METHOD FOR MONITORING THE FEEDING AND WATER CONSUMPTION OF AN ANIMAL

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine such as a cow. According to the invention, at least one sensor transported by the bovine is used to detect the presence of water and/or food in an area located in the muzzle of said animal and outside the body of said animal, in order to identify intake of food or water by said bovine.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine such as a cow, characterized in that at least one sensor transported by said bovine is used to detect the presence of water and/or food in an area located in the region of the muzzle of said animal and outside the body of said animal, in order to identify intake of food or water by said bovine.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, said at least one sensor comprising a radar sensor, the following steps are performed: transmitting a radar signal at least in said area, receiving at least one reflection of the radar signal originating from an object located in said area in order to obtain data of said at least one object, and processing said data in order to determine the presence of water or food in said area.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a transmission antenna configured to transmit an ultra-wideband radar signal transmits a radar signal into said area.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that said radar signal is transmitted in the form of coherent pulses.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, said bovine wearing a nose ring (10) comprising at least one water detection sensor (14, 15) placed in the part of said ring located outside of the nostrils of the animal, detecting, by means of said at least one sensor, the immersion of said ring part in the water, or the presence of water beyond a threshold value in the region of the end of the muzzle of said animal, in order to identify an intake of food or water by said bovine.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that one or more measurements are performed selected from the group comprising a measurement of the ambient pressure applied to said part of the ring, a measurement of the moisture level in the vicinity of said part of the ring, a measurement of the electrical conductivity in order to detect a variation in the conductivity between two electrodes that are spaced apart from one another, a measurement of the capacitance of the space separating two electrodes, in order to detect a variation in the capacitance of said space associated with the presence of water, and a measurement of the optical detection of water.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that said threshold value is defined so as to eliminate measurements linked to the natural physiological state of the animal, such as the natural moisture of the end of the muzzle of the animal and/or possible incorrect measurements associated with the atmospheric conditions surrounding the animal, such as rain or fog.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the location of the animal in the vicinity of a drinking trough and/or a feeding trough is also detected.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a movement of the head of the animal is detected.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the information associated with the presence of the animal in the vicinity of a drinking trough and/or a feeding trough, and a lowering of the head of the animal, are combined in order to trigger the measurement or measurements using said radar sensor and/or said at least one water detection sensor (14, 15).

11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, said radar sensor and/or said at least one water detection sensor (14, 15) having a sleep mode of low energy consumption, each sensor is placed in said mode when it appears that the animal is resting or is not located in the vicinity of a drinking trough and/or a feeding trough, or indeed that the head of said animal is not lowered towards the ground.

12. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the movements of the muzzle of the animal are detected in order to identify chewing of food by said animal.

13. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the measurements provided by said radar sensor and/or said at least one water detection sensor (14, 15) are acquired over time, in order to determine a duration of water consumption or feeding of said animal.

14. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said measurements are processed by a central unit such as a microprocessor, worn by the animal, or are sent, via a wireless communication protocol, to a remote central unit.

15. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that active compounds such as medication, vitamins, etc., are also delivered using said nose ring (10).

16. A device for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, such as a cow, characterized in that it is portable and comprises: a radar sensor comprising at least: a transmission antenna arranged in a first position and configured to transmit a radar signal into an area outside of the body of the animal, a receiving antenna arranged in a second position that is different from and spaced apart from the first position, said receiving antenna being configured to receive the signals reflected by one or more objects placed in the area, and/or a water detection sensor (14, 15) arranged so as to be placed outside the body of the animal when said animal is wearing said monitoring device, said water detection sensor (14, 15) being configured to detect the at least partial immersion of the monitoring device in water, or the presence of water beyond a threshold value outside of the body of said animal and in the region of the end of its muzzle, and a processing unit in order to identify, from measurements made by said radar sensor and/or said at least one water detection sensor (14, 15), an intake of food or water by said bovine.

17. The monitoring device according to claim 16, characterized in that said radar sensor is placed in a nose ring (10), a collar, or an ear tag.

18. The monitoring device according to claim 16, characterized in that said transmission antenna is configured to transmit an ultra-wideband radar signal.

19. The monitoring device according to claim 16, characterized in that, said device being a nose ring (10), said at least one water detection sensor (14, 15) is placed in the part of said ring intended to be located outside the nostrils of the animal when said animal is wearing said nose ring (10), said at least one water detection sensor (14, 15) being configured to detect the at least partial immersion of said ring part in water, or the presence of water beyond a threshold value outside of the body of said animal and in the region of the end of its muzzle, in order to identify an intake of food or water by said bovine.

20. The monitoring device according to claim 19, characterized in that said nose ring (10) is configured to deliver active compounds such as medication, vitamins, hormones, etc.

21. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that the sensor(s) for detecting the presence of water are selected from the group comprising a pressure gauge, a moisture sensor, an electrical conductivity measuring probe for detecting a variation in the conductivity between two electrodes that are spaced apart from one another, a probe for measuring the capacitance of the space separating two electrodes, in order to detect a variation in the capacitance of said space, and an optical sensor for detecting the presence of water on or in said ring part.

22. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises an accelerometer (16) and/or gyroscope and/or a device (17) for locating said monitoring device in the vicinity of a drinking trough or a feeding trough.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0124] Other advantages, aims and particular features of the present invention will become clear from the following description, which is provided in the aim of explanation but is in no way limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0125] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a nose ring for monitoring the feeding and the water consumption of a bovine according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0126] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the nose ring of FIG. 1;

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0127] The drawings and the description below mainly contain elements of a certain character. They can thus serve not only for better understanding of the present invention, but can also contribute to the definition thereof, if applicable.

[0128] Firstly, it is noted that the figures are not to scale.

[0129] FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic views of a nose ring 10 for monitoring the feeding and the water consumption of a bovine, such as a cow, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.

[0130] Said nose ring 10 comprises a main body 11 which can be in the shape of a segment of an ellipsis or a rectangular portion. It is preferably formed of a plastics material such as a polymer.

[0131] Said body receives, at the ends thereof, pads 12 which are intended to come to rest against one nasal wall of the bovine in each case. Each pad 12 is advantageously mounted on a ball joint 13 so as to be pivotably movable and to adapt to the physiognomy of the animal.

[0132] The design of the body of the nose ring 10 makes it possible to enclose its nasal walls and to apply a slight pressure by means of said pads 12 in order to ensure that the ring is held in position.

[0133] Of course, said nose ring 10 could comprise a different type of fixing, such as a hook intended to pass through the nasal wall of the animal.

[0134] The central part of the body of the ring that is intended to be located outside of the nostrils of the animal, when said animal is wearing the nose ring, is hollow in order to receive a plurality of sensors.

[0135] Said central part thus receives a moisture sensor 14 which opens onto the outside and makes it possible to determine the moisture level immediately surrounding this part of the ring.

[0136] It further comprises a probe 15 for measuring electrical conductivity in order to detect a variation in the conductivity between two electrodes that are spaced apart from one another. Said variation results from the presence of the water filling the space separating the two electrodes.

[0137] The combination of information provided by said two sensors 14, 15 makes it possible to detect the immersion of said part of the nose ring 10 in water, or the presence of water beyond a threshold value outside of the muzzle and in the region of the end of the muzzle of said animal, in order to identify an intake of food or water.

[0138] A movement sensor such as an accelerometer 16 is also positioned inside the main body 11 of the ring in order to make it possible to obtain movement data of the head of the animal. It is thus possible to determine when an animal lowers its head to drink or eat.

[0139] The main body 11 of the ring is also provided with an NFC tag 17 for establishing wireless communication with a near-field communication (NFC) reader, thus making it possible to locate the animal with respect to a drinking trough, or a feeding trough, equipped with such readers.

[0140] The ring preferably further comprises a GPS sensor 18 which makes it possible to identify the behavior of the animal, in particular whether it is immobile. By combining this information with that originating from the accelerometer, it is thus possible to deduce therefrom if the animal is at rest, for example is sleeping.

[0141] Said nose ring is also configured to deliver active compounds such as medication, vitamins, etc.