System for monitoring and tracking animals

• US 20090009388A1
• Filed: 02/27/2008
• Published: 01/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carole A. Wangrud
• Original Assignee: Carole A. Wangrud
• Inventors: Wangrud, Carole A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,821,406 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/357.550
• 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: G01S 5/0072 Transmission between mobile stations, e.g. anti-collision systems

Abstract

A product is inserted subcutaneously, either manually or mechanically, into domesticated or wild animals to assist in tracking domesticated or wild animals. The product and methods of using include GPS transmitting or any other electronic device to locate and find a lost pet, livestock, migratory movements of birds, or the study of any and all aquatic life. A central data base or a location information receiving device allows an owner/caregiver to locate the animals.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring and tracking the location of at least one animal, the system comprising:

a GPS implant designed to be transplanted subcutaneously into an animal, the GPS implant capable of communicating spatial information related to the location of the at least one animal; and

a portable locating device including;

a first receiver that receives the spatial information communicated from the GPS implant related to the location of the at least one animal;

a processor having a memory containing entered data defining an allowable zone;

a communication port; and

a location monitoring program stored within the memory, the location monitoring program including;

first instructional signals for comparing the spatial information communicated from the GPS implant against the entered data defining an allowable zone, and determining when the at least one animal is outside the allowable zone; and

second instructional signals for communicating response signals from the portable locating device when the at least one animal is outside the allowable zone.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the data defining an allowable zone is represented by a user-defined perimeter.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable locating device further includes a second GPS receiver for determining spatial information related to the location of the portable locating device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the location monitoring program further includes instructional signals for comparing the spatial information communicated from the GPS implant and the spatial information determined from the second GPS receiver against a predetermined allowable distance between the GPS implant and the portable locating device, and determining when the at least one animal is outside the allowable distance.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the data defining an allowable zone is represented by a user-defined distance between the GPS implant and the portable locating device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the response signals comprise notification signals through a jack to a standard phone system.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the response signals comprise notification signals through a broadband Internet connection.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the response signals comprise notification signals to an Internet site.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication port is a wireless communication port.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable locating device further includes an audible alarm for sounding when the at least one animal is outside the allowable zone.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable locating device further includes a visual display for displaying the location of the GPS implant.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the portable locating device further includes a second GPS receiver for determining spatial information related to the location of the portable locating device, and wherein the visual display includes a split screen mode for displaying the location of the GPS implant alongside the location of the portable locating device.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the portable locating device further includes maps stored within memory.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the portable locating device further includes instructional signals for downloading maps from an Internet site.

15. A method for monitoring and tracking the location of an animal, comprising the steps of:

inserting a GPS implant subcutaneously into the animal, the GPS implant communicating information relating to the location of the animal;

operating a locating device including a first receiver, a memory, a processor, and a communication port;

providing allowable zone data to the locating device memory;

receiving the location information communicated by the GPS implant through the first receiver of the locating device;

using the processor to compare the location information communicated by the GPS implant against the allowable zone data and determine if the animal is within the allowable zone; and

generating and sending response signal(s) out the communication port of the locating device when it is determined that the animal is outside the allowable zone.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the locating device further includes a second GPS receiver and wherein the step of providing allowable zone data to the locating device memory comprises the steps of:

inputting a user defined perimeter into the memory by transporting the locating device along the perimeter; and

using the second GPS receiver, receiving signals corresponding to the location of the locating device while transporting the locating device along the perimeter, and storing the data into memory.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the locating device further includes a second GPS receiver and wherein the step of providing allowable zone data to the locating device memory comprises an allowable distance between the locating device and the GPS implant.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the portable locating device further includes a visual display for displaying the location of the GPS implant.

19. A method for monitoring the location of wildlife, comprising the steps of:

inserting a GPS implant subcutaneously into at least one animal, the GPS implant communicating information relating to the location of the at least one animal;

operating a locating device having a receiver and a communication port;

receiving animal-specific location information communicated by the GPS implant through the receiver of the locating device;

relaying the animal-specific location information out the communication port of the locating device.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the GPS implant is inserted ballistically into the animal.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the animal-specific location information is relayed to an Internet site.