TRACKING AND MONITORING OF ANIMALS WITH COMBINED WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY AND GEO-FENCING

• US 20160198680A1
• Filed: 03/21/2016
• Published: 07/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nmode Solutions, Inc. (Samtec Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Nmode Solutions, Inc. (Samtec Incorporated)
• Inventors: Mobley, Tim
• Granted Patent: US 10,292,370 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/004 with electronic identification means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/008 incorporating GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/005 Monitoring or measuring activity, e.g. detecting heat or mating

Abstract

A networked cattle tracking system may track cattle using a base station, smart tags for cattle, and a mobile device. Tags are placed on each animal within a group of cattle. The tags may communicate with each other and with a base station. The tags may communication animal location and other information, including temperature, movement, blood information, and so on. A user may track cattle location, behavior, health, and other information at a base station monitor or a remote wireless device in communication with the base station and plurality of tags.

Claims

1. A system for tracking animals, comprising:

a plurality of tags attached to a group of animals, wherein a tag is attached to each animal and configured to determine a position via received satellite positioning signals; and

a base station configured to wirelessly communicate with each tag and determine the tag location and identification from data received from the tag, the base station able to transmit tag location and identification data to a mobile device using a network to provide the mobile device with animal location and identification information and determine if the animals are within a predetermined geofenced area, wherein a plurality of tags within a node communicate location information to a selected tag within the node, the selected tag transmitting location information for the plurality of tags within the node.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the base station able to trigger an alert if an animal is outside the geofenced area.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the base station able to render a map of a geofenced area.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the base station able to trigger an alert if a tag does not respond to the base station

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each tag is associated with a node, the geofenced area associated with the node.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the base station provides a graphical rendering of the geofenced area and each tag.

7. A method for tracking animals, the method comprising:

determine a position of a plurality of tags attached to a group of animals via satellite positioning signals;

communicate location information for a selected tag within a node to a mobile device, the selected tag transmitting location information for the plurality of tags within the node.

determine that the group of animals are within a predetermined geofenced area based on the communicated location information; and

take action based on the geofencing determination.