System for real-time monitoring of beef cattle using an internet of things method via public and / or private cellular network

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system comprising an ear device (1) connected to a 4G narrowband-IoT cellular network with GPS for animal location and monitoring, also having an infrared thermometer (2) and a step counter operated by an impact sensor at predetermined intervals, the data being transmitted to the cloud, processed, and consolidated, showing trends and analyses using AI to create APIs, online graphical charts, or dashboards for management analysis by the end user.

Description

[0001] Real-time cattle monitoring system for slaughter using the Internet of Things method via public and / or private cellular network.

[0002] INTRODUCTION

[0003]

[0001] This Patent Application relates to a novel “REAL-TIME CATTLE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR SLAUGHTER USING THE INTERNET OF THINGS METHOD VIA PUBLIC AND / OR PRIVATE CELLULAR NETWORK”, which utilizes the existing connectivity capacity of cellular operators to create a model that optimizes the management of confined cattle and allows, for example, financial institutions to reduce their risk when granting credit to the livestock sector.

[0004] FIELD OF APPLICATION

[0005]

[0002] The invention is applied in the beef cattle segment and investment funds for individuals and legal entities based on cattle handling operations on feedlots.

[0006] CONVINCING

[0007]

[0003] The market for Internet of Things (IoT) solutions has been growing worldwide and assisting in the digitization and modernization of various business verticals.

[0008]

[0004] Especially in the agricultural sector, several solutions have been developed to improve the sector's productivity and support the creation of new business models. However, solutions for this sector have been concentrated in the dairy and crop segments, with few solutions aimed at beef cattle farming.

[0009]

[0005] This fact is directly related to the lower profit margins involved in beef cattle operations. Internet of Things solutions generally face the following major challenges: the development and large-scale production of devices capable of "reading" the information needed by the segment being monitored; the provision of secure and reliable connectivity on cattle farms so that devices can connect to data analysis platforms available in a cloud environment; a financial model that makes an IoT operation in the field viable in such a way that the monthly cost of the solution per animal can be absorbed into the animal management operation.

[0010]

[0006] Currently, livestock farming, including beef cattle farming, uses a model based on ear tags for identification, due to its versatility. Animals are identified by means of plastic ear tags with fifteen engraved digits, which uniquely identify each animal being raised on feedlots or pastures. Additionally, a small electronic device with a passive RFID tag is attached to the animal's ear so that, when entering and leaving a feedlot, an animal can be easily identified.

[0011]

[0007] The identification tag is a way to uniquely distinguish each animal. Without it, it is difficult to perform tasks such as separating animals or identifying specific health or behavioral problems. Without the identification tag, it becomes difficult to trace the animal's origin, which can be important in cases of disease or contamination. The identification tag is also used to record information about the animal, such as breed, age, vaccination history, among others. Without this record, it becomes more difficult to track and manage this information.

[0012]

[0008] This system, although efficient for the sanitary control of the origin of cattle, has limitations regarding the traceability of animals, as it depends on manual reading of the animals' RFID tags at specific times, such as when the animal enters or leaves a cattle feedlot. The reading is performed via an electronic RFID reader wand. This device only allows the identification of the cattle via the wand when it is taken to a specific corral.

[0013]

[0009] This limitation imposes restrictions on the beef cattle segment because during the period of confinement of the animal for fattening, there is no guarantee that the animal was actually on the designated farm. This prevents animals fattened on a given farm from being offered as collateral in a credit operation, for example.

[0014]

[0010] There are additional animal monitoring mechanisms, based on drone filming and animal counting by artificial intelligence software. This model, although it has proven efficient, only provides animal count information per feedlot farm once a day.

[0015]

[0011] In this context, new technologies that can perform real-time monitoring of beef cattle, in pasture or in feedlots, without the need for additional infrastructure beyond that of the farm, with additional physiological data on the animal and at an advantageous cost-benefit ratio, are welcome in the segment in question.

[0016] STATE OF THE ART

[0017]

[0012] The current state of the art anticipates patent documents that deal with cattle monitoring systems, such as US 2021289746 AA entitled “SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUSES FOR IMPLEMENTING REAL TIME BEEF CATTLE MONITORING UTILIZING RADIO-FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) BASED TECHNOLOGIES” - the system comprises: a memory to store instructions; a processor to execute the instructions; a database system to store data on cattle heads, where each cattle head is individually identifiable by means of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag affixed to each of the cattle heads, the RFID tag uniquely identifying each of the cattle heads for the system; an array of antennas formed from a plurality of configurable antennas to read information transmitted from RFID tags on any one or more cattle entering a defined feeding zone;A transactional and analytical server to receive the information transmitted by the RFID tags and to store the information in the database system, defining at least (i) an entry time into the defined feeding zone and (ii) an exit time from the defined feeding zone.

[0018]

[0013] The prior art document above is entirely based on RFID and requires infrastructure such as a large number of antennas for its operation.

[0019]

[0014] US patent 2022022419 AA entitled “CATTLE TRACKING SYSTEM” – characterized by comprising: a first LoRa receiver configured as a gateway to receive transmissions on at least one of a first set of channels and a second set of channels and forward said transmissions to a remote server; a first RFID transmitter configured to be positioned near an animal drinking device; and a transmission tag configured to be affixed to an animal, the transmission tag comprising: a memory configured to store digital information; a first passive RFID receiver configured to detect a first proximity with a first RFID transmitter and store the detection of the first proximity in memory; a processor configured to determine an alarm status according to a frequency of detection of the first proximity; an internal power source;and a LoRa transmitter configured to transmit signals over a distance greater than 100 meters using power from the internal power source and to enter a sleep mode without transmission for an initial period of more than 1 hour for a negative alarm status and less than 1 hour for a positive alarm status;

[0020]

[0015] The prior art document above innovates in the use of LoRa technology for tracking, however, there is a need for investment in infrastructure on the farm.

[0021]

[0016] Document CN 115727895 A entitled “MARINE FISHERY BREEDING ENVIRONMENT MONITORING EQUIPMENT BASED ON NB-IOT (NARROW BAND INTERNET OF THINGS) TECHNOLOGY” - includes a bottom plate, characterized in that the top of the bottom plate is fixedly connected to a column, and on the left side of the column a mounting seat is provided, an environmental detection device body is provided on the top of the mounting seat and an adjustment device is provided inside the column.

[0022]

[0017] The prior art document above concerns a narrow band IoT environmental monitoring device, which can have its height adjusted.

[0023]

[0018] Document CN 115184964 A entitled “REAL LIVESTOCK BREEDING POSITIONING AND TRACKING DEVICE BASED ON NB-IOT (NARROW BAND INTERNET OF THINGS)” – comprises a main control terminal device, a switching cellular base station and a tracking circuit, characterized in that the main control terminal device has its rear part fixedly connected to an installation connection block, an NB main control panel is arranged inside the installation connection block and an NB antenna, a GPS main control panel is provided inside the switching cellular base station, and a GPS antenna is provided in the upper central part of the GPS main control panel, and the tracking circuit is fixedly connected inside the winding block at one end, a signal receiving block is fixedly connected to the middle of the front part of the winding block and a data chip is arranged inside the signal receiving block,A terminal signal antenna is provided on the right side of the upper end of the signal receiving block, and both the NB antenna and the terminal signal antenna pass the GPS tracking signals sent by the GPS antenna.

[0019] The prior art document above anticipates the use of NB-IOT in a complex construction for livestock tracking, however without any additional physiological data from the animal.

[0024] OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0025]

[0020] The objective of the present invention is to propose a real-time cattle monitoring system for slaughter using the Internet of Things method via public and / or private cellular network that, in addition to geographic coordinates, provides other useful information for analyzing animal management, such as temperature and the number of steps the animal has taken in the last 24 hours.

[0026]

[0021] The objective of the present invention is to propose a real-time cattle monitoring system for slaughter using an Internet of Things method via public and / or private cellular network that maintains compatibility with the use of animal identification through RFID technology, thereby reducing the cost of devices in the handling of animals destined for slaughter.

[0027]

[0022] The objective of the present invention is to propose a real-time cattle monitoring system for slaughter using an internet of things method via public and / or private cellular network that adds animal identification through a "QRcode" engraved in low relief on the device casing.

[0028]

[0023] The objective of the present invention is to propose a real-time cattle monitoring system for slaughter using an Internet of Things method via a reusable public and / or private cellular network, such that after the fattening cycle of an animal, the device can be recharged by a simple mechanism and used on another animal.

[0024] The objective of the present invention is to propose a real-time cattle monitoring system for slaughter using an Internet of Things method via a public and / or private cellular network with a battery lasting at least six months, sending the animal's location information twice a day to a data analysis system available in the cloud.

[0029]

[0025] The objective of the present invention is to propose a real-time cattle monitoring system for slaughter using an Internet of Things method via a lightweight public and / or private cellular network, weighing approximately 34 grams.

[0030]

[0026] The objective of the present invention is to propose a real-time cattle monitoring system for slaughter using the Internet of Things method via public and / or private cellular network with battery recharging by means of a modular charging strip (each module charges 10 simultaneous ear tags), which can be customized for each cattle feedlot (combining several charging modules).

[0031]

[0027] The objective of the present invention is to propose a real-time cattle monitoring system for slaughter using the Internet of Things method via public and / or private cellular networks, which makes it possible for Finpecs to rent idle capacity from existing feedlots for the fattening period of the animals, which is approximately 120 days.

[0032]

[0028] The objective of the present invention is to propose a real-time cattle monitoring system for slaughter using the Internet of Things method via public and / or private cellular network in a complete version with temperature and step sensors or a simple version with only RFID, GPS and connection to the cellular network.

[0033]

[0029] The objective of the present invention is to propose a real-time cattle monitoring system for slaughter using the Internet of Things method via public and / or private cellular networks with an excellent cost-benefit ratio.

[0034] GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035]

[0030] The “REAL-TIME CATTLE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR SLAUGHTER USING THE INTERNET OF THINGS METHOD VIA PUBLIC AND / OR PRIVATE CELLULAR NETWORK” – incorporates RFID functionality via electronic tag and sends, via 4G narrowband-IoT cellular network, the animal's location data (latitude and longitude), body temperature measured in the ear canal by infrared and ambient temperature, and the number of steps the animal has taken in pre-determined periods. The information is also sent, at pre-determined intervals, preferably every 12 hours, to a cloud portal and made available to end customers for different purposes.

[0036]

[0031] In a simpler version, the system can include only RFID, GPS, and cellular network connectivity.

[0037] DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0038]

[0032] The invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are represented in an illustrative and non-limiting manner:

[0039] Fig. 1: Block diagram of the real-time cattle monitoring system for slaughter using the Internet of Things method via public and / or private cellular network;

[0040] Fig. 2: Perspective view of the bovine monitoring system device for real-time slaughter using the Internet of Things method via public and / or private cellular network; Fig. 3: Perspective view of the bovine monitoring system device for real-time slaughter using the Internet of Things method via public and / or private cellular network, open;

[0041] Fig. 4: Front view of the bovine monitoring system device for real-time slaughter using the Internet of Things method via public and / or private cellular network, showing its use;

[0042] Fig. 5: Perspective view of the bovine monitoring system device for real-time slaughter using the Internet of Things method via public and / or private cellular network, without temperature and impact sensors;

[0043] Fig. 6: Perspective view of the bovine monitoring system device for real-time slaughter using the Internet of Things method via public and / or private cellular network, without the temperature and impact sensors, in another model.

[0044] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045]

[0033] The “REAL-TIME CATTLE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR SLAUGHTER USING THE INTERNET OF THINGS METHOD VIA PUBLIC AND / OR PRIVATE CELLULAR NETWORK”, the subject of this Patent Application, is implemented by an earphone device (1) connected to a 4g narrowband-iot cellular network with GPS for locating and monitoring the animal, also having an infrared thermometer (2) and a step counter using an impact sensor at pre-determined intervals, data that is sent to the cloud, processed and consolidated, showing trends and analyses using AI, creating APIs, online graphic panels or dashboards for management analysis by the end customer.

[0046]

[0034] More specifically, the invention relates to a “REAL-TIME CATTLE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR BEEF CATTLE USING THE INTERNET OF THINGS METHOD VIA PUBLIC AND / OR PRIVATE CELLULAR NETWORK”, in a first stage (E1) obtaining results applied to beef cattle carried out by means of an earphone device (1), in a second stage (E2), connected to the 4g narrowband-iot cellular network, in a third stage (E3), with GPS for location and monitoring of the animal, whose temperature is measured by means of an infrared thermometer (2) and steps quantified by an impact sensor in pre-determined periods, preferably 12 hours, data that are sent to the cloud, in a fourth stage (E4) where they are processed and consolidated, showing trends and analyses using AI creating APIs, online graphic panels or dashboards for management analysis by the end customer in a fifth stage (E5).Thus, the ear device (1) integrates multiple functions, such as temperature measurement by infrared thermometer (2), animal location by GPS, data transmission compatible with the 4G narrowband-IoT cellular network, motion monitoring by impact sensor and identity recognition by RFID. At one end of the ear device (1) there is a hole (3) for attaching the auxiliary RFID tag (4), while on the body of the first there is the Hall sensor switch (5), to turn the ear device (1) on and off magnetically, and a battery charging port (6), distal to the infrared thermometer (2) which must be positioned aligned with the animal's ear canal in order to avoid reading errors. A silicone band (7) completes the ear device (1).In a way that makes the invention viable, the technology is based on 4G networks at a frequency of 700Mhz and can provide connectivity with a significantly lower bandwidth than the 4G service (on the order of kilobits per second), but with a range of tens of kilometers from a 4G radio base station. The ear device (1) has a rechargeable battery that lasts for the entire fattening period of the steer in the final confinement phase. This allows the ear device (1) to be recharged in 2 hours and reused on another confined animal. In addition, the construction is enveloping when closed, which allows the steer to be identified and measurements of steps, temperature and location to be taken precisely without causing discomfort to the animal.

[0047]

[0035] In a more simplified version the earphone device (1) does not have the impact sensors, step counter, and thermometer temperature sensor (2), but only RFID, GPS and connection to the cellular network, in addition to the Hall sensor switch (5) to turn the earphone device (1) on and off magnetically, and a battery charging port (6).

Claims

CLAIMS 1) REAL-TIME CATTLE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR BEEF CATTLE USING THE INTERNET OF THINGS METHOD VIA PUBLIC AND / OR PRIVATE CELLULAR NETWORK, characterized by: in a first stage (E1) obtaining results applied to beef cattle carried out by means of an earphone device (1), in a second stage (E2), connected to the 4g narrowband-iot cellular network, in a third stage (E3), with GPS for location and monitoring of the animal, whose temperature is measured by means of an infrared thermometer (2) and steps quantified by an impact sensor in pre-determined periods, preferably 12 hours, these data being sent to the cloud, in a fourth stage (E4) where they are processed and consolidated, showing trends and analyses using AI creating APIs, online graphic panels or dashboards for management analysis by the end customer in a fifth stage (E5). 2) REAL-TIME CATTLE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR SLAUGHTER USING THE INTERNET OF THINGS METHOD VIA PUBLIC AND / OR PRIVATE CELLULAR NETWORK, according to the first claim 1, characterized by the device performing temperature measurement using an infrared thermometer (2), locating the animal by GPS, transmitting data compatible with the 4G narrowband-IoT cellular network, monitoring movement by impact sensor and recognizing identity by RFID; at one end of the earpiece device (1) there is a hole (3) for attaching the auxiliary RFID tag (4), while on the body of the first there is a Hall sensor switch (5) to magnetically turn the earpiece device (1) on and off, and a battery charging port (6) distal to the infrared thermometer (2). 3) CATTLE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR REAL-TIME SLAUGHTER BY INTERNET OF THINGS METHOD VIA PUBLIC AND / OR PRIVATE CELLULAR NETWORK, according to the first claim 1, characterized by the earpiece device (1) having only RFID, GPS and connection to the cellular network, in addition to the Hall sensor switch (5) to turn the earpiece device (1) on and off magnetically, and a battery charging port (6).

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