Method and apparatus for determining animal relationships

Abstract

A system and method of determining a relationship between a first animal ( 100 ) and a second animal ( 110 ). The system includes a detection means ( 130 ) for detecting if the first animal ( 100 ) is within a defined proximity ( 120 ) of the second animal ( 110 ). The system also includes a means to determine, in response to at least one detection, the relationship between the first animal ( 100 ) and the second animal ( 110 ).

1 . A method of determining one or more relationships between animals from a group of animals, each animal in the group having a communication device to identify the respective animal, wherein the method includes:
 generating event data indicative of a plurality of detected events that animals are within a defined proximity of each other over a period of time, wherein each detected event indicates that the communication devices of respective animals were within the defined proximity; and   analysing, using the event data, a distribution of frequencies of the detected events for said animals to thereby determine if a relationship exists between said animals.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the defined proximity includes at least one of:
 a spatial proximity at a point in time; and,   a temporal proximity at a location.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method includes determining at least one of:
 a genetic relationship between the animals;   a sexual relationship between the animals; and   a social relationship between the animals.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method includes analysing the event data which is indicative of communication between the communication units that were within the defined proximity. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , each communication unit includes a communication unit identity and each animal has an animal identity, the event data being indicative of the communication unit identity of each communication unit which was within the defined proximity, wherein the method includes:
 recording association data indicative of an association between the animal identity and the communication identity of each animal in the group;   determining, using the event data and the association data, the identities of the detected animals; and   displaying the identities of the animals of the relationship.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method includes:
 recording the event data being indicative of a tilt of one of the communication units; and   using the event data indicative of the tilt to determine a sexual relationship for the animals.   
     
     
         7 . The method according  claim 1 , wherein the step of analysing the frequency of events for the plurality of animal combinations includes comparing a distribution of the frequency of events between combinations of animals, wherein a relatively greater frequency of events for a particular animal combination compared to another animal combination indicates the relationship for the particular animal combination. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the method includes:
 determining if two animal combinations which share a common animal between the two animal combination have a relatively greater distribution of events than other animal combinations, wherein the two animal combinations have a substantially equal distribution of events; and   identifying that the animals of the two animal combinations are related.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method includes configuring the communication units to communicate during a selected period of time such that events are detected during the selected period of time. 
     
     
         10 . A system for determining one or more relationships between animals from a group of animals, wherein the system includes:
 a detection system for generating event data indicative of a plurality of detected events that animals are within a defined proximity of each other over a period of time, the detection system including a plurality of communication units, each communication unit being associated with one of the animals in the group, wherein each detected event indicates that communication devices of respective animals were within the defined proximity; and   an analysis means for analysing, using the event data, a distribution of frequencies of the detected events for said animals to thereby determine if a relationship exists for said animals.   
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the proximity includes at least one of:
 a spatial proximity at a point in time; and,   a temporal proximity at a location.   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the analysis means is configured to determine at least one of:
 a genetic relationship between said animals.   a sexual relationship between said animals; and   a social relationship between said animals.   
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein each communication unit includes a communication unit identity and each animal has an animal identity, the event data being indicative the communication unit identity of each communication unit which was within the defined proximity, wherein the system includes:
 a record of association data indicative of an association between the animal identity and the communication identity of each animal in the group;   the analysis means configured to determine, using the event data and the record of association data, the identities of the detected animals; and   a display means to display the identities of the animals of the relationship.   
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the system includes:
 at least one of the communication units including a tilt sensor, wherein the event data is indicative of a tilting event.   
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the analysis means is configured to use the event data indicative of the tilting event to determine a sexual relationship for said animals. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the communication units communicate using a wireless communication medium. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the detection system is configured to generate the event data being indicative of a direction and/or orientation of the animals within the defined proximity, wherein the analysis means is configured for determining, using the event data indicative of the direction and/or orientation, at least one of:
 a social relationship between the animals;   a sexual relationship between the animals; and   a genetic relationship between the animals.   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the communication units is configured to operate after a first selected period of time or in response to an activation signal, and wherein at least one of the communication units is configured to operate during a second selected period of time. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein analysis means is configured to compare a distribution of the frequency of events between combinations of animals, wherein a relatively greater frequency of events for a particular animal combination compared to another animal combination indicates the relationship for the particular animal combination. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the analysis means is configured to:
 determine if two animal combinations which share a common animal between the two animal combination have a relatively greater distribution of events than other animal combinations, wherein the two animal combinations have a substantially equal distribution of events; and   identify that the animals of the two animal combinations are related.