IES20160283A2 - A lambing monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed towards a ewe labour monitoring system. The system comprises a plurality of collar devices suitable to be fitted to a plurality of sheep, including at least one ewe. The collar devices are capable of communicating with a receiver to transmit location information regarding the location of the sheep fitted with the collar device, and, also transmit body position information regarding the body position of the sheep fitted with the collar device. The location information and the body position information are transmitted to a central processor which analyses the location information to identify if a flock has been established. If any of the at least one ewe has strayed a predefined distance from the flock, and dependent on the body position information, a lambing event alert may be generated by the central processor. The advantage of providing location information regarding the location of the sheep fitted with the collar device, and, body position information regarding the body position of the sheep fitted with the collar device is that these two pieces of information can be combined for analysis to ascertain if a ewe is in labour or is likely to go into labour shortly. This will greatly improve the farmer's lifestyle and make sheep farming, as an industry, far more profitable and productive overall. <Figure 1>

Description

“A lambing monitoring system” Introduction This invention relates to a lambing monitoring system.

In particular, the present invention is directed towards a system comprising an animal mounted device which wirelessly communicates with a central monitoring device to monitor animals, and in particular ewes, for signs of labour and imminent lambing.

Throughout this specification, the term “lambing” shall be understood to encompass the birth of lambs by ewes. It will be further understood that the present invention can be equally applied to other types of animals for monitoring for any signs or indications of labour where the principles of the present invention can be applied, mutatis mutandis.

There are numerous systems known in the prior art which are utilised to track the movement of animals, such as sheep. For example, there are GPS-based systems which are battery powered GPS devices used to track pets and/or domestic animals. The GPS-enabled device is fixed to the animal’s collar and a user can then monitor the animal’s movements and position in real time using a mobile telephone app or software product.

Some of these tracing devices have further additional sensors for monitoring the health of the animal. The systems can use active RFID technology which includes a tag which is mounted to a collar fitted with a counter-weight which ensures the tag is always at the top to aid readability of the tag. The counterweight causes the collar to swivel around the neck of the animal and ensure that the tag is kept in a substantially upright position to assist in the connectivity of the tag with associated readers.

Alternatively, there are systems which use ear mounted tags to track the movement of the animal and record the behavior of the animal. The tag can be used to generate alerts about strange behavioural patterns which are not in keeping with expected -2behavioural patterns. These can be used to detect illness or other such issues.

An example of such a tracking system is disclosed in European Patent Publication Number EP 0 945 060 A2 (GUICHON ET AL.) which details a method and system for monitoring animals within an area. The positional data of each animal within the area is collected at intervals. The positional data is then processed to generate movement pattern data of the animals. The generated movement pattern data is then analysed to determine at least one physical condition of each of the animals. The physical conditions of the animal include health, performance characteristics and production patterns including greenhouse gas emissions.

There is also a system on the market which is used to track the labour cycle of cows, which is described in PCT Patent Application Number WO2013/186235 A1 (MOOCALL LTD). This system is a non-invasive, tail mounted sensor, in particular a three axis accelerometer, which gathers approximately six hundred data samples per second. The system is capable of analysing these data samples and can predict when a cow is most likely to give birth by measuring tail movement patterns. It is known that when tail movements reach a certain level of intensity over a period of time, labour is likely to be imminent. In such a scenario, the system sends an SMS text alert directly to the farmer’s mobile telephone. This alert is sent on average 1 hour prior to calving. This system is to be mounted on the tail of a cow as the sensor measures tail movements. This is a system which is limited to cows as it relies on the tail movements to determine the likelihood of calving. Tail movement is not an indicator of a ewe going into labour and therefore the above mentioned device cannot be used to determine lambing. Furthermore, the system is relatively complex as it requires a large amount of data processing, which is computationally intensive and expensive to operate. While GPS is present in this system for the purposes of locating each cow once likelihood of labour has been established, it is not used as one of the key indicators of the cow entering labour. Furthermore the location of the cow is not used as a labour indicator when in combination with other labour indicators such as the body position of the cow and the location of the cow in context of the herd as a whole.

In PCT Patent Application Number WO2010/066429 A1 (FAIRE LIMITED) a system -3for monitoring cows utilising a tag capable of real-time monitoring of the cows spatial position and location within a defined monitoring zone is described. This system allows for predefining a monitoring zone but it lacks sophistication. In this system the general area of movement must be known in order to set the monitoring area. This system is therefore not suitable for measuring certain labour indicators, such as, but not limited to, straying from a flock or herd, or any other indicator that by its very nature means that the animal deviates from the predefined monitoring area.

Another calving system is described in PCT Patent Application Number W02008/139448 A1 (S.A.E. AFIKIM). This system comprises a number of tags that are mounted onto the legs of each cow being monitored. This system monitors the body position of a cow in order to determine whether or not the cow is in labourby monitoring increased activity combined with a decreased time that the animal spends lying down. This system is further explained to be somewhat limited in its capabilities as only being able to predict labour up to a day before labour occurs, but does not monitor the final few hours with the countdown to labour onset. This system does not notify of imminent or immediate labour and birth, nor provides up to the minute notification in real time. The farmer, vet or animal care provider would need to still be physically present in order to monitor the animal in the countdown to labour since this system is not capable of providing remote monitoring for the final few hours before labour onset. This system includes an ID tag in order to determine which cow is thought to be in labour, but does not include a location element for subsequently finding the cow, thus is limited to use with cows where the location is fixed, confined or otherwise restricted in some way. This system is therefore not suitable for use with livestock where the animal is free to roam. Furthermore, this system does not monitor the location of the as an indicator of labour, nor the location of the animal in when in combination with other labour indicators such as the body position of the cow and the location of the cow in context of the herd as a whole. This system is therefore not suitable for use in determining labour onset where straying from the heard is a key indicator.

PCT Patent Application Number W02008/114527 A1 (ORION MACHINARY) describes a health monitoring system for cows comprising an accelerometer to detect movement attached to a collar and utilising radio waves as a means to determine -4location. While this system is said to be capable of monitoring birth time, it is understood that this confers monitoring of health once labour has already begun. As such labour indicators necessary to determine the onset of labour and birth are not described to be monitored. The location of the animal is not described to be a labour indicator. This health monitoring system is not suitable for use in monitoring an animal for, and alerting the user to, labour onset of said animal.

In the above described systems for predicting calving, the location detail is not considered to be an indicator of labour. Those describing the capability of locating an animal, do so after labour has been determined.

Neither do the above labour monitoring systems, as designed for use in cows, utilise the location of the animal as one labour indicator in conjunction with a reference location, wherein the reference location is determined by the non-labour animals of the herd, flock or other collective group of animals.

A networked tracking system for cattle suitable as an anti-theft and anti-cattle rustling device is described in US Patent Application Number US2013/0340305 A1 (nMODE SOLUTIONS INC). This system tracks a network of tags secured to individual cows and determines a geo-fence or perimeter around said network of tags. This system alerts the user, such as the farmer, when there has been a breach of the geo-fence, i.e. when one or more of the network of tags move beyond the perimeter of the geofence. This system at best may be able to determine pregnancy, but cannot determine the onset of labour. Furthermore, this system does not determine the distance that an individual cow may have strayed from the herd, nor the amount of time that the individual cow may have been separated from the herd, indeed it can be inferred from the specification that this information is not required since any breach of the defined boundary is perceived to be enough to alert potential theft. It is to be appreciated that alerting that animal has strayed beyond the herd, without further information, cannot indicate labour and false alarms are likely if the farmer is alerted every time an animal moves away from the herd (outside the geofence), as this may only be for a short amount of time.

There are no labour systems dedicated to the monitoring of imminent labour in -5animals with a herd mentality, and in particular utilising the herd mentality and derived behaviour as a standard or reference activity in order to determine behaviours and activities that deviate from this standard.

There are no systems dedicated to the monitoring of imminent labour in animals that are allowed to roam freely, particularly where the roaming area is substantially large.

There remains a need to provide a labour monitoring system capable of up to the minute and real time alerting of the onset of labour in the final stages, suitable for use with sheep and other ruminants or animals that heard, flock or form a pack, and which exhibit similar labour indicators.

Sheep foraging habits differ from those of other grazing livestock, and sheep and goats do not have the same grazing habits as cattle. Cows are known to naturally restrict their grazing area to within 2 km (200 hectares) of a water source and it takes a significant reason, such as a lost calf or being specifically herded, in order for a cow to travel any distance. Sheep are more selective of what they eat and will travel some considerable distance in order to graze, having been known to travel in the region of 40km (4,000 ha) in a given day. The monitoring area for a flock of sheep is likely to vary wildly from day to day and will likely change substantially within any given day meaning that predefining a monitoring area is difficult to determine. Sheep may also be left for days a time to wander and graze.

GPS devices used for tracking the location of cows, as is described in the prior art discussed above, are generally battery intensive, this would not be sufficient for long range and long term usage as would be necessary for use with sheep and similar animals.

There remains a need to provide a ewe monitoring system that does not impinge on the normal grazing habits of said sheep.

Sheep also differ to cattle in the indicators of labour, for example tail movement may be useful in determining the onset of labour in cattle, but provides little indication of the onset of labour in sheep and similar ruminants. Sheep have a much stronger -6flock mentality than cattle and pregnant sheep are more likely to travel further away from the rest of the herd, if possible to do so, when labour is imminent. Separation of the pregnant ewe from the rest of the flock, bay a farmer, before and in the run up to labour so as to monitor the pregnant ewe would cause undue stress to the pregnancy ewe increasing the chances of miscarriage and/or trauma during birthing. Young take time to find their feet after they are bom and sheep go through a cleaning ritual after birth meaning that the young can be in danger of being trampled by other flock members in the first hour or so from birth. Sheep therefore separate themselves from the rest of the flock as a protective measure towards the offspring. Sheep also have a distinct pattern of restlessness, and lying down on one side once they have separated themselves from the rest of the flock. Furthermore, sheep tend exhibit distinct head movements in connection with lying down that also act as an indicator of labour.

There are no systems on the market dedicated to, and suitable for, the monitoring of imminent lambing and/or monitoring for a ewe going into labour.

A farmer can have many hundreds of sheep and to monitor all of the sheep can be extremely onerous. The presence of the farmer at the birth of a lamb can greatly increase that lambs chances of living. Thus, farmers, where possible want to be present at the birth of lambs. To know when lambing may occur the farmer would have to know the day of breeding, the length of gestation, and then determine the approximate day of lambing. A typical gestation duration is 148 days and this can help in predicting the approximate date of lambing. Generally a farmer needs to start watching ewes about 142 days into this gestation period. However, as discussed above, this can be very onerous if there are large numbers of ewes to be monitored.

It is a goal of the present invention to provide a method and/or apparatus that overcomes at least one of the above mentioned problems.

Summary of the Invention The present invention is directed to a ewe labour monitoring system comprising a plurality of collar devices suitable to be fitted to a plurality of sheep, including at least one ewe; whereby, each of the plurality of collar devices are capable of -7communicating with a receiver to transmit location information regarding the location of the sheep fitted with the collar device, and, body position information regarding the body position of the sheep fitted with the collar device; and, whereby the location information of the sheep fitted with the collar device and the body position of the sheep fitted with the collar device are transmitted to a central processor wherein, the central processor analyses the location information of each of the collar devices fitted to the plurality of sheep to identify if a flock, comprising two or more sheep within a pre-determined distance of one another, has been established and, if any of the at least one ewe has strayed a predefined distance from the flock.

The advantage of providing location information regarding the location of the sheep fitted with the collar device, and, body position (also referred to as body orientation) information regarding the body position of the sheep fitted with the collar device is that these two pieces of information can be combined for analysis to ascertain if a ewe is in labour or is likely to go into labour shortly. This will allow the farmer to check a dedicated app, or the information on the central processor directly, so as to monitor movement patterns of the sheep and other location information and allow the farmer to receive indications that one of their ewes is about to lamb. This will greatly improve the farmer’s lifestyle and make sheep farming as an industry far more profitable and productive overall. It is envisaged that the farmer will make significant annual savings as fewer lambs will be lost during the birthing process and likewise, it is also envisaged that fewer ewes will lose their life when giving birth. The farmer can be notified to be present and provide the required help during difficult births. Furthermore it is envisaged that more accurate and timely indications that ewes is about to lamb will reduce time and cost associated with a farmer physically monitoring his flock or flocks. Also veterinary costs, particularly as a result of false alarms and call out fees, will decrease.

It will be understood that the plurality of collar devices suitable to be fitted to a plurality of sheep may not necessarily be a collar worn around a neck, but may alternatively be one of a strap, brace or circlet, suitable for securing around the torso or waist portion, or an appendage such as a leg or ankle, of a sheep. It will be understood that a circlet includes, but is not limited to, bracelets, anklets and -8armbands. It will be understood that in place of the collar devices, other devices as described before which are suitable to be mounted to an animal could be used. For example, a fixed ear tag, which is not free to rotate, could be used. Or, a device implantable subcutaneously could be used. It is important that the devices used are suitable to monitor the orientation of the sheep, or part of the sheep.

It will be understood that the ewe labour monitoring system may be useful with other animals that exhibit similar labour indicators.

In one embodiment, the central processor establishes at least one monitoring area determined by at least one boundary of the flock of sheep identified. The boundaries of the flock of sheep may be established by determining the location of the outermost sheep in the flock of sheep and determining boundary lines, straight or curved, between adjacent outermost sheep. For two or more sheep to form a flock, the two or more sheep should be within a predefined distance of one another, say 10 feet, for a period of time, say 30 seconds.

In a further embodiment, the central processor establishes multiple monitoring areas determined by multiple boundaries of the flock of sheep identified.

In a further embodiment, the central processor establishes the formation of at least one flock in real-time.

In a further embodiment, the central processor identifies changes in position of the at least one boundary of the flock of sheep identified.

In a further embodiment, the central processor identifies changes in location of the at least one boundary of the flock of sheep identified.

In a further embodiment, the at least one boundary is altered in accordance with the changes in the position of the at least one boundary of the flock of sheep identified.

In a further embodiment, the central processor alters the at least one boundary in -9accordance with the changes in location of the at least one boundary of the flock of sheep identified.

In a further embodiment, the central processor alters the at least one boundary of the flock of sheep identified in real-time.

In a further embodiment, the central processor updates the at least one monitoring area with any changes to the at least one monitoring area in real-time.

In another embodiment, the receiver is connected to a central processor which processes the location information and body position information from the collar devices to ascertain if any of the at least one ewe is in labour.

It will be understood that location information and body position information from the collar devices may be transmitted wirelessly and may include, but not limit to, radio frequency (RF) transmission, Bluetooth, Infrared (IR), ultra-wide band (UWB) transmission. Transmissions may be continuous, e.g. in real-time, episodic or periodic. Optionally, transmission of location information and body position information from the collar devices is preferably achieved over wide range transmission.

In a further embodiment, the receiver is connected to a central processor which transmits at least some of the location information and body position information to a web server, which web server then processes the transmitted location information and body position information to ascertain if any of the at least one ewe is in labour.

In a further embodiment the at least some of the location information and body position information may be stored locally on the collar device.

In another embodiment, the collar devices transmit at least some of the location information and the body information to the receiver, the receiver then transmits at least some of the location information and the body information to a remotely hosted storage location or remotely hosted database. - 10It is to be appreciated that the remotely hosted storage location or remotely hosted database, may include, but not limit to the web server, the receiver or a cloud solution. It is to be appreciated the transmission may include, but is not limited to streaming.

In a further embodiment the remotely hosted database is a centralised database. In a further embodiment the remotely hosted database is a distributed database or blockchain database. One advantage of a blockchain database is that they support smart contacts, which are self-executing contacts or processes that can be written in code as a logic layer on the blockchain.

In a further embodiment the receiver transmits the at least some of the location information and the body information to a remotely hosted storage location or remotely hosted database without utilising 3G or GSM.

In another embodiment, the central processor which processes the location information of each the collar devices fitted to the plurality of sheep to identify whether a predefined amount of time spent away from the flock has been reached.

In a further embodiment, the central processor analyses the body position information of each of the collar devices fitted to the plurality of sheep to identify if the at least one ewe has laid down on its side. If this same ewe is also determined to have stayed form the flock for more than a preset amount of time, then this would be an indicator of a potential lambing event.

In a further embodiment, the central processor analyses the body position information of each of the collar devices fitted to the plurality of sheep to determine whether a preset time spent laid down on its side has been reached.

In a further embodiment, the central processor analyses the body position information of each of the collar devices fitted to the plurality of sheep to identify if the at least one ewe has raised or extended its head. This is also an indicator of lambing. Of course, monitoring for the raising of a head can only be achieved using a head mounted device, such as an ear tag, or a neck mounted device such as a - 11 collar (which is the preferred device for use in the present invention).

In a further embodiment, the central processor analyses the body position information of each of the collar devices fitted to the plurality of sheep to determine whether a predefined time spent with its head raised or extended has been reached.

It is to be appreciated that the term central processor broadly includes processors in general and may be located locally on each of the collar devices or may be located remotely from on each of the collar devices in a centralised position, such as a computer, web-server or mobile application.

In another embodiment, the receiver is connected to a logic processor, wherein the logic processor checks the body position information of each of the collar devices fitted to the plurality of sheep to determine whether certain conditions have been met; and, where certain conditions have been met the logic processor will generate a notification and send the notification to the user. The certain conditions including straying from the flock and lying down/raising its head.

In a further embodiment the logic processor is located adjacent to the collar device.

In a further embodiment the logic processor is located adjacent to the central processor.

In a further embodiment, generation of the notification is automated.

In a further embodiment, sending the notification is automated.

It is envisaged that a more reliable device will be produced as monitoring head movement as an indicator of labour will result in a lower chance of false alarms, particularly when combined with one or more of straying activity and lying down activity.

In another embodiment, the web server communicates with an app to notify a - 12farmer if any of the at least one ewe is in labour.

In a further embodiment, the web server communicates with the central processor which in turn communicates with an app to notify a farmer if any of the at least one ewe is in labour.

In a further embodiment, the web server transmits a SMS to notify a farmer if any of the at least one ewe is in labour.

It is to be appreciated that other forms of alerting means may also be readily utilised, such as, but limited to communication over a GSM network.

In a further embodiment, the web server communicates with the central processor which in turn transmits a SMS to notify a farmer if any of the at least one ewe is in labour.

In a further embodiment, the web server transmits a message over a mobile communications network to notify a farmer if any of the at least one ewe is in labour.

In a further embodiment, the web server communicates with the central processor which in turn transmits a message over a mobile communications network to notify a farmer if any of the at least one ewe is in labour.

In a further embodiment, the central processor and/or web server analyses the location information of each of the collar devices fitted to the plurality of sheep to identify if a flock, comprising two or more sheep within a pre-determined distance of one another, has been established; and, if any of the at least one ewe has strayed a predefined distance from the flock.

In a further embodiment, the central processor or web server transmits an alert to a farmer if the central processor and/or web server ascertains that any of the at least one ewe is in labour. - 13In a further embodiment, the collar device comprises a transmitter, a location providing element and a tip-over switch.

It will be understood that the location providing element may be transmitted wirelessly and may include, but is not limited to, active or passive radio frequencies, low or high power radio frequencies, GPS, RFID, Bluetooth and ultrawide band (UWB) radio frequency.

One advantage of UWB is improved accuracy over distance and high resolution in three dimensions compared with other locating systems. Utilising UWB ensures a large bandwidth and gives high levels of locating accuracy in three dimensions. Location accuracy of within 15cms with 95% confidence level is achievable.

Transmissions may be continuous, e.g. in real-time, episodic or periodic. Optionally, transmission of location information and body position information from the collar devices is preferably achieved over wide range transmission.

In a further embodiment, the transmitter transmits the location information as provided by the location providing element, and a trigger signal when the tip-over switch is rotated past an operational angle.

It will be understood that the trigger signal generated by the tip-over switch being rotated past an operational angle is as a result of the head movements of the ewe in labour, or about to go into labour.

In one embodiment the ewe monitoring system comprises at least one additional sensor suitable for collecting biometric and environmental data, such as temperature, altitude, elevated hormones/proteins, in connection with the at least one ewe.

In a further embodiment, a ewe is ascertained to be in labour, or about to go into labour, if the ewe has strayed more than a predetermined distance from other sheep adjacent to the ewe and the ewe has laid down on her side. In a further embodiment, a ewe is ascertained to be in labour, or about to go into labour, if the - 14ewe has raised or extended its head. In a further embodiment, a ewe has laid down on her side for more than a predetermined amount of time.

In a further embodiment, head movement, such as the ewe raising or extending its head, may be detected through use of the tip-over switch. In a further embodiment, head movement, such as the ewe raising or extending its head, may be detected when the tip-over switch is rotated past an operational angle.

In a further embodiment, the collar device comprises a transmitter, a location providing element and a tip-over switch arranged so as to read head movement.

In a further embodiment, the transmitter transmits the location information as provided by the location providing element and a trigger signal when the tip-over switch is rotated past an operational angle, indicating head movement or degree of head movement thereof.

In a further embodiment, the collar device comprises RFID tags using a Real-Time Locating System (RTLS).

It will be understood that the RTLS may transmit location information by wireless transmission e.g. radio frequency (RF) transmission, Bluetooth, Infrared (IR), ultrawide band (UWB) transmission active or passive radio frequencies, low or high power radio frequencies and GPS. Transmissions may be continuous, e.g. in realtime, episodic or periodic. Optionally, transmission of location information from the collar devices is preferably achieved over wide range transmission.

In a further embodiment, the collar device is battery operated. In a further embodiment, the collar device is rechargeable. In a preferred embodiment, the rechargeable collar device is solar powered.

In a further embodiment, the collar device comprises a notification system wherein the notification system indicates battery life or lack thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the notification system comprises a light emitting - 15source. In a more preferred embodiment, the light emitting source is a light emitting diode (LED).

In a further embodiment, the farmer receives the alert on a mobile telephone via SMS. In a further embodiment, the farmer receives the alert via a dedicated app installed on a mobile telephone. In a further embodiment, the alert comprises a location. In a further embodiment, the alert comprises a collar device identification number.

In another embodiment, the collar device comprises a beacon suitable for guiding the user to the precise location of the animal wearing the collar device, particularly where the animal wearing the collar device is not immediately visible when the user is within range of a site of location for the animal wearing the collar device. In use, the beacon emits a signal that, when the user is within range of the site of location for the animal wearing the collar device they may move towards the beacon, such that the user is directed to within visible range of the animal wearing the collar device.

In a further embodiment, the beacon comprises a visible signal. In a preferred embodiment, the visible signal is a light emitting source. In a further embodiment, the beacon comprises an audible signal. In a preferred embodiment, the audible signal is a sound emitting source. In a further embodiment, the visible or audible signal emitted from the beacon is activated by the user.

One advantage of the beacon is quicker location of the animal wearing the collar device, such as the ewe that has separated herself from the rest of the flock as part of her preparations for labour, when the animal wearing the collar device, is not not immediately visible by the user at the site of location where the animal wearing the collar device is expected to be.

A further advantage of the beacon is to locate an animal that is in distress, for example a sheep that has fallen down a drain, ditch or well.

Detailed Description of Embodiments - 16The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a plurality of sheep in a sheep paddock, the plurality of sheep utilising the ewe labour monitoring system of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, there is provided a ewe labour monitoring system indicated generally by reference numeral 100. The ewe labour monitoring system 100 is operational within a sheep paddock 102, which sheep paddock 102 holds a plurality of sheep including lambs 104, ewes 106 and rams 108.

It will be readily understood that a sheep paddock may be fluid in shape and size and that the present invention is also applicable for use in defined environments (e.g. farms, transportation, animal processing plants, zoos, wildlife parks, stables, kennel, catteries) or defined zones (e.g. areas within the animals environment, cubicles area, feeding systems or area, milking systems or area, grassland area, loafing area, access/control/sorting gates, stables or paddocks). The present invention is particularly suitable for use in open ranges and feeding operations.

Each of the lambs 104, ewes 106 and rams 108 wears a collar device 112. The collar devices 112 each comprise a transmitter, a tip switch and a location-providing element. It will be readily understood that alternative types of animal mounting devices or body worn devices could be used in place of a collar device 112. For example, a belt device could be worn around the midriff of the lambs 104 and/or ewes 106 and/or rams 108. This would perform the same function as described hereinbelow in respect of the collar device 112.

A receiver 114 capable of communicating with each of the transmitters in the collar device 112 is also provided. This receiver 114 is shown to be positioned within the boundary of the paddock 102, but it will be appreciated that it may be positioned outside of the paddock 102. If the receiver 114 is a short-range receiver 114, then it - 17may have to be placed within the paddock 102. However, if according to a preferred embodiment discussed further below, the receiver 114 is a long range receiver 114, then the receiver 114 can be located at a distance from the paddock 102.

In one embodiment of the present invention, Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) is used as the location-providing element and the transmitter and receiver 114 are RFID based. It will be readily understood that alternative types of location-providing elements may be used.

A ewe will typically stray away from a flock of sheep and lie on her side when she is preparing for labour. In order to alert a farmer that one of their ewes is about to go into labour, the present invention monitors both the location and the body position of the ewe. This is an important aspect of the present invention, and any body worn device must be capable used as a part of the present invention must be capable of monitoring these data points. As lambing time approaches, a ewe will often appear restless and is likely to move away from the flock and look for a secluded area away from other animals. At this time it can be assumed that the ewe is in labour. As the labour process progresses, the ewe will spend an increasing amount of time lying down on her side with her head raised or extended forward and her legs touching the ground. When a ewe 106 strays away from the flock and lies down, the farmer is notified via an app or SMS that a particular ewe is going to give birth. The location of the ewe can be provided to the farmer via the associated app or by SMS or other communication means.

In a further embodiment when a ewe 106 strays away from the flock for more than a predetermined amount of time (not shown), the farmer is notified via an app or SMS that a particular ewe is going to give birth.

In a further embodiment when a ewe 106 strays away from the flock for more than a predetermined amount of time (not shown), and lies down for more than a predetermined amount of time (not shown), the farmer is notified via an app or SMS that a particular ewe is going to give birth.

In a further embodiment when a ewe 106 strays away from the flock for more than a - 18predetermined amount of time (not shown), lies down for more than a predetermined amount of time (not shown), and, raises or extends its head, the farmer is notified via an app or SMS that a particular ewe is going to give birth.

The farmer holds the sheep 104, 106, 108 in a paddock 102 within range of RFID receiver 114. The range of the RFID receiver is envisaged to be approximately 1km and therefore, sheep 104, 106, 108 can move within a paddock 102 which may be relatively large. If the RFID receiver is placed in a central position within the paddock 102, then the paddock could be substantially circular in plan elevation and have a diameter of approximately 2kms.

The RFID receiver 114 is connected to a network (not shown) comprising a central processor (not shown) using an Ethernet cable (not shown), for example, although other wireless and wired connections could be used. The central processor may be in communications with a web sever which may carry out some or all of the processing of the data received by the receiver 114. The central processor may be a home or office computer as used by the farmer, and does not necessarily need to be a dedicated piece of hardware exclusively used as the central processor. This is particularly true where a web server is used for the processing and analysing of data information.

It will be readily understood that the paddock may comprise a monitoring area defined by the central processor (not shown) as being the boundary of the flock. It will be readily understood that the paddock or the monitoring area defined by the central processor (not shown) as being the boundary of the flock is fluid and subject to change depending on the movement of the flock as a whole. It will be readily understood that changes to position and location of the flock as a result of the movement of the flock as a whole are monitored by the central processor and the central processor is capable of modifying the boundary of the flock accordingly and subsequently updating the defined paddock or the monitoring area. In a preferred embodiment modification of the boundary of the flock by the central processor and the subsequent updating of the defined paddock or the monitoring area by the central processor is performed in real time. The boundary of the flock will be defined by the positions of the outermost sheep in the flock. For a sheep to be determined to form - 19part of the flock, that sheep must be within a predefined distance of at least one other sheep in the flock. The predefined distance can range from 5 feet to 30 feet but is envisaged to be 10 feet, on average. The sheep must remain inside this predefined distance for more than a preset amount of time. This could be 1 second, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds or 60 seconds.

As mentioned above, each of the collar devices 112 comprises a transmitter, a tip switch and a location-providing element. In the embodiment where RFID is used, the location-providing element will be a RFID tag. The collar device 112 will be sized and shaped to be fitted to the sheep 104, 106, 108. It is of course possible to only place collar devices 112 on just the ewes 106 if the farmer wishes to only monitor for lambing, although collars 112 may be placed on the lambs 104 and rams 108 if the farmer wishes to monitor their movements. And it can aiso be beneficial for determining the size and location of the flock by monitoring not just the ewes 106 but also monitoring the locations of the lambs 104 and the rams 108. Alternative animalmounted devices may be used, provided the devices are capable of providing the location information of the sheep mounting the device and the orientation of the sheep mounting the device.

The RFID tags in the collar devices 112 are envisaged to determine proximity to other collar devices 112 on sheep 104, 106, 108 using a Real Time Locating System (RTLS). The proximity to other collar devices 112 on sheep 104, 106, 108 is used to monitor the sheep 104, 106, 108 in a paddock 102 and determine where a flock 110 is positioned. A flock 110 of sheep 104, 106, 108 is defined as two or more sheep 104, 106, 108. Sheep 104, 106, 108 in a flock 110 tend to stay close in proximity together because of their gregarious instinct, and, their desire to congregation for protection. Sheep 104, 106, 108 like to maintain a distance, or safe zone, between themselves and others. The ‘flight distance’ is defined as the space between themselves and others (e.g. humans, other animals) which the sheep 104, 106, 108 will tolerate before moving. The flight distance varies a great deal depending on the situation the sheep 104, 106,108 is in, but in a normal situation, when the sheep 104, 106, 108 is relaxed, the distance is small. However, if danger, for example in the form of a dog or a strange person, appears then it is greatly increased and the sheep 104, 106, 108 moves away to increase the distance between themselves and the other -20animal/person. The typical flight distance would be about 10-12 feet when a sheep 104, 106, 108 is relaxed and sheep tend to stay closer than this to each other when they are in a particular flock. Therefore, when the central processor of the ewe labour monitoring system 100 receives all of the optional information regarding all of the sheep ewe labour monitoring system 100 in the paddock 102, the central processor will determine where one or more flocks have developed by calculating the distances between adjacent sheep 104, 106, 108. If two or more sheep are positioned within a predetermined distance of each other, then those sheep 104, 106, 108 are determined to form a flock. The predetermined distance may be 10 feet for example however it will be readily understood that this distance will vary greatly dependant on the environment, including but not limited to the topology of the environment, the size of the paddock 102, the shape of the paddock 102 and other factors such as whether parts of the paddock 102 are more open to weather effects such as wind and so on. Generally speaking, a predetermined distance will have to be selected based on experience and local conditions with input from the farmer on the farm where the ewe labour monitoring system 100 is to be installed. In some circumstances, this could be 5 feet and in other circumstances this could be 30 feet. For determination of the formation of the flock, the sheep may need to be within this predetermined distance for a certain period of time (e.g. 1 second, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds).

The RTLS is currently offered as part of some prior art RFID tags, such as the tag sold under by TagSense under the name ZT-500. This tag operates at long range using a proprietary manufacturer communications protocol and the IEEE 802.15.4 communications protocol. This RTLS used by this particular tag uses the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) so that an approximate evaluation can be acquired. RSSI is an indication of the power level being received by the antenna. Therefore, the higher the RSSI number, the stronger the signal. RSSI signal can be affected by environmental parameters and is not very reliable. The tag envisaged to be used in this particular embodiment of the invention uses an alternative to the RSSI signal, whereby the tag also has the ability to record the ID of any reader which communicates with the tag. Using this function, it is possible to create a method for identifying geographic zones by using multiple readers, each with its own unique ID. The RFID system which utilises this type of tag provides a simplified reader device -21 called a locator beacon which serves this purpose. A locator beacon will continuously transmit its location ID code. The tag records this location ID code and includes it in its normal beacon packet transmissions. In addition to recording the location ID code, the tag is also capable of measuring and recording the RSSI of the locator beacon transmission. By knowing the location ID and the location RSSI, it is possible to create a reasonably robust system that tracks the location of the tags using this specialised and unique RTLS.

Of course, alternative locating systems may be used in place of, or in conjunction with, this type of RTLS. Furthermore, different RFID systems and/or different types of tagging systems can be used to track and locate all of the sheep 104, 106, 108 in the paddock 102.

In one embodiment, the collar device 112 will be configured to transmit its location every four minutes by default. If a ewe 106 keeps straying away from the flock 110, the collar device 112 will transmit its location more often by reducing the transmission interval.

The tip-over switch fitted to the collar device 112 is an important element of the present invention as the present invention does not simply track the location of a ewe, relative to the flock 110, to determine whether a ewe 106 is straying, but also monitors the body position of the ewe 106 to determine if the ewe is lying down in a position which is indicative of labour. The tip-over switch carries out the function of monitoring and reporting on the body position of the ewe. For this reason it is important that the collar device 112 is relatively tightly fitted such that it does not rotate, as is the case with some prior art examples where counter-weights are used to rotate the collar device 112 intentionally.

A trigger signal is generated by the closing of the tip-over switch. The collar device 112 will send this information, using the transmitter in the collar device 112, to the central processor where the data will be analysed and then a push notification will be generated by the central processor and sent to the farmer on an associated app on the mobile telephone, or by SMS or other such communication means. -22The tip-over switch is activated if the tip-over switch is tilted from the vertical position. The angle through which the tip-over switch moves before becoming operational is called the operating angle. The tip-over switch envisaged to be used in an embodiment of the present invention shall have an operating angle of 60 degrees. Other operating angles may be used. Typically these tip-over switches are omnidirectional. However, it is also foreseen that if the switches are bi-directional, then brief tip-over switch activations could be ignored. For example, if a tip-over switch was only activated for less than 5 seconds or 10 seconds, then it could be assumed that the ewe was lying down briefly on her side for some other reason.

The receiver 114 operates with the RFID tags and can provide bi-directional communication for up to 2000m by communicating via the industry standard protocol IEEE 802.15.4. This protocol is the most advanced protocol used today and includes bi-directional communication between the tag and the reader. This enables faster and more efficient communications when multiple tags and readers are present in a dense operating environment. A further advantage of using such a long range receiver 114 is that the receiver 114 can be positioned relatively close to a farmer’s house or office or sheds, where a cable can be run from the receiver 114 to the central processor 112. If the receiver 114 is located in a field and adjacent the paddock 102 then a relatively long cable would have to be installed to run the cable from the receiver 114 back to the farmer’s house, or office, or shed, where the central processor is located. The use of the long range receiver 114 makes the installation process much easier.

In use, a farmer will fit the collar devices 112 to the sheep 104, 106, 108 in the paddock 102 and the collar devices 112 will begin communicating location information to the central processor via the receiver 114. The farmer may only opt to fit collar devices 112 to ewe 106, or even just to ewes 106 that are known to have breed. The location information regarding the sheep 104, 106, 108 is analysed and one or more flocks 110 are identified. A flock 110 is identified and distances a, b, c, d from a boundary of the flock 110 to sheep 104, 106, 108 outside of the flock 110 are determined. If the distances a, b, c, d are greater than a pre-defined amount, then a sheep 104, 106, 18 is determined to be straying. The pre-defined amount may be 20 feet, for example; or within the range of 10 feet to 100 feet, for example. As before, -23this pre-defined amount will be set based on local conditions such as the topology and size and shape of the paddock and the experience of the farmer as to how his type of sheep and particular flock of sheep behave. This can be useful for monitoring if a lamb 104 has become lost from the other sheep. Of more particular use in the context of an embodiment of the present invention is identifying if a ewe 106 has strayed from a flock 110. If that ewe 106 has also moved to lie down on their side, then the trigger signal from the tip-over switch will also be transmitted to the central processor via the collar device 112 and the received 114 which is connected to the central processor. When a ewe 106 who has strayed from the flock 110 is also lying on their side is identified, an alert is sent to the farmer from the central processor by using WiFi, SMS, or some other communication protocol so that a message can be given on their mobile telephone on an app or by SMS. It is also foreseen that bespoke and dedicated alert devices could be used instead of relying on a farmer’s mobile telephone.

The present invention has been limited to sheep in respect of the foregoing description. However, other animals which display straying tendencies and also adopt specific body positions when preparing for labour could wear the collar devices, or body worn devices, of the present invention and the same benefits could be derived therefrom. The tip switch may need to be replaced with a gyroscope or other such means if different types of body positions or behaviours are to be monitored. For example, a camel is also known to stray and raise their tail to an almost horizontal position when preparing for labour so a device similar to the one described above which monitored the tail position rather than a tip switch to monitor for the lying on the side, could be used.

The terms “comprise” and “include”, and any variations thereof required for grammatical reasons, are to be considered as interchangeable and accorded the widest possible interpretation.

The terms “she” “her” and “it”, and any variations thereof required for grammatical reasons, as used in connection with ewes or other female animals in labour are to be considered as interchangeable and accorded the widest possible interpretation. -24It will be understood that the components shown in any of the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and, like parts shown in several drawings are designated the same reference numerals.

It will be further understood that features from any of the embodiments may be combined with alternative described embodiments, even if such a combination is not explicitly recited hereinbefore but would be understood to be technically feasible by the person skilled in the art.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail.

Claims (5)

1. A ewe labour monitoring system comprising a plurality of collar devices suitable to be fitted to a plurality of sheep, including at least one ewe; whereby, each of the plurality of collar devices are capable of communicating with a receiver to transmit location information regarding the location of the sheep fitted with the collar device, and, body position information regarding the body position of the sheep fitted with the collar device; and, whereby the location information of the sheep fitted with the collar device and the body position of the sheep fitted with the collar device are transmitted to a central processor wherein, the central processor analyses the location information of each of the collar devices fitted to the plurality of sheep to identify if a flock, comprising two or more sheep within a pre-determined distance of one another, has been established and, if any of the at least one ewe has strayed a predefined distance from the flock.

2. A ewe labour monitoring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the central processor analyses the body position information of each of the collar devices fitted to the plurality of sheep to identify if the at least one ewe has laid down on its side.

3. A ewe labour monitoring system as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein, the central processor analyses the body position information of each of the collar devices fitted to the plurality of sheep to identify if the at least one ewe has raised or extended its head.

4. A ewe labour monitoring system as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein, the collar device comprises a transmitter, a location providing element and a tip-over switch; whereby, the transmitter transmits the location information as provided by the location providing element, and transmits a trigger signal when the tip-over switch is rotated past an operational angle. -26

5. A ewe labour monitoring system as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.