System and method for collecting, processing and managing livestock data

• US 7,164,361 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Issued: 01/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intervet Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Schering-Plough Animal Health Corporation (Merck & Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Poliska, Steven A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAI, ANNE VIET NGA
• Application Number:
  US10/403,240
• Publication Number:
  US 20050258967A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,387 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.3, 340/573.1, 119/51.02, 600/300
• US Class Current: 340/573.3
• 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: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

An animal is provided with an identifier for uniquely identifying it. The identifier is entered into a microprocessor-controlled programmable device to start a record for the animal and to record and store information pertaining to the animal into the record. After the recording and storing of information, an electronic unit is activated to indicate to an animal handler a next task to be performed related to the animal. The data may be entered by speech commands and voice recognition software, so that the user can avoid coming into close proximity to the animal. Further, the contents of the record can be processed to provide information to those along the chain from the producers to the feedlots, packing plant and wholesalers/retailers that will assist in the production of a better product.

Claims

1. A method for managing livestock information comprising:

providing a live animal with a unique identifier;

entering said identifier into a microprocessor-controlled programmable device to start a record for said live animal;

recording and storing said information pertaining to said live animal into said record;

processing said information to create a task to be performed next on said live animal; and

indicating the task to be performed next on said live animal to an animal handler by displaying data strings on a display device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifier visually identifies said live animal and does not contain any electronic or electrical components.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of entering comprises speaking said identifier into said microprocessor-controlled programmable device comprising a microphone and speech recognition software, such that the spoken identifier is converted into computer-accessible information and stored in said microprocessor-controlled programmable device to start said record for said live animal.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of entering comprises inputting said identifier into said microprocessor-controlled programmable device using a keyboard or other input device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifier is comprised of an electronic transponder for supplying an alphanumeric number in response to radio frequency excitation.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising displaying said alphanumeric number on said display device for entering into said microprocessor-controlled programmable device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of entering comprises speaking said alphanumeric number into said microprocessor-controlled programmable device comprising a microphone and speech recognition software, such that the spoken alphanumeric number is converted into computer-accessible information and stored in said microprocessor-controlled programmable device to start said record for said live animal.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of entering comprises inputting said alphanumeric number into said microprocessor-controlled programmable device using a keyboard or other input device.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising displaying the livestock information on said display device substantially simultaneously with said alphanumeric number.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said display device is a large display device that obviates a need for the animal handler to physically communicate an instruction to a second animal handler.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of indicating to a second animal handler when the task has been completed.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein said identifier is comprised of an electronic transponder for supplying an alphanumeric number in response to radio frequency excitation.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said display device displays said alphanumeric number to be entered into said microprocessor-controlled programmable device.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said alphanumeric number is spoken into said microprocessor-controlled programmable device comprising a microphone and speech recognition software, such that the spoken alphanumeric number is converted into computer-accessible information and stored in said microprocessor-controlled programmable device to start said record for said live animal.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein said alphanumeric number is input into said microprocessor-controlled programmable device using a keyboard or other input device.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein said display device displays the livestock information substantially simultaneously with said alphanumeric number.

12. A system for managing livestock information, comprising:

a unique identifier for distinguishing a live animal;

a microprocessor-controlled programmable device for entering said identifier in order to start a record for said live animal and for recording and storing information pertaining to said live animal into said record;

a global animal management server for processing said information to create a task to be performed to said live animal; and

a display device for indicating to an animal handler in data strings the task to be performed next on said live animal.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said identifier visually identifies said live animal and does not contain any electronic or electrical components.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said microprocessor-controlled programmable device comprises a microphone and speech recognition software for receiving said identifier spoken into said microphone and for converting the spoken identifier into computer-accessible information to be stored in said microprocessor-controlled programmable device to start said record for said live animal.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein said microprocessor-controlled programmable device includes a keyboard or other input device for inputting said identifier.

21. The system of claim 12 wherein said display device is a large display device that obviates a need for the animal handler to physically communicate an instruction to a second animal handler.

22. A method for managing livestock information, comprising:

providing a live animal with a unique identifier;

entering said identifier into a microprocessor-controlled programmable device to start a record for said live animal;

recording and storing information pertaining to said live animal into said record, wherein the steps of entering and/or recording comprise speaking said identifier and/or information into said microprocessor-controlled programmable device through a microphone connected thereto and interpreting the speech with speech recognition software, such that the spoken identifier and/or information is converted into computer-accessible information and stored in said microprocessor-controlled programmable device;

processing said information to create a task to be performed to said live animal; and

indicating the task to be performed next on said live animal to an animal handler using an electronic unit.

23. A system for managing livestock information, comprising:

a unique identifier for distinguishing a live animal;

a microprocessor-controlled programmable device for entering said identifier in order to start a record for said live animal and for recording and storing information pertaining to said live animal into said record;

a global animal management server for processing said information to create a task to be performed to said live animal;

an electronic unit for indicating to an animal handler the task to be performed next on said live animal; and

a microphone and speech recognition software for receiving said identifier spoken into said microphone and for converting the spoken identifier into computer-accessible information to be stored in said microprocessor-controlled programmable device to start said record for said live animal.