IL307404A - A system and method for managing power consumption during a location determination process of a plurality of animals - Google Patents

Description

A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING POWER CONSUMPTION DURING A LOCATION DETERMINATION PROCESS OF A PLURALITY OF ANIMALS TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to systems and methods for tracking, moving, monitoring, and/or geolocating a plurality of animals.

BACKGROUND Animal location determination is a process by which farmers and ranchers can remotely monitor the movement of their animals as they travel throughout their living area or habitat. In addition, animal location determination can enable biologists, scientific researchers, or conservation agencies to remotely observe relatively fine-scale movement or migratory patterns in free-ranging wild animals. Nowadays, there are several technologies for carrying out animal location determination (e.g., use of drones equipped with designated cameras, laser lights, GPS tracking, etc., use of radio location determination technology (for example, Very High Frequency (VHF) radio telemetry), and the like), but the most prominent technology involves the use of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) tracking devices (e.g., GPS-equipped tags) coupled to the animals being monitored. Despite their widespread use, GNSS tracking systems involving the use of GNSS-equipped tags have potential drawbacks. For example, GNSS operation can be a power-consuming process, especially in the context of generally power-limited GNSS-equipped tags coupled to animals. Thus, there is a need in the art for new systems and methods for managing power consumption during a location determination process of a plurality of animals.

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONIn accordance with a first aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a system for location determination of a plurality of animals, each of which being associated with a respective GNSS-equipped tag containing (i) a GNSS receiver, and (ii) a power source, enabling said tag to transition between a first mode of operation, at which said GNSS receiver is configured to utilize said power source so as to obtain GNSS readings, and a second mode of operation, at which said GNSS receiver is configured not to utilize said power source, and as such, not to obtain GNSS readings, the system comprising a processing circuitry configured to: select a subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, associated with a subset of the plurality of animals, to operate in said first mode of operation, wherein (i) each given GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags is determined to operate in said first mode of operation upon a set of characteristics associated with its respective animal meeting a set of predefined characteristics, (ii) at least one of said set of characteristics is associated with a current location of said respective animal, and (iii) the remaining GNSS-equipped respective tags, associated with the remaining animals of said plurality of animals, are operative in said second mode of operation; determine the location of each given respective GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, and its associated animal, according to one or more GNSS readings obtained during said given respective GNSS-equipped tag's operation; and, based on the locations of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, determine the at least approximate location of each of said remaining respective GNSS-equipped tags, and its associated animal. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, the subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags includes at least three tags. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, the at least approximate location of each of said remaining respective GNSS-equipped tags is determined using triangulation, based on the locations of at least three animals of said subset. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, the step of selecting said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags to operate in said first mode of operation is a dynamic step performed at different time points. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, (i) at a first time point of said different time points, said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags includes a first group of tags, and (ii) at a second time point of said different time points, said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags includes a second group of tags, within which at least one respective GNSS-equipped tag is not included in said first group of tags.

In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, upon the at least approximate location of at least one respective GNSS-equipped tag of said remaining respective GNSS-equipped tags being undeterminable based on the locations of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, the at least one respective GNSS-equipped tag is configured to transition to be operative in said first mode of operation, so as to determine its at least approximate location. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, each given GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags is synchronized with one or more of the remaining GNSS-equipped tags of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, one or more of the remaining GNSS-equipped tags associated with said remaining animals of said plurality of animals, or both. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, the synchronization is achieved by coinciding one or more reception time windows of each given respective GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, at which with said given respective GNSS-equipped tag is configured to receive data, with one or more transmission time windows of either said remaining GNSS-equipped tags of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, said remaining GNSS-equipped tags associated with said remaining animals of said plurality of animals, or both, at which said respective GNSS-equipped tags are configured to transmit data. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, the synchronization is performed by: transmitting, by the given respective GNSS-equipped tag, one or more signals, along a specific time period, wherein at least some of the one or more signals include synchronization information enabling determination of at least one reception time window, during which the given respective GNSS-equipped tag is configured to receive data; receiving, by either the remaining GNSS-equipped tags of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, the remaining GNSS-equipped tags associated with said remaining animals of said plurality of animals, or both, at least one of the signals of the at least some signals transmitted by the given respective GNSS-equipped tag; and, based on the received synchronization information received by each of either the remaining GNSS-equipped tags of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, the remaining GNSS-equipped tags associated with said remaining animals of said plurality of animals, or both, updating an operation scheme of each given remaining GNSS-equipped tag, wherein (i) the operation scheme defines transmission time windows during which the given remaining GNSS-equipped tag is configured to transmit data, and (ii) the transmission time windows at least partially overlap with the at least one reception time window. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, the sampling rate of each given GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, selected to operate in said first mode of operation, is determined according to its movement pattern, or its associated animal's movement pattern. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, (i) said set of characteristics associated with said respective animal includes battery-related data associated with the battery usage of said given GNSS-equipped tag, and (ii) the selection of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags is influenced by said battery-related data, such that said system is striving to level the GNSS-equipped tags' battery usage. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, the set of characteristics associated with said respective animal includes behavioral data associated with behaviors exhibited by said respective animal. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, the mode of operation of a given GNSS-equipped tag is determined according to statistical data associated with the operation of one or more other GNSS-equipped devices. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, the statistical data is acquired either periodically or continuously. In accordance with a second aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a method for location determination of a plurality of animals, each of which being associated with a respective GNSS-equipped tag containing (i) a GNSS receiver, and (ii) a power source, enabling said tag to transition between a first mode of operation, at which said GNSS receiver is configured to utilize said power source so as to obtain GNSS readings, and a second mode of operation, at which said GPS receiver is configured not to utilize said power source, and as such, not to obtain GNSS readings, the method comprising: selecting a subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, associated with a subset of the plurality of animals, to operate in said first mode of operation, wherein (i) each given GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags is determined to operate in said first mode of operation upon a set of characteristics associated with its respective animal meeting a set of predefined characteristics, (ii) at least one of said set of characteristics is associated with a current location of said respective animal, and (iii) the remaining GNSS-equipped respective tags, associated with the remaining animals of said plurality of animals, are operative in said second mode of operation; determining the location of each given respective GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, and its associated animal, according to one or more GNSS readings obtained during said given respective GNSS-equipped tag's operation; and, based on the locations of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, determining the at least approximate location of each of said remaining respective GNSS-equipped tags, and its associated animal. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, the subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags includes at least three tags. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, the at least approximate location of each of said remaining respective GNSS-equipped tags is determined using triangulation, based on the locations of at least three animals of said subset. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, the step of selecting said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags to operate in said first mode of operation is a dynamic step performed at different time points. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, (i) at a first time point of said different time points, said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags includes a first group of tags, and (ii) at a second time point of said different time points, said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags includes a second group of tags, within which at least one respective GNSS-equipped tag is not included in said first group of tags. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, upon the at least approximate location of at least one respective GNSS-equipped tag of said remaining respective GNSS-equipped tags being undeterminable based on the locations of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, the at least one respective GNSS-equipped tag is configured to transition to be operative in said first mode of operation, so as to determine its at least approximate location. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, each given GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags is synchronized with one or more of the remaining GNSS-equipped tags of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, one or more of the remaining GNSS-equipped tags associated with said remaining animals of said plurality of animals, or both. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, the synchronization is achieved by coinciding one or more reception time windows of each given respective GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, at which with said given respective GNSS-equipped tag is configured to receive data, with one or more transmission time windows of either said remaining GNSS-equipped tags of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, said remaining GNSS-equipped tags associated with said remaining animals of said plurality of animals, or both, at which said respective GNSS-equipped tags are configured to transmit data. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, the synchronization is performed by: transmitting, by the given respective GNSS-equipped tag, one or more signals, along a specific time period, wherein at least some of the one or more signals include synchronization information enabling determination of at least one reception time window, during which the given respective GNSS-equipped tag is configured to receive data; receiving, by either the remaining GNSS-equipped tags of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, the remaining GNSS-equipped tags associated with said remaining animals of said plurality of animals, or both, at least one of the signals of the at least some signals transmitted by the given respective GNSS- equipped tag; and, based on the received synchronization information received by each of either the remaining GNSS-equipped tags of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, the remaining GNSS-equipped tags associated with said remaining animals of said plurality of animals, or both, updating an operation scheme of each given remaining GNSS-equipped tag, wherein (i) the operation scheme defines transmission time windows during which the given remaining GNSS-equipped tag is configured to transmit data, and (ii) the transmission time windows at least partially overlap with the at least one reception time window. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, the sampling rate of each given GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, selected to operate in said first mode of operation, is determined according to its movement pattern, or its associated animal's movement pattern.

In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, (i) said set of characteristics associated with said respective animal includes battery-related data associated with the battery usage of said given GNSS-equipped tag, and (ii) the selection of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags is influenced by said battery-related data, so as to level the GNSS-equipped tags' battery usage. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, the set of characteristics associated with said respective animal includes behavioral data associated with behaviors exhibited by said respective animal. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, the mode of operation of a given GNSS-equipped tag is determined according to statistical data associated with the operation of one or more other GNSS-equipped devices. In one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter and/or embodiments thereof, the statistical data is acquired either periodically or continuously. In accordance with a second aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code, executable by at least one processor to perform method for location determination of a plurality of animals, each of which being associated with a respective GNSS-equipped tag containing (i) a GNSS receiver, and (ii) a power source, enabling said tag to transition between a first mode of operation, at which said GNSS receiver is configured to utilize said power source so as to obtain GNSS readings, and a second mode of operation, at which said GNSS receiver is configured not to utilize said power source, and as such, not to obtain GNSS readings, the method comprising: selecting a subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, associated with a subset of the plurality of animals, to operate in said first mode of operation, wherein (i) each given GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags is determined to operate in said first mode of operation upon a set of characteristics associated with its respective animal meeting a set of predefined characteristics, (ii) at least one of said set of characteristics is associated with a current location of said respective animal, and (iii) the remaining GNSS-equipped respective tags, associated with the remaining animals of said plurality of animals, are operative in said second mode of operation; determining the location of each given respective GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, and its associated animal, according to one or more GNSS readings obtained during said given respective GNSS-equipped tag's operation; and, based on the locations of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, determining the at least approximate location of each of said remaining respective GNSS-equipped tags, and its associated animal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSIn order to understand the presently disclosed subject matter and to see how it may be carried out in practice, the subject matter will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of an environment in which the system for managing power consumption during a location determination process of a plurality of animals operates, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter; Fig. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating one example of a system for managing power consumption during a location determination process of a plurality of animals, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter; and, Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a sequence of operations carried out by a system for managing power consumption during a location determination process of a plurality of animals, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONIn the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the presently disclosed subject matter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the presently disclosed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the presently disclosed subject matter. In the drawings and descriptions set forth, identical reference numerals indicate those components that are common to different embodiments or configurations. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as "selecting", "determining", "transmitting", "receiving", "updating", or the like, include action and/or processes of a computer that manipulate and/or transform data into other data, said data represented as physical quantities, e.g., such as electronic quantities, and/or said data representing the physical objects. The terms "computer", "processor", "processing resource", "processing circuitry", and "controller" should be expansively construed to cover any kind of electronic device with data processing capabilities, including, by way of non-limiting example, a personal desktop/laptop computer, a server, a computing system, a communication device, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a smart television, a processor (e.g. digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.), a group of multiple physical machines sharing performance of various tasks, virtual servers co-residing on a single physical machine, any other electronic computing device, and/or any combination thereof. The operations in accordance with the teachings herein may be performed by a computer specially constructed for the desired purposes or by a general-purpose computer specially configured for the desired purpose by a computer program stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The term "non-transitory" is used herein to exclude transitory, propagating signals, but to otherwise include any volatile or non- volatile computer memory technology suitable to the application. As used herein, the phrase "for example," "such as", "for instance" and variants thereof describe non-limiting embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. Reference in the specification to "one case", "some cases", "other cases" or variants thereof means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment(s) is included in at least one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter. Thus, the appearance of the phrase "one case", "some cases", "other cases" or variants thereof does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s). It is appreciated that, unless specifically stated otherwise, certain features of the presently disclosed subject matter, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the presently disclosed subject matter, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. In embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter, fewer, more and/or different stages than those shown in Fig. 3 may be executed. In embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter one or more stages illustrated in Fig. 3 may be executed in a different order and/or one or more groups of stages may be executed simultaneously.

Fig. 2illustrates a general schematic of the system architecture in accordance with an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter. Each module in Fig. 2can be made up of any combination of software, hardware and/or firmware that performs the functions as defined and explained herein. The modules in Fig. 2may be centralized in one location or dispersed over more than one location. In other embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter, the system may comprise fewer, more, and/or different modules than those shown in Fig. 2 . Any reference in the specification to a method should be applied mutatis mutandis to a system capable of executing the method and should be applied mutatis mutandis to a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores instructions that once executed by a computer result in the execution of the method. Any reference in the specification to a system should be applied mutatis mutandis to a method that may be executed by the system and should be applied mutatis mutandis to a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores instructions that may be executed by the system. Any reference in the specification to a non-transitory computer readable medium should be applied mutatis mutandis to a system capable of executing the instructions stored in the non-transitory computer readable medium and should be applied mutatis mutandis to method that may be executed by a computer that reads the instructions stored in the non-transitory computer readable medium. Bearing this in mind, attention is drawn to Fig. 1 , showing a schematic illustration of an environment in which the system for managing power consumption during a location determination process (e.g., a geolocating process, a tracking process, a movement process, a monitoring process, etc.) of a plurality of animals (also interchangeably referred to herein as "system") operates, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter. As shown in the schematic illustration, environment 100 includes an area 1containing an animal population 104 composed of a plurality of animals, denoted 106. The plurality of animals, which may be, for example, domesticated animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, chickens, etc., wild animals such as deer, bison, etc., or a combination thereof, may be dispersed throughout the area 102, such that subgroups consisting of at least one animal may be established. In one example, area 102 may be a controlled environment, e.g., a controlled pen, a controlled barn, and the like. In another example, area 102 may be an uncontrolled environment, e.g., a meadow, a field, and the like. In yet another example, area 102 may include both controlled and uncontrolled areas. The plurality of animals, or at least one individual thereof, may each be associated with a GNSS-equipped device (for example, a GPS-equipped tag (e.g., a monitoring or identification tag), a GPS-equipped collar, a GPS-equipped internal implant, etc.), denoted 108. The GNSS-equipped device 108, which may support any available satellite-based radio navigation system (e.g., GPS (US), GLONASS (Russia), BeiDou (China), QZSS (Japan), Galileo (European Union), etc.) or any available support satellite systems (such as Satellite-based augmentation systems(SBAS), etc.), may be coupled to different body parts of the plurality of animals (e.g., the ear(s), the tail, the leg(s), the neck, etc.) and may contain (i) a GNSS receiver 110, and (ii) a power source 112. During its operation, GNSS-equipped device 108 may transition between several operation modes. Each given operation mode may be associated with a respective power consumption level, such that while performing said given operation mode, power source 112, storing the full power of said GNSS-equipped device, may be utilized to provide the necessary power. In one example, the GNSS-equipped device 108 may operate such that it may transition between a first mode of operation, at which its GNSS receiver 110 is configured to utilize power source 112 so as to obtain GNSS readings, and a second mode of operation, at which its GNSS receiver 110 is configured not to utilize power source 112, and as such, not to obtain GNSS readings. In some cases, while operating in said first mode of operation, the GNSS-equipped device's 108 power consumption level may be adjusted by altering its GNSS receiver's 110 sampling rate, optionally according to said device's movement pattern. For example, assuming said device 108 is relatively stationary, as it is being coupled to an animal tending to move slightly, if at all, the sampling rate of said device's 108 GNSS receiver 110 may involve GNSS sampling at longer intervals, thus involving less power consumption. Alternatively, assuming said device 108 is constantly moving, as it is being coupled to an animal tending to be relatively active, the sampling rate of said device's 1GNSS receiver 110 may involve GNSS sampling at shorter intervals, thus involving more power consumption. It should be of note that the example above, relating to transitioning between two operation modes, serves as a mere example, and transition between more than two operation modes, for example, based on movement of said animal within its surrounding, may also be feasible. Further to the above, each GNSS-equipped device 108 may follow a respective operation scheme composed of one or more transmission time windows and one or more reception time windows. Each GNSS-equipped device 108 may utilize its transmission and reception time windows to interact with other GNSS-equipped devices through the transmission and reception of signals (e.g., beacon signals, and the like), enabling the transmission of information (e.g., proximity-related information, behavior-related information, identification information, and the like) between said devices. For example, a first GNSS-equipped device may operate according to an operation scheme composed of three transmission time windows and three reception time windows, arranged alternately. In contrast, a second GNSS-equipped device, directed to interact with said first GNSS-equipped device, may operate according to an operation scheme composed of two reception time windows and two transmission time windows, arranged alternately. Interaction between both GNSS-equipped devices can be achieved through the transmission and/or reception of signals within each device's transmission and/or reception time windows. In some cases, alternatively or additionally to the above, the transmission of information may be to other systems, external to said devices (for example, a control system, a farm management software, user phone(s), cloud database(s),and the like). In some cases, for a pair of GNSS-equipped devices to interact, at least one GNSS-equipped device of said devices must be within a broadcasting range of its pairing partner. In other cases, alternatively or additionally to the above, for a pair of GNSS-equipped devices to interact, at least one transmission time window of a first GNSS-equipped device must be synchronized with at least one reception time window of a second GNSS- equipped device, as further explained hereinafter in relation to Fig. 3. By way of a non-limiting example (presented merely for purposes of better understanding the disclosed subject matter and not in any way intended to limit its scope), a cattle herd 104 of ten cows 106 is dispersed throughout a meadow 102. Each of the ten cows 106 has a GPS-equipped tag 108 coupled to its right ear, capable of transitioning between a first mode of operation, at which its GPS receiver 110 is configured to utilize its power source 112 so as to obtain GPS readings, and a second mode of operation, at which its GPS receiver 110 is configured not to utilize its power source 112, and as such, not to obtain GPS readings. Attention is now drawn to the components of the system for location determination a plurality of animals 200. Fig. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating one example of the system for managing power consumption during a location determination process of a plurality of animals 200, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter. In accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter, the system for managing power consumption during a location determination process of a plurality of animals 200 (also interchangeably referred to herein as "system 200") can comprise a network interface 206. The network interface 206 (e.g., a network card, a Wi-Fi client, a Li-Fi client, 3G/4G client, or any other communication component) enables system 2to communicate over a network with external systems and handles inbound and outbound communications from such systems. For example, system 200 can receive a set of predefined characteristics configured to be compared to one or more sets of characteristics, associated with one or more respective animals, through network interface 206. System 200 can further comprise or be otherwise associated with a data repository 204 (e.g., a database, a storage system, a memory including Read Only Memory – ROM, Random Access Memory – RAM, or any other type of memory, etc.) configured to store data. Some examples of data that can be stored in the data repository 204 include: • One or more operation schemes associated with one or more GNSS-equipped devices; • One or more transmission and/or reception time windows of one or more GNSS-equipped devices; • One or more operation modes of one or more GNSS-equipped devices; • One or more subsets of GNSS-equipped devices; • One or more set of predefined characteristics; • One or more set of characteristics associated with one or more respective animals; • One or more GNSS readings obtained during one or more GNSS-equipped devices' operation; • One or more determined locations of one or more GNSS-equipped devices; etc. Data repository 204 can be further configured to enable retrieval and/or update and/or deletion of the stored data. It is to be noted that in some cases, data repository 2can be distributed, while system 200 has access to the information stored thereon, e.g., via a wired or wireless network to which system 200 is able to connect (utilizing its network interface 206). System 200 further comprises processing circuitry 202. Processing circuitry 2can be one or more processing units (e.g., central processing units), microprocessors, microcontrollers (e.g., microcontroller units (MCUs)) or any other computing devices or modules, including multiple and/or parallel and/or distributed processing units, which are adapted to independently or cooperatively process data for controlling relevant system 200 resources and for enabling operations related to system's 200 resources. The processing circuitry 202 may include a location determination module 208, configured to perform a location determination process, as further detailed herein, inter alia, with reference to Figs. 3. It should be noted that system 200 may be part of each GNSS-equipped device of a plurality of GNSS-equipped devices, such that each GNSS-equipped device may operate independently, in terms of deciding on its mode of operation, while optionally accounting for the modes of operation of one or more independently operated GNSS- equipped devices of said plurality of GNSS-equipped devices, as well as its own movement and battery condition. Turning to Fig. 3 , there is shown a flowchart illustrating one example of a sequence of operations carried out by the system for managing power consumption during a location determination process of a plurality of animals 200, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter. Accordingly, the system for managing power consumption during a location determination process of a plurality of animals 200 can be configured to perform a location determination process 300, e.g., using the location determination module 208. For this purpose, the system for managing power consumption during a location determination process of a plurality of animals 200 selects a subset of respective GNSS-equipped devices (optionally three or more), associated with a subset of a plurality of animals, to operate in a first mode of operation. In addition, system 200 determines the remaining GNSS-equipped respective devices, associated with the remaining animals of the plurality of animals, to operate in a second mode of operation ( block 302 ). By way of a non-limiting example, correlating with the example relating to Fig. 1, presented merely for purposes of better understanding the disclosed subject matter and not in any way intended to limit its scope, system 200 selects a subset of three GPS- equipped tags, associated with three cows of the ten cows dispersed throughout meadow 102, to operate in a first mode of operation. In addition, system 200 determines the remaining seven GPS-equipped respective tags, associated with the remaining seven cows of the ten cows, to operate in a second mode of operation. During the operation of each of the three GPS-equipped tags, the GPS receiver 110 of each tag is configured to utilize the tag's respective power source 112 so as to obtain GPS readings. In contrast, during the operation of each of the remaining seven GPS-equipped tags, the GPS receiver 110 of each tag is configured not to utilize the tag's respective power source 112, and as such, not to obtain GPS readings. In some cases, each given GNSS-equipped device of the subset of respective GNSS-equipped devices may be determined to operate in the first mode of operation upon a set of characteristics, associated with its respective animal, meeting a set of predefined characteristics. The set of predefined characteristics may include, for example, (i) one or more characteristics associated with behavioral data related to behaviors (e.g., activities, such as grazing, eating, ruminating, walking, resting, etc.) exhibited by the respective animal (potentially determined by a component of said device, such as an accelerometer, etc.), (ii) one or more characteristics associated with movements said GNSS-equipped devices is experiencing, which correlates with the respective animal's movement patterns (i.e., moving rapidly or slowly) (iii) one or more characteristics associated with the respective animal's current location, (iv) one or more characteristics associated with battery-related data related to the battery usage of the respective animal's GNSS-equipped device (e.g., so as to level or even out the GNS-equipped devices' battery usage), etc. In some cases, selecting the subset of respective GNSS-equipped devices to operate in said first mode of operation may be a dynamic step performed at different time points (e.g., arbitrary time points or deliberately selected time points, for example, by a user of system 200, for various reasons). In such cases, at a first time point of the different time points, the subset of respective GNSS-equipped devices may include a first group of devices. In contrast, at a second time point of the different time points (different from said first time point), the subset of respective GNSS-equipped devices may include a second group of devices, within which at least one respective GNSS-equipped tag is not included in the first group of devices. In some cases, each given GNSS-equipped device of the subset of respective GNSS-equipped devices may be synchronized with one or more of the remaining GNSS- equipped devices of the subset of respective GNSS-equipped devices. In other cases, alternatively or additionally to the above, each given GNSS-equipped device of the subset of respective GNSS-equipped devices may be synchronized with one or more of the remaining GNSS-equipped devices, associated with the remaining animals of the plurality of animals. In one example, said synchronization may be achieved by coinciding one or more reception time windows of each given GNSS-equipped device of the subset of respective GNSS-equipped devices with one or more transmission time windows of either the remaining GNSS-equipped devices of the subset of respective GNSS-equipped devices, the remaining GNSS-equipped devices of the remaining GNSS-equipped devices, associated with the remaining animals of the plurality of animals, or both. The one or more reception time windows may be time widows at which said given GNSS-equipped device is configured to receive data, whilst the one or more transmission time windows may be time windows at which said devices are configured to transmit data. In another example, said synchronization may be achieved by: (a) transmitting, by a given GNSS-equipped device of the subset of respective GNSS-equipped devices, one or more signals, along a specific time period (e.g., seconds, minutes, hours, etc.), such that at least some of said signals include synchronization information enabling determination of at least one reception time window; (b) receiving, by one or more of (i) the remaining GNSS-equipped devices of the subset of respective GNSS-equipped devices, (ii) the remaining GNSS-equipped devices of the remaining GNSS-equipped devices, associated with the remaining animals of the plurality of animals, or (iii) both, at least one of said at least some signals transmitted by the given respective GNSS-equipped device; and, (c) based on the synchronization information received by each of (i)-(iii), updating their operation scheme by defining transmission time windows, which at least partially overlap with the at least one reception time window of the given GNSS-equipped device.

It is to be of note that synchronizing the GNSS-equipped devices may be performed by other methods or means (e.g., using GNSS-based timing to effectively synchronize several GNSS-equipped devices, etc.) capable of yielding the same result. It is to be further noted the synchronization stage may be a continuous stage, occurring along system’s 200 operation (i.e., in parallel to the signals acquisition stage). In one example, the system may include continuous or near continuous synchronization. In another example, the system may include periodical synchronization occurring, for example, every time a remaining GNSS-equipped device receives a signal from a given GNSS-equipped device, at specific time periods (e.g., a few times an hour, etc.), and the like. It is to be further noted that the continuous occurrence of the synchronization stage may be due to a potential drift occurring between the internal clocks of the GNSS-equipped devices. In some cases, the frequency of the synchronization can be optimized to account for said potential drift between the internal clocks. Next, system 200 determines the location of each given respective GNSS- equipped device of the subset of respective GNSS-equipped devices, and its associated animal, according to one or more GNSS readings obtained during said given respective GNSS-equipped device's operation ( block 304 ). In accordance with our non-limiting example, system 200 determines the location of each given cow of the subset of three cows based on several GPS readings obtained by the GPS receiver 112 of its respective GPS-equipped tag 108, during said tag's operation. Once the locations of the subset of respective GNSS-equipped devices are determined, system 200 utilizes them to determine at least an approximate location of each of the remaining respective GNSS-equipped devices, and its associated animal ( block 306 ). In some cases, the at least approximate location of each of the remaining respective GNSS-equipped tags may be determined using triangulation, based on the locations of at least three animals of the subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags. In accordance with our non-limiting example, system 200 determines the approximate location of each of the remaining seven GPS-equipped respective tags, associated with the remaining seven cows of the ten cows, using triangulation, based on the locations of the respective GPS-equipped tags of the subset of three cows.

It is to be noted that other methods for determining the at least approximate location of an individual based on known locations of other individuals in its vicinity may also be applicable. In some cases, upon the at least approximate location of at least one respective GNSS-equipped device of the remaining respective GNSS-equipped devices being undeterminable based on the locations of the subset of respective GNSS-equipped devices, the at least one respective GNSS-equipped device may be configured to transition to be operative in said first mode of operation, so as to determine its location. For example, assuming a given animal is located in an isolated location, in which no animals are found within its vicinity or the animals within its vicinity are not close enough, the GNSS-equipped device of said given animal is configured to operate in said first mode of operation, and as such, to use its GNSS receiver 112 to obtain GNSS readings, on the basis of which its exact location is determined. In some cases, where system 200 may be part of each GNSS-equipped device of a plurality of GNSS-equipped devices, as indicated hereinbefore in relation to Fig. 2, a given GNSS-equipped device may obtain, either periodically or continuously, statistical data associated with the operation of one or more GNSS-equipped devices of the plurality of GNSS-equipped devices, and may determine its mode of operation according to said statistical data. For example, each given GNSS-equipped device may obtain statistical data relating to battery usage of one or more GNSS-equipped devices located within its surroundings and determine its mode of operation according to the battery status of said GNSS-equipped devices. In one example, a given GNSS-equipped device may operate in said first mode in cases where its battery usage is considered to be low. In another example, a given GNSS-equipped device may operate in said second mode in cases where its battery usage is considered to be high. It is to be noted, with reference to Fig. 3 , that some of the blocks can be integrated into a consolidated block or can be broken down to a few blocks and/or other blocks may be added. It is to be further noted that some of the blocks are optional. It should be also noted that whilst the flow diagram is described also with reference to the system elements that realizes them, this is by no means binding, and the blocks can be performed by elements other than those described herein. It is to be understood that the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited in its application to the details set forth in the description contained herein or illustrated in the drawings. The presently disclosed subject matter is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Hence, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present presently disclosed subject matter. It will also be understood that the system according to the presently disclosed subject matter can be implemented, at least partly, as a suitably programmed computer. Likewise, the presently disclosed subject matter contemplates a computer program being readable by a computer for executing the disclosed method. The presently disclosed subject matter further contemplates a machine-readable memory tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine for executing the disclosed method.

Claims (29)

1. - 20 -

2. CLAIMS:1. A system for location determination of a plurality of animals, each of which being associated with a respective GNSS-equipped tag containing (i) a GNSS receiver, and (ii) a power source, enabling said tag to transition between a first mode of operation, at which said GNSS receiver is configured to utilize said power source so as to obtain GNSS readings, and a second mode of operation, at which said GNSS receiver is configured not to utilize said power source, and as such, not to obtain GNSS readings, the system comprising a processing circuitry configured to: select a subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, associated with a subset of the plurality of animals, to operate in said first mode of operation, wherein (i) each given GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags is determined to operate in said first mode of operation upon a set of characteristics associated with its respective animal meeting a set of predefined characteristics, (ii) at least one of said set of characteristics is associated with a current location of said respective animal, and (iii) the remaining GNSS-equipped respective tags, associated with the remaining animals of said plurality of animals, are operative in said second mode of operation; determine the location of each given respective GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, and its associated animal, according to one or more GNSS readings obtained during said given respective GNSS-equipped tag's operation; and, based on the locations of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, determine the at least approximate location of each of said remaining respective GNSS-equipped tags, and its associated animal. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags includes at least three tags.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said at least approximate location of each of said remaining respective GNSS-equipped tags is determined using triangulation, based on the locations of at least three animals of said subset. - 21 -

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the step of selecting said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags to operate in said first mode of operation is a dynamic step performed at different time points.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein (i) at a first time point of said different time points, said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags includes a first group of tags, and (ii) at a second time point of said different time points, said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags includes a second group of tags, within which at least one respective GNSS-equipped tag is not included in said first group of tags.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein upon the at least approximate location of at least one respective GNSS-equipped tag of said remaining respective GNSS-equipped tags being undeterminable based on the locations of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, the at least one respective GNSS-equipped tag is configured to transition to be operative in said first mode of operation, so as to determine its at least approximate location.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein each given GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags is synchronized with one or more of the remaining GNSS-equipped tags of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, one or more of the remaining GNSS-equipped tags associated with said remaining animals of said plurality of animals, or both.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said synchronization is achieved by coinciding one or more reception time windows of each given respective GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, at which with said given respective GNSS-equipped tag is configured to receive data, with one or more transmission time windows of either said remaining GNSS-equipped tags of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, said remaining GNSS-equipped tags associated with said remaining animals of said plurality of - 22 - animals, or both, at which said respective GNSS-equipped tags are configured to transmit data.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said synchronization is performed by: transmitting, by the given respective GNSS-equipped tag, one or more signals, along a specific time period, wherein at least some of the one or more signals include synchronization information enabling determination of at least one reception time window, during which the given respective GNSS-equipped tag is configured to receive data; receiving, by either the remaining GNSS-equipped tags of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, the remaining GNSS-equipped tags associated with said remaining animals of said plurality of animals, or both, at least one of the signals of the at least some signals transmitted by the given respective GNSS-equipped tag; and, based on the received synchronization information received by each of either the remaining GNSS-equipped tags of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, the remaining GNSS-equipped tags associated with said remaining animals of said plurality of animals, or both, updating an operation scheme of each given remaining GNSS-equipped tag, wherein (i) the operation scheme defines transmission time windows during which the given remaining GNSS-equipped tag is configured to transmit data, and (ii) the transmission time windows at least partially overlap with the at least one reception time window.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the sampling rate of each given GNSS- equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, selected to operate in said first mode of operation, is determined according to its movement pattern, or its associated animal's movement pattern.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein (i) said set of characteristics associated with said respective animal includes battery-related data associated with the battery usage of said given GNSS-equipped tag, and (ii) the selection of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags is influenced by said battery-related data, - 23 - such that said system is striving to level the GNSS-equipped tags' battery usage.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said set of characteristics associated with said respective animal includes behavioral data associated with behaviors exhibited by said respective animal.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the mode of operation of a given GNSS-equipped tag is determined according to statistical data associated with the operation of one or more other GNSS-equipped devices.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said statistical data is acquired either periodically or continuously.

15. A method for location determination of a plurality of animals, each of which being associated with a respective GNSS-equipped tag containing (i) a GNSS receiver, and (ii) a power source, enabling said tag to transition between a first mode of operation, at which said GNSS receiver is configured to utilize said power source so as to obtain GNSS readings, and a second mode of operation, at which said GPS receiver is configured not to utilize said power source, and as such, not to obtain GNSS readings, the method comprising: selecting a subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, associated with a subset of the plurality of animals, to operate in said first mode of operation, wherein (i) each given GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags is determined to operate in said first mode of operation upon a set of characteristics associated with its respective animal meeting a set of predefined characteristics, (ii) at least one of said set of characteristics is associated with a current location of said respective animal, and (iii) the remaining GNSS-equipped respective tags, associated with the remaining animals of said plurality of animals, are operative in said second mode of operation; determining the location of each given respective GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, and its associated animal, - 24 - according to one or more GNSS readings obtained during said given respective GNSS-equipped tag's operation; and, based on the locations of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, determining the at least approximate location of each of said remaining respective GNSS-equipped tags, and its associated animal.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags includes at least three tags.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said at least approximate location of each of said remaining respective GNSS-equipped tags is determined using triangulation, based on the locations of at least three animals of said subset.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of selecting said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags to operate in said first mode of operation is a dynamic step performed at different time points.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein (i) at a first time point of said different time points, said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags includes a first group of tags, and (ii) at a second time point of said different time points, said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags includes a second group of tags, within which at least one respective GNSS-equipped tag is not included in said first group of tags.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein upon the at least approximate location of at least one respective GNSS-equipped tag of said remaining respective GNSS-equipped tags being undeterminable based on the locations of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, the at least one respective GNSS-equipped tag is configured to transition to be operative in said first mode of operation, so as to determine its at least approximate location.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein each given GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags is synchronized with one or more of - 25 - the remaining GNSS-equipped tags of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, one or more of the remaining GNSS-equipped tags associated with said remaining animals of said plurality of animals, or both.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said synchronization is achieved by coinciding one or more reception time windows of each given respective GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, at which with said given respective GNSS-equipped tag is configured to receive data, with one or more transmission time windows of either said remaining GNSS-equipped tags of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, said remaining GNSS-equipped tags associated with said remaining animals of said plurality of animals, or both, at which said respective GNSS-equipped tags are configured to transmit data.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein said synchronization is performed by: transmitting, by the given respective GNSS-equipped tag, one or more signals, along a specific time period, wherein at least some of the one or more signals include synchronization information enabling determination of at least one reception time window, during which the given respective GNSS-equipped tag is configured to receive data; receiving, by either the remaining GNSS-equipped tags of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, the remaining GNSS-equipped tags associated with said remaining animals of said plurality of animals, or both, at least one of the signals of the at least some signals transmitted by the given respective GNSS-equipped tag; and, based on the received synchronization information received by each of either the remaining GNSS-equipped tags of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, the remaining GNSS-equipped tags associated with said remaining animals of said plurality of animals, or both, updating an operation scheme of each given remaining GNSS-equipped tag, wherein (i) the operation scheme defines transmission time windows during which the given remaining GNSS-equipped tag is configured to transmit data, and (ii) the - 26 - transmission time windows at least partially overlap with the at least one reception time window.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the sampling rate of each given GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, selected to operate in said first mode of operation, is determined according to its movement pattern, or its associated animal's movement pattern.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein (i) said set of characteristics associated with said respective animal includes battery-related data associated with the battery usage of said given GNSS-equipped tag, and (ii) the selection of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags is influenced by said battery-related data, so as to level the GNSS-equipped tags' battery usage.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein said set of characteristics associated with said respective animal includes behavioral data associated with behaviors exhibited by said respective animal.

27. The method of claim 15, wherein the mode of operation of a given GNSS-equipped tag is determined according to statistical data associated with the operation of one or more other GNSS-equipped devices.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said statistical data is acquired either periodically or continuously.

29. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code, executable by at least one processor to perform method for location determination of a plurality of animals, each of which being associated with a respective GNSS-equipped tag containing (i) a GNSS receiver, and (ii) a power source, enabling said tag to transition between a first mode of operation, at which said GNSS receiver is configured to utilize said power source so as to obtain GNSS readings, and a second mode of operation, at which said - 27 - GNSS receiver is configured not to utilize said power source, and as such, not to obtain GNSS readings, the method comprising: selecting a subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, associated with a subset of the plurality of animals, to operate in said first mode of operation, wherein (i) each given GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS- equipped tags is determined to operate in said first mode of operation upon a set of characteristics associated with its respective animal meeting a set of predefined characteristics, (ii) at least one of said set of characteristics is associated with a current location of said respective animal, and (iii) the remaining GNSS-equipped respective tags, associated with the remaining animals of said plurality of animals, are operative in said second mode of operation; determining the location of each given respective GNSS-equipped tag of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, and its associated animal, according to one or more GNSS readings obtained during said given respective GNSS-equipped tag's operation; and, based on the locations of said subset of respective GNSS-equipped tags, determining the at least approximate location of each of said remaining respective GNSS-equipped tags, and its associated animal.