Control system for an animal parasite control accessory, accessory and associated method

Abstract

Control system for an animal antiparasitic accessory, accessory and associated method. The present invention relates to a control system for an animal accessory, the accessory comprising: - a rechargeable device for spraying an active ingredient including an active ingredient reservoir and a nebulizer body with a controllable spraying mechanism, - at least one sensor acquiring measurements relating to the animal wearing the accessory or its environment, said control system comprising: - a data receiving unit including initial data acquired by the at least one sensor, - a determination unit calculating the risk of infestation of the animal by a parasite based on the received data and determining a control law for the spraying mechanism based on the calculated infestation risk, to obtain a determined control law.and - a sending unit transmitting the determined control law to the spraying mechanism. Figure for the abbreviation: figure 2,

Description

Title of the invention: Control system for an antiparasitic accessory for animals, associated accessory and method

[0001] The present invention relates to a control system for an animal accessory. It also relates to an accessory comprising such a control system and a method for controlling such an accessory.

[0002] Like most animals, dogs are susceptible to being attacked by parasites. By parasite, we mean in particular but not exclusively biting insects of various kinds, such as fleas, biting flies, horseflies, mosquitoes, sandflies and ticks. Among said biting insects, some are capable of transmitting serious diseases to the animal, this is particularly the case for sandflies and ticks which should therefore be kept as far away from the animal as possible.

[0003] Sandflies are biting midges morphologically similar to mosquitoes. By biting a dog, sandflies can transmit leishmaniasis. This disease manifests itself by general fatigue, lack of appetite and skin problems and is not completely curable.

[0004] The tick is a parasitic insect of the mite family. Often present in tall grass where it reproduces, this parasite feeds on the blood of the animals to which it attaches itself. Once the tick is in place on the skin of a dog, it will pump its blood for several days, then detach itself.

[0005] While ticks are painless for dogs, they are nonetheless a significant danger. And for good reason: ticks carry serious diseases. By sucking the dog's blood and mixing its saliva with it, the tick can transmit certain blood diseases to the dog. In some cases, these diseases can lead to the death of the animal. Hence the importance of avoiding tick infestation in dogs at all costs.

[0006] There is therefore a need for a system for controlling an animal accessory which makes it possible to limit the risk of infestation of an animal by a parasite, in particular biting insects such as fleas, biting flies, horseflies, mosquitoes, and in particular sandflies and ticks.

[0007] For this purpose, the description describes a system for controlling an animal accessory, the accessory comprising:

[0008] - a rechargeable device for spraying an active ingredient comprising a reservoir of active and a nebulizing body with a controllable spraying mechanism,

[0009] - a set of at least one sensor, the set of at least one sensor being clean to acquire measurements relating to the animal wearing the accessory or its environment,

[0010] said control system comprising:

[0011] - a receiving unit suitable for receiving data, said data received by the receiving unit comprising first data acquired by the set of at least one sensor,

[0012] - a determination unit suitable for calculating a risk of infestation of the animal by a parasite based on the data received and being capable of determining a control law for the spraying mechanism based on the calculated infestation risk, to obtain a determined control law, and

[0013] - a sending unit suitable for sending the determined control law to the mechanism spraying.

[0014] According to particular embodiments, the control system has one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations:

[0015] - the set of at least one sensor comprises a temperature sensor, a sensor humidity sensor and an animal locating device, the determination unit calculating the risk of infestation of the animal based on each of the measurements of the temperature sensor, the humidity sensor and the animal locating device,

[0016] - the assembly of at least one sensor comprises a movement measurement unit comprising at least one of an accelerometer or a gyroscope, the first data comprising a property of a movement of the animal, the property being chosen from the amplitude of the movement of the animal, the frequency of the movement of the animal, the distance traveled by the animal, the direction of the movement of the animal or the duration of the movement of the animal,

[0017] - the determination unit is capable of calculating a first risk of infestation for a species of parasite based on a first set of data received,

[0018] the determination unit also being capable of calculating a second risk of infestation for a species of parasite as a function of a second set of data received, the first set being distinct from the second set, and

[0019] the determination unit calculating the risk of infestation of the animal by a parasite as a function of the values ​​of the first risk of infestation and the second risk of infestation, preferably as the arithmetic mean of the values ​​of the first risk of infestation and the second risk of infestation.

[0020] - each risk of infestation is evaluated according to at least three values, preferably according to three values ​​corresponding respectively to low risk, medium risk and high risk.

[0021] - the determination unit is capable of determining the control law by selection of one of a plurality of operating modes, each operating mode being a control law coding for a number of activations of the spraying mechanism during a predetermined duration and a duration for each activation, the number of activations and the duration of each activation being specific to each operating mode.

[0022] - the operating modes include main operating modes, for example two main operating modes, and at least one secondary operating mode, a main operating mode being an operating mode for which the predetermined duration is greater than 100 times the duration of an activation and a secondary operating mode being an operating mode for which the predetermined duration is less than 50 times the duration of an activation.

[0023] - the determination unit is capable of determining whether a criterion relating to the risk infestation is verified and is capable of selecting a secondary operating mode when said criterion is verified.

[0024] - the data received by the receiving unit comprises second data, the second data being information relating to the animal, the control device being capable of initializing the control law to a main operating mode selected as a function of the second data.

[0025] - the data received by the receiving unit includes a third data item relating to a manual activation of a button, the control law unit then selecting a secondary operating mode based on the third data.

[0026] The description also relates to an animal accessory comprising:

[0027] - a rechargeable device for spraying an active ingredient comprising a reservoir of active and a nebulizing body with a controllable spraying mechanism,

[0028] - a set of at least one sensor, the set of at least one sensor being clean to acquire measurements relating to the animal wearing the accessory or its environment, and

[0029] - a control system as previously described.

[0030] The description also describes a method for controlling an animal accessory comprising:

[0031] - a rechargeable device for spraying an active ingredient comprising a reservoir of active and a nebulizing body with a controllable spraying mechanism,

[0032] - a set of at least one sensor, the set of at least one sensor being clean to acquire measurements relating to the animal wearing the accessory or its environment,

[0033] the control method being implemented by a control system and comprising the steps of:

[0034] - receiving the data, the received data comprising first data, the first data being data acquired by the set of at least one sensor,

[0035] - calculation of a risk of infestation of the animal by a parasite based on the data received,

[0036] - determination of a control law for the spraying mechanism as a function of the determined risk of infestation, to obtain a determined control law, and

[0037] - sending the determined control law to the spraying mechanism.

[0038] Characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0039] - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a schematic view of an animal accessory and a control system, and

[0040] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of an example of a computer nogram of a control process implemented by the control system.

[0041] An animal accessory 10 and a control system 12 are shown in [Fig.l].

[0042] An accessory 10 is an element intended to be worn by a part of the body of an animal.

[0043] In the example described, the accessory 10 is a collar, that is to say an element intended to be worn around the neck of an animal.

[0044] Alternatively, a harness, a belt or even a bracelet can also be considered as an accessory.

[0045] The animal is a domestic animal, in particular a cat or a dog.

[0046] The accessory 10 comprises a spraying device 14 and a set 16 of sensors.

[0047] The spraying device 14 is a device for spraying an active ingredient.

[0048] A spraying device 14 is capable of projecting a cloud of droplets from a active. The sprayed droplets are relatively fine, typically between 1 micrometer (pm) and 20 pm in size, preferably between 1 pm and 10 pm.

[0049] The spraying device 14 makes it possible to spray the active ingredient in a localized manner on a specific area of ​​the animal, and in particular the vomeronasal organ (more often called Jacobson's organ).

[0050] The spraying device 14 can also be used in a multidirectional manner and independently of the subject's movements. Thus, the spraying device 14 is capable of effectively spraying an active ingredient regardless of the orientation of the spraying device 14 and the movements imposed on it.

[0051] For this, the spraying device 14 comprises a reservoir 18 of active ingredient and a nebulizing body 20 with a controllable spraying mechanism 22.

[0052] The active reservoir 18 may be a refillable and reusable cartridge or a disposable cartridge after use.

[0053] According to the example described, the reservoir 18 is included in a cartridge to be changed.

[0054] This makes it possible to obtain a refillable spraying device 14, i.e. a device which can be refilled after use when the reservoir 18 is empty.

[0055] Alternatively, the reservoir 18 comprises a filling valve directly integrated into the surface of the reservoir 18.

[0056] The nebulizing body 20 is capable of nebulizing the liquid active ingredient into a cloud of droplets.

[0057] For this, the nebulizing body 20 comprises multiple elements including the spraying mechanism 22.

[0058] The spraying mechanism 22 is controllable.

[0059] This means that a control law allows the activation of the spraying mechanism 22. The control law thus makes it possible to control and / or trigger the spraying remotely of the active ingredient.

[0060] A piezoelectric spray mechanism is an example of a spray mechanism 22 that can be so controlled.

[0061] A piezoelectric spray mechanism is a mechanism comprising a piezoelectric pellet in contact with the active ingredient, said pellet vibrating at a frequency enabling nebulization.

[0062] Advantageously, the nebulizing body 20 is equipped with a system 24 for orienting the piezoelectric spraying mechanism 22 to enable the active ingredient to be sprayed well in the desired area.

[0063] The active ingredient is a substance formulated within a liquid composition to be able to come into contact with the piezoelectric device whose vibration frequency will make it possible to atomize the liquid and disperse the substance in the form of a cloud or mist.

[0064] The liquid composition containing the active ingredient is of the aqueous, alcoholic, hydroalcoholic, oily type or in the form of an emulsion, the nature of which will be adapted to the active ingredient.

[0065] According to a particular embodiment, the composition is exclusively composed of the pure active ingredient, without solvent.

[0066] According to another embodiment, the active ingredient is diluted within the composition by means of at least one solvent. Examples of solvents that can be used include in particular aromatic or aliphatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, aromatic or aliphatic alcohols, esters, ethers and ketones, or water. More preferably, the solvents that can be used are triglycerides, such as vegetable or animal oils, or alcoholic solvents, such as ethanol.

[0067] Formulation adjuvants may also be added, such as, for example, stabilizers, surfactants, synergizing agents, antimicrobial agents.

[0068] The active ingredient represents between 0.01% and 100% of the liquid composition, preferably between 0.1% and 50% and even more preferably between 0.5% and 30%.

[0069] Here, the active ingredient is an insecticide or a repellent.

[0070] Insecticides and repellents are used in the fight against the above-mentioned harmful organisms. For example, the insecticides and repellents are chosen in particular from the group formed by pyrethroids, pyrethrins and their derivatives, carbamates, formamidines, carboxylic esters, N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET), Icaridin, phenylpyrazoles, organophosphorus compounds, organohalogenated compounds, neonicotinoids, avermectins and their derivatives, spinosyns, essential oils and their constituents (examples: terpenes and their derivatives (alcohols, esters, aldehydes), sesquiterpenes and their derivatives (alcohols, esters, aldehydes)).

[0071] Alternatively, the active agent is a repellent or insecticide which is selected from essential oils such as lavandin essential oil, lemon eucalyptus essential oil, lemongrass essential oil, lavender essential oil, neem essential oil, peppermint essential oil, spearmint essential oil, pennyroyal essential oil, wintergreen essential oil or basil essential oil or a mixture thereof.

[0072] According to one variant, the repellents are chosen from constituents of essential oils such as geraniol, limonene, menthol, alpha pinene, linalool, ci-triodiol, citronellal or their mixture.

[0073] According to the example described in [Fig.l], the set 16 of sensors comprises three sensors which are a temperature sensor 26, a humidity sensor 27 and an animal location device 28.

[0074] The temperature sensor 26 is suitable for measuring the temperature of the animal's environment.

[0075] The humidity sensor 27 is capable of determining the humidity level of the animal's environment.

[0076] The animal locating device 28 is capable of locating the animal in space.

[0077] By way of example, the animal location device 28 is a global positioning system (more often referred to by the abbreviation GPS which refers to the corresponding English term “global positioning system”).

[0078] Alternatively or additionally, the animal location device 28 can be coupled to any database making it possible to identify and characterize the level of infestation of the area where the animal is located, such as satellite maps.

[0079] The control system 12 is capable of controlling the accessory 10 and in particular the spraying mechanism 22.

[0080] The control system 12 comprises a receiving unit 30, a determining unit 32, a sending unit 34 and a human-machine interface 36.

[0081] The reception unit 30 is capable of receiving data.

[0082] According to the example described, the data received by the receiving unit 30 comprises the data coming from the set 16 of sensors.

[0083] The determination unit 32 is capable of determining a control law for the spraying mechanism 22 as a function of the data received.

[0084] The determination unit 32 thus obtains a determined control law.

[0085] The sending unit 34 is capable of sending the determined control law to the spray mechanism 22.

[0086] The human-machine interface 36 allows a user, in particular the owner of the animal, to interact with the control system 12.

[0087] The human-machine interface 36 is, for example, a touch screen allowing the user to both enter information or commands and provide information to the user. Such a human-machine interface 36 thus combines the functions of an input device and an output device.

[0088] Alternatively, a separate input device and output device are used.

[0089] For illustration, the input device is a keyboard. Alternatively, the input device is a pointing device (such as a mouse, a touchpad, and a graphics tablet), a voice recognition device, an eye tracker, or a haptic device.

[0090] Similarly, the output device may be a display screen for visual presentation of the output. In other embodiments, the output device is a printer, an augmented and / or virtual display unit, a speaker or other sound generating device for presenting the output in sound form, a vibration and / or odor producing unit, or a unit adapted to produce an electrical signal.

[0091] In the case of [Fig.l], the control system 12 is physically implemented in two parts, the first part grouping the reception unit 30, the determination unit 32 and the sending unit 34 and the second part corresponding to the human-machine interface 36

[0092] The first part is here an electronic circuit embedded in the accessory 10 while the second part is a terminal 40.

[0093] In the described embodiment, the first part is a calculator 38.

[0094] The computer 38 is an electronic circuit designed to manipulate and / or transform data represented by electronic or physical quantities in registers of the computer 38 and / or memories into other similar data corresponding to physical data in the register memories or other types display devices, transmission devices or storage devices.

[0095] As specific examples, the computer 38 includes a single-core or multi-core processor (such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microcontroller, and a digital signal processor (DSP)), a programmable logic circuit (such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device (PLD), and programmable logic arrays (PLAs)), a state machine, a logic gate, and discrete hardware components.

[0096] The computer 38 is electrically connected to each of the sensors of the set 16 of sensors.

[0097] Alternatively, it is possible to allow communication with the sensors via a bus or an input / output interface.

[0098] In the example described, the terminal 40 is a multifunction mobile (more often referred to by the corresponding English term “smartphone”).

[0099] The multifunction mobile is capable of implementing an application in communication with the computer 38 via a communication network.

[0100] An application is a set of program instructions usually downloaded from an external source

[0101] For example, the form of the program instructions is a source code form, a computer-executable form, or any intermediate form between a source code and a computer-executable form, such as the form resulting from the conversion of the source code via an interpreter, an assembler, a compiler, a linker, or a locator. Alternatively, the program instructions are microcode, firmware instructions, state definition data, integrated circuit configuration data (e.g., VHDL), or object code.

[0102] Other physical implementations are possible as alternatives.

[0103] For example, the computer 38 can be remote from the accessory 10. In such a case, the computer 38 receives the data from the set 16 of sensors either by a wired system or using antennas.

[0104] It is also possible to envisage that the computer 38 and the human-machine interface 36 are produced in the form of a single system such as a remote control.

[0105] It could also be envisaged that the computer 38 is a part of the terminal computer 40. In such a case, for example, an application or any other computer program could carry out the actions of all the units.

[0106] Such an embodiment corresponds to an execution entirely or partially carried out on a single computer but it is also possible that the execution of the different functions is carried out by a system distributed between several computers. (especially through the use of cloud computing).

[0107] The operation of the control system 12 is now described with reference to [Fig.2] which illustrates a flowchart of an example of operation of a method for controlling the accessory 10.

[0108] In the example described, the control system 12 is capable of controlling the spraying device 14 according to several operating modes.

[0109] By definition, an operating mode is a control law coding for a number of activations of the spraying mechanism 22 during a predetermined duration and a duration for each activation.

[0110] The number of activations is the number of times the spray mechanism 22 is triggered during the predetermined duration.

[0111] The activation duration is the time interval between the start of activation of the spray mechanism 22 and the end of activation of the spray mechanism 22.

[0112] These different parameters correspond to a dosage for administering the active ingredient to the animal.

[0113] The number of activations and the duration of each activation are specific to each operating mode.

[0114] In other words, each mode of operation corresponds to a specific dosage.

[0115] The operating modes include primary operating modes MPI and MP2 and at least one secondary operating mode MSI and MS2.

[0116] It is recalled here that the example described is in no way limiting and that the number of main operating modes as well as the number of secondary operating modes can be any number.

[0117] A main operating mode MPI or MP2 is an operating mode for which the predetermined duration is greater than 100 times the duration of an activation.

[0118] A main operating mode MPI or MP2 therefore corresponds to background processing.

[0119] For example, the predetermined duration is of the order of a few days while the activation duration is less than 1 minute.

[0120] A secondary operating mode MS is an operating mode for which the predetermined duration is less than 50 times the duration of an activation.

[0121] In the example described, the predetermined duration is of the order of magnitude of a few hours.

[0122] A secondary operating mode MS3 or MS4 thus corresponds to one-off processing.

[0123] According to the example described, without this being limiting, the operating modes There are two main MPI and MP2.

[0124] The first main MPI operating mode corresponds to an activation number equal to 1, the predetermined duration is three days and the activation duration is 30 seconds.

[0125] The first main MPI operating mode thus corresponds to a treatment adapted for an animal not presenting a particular risk of infestation (low treatment).

[0126] The second main operating mode MP2 corresponds to a number of activations equal to 2, the predetermined duration is one day and the activation duration is 30 seconds.

[0127] The second main operating mode MP2 thus corresponds to a treatment adapted for an animal presenting a particular risk of infestation (medium treatment).

[0128] Several observations can be made regarding these different values ​​for the number of activations, the predetermined duration and the activation duration.

[0129] Thus, each main operating mode MPI or MP2 corresponds to a specific predefined duration, the difference in activation duration being greater than or equal to 1, here equal to 1.

[0130] Each main operating mode MPI and MP2 corresponds to the same activation duration.

[0131] Of course, what has just been explained is not limiting.

[0132] For example, the activation durations of each of the main operating modes MPI and MP2 could be different.

[0133] Typically, the activation duration of the first main operating mode MPI is between 1 s and 1 minute and the activation duration of the second main operating mode MP2 is between 1 s and 1 minute; the number of activations is equal to 1 or 2 and the predetermined duration is between one day and three days.

[0134] The number of secondary operating modes MSI and MS2 is equal to 2 in the case of [Fig.2].

[0135] According to the example described, the first secondary operating mode MSI corresponds to an activation number equal to 1, a predetermined duration of 8 hours and an activation duration of 40 s.

[0136] The second secondary operating mode MS2 corresponds to an activation number equal to 1, a predetermined duration of 6 hours and an activation duration of 40 s.

[0137] Of course, what has just been explained is not limiting.

[0138] For example, the activation times of each of the operating modes se- secondary MS3 and MS4 could be different.

[0139] Typically, the activation duration of the first subsidiary operating mode MS3 is between 1 s and 1 minute and the activation duration of the second subsidiary operating mode MS4 is between 1 s and 1 minute; the number of activations is equal to 1 or 2 and the predetermined duration is between 5 hours and 10 hours.

[0140] As previously indicated, it is the determination unit 32 which determines which operating mode is appropriate.

[0141] For this, the determination unit 32 uses criteria to switch between the different operating modes.

[0142] Each of the switching criteria depends on the data received in the sense that these criteria depend on a risk of infestation of the animal by a parasite which is itself a function of the data received.

[0143] Before explaining these different switching criteria, it is now described how the determination unit 32 calculates the risk of infestation by a parasite, and more precisely for fleas, sandflies and ticks.

[0144] According to the example described, it is used in combination with data from all 16 sensors, pre-recorded data and / or data accessible via an internet connection, or from a platform compiling satellite, aircraft, drone imagery data, local risk maps and weather data.

[0145] The above data includes maps and tables.

[0146] A map can be a geographical map associating with a geographical position, for example, three levels of infestation risks for a parasite, typically green (low), orange (medium) and red (high).

[0147] There is a card for each type of parasites taken into account by the accessory 10.

[0148] Furthermore, the memory footprint of the geographic map is reduced by using a limited number of zones, typically 100, the zones grouping together a set of geographic positions and by allocating to the zone an infestation risk level corresponding to an average infestation risk level for all the geographic positions.

[0149] To obtain such a map, it is possible to use existing information, to process it (for example, by performing averages and / or interpolations) to obtain the data corresponding to the map, in this case the limits of the green zones, orange zones and red zones.

[0150] Thus, when the location device gives the position of the animal, this makes it possible to obtain the area in which the animal is in the map(s) used and therefore the associated risk level.

[0151] The determination unit 32 thus calculates a first risk of infestation for a parasite species based on position data.

[0152] The tables are tables associating three levels of infestation risks for a parasite, typically low, moderate and high, with a temperature pair and a humidity level.

[0153] There is a table for each type of parasites taken into account by the accessory 10.

[0154] Furthermore, the memory footprint of the table is reduced by using intervals for the pairs and allocating to these intervals an infestation risk level corresponding to an average infestation risk level for all the values ​​of the intervals.

[0155] As a non-limiting example, the temperatures could be classified into 8 intervals of 5°, the last interval corresponding to temperatures above 35°C and the humidity levels could be classified into 8 intervals of 10%, the first interval being less than 40% and the last interval being greater than 90%.

[0156] This allows you to limit the number of boxes in the table to be memorized.

[0157] The temperature sensor and the humidity sensor providing the temperature and humidity, the determination unit 32 determines the three levels (low, moderate and high) of infestation risks.

[0158] The determination unit 32 also calculates a second risk of infestation for a species of parasite as a function of temperature and humidity.

[0159] The first infestation risk and the second infestation risk come from two separate sets of received data.

[0160] From the first and second risks of infestation, the determination unit 32 calculates the overall risk of infestation of the animal by a parasite by applying a function of the values ​​of the first risk of infestation and the second risk of infestation.

[0161] For example, the determination unit 32 may use the arithmetic mean of the values ​​of the first infestation risk and the second infestation risk.

[0162] However, other calculation formulas can be considered, in particular a weighted average favoring temperature and humidity data.

[0163] Such an operation can be described in the following table:

[0164] [Tables 1] First risk of infestation Second risk of infestation Risk of infestation Green zone Low 1 Green zone Moderate 1 Green zone High 2 Orange zone Low 1 Orange zone Moderate 2 Orange zone High 3 Red zone Low 2 Red zone Moderate 3 Red zone High 3

[0165] In the example described, for the case of sandflies and ticks, the technique which has just been described is implemented.

[0166] In the case of chips, the use of a card being little indicated, the risk of infestation is directly the risk of infestation obtained by the table relating to temperature and humidity.

[0167] It has thus been described as determining the risk of infestation of an animal for each parasite.

[0168] It is from the risks of infestation of an animal for each parasite that it is possible to evaluate the criteria which will now be described.

[0169] The determination unit 32 uses the first criterion C1 to determine whether a transition between the first main operating mode MPI and the first secondary operating mode MS 1 is indicated.

[0170] By transition, in the context of this example, is meant a switch in one direction (here from the first main operating mode MPI and the first secondary operating mode MSI) or in another direction (here from the first secondary operating mode MS 1 and the first main operating mode MPI).

[0171] In the case described, the first criterion Cl is respected when the maximum of each risk of infestation of an animal for each parasite is equal to a risk of 2.

[0172] The determination unit 32 uses the second criterion C2 to determine whether a transition between the first main operating mode MPI and the second secondary operating mode MS2 is indicated.

[0173] In the case described, the second criterion C2 is respected when the maximum of each risk of infestation of an animal for each parasite is equal to a risk of 3.

[0174] The determination unit 32 uses the third criterion C3 to determine whether a transition between the second main operating mode MP2 and the first secondary operating mode MS 1 is indicated.

[0175] In the case described, the third criterion C3 is similar to the first criterion C1, that is to say that the third criterion C3 is respected when the maximum of each risk of infestation of an animal for each parasite is equal to a risk of 2.

[0176] The determination unit 32 uses the fourth criterion C4 to determine whether a transition between the second main operating mode MP2 and the second secondary operating mode MS2 is indicated.

[0177] In the case described, the fourth criterion C4 is similar to the second criterion C2, that is to say that the fourth criterion C4 is respected when the maximum of each risk of infestation of an animal for each parasite is equal to a risk of 3.

[0178] The determination unit 32 uses the fifth criterion C5 to determine whether a transition between the first secondary operating mode MS 1 and the second secondary operating mode MS2 is indicated.

[0179] In the case described, the fifth criterion C5 is similar to criteria C2 and C4, that is to say that the fifth criterion C5 is respected when the maximum of each risk of infestation of an animal for each parasite is equal to a risk of 3.

[0180] It may also be noted that it is prohibited to switch from the first main operating mode MPI to the second main operating mode MP2 and vice versa.

[0181] Upon initialization, the control device initializes the control law to a main operating mode MPI or MP2 selected based on second data.

[0182] The second data is information relating to the animal.

[0183] For example, a questionnaire is provided to a user and the user completes it on the terminal 40. The main operating mode MPI or MP2 is chosen based on the answers to these questions, typically by calculating a score dependent on these answers.

[0184] Questions may relate to the presence of symptoms, lifestyle habits or the existence of recent potentially relevant events.

[0185] For example, it may be asked whether the animal lives in an urban or rural environment, whether the animal lives alone or in the presence of other animals, whether the animal has access to a garden, whether treatments are currently already administered to the animal, whether the animal is treated regularly or whether the animal has been infested in the previous month.

[0186] It could also be considered to ask the breed of the animal or its age to better determine the main mode of operation appropriate for the animal. Indeed, the The risk of infestation may be linked to the breed and / or size of the animal, which is more or less likely to come into contact with the parasite.

[0187] Such a control system 12 makes it possible to generate a control law adapted to avoid an infestation.

[0188] In fact, the control system 12 makes it possible to better determine the risk since the risk is obtained permanently as long as the animal is wearing the accessory 10.

[0189] Further, the control system 12 is capable of determining how best to treat the animal in real time and controlling the spraying device 14 to apply the treatment.

[0190] Other embodiments benefiting from the same advantages are conceivable.

[0191] In particular, the set 16 of sensors may differ.

[0192] For example, the set 16 of sensors may also include a movement measurement unit.

[0193] A unit of measurement of movement is a unit capable of acquiring at least one property of the animal's movement.

[0194] For illustration purposes, the motion measurement unit here comprises an accelerometer and a gyroscope but could comprise only one of the two.

[0195] The movement measurement unit is capable of acquiring a property chosen from the amplitude of the animal's movement, the frequency of the animal's movement, the distance traveled by the animal, the direction of the animal's movement or the duration of the animal's movement.

[0196] The movement measurement unit can thus make it possible to detect excessive licking or suspicious scratching. This implies that the movement unit 26 makes it possible to obtain a property of said movement to analyze the behavior of the animal.

[0197] Furthermore, other sensors can be used as a variant or in addition.

[0198] For example, a frequency meter, a blood pressure monitor or a body temperature sensor may be considered.

[0199] According to another example, the data received by the reception unit 30 comprises a third piece of data relating to a manual activation of a button, the control law unit then selecting a secondary operating mode MS as a function of the third piece of data.

[0200] The button may be an area of ​​a touch screen or a physical button.

[0201] This allows the user to adapt the treatment if he deems it appropriate.

[0202] Alternatively or additionally, the determination unit 32 may operate according to a control law different from that which has just been described. In particular, it is possible to envisage any combination of main operating modes MPi and secondary operating modes MSj associated with each other by additional criteria Ck where i, j and k are integers greater than or equal to 1 which have no reason to be identical to priori.

[0203] Furthermore, an example has been presented in which the risk of infestation is evaluated according to three values, corresponding respectively to a low risk, a medium risk and a high risk.

[0204] The risk of infestation can be assessed according to a different number of values, and in particular a number greater than or equal to three values.

[0205] According to a particular embodiment, the determination unit 32 is capable of learning the control law.

[0206] The determination unit 32 can in particular the characteristics of the main operating modes MPi and secondary MSj, their number as well as the criteria Ck

[0207] For this, the determination unit 32 implements a machine or artificial learning technique, more often referred to by the corresponding English term “machine learning”.

[0208] For example, a neural network, a random forest technique (more often referred to by the corresponding English term “random forest”), a support vector machine technique (more often referred to by the acronym SVM referring to the corresponding English term “support vector machine”) or Bayesian techniques may be considered.

[0209] The determination unit 32 could, for example, perform a temporal analysis of the dog's behavior and / or identify common points between the switches to a secondary operating mode MS.

[0210] For example, certain times of the day may be risky times for which a switch to a secondary operating mode MS is indicated.

[0211] Typically, a walk in the forest on the weekend is an event occurring in a generally known time interval and for which, as a preventive measure, it may be advisable to switch to a secondary operating mode MS 1 or MS2.

[0212] Such a machine learning technique could also be used to improve risk estimation, particularly based on the ground reality given by the master.

[0213] To improve the risk estimation, it is also possible to use other data in addition.

[0214] For example, we can cite data on the distribution of parasites in the territory, geological data (history over several years), the evolution of watercourses, data on plant cover and its evolution and weather data.

[0215] Such data may in particular come from satellite data providing the aforementioned information or from which a processing module may extract this information.

[0216] In each of the embodiments, the control system 12 makes it possible to limit the risk of infestation of an animal by a parasite, in particular biting insects such as fleas, biting flies, horseflies, mosquitoes, and in particular sandflies and ticks.

[0217] a control system 12 has been described making it possible to make the accessory 10 intelligent because the use of the control system 12, of the set 16 of at least one sensor and of the spraying device 14 makes the accessory 10 capable of implementing a method for treating at least preventively an animal in an environment containing parasites.

Claims

Claims

1. Control system (12) for an accessory (10) for an animal, the accessory (10) comprising: - a rechargeable spraying device (14) for an active ingredient comprising a reservoir (18) of active ingredient and a nebulizing body (20) with a controllable spraying mechanism (22), - a set (16) of at least one sensor, the set (16) of at least one sensor being configured to acquire measurements relating to the animal wearing the accessory (10) or to its environment, said control system (12) comprising a computer (38) grouping: - a reception unit (30) configured to receive data, said data received by the reception unit (30) comprising first data acquired by the set (16) of at least one sensor,- a determination unit (32) configured to calculate a risk of infestation of the animal by a parasite according to the combination of data from the set (16) of sensors and configured to determine a control law of the spraying mechanism (22) according to the calculated risk of infestation, to obtain a control law determined by selecting an operating mode from a plurality of operating modes, each operating mode being a control law coding for a number of activations of the spraying mechanism during a predetermined duration and a duration for each activation, the number of activations and the duration of each activation being specific to each operating mode, and - a sending unit (34) configured to send the determined control law to the spraying mechanism (22).,

2. A control system according to claim 1, wherein the set (16) of at least one sensor comprises a temperature sensor (26), a humidity sensor (27) and an animal locating device (28), the determining unit (32) calculating the risk of infestation of the animal based on each of the measurements of the temperature sensor, the humidity sensor and the animal locating device.

3. A control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the assembly (16) of at least one sensor comprises a motion measurement unit comprising at least one of an accelerometer or a gyroscope, the first data comprising a property of a movement of the animal, the property being selected from the amplitude of the movement of the animal, the frequency of the movement of the animal, the distance traveled by the animal, the direction of the movement of the animal or the duration of the movement of the animal.

4. A control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the determining unit (32) is configured to calculate a first infestation risk for a parasite species based on a first set of the received data, the determining unit (32) also being configured to calculate a second infestation risk for a parasite species based on a second set of the received data, the first set being distinct from the second set, and the determining unit (32) calculating the risk of infestation of the animal by a parasite based on the values of the first infestation risk and the second infestation risk, preferably as the arithmetic mean of the values of the first infestation risk and the second infestation risk.

5. A control system according to claim 4, wherein the operating modes comprise primary operating modes, for example two primary operating modes (MPI, MP2), and at least one secondary operating mode, a primary operating mode being an operating mode for which the predetermined duration is greater than 100 times the duration of an activation and a secondary operating mode being an operating mode for which the predetermined duration is less than 50 times the duration of an activation.

6. Control system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the determining unit (32) is configured to determine whether a criterion relating to the risk of infestation is verified and is configured to select a secondary operating mode when said criterion is verified.

7. A control system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the data received by the receiving unit (30) comprises second data, the second data being information relating to the animal, the control device being configured to initialize the control law to a main operating mode selected according to the second data.

8. Control system according to claims 6 to 7, in which the data received by the receiving unit (30) comprises a third data item relating to a manual activation of a button, the control law unit then selecting a secondary operating mode as a function of the third data item.

9. Accessory (10) for an animal comprising: - a rechargeable spraying device (14) for an active ingredient comprising a reservoir (18) of active ingredient and a nebulizing body (20) with a controllable spraying mechanism (22), - a set (16) of at least one sensor, the set (16) of at least one sensor being configured to acquire measurements relating to the animal wearing the accessory (10) or to its environment, and - a control system (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A method of controlling an accessory (10) according to claim 9 for an animal comprising: - a rechargeable spraying device (14) for an active ingredient comprising a reservoir (18) of active ingredient and a nebulizing body (20) with a controllable spraying mechanism (22), - a set (16) of at least one sensor, the set (16) of at least one sensor being configured to acquire measurements relating to the animal wearing the accessory (10) or to its environment, the control method being implemented by a control system (12) according to claims 1 to 10 and comprising the steps of: - receiving the data, the received data comprising first data, the first data being data acquired by the set (16) of at least one sensor, - calculating a risk of infestation of the animal by a parasite as a function of the received data,- determining a control law for the spraying mechanism (22) as a function of the determined risk of infestation, to obtain a determined control law, and - sending the determined control law to the spraying mechanism (22).,

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