AU2021266302A1 - Gating system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A gating system for a livestock yard is disclosed. In an embodiment, the gating system comprises a gate, a receiver for receiving a gate control signal, and an actuator in signal communication with the receiver. The actuator may operate the gate to locate the gate in either a first position or a second position depending on the gate control signal. When located in the first position, the gate allows access to a first area of the yard and obstructs access to a second area of the yard and wherein when located in the second position, the gate allows access to the second area of the yard and obstructs access to a first area of the yard. 2/7 2 62 30 Figure 3

Description

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GATING SYSTEM AND METHOD ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION

[0001] This complete patent application is associated with Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2020904174 filed on 13 November 2020 the contents of which are to be taken as incorporated herein by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a gate system and method. In a typical embodiment, the gating system may be used when drafting livestock, such as cattle and sheep, between different areas of a livestock yard, such as different pens of a livestock sale yard.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Beasts of a mob of livestock, such as a mob of cattle, sheep and lamb, are often required to be drafted from one pen or holding yard to another pen or holding yard for various reasons, such as, in preparation for transport of a particular beast or beasts of the mob, or to divide the mob into multiple groups with at least some of the groups to be moved to a different respective pen. In some cases, beasts may need to be moved and grouped according to, for example, a transport destination, treatment, gender, age or temperament. Movement for transport may occur, for example, within a saleyard during a livestock sale.

[0004] Current techniques for drafting beasts from one pen or holding yard to another pen or holding yard involve a farmer or stockman identifying a beast or beast required to be moved, and then directing that beast to a particular gate or race connecting the respective pens and/or yards. In some cases, one or more gates must be manually closed or open in order to provide a passage which channels a beast to the required one pen or holding yard to another pen, often via a race.

[0005] Existing approaches for drafting beasts are inefficient and involve complicated processes. Using the above example, to move multiple groups of beasts from the mob to the different pens or holding yards, the farmer or stockman must first separately identify each beast of a first group of the mob which is to be moved to a first holding yard or pen and then steers those beasts to the appropriate gate or race. Once all the required beasts of the first group have been moved to the required first holding yard or pen, the farmer or stockman then configures the gates or race to allow a second group of beast of the mob to be moved to a second holding yard or pen and then proceeds to steer each beast of the second group to the appropriate gate or race.

[0006] A difficulty with the above technique is that, since the gates and/or race are set in advance of the movement of a group, the farmer or stockman must either identify each beast of a respective group in turn, or reconfigure the gates or chute depending on which holding yard or pen a beast is intended to be moved to. In either case, delays can be introduced into the drafting process.

[0007] It would be desirable to provide a gating system and method which allows for more efficient movement of beasts.

SUMMARY

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gating system for a livestock yard, the gating system comprising: a gate; a receiver for receiving a gate control signal; an actuator in signal communication with the receiver, the actuator for operating the gate so as to locate the gate in either a first position or a second position depending on the gate control signal; wherein when located in the first position, the gate allows access to a first area of the yard and obstructs access to a second area of the yard, and wherein when located in the second position, the gate allows access to the second area of the yard and obstructs access to a first area of the yard.

[0009] In certain embodiments, in either the first or second position, the respective obstruction forms at least a section of a race defining a path to the respective area to which access is allowed by the gate.

[0010] In certain embodiments, the gate is hingedly coupled to a support structure which mechanically supports the gate. The support structure may include a frame forming a first opening associated with the first area and a second opening associated with the second area. In such embodiments, the gate may be locatable, by the actuator, to allow a beast to pass through either the first opening or the second opening whilst obstructing passage of a beast through the second or first opening, depending on the gate control signal. In this way, the gate may simultaneously provide access to one opening, whilst obstructing access to the other opening.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the gating system further includes a signal communications means for communicating the gate control signal to the receiver. The signal communications means may communicate the gate control signal using a wired or wireless transmission.

[0012] In certain embodiments, the signal communications means includes a user device which is operable by a user to transmit the gate control signal to the receiver, and thus remotely operate and/or configure the gate. In such embodiments, the user device may provide a switch means having a first position and a second position, and wherein the first position and second position are selectable by the user to operate the user device to transmit a respective gate control signal to the receiver so as to operate the actuating means to locate the gate in the first position or second position respectively.

[0013] In other embodiments, the user device may provide a switch means which is operable to operate the actuating means so as to toggle the location of the gate between the first position and the second position.

[0014] The user device may use any suitable communications protocol to communicate the gate control signal to the receiver. Examples of suitable protocols include Bluetooth, ZigBee, IEEE 802.3 based wireless data communication protocols.

[0015] In certain embodiments, the user device is a mobile computing device, such as a mobile phone, tablet or laptop computer and the communications protocol involves a packet-switched communication network, such as a local area network (LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN) using an appropriate addressing scheme. In such embodiments, the receiver is configured to communicate with the packet-switched communication network to receive the gate control signal.

[0016] In still other embodiments, the system includes plural signal communications means in the form of host devices, such that each of the host devices is associated with, and carried by, a respective host, such as an animal. In such embodiments, each of the host devices may store an identifier for communication to the receiver when the host is located within a particular range of the receiver. In such embodiments, it may be possible to operate the actuating means to locate the gate in either a first position or a second position depending on the identifier. Any host device may be used. One example of a suitable host device is an RFID tag. Another example of a suitable example of a host device is a near field communication (NFC) based tag or device. Yet another example of a host device is a short range radio data communication device, such as a Bluetooth or ZigBee based device.

[0017] In certain embodiments of the disclosure, the system includes an image processing means for capturing and processing an image of an animal located within a detection zone proximal to the gate; performing an image recognition process to identity the animal; and generating a gate control signal to operate the gate to locate the gate in either a first position or the second position depending on an predetermined association between the recognised animal and a required gate location or other attribute.

[0018] An advantage of embodiments of the present disclosure is that they may improve the efficiency of drafting beasts from one pen or holding yard to another pen or holding yard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0020] Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a gating system according to an embodiment;

[0021] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a gate control system according to an embodiment in use;

[0022] Figure 4 is a system block diagram of a gating system according to an embodiment;

[0023] Figure 5 is a system block diagram of a gating system according to second embodiment;

[0024] Figure 6 is a system block diagram of a gating system according to a third embodiment;

[0025] Figures 7 and 8 show an example of a livestock yard including a gating system according to an embodiment; and

[0026] Figure 9 shows another example of a livestock yard layout including a gating system according to an embodiment.

[0027] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a gating system 2 for a livestock yard. As will be explained in more detail below, the gating system 2 may be used to assist with drafting livestock, such as cattle and sheep, between different areas of the livestock yard, such as different pens or holding yards, via user control remote operation of the gating system 2.

[0029] As shown, the system 2 includes a gate 4, a receiver 6 for receiving a gate control signal 8 (ref. Figure 3) and an actuator 10 in signal communication with the receiver 6. In the embodiment, the actuator 8 operates the gate 4 so as to locate the gate 4 in either a first position 12 (ref. Figure 1) or a second position 14 (ref. Figure 2), depending on the gate control signal 8.

[0030] In the present case, the gating system 2 includes a support structure 16 and the gate 4 is hingedly coupled to a support 16 using suitable hinge mechanisms 17. The support structure 16 shown here includes a frame providing a first opening 18 associated with a first area 22 (ref. Figure 3) of a yard and a second opening 20 associated with a second area 24 (ref. Figure 3) of the yard.

[0031] In such embodiments, the gate 4 is locatable, by the actuator 10, to allow a beast to pass through either the first opening 18 or the second opening 22 whilst obstructing passage of a beast through the second 22 or first opening 18, depending on the gate control signal 8. In this way, the gate 4 may simultaneously provide access to one opening, whilst obstructing access to the other opening. In an embodiment, the obstruction formed by the gate 4 forms at least a section of a race defining a path to the respective area to which access is allowed by the gate 4.

[0032] The actuator 10 may include a solenoid arrangement. For example, in certain embodiments the actuator 10 comprises a pair of 12V air solenoids and a pneumatic cylinder having a suitable range and load characteristics to operate the gate 4. One example of a suitable pneumatic cylinder is a pneumatic cylinder having a 20mm bore and 200m stroke. Another example of a suitable actuator 10 is an electric motor coupled with a suitable mechanism for applying an opening and/or closing force to the gate 4 using, for example, one or more gears, rods, chains or the like. It will be appreciated that other types of actuators 10 may be used.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, in embodiments, operation of the gating system 2 may involve a user 30, such as a farmer or stockman, operating a user device 32 including a transmitter 34 for communicating the gate control signal 8 to the receiver 6.

[0034] Figure 4 shows a block diagram for an embodiment of the gating system 2. In the illustrated embodiment the transmitter 34 is an RF transmitter which is operable to communicate a radio frequency (RF) gate control signal 8, and the receiver 6 includes RF receiver electronics 40 for receiving and decoding the RF gate control signal 8 and actuator control electronics 42 for interfacing with and controlling the actuator 10. A power supply 46, shown here as a 12V battery, provides power to the receiver 6 and the actuator 10.

[0035] User device 32 may include a user operated control or controls 36 which are selectable or operable by the user to cause the user device 32 to transmit the gate control signal 8 as a coded signal for reception by the receiver 6 so as to cause the actuator 10 to operate the gate 4 so as to locate the gate 4 in either the first position 12 or the second position 14, depending on the gate control signal 8.

[0036] Any suitable user operated control 36 or controls may be used. One example of suitable operator controls 36 includes a pair of momentary action push button switches each of which is associated with a respective gate position so that operation of the push button switch causes the gate 4 to be located in the respective associated position. Another example of a suitable operator control is a rotary switch which can be operated to select the first position or the second position. Other types of suitable user operated controls would be known to a skilled person.

[0037] Before continuing further, although the illustrated and described embodiment of the gating system 2 includes an RF receiver 6 and a user device 32 comprising a RF transmitter, it will be appreciated that other types of receivers and user devices may be used to communicate a suitable gate control signal 8. One example of another suitable gate control signal includes an optical signal, such as an infra-red signal.

[0038] With reference now to Figure 5, in certain embodiments the user device 32 may comprise a portable computing device 50, such as a mobile phone, tablet or laptop, operating a software application 52 which provides a graphical user interface (GUI) 54, which the user 30 can interact with to control the operation of the gate 4.

[0039] In such embodiments, the user device 32 and the receiver 6 may be configured to communicate via, for example, a packet switched network 56 (such as a packet switched local area network (LAN) wide area network (WAN)), or alternatively using a device-to device wireless interface communications protocol 58, or via another suitable communications protocol. Suitable wireless interface communications protocol may include a short range radio protocol (such as Bluetooth or Zigbee wireless interface), an IEEE802 wireless interface protocol, or an optical interface protocol.

[0040] As shown in Figure 6, in certain embodiments, the receiver 6 may receive the gate control signal 8 via a server 60 in data communications with the data communications network 56, such as a packet switched data communications network, responsive to identification information obtained from or for a particular beast 64.

[0041] For example, in certain embodiments the system includes a camera 62 for capturing an image of the beast 64 proximal to the gate 4 for processing by a processor (not shown) to identify the beast 64 using conventional image recognition techniques. In another embodiment, the system includes a tag reader, such as an RFID tag reader, for obtaining identification from a "host device", such as a tag, attached to the beast 64. In such embodiments, it is possible that the gating system 2 includes plural host devices, with each of the host devices associated with, and carried by, a respective beast. Each of the host devices may store an identifier for communication to the receiver 6 when the beast is located within a particular range of the receiver 6. In such embodiments, it may be possible to operate the actuating means 10 to locate the gate 4 in either the first position or the second position depending on the identifier.

[0042] Having identified the beast 64, the server 60 then communicates the gate control signal to the receiver 6 required to operate the gate 4 based on an obtained predetermined relationship between the identified beast 64 and the area to which the beast is required to be moved via the gate 4. The predetermined relationship may be obtained by indexing a database storing relationships between plural beast identifiers and information associated with a required gate control operation. The database may be stored on the server 6, user device 32, or another device which is accessible via the network 56.

[0043] To assist the reader with understanding the operation and use of embodiments of the disclosure, two example applications will now be described.

[0044] Example 1: Single Gate Control

[0045] A first example application of an embodiment of the disclosure will now be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

[0046] Turning initially to Figure 7 there is shown a mob 70 of cattle in a holding pen 72 together with a user 30 having a user device 32. Gate 4 is located between the holding pen 72 and holding pens 74 and 76. Vehicles VI, V2 are positioned in preparation to be loaded with particular cattle from the mob 70 for transport.

[0047] In the depicted example, the mob 70 is divided into groups by drafting cattle of the different groups into a respective one of the pens 74, 76 depending on which vehicle VI, V2 they are to be loaded onto for transport. In the present case, movement of the groups involves the user 30 visually identifying and guiding a selected beast to the gate 4, and positioning the gate 4, in either the first or the second position, so that the gate 4 forms at least a section of a race 78 defining a path to one of the pens 74, 76 to which access is allowed by the gate 4 whilst obstructing access to the other pen.

[0048] In the example shown in Figure 7, the gate 4 has been positioned so as to form at least a section of the race 78 defining a path for a first selected beast "C"to access holding pen 74. As shown, in this arrangement the gate 4 thus allows access to the pen 74 whilst obstructing access to pen 76. The gate 4 may be positioned by, for example, operation of user device 32, or as a default initial position.

[0049] With reference now to Figure 8, here a second beast C2 has been identified and guided to holding pen 76 with the gate 4 positioned to form at least a section of the race defining a path for allowing the selected beast "C2" to be directed into pen 76. In this example, the gate 4 has been positioned by operation of the user device 32 to remotely operate the gating system 2 to reposition the gate 4 from the position shown in Figure 7 to the position shown in Figure 8. When repositioned the gate 4 allows access to the pen 76 whilst obstructing access to pen 74.

[0050] The process of selecting a particular beast from the mob 70 and configuring the gate to directing the selected beast into its appropriate pen 74 or 76 then continues with the user 30 operating the user device 32 to remotely operate, and thus configure, the gate as required.

[0051] Example 2: Dual Gate Control

[0052] Turning now to Figure 9 there is shown a mob 70 of cattle in a holding pen 72 together with a user 30 having a user device 32. In this example, gates 4A and 4B are located between the holding pen 72 and holding pens 74, 76 and 78. Vehicles VI, V2, V3 are positioned in preparation to be loaded with particular cattle from the mob 70 for transport.

[0053] The example shown in Figure 9 is similar to that described above in relation to Figures 7 and 8 with the exception that multiple gates 4A, 4B are used. In this example, a user 30 may operate the user device 32 to select a require configuration of the gating system 2 comprising gates 4A, 4B.

[0054] In particular, in a first user selectable configuration, gate 4A is position to allow access to pen 74, but obstruct access to pens 76, 78. In a second user selectable configuration, gate 4A is selectably positioned to obstruct access to pen 74, and gate 4B is selectably positioned to allow access to pen 76, but obstruct access to pen 78 (as shown in Figure 9). In a third user selectable configuration, gate 4A is selectably positioned to obstruct access to pen 74, and gate 4B is selectably positioned to allow access to pen 78, but obstruct access to pen 76. In either of the second and third configurations, gate 4A forms at least a section of a race providing a path for directing cattle to the second gate 4B.

[0055] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0056] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0057] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

Claims (8)

1. A gating system for a livestock yard, the gating system comprising: a gate; a receiver for receiving a gate control signal; an actuator in signal communication with the receiver, the actuator for operating the gate so as to locate the gate in either a first position or a second position depending on the gate control signal; wherein when located in the first position, the gate allows access to a first area of the yard and obstructs access to a second area of the yard, and wherein when located in the second position, the gate allows access to the second area of the yard and obstructs access to a first area of the yard.

2. A gating system according to claim 1 wherein in either the first or second position, the respective obstruction forms at least a section of a race defining a path to the respective area to which access is allowed by the gate.

3. A gating system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the gate is hingedly coupled to a support structure which mechanically supports the gate, the support structure including a frame forming a first opening associated with the first area and a second opening associated with the second area.

4. A gating system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 further including at least one signal communications means for communicating the gate control signal to the receiver.

5. A gating system according to claim 4 wherein the at least one signal communications means includes a user device which is operable by a user to transmit the gate control signal to the receiver to remotely operate and/or configure the gate.

6. A gating system according to claim 4 wherein the least one signal communications means includes plural signal communications means for transmitting a respective gate control signal to the receiver, wherein each of the plural signal communications is associated with and carried by a respective host animal, and wherein each of the plural signal communications means stores an identifier for communication to the receiver when the host animal is located within a communication range of the receiver, said identifier for processing by the receiver to operate the actuating means to locate the gate in either a first position or a second position depending on the identifier.

7. A gating system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 further including an image processing means for: capturing and processing an image of an animal located within a detection zone proximal to the gate; performing an image recognition process to identity the animal; and generating the gate control signal to operate the gate to locate the gate in either the first position or the second position depending on an predetermined association between the recognised animal and a required gate location or other attribute.

8. A livestock race including a gating system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.