Temperature recording system

• US 20040233971A1
• Filed: 02/25/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Roger W. Meads, Scott Graunke
• Original Assignee: Roger W. Meads, Scott Graunke
• Inventors: Graunke, Scott, Meads, Roger W.
• Application Number:
  US10/786,180
• Publication Number:
  US 20040233971A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 374/208
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/005 Monitoring or measuring activity, e.g. detecting heat or mating
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/026 arrangements for monitoring a plurality of temperatures, e.g. by multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to temperature recording systems used in the monitoring of a large group of animals. In particular, the present invention relates to the general maintenance of a herd of dairy cows. The present invention eliminates many of the problems associated with the maintenance of dairy cows by providing a more efficient method of monitoring a dairy cow'"'"'s body core temperature and by providing a more efficient way of locating a particular dairy cow.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

i) an implantable temperature device, ii) a signal receiver, iii) a processor, iv) a digital access device, and v) an animal identification device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said implantable temperature device is implantable into an animal.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said implantable temperature device is implanted into an area of the animal selected from the group consisting of the vulva, eyelid, and ear of said animal.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said animal is a cow.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said implantable temperature device, said signal receiver, said processor transmit information through RFID technology.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor, said digital access device, and said animal identification device communicate with a wireless protocol.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said wireless protocol is Bluetooth.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said implantable temperature device contains a microchip comprising a unique identification number.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said animal identification device contains a signal device.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said signal receiver is positioned in a milking parlor.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is used to monitor the body core temperature of a dairy cow.

12. A method of detecting estrus in an animal comprising the steps of:

a) providing a temperature recording system comprising;

i) at least one animal containing an implantable temperature device comprising a unique identification number;

said at least one animal having an animal identification device, wherein said identification device comprises an signal device,

ii) a signal receiver,

iii) a processor, and

b) detecting body core temperature of said at least one animal with said implantable temperature device over an extended period of time;

c) comparing said animal'"'"'s body core temperature fluctuation over said extended period of time; and

d) identifying a particular animal entering estrus through transmittal of an estrus message from said processor to said animal identification device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said at least one animal is at least one cow.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said transmittal of an estrus message is facilitated by a digital access device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said digital access device is a PDA.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said digital access device utilizes wireless technology.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said wireless technology is Bluetooth.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of encoding said processor with said unique identification number for each animal within said at least one animal.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of encoding said processor with standardized animal temperature fluctuation data upon entry into estrus.