WO2014148846A1

WO2014148846A1 - Early warning system and method for detecting livestock diseases and detecting possibility of pregnancy in livestock

Info

Publication number: WO2014148846A1
Application number: PCT/KR2014/002363
Authority: WO
Inventors: 이승환; 곽성복; 진송타오
Original assignee: 하나마이크론(주); 하나마이크론 아메리카 인코포레이티드
Priority date: 2013-03-20
Filing date: 2014-03-20
Publication date: 2014-09-25

Abstract

Provided is an early warning system for detecting livestock diseases and detecting the possibility of pregnancy in livestock. The early warning system comprises: a radio frequency identification reader which communicates with a radio frequency identification tag attached to livestock and defines an activity measurement area for measuring the amount of movement of livestock within a pen; and a server which communicates with the radio frequency identification reader, receives, from the radio frequency identification tag attached to the livestock, information on the livestock and the frequency that the livestock enter the activity measurement area, and transmits the changed information on the livestock to the radio frequency identification tag. The server computes the frequency that the livestock enters the activity measurement area such that an operator is notified by a livestock disease detection alarm if the livestock enter below a certain number of times for a specific period of time, and a possibly pregnant livestock detection alarm if the livestock enter over a certain number of times for a specific period of time.

Description

Early warning system and method for livestock disease detection and fertile livestock detection

The present invention relates to an early warning system and method for the early detection of infectious disease and livestock in livestock farms, and more particularly to using livestock identification readers and radio frequency identification tags assigned to livestock. An early warning system and method for disease detection and gestational livestock detection.

Livestock disease detection and control of infectious diseases and pandemic are top priorities with the modern livestock farming industry. As operators of animal husbandry farms attempt to improve yield and efficiency for their ranches within the available spaces, livestock are frequently placed in confined spaces in the barn and are very susceptible to the rapid transmission of dangerous pandemic. For example, bird flu outbreaks in poultry farms, mad cow disease outbreaks in cattle sheds, and foot and mouth disease outbreaks in various livestock farms are becoming more common and frequent in dense breeding environments. Early detection and proactive control of these outbreaks is more likely in spatially constrained, and dense, livestock farms that are expected to cause a faster spread of disease among livestock before any existing containment and treatment measures are effectively performed. It will be difficult.

Existing measures for detecting diseases in livestock are generally slow and cumbersome. The operator typically has to manually monitor the health of each of the livestock in the barn. Animals suspected of being affected by an infectious disease are manually identified for signs of life, such as body temperature and heart rate. If such livestock is determined to be infected with a dangerous or infectious disease, it may then be isolated from the herd for further treatment and treatment. These existing disease detection methods rely very heavily on the experience and level of care of the operators monitoring livestock, thereby spreading from other adjacent livestock and causing some serious medical conditions to the livestock before the manual investigation process takes place. . In addition, the process of identifying vital signs of sick livestock is a serialized, cumbersome and slow process. This existing identification process causes frequent delays in faster containment, prevention or / and treatment procedures for the remaining livestock.

Livestock disease discovery, as any delay in containment, prevention and treatment procedures during the outbreak of communicable disease on a livestock farm can lead to rapid infection, loss of investment in the remaining livestock, and increased health risk for humans. There is a high demand for preferred early warning systems and methods.

In contrast, early detection of gestational livestock in ovulation cycles is also required. A fertile livestock can actually become pregnant if it is found to be conceivable and appropriate measures are taken, such as how to feed and manage the date of delivery. In addition, there is a problem that additional costs are raised during the ovulation cycle if gestational livestock is not found early.

In general, livestock farms that raise livestock, such as cattle and pigs, are attached to dogs' ears to attach identification tags that record information about livestock individuals.

Recently, according to the development of various wireless communication technologies, various forms of dog tags are being developed that can increase the efficiency of managing livestock individual by integrating wireless communication technology into the dog tag for managing livestock individual.

Livestock individual management technology using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology among livestock individual management technologies incorporating such wireless communication technology is widely adopted based on various advantages.

Radio wave identification technology refers to a technology for recognizing information over a long distance using a radio frequency. This requires a radio identification tag and a radio identification reader. The radio wave identification tag is composed of an integrated circuit (IC) and an antenna, in which information is recorded in the integrated circuit, and radio waves are transmitted to the radio wave identification reader through the antenna. This information is used to identify the object to which the radio wave identification tag is attached. That is, the radio wave identification tag functions similar to a bar code. The differentiation of radio waves from barcode systems is that they use radio waves instead of reading with light. Thus, the RFID reader can not only operate at short distances like a barcode reader, but can also read the RFID tag's information over long distances and even receive information through other objects in-between. You may.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an early warning system that can detect livestock diseases and gestational livestock early by employing radio wave identification technology.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an early warning method for early detection of livestock diseases and fertile livestock by employing radio wave identification technology.

Problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an early warning system for livestock disease discovery and gestational livestock discovery. The early warning system communicates with a radio frequency identification tag attached to the livestock, but communicates with a radio frequency identification reader and a radio frequency identification reader that defines an activity measurement zone for measuring the movement of livestock within the livestock, The server may include a server for receiving information about the livestock and information about the number of times the livestock enters and exits the activity measurement zone from the tag, and transmit the changed information about the livestock to the radio wave identification tag. The server counts the number of entries into and out of the livestock's activity measurement zone, alerting you to livestock disease detection if the livestock enters or exits the baseline for a period of time, and for the period of time the livestock is above the baseline. When entering and exiting the number of times may be characterized by notifying the operator of pregnancy detection livestock.

The radio wave identification reader may be arranged adjacent to the compensating device. The compensating device may be characterized as being a feed feeder or a water feeder in the barn.

The radio frequency identification reader may be characterized by not counting the number of times the livestock enters the activity measuring zone again within a certain time after the livestock enters the activity measuring zone.

The server may be characterized in that it analyzes the information about the number of times of entry into the activity measurement area of the livestock hourly or periodically.

The server may be characterized by determining the reference range of the number of times of entry into the activity measurement area of the livestock based on the species, gender or age of the livestock.

The early warning system for livestock disease detection and fertile livestock detection may further comprise a wireless transceiver for data communication with a server and a radio frequency identification reader.

In addition, in order to achieve the above other object, the present invention provides an early warning method for livestock disease discovery and gestational livestock discovery. This early warning method is a radio identification reader that communicates with a radio identification tag attached to a livestock, defining an activity measurement zone to measure the movement of the livestock in the house, early warning for livestock disease detection and fertile livestock detection. Activating the system, monitoring the frequency of entry of livestock with tagged tags into the activity measurement area, and notifying the operator of livestock disease detection alerts when livestock enters or exits the baseline for a period of time. And notifying the operator of the conceivable livestock detection alert when the livestock enters and exits the reference range for a predetermined period of time.

Early warning methods for livestock disease detection and fertility livestock detection may further comprise analyzing the information about the number of times the livestock enters the activity measurement zone by time zone or cycle.

The early warning method for livestock disease detection and fertility livestock detection may further comprise determining a reference range of times of entry into the livestock activity measurement area based on the species, gender or age of the livestock.

As described above, according to the solution of the problem of the present invention, it is possible to detect livestock diseases and fertile livestock early by calculating livestock activity using radio wave identification technology. Accordingly, an early warning system can be provided that can prepare in advance for measures for disease of the livestock and for the management of fertile livestock. As a result, the operator of the livestock farm can identify problems with the health of the stocked animals early, thereby facilitating the operation and management of the livestock farm.

In addition, according to the solution of the problem of the present invention, it is possible to detect livestock diseases and gestational livestock early by calculating the activity of the livestock using radio wave identification technology. Accordingly, an early warning method can be provided that can prepare in advance for the treatment of diseases of the livestock and the management of the fertile livestock. As a result, the operator of the livestock farm can identify problems with the health of the stocked animals early, thereby facilitating the operation and management of the livestock farm.

1 is a three-dimensional view for explaining a general cattle kennel fence structure for accommodating livestock.

Figure 2 is a three-dimensional view for explaining a livestock kennel fence crossbar with a radio frequency identification antenna for early warning system for livestock disease detection and gestational livestock detection according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a three-dimensional view for explaining a livestock kennel fence crossbar with a radio frequency identification antenna having an access range of a frequency identification radio frequency identification tag for the animal feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a system diagram for explaining an early warning system for livestock disease discovery and gestational livestock discovery having a livestock kennel fence with a radio frequency identification antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a graph for explaining the characteristics of the epidemic between livestock in the barn.

Figure 6 is a graph for explaining the alarm operating point for livestock disease detection according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a table for explaining information stored in a radio wave identification tag attached to a server, another data store, and / or a livestock of an early warning system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8A and 8B are plan views illustrating radio wave identification tags attached to an animal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a block flow diagram illustrating a method of using an early warning system for livestock disease discovery and gestational livestock discovery in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a table illustrating a report table format for an early warning system for livestock disease discovery and gestational livestock discovery having a livestock kennel fence crossbar having a radio frequency identification antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods of achieving the same will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but may be embodied in different forms. Rather, the embodiments introduced herein are provided so that the disclosure may be made thorough and complete, and to fully convey the spirit of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase. As used herein, 'comprises' and / or 'comprising' refers to the presence of one or more other components, steps, operations and / or devices. Or does not exclude additions. In addition, since it is in accordance with the preferred embodiment, reference numerals presented in the order of description are not necessarily limited to the order.

In addition, the embodiments described herein will be described with reference to cross-sectional views, top views and / or stereoscopic views, which are ideal illustrations of the present invention. In the drawings, the thicknesses of films and regions are exaggerated for effective explanation of technical content. Accordingly, shapes of the exemplary views may be modified by manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the specific forms shown, but also include variations in forms generated by the manufacturing process. For example, the particular region shown at right angles may be round or have a predetermined curvature. Accordingly, the regions illustrated in the figures have schematic attributes, and the shape of the regions illustrated in the figures is intended to illustrate a particular form of region of the device and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a typical cattle yard fence structure generally includes a first vertical fence support 113, a second vertical fence support 109, and one or more cattle

yard fence crossbars

103, 107, 111. It is disposed near the feed feeder 101. In a kennel fence structure such as that shown in FIG. 1, three cattle kennel fence crossbars 103 that generally perform the function of preventing

livestock

117, 119 from passing through or jumping over the kennel fence structure. 107, 111).

Some livestock fence structures, such as the livestock fence structure as shown in FIG. 1, further include one or more side fence bars 105, 115 to further inhibit lateral movement of the

livestock

117, 119. It may include. Other kennel fence structures may not include any side fence bars. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the

livestock

117, 119 contained in the livestock fence structure may be cattle, and the feed feeder 101 may contain cattle feed. In still other examples, the livestock may be pigs, chickens, ducks or any other livestock corresponding to the feed contained in feed feed 101.

Referring to FIG. 2, the radio frequency identification antenna 207 embedded in the kennel fence crossbar 209 is a multi-wavelength dipole antenna capable of efficiently generating the access range of the intended radio frequency identification tag (see 319 in FIG. 3). Can be. Accordingly, the kennel fence crossbar 209 in which the radio frequency identification antenna 207 is built in may not need multiple half-wave dipole antennas therein. In another embodiment of the invention, the radio frequency identification antenna 207 embedded in the kennel fence crossbar 209 may be one or more separate half-wave dipole antennas that can produce higher signal amplification efficiency than the multi-wavelength dipole antenna. . For example, the radio frequency identification antenna 207 embedded in the kennel fence crossbar 209 may have a length of approximately 10-12 ft. And a diameter of 1-2 inches. For another example, the radio frequency identification antenna 207 embedded in the kennel fence crossbar 209 may have other dimensions appropriately sized for a particular completion within the kennel fence structure.

In addition, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the radio frequency identification antenna 207 embedded in the kennel fence crossbar 209 may be physically attached to or coupled to the kennel fence crossbar 209. In certain embodiments of the present invention as shown in FIG. 2, the radio frequency identification antenna 207 embedded in the kennel fence crossbar 209 may be physically attached to the intermediate kennel fence crossbar 209. In another embodiment of the invention, the radio frequency identification antenna 207 embedded in the kennel fence crossbar 209 may be attached to the lower kennel fence crossbar 203 or the upper kennel fence crossbar 213.

Moreover, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the livestock fence structure located adjacent to the feed feeder 201 is generally a first vertical fence support 215, a second vertical fence support 211 and one or more livestock kennels.

Fence crossbars

203, 209, and 213 may be included. A radio frequency identification antenna 207 may be attached to or coupled to the at least one cattle

kennel fence crossbar

203, 209, 213. In the cattle yard fence structure shown in FIG. 2, there are three cattle

yard fence crossbars

203, 209, and 213 which generally perform a function of preventing livestock from passing through or jumping over the cattle yard fence structure.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, one radio frequency identification antenna 207 may be attached to or coupled within at least one of the

kennel fence crossbars

203, 209, 213. A radio frequency identification antenna 207 embedded in the at least one kennel fence crossbar 209 defines the access range of the radio frequency identification tag that is frequency tuned up or in all directions around the feed feeder 201 and may provide. Can be. In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 2, the kennel fence structure may further include one or more side fence bars 205, 217 to further inhibit movement of the animals in the lateral direction. . In other embodiments of the present invention, side fence bars 205 and 217 may not be present.

Referring to FIG. 3, the radio frequency identification antenna 307 embedded in the cattle kennel fence crossbar 309 may be a multi-wavelength dipole antenna capable of efficiently generating an access range 319 of a radio frequency identification tag that is tuned to a frequency. Accordingly, the kennel fence crossbar 309 in which the radio frequency identification antenna 307 is built in may not need multiple half-wave dipole antennas therein. In another embodiment of the present invention, the radio frequency identification antenna 307 embedded in the kennel fence crossbar 309 may be one or more separate half-wave dipole antennas that can produce higher signal amplification efficiency than the multi-wavelength dipole antenna. . For example, the radio frequency identification antenna 307 embedded in the cattle kennel fence crossbar 309 may have a length of approximately 10 to 12 ft. And a diameter of 1 to 2 inches. For another example, the radio frequency identification antenna 307 embedded in the kennel fence crossbar 309 may have other dimensions appropriately sized for a particular completion within the kennel fence structure.

In addition, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the radio frequency identification antenna 307 embedded in the kennel fence crossbar 309 may be physically attached to or coupled to the kennel fence crossbar 309. In certain embodiments of the kennel fence structure as shown in FIG. 3, the radio frequency identification antenna 307 embedded in the kennel fence crossbar 309 may be physically attached to the intermediate kennel fence crossbar 309. In another embodiment of the present invention, a radio frequency identification antenna 307 embedded in the kennel fence crossbar 309 may be attached to the lower kennel fence crossbar 303 or the upper kennel fence crossbar 313.

Moreover, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the livestock fence structure located adjacent to the feed feeder 301 is generally a first vertical fence support 315, a second vertical fence support 311 and one or more livestock kennels.

Fence crossbars

303, 309, and 313 may be included. A radio frequency identification antenna 307 may be attached to or coupled to the at least one cattle

kennel fence crossbar

303, 309, or 313. In the cattle yard fence structure shown in FIG. 3, three cattle

yard fence crossbars

303, 309 which generally perform a function of preventing

livestock

321, 323 from passing through or jumping over the cattle yard fence structure. , 313).

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, one radio frequency identification antenna 307 may be attached to or coupled within at least one of the

kennel fence crossbars

303, 309, 313. A radio frequency identification antenna 307 embedded in at least one cattle kennel fence crossbar 309 defines an access range 319 of a radio frequency identification tag tuned up or in all directions around the feed feeder 301, And can provide. In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 3, the kennel fence structure may further include one or more side fence bars 305, 317 to further inhibit movement of the animals in the lateral direction. . In other embodiments of the invention, side fence bars 305 and 317 may not be present.

As shown in Fig. 3, the main advantage of the embodiment of the present invention is that the radio frequency identification antenna 307 embedded in the uniquely designed livestock fence crossbar 309 has multiple radio frequency identification antennas or feed feedings everywhere. Substantially more cost-effective for manufacturing than conventional devices and methods involving separate high-rise hoists capable of hanging one or more radio identification antennas adjacent to the unit, and on-site location (ie, a kennel fence structure 300) can be installed. For example, conventional multi-antenna installation methods place multiple radio identification antennas below or within the feed feed, or above the feed feed using a separate high-rise hoist. The cost of manufacturing and installing multiple radio frequency identification antennas per conventional feed feeder substantially reduces the radio frequency identification antenna 707 embedded in the uniquely designed single cattle kennel fence crossbar 309 adjacent to the feed feeder 301. More expensive than the cost of manufacturing and installation.

In addition, another advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that the radio frequency identification antenna 307 embedded in the uniquely designed cattle kennel fence crossbar 309 is used to feed feed below or inside the conventional feed feed, or using a separate high-rise feeder. It is substantially easier and less time to create an access range of frequency-matched radio identification tags than multiple radio identification antennas above the head, and to install them at site locations (ie, cattle farm fence structure 300). It takes Since most feed feeders, such as cattle feed feeders, have a kennel fence channel with at least one cattle kennel fence crossbar adjacent to or above each feed feeder, the operator has to A radio frequency identification antenna 307 embedded in the kennel fence crossbar 309 can be easily attached. Even better, the operator can adjust the access range 319 of the radio frequency identification tag set to frequency by adjusting the height of the kennel fence crossbar 309 incorporating the radio frequency identification antenna 307.

Referring to FIG. 4, the early warning system for livestock disease detection and fertile livestock detection includes a high frequency radio frequency identification reader and a main controller interface 405, an activity measurement zone in all directions of the feed feeder. : A radio frequency identification antenna 403 embedded in a cattle kennel fence crossbar 401 defining an AMZ, a radio frequency identification tag 413 attached to a livestock, a radio transceiver 407 (that is, a Wi-Fi transceiver, a radio Servers that serve to process, display and / or store information relating to radio identification tags, cellular base stations, other radio protocol transceivers, or combinations thereof, And alarm operating points for notifying operators of livestock that require individual attention for further inspection and diagnosis of livestock health. Or / and an analysis program modules, user interface 411 which operates or access to (program module) that can be used. In addition, the early warning system also provides an e-mail alert, telephone call or / and alert to the operator of the alarm operating point when the livestock with the radio identification tag 413 has reached a state of potential disease and / or pregnancy. Alerts can be made using text messages.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the alarm actuation point may be in a state where the number of times of entry into the activity measurement zone of the livestock drops sharply and / or rises for a period of time. That is, during a given period of time the livestock enters or exits below the reference range (ie, between the low entry and exit counts for livestock disease detection and the high entry and exit counts for viable livestock detection). The operator may be informed of livestock disease detection information, and if the livestock enters or exceeds the reference range for a certain period of time. In addition, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the analysis program module may be an application software program that receives information from, or transmits information to, a radio wave identification tag 413. The software program may play a role of being executed in the central processing unit (CPU) and the memory unit of the server 409.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the microwave identification reader and the main controller interface 405 are configured such that the number of times the livestock enters the activity measuring zone again within a predetermined time, for example, a few seconds after the livestock enters the activity measuring zone. May not be calculated. Since this may be due to the movement of the livestock at the boundary of the activity measuring zone, there is a high possibility of causing an error in the number of entry of the livestock activity measuring zone, and the calculation of the number of entry of the unconditional activity measuring zone into the server 409 is performed. It can give too much load.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, an ultra-high frequency radio frequency identification reader and a main controller interface 405, between a radio frequency identification antenna 403 embedded in a kennel fence crossbar 401, a server 409 and a user interface 411. Communication may be completed using at least some wired connections for device communications rather than utilizing wireless communications. Thus, one or more embodiments of the present invention may not require a radio transceiver 407 if the microwave connection reader and communication connection points between the main controller interface 405 and the server 409 are wired based.

Moreover, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the user interface 411 may be included in a desktop or laptop computer capable of integrating the functionality of a separate server 411 as necessary, so as to achieve their respective completions. It is possible to create a separate server 409 that is not needed.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, it may also be desirable to install a compensation device, such as a feeder, within or near the activity measurement zone. This is because the compensation device (in other words, feed feeder) may cause the livestock to enter the measuring activity zone (see 319 in FIG. 3) frequently or periodically. Less active livestock during anemia and / or certain periods of time may indicate that they are sick and / or require medical attention. In addition, many active livestock during a particular cycle of time may indicate that they are likely to conceive. New aspects of early warning systems and methods for livestock disease detection and fertility livestock detection relate to the general tendency of livestock to become more inactive when they are sick, and more active if they are in ovulatory states where they may be pregnant. Thus, a sudden or gradual decrease or increase in activity levels near livestock's compensation (ie, feed, water, etc.) is a good sign that their deterioration is in progress or that their condition corresponds to ovulation. Can be.

It is possible to detect the access of a substantial multi-radio identification tag attached to the livestock within the radio identification tag access range defined in or near the compensation device (see 301 of FIG. 3) (i.e., the measurement activity area defined by 319 of FIG. 3). By utilizing a microwave identification reader and a main controller interface 405 with a radio identification antenna 403 embedded in a livestock kennel fence crossbar 401, one or more embodiments of the present invention may be used to Disclosed are unique and novel systems and methods that enable early and early detection of the condition and feasibility of herd fertility. One or more embodiments of the present invention are directed to specific operators to alert the operator about the likelihood of a communicable disease and the likelihood that certain livestock with a radio frequency identification tag 413 will be infected based on their decrease or increase in their activity level in the activity measurement zone. May be used.

Referring to Figure 5, the severity of the epidemic for livestock over time after the start of infection by the first infected livestock is graphed. The epidemic was initiated by single infected cattle, but the number of multiple cattle infected in the barn spread exponentially. The threshold point involved in the progression of time is an irreversible point, or a starting point in which epidemic prevention is very difficult in a barn, and if the epidemic is accidentally left, it is not noticed and / or untreated.

Thus, as seen in various embodiments of the present invention, new early warning systems and methods for livestock disease detection are very helpful to operators to enable early detection, control, and treatment of any infectious disease outbreak. Can be more accurate than manual inspection of livestock. The new early warning system and method for livestock disease detection prevents potential damage if the early warning of the likelihood of an infectious disease outbreak is well known to the operator before the threshold point, which is the irreversible point shown in FIG. 5, and infectious disease Can prevent further outbreaks.

Referring to Figure 6, as shown in the graph, the number of times of entry into the livestock activity measuring area over time is plotted. In this particular example, the number of times the livestock with tagged radio identification tags entered and entered the active measurement zone during the time period of one week was tracked. In the first few days, livestock had normal levels of activity in and out of the activity measurement zone (ie 70 to 90 times in and out of the activity measurement zone). Then the activity level entering and exiting the livestock's activity measurement zone suddenly dropped to the alarm level, an alarm operating point exemplified by a dashed dotted line where the activity entering and exiting the livestock's activity measuring zone fell below 30 times per day.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the early warning system and method for livestock disease detection tracks the activity levels of each livestock with a radio identification tag, and the activity measurement zone-related activity level falls below the alarm operating point. May be indicated as a possible health problem that requires operator attention. Reaching the alarm operating point does not necessarily mean the question of whether a livestock is sick. For example, an alarm operating point may be reached as a result of equipment-related false alarms or abnormal circumstances without the onset of any disease. However, a sudden or abnormal drop in activity level associated with a livestock's activity measurement zone strongly indicates a health problem that may be due to reduced activity levels of the livestock, and system-level alerts for detailed field inspections of questionable livestock It can be rationalized for proactive prevention, detection and management of disease.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, tracking the activity levels of each livestock with a radio identification tag provides an alarm operating point that notifies the operator of a particular livestock requiring individual attention for further inspection and diagnosis of its health. It can be coordinated and managed by an analysis program module that performs set up, adjustment, discovery and / or use.

In one use case for the analysis program module, the analysis program may use statistical methods to calculate and determine if it is a good alarm operating point. In another use case for the analysis program module, the analysis program may allow the operator to manually select an alarm operating point based on a threshold for activity levels at each time of day, week or other defined period. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the analysis program module may belong to a server (see 409 of FIG. 4), a desktop computer and / or a laptop computer.

When the alarm operating point is reached from a particular livestock, as shown in FIG. 6, the early warning system may notify the operator via the user interface (see 411 in FIG. 4). In addition, the early warning system may also utilize an email alert, telephone call or / and text message to alert the operator in advance of the alert operating point reached for further individual attention to a particular livestock. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the early warning system may first generate an email alert and then also advance an alert based on a phone call if necessary.

Referring to FIG. 7, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a radio wave identification tag that can be attached to a particular livestock stores a unique tag identification code 901 designed to identify a particular livestock among a plurality of livestock. The unique tag identification code 901 for a particular livestock may also include information such as species / class (903), age (905), gender (907), owner (909) and vaccination records (911) for the particular livestock. Typically also associated with others. In addition, the radio wave identification tag, the server, and the analysis program module running on the server also maintain records of castration, because the completion of castration affects the behavior of certain livestock.

In addition, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, activity measurement zone access count 913 may also be associated, tracked, and updated to a particular livestock identified by unique tag identification code 911. In one embodiment of the present invention, tracking and updating the activity measurement area entry and exit count 913 sets an alarm operating point for notifying the operator of particular livestock requiring individual attention for further inspection and diagnosis of their health. It may be a task of an analysis program module that also corresponds to doing, adjusting, finding and / or using. In another embodiment of the present invention, tracking and updating the activity measurement zone access count 913 may be a task of other software and / or hardware in communication with the analysis program module. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, activity measurement zone entry count 913 may be increased by one for each entry of a particular livestock to the activity measurement zone. In addition, activity measurement zone access count 913 may be periodically reset to an initial value based on a day, week, or other defined period that depends on certain embodiments of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, if the activity measurement zone entry number 913 within a certain period (ie, day, week, and the like) for a particular livestock (ie A00001) falls below the alarm operating point, then Operators can be alerted via user display terminals, phone calls, email alerts or text messages.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, the information stored within the radio wave identification tag attachable to the livestock may be associated with location information associated with the radio wave identification tag not shown in FIG. 7 (ie, based on GPS coordinates, radiotelephone based station identification numbers, and the like). Such other information 915 may also be included. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the livestock propagation identification tag has a fixed setting, such as a unique tag identification code 901, a species / grade 903, age 905, gender 907 and owner 909 of the livestock. The information may be initialized, while others of the information, such as vaccination records 911 and activity measurement zone entry times 913, may be updated periodically or continuously throughout the life of a particular livestock. In addition, some or all of the information that may be used by the analysis program module and / or other related modules, devices, and instruments to enable early warning systems for livestock disease discovery and fertility livestock detection may be attributed to the life of a particular livestock. It can be read from the radio identification tag periodically or continuously throughout, and written into the radio identification tag.

Examples of information read from and written to a specific radio identification tag attached to a particular livestock include, but are not limited to, a unique tag, as shown in FIG. 9 showing an example of information related to a radio identification tag attached to a livestock. Identification code (901), species / class of cattle (903), age (905), gender (907), owner (909), vaccination records (911), activity measurement area entry (913) or / and other May include information 915. Instead, such information (in other words, unique tag identification code 901, livestock species / grade 903, age 905, gender 907, owner 909, vaccination records 911, At least some of the activity measurement area entry times 913 and / or other information 915 may be tracked and further stored on the server, or instead stored in the radio identification tag.

Referring to FIG. 8A, a circular propagation identification tag is typically used for small livestock, such as pigs. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the circular radio wave identification tag is a passive tag without a battery that is its own power source. The passive tag may include a nonvolatile memory device and a radio frequency identification antenna sealed by the weathering envelope 1001A. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the circular radio wave identification tag may have a diameter of 3.5 cm. The radio frequency identification antenna in the circular radio frequency identification tag is responsible for receiving an electromagnetic signal from the radio frequency identification reader to power the nonvolatile memory inside the circular radio frequency identification tag to transmit or receive information from the nonvolatile memory. Can be. In another embodiment of the present invention, the circular RFID tag may be an active tag with a battery that is self-powered.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the circular radio wave identification tag may also have an attachment structure 1003A that can enable a stable attachment of the circular radio wave identification tag to the ear or body portion of the animal. In addition, the weathering sheath 1001A may be made of durable plastic, rubber or / and other synthetic materials that are generally non-toxic for use in food animals.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the rectangular radio identification tag may be used for a variety of livestock, but mainly for cattle. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rectangular radio frequency identification tag is a passive tag without a battery that is self-powered. The passive tag may include a nonvolatile memory device and a radio frequency identification antenna sealed by the weathering envelope 1001B. The radio identification antenna within the rectangular radio identification tag is responsible for receiving an electromagnetic signal from the radio identification reader to power the nonvolatile storage device inside the circular radio identification tag for transmitting or receiving information from the nonvolatile storage device. Can be. In another embodiment of the present invention, the rectangular radio frequency identification tag may be an active tag with a battery that is self-powered.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rectangular radio frequency identification tag may also have an attachment structure 1003B that can enable a stable attachment of the circular radio frequency identification tag to the ear or body portion of the livestock. In addition, the weathering sheath 1001B may be made of durable plastic, rubber or / and other synthetic materials that are generally non-toxic for use in food animals.

Referring to FIG. 9, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in step S1101, the operator may define an activity measurement area that may be enabled by a radio identification reader or a radio identification antenna. Then, as shown in step S1102, the operator can attach a radio wave identification tag to the livestock. In one example, a radio wave identification tag may be attached to an animal's ear. In another example, the radio identification tag may be attached to another body part of the livestock. In most cases, data initialization of the radio identification tag may be necessary before or during the attachment of the radio identification tag to the livestock. Then, as shown in step S1103, the operator can activate an early warning system for livestock disease detection and fertile livestock detection. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the early warning system for livestock disease detection and fertile livestock detection may be similar to the system configuration shown in FIG. In another embodiment of the present invention, an early warning system for livestock disease discovery and fertile livestock discovery may be combined with at least wire-based connections and / or other devices.

As shown in step S1104, the early warning system for livestock disease detection and fertility livestock detection once activated can begin to monitor the frequency of livestock entry into the activity measurement area by the access of a radio frequency identification tag attached to the livestock. . In one embodiment of the present invention, the early warning system tracks the number of times of entry into the activity measurement area per livestock for a period of time defined by recognizing a unique tag identification code (see 901 in FIG. 7) for each livestock. And calculate. The early warning system can store the relevant data on the server. In addition, the radio frequency identification tag attached to the livestock may also optionally store the activity measurement area entry count, as previously indicated by the activity measurement zone entry count field (see 913 in FIG. 9), and the radio identification reader may identify the radio wave identification. The data field update function for storing the number of times of entry into the activity measurement area can be performed for the tag.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 9, as shown in step S1106, when the number of times of entry into the activity measuring area for a particular livestock falls below the alarm operating point for a defined period of time and reaches the alarm operating point, then animal disease is found. And an early warning system for discoverable livestock may inform the operator that individual attention is needed to investigate a particular livestock in question to determine the potential for its health issues. On the other hand, as shown in steps S1104 and S1105, if the alarm operating point is not reached while monitoring livestock entry into the activity measurement zone, the early warning system then accesses the radio identification tag attached to the livestock. By continuing to monitor the frequency of livestock entry into the activity measurement zone.

Referring to FIG. 10, in an embodiment of the present invention, the report table format may be applied to the microwave radio frequency identification reader and the main controller interface (see 405 of FIG. 4), the server (see 409 of FIG. 4), and / or the user interface 411. Can be generated, filtered and / or improved. The report table format may include a list of electronic production codes (EPC's) or unique radio identification tag numbers (ie, B10001, B10002, and the like) in the first row 1301. The report table format may also include a list of accesses to the activity measurement area by specific livestock defined by specific electronic production codes or radio identification tag numbers. Preferably, the list of accesses to the activity measurement zone may be further sorted by time, as shown in the second row 1303 in the report table format. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, access to the activity measurement zone for livestock with a special radio identification tag may be recorded periodically (ie every 2 minutes), and in accordance with the second row 1303 Can be classified. In addition, the report table format may also include the total number of times of access to the activity measurement area by the particular livestock, as shown in the third row 1305. As described above in other figures, a sudden drop or rise in the total number of times a particular livestock has approached the activity measurement zone may indicate a potential health problem for the livestock. Embodiments of the early warning system for livestock disease detection and fertile livestock detection as described herein may measure activity by virtue of the specific warning that livestock is approaching the activity measurement zone due to the likelihood of sickness and the likelihood that the livestock may be pregnant. Higher access to zones can be used to display specific alerts, and can be reported to the operator of the early warning system in the form of the report table shown in FIG. 10 or in other ways such as email alerts, text alerts or telephone call alerts. have.

The early warning system and method for livestock disease discovery and gestational livestock discovery according to an embodiment of the present invention can calculate livestock disease by using radio wave identification technology, thereby early detection of livestock disease and fertile livestock. Accordingly, an early warning system and method can be provided that can prepare in advance for the treatment of livestock disease and management of fertile livestock. As a result, the operator of the livestock farm can identify problems with the health of the stocked animals early, thereby facilitating the operation and management of the livestock farm.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art may implement the present invention in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. You will understand that. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive.

Claims

A radio wave identification reader in communication with a radio wave identification tag attached to the livestock, the radio wave identification reader defining an activity measurement zone for measuring the movement of the livestock in the barn; And

Communicate with the radio identification reader, receiving information about the livestock and information about the number of times the livestock enters the activity measurement zone from the radio identification tag attached to the livestock, and with the radio identification tag Includes a server that sends changed information about

The server calculates the number of times the animal enters and exits the activity measurement zone, and if the animal enters and exits a number of times below the reference range for a certain period of time, the animal disease detection alarm and during the time of the predetermined period Early warning system for livestock disease detection and gestational livestock detection, characterized in that the operator is notified of the gestational livestock detection alarm when the livestock enters and exits the reference range.
The method of claim 1,

And the radio frequency identification reader is disposed adjacent to a compensating device.
The method of claim 2,

And the compensation device is a feed feeder or a water feeder in the livestock.
The method of claim 1,

The radio frequency identification reader does not count the number of times the livestock enters into the activity measurement zone again within a certain time after the livestock enters the activity measurement zone. Early warning system.
The method of claim 1,

The server is an early warning system for livestock disease discovery and pregnancy livestock detection, characterized in that for analyzing the information on the number of times of entry and exit into the activity measurement zone of the livestock by time period or cycle.
The method of claim 1,

And the server determines the reference range of the number of times of entry into and out of the activity measurement zone of the livestock based on the species, gender or age of the livestock.
The method of claim 1,

And a wireless transceiver for data communication with the server and the radio frequency identification reader.
Defining an activity measuring zone for measuring the movement of the livestock in the barn with a radio frequency identification reader in communication with a radio frequency identification tag attached to the livestock;

Activating an early warning system for livestock disease detection and fertile livestock detection;

Monitoring the frequency of entry and exit of the livestock with the radio identification tag into the activity measurement zone;

Notifying an operator of a livestock disease detection alert when the livestock enters and exits a number of times below a reference range for a period of time; And

And a step of notifying the operator of the conceivable livestock detection alert when the livestock enters and exits the reference range for a predetermined period of time. .
The method of claim 8,

And the radio frequency identification reader is disposed adjacent to a compensating device.
The method of claim 9,

And the compensation device is a feed feeder or a water feeder in the barn.
The method of claim 8,

The radio frequency identification reader does not count the number of times the livestock enters into the activity measurement zone again within a certain time after the livestock enters the activity measurement zone. Early warning method.
The method of claim 8,

Analyzing the information on the number of times the livestock enters into the activity measurement zone by time period or cycle further comprises the early warning method for livestock disease discovery and pregnancy capable livestock discovery.
The method of claim 8,

Determining the reference range of the number of times of entry and exit into the activity measurement zone of the livestock based on the species, gender or age of the livestock; Way.