System for monitoring and tracking animals

• US 7,821,406 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2008
• Issued: 10/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carole A. Wangrud
• Original Assignee: Carole A. Wangrud
• Inventors: Wangrud, Carole A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout; Brent
• Application Number:
  US12/072,590
• Publication Number:
  US 20090009388A1
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 34053911-53915, 3405731-5734, 340/825.49, 340/825.72, 340/586, 452/198, 403/01
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• 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;

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;

a second GPS receiver for receiving spatial information related to the location of the portable locating device; and

a visual display having a split screen mode for displaying the location of the GPS implant alongside the location of the portable locating device.

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 maps stored within memory.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable locating device further includes instructional signals for downloading maps from an Internet site.