US 6,427,627 B1 · Method of monitoring animal feeding behavior

Abstract

A system and method having a plurality of antennas located at selected spaced intervals along an elongate feed or drinking trough. Each animal, to be monitored, is equipped with a passive transponder having a unique identification code. An electronic control system transmits an electronic signal sequentially to each one of the plurality of antennas such that each activated antenna emits a signal and, any passive transponder sufficiently adjacent to the activated antenna, receives the signal and generates a return electronic signal which is sent to the activated antenna. A computer, coupled to the plurality of antennas, receives a return signal from the passive transponder and generates preliminary results concerning an animal behavior which effects animal consumption activity. Finally, a modification factor, incorporated in the computer, modifies the preliminary results to generate a final result that predicts, with an acceptable level of predictability, the animal behavior which affects the consumption activity to be monitored.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of monitoring animal feeding behavior, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of antennas at predetermined locations along one of a feeding location and a drinking location to be monitored;
providing each of a plurality of animals with a passive transponder having a unique identification code;
transmitting an electronic signal from at least one of said plurality of antennas to any sufficiently adjacent animal provided with a passive transponder and receiving a return electronic signal from any sufficiently adjacent passive transponder;
processing said return electronic signal via a computer, to determine preliminary results relating to an animal behavior which affects animal feeding characteristics;
and
modifying the preliminary results via a modification factor to generate a final result that predicts, with an acceptable level of predictability, the animal behavior which affects a consumption activity to be monitored.

3 more elements

A system for monitoring animal feed behavior, said system comprising:

an elongate mat having a plurality of antennas spaced therealong;
a plurality of passive transponders, each passive transponder having a unique identification code so that when the passive transponder is affixed to an animal, the passive transponder facilitates identification of that animal;
an electronic control system for transmitting the electronic signal sequentially to each one of said plurality of antennas such that an activated antenna emits the signal and, any sufficiently passive transponder sufficiently adjacent to the activated antenna, receives the signal and generates a return electronic signal which is sent to the activated antenna;
a computer, coupled to said plurality of antennas, to receive a return signal from the passive transponder and generating preliminary results to an animal behavior which affects animal feeding characteristics;
and
modification factor, incorporated in the computer, for modifying the preliminary results to generate a final result that predicts, with an acceptable level of predictability, the animal behavior which affects a consumption activity to be monitored.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of monitoring animal feeding behavior

Life of this patent

Method of monitoring animal feeding behavior

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20