ES2255401B1 - NON-SUPERVISED POSITIONING AND CONTROL SYSTEM OF LIVESTOCK BASED ON GNSS TECHNOLOGIES. - Google Patents

Abstract

GNSS positioning and control system for cattle, based on the combined use of satellite navigation technologies (GPS, WAAS, EGNOS, GALILEO) and actuation systems (acoustic warning-buzzer, actuation system using electric micro-discharges). Integrated by device that carries out the location of the carrier and a control system capable of ensuring that the positions of the carrier animal fall within a certain perimeter of action, causing an action on the animal to achieve it in case its positions fall outside of the same. The main innovation consists in the attainment of a system that does not require any type of intervention to achieve a "virtual" grazing activity in a totally autonomous way. The action system is adapted to each type of cattle in particular, based on the behavior / reactions of each type of cabin (sheep, goats, bovine, etc.).

Description

Positioning and control system no Supervised cattle based on GNSS technologies.

Object of the invention

The present specification refers to a non-supervised livestock tracking and control system based on satellite location technologies (GNSS). This integrated by a device carried by the animal, which will lead to place the location of it and check that the position falls within a programmed perimeter of action, causing appropriate actions on the carrier animal if not, so that the animal is always kept within this perimeter.

Field of the Invention

This invention has its application within the location sector for livestock, monitoring and control of endangered species, dangerous species and birds Migratory

Background of the invention

For the description of the present invention, employs the following terminology, commonly accepted in the sector of the technique to which it refers, whose meaning we break down to effects of your understanding:

Argus

Operating satellite system since 1978. The Argos system collects data from the PTTs or transmitters of terminal platforms, and delivers this telemetry data to a Username.

EGNOS

European wide area augmentation system that provides differential corrections for the system GPS

GALILEO

European satellite navigation system. Similary to the GPS system, its start-up is expected in the year 2010

GLONASS

Global positioning system based on use of a constellation of satellites. Similar to the GPS system, it is Russian origin

GNSS

Global satellite navigation system. (GNSS 1 refers to EGNOS, GNSS 2 refers to Galileo).

GPRS

Mobile communications system that allows data transmission of up to 56 K.

GPS

Global Positioning System, global positioning created by the american army (usa) constituted by a network of 24 satellites that orbit around the Earth.

GSM

Mobile communications system that allows transmission of short messages (SMS) and data communications of Up to 9600 baud

PTT

Platform Terminal Transmitters (PTTs) or terminal platform transmitters, from the Argos system, capable to send information regarding the location, data from a set of sensors etc. to the Argos system, based on satellites, for location and collection of data.

Uhf

UHF System (Ultra High Frequencies); this system It comprises the frequencies between 300 MHz and 3 GHz.

UMTS

Third-party mobile communications system generation that allows band data communications wide

VHF

VHF system (Very high frequencies); this system It works in the frequency between 30 Mhz up to 300 Mhz.

WAAS

American (US) area augmentation system extensive that provides differential corrections for the system GPS

There is currently a great diversity of systems that allow location and monitoring of animal species, either of endangered animals of extinction, domestic animals, migratory birds etc. These systems employ different technologies, depending on the type of monitoring that is intended to be carried out and the environment in which The animal is placed.

Some of these more basic systems incorporate a GPS receiver and a flash memory in which they are stored The calculated positions.

There are also systems based on the GPS technology for location, combined with GSM technology or with UHF / VHF radio beacons for data transmission from position to a control center.

Also known are the systems of animal monitoring based on the Argos system, which collects data from the PTTs (Platform Terminal Transmitters) and transmits this data to a user (a control center). The messages sent by PTTs can be used for the purpose of location, for data collection or for both. The localization It can be carried out in a conventional manner (from messages transmitted by Argos transmitters) or integrated with the information provided by a GPS receiver. The systems more advanced can also incorporate data from Different types of sensors.

Alternatives for tracking different species are also raised by the use of radio-telemetry, which involves the use of transmitters (which emit signals) and receivers (which detect them and record). Tracking can be carried out manually (by a manual search for signals at frequencies assigned) or through fixed stations, which automate the Animal tracking through mass data recording, each Once an "event" or radio signal is detected.

In situations where the radio-telemetry is not practical or appropriate, there is the possibility of using acoustic transmitters (combinations of acoustic transmitters - by radio), which can be used in different habitats This type of equipment is applied to the monitoring of specific species, such as aquatic. In this case, transmitters are used to emit signal, hydrophones for convert them and receivers to detect and record them.

On the other hand, they are known and popular different livestock control systems to keep them within a designated perimeter or guide them through certain paths. These systems range from those in which a total supervision (presence and human intervention necessary to get it) to those in which the non-supervision takes place once the cabin is found within a certain enclosure. To do this, the enclosure or the area within which you want to keep the whole animal and an electrifier or electric shepherd is used.

The electric shepherd consists of an enclosure which incorporates an electrical device that generates an alternating current of several volts of output in pulses of less than 2 seconds and with an intensity of 0.3 A, causing, when touching the threads that act as a protective screen, short downloads and nasty By using it, you can control the cabin inside a perimeter based on the fear they acquire the animals to the electric shocks they suffer when touched.

This approach is based on closing an area and act in a certain way on any type of animal, regardless of its species, which implies little flexibility (in case you want to expand the enclosure within which livestock must be maintained) and a decrease in effectiveness in performance on the animal (not all types of animals present the same behavior before a certain stimulus or its adaptation to it).

On the other hand, and in relation to the systems of animal tracking and monitoring, its location is carried out and known remotely (from a control center), without intervention on the animal's behavior locally (positions are stored locally or transmitted to a center of control, but for the animal to react in a certain way in relation to its position, it will be necessary to intervene "manually").

Thus, there are different technologies that apply to locate and monitor certain types of animals, on the one hand, and others that are applied to control in a non- supervised (to a certain extent) its position inside a enclosure, but the joint integration of both and customization of the way of acting on the animal (the control action on the same) is absent.

Description of the invention

The system presented represents a approach for positioning and control system no supervised livestock that allows to locate the carrier animal and control your position through the most acting systems appropriate for the type of animal, within a perimeter determined in an unsupervised manner and fully integrating both facets of monitoring and control of livestock.

The system consists of a portable terminal, which it is placed in the animal (usually it will be a collar or similar), performing the functions of localization and control of position on the carrier. Optionally, you can also contemplate the inclusion of a communications module for the transmission of positions to a control center and receiving commands for your tele-programming from it.

The system consists of the following elements:

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Food: provides electrical energy necessary for the system power. This formed by one or several rechargeable batteries and optionally, by a battery recharge system based on solar cells from small size

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Navigation: Includes a GPS receiver that allows you to determine the position of the animal with a precision between 1 and 3 meters.

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Control: System microcontroller in charge of managing the different modules that form the system. It carries a firmware that contains the logic of system operation, allowing programming and configuration Of the device. The control module is responsible for checking periodically that the position of the animal is within a programmed perimeter.

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Performance: module whose objective is to act on the animal so that it does not leave the programmed perimeter; for this, when the animal crosses said perimeter the actuator -which will be an acoustic or electric device- It will be launched.

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Communications: this module will exist optionally (according to the user's needs supervising the cattle) and incorporates a communications module (conventional radio (UHF, VHF), mobile communications (GSM, GPRS)) which allows the sending of data about the position and animal and device behavior remotely as well such as receiving certain commands to tele-programming and configuration from a center of control.

The solution used consists of integration of all these elements so that a device of location and control of the carrier animal completely autonomous (that is, without requiring human intervention), easy installation in the animal (for example, housed in a collar and with a reduced weight) and with minimal consumption (by programming of the operating intervals (GPS on and off) and the use of high integration electronic components and reduced consumption) thus achieving high autonomy of system.

Description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a generic system of location and tracking of animals from a GPS receiver, with the possibility of using some communications system (UHF, GSM) for the transmission of these positions and even combine it with other location / collection and transmission systems of data. Optionally, the system can incorporate a series of modules (mortality detector, temperature detector ...), whose information can be transmitted together with the positions of the Animal to a control center.

Figure 2 shows the architecture of the mobile device, consisting of a control unit that integrates a microprocessor (or microcontroller) along with the unit Storage (memory) and GNSS navigation sensor (GPS, EGNOS, WAAS, GLONASS, GALILEO), the module of action on the animal (acoustic, buzzer or electric actuator) and possible Communications modules (GSM, GPRS, UHF). The module of power provides the required power to the system to each one of the modules and next to the system of regulation of power, can integrate solar panels, batteries and a system of recharge

Figure 3 shows the system logic of unsupervised control for cattle. This figure shows how to through the GNSS module the positions of the animal are determined and, in the control module, it is determined whether these positions are find or not contained within a perimeter programmed in a memory. Based on the result obtained, an action takes place on the animal through the acoustic or electric actuation system. Optionally the process of transferring positions is represented to a control center (carried out through the module of corresponding communications) and the reception of these by of the same and sending telecommands for configuration and programming of the device carried by the animal.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

The invention object of the present patent has Application in different fields. It was initially conceived in the context of a project for location and control not supervised goat cattle, however, its use is made extensible to other types of cattle (cattle, sheep etc.), species endangered (wolves, brown bears etc.), birds migratory, dangerous animals etc.

In the case of goats, the system of location and unsupervised control for cattle, is mounted on a easily portable device by the user animal (e.g. housed in a collar), which is of reduced weight and easy to install, and endowed with high autonomy, preferably at least one year of operation

A link device is established for communication with a control center, to which data is transmitted referring to the location of the user animal and that allows receive data from the control center to the portable device relating to configuration and / or tele-programming of said device.

In turn, the performance perimeter is programmed that defines the zone of confinement of the carrier animal and will host such information as data from flash memory not volatile, and the controller system responsible for managing different modules that integrate the device will check periodically that the position of the carrier animal is found within the programmed perimeter.

At the moment it is detected that the animal is approximates the limits of the perimeter, or has exceeded said perimeter, the controller system drives a system of actuators to prevent the animal that crosses the programmed perimeter or force to return inside the perimeter if there is one overcome.

The actuator system can adapt to the type, characteristics and behavior of the animal or the actions that are intended on it, and the type of application for which this device is used (animal tracking, maintenance of its position within limits etc.)

All actions can be undertaken without Need for human intervention.

The performance (if it exists), in each of the cases, will adapt to the type of application and specific animal for which it is particularized: Thus, in the case of cattle, normally it is sought to contain the cattle inside a programmed perimeter (being present therefore all functionalities of the device described and object of the present patent), in the case of endangered species (wolves, brown bears etc.) their location and monitoring are pursued (from a control center, e.g.), in the case of migratory birds, the knowledge of their positions and trajectories for use later (once the information of their positions has been turned over stored in the device's flash memory) etc.

In any case, the different modules described in the architecture of the invention object of the present patent may be used and will provide the device with Different functionalities according to the built-in firmware by the device's microcontroller system.

Claims (10)

1. Location and control system no supervised for cattle, integrated a location unit formed by a GNSS receiver (GPS, EGNOS, Galileo, WAAS), actuators (buzzer type acoustic actuator, electric actuator by downloads etc.), a non-volatile flash memory, a system microcontroller and optionally, GSM / GPRS modem or radio, and system Power supply consisting of rechargeable battery, system power regulation, solar cells and recharging system, which allows you to locate the carrier animal and control where appropriate position through the most appropriate action systems for the type of animal, within a certain perimeter of form supervised and fully integrating both facets of the livestock monitoring and control. 2. Location and control system no supervised for cattle, according to the preceding claims, in which the device is mounted on a system easily portable by the user animal (e.g. housed in a collar). 3. Location and control system no supervised for cattle, according to the preceding claims, in which the device is housed on a weight system reduced and with simple installation on the user animal. 4. Location and control system no supervised for cattle, according to the preceding claims, in which the device has high autonomy (at least one year of operation). 5. Location and control system no supervised for cattle, according to the preceding claims, in which has a communication link with a center for control, to which location data is transmitted of the user animal and that allows to receive data from the center of control of the portable device related to the configuration and / or tele-programming of said device. 6. Location and control system no supervised for cattle, according to the preceding claims, in which will be programmed a perimeter of action that defines the area of confinement of the carrier animal and such information will be housed as non-volatile flash memory data. 7. Location and control system no supervised for cattle, according to the preceding claims, in that the controller system in charge of managing different modules that integrate the device, will check periodically that the position of the carrier animal is found within the programmed perimeter. 8. Location and control system no supervised for cattle, according to the preceding claims, in the one that the controller system that periodically checks the position of the animal and check its location within a perimeter, activates a system of actuators to prevent the animal crosses the programmed perimeter and returns it inside the perimeter. 9. Location and control system no supervised for cattle, according to the preceding claims, in the one that the actuator system on the carrier animal will be customized according to the behavior of said animal (based the type of livestock in question, the type of species) and the type of application for which this device is used (monitoring of the animal, maintaining its position within limits etc.) 10. Location and control system no supervised for cattle, according to the preceding claims, in that human intervention is not required to carry out the control of the carrier animal within a given perimeter.