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 7-10, characterized in that the processing apparatus is a computer which has been programmed with suitable software.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to any one of claims 7-11, characterized in that the registration device is part of a computer which also constitutes the processing apparatus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
Stable arrangement for the practice of the method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized by a plurality of zones in which a plurality of automatic recognition devices can automatically recognize an animal provided with an identification means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
Stable arrangement according to claim 13, characterized in that the recognition devices are electronic identification devices and that the zones are formed by electromagnetic interrogation fields which in operation are formed by means of antenna devices of the identification devices.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
Stable arrangement according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by at least one registering and processing apparatus, coupled with the identification device, which can register and process the recognition of an animal together with the zone where the recognition occurred and data about the time.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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