Biocapsule for measuring biometric data of livestock and system for managing biometric data of livestock

Abstract

The present invention relates to a biocapsule inserted into the body of livestock to measure biometric data, comprising: a cylindrical capsule housing having an internal space defining a first zone and a second zone along the longitudinal direction; a circuit board provided in the first zone and having one or more sensor modules mounted thereon for detecting biometric data; a battery provided in the second zone and supplying power to electronic components of the circuit board; and a balancing weight provided in the first zone and disposed at an eccentric position within the internal space of the first zone to form an asymmetric mass distribution in the first zone; wherein, when the orientation of the capsule housing changes, the asymmetric mass formed by the balancing weight is automatically oriented in the direction of gravity so that the measurement direction of the sensor module is restored.

Description

Biocapsules for measuring livestock biological data and systems for managing livestock biological data

[0001] The present invention relates to a biocapsule inserted into livestock to measure biological data, and a system for managing the biological data of livestock using the same.

[0002] Biocapsules inserted into the rumen are being utilized to monitor the health status of livestock. These biocapsules measure biological information, such as body temperature and activity levels, and are used for disease prevention and health management; Korean Registered Patent No. 2095270 is disclosed as a related technology.

[0003] However, conventional biocapsules had limitations in accurately measuring activity level information among biological data because they moved irregularly in the rumen environment of livestock or caused operational errors due to corrosion of the electronic circuits inside the capsule. Figure 1 shows a conventional biocapsule with corrosion occurring inside the capsule.

[0004] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the cause of corrosion occurring inside the capsule is determined to be due to the following factors. If an air layer is present inside the capsule, corrosion may occur on the circuit board due to water vapor in the air. Additionally, the air layer can cause condensation due to temperature changes, which may lead to malfunction of electronic components and circuit shorts. Even if a silicone coating is applied, the possibility of corrosion still exists due to the high moisture content within the silicone. Meanwhile, if the inside of the capsule is configured as a vacuum to remove the air layer, the bio-capsule may not float stably in the rumen environment and may float or be expelled through the mouth, and the accuracy of activity measurement may be reduced due to irregular movement.

[0005] In addition, conventional biocapsules were unable to control the capsule's posture, making it difficult to acquire precise motion data despite being equipped with a 3-axis accelerometer. In particular, although movement in the vertical axis (Z-axis) direction is critical information for determining major behavioral patterns such as standing and landing in cattle, reliable data collection was impossible due to the capsule's irregular floating and the sensor's coordinate system not being fixed.

[0006] Due to these technical limitations, premature failure of biocapsules frequently occurred in actual field applications, and the reliability of the collected data could not be ensured. Therefore, there is a need for the development of improved biosensors capable of operating stably for extended periods within the internal environment of livestock while measuring precise biological information.

[0007] The present invention was devised to solve the problems of the aforementioned prior art and aims to provide an improved biocapsule that operates stably for a long period in the rumen environment of livestock.

[0008] Specifically, the present invention aims to provide a biocapsule capable of measuring precise activity data through an accelerometer of three or more axes by providing a structure that can maintain a constant posture of the capsule while solving the problem of corrosion inside the capsule.

[0009] In addition, the present invention aims to improve the efficiency and accuracy of monitoring the health status of livestock and preventing diseases by providing a biocapsule capable of preventing malfunctions and short circuits of electronic components in the internal environment of livestock and enabling stable data collection over a long period.

[0010] The present invention relates to a biocapsule inserted into the body of a livestock to measure biological data, comprising: a cylindrical capsule housing having internal spaces of a first zone and a second zone formed along the longitudinal direction; a circuit board provided in the first zone and having one or more sensor modules for detecting biological data mounted thereon; a battery provided in the second zone and supplying power to electronic components of the circuit board; and a balancing weight provided in the first zone and positioned at an eccentric location within the internal space of the first zone to form an asymmetric mass distribution of the first zone; wherein, when the position of the capsule housing changes, the asymmetric mass formed by the balancing weight is automatically oriented in the direction of gravity so that the measurement direction of the sensor module returns.

[0011] In one embodiment, the sensor module includes a 3-axis accelerometer or a 3-axis gyroscope, and the 3-axis sensor defines the direction opposite to gravity as the z-axis with the plane on which the balancing weight is oriented in the direction of gravity as the reference plane, and the measurement axis of the z-axis can be maintained due to the orientation characteristics of the balancing weight.

[0012] In one embodiment, the capsule housing may include a guide frame that separates the area of ​​the battery provided in the second zone to form a boundary between the first zone and the second zone, and separates the area where the balancing weight is located and the area where the circuit board is installed within the first zone.

[0013] In one embodiment, the capsule housing comprises a housing body having an internal space formed therein; and

[0014] It includes a housing cap that is fastened to the housing body and seals the interior; and may further include a filler that is filled into the housing body to seal the internal space in which the components are provided.

[0015] In one embodiment, the housing cap is fastened to the housing body after the filling material is filled into the housing body and a degassing process is performed, so that the interior of the capsule housing can form an airtight structure in a degassed filling state.

[0016] In one embodiment, the biocapsule may further include a filler that fills the remaining space inside the capsule housing to seal the gap or void between the components disposed in the first zone and the second zone.

[0017] In one embodiment, the filler may be a curable resin or a urethane-based anhydrous filler that coats and protects the components and fixes the internal space.

[0018] In one embodiment, the filler may be a degassed viscous fluid or a degassed viscous fluid that is cured.

[0019] In one embodiment, the capsule housing comprises a housing body having the internal space formed therein; wherein the housing body has the second zone formed in the lower part and the first zone formed in the upper part, and the first zone is formed with a first-1 zone in the direction of one side and a first-2 zone in the direction of the other side, and the balancing weight is disposed in the first-1 zone and the circuit board can be disposed in the first-2 zone.

[0020] In one embodiment, the circuit board includes a communication module that wirelessly transmits measured biometric data to an external server, and the sensor module may include at least one of a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyroscope, a temperature sensor, a Hall sensor, and a position sensor.

[0021] In one embodiment, the circuit board is positioned on the opposite side of the area occupied by the balancing weight within the internal space of the first zone, so that the balancing weight and the circuit board may be located on opposite sides facing each other within the first zone.

[0022] In one embodiment, the biocapsule may further include a sealing member for waterproofing and airtightness of the circuit board.

[0023] In one embodiment, the sealing member may be a curable resin or a urethane-based filler that coats and protects the circuit board.

[0024] In one embodiment, the sealing member may be a sealing cover having a volume designed to have a weight smaller than that of the balancing weight, wherein a contact surface is formed on which the circuit board is seated, and the circuit board is hermetically accommodated within the first zone.

[0025] In one embodiment, the balancing weight may be formed such that the total mass is located at the geometric center of the capsule housing, taking into account the mass distribution of the components of the internal space.

[0026] In one embodiment, the balancing weight may be a D-shaped cylinder weight having a D-shaped cross-section.

[0027] In one embodiment, the balancing weight may be a high-density structure formed by curing a filler of epoxy, polyurethane, or polymer material mixed with powder or a compound in an eccentric area within the internal space of the first zone.

[0028] In one embodiment, the circuit board includes a communication module that wirelessly transmits measured biometric data to an external server, and the biocapsule further includes an antenna module that increases the transmission efficiency of the biometric data of the communication module, and the antenna module may include an antenna having a spiral, zigzag, or pigtail pattern.

[0029] In one embodiment, the antenna module may be provided at an eccentric position in the first zone where the balancing weight is placed.

[0030] In addition, the present invention is further characterized by comprising: a biocapsule having a cylindrical capsule housing that is inserted into the body of a livestock and has internal spaces of a first zone and a second zone formed along the longitudinal direction; a circuit board provided in the first zone and having one or more sensor modules for detecting biodata mounted thereon; a battery provided in the second zone and supplying power to the electronic components of the circuit board; a balancing weight provided in the first zone and positioned at an eccentric location within the internal space of the first zone to form an asymmetric mass distribution of the first zone; and a server that receives data on behavioral changes along the height axis of the livestock from the biocapsule.

[0031] The biocapsule according to the present invention can resolve the problem of expulsion through the mouth of livestock by maintaining a fully filled housing and positioning it stably within the rumen. Furthermore, since there is no air layer inside, condensation caused by moisture does not occur, which prevents corrosion of electronic components and ensures stable operation, thereby enabling reliable data collection over a long period even within the internal environment of livestock.

[0032] Furthermore, the biocapsule according to the present invention is designed to maintain a constant posture within the body of livestock through a balancing weight that forms an asymmetric mass distribution. Due to these structural features, the coordinate system of three or more axes of acceleration sensors can be fixed, enabling the measurement of precise motion data. In particular, vertical movements such as standing and landing can be accurately detected, thereby significantly improving the accuracy of analyzing the behavioral patterns of livestock. Consequently, the present invention can provide a more effective solution for monitoring the health status of livestock and preventing diseases.

[0033] Figure 1 shows a conventional biocapsule with corrosion occurring inside the capsule.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a system for managing livestock biological data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a biocapsule according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 4 is an internal cross-sectional view of a biocapsule according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 5 shows the internal view of a biocapsule with the capsule housing removed according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the appearance of the hardened filler.

[0038] Figure 6 shows the operation of a biocapsule according to an embodiment of the present invention being automatically oriented in a rumen environment.

[0039] FIG. 7 shows a sealing cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 8 shows an antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 9 shows another embodiment of a biocapsule.

[0042] Figure 10 shows the internal temperature change and activity level information collected over time from a biocapsule according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 11 shows a visually represented view of data measured in a biocapsule according to an embodiment of the present invention and an example of a system application installed on a user terminal.

[0044] The various embodiments described in this document are illustrative for the purpose of clearly explaining the technical concept of the invention and disclosure, and are not intended to limit them to specific embodiments. The technical concept of the invention and disclosure includes various modifications, equivalents, alternatives, and embodiments selectively combined from all or part of each embodiment described in this document. Furthermore, the scope of rights of the technical concept of the invention and disclosure is not limited to the embodiments presented below or the specific descriptions thereof.

[0045] Terms used in this document, including technical or scientific terms, may have the meaning generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention and disclosure pertain.

[0046] Expressions used in this document, such as "includes," "may include," "is equipped," "may be equipped," "has," and "may have," imply that functions, operations, or components exist as the subject feature and do not exclude the existence of other additional features. In other words, such expressions should be understood as open-ended terms implying the possibility of including other embodiments.

[0047] Singular expressions used in this document may include the meaning of the plural form unless the context otherwise indicates, and this applies likewise to singular expressions described in the claims.

[0048] Expressions used in this document such as “A, B, and C,” “A, B, or C,” “A, B, and / or C,” or “at least one of A, B, and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and / or C,” “at least one selected from A, B, and C,” “at least one selected from A, B, or C,” “at least one selected from A, B, and / or C,” etc., may mean each of the listed items or all possible combinations of the listed items. For example, “at least one selected from A and B” may refer to (1) A, (2) at least one of A, (3) B, (4) at least one of B, (5) at least one of A and at least one of B, (6) at least one of A and B, (7) at least one of B and A, and (8) all of A and B.

[0049] The expression "based on" as used in this document is used to describe one or more factors affecting an act or action of a decision or judgment described in the phrase or sentence containing such expression, and this expression does not exclude additional factors affecting said act or action of a decision or judgment.

[0050] As used in this document, the expression that a certain component (e.g., a first component) is "connected" or "connected" to another component (e.g., a second component) may mean not only that the said certain component is directly connected or connected to the said other component, but also that it is connected or connected through a new other component (e.g., a third component).

[0051] The expression "configured to" as used in this document may have meanings such as "set to," "capable of," "modified to," "made to," or "able to," depending on the context, and is distinguished from the meaning of "consist."

[0052] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings and the description thereof, identical or substantially equivalent components may be given the same reference numerals. Furthermore, in the description of the various embodiments below, the description of identical or corresponding components may be omitted, but this does not mean that such components are not included in the embodiments.

[0053] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a system (1) for managing livestock biological data according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the system (1) for managing livestock biological data may include a biocapsule (10) inserted into livestock (5), a data relay gateway (30), a server (50), and a user terminal (70).

[0054] The bio-capsule (10) can be administered orally to multiple livestock (5) and, in particular, can be designed to be placed in the first stomach (rumen) in the case of ruminants. The bio-capsule (10) can measure the deep body temperature and activity level in three axes of the livestock in real time and transmit it to the server (50). According to this embodiment, it is possible to expand not only three axes but also to six axes sensors. For more accurate data transmission, the bio-capsule (10) transmits measurement information to the gateway (30), and data can be transmitted from the gateway (30) to the server (50). In this embodiment, the measured data can be transmitted to the server (50) via the gateway (30), and the server (50) can analyze the health status of each individual and detect abnormal signs based on the collected bio-data.

[0055] The gateway (30) can communicate with the biocapsule (10) based on the Low Power Long Range (LORA) protocol. The gateway (30) can be installed at multiple locations within the livestock barn, and a single gateway (30) can form a communication network with the biocapsules (10) within a maximum radius of 20 km. The specific installation location of the gateway (30) can be optimized to minimize communication blind spots by comprehensively considering the layout of the livestock barn structures, the density of livestock breeding, and the radio wave reach.

[0056] The server (50) stores the collected biological data in a time series and can predict the health status, estrus period, and likelihood of disease occurrence of livestock through a machine learning algorithm. In particular, the server (50) can identify specific situations such as estrus and disease with high accuracy by combining the pattern of change in core body temperature and activity data. The biological data collected and analyzed by the server (50) can be transmitted to a user terminal (70) through an application.

[0057] The user terminal (70) can be implemented in the form of a mobile application and can check the results analyzed by the server (50) in real time. The user can monitor the health status of each individual through the terminal (70) and receive immediate notifications when abnormal signs occur. In addition, the health trends of the entire herd can be analyzed and utilized to improve the rearing environment.

[0058] Although the present embodiment has been described with a focus on cattle, the system (1) according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied in the same way to other ruminant animals such as sheep and goats. In addition, the measurement items may be expanded to include additional biomarkers such as pH and pressure, and this may be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0059] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a biocapsule (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an internal cross-sectional view of a biocapsule (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the biocapsule (10) may include a capsule housing (11), a circuit board (13), a battery (14), a balancing weight (15), a guide frame (16), and a filler (19).

[0061] The capsule housing (11) may have internal spaces of a first zone (A1) and a second zone (A2) formed along the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the capsule housing (11) may be provided with a structure in which both ends of a cylindrical body are finished in a dome shape to form a pill shape. The capsule housing (11) may include a housing body (110), a middle cap (111), and a housing cap (112).

[0062] The housing body (110) has an internal space formed therein, and a first zone (A1) and a second zone (A2) may be formed within the internal space of the housing body (110). After the internal components are installed in the housing body (110), a filler (19) may be filled. The length of the housing body (110) is formed to be longer than the length of the housing cap (112), so that the fastening part of the capsule housing (11) is located at the upper end of the length of the capsule housing (11).

[0063] A second zone (A2) may be formed in the lower part of the housing body (110) and a first zone (A1) may be formed in the upper part. In the first zone (A1), a first-1 zone (A1-1) may be formed in the direction of one side and a first-2 zone (A1-2) may be formed in the direction of the other side. Considering that the internal space structure of the housing body (110) according to FIG. 4 is cylindrical, the first-1 zone (A1-1) and the first-2 zone (A1-2) may each be semi-cylindrical.

[0064] In this embodiment, a balancing weight (15) may be placed in the first-1 zone (A1-1), and a circuit board (13) may be placed in the first-2 zone (A1-2). That is, the circuit board (13) and the balancing weight (15) may be placed in the zones that subdivide the first zone (A1).

[0065] The housing cap (112) can be fastened to the housing body (110) to seal the interior. In this embodiment, the housing cap (112) can be fastened to the housing body (110) after the housing body (110) is filled with a filler (19) and a degassing process is performed.

[0066] The battery (14) is provided in the second zone (A2) and can supply power to the electronic components of the circuit board (13). A lithium-based battery capable of long-term operation may be used for the battery, and through a low-power design, an operating time of at least one year can be secured. In addition, the placement of the battery can be optimized so as not to affect the center of gravity design.

[0067] A balancing weight (15) is provided in a first zone (A1) and is positioned at an eccentric location within the internal space of the first zone (A1) to form an asymmetric mass distribution in the first zone (A1). When the orientation of the capsule housing (11) changes, the asymmetric mass formed by the balancing weight (15) is automatically oriented in the direction of gravity, thereby returning the measurement direction of the sensor module (131) to the correct position. In this embodiment, the asymmetric mass distribution may mean that the mass in the first-2 zone (A1-2) is greater than the mass in the first-1 zone (A1-1).

[0068] The balancing weight (15) can be formed such that its total mass is located at the geometric center of the capsule housing (11), taking into account the mass distribution of the components of the internal space. In this embodiment, the center of gravity (CM) can be designed to be located at the center of the biocapsule (10). The condition of the center of gravity (CM) can be a first condition, and a second condition can be a condition in which the mass of the first-2 zone (A1-2) is greater than the mass of the first-1 zone (A1-1). The mass of the balancing weight (15) can be designed within a range that satisfies the first and second conditions.

[0069]

[0070] In one embodiment, the balancing weight (15) may be a D-shaped cylinder weight having a D-shaped cross-section. In another embodiment, the balancing weight (15) may be a high-density structure formed by curing a filler of epoxy, polyurethane, or polymer material mixed with powder or compound in an eccentric area within the internal space of the first zone (A1).

[0071] The filler (19) can be filled into the remaining space inside the capsule housing to seal the gap or void between the components placed in the first zone (A1) and the second zone (A1). The filler (19) can perform the function of degassing the internal space of the housing body (110) and the function of a coating that protects the durable components. The filler (19) is administered after all components are installed in the housing body (110), and can be filled into the gap between the components and the inner wall of the housing and the gap between the components when the components are installed. The filler (19) may be a curable resin or a urethane-based anhydrous filler that coats and protects the components and fixes the internal space. In this specification, degassing means a state in which gas is removed.

[0072] FIG. 5 illustrates the internal configuration with the capsule housing (11) of the biocapsule (10) removed according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the state in which the filler (19) is cured. FIG. 5(a) is an internal configuration diagram showing the appearance of the filler (19) cured to surround the circuit board (13) and the balancing weight (15), and FIG. 5(b) is an actual product embodiment of FIG. 5(a).

[0073] Referring to FIG. 5, the filler (19) can be cured to form a transparent volume, and a circuit board (13) and a balancing weight (15) can be placed inside the filler (19). The filler (19) can block contact of moisture and air with the circuit board (13) and can provide an appropriate weight and density to prevent the biocapsule (10) from floating irregularly in the gastric fluid environment of the rumen or flowing back into the mouth of the livestock (5). In addition, the filler (19) can form a volume so that no space is formed inside the biocapsule (10), thereby minimizing volume changes due to temperature changes and maximizing the lifespan of the circuit board (13) by having no chemical reactivity with electronic components.

[0074] During the assembly process of the biocapsule (10), the filler (19) is filled with a viscous fluid, but when the housing cap (112) is fastened and the assembly of the biocapsule (10) is completed, the filler (19) can be hardened. The filler (19) referred to in this specification may collectively refer to a degassed viscous fluid or a degassed viscous fluid that has been hardened.

[0075] In this embodiment, a middle cap (111) may be additionally included. The middle cap (111) has an upper opening (H) that communicates with the outside and may be provided with a fastening means for fastening to the housing body (110) and the housing cap (112). In the assembly process of the bio-capsule (10), a battery (14), a guide frame (16), a circuit board (13), and a balancing weight (15) may first be mounted on the housing body (110). Afterwards, a filler (19) may be injected into the internal space of the housing body (110). Next, the middle cap (111) may be fastened to the housing body (110), and a degassing process may be performed. When the degassing process proceeds with the middle cap (111) fastened, the air trapped in the lower part can rise in the form of bubbles and be discharged to the outside through the upper opening (H) when the filler (19) is injected into the internal space of the housing body (110). As the degassing process is completed, no air remains in the internal space, and additional filler (19) can be injected into the extra space from which the bubbles have been discharged. Through this assembly process, the housing body (110) can form an airtight structure in a degassed filled state. After the degassing process is completed, the housing cap (112) is fastened, and the assembly of the biocapsule (10) can be completed.

[0076] The guide frame (16) separates the area of ​​the battery (14) provided in the second zone (A2) to form a boundary between the first zone (A1) and the second zone (A2), and can separate the area where the balancing weight (15) is located and the area where the circuit board (13) is installed within the first zone (A1). The guide frame (16) may include a diaphragm that divides the first-1 zone (A1-1) and the first-2 zone (A1-2) in the first zone (A1).

[0077] The circuit board (13) may include a sensor module (131) and a communication module (133).

[0078] A circuit board (13) is provided in a first zone (A1), and one or more sensor modules (131) for detecting biometric data may be mounted thereon. In this embodiment, the circuit board (13) is positioned opposite the area occupied by the balancing weight (15) within the internal space of the first zone (A1), so that the balancing weight (15) and the circuit board (13) may be located on opposite sides facing each other within the first zone (A1). In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the circuit board (13) may be mounted in the first-1 zone (A1-1), and the balancing weight (15) may be mounted in the first-2 zone (A1-2), which is an opposing position.

[0079] In this embodiment, the sensor module (131) may include at least one of a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyroscope, a temperature sensor, a Hall sensor, and a position sensor. According to this embodiment, since the axis in the height direction can be fixed, not only 3-axis but also 6-axis sensors with more than 3 axes may be used. In this embodiment, a 3-axis sensor is described as an example. The temperature sensor can measure body temperature with a precision of within 0.1°C, and the combination of the accelerometer and gyroscope can precisely detect the posture and movement state of livestock. The Hall sensor can detect changes in the magnetic field and be used for position tracking, and additionally, a pH sensor, a pressure sensor, etc. may be optionally provided. In one embodiment, the sensor module (131) includes a 3-axis accelerometer or a 3-axis gyroscope, and the 3-axis sensor defines the direction opposite to gravity as the z-axis with the plane on which the balancing weight (15) is oriented in the direction of gravity as the reference plane, and the measurement axis of the z-axis can be maintained due to the orientation characteristics of the balancing weight (15).

[0080] As previously mentioned in the background technology, conventional biocapsules have limitations in that they float unstably within the rumen due to internal air layers and irregular weight distribution, making it impossible to determine the directionality of data collected from a 3-axis sensor. Accordingly, the measurements from the 3-axis sensor were utilized only as information on the amount of change. The sensor module (131) according to the present embodiment can precisely measure and utilize motion data in the 3-axis direction. In particular, securing the vertical axis can be utilized to identify various behavioral patterns of livestock. For example, a rapid upward movement in the Z-axis direction may indicate mounting behavior, and an increase in the amount of change in the X-axis and Y-axis may indicate a characteristic movement pattern of the estrus period. In particular, in the case of estrus, the magnitude of the amount of change, rather than the absolute values ​​of the X-axis and Y-axis, can serve as a primary criterion for judgment.

[0081] Furthermore, Z-axis data can be utilized for the early detection of specific diseases such as ketosis. In the case of ketosis, livestock may characteristically exhibit symptoms of being unable to stand up from a lying position, which can be detected through the analysis of movement patterns in the Z-axis direction.

[0082] A 3-axis sensor can provide angular velocity information along with acceleration data. With the vertical axis secured, angular velocity data can be used to detect rotational movement of livestock, which can help to identify specific behavioral patterns more accurately.

[0083] The biocapsule (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention can utilize motion data in three axes more effectively by securing a stable vertical axis. This can provide improved accuracy compared to existing biocapsules in various fields such as estrus detection and disease prediction. The server (30) can learn the behavioral patterns of livestock by analyzing this three-axis data in a time series, thereby continuously improving the prediction accuracy for specific situations. In addition, customized analysis considering the characteristics of individual motion patterns may be possible.

[0084] FIG. 6 illustrates the operation process in which a biocapsule (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention is automatically oriented in a rumen environment. FIG. 6(a) may show a state in which the biocapsule (10) is irregularly floating in a gastric fluid environment of the rumen. Specifically, FIG. 6(a) may show a state in which the direction of the biocapsule (10) is twisted by the movement of the livestock (5), causing the balancing weight (15) to face upward. In this state, the orientation of the circuit board (13) is improperly set, and the sensor module (131) may measure the movement displacement along the z-axis in the direction of the ground. Therefore, if a state like FIG. 6(a) persists, the z-axis behavioral characteristics of the livestock (5) may be measured inaccurately.

[0085] However, the orientation of the biocapsule (10) according to the present embodiment can be automatically adjusted as shown in FIG. 6 (b) due to the balancing weight (15) forming an asymmetric mass distribution. Since the balancing weight (15) concentrates the load on the eccentric area of ​​the first-2 zone (A1-2), the biocapsule (10) in an unstable state as shown in FIG. 6 (a) can be rapidly converted to a stable state as shown in FIG. 6 (b) by gravity. Accordingly, the balancing weight (15) can always be oriented in the direction of gravity, which is the ground, and the circuit board (13) can be directed upward so that the coordinate system of the sensor module (131) is correctly positioned, thereby securing accurate Z-axis measurement data.

[0086] The automatic orientation mechanism according to the present embodiment enables the sensor module (131) to maintain a consistent reference coordinate system even with various movements of the livestock (5) and the dynamic environment inside the rumen, thereby allowing the behavioral patterns of the livestock (5) to be monitored more accurately. In addition, this structural design allows the orientation of the biocapsule (10) to be automatically maintained using only gravity without a separate active orientation adjustment device, which is advantageous in terms of energy efficiency and durability.

[0087] The circuit board (13) may further include a sealing member for waterproofing and airtightness. In one embodiment, the sealing member may be a curable resin or a urethane-based filler (19) that coats and protects the circuit board (13). In another embodiment, the sealing member may be a sealing cover (18) having a volume designed to have a weight smaller than the balancing weight (15), and having a contact surface formed on which the circuit board (13) is seated, and to contain the circuit board (13) airtightly within the first zone (A1).

[0088] FIG. 7 shows a sealing cover (18) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 (a) illustrates an embodiment of the sealing cover (18), and FIG. 7 (b) illustrates an embodiment in which a balancing weight (15) is placed on the rear surface of the sealing cover (18). The sealing cover (18) may be configured as a housing structure that accommodates a circuit board (13) inside. The sealing cover (18) may be formed of a lightweight plastic-based material.

[0089] The sealing cover (18) is designed to accommodate a circuit board (13) and can be opened and closed. Additionally, the sealing cover (18) may be formed as a substantially solid volume with no air layer inside, except for a groove area that accommodates the circuit board (13). As the sealing cover (18) is provided as a volume member that occupies the first-1 zone (A1-2) while accommodating the circuit board (13), a separate guide frame (16) may be omitted. In this case, a balancing weight (15) may be directly placed on the rear portion of the sealing cover (18) as shown in FIG. 7 (b).

[0090] The front surface of the sealing cover (18) is formed in a dome shape so as to correspond precisely to the curved shape of one side of the inner surface of the first-1 zone (A1-1). This shape design allows the sealing cover (18) to be stably fixed within the housing body (110), and by filling the space inside the biocapsule (10) with high efficiency, the amount of filler (19) administered can be reduced and the time of the degassing process can be shortened. The combined structure of the sealing cover (18) and the balancing weight (15) has the advantage of shifting the center of gravity to the bottom, thereby allowing for ease of assembly and shortening of assembly time without hindering the maintenance of automatic orientation performance.

[0091] The communication module (133) can wirelessly transmit biometric data to an external server (30, 50). In this embodiment, the biometric data may be transmitted directly to the external server (50), but may also be transmitted via a gateway (30). In this embodiment, an antenna module (17) that increases the transmission efficiency of the biometric data of the communication module (133) may be further included.

[0092] The communication module (133) is configured to transmit measured data externally and may primarily include a LORA module. Additionally, an RFID module or a Bluetooth module for short-range communication may be provided as an auxiliary component, and the stability of data transmission can be improved through a dual communication structure.

[0093] FIG. 8 shows an antenna module (17) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The antenna module (17) may include antennas (171, 172, 173) having a spiral, zigzag, or pigtail pattern. FIG. 8 (a) is one embodiment of the antenna module (17) implemented with an antenna (171) patterned on a substrate, and FIG. 8 (b) is another embodiment of the antenna module (17) provided with antennas (172, 173) in which metal conductors are patterned in a line shape.

[0094] The antenna module (17) can be implemented in various forms and, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), can be implemented in the form of a microstrip antenna (171) directly patterned on a PCB substrate. This microstrip antenna (171) is easy to manufacture in a planar structure and is suitable for miniaturization, so it can be efficiently placed in the limited internal space of the biocapsule (10). The antenna module (17) patterned on the PCB base may be mounted together with the circuit board (13) or mounted in the first-second zone (A1-2) to form part of the balancing weight (15).

[0095] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the antenna module (17) can be implemented by line patterning a specific shape, such as a helical pattern (172) or a meander pattern (173), using a metal conductor. This patterned antenna structure allows the electrical length of the antenna to be designed to be longer than its physical length, thereby enabling efficient signal transmission and reception even within a small biocapsule (10). As another embodiment of the present invention, the antenna module (17) may be implemented as a folded dipole structure, a slot antenna structure, or a multi-band antenna structure.

[0096] In particular, the resonant frequency and radiation pattern of the antenna module (17) can be optimized by considering the propagation characteristics in a rumen environment, and the power transfer efficiency can be improved by adding an impedance matching circuit as needed.

[0097] FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the biocapsule (10). FIG. 9 (a) shows an embodiment in which a sealing cover (18) is placed in the first-1 zone (A1-1) and an antenna module (17) is placed in the first-2 zone (A1-2). In this embodiment, the antenna module (17) placed in the first-2 zone (A1-2) may be filled and cured with a high-density filler (19) to form a higher mass than the first-1 zone (A1-1). In this case, the antenna module (17) and the filler (19) formed in the first-2 zone (A1-2) may form the aforementioned balancing body (15).

[0098] In another embodiment, FIG. 9(b) illustrates an embodiment in which a circuit board (13) is placed in the first-1 zone (A1-1) and a balancing weight (15) is placed in the first-2 zone (A1-2), and an antenna module (17) is provided on the upper part of the first zone (A1).

[0099] An embodiment modified as shown in FIG. 9 can be appropriately selected according to the mass design of the first-2 zone (A1-2). As described above, the mass of the first-2 zone (A1-2) can be designed such that the center of gravity of the total mass of the capsule housing (11) including internal parts is located at the center of the biocapsule (10), and is higher than the mass of the first-1 zone (A1-1).

[0100] FIG. 10 illustrates the internal temperature change and activity level information collected over time from a biocapsule (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10, the results of continuously collecting temperature data and activity level information in a time-series form can be confirmed as the biocapsule (10) according to the present embodiment is stably placed within the rumen. Here, the activity level information may be activity data in the Z-axis direction measured through a sensor module (131) provided in the biocapsule (10).

[0101] FIG. 11 illustrates a screen in which data measured in a biocapsule (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention is visually displayed, and an example of the execution of a system application installed on a user terminal (70). Referring to FIG. 11, the pattern of temperature change in a time series form can be clearly identified, and this data can be used as basic data for analyzing the estrus state or other physiological state of livestock on a server (30). In addition, the application can display the measured data in a visible form such as a graph or chart, so that a farm owner can monitor the health status and physiological changes of livestock in real time.

[0102] Although the technical concept of the present invention and disclosure has been explained by the embodiments described above, the technical concept of the present invention includes various substitutions, modifications, and changes that can be made within the scope of understanding of those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Furthermore, it should be understood that such substitutions, modifications, and changes may be included within the scope of the appended claims.

[0103] [Explanation of the symbol]

[0104] 1: System for managing livestock biological data 10: Biocapsule

[0105] 30: Gateway 50: Server

[0106] 70: User terminal 11: Capsule housing

[0107] 110: Housing body 111: Middle cap

[0108] 112: Housing cap 13: Circuit board

[0109] 131: Sensor module 133: Communication module

[0110] 14: Battery 15: Balancing weight

[0111] 16: Guide frame 17: Antenna module

[0112] 171, 172, 173: Antenna 18: Sealed cover

[0113] 19: Filler

[0114]

[0115] The biocapsule according to the present invention is stably positioned within the rumen of livestock and maintains a constant posture within the body of the livestock through a balancing weight that forms an asymmetric mass distribution. Accordingly, the coordinate system of three or more acceleration sensors is fixed, enabling the measurement of movement data of the livestock, which can be used for monitoring the health status of livestock and preventing diseases.

Claims

1. A biocapsule inserted into the body of livestock to measure biological data, A cylindrical capsule housing having internal spaces of a first zone and a second zone formed along the longitudinal direction; A circuit board provided in the first zone above, on which one or more sensor modules for detecting biometric data are mounted; A battery provided in the second zone above and supplying power to the electronic components of the circuit board; and A balancing weight provided in the first zone and positioned at an eccentric location within the internal space of the first zone to form an asymmetric mass distribution of the first zone; comprising The above capsule housing is, A housing body having the above internal space formed therein; and the housing body, The second zone is formed in the lower part, and the first zone is formed in the upper part, and The above-mentioned first zone is formed with a 1-1 zone in the direction of one side and a 1-2 zone in the direction of the other side, and the balancing weight is disposed in the 1-1 zone, and The circuit board is disposed in the first and second zones, and the circuit board is disposed on the opposite side of the area occupied by the balancing weight within the internal space of the first zone. The above balancing weight is, Considering the mass distribution of the components of the internal space, the total mass is formed such that the overall center of gravity of the capsule housing is located at the geometric center of the capsule housing, and the asymmetric mass distribution means that the mass of the first-2 zone is greater than the mass of the first-1 zone. A biocapsule characterized by the fact that when the attitude of the capsule housing changes, the asymmetric mass formed by the balancing weight is automatically oriented in the direction of gravity, and the measurement direction of the placed sensor module is restored.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above sensor module is, It includes a 3-axis accelerometer or a 3-axis gyroscope, The above 3-axis sensor defines the direction opposite to gravity as the z-axis, using the plane on which the balancing weight is oriented in the direction of gravity as the reference plane, and A biocapsule characterized in that the measurement axis of the z-axis is maintained due to the orientation characteristics of the balancing weight body.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above capsule housing is, The area of ​​the battery provided in the second zone is separated to form a boundary between the first zone and the second zone, and A biocapsule characterized by including a guide frame that separates the area where the balancing weight is located and the area where the circuit board is installed within the first zone.

4. In Paragraph 1, The above capsule housing is, A housing body having the above internal space formed therein; and It includes a housing cap that is fastened to the housing body and seals the interior; A biocapsule characterized by further including a filler that is filled into the housing body to seal the internal space in which the components are provided.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above housing cap is, The above housing body is filled with the above filler, and after the degassing process is performed, it is fastened to the above housing body, The interior of the above capsule housing is, A biocapsule characterized by having a hermetic structure formed in a degassed filled state.

6. In Paragraph 1, A biocapsule characterized by further including a filler that fills the remaining space inside the capsule housing and seals the gap or void between the components disposed in the first zone and the second zone.

7. In Paragraph 6, The above filler is, A biocapsule characterized by being a curable resin or urethane-based anhydrous filler that coats and protects the components and fixes the internal space.

8. In Paragraph 6, The above filler is, A biocapsule characterized by a degassed viscous fluid or a degassed viscous fluid that has been hardened.

9. In Paragraph 1, The above circuit board is, It includes a communication module that wirelessly transmits measured biometric data to an external server, and The above sensor module is, A biocapsule characterized by including at least one of a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyroscope, a temperature sensor, a Hall sensor, and a position sensor.

10. In Paragraph 1, A biocapsule characterized by further including a sealing member for waterproofing and airtightness of the circuit board.

11. In Paragraph 10, The above sealing member is, A biocapsule characterized by being a curable resin or urethane-based filler that coats and protects the circuit board.

12. In Paragraph 10, The above sealing member is, A contact surface is formed on which the circuit board is seated, and the circuit board is hermetically accommodated within the first zone, A biocapsule characterized by being a sealed cover having a volume designed to have a weight smaller than the balancing weight.

13. In Paragraph 1, The above balancing weight is, A biocapsule characterized by being a semi-cylindrical (D-shaped cylinder) weight having a D-shaped cross-section.

14. In Paragraph 1, The above balancing weight is, A biocapsule characterized by being a high-density structure formed by curing a filler of epoxy, polyurethane, or polymer material mixed with powder or a compound in an eccentric region within the internal space of the first zone.

15. In Paragraph 1, The above circuit board is, It includes a communication module that wirelessly transmits measured biometric data to an external server, and The above biocapsule is, It further includes an antenna module that increases the transmission efficiency of biometric data of the above communication module, and The above antenna module is, A biocapsule characterized by including an antenna having a spiral or zigzag pattern.

16. In Paragraph 15, The above antenna module is, A biocapsule characterized by being provided at an eccentric position in the first zone where the balancing weight is disposed.

17. In a system for managing livestock biological data, A biocapsule comprising: a cylindrical capsule housing inserted into the body of a livestock and having internal spaces of a first zone and a second zone formed along the longitudinal direction; a circuit board provided in the first zone and having one or more sensor modules for detecting biological data mounted thereon; a battery provided in the second zone and supplying power to electronic components of the circuit board; and a balancing weight provided in the first zone and positioned at an eccentric location within the internal space of the first zone to form an asymmetric mass distribution of the first zone; and A server that receives data on changes in the height-axis behavior of livestock from the above biocapsule; comprising The above biocapsule is, The above capsule housing includes a housing body having the above internal space formed therein; and the housing body has the above second zone formed in the lower part and the above first zone formed in the upper part. The above-mentioned first zone is formed with a 1-1 zone in the direction of one side and a 1-2 zone in the direction of the other side, and the balancing weight is disposed in the 1-1 zone, and The circuit board is disposed in the first and second zones, and the circuit board is disposed on the opposite side of the area occupied by the balancing weight within the internal space of the first zone. The above balancing weight is, Considering the mass distribution of the components of the internal space, the total mass is formed such that the overall center of gravity of the capsule housing is located at the geometric center of the capsule housing, and the asymmetric mass distribution means that the mass of the first-2 zone is greater than the mass of the first-1 zone. A system characterized by the fact that when the attitude of the capsule housing changes, the asymmetric mass formed by the balancing weight is automatically oriented in the direction of gravity, and the measurement direction of the placed sensor module is restored.

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