NZ754421B2 - A method for communicating with an electronic device and an electronic device locatable on or in an animal - Google Patents
A method for communicating with an electronic device and an electronic device locatable on or in an animal Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NZ754421B2 NZ754421B2 NZ754421A NZ75442114A NZ754421B2 NZ 754421 B2 NZ754421 B2 NZ 754421B2 NZ 754421 A NZ754421 A NZ 754421A NZ 75442114 A NZ75442114 A NZ 75442114A NZ 754421 B2 NZ754421 B2 NZ 754421B2
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- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- animal
- smart mobile
- mobile device
- electronic device
- low energy
- Prior art date
Links
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 title claims abstract description 294
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 46
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 134
- 238000012806 monitoring device Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 113
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 230000006698 induction Effects 0.000 claims description 20
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000005672 electromagnetic field Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000005674 electromagnetic induction Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000000977 initiatory effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000001133 acceleration Effects 0.000 abstract description 4
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 13
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 12
- 244000144980 herd Species 0.000 description 11
- 241000283690 Bos taurus Species 0.000 description 9
- ONNCPBRWFSKDMQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2,3',5-trichlorobiphenyl Chemical compound ClC1=CC=CC(C=2C(=CC=C(Cl)C=2)Cl)=C1 ONNCPBRWFSKDMQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 8
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000012173 estrus Effects 0.000 description 5
- 101100460844 Mus musculus Nr2f6 gene Proteins 0.000 description 4
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- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 2
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K11/00—Marking of animals
- A01K11/006—Automatic identification systems for animals, e.g. electronic devices, transponders for animals
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K29/00—Other apparatus for animal husbandry
- A01K29/005—Monitoring or measuring activity, e.g. detecting heat or mating
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B2503/00—Evaluating a particular growth phase or type of persons or animals
- A61B2503/40—Animals
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B2562/00—Details of sensors; Constructional details of sensor housings or probes; Accessories for sensors
- A61B2562/02—Details of sensors specially adapted for in-vivo measurements
- A61B2562/0219—Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/0002—Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network
- A61B5/0015—Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network characterised by features of the telemetry system
- A61B5/0022—Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/103—Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
- A61B5/11—Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb
- A61B5/1113—Local tracking of patients, e.g. in a hospital or private home
- A61B5/1114—Tracking parts of the body
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/103—Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
- A61B5/11—Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb
- A61B5/1118—Determining activity level
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/103—Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
- A61B5/11—Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb
- A61B5/1121—Determining geometric values, e.g. centre of rotation or angular range of movement
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/103—Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
- A61B5/11—Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb
- A61B5/1123—Discriminating type of movement, e.g. walking or running
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/72—Signal processing specially adapted for physiological signals or for diagnostic purposes
- A61B5/7235—Details of waveform analysis
- A61B5/7246—Details of waveform analysis using correlation, e.g. template matching or determination of similarity
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/72—Signal processing specially adapted for physiological signals or for diagnostic purposes
- A61B5/7271—Specific aspects of physiological measurement analysis
- A61B5/7278—Artificial waveform generation or derivation, e.g. synthesising signals from measured signals
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/72—Signal processing specially adapted for physiological signals or for diagnostic purposes
- A61B5/7271—Specific aspects of physiological measurement analysis
- A61B5/7282—Event detection, e.g. detecting unique waveforms indicative of a medical condition
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61D—VETERINARY INSTRUMENTS, IMPLEMENTS, TOOLS, OR METHODS
- A61D17/00—Devices for indicating trouble during labour of animals ; Methods or instruments for detecting pregnancy-related states of animals
- A61D17/002—Devices for indicating trouble during labour of animals ; Methods or instruments for detecting pregnancy-related states of animals for detecting period of heat of animals, i.e. for detecting oestrus
Abstract
Electronic devices for attaching to an animal for detecting one or more of a plurality of states of the animal are known. However, the data relating to the state of the animal and the identifying code of the device is typically only available from a remotely located base station which is typically not in close proximity to the animal. This can make accessing the data stored in the device by the farmer inconvenient and slow. The present invention relates to an electronic monitoring device (20) for attaching to an animal (21 ) for determining a plurality of states of an animal (21). The monitoring device (20) comprises an NFC module (31) which facilitates wireless communication between a smart phone (32) and the monitoring device (20). The monitoring device (20) comprises an accelerometer (27) for monitoring acceleration of the head (25) of the animal (21 ). A microprocessor (28) determines various states of the animal from signals received from the accelerometer (27). The smart phone (32) is programmed by a software application which allows an identifying code of the monitoring device (20) to be read from the memory chip (36) and cross-referenced in the smart phone (32) with the identity of an animal, which can be inputted into the smart phone (32). Data relating to the state or states of the animal can be read from the microprocessor (28) through the NFC module (31) wirelessly into the smart phone (32). Additionally, data relating to the animal stored in a cloud computer server corresponding to the state or states of the animal is downloaded from the cloud computer server by the smart phone (32). ot in close proximity to the animal. This can make accessing the data stored in the device by the farmer inconvenient and slow. The present invention relates to an electronic monitoring device (20) for attaching to an animal (21 ) for determining a plurality of states of an animal (21). The monitoring device (20) comprises an NFC module (31) which facilitates wireless communication between a smart phone (32) and the monitoring device (20). The monitoring device (20) comprises an accelerometer (27) for monitoring acceleration of the head (25) of the animal (21 ). A microprocessor (28) determines various states of the animal from signals received from the accelerometer (27). The smart phone (32) is programmed by a software application which allows an identifying code of the monitoring device (20) to be read from the memory chip (36) and cross-referenced in the smart phone (32) with the identity of an animal, which can be inputted into the smart phone (32). Data relating to the state or states of the animal can be read from the microprocessor (28) through the NFC module (31) wirelessly into the smart phone (32). Additionally, data relating to the animal stored in a cloud computer server corresponding to the state or states of the animal is downloaded from the cloud computer server by the smart phone (32).
Description
“A method for communicating with an electronic device and
an electronic device locatable on or in an animal”
The present invention relates to a method for communicating with an electronic , and in particular,
with an electronic memory of an electronic device which is locatable externally on or internally in an
animal. The invention also relates to an electronic device locatable externally on or internally in an animal
which is configurable to communicate with an external powered device.
Electronic s for monitoring s characteristics of an animal in order to detect one or more of a
plurality of states of an animal are known. Such electronic devices r movement of an animal, or
movement of a part of an animal, for example, the head of an animal. Additionally, or alternatively, such
electronic devices monitor the body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and/or other characteristics of
an animal. By knowing the nt of an animal, the temperature of the animal, the heart rate and
other such characteristics of an animal over an extended period of time, one or more of a ity of
states of the animal can be detected, such states may, for example, be a state of oestrus, feeding,
ruminating, resting and the like. In such electronic devices the teristics are monitored either
continuously or periodically, and the data indicative of the monitored characteristics of the animal is stored
in memory in such electronic devices. The electronic devices may be programmed so that at predefined
intervals stored data indicative of the characteristics of an animal are transmitted by the electronic device
for reception by a base station, which analyses the stored data in order to detect one or more states of the
. The data transmitted for reception by the base station, in general, is the data which has been
monitored and stored since the last data ission. In order to transfer such data, the onic
device is provided with either a transmitter or a transceiver. If only a transmitter is provided, transmissions
are generally carried out at the end of predefined time intervals. However, if the electronic device is
provided with a transceiver, the stored data may be transmitted at programmable predefined time s
and/or in se to a signal received by the electronic device from the base station. In general, such
transmissions are carried out by radio wave transmissions over a relatively long distance. Alternatively,
the electronic devices may be configured to communicate with a telecommunications network, for
example, a mobile phone network, and the data is transmitted to the base station as an SMS message. In
general, an identifying code which identifies the electronic device is stored in memory in the electronic
device, and as each data transmission of data is being made, the identifying code of the onic device
is transmitted with the data. The base station typically stores the identifying code of a plurality of
fying devices referenced with the identity of the animal to which the electronic device is
attached.
Such electronic devices may be of the type referred to as an ear tag which is suitable for attaching to the
ear of an animal, or such electronic devices may be of the type which are attached to the animal by a
strap or other suitable ligature extending around a part of the animal, for example, the neck of the animal,
the leg of an animal, the tail or the like of the animal. Such electronic devices are of great benefit to a
farmer, since by monitoring and detecting s states of an animal, in the event of a state requiring
intervention by the , such intervention can be readily and timely made. However, a disadvantage of
such devices is that data relating to the state of the animal and the identifying code of the device, typically
is only available from the base station, which in many cases, if the base station is not located on the farm
of a farmer, which in many cases it is not, accessing the data stored in the device by the farmer can be
inconvenient and slow.
There is ore a need for a method for communicating with an electronic device d externally on
or internally in an , and in particular, there is a need for a method for communicating with an
electronic memory of such an electronic device which overcomes problems of known s and
devices. There is also a need for an electronic device locatable ally on or internally in an animal
which can readily easily be communicated with.
The present invention is directed towards ing such a method and such an electronic device.
According to the invention there is provided a method for communicating with an onic memory of an
electronic device locatable externally on or ally in an animal, the method comprising:
configuring the electronic device to be programmable,
locating a low energy NFC (near field communications) ications module on the device
configured to wirelessly communicate the external powered smart mobile device with the electronic
memory,
configuring the external powered smart mobile device to wirelessly communicate with the
electronic device through the low energy NFC communications module in an NFC protocol, and to
wirelessly programme the electronic device through the low energy NFC communications module in the
NFC protocol,
bringing the external powered smart mobile device into close proximity with the electronic device,
initiating wireless communication between the al powered smart mobile device and the
electronic device through the low energy NFC communications module in the NFC ol by the
external d smart mobile device,
wirelessly writing an animal identifying code identifying the animal, on or in which the electronic
device is located, to the onic memory of the electronic device by the external powered smart mobile
device through the low energy NFC communications module in the NFC protocol,
wirelessly reading a device identifying code identifying the electronic device from the electronic
memory of the electronic device by the external powered smart mobile device through the low energy
NFC communications module in the NFC protocol, and
cross-referencing the animal identifying code of the animal, on or in which the electronic device
is located, with the device identifying code of the electronic device.
Advantageously, data is read wirelessly from the electronic memory of the electronic device by the
al powered smart mobile device through the low energy communications module.
In one aspect of the invention data is written wirelessly to the electronic memory of the onic device
by the external powered smart mobile device h the low energy NFC ications .
In one embodiment of the invention the electronic device is configured to monitor at least one of a plurality
of states of the animal and to store data indicative of the monitored states, and the stored data indicative
of the monitored states of the animal is downloaded ssly from the onic device to the external
powered smart mobile device by the external powered smart mobile device through the low energy NFC
communications module.
In one aspect of the invention the downloaded data indicative of the monitored states of the animal is
stored in the external powered smart mobile device.
Preferably, the identifying code of the animal is downloaded wirelessly through the low energy NFC
communications module from the electronic memory of the electronic device to the external powered
smart mobile device along with the downloaded data indicative of the states of the animal.
Advantageously, the downloaded stored data indicative of the state of the animal is stored in the external
powered smart mobile device cross-referenced with the identifying code of the animal.
In another aspect of the ion the identifying code identifying the electronic device is wirelessly
downloaded through the low energy NFC communications module from the electronic memory of the
electronic device to the external powered smart mobile device along with the stored data indicative of the
states of the animal.
Preferably, the identifying code identifying the electronic device and the identifying code identifying the
animal are stored and cross-referenced with each other in the external powered smart mobile device.
In one embodiment of the invention the electronic device comprises a signal processor ured to be
resettable wirelessly by the external powered smart mobile device through the low energy NFC
communications .
In another embodiment of the invention the signal processor of the electronic device is configured to be
programmable wirelessly by the external powered smart mobile device through the low energy NFC
communications .
In another embodiment of the invention the signal processor of the electronic device is configured to
icate with the external powered smart mobile device through the low energy NFC
communications module.
In a further embodiment of the invention the signal sor of the onic device is configured for the
downloading of data therefrom to the al powered smart mobile device.
In a still further ment of the invention the signal processor of the electronic device is configured for
uploading of data thereto from the al powered smart mobile device.
Preferably, ications between the external powered smart mobile device and the signal processor
of the electronic device is controlled by the external powered smart mobile device.
In another embodiment of the invention the al powered smart mobile device is programmed to
control communications between itself and the signal processor of the electronic device.
Preferably, the low energy NFC communications module is configured to be electrically powered
wirelessly by the external powered smart mobile device.
Advantageously, the low energy NFC communications module is configured to be electrically powered
wirelessly by induction by the external powered smart mobile device.
Ideally, the low energy NFC communications module is configured to be electrically powered wirelessly by
electromagnetic induction by the external powered smart mobile device.
Preferably, the low energy NFC communications module is configured to be wirelessly ically
powered by a wireless data communications signal from the external powered smart mobile device.
In one embodiment of the invention the low energy NFC communications module is electrically powered
wirelessly h an induction coil located in the electronic device.
Preferably, the induction coil is configured as a loop antenna for wirelessly communicating the low energy
NFC communications module with the external powered smart mobile device.
In another aspect of the ion the external powered smart mobile device is programmed to wirelessly
communicate with the low energy NFC communications module in the onic device.
In a further ment of the invention the external powered smart mobile device is configured to
communicate wirelessly with a telecommunications network.
Preferably, the external powered smart mobile device is ured to icate with a remote
computer.
Advantageously, data downloaded from the electronic device is uploaded to the remote computer by the
external powered smart mobile device.
Preferably, the al powered smart mobile device downloads data relating to an animal on which the
onic device is located from the remote computer.
Advantageously, the data downloaded by the external powered smart mobile device from the remote
computer relating to an animal on which the electronic device is located is uploaded wirelessly by the
external powered smart mobile device to the electronic device through the low energy NFC
communications module.
In one embodiment of the invention the remote computer comprises a cloud er server.
Preferably, the al powered smart mobile device comprises a programmable smart mobile device.
Advantageously, the external powered smart mobile device is programmed by a software application
(app) for communicating wirelessly with the electronic device through the low energy NFC
communications module.
Preferably, the external powered smart mobile device is programmed by the app to display on a visual
y screen f data downloaded from the electronic device.
In one aspect of the invention the external powered smart mobile device is programmed by the app to
display data relating to an animal on which the electronic device is located aded from the remote
computer in response to the external powered smart mobile device downloading one of the identifying
code of the electronic device and the identifying code of the animal from the electronic device.
In one embodiment of the invention the low energy NFC ications module comprises a blue tooth
low energy module.
Advantageously, the external powered smart mobile device is programmed to wirelessly communicate
with the low energy NFC communications module in the electronic device.
ably, the al powered smart mobile device is programmed by the app to communicate
wirelessly with the electronic device through the low energy NFC communications module in an NFC
protocol.
In another ment of the invention the external powered smart mobile device comprises a smart
mobile phone.
The invention also provides in combination an electronic device configured for locating externally on or
internally in an animal, and an external powered smart mobile device ured to communicate with the
electronic device, the electronic device being programmable and comprising:
an electronic memory, and
a low energy wireless NFC communications module configured to wirelessly communicate the
external powered smart mobile device with the electronic device in an NFC protocol,
the external powered smart mobile device being configured to wirelessly communicate with the
electronic device h the low energy NFC communications module in the NFC protocol, and to
wirelessly programme the electronic device through the low energy NFC communications module in the
NFC protocol, and being configured to wirelessly write an animal identifying code identifying the animal,
on or in which the electronic device is located, to the electronic memory of the electronic device through
the low energy NFC communications module in the NFC protocol, and to wirelessly read a device
identifying code identifying the device stored in the electronic memory of the electronic device through the
NFC communications module in the NFC protocol, and to cross-reference the animal fying code with
the device identifying code.
In one aspect of the ion the low energy NFC communications module is configured to wirelessly
communicate the external powered smart mobile device with the electronic memory of the electronic
device for reading data from the electronic memory to the al powered smart mobile device.
In another aspect of the ion the low energy NFC ications module is configured to wirelessly
icate the external powered smart mobile device with the electronic memory of the electronic
device for writing data to the electronic memory by the external d device.
Preferably, the electronic device comprises a signal processor, and the low energy NFC communications
module is ured to wirelessly communicate the external powered smart mobile device with the signal
processor.
Advantageously, the signal processor is resettable, and the low energy NFC communications module is
configured to reset the signal processor in response to a reset signal wirelessly received from the external
powered smart mobile device.
ageously, the signal sor is programmable wirelessly by the external powered smart mobile
device through the low energy NFC communications module.
Preferably, the signal processor of the electronic device is configured to communicate with the external
powered smart mobile device through the low energy NFC communications module.
In another aspect of the invention the electronic device ses a monitoring means for monitoring a
state of an animal on which the onic device is located, and the signal sor is configured for
processing signals read from the monitoring means, and for producing data indicative of a state of the
animal.
In a further aspect of the invention the signal processor is configured to store the data tive of the
state of the animal, and the low energy NFC communications module is configured for wirelessly
communicating the external powered smart mobile device with the signal processor for downloading the
stored data indicative of the state of the animal to the external powered smart mobile device.
In one embodiment of the invention the low energy NFC communications module is ured for
wirelessly icating the external powered smart mobile device with the signal processor for
downloading the stored data tive of the state of the animal to the external powered smart mobile
device cross-referenced with an identifying code indicative of the identity of the electronic device stored in
the electronic memory of the electronic device.
In another ment of the ion the electronic device comprises an induction coil configured to
provide electrical power to the low energy NFC communications module in response to an
electromagnetic field from the al powered smart mobile device. Preferably, the induction coil is
configured as a loop a for wirelessly communicating the external powered smart mobile device with
the low energy NFC communications module.
Preferably, the low energy NFC communications module is electrically coupled to a printed circuit board,
and the induction coil is formed by an electrically conductive track on the printed circuit board.
Advantageously, the induction coil extends around the printed circuit board adjacent the periphery thereof.
In another embodiment of the invention the electronic device comprises a long range wireless
communicating means for icating the electronic device with a remote computing means.
Preferably, the long range wireless communicating means comprises a radio wave transmitter.
Advantageously, the long range ss communicating means comprises a radio wave transceiver.
In one embodiment of the invention the low energy NFC communications module comprises a blue tooth
low energy .
Preferably, the low energy NFC communications module is configured for communication with the al
powered smart mobile device when the external d smart mobile device is not more than 100mm
from the low energy NFC communications module. Advantageously, the low energy NFC
communications module is configured for communicating with the external powered smart mobile device
when the external powered smart mobile device is not more than 75mm from the NFC module.
y, the low energy NFC communications module is configured for communicating with the external
powered smart mobile device when the external d smart mobile device is not more than 50mm
from the low energy NFC communications module.
In another embodiment of the invention the combination according to the invention further comprises a
remote er, and a communicating means for communicating between the electronic device and the
remote computer.
Preferably, the icating means comprises a relay station comprising a radio transceiver for
communicating with the electronic device, and a GSM module configured to communicate with the remote
computer.
Advantageously, the remote computer comprises a cloud computer server.
The advantages of the invention are many. A particularly important age of the invention is that by
virtue of the fact that the electronic device is provided with a low energy NFC communications module,
which is configured to wirelessly communicate with an external d smart mobile device, a farmer
can readily easily communicate and download data stored in the electronic memory of the electronic
device directly into the external powered smart mobile device, such as a smart mobile phone ly
programmed with a suitable software application. Additionally, the external powered smart mobile device
may be programmed to analyse the data downloaded from the electronic device in order to assess the
status of the animal. Furthermore, the provision of the low energy NFC communications module in the
electronic device permits downloading of an identifying code of the electronic device which is stored in
electronic memory of the electronic device and cross-referencing the identifying code of the electronic
device with an identifying code of the animal. This, thus, permits the identity of an animal to be readily
identified by communicating with the electronic device through the low energy NFC communications
module by the external powered smart mobile , for example, a smart mobile phone by merely
bringing the smart mobile phone into close proximity, typically, within 50mm of the electronic device in
order to read out the identifying code of the electronic device and then identifying the cow from the crossreferenced
data in the mobile phone.
A further advantage of the method and the electronic device according to the ion is that the
ion of the low energy NFC communications module in the electronic device where the electronic
device comprises a signal processor, for e, a microprocessor, the signal processor can be
programmed by the external powered smart mobile , and rmore, can be reset by the external
powered smart mobile device. A further advantage of the invention is that by virtue of the fact that the low
energy NFC communications module is powered by the external powered smart mobile device during
communications through the low energy NFC communications module, no additional power is required
from an on-board power supply, for example, a battery of the electronic device to power the low energy
NFC communications module during communication with the electronic device through the low energy
NFC communications module.
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred
ments thereof, which are given by way of example only, with reference to the anying
drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a block representation of an electronic device according to the invention which is
locatable on an animal for identifying the animal,
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an animal with the electronic device of Fig. 1 attached o,
Fig. 3 is a block representation of an onic device according to another embodiment of the
invention for locating on an animal for monitoring a characteristic or a state of the animal,
Fig. 4 is a ctive view of an animal with the electronic device of Fig. 3 attached thereto,
Fig. 5 is a block representation of a routine of a re application with which a smart mobile
device is programmed to communicate with the electronic device of Fig. 3, and
Fig. 6 is a view of a screen of the smart mobile device referred to in Fig. 5 displayed under the
control of the software application of Fig. 5.
Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 and 2, there is illustrated an electronic device according to
the invention, which in this case is provided as an ear tag, indicated lly by the reference numeral 1,
for attaching to an ear 2 of an animal 3, for example, the ear 2 of a cow. The ear tag 1 is a tag-like device,
and comprises a tag-like housing 5. A stud (not shown) is provided for securing the ear tag 1 to the ear 2
of the animal 3. Such studs for securing an ear tag to an ear of an animal will be well known to those
skilled in the art. In this embodiment of the invention the ear tag 1 is configured as an identity tag for
identifying the , and comprises a storing means which comprises an electronic memory, namely, an
electronic memory chip 6 which is mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) 8, both of which are housed
in the housing 5. An identifying code for identifying the ear tag 1 is stored in the memory chip 6, and the
identifying code is unique and ic to the ear tag 1.
A low energy communications module, which in this embodiment of the invention comprises a Near Field
ications (NFC) module 10 which is also d within the housing 5. The NFC module 10 is
mounted on the PCB 8 and is ured to wirelessly transmit the identifying code stored in the memory
chip 6 in an NFC protocol to an external powered device, in this case a smart mobile phone 12 in
response to a p signal transmitted by the smart phone 12 in an NFC protocol when the smart
phone 12 is in close proximity with the ear tag 1, in this case, when the ear tag 1 and the smart phone 12
are within a distance of less than 50mm of each other. The NFC module is configured to communicate in
the NFC protocol at a frequency of the order of 13.56 MHz.
The smart phone 12 or other smart mobile device is programmed by a software application, namely, an
app which configures the smart phone 12 to communicate with the ear tag 1 in the NFC protocol, and
when programmed by the app, the smart mobile device is also according to the invention. Furthermore,
the combination of the electronic device 1 and the smart mobile device when programmed by the app is
also according to the invention. The app of the smart phone 12 also configures the smart phone 12 to
receive the identifying code of the ear tag 1 transmitted through the NFC module 10. Furthermore, the
app of the smart phone 12 also permits inputting of the ty of the animal 3 to which the ear tag 1 is
ed into the smart phone 12, and cross-referencing the ty of the animal 3 with the identifying
code of the ear tag 1 in the smart phone 12. The identity of the animal may be inputted and stored in the
smart phone 12 as any suitable numeric or alphanumeric code, and typically, is inputted and stored in the
smart phone 12 as an identifying code assigned by a State agency to identify the animal or an identifying
code generated by a farmer to identify the , or both such identifying codes. onally, the app
with which the smart phone 12 is programmed configures the smart phone 12 to store data relating to
various states, conditions, characteristics and the like of the animal 3, which may be downloaded from a
cloud computer server, and which are then cross-referenced in the smart phone 12 with the identifying
code of the animal, which in turn is cross-referenced in the smart phone 12 with the identifying code of the
ear tag 1.
An induction coil 14 is formed by an electrically conductive track 15 which is formed during the formation
of the PCB 8 and extends around the PCB 8 adjacent the periphery 16 thereof. The induction coil 14 is
ured to form a loop antenna through which data signals are wirelessly communicated between the
NFC module 10 and the smart phone 12 during NFC communication therebetween. The ion coil 14
is also configured for powering the NFC module 10 by the smart phone 12 when the smart phone 12 is in
close proximity to the ear tag 1 during communication through the NFC module 10 for reading the
identifying code of the ear tag 1 from the memory chip 6. The induction coil 14 is electrically connected to
the NFC module 10, and is configured so that when subjected to the varying electromagnetic field
produced by the data communications signal from the smart phone 12 during NFC communication
between the smart phone 12 and the NFC module 10, a current is induced in the ion coil 14 for
powering the NFC module 10 during communication with the smart phone 12.
In use, when the ear tag 1 is initially attached to an ear 2 of an animal 3, the smart phone 12 with the app
installed n and activated is brought into close proximity with the ear tag 1, in other words, the smart
phone 12 is brought within 50mm of the ear tag 1. The smart phone 12 is then ted to wirelessly
transmit a wake-up signal to the ear tag 1 in the NFC protocol. The electromagnetic field resulting from
the data communications signal from the smart phone 12 powers the NFC module during communication
between the smart phone 12 and the NFC module 10. On reception of the wake-up signal, the NFC
module 10 wirelessly transmits the identifying code of the ear tag 1 in the NFC protocol for reception by
the smart phone 12. On receipt of the identifying code of the ear tag 1, the identifying code of the animal
is inputted into the smart phone 12 which is still operating under the control of the app, and the identifying
code of the ear tag 1 and the identifying code from the animal 2 are stored in the smart phone 12 and
cross-referenced with each other as the smart phone 12 continues to operate under the control of the app.
If data relating to particulars of the animal 3, for example, health conditions and characteristics of the
animal, are already stored in the smart phone 12, the ulars are also cross-referenced with the stored
identifying codes of the ear tag 1 and the animal 3.
It is envisaged that in a herd of animals, for example, a herd of cows, each animal will have one ear tag 1
attached to one of its ears 2. The respective ear tags 1 which will be attached to the ears of the animals
will be provided, typically at manufacture of the ear tags 1, with respective unique identifying codes,
unique to the respective specific ear tags 1. The identifying codes will be written to and stored in the
memory chips 6 at manufacture. As the ear tags 1 are being attached to the ears 2 of the tive
animals 3, the fying codes will be read from the memory chips 6 of the corresponding ear tags 1
through the NFC modules 10 by the smart phone 12 operating under the control of the app. As the
identifying code is read from the memory chip 6 of each ear tag 1, the identifying code of the animal to
which that ear tag is attached if it has not already been stored in the smart phone 12 will be ed into
the smart phone 12, and then cross-referenced in the smart phone 12 with the identifying code read from
the memory chip 6 of the corresponding ear tag 1.
When it is subsequently desired to identify one of the animals of the herd of animals, the smart phone 12
is brought into close proximity within 50mm of the ear tag 1 of the corresponding animal 3, and the
identifying code of the ear tag 1 is read by the smart phone 12 under the control of the app from the
memory chip 6 of the corresponding ear tag 1 h the NFC module 10. The smart phone 12 under
the control of the app then es the identifying codes of the respective ear tags 1 stored therein, and
on finding the identifying code of the corresponding ear tag 1, the smart phone 12 then displays the
identifying code of the animal. Additionally, if s conditions, characteristics or states of the animals
are stored in the smart phone 12, data indicative of the conditions, characteristics or states of the animal
is then displayed on the visual display screen of the smart phone 12. If data tive of the conditions,
characteristics and states of the animal is not already stored in the smart phone 12, and is ble, for
example, from a base station or a cloud computer server, where such data may be stored, the data
indicative of the condition, characteristic and/or state of that animal is downloaded to the smart phone 12
and displayed on the visual display screen of the smart phone 12.
ing now to Figs. 3 to 6, there is illustrated an electronic device according to another embodiment of
the invention which in this case is an electronic monitoring device, indicated generally by the reference
numeral 20, for monitoring various states of an animal 21, for e, a cow. The states of the animal
21 monitored by the ring device 20 may, for example, be one or more of the ing: the onset of
oestrus, the intensity of the onset of oestrus, g, ruminating, resting and other such states of the
animal. The monitoring device 20 may also be configured to monitor the temperature, blood pressure,
heart rate and other health conditions of the animal, and it may also be ured to monitor the onset of
parturition in the animal. When monitoring for the onset of oestrus, the monitoring device may be of the
type sold under the Trade Mark MOOMONITOR by Dairymaster of County Kerry, Ireland. Such a
monitoring device as the device sold under the Trade Mark MOOMONITOR will be well known to those
skilled in the art.
The electronic monitoring device 20 comprises a housing 22 which is secured to an riate part of the
animal 21 by a strap 23. When the electronic monitoring device 20 is of the type ed under the Trade
Mark MOOMONITOR, the housing 22 is adapted to be secured to one side of the neck 24 of the animal
21 adjacent the head 25 thereof by the strap 23, for determining whether the head 25 of the animal 21 is
in a raised state or a lowered state and also for detecting the level of activity of the animal 21. A printed
circuit board (PCB) 26 is located within the housing 22. An accelerometer 27 is mounted on the PCB 26
within the g 22, and produces signals which are indicative to the acceleration to which the
accelerometer 27 is ted along two axes at right angles to each other, namely, along an X-axis and a
Y-axis. The accelerometer 27 is located in the housing 22 so that when the housing 22 is secured to the
neck 24 of the animal 21 by the strap 23, the signal produced by the accelerometer 27 indicative of the
acceleration to which the accelerometer is subjected along one of the X and Y axes is indicative of the
state of the head 25 of the animal 21, in other words, whether the head 25 of the animal 21 is in the raised
state or the lowered state, and the signal produced by the accelerometer 27 indicative of the ration
to which the accelerometer 27 is subjected along the other one of the X and Y axes is indicative of the
level of activity of the animal 21.
A signal processor, which in this embodiment of the invention comprises a microprocessor 28, is mounted
on the PCB 26 within the housing 22 for reading the signals from the accelerometer 27. The
microprocessor 28 is configured to determine from the signals read from the accelerometer 27 the state of
the head 25 of the animal 21, and the level of activity of the animal 21. From this data various states of
the animal 21 can be determined as will be discussed below.
A transceiver 30 is mounted on the PCB 26 within the g 22 for transmitting data indicative of the
state of the animal 21, for reception by a remote computing means, namely, a cloud computer server 29
or for reception by one or more relay stations 37 when the animal 21 comes within range of one of the
relay stations 37 for subsequent transmission by the relay station to the cloud er server 29. Data
relating to the animal would be stored on the cloud computer server 29. Alternatively, instead of storing
data relating to the animal on a cloud computer server, the data may be stored on a computer at a remote
base n.
In this embodiment of the invention a single relay station 37 is provided, and the data relating to the
animal is stored in the cloud computer server 29. The data transmitted by the transceiver 30 from the
monitoring device 20 is ed by the relay station 37 and relayed by the relay station 37 to the cloud
computer server 29. Typically, the relay station 37 is provided with a eiver for radio communication
with the wireless transceiver 30 of the monitoring device 20, and a GSM module for communicating with
the cloud computer server 29.
The microprocessor 28 may be programmed as will be described below to transmit the data indicative of
the state of the animal 21 at predefined time intervals, and/or in se to an activation signal received
by the transceiver 30, transmitted from the relay station 37. It is envisaged that the relay station 37 would
transmit activation signals at predefined intervals, for example, of one second to five seconds, which
would be received by the transceiver 30 of the monitoring device 20, when the animal 21 to which the
monitoring device 20 is attached comes within range of the relay station 37. atively, the
microprocessor 28 may be programmed only to transmit the data through the transceiver 30 in se
to an activation signal ed from one of the relay stations 37 after a predefined time period had
elapsed from the previous transmission.
In addition to the transceiver 30, the device 1 also comprises a low energy communications module, which
in this embodiment of the invention comprises an NFC module 31, similar to the NFC module 10 of the ear
tag of Figs. 1 and 2. The NFC module 31 is also mounted on the PCB 26 within the housing 22 for
icating in an NFC protocol with an external powered device, which in this ment of the
invention comprises a smart mobile phone 32. In this embodiment of the invention the NFC module 31 is
configured to t two-way communications between the device 20 and the smart phone 32 operating
under the control of a software application, namely, an app, which configures the smart phone 32 to
communicate in an NFC protocol with the NFC module 31 of the monitoring device 20.
An induction coil 33 formed by an electrically conductive track 34 extending around the periphery 38 of the
PCB 26 is configured for powering the NFC module 31 by the smart phone 32 during communication
between the NFC module 31 and the smart phone 32. The induction coil 33 is ured to form a loop
a through which data signals are wirelessly communicated between the NFC module 31 and the
smart phone 32 during NFC communication therebetween. The induction coil 33 is electrically coupled to
the NFC module 31 and is configured to produce an electrical current for powering the NFC module 31 in
response to an electromagnetic field generated by data ication signals transmitted by the smart
phone 32 during ications between the NFC module 31 and the smart phone 32.
A battery 35 electrically connected to a pair of ical contacts (not shown) on the PCB 26 powers the
microprocessor 28 and the other components on the PCB 26 which require electrical power. However,
the NFC module 31 is not powered by the battery 35 since as sed above, it is powered by the smart
phone 32 during communication through the NFC module 31, thereby saving y power and extending
the life of the battery 35. Although, in certain cases it is envisaged that the NFC module 31 may be
powered by the y 35 during some data transfer operations through the NFC module 31 from the
microprocessor 28.
An onic memory, namely, a memory chip 36 is mounted on the PCB 26 within the housing 22, and is
configured to store a unique identifying code of the monitoring device 20, which is unique to that
monitoring device. The NFC module 31 is configured to permit reading out of the identifying code from
the memory chip 36 in the NFC protocol by the smart phone 32 with the app installed and activated in
response to a wake-up signal from the smart phone 32, when the smart phone 32 is brought into close
proximity within approximately 50mm or less of the electronic monitoring device 20. As discussed above
with reference to the ear tag 1, on receiving the identifying code of the monitoring device 20, the smart
phone 32 is programmed under the app to store the identifying code of the monitoring device 20 crossreferenced
with an identifying code of the animal 21, which if not already stored in the smart phone 32 is
inputted into the smart phone 32. Relevant data relating to the animal 21 may also be inputted into and
stored in the smart phone 32, or may already have been inputted into and stored in the smart phone 32.
This data relating to the animal 21 is cross-referenced with the identifying code of the monitoring device
stored in the smart phone 32 and is also cross-referenced with the identifying code of the animal.
Additionally, or alternatively, the app may configure the smart phone 32 to upload and store the data
relating to the animal 21 cross-referenced with the identifying codes of either or both of the monitoring
device 20 and the animal 21 to the cloud computer server 29.
Additionally, the app configures the smart phone 32 to mme or to reprogramme the microprocessor
28 of the monitoring device 20 in the NFC protocol through the NFC module 31 of the monitoring device
when the smart phone 32 is in close proximity, namely, within 50mm or less of the monitoring device
. The microprocessor 28 can be programmed to set the length of the time intervals between the
transmission of data through the transceiver 30 of the monitoring device 20. Also the microprocessor 28
can be programmed by the smart phone 32 through the NFC module 31 to set the amount and type of
data to be itted on each transmission. Furthermore, the microprocessor 28 can be programmed by
the smart phone 32 under the control of the app to select the states, conditions and characteristics of the
animal to be monitored, and all such programming would be carried out by the smart phone 32
appropriately configured by the app through the NFC module 31. Limits of parameters t which
various red signals are compared for determining the various states of the animal may be updated
in the rocessor 28 by the smart phone 32 through the NFC module 31.
The state or states, ion, conditions, characteristic or characteristics of the animal may be read from
the microprocessor 28 of the monitoring device 20 by the smart phone 32 through the NFC module 31
under the control of the app. Additionally, data may be ed to the monitoring device 20 by the smart
phone 32 through the NFC module 31 under the control of the app in the smart phone 12.
In this embodiment of the invention the microprocessor 28 is programmed to ine one of the
following states of the animal 21, namely, a resting state, feeding, ruminating and a highly active state.
The microprocessor 28 continuously samples the signals ed by the accelerometer 27 into a buffer
(not shown) at a sampling rate of approximately 12.5 Hz during consecutive first predefined time periods
of 10.24 seconds each. At the end of each first predefined time , the microprocessor 28 computes
the average value of the sampled values of the signal read from the accelerometer 27 during that first
predefined time period which is indicative of the state of the head 25 of the animal 21, and from this
computation determines whether the head 25 of the animal 21 was in a raised state or in a lowered state
during that first predefined time period. At the end of each first predefined time period, the microprocessor
28 determines the level of activity of the animal 21 during that first predefined time period from the spread
of the sampled values of the signal read from the accelerometer 27 which is indicative of the level of
activity of the animal during that first predefined time period.
From the position of the head 25 of the animal 21 and the level of activity of the animal 21, the
microprocessor 28 is programmed to determine the state of the animal 21. If the head 25 of the animal 21
is in the lowered state, and the spread of the sampled values of the signal read from the accelerometer 27
indicative of the level of activity of the animal is within a first predefined range of values, the
microprocessor 28 ines that the animal 21 is feeding. On the other hand, if the spread of the
sampled values of the signal read from the accelerometer 27 which is indicative of the level of activity of
the animal is within a relatively low second predefined range of values, which is less than the predefined
range of values indicative of feeding, ective of the state of the head 25 of the animal 21, the
microprocessor 28 determines that the animal is in a resting state. If the head 25 of the animal 21 is
determined as being in the raised state, and the spread of the sampled values of the signal read from the
rometer 27 which is indicative of the level of activity of the animal is within a third ined range
of values which is less than the first predefined range of values and greater than the second predefined
range of values, the microprocessor 28 determines that the animal 21 is ruminating.
If the head 25 of the animal 21 is determined as being in the raised state, and the spread of the d
values of the signal read from the accelerometer 27 which is indicative of the level of activity of the animal
is above a predefined value, which is greater than the first predefined range of values indicative of
feeding, the microprocessor 28 determines that the animal 21 is in a highly active state.
At the end of each first predefined time , the microprocessor 28 increments by one an appropriate
one of four counters which are configured within the microprocessor 28 and which correspond to the four
states of resting, feeding, ting and highly active of the animal 21.
At the end of respective consecutive second predefined time s, which in this embodiment of the
invention are of approximately 15 minute durations, the number of first predefined time periods during that
second predefined time period during which the animal was in each or any one of the four states of
g, feeding, ruminating and highly active are stored in memory in the microprocessor 28 for
subsequent transmission through the transceiver 30 or through the NFC module 31.
In a herd of animals, for example, a herd of cows, each cow will be ed with a monitoring device 20.
When supplied to a farmer, the microprocessor 28 will have already been programmed for monitoring the
various characteristics and states of an animal, and the various predefined time periods will also have
been programmed into the microprocessor 28. However, only the unique fying code of each
monitoring device 20 will be stored in the memory chip 36. No code identifying an animal will have been
assigned to any of the monitoring devices 20. Accordingly, as the monitoring devices 20 are being
ed to the respective animals 21, the identifying codes of the respective animals must be cross-
referenced with the identifying codes of the respective monitoring devices 20 stored in the memory chip
36 of the ponding monitoring device 20. As discussed above, the identifying codes of each
ring device 20 and the corresponding animal 1 are stored and cross-referenced in the smart phone
32, although the identifying code of the animal 21 may be written to and stored in the memory chip 36 or
the microprocessor 28 of the corresponding ring device 20 through the NFC module 31 by the
smart phone 32 under the control of the app. As the ring devices 5 are being attached to the
respective animals 21 the identifying codes stored in the monitoring chips 36 of the tive devices 20
are tially read out through the NFC modules of the devices 20 by the smart phone 32. If the
identifying code of the corresponding animal 21 has not already been stored in the smart phone 32, the
identifying code of the animal 21 corresponding to the ring device 20 is entered into the smart
phone 32 and cross-referenced with the fying code of the monitoring device 20 and stored in the
smart phone 32 cross-referenced with the identifying code of the monitoring device 20. The stored crossreferenced
identifying codes are then uploaded by the smart phone 32 to the cloud computer server 29.
In this embodiment of the invention data indicative of the monitored characteristics and states, and other
data relating to the animal is stored in a database of a cloud computer server 29, which supports the
monitoring devices 20. Additionally, data which is indicative of the state or states of the animal which is
either computed or determined from the data indicative of the characteristics of the animal is stored in the
database of the cloud computer server 29. Furthermore, the cloud computer server is programmed to
compute and determine the health and other issues of the animal from the red data indicative of the
monitored characteristics and states of the animal. In this embodiment of the invention the data indicative
of the monitored characteristics and states of the animal is transmitted through the transceivers 30 of the
monitoring devices 20 to the relay station 37, which in turn uploads the data received from the monitoring
devices 20 to the cloud computer server 29 for subsequent processing.
Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, the operation of the smart phone 32 and the monitoring devices 20 under
the app for cross-referencing the identification codes of the respective monitoring devices 20 with the
identity of the ponding animals 21 will now be described. Fig. 5 illustrates a routine of the app
which is executed by the smart phone 32 under the control of the app each time the smart phone 32 is
brought into close proximity with any one of the monitoring devices 20. Fig. 6 illustrates a screen of the
smart phone 32 which is configured by the app and presented to a user as the smart phone 32 executes
the routine of Fig. 5.
Turning now to Fig. 5, block 40 starts the routine each time the app is called up on the smart phone 32
and the smart phone 32 is brought into close proximity, within 50mm of any one of the monitoring devices
to communicate with the monitoring device 20 in the NFC ol through the NFC module 31. The
routine then moves to block 41, which executes a subroutine in order to establish contact between the
smart phone 32 and the monitoring device 20 with which the smart phone 32 is in close proximity in the
NFC protocol through the NFC Module 31. On completion of the subroutine of block 41, the routine
moves to block 42. Block 42 checks if contact between the smart phone 32 and the NFC module 31 of
the monitoring device 20 has been established. If block 42 establishes that contact has not been
established between the smart phone 12 and the NFC module 31, the routine returns to block 41. When
block 42 determines that contact between the smart phone 32 and the NFC module 31 has been
established, the routine moves to block 43. Block 43 calls up a tine which causes the smart phone
32 to read the identification code of the monitoring device 20 from the memory chip 36 through the NFC
module 31.
On the subroutine of block 43 having read the identifying code of the monitoring device 20 from the
memory chip 36, the routine moves to block 44. Block 44 executes a subroutine which ishes
t between the smart phone 32 and the cloud computer server 29 which supports the monitoring
devices 20. The identifying code of each monitoring device 20 is pre-stored in the cloud se of the
cloud computer server 29 prior to sale of the ring devices 20. If this is not the first time that
communication has been established with the monitoring device 20 through the NFC module 31 by a
smart phone, data relating to the animal to which the monitoring device 20 is attached in general would be
stored in the cloud se of the cloud computer server 29, and would be referenced with an
identifying code of the animal and would also be cross-referenced with the fying code of the
monitoring device 20 in the cloud computer database of the cloud computer server 29. Once block 44 has
ished contact between the smart phone 32 and the cloud computer server 29 the routine moves to
block 45. Block 45 requests the cloud server to check if an identifying code of an animal has been
assigned to the monitoring device 20 and cross-referenced in the cloud computer database of the cloud
computer server 29 with the identifying code of the monitoring device 20 which is stored in the cloud
computer database.
If block 45 determines that an identifying code of an animal has not been assigned to and crossreferenced
with the identifying code of the monitoring device 20 in the cloud computer database, the
routine moves to block 46, which displays an assignment screen on the smart phone 32 which allows a
farmer to input the identifying code of the animal, to which the monitoring device 20 has just been
attached, into the smart phone 32. The assignment screen which is displayed on the smart phone 32 is
illustrated in Fig. 6 and is described in more detail below. The fying code of the animal is displayed
on the assignment screen as it is being entered into the smart phone 32. The routine then moves to block
47. Block 47 reads the identifying code of the animal which has been inputted by the farmer into the
smart phone 32, and the routine moves to block 48. Block 48 stores the identifying code of the animal
cross-referenced with the identifying code of the monitoring device in the smart phone 32, and the routine
moves to block 49. Block 49 initiates a tine which causes the smart phone 32 to transmit the
fying code of the animal cross-referenced with the identifying code of the monitoring device 20 to the
cloud computer server 29, with a request that the cross-referenced identifying codes of the respective
monitoring device 20 and the animal 21 to which the ring device 20 has been attached be stored in
the cloud computer se of the cloud computer server 29.
Under the subroutine of block 49, the smart phone 32 also requests that any data relating to the animal
the fying code of which is cross-referenced with the fying code of the monitoring device 20 just
transmitted to the cloud computer server 29 which is stored in the cloud computer database be crossreferenced
with the fying code of the monitoring device 20 in the cloud computer database. The
routine then moves to block 50. Block 50 operates the smart phone 32 to request all data relating to the
animal, to which the monitoring device 20 has been attached, which is stored in the cloud server
corresponding to the identifying code of the monitoring device 20 be downloaded to the smart phone 32.
The routine then moves to block 51. Block 51 displays on the screen of the smart phone 32 the data
aded from the cloud computer database relating to the animal, the identifying code of which is
cross-referenced with the identifying code of the monitoring device 20 in the cloud computer database.
On displaying the data relating to the animal on the screen of the smart phone 32, the e then moves
to block 52, which ends the routine.
Returning now to block 45, if block 45 determines that an identifying code of an animal has already been
assigned to and cross-referenced with the identifying code of the monitoring device 20 in the cloud
computer database, the subroutine moves to block 50, which has already been described, and the routine
moves to block 51, which displays the data relating to the animal from the cloud computer database on
the assignment screen of the smart phone 32. Typically, if block 45 determined that an animal identifying
code had been assigned to and referenced with the identifying code of the monitoring device 20,
this would indicate that this was not the first time that the smart phone 32 has been brought into close
proximity with the monitoring device 20. Therefore, once the identifying codes of the monitoring device 20
and the animal to which that monitoring device 20 is attached have been stored and referenced in
the smart phone, each time the smart phone is brought into close proximity, within 50mm of that
monitoring device 20, and the smart phone 32 executes the app, the identifying code of the animal is
displayed on the assignment screen of the smart phone 32, along with any other data of that animal
stored in the smart phone 32 or in the cloud computer server database, thereby allowing the farmer to
readily fy the , and ing the farmer with all stored data relating to the animal.
Referring now to Fig. 6, as mentioned above, Fig. 6 illustrates the assignment screen which is displayed
on the smart phone 32 in order to allow a farmer to input the identifying code of an animal to which the
monitoring device 20 has been attached into the smart phone 32, and also to y data relating to the
animal. The assignment screen of Fig. 6 displays seven fields 55 to 61. The first field 55 is provided for
an identifying code of the animal which would be ed to the animal by a farmer, and as that
identifying code of the animal is being entered into the smart phone 32, the identifying code appears in the
field 55. Field 56 displays the identifying code which has been read from the memory chip 36 by the
smart phone 32. Field 57 allows the national identifying code of the animal which has been assigned to
the animal by the State agency to be entered and displayed. Field 58 is provided for the identifying code
of the herd of which the animal is a , or alternatively, a group of animals of the herd, which would
be in a similar environment. By knowing to which herd or group of animals from a herd a particular animal
belongs, all of which share the same environment as that animal, data relating to that animal received by
the cloud computer server 29 can e the data relating to the state or states of that particular animal
with corresponding data from other animals in the same herd or group of animals of which that particular
animal belongs, this allows a more accurate determination of the health and other issues of that particular
animal to be made by the cloud computer server.
Field 59 is provided for entering the date on which the animal, if, for example, the animal is a cow, the cow
. Field 60 is provided for entering the date on which the monitoring device 20 has been assigned to
an animal. In field 61 other data relating to the animal is displayed, for example, data relating to various
states of the animal, the health of the animal and other relevant data relating to the animal which is stored
in the cloud database, and downloaded therefrom by the smart phone 32 under block 50 of the routine of
Fig. 5.
It will be appreciated that if desired, only one of the identifying codes of the animal may be entered into
either field 55 or field 57 of the assignment screen of Fig. 6.
In use, with the monitoring device 20 attached to the neck 24 of the animal 21 by the strap 23 and with the
axes of the accelerometer 27 configured to produce a signal indicative of the raised and lowered states of
the head 25 of the animal 21 and a signal indicative of the level of activity of the animal 21, the device 20
is ready for use. With the app loaded into the smart phone 32 and activated, the smart phone 32 is
brought into close proximity with the monitoring device 20, and the smart phone executes the routine of
Fig. 5. When the smart phone 32 is brought into close proximity with the monitoring device 20 for the first
time, the farmer inputs the identifying code or codes of the corresponding animal into the smart phone 32,
as described with reference to Fig. 5. Each subsequent time that the smart phone 32 is brought into close
proximity with the monitoring device 20, data relating to the corresponding animal 21 is downloaded from
the cloud database to the smart phone 32 and displayed on the screen thereof as described with
reference to Fig. 5.
If it is desired to programme or reprogramme the rocessor 28 in the monitoring device 20, such
mming or reprogramming is carried out by the smart phone 32 through the NFC module 31 with the
smart phone 32 ing under the control of the app and in close proximity to the ring device 20.
The microprocessor 28 continuously samples the signals produced by the accelerometer 27 at the
sampling rate, and at the end of each first predefined time period ines the state of the animal 21
during that first ined time period. At the end of each second predefined time period, the
microprocessor 28 stores the data relating to the states of the animal 21 and the number of the first
predefined time periods the animal 21 was in each of those states during that second predefined time
period.
On the animal 21 coming within range of the relay station 37, and on receiving an activation signal from
the relay station, the rocessor 28 operates the transceiver 30 to transmit data indicative of the
states and the number of times the animal 21 has been in those states for each of the second predefined
time periods since such data was last transmitted by the monitoring device 20. The relay station 37 then
relays the data to the cloud computer server 29. The cloud computer server 29 ines the health and
other states of the corresponding animal 21 by analysing the data received from the monitoring device 20.
For example, if the animal is resting excessively, the animal may be in ill , or lame. If the animal is
not feeding sufficiently or not ruminating sufficiently, the animal may be determined as being in ill health.
If the animal 21 is in the highly active state for longer periods than s in the same herd, then the
onset of oestrus in the animal may be detected.
Additionally, the microprocessor 28 may be activated by an activation signal from the base n
computer to transmit the data indicative of the states of the animal 21 and the number of times the animal
21 has been in those states during each of the second predefined time periods since the last transmission
was made by the microprocessor 28 through the eiver 30, or since the last transmission made by
the microprocessor 28 through the transceiver 30 to the relay station 37.
When it is desired to read the stored data relating to the states of the animal and the number of times the
animal was in those states during the respective second predefined time periods from the monitoring
device 20 through the smart phone 32, the smart phone 32 with the app activated, and in close proximity
with the monitoring device 20, is operated to output an activation signal in an NFC protocol to the
monitoring device 20. On reception of the activation signal by the NFC module 31, the microprocessor 28
is activated to transmit the data in NFC protocol through the NFC module 31 for reception by the smart
phone 32.
Where it is desired to upload data to the ring device 20, such data may be uploaded through the
NFC module 31 by the smart phone 32 configured to operate under the app and in close proximity to the
monitoring device 20.
Where it is desired to identify the animal 21, the smart phone 32 with the app activated is brought into
close ity with the monitoring device 20 to read the identifying code of the monitoring device 20 from
the memory chip 36 of the monitoring device 20 so that the identity of the animal 21 can be then readily
read from the smart phone 32.
Where it is desired to programme or reprogramme the microprocessor 28 of the monitoring device 20, the
smart phone 32 with the app activated is brought into close proximity with the monitoring device 20, and
mming or reprogramming of the microprocessor 28 is carried out in an NFC protocol by the smart
mobile phone 32 through the NFC module 31 of the monitoring device 20.
While the electronic ear tag and the electronic monitoring device according to the ion have been
described as being ular types of devices, the onic ear tag and the electronic monitoring device
may be of any other type, and where the electronic monitoring device is configured to r one or more
states or one or more characteristics or conditions of an animal, the states, conditions and/or
characteristics monitored by the monitoring device may be any states, conditions or characteristics other
than those described, for example, the monitoring device may be configured to monitor temperature, heart
rate, blood pressure, or any other suitable state or characteristic of the animal. Furthermore, while the
electronic monitoring device has been described as comprising an accelerometer for determining the state
of the head of the animal and the level of activity of the animal, any other le monitoring sensor or
sensors may be used. It will also be appreciated that the electronic monitoring device may be attached to
the tail of an animal in order to detect the onset of parturition by detecting the state of the tail of the
animal, whether the tail is in a raised state or a normal downwardly extending state.
Additionally, it will be appreciated that any other suitable ng means besides a strap may be provided
for securing the electronic monitoring device to the animal. It will also be appreciated that other suitable
means for attaching the electronic ear tag to the animal besides a stud may be ed. Indeed, in
certain cases, it is envisaged that the electronic ear tag, and indeed the electronic monitoring device may
be of the type which would be implanted in the animal, but would be located relatively closely to the skin in
order to facilitate Near Field Communications with the device.
While a specific sampling rate has been described at which the s produced by the accelerometer
are sampled, any other suitable sampling rates may be used. Needless to say, the first predefined time
periods and the second predefined time periods may be of any other suitable or desired duration. In
general, the first predefined time period would lie in the range of 5 seconds to 25 seconds, although the
first predefined time periods may be of greater or lesser duration. Additionally, the second ined
time periods may lie within a range of from 1 minute to 60 s, and indeed in certain cases, the
second predefined time periods could be of on considerably longer than 60 s. The duration of
the second predefined time periods will y be set based on the states which are being monitored by
the monitoring device.
While the monitoring device has been described as comprising a transceiver and an NFC module, it is
envisaged in certain cases that the monitoring device may also be provided with a receiver for receiving
identification signals from predefined locations visited by the , such as a drinking trough, a g
trough or the like. The microprocessor would be programmed to read the identification signals and store
data relating to the identity of the location visited by the animal, the time of the visit and the duration
thereof for subsequent ission and analysis by the base station computer.
While the signal processor has been described as comprising a microprocessor, any other suitable signal
processor may be ed, for example, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller or any other
such signal processor.
It is also envisaged that the transceiver may be operable under the control of the rocessor in two
modes, namely, a high power mode and a low power mode, and would be operated in the high power
mode for transmission of data to the relay station 37, when the monitoring device would be out of range of
the relay n to e an activation signal, and would be operated in a low power mode for
transmission of data to a relay station when within range of the relay station.
While the electronic devices have been bed for monitoring and identifying cows, the electronic
devices may be provided for use with any animals.
While the NFC module has been described for communicating with a smart mobile phone, the NFC
module may be adapted for icating wirelessly with any other external powered device, for
example, a tablet computer, and such communications would be carried out in an NFC protocol, and
would be two way communications.
While the low energy communications module has been described as comprising an NFC module, any
other suitable low energy communications module may be provided. For example, the low energy
communications module could be provided by a blue tooth low energy communications module.
Claims (68)
1.
A method for communicating with an electronic memory of an electronic device locatable externally on or internally in an animal, the method comprising: configuring the electronic device to be programmable, 5 locating a low energy wireless NFC (near field communications) communications module on the electronic device ured to wirelessly communicate an external powered smart mobile device with the electronic memory, configuring the external powered smart mobile device to wirelessly communicate with the electronic device through the low energy NFC communications module in an NFC ol, and to 10 wirelessly programme the electronic device h the low energy NFC communications module in the NFC protocol, bringing the external powered smart mobile device into close proximity with the electronic device, initiating wireless communication n the external powered smart mobile device and the onic device through the low energy NFC communications module in the NFC protocol by the 15 external powered smart mobile device, wirelessly g an animal identifying code identifying the animal, on or in which the electronic device is located, to the electronic memory of the electronic device by the external d smart mobile device through the low energy NFC communications module in the NFC protocol, wirelessly reading a device identifying code identifying the onic device from the electronic 20 memory of the electronic device by the external powered smart mobile device through the low energy NFC communications module in the NFC protocol, and cross-referencing the animal identifying code of the animal, on or in which the electronic device is located, with the device identifying code of the electronic device. 25 2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 in which data is read wirelessly from the electronic memory of the electronic device by the external powered smart mobile device through the low energy NFC communications module.
3. A method as d in Claim 1 or 2 in which data is written wirelessly to the electronic memory 30 of the electronic device by the external powered smart mobile device through the low energy NFC communications module.
4. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the electronic device is configured to monitor at least one of a ity of states of the animal and to store data indicative of the red states, and the stored data indicative of the monitored states of the animal is downloaded wirelessly from the electronic device to the external powered smart mobile device by the external powered smart mobile device through the low energy NFC communications module.
5. A method as claimed in Claim 4 in which the aded data indicative of the monitored states of the animal is stored in the external powered smart mobile device.
6. A method as claimed in Claim 4 or 5 in which the identifying code of the animal is downloaded 10 wirelessly through the low energy NFC communications module from the electronic memory of the electronic device to the external powered smart mobile device along with the aded data indicative of the states of the animal.
7. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 6 in which the aded stored data indicative 15 of the state of the animal is stored in the external powered smart mobile device cross-referenced with the identifying code of the animal.
8. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 7 in which the identifying code identifying the electronic device is wirelessly downloaded through the low energy NFC communications module from the 20 onic memory of the electronic device to the external powered smart mobile device along with the stored data tive of the states of the .
9. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 8 in which the identifying code identifying the electronic device and the identifying code identifying the animal are stored and cross-referenced with each 25 other in the external powered smart mobile device.
10. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the electronic device comprises a signal processor configured to be resettable wirelessly by the external powered smart mobile device through the low energy NFC communications module.
11. A method as claimed in Claim 10 in which the signal processor of the electronic device is configured to be mmable wirelessly by the external powered smart mobile device through the low energy NFC communications module.
12. A method as claimed in Claim 10 or 11 in which the signal processor of the electronic device is configured to communicate with the external powered smart mobile device through the low energy NFC communications module. 5
13. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 12 in which the signal processor of the electronic device is configured for downloading the stored data indicative of the state of the animal therefrom to the external powered smart mobile device.
14. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 13 in which the signal sor of the 10 electronic device is configured for uploading of data thereto from the external powered smart mobile device.
15. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 14 in which communications n the external powered smart mobile device and the signal processor of the electronic device is controlled by 15 the external powered smart mobile device.
16. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 15 in which the external powered smart mobile device is programmed to control communications between itself and the signal processor of the electronic
17. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the low energy NFC communications module is configured to be electrically powered wirelessly by the external powered smart mobile . 25
18. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the low energy NFC communications module is configured to be electrically powered wirelessly by induction by the external powered smart mobile device.
19. A method as d in any one of the preceding claims in which the low energy NFC 30 communications module is configured to be ically d wirelessly by electromagnetic induction by the external powered smart mobile device.
20. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the low energy NFC communications module is configured to be wirelessly electrically powered by a wireless data communications signal from the external powered smart mobile device.
21. A method as claimed in any one of the ing claims in which the low energy NFC 5 communications module is electrically powered wirelessly through an induction coil located in the electronic device.
22. A method as claimed in Claim 21 in which the ion coil is configured as a loop antenna for wirelessly communicating the low energy NFC communications module with the external powered smart 10 mobile device.
23. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the external powered smart mobile device is programmed to wirelessly communicate with the low energy NFC ications module in the electronic device.
24. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the al powered smart mobile device is ured to communicate wirelessly with a telecommunications k.
25. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the external powered smart 20 mobile device is configured to communicate with a remote computer.
26. A method as claimed in Claim 25 in which data downloaded from the electronic device is uploaded to the remote computer by the external powered smart mobile device. 25
27. A method as claimed in Claim 25 or 26 in which the external powered smart mobile device ads data relating to an animal on which the electronic device is located from the remote computer.
28. A method as d in Claim 27 in which the data downloaded by the external d smart mobile device from the remote computer relating to an animal on which the electronic device is located is 30 uploaded wirelessly by the external powered smart mobile device to the electronic device through the low energy NFC communications module.
29. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 25 to 28 in which the remote computer comprises a cloud computer server.
30. A method as claimed in any one of the ing claims in which the external powered smart mobile device comprises an external powered programmable smart mobile device.
31. A method as claimed in Claim 30 in which the external powered smart mobile device is programmed by a software application (app) for communicating wirelessly with the electronic device through the low energy NFC communications module. 10
32. A method as claimed in Claim 31 in which the external d smart mobile device is programmed by the app to display on a visual display screen thereof data downloaded from the electronic device.
33. A method as claimed in Claim 31 or 32 in which the external powered smart mobile device is 15 programmed by the app to display data relating to an animal on which the onic device is d downloaded from the remote computer in response to the external powered smart mobile device downloading one of the identifying code of the electronic device and the identifying code of the animal from the electronic device. 20
34. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 31 to 33 in which the external powered smart mobile device is programmed by the app to communicate wirelessly with the electronic device through the low energy NFC module in an NFC protocol.
35. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the low energy NFC 25 communications module comprises a blue tooth low energy module.
36. A method as claimed in any one of the ing claims in which the external powered smart mobile device comprises a smart mobile phone. 30
37. In ation an electronic device configured for locating externally on or internally in an animal, and an external powered smart mobile device configured to icate with the electronic , the electronic device being programmable and comprising: an electronic memory, and a low energy wireless NFC communications module configured to wirelessly communicate the external powered smart mobile device with the electronic device in an NFC protocol, the external powered smart mobile device being configured to wirelessly communicate with the electronic device through the low energy NFC communications module in the NFC protocol, and to 5 wirelessly programme the onic device through the low energy NFC communications module in the NFC protocol, and being configured to wirelessly write an animal identifying code identifying the animal, on or in which the electronic device is located, to the electronic memory of the electronic device through the low energy NFC communications module in the NFC protocol, and to wirelessly read a device identifying code identifying the device stored in the electronic memory of the electronic device through the 10 NFC communications module in the NFC protocol, and to cross-reference the animal identifying code with the device identifying code.
38. The ation as claimed in Claim 37 in which the low energy NFC communications module is configured to wirelessly communicate the al powered smart mobile device with the electronic 15 memory of the electronic device for reading data from the electronic memory to the external d smart mobile .
39. The combination as claimed in Claim 37 or 38 in which the low energy NFC communications module is configured to wirelessly communicate the external powered smart mobile device with the 20 electronic memory of the electronic device for writing data to the electronic memory by the external powered smart mobile device.
40. The ation as d in any one of Claims 37 to 39 in which the electronic device comprises a signal processor, and the low energy NFC communications module is configured to 25 wirelessly communicate the external powered smart mobile device with the signal sor.
41. The combination as claimed in Claim 40 in which the signal processor is resettable, and the low energy NFC communications module is configured to reset the signal processor in response to a reset signal wirelessly received from the external powered smart mobile .
42. The combination as claimed in Claim 40 or 41 in which the signal processor is programmable wirelessly by the external powered smart mobile device through the low energy NFC ications module.
43. The combination as claimed in any one of Claims 40 to 42 in which the signal processor of the electronic device is configured to communicate with the external powered smart mobile device through the low energy NFC communications module. 5
44. The combination as d in any one of Claims 40 to 43 in which the signal processor of the electronic device is ured for the downloading of data rom to the external powered smart mobile device.
45. The combination as claimed in any one of Claims 40 to 44 in which the signal processor of the 10 electronic device is configured for uploading of data thereto from the external powered smart mobile
46. The combination as claimed in any one of Claims 40 to 45 in which communications n the external powered smart mobile device and the signal processor of the electronic device is controlled by 15 the external powered smart mobile device.
47. The combination as claimed in any one of Claims 40 to 46 in which the external d smart mobile device is programmed to control communications between itself and the signal processor of the electronic device.
48. The combination as claimed in any one of Claims 40 to 47 in which the electronic device comprises a monitoring means for monitoring a state of an animal on which the electronic device is located, and the signal processor is configured for processing s read from the monitoring means, and for producing data indicative of a state of the animal.
49. The combination as claimed in Claim 48 in which the signal processor is configured to store the data indicative of the state of the animal, and the low energy NFC communications module is configured for wirelessly icating the external powered smart mobile device with the signal processor for downloading the stored data indicative of the state of the animal to the external powered smart mobile 30 device.
50. The combination as claimed in Claim 48 or 49 in which the low energy NFC communications module is configured for wirelessly communicating the external powered smart mobile device with the signal sor for downloading the stored data indicative of the state of the animal to the external powered smart mobile device cross-referenced with an identifying code indicative of the identity of the electronic device stored in the electronic memory of the electronic device. 5
51. The combination as claimed in any one of Claims 37 to 50 in which the low energy NFC communications module is configured to be powered wirelessly by the external powered smart mobile device.
52. The combination as claimed in any one of Claims 37 to 51 in which the low energy NFC 10 ications module is configured to be electrically powered wirelessly by induction by the external d smart mobile device.
53. The ation as claimed in any one of Claims 37 to 52 in which the low energy NFC communications module is configured to be powered wirelessly by electromagnetic induction by the 15 external d smart mobile device.
54. The combination as claimed in any one of Claims 37 to 53 in which the low energy NFC ications module is configured to be wirelessly electrically powered by a wireless data communications signal from the external powered smart mobile device.
55. The combination as claimed in any one of Claims 37 to 54 in which the electronic device comprises an induction coil configured to provide electrical power to the low energy NFC communications module in response to an electromagnetic field from the external powered smart mobile device. 25
56. The combination as claimed in Claim 55 in which the induction coil is configured as a loop antenna for wirelessly communicating the external powered smart mobile device with the low energy NFC ications module.
57. The ation as claimed in Claim 55 or 56 in which the low energy NFC communications 30 module is electrically coupled to a printed circuit board, and the induction coil is formed by an electrically tive track on the printed circuit board.
58. The combination as claimed in Claim 57 in which the induction coil extends around the printed circuit board adjacent the periphery thereof.
59. The combination as claimed in any one of Claims 37 to 58 in which the electronic device comprises a long range wireless communicating means for communicating the electronic device with a 5 remote computing means.
60. The combination as claimed in Claim 59 in which the long range wireless communicating means comprises a radio wave transmitter. 10
61. The combination as claimed in Claim 59 or 60 in which the long range wireless communicating means comprises a radio wave transceiver.
62. The combination as claimed in any one of Claims 37 to 61 in which the low energy NFC communications module is configured for icating with the external powered smart mobile device 15 when the external d smart mobile device is not more than 100mm from the NFC module.
63. The combination as claimed in any one of Claims 37 to 62 in which the low energy NFC communications module is configured for communicating with the external powered smart mobile device when the external powered smart mobile device is not more than 75mm from the NFC module.
64. The combination as claimed in any one of Claims 37 to 63 in which the low energy NFC communications module is configured for communicating with the external powered smart mobile device when the al powered smart mobile device is not more than 50mm from the NFC module. 25
65. The combination as claimed in any one of Claims 37 to 64 in which the low energy NFC communications module ses a blue tooth low energy module.
66. The combination as claimed in any one of Claims 37 to 65 r comprising a remote computer, and a communicating means for icating between the electronic device and the remote 30 er.
67. The combination as claimed in Claim 66 in which the communicating means ses a relay station comprising a radio transceiver for communicating with the electronic device, and a GSM module configured to communicate with the remote computer.
68. The ation as claimed in Claim 66 or 67 in which the remote computer comprises a cloud computer server. rometer LL processor Memory Chiph Cloud 29 Computer Server Relay Station Establish contact between smart phone and NFC module Contact between smart phone and NFC module established Yes 43 Read ID of monitoring device from memory chip Request cloud server to check ID of monitoring device animal ID been assigned to monitoring device Display ment screen of smart phone Read ID al entered to smart phone Store and cross—reference ID codes of monitoring devnce and animal Transmit ID ofanimal cross—referenced with ID of monitoring device to cloud server with request that the cross—referenced IDs be stored Request data relating to the animal stored in cloud server Display data relating to the animal on screen of smart phone w F_....i9-5 D O D 1:1 Assign MM CowlD: MMID: 111111 EID: ActGroup :
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IES20130193 | 2013-06-14 | ||
| IES20130194 | 2013-06-14 | ||
| IES2013/0193 | 2013-06-14 | ||
| IES2013/0194 | 2013-06-14 | ||
| NZ715082A NZ715082B2 (en) | 2013-06-14 | 2014-06-16 | A method for communicating with an electronic device and an electronic device locatable on or in an animal |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| NZ754421A NZ754421A (en) | 2021-02-26 |
| NZ754421B2 true NZ754421B2 (en) | 2021-05-27 |
Family
ID=
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