US 5,791,294 A · Position and physiological data monitoring and control system for animal herding

Abstract

An apparatus and method for monitoring and controlling the position of an animal. A mounted subsystem, affixed to an animal, includes a first computer control system having a first input/output device (first I/O), a position determining system (PDS), a first transceiver, sensors, and stimulators. The PDS can be a GPS system or other type of position determining system. The stimulators include a rear stimulator affixed to the hind quarters of the animal for motivating the animal to move forward, a right stimulator affixed to the right side of the animal for motivating the animal to move to its left, and a left stimulator affixed to the left side of the animal for motivating the animal to move to its right. A base subsystem includes a second computer control system having a second transceiver. Position control instructions control the stimulators in order to control the position of the animal. A memory map is read from computer readable memory units. Control instructions are received defining a designated sector. Position information, received from the PDS, indicates an initial position of the animal. It is then determined whether the animal is within the designated sector. If not, the animal is stimulated so that the animal moves to the designated sector. Stimulation vectors are determined based on the initial position of the animal and the position of the designated sector. Stimulators are then driven in order to motivate the animal to move in the desired direction.

Claims25

Dependent claims

An animal control and monitoring apparatus comprising:

a control system coupled to an animal being monitored;
a position determining system (PDS) disposed on said animal, said position determining system coupled to said control system, said position determining system comprised of a satellite-based radio navigation system;
and
a stimulation system attached to said animal, said stimulation system coupled to said control system, said stimulation system adapted to receive information from said control system, said stimulation system further adapted to controllably alter the position of said animal in response to signals received from said control system.

1 more element

A computer implemented method for controlling the position of an animal, said method comprising the computer implemented steps of:

reading a memory map of an area within which said animal is located;
receiving position control instructions defining a designated sector within said area;
receiving position information from a position determining system (PDS) mounted to said animal, said position information indicating an initial position of said animal within said area;
determining whether said animal is within said designated sector;
determining the orientation of said animal by;
applying an initial stimulation to said animal via stimulators located on the hind quarters of said animal, wherein said animal is assumed to respond to said initial stimulation on its hind quarters by moving forward,
waiting a predetermined amount of time for said animal to respond to said initial stimulation,
receiving information from said PDS indicating a second position of said animal, and
determining the orientation of said animal by comparing said initial position of said animal with said second position of said animal;
determining a direction in which said animal is to proceed in order to move to said designated sector, wherein said direction is determined based on said orientation of said animal, said initial position of said animal, and said position of said designated sector;
and
driving stimulators, which are mounted to said animal, in order to motivate said animal to move in said direction.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Position and physiological data monitoring and control system for animal herding

Life of this patent

Position and physiological data monitoring and control system for animal herding

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25