WO2017124126A1

WO2017124126A1 - Probe unit for measuring at least one state variable of the organism of a livestock animal, and method for starting up same

Info

Publication number: WO2017124126A1
Application number: PCT/AT2017/060006
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthias WUTTE; Manuel FRECH; Stefan Rosenkranz
Original assignee: Smaxtec Animal Care Gmbh
Priority date: 2016-01-22
Filing date: 2017-01-18
Publication date: 2017-07-27
Also published as: AT517847A4; AT517847B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for starting up a probe unit (1) for measuring at least one state variable of the organism of a livestock animal (2), having the following steps: a) activating the probe unit (1) from a deactivated state into an activated state; b) carrying out an automatic function test within the probe unit (1), and c) reproducing a first signal (301) using the probe unit (1) if the function test is concluded successfully and reproducing a second signal (302) which differs from the first signal (301) using the probe unit (1) if the function test is not concluded successfully. The invention further relates to a probe unit (1) for measuring at least one state variable of the organism of a livestock animal (2), wherein the probe unit (1) can be arranged in the gastrointestinal tract (3) of the livestock animal. According to the invention, the probe unit has at least one signal output unit (12) for reproducing a signal (301, 302, 399, 401, 601, 602).

Description

Probe unit for measuring at least one state variable of the organism of a farm animal and method for their commissioning

The invention relates to a method for starting a probe unit for measuring at least one state variable of the organism of a farm animal and such, can be arranged in the gastrointestinal tract of the livestock probe unit.

The operational structures of agricultural enterprises are increasingly changing worldwide in the direction of large farms. Here, for example, for farmers in livestock husbandry herd management, especially in the field of

single animal health monitoring or performance-based

Feed allotment, more and more difficult. The parameters which play a role in the well-being and feed requirements of the individual animals include not only external state information such as, for example, temperature, oxygen content or air humidity in the stall but also physiological parameters such as

for example, pH of the gastric juice, body temperature or others.

With increasing company size an individualized feeding is hardly possible due to this variety of parameters; also can

Disease symptoms in individual animals are often not detected in time. Nevertheless, in order to enable species-appropriate husbandry and economic production, it is of enormous importance for the farmer to know about the parameters that play a role in the well-being of the animals.

For this purpose, more and more electronic management aids are used.

For example, DE 199 01 124 A1 describes a bolus-shaped probe which can measure sensors for measuring various physiological state variables such as pressure, temperature, conductivity, pH value or ammonia content and is introduced into the gastrointestinal tract of a cattle. The Applicant's AT 509 255 B1 describes a similar probe unit in which the measurement data can be transmitted wirelessly, wherein the measurement sensor system for protection against mechanical damage within an acid-resistant housing is at least partially surrounded by a cylindrical protective device. In this case, the probe unit can transmit data to base stations distributed in a stall and can be operated or read via the latter via the Internet. In particular, the activation is relatively complex: After production and delivery routes, the probe unit reaches the user in an energy-saving state - measuring sensor and transmission unit are disabled. This means, for example, that the correct channel is not yet used for the data transmission or the time settings can deviate from a system time. Furthermore, the measuring sensor is partially not yet calibrated.

According to the prior art, therefore, the probe unit must be activated by the user and by contacting a remote station - usually a PC with the required software and a radio unit, e.g. a USB antenna - to be configured. When the contact has been established, the user is informed that the probe unit is in operation and a sequence is started which, over several communication steps, initiates the configuration of the sensor unit

Probe unit changes, it synchronized with a retrieved from the Internet correct time, changes the channel of the probe unit and the user at the end indicates that this probe unit can now be used. In addition, the measuring sensors are calibrated in the course of this initialization, for example by placing them in a calibration solution.

This approach has a number of disadvantages:

What is needed is a PC with suitable software, whose installation usually requires administrator rights, a radio interface and an antenna as well as associated drivers and also an internet connection. Thus, the activation of probe units is only possible in certain places that meet all these requirements, such as offices.

Since the probe units are provided with robust housings without openings and with as few ornaments as possible, a correctly initialized probe unit can not be distinguished from a new or a defective unit. Thus, it can not be said with certainty whether the probe unit can be input to an animal.

Since the initialization takes place via radio, it comes to the consumption of

Battery capacity of the probe unit - in the event of an accidentally initialized unit, it can not be seen from the outside that it is already running. Because the radio interface between the PC and the probe unit - transmission medium air - only a few units can be initialized in parallel.

It is therefore an object of the invention to remedy the above-mentioned disadvantages and to provide a method with which a commissioning of a probe unit can be carried out in a simple manner without great expenditure on equipment.

It is further an object of the invention to provide a corresponding

Probe unit to provide, which can be activated quickly and easily and reduces or makes impossible erroneous operations.

This object is achieved by the method mentioned above according to the invention by the following steps: a) activating the probe unit from an off state to an on state;

b) performing an automatic function test within the probe unit, c) reproducing a first signal by the probe unit when the

Function test is completed successfully, and reproducing a second signal different from the first signal by the probe unit, if the bump test is not completed successfully, wherein the

Signals are at least one of the following signals: an acoustic signal, an optical signal, a haptic signal, a motion signal, combinations of two or more of the foregoing.

In other words, after the activation, an internal functional test is carried out and, depending on the result, signaling perceptible outside the probe unit. Acoustic signals can be single tones or tone sequences. Optical signals can be light signals or light signal patterns of individual

Light sources in always the same or different colors, but also the attachment of small screens in the housing of the probe unit is possible. A haptic signal is understood to mean tactile signals, such as a temperature change of parts of the complete probe unit or units, a moving, tactile element or a vibration. A motion signal may mean more vibration or twitching of the probe unit. Also combinations, for example light patterns and tone sequences or others are possible. This makes it easy for the user to understand and perceptible with his sense organs signals can be realized with only a small amount of energy. The invention thus allows a commissioning of the probe unit without contacting the environment - the user can clearly identify from the signals whether the commissioning was successful and the probe unit is ready for use or defective. This reduces the complexity of commissioning, it requires no additional equipment with specific characteristics and the duration of the probe unit is extended because no radio communication must be disputed during initialization. Quick and uncomplicated, a large number of probe units can be put into operation anywhere. The probe unit does not need to have special switches or interfaces and can therefore be completely sealed and therefore liquid and gas tight. This variant of the invention is particularly applicable to probe units without elaborate measuring sensors, such as temperature and motion sensors.

In a variant of the invention, the following steps are carried out after step c):

d) positioning the probe unit in a calibration environment, preferably a calibration fluid;

e) automatic calibration of at least one sensor element of the probe unit by the probe unit;

f) reproducing a fourth signal by the probe unit when the

Calibration is completed successfully, and a fifth signal is reproduced by the probe unit if the calibration is not completed successfully. Advantageously, after completion of step d), the reproduction of a third signal by the probe unit.

According to this variant, the commissioning of probe units with more complicated, to be calibrated measuring sensors - e.g. pH sensors - simply possible. In a step d0), by reproducing a sixth signal, the user can insert the probe unit into the calibration environment

will be prompted. The calibration environment may be, for example, a room with a specific gas composition or just one Calibration solution act, in the case of a pH sensor to a pH buffer solution with predetermined composition. The probe unit can in each case be introduced into the calibration environment completely or only in the area of the measurement sensor system to be calibrated. Thus, no additional external device or an external interface is necessary for the calibration.

In order to facilitate the understanding of the meaning of the various signals, it is provided in a variant of the invention that the fourth signal is identical to the first signal and / or that the fifth signal is identical to the second signal. Thus, the intended for the proper functioning or proper completion signals and the malfunction indicating signals are each made equal.

In a variant of the invention, the signals are at least partially executed as light signals. The first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth signals are thus realized with light. The light signals can be simple on / off signals, flashing or light patterns and always run with the same or in different colors. This realizes a particularly easy-to-understand signaling.

To enable the simplest possible operation, the activation of the probe unit in step a) takes place by bringing at least one region of the probe unit into contact with a magnet element arranged outside it. This malfunction can be reduced or completely excluded, also can due to the non-contact function on from the outside

operable switches are dispensed with.

Further advantages in the operation can be achieved if, prior to step a), a step aO) is carried out in which at least one of the following

Information is loaded into a memory element of the probe unit:

Radio frequency, transmission channel, system time. As a result, the necessary settings can be used immediately when the probe unit is activated, without the need for a connection to an external data source, eg the Internet or a configuration PC. In one variant of the invention, in at least one of the steps following step a), the probe unit is contacted wirelessly with a transmitting station arranged outside the probe unit, preferably with transmitting and transmitting units carried out by the probe unit

Reception steps. The transmission of information that is not yet available or the necessary initialization steps, such as logging on to a network, can thus be done quickly and easily.

As completion of the commissioning is with correct initialization or

Calibration of the probe unit advantageously the probe unit in a final step z) within a farm animal, preferably placed in the gastrointestinal tract.

The object of the invention is also with an aforementioned

Probe unit solved, the following, arranged in a housing

Components comprising:

at least one sensor element for measuring at least one state variable of the organism of a farm animal,

at least one transmitting device, preferably with at least one antenna, for the wireless transmission of information, and

- At least one control unit for controlling the probe unit, wherein the probe unit according to the invention at least one signal output unit for reproducing at least one of the following signals: acoustic signal, optical signal, haptic signal, motion signal, combinations of two or more of the aforementioned.

In other words, the signal output unit is arranged to reproduce at least one of the following signals: acoustic signal, optical signal, haptic signal, motion signal, combinations of two or more of the foregoing. Various sensor elements are possible, for example for measuring temperature, pH, movement, density, pressure, conductivity, sound, optical properties and others. In addition, at least a device for powering the probe unit is favorably

provided, for example, a battery, for example by means of "energy harvesting" - Methods rechargeable battery or a capacitor (eg

Double-layer or supercapacitor).

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to arrange all the devices required for the commissioning of the probe unit within the probe unit, whereby a simple, misoperation-resistant and possible at any place initialization is made possible.

Advantageously, the signal output unit is arranged to reproduce at least one of the following signals: acoustic signal, optical signal, haptic signal, motion signal, combinations of two or more of the aforementioned.

In a variant of the invention, the signal output unit has at least one light conductor element that has at least one light source inside the light source

Probe unit connects to a housing of the probe unit.

Advantageously, the probe unit with a cylindrical

Implemented housing and the light guide element is connected to a cover and / or bottom portion of the cylindrical housing.

In order to facilitate an initialization without connection to an external data source, in a variant of the invention at least one memory element connected to the control unit is provided in the probe unit, on which at least one of the following information can be stored:

Radio frequency, transmission channel, system time.

The invention will be described below by way of non-limiting example

Embodiment, which is illustrated in the drawings, explained in more detail. In the drawings, which serve only illustration purposes and thus the

Limiting the invention in any way, are shown schematically:

Fig. 1 shows a cow as an exemplary farm animal and the arrangement of a

Probe unit in the gastrointestinal tract;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a probe unit according to the invention in the closed state; FIG. Fig. 3 is a side view of the probe unit of FIG. 2 with opened

Lid and bottom section;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the probe unit;

5 shows a perspective view of a probe unit according to the invention with the bottom section open;

6 is a flow chart of the method according to the invention; and

7 is a sectional view of a signal output unit of a

inventive probe unit.

Same elements are in the different figures for the sake of

Clarity provided with the same reference numerals. Fig. 1 shows the sectional view of a cow 2, wherein the cow 2 is mentioned here only as a possible example of a farm animal, in the gastrointestinal tract 3, a probe unit 1 according to the embodiment of the invention can be introduced. Other suitable farm animals would be, for example, sheep, goats or else

Wild ruminants like red deer.

The feed received and chewed by the cow 2 reaches the gastrointestinal tract 3 of the cow 2, for example in the rumen or the reticulum. From the network stomach, the ingested food is transported on the one hand into the rumen, on the other hand transported back to the mouth of the cow 2 for ruminating. From the measurement of the status data of the contents of the gastrointestinal tract 3, any effects or conclusions can be determined on the state of health of the animal. If the pH is too low, for example, a dangerous rumen acidosis may occur. The

Probe unit 1 is therefore located in the gastrointestinal tract 3 of the animal to detect status data.

Fig. 2 shows the probe unit 1 in a perspective view with the

Housing 4 in the closed state. In the Fign. 3 and 4 cover 41 and bottom portion 42 of the housing 4 are opened. FIG. 3 shows a first sensor element 51 that protrudes from the housing 4 and is surrounded by liquid in the stomach. Intestinal tract 3 is washed around - 41 corresponding openings are provided in the lid portion. The first sensor element 51 is, for example, a pH sensor.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of the probe unit: Within the

Housing 4, a first 51 and a second sensor element 52 are arranged. As already described, the first sensor element 51 may be a pH sensor, and the second sensor element 52 may be a temperature or motion sensor. Also sensors for the measurement of glucose, volatile fatty acids, acetate, propionate, butyrate and lactate may be provided. Of course, other sensor combinations than described are possible, for example, a temperature and a motion sensor. Also, further sensor elements may be provided.

The sensor elements 51, 52 are connected to a control unit 6, which serves to control the probe unit 1. The control unit 6 is designed, for example, as a correspondingly programmed microprocessor. The control unit 6 controls and processes the data from the sensor elements 51, 52. For storing the data, a memory element 7 may be provided,

for example, a memory chip or an SD card. The memory element 7 stores both measured values of the sensor elements 51, 52 and

Operating parameters of the probe unit 1 such as radio frequency, transmission channel,

System time and others.

Via the transmitting device 8, which has an antenna 9, data is transmitted, for example to a base station (not shown), which is arranged in the vicinity of the farm animal. Conveniently, the

Transmitter 8 designed as a transceiver that can both send and receive data.

The power supply of the probe unit 1 is e.g. over a

Power supply device 10, which may be embodied for example as a battery, accumulator or capacitor. Recharging through "energy harvesting" methods is also possible. In the illustrated embodiment, the components described within the housing 4 of a hollow, at least the

Power supply device 10 surrounding protective device 1 1

enclosed, which protects against mechanical impact. This prevents the livestock from biting the probe unit 1 and in particular the components arranged therein, in particular the energy supply device 10, when it is strangled back into the mouth in the course of rumination. The protective device 1 1 can be made of any, resistant material, such as plastics or metals.

According to the invention, the probe unit 1 now has a signal output unit 12, which is arranged within the housing 4. The signal output unit 12 may be adapted to provide an acoustic, visual, haptic,

To give motion signal or combinations of two or more of the above. For example, the signal output unit 12 may be embodied as a light source, sound generator, as a vibration element or screen. In principle, the signal output unit 12 can thus have an acoustic unit 124 for reproducing the acoustic signal, an optical unit 125 for reproducing the optical signal, a haptic unit 126 for reproducing or generating the

Haptiksignals, a movement unit 127 for reproducing or generating the motion signal, or combined units that represent two or more of said signal variants have.

This makes it possible for a user of the probe unit 1 to pass through

various signals information is transmitted, for example, the function, the initialization status or the calibration status.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the signal output unit 12 has an optical unit 125 in the form of a light source 121 arranged inside the housing, for example a single- or multi-colored LED, and a light conductor element 122 which leads from the light source 121 to the bottom section 42 of the housing 4. The light guide element 122 thus connects the light source 121 to the housing 4 (FIG. 5). In the bottom section 42, a transparent window region or a material dilution 123 may be provided, so that the light is easily recognizable from the outside. The above-mentioned signals can thus be individual light pulses - on / off or signal pattern. Also different colors can be played.

Fig. 7 shows a detail of a probe unit 1 according to the invention with a signal output unit 12, which in dashed lines schematically the

represents different variants of the units, namely an acoustic unit 124, an optical unit 125, a Haptikeinheit 126 and a movement unit 127 - it can be provided one, two or more of said units.

A method according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention using a described probe unit 1 now provides the following steps according to FIG. 6:

In a first step 100, the probe unit 1 is activated from an off state to an on state. This can be done, for example, by holding a magnet to a designated activation area 13 (see FIG. 3). Of course, there are others too

Activation mechanisms possible, the mechanism described has the advantage that accidental activation of the probe unit 1 can be practically excluded.

In a variant of the invention, in a first step 100

upstream step 99 information in a memory element 7 of

Probe unit 1 are uploaded. The information may be, for example, the radio frequency to be used, the transmission channel or the system time. Other information is possible.

In one variant of the invention, the system time can also be set only when the probe unit 1 becomes active in a measuring system for the first time - for example, a number of probe units 1 will be in contact with one or more base or transmitting stations during operation, which will read out data, Send and make another contact eg to the Internet. The probe unit 1 then makes contact with this measuring system after successful commissioning and adapts itself to the system time applicable there. In a second step 200, a functional test is automatically carried out within the probe unit 1. This functional test consists of a sequence of self-test routines to ensure the proper functioning of the probe unit 1.

Depending on the result of the functional test, a first signal 301 is then reproduced in a third step 300 if the bump test has been successfully completed and the probe unit 1 is functioning properly, or if a second signal 302 different from the first signal 301 is displayed if a malfunction has been detected.

The signals 301, 302 can consist of different light patterns, tone sequences or vibration sequences.

Thanks to the invention, it is therefore not necessary for a user to establish a connection with a PC with suitable software for the initialization of the probe unit 1, but it is sufficient to activate the probe unit 1 - by reproducing the signals, the user can recognize whether the Probe unit 1 is ready for use.

If the probe unit 1 comprises sensor elements that require a calibration, this can also be carried out without external devices or interfaces:

In a fourth step 400, the probe unit 1 is positioned in a calibration environment. This fourth step 400 may either follow immediately on the first signal 301 or be triggered by a sixth signal 399.

The calibration environment may be, for example, a calibration solution - in the case of a pH sensor unit, a corresponding buffer solution. The probe unit 1 can either be completely submerged or only in the region of the corresponding sensor element which is shown in FIG

Embodiment in the region of the lid portion 41 of the housing 4 is arranged. In a variant of the invention, after proper execution of the fourth step 400, ie if the probe unit 1 is positioned in the calibration environment in such a way that the calibration is possible, a third one can take place Signal 401 take place. If the third signal 401 fails, the user knows that calibration is not possible - for example because the positioning has not been done correctly or the calibration environment is not suitable.

In a fifth step 500, an automatic calibration of the sensor element or the sensor elements by the expiration of

Calibration sequences of known type.

In a sixth step 600, a fourth signal 601 is passed through the

Probe unit 1 and their signal output unit 12 reproduced when the calibration was completed successfully and the probe unit. 1

is ready for use. If the calibration was not completed successfully, a fifth signal 602 is output.

To facilitate operation, the respective positive signals - the first signal 301 and the fourth signal 601 - and the respective negative signals - the second signal 302 and the fifth signal 602 - may be identical to one another.

As described above, the signals 301, 302, 399, 401, 601, 602 are output through a signal output unit 12 disposed within the probe unit 1. Accordingly, the signals may be acoustic, optical, haptic, motion or combinations of two or more of the foregoing. In the described embodiment, the signals 301, 302, 399, 401, 601, 602 are designed as light signals.

In at least one of the steps following the first step 100, a contact-receiving step 700 may take place with the probe unit 1 contacting wirelessly with a transmitting and receiving station (not shown) arranged outside the probe unit 1, preferably with transmitter and receiver stations carried out by the probe unit. and receiving steps. This contact-receiving step 700 may be advantageous if additional data must be imported into the probe unit 1 during the initialization. In this case, for example, the system time can be recorded.

In the meantime or during the commissioning, information about the status, eg the commissioning or Calibration state, via radio link such as NFC, RFID, etc. are transmitted to a mobile device such as a smartphone, tablet or the like. This transmission can either be initiated by the probe unit 1 or requested by the mobile device.

Regardless of the variant carried out, the method according to the invention can be concluded with a last step 999, in which the completely initialized and calibrated probe unit 1 is placed within a livestock, preferably in its gastrointestinal tract 3.

Thanks to the method according to the invention and described

Probe unit 1 is a simplified commissioning possible in which no additional equipment is necessary and the possibilities for incorrect operation are drastically limited.

Claims

1 . Method for starting up a probe unit (1) for measuring at least one state variable of the organism of a farm animal (2), comprising the following steps:

a) activating the probe unit (1) from an off state to an on state;

b) Performing an automatic functional test within the probe unit

(1 ),

c) reproducing a first signal (301) by the probe unit (1) when the bump test is successfully completed and reproducing a second signal (302) different from the first signal (301) by the probe unit (1) if the bump test fails is completed, wherein the signals (301, 302, 399, 401, 601, 602) are at least one of the following signals: an acoustic signal, an optical signal, a haptic signal, a motion signal, combinations of two or more the aforementioned.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that after step c), the following steps are carried out:

d) positioning the probe unit (1) in a calibration environment, preferably a calibration liquid;

e) automatic calibration of at least one sensor element (51, 52) of the probe unit (1) by the probe unit (1);

f) reproducing a fourth signal (601) by the probe unit when the calibration is successfully completed and reproducing a fifth signal (602) different from the fourth signal (601) by the probe unit (1) if the calibration is not successfully completed.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that after completion of step d), the reproduction of a third signal (401) by the probe unit (1).

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the fourth signal is identical to the first signal and / or the fifth signal is identical to the second signal.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the signals (301, 302, 399, 401, 601, 602) are at least partially executed as light signals.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the activation of the probe unit (1) takes place in step a) by bringing at least one activation area (13) of the probe unit (1) into contact with a magnet element arranged outside it.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that prior to step a) a step aO) is carried out, in which at least one of the following information is loaded into a memory element (7) of the probe unit (1): radio frequency, transmission channel, system time.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that in at least one of the following to step a)

Steps a contact of the probe unit (1) on a wireless path with a transmitting unit arranged outside of the probe unit (1), preferably with transmitting and carried out by the probe unit (1)

Receive steps, takes place.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that in a last step z) the probe unit (1) within a farm animal (2), preferably in the gastrointestinal tract (3), is placed.

10. Probe unit (1) for measuring at least one state quantity of the

Organism of a farm animal (2) of a farm animal, wherein the probe unit (1) in the gastrointestinal tract (3) of the farm animal can be arranged and following, in one

Housing arranged components comprising:

- At least one sensor element (51, 52) for measuring at least one

State variable of the organism of a farm animal (2),

- At least one transmitting device (8), preferably with at least one Antenna (9) for wirelessly transmitting information, and

- At least one control unit (6) for controlling the probe unit (1), characterized in that the probe unit (1) is arranged at least one signal output unit (12) for reproducing at least one of the following signals:

Acoustic signal, optical signal, haptic signal, motion signal, combinations of two or more of the foregoing.

1 1. probe unit (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the signal output unit (12) comprises at least one light guide element (122), the at least one light source (121) inside the probe unit (1) with a housing (4) of the probe unit (1) connects.

12. probe unit (1) according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the probe unit (1) with a cylindrical housing (4) is executed and the light guide element (122) with a cover (41) and / or bottom portion (42) of cylindrical housing (4) is connected.

13. probe unit (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized

in that at least one memory element (7) connected to the control unit (6) is provided on which at least one of the following information can be stored: radio frequency, transmission channel, system time.