SK289096B6 - System and method for monitoring and directing the movement of livestock - Google Patents

Abstract

The system for remote monitoring and directing the movement of livestock comprises at least one collar (A) for attachment to the neck of the animal, which contains an electronic identifier (1) for identifying the animal and is connected to a control module (2) which is connected to the transmitter/receiver module (3), to the vibration module (4), the sound module (5), the light module (6), the electrostatic and power supply module (7) connected to the accumulator (8); the control module (2) is connected to the sensors (10) for monitoring the animal via a connected bluetooth module (11) and the control module (2) is remotely electronically connected via a transmitter/receiver module (3) to an externally located control unit (9) for control of the control module (2) in the operating mode or the control module (2) is connected via a transmitter/receiver module (3) to a mobile transmitter (13), the control unit (9) being electronically connected to one or more external terminals (14) . The method for remotely monitoring and directing the movement of livestock uses the present device.

Description

The technical solution relates to a system and method for remote monitoring and guiding the movement of animals, especially farm animals.

Current state of the art

Currently, the problem of monitoring and guiding the movement of farm animals is solved mostly with the help of human labor, i.e. non-automated.

For example the method of calling cows in the robotic milking system is ensured by the physical intervention of farmers - they must personally supervise that all cows can be milked.

If a cow cannot be milked, they have to find it and bring it to the milking robot. The automation of the milking process is thus not complete, while the milking robot itself enables fully automatic operation. However, regular bringing of all cows from the herd is required. In the robotic milking of dairy cows, new dairy cows, included in the herd milked by the robot, must learn to walk independently for milking. It is necessary to introduce the milking cow into the milking robot several times a day. In the robotic milking device, the animal receives nuclear feed, which stimulates it to walk independently for milking. After one or two visits by the robot, some dairy cows begin to go to milking on their own.

Sometimes, however, it happens that a dairy cow, which has been milking alone for a long time, suddenly stops going for unknown reasons, despite the fact that she is at the peak of lactation and therefore has a high need for core fodder. If the farmer takes the dairy cow to the robot to be milked, it is a waste of time and at the same time it is necessary to have employees for this purpose. However, some animals refuse to go to milking on their own. This phenomenon occurs in 2 to 5 percent of dairy cows in the herd.

In this case, it is necessary to bring the dairy cow to the robot for milking at least twice a day. Considering that the biggest advantage of robotic milking is that the cows are milked independently without the presence of a human, such an incident disrupts the whole concept and essence of robotic milking.

The goal of robotic milking is to completely or to eliminate human intervention during robotic milking as much as possible.

From the state of the art, the so-called virtual enclosures (some also allow animal monitoring).

Also known are devices for monitoring cows to ensure artificial insemination of animals, e.g. such a device is described in the internationally published patent application WO 2006/077589A2 dated 1/19/2006 "A Method and Device for Detecting Estrus" by the applicant SCR ENGINEERS, LTD.

An electronic method of monitoring the movement of dairy cows through a device placed on the animal's body is published in document GB 2540802 dated 29/07/2006 "A Calf Weaning Apparatus" by the applicant KL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED.

In practice, it is necessary to solve the problem of monitoring farm animals and directing their movement in a new available way that would encourage animals to a certain type of behavior, e.g. would ensure that dairy cows go independently for milking.

The essence of the invention

The system for remote monitoring and guidance of the movement of farm animals consists of at least one collar, which is attached to the neck of the animal and which has an electronic identifier connected to the control module to identify the animal. The control module is connected to the transmitter/receiver module, the vibration module, the sound module, the light module, the electrostatic and the power supply module connected to the accumulator. The control module is connected via a bluetooth module with sensors for monitoring the animal (temperature, physical activity, chewing frequency, etc.).

The collar is remotely electronically connected via the control module via the transmitter/receiver module 3 with an externally located control unit. The control unit is electronically connected to one or more external terminal devices and ensures the automatic operation mode of the device.

If necessary (e.g. when applying a virtual fence), a GPS module is also connected to the control unit, which tracks the position (GPS coordinates) of the animal.

Sensors for monitoring the animal can be placed on the animal's body or can be implanted directly in the animal's body.

A mobile radio can be electronically connected to the control module via the transmitter/receiver module to control the control module, which is used in the animal's training mode.

The method for remote monitoring and guidance of the movement of farm animals by the device according to this technical solution includes the following steps:

- a collar with an electronic identifier is attached to the animal's neck to identify a specific animal, - sensors for monitoring the animal are placed on the animal's body and/or in the animal's body,

- the control module is connected to the sensors via a bluetooth module,

- the control module monitors and collects information about the movement of the animal and sends it via the transmitter/receiver module to the control unit or to the connected mobile radio,

- the control unit, in case of use, processes and evaluates information for individual animals using embedded software according to pre-set algorithms. Based on the results of data processing, the program embedded in the control unit automatically sends instructions from the control unit through the transmitter/receiver module to the control module to activate individual connected modules and/or sends information to one or more connected external end devices, for example in the form of electronic mail or statements to the screen

- in the animal training mode, a transmitter is used, which directly sends instructions via the transmitter/receiver module to the control module.

Based on an instruction from the control unit or from the radio, the control module activates the vibration module and/or activates the sound module, and/or activates the light module, and/or activates the electrostatic module.

The practical use of the system in the field of robotic milking is as follows: the collar for the milking cow by means of a remote signal will force the milking cow that has not been milked for a long time to visit the milking robot. The signal can be sent by a person via radio manually (when training the milking cow), but a more efficient way is if the signal is sent by the control system connected to the milking robot.

The control unit evaluates the time since the last milking of the milking cow and, after exceeding a certain period of time, sends a signal to the collar of the respective milking cow to come for milking.

It is usually necessary for the dairy cow to undergo a short training session. If the breeder discovers that a certain dairy cow has not visited the milking robot for a long time (for example, the aforementioned 12 hours), he must look for the dairy cow in the herd and find out her health status. It may happen that the dairy cow is sick or has suffered a physical injury and is unable to stand up or walk on her own (acute laminitis, mastitis or other disease). If the cow is able to stand up and walk independently, he puts on the collar, starts the sound and vibration signal and leads the cow to the robot for milking. At the second visit of the robot, an electrostatic short-term signal (with the lowest intensity) is triggered along with the sound and vibration signal, and the cow is led to the robot for milking, where all signals are switched off. This must be done at least twice, and with each subsequent visit the intensity of the electrostatic signal will increase. In the next step, when it is assumed that the cow has understood what is being asked of her, it is tested whether she gets up and goes to the robot for milking after the start of the sound and vibration signal. If so, then the training was sufficient and the control of calling for milking can be delegated to the control unit, i.e. e.g. computer (automatic milking call is switched on in the computer).

The system can also be used as a summoner to treat a dairy cow when the dairy cow is being treated for a long time. The collar can also be used to quickly find a dairy cow in the herd, it can be used to ensure that a signal light starts flashing on the cow's neck and an audible signal is also heard.

Other functions can also be built into the system, e.g. GPS module, dairy cow activity meter and so on. However, it is considered most important that the collar has a built-in transmitter/receiver module that will enable two-way communication between the control unit and the animal. The dairy cow has various sensors built into the body (under the skin) or in the body (in the stomach, intestines, uterus...) that will communicate with the collar using a bluetooth connection, and the collar will transmit this data to a superior computer. It is already possible to measure some of the animal's bodily functions (chewing intensity, physical activity, body temperature, heart rate, etc.). It can be assumed that such sensors will increase in the future, and thus a more comprehensive overview of animal health will be achieved.

Currently, there are approximately 40,000 robots working in the world, which means that approximately 2 million dairy cows are being milked without the direct presence of a human. It is predicted that this number will increase many times over the next few years, so computerized dairy health monitoring will be essential. Irrespective of the mentioned benefits of the system in the future, it can be concluded that the very function of the milking summoner could contribute to a more massive spread of the milking robot, thus easing the daily strenuous work of dairy farmers.

Those interested in the final product could be mainly farmers using milking robots, or all farmers who are interested in monitoring their cows, while the function of calling for milking would be only one of the offered functionalities of the system.

Overview of images on drawings

fig. 1 shows a system for remote monitoring and guiding the movement of livestock and connecting its individual parts without a GPS module.

fig. 2 shows a system for remote monitoring and guiding the movement of farm animals and the connection of its individual parts with a GPS module.

fig. 3 shows a flow diagram of the operation of the system for remote monitoring and guiding the movement of animals in automatic mode.

fig. 4 shows a flow diagram of the operation of the system for remote monitoring and guiding the movement of animals in the animal training mode.

Examples of implementation of the invention

Example 1

The system for remote monitoring and guidance of the movement of farm animals includes at least one collar A, which is fixed on the neck of the animal, which contains an electronic identifier 1 for identifying the animal. This is connected to the control module 2 connected to the transmitter/receiver module 3, to the vibration module 4, sound module 5, light module 6, electrostatic and to the power supply module 7 connected to the accumulator 8. The control module 2 is connected via the bluetooth module 11 to the sensors 10 to monitor the animal. The collar A is remotely electronically connected via the control module 2 via the transmitter/receiver module 3 to the externally located control unit 9 in automatic mode or is connected to the radio 13 for controlling the control module 2 in the animal training mode. The control unit 9 is electronically connected to one or more external terminal devices 14.

The control module 2 can contain a GPS module 12 as needed, especially to ensure the function of an electronic virtual fence.

The sensors 10 for monitoring the animal may be placed on the animal's body or may be implanted directly in the animal's body.

A mobile radio 13 can be connected to the control module 2 electronically via the transmitter/receiver module 3 for controlling the control module 2 in the animal training mode.

The method for remote monitoring and guidance of the movement of farm animals by the device according to this technical solution includes the following steps:

- a collar A with an electronic identifier 1 is attached to the animal's neck to identify a specific animal,

- sensors 10 for monitoring the animal are placed on the animal's body and/or in the animal's body,

- control module 2 is connected to sensors 10 via bluetooth module 11,

- the control module 2 monitors and collects information about the movement of the animal and sends it via the transmitter/receiver module 3 to the control unit 9 or to the connected mobile radio 13,

- in the case of the training mode, the transmitter 13 sends instructions to the control module 2 directly through the transmitter/receiver module 3,

- in the case of automatic mode, the control unit 9 processes and evaluates information for individual animals according to preset algorithms,

- based on the results of data processing, the embedded program in the control unit 9 automatically transmits from the control unit 9 through the transmitter/receiver module 3 instructions to the control module 2 to activate individual connected modules and/or sends information to one or more connected external terminal devices 14, for example in the form of electronic mail and notifications.

Based on an instruction from the control unit 9 or from the mobile radio 13, the control module 2 activates the vibration module 4 and/or activates the sound module 5 and/or activates the light module 6.

Example 2

In this example, the same device as in example 1 is used. In this case, it is a method of finding a dairy cow in a herd. A radio transmitter 13 is used. A breeder who needs to search for a certain dairy cow in the herd daily, for example for treatment purposes, puts collar A on the dairy cow. When searching for a dairy cow, he presses the appropriate button on the radio transmitter 13 and the light module 6 on the collar A of the dairy cow is activated and the signal light lights up. Similarly, sound module 5 can be used to activate a sound signal. In this way, the nurse can easily find the dairy cow on which she needs to perform an intervention (e.g. antibiotic treatment, wound cleaning or limb treatment).

Example 3

In this example, the same equipment as in example 1 will be used. This is a situation where the breeder needs the dairy cow to come independently to a certain defined area where she will be treated. Radio transmitter 13 is used. In the event that a dairy cow is being treated daily for several days or weeks (e.g. treatment of chronic mastitis), it is advisable to teach the dairy cow to go for treatment on her own. This is achieved in such a way that when the dairy cow is handed over to the designated area, a sound and vibration signal is triggered and the dairy cow is taken to this area. Furthermore, it is advisable to provide the dairy cow with core feed and water as a reward. In this way, many dairy cows learn to come for treatment on their own in a short time. If necessary, an electrostatic signal can also be used.

Example 4

In this example, the same equipment as in example 1 is used and a method is described where the farmer needs the cow to visit the milking robot on her own. It should be noted that the dairy cow requires short training. Walkie-talkie 13 is used. If the breeder discovers that a certain dairy cow has not visited the milking robot for a long time (for example, 12 hours), he must look for the dairy cow in the herd and find out her health status. If the cow can stand up and walk on her own, she puts the collar A on the cow and starts a sound and vibration signal via the radio 13, while introducing the cow to the robot for milking. On the second visit, the robot triggers a short-term electrostatic signal (with the lowest intensity) along with the sound and vibration signal and leads the cow to the milking robot, where it switches off all signals.

This must be done at least twice. With each subsequent visit, the intensity of the electrostatic signal increases. In the next step, it will be tested whether the cow will get up and go to the robot for milking after the sound and vibration signal is triggered. If so, then the training was sufficient and the control of the milking call can be delegated to the control unit 9 and the device will continue to operate in automatic mode (automatic milking call is switched on in the connected computer).

Example 5

In this example, the same device as in example 1 is used. The device works in automatic mode. The animal has built-in sensors 10 for several body functions, for example heart rate, body temperature, physical activity and chewing intensity. All sensors 10 are able to send information about the state of the animal practically continuously. Each sensor has a connection via the bluetooth module 11, through which it communicates with the collar A and its control module 2. The control module 2 requests data from the individual sensors 10 at regular time intervals, and then sends them to the control unit 9 (to the superior computer) upon request. where data for individual animals according to data from electronic identifier 1 are processed and evaluated by a software application. In your morning report or immediately, e.g. by means of an e-mail or an SMS message, the control unit 9 notifies the breeder of the individual facts obtained on the basis of the received and processed signals from the individual sensors of the 10 dairy cows. In this way, the system can automatically warn the breeder about sick dairy cows that need immediate treatment (laminitis, febrile illness), or about dairy cows that are in heat.

Industrial applicability

The device according to the presented solution can be used mainly in the field of farming of agricultural animals and will be used for remote monitoring and control of the movement of animals, especially farm animals such as cows, sheep, goats, etc. A device equipped with a GPS module can be used as a virtual fence. The device can also be used in zoos to guide the movement of animals or it can also be used in conservation activities, e.g. to monitor the health status of animals in the wild.

List of collar and electronic identifiers 1 control module 2 transmitter/receiver module 3 vibration module 4 sound module 5 light module 6 electrostatic and power module 7 battery 8 control unit 9 sensors 10 for animal monitoring bluetooth module 11

GPS module 12 mobile radio 13 external end device 14

Claims (9)

1. A system for remote monitoring and guidance of the movement of farm animals, characterized by the fact that it contains at least one collar (A) for fixing on the neck of the animal, which contains an electronic identifier (1) for identifying the animal and is connected to the control module (2) , which is connected to the transmitter/receiver module (3), the vibration module (4), the sound module (5), the light module (6), the electrostatic and power module (7) connected to the accumulator (8), and the control module ( 2) is connected to the sensors (10) for monitoring the animal via the connected bluetooth module (11), the control module (2) is remotely electronically connected via the transmitter/receiver module (3) to an externally located control unit (9) for controlling the control module ( 2) in operating mode or the control module (2) is connected via the transmitter/receiver module (3) to the mobile radio (13), while the control unit (9) is electronically connected to one or more external terminal devices (14). 2. A system for remote monitoring and guiding the movement of farm animals according to claim 1, characterized in that the control module (2) is connected to the GPS module (12) via the transmitter/receiver module (3). 3. A system for remote monitoring and guiding the movement of farm animals according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the sensors (10) for monitoring the animal are placed on the body of the animal. 4. A system for remote monitoring and guiding the movement of farm animals according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the sensors (10) for monitoring the animal are located in the body of the animal. 5. A system for remote monitoring and guiding the movement of farm animals according to claim 1 or according to claim 2, characterized in that a mobile radio (13) for controlling the control module is electronically connected to the control module (2) via the transmitter/receiver module (3) (2) in the animal's training mode. 6. A method for remotely monitoring and guiding the movement of farm animals with a device according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes the following steps: a collar (A) with an electronic identifier (1) is attached to the animal's neck, to the animal's body and/or to the animal's body sensors (10) are placed to monitor the animal, the control module (2) is connected to the sensors (10) via the connected bluetooth module (11), the control module (2) collects information about the movement of the animal and sends it via the transmitter/receiver module (3) ) to the remote control unit (9), if the control unit (9) is used, it processes and evaluates information for individual animals according to pre-set algorithms, the embedded program in the control unit (9) automatically transmits from the control unit (9) based on the results of data processing ) through the transmitter/receiver module (3) sends instructions to the control module (2) and/or sends information in the form of electronic mail and notifications to one or more connected external end devices (14), in the case of using a mobile radio (13), it directly sends through the sending/receiving module (3) of instructions to the control module (2). 7. A method for remote monitoring and guiding the movement of farm animals according to claim 6, characterized in that the control module (2) activates the vibration module (4) based on an instruction from the control unit (9) or from a mobile radio (13). 8. A method for remote monitoring and guiding the movement of farm animals according to claim 6, characterized in that the control module (2) activates the sound module (5) based on an instruction from the control unit (9) or from a mobile radio (13). 9. A method for remote monitoring and guiding the movement of farm animals according to claim 6, characterized in that the control module (2) activates the light module (6) based on an instruction from the control unit (9) or from a mobile radio (13).