UNMANNED LIVESTOCK MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USE

• US 20170202185A1
• Filed: 01/18/2016
• Published: 07/20/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dinklage Feed Yard Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dinklage Feed Yard Inc.
• Inventors: Trumbull, Timothy Rex, Myrtle, Susan Rene
• Application Number:
  US15/000,018
• Publication Number:
  US 20170202185A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/005 Monitoring or measuring activity, e.g. detecting heat or mating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/40 Animals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0077 Devices for viewing the surface of the body, e.g. camera, magnifying lens
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/026 Measuring blood flow A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/082 Evaluation by breath analysis, e.g. determination of the chemical composition of exhaled breath A61B5/083, A61B5/091 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14507 specially adapted for measuring characteristics of body fluids other than blood devices for taking samples of body liquids A61B10/0045
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/10 Rotorcrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/25 Fixed-wing aircraft VTOL aircraft B64U10/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/31 for surveillance
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/104 using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/21 : Rotary wings
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 : for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems

Abstract

The present invention relates in general to the field of animal husbandry, and more specifically, to a livestock monitoring system utilizing an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) and methods of using such systems. The system and method of the present invention for monitoring the health and welfare of livestock comprises six primary components: (1) at least one UAV; (2) a plurality of cameras and sensors; (3) a transmitter; (4) a receiver; (5) a server connected to a computer system for receiving images, video, and data from the plurality of cameras and sensors; and (6) a display for viewing in real-time images, video and data obtained from the plurality of cameras and sensors for monitoring the condition of livestock on a farm or ranch. The purpose of the invention is to provide a convenient and cost-efficient system and method for monitoring the condition of livestock to obtain information in real-time about the behavioral and physiological states of individual animals.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring the condition of livestock, comprising:

at least one unmanned aerial vehicle;

a health and welfare assessment device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle;

real-time health and welfare data obtained from the health and welfare assessment device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle;

a transmitter onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle;

a server for receiving the real-time health and welfare data from the transmitter, wherein the server further receives operating instructions for the UAV and the health and welfare assessment device;

a display for viewing in real-time the health and welfare data obtained from the health and welfare assessment device; and

corrective action to safeguard the health and welfare of livestock in response to viewing on the display the real-time health and welfare data obtained by the health and welfare assessment device.

2. The system for monitoring the condition of livestock of claim 1, wherein the health and welfare assessment device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises electro-optical/infrared imaging, thermal imaging, high definition video and still imaging, multiple object tracking, geo-location, atmospheric soundings, soil moisture determination, biological phenomena observation, barometric pressure recordings, temperature recordings, humidity recordings, meteorological recordings, chemical determination, laser spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, RFID tags, high frequency tags, gas analyzers, spatio-temporal image change detection, precision agriculture, pest detection, GPS, target tracking, pH determination, pollution monitoring, plant identification, or combinations thereof.

3. The system for monitoring the condition of livestock of claim 2, wherein the real-time health and welfare data obtained from the health and welfare assessment device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises:

a) assessing the body temperature of livestock;

b) assessing the onset of disease in livestock;

c) determining the identity of disease in livestock;

d) assessing the contiguousness of disease in livestock;

e) assessing treatment results of diseased livestock; and

f) quarantine monitoring of diseased livestock.

4. The system for monitoring the condition of livestock of claim 2, wherein the real-time health and welfare data obtained from the health and welfare assessment device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises:

a) assessing bedding availability and cleanliness for livestock;

b) assessing mineral offerings for livestock;

c) determining drug requirements for livestock;

d) detecting fertility status in livestock;

e) assessing the pH of biological fluids from livestock;

f) assessing blood flow or blood oxygenation of livestock;

g) assessing vocalization and respiration recognition of livestock;

h) assessing breath and saliva contents from livestock;

i) identifying excessive livestock behaviors;

j) identifying livestock downers;

or

k) combinations thereof.

5. The system for monitoring the condition of livestock of claim 2, wherein the real-time health and welfare data obtained from the health and welfare assessment device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises:

a) weather conditions;

b) environmental temperatures; and

c) biosecurity surveillance.

6. The system for monitoring the condition of livestock of claim 2, wherein the real-time health and welfare data obtained from the health and welfare assessment device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises:

a) calculating the rate of gain of livestock;

b) identifying eating patterns of livestock;

c) identifying water intake levels of livestock; and

d) identifying eating disorders in livestock.

7. The system for monitoring the condition of livestock of claim 1, further comprising:

a feed and water assessment device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle for monitoring feed and water conditions in a feed lot, confinement building or pasture;

real-time feed and water data obtained from the feed and water assessment device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle; and

corrective action to promote the growth and vitality of livestock in response to viewing on the display the real-time feed and water data obtained by the feed and water assessment device;

wherein the server receives the real-time feed and water data from the transmitter onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the server further receives operating instructions for the feed and water assessment device.

8. The system for monitoring the condition of livestock of claim 7, wherein the feed and water assessment device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises electro-optical/infrared imaging, thermal imaging, high definition video and still imaging, multiple object tracking, geo-location, temperature recordings, humidity recordings, chemical determination, laser spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, RFID tags, high frequency tags, gas analyzers, spatio-temporal image change detection, precision agriculture, pest detection, GPS, target tracking, pH determination, pollution monitoring, plant identification, or combinations thereof.

9. The system for monitoring the condition of livestock of claim 8, wherein the real-time feed and water data obtained from the feed and water assessment device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises:

a) monitoring the proper distribution of feed to livestock;

b) monitoring feed delivery patterns to livestock;

c) identifying the amount of feed available to livestock, at any given time, at any given location, and at any specific time of day/night;

d) observing livestock response in relationship to feed delivery;

e) determining feed availability to livestock;

f) determining feed and water cleanliness available to livestock;

g) determining feed and water quality available to livestock;

h) determining the freshness of feed available to livestock; and

i) determining water cleanliness available to livestock.

10. The system for monitoring the condition of livestock of claim 7, further comprising:

an animal locator and herding device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle for determining the location and controlling the movement of livestock;

real-time animal location data obtained from the animal locator and herding device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle; and

corrective action to protect and/or move livestock in response to viewing on the display the real-time animal location data obtained by the animal locator and herding device;

wherein the server receives the real-time animal location data from the transmitter onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the server further receives operating instructions for the animal locator and herding device.

11. The system for monitoring the condition of livestock of claim 10, wherein the animal locator and herding device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises alarms and sirens for startling and herding livestock, electric prods for moving livestock, electro-optical/infrared imaging, thermal imaging, high definition video and still imaging, multiple object tracking, geo-location, hyperspectral imaging, RFID tags, high frequency tags, spatio-temporal image change detection, GPS, target tracking, or combinations thereof.

12. The system for monitoring the condition of livestock of claim 11, wherein the real-time animal location data obtained from the animal locator and herding device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises:

a) identifying livestock in distress;

b) locating stray livestock; and

c) identifying specific animals for further observation.

13. The system for monitoring the condition of livestock of claim 11, wherein the real-time animal location data obtained from the animal locator and herding device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises:

a) controlling a plurality of UAVs with animal locator and herding device(s); and

b) creating controlled movement of the livestock herd and/or individual animals;

c) wherein the plurality of UAVs comprise sirens, alarms, and/or electric prods.

14. The system for monitoring the condition of livestock of claim 10, further comprising a health and welfare assessment device, a feed and water assessment device, and/or an animal locator and herding device remote from the unmanned aerial vehicle.

15. A system for monitoring the condition of livestock, comprising:

at least one unmanned aerial vehicle;

a health and welfare assessment device, a feed and water assessment device, and an animal locator and herding device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle;

real-time health and welfare data obtained from the health and welfare assessment device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle;

real-time feed and water data obtained from the feed and water assessment device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle;

real-time animal location data obtained from the animal locator and herding device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle;

a transmitter onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle;

a server for receiving the real-time health and welfare data, real-time feed and water data, and real-time animal location data from the transmitter, wherein the server further receives operating instructions for the UAV and the health and welfare assessment device, the feed and water assessment device, and the animal locator and herding device;

a display for viewing in real-time the health and welfare data, the feed and water data, and the animal location data; and

corrective action to safeguard the health and welfare of livestock in response to viewing on the display the real-time health and welfare data obtained by the health and welfare assessment device;

corrective action to promote the growth and vitality of livestock in response to viewing on the display the real-time feed and water data obtained by the feed and water assessment device; and

corrective action to protect and/or move livestock in response to viewing on the display the real-time animal location data obtained by the animal locator and herding device.

16. The system for monitoring the condition of livestock of claim 15, wherein the real-time health and welfare data obtained from the health and welfare assessment device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises:

a) assessing the body temperature of livestock;

b) assessing the onset of disease in livestock;

c) determining the identity of disease in livestock;

d) assessing the contiguousness of disease in livestock; and

e) quarantine monitoring of diseased livestock;

wherein the real-time feed and water data obtained from the feed and water assessment device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises;

f) monitoring the proper distribution of feed to livestock;

g) monitoring feed delivery patterns to livestock;

h) identifying the amount of feed available to livestock, at any given time, at any given location, and at any specific time of day/night;

i) observing livestock response in relationship to feed delivery;

j) determining feed availability to livestock;

k) determining feed and water cleanliness available to livestock;

l) determining feed and water quality available to livestock;

m) determining the freshness of feed available to livestock; and

wherein the real-time animal location data obtained from the animal locator and herding device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises;

n) identifying livestock in distress;

o) locating stray livestock; and

p) identifying specific animals for further observation.

17. The system for monitoring the condition of livestock of claim 16, wherein the health and welfare assessment device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises:

electro-optical/infrared imaging, thermal imaging, high definition video and still imaging, multiple object tracking, temperature recordings, humidity recordings, and combinations thereof;

wherein the feed and water assessment device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises;

high definition video and still imaging, chemical determination, laser spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, pest detection, pH determination, pollution monitoring, plant identification, and combinations thereof; and

wherein the animal locator and herding device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle comprises;

alarms and sirens for startling and herding livestock, geo-location, high definition video and still imaging, multiple object tracking, GPS, and combinations thereof.

18. A method for monitoring the condition of livestock, comprising:

providing at least one unmanned aerial vehicle;

providing a health and welfare assessment device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle;

obtaining real-time health and welfare data from the health and welfare assessment device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle;

transmitting the real-time health and welfare data to a server using a transmitter onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle;

receiving on the server the real-time health and welfare data sent from the transmitter;

viewing in real-time on a display the health and welfare data obtained from the health and welfare assessment device; and

taking corrective action to safeguard the health and welfare of livestock in response to viewing on the display the real-time health and welfare data obtained by the health and welfare assessment device.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

providing a feed and water assessment device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle for monitoring feed and water conditions in a feed lot, confinement building or pasture;

obtaining real-time feed and water data obtained from the feed and water assessment device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle;

transmitting the real-time feed and water data to a server using a transmitter onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle;

receiving on the server the real-time feed and water data sent from the transmitter;

viewing in real-time on a display the feed and water data obtained by the feed and water assessment device; and

taking corrective action to promote the growth and vitality of livestock in a feed lot, confinement building or pasture.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

providing an animal locator and herding device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle for determining the location and controlling the movement of livestock;

obtaining real-time animal location data obtained from the animal locator and herding device onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle; and

transmitting the real-time animal location data to a server using a transmitter onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle;

receiving on the server the real-time animal location data sent from the transmitter;

viewing in real-time on a display the animal location data obtained by the animal locator and herding device; and

taking corrective action to protect and/or move livestock in response to viewing on the display the real-time animal location data obtained by the animal locator and herding device.