Method and System for Monitoring the Condition of Livestock

Abstract

A method and system for monitoring the condition of livestock comprises a plurality of sensors ( 115, 103, 113, 111, 107, 105 ) for sensing a plurality of different behavioural parameters of an animal. The sensed data is transmitted by a unit ( 115 ), wirelessly, to a central processor ( 119 ) and a plurality of status conditions of the animal is determined on the basis of the transmitted, sensed data such as the onset of parturition, fertility status and other health status conditions. The unit ( 115 ) may be permanently worn by the animal and may keep an electronic record of the status conditions of the animal.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for monitoring the condition of livestock, the method comprising the steps of:
 sensing changes in orientation and movement of an animal's head using at least one multi-axis accelerometer;   determining increased activity of said animal from said sensed changes in orientation and movement of said animal's head;   determining a plurality of status conditions of said animal from said determined increased activity, said status conditions including at least one of fertility, oestrus and prediction of onset of parturition; and   transmitting data, wirelessly, to a central computer.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said determined increased activity includes at least one of:
 walking activities of said animal;   standing activities of said animal;   lying activities of said animal;   feeding activities of said animal; and   drinking activities of said animal.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
 sensing at least one physiological parameter of said animal; and wherein said plurality of status conditions are determined on the basis of said determined increased activity and said at least one sensed, physiological data.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein said at least one physiological parameter includes one of:
 breathing rate;   heart rate;   heart rate variability;   body temperature;   breath contents;   saliva contents;   change of state of at least one muscle and/or muscle group;   degree of contraction of at least one muscle and/or muscle group; and   electro-myograph.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said determined status conditions further include:
 lameness;   infection; and   nutritional disorders.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
 storing said determined status condition data of said animal in a unit, permanently, attached to said animal.   
     
     
         7 . A system for monitoring the condition of livestock, the system comprising:
 at least one multi-axis accelerometer configured to sense changes in orientation and movement of an animal's head;   a processor configured to determine increased activity of said animal from said sensed changes in orientation and movement of said animal's head and to determine a plurality of status conditions of said animal from said determined increased activity, said status conditions including at least one of fertility, oestrus and prediction of onset of parturition; and   a transceiver configured to transmit data, wirelessly, to a central computer.   
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the system further comprises a plurality of sensors attached to said animal. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein said plurality of sensors are attached non-invasively. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein at least one of said plurality of sensors is reusable. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein said at least one multi-axis accelerometer and said plurality of sensors are connected in a network. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the system further comprises at least one fixed antenna configured to receive said transmitted data. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the transmitted data received by the antenna is transferred to said central computer. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive data from said central computer. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein said received data includes sensed status condition data and/or environmental data and/or manually entered status condition data and/or programming data. 
     
     
         16 . A device for monitoring the condition of livestock, the device comprising:
 attachment means configured to attach the device to an animal;   at least one multi-axis accelerometer configured to sense changes in orientation and movement of an animal's head;   a processor configured to determine increased activity of said animal from said sensed changes in orientation and movement of said animal's head and to determine a plurality of status conditions of said animal from said determined increased activity, said status conditions including at least one of fertility, oestrus and prediction of onset of parturition; and   a transceiver configured to transmit data, wirelessly, to a central computer.   
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the device further comprises a plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein at least one of said plurality of sensors is reusable. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein said plurality of sensors are connected in a network. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the device is remotely programmable. 
     
     
         21 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein said attachment means comprises a collar, ear tag, halter, belt, tail tag or adhesive patch. 
     
     
         22 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein said transceiver is further configured to receive data from said central computer. 
     
     
         23 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein said received data includes sensed data condition data, environmental data, manually entered status condition data, or programming data. 
     
     
         24 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein said device further comprises:
 storage means for storing status condition data of said animal.   
     
     
         25 . A method for monitoring the condition of livestock, the method comprising the steps of:
 sensing changes in orientation and movement of an animal's head using at least one 3-axis accelerometer;   determining increased walking activity of said animal from said sensed changes in orientation and movement;   determining oestrus, at least, of said animal from said determined increased walking activity; and   transmitting data, wirelessly, to a central computer.   
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein said step of determining increased walking activity further comprises:
 determining at least one additional activity, including:
 standing activities of said animal; 
 lying activities of said animal; 
 absolute location of said animal; 
 relative location of said animal to another animal; 
 feeding activities of said animal; and 
 drinking activities of said animal. 
   
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the method further comprises the step of:
 sensing at least one physiological parameter of said animal; and wherein a plurality of status conditions are determined on the basis of said sensing changes in orientation and movement of an animal's head and said at least one sensed, physiological data.   
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein said at least one physiological parameter includes one of:
 breathing rate;   heart rate;   heart rate variability;   body temperature;   breath contents;   saliva contents;   change of state of at least one muscle and/or muscle group;   degree of contraction of at least one muscle and/or muscle group; and   electro-myograph.   
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein said determined status conditions further include:
 fertility;   prediction of onset of parturition;   lameness;   infection; and   nutritional disorders.   
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the method further comprises:
 storing said determined status condition data of said animal in a unit, permanently, attached to said animal.   
     
     
         31 . A system for monitoring the condition of livestock, the system comprising:
 at least one 3-axis accelerometer configured to sense changes in orientation and movement of an animal's head;   a processor configured to determine increased walking activity of said animal from said sensed changes in orientation and movement of said animal's head and to determine oestrus of said animal from said determined increased walking activity; and   a transceiver configured to transmit data, wirelessly, to a central computer.   
     
     
         32 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein the system further comprises a plurality of sensors attached to said animal. 
     
     
         33 . The system according to  claim 32 , wherein said plurality of sensors are attached non-invasively. 
     
     
         34 . The system according to  claim 32 , wherein at least one of said plurality of sensors is reusable. 
     
     
         35 . The system according to  claim 32 , wherein said at least one 3-axis accelerometer and said plurality of sensors are connected in a network. 
     
     
         36 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein the system further comprises at least one fixed antenna configured to receive said transmitted data. 
     
     
         37 . The system according to  claim 36 , wherein the transmitted data received by the antenna is transferred to said central computer. 
     
     
         38 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive data from said central computer. 
     
     
         39 . The system according to  claim 38 , wherein said received data includes sensed status condition data, environmental data, manually entered status condition data or programming data. 
     
     
         40 . A device for monitoring the condition of livestock, the device comprising;
 attachment means configured to attach the device to an animal;   at least one 3-axis accelerometer configured to sense changes in orientation and movement of an animal's head;   a processor configured to determine increased walking activity of said animal from said sensed changes in orientation and movement and determine oestrus of said animal; and   a transceiver configured to transmit data, wirelessly, to a central computer.   
     
     
         41 . The device according to  claim 40 , wherein said device further comprises a plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         42 . The device according to  claim 41 , wherein said plurality of sensors are attached non-invasively. 
     
     
         43 . The device according to  claim 41 , wherein at least one of said plurality of sensors is reusable. 
     
     
         44 . The device according to  claim 41 , wherein said plurality of sensors are connected in a network. 
     
     
         45 . The device according to  claim 40 , wherein the device is remotely programmable. 
     
     
         46 . The device according to  claim 40 , wherein said attachment means comprises a collar, ear tag, halter, belt, tail tag or adhesive patch. 
     
     
         47 . The device according to  claim 40 , wherein said transceiver is further configured to receive data from said central computer. 
     
     
         48 . The device according to  claim 47 , wherein said received data includes environmental data, manually entered status condition data or programming data. 
     
     
         49 . The device according to  claim 40 , wherein said device further comprises:
 storage means configured to store status condition data of said animal.