WO2015001537A2

WO2015001537A2 - Smart activity monitoring system

Info

Publication number: WO2015001537A2
Application number: PCT/IB2014/062882
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ranjith MUKUNDAN; Ramakrishna ADUKURI; Praveen NALE; Venkatesh SESHASAYEE; Ravishankar G SHIROOR
Original assignee: Stellapps Technologies Private Limited
Priority date: 2013-07-05
Filing date: 2014-07-05
Publication date: 2015-01-08
Also published as: WO2015001537A3

Abstract

The present invention provides a smart activity monitoring system (100) for monitoring livestock (A) in a farm. The system (100) comprises at least one smart activity monitoring (SAM) device (101), at least one SAM controller (102), farm gateway (103), remote intelligence system (105) and at least one user equipment (106). The SAM device (101) monitors livestock activities (A) and generates livestock characteristic data which is collected by the SAM controller (102) and sent to the farm gateway (103). The farm gateway (103) forwards the data to remote intelligence system (105) via network (104). A software application installed in remote intelligence system (105) analyzes the data to determine a current condition of the livestock (A) and notify at least one user equipment (106) about the condition. The application is capable of configuring the SAM device (101) based on the condition or a manual instruction received from the user equipment (106).

Description

Smart activity monitoring system [001] Technical Field of the Invention

[002] The present invention relates to a smart activity monitoring (SAM) system for a dairy farm. More particularly, the present invention relates to a smart activity monitoring(SAM) system capable of dynamically monitoring each livestock and wirelessly communicating livestock conditions and actions to be taken to a remote user e.g. farmer/technician/veterinary practitioner.

[003] Background of the Invention

[004] In dairy farming, each individual cow is considered as a production unit and hence it is required to monitor the activities of each individual cow to identify their health related issues, heat cycle etc, so as to increase their herd productivity. Hence electronic activity monitoring system was introduced to monitor the activities of cow.

[005] The current electronic activity monitoring system comprises an electronic activity monitoring device mounted on the body of the cow to monitor cow's activities. The electronic activity monitoring device transmits the monitored data to a computer system within the premises of the farm, so as to enable the farmer/technician/veterinary practitioner to identify when the cow is ready for breeding or whether the cow is suffering from any health related issues.

[006] But the current electronic activity monitoring systems are designed for premises based controlling, monitoring and reporting. Hence the current electronic activity monitoring systems are unsuitable for implementation in a farm that cannot afford to have a local premise based computer server.

[007] Similarly, the current electronic activity monitoring systems are also designed with the assumption that the farmer/technician/veterinary practitioners who use the system are educated and have a fair amount of computer literacy. Whereas, if the farmer/technician/veterinary practitioner is not sufficiently computer literate, the farmer/technician/veterinary practitioner has to be dependent on third parties to interpret the output of reports. For instance, the current electronic activity monitoring systems presents the monitored data in the form of graphs, tables, periodic summary list to the farmer/technician/veterinary practitioner. The farmer/technician/veterinary practitioner has to then go through these records manually to figure out by himself as to how to interpret the reports and then take appropriate action.

[008] The current electronic activity monitoring systems also do not allow the farmer/technician/veterinary practitioner/technician to control and monitor the electronic activity monitoring systems remotely when the farmer/technician/veterinary practitioner/technician is not in the premises.

[009] The electronic activity monitoring device of the current electronic activity monitoring system sends the monitored information periodically to the computer server even during the period when the cow requires less monitoring, such as when the cow is during the calving interval. This periodic monitoring of cow especially during the period when the cow requires less monitoring, results in excess usage of the battery of the electronic activity monitoring devices, which in turn brings down the life span of the electronic activity monitoring devices. Also on certain days, the cow has to be monitored more frequently then the predetermined frequency so as to increase the overall monitoring efficiency of the electronic activity monitoring system. The current electronic activity monitoring systems also do not allow the farmer/technician/veterinary practitioner/technician to control / configure the correct monitoring algorithm for different individual animals. The current electronic activity monitoring applies the same monitoring algorithm for all animals.

[010] The PCT application WO2014074057A1, filed on November 5, 2013, discloses a method performed in an animal management system, wherein a control device is capable of individually controlling each of multiple farm devices to predefined settings, in response to a request from a remote mobile device such as mobile phone, smart phone or tablet computer. The farm devices are configured to a pre-defined settings and dynamic configuration with respect to a condition of the animal is not possible. Similarly, US patent application US20100302004, filed on March 26, 2010, discusses about a device for remotely monitoring an animal behavior. The animal behavior is sensed and wirelessly transmitted the behavior data to a computer which analysis the data to identify a specific behavior like distress. Upon detecting the specific behavior, a notification is sent to a mobile device carried by a user. In this case, it is not possible to configure the sensing device and the computer does not suggest an action to be taken for the specific behavior. The user without the knowledge of the condition has to consult a technician/veterinary practitioner for interpreting the condition and suggesting an action.

[011] Therefore, there is a need of an intelligent system for dynamically configuring the SAM device based on the need of the criticality. Also there exists a need of a user friendly smart activity monitoring system that can be monitored and controlled remotely, and is suitable for small herds.

[012] Summary of the Invention

[013] The present invention eliminates all the drawbacks of prior art by providing as mart activity monitoring system for monitoring livestock in a farm, wherein the system comprises multiple smart activity monitoring (SAM) devices, multiple SAM controllers, farm gateway, remote intelligence system and user equipment. At least one SAM device is fastened to each of the livestock for monitoring activities of the livestock and sending livestock characteristic data to one of the SAM controllers. The SAM controller communicates the livestock characteristic data and control instructions between the farm gateway and the SAM device. The farm gateway is connected to the remote intelligence system via a network, and the remote intelligence system wirelessly communicates with the user equipment. [014] A software application installed in the remote intelligence system analyzes the characteristic data to determine a current condition of the livestock and generates a notification regarding the condition. The remote intelligence system transmits the notification to the user equipment carried by a user e.g. farmer/technician/veterinary practitioner, via the network. The user equipment receives the notification from remote intelligence system and sends a manual instruction to the remote intelligence system based on a user input via the network. The user input can be a user command or a selection of one of multiple control options included in the notification.

[015] The application is capable of configuring the SAM device based on the condition and/or the manual instruction. The application generates and sends a control signal to the SAM controller for changing at least one attribute of the SAM device to configure the SAM device. The application generates the control signal based on the condition or based on the manual instruction received from the user equipment. The application sends the control signal to the SAM controller through the farm gateway, wherein the SAM controller forwards the control signal to the SAM device.

[016] The remote intelligence system is connected to the farm gateway and the user equipment via the network, and therefore providing support for controlling, monitoring and reporting from the user equipment. Hence, a farmer/technician/veterinary practitioner/technician/veterinary practitioner with the basic knowledge of operating the user equipment can control the SAM device from a remote location. Moreover, the SAM device is dynamically configured with respect to the condition of the corresponding livestock, which improves monitoring efficiency and battery life without losing any critical information of the livestock. Since the remote intelligence system is connected to the farm via the network, multiple farm gateways of different small farms can share the same remote intelligence system for monitoring, analysis and dynamic control of each SAM devices of different farms. [017] The remote intelligence system is connected to the farm gateways via the network and is operable through the user equipment through wireless communication, and therefore providing support for controlling, monitoring and reporting from the user equipment. The application generates the control signal based on the condition or provides the list of options for controlling the SAM devices. Hence, a farmer/technician/veterinary practitioner does not need to be well educated to control the SAM device from a remote location. Moreover, the SAM devices are dynamically configured with respect to the condition of the corresponding livestock, which improves monitoring efficiency and battery life without losing any critical information of the livestock. Since the remote intelligence system is connected to the farm via the network, multiple farm gateways of different small farms can share the same remote intelligence system for monitoring, analysis and dynamic control of each SAM device of different farms. By this way, multiple small farms can share the expense of the system.

[018] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

[019] Brief Description of Drawings

[020] The foregoing and other features of embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

[021] FIGURE 1 shows the block diagram of the smart activity monitoring (SAM) system according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[022] FIGURE 2shows the block diagram of the smart activity monitoring (SAM) device according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[023] FIGURE 3 shows the block diagram of the smart activity monitoring (SAM) system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [024] FIGURE 4 shows the front view of the user equipment according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[025] Detailed Description of the Invention

[026] Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are shown in figures. Each example is provided to explain the subject matter and not a limitation. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention.

[027] The present invention relates to a smart activity monitoring system for monitoring livestock in a farm, wherein the system comprises multiple smart activity monitoring (SAM) devices, multiple SAM controllers, farm gateway, remote intelligence system and user equipment. One SAM device is fastened to each of the livestock for monitoring activities of the livestock and sending livestock characteristic data to one of the SAM controllers. The SAM controller communicates the livestock characteristic data and control instructions between the farm gateway and the SAM device. The farm gateway and the user equipment are connected to the remote intelligence system through the network for communicating with the remote intelligence system.

[028] A software application installed in the remote intelligence system analyzes the characteristic data to determine a current condition of the livestock and generates a notification regarding the condition. The remote intelligence system transmits the notification to the user equipment carried by a user e.g. farmer/technician/veterinary practitioner, via the network. The user equipment receives the notification from remote intelligence system and sends a manual instruction to the remote intelligence system based on a user input via the network. The user input can be a user command or a selection of one of multiple controls received in the notification. [029] The application is capable of configuring the SAM device based on the condition and/or the manual instruction. The application generates and sends a control signal to the SAM controller for changing at least one attribute of the SAM device to configure the SAM device. The application automatically generates the control signal based on the condition or based on the manual instruction received from the user equipment. The application sends the control signal to the SAM controller through the farm gateway, wherein the SAM controller changes the attribute of the SAM device based on the control signal.

[030] The remote intelligence system is connected to the farm gateway and the user equipment via the network, and therefore providing support for controlling, monitoring and reporting from the user equipment. Hence, a farmer/technician/veterinary practitioner does not need to be well educated to control the SAM device from a remote location. Moreover, the SAM device is dynamically configured with respect to the condition of the corresponding livestock, which improves monitoring efficiency and battery life without losing any critical information of the livestock. Since the remote intelligence system is connected to the farm via the network, multiple farm gateways of different small farms can share the same remote intelligence system for monitoring, analysis and dynamic control of each SAM devices of different farms. By this way, multiple small farms can share the expense in installing the system.

[031] FIGURE 1 shows the block diagram of the smart activity monitoring (SAM) system for monitoring livestock in a farm according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system (100) includes a set of SAM devices (101), wherein each SAM device (101) is assigned with an identification (ID) code and fastened to a livestock (A). Multiple SAM controllers (102) are located at different locations in the farm for wirelessly communicating with the SAM devices (101). The SAM controllers (102) are connected to a farm gateway (103) through a wired or wireless network, wherein the farm gateway (103) is connected to a remote intelligence system (105) via a network (104) e.g. Internet, cellular network or any other wireless network. The remote intelligence system (105) wirelessly communicates with multiple user equipment (106) through the network (104).

[032] FIGURE 2 shows the block diagram of the SAM device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The SAM device (101) includes a microcontroller (10), wireless interface (14), battery based power supply(12), sensors (13)and inbuilt upgradable firmware(ll). The sensors (13) may include sensors for sensing temperature of the livestock, movement of the livestock and the like. The firmware (11) has the capability to change various attributes: frequency of monitoring, type of monitoring, time of monitoring, frequency of data transmission, and algorithm to be applied on sensor signals. The battery based power supply (12) uses one or more batteries (15) to energize the microcontroller(lO), wireless interface (14), sensors (13)and firmware(ll). The microcontroller (10) receives and converts sensor signals into livestock characteristic data. The microcontroller (10) broadcasts the characteristic data and the ID code of the SAM device (101) via the wireless interface (14). One or more SAM controllers (102) receive and forward the characteristic data and the ID code to the farm gateway (103) which transmits the characteristic data and the ID code to the remote intelligence system (105).

[033] The remote intelligence system (105) includes a database in which a list of ID codes of the SAM devices (101) and information about the corresponding livestock (A)are stored. The information about the livestock (A) includes breed, age, health history, gender, location, etc. A software application is installed in the remote intelligence system (105) for analyzing the characteristic data and determining a current condition of the livestock (A). The application obtains the information about the livestock (A) based on the ID code, analyses the characteristic data and determines the condition of the livestock (A) using the information about the livestock (A). The application generates and sends a notification regarding the livestock condition and suggestion on action to be performed (e.g. please inseminate the cow #31 today, else you will lose a heat cycle)to the user equipment(106). The application generates a control signal based on the condition for configuring the SAM device (101). Thus, each SAM device

(101) configured dynamically with respect to the corresponding livestock (A).

[034] The remote intelligence system (105) transmits the control signal along with the ID code to the farm gateway (103) via the network (104). The farm gateway (103) forwards the control signal and the ID code to the SAM controller

(102) from which the characteristic data is received. The SAM controller (102) transmits the control signal to the SAM device (101) based on the ID code. The microcontroller (10)in the SAM device (lOl)receives the control signal via the wireless interface (14)and upgrades the firmware (ll)based on the control signal for changing at least one of the attributes viz. frequency of monitoring, type of monitoring, time of monitoring, frequency of data transmission, and algorithm to be applied on sensor signals. For instance, the remote intelligence system (111) sends the control signal to decrease the frequency of monitoring whenever frequent monitoring is not required, so as to decrease the excess usage of the batteries (15) in the SAM device (101). The remote intelligence system (111) also sends the control signal to increase its monitoring frequencies whenever frequent monitoring is required, so as to increase the overall monitoring accuracy of the system (100).

[035] The batteries (15) used in the SAM device (101) can be rechargeable batteries, replaceable batteries or a combination of both. The activities sensed by the sensors (13) can also include but limited to number of footsteps per hour, movement speed, resting time, blood pressure, pulse rate, etc. Similarly, the livestock (A) can also be any type of farm animals like cow, sheep, goat, pig, horse, buffalo, camel, donkey, reindeer, yak, etc., and birds like hen, turkey, emu, quail, duck, goose, guinea fowl, etc.

[036] FIGURE 3 shows the block diagram of the smart activity monitoring (SAM) system for monitoring livestock in multiple farms according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Each of the farm #1, #2 & #3 includes a farm gateway (103) connected to the remote intelligence system (105)via the network(104), wherein the remote intelligence system (105) communicates with each farm gateway(103)using an IP address assigned to the farm gateway(103). Conditions of the livestock (1 - 6)in each farm are notified to the corresponding authorized person through an e-mail, SMS or instant message. Suppose that farms#l and #3 are owned by user #1 and farm #2 is owned by user #2. Notifications regarding conditions of livestock (1, 2, 5 & 6) are sent to a user account of the user #1. Similarly, notifications regarding conditions of livestock (3 & 4) are sent to a user account of the user #2. Notifications can be sent in the form of SMS, e-mail and/or instant messages to the user accounts and/or one or more mobile numbers registered with the corresponding user account.

[037] FIGURE 4 shows the front view of the user equipment according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The user equipment (106) receives the notification regarding the condition of the livestock (A) from the remote intelligence system(105)via the network (104). The notification includes a set of options that can be selected by the user for configuring the SAM devices (101). For instance, the notification includes the message "COW #6 IN FARM #2 IS IN STANDING HEAT" followed by the options, namely: INCREASE MONITORING FREQUENCY, SET TIME FOR NEXT ANALYSIS, OTHER OPTIONS, REMIND ME LATER, etc. If the user is busy, the user can select the option "REMIND ME LATER", so that the notification is resent within a preset time period. Therefore, a farmer/technician/veterinary practitioner without basic knowledge of computers does not need to depend on a third party to interpret the characteristic data and can also operate and control the SAM devices (101) from a remote location. On the other hand, the user can log in to his/her user account and change the settings of the SAM device (101), after receiving the notification. The user can provide a user input tothe user equipment (106), wherein a manual instruction is generated based on the user input. After receiving the manual instruction from the user equipment (106), the application generates the control signal based on the manual instruction. Furthermore, the user can also provide the user input by directly accessing the remote intelligence system (105). [038] The user equipment (106) is a mobile phone or an Internet enabled mobile device such as a personal digital assistant, a handheld computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a generic purpose computer, a specific purpose computer or any computing device that supports two way interactions with the user (farmer/technician/veterinary practitioner/farm owner/technicians) using the network.

[039] The remote intelligence system (105) is connected to the farm gateways (103) via the network (104) and is operable through the user equipment (106) through wireless communication, and therefore providing support for controlling, monitoring and reporting from the user equipment. The application generates the control signal based on the condition or provides the list of options for controlling the SAM devices (101). Hence, a farmer/technician/veterinary practitioner does not need to be well educated to control the SAM device from a remote location. Moreover, the SAM devices (101) are dynamically configured with respect to the condition of the corresponding livestock, which improves monitoring efficiency and battery life without losing any critical information of the livestock. Since the remote intelligence system (105) is connected to the farm via the network, multiple farm gateways (103) of different small farms can share the same remote intelligence system (105) for monitoring, analysis and dynamic control of each SAM device (101) of different farms. By this way, multiple small farms can share the expense of the system (100).

[040] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

[041] CLAIMS: We claim:

1. A smart activity monitoring system for monitoring livestock in a farm, said system comprising: at least one smart activity monitoring (SAM) device(101)fastened to the livestock (A)for monitoring activities of the livestock(A)and generating livestock characteristic data;

at least one SAM controller (102)installed in the farm for communicating the livestock characteristic data and control signals between the SAM device(101)and a farm gateway(103);

said farm gateway(103)placed in the farm for communicating with a remote intelligence system(105);

said remote intelligence system (105)connected to the farm gateway(103)through a network(104)and wirelessly communicating with at least one user equipment(106);

a software application installed in said remote intelligence system (105)for analyzing the characteristic data to determine a current condition of the livestock(A)and generating a notification based on the condition;

said user equipment (106)carried by a user for receiving the notification from the remote intelligence system (105)and sending a manual instruction to the remote intelligence system(105)based on a user input via the network (104);

characterized in that the application is capable of configuring the SAM device(lOl).

2. The system as claimed in claim l,wherein the application configures the SAM device (101)by generating and sending a control signal to the SAM controller (102)for changing at least one attribute of the SAM device(lOl).

3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the application automatically generates the control signal based on the condition.

4. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the application generates the control signal based on the manual instruction received from the user equipment (106).

5. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the application sends the control signal to the SAM controller (102) through the farm gateway (103).

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the SAM controller (102) forwards the control signal to a wireless interface (14) of the SAM device (101).

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the SAM device (101) includes a microcontroller (10) for changing the attribute of the SAM device (101) based on the control signal.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the microcontroller (10) updates an in-built upgradable firmware (ll)based on the control signal.

9. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the SAM device (lOl)includes a set of sensors (13)controlled by the in-built upgradable firmware(ll)for sensing activities of the livestock(A).

10. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the SAM device (101) includes a battery based power supply (12) for energizing the microcontroller (10), wireless interface(14), in-built upgradable firmware(ll)and sensors(13).

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the notification includes the condition of the livestock (A)and suggestion on an action to be performed by the user.

12. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the notification includes the condition of the livestock (A) and a set of SAM device control options.

13. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the user input is a selection of at least one SAM device control option.