WO2021215930A1

WO2021215930A1 - Livestock management information system

Info

Publication number: WO2021215930A1
Application number: PCT/NL2021/050271
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeroen Martin Van Dijk
Original assignee: Nedap N.V.
Priority date: 2020-04-23
Filing date: 2021-04-23
Publication date: 2021-10-28
Also published as: NL2025412B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a livestock management information system (1) for transferring data of a multiplicity of labels (8-1,..., 8-5) to be worn by animals to be managed to a data processing unit (2). The labels are each provided with a label processor (81), a label memory (82) and a label transmitting device (83) which cooperate with the label processor, wherein the label is configured for storing in the label memory at least local data that specifically relate to that label. Two or more of the labels are provided as an assistance label having a collecting function and a reporting function. In performing the collecting function, the assistance label receives with a label receiving device a wireless information signal from another label and stores data contained therein as external data in the label memory. In performing the reporting function, the assistance label transmits the stored data to the data processing unit (2).

Description

Livestock management information system

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a livestock management information system.

Such systems are used for inter alia gathering information about animals in a space or on grounds. In particular, such systems are for instance applied within the stock farm. Examples of such systems are known from US 2018/146645, W02007/073344, EP 3 225 106 Al and US 2007/008150. The animals then wear labels that are suitable to collect information and send this to a data processing unit. The information can relate, for example, to the position of the animal or to the physical state of the animal, such as a measured heart rate or body temperature, or a behavior of the animal, for example an indication of whether the animal is grazing, ruminating or sleeping.

It is then desirable that the use of electric power by the labels be limited as much as possible, so that they can be used for a prolonged time without a voltage source in them needing to be recharged or replaced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a livestock management information system that makes the desired limitation of energy consumption possible.

To this end, the invention provides a livestock management information system for transferring data of a multiplicity of labels to be worn by the animals to be managed to a data processing unit which, for this purpose, has a receiver and a computer communicatively connected therewith.

The labels are each provided with a label processor, a label memory and a label transmitting device. The label memory is at least configured for storing local data which specifically relate to that label. The label is able, with the label transmitting device, to transmit the data stored in the label memory wirelessly as an information signal.

Two or more of the labels are assistance labels that have a collecting function and a reporting function. For that purpose the assistance labels are further equipped with a label receiving device, and the label memory of the assistance labels is further configured for storing external data.

In performing the collecting function, an assistance label receives with the label receiving device an information signal from another label and stores the data contained therein as external data in its label memory.

In performing the reporting function, an assistance label sends the data stored in the label memory to the receiver of the data processing unit.

The livestock management information system is further equipped with activation means which arrange for the assistance labels to assume in turns a reporting mode in which they perform the reporting function. The activation means ensure that reporting proceeds efficiently, due to the avoidance of two or more labels attempting to transmit collected information at the same time. Also, the average energy consumption per label thus remains limited in that the reporting function, which costs relatively much energy compared with other functions, is carried out by the labels by turns.

In an embodiment, the assistance labels additionally have an exchange function. In performing the exchange function, the assistance labels send the local and external data stored in the label memory, with the label transmitting device, as a wireless information signal for reception by another assistance label. The assistance labels can therewith mutually cooperate. In an example of the further elaborated embodiment, all labels are equivalent. In other words, all labels have a collecting function, exchange function and reporting function.

Further, the invention provides a method of, for the purpose of livestock management, transferring data of a multiplicity of labels to be worn by the animals to be managed to a data processing unit. The method comprises:

Fitting a respective label to the animals to be managed, wherein each label is provided with a label processor, a label memory and a label transmitting device which cooperate with the label processor. The label memory is at least configured for storing local data which specifically relate to that label. Two or more of the assistance labels have a collecting function and a reporting function. The assistance labels, to that end, further have a label receiving device, and the label memory, to that end, is further configured for storing external data.

The method comprises a repeated execution of the following steps:

With the label transmitting device of a label, transmitting the data stored in the label memory wirelessly as an information signal.

Performing the collecting function with an assistance label, whereby the assistance label receives with the label receiving device an information signal from another label and stores the data contained therein as external data in the label memory.

The assistance label further performs a reporting function whereby this label transmits the stored data with the label transmitting device as a wireless information signal to a receiver of a data processing unit. Therewith activation means arrange for the assistance labels to assume in turns a reporting mode in which they perform the reporting function. The activation means ensure that reporting proceeds efficiently, due to the avoidance of two or more labels attempting to transmit collected information at the same time. Also, the average energy consumption per label thus remains limited in that the reporting function, which costs relatively much energy compared with other functions, is carried out by the labels by turns.

In an embodiment, the assistance labels additionally have an exchange function. In performing the exchange function, the assistance labels send the local and external data stored in the label memory, with the label transmitting device, as a wireless information signal for reception by another assistance label. The assistance labels can therewith mutually cooperate.

In an example of the further elaborated embodiment, all labels are equivalent. In other words, all labels have a collecting function, exchange function and reporting function.

An electromagnetic information signal that is sent to the receiver of the data processing unit can have, for example, a carrier wave with a frequency of between 300 MHz and 3000 MHz, preferably between 300 MHz and 1000 MHz, for example with frequency of 434 MHz, 868 MHz or 922 MHz.

A similar frequency range would in principle also be suitable for exchange of electromagnetic information signals between labels mutually, e.g. from an assistance label to another assistance label, or from a label that is not an assistance label to an assistance label. The provisions made in the livestock management system and the method are based on the insight that often the distance between the animals mutually is appreciably smaller than the distance of the animals to the receiver of the data processing unit. The animals kept in the stock farm are normally herd animals. Even when they are in the open field they normally tend to remain in the vicinity of one another. The receiver can be, for example, a satellite receiver which is at a distance of a few hundreds of kilometers from the livestock. In the system herein provided, the an assistance label sends not only information of that label itself, but also that of other labels. Transmitting information in practice requires a particular overhead, such as sending a header for identification of transmitted information. By sending the information clustered in this manner, the overhead is limited.

In an embodiment, the information signal that the at least one label, in performing the collecting function, receives from another label contains only the local data of that other label. In that embodiment, the other labels can have a relatively simple implementation, because they solely need to store data from local sensors.

As is explained in more detail hereinbelow, the activation means can be implemented in various ways.

The computer may be implemented in different manners. According to some embodiments, the computer communicatively connected with the receiver can comprise at least one from a group comprising: a fixedly disposed computer; a laptop; a tablet; a telephone, such as a smartphone; a portable unit; a wearable computer or wearable unit, such as smart glasses or a smart watch; a central server, such as a livestock management system; a server system comprising a plurality of mutually communicatively connected computers which are connected with or via a wireless or wired data communication network; a process computer or dedicated server; and cloud computer or cloud computer system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These and other aspects are explained in more detail on the basis of the figures concisely described below.

FIG. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a livestock management information system.

FIG. 1A shows in more detail a label that is part of the information system.

FIGS. 2A-2C show possible options for the livestock management information system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows an aspect of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C show a variant of that embodiment.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C show another variant of that embodiment.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C show a yet other variant of that embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a further option for a label.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of a label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, corresponding elements have a same reference.

FIG. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a livestock management information system 1 for transferring data of a multiplicity of labels 8-1,...,8-5 to be worn by the animals to be managed, to a data processing unit 2. The data processing unit 2, to that end, comprises at least one receiver 3, 5 and a computer 15 communicatively connected therewith. The computer 15 may for instance be fixedly disposed, but may otherwise be displaceable, being for instance provided as a laptop, a tablet or (forming part of) a telephone, such as a smartphone. Also, the computer 15 may be implemented as a portable unit, or a wearable computer or wearable unit, for example smart glasses or a smart watch. Also, the computer 15 may be implemented as a central server, a server system comprising a plurality of mutually communicatively connected computers which are connected with or via a wireless or wired data communication network, a process computer or dedicated server, a cloud computer or a cloud computer system. Thus, a central computer or server, a server system or a cloud computer or cloud computer system may for instance form a livestock management system, or implement a functionality for the purpose of livestock management or within a livestock management system. A process computer or dedicated server may be directed to a specific task or specific functionality for the purpose of livestock management. The invention is not limited to a specific implementation of computer 15.

As schematically shown in FIG. 1A, each label 8 is provided with a label processor 81, a label memory 82 and a label transmitting device 83 which cooperate with the label processor. The label is configured for storing in the label memory 82 at least local data which specifically relate to that label. The label can send the data stored in the label memory with the label transmitting device wirelessly as an information signal.

Two or more of the labels, for example labels 8-1, 8-3 and 8-5 in FIG. 1, are provided as an assistance label having a collecting function and a reporting function. The assistance labels 8-1, 8-3 and 8-5, to that end, further have a label receiving device, and their label memory 82 is further configured for storing external data. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the label transmitting device 83 to that end also has the function of label receiving device.

In performing the collecting function, an assistance e.g. label 8-3 receives with its label receiving device 83 a wireless information signal from another label and stores the data contained therein as external data in the label memory 82.

In performing the reporting function, an assistance label 8-3 transmits the stored data with its label transmitting device as a wireless information signal to a receiver 5 of the data processing unit 2. In some examples assistance labels additionally have an exchange function. In performing the exchange function, the assistance labels send the local and external data stored in the label memory, with the label transmitting device, as a wireless information signal for reception by another assistance label. The assistance labels can therewith mutually cooperate. FIGS. 2A-2C show several options. In a first option, shown in FIG. 2A, not claimed in this application, only one label, the label 8-3, has a collecting function and reporting function. This label collects the information of the other labels, e.g., 8-1, 8-2, 8-4 and 8-5. The information signal that the label 8-3, when performing the collecting function, receives from another label contains only the local data of that other label.

In a second option, shown in FIG. 2B, one or more of the labels, here 8-1, 8- 2 have a label receiving device and the label memory is further configured for storing external data. Label 8-3 has a reporting function. Labels 8-1 and 8-2 can support the label 8-3 in collecting data. Label 8-3 performs the reporting function, whereby it transmits the hitherto collected data to the receiver 5. At the same time, label 8-2 sends its newly collected data to label 8-3, and exchanges data with label 8-1. Data sent by label 8-4 are received by labels 8-1, 8-2 and 8-3. With the interrupted arrows, a potential data transfer is shown. Label 8-1 is for instance configured to perform the exchange function with 8-3 but is not performing that function at that moment. Label 8-5 can transmit local data but is not doing so at that moment.

FIG. 2C shows an embodiment of the improved livestock management information system. Therein two or more labels are provided assistance labels, that have the reporting function. In particular, all labels are provided as assistance labels having the reporting function. The livestock management information system is therein further equipped with activation means 7, which arrange for the assistance labels to assume by turns a reporting mode in which they perform the reporting function.

As is explained in more detail below, the activating means can be implemented in several ways.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the activation means 7 are accommodated in the data processing unit 2, where the activating means, through a wirelessly transmitted control signal Sact, cause one of the assistance labels by turns to assume the reporting mode. In that case, the controller 84 (or the label processor with that function) responds to the control signal Sact from the data processing unit 2. In another embodiment, each assistance label has an activation means 72, which is for instance accommodated in the controller 84 of the assistance label. In that embodiment, the activation means of the assistance labels jointly arrange for the assistance labels to assume the reporting mode by turns. This can be realized in different manners.

A first variant of that embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C. In that case, the activation means 72 of the assistance labels 8-1, 8-2,...,8-n, have a clock unit 720, as is schematically shown in FIG. 4C, which periodically causes the respective assistance label to assume the reporting mode in mutually different intervals for the assistance labels. In this embodiment, the assistance labels are fully autonomous. It is sufficient for the clock units to be suitably set at the outset. In practice, reporting to the data processing unit can in some cases take place with a relatively low frequency. Depending on the nature of the data to be sent, it may suffice, for instance, if once an hour or once a day a reporting takes place. It is therefore sufficient that the clock units are approximately synchronized. In the embodiment shown, the clock unit 720 issues a clock signal CL to the cyclic counter 722, and the comparing unit 721 establishes whether a specific counter value for the respective assistance label has been reached. If so, it delivers the activation signal Act.

In an exemplary embodiment, the clock units of the assistance labels 8-1,8- 2,...,8-n are configured to activate the respective assistance labels at time tO, t0+*A, ..., t0+(n-l)*A, and this cycle is repeated for an indefinite time. In some applications, the cycle can be repeated directly after the last assistance label from the series was activated. In other applications, there may be an inactive period, in which none of the assistance labels become active. Also, it may be that an assistance label is actually in the active operational mode only for a portion of the interval available therefor.

In an embodiment, the activation means 72 of the assistance labels are configured to cause the assistance labels to assume the reporting mode by turns according to a ranking order of assistance label identity, with each assistance label having a respective other assistance label that precedes it. This can be realized in different manners. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, an assistance label that is operational in the reporting mode transmits information regarding its identity, and the other assistance labels receive this information. The activation means of the receiving assistance labels each compare the identity indicated by this information with their own identity. The activation means of the receiving assistance label that determines that the identity indicated by this information is that of the preceding assistance label, causes that receiving assistance label to assume the reporting mode. In the situation shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, assistance label 8-1 is operational in the reporting mode, and transmits information II that indicates its identity. Each of the assistance labels 8-2,...,8-n receives this information. The assistance label 8-2 thereupon establishes that it is the next one to assume the reporting mode. In FIGS. 5A-5C, it is schematically shown that the activation means 72 of the assistance label 8-2 receives from the label transceiving device 83 a signal Sn that indicates the identity of the currently reporting assistance label. The activation means 72 of this embodiment is schematically shown in FIG. 5C, where a comparing element 721 compares the value indicated by the signal Sn with the value indicating the identity of the assistance label which the activation means 72 is part of, and it generates signal Act if it determines that the assistance label is the successor of the currently reporting assistance label.

After the reporting of assistance label 8-1 has been completed and possibly a waiting time has elapsed, the assistance label 8-2 can then actually report and, in its turn, make its identity known to the other assistance labels.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, the activation means of the assistance labels are equipped with a cyclic counter 722 which indicates a counting value and which has a counting period equal to the number of assistance labels that are part of the livestock management information system. In that embodiment, it suffices for the activation means to be configured to detect that an information signal is sent to the receiver of the data processing unit without the identity of the reporting assistance label being known. Each time when an assistance label reports, schematically indicated by the signal REP, the cyclic counter 722 receives a signal that arranges for the counting value to be cyclically incremented, i.e., the new counting value N’ is equal to (N+l) modulo n, where n is the number of participating assistance labels. Comparing element 721 determines in this embodiment whether the current counting value corresponds to the identity of the respective assistance label, and if so, it delivers an activation signal Act.

It is often sufficient if reporting takes place at intervals, e.g., at intervals of an hour, or a day. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the activation means 72 is equipped with a delay element 723, so that when it is established that an assistance label has been designated to report, an activation signal Act is not directly delivered, but after elapse of a predetermined time interval following said determination, a delayed activation signal ActD is delivered. The element 721 that issues the activation signal Act to the delay element 723 here, can be, for example, the element in FIGS. 4C, 5C or 6C.

In an embodiment, the reporting assistance label transmits the data of each of the assistance labels in a predetermined sequential order to the receiver of the data processing unit.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of an assistance label 8j. In the embodiment shown, the transmitting and receiving device 83 has a first and a second transceiver, respectively indicated with reference numeral 831, 832. The first transceiver 831 is provided to exchange label information with other labels. The second transceiver 832 is provided to transmit label information to the receiver of the data processing unit, and is for instance configured for emitting and receiving electromagnetic signals with a frequency of between 300 MHz and 3000 MHz, preferably between 300 MHz and 1000 MHz, for example with a frequency of 434 MHz, 868 MHz or 922 MHz.

In the embodiment shown, the label processor 81 has several sensors 810-1, 810-2, ...., 810-p and a local data processor 811.

In operation, the sensors can collect information of the animal wearing the label, such as a position of the animal, physiological information of the animal, for example, heart rate or body temperature, or information that is indicative of the animal’s behavior, for example indicative of whether the animal is resting, eating or ruminating. The local data processor 811 can collect these data and write them into an allocated part j of the label memory 82. Collecting of the information of sensors can for instance take place periodically, for example once a minute, once an hour, daily or weekly, and this time interval may depend on the type of sensor. Otherwise, reading out a sensor may take place if the sensor shows a significant change in the observed parameter, for example upon a sudden change of the measured heart rate. Also, a gathering of sensor information may be initiated shortly before the assistance label is going to send information to other assistance labels and/or to the receiver of the data processing unit. The local data processor 811 may also, in some cases, perform a processing operation on the sensor information obtained from the sensors, and, for instance, combine information from different sensors. To that end, the local data processor 811 may for instance be equipped with a neural network. In FIG.

8 the writing of (possibly worked) sensor data into part j of the label memory 82 by the local data processor 811 is represented as an arrow MA.

If the assistance label is operational in the reception mode, the transceiver 831 receives an information signal from another label and stores the data contained therein as external data in the label memory 82. This operational mode is schematically shown with arrow MX1. Also, in a transmitting mode, shown with arrow MX2, the label can transmit the local data and external data stored in the label memory 82 with the transceiver 831 wirelessly as an information signal to other assistance labels.

If the assistance label 8-j has assumed the reporting mode, it transmits the local data and external data stored in the label memory 82 wirelessly as an information signal to the receiver of the data processing unit. This is schematically shown with arrow MR.

Claims

1. A livestock management information system for transferring data of a multiplicity of labels to be worn by animals to be managed to a data processing unit which to that end comprises at least a receiver and a computer communicatively connected with the receiver, wherein each label comprises a label processor, a label memory and a label transmitting device which cooperate with the label processor, wherein the label is configured for storing in the label memory at least local data specifically relating to that label, and for sending the stored data with the label transmitting device wirelessly as an information signal, wherein two or more of the labels are provided as assistance labels that have a collecting function and a reporting function, which assistance labels further have a label receiving device and the label memory of which is further configured for storing external data, wherein an assistance label in performing the collecting function receives with its label receiving device a wireless information signal from another label and stores the data contained therein as external data in the label memory, and wherein an assistance label in performing the reporting function sends the stored data with the label transmitting device as a wireless information signal to the receiver of the data processing unit, wherein the livestock management information system is further equipped with activation means which arrange for the assistance labels to assume by turns a reporting mode in which they perform the reporting function.

2. The livestock management system according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the assistance labels further have an exchange function, which assistance labels in performing the exchange function send the local and external data stored in the label memory with the label transmitting device as a wireless information signal for reception by another assistance label.

3. The livestock management information system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the activation means are part of the data processing unit, wherein the activation means with a wirelessly sent control signal cause one of the assistance labels by turns to assume the reporting mode.

4. The livestock management information system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each assistance label has an activation means, and the joint activation means of the assistance labels cause the assistance labels by turns to assume the reporting mode.

5. The livestock management information system according to claim 4, wherein the activation means of the assistance labels comprise a clock unit, which periodically causes the respective assistance label to assume the reporting mode in time intervals not overlapping for the assistance labels mutually.

6. The livestock management information system according to claim 4, wherein the activation means of the assistance labels are configured to cause the assistance labels by turns to assume the reporting mode according to an order of label identity, with each assistance label having a respective other assistance label that precedes it.

7. The livestock management information system according to claim 6, wherein an assistance label in the reporting mode transmits information concerning its identity, and wherein other assistance labels receive this information, wherein the activation means of those assistance labels compare the identity indicated by this information with their own identity, and wherein the activation means of the receiving assistance label, if it determines that the identity indicated by this information is that of the preceding assistance label, causes that receiving assistance label to assume the reporting mode.

8. The livestock management information system according to claim 6, wherein the activation means of the assistance labels are equipped with a cyclic counter which indicates a counting value and which has a counting period equal to the number of assistance labels that are part of the livestock management information system, wherein the activation means are configured for detecting that an information signal is transmitted to the receiver of the data processing unit and thereupon cyclically increasing the counting value of the cyclic counter, wherein the activation means of the assistance label that determines that the identity of that assistance label corresponds to the counting value causes that assistance label to assume the reporting mode.

9. The livestock management information system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the activation means causes the receiving assistance label to assume the reporting mode upon expiry of a predetermined time interval following said determining.

10. The livestock management information system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an assistance label in performing the reporting function transmits the data of each of the assistance labels in a predetermined order to the receiver of the data processing unit.

11. The livestock management information system according to any one of claims 2-9, wherein the activation means are further configured to calculate an indication of an expected amount of attenuation of an information signal of a label to be potentially sent to another label or to the data processing unit and which hinder sending of the information signal to be potentially sent if the indication exceeds a reference value.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said indication is based on an estimated distance of the label to another label or to the receiver of the data processing unit.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein said indication is based on a measured value for an attenuation of a test signal of a label to another label or to the receiver of the data processing unit.

14. System according to any one of claims 2-9, wherein the assistance labels have a predetermined transmission power and one of the assistance labels is selected of which this transmission power suffices to transfer the collected information.

15. System according to any one of claims 2-9, wherein the assistance labels have an adjustable transmission power and one of the assistance labels is selected that is set up closest to the receiver of the data processing unit, and the transmission power is set at a value that suffices to transfer the data stored in the memory of the assistance label with the information signal to the receiver of the data processing unit.

16. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the label memory registers for at least one datum a time point at which said datum was generated and transfers the registered time point with the datum.

17. System according to claim 16, wherein in the information signal transmitted by a label, further a header is contained with an overview of data contained with the information signal.

18. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer communicatively connected with the receiver comprises at least one from a group comprising: a fixedly disposed computer; a laptop; a tablet; a telephone, such as a smartphone; a portable unit; a wearable computer or wearable unit, such as smart glasses or a smart watch; a central server, such as a livestock management system; a server system comprising a plurality of mutually communicatively connected computers which are connected with or via a wireless or wired data communication network; a process computer or dedicated server; and cloud computer or cloud computer system.

19. The livestock management system according to any one of the preceeding claims, wherein the information signal which the at least one label in performing the collecting function receives from another label contains therein only the local data of that other label.

20. A method of, for the purpose of livestock management, transferring data of a multiplicity of labels to be worn by the animals to be managed to a data processing unit, the method comprising: fitting a respective label to the animals to be managed, wherein each label comprises a label processor, a label memory and a label transmitting device which cooperate with the label processor, wherein the label memory is at least configured for storing local data specifically relating to that label, wherein two or more of the labels are provided as an assistance label having a collecting function and reporting function, which assistance labels further have a label receiving device and the label memory of which is further configured for storing external data, a repeated execution of the following steps: with the label transmitting device, transmitting the data stored in the label memory wirelessly as an information signal, performing the collecting function with an assistance label whereby the assistance label receives with its label receiving device an information signal from another label and stores the data contained therein as external data in the label memory, and performing the reporting function with the assistance label whereby this label transmits the stored data with the label transmitting device as a wireless information signal to a receiver of a data processing unit, wherein activation means achieve for the assistance labels to assume by turns a reporting mode in which they perform the reporting function.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein one or more of the assistance labels further have an exchange function, which assistance labels in performing the exchange function send the local and external data stored in the label memory with the label transmitting device as a wireless information signal for reception by another assistance label.