ANIMAL MONITORING SYSTEM

• US 20100289639A1
• Filed: 05/09/2007
• Published: 11/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David John Michael Gibson
• Original Assignee: David John Michael Gibson
• Inventors: Gibson, David John Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,866,605 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.1
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/006 Automatic identification systems for animals, e.g. electronic devices, transponders for animals identification systems for access to feeding pens A01K1/0209; ear tags with electronic identification means A01K11/004
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/00 Other apparatus for animal husbandry
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/005 Monitoring or measuring activity, e.g. detecting heat or mating

Abstract

Disclosed is an animal monitoring system that collects data regarding an animal and/or an animal'"'"'s environment and enables access to the collected animal monitoring data. The system comprises a data-logger unit attached to an animal, that logs data regarding the animal or its environment; a data-relay for relaying the data to a data-storage means that collects the data; and a website that provides access to the collected data.

Claims

1. An animal-monitoring system, comprising:

a data-logger unit attached to an animal, wherein said data-logger unit logs data regarding the animal and/or the animal'"'"'s environment;

a data-relay means in wireless communication with said data-logger unit;

a data-storage means in communication with said data-relay means, wherein data transmitted from said data-logger unit is relayed by said data-relay means to said data-storage means; and

a website providing access to the data from said data logger stored on said data-storage means.

2. The animal-monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the data-logger unit comprises a self-contained power supply.

3. The animal-monitoring system of any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the data-logger unit stores the logged data in non-volatile memory.

4. The animal-monitoring system or any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the data-logger transmits the logged data at periodic intervals.

5. The animal-monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the data-logger unit is capable with of bi-directional communication with the data-relay means.

6. The animal-monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the data-relay means communicates with the data-storage means using wireless data transmission.

7. The animal-monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the data-relay means communicates with the data-storage means via a mobile phone network.

8. The animal-monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the data-relay means communicates with the data-storage means via the internet.

9. The animal-monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the data-storage means is a computer database server.

10. The animal-monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the data-storage means operates as the web-server hosting the website providing access to the data from said data logger stored on said data-storage means.

11. The animal-monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the data logger unit logs data from one or more sensors selected from sensors capable of detecting movement, vibration, tilt, location, sound, temperature, light level, humidity, heart rate, breathing rate, and odour.

12. The animal-monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a collar attaches the data logger unit to the animal.

13. The animal-monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the data-relay means is a data-relay device suitable for connection to a domestic power-socket.

14. The animal-monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the data from the data logger stored on the data-storage means is analysed by a computer processor to determine the behaviour and/or activities of the animal.

15. The animal-monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the data from the data logger stored on the data-storage means is displayed on the website in at least partially in pictorial form.

16. The animal-monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the pictorial form is animated.

17. The animal-monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the data-relay means is in wireless communication with a plurality of data-logger units.

18. The use of an animal monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 17 for the diagnosing a medical condition of a monitored animal.

19. A website when adapted for displaying data from an animal monitoring system comprising:

a data-logger unit attached to an animal, wherein said data-logger unit logs data regarding the animal and/or the animal'"'"'s environment;

a data-relay means in wireless communication with said data-logger unit;

a data-storage means in communication with said data-relay means, wherein data transmitted from said data-logger unit is relayed by said data-relay means to said data-storage means for access by said website.

20. A kit of parts comprising:

a data-logger unit for attachment to an animal, wherein said data-logger unit is capable of logging data regarding the animal and/or the animal'"'"'s environment; and

a data-relay means capable of wireless communication with said data-logger unit, and communication with a data-storage means.

21. The kit of parts of claim 20, wherein the data-relay means is capable of communication with a data-storage means via a mobile phone network.

22. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)