WO2024081974A1

WO2024081974A1 - Animal tracking device

Info

Publication number: WO2024081974A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2023/050006
Authority: WO
Inventors: Madelein VAN DER VYVER
Original assignee: Van Der Vyver Madelein
Priority date: 2022-10-14
Filing date: 2023-01-31
Publication date: 2024-04-18
Also published as: ZA202301243B

Abstract

According to the invention there is provided an animal tracking device (10) which comprises a computer (5) for executing processes and instructions and controlling the components of the device (10), a communication means (3) for communicating with a global positioning system (13) and a server (11) and a power source for providing the device with electrical power whereby the computer (5), in association with the communication means (3), records, processes, transmits and receives information to and from the global positioning system (13) and the server (11) and wherein the power source provides electrical power for a period equal to or greater than the lifespan of the animal.

Description

Title of Invention : Animal tracking device

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an animal tracking device.

Background Art

[0002] The applicant is aware of various devices currently in the market for tracking animals. The conventional devices include ear tags or collars having and/or being in connection with a global positioning system.

[0003] Neck collars or ear tags, with global positioning system capabilities, are popular means for tracking animals. However, these collars and ear tags often prove ineffective since the animal can find them irritating and subsequently rids itself thereof, leaving the tracker with no insight into the whereabouts of the animal. In addition, these collars and ear tags are clearly visible thereby exposing it to thieves or poachers who can simply remove it leaving a person without hope of locating the animal. In addition to the former, collars and ear tags are powered by batteries which often needs charging or replacement which can often prove to be quite burdensome to do when it must be done on multiple animals, regularly.

[0004] Currently, the predominant means of monitoring the whereabouts of an animal are physically by means of fences and/or other physical barriers or boundaries to keep the animals within their allocated confines. However, the aforementioned methods often prove ineffective as an animal can wonder off, escape, rid itself of the collar or tag or exposed for theft. The former is compounded by the fact that it is almost impossible for someone to always tend to an animal.

[0005] Furthermore, when an animal escapes its confines, or when it is necessary to locate an animal, it is preferable to locate the animal in an expeditious manner to mitigate, amongst others, risk of death of the animal.

[0006] Passive emission microchips, commonly implanted by veterinarians, are somewhat effective since they can provide contact information of the owner of the animal once scanned by the veterinarian. However, these implants do not have locating capabilities. Additionally, this method requires human intervention as the animal needs to be taken to a veterinarian, equipped with the necessary facilities before the animal’s details become apparent and its owner be contacted and thereby the animal be located. Moreso, these passive emission microchips fail to provide a person with the immediate location of the animal in addition to requiring further human intervention.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a dire need for an animal tracking device requiring minimal human intervention, such as charging or refitting the animal with such a collar or device.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide for a solution that, at least partially, alleviate some of the aforementioned disadvantages.

Summary of Invention

[0009] According to the invention, there is provided an animal tracking device comprising: - a computer for executing processes and instructions and controlling the components of the device; a communication means for communicating with a global positioning system and a server; and a power source for providing the device with electrical power whereby the computer, in association with the communication means, records, processes, transmits and receives information to and from the global positioning system and the server and wherein the power source provides electrical power for a period equal to or greater than the lifespan of the animal.

[0010] The animal tracking device further includes a housing for housing the device.

[0011] The housing is a capsule capable of encapsulating the device.

[0012] The capsule is sized and shaped to facilitate the device to be implanted under the skin of the animal.

[0013] The computer further comprises of a central processing unit, a randomaccess memory unit, a motherboard, a power supply and a storage means. [0014] The communication means comprises of a transmitting unit and a receiving unit for transmitting and receiving information to and from the global positioning system and the server whereby the location of the animal is established and communicated between the device, the global positioning system and the server.

[0015] The transmitting unit and the receiving unit is integrated into one unit which is capable of serving the functions of both the transmitting unit and the receiving unit.

[0016] The communication between the transmitting unit, the receiving unit and the server is in the form of one or more radio waves.

[0017] The computer is pre-programmed with instructions to enable the receiving unit to retrieve the location information of the animal from the global positioning system.

[0018] The computer is further capable of receiving instructions from the server, via the receiving unit, and store location information on the storage means.

[0019] The computer includes a memory unit to facilitate the carrying out of instructions to and from the central processing unit.

[0020] The memory unit will be a random-access memory chip.

[0021] The storage means is a hard drive.

[0022] The power source is in the form of a battery.

[0023] The battery provides direct current electricity to the components of the device.

[0024] The battery is a radioactive Carbon14, beta voltaic device.

[0025] The information is stored in real time and can be accessed at any point in time.

[0026] The device includes a means of connecting to and communicating through the internet.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0027] [Fig.1 ] is a perspective view of the device with transparency.

[0028] [Fig. 2] is an exposed view of the internal componentry of the device. [0029] [Fig. 3] is a functional schematic view illustrating the device implanted into an animal in communication with a global positioning system and a remote database server.

[0030] [Fig. 4] is a block diagram depicting the complimentary workings of the individual components of the device to locate the animal.

[0031] [Fig. 5] is a schematic perspective view of the functionality of the device in cooperation with the global positioning system and the server and indicates the animal’s boundaries and proximity to other animals implanted with the device.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0032] With reference to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to like features, an animal tracking device is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

[0033] In a first embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the animal tracking device 10 may have a housing 1 to both protect and facilitate its subdermal implantation into the animal 7. The housing is in the form of a capsule.

[0034] As depicted in Figures 1 and 2, the computer 5, the communication means 3, and the battery 9 are encapsulated within the capsule 1 .

[0035] In one embodiment of the invention, the communication means 3 may provide for an antenna 4 to strengthen the communication of information between the animal tracking device 10 and both the remote server 11 and the global positioning system 13.

[0036] In one embodiment of the invention, the information can be: an instruction; information related to the location of the animal 7; a record of the previous location of the animal 7; the movement and/or migration patterns of the animal 7; the current and previous location of the animal 7 relative to another animal 15 implanted with the animal tracking device 10 or a plurality thereof; and information regarding the health or any other condition of the animal 7.

[0037] With reference to figure 4, the computer includes a hard drive 6 which may have a set of pre-programmed instructions to be executed by the central processing unit 8. The central processing unit 8 is also capable of communicating with the remote server 11 , via the transmitting unit 14 and the receiving unit 16 to obtain information from the remote server 11. Preferably, the information from the remote server 11 will be an instruction to the device 10.

[0038] With reference to figure 5, in use, a person can, via the remote server 11 send an instruction to the device to confirm the location of the animal 7. In turn, the central processing unit 8, depending on the instruction from the person 17, either stores the location of the animal 7 or transmits the location of the animal, via the transmitting unit 14, to the remote server 11. Resultantly, the person will be able to track the location of the animal 7 anywhere in the world.

[0039] Depending on what the conditions of the instructions to the animal tracking device 10 are, the central processing unit 8, in communication with the remote server 11 and the global positioning system 13, via the transmitting unit 14 and the receiving unit 16 is able to notify the person 17, via communication to the remote server 11 if the conditions of the instruction are adhered to or not, whichever is appropriate.

[0040] With reference to Figure 5, the instructions, will be in the form of a pre-set acceptable boundary 19 for the location of the animal 7 or the acceptable proximity of the animal 7 to another animal 15 so implanted with the animal tracking device 10.

[0041] As depicted in Figure 5, and in use, should the animal 7 roam past the boundary 19 or exceed the acceptable proximity from another animal 15, the central processing unit 8 will instruct the transmitter 14 to communicate same to the remote server 11 , which will, in turn, notify the person that the animal 7 has surpassed the confines of the boundary 19 or that the animal 7 has exceeded the acceptable proximity to another animal 15.

[0042] The battery 9 provides direct current electricity to the components of the animal tracking device 10. In one embodiment of the invention, the battery 9 may be a radioactive Carbon14 beta voltaic device. In use, the radioactive Carbon 14 beta voltaic device will be capable of powering the animal tracking device 10 so that the location of the animal 7 can be tracked for at least the lifespan of the animal 7. It would not be necessary to charge the battery for proposed functions as set out herein. [0043] The device 10 includes a means of connecting and communicating through the internet (not shown). The information is stored in real time and can be accessed at any point in time.

[0044] It is, of course, to be appreciated that the animal tracking device 10, in accordance with the invention, is not limited to the precise constructional and functional details as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings and which may be varied as desired.

[0045] Although only certain embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be understood by any person skilled in the art that other modifications, variations, and possibilities of the invention are possible. Such modifications, variations and possibilities are therefore to be considered as falling within the spirit and scope of the invention and hence form part of the invention as herein described and/or exemplified. It is further to be understood that the examples are provided for illustrating the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with understanding the invention and is not meant to be construed as unduly limiting the reasonable scope of the invention.

[0046] The inventor believes that the animal tracking device 10, in accordance with the present invention is advantageous in that it provides a novel means for tracking the location of the animal 7 from anywhere in the world, without having to replace the battery 9 or worry that the animal tracking device 10 will be removed since it is implanted into the animal.

Claims

[Claim 1] An animal tracking device, comprising: a computer for executing processes and instructions and controlling the components of the device; a communication means for communicating with a global positioning system and a server; and a power source for providing the device with electrical power whereby the computer, in association with the communication means, records, processes, transmits and receives information to and from the global positioning system and the server and wherein the power source provides electrical power for a period equal to or greater than the lifespan of the animal.

[Claim 2] The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the device further includes a housing for housing the device.

[Claim 3] The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the housing is a capsule capable of encapsulating the device.

[Claim 4] The device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the capsule is sized and shaped to facilitate the device to be implanted under the skin of the animal.

[Claim 5] The device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the computer further comprises of a central processing unit, a random-access memory unit, a motherboard, a power supply and a storage means.

[Claim 6] The device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the communication means comprises of a transmitting unit and a receiving unit for transmitting and receiving information to and from the global positioning system and the server whereby the location of the animal is established and communicated between the device, the global positioning system and the server.

[Claim 7] The device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the transmitting unit and the receiving unit is integrated into one unit which is capable of serving the functions of both the transmitting unit and the receiving unit.

[Claim 8] The device as claimed in any of claims 6 or 7 wherein the communication between the transmitting unit, the receiving unit and the server is in the form of one or more radio waves.

[Claim 9] The device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the computer is preprogrammed with instructions to enable the receiving unit to retrieve the location information of the animal from the global positioning system.

[Claim 10] The device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the computer is further capable of receiving instructions from the server via the receiving unit and store location information on the storage means.

[Claim 11] The device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the computer includes a memory unit to facilitate the carrying out of instructions to and from the central processing unit.

[Claim 12] The device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the memory unit will be a random access memory chip.

[Claim 13] The device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11 wherein the storage means is a hard drive.

[Claim 14] The device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12 wherein the power source is in the form of a battery.

[Claim 15] The device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the battery is a radioactive Carbon 14 beta voltaic device.

[Claim 16] The device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15 wherein the information is stored in real time and can be accessed at any point in time.

[Claim 17] The device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16 wherein the device includes a means of connecting and communicating through the internet, i