Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
An estrus detector for detecting estrus in animals that manifest onset of estrus by standing for estrus mounting activity by another animal, comprising: means for sensing estrus mounts including means for generating estrus mount signals; means for processing said estrus mount signals, including: means for numerically summing and storing sensed estrus mounts; means for programming a desired sum of sensed estrus mounts; means for detecting and storing the approximate time elapsed during a sensed estrus mount as an estrus mount time; means for summing the estrus mount times for all sensed estrus mounts; means for programming a desired sum of all estrus mount times; means for determining that a first condition has been satisfied, wherein said first condition is that the sum of sensed estrus mounts is at least equal to the desired sum of sensed estrus mounts; means for determining that a second condition has been satisfied, wherein said second condition is that the sum of all estrus mount times is at least equal to the desired sum of all estrus mount times; and indicating means, including means for indicating that both said first and second conditions have been satisfied.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
An estrus detector for detecting estrus in animals that manifest onset of estrus by standing for estrus mounting activity by another animal, comprising: means for sensing estrus mounts including means for generating estrus mount signals; means for processing said estrus mount signals, including: means for numerically summing and storing sensed estrus mounts; means for programming a desired sum of sensed estrus mounts; means for detecting and storing the approximate time elapsed during a sensed estrus mount as an estrus mount time; means for summing the estrus mount times for all sensed estrus mounts; means for programming a desired sum of all estrus mount times; means for determining that a first condition has been satisfied, wherein said first condition is that the sum of sensed estrus mounts is at least equal to the desired sum of sensed estrus mounts; means for determining that a second condition has been satisfied, wherein said second condition is that the sum of all estrus mount times is at least equal to the desired sum of all estrus mount times; and indicating means, including means for indicating that both said first and second conditions have been satisfied.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An estrus detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said indicating means includes means for indicating the time elapsed from satisfaction of both said first and second conditions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An estrus detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for indicating that both said first and second conditions have been satisfied includes a flashing display operable upon satisfaction of both said first and second conditions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
An estrus detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for sensing estrus mounts comprises a single sensor, wherein said means for numerically summing and storing sensed estrus mounts and said means for determining and storing the approximate time elapsed during a sensed estrus mount are both arranged to operate in response to each activation of said single sensor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
An estrus detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said processing means is supported in a unitary housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An estrus detector as claimed in claim 5, wherein said indicating means is supported in said unitary housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An estrus detector as claimed in claim 5, wherein said processing means is hermetically sealed in said unitary housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
An estrus detector as claimed in claim 1,wherein said processing means is encapsulated in a unitary housing comprising an epoxy resin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
An estrus detector as claimed in claim 1, further comprising reset means for resetting simultaneously said means for numerically summing and storing sensed estrus mounts, said means for determining and storing the approximate time elapsed during a sensed estrus mount, and said means for summing the estrus mount times.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
An estrus detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said indicating means further includes means for displaying a representation of said programmed desired sum of sensed estrus mounts and said programmed desired sum of all estrus mount times.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
An estrus detector as claimed in claim 10, wherein said displaying means includes means for displaying a single symbol representing both said programmed desired sums.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
An estrus detector as claimed in claim 10, further comprising reset means for resetting simultaneously said means for programming a desired sum of sensed estrus mounts, said means for programming a desired sum of all estrus mount times, and said means for displaying a representation of both said programmed sums.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
An estrus detector as claimed in claim 12, wherein said reset means is includes means to simultaneously reset said means for numerically summing and storing sensed estrus mounts, said means for determining and storing the approximate time elapsed during a sensed estrus mount, and said means for summing the estrus mount times.