WO2010108496A1 - System and method for detecting behaviour of animals - Google Patents

System and method for detecting behaviour of animals Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010108496A1
WO2010108496A1 PCT/DK2010/050065 DK2010050065W WO2010108496A1 WO 2010108496 A1 WO2010108496 A1 WO 2010108496A1 DK 2010050065 W DK2010050065 W DK 2010050065W WO 2010108496 A1 WO2010108496 A1 WO 2010108496A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
animal
processor
data
behaviour
animals
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Application number
PCT/DK2010/050065
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Keld Florczak
Original Assignee
Smarter Farming A/S
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Application filed by Smarter Farming A/S filed Critical Smarter Farming A/S
Publication of WO2010108496A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010108496A1/en

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K29/00—Other apparatus for animal husbandry
    • A01K29/005—Monitoring or measuring activity, e.g. detecting heat or mating

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system for detecting the behaviour of a number of animals, such as cattle, where each animal carries at least a first detector, which detector is communicating with at least a first processor carried by the animal, which first processor further communicates with a second central processor.
  • the present invention further relates to a method for indicating normal or abnormal behaviour of animals, such as cattle, where the animals carry detector means, which detector means communicate with processor means carried by the animal, the processor carried by the animal further communicates with central processor.
  • US 2007/0008150 disclose a cattle identification system operating across long distances.
  • This publication concerns a computer system that interacts with transceiver stations transmitting to transceiver systems provided in ear tags on cattle.
  • the elec- tronic circuit provided in the ear tag contains a computer with a memory unit containing data concerning the individual animal.
  • various forms of alternative power supply are described, such as use of solar cells and use of vibration power supply. At the same time, it is described how to reduce the power consumption for a battery in that listening and transmitting is only performed every 5 th minutes.
  • CA 2,559,421 discloses a cattle management system where the activity of the cattle is primarily detected by means of electronic ear tags such that it is detected each time the cattle is eating and each time the cattle is drinking. In a central database one may therefore get great knowledge about each individual animal provided with the electronic ear tags.
  • WO 2006/022548 concerns a system for locating at least one animal in a predetermined area, provided with at least one label which is designed to be attached to or in at least one animal, which label is provided with a transmitter for transmitting an ultra wideband signal, at least one receiver which is placed in or adjacent to the area and which is designed to receive the ultra wideband signal of the transmitter of at least one label, and a signal processing device which is connected to or integrated with at least one receiver for locating at least one label on the basis of the ultra wideband signal received by at least one receiver on the basis of, for instance, delay time and/or reception angle.
  • WO 2007/122394 describes a location system comprising a plurality of base units for enabling the locating of a device by means of one or more location signals communicated between the device and the base units and signal processing equipment for: i.i. determining the location of the device depending on the manner in which the location signal(s) is/are received and ii. deriving calibration data for calibrating the system de- pending on the manner in which the location signal(s) is/are received.
  • WO 2009/011641 concerns a method for detecting oestrus behaviour of a milking animal.
  • the milking animal is provided with a sensor means for detecting an activity level of the milking animal.
  • the method comprises the steps of: monitoring an activity level increase of the milking animal by the sensor means; and detecting the oestrus behaviour depending on a set threshold activity level increase, wherein the threshold activity level increase is set to be indicative of oestrus behaviour of the milking animal depending on time of day.
  • the invention provides a reliable means for determining when a milking animal is in heat.
  • WO 2007/119070 concerns a method and system for monitoring the condition of livestock comprises a plurality of sensors for sensing a plurality of different behavioural parameters of an animal.
  • the sensed data is transmitted by a unit, wirelessly, to a cen- tral processor and a plurality of status conditions of the animal is determined on the basis of the transmitted, sensed data such as the onset of parturition, fertility status and other health status conditions.
  • the unit may be permanently worn by the animal and may keep an electronic record of the status conditions of the animal.
  • WO 2008/124481 concerns a device for determining and recording at predefined time intervals various types of behavioural characteristics of an animal wearing the device which is useful in detection of a biological change in the animal and method thereof are disclosed.
  • the laying down meter or “layometer” device monitors when the animal is walking, standing still, or lying down throughout a given time period. Since the standing and laying pattern of animals such as individual dairy cows and other types of cattle throughout a twenty-four hour period is so specific, any deviation from that pattern may indicate the onset of lameness or another health-related problem.
  • the data acquisition and transmission apparatus comprises mobile apparatus that is configured to be attached to a beast.
  • the mobile apparatus comprises: data acquisition apparatus that configured to acquire and store data; and wireless data communications apparatus, which is switch able between an operative condition, in which stored data is transmitted wirelessly, and an inoperative condition.
  • the mobile apparatus also comprises a trigger receiver configured to change the wireless data communications apparatus from the inoperative condition to the operative condition in dependence upon a trigger signal.
  • the object of the invention is to detect animal behaviour and transmit data concerning the animal behaviour to a computer system for further analysis of the data.
  • This object can be achieved by a system as described in the preamble to claim 1 if the system is further modified by letting the animal carries at least an accelerometer and a gyroscope for detecting movement of the animal, which first processor process data related to measurement of acceleration and angular movement, whereby the processor calculates inertia of an animal, which system comprises at least a short-range radio communication system for transmitting data from the first processor to the second central processor.
  • this accelerometer and gyroscope can detect the behaviour of the animal.
  • the accelerometer and gyroscope can detect all movements of the animal when walking around and also if the animal is laying down for resting or rising from the sleeping position, all this information will be available from combination of accelerometer and gyroscope measurements.
  • the measured data from the detectors can be stored in a computer system which computer sys- tern also can be carried by the animal.
  • the computer system carried on the animal can be connected to communication systems so that data which has been recorded in the computer system can be transmitted to a central computer system where data can be stored for more permanent storage. In this way, only a limited storage capacity is necessary at the animal.
  • the computer system it is possible to indicate normal or ab- normal behaviour of an animal. If the processor indicates abnormal behaviour of the animal in the received signals from the detector, the communication system can be coded to immediately transmit received data to the central processing system. This central processing system can then perform an analysis of the received data and also data already stored in the system. The central system can then by comparing other ab- normal behaviour situations already stored in the computer system analyse and maybe find the reason for the abnormal behaviour. The computer system can as soon as abnormal behaviour is indicated contact the person responsible for the animals. In this way farmers can analyse the received data and go directly out in the field or maybe into the stable to personally check the animal themselves.
  • the animal can further carry an electronic compass, which electronic compass is connected to the first processor, which processor combines the measurement acceleration and angular movement with the direction measured by the electronic compass.
  • the short-range radio communications system can communicate according to communication protocol, which communication protocol can operate in relation to a standard known as ZigBee.
  • a well-known communication form is the ZigBee communication standard. By a ZigBee communication standard, communication can only be performed in a very limited distance.
  • the ZigBee is designed so that all signals transmitted are received at all ZigBee receivers inside a range of communication and the data can be further transmitted from one ZigBee transmit receiver to another. In that way, data from one animal can be transmitted to another animal and from there further to a number of animals towards a ZigBee receiver may be placed in a stable roof or at the wall or placed on a post in the field. Data can be transmitted relatively fast in that way even in case of relatively long distances.
  • the only problem in using the ZigBee is that only relatively short messages can be transmitted. By coding the data before transmitting, it should be possible to reduce the size of data so much that communication by ZigBee is possible.
  • the short-range radio communications system can communicate in the ultra wideband frequency spectrum, which communication can be performed in a protocol for coding the data which has to be transmitted.
  • Short-range radio communication can also be performed in the ultra wideband fre- quency spectrum.
  • this ultra wideband frequency spectrum it is possible to transmit very large data packages.
  • ultra wideband communication it is possible to communicate with each individual animal.
  • the computer system carried by the animal it is possible to be in touch with the central processor immediately.
  • the central computer system could be in touch with each animal even in a large farm where hundreds of animals are placed in a stable or in a field, each computer system carried by the animals can communicate several times per minutes.
  • the ultra wideband communication makes it possible to position the animals one by one, and then perform a registration of the position of the animal.
  • a further description of position detection of animals is described in the non-published Danish patent application PA 2008 00638 filed by the same applicant.
  • the system can comprise at least temperature and/or pulse measurements, where the measured values are transmitted to the first processor, which first processors store measured values in a storage medium.
  • the communication system can communicate medical indicators such as temperature or pulse into the local processor carried by the animal and if all values are normal no activities are performed but data are stored. If pulse or temperature is deviating from normal, the data can be transmitted immediately.
  • the data can be stored in a first event log, which event log is part of the storage related to the first processor.
  • event log By placing a standard event log in the computer system carried by the animal, this event log could be a local copy of new data where each animal carries a standard event log.
  • the event log could comprise a time stamp for movement of the animal and an indication of change in pulse or temperature could also be standard data in an event log.
  • the data which is stored in the first event log can be transmitted towards the second central processor by short-range radio communication, in which second central processor a second event log for each animal can be updated. It is hereby achieved that the event log carried by the animal can be copied into a central event log so that the central processor knows the history of each of the animals which is surveyed by the system.
  • the system can be used for tracking abnormal behaviour of animals. By analysing the event log locally at the animal or the event log in the system, it is possible to indicate abnormal behaviour of e.g. cattle.
  • Acceleration determination can be performed in three different directions and such that horizontal as well as vertical accelerations are determined.
  • a very small integrated accelerometer it is possible in quite a simple manner to detect acceleration or at the same time by another integrated circuit to detect angular movement of the animal. Both components are available as integrated circuits which can easily be placed on the same printed circuit board.
  • By analysing acceleration as well as angular movement of the animal more data can be stored in the memory and further analyse can be performed.
  • the system can be used for tracking leaps.
  • an accelerometer it is possible to detect all kinds of leap of the animal. Leap-activity can be an indication that could be very useful for a farmer.
  • the system can transmit and receive pulses at different time intervals. It is possible by means of this invention to transmit data very fast if necessary but in a situation where an animal has normal behaviour there is no reason for transmitting data several times per minutes. Instead data can be transmitted maybe one or two times per day but if an animal is under observation because the system has indicated abnormal behaviour, it is possible to transmit data very often.
  • the system can comprise calving detectors, which calving detectors communicate with the local processor.
  • the system can also transmit calving alarms and in a situation where calving detectors are used, it is probably necessary to transmit the data very of- ten in order to supply the farmer with the calving alarm information as soon as possible.
  • the object of the invention can be fulfilled by a method as described in the preamble to claim 13 if detectors carried by the animal by letting the animal carry a first processor, and let the animals carry detector means, perform communication between detector means and the first processor, the first processor further performs communication with a central processor, e: perform detection of acceleration, perform detection of angular movement, the first processor perform an analysis of the measured acceleration and measured angular moment for calculation of inertia, analyze calculated inertia for detecting normal or un normal behaviour of animals, perform communication by short- range radio communication for transmitting data from the first processors carried by the animal to the central processor.
  • a central processor e: perform detection of acceleration, perform detection of angular movement, the first processor perform an analysis of the measured acceleration and measured angular moment for calculation of inertia, analyze calculated inertia for detecting normal or un normal behaviour of animals, perform communication by short- range radio communication for transmitting data from the first processors carried by the animal to the central processor.
  • this computer system By measuring acceleration and angular movement of the animal and placing the data in an event log in a computer system carried by the animal this computer system will always comprise indication of the behaviour of the animal some hours backwards. If a farmer wishes further information about an animal, he can look at the event log in the central computer system where information is stored probably of the whole life of the animal. The new events can be transmitted to the central computer system if the farmer wishes to. Otherwise, data are transmitted with some intervals. These intervals can be changed if abnormal situations occur.
  • Figure 1 shows a system for detecting the behaviour of animals.
  • Figure 1 shows a system for detecting the behaviour of animals.
  • Figure 1 shows a possible example of a stable or a field where a number of animals, e.g. cows are held.
  • Position number 4 indicates a tag that has to be carried by each animal.
  • This tag 4 comprises a mesh compatible network communication unit 1 and an accelerometer 2and a gyroscope for measuring three-dimensional acceleration and angular mivement and ultra wideband radio transmitter receiver 3.
  • FIG. 1 ultra wideband receiver/transmitters 5, 6, 7 and 8 are shown. These ultra wideband receiver/transmitters 5, 6, 7 and 8 are here indicated in the corners of the stable or field.
  • Figure 1 further shows a mesh compatible access point 9 which access point 9 is communication with a local processor 10. This processor is further connected to a local storage 11 for storing received data. The processor 10 is further connected by a net 12 to a back end processor 13 for calculating the behaviour of the animals. This back end processor 13 is further communicating to back end storage 14 of behaviour and all calculations that are performed. Further, at the figure 1 is indicated mesh routers 15, 16 and 17.
  • tags 4 are placed on the animals e.g. in a stable. Each of these animals will then carry an accelerometer 2 and a gyroscope that detects the movement of the animal and there will be two different communication systems in the tag so that e.g. the behaviour of the animal can be transmitted by a mesh compatible network 1 which e.g. could be a ZigBee network.
  • the tag 4 comprises the ultra wideband receiver transmitter 3 which communicates with the ultra wideband receiver/transmitters 5, 6, 7 and 8 which ultra wideband receiver/transmitters are used for position detection of the animals.
  • This detection of the position could be performed for one animal at a time because at first a signal comprising a code transmitted to each of the ultra wideband receiver transmitters 3 and afterwards the ultra wideband re- ceiver transmitter 3 will transmit a short- coded message which is detected at the ultra wideband receiver/transmitters 5, 6, 7 and 8.
  • the ultra wideband re-caliver transmitter 3 will transmit a short- coded message which is detected at the ultra wideband receiver/transmitters 5, 6, 7 and 8.
  • By measuring the receiving time or maybe a phase difference between the signals it is possible to indicate the position of the tag 4 very accurately. This process can then be repeated for all animals in a stable or in a field. Because the signals transmitted are very short, the position of each animal can be detected perhaps every minute even in a stable or in a field where hundreds of animals are held.
  • the accelerometer 2 and the gyroscope and with further detectors placed in relation to the tag 4. These detectors could be e.g. pulse or temperature detectors. Also a calving alarm could be connected so that the data transmitted by the mesh compatible network 1 comprises a lot of different information. This information could in the beginning be stored just in the tag 4 which could comprise a memory. Data from that memory could be transmitted after time intervals or by request from the system over the mesh compatible network 1 which maybe is able to communi- cate with one of the mesh routers 15, 16 or 17 or directly to the mesh compatible access point 9.
  • the mesh compatible network will communicate with the next tag 4 at another animal and from here further to another tag 4 until the data package is received at one of the mesh routers 15 to 17 or at the mesh compatible access point 9. All the transmitted data are then sent to the local processor 10 for storing at the local data storage 11. The received data are then further transmitted over the network 12 to the processor 13 which is a back end processor for calculation of animal behaviour. By analysing the back end processor 13, it is possible to indicate deceases by comparing an actual pattern with patterns of other animals stored in the back end storage 13. In this way, the abnormal behaviour of an animal can be indicated days before other medical indicators can be found. On the basis of critical behaviour of an animal, the farmer starts further observation of the animal in question, e.g.
  • the mesh compatible network 1 at the tag 4 carried by the animal can be coded to transmit data more often then usual. Then the farmer also knows by his routine of inspection in a stable or in a field that there are some animals which he has to observe very carefully because their behaviour have been critical up to the analysing time.
  • one or more video cameras are placed e.g. at the ceiling to direct one or more cameras towards one selected animal and because of the position detection of the animals, it is possible to follow exactly that animal. In this way, it is possible to save a video sequence of an animal having an abnormal behaviour.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and a method for detecting the behaviour of a number of animals, such as cattle, where each animal carries at least a number of detectors, which detectors are communicating with at least a first processor carried by the animal, which first processor further communicates with a central processor. The object of the invention is to detect animal behaviour and transmit data concerning the animal behaviour to a computer system for further analysis of the data. This object can be achieved by a system and if the system and method are further modified by letting the animal carry an accelerometer and a gyroscope for detecting movement of the animal, which system comprises at least a short-range communication system for transmitting data from the first processor to the second central processor. By using an accelerometer and a gyroscop placed at an animal, this accelerometer and gyroscop can detect the behaviour of the animal.

Description

System and method for detecting behaviour of animals
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for detecting the behaviour of a number of animals, such as cattle, where each animal carries at least a first detector, which detector is communicating with at least a first processor carried by the animal, which first processor further communicates with a second central processor.
The present invention further relates to a method for indicating normal or abnormal behaviour of animals, such as cattle, where the animals carry detector means, which detector means communicate with processor means carried by the animal, the processor carried by the animal further communicates with central processor.
Background of the Invention
US 2007/0008150 disclose a cattle identification system operating across long distances. This publication concerns a computer system that interacts with transceiver stations transmitting to transceiver systems provided in ear tags on cattle. The elec- tronic circuit provided in the ear tag contains a computer with a memory unit containing data concerning the individual animal. In this patent application, various forms of alternative power supply are described, such as use of solar cells and use of vibration power supply. At the same time, it is described how to reduce the power consumption for a battery in that listening and transmitting is only performed every 5th minutes.
CA 2,559,421 discloses a cattle management system where the activity of the cattle is primarily detected by means of electronic ear tags such that it is detected each time the cattle is eating and each time the cattle is drinking. In a central database one may therefore get great knowledge about each individual animal provided with the electronic ear tags. WO 2006/022548 concerns a system for locating at least one animal in a predetermined area, provided with at least one label which is designed to be attached to or in at least one animal, which label is provided with a transmitter for transmitting an ultra wideband signal, at least one receiver which is placed in or adjacent to the area and which is designed to receive the ultra wideband signal of the transmitter of at least one label, and a signal processing device which is connected to or integrated with at least one receiver for locating at least one label on the basis of the ultra wideband signal received by at least one receiver on the basis of, for instance, delay time and/or reception angle.
WO 2007/122394 describes a location system comprising a plurality of base units for enabling the locating of a device by means of one or more location signals communicated between the device and the base units and signal processing equipment for: i.i. determining the location of the device depending on the manner in which the location signal(s) is/are received and ii. deriving calibration data for calibrating the system de- pending on the manner in which the location signal(s) is/are received.
WO 2009/011641 concerns a method for detecting oestrus behaviour of a milking animal. The milking animal is provided with a sensor means for detecting an activity level of the milking animal. The method comprises the steps of: monitoring an activity level increase of the milking animal by the sensor means; and detecting the oestrus behaviour depending on a set threshold activity level increase, wherein the threshold activity level increase is set to be indicative of oestrus behaviour of the milking animal depending on time of day. The invention provides a reliable means for determining when a milking animal is in heat.
WO 2007/119070 concerns a method and system for monitoring the condition of livestock comprises a plurality of sensors for sensing a plurality of different behavioural parameters of an animal. The sensed data is transmitted by a unit, wirelessly, to a cen- tral processor and a plurality of status conditions of the animal is determined on the basis of the transmitted, sensed data such as the onset of parturition, fertility status and other health status conditions. The unit may be permanently worn by the animal and may keep an electronic record of the status conditions of the animal. WO 2008/124481 concerns a device for determining and recording at predefined time intervals various types of behavioural characteristics of an animal wearing the device which is useful in detection of a biological change in the animal and method thereof are disclosed. The laying down meter or "layometer" device monitors when the animal is walking, standing still, or lying down throughout a given time period. Since the standing and laying pattern of animals such as individual dairy cows and other types of cattle throughout a twenty-four hour period is so specific, any deviation from that pattern may indicate the onset of lameness or another health-related problem.
EP 2000023 relates to data acquisition and transmission apparatus. The data acquisition and transmission apparatus comprises mobile apparatus that is configured to be attached to a beast. The mobile apparatus comprises: data acquisition apparatus that configured to acquire and store data; and wireless data communications apparatus, which is switch able between an operative condition, in which stored data is transmitted wirelessly, and an inoperative condition. The mobile apparatus also comprises a trigger receiver configured to change the wireless data communications apparatus from the inoperative condition to the operative condition in dependence upon a trigger signal.
Object of the Invention
The object of the invention is to detect animal behaviour and transmit data concerning the animal behaviour to a computer system for further analysis of the data.
Description of the Invention
This object can be achieved by a system as described in the preamble to claim 1 if the system is further modified by letting the animal carries at least an accelerometer and a gyroscope for detecting movement of the animal, which first processor process data related to measurement of acceleration and angular movement, whereby the processor calculates inertia of an animal, which system comprises at least a short-range radio communication system for transmitting data from the first processor to the second central processor.
By using an accelerometer and a gyroscope placed at an animal, this accelerometer and gyroscope can detect the behaviour of the animal. The accelerometer and gyroscope can detect all movements of the animal when walking around and also if the animal is laying down for resting or rising from the sleeping position, all this information will be available from combination of accelerometer and gyroscope measurements. The measured data from the detectors can be stored in a computer system which computer sys- tern also can be carried by the animal. The computer system carried on the animal can be connected to communication systems so that data which has been recorded in the computer system can be transmitted to a central computer system where data can be stored for more permanent storage. In this way, only a limited storage capacity is necessary at the animal. By the computer system, it is possible to indicate normal or ab- normal behaviour of an animal. If the processor indicates abnormal behaviour of the animal in the received signals from the detector, the communication system can be coded to immediately transmit received data to the central processing system. This central processing system can then perform an analysis of the received data and also data already stored in the system. The central system can then by comparing other ab- normal behaviour situations already stored in the computer system analyse and maybe find the reason for the abnormal behaviour. The computer system can as soon as abnormal behaviour is indicated contact the person responsible for the animals. In this way farmers can analyse the received data and go directly out in the field or maybe into the stable to personally check the animal themselves.
The animal can further carry an electronic compass, which electronic compass is connected to the first processor, which processor combines the measurement acceleration and angular movement with the direction measured by the electronic compass. Herby can the first processor combine the measurement of acceleration an angular movement with the actual compass direction a accurate a reliable calculation of the actual inertia can be performed. The short-range radio communications system can communicate according to communication protocol, which communication protocol can operate in relation to a standard known as ZigBee. A well-known communication form is the ZigBee communication standard. By a ZigBee communication standard, communication can only be performed in a very limited distance. The ZigBee is designed so that all signals transmitted are received at all ZigBee receivers inside a range of communication and the data can be further transmitted from one ZigBee transmit receiver to another. In that way, data from one animal can be transmitted to another animal and from there further to a number of animals towards a ZigBee receiver may be placed in a stable roof or at the wall or placed on a post in the field. Data can be transmitted relatively fast in that way even in case of relatively long distances. The only problem in using the ZigBee is that only relatively short messages can be transmitted. By coding the data before transmitting, it should be possible to reduce the size of data so much that communication by ZigBee is possible.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention the short-range radio communications system can communicate in the ultra wideband frequency spectrum, which communication can be performed in a protocol for coding the data which has to be transmitted. Short-range radio communication can also be performed in the ultra wideband fre- quency spectrum. In this ultra wideband frequency spectrum, it is possible to transmit very large data packages. By ultra wideband communication, it is possible to communicate with each individual animal. In this way, it is possible for the computer system carried by the animal to be in touch with the central processor immediately. In fact the central computer system could be in touch with each animal even in a large farm where hundreds of animals are placed in a stable or in a field, each computer system carried by the animals can communicate several times per minutes. By using ultra wideband frequency spectrum communication, it is also possible to use received signals from animals for position detection of an animal. The ultra wideband communication makes it possible to position the animals one by one, and then perform a registration of the position of the animal. A further description of position detection of animals is described in the non-published Danish patent application PA 2008 00638 filed by the same applicant. The system can comprise at least temperature and/or pulse measurements, where the measured values are transmitted to the first processor, which first processors store measured values in a storage medium. The communication system can communicate medical indicators such as temperature or pulse into the local processor carried by the animal and if all values are normal no activities are performed but data are stored. If pulse or temperature is deviating from normal, the data can be transmitted immediately.
The data can be stored in a first event log, which event log is part of the storage related to the first processor. By placing a standard event log in the computer system carried by the animal, this event log could be a local copy of new data where each animal carries a standard event log. The event log could comprise a time stamp for movement of the animal and an indication of change in pulse or temperature could also be standard data in an event log.
The data which is stored in the first event log can be transmitted towards the second central processor by short-range radio communication, in which second central processor a second event log for each animal can be updated. It is hereby achieved that the event log carried by the animal can be copied into a central event log so that the central processor knows the history of each of the animals which is surveyed by the system.
The system can be used for tracking abnormal behaviour of animals. By analysing the event log locally at the animal or the event log in the system, it is possible to indicate abnormal behaviour of e.g. cattle.
Acceleration determination can be performed in three different directions and such that horizontal as well as vertical accelerations are determined. By using a very small integrated accelerometer, it is possible in quite a simple manner to detect acceleration or at the same time by another integrated circuit to detect angular movement of the animal. Both components are available as integrated circuits which can easily be placed on the same printed circuit board. By analysing acceleration as well as angular movement of the animal, more data can be stored in the memory and further analyse can be performed. The system can be used for tracking leaps. By using an accelerometer, it is possible to detect all kinds of leap of the animal. Leap-activity can be an indication that could be very useful for a farmer.
The system can transmit and receive pulses at different time intervals. It is possible by means of this invention to transmit data very fast if necessary but in a situation where an animal has normal behaviour there is no reason for transmitting data several times per minutes. Instead data can be transmitted maybe one or two times per day but if an animal is under observation because the system has indicated abnormal behaviour, it is possible to transmit data very often.
The system can comprise calving detectors, which calving detectors communicate with the local processor. The system can also transmit calving alarms and in a situation where calving detectors are used, it is probably necessary to transmit the data very of- ten in order to supply the farmer with the calving alarm information as soon as possible.
The object of the invention can be fulfilled by a method as described in the preamble to claim 13 if detectors carried by the animal by letting the animal carry a first processor, and let the animals carry detector means, perform communication between detector means and the first processor, the first processor further performs communication with a central processor, e: perform detection of acceleration, perform detection of angular movement, the first processor perform an analysis of the measured acceleration and measured angular moment for calculation of inertia, analyze calculated inertia for detecting normal or un normal behaviour of animals, perform communication by short- range radio communication for transmitting data from the first processors carried by the animal to the central processor.
By measuring acceleration and angular movement of the animal and placing the data in an event log in a computer system carried by the animal this computer system will always comprise indication of the behaviour of the animal some hours backwards. If a farmer wishes further information about an animal, he can look at the event log in the central computer system where information is stored probably of the whole life of the animal. The new events can be transmitted to the central computer system if the farmer wishes to. Otherwise, data are transmitted with some intervals. These intervals can be changed if abnormal situations occur.
Description of the Drawing
Figure 1 shows a system for detecting the behaviour of animals.
Detailed Description of the Invention Figure 1 shows a system for detecting the behaviour of animals. Figure 1 shows a possible example of a stable or a field where a number of animals, e.g. cows are held. Position number 4 indicates a tag that has to be carried by each animal. This tag 4 comprises a mesh compatible network communication unit 1 and an accelerometer 2and a gyroscope for measuring three-dimensional acceleration and angular mivement and ultra wideband radio transmitter receiver 3.
Furthermore, at figure 1 ultra wideband receiver/transmitters 5, 6, 7 and 8 are shown. These ultra wideband receiver/transmitters 5, 6, 7 and 8 are here indicated in the corners of the stable or field. Figure 1 further shows a mesh compatible access point 9 which access point 9 is communication with a local processor 10. This processor is further connected to a local storage 11 for storing received data. The processor 10 is further connected by a net 12 to a back end processor 13 for calculating the behaviour of the animals. This back end processor 13 is further communicating to back end storage 14 of behaviour and all calculations that are performed. Further, at the figure 1 is indicated mesh routers 15, 16 and 17.
In operation, a high number of tags 4 are placed on the animals e.g. in a stable. Each of these animals will then carry an accelerometer 2 and a gyroscope that detects the movement of the animal and there will be two different communication systems in the tag so that e.g. the behaviour of the animal can be transmitted by a mesh compatible network 1 which e.g. could be a ZigBee network. Furthermore, the tag 4 comprises the ultra wideband receiver transmitter 3 which communicates with the ultra wideband receiver/transmitters 5, 6, 7 and 8 which ultra wideband receiver/transmitters are used for position detection of the animals. This detection of the position could be performed for one animal at a time because at first a signal comprising a code transmitted to each of the ultra wideband receiver transmitters 3 and afterwards the ultra wideband re- ceiver transmitter 3 will transmit a short- coded message which is detected at the ultra wideband receiver/transmitters 5, 6, 7 and 8. By measuring the receiving time or maybe a phase difference between the signals, it is possible to indicate the position of the tag 4 very accurately. This process can then be repeated for all animals in a stable or in a field. Because the signals transmitted are very short, the position of each animal can be detected perhaps every minute even in a stable or in a field where hundreds of animals are held.
Further information is achieved by the accelerometer 2 and the gyroscope and with further detectors placed in relation to the tag 4. These detectors could be e.g. pulse or temperature detectors. Also a calving alarm could be connected so that the data transmitted by the mesh compatible network 1 comprises a lot of different information. This information could in the beginning be stored just in the tag 4 which could comprise a memory. Data from that memory could be transmitted after time intervals or by request from the system over the mesh compatible network 1 which maybe is able to communi- cate with one of the mesh routers 15, 16 or 17 or directly to the mesh compatible access point 9. In some situations, the mesh compatible network will communicate with the next tag 4 at another animal and from here further to another tag 4 until the data package is received at one of the mesh routers 15 to 17 or at the mesh compatible access point 9. All the transmitted data are then sent to the local processor 10 for storing at the local data storage 11. The received data are then further transmitted over the network 12 to the processor 13 which is a back end processor for calculation of animal behaviour. By analysing the back end processor 13, it is possible to indicate deceases by comparing an actual pattern with patterns of other animals stored in the back end storage 13. In this way, the abnormal behaviour of an animal can be indicated days before other medical indicators can be found. On the basis of critical behaviour of an animal, the farmer starts further observation of the animal in question, e.g. the mesh compatible network 1 at the tag 4 carried by the animal, can be coded to transmit data more often then usual. Then the farmer also knows by his routine of inspection in a stable or in a field that there are some animals which he has to observe very carefully because their behaviour have been critical up to the analysing time.
It is possible, e.g. in a stable, that one or more video cameras are placed e.g. at the ceiling to direct one or more cameras towards one selected animal and because of the position detection of the animals, it is possible to follow exactly that animal. In this way, it is possible to save a video sequence of an animal having an abnormal behaviour.

Claims

1. System for detecting the behaviour of a number of animals, such as cattle, where each animal carries at least a number of detectors, which detectors are communicating with at least a first processor carried by the animal, which first processor further communicates with a second central processor, characterized in that the animal carries at least an accelerometer and a gyroscope for detecting movement of the animal, which first processor process data related to measurement of acceleration and angular movement, whereby the processor calculates inertia of an animal, which system comprises at least a short-range radio communication system for transmitting data from the first processor to the second central processor.
2. System for detecting the behaviour of a number of animals according to claim 1, characterized in that the animal further carries an electronic compass, which elec- tronic compass is connected to the first processor, which processor combines the measurement acceleration and angular movement with the direction measured by the electronic compass.
3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the short-range radio com- munications system is communicating according to communication protocol, which communication protocol is operating in relation to a standard known as ZigBee.
4. System according to one of the claims 1-3, characterized in that the short-range radio communications system is communicating in the ultra wideband frequency spec- trum, which communication is performed in a protocol for coding the data that has to be transmitted.
5. System according to one of the claims 1-4, characterized in that the system comprises at least temperature and/or pulse measurements, where the measured values are transmitted to the first processor, which first processors store measured values in a storage medium.
6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that the data are stored in a first event log, which event log is part of the storage related to the first processor.
7. System according to claim 6, characterized in that the data are stored in the first event log are transmitted towards the second central processor by short-range radio communication, in which second central processor a second event log for each animal is updated.
8. System according to claim 7, characterised in that the system is used for tracking abnormal behaviour of cattle.
9. System according to claim 8, characterised in that acceleration determination is performed in three different directions and such that horizontal as well as height accelerations are determined.
10. System according to claim 9, characterised in that the system is used for tracking leaps.
11. System according to claim 10, characterised in that the system transmits and re- ceives pulses at different time intervals.
12. System according to claim 10, characterised in that the system comprises calving detectors, which calving detectors communicate with the local processor.
13. Method for indicating normal or abnormal behaviour of animals, such as cattle, which method is performed in at least the following steps:
a: let the animal carry a first processor, and
b: let the animals carry detector means,
c: perform communication between detector means and the first processor, d: the first processor further performs communication with a central processor,
characterized in the following steps:
e: perform detection of acceleration,
f: perform detection of angular movement,
g: the first processor perform an analysis of the measured acceleration and measured angular moment for calculation of inertia,
h: analyze calculated inertia for detecting normal or un normal behaviour of animals,
i: perform communication by short-range radio communication for transmitting data from the first processors carried by the animal to the central processor.
PCT/DK2010/050065 2009-03-25 2010-03-24 System and method for detecting behaviour of animals WO2010108496A1 (en)

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