Animal Data Communication System for Remote Physiological Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pet monitoring devices are limited in their ability to remotely detect and communicate physiological conditions and actions of pets, with video cameras being the only devices capable of remote information transfer, but they lack the capability to monitor physiological conditions and record occurrences like barks or confinement breaches, and information transfer is cumbersome due to internet connectivity issues.
Innovation Solution
An animal data communication system comprising a rover unit carried by the animal, an animal accessory device, detectors to detect actions and conditions, a processing unit to generate data, and a communication unit to transmit data over a network, allowing for two-way communication and remote access to animal data, including physiological conditions and actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If video cameras are used to transfer information remotely, then remote information transfer capability is improved, but the ability to monitor physiological conditions and record occurrences is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the monitoring function into separate specialized components: video cameras for visual monitoring, physiological sensors for health data, audio sensors for bark detection, and activity sensors for movement tracking. Each sensor type independently captures specific aspects of pet behavior and health, then all data are integrated and transmitted together, resolving the contradiction between specialized monitoring capabilities and comprehensive information transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is designed as a multi-functional integrated platform that simultaneously performs visual monitoring, physiological monitoring, audio detection, and activity tracking through multiple sensor types. This universal system replaces the single-function video camera while maintaining remote transfer capability, allowing one system to fulfill multiple monitoring roles that were previously required separate devices.
2Ease of operation
If video camera information is transferred over the internet, then remote access is improved, but the transfer process becomes cumbersome due to streaming or discrete block transfer limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential monitoring data from each sensor type and transmits only these critical information elements remotely, rather than transferring complete continuous video streams or large discrete data blocks. This extraction approach reduces transfer time and bandwidth requirements while maintaining the ability to access remote monitoring information efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the data representation parameters by converting continuous sensor outputs into discrete event-based data structures that capture only significant changes in monitored parameters. This parameter transformation reduces data volume and transfer time while preserving the essential information needed for remote monitoring access.
Data Source
AI summary
An animal data communication system, including a rover unit to be carried by an animal, an animal accessory device to interact with the rover unit and/or animal, at least one detector to detect an occurrence of an action engaged in by the animal, and to generate a signal indicative of a detected action, a processing unit to generate animal data identifying the detected action based on the generated signal, and a communication unit disposed on at least one of the rover unit and the animal accessory device to transmit the animal data over a network in response to an occurrence of one or more particular conditions associated with the detected action.