Mobile Animal Surveillance and Distress Monitoring

Abstract

A method and system for remote animal surveillance and distress monitoring includes detecting biometric and behavioral parameters of the animal, identifying novel events based on comparison of detected parameters to predefined parameter values and qualifications; determining whether parameter values or a composite parameter value exceeds a predefined value threshold indicative of possible distress in the animal; and notifying remote caretakers of possible distress in the animal based on the composite value exceeding the predefined value threshold.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An enclosure for an animal monitoring sensor suite comprising:
 a plurality of rigid or semi-rigid articulated segments forming an articulated enclosure;   a substantially water impermeable liner disposed on the interior or exterior of the articulated enclosure;   electronic sensors disposed within the articulated enclosure and liner for detecting at least one of biometric parameters and behavioral parameters of an animal;   and a harness for securing the articulated enclosure, together with the electronic sensors, to an animal to be monitored.   
     
     
         2 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the liner is overmolded on the articulated enclosure. 
     
     
         3 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the articulated enclosure is configured as an exoskeleton with the liner is disposed within the exoskeleton, such that the electronic sensors within the liner are protected by the exoskeleton from impact during animal movement. 
     
     
         4 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the articulated segments are coupled via at least one of a pivot, friction pivot, a serrated pivot, and a ratcheting pivot to substantially maintain a geometry imparted to the series of articulated segments. 
     
     
         5 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the articulated enclosure comprises complementary half-shells defining respective halves of the respective segments. 
     
     
         6 . The enclosure of  claim 5 , wherein complementary features of the half-shells include interlocking fingers extending from each of the half-shells to secure the half-shells together by at least one of a snap-fit, interference fit, and fastenings. 
     
     
         7 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the harness comprises one of a collar, halter, bridle, hackamore, hosal, saddle, saddle pad, surcingle, belly band, blinders, blinkers, face mask, eye mask, neck wrap, leg wrap, tail wrap, shoulder wrap, body wrap, blanket/sheet/rug, hood, boot, collar, hand, shoe, pad, or device that encircles or is placed upon the head, neck, shoulder, leg, tail or torso, or is used for controlling, restricting, and handling of horses or other animals. 
     
     
         8 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the liner comprises a Mylar pouch heat staked closed to exclude water and dust from the electronic sensors within and a resealable access port for electrical connectivity of power and/or data inputs or interfaces for the electronic sensors. 
     
     
         9 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the inner is preformed to a partially closed geometry to bias the articulated enclosure towards a partially closed geometry to better secure the enclosure to an animal. 
     
     
         10 . The enclosure of  claim 9 , wherein a plurality of the enclosure segments defines recesses therebetween to allow for inward articulation of the segments to form an arc; and wherein the liner defines recesses collocated with the recesses defined by the segments to provide flexibility. 
     
     
         11 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the segments are overmolded with a polymeric material to provide living hinges between the segments.