Livestock health monitoring system and method of use

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to livestock health monitoring systems and methods of use. An animal health notification system includes: an attachment body configured to securely engage an ear of an animal; an elongated temperature probe secured to the attachment body and configured to extend within the ear of the animal; a housing secured to the attachment body; a computer disposed within the housing and operably associated with the temperature probe; and a notification device in data communication with the computer, the notification device being configured to provide a notification if the temperature of the animal exceeds a determined threshold.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with the application date of February 24, 2017, application number 201780088690.2, and invention name “Livestock Health Monitoring System and Use Method”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for determining livestock health and, more particularly, to a livestock health monitoring system for data collection and detection of abnormal health conditions. Background Art

[0003] Systems and methods for determining livestock health are well known in the art and are effective means of detecting disease and implementing treatment in livestock. For example, FIG. 1 depicts a simplified schematic diagram of a conventional livestock monitoring system 101 having a livestock manager 102 monitoring a plurality of livestock 103 and communicating with a veterinarian 104. As shown in FIG. 2 , a flow chart 201 depicts an example of the processing of the system 101. The livestock manager 102 monitors the livestock 103 via visual inspection. When unusual behavior of the livestock occurs as an indication of disease, the livestock manager 102 contacts the veterinarian 104, who then makes a prognosis and initiates treatment accordingly, as shown in blocks 203-206.

[0004] One of the problems often associated with the system 101 is insufficient monitoring and / or inexperience of livestock managers. For example, the monitoring process may involve a large number of livestock, making the monitoring process difficult. In addition, the process is subject to a large risk of human error because many livestock diseases are not visually detectable and / or livestock managers cannot adequately determine whether livestock are sick.

[0005] Accordingly, while great progress has been made in the field of systems and methods for determining livestock health, many shortcomings still exist. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves and the preferred mode of use together with further objects and advantages thereof will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0007] FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of a common livestock method for determining livestock health;

[0008] FIG2 is a flow chart of the processing of the simplified schematic diagram of FIG1;

[0009] Figure 3 is a front view of a livestock health monitoring system according to a preferred embodiment of the present application;

[0010] Figure 4 Is from Figure 3 A front view of a health monitoring device;

[0011] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 Flow chart of the processing;

[0012] Figure 6 is a simplified schematic diagram of a system according to an alternative embodiment of the present application; and

[0013] Figure 7 is a flow chart describing a preferred method of use.

[0014] Although the system and method of use of the present application are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the description of specific embodiments herein is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined in the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The following provides exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods of use of the present application. It should of course be recognized that in the development of any actual embodiment, many implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. In addition, it should be recognized that such development efforts may be complex and time-consuming, but will still be a routine task for those of ordinary skill in the art who have the benefit of this disclosure.

[0016] The system and method of use according to the present application overcome one or more of the above-mentioned problems commonly associated with traditional livestock monitoring systems. Specifically, the present invention provides a fast and effective means for monitoring large numbers of livestock and reducing the risk of human error. These and other features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0017] The description will be combined with the accompanying drawings, from which the system and method of use will be understood, both with respect to its structure and operation. Several embodiments of the system are shown herein. It should be understood that the various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and / or interchanged with each other, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and specific embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and / or functions between the various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein, so that a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize from this disclosure that the features, elements, and / or functions of one embodiment may be appropriately incorporated into another embodiment, unless otherwise stated.

[0018] The preferred embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The preferred embodiments are chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings for practical use.

[0019] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, Figure 3 A front view of a livestock health monitoring system 301 according to a preferred embodiment of the present application is depicted. It will be appreciated that the system 301 overcomes one or more of the above listed problems typically associated with conventional systems and methods of monitoring livestock health.

[0020] In a contemplated embodiment, system 301 includes a health monitoring device 302 that communicates with an animal 303 via an ear attachment 304. During use, ear attachment 304 is secured to the ear of the animal (not shown) via one or more fasteners commonly known in the art. To achieve this feature, ear attachment 304 includes a body having an aperture 701, wherein aperture 701 extends through the body. The fastener is secured to aperture 701, which in turn is secured to the ear.

[0021] like Figure 4 As shown, the health monitoring device 302 includes one or more data collection chambers 401, an on / off push switch 402, both of which communicate with the ear attachment 304 via a rotating device 403, and communicate with the temperature probe 404 via a wire 405. In a preferred embodiment, the elongated temperature probe 404 is positioned to pass through the rotating device 403 and includes a material that can change hardness when a specific temperature is reached. In addition, the data collection chamber 401 may include a notification device 406 and be encapsulated in a weather resistant plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the notification device 406 is a light that can be seen by the staff; however, it should be recognized that the notification device 406 can be an audible speaker and / or a transmitter configured to provide notifications to a remote computer, such as Figure 6 Described in .

[0022] A computer system with the necessary software, hardware, and power supply is carried within housing 401 to determine whether a temperature threshold is reached and whether to activate device 406 .

[0023] exist Figure 5, flowchart 501 describes the preferred process of system 301. Health monitoring device 302 is secured to the ear 305 of the animal via ear attachment 304 and is turned on by on / off push switch 402, as shown in blocks 502 and 503. A temperature probe 404 of appropriate length is placed in communication with ear 305 and transmits temperature records to data collection chamber 401 via wire 405, as shown in blocks 504 and 505. Temperature monitoring device 302 monitors the animal's body temperature and can provide notifications when user-set parameters are violated, as shown in block 506.

[0024] It will be appreciated that temperature measurements of livestock can indicate useful information regarding disease, illness, distress and hormone levels.

[0025] It should be appreciated that one of the unique features that is considered to be a feature of the present application is the incorporation of an on / off push switch 402. It should be appreciated that this switch will reduce the risk of an animal disabling the health monitoring device. During use, a staff member can determine whether the system is active by pressing the switch 402.

[0026] Additional unique features that are considered to be unique to the present application are the rotation feature 403 of the health monitoring device 302 and the material of the temperature probe that can change hardness. It should be understood that these features allow for stability and comfort of the temperature probe 404 in the animal's ear 305.

[0027] In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the health monitoring device 302 can operate independently via a notification light 406 when a user-set parameter is violated. For example, if the animal's temperature increases to a certain value as set by the user, the notification light 406 will signal the user that this parameter has been met. It should be appreciated that this feature allows for quick visual identification of sick livestock.

[0028] Accordingly, if Figure 3-Figure 5 As shown, a notification system is disclosed herein, wherein a temperature probe is fixed in the ear of an animal and a notification is provided when a threshold temperature reading is reached, preferably via a light. Thus, the system is configured to provide a notification when the animal falls outside a determined temperature range. The notification can be transmitted via a light, an audible noise, and / or wirelessly, as discussed in the following disclosure.

[0029] Reference now Figure 6 , a simplified schematic diagram of a system 601 is shown according to an alternative embodiment of the present application. System 601 incorporates features of system 301 and is further provided with a transmission system 600 having a transmitter configured to wirelessly communicate to a cloud service 603 and / or a database 605 and / or a portable computer (such as a phone, tablet or personal computer).

[0030] During use, system 601 allows multiple animals to be monitored simultaneously and reduces the chance of human error. For example, computer 607 can provide a notification when system 301 is triggered, thereby allowing staff to perform a visual inspection of the animal.

[0031] Reference now Figure 7 , a flow chart 701 describing a preferred method of use is shown. The process includes activating the health monitoring device and placing the probe of the health monitoring device into the ear of the animal, as described in blocks 703-707. This feature can be implemented via one or more of the above-mentioned devices. The temperature measured by the probe is then transmitted to a data collection chamber via one or more transmitters, as shown in block 708.

[0032] One of the unique features of the preferred method is the selection of a temperature threshold and the duration for which the animal reaches and / or exceeds the temperature threshold, as shown in block 709. One or more computers are utilized to record and determine whether the temperature of the animal remains above the threshold for the selected duration. If so, the health monitoring system provides a notification in the form of a visual or audible alarm, as shown in blocks 711, 713. In addition, the one or more computers monitoring the animal may provide a visual or audible notification via a display. In an alternative, if the threshold temperature does not persist for the selected duration, the temperature reading is recorded but the health monitoring device does not provide an alarm.

[0033] The specific embodiments disclosed above are exemplary only, as it is apparent to those skilled in the art who benefit from the teachings herein that the embodiments can be modified and practiced in different but equivalent ways. Therefore, it is apparent that the specific embodiments disclosed above can be replaced or modified, and all such changes are considered to be within the scope and spirit of the present application. Therefore, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the specification. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to these embodiments, but various changes and modifications can be made without departing from their spirit.

Claims

1. An animal health notification system comprising: an attachment body configured to securely engage an ear of an animal; a temperature probe secured to the attachment body, the temperature probe comprising a material capable of changing stiffness upon reaching a particular temperature to allow for stability and comfort of the temperature probe in the ear of the animal; a housing fixed to the attachment body; a computer disposed within the housing and operably associated with the temperature probe, wherein the computer is configured to record and determine whether the temperature of the animal measured via the temperature probe reaches a selected temperature threshold for a selected duration; as well as a notification device in data communication with the computer, the notification device being configurable to provide a visual and audible notification if the temperature of the animal reaches a selected temperature threshold for a selected duration, Wherein if the temperature of the animal reaches a selected temperature threshold and lasts for less than a selected duration, the computer is configured to record the temperature but the notification device does not provide a notification.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: A switch is secured to the housing and is operably associated with the computer.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the switch is configured to reset the computer. The system of claim 1 , wherein the notification device comprises a light.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the notification device comprises a speaker.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the notification device comprises: A transmitter is configured to wirelessly communicate with the portable computer.

7. The system according to claim 6, further comprising: a database in communication with the computer; Wherein the database is configured to store data from the notification device.

8. An animal health notification system comprising: a temperature probe configured to be secured to an ear of an animal, the temperature probe comprising a material capable of changing stiffness upon reaching a particular temperature to allow for stability and comfort of the temperature probe in the ear of the animal; a computer operably associated with the temperature probe and configured to record and determine whether the temperature measured via the temperature probe reaches a selected temperature threshold for a selected duration; and a notification device operably associated with the temperature probe, the notification device being configurable to provide visual and audible notifications if the temperature measured by the temperature probe reaches a selected temperature threshold for a selected duration, If the temperature measured by the temperature probe reaches a selected temperature threshold and lasts for less than a selected duration, the computer is configured to record the temperature but the notification device does not provide a notification.

9. The system according to claim 8, further comprising: an attachment body configured to securely engage the ear of the animal; wherein the temperature probe is fixed to the attachment body.

10. The system according to claim 9, further comprising: A housing is secured to the attachment body.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the computer is disposed within the housing.

12. The system according to claim 11, further comprising: A switch is secured to the housing and is operably associated with the computer.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the switch is configured to reset the computer.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the notification device comprises a light.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the notification device comprises a speaker.

16. The system according to claim 8, wherein the notification device comprises: a transmitter configured to wirelessly communicate with the portable computer; The portable computer is configured to determine whether the animal has reached a selected temperature threshold for a selected duration.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising: a database in communication with the computer; Wherein the database is configured to store data from the notification device.

18. A method of determining the health of an animal comprising: securing a temperature probe to the ear of the animal, the temperature probe comprising a material that changes stiffness when a particular temperature is reached to allow stability and comfort of the temperature probe in the ear of the animal; Select the temperature threshold; selecting a duration for which the animal reaches the temperature threshold; determining and recording, by a computer secured to the ear of the animal, whether the temperature probe has measured a temperature reaching a selected temperature threshold for a selected duration; and If the temperature of the animal measured by the temperature probe reaches a selected temperature threshold for a selected duration, notification is provided using a notification device that can be configured to provide visual and audible notifications, or if the temperature of the animal reaches the selected temperature threshold and the duration is less than the selected duration, the temperature is recorded but no notification is provided.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising: If the measured temperature reaches a selected temperature threshold for a selected duration, a visual notification is provided.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: The measured temperature is transmitted to a portable computer.

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