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US 12,616,161 B2Granted
Livestock restraining devices, systems for livestock management, and uses thereof
AssigneeCo-Exist Ltd
InventorYehonatan Gross
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Tools for smart farming, including devices, management systems and methods of livestock management are provided.
Claims17
A system for management of a plurality of livestock animals in a group, the system comprising:
- a. a plurality of devices for restraining livestock animals, each device having at least one open configuration and at least one closed configuration and comprising:
- at least one opening configured to allow passage of an upper part of a body of a livestock animal when the device is in the open configuration;
- a locking mechanism having a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to switch the device from the open configuration to the closed configuration and from the closed configuration to the open configuration, wherein the locking mechanism comprises an electromagnetic or electromechanical device configured to switch the device via an axis;
- at least one animal identification element configured to identify individual livestock animals;
- at least one controller in communication with the animal identification element and the locking mechanism;
- at least one local computer comprising data storage, in communication with the controller and the animal identification element;
- and
- at least one signaling element, in communication with the controller, the signaling element configured to generate a sensory output recognizable by the livestock animal, the sensory output associated with a stimulus and signaling the livestock animal to implement a predefined action;
- b. a centralized operation center comprising a data storage, processor and a main controller, in communication with the plurality of devices;
- and
- c. a user interface,
- wherein the controller of each device is configured to automatically control access of individual livestock animals to feeding areas by selectively switching the locking mechanism between the locked and unlocked states based on animal identification data and individual animal feeding data stored in the computer;
- wherein the signaling element of each device is configured to generate animal-specific sensory outputs, to direct identified livestock animals to approach specific devices for controlled feeding access;
- and
- wherein the operation center is configured to monitor individual animal feeding behavior across the plurality of devices to optimize feeding efficiency for each individual livestock animal in the group.
12 more elements
A method of managing livestock comprising:
- a. providing a system for management of a plurality of livestock animals in a group, the system comprising:
- i. a plurality of devices for restraining livestock animals, each device having at least one open configuration and at least one closed configuration and comprising:
- at least one opening configured to allow passage of an upper part of a body of a livestock animal when the device is in the open configuration;
- a locking mechanism having a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to switch the device from the open configuration to the closed configuration and from the closed configuration to the open configuration, wherein the locking mechanism comprises an electromagnetic or electromechanical device configured to switch the device via an axis;
- at least one animal identification element configured to identify individual livestock animals;
- at least one controller in communication with the animal identification element and the locking mechanism;
- at least one local computer comprising data storage, in communication with the controller and the animal identification element;
- and
- at least one signaling element, in communication with the controller, the signaling element configured to generate a sensory output recognizable by the livestock animal, the sensory output associated with a stimulus and signaling the livestock animal to implement a predefined action;
- ii. a centralized operation center comprising a data storage, processor and a main controller, in communication with the plurality of devices;
- and
- iii. a user interface;
- b. generating animal-specific sensory outputs by the signaling element, to direct identified individual livestock animals to approach specific devices for controlled feeding access;
- c. identifying individual livestock animals using the animal identification element;
- d. automatically controlling access of individual livestock animals to feeding areas by selectively switching the locking mechanism between locked and unlocked states based on animal identification data and individual animal feeding data stored in the computer;
- e. collecting animal-related data;
- and
- f. managing activity of individual livestock animals based on the collected data.
15 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.