Method and system for monitoring the health and status of livestock and other animals

• US 20020010390A1
• Filed: 05/10/2001
• Published: 01/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: David Lehmann Guice, Noble A. Thompson, Warren Ames Pugh
• Original Assignee: David Lehmann Guice, Noble A. Thompson, Warren Ames Pugh
• Inventors: Pugh, Warren Ames, Thompson, Noble A., Guice, David Lehmann
• Application Number:
  US09/853,460
• Publication Number:
  US 20020010390A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/008 incorporating GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/005 Monitoring or measuring activity, e.g. detecting heat or mating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 17/002 for detecting period of heat of animals, i.e. for detecting oestrus for humans A61B10/0012
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0707 the arrangement being capable of collecting energy from external energy sources, e.g. thermocouples, vibration, electromagnetic radiation G06K19/0702 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems

Abstract

A method and system (i.e., an Automated Animal Health Monitoring System—AAHMS) for automated monitoring and early warning of changes in parameters related to the health and status of animals is disclosed. The system includes implantable wireless “smart tele-sensor” elements that can be implanted within the animal where they measure, and may transmit, temperature and other parameters (e.g., blood oxygen, accelerations, vibrations, heart rate) related to the health and status of the animal being monitored. Optional relay elements may comprise simple transponders to boost the signals from the smart sensor elements and retransmit processed results. The system includes devices for alerting personnel responsible for care of the animals and identifying the animal needing attention. Installation tools include optional capabilities to program the smart sensor elements to adapt to animal type, season, diet, or other user needs, and to read and correlate electronic and machine read data with human readable animal identification (e.g., ear or collar tags).

Claims

1. A system for detecting at least one selected condition in an animal comprising:

at least one sensor associated with said animal, said sensor disposed to monitor at least one biometric parameter of said animal,

a transmitter coupled to said sensor, said transmitter providing a signal indicative of said biometric parameter,

a receiver of said signal, and,

indica for providing a reading of said biometric parameter.