RU2840803C1 - Livestock management system - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: agriculture.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to agriculture, in particular to livestock monitoring. System for monitoring livestock comprises at least two tags. Each tag comprises a sensor that detects a physical parameter relating to the animal, a processor configured to receive or process information from the sensor, memory adapted to store data, and data received from other tags, and a communication interface adapted for wireless communication between tags. One of the at least two labels provides an optimum label which is in an optimum state for communication with respect to sufficient supply energy and/or signal power. Optimal tag generates and stores a set of aggregated data relating to the animal, as well as data relating to other animals in the group of animals. Data from other animals in the group of animals are transmitted to the optimal tag through the communication interfaces of the tags; and a remote computer system configured to communicate with the at least two tags through the communication interface of each tag.

EFFECT: reducing the load on cattle breeders and/or shepherds, improving and simplifying the overall registration of the flock of the livestock management system.

21 cl, 15 dwg

Description

PREREQUISITES FOR THE CREATION OF THE INVENTION

The described exemplary embodiments generally relate to a livestock management system for detecting, tracking, and responding to the location and activity of livestock, and for determining the behavior and physical conditions of the livestock that are correlated therewith.

Tags equipped with sensors and electronics have been attached externally to various parts of the body of cattle and other livestock as components of livestock management systems for recording and exchanging data regarding the location, certain physical parameters, and the health and well-being of the livestock. For example, such tags have been attached to the ears, dewlap, and chest areas of cattle. Any discussion of prior art within the specification shall in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or is part of the general knowledge in the art.

ESSENCE OF THE INVENTION

Some of the various embodiments of the present invention relate to a livestock management system that can manage various types of livestock. In some of the various embodiments of the present invention, a herd of livestock is managed within a managed area. Some of the various embodiments of the present invention typically provide a plurality of tags, each of which is attached to livestock of the managed herd, one or more local sensors/transceivers located in the managed area, a management system platform, and a remote computer system. In some other embodiments, one or more sensors can be implanted in and/or attached to each animal of the livestock.

Each tag locally and autonomously receives and/or obtains data regarding the location, orientation, movement, and other data about the livestock from embedded receivers and sensors, such as an embedded global positioning receiver, a gyroscope, and an accelerometer. Each tag locally and autonomously receives and/or obtains physical parameters of the livestock from one or more sensors, such as an internal body temperature sensor. The sensors may be implanted in and/or attached to the livestock separately from the tag and/or included in the tag. Each tag locally and autonomously processes the data and physical parameters and determines certain activities and behaviors of the livestock, such as eating, ruminating, and moving independently, and determines certain physical states of the livestock that are correlated therewith, such as illness, injury, estrus, conception, and calving. The tag may make predictions and determinations about the activity and physical state of the livestock by applying one or more AI models and/or other detection algorithms to the received and received data. Each tag also locally and autonomously receives or receives data about events and conditions external to the livestock, processes the data and determines if there is a potential risk to the livestock, such as a nearby predator or vehicle.

Each tag may locally and autonomously decide to generate an alert or warning in response to a detected or determined location, activity, and/or physical condition of livestock and/or in response to a detected or determined event or condition external to the livestock. For example, a tag may generate an alert or warning when it detects that livestock have left a managed area or a designated area within a managed area, when it determines that livestock are sick, injured, in heat, or calving, when it determines that livestock are likely to have been stolen, and/or when it determines that livestock are threatened by an external event or condition such as a predator, bad weather, etc.

Each tag is configured to exchange its data, definitions and alerts with the management system platform and/or a remote computer system, such as a cloud, via one or more long-range wireless networks, which may include cellular networks, satellite networks and/or IP-based networks, and/or LPWANs such as LORA or Sigfox. However, in an embodiment where it is not necessary or desirable for each tag to communicate separately with the management system platform and/or a remote computer system, such as for energy conservation reasons, each tag can be configured to locally and autonomously exchange its data and definitions with other nearby tags and with local sensors/transceivers in the controlled area via one or more self-forming dynamic local mesh networks, or each tag can exchange data or attempt to exchange data with other nearby tags without forming a mesh network. Depending on the location of surrounding or nearby tags, one tag or several tags may receive data from the sending tag. Thus, the sending tag may not have data "knowledge" whether one or several other tags have received the sent data. This type of transmission can be used, for example, for emergency warnings or general data exchange.

In any case, each tag in the local mesh network or in sufficient proximity to other tags may have all or a subset of the data and definitions of any other tag in the network or area. The data may include, for example, signal strength, battery power, and environmental conditions, and based on such data, each tag in the network may autonomously determine the tag that is in the best condition for communicating with the management system platform and/or a remote computer network. This tag may then exchange aggregated data of some or all tags in the local mesh network or a group of tags in the area with the management system platform and/or a remote computer network, such as a cloud, via a long-range wireless network.

The management system platform receives, processes and stores tag data and aggregates individual animal data from livestock to produce herd-level data. The management system platform can also respond to tag alerts and can generate its own alerts. The management system platform monitors and manages assigned grazing areas and inventories of consumables such as feed, hay, water, etc. The management system platform maintains and manages genetic and pedigree data, health and body condition histories, owner and location histories, and financial information, among other things. The management system platform supports and manages access to the system, data and functionality for external users and can be configured to operate as a remote service provider, such as to provide an online auction and/or veterinary services. The management system platform manages and monitors tags, including adding and deleting tags from the system, populating tags with data and updates, preparing tags for operation, and monitoring battery levels and operating conditions.

The remote computer system may be separate from the management system platform or integrated with it in whole or in part. The remote computer system may provide mass storage for very large amounts of data and tag definitions. The remote computer system may also provide computing power and tools to generate, train, and update AI models and/or other detection-based algorithms to determine livestock activity, behavior, and conditions using the data sets and tag definitions. The remote computer system may download such AI models and/or other detection-based algorithms and updates to tags directly and/or through the management system platform.

Thus, some of the embodiments of the livestock management system have been outlined so that their detailed description can be better understood and so that the present contribution to the state of the art can be better appreciated. There are additional embodiments of the livestock management system that will be described below and which will form the subject of the appended claims. In this regard, before at least one embodiment of the livestock management system is explained in detail, it should be understood that the livestock management system is not limited in its application to the design details or component arrangements set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The livestock management system admits of other embodiments and can be practiced in various ways. It should also be understood that the expressions and terms used herein are intended to be descriptive and should not be considered limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF GRAPHIC MATERIALS

The exemplary embodiments will become more apparent from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are represented by like reference numerals, which are given for the purpose of illustration only and, therefore, are not limiting to the exemplary embodiments given herein.

Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a tag component of a livestock management system according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 1B is a front view of a tag component of a livestock management system according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 1C is a side view of a tag component of a livestock management system according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 1D is a rear view of a tag component of a livestock management system according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a graphical representation of livestock provided with a tag component of a livestock management system according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the elements and architecture of a tag component of a livestock management system according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the elements and architecture of a power supply for a tag component of a livestock management system according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a combined block diagram illustrating the elements and architecture of a communication interface of a tag component of a livestock management system, and a graphical representation illustrating the communication relationships between the communication interface and other elements of the system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a graphical representation of livestock in multiple dynamic local mesh networks within a livestock management system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a graphical representation of livestock in several other dynamic local mesh networks within a livestock management system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating some potential functions performed, one possible logical sequence, and associated data that are received, processed, and maintained in a tag component of a livestock management system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating one potential logical data structure for potential data that is received, processed, and maintained in a tag component of a livestock management system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a combined block diagram illustrating the elements and architecture of a control system platform in the form of a livestock management system, and a graphical representation illustrating the communication relationships between the control platform and other elements of the system according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 11A is a block diagram illustrating some potential functions performed, one possible logical sequence, and associated data that are received, processed, and maintained in a control system platform in the form of a livestock management system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 11B is a block diagram illustrating some potential functions performed, one possible logical sequence, and associated data that are received, processed, and maintained in a management system platform in the form of a livestock management system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 11C is a block diagram illustrating some potential functions performed, one possible logical sequence, and associated data that are received, processed, and maintained in a control system platform in the form of a livestock management system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 11D is a block diagram illustrating some potential functions performed, one possible logical sequence, and associated data that are received, processed, and maintained in a control system platform in the form of a livestock management system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 11E is a block diagram illustrating some potential functions performed, one possible logical sequence, and associated data that are received, processed, and maintained in a management system platform in the form of a livestock management system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 12A is a partial graphical representation of livestock illustrating a relationship between one orientation of a tag component of a livestock management system and livestock behavior used by the system to determine the state of the livestock in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 12B is a partial graphical representation of livestock illustrating a relationship between another orientation of a tag component of a livestock management system and the behavior of the livestock used by the system to determine the condition of the livestock in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 12C is a partial graphical representation of livestock illustrating a relationship between another orientation of a tag component of a livestock management system and the behavior of the livestock used by the system to determine the condition of the livestock in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a graph illustrating the relationship between body temperature and self-movement behavior of livestock over time as detected by a tag component of a livestock management system and used to determine the condition of the livestock in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 14A is a block diagram illustrating one potential logical data structure for potential data that is received, processed, and maintained in a management system platform in the form of a livestock management system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 14B is a block diagram illustrating one potential logical data structure for potential data that is received, processed, and maintained in a management system platform in the form of a livestock management system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 14C is a block diagram illustrating one potential logical data structure for potential data that is received, processed, and maintained in a management system platform in the form of a livestock management system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating power states for tags according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A. Review.

Some of the various embodiments of the present invention relate to a livestock management system that can manage various types of livestock. Some of the various embodiments of the present invention of the livestock management system 10 typically provide a plurality of tags 20 attached to a respective plurality of managed livestock animals 12, a plurality of local sensors and transceivers 34 located in the managed area, a platform 140 of the management system and a remote computer system 220. In some other exemplary embodiments, one or more sensors 32 are implanted in and/or attached to each animal of the livestock 12.

Each tag 20 is adapted and made with the possibility of being attached to the corresponding animal from livestock 12 from the outside, preferably on the outer part of the ear of the livestock. In most cases, each tag 20 has a built-in power source and operates autonomously and automatically.

Each tag 20 comprises elements and components necessary for receiving or accepting, for processing, maintaining and exchanging data and information concerning an individual animal of the livestock 12 to which it is attached. Such data may comprise, but are not limited to, the location, movement, orientation, position of the livestock and angle relative to another nearby animal of the livestock 12, physical parameters such as internal body temperature, etc. Each tag 20 is adapted and configured to autonomously and automatically locally process the received and acquired data concerning the location, orientation, movement, etc. and physical parameters of the livestock 12, and to make determinations about the activities and behaviors of the livestock 12, using one or more of the models and/or algorithms. Such activities and behaviors may include, for example, but are not limited to, eating, drinking, chewing, resting, moving independently, fertilizing, etc. Each tag 20 is also adapted and configured to autonomously and automatically determine, based on data and certain activities and behaviors, certain related health conditions and other significant physical conditions of livestock by applying one or more models. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, illness, injury, estrus, ovulation, fertilization, pregnancy, and calving.

Each tag 20 is also adapted and configured to generate and transmit alerts and/or warnings in response to some detected activities and/or conditions and to receive alerts and/or warnings and respond to them. Alerts or warnings can be transmitted, for example, to one or more mobile devices of a herder, a shepherd, etc. Detected conditions that can initiate an alert or warning include, but are not limited to, estrus and calving. Detected activities that can initiate an alert or warning can include, but are not limited to, lack of movement, sudden physical impact and/or loud noise, and maintaining a specific orientation for an extended period of time. Each tag 20 can respond to an alert or warning by performing an action including, but not limited to, activating an LED, a tone generator and/or a stimulator.

Each tag 20 is also adapted and configured to exchange its data and definitions directly or indirectly with the control system platform 140 and with the remote computer system 220 via one or more long-range wireless networks. Such networks may include, but are not limited to, cellular networks, satellite networks, and/or IP-based WAN/LAN networks, and/or LPWANs such as LORA or Sigfox.

Each tag 20 may also be adapted and configured to exchange and to receive data from one or more sensors 32 that may be implanted in and/or attached to the livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is attached via a wireless connection. The wireless connection may be, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connection and an RFID connection based on an antenna or other radio frequency communication link. Each tag 20 may further be adapted and configured to process, maintain and transmit data from the sensor(s) 32. One or more sensors 32 may be adapted and configured to detect various physical parameters, states and/or activities of the livestock 12, including, but not limited to, body temperature. In an exemplary embodiment, the temperature sensor may be implanted in or attached to the livestock 12 at a location that is distant from the location of the ear where the tag 20 is attached. For reasons related to food safety, the distant location may include another location on the ear, for example. The sensor 32 may provide relative body temperature readings of the livestock 12 that may be fully correlated with health-related and other physical conditions of the livestock 12 that the tag 20 is intended to detect.

In addition to each tag 20 being adapted and configured to directly communicate with the management system platform 140 and/or a remote computer system 220, such as in the cloud, in some embodiments each tag 20 may also be adapted and configured to directly communicate with every other nearby tag 20 that is within a certain signal range in a dynamic local mesh network. At any given time, a plurality of dynamic local mesh networks may exist in the managed herd. The dynamic local mesh networks are self-organizing, such that when an individual animal from the livestock 12 leaves the signal range of one such network and enters the signal range of another, each network automatically updates its relationship between tags and transmits the new relationship information to the other tags 20 in the network. The tags 20 in each dynamic local mesh network communicate with each other via a wireless point-to-point connection. Point-to-point wireless connections may include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and/or LPWAN connections.

Each tag 20 in the dynamic local mesh network at any given time may be adapted and configured to receive all or a subset of the data of every other tag 20 in the network and to transmit all or a subset of its own data to every other tag 20 in the network. Each tag 20 in the network may also be adapted and configured to determine the tag 20 that is in an optimal state for transmitting aggregated data from all tags in the network to the control system platform 140 and/or to the remote computer system 220, i.e., the cloud. This determination may be made based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, relative power levels, relative signal strengths, and other relative transmission conditions. Each tag 20 may be further adapted and configured to determine whether and when to transmit aggregated data of the tags 20 on the local network to the platform 140 of the control system and/or to the remote computer system 220. This determination may be made based on a plurality of factors, including, but not limited to, time and date, atmospheric conditions, signal conditions and power levels, and/or other conditions of the tag 20 or the condition of the livestock. For example, conditions of the livestock that may initiate the transmission of aggregated data include the health of the livestock 12 or a change in the status or health condition, including, but not limited to, estrus, calving, or a change in the position of the livestock 12, such as when it is detected that the livestock 12 has left a designated area or entered an unauthorized area, such as having gone beyond a geofence.

One or more local sensors and transceivers 34 may be located in fixed locations of the controlled area or may be mobile within the controlled area and are preferably located in one or more areas where the livestock 12 also happens to be present from time to time. Each local sensor and/or transceiver 34 is adapted and configured to communicate with each tag 20 that is within a certain signal range and may be an element of a dynamic local mesh network with such tags 20. Each tag 20 is adapted and configured to communicate with each local sensor and/or transceiver 34 that is within the signal range and to receive, maintain, process and transmit any data received from them. Local sensors may include, for example, but not limited to, a weight sensor coupled to a scale, a photo sensor and/or camera mounted on or near the scale, a photo sensor and/or camera mounted on or near a feeder or water source, a feed or water level sensor, etc. Local transceivers may also be used to exchange data between tags 20 that are within signal range, the control system platform 140, and/or the remote computer system 220, for example, when other forms of communication, such as cellular or LPWAN, are unavailable for some reason.

The control system platform 140 may be located in a fixed location, such as a desktop PC or a cloud platform, or in a mobile device, such as a laptop, tablet computer, mobile phone, etc. Instances of all or part of the control system platform 140 may be distributed between one or more host devices in a fixed location and one or more mobile host devices.

The management system platform 140 is adapted and configured to receive, process and perform maintenance of data and definitions by tags 20 attached to the managed livestock 12. The management system platform 140 is adapted and configured to directly communicate with the tags 20 and with the remote computer system 220 via one or more wireless and/or wired networks. The networks may include, but are not limited to, cellular networks, satellite networks and/or IP-based WAN/LAN networks, and/or LPWANs such as LORA or Sigfox. To the extent that the management system platform 140 is embedded in a mobile host device, it may also be adapted and configured to communicate with the tags 20 via a wireless connection of a shorter range, including, but not limited to, a Bluetooth connection. The control system platform 140 may also be adapted and configured to communicate with tags 20 that are within signal range via a local radio frequency transceiver located in the vicinity of the tags 20, in the event that other communication connections are unavailable for any reason.

The management system platform 140 is adapted and configured to process livestock tag data in substantially the same manner as the individual tags 20. The management system platform 140 may track the locations and movements of an individual animal of the livestock 12 and the managed herd as a whole and may use models and/or other algorithms to determine certain activities and behaviors, the presence of certain events, and the presence of certain physical conditions, such as estrus and calving of an individual animal of the livestock 12, among other things. The management system platform 140 is also adapted and configured to respond to the detection of such events and the determination of such physical conditions by performing actions that may include, but are not limited to, transmitting an alert or warning to one or more mobile devices of a herder, a herder, etc., and causing the tag 20 associated with the event or physical condition to perform an action, such as activating a tone generator, a stimulator, and/or an LED.

The control system platform 140 is also adapted and configured to control the tags 20 and to monitor the operating condition of each tag 20. The control system platform 140 may be adapted and configured to add new tags 20 to the system, remove tags 20 from the system, populate tags 20 with data and updates, and prepare tags 20 for operation in the system. The control system platform 140 may monitor the operating conditions of the tags 20, which may include, but are not limited to, battery level, signal strength level, temperature, humidity, etc. The control system platform 140 may perform actions including generating and transmitting an alert or warning when a condition detected during the monitoring indicates a need for maintenance, repair, or other intervention.

The management system platform 140 is also adapted and configured to process data and definitions from the tags 20 and to obtain additional data and information that are advantageous for managing the livestock herd 12. Such data and information may include both individual data and information and herd-level data and information. At the individual level, such data and information may include, but is not limited to, genetic and family pedigree, history of physical characteristics such as weight, health status and medical history, market value of an individual animal, expected costs, etc. At the herd level, such data and information may include, for example, but is not limited to, demographic and statistical data on the herd, market value of the herd, actual and expected costs, location of the herd in relation to the pasture, as well as the status of use and remaining reserves of pasture, feed, medical materials and/or other consumables.

The management system platform 140 is also adapted and configured to receive, process, maintain and transmit external information related to the management of an individual animal and a herd of livestock 12. Such information may include, but is not limited to, ownership information and history, location information and history, health and other physical condition information and history, such as records of veterinary visits and treatments, vaccinations, injuries and illnesses, livestock market prices, feed and other consumables market prices, financial information such as interest rates, debt servicing, etc., and weather information. The management system platform 140 may be adapted and configured to contain some triggers for automatically generating alerts or warnings for the system user when certain predetermined thresholds are detected. Such triggers and warnings may include, but are not limited to, a warning to buy or sell upon the discovery of a certain market price, a warning to move all or part of the herd upon the discovery of a certain pasture use value or a certain weather condition, and a warning to update vaccinations after a certain time or date and/or upon the discovery of a disease.

The management system platform 140 may also be adapted and configured to provide one or more external access interfaces. The external access interfaces may include login/password access protection. The management system platform 140 may be configured to restrict access to only designated portions of the functions, data and information of the management system platform either based on password control or in another way. For example, one or more external access interfaces may be configured to provide access to some information to one or more banks or other financial institutions, insurance companies and/or government agencies. The management system platform 140 may also be configured to operate as a remote service provider for some online services, such as veterinary services, auction house services or other services related to livestock management. In this case, the external access interfaces may also be configured to provide access to such services to registered users.

It is expected that once the tag 20 is activated and put into operation, it will generate arrays of data and definitions over time. The platform 140 of the management system and/or the remote computer system 220 can be adapted and configured to aggregate and maintain data and definitions, both current and historical, for all tags 20 of the managed herd. Such data and definitions can be used to create, develop, train and subsequently update one or more machine learning or artificial intelligence (AI) models and/or one or more other detection algorithms for determining the activity, behavior and conditions of livestock. Such models can then be embedded in the tags 20 and applied to data, such as location, orientation, movement, physical parameter values received and received by the tags 20 in real time, and to determinations made based thereon by the tags 20 in real time to accurately determine the occurrence or presence of various significant physical conditions of livestock 12, including, but not limited to, estrus, conception, and calving.

After generating a model or algorithm or updating a model or algorithm, the control system platform 140 or the remote computer system 220 can download them to individual tags 20. Each individual tag 20 is adapted to receive the models and/or algorithms and updates, store them, and apply them to the data and definitions of the tag 20 in real time. As one example, the tag 20 can apply a model or algorithm to determine that an animal of the livestock 12 is in a state of estrus, using as parameters the orientation of the tag 20 (indicating the first behavior of the animal of the livestock 12), the height level of the tag 20, the movement of the tag 20 (indicating the second behavior of the animal of the livestock 12), and the relative body temperature of the animal of the livestock 12 based on the sensor 32 (indicating a physical parameter of the animal of the livestock 12).

The remote computer system 220 may be separate from the control system platform 140 or may be part of it. The remote computer system 220 may directly communicate with the tags 20 and with the control system platform 140 via one or more wired and/or wireless long-range networks, including, but not limited to, cellular networks, satellite networks and/or IP-based WAN/LAN networks, and/or LPWANs such as LORA or Sigfox.

The remote computer system 220 preferably comprises a mass memory, such as one or more high-performance remote/cloud storage servers of large capacity with sufficient capacity to carry out the maintenance of the data sets and definitions generated by all tags 20 of the managed herd over time. The remote computer system 220 also preferably has sufficient processing capacity and power, such as one or more high-performance central processing units, as well as the necessary tools and means for performing machine learning on the data sets and definitions, as well as for creating, training and updating the desired models and/or other detection algorithms for downloading and embedding in the tags 20.

Although it is intended that the exemplary livestock management system 10 described herein will be particularly useful for managing livestock 12, particularly cattle, it is intended and will be understood that it can also be used more broadly to manage other livestock and even wild animals. Accordingly, the descriptions of the exemplary livestock management system 10 herein are not intended and should not be interpreted as necessarily limited to use for livestock 12.

V. Birki.

An exemplary livestock management system 10 includes a plurality of tags 20. Each individual tag 20 is adapted to be attached to an individual animal of the livestock 12. An individual animal of the livestock 12 may be managed separately and may be part of a plurality of animals or a herd of livestock 12 that is being managed.

Each tag 20 is preferably adapted for physical attachment to the outside of the body of an individual animal of the livestock 12 in a location where the tag 20 will be both clearly visible and easily physically accessible. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the tag 20 can be attached to the outer ear or pinna 14 of the livestock 12 in a location and in a manner that are similar to those known in the art.

Each tag 20 has a built-in power source and is mobile with the animal to which it is attached. The tags 20 should preferably be relatively small, lightweight and have a shape that does not cause irritation, deformation or injury to the animal, especially at the attachment site, such as the ear. For example, in one embodiment, the tags 20 will have an inner ear component with dimensions of approximately 60 mm x 30 mm x 15 mm, an outer ear component with dimensions of approximately 50 mm x 25 mm x 5 mm and will weigh approximately 20-40 grams.

Each tag 20 has signs or markings that allow it to be easily and uniquely identified visually, even when it is attached to the livestock 12. For example, each tag 20 has an outer outward facing surface with printed, inscribed, engraved or otherwise applied signs that uniquely identify the tag 20 and distinguish it from other tags 20 attached to other managed livestock 12. The signs can include, but are not limited to, alphanumeric and/or symbolic representations. Different tags 20 can also have different colors that can identify different models, types, classes, periods of time put into service, etc.

As described in detail below, each tag 20 has an integrated power source and contains elements/components for collecting, processing, storing, transmitting, monitoring data and other elements/components, including code, for receiving, processing, storing and transmitting data concerning an individual animal from the livestock 12 to which it is attached, as well as aggregated data about the livestock. Such data may include, but is not limited to, location, movement, orientation, position of the livestock relative to other livestock, physical parameters, etc.

Also, as described in detail below, each tag 20 is adapted and configured to locally process received and acquired data regarding the physical parameters and activity of the livestock 12 to which it is attached, using one or more models to determine the occurrence of various behaviors and related physical states. Physical parameters may include, but are not limited to, relative internal body temperature. Behaviors and states that can be determined may include, but are not limited to, independent movement, eating and chewing. Related physical states that can be determined may include, but are not limited to, estrus and calving.

1. Casing.

As best illustrated in Fig. 1A 1D, each tag 20 comprises a housing 22 with a male fastening element 24, a female fastening element 26 and a solar energy cell 28. The housing 22 encloses a sealed internal space in which elements and components for collecting, processing, storing, transmitting, monitoring data and other elements and components of the tag 20 are placed, for protection from exposure to the external environment, potential contamination and potential damage. As described below, some elements and components may have at least a portion extending beyond the housing 22.

The housing 22 is preferably made of a material that is inexpensive, lightweight, relatively rigid, resistant to damage and wear from the environment, and that will not cause chemical, biological, or physical irritation to the livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is attached. A number of commercially available plastic materials are suitable for these purposes.

The housing 22 may have any shape consistent with the above purposes. In one exemplary embodiment described herein, the housing 22 may have a substantially square or rectangular peripheral shape and a relatively small depth dimension (Fig. 1C) between the front outer surface (Fig. 1B) and the rear outer surface (Fig. 1D). Preferably, all peripheral edges of the housing 22 are chamfered or rounded to minimize any physical irritation to the livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is attached.

The male fastening element 24 comprises a supporting element 25, an elongated rod 27 and a tip 29. The male fastening element 24 is configured to be selectively attached to the casing 22 and detached from it, as further described below. The elongated rod 27 has a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The supporting element 25 is connected, attached or formed integrally with the first end portion, and the tip 29 is connected, attached or formed integrally with the second end portion. The tip 29 is adapted and configured to pierce and pass through the tissue of the outer ear or auricle of livestock 12, to which the tag 20 is to be attached, from the outer rear portion of the ear to the inner front portion of the ear. Accordingly, the tip 29 is preferably conical and has a relatively sharp end. The supporting element 25 is adapted and designed to hold the male fastening element 24 on and against the ear. It is intended that when the tag 20 is attached to the outer ear of the livestock 12, the supporting element 25 will contact the outer rear portion of the ear. Accordingly, the supporting element 25 is preferably shaped to securely hold the tag 20 on the ear and also to minimize the possibility of injury to the ear, such as tissue tearing, and any discomfort for the livestock 12. In one exemplary embodiment described herein, the supporting element 25 has a substantially cup-shaped shape. This distributes the force on the ear due to the weight of the tag 20 over a wider surface area and, thus, minimizes the possibility of injury and discomfort, and also helps to prevent foreign particles from snagging and damaging the tag 20 or the animal.

The female fastening element 26 is connected, attached or formed in one piece with the casing 22. The female fastening element 26 comprises an extension or a projection which extends or projects outward from the peripheral edge of the casing 22. The extension has a first end portion on the peripheral edge and near it and a second end portion opposite the first end portion which is located at a distance from the peripheral edge. The second end portion of the male fastening element 24 is adapted and made with the possibility of selectively attaching to the female fastening element 26 and detaching from it. The second end portion has a socket with an opening and a passage which are adapted to selectively receive and retain the second end portion of the male fastening element 24, so that the male fastening element 24 is adapted to selectively attach to the female fastening element 26 and, consequently, the casing 22 and detach from them. Preferably, the second end portion of the male fastener 24, as well as the opening and the passage of the female fastener 26, are designed and adapted in such a way that the housing 22 is able to rotate around the rod 27 of the male fastener 24, when the tag 20 is attached to the ear of the livestock 12. This allows the housing 22 to rotate under the action of gravity, and the tag 20 continues to hang down as the livestock 12 moves and/or changes orientation, and regardless of the orientation of the rod 27. Lateral forces on the ear tissue, which could otherwise arise due to the weight of the tag 20 and which could lead to damage, are reduced. In addition, uniform downward orientations of the tags 20 facilitate their visual detection, identification and reading or other access. For the above purposes, various corresponding rotary quick-release and detachable elements may be provided on the rod 27 of the male fastening element 24 and in the opening and passage of the female fastening element 26.

Since the male fastening element 24 and the female fastening element 26 are designed with the possibility of selective attachment and detachment, the tag 20 is designed with the possibility of selective attachment to the livestock 12 and detachment from it. This feature allows the tag 20 to be selectively detached, such as if the battery of the tag 20, which has a built-in power source, needs to be replaced, or if the livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is attached dies or otherwise ceases to be under control, and then re-attached to the same or another animal of the livestock 12. However, it is contemplated and will be understood that, alternatively, the male fastener 24 and the female fastener 26 may be configured and adapted to permanently and only once attach the tag 20 to the livestock 12. In this case, when detached, either the male fastener 24 or the female fastener 26, or both, may be physically unable to re-attach to the other, and thus the tag 20 cannot re-attach and a new tag 20 must be attached. Both options are contemplated to be included within the scope of the invention described herein. embodiments given as examples.

As mentioned above, some elements and components of the tag 20 may have at least a portion that extends beyond the housing 22. For example, the power system 40 of the tag 20, which is described in detail below, may comprise one or more external energy collectors, such as one or more solar energy cells 28. As illustrated in Fig. 1A-1B and 2, the sunlight collecting surfaces of the one or more solar energy cells 28 are open to the external environment in one or more external surfaces of the housing 22. Similarly, other elements and components of the tag 20 that are intended to interact with an environment external to the tag 20 may have portions that are open outside the housing 22. These may include, but are not limited to, one or more light-emitting diodes 64, a microphone 66, a speaker for a tone generator 68, and a lens for a camera 72. Each of these elements is described in detail in the sections below.

2. Elements and architecture.

Each tag 20 has a built-in power source and contains an autonomous power system 40 inside the housing 22. As illustrated in Fig. 3-4, the power system 40 contains an external energy collector, such as solar cells 28, and a power source 42.

The external energy collector is designed to generate electrical energy from a source external to the power source 42. In one exemplary embodiment described in this document, the external energy collector may comprise one or more solar energy cells 28 that are adapted and configured to convert sunlight into electrical energy. However, the external energy collector may also include other types of external energy-receiving elements, such as piezoelectric elements that are adapted and configured to convert the movement of the tag 20 when the livestock 12 moves into electrical energy. The external energy collector may also include other types of external energy-receiving elements. The external energy collector may also comprise one or a plurality of such elements in combination.

The power source 42 has an input and an output. The input is electrically connected to an external energy collector, such as solar cells 28, and receives the electric current produced by it. The output is electrically connected to the electrical inputs of the various elements and components of the tag 20 that require electrical energy to operate, and provides the electrical operating power required for such elements and components.

The power source 42 may comprise a voltage regulator 44, a charging circuit 46 and a rechargeable energy accumulator 48. The voltage regulator 44 has an input and an output. The input provides an input of the power source 42 and receives electric current (direct current) from an external energy collector. Alternatively, the input of the power source 42 may be directly connected to the charging circuit 46 (without using the voltage regulator 44). The magnitude of the current created by the external energy collector may vary in a relatively wide range depending on the surrounding and other conditions. The voltage regulator 44 functions to create at its output an electric voltage (direct current) having a value within the operating range of the charging circuit 46 and the rechargeable energy accumulator 48 and fixed in a fairly narrow range. The output of the rechargeable energy accumulator 48 may also be regulated by the voltage regulator 49, the output of which in this case is the output of the power source 42. The voltage regulator 49 can provide a constant or nearly constant output voltage of the power source 42 for the various electronic elements and components of the tag 20, regardless of voltage fluctuations in the rechargeable energy battery 48.

The charging circuit 46 has an input and an output. The input is electrically connected to the output of the voltage regulator 44. The charging circuit 46 operates to obtain at its output an electric charging current (direct current), the value of which is related to the value of the regulated voltage (direct current) at its input. The value of the electric charging current is within the limits of the charging current of the rechargeable energy battery 48. The charging circuit 46 may also comprise a circuit that detects and monitors the level of voltage and/or current received from the rechargeable energy battery 48, and which is responsible for automatically monitoring the on/off state and/or the level of the electric charging current for recharging the rechargeable battery 48 when the charge level drops to a predetermined low level, and for stopping charging when the charge level reaches a predetermined maximum level in order to prevent overcharging.

The rechargeable energy accumulator 48 may comprise one or more suitable batteries, although any other suitable form of rechargeable electrical energy accumulator may also be used. The rechargeable energy accumulator 48 has an input and an output. The input is electrically connected to the output of the charging circuit 46 and receives an electrical charging current for the initial charging and subsequent recharging of the rechargeable energy accumulator 48, if necessary. The output provides an output of the power source 42 and provides electrical operating power (direct current and direct current voltage) for the various electronic elements and components of the tag 20 at the required levels. Preferably, the electronic elements and components will consume as little power as possible during operation, preferably on average less than a few milliwatts (mW).

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the components and elements for collecting, processing, storing, transmitting and monitoring data of each tag 20 may include a processor and a memory element 50, a three-axis accelerometer 52, a three-axis gyroscope 54, a compass 56, an altimeter 58, a barometer 59, a non-volatile memory (NVM) 60, a communication interface (COMMS) 62, one or more light-emitting diodes 64, a microphone (MIC) 66, a tone generator 68 and a speaker, a stimulator 70, a camera 72, an air temperature sensor 74 and a humidity sensor 76. The three-axis accelerometer 52 and the three-axis gyroscope 54 may together be or be called an inertial measurement unit 55. When the accelerometer 52 is used, the gyroscope 54 may also be used together to detect the movement of the livestock 12.

The processor 50 may comprise one of the types of processors described below in this document. For example, the processor 50 may be a commercially available microprocessor and/or microcontroller. Preferably, the processor 50 is of a type that consumes very little power while performing the specified functions and operations of the tags 20 as described in this document. The processor 50 executes programs, applications, models, etc., stored in the tag 20 to perform the functions and operations of the tag 20 as described in this document.

The processor 50 is configured and programmed to communicate with, control and manage the operation of various other components and elements of the tag 20 identified above and illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. The processor 50 is connected to and communicates with each of the elements and components via a bus 78. The bus 78 may comprise one or more physical and/or logical buses adapted to transfer data, instructions, commands, requests, control words, etc. between the processor 50 and each of the other elements and components to perform the functions and operations of the tag 20, as described herein.

The memory element of the processor 50 comprises a memory controller and volatile memory. The memory controller may be located in whole or in part on the same chip as the processor 50, or may be located in whole or in part on one or more separate chips. Similarly, the volatile memory may be located in whole or in part on the same chip as either the processor 50 or the memory controller, or may be located in whole or in part on one or more separate chips. The memory controller controls various aspects of the volatile memory and provides an interface for reading and writing data from the volatile memory. The volatile memory provides temporary storage for an operating system, for computations during operation of the processor 50, for data received and written by the various data collection components of the tag 20, described below, and possibly for programs, applications, models, etc., executed by the processor 50. The volatile memory is preferably a low-power, high-speed random access memory. For example, volatile memory may consist of low-power SRAM or DDR. Volatile memory may also be supplemented or replaced by various non-volatile memory types that provide an advantage in power consumption. For example, phase-change memory (PCM) may be used.

The accelerometer 52 provides data indicating the movement of the tag 20 corresponding to the movement of the livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is attached, in three axes, which may be referred to as the longitudinal, lateral and vertical axes or the pitch, roll and yaw axes. The data provided by the accelerometer 52 is used to determine when the livestock 12 is moving and stationary, as well as the linear direction and, possibly, the speed of movement. This information can, in turn, be used to determine certain activities, behaviors and physical states of the livestock 12. The accelerometer 52 may be a commercially available accelerometer based on microelectromechanical systems, a piezoelectric accelerometer or another type of accelerometer that is suitable for implementing and consistent with the tasks and functionalities described herein. The accelerometer 52 may be combined with one or more other data acquisition devices described herein on the same chip or in the same housing, or may be a separate device on a separate chip or in a separate housing. The accelerometer data may be continuously or periodically generated, transmitted to the processor 50 and/or received by it. The accelerometer data may also be generated and transmitted to the processor 50 automatically or upon request.

The gyroscope 54 provides data indicating the orientation of the tag 20 corresponding to the orientation of the livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is attached, with respect to three axes, which may be the same three axes on which the accelerometer 52 is based. The data provided by the gyroscope 54 is used to determine the angular movement and orientation of the livestock 12, which in turn can be used to determine certain activities, behaviors and physical states of the livestock 12. The gyroscope may be a commercially available microelectromechanical systems gyroscope, a piezoelectric gyroscope or another type of gyroscope that is suitable for implementing and consistent with the tasks and functionalities described herein. The gyroscope 54 may be integrated with one or more other data acquisition devices described herein on the same chip or in the same housing, or may be a separate device on a separate chip or in a separate housing. The gyroscope data may be continuously or periodically generated, transmitted to the processor 50 and/or received by it. The gyroscope data may also be generated and transmitted to the processor 50 automatically or on request.

The compass 56 provides data indicating the direction in which the tag 20, and therefore the livestock 12 to which it is attached, are facing relative to cardinal directions such as north, south, east and west. The data provided by the compass 56 is used to determine the geographic direction of the livestock 12. This, in turn, can be used to help track the location of the livestock 12, predict where it will go, and determine certain activities, behaviors and physical conditions of the livestock 12. The compass can be a commercially available solid-state magnetometer based on microelectromechanical systems or another type of magnetometer that is suitable for implementing and consistent with the tasks and functionality described herein. The compass 56 can be combined with one or more other data acquisition devices described herein on the same chip or in the same housing, or can be a separate device on a separate chip or in a separate housing. The compass data may be continuously or periodically generated, transmitted to, and/or received by the processor 50. The compass data may also be generated and transmitted to the processor 50 automatically or on request.

The altimeter 58 and/or the barometer 59 provide data indicating the altitude above sea level or the altitude level of the tag 20 and, therefore, the livestock 12 to which it is attached. The altimeter 58 and/or the barometer 59 can provide data indicating the altitude above sea level or the altitude level relative to sea level or another altitude reference level, or data indicating a relative change in the altitude above sea level or the altitude level over time. For example, the barometer 59 (or the altimeter 58) may not always be able to determine a change in altitude above sea level reflecting the behavior of the animal if it is limited to absolute barometric pressure, especially in an encased tag. But by using relative changes in barometric pressure, the barometer 59 can detect small changes in pressure that occur over very short intervals of time to determine whether, for example, the animal has changed position so as to affect the relative altitude above sea level (e.g., a change in altitude) of the tag. The data provided by the altimeter 58 and/or the barometer 59 may be used to assist in tracking the location of the livestock 12. The change or lack of change in the altitude level may also be used to determine certain activities, behaviors, and health or physical conditions of the livestock 12. The altimeter 58 may be a commercially available solid-state microelectromechanical systems altimeter, a piezoelectric altimeter, or another type of altimeter that is suitable for implementing and consistent with the objectives and functionalities described herein. The altimeter 58 may be integrated with one or more other data acquisition devices described herein on the same chip or in the same housing, or may be a separate device on a separate chip or in a separate housing. The altimeter data may be continuously or periodically generated, transmitted to, and/or received by, the processor 50. Altimeter data can also be generated and transmitted to the processor 50 automatically or on request.

The barometer 59, the air temperature sensor 74 and the humidity sensor 76 provide data indicative of environmental conditions and weather-related conditions in which the tag 20 operates. The data provided by these sensors can be used to determine whether conditions are suitable or unsuitable for the tag 20 to transmit data. The data can also be used to determine the existence of meteorological conditions that may create a risk to the livestock 12 and that may require generating a warning and/or taking action to protect the livestock 12, such as moving it to a hangar or another location. The barometer 59, the air temperature sensor 74 and the humidity sensor 76 can be a commercially available solid state diode, a capacitive sensor with a ceramic dielectric, a sensor based on microelectromechanical systems, a piezoelectric sensor, a bimetallic sensor or other sensors or a combination thereof that are suitable for implementing and consistent with the tasks and functionalities described herein. Each or all of the barometer 59, the air temperature sensor 74 and the humidity sensor 76 may be combined with each other and with one or more of the other data collection devices described herein on the same chip or in the same housing or may be separate devices on separate chips or in separate housings. The data of the barometer 59, the air temperature sensor 74 and the humidity sensor 76 may be continuously or periodically generated, transmitted to and/or received by the processor 50. The data may also be generated and transmitted to the processor 50 automatically or on request.

Non-volatile memory (NVM) 60 provides long-term storage for the operating system, for certain unchangeable or rarely changing parameters, settings and data related to the tag 20 and its functions and operations, such as the BIOS, as well as for programs, applications, models and related parameters and data, etc., which are desirable to be permanently or semi-permanently stored in the tag 20. Some or all of these items may be copied or transferred to the volatile memory component for execution by the processor 50. NVM 60 preferably comprises a type of memory that is rewritable, so that the stored data, programs, models, etc. may be changed from time to time, such as to include changes or updates. Suitable types of memory for such purposes include flash memory of the complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) type or other electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM).

The communication interface (COMMS) 62 provides interfaces for a number of different communication channels over which the tag 20 can transmit data. These include channels for communicating with one or more sensors 32 implanted in and/or attached to the livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is attached, with other nearby tags 20, with nearby local sensors and transceivers 34, with the control system platform 140, with the remote computer system 220 and with the global positioning satellites 83. The COMMS interface 62 also provides data concerning, among other things, the status and availability of connections over communication channels, and data concerning the signal levels of available connections. The COMMS interface 62 is described in more detail below with reference to Fig. 5.

The components in the form of a light-emitting diode 64, a microphone (MIC) 66, a tone generator 68 with a speaker, a stimulator 70 and a camera 72 are adapted and made with the possibility of collecting various forms of data from the external environment and with the possibility of communication and interaction with livestock 12, to which the tag 20 is attached. Like solar cells 28, which contain an external energy collector, at least a part of each of these components can be opened outside the casing 22 of the tag 20 for these purposes.

The LED 64 is controlled by the processor 50 either in response to a determination made locally by the processor 50 or in response to commands or instructions received from the control system platform 140. The processor 50 can control the LED 64 to selectively provide for its activation and deactivation. For example, the processor 50 can provide for a repeated switching on and off of the LED 64 to visually draw attention to the tag 20. This can be used to help identify, distinguish and draw attention to an individual tag 20 attached to an individual animal of the livestock 12, from a plurality of tags 20 attached to a plurality of animals of the livestock 12 of the managed herd, when either the individual tag 20 or the individual animal of the livestock 12 to which it is attached requires individual attention.

The microphone 66 and the camera 72 provide information about sounds and still and/or moving video in the environment around and outside the tag 20 and, in some cases, about the livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is attached. Each of the microphone 66 and the camera 72 can be accessed by the processor 50 either in response to a determination made locally by the processor 50 or in response to a command or instruction received from the control system platform 140. The processor 50 can access each of the microphone 66 and the camera 72 according to a periodic schedule or on a request basis. Additionally, each or any of the microphone 66 and the camera 72 may include a separate control circuit that allows the microphone 66 and/or the camera 72 to automatically respond to a stimulus in the form of sound and/or video, independently of the processor 50, and to transmit data regarding the stimulus in the form of sound and/or video to the processor 50. Alternatively, the microphone 66 and the camera 72 may share a common control circuit for this purpose. For example, the microphone 66 may be controlled to automatically respond to a sound having a volume above a threshold level, or to a sound of a particular type, such as a particular type of sound occurring in the external environment or made by livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is attached. Similarly, the camera 72 may be controlled to automatically respond to certain detected shapes or movements in the external environment.

The audio and video data provided by the microphone 66 and/or the camera 72 assist in determining the occurrence of certain events external to the livestock 12, such as a nearby gunshot or the approach of a predator or vehicle. They also assist in determining certain activities, behaviors, and health-related and other physical conditions of the livestock 12. For example, the detection of repeated or continuous screaming or mooing sounds by the microphone 66 may indicate that the livestock 12 animal is sick or injured, separated from its young, or that a predator is nearby. The microphone may also be used to detect coughing or other sounds to help determine whether the livestock 12 animal is sick. Similarly, the detection of some video may indicate that the livestock 12 animal is lying down, sick or injured, trapped, etc., or that the livestock 12 animal is engaging in some behavior, such as mating.

The tone generator 68 and the stimulator 70 are controlled by the processor 50 either in response to a determination made locally by the processor 50 or in response to commands or instructions received from the control system platform 140. The processor 50 selectively causes the tone generator 68 to produce a tone or sound that can be heard by the livestock 12. The tone or sound can be one of a plurality of selectable tones or sounds. The processor 50 selectively causes the stimulator 70 to generate a physical stimulus that can be sensed by the livestock 12. The stimulus can be one or more of a plurality of selectable physical stimuli. The stimulus can include various tactile sensations such as vibration, buzzing, rumbling, or other perceptible stimuli. The processor 50 may cause the tone generator 68 to generate a tone or sound and the stimulator 70 to generate a stimulus in response to a detected or determined phenomenon or event external to the tag 20 and/or the livestock 12, a detected or determined activity or behavior of the livestock 12, or a determined health-related or other physical condition of the livestock 12, etc. For example, the tone generator 68 may be caused to generate a tone or sound and/or the stimulator 70 may be caused to generate a stimulus when it is detected that the livestock 12 has left a designated area or entered an unauthorized area, such as going beyond a geofence, to warn the livestock 12 of the need to return. The tone generator 68 may also be caused to generate a tone or sound in an attempt to scare away a predator that is detected nearby. It may also be provided for the tone generator 68 to generate a tone or sound, potentially associated with the activated light-emitting diode 64, for identifying, distinguishing and drawing attention to an individual tag 20 attached to an individual animal of the livestock 12 of the managed herd, when either the individual tag 20 or the individual animal of the livestock 12 to which it is attached requires individual attention.

In addition to the above, the processor 50 also communicates with the power source 42 and the communication interface 62 and controls them. The processor 50 can receive or determine the level of charge or electricity and/or the state of change of the rechargeable energy battery 48 from the power source 42. For example, the processor 50 can detect the voltage level of the rechargeable energy battery 48, such as a battery or a supercapacitor, and/or detect the charging current supplied by the charging circuit 46 through an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). Depending on the type of the power source 42, other means can also be used, such as a gas meter or a battery model implemented in the processor 50. The processor 50 receives or determines the status, availability and signal levels of connections through various communication channels that the tag 20 can use to transmit data from the communication interface 62. This data from the power source 42 and/or the communication interface 62 can be used alone or in combination with the data provided by the other elements and components described above to determine whether the tag 20 has enough power to transmit its data to other nearby tags 20 in the dynamic local mesh network and/or directly to the control system platform 140 or to the remote computer system 220. They are also used to determine which tag 20 in the dynamic local mesh network is the optimal tag, i.e., is in the best condition, for transmitting the aggregated data on the livestock of the tags 20 in the local network, and whether it has enough power and signal strength to do so. The data can also be used as a trigger for the tag 20 to generate and transmit to the control system platform 140 a warning or alert indicating a low power consumption or low signal level condition, a malfunction and/or a service request.

Referring to Fig. 5, each tag 20 is adapted and configured to communicate via its communication interface 62 with one or more sensors 32 implanted in and/or attached to the livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is attached, with the platform 140 of the control system, with the remote computer system 220, with any other nearby tags 20 and with any nearby local sensors and transceivers 34. The communication interface 62 of each tag 20 may comprise a receiver 82 of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and one or more of a Bluetooth transceiver 84, a cellular network transceiver 86, a satellite data network transceiver, one or more LPWAN transceivers 88 and an RFID transceiver 92. Although not identified separately, each receiver and transceiver has a suitable corresponding antenna or antennas. Each of the receivers and transceivers of the communication interface 62 communicates with the processor 50 via the bus 78. Each of the receivers and transceivers can be separate, or one or more of them can be combined in one or more chips and / or housings with each other and / or with other components or can be included in the processor 50. For example, in one embodiment, the Bluetooth and LPWAN transceivers 84, 88 can be combined with the processor 50, and one or more of the GNSS receiver 82, the satellite data transceiver and the cellular transceiver 86 can be combined with each other or with another component.

The GNSS receiver 82 receives global satellite positioning signals from the satellites 83 and determines, based on the signals, the position of the tag 20 and, consequently, the livestock 12 to which it is attached, in terms of latitude and longitude. The GNSS receiver 82 may provide a commercially available receiver that is adapted and configured to receive global positioning satellite signals from one or more national and/or regional global positioning satellite constellations. Suitable constellations and systems include, but are not limited to, GPS (Navstar), GLONASS, Galileo and Beidou. The GNSS receiver 82 preferably used is a receiver designed for use in battery-powered devices and is characterized by very low power consumption. For example, some commercially available GNSS receivers designed for low-power applications operate periodically to receive satellite signals and determine a position, and then go into a sleep state between position determinations to reduce power consumption. Some receivers also receive satellite position data (ephemeris) over low-power terrestrial network connections rather than via satellite links to reduce power consumption.

The Bluetooth transceiver 84 operates to transmit and receive data wirelessly from other nearby Bluetooth transceivers that are within the range of Bluetooth signals. The Bluetooth transceiver 84 may provide a commercially available Bluetooth transceiver and preferably a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) transceiver that is characterized by low power consumption compared to traditional Bluetooth transceivers. In addition to each of the tags 20, the Bluetooth transceivers 84 may also be built into a sensor (sensors) 32 implanted (implanted) in and/or attached (attached) to the livestock 12 to which the tags 20 are attached, and into local sensors and transceivers 34 that are placed in various areas or locations of the managed property where the livestock 12 may be present. Such a sensor (such sensors) 32 and the local sensors and transceivers 34 are described in detail in the sections below. Each tag 20 is thus adapted and configured to communicate wirelessly and directly with the sensor(s) 32 of the livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is attached, and with each other nearby tag 20 and each local sensor and transceiver 34 within the range of the Bluetooth signals via their respective Bluetooth transceivers 84.

It should be understood that the Bluetooth transceiver 84 is one specific type of radio frequency transceiver that can form a wireless local area network (LAN) of some type and that is suitable for wireless communication of a relatively short range at relatively low data rates. It is expected and will be understood that other types of transceivers or wireless communication interfaces, such as a Wi-Fi transceiver, for example, IEEE 802.11a, b, g, n, can be used in addition to or instead of the Bluetooth transceiver 84. Wi-Fi transceivers are typically configured to transmit data at a significantly higher data rate and over longer distances than Bluetooth transceivers. However, they also consume more power than Bluetooth transceivers.

The Bluetooth transceivers may also be built into one or more commercially available Bluetooth gateways or hubs 85, which may be placed in one or more areas or locations of the managed property where livestock 12 may be present. The Bluetooth gateways/hubs 85, in turn, may have one or more wireless and/or wired connections to one or more other data networks to which the management system platform 140 and/or the remote computer system 220 are connected. Such other networks may include, for example, a TCP/IP-based LAN or an HTTP-based WAN, such as the Internet. The Bluetooth gateways/hubs 85 thus provide for the nearby tags 20, which are within the range of Bluetooth signals, at least one longer-range communication channel, so that the tags 20 communicate wirelessly and directly with the control system platform 140 and/or the remote computer system 220. One or more Bluetooth gateways or hubs 85 can also be adapted and configured to function as Bluetooth repeaters. In this case, the tags 20, which are not within the range of Bluetooth signals with each other, can still communicate with each other wirelessly via Bluetooth.

The cellular network transceiver 86 operates to wirelessly transmit data to and receive data from the tag 20 over relatively long distances (longer than Bluetooth or Wi-Fi) via one or more cellular networks. Such a longer-range communication channel allows the tag 20 to send and receive data even when the livestock 12 to which it is attached is not in the vicinity of a shorter-range transceiver, such as Bluetooth, for example, when the livestock 12 is in an unfenced pasture. The cellular network transceiver 86 may be a commercially available transceiver that is adapted and configured to transmit data over one or more cellular networks, including, but not limited to, cellular networks based on CDMA, WCDMA, GSM, GPRS, LTE, EDGE, UMTS and iDEN. The cellular network transceiver 86 communicates with one or more cellular towers 87 within the range of cellular signals. Commercially available cellular network transceivers are typically configured to transmit data signals to cellular towers 87 at a distance of up to approximately forty-five miles, depending on conditions. The cellular towers 87 can exchange data in both directions between individual tags 20 and the management system platform 140 and/or the remote computer system 220 directly via the cellular network or via the cellular network and an intermediate LAN or WAN network, including, but not limited to, the Internet. The transmitted data may be data of an individual tag 20 or data aggregated from a plurality of tags 20 in a dynamic local mesh network, as further described below. One or more cellular amplifiers, repeaters and/or gateways may also form part of the cellular communication channel between the tag 20 and the management system platform 140 and/or the remote computer system 220.

The satellite data network transceiver, if enabled, is a complement to the GNSS receiver 82. The satellite data network transceiver operates to wirelessly transmit data to and receive data from the tag 20 over relatively long ranges (longer than Bluetooth or Wi-Fi), similar to the cellular network transceiver 86, except that the transmission occurs via one or more satellite data networks such as OrbComm, Iridium or Global star.

The LPWAN transceiver 88 operates to wirelessly transmit data to and receive data from the tag 20 over relatively long distances (longer than Bluetooth or Wi-Fi) with very low power consumption. The LPWAN transceiver 88 may be a commercially available LPWAN transceiver, such as a LORA or Sigfox transceiver. The LPWAN transceiver may provide one or more different LPWAN transceivers. The LPWAN transceivers 88 are designed in particular for use in applications that require very low power consumption, such as battery-powered IoT sensor applications, and are currently configured to transmit data over distances of up to approximately thirty miles, depending on conditions. Similar to cellular and satellite network communication links, the LPWAN communication link enables the tag 20 to send and receive data even when the livestock 12 to which it is attached is not in the vicinity of a shorter-range transceiver, such as Bluetooth, such as when the livestock 12 is in an unfenced pasture. Commercially available LPWAN transceivers are typically smaller and consume less power than comparable commercially available cellular and satellite transceivers, but typically have lower bandwidth and data rates. The LPWAN transceiver 88 may communicate with one or more LPWAN gateways 89 within signal range. The LPWAN gateways 89 can exchange data in both directions between individual tags 20 and between tags 20 and the management system platform 140 and/or the remote computer system 220 via one or more intermediate LAN, WAN, cellular and/or satellite networks. The transmitted data can be data of an individual tag 20 or data aggregated from a plurality of tags 20 in a dynamic local mesh network, as further described in the sections below. One or more signal amplifiers and/or repeaters can also form part of the LPWAN communication channel between a tag 20 and other tags and/or between a tag 20 and the management system platform 140 and/or the remote computer system 220.

The RFID transceiver 92, if enabled, operates to transmit and receive data wirelessly from other nearby RFID transceivers that are within the signal range. The RFID transceiver 92 may be a commercially available RFID transceiver. In addition to each of the tags 20, the RFID transceivers 92 may also be built into a sensor(s) 32 implanted into and/or attached to the livestock 12 to which the tags 20 are attached, and into local sensors and transceivers 34 that are placed in various areas or locations of the managed property where the livestock 12 may be present. Such a sensor(s) 32 and the local sensors and transceivers 34 are further described below. Each tag 20 is thus adapted and configured to communicate wirelessly and directly with the sensor(s) 32 implanted in and/or attached to the livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is attached, and with each other nearby tag 20 and each local sensor and transceiver 34 within the range of the RFID signals via their respective RFID transceivers 92.

It should be understood that some or all of the communication functions performed by the RFID transceiver 92 integrated into the tag 20 may also be performed by the Bluetooth transceiver 84 and/or the LPWAN transceiver 88. Accordingly, the RFID transceiver 92 may not be necessary and may not be included in all embodiments.

If the RFID transceiver 92 is included, instead of being embedded in the tag 20, it can be embedded in a chip that is configured to be implanted in the ear or other part of the body of the livestock 12 separately from the tag 20. In this case, the chip and the RFID transceiver 92 can be powered externally by sunlight, laser light or energy from an external RFID reader or scanner. When included, the chip and the RFID transceiver 92 will be adapted and configured to communicate directly with the tag 20 and to transfer its information directly to the tag 20. The chip can also be read by a scanner/reader, for example, to identify the animal with which the tag 20 is associated when the tag 20 has become detached and fallen from the animal. Such data may include, but is not limited to, information identifying the livestock 12 and the associated tag 20, such as a unique identification number and tag identifier. The RFID chip and transceiver 92 may thus function as a redundant backup copy of the tag data if the tag 20 becomes detached, damaged, or otherwise becomes inaccessible or unusable.

As mentioned above and as illustrated in Fig. 6-7, the tags 20 can be adapted and configured such that when attached to the livestock 12, they can communicate with other nearby tags 20 and nearby local sensors and transceivers 34 and autonomously and automatically organize into one or more dynamic local mesh networks. Depending on the relative locations of an individual animal of the livestock 12 of the managed herd at any given time, one or more dynamic local mesh networks can be formed and exist. Additionally, when an animal of the livestock 12 moves and changes location relative to others, nodes or elements, such as tags 20 and livestock 12, of the various dynamic local mesh networks, as well as the locations of the networks themselves, can dynamically and automatically change. It is expected that in practice with relatively large managed herds, dynamic local mesh networks of more than 20,000 tags 20 may be formed when livestock 12 are aggregated in a relatively small area of a few acres, such as for transportation, sale, slaughter, or in a feedlot. This may lead to situations where tags 20 attached to livestock 12 belonging to different owners or users of the livestock management system 10 may exchange data with each other and transmit aggregated data from different owners or users to the management system platform 140. The management system platform 140 may be configured to limit access to data that is appropriate for each user in a manner described in detail below.

For example, as illustrated in Fig. 6, at one point in time, an individual animal of the livestock C1, C2, C3 and C4 are within the range of the Bluetooth or LPWAN signals of each other and the first local sensor 34. At the same time, the tags 20 attached to an individual animal of the livestock C5, C6 and C7 are within the range of the Bluetooth or LPWAN signals of each other and the second local sensor 34. However, none of the tags 20 attached to C1, C2, C3 and C4 are within the range of the Bluetooth or LPWAN signals of any of the tags 20 attached to C5, C6 or C7. It should be understood that, as used in this description, "range of Bluetooth or LPWAN signals" refers to a range within which the power of the Bluetooth or LPWAN signals is sufficient to establish and maintain reliable communication. Using the mesh network detection and communication methods, the tags 20 attached to C1, C2, C3 and C4 automatically detect and directly communicate with each other and with the first sensor 34 and automatically form a first dynamic local mesh network. Similarly, the tags 20 attached to C5, C6 and C7 automatically detect and directly communicate with each other and with the second sensor 34 and automatically form a second dynamic local mesh network.

As illustrated in Fig. 7, at another point in time, the livestock animal C3 moves and changes location, and the tag 20 attached to it leaves the range of the Bluetooth or LPWAN signals with the tags 20 attached to the livestock C1, C2 and C4 and the first local sensor 34 and enters the range of the Bluetooth or LPWAN signals with at least one of the tags 20 attached to the livestock C5, C6, C7 and the second local sensor 34. Again, using the mesh network detection and communication techniques, the tags 20 attached to C1, C2 and C4 automatically detect that the tag 20 attached to C3 has left the first dynamic local mesh network, automatically reorganize the first dynamic local mesh network and continue to communicate directly with each other and with the first sensor 34. Similarly, at least one of the tags 20 attached to C5, C6 and C7 automatically detects that the tag 20 attached to C3 has entered the range of Bluetooth or LPWAN signals. The tags 20 attached to C6, C5, C6 and C7 automatically reorganize the second dynamic local mesh network to include the tag attached to C6, begin communicating with this tag 20 and continue communicating with each other and with the second sensor 34.

It should be understood that although in the example situations described above, both dynamic local mesh networks include a local sensor and a transceiver 34, it is also possible and in many cases likely that only the tags 20 attached to the livestock 12 will be within range to form a dynamic local mesh network. In such cases, the tags 20 may share data with each other, and one or more tags 20 may transmit aggregated data to the management system platform 140 and/or to the remote computer system 220, as described in detail below, directly and without involving the local sensor and transceiver 34. In another case, for example, one or more tags 20 of a local mesh network that includes a local sensor and a transceiver 34 may not be within range of the local sensor and transceiver 34, but are within range of each other. If at least one other tag 20 of the dynamic local mesh network is within the range of signals of the local sensor and transceiver 34 and within the range of signals of at least one of the tags 20 that are not within the range of signals of the local sensor and transceiver 34, then the tags 20 that are not within the range of the local sensor and transceiver 34 can transmit their data to one or more other tags 20 that are within the range of the local sensor and transceiver 34, and those other tags 20 can then transmit aggregated data to the platform 140 of the control system and/or to the remote computer system 220 through the local sensor and transceiver 34, if necessary. In this way, the geographic range of the dynamic local mesh network can be expanded to cover several miles or more.

The above description regarding the detection of nearby tags 20 and the organization into one or more dynamic local mesh networks based on the location and the range of signals is only one example. As one additional example, it is contemplated and will be understood that the tags 20 can detect more tags 20 that are nearby and within the range of signals than are possible for forming a local mesh network and sharing data. The tags 20 can thus be adapted and configured to form only a dynamic mesh network with the nearest tags 20 that meet predetermined criteria, such as being within a predetermined distance and/or with signal levels above a predetermined value. The tags 20 can also be adapted and configured to limit the number of tags 20 with which they form a local mesh network to a maximum number, such as a predetermined number of tags with the highest signal levels or the greatest proximity.

Each tag 20 may be adapted and configured to receive all or a subset of livestock-related and/or other data, such as operational data, of each other tag 20 in the dynamic local mesh network and to transmit all or a subset of its own livestock-related and/or other data to each other tag 20 in the network. The operational data may comprise, for example, but not limited to, data on signal strength, on the level of stored electrical energy (e.g., battery charge level or voltage level) and on operational conditions. Alternatively, the tag 20 may be adapted and configured to receive and transmit data only to a subset of the other tags 20 in the local mesh network. The subset of tags 20 may be determined based on predetermined criteria similar to the criteria used to determine the tags 20 that make up the local mesh network, such as proximity, signal strength, a predetermined number, etc. Accordingly, the tags 20 in the dynamic local mesh network may have a copy of all or a subset of the livestock-related and other data of every other tag 20 in the network or a subset of the tags 20 in the network. Alternatively, the tags 20 in the dynamic local mesh network may be adapted and configured to transmit all or a subset of their data to a separate tag 20 in the network, such as a tag 20 determined to have optimal conditions for communication with the control system platform 140 and/or the remote computer system 220.

Each tag 20 may be configured to determine, based on its own data and/or based on aggregated data of tags 20 in a dynamic local mesh network, which tag 20 is in an optimal state for transmitting aggregated data of tags 20 to the platform 140 of the control system and/or to the remote computer system 220 via one of the communication channels described above, such as cellular, satellite, Bluetooth and/or LPWAN. This determination may be made based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, relative power levels, relative signal strengths and relative conditions for transmission, such as atmospheric or meteorological conditions.

Each tag 20 may be further adapted and configured to determine whether and when to transmit aggregated data to the control system platform 140 and/or to the remote computer system 220. This determination may be made internally based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, time and date, conditions for transmission, such as atmospheric or meteorological conditions, signal conditions and power levels, and/or other operating conditions of the tag 20 itself. The tag 20 may also be initiated to transmit data in response to external input received from a user, from the control system platform 140, or from the remote computer system 220.

3. Functions, data and logical sequence.

Each tag 20 is adapted and configured to operate autonomously in most cases. Accordingly, each tag 20 is adapted and configured to autonomously and automatically receive or collect, receive and locally perform maintenance of data and information, including data and information about an individual animal from the livestock 12 to which it is attached. Each tag 20 is configured to autonomously and automatically process data and information locally and to autonomously and automatically perform various livestock management functions and operations locally. As illustrated graphically in Fig. 8, each tag 20 typically follows a logical sequence for receiving and processing data and information and for performing livestock management functions and operations. However, it should be understood that the sequence illustrated in Fig. 8 is only an example of one possible sequence and one example of data, information and functions that can be included in the sequence. In addition, it should be understood that the sequence illustrated in Fig. 8 is intended to be logical in nature and is not intended to be interpreted as necessarily requiring a linear and sequential sequence of execution of all illustrated steps or activities. Rather, multiple logical steps and activities illustrated in Fig. 8 may be performed in various orders and simultaneously or sequentially.

As shown in block 94, the tag 20 receives or obtains various data and information. The data and information may include, but is not necessarily limited to, data and information about an individual animal of the livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is connected. For example, the tag 20 may receive or obtain data about the orientation of the livestock 12 from the gyroscope 54, the direction of the livestock 12 from the compass 56, and the elevation of the livestock 12 from the altimeter 58. The tag 20 may also receive or obtain data about the movement of the livestock 12, such as the direction and speed value, from the accelerometer 52 and the absolute position or location from the GNSS receiver 82. The tag 20 may also receive data about the relative distance and angle between the livestock 12 and other nearby livestock 12 from the Bluetooth transceiver 84. The tag 20 may also receive or obtain data on one or more physical parameters, conditions and/or activities of the livestock 12, including but not limited to its internal body temperature, from one or more sensors 32, as described in detail below. The tag 20 may also receive or obtain audio information from the microphone 66 and video information from the camera 72, as described above. The tag 20 is preferably adapted and configured to receive, obtain or select some or all of the data necessary to enable it to perform the livestock management functions described herein, systematically and periodically at the same or different time intervals.

The tag 20 may also receive data and information about and from other tags 20. As described above, the tag 20 may detect and identify other nearby tags 20 and may automatically organize itself into a dynamic local mesh network with other tags 20 based on predetermined criteria, such as proximity, signal strength, and quantity. The tag 20 may receive data and information from some or all of the other tags 20 in the local mesh network and may transmit its own data and information to some or all of the other tags 20 in the network also based on predetermined criteria. The data received from the other tags 20 may include, but is not limited to, livestock-related and operational data, absolute position or location, as well as relative position and angle relative to the receiving tag 20 and relative to the other tags 20 in the dynamic local mesh network.

The tag 20 also receives or detects data and information about itself. Such data and information may include, but is not limited to, diagnostic data, such as detected faults, errors or other conditions in components or elements of the tag 20, and operational data, such as power level, signal power levels from various interfaces of the communication interface 62, etc.

The tag 20 may also receive or receive data and information from local sensors and transceivers 34 that are within the signal range. For example, such data and information may include, but is not limited to, the weight of livestock 12 from a scale, the presence of livestock 12 at a feeding or watering point from a proximity or presence sensor, etc.

The tag 20 may also receive or receive data and information from the platform 140 of the control system and/or the remote computer system 220. For example, the tag 20 may receive data and information that contains or is related to the health status, medical history, ownership, location of the herder and/or other objects related to the livestock 12 that are to remain permanently or semi-permanently in the tag 20.

In block 96, tag 20 stores some or all of the received, received or sampled data locally in its volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory for subsequent use in performing the various livestock management functions and operations described herein and for subsequent communication with other tags 20 and with the management system platform 140 and/or the remote computer system 220. Tag 20 is preferably adapted and configured to store each instance or sample of an element of data and information that is received or obtained systematically over time, such as an absolute location, a relative distance and angle, an orientation, a direction, an internal temperature, etc., in its local memory with a corresponding date and time of receipt of such instance or sample. An exemplary logical structure for the data and information received and stored by tag 20 is shown in Fig. 9 and described below.

In block 98, the tag 20 autonomously and automatically processes some or all of the received and stored data locally and autonomously and automatically performs various livestock management functions and operations locally. In a broad sense, the tag 20 is adapted and configured to perform functions and operations that include and are based on detecting, monitoring and tracking the absolute location of the livestock 12, as well as the position and orientation of the livestock 12 relative to other nearby livestock 12. The tag 20 is also adapted and configured to perform functions and operations that include detecting, determining and monitoring certain physical parameters, activities and behaviors of the livestock 12, as well as determining health-related and other physical conditions of the livestock 12 that are related thereto. The tag 20 is also adapted and configured to perform functions and operations that include detecting the presence of external conditions that may indicate a threat or risk to the well-being of the livestock 12. The tag 20 is preferably adapted and configured to store any determinations made and any data or information generated in connection with the performance of such functions and operations in its local memory for future use and/or transmission.

In particular, the tag 20 may detect, monitor and track the absolute location of the livestock 12 and determine whether the livestock 12 is within a designated grazing area and identify the grazing area. This data may be used to manage the use of the available grazing areas by the livestock 12. Among other data and parameters stored in the tag 20, coordinates that define one or more virtual perimeter boundaries or geozones in connection with a controlled area, such as a ranch, may be stored, for example, in the non-volatile memory 60. Such virtual perimeter boundaries or geozones may, for example, be defined in such a way that they pass around one or more designated grazing areas within the controlled area. The tag 20 is adapted and configured to determine whether the livestock 12 is within one of the designated grazing areas and to identify the designated area by plotting or comparing the absolute location of the livestock 12 relative to the coordinates of each grazing area delimited by the virtual boundary or geofence. If the location of the livestock 12 is within the range of coordinates corresponding to the grazing area delimited by the virtual boundary, the livestock 12 is determined to be within the grazing area. Otherwise, it is not.

The tag 20 may also detect, monitor and track the absolute location of the livestock 12 and may determine the amount of time the livestock 12 has been present in a particular designated grazing area. Together with data regarding some activity of the livestock, such as eating, this data may be used to manage the use of the available grazing areas by the livestock 12, as well as to monitor the intake of the livestock 12. The tag 20 is adapted and configured to systematically receive the location of the livestock 12 from the GNSS receiver 82 at periodic time intervals and to store each instance of the received location in its local memory with the corresponding date and time of receiving the location. The tag 20 is adapted and configured to determine the time that has passed since the livestock 12 was present in the designated pasture area based on the difference between the dates and times when the location of the livestock 12 was determined to be within the range of coordinates corresponding to the designated pasture area and when it was determined that it was not within the range.

The tag 20 can also detect, monitor and track the absolute location of the livestock 12 and monitor and track where and when the livestock 12 ate and, possibly, how long it ate. This data can be used not only to monitor the intake of the livestock 12, but also to help protect the health of the livestock 12. For example, if the livestock 12 becomes ill, the past location of the livestock and the history of food intake can be traced back to determine whether the disease was caused by something that the livestock 12 ingested and when and where the livestock 12 came into contact with the source of the disease. The livestock 12 can then be treated appropriately and the disease state can be identified, localized and eliminated. As further described below, the tag 20 is adapted and configured to determine, based on data received from the gyroscope 54 and possibly the accelerometer 52 and/or the altimeter 58, when the livestock 12 is engaged in an activity associated with eating. The tag 20 is further adapted and configured to correlate the determined activity associated with eating with the absolute location of the livestock 12 at a time to determine where and when the livestock 12 ate. The tag 20 can determine how long the livestock 12 ate at a particular location in a manner similar to how the tag 20 determines how long the livestock 12 was present in a designated pasture area, as described above.

The tag 20 may also detect, monitor, and track the absolute location of the livestock 12 and determine the number of times the livestock 12 visits an object of interest in the controlled area. Objects of interest may include, for example, feed and/or water points or sources, swamps, barns, rocks, gates, passages, alleys, roads, sheds, mineral springs, houses, etc. The tag 20 may also determine the identification information of the object of interest, when the livestock 12 was there, and how much time the livestock 12 spent there. This data may be used to monitor the intake of the livestock 12 and to manage the use of consumable resources by the livestock 12, the stock of such resources, etc. The data may also be used to detect potentially dangerous conditions and to monitor the health of the livestock 12. For example, repeated visits to a road may pose a danger to the livestock 12 and may indicate the need to take action. A decrease in the number of trips to the watering hole may indicate the presence of a respiratory disease in the livestock 12, which may require treatment. The location and identification information of one or more objects of interest in the controlled area may be among the data and parameters stored in the tag 20, for example, in the non-volatile memory 60. The tag 20 is adapted and configured to correlate the location data of the livestock 12 with the stored locations of the objects of interest to determine when the livestock 12 is in the vicinity thereof. The tag 20 can determine how long the livestock 12 have been present in a particular object of interest in a manner similar to how the tag 20 determines how long the livestock 12 have been present in a designated pasture area, as described above.

The tag 20 may also be configured and adapted to detect the presence of livestock 12 at a particular feeding or watering point or other object of interest by communicating with a local sensor and transceiver 34 located at or near the object of interest. For example, an RFID reader or scanner, a photocell or other sensor may detect the presence of the tag 20 and/or livestock 12 at or near a particular feeding or watering point, swamp, barn, etc. and transmit this data and the identification information of the object of interest to the tag 20.

The tag 20 may also detect, monitor and track the absolute location of the livestock 12 and determine whether the livestock 12 has crossed a perimeter boundary or a geofence of a rangeland or a managed area. The livestock 12 may cross such a boundary for several reasons. They may simply wander along the boundary, or they may be transported or shipped across the boundary. Accordingly, this data may be used not only to prevent the loss/theft of the livestock 12, but also to prevent the livestock 12 from mixing with neighboring herds and/or damaging neighboring property, and to prevent the livestock 12 from being struck by a vehicle or otherwise injured, etc.

The tag 20 may be configured and adapted to determine whether the livestock 12 has crossed the perimeter boundary in a manner similar to that used to determine whether the livestock 12 is within the designated grazing area, as described above. As described above, the tag 20 is configured and adapted to systematically receive data on the location of the livestock 12 from the GNSS receiver 82 at periodic time intervals and to store each instance of the received location in its local memory with the corresponding date and time of receiving the location. The tag 20 is configured and adapted to plot or compare each received location of the livestock 12 relative to the coordinates of the grazing area(s) and/or the controlled area, limited by one or more virtual perimeter boundaries or geofences. Determining that the obtained location is outside the range of coordinates corresponding to the area within the virtual boundary, when the location obtained at an earlier time was within the range, indicates that the livestock 12 has crossed the virtual boundary.

The tag 20 may also detect, monitor and track the absolute location of the livestock 12 and determine approximately when, where and how the livestock 12 crossed the boundary. The tag 20 may be adapted and configured to determine approximately when the livestock 12 crossed the boundary using any number of approaches. For example, the tag 20 may assume that the livestock 12 follows a straight line at a fixed normal predetermined pace between the last received location that was within the boundary and the first received location outside the boundary, and calculate an approximate time of crossing the boundary by the livestock 12. The approximate time of crossing the boundary by the livestock 12 may be easily calculated by calculating the distance between the last received location within the boundary and the boundary, calculating the length of time that the livestock 12 travels this distance with the assumed direction and pace, and adding the calculated time to the time corresponding to the last received location within the boundary. It should be understood that the calculation can also be performed using data on the direction and speed of movement of livestock 12 obtained from the accelerometer 52 and the compass 56, rather than the estimated values, and the use of such data can give a more accurate result.

The tag 20 may similarly determine approximately where the livestock 12 crossed the boundary by assuming that the livestock 12 followed a straight line between the last received location that was within the boundary and the first received location outside the boundary, and calculating the intersection point of the straight line and the boundary. It should be understood that instead of assuming that the livestock 12 followed a straight line, or in combination with it, actual data on the direction of the livestock 12 obtained from the accelerometer 52 and the compass 56 can be used to calculate the intersection point, and the use of such data can give a more accurate result.

It is contemplated and will be understood that the tag 20 may also be adapted and configured to determine that the livestock 12 has crossed or is about to cross a perimeter boundary of the controlled area by means of communication between the tag 20 and one or more local sensors and transceivers 34. For example, a plurality of local sensors and transceivers 34 may be located at distant locations corresponding to a virtual perimeter boundary of the controlled area. The livestock 12 may be in physical proximity to one or more local sensors and transceivers 34 and within their signal range when the livestock 12 approaches and crosses the perimeter boundary. The tag 20 and the local sensors and transceivers 34 may then communicate and exchange data with each other and/or with the management system platform 140 to indicate not only that the livestock 12 has approached or crossed the perimeter boundary, but also where this occurred. Such a link may be used either alone or in combination with any or all of the other approaches described in this document to detect livestock 12 crossing a perimeter boundary.

The tag 20 can determine how the livestock 12 crossed the border based on the speed data obtained from the accelerometer 52. For example, the speed data at approximately the time the livestock 12 crossed the border, indicating that the livestock 12 was moving at a normal, relatively low speed value, indicates that the livestock 12 was probably just wandering along the border on its own. However, the data from the accelerometer 52 indicating that the livestock 12 was moving at an abnormally high speed value, indicates that the livestock 12 was probably transported across the border in a vehicle and may have been stolen.

The tag 20 can also detect, monitor and track the absolute location of the livestock 12 and detect and determine the existence of a potential theft situation, regardless of whether the tag 20 detects that the livestock 12 has crossed the boundary of the perimeter of the controlled area. For example, the tag 20 can determine, based on the location data received from the GNSS receiver 82, together with the speed of movement data and the direction data received from the accelerometer 52, that the livestock 12 is at a location and is moving in a direction and at a speed that indicate a potential theft. For example, a location on or near a roadway, a direction consistent with the direction of the roadway, and an abnormally high speed of movement, such as 20 miles per hour, together can indicate that the livestock 12 has been stolen and is being transported from the controlled area.

In addition to detecting, monitoring and tracking the absolute location of the livestock 12, the tag 20 may also detect, monitor and track the relative position and orientation of the livestock 12 relative to other nearby livestock 12 and may use such data to determine the health of the livestock 12 and the health of a young livestock, such as a calf. The tag 20 may also determine, based on such data, when the livestock 12 is in estrus and that fertilization and/or insemination has likely occurred. The tag 20 may also generate data used to track genetic data and family pedigree of the livestock 12.

The tag 20 is adapted and configured to determine the relative position and orientation of the livestock 12 relative to other livestock 12 based on data received from at least the Bluetooth transceiver 84, the gyroscope 54 and, possibly, the altimeter 58 and the barometer 59. The Bluetooth transceiver 84 can receive and provide data on the distance and angular direction between the tag 20 and other nearby tags 20, and, therefore, the distance and angular direction between the livestock 12 to which the tags 20 are attached, based on wireless signals transmitted between the respective Bluetooth transceivers 84 of the tags 20. As described above, the gyroscope 54 in each tag 20 provides data on the orientation of the tag 20 and, therefore, the livestock 12 to which it is attached. By comparing the orientation data from the nearest tags 20, the tag 20 can determine the orientation of the livestock 12 to which it is attached relative to other nearby livestock 12. Similarly, the altimeter 58 in each tag 20 provides the altitude level data of the tag 20 and, therefore, the livestock 12 to which it is attached. By comparing the altitude level data from the nearest tags 20, the tag 20 can determine the altitude level of the livestock 12 to which it is attached relative to the altitude level of other nearby livestock 12. The tag 20 can determine certain activities of the livestock 12 based on the relative position, orientation and altitude level data, such as the activity of climbing for insemination.

The tag 20 can also detect, monitor and track the relative position and orientation of the livestock 12 relative to other nearby livestock 12 from a group or herd and determine that the livestock 12 may have a health-related problem. For example, if the tag 20 determines that the livestock 12 has remained relatively farther from the group or herd than other livestock 12 for a certain period of time, this may indicate that the livestock 12 is sick, injured or has another health-related problem. Similarly, if the tag 20 determines that the livestock 12 cannot remain in the vicinity of other livestock 12 when the other livestock 12 move together as a group or herd, this can also indicate that the livestock 12 is sick, injured or has another health-related problem. Also similarly, if the tag 20 determines that the livestock 12 has maintained an orientation and possibly a height level that is different from other livestock 12 in the group or herd, for example, an orientation and a height level that indicates that the livestock 12 has its head lower than the average level compared to an established baseline for the animal, or is lying on the ground when other livestock 12 in the group or herd are standing and/or moving, this may also indicate that the livestock 12 is sick, injured, or has another health-related problem.

In a similar manner, the tag 20 may determine whether the baby livestock 12 may have a health-related problem based on the relative positions and orientations of the livestock 12 and its baby over time and/or based on the relative positions and orientations of the livestock 12 and/or its baby relative to other nearby livestock 12 from a group or herd over time. For example, if the tag 20 determines that the baby livestock cannot remain in relatively close proximity to the livestock 12 for a period of time, this may indicate that the baby livestock has been separated or lost, or that it may have an illness, injury, or other health-related problem. Similarly, if the tag 20 determines that the livestock 12 and/or its young remain at a relatively greater distance from the group/herd than other livestock 12 in the group or herd, or fails to remain in relative proximity to other livestock 12 when the other livestock 12 moves with the group or herd, this may also indicate that the young livestock is sick, injured, or has another health-related problem. Also similarly, if the tag 20 determines that the livestock 12 and its young have maintained relatively different orientations and, possibly, elevation levels over a period of time, such as orientations and elevation levels that indicate that the livestock 12 is standing while its young are lying on the ground, this may also indicate that the young livestock may have an illness, injury, or another health-related problem.

The tag 20 may also detect, monitor and track the relative position, angle and orientation of the livestock 12 relative to other nearby livestock 12 and determine or confirm when the livestock 12, such as a cow, is in estrus. The automatic and autonomous determination by the tag 20 that the livestock 12 is in estrus reduces the burden on the herder and/or herder of physically monitoring the herd and making this determination with respect to potentially hundreds or thousands of livestock 12. Thus, it also reduces the likelihood that the estrus state of an individual livestock 12 will be missed and, if this livestock 12 animal is to be artificially inseminated, increases the likelihood that the insemination will be performed at the optimal time for successful pregnancy. Automatic and autonomous detection of the estrus status of each tag 20 can thus improve the conception rates during artificial insemination, reduce the labor costs of those performing artificial insemination, and increase the pregnancy rate and calving productivity of the entire herd.

The tag 20 may determine or confirm that the cow is in estrus, at least in part, by detecting, monitoring, and tracking the relative distance between the cow and other livestock 12 in the group or herd. For example, before an active estrus, the cow may appear nervous and restless. A typical cow behavior at this time is to isolate and distance itself from other livestock 12 in the group or herd, such as walking along a fence line in search of a bull. Thus, by determining that the cow has isolated and distanced itself from other livestock 12 in the group or herd and remains isolated and distanced for a period of time, the tag 20 may determine that the cow is in estrus or is about to enter estrus.

The tag 20 may also determine or confirm that the cow is in a state of estrus, at least in part by determining that the cow is in close proximity to other livestock 12, and that the angle or direction between the cow and the other livestock 12 is consistent with the other livestock 12 mounting the cow, or the cow mounting the other livestock 12. As described above, the distance and angle between the cow and the other livestock 12 may be obtained based on signals transmitted wirelessly between the Bluetooth transceivers 84 or the LPWAN transceivers 88 in their respective tags 20. It should be understood that each tag 20 will have data on whether the livestock 12 to which it is attached is a cow or a bull, for example, because this data will preferably be stored locally in the memory of the tag 20. However, the sex of the other livestock 12 is only a factor, and not the only determinant of the state of estrus. A cow in estrus may mount another cow or be mounted by another cow, as well as a bull. Thus, proximity and direction data indicating any mounting activity involving a cow can be indicative of whether a cow is in estrus, regardless of the sex of other livestock involved 12.

The tag 20 may also determine or confirm that the cow is in estrus, at least in part based on the orientation of the cow when it is in close proximity to other livestock 12. If the tag 20 determines that the orientation of the cow indicates that it is in a standing position consistent with being prepared to be mounted by other livestock 12, this provides another indication that the cow is in estrus. In addition, the tags 20 have data regarding the sex of the livestock 12 to which they are attached, however, the sex of the other livestock 12 is only one factor in determining that the cow is in estrus, because a cow in estrus will stand in a position that other livestock 12 can mount, regardless of its sex, even other cows/heifers/bulls. A cow standing in a position to be mounted is probably in heat (or at least approaching heat), and a cow being mounted is probably approaching heat.

It is contemplated and will be understood that the tag 20 may be adapted and configured to use any or all of the above approaches, individually or in any combination, to determine or confirm estrus in the livestock 12. Inertial measurements (e.g., from the accelerometer 52, the GNSS receiver 82, and the gyroscope 54), as well as other parameters from the barometer 59, the internal temperature from the implanted body temperature sensor 32, all may be used to determine whether the animal is in estrus. Regardless of which approach(es) is (are) used, the tag 20 preferably also includes in the determination a natural estrus cycle of the livestock 12. Each tag 20 may have a value or range of values stored in its memory for a natural estrus cycle of the livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is attached. For example, a natural estrus cycle for a cow is typically approximately 17 to 24 days. The value or range of values stored in the memory may be based on a typical normal estrus cycle of similar livestock or may be based on empirical observations of a particular livestock 12 over time. When the tag 20 determines that the livestock 12 is in estrus, it may store this determination along with the data in its local memory. The tag 20 may then start a counter or store an expected date of the next estrus or date range. The next time the tag 20 determines that the livestock 12 is in estrus, it may confirm this determination using the stored data regarding the natural estrus cycle of the livestock 12, either to confirm the determination or to provide an indication that the determination may be inaccurate. Over time, the tag 20 may learn the actual estrus cycle of the livestock 12 to which it is attached, for example by averaging the time between accurate estrus determinations, and adjust the stored natural estrus cycle value(s) based thereon.

The tag 20 can also detect, monitor and track the relative position, orientation and possibly the height level of the livestock 12 relative to other nearby livestock 12 and determine or confirm that fertilization and insemination of the livestock 12 has probably occurred. In particular, the tag 20 can determine that a cow has probably been fertilized and naturally inseminated by a bull. As described above, each tag 20 has in its memory data about whether the livestock 12 to which it is attached is a cow or a bull. Regardless of whether the tag 20 is attached to a cow or a bull, the tag 20 can determine that fertilization and natural insemination have likely occurred by determining that the cow and the bull are in very close proximity and that the relative orientations and likely height levels of the two animals of the livestock 12 are consistent with the bull mounting the cow. The tag 20 can determine that the cow and the bull are in very close proximity based on signals transmitted wirelessly between the Bluetooth transceivers 84 or the LPWAN transceivers 88, or only based on GNSS data in their respective tags 20, for example. The tags 20 can also determine relative orientations and height levels between the cow and the bull based on the gyroscopes 54 and altimeters 58 in their respective tags 20. As is known to those skilled in the art, when the bull mounts the cow, the orientation of at least the front end of the bull rotates or tilts upward relative to the cow. Additionally, assuming that the tag 20 attached to the bull is attached somewhere near the front end of the bull, such as the ear, the tag 20 will have a higher height level than the tag 20 attached to the cow. Thus, by determining that the male and female of the livestock 12 are in very close proximity, that the male has an orientation that is tilted or turned upward relative to the orientation of the female, and that the male is at a higher level in height than the female, each tag 20 can determine or confirm that fertilization and natural insemination of the female of the livestock 12 has likely occurred. The tag 20 can also receive and use data from the accelerometer 52 of the tag 20 attached to the bull to determine its increased activity level and thus verify the activity in the form of mounting and fertilization for even more accurate results.

The following process can be used to determine whether an animal is mounting another animal, which can then be used to perform estrus and mating activity detection. Data from the IMU 55 (such as accelerometer and gyroscope data) can be processed by the tag 20 or other parts of the system to look for a high rate of acceleration in the forward and upward direction, indicating that the tag has rapidly risen in altitude, which might occur when the animal is mounting another animal. The system will also compare the IMU data with data from the barometer 59, which should also show a rapid increase in relative altitude if mounting has occurred. Similarly, data from the IMU 55 and barometer 59 can be processed for behavior that represents dismounting, which will be indicated by a reverse movement, a downward acceleration, a sharp acceleration after the downward acceleration, and a decrease in relative altitude from the barometer 59, all of which indicate that the animal may be dismounting.

Mounting behavior can be used in conjunction with data from nearby tags (e.g. as determined by Bluetooth or GPS proximity measurements), as well as including compass and position data, which can allow users to determine which animal was mounted. Determinations can be made based on the sex of the animal being mounted and the animal being mounted (i.e. determining active estrus when cows are mounted, and determining that insemination/fertilization has occurred when bulls are mounted). The timing (e.g. duration) of detected movement and relative change in altitude can also be used to determine whether insemination and fertilization have actually occurred.

The tag 20 may further confirm that the cow has been successfully impregnated by either natural or artificial insemination. For example, after a detected impregnation event or an artificial insemination event, the tag 20 may determine that the cow does not show signs of estrus according to her typical estrus cycle and may use this determination as confirmation that the cow has been successfully impregnated.

The tag 20 may also determine that a particular male animal of the livestock 12, such as a bull, has impregnated and inseminated a particular female animal of the livestock 12, such as a cow. In the case of natural fertilization and insemination, the tags 20 attached to the cow and the bull may share their data in the manner described herein, and the tags 20 attached to one or both animals may correspondingly maintain a record of the identity of each animal of the livestock 12 associated with the event. Alternatively, if the livestock 12 has been artificially inseminated, the straw used to inseminate the livestock 12 will contain information identifying the particular male donor, which may be scanned and verified or entered into the system manually or by other means. In any event, the identification data of both involved livestock 12 animals may be stored locally in tags 20 and may be transmitted to the management system platform 140 where they may be aggregated with similar determinations via tags 20 attached to other livestock 12 from the managed herd.

Based on the above definitions, each tag 20 can automatically generate data for tracking the genetic data and family pedigree of each individual animal of the livestock 12 of the managed herd. Each tag 20 can store the genetic chain of the livestock 12 to which it is attached locally in its memory. When a new livestock 12 is born, the genetic chain of the newborn can be stored in the tag 20 along with other information identified and described herein, and then the tag 20 is attached to the newborn.

The genetic data tracking data automatically generated by the tags 20 can be used to help improve the physical performance and health of livestock 12 and to reduce the spread of hereditary conditions due to inbreeding. The automatic generation of genetic data tracking data using the tags 20 can also reduce the burden on cattle breeders and/or herders associated with manually tracking numerous genetic chains of livestock 12 from a managed herd, as well as improve and simplify the overall herd registration of the livestock management system 10.

With a known genetic chain of the livestock, a suitable action can be performed to control the impregnation of the livestock 12. For example, an action can be performed to prevent the impregnation of the livestock 12 by other livestock 12 in the same genetic chain. As one example, when it is determined that a particular animal of the female livestock 12, for example, a cow, is in estrus, as described above, the female livestock 12 can be moved or placed in a location of the controlled area that is separated from or inaccessible to one or more animals of the male livestock 12, for example, a bull(s), which is (are) in the same genetic chain as the female livestock 12. Alternatively, one or more bulls can be removed from the cow. Also alternatively, the cow can be brought into proximity to a particular bull or bulls with which it is desired to impregnate the cow.

In addition to detecting, monitoring and tracking the absolute location and relative position, as well as the orientation of the livestock 12, the tag 20 may also detect, determine and monitor certain physical parameters, activities and behaviors of the livestock 12 and determine health-related and other physical conditions of the livestock 12 that are related thereto. As described above, such physical parameters that may be detected and monitored by the tag 20 may include, but are not limited to, the body temperature of the livestock 12. The tag 20 may receive or obtain instances or samples of the body temperature and/or other physical parameters from one or more implanted and/or attached sensors 32. The activities and behaviors that may be detected, determined and monitored by the tag 20 may include, but are not limited to, independent locomotion, eating, drinking and chewing. Corresponding health and other physical conditions that may be determined by the tag 20 may include, but are not limited to, estrus, ovulation, pregnancy, and calving. The tag 20 may also be configured to make determinations, such as optimal weaning times, based on detected activities and behaviors of the livestock 12.

The advantage is that by obtaining or receiving instances or samples of the internal body temperature of the livestock 12 over time, the tag 20 can use the relative change in the value of such temperature over time to make determinations about the presence of health-related and other physical conditions of the livestock 12, rather than comparing the internal temperature with another value, such as the ambient temperature, which also changes over time and is not dependent on the condition of the livestock 12. The determinations made by the tag 20 can thus be made more accurately. For example, the tag 20 can detect that the internal body temperature of the livestock 12 has increased by a certain amount compared to the last obtained internal temperature value or compared to a constant average internal temperature value. Based on this data, the tag 20 can determine that the livestock 12 has an illness, injury or other health-related problem, such as an infection from a cut, a viral infection, etc.

The tag 20 may also combine the detected increase in internal body temperature with other data to make determinations and/or to improve the accuracy of determinations. For example, the tag 20 may determine that an increase in temperature has occurred over a period of time and distinguish normal changes in temperature from changes that indicate a health-related problem. The tag 20 may also determine whether an increase in temperature is associated with a normal estrus cycle of livestock or with other normal cycles or not, for example, and determine whether an increase in temperature is associated with one of these normal recurring physical conditions or not.

In addition to the physical parameters of the livestock 12, the tag 20 may also detect, determine, and monitor certain activities and behaviors of the livestock 12, as well as determine the presence of health-related and other physical conditions of the livestock 12 that are related thereto. For example, the tag 20 may detect and monitor certain physical activities and behaviors, such as independent movement, eating, and chewing. The tag 20 may then determine, based on these activities and behaviors, the presence of certain health-related and other physical conditions that are related thereto, such as estrus, ovulation, pregnancy, and calving.

By autonomously and automatically detecting the presence of these conditions without the need for a herder, herder or other person to physically monitor the livestock 12, the tag 20 can improve the overall health, well-being and productivity of the herd. For example, calving is a critical time for the health and well-being of both the livestock 12 and the newborn. By autonomously and automatically detecting when the livestock 12 is calving or about to calve, the tag 20 can allow the action of a herder, herder or other person responsible for the livestock 12 to more closely monitor the livestock 12 and the newborn to ensure that there are no complications and to reduce the risk of mortality. By autonomously and automatically detecting when the livestock 12 is in estrus, the tag 20 can allow the action of artificially inseminating the livestock 12 at the optimal time or increase the likelihood of naturally inseminating the livestock at the optimal time to improve the productivity of the herd.

Independent movement, eating and rumination of food are strong indicators of health and the presence of various physical conditions in livestock 12. On average, healthy livestock 12 should ruminate food for approximately seven to nine hours per day, eat approximately four to five hours per day and lie down comfortably for approximately 12 to 14 hours per day. Most of the rumination of food occurs when livestock 12 are lying down. Accordingly, based on the detected decrease or change in normal activity such as independent movement, rumination of food or normal intake such as eating and drinking, the tag 20 can determine the presence of a respiratory disease long before symptoms become visually noticeable. The tag 20 can then allow action to be taken to treat the disease at an early stage before it can spread to other members of the group or herd and before the livestock 12 become seriously ill.

Likewise, livestock 12 typically stand and lie down frequently two to six hours prior to calving. Additionally, livestock 12 typically exhibit reduced feeding and rumination activity prior to calving compared to constant baseline levels. Livestock 12 also often separate from other livestock in a group or herd when going to calve, and many lie down to calve, although some remain standing. The internal temperature of livestock 12 also typically drops within approximately 8 to 48 hours relative to calving. The tag 20 may automatically detect and monitor these physical activities, behaviors, and parameters of livestock 12, may determine when they coincide, and may determine from this that a related calving physical condition is occurring or about to begin. The tag 20 may then allow appropriate action to be taken as described herein.

Also similarly, prior to and following the onset of the estrus state, livestock 12 typically exhibit restlessness, as indicated by an increase in self-movement and a significant increase in internal body temperature relative to the normal internal temperature of livestock 12 that are not in estrus. Fig. 13 graphically illustrates how self-movement and internal body temperature of livestock 12 typically change over time, and how an increase in self-movement and internal body temperature that coincides with the normal estrus cycle of livestock 12 provides an indication of the presence of a related physical estrus state. Additionally, livestock 12 that are in or entering estrus also often isolate and distance themselves from other livestock 12 in a group or herd and may vocalize more than normal. By detecting and monitoring these physical activities, behaviors, and parameters of livestock 12, the tag 20 can automatically determine when they match, and based on this determination, can further determine that the livestock 12 is about to enter or has entered a related physical state of estrus. The tag 20 can then send a notification to allow the appropriate action to be taken, as described herein.

The tag 20 can autonomously and automatically determine the above-described physical parameters, activities and behaviors of the livestock 12 based on data received from the sensor(s) 32, the accelerometer 52, the gyroscope 54, the compass 56, the altimeter 58, the barometer 59, etc. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 12A, 12B and 12C, the tag 20 can determine when and whether the livestock 12 is chewing food, eating food and/or moving independently based at least in part on orientation data received from the gyroscope 54, alone or in combination with other sensors, such as the accelerometer 52 and the barometer 59. The input data from the gyroscope 54 and the accelerometer 52 in combination may be referred to as inertial measurements. The inertial measurement unit (IMU) 55 may measure the motion of the livestock 12, which may include, for example, measuring the number of steps, high acceleration motion, decreased motion, and average motion.

As shown in Fig. 12A, livestock 12 that are standing or moving independently will typically have a first orientation with respect to three axes, such as pitch, roll and yaw. Livestock 12 that are chewing food will typically have a second orientation, with the pitch, roll and yaw axes rotating or rotating somewhat downward with respect to the first orientation, as shown in Fig. 12B. Chewing food will also typically involve motion detection (i.e., inertial measurements from the IMU 55) and may also involve detecting changes in altitude as measured by the barometer 59, which may measure relative changes in sensor altitude. Similarly, livestock 12 that are eating food will typically have a third orientation, with the pitch, roll and yaw axes rotating or rotating even more downward with respect to the first and second orientations, as shown in Fig. 12C. In addition, tag 20 may use data from GNSS receiver 82 and inertial measurements from accelerometer 52 and gyroscope 54 (i.e., generally, inertial measurement unit 55) to determine that livestock 12 are eating, which is typically indicated by low GPS speed and low acceleration and movement associated with eating.

In addition to the orientation data, the tag 20 may also use data from the accelerometer 52 in determining and distinguishing between the three activities. For example, the tag 20 may determine, based on the accelerometer 52 data and the GNSS data from the GNSS receiver 82, when the livestock 12 is standing still or moving and whether it is doing so, as well as the position and speed at which the livestock 12 is moving. Based on this data, the tag 20 may further distinguish when the livestock 12 is independently moving, compared to when it is substantially standing still while eating or perhaps chewing food. The tag 20 may also use data from the altimeter 58 and/or the barometer 59 to further distinguish between the three activities. As can be seen in FIG. 12A-12C, the head height level of the livestock 12 above the ground will typically be different depending on whether the livestock 12 is standing or moving on its own, chewing food, or eating food. Additionally, the livestock 12 will typically chew food when lying on the ground. The tag 20 may thus use the altimeter 58 data or the barometer 59 data to determine the head height level of the livestock (assuming the tag 20 is attached to the ear of the livestock 12) relative to the ground and to further determine and/or confirm whether and when the livestock 12 is engaged in one of the three activities. The barometer 59 may determine the relative changes in height and provide the data to the processor/memory 50 of the tag 20.

The tag 20 can autonomously and automatically detect, determine and monitor physical parameters, activities and behaviors of the livestock 12, and determine the presence of certain health-related and other physical conditions, as described above, by determining when one or more items of the received livestock-related data match. However, preferably, the tag 20 has one or more artificial intelligence (AI) models and/or other detection algorithms embedded in its local memory and executes one or more AI models and/or other detection algorithms with respect to one or more items of the received livestock-related data to predict or determine the occurrence or presence of one or more physical activities or behaviors of the livestock 12 and to predict or determine one or more health-related or other physical conditions of the livestock 12 that are related thereto.

In particular, the tag 20 preferably comprises one or more AI models and/or other detection algorithms that can predict or determine the presence of one or more physical activities and/or behaviors of the livestock 12, including, but not limited to, independent movement, chewing, and eating, based on one or more items of received livestock-related data, including, but not limited to, ground movement (from the GNSS receiver 82 and/or the accelerometer 52), orientation (from the gyroscope 54), and elevation (from the altimeter 58 or the barometer 59). The tag 20 also preferably comprises one or more AI models and/or other detection algorithms that can predict or determine, based on one or more of the determined physical activities and/or behaviors, the presence of one or more health-related or other physical conditions of the livestock 12, including, but not limited to, illness, injury, estrus, ovulation, pregnancy, and calving. These AI models and/or other detection algorithms preferably also include one or more parameters that correspond to one or more external and physical parameters associated with the livestock 12, including, but not limited to, body temperature (from the implanted(s) and/or attached(s) sensor(s) 32 or the sensor 32 embedded in the tag 20), absolute location and relative position, as well as angle (from the GNSS receiver 82 and the Bluetooth transceiver 84), direction (from the compass 56), etc.

The AI models and/or other detection algorithms embedded in the tag 20 may be created using suitable tools for creating and developing machine learning and AI models and/or algorithms on the platform 140 of the management system and/or in the remote computer system 220. The AI models and/or other detection algorithms may be generated, trained and updated from time to time using the data received and received by the tags 20. The data from the tags 20 attached to the livestock 12 of the managed herd may be aggregated, and the aggregated data may be used to create, develop, train and update the AI models and/or other detection algorithms. Additionally, the aggregated data may also be aggregated with the same data aggregated from the tags 20 attached to the livestock 12 of another managed herd, by the same or other cattle breeders, herders, owners, etc.

It is contemplated and will be understood that the tag 20 may use one or more AI models and/or other detection algorithms to make various determinations of the physical activity and/or behavior of the livestock 12 and various determinations of health-related and other physical conditions of the livestock 12, either alone or in combination with one or more of the various individual methods described herein. For example, one or more of the individual methods for determining estrus, such as based on the relative position and angle of the livestock 12 relative to nearby livestock 12, may be included as one or more parameters of the AI model or other detection algorithm that predicts or determines estrus, or may be used by the tag 20 separately from the AI model or other algorithm, such as as further confirmation of the prediction or determination of the model or algorithm. Alternatively, the tag 20 may use one or more of the individual methods described herein, alone or in combination, to make various determinations also with or without using the AI model and/or other detection algorithm.

The tag 20 is also adapted and configured to autonomously and automatically perform functions and operations that include detecting the presence of external conditions that may indicate a threat or risk to the well-being of the livestock 12 or that may affect the operation of the tag 20. Such functions may include, but are not limited to, detecting the presence of a loud noise, such as a gunshot or a vehicle engine, detecting the presence of a potential predator, detecting the presence of other dangerous conditions, and detecting weather or meteorological conditions. Upon detecting such conditions, the tag 20 may send alerts and ensure that appropriate action is taken to protect the livestock 12, such as driving away a shooter, predator, or potential thief and/or moving the livestock 12 to a safer location.

The tag 20 may detect the presence of a loud noise, such as a gunshot or a vehicle engine, based on audio data received or received from the microphone 66. In the same manner, the tag 20 may detect the presence of noise associated with another potentially hazardous condition, such as flowing water. The tag 20 may receive, record, such as store, and analyze audio data from the microphone 66 periodically or upon request. The microphone 66 may also include a circuit that automatically responds to a loud sound and automatically provides an audio sample. The tag 20 may store the audio data without analysis for subsequent transmission to the control system platform 140. Alternatively, the tag 20 and/or the control system platform 140 may analyze the audio by comparing it to stored samples or by executing an AI model or other algorithm in an attempt to identify the nature of the noise. The tag 20 preferably stores or records the audio data with the time and date it was received or received to assist the herder or herder in any subsequent investigation or assessment of the noise. The tag 20 can determine the absolute position of the livestock 12 based on the data provided by the GNSS receiver 82 and provides the ability to determine the location of the livestock 12 and perform the appropriate protective action. The tag 20 and/or the control system platform 140 can also approximately determine the location of the noise using triangulation methods based on the time and/or direction of noise detection by multiple tags 20 attached to multiple animals of the livestock 12 from a group or herd. The tag 20 can also perform an action to obtain additional audio data from the microphone 66 and/or to obtain other data to help determine the nature, source and location of the noise. For example, the tag 20 can activate the camera 72 and obtain video data.

The tag 20 may also detect the presence of a potential predator, such as a wolf, based on unusual or abnormal activity of the livestock 12. For example, the tag 20 may detect abnormal movement of the livestock 12, such as movement in an unusual direction and/or at an unusual pace, and determine that this likely indicates that a potential predator is in the area of the livestock 12. The tag 20 may receive information about the movement, direction, and pace of the livestock 12 from the accelerometer 52 and/or the compass 56. The tag 20 may also receive data indicating the absolute position of the livestock 12 and any unusual change in location from the GNSS receiver 82 and may use this data in the determination. By communicating with other tags 20 in a dynamic local mesh network, the tag 20 can also receive similar data regarding the activities of other nearby livestock 12 from a group or herd and include this data in the determination. For example, the tag 20 can determine that other nearby livestock 12 are reacting in the same way and in the same direction as the livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is attached and use this determination to confirm that a predator is likely to be nearby.

The tag 20 may also detect or confirm the presence of a potential predator or other dangerous condition based on audio data received or received from the microphone 66 and/or based on video information received or received from the camera 72 in the same manner as described above. For example, the livestock 12 may scream more than usual when a predator is nearby or when it encounters another dangerous condition. The predator itself may also emit characteristic sounds, such as roaring. The tag 20 may detect such unusual screaming, characteristic sounds, etc. based on the audio data and determine based on this that a predator or other dangerous condition is present. The tag 20 may also receive the absolute location of the livestock 12 from the GNSS receiver 82 and data regarding the movement of the livestock 12 from the accelerometer 52. Based on this additional information, the tag 20 may determine whether the livestock 12 is immobile and may determine based on this that the livestock 12 is injured or otherwise immobilized, such as entangled in wire or stuck in mud, and needs assistance.

The tag 20 may also detect the presence or imminent presence of weather or meteorological conditions that may pose a threat or risk of injury to the livestock 12. For example, the tag 20 may determine, based on data received from the barometer 59 (pressure), the ambient temperature sensor 74 (air temperature), and/or the humidity sensor 76 (air humidity), that a severe storm is approaching (e.g., rapidly falling pressure), and/or that dangerous temperature, heat index, and/or wind chill conditions exist (e.g., a combination of high or low temperature and high or low humidity). The tag 20 may thus permit the herder or herder to take appropriate actions to protect the livestock 12, such as by moving them to a shed or otherwise providing additional protection from the conditions, or by autonomously calling the livestock 12 to move to a safer location.

In a similar manner, the tag 20 may detect weather and meteorological conditions and, based on these, determine whether changes in its own operation are necessary to optimize and extend its operation. For example, the tag 20 may determine that temperature and humidity conditions are such that its operations should be reduced, slowed, or suspended to prevent overheating or excessive consumption of stored electrical energy. In a similar manner, the tag 20 may determine that current conditions are not conducive to successful long-range communication with the control system platform 140 and/or the remote computer system 220, for example, due to heavy rain or fog, or due to a known poor coverage area, and thus postpone such communication until conditions become more favorable to optimize the use of its stored electrical energy. In a similar manner, tag 20 may determine that conditions are not suitable for sufficient recharging of its stored electrical energy to support ongoing operations, such as due to heavy cloud cover or nighttime conditions, and may reduce, minimize, or slow its operations until conditions improve for sufficient recharging.

Referring to block 102, tag 20 is adapted and configured to generate and communicate or transmit alerts and warnings in response to some conditions, events and/or phenomena detected and/or determined by tag 20. Tag 20 can transmit alerts and warnings to platform 140 of control system, to remote computer system 220 and/or to one or more mobile and/or stationary devices of cattle breeder, herder, owner, etc. Alerts and warnings can also include some local actions by tag 20, such as activation of LED 64, tone generator 68 and/or stimulator 70. Tag 20 can transmit alerts and warnings in the form of email, text messages or direct communication between devices. The content of the alerts and warnings may vary depending on the conditions, events and/or instances that caused them to be generated by the tag 20. The tag 20 may transmit the alerts and warnings via the cellular transceiver 86 over a cellular network, via a satellite data network transceiver over a satellite network, via a LAN or WAN network, via an LPWAN transceiver 88 with or without a gateway 89, or via a Bluetooth transceiver 84 and a suitable gateway 85.

The tag 20 may also determine whether a particular condition, event, or occurrence requires immediate attention and immediately transmit an alert or warning if the tag 20 operating conditions and communication conditions are suitable for immediate communication. If any of the conditions are not met, the tag 20 may delay transmitting the alert or warning until the next scheduled time for communication or until the operating conditions and/or communication conditions become suitable for communication. Alerts or warnings that may require immediate attention include, but are not limited to, detecting or determining that livestock 12 have crossed a perimeter boundary, may have been stolen, may be seriously ill or injured, or are in the process of calving or are about to calve. Other such alerts or warnings may include, but are not limited to, the detection of a predator, a gunshot or a vehicle in the vicinity, or the detection or determination of any other condition or event that may result in immediate injury to livestock 12. Conditions that may cause the tag 20 to delay the transmission of an alert or warning include, but are not limited to, low electrical power in the tag 20, unavailability of a suitable communication channel or the detection of no or weak communication signal, poor weather conditions, etc.

In particular, the tag 20 is preferably adapted and configured to generate and transmit an alert or warning in response to determining that the livestock 12 has crossed a perimeter boundary or a geofence of either a designated area within a managed area or a managed area, as described above. The alert or warning may comprise information that the livestock 12 has crossed a perimeter boundary and alerting the recipient to take an appropriate action. The alert or warning may also comprise information about the most recent location and movement of the livestock 12, such as GPS coordinates, direction of movement, etc. The alert or warning may also comprise a local action by the tag 20, including activating the tone generator 68 to generate a sound or noise and/or the stimulator 70 to generate a physical stimulus, such as a rumble or impact, to encourage the livestock 12 to return to the designated area or the managed area. The alert or warning may also include a local action by the tag 20 to activate the LED 64 to assist in locating and identifying the livestock 12.

The tag 20 is preferably also adapted and configured to generate and transmit an alert or warning in response to a determination that the livestock 12 may have been stolen, as described above. The alert or warning may comprise information indicating that the livestock 12 may have been stolen and the need to contact authorized authorities. The alert or warning may also comprise information about the most recently detected location and movement of the livestock 12, such as GPS coordinates, speed, direction, etc. The alert or warning may also comprise a local action by the tag 20 to activate the LED 64 and/or to play a message via the tone generator 68 and speaker that the livestock 12 is stolen property.

The tag 20 is preferably also adapted and configured to generate and transmit an alert or warning in response to a determination of a health-related or other physical condition of the livestock 12 that may require attention. Such conditions include, but are not limited to, determinations that the livestock 12 may be ill or injured, are in estrus, are in the process of fertilization, and/or are either about to or are in the process of calving. The alert or warning may comprise information identifying and describing the condition that led to the alert or warning, and the detected or determined data underlying the condition, such as internal temperature, lack of movement for a period of time, etc. The alert or warning may also comprise information about the most recently detected location and movement of the livestock 12, such as GPS coordinates, speed, direction, etc. The alert or warning may also comprise a local action by the tag 20 to activate the LED 64 and/or the tone generator 68 to visually and audibly identify the livestock 12 to assist in determining its location and/or to activate the tone generator 68 and/or the stimulator 70 to autonomously prompt the movement of the livestock 12 to an area such as a sick pen if the detected condition is not too serious.

The tag 20 may also be adapted and configured to generate and transmit an alert or warning in response to determinations of certain herd-related or herd-affecting conditions that may require attention. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, determinations that a pasture area is being overgrazed, that feed or water supplies are low, that the time is optimal for weaning, etc. The tag 20 may determine the latter condition, in particular, by monitoring the relationship between the livestock 12 and its calf. Typically, the optimal weaning time for dairy livestock 12 is between 2 and 3 days after birth and substantially longer in the case of beef livestock 12. Thus, the tag 20 may determine when the livestock 12 was born and use this determination to determine the optimal weaning time. The tag 20 can also perform the determination of the optimal weaning based on the data concerning the relative position and orientation of the livestock 12 and its calf, from the GNSS receiver 82, the gyroscope 54 and the Bluetooth transceiver 84 or other radio frequency communication link in the respective tags 20 of the livestock 12 and its calf. The tag 20 can determine, based on this data, the intervals and amounts of time when the calf spends in close proximity to the livestock 12, and the intervals and amounts of time when the calf has an orientation relative to the livestock 12 indicating that it is being nursed. The tag 20 can determine that when the interval and amount of time spent in the vicinity and nursing are reduced to a certain level, the optimal weaning time is achieved.

The alert or warning may comprise information identifying and describing the condition that has led to the alert or warning and the detected or determined data underlying the condition. The alert or warning may also comprise information about the location of the condition, the most recently detected location and movement of the livestock 12, such as GPS coordinates, speed, direction, etc. The alert or warning may also comprise a local action by the tag 20 to activate the LED 64 and/or the tone generator 68 and speaker for visual and audio identification of the livestock 12 to facilitate determination of its location and/or to activate the tone generator 68 and/or the stimulator 70, such as to autonomously induce a calf to isolate itself from its mother to another paddock/pasture at the optimal weaning time or vice versa.

The tag 20 may also be adapted and configured to generate and transmit an alert or warning in response to determining the presence or imminent presence of a predator, a shot or vehicle noise, windy weather, another dangerous condition, a sudden impact of livestock 12, etc. The alert or warning may contain information identifying and describing the condition that led to the alert or warning, the detected or determined data underlying the condition, and warning the recipient of the need to take an appropriate action. They may also contain information about the location of the condition that led to the alert or warning, and the most recently detected location and movement of the livestock 12, such as GPS coordinates, speed, direction, etc. The alert or warning may also comprise a local action of the tag 20 to activate the LED 64 and/or the tone generator 68 for visual and audible identification of the livestock 12 to assist in determining its location and/or to activate the tone generator 68 and/or the stimulator 70 to autonomously encourage the movement of the livestock 12 to a safer location.

The tag 20 may also be adapted and configured to generate and transmit an alert or warning in response to the tag 20 itself determining an operational, diagnostic or other condition. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, low power consumption, equipment failure, self-test failure, etc. The alert or warning may comprise information identifying and describing the condition that caused the alert or warning and the detected or determined data underlying the condition. They may also include information about the most recently detected location and movement of the livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is attached, such as GPS coordinates, speed, direction, etc. The alert or warning may also comprise a local action by the tag 20 to activate the LED 64 and/or the tone generator 68 and speaker for visual and audio identification of the livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is attached to facilitate determination of its location.

In block 104, tag 20 may transmit some or all of its data to some or all of the other tags 20 in the dynamic local mesh network, as described elsewhere herein. Tag 20 may also transmit some or all of its data and aggregated data received from other tags 20 in the dynamic local mesh network to control system platform 140 and/or to remote computer system 220, as also described elsewhere herein. As described above, tag 20 may determine whether a tag in the dynamic local mesh network is in an optimal state for transmitting its data and aggregated data. If it determines that it is not the tag that is in an optimal state for transmitting data, it may decline to transmit data in favor of a tag that is determined to be in an optimal state for transmitting data. Even when determining that it is in an optimal state, the tag 20 may determine whether the states are suitable for immediate transmission of data, and if not, may store the data and defer transmission until the next scheduled time for communication until the operating states and/or communication states become suitable for communication, or until it receives input data that initiates its transmission of data.

In block 106, the tag 20 may receive data from other tags 20 in the dynamic local mesh network. The tag 20 may also receive data and updates from the control system platform 140 and/or from the remote computer system 220. The data from other tags 20 comprises data that is received and received by other tags 20 in the dynamic local mesh network during operation and that is to be aggregated and transmitted to the control system platform 140 and/or to the remote computer system 220 by the tag 20 that is determined to be in an optimal state for data transmission. The data and updates from the control system platform 140 and/or the remote computer system 220 may comprise data and information for storing in the local memory of the tag 20 and/or updating the data and information stored in the local memory. The data and updates may also include new or updated programs, algorithms, or applications for storage and execution in the tag 20. The data and updates may also include new or updated AI models, model parameters, weights or other values, etc. for execution in the tag 20. For example, as the tags 20 continue to transmit data to the control system platform 140 and/or to the remote computer system 220, the AI models that have been created may be refined, updated, and trained to make more accurate determinations and predictions. These updates may then be transmitted back to the tags 20. Similar to other data transmissions described herein, the tag 20 may determine that the states are not suitable for receiving and storing data and updates, and may reject and defer until it determines that the states are more suitable. The tag 20 may either wait for the next scheduled communication or may request the reception of data and updates.

In blocks 108 and 110, tag 20 may receive alerts and/or warnings from control system platform 140 and/or from one or more mobile devices. For example, tag 20 may receive alerts and/or warnings with a command to perform an action, such as activating LED 64, tone generator 68 and/or stimulator 70 to identify and distinguish livestock 12 from other livestock and/or to encourage livestock 12 to do something such as returning to a designated area. Such an alert or warning may be received from a mobile device, for example, when a herder or herder is physically observing a group or herd and trying to, for example, determine the location of a particular animal from livestock 12. Tag 20 may also receive alerts and/or warnings to perform an action, such as activating microphone 66 and/or camera 72 to obtain audio and/or video data. Such an alert or warning may be a response to an alert or warning generated by the tag 20 in the first case. For example, if the tag 20 generated and transmitted an alert or warning about a potential predator or other potentially dangerous condition, the alert or warning with a command to receive audio and/or video data may be transmitted back to the tag 20 to try to confirm the presence of a predator or other dangerous condition. The tag 20 may also receive data, parameters or other information associated with the action that was commanded by the alert or warning, such as to cause the LED 64 to turn on or off in a specific pattern or to cause the tone generator to play a specific tone or sound pattern. Like other data transmissions described herein, the tag 20 may determine that the conditions are not suitable for receiving and acting on the alert or warning, and may reject and defer until it determines that the conditions are more suitable.

In connection with the transmission of data, determinations, notifications and warnings in blocks 102, 104, 106 and 108, the tag 20 may first attempt to communicate with the management system platform 140 and/or the remote computer system 220 via local communication channels, such as the Bluetooth transceiver 84 or the LPWAN transceiver 88, if it is within the range of the signals of the corresponding transceiver. For example, the corresponding Bluetooth or LPWAN transceiver 84, 88 may be built into a mobile device in which the management system platform 140 is located, or into a local sensor and transceiver 34, which are within the range of the livestock 12 with the tag 20 desiring to communicate. Such a situation may often arise, for example, when a relatively large number of livestock 12 are located within a relatively small area, such as a feedlot, or on a relatively small area of land. The tags 20 can transmit data via the Bluetooth and LPWAN transceivers 84, 88 at relatively high speeds and relatively inexpensively compared to using long-range communication channels. However, if the tag 20 determines that a suitable Bluetooth or LPWAN connection is not available, for example, when the livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is attached is in an unfenced pasture and far from the platform 140 of the management system and any local sensors and transceivers 34, then the tag 20 has the ability to communicate over a long-range communication channel, such as a cellular network via a cellular transceiver 86 or a satellite data network via a satellite data network transceiver at a lower data rate and for an additional fee. The tag 20 is thus configured to autonomously select the fastest and least expensive communication channel for exchanging data depending on conditions, such as location, signal strength, power level of the tag 20 and other transmission conditions. Over time, this functionality can save you a significant amount of money.

Also in connection with the exchange of data, definitions, as well as notifications and warnings in blocks 102, 104, 106 and 108, the tag 20 preferably compresses the data for transmission in order to reduce the amount of data for transmission and to reduce the cost of data transmission. Additionally, each tag 20, the platform 140 of the control system, the remote computer system 220 and each mobile or other device with which the tag 20 communicates contain a unique set of cryptographic keys. Each tag 20 and each platform, system or device with which it communicates encrypt outgoing messages and decrypt incoming messages using the keys, so that all messages are encrypted from beginning to end.

In block 112, tag 20 may be configured and adapted to enter a sleep state to reduce energy consumption and/or conserve stored electrical energy. Tag 20 may alternate between an active state in which it performs some or all of the functions described in connection with blocks 94, 96, 98, 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110, and a sleep state of block 112. During the sleep state, tag 20 may disable some or all operations to reduce energy consumption and conserve stored electrical energy in power source 42. During the active state, tag 20 may perform some or all of the functions described herein. Tag 20 may perform the same functions during each cycle of the active state or may perform different functions during different cycles of the active state. The interval between the active and sleep states may be fixed or variable, and may also vary based on the level of energy remaining in the power source 42. For example, the sleep state may be longer during expected periods of inactivity of the herd, such as at night, and shorter during the day. The active state will change vice versa. Also, for example, the tag 20 may dynamically determine and change the period of time of the sleep state and the active state based on the length of time that it takes for the tag 20 to perform certain functions, assess the current or historical activity of livestock, etc. Such functions may include, for example, the time required to charge the rechargeable energy battery 48. The tag 20 may be adapted to remain in the sleep state or the active state for a variable period of time based on the current charge level of the rechargeable energy battery 48, the current charging conditions and the current weather conditions.

In block 114, tag 20 may be adapted and configured to exit or awaken from a sleep state. Tag 20 may exit or awaken from a sleep state based on a signal indicating an idle timeout or an elapsed time from a timer in tag 20 or based on the receipt of a signal indicating an internal or external event such as an alert or warning, a gunshot or vehicle noise, etc. Tag 20 may also exit a sleep mode when it receives a signal or message from another tag 20, from control system platform 140 and/or from remote computer system 220. When tag 20 exits a sleep state, it may continue to receive, store and process data and information, make determinations, etc., as described herein and as shown in Fig. 8.

In addition to the active or sleep state, any combination of functions available for execution by the tag 20 may be disabled, reduced, or reduced based on the level of electricity in the power source 42. A simplified diagram showing possible thresholds is shown in Fig. 15. During operation, more important or time-critical functions may remain available over a wider range of available electricity, while less important or less time-critical functions may be reduced or disabled more readily when the power source 42 is more exhausted. Examples include cellular communications related to alerts or the location of livestock 12 (e.g., "find my cow"), which may be enabled for an available energy range of 10% to 100%. Energy for this functionality may be saved by using eDRX. Less urgent cellular data uses, such as 24-hour downloads, may be allowed for an available energy range of 25% to 100% and prohibited when battery capacity drops below 25%.

The GPS functionality can be controlled in a similar manner. For example, if the system requests a GPS position, the GNSS receiver 82 can be enabled for an available energy range of 10% to 100%, while periodic locations can be obtained based on other battery levels and can vary depending on the duration between measurements. Thus, 15-minute location determinations can be performed for an available energy range of 80% to 100% of the power source 42; 1-hour locations from 60% to 80%; 4-hour locations from 40% to 60%; and 12-hour locations from 25% to 60%. The Bluetooth low energy functionality can be made available for an available energy range of 5% to 100%, and the 915 MHz wireless interface can also be available for an available energy range of 10% to 100%. Of course, these thresholds may also differ if necessary to save power or if a particular functionality is considered more important.

4. Logical data structures.

The tag 20 may organize the data and information it receives or obtains and the definitions it generates into one or more logical data structures, wherein related data, information and definitions are logically grouped for storage and access in its local physical memory. One potential logical data structure 120 is illustrated, for example, in Fig. 9. However, it is contemplated and will be understood that many other and different data structures may be used to store and access data and information in the local memory of the tag 20. Any and all such data structures that are consistent with implementing the purposes, functions and operations of the tag 20 described herein are intended to be included within the scope of the descriptions of the exemplary embodiments herein.

The logical data structure 120 may comprise a permanent or semi-permanent storage section 122. Data and information concerning the tag 20 and the livestock 12 to which it is attached, which are intended for permanent or semi-permanent storage, may be stored together in the permanent or semi-permanent storage section 122. For example, such data and information may comprise, but is not limited to, data on a unique tag identifier and other information that is unique to the tag 20, a unique encryption key(s) for protecting communication with the tag 20, and contact information for the owner of the tag 20 in the event of its detachment, as well as loss and discovery. Such data and information may also comprise, but is not limited to, data and information unique to the livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is attached, such as ownership information, contact information, genetic sequence information, demographic information, and a medical and vaccination history of the livestock 12.

The logical data structure 120 may also contain a tag data section 124 for recording data that the tag 20 periodically receives or accepts during operation. Such data may include, but is not limited to, movement data from accelerometer 52, orientation data from gyroscope 54, direction data from compass 56, altitude level data from altimeter 58, absolute position from GNSS receiver 82, relative position and angle data from Bluetooth transceiver 84, body temperature and/or other physical parameter data from sensor(s) 32, weather and meteorological data from barometer 59, temperature sensor 74 and/or humidity sensor 76, audio and/or video data from microphone 66 and/or camera 72, and/or communication lines for this, battery charge level from power source 42, signal strength from Bluetooth transceiver 84, cellular transceiver 86 and/or LPWAN transceivers 88, etc. Each time the tag 20 receives or receives all or some of such data, such as every 30 seconds, a record containing the set of received or received data may be stored in the data section 124 of the tag along with the date and time the set of data was received or received. The stored data records may be overwritten individually, in blocks, or in their entirety by subsequent receipt or acceptance of newer data records. As one example, after a set period of time has elapsed or a set amount of storage capacity has been used, each subsequent new data record received or received may individually overwrite the most recently stored data record still stored in the tag's memory. The data section 124 of the tag may thus operate as a circular buffer operating on a first-in-first-out basis. As another example, after some or all of the stored data records from the tag 20 have been transmitted to the control system platform 140 and/or the remote computer system 220, all of the transmitted records may be erased individually or as a block and may be subsequently overwritten.

The logical data structure 120 may also comprise a video data section 126 and/or an audio data section 128 that is separate from the tag data section 124. The video data section 126 may comprise video data records, such as portions received or acquired by the tag 20 during operation, and the audio data section 128 may comprise audio data records, such as portions received or acquired by the tag 20 during operation, as described herein. Each video and each audio record is stored with the time and date it was received or acquired. In embodiments, by separating the video data section 126 and/or the audio data section 128 from the tag data section 124, the data records of the tag data section 124 that otherwise comprise video and/or audio data may comprise references or addresses to the respective video and audio data sections 126, 128 in which the records are located instead. The video and audio recordings of sections 126, 128 of the video and audio data may be erased and/or overwritten by newer video and/or audio recordings according to the same criteria and in the same manner as described above with respect to the records of section 124 of the tag data.

The logical data structure 120 may also contain a section 132 of detected tag/sensor data, which is separate from the section 124 of the tag data for data received from other tags 20 and sensors 34 in the dynamic local mesh network. The section 132 of detected tag/sensor data may be ordered by data received from each tag 20 and sensor 34 in the dynamic local mesh network, containing a separate entry along with the date and time when the data was received, and an identifier of the tag 20 or sensor 34 from which the data was received. Each entry may also contain a distance and an angle between the tag 20 and the tag or sensor from which the data was received from the Bluetooth transceiver 84. The records of section 132 of detected tag/sensor data may be erased and/or overwritten by newer data records according to the same criteria and in the same manner as described above with respect to the records of section 124 of tag data.

C. Sensors for livestock.

One or more sensors 32 may provide data about internal or external physical parameters of the livestock 12 and potentially about certain states and activities of the livestock 12 to a tag 20 attached to the livestock 12. The sensors 32 may communicate with the tag 20 via a wireless connection. The wireless connection may be, but is not limited to, an antenna-based RFID connection via an RFID transceiver 92 of the tag 20 and/or a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) connection via a Bluetooth transceiver 84 of the tag 20. Although the sensors 32 are sometimes referred to herein as "implanted" sensors 32, it is intended and will be understood that the sensors 32 may include one or more sensors that are implanted in the livestock 12 and/or one or more sensors 32 that are attached externally to the livestock 12.

One or more sensors 32 may detect various physical parameters of livestock 12, including, but not limited to, internal body temperature and/or relative body temperature. In an exemplary embodiment, the implanted sensor 32 may comprise an internal body temperature sensor comprising a thermocouple. The body temperature sensor is implanted in the livestock 12 in a location that is suitable for providing an accurate indicator of the internal body temperature of the livestock 12. The location may be and probably is located at a distance from the location of the ear where the tag 20 is preferably attached, however, in some embodiments, the body temperature sensor may be implanted in or attached to the same ear of the livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is attached, but in a location located at a distance from the tag 20. Similarly, a temperature sensor 32 attached externally to the ear of the livestock 12 or any location located at a distance from the tag 20 can provide data on the relative body temperature of the livestock 12. Depending on the placement, such a sensor 32 can provide indicators of the internal body temperature and/or the relative body temperature of the livestock 12 that can be fully and accurately correlated with health-related and other physical conditions of the livestock 12 that are to be determined, such as illness, estrus, etc.

One or more sensors 32 may also potentially provide data related to certain conditions and activities of the livestock 12. For example, the pressure sensor 32 may be externally attached to or implanted under the skin of the back of the breeding livestock 12, such as a cow. The pressure sensor 32 may provide data indicating the mounting of the livestock 12 and may be used to determine that the livestock 12 is in a state of estrus and/or impregnation, for example.

The sensors 32 may provide data continuously, periodically, or upon request from the tag 20. For example, the implanted body temperature sensor 32 may provide instances or samples of internal body temperature data over time, based on which the tag 20 may detect variations in the internal body temperature of the livestock 12 relative to a baseline, such as a constant average value of such temperature, and may determine, based on such variations, health-related and other physical conditions of the livestock 12, as described herein.

It is contemplated and should be understood that in other embodiments, one or more sensors 32 may be embedded in the tag 20 and/or attached externally to and/or implanted in the livestock 12 at various locations. In all such embodiments, the sensors 32 are preferably adapted and configured to measure one or more physical parameters, states and/or activities of the livestock 12 to which they are attached.

D. Local sensors and transceivers.

One or more of the local sensors and/or transceivers 34 may be located in one or more fixed locations of the controlled area or may be mobile within one or more designated areas of the controlled area, preferably in one or more fixed locations or within one or more designated areas where the livestock 12 is also present from time to time. The local sensors and/or transceivers 34 are adapted and configured to communicate with the tags 20 that are within range and to become an element of a dynamic local mesh network with such tags 20, as described above. Some or all of the local sensors and/or transceivers 34 may also be adapted and configured to communicate with the platform 140 of the control system and/or the remote computer system 220 separately from the tags 20.

Like the tags 20, the local sensors and/or transceivers 34 may include Bluetooth transceivers and RFID transceivers (which may be 915 MHz transceivers). The local sensors and/or transceivers 34 may be adapted and configured to locally communicate with the tags 20 within range using either one or both of these transceivers. Also like the tags 20, the local sensors and/or transceivers 34 may include cellular transceivers, satellite transceivers and/or LPWAN transceivers. The local sensors and/or transceivers 34 may be adapted and configured to remotely communicate with the control system platform 140 and/or the remote computer system 220 using any or all of these transceivers.

One or more local sensors and/or transceivers 34 at one or more fixed locations may be coupled to and adapted and configured to exchange data between the various local devices described herein, the tags 20 that are within range, and the control system platform 140 and/or the remote computer system 220. As one example, the local sensor and transceiver 34 may be coupled to, may be part of, or may otherwise be in communication with a scale through which livestock 12 are driven, such as in an alley leading into or out of a pen or feedlot. The scale automatically weighs each animal of the livestock 12 as it is driven, and the local sensor and transceiver 34 receives the weight data, reads the identifier of the tag 20 attached to the livestock 12, associates the weight data with the tag identifier, and transmits the weight data and the tag identifier to the platform 140 of the control system and/or to the remote computer system 220 for automatic tracking of the weight values of the livestock 12. The local sensor and transceiver 34 can also locally transmit the weight data of each animal of the livestock 12 to the attached tag 20 for local storage and tracking of the weight of the tag 20. Such data can be used to detect and monitor the health of the livestock 12, since a reduced weight can be an indication of a disease. The data can also be used to detect and monitor the market value of the livestock 12, since the value is based at least in part on the weight.

As another example, local sensors and transceivers 34 can be placed at or near one or more feeding points or sources and/or one or more water points or sources. Such sensors can include photo sensors and/or other types of location and/or proximity sensors. Local sensors and transceivers 34 can detect when tag 20 is closest, indicating that livestock 12, to which tag 20 is attached, is eating or drinking. The local sensors and transceivers 34 may read the tag identifier 20, correlate the tag identifier with data about a source, such as feed or water, a location, a source identifier, the time the livestock 12 spends at the source, etc., and may communicate with the control system platform 140 and/or the remote computer system 220 to automatically track the eating and drinking behavior of the livestock 12. Such data may be used to automatically detect possible health-related conditions of the livestock 12, such as a respiratory disease, indicated by fewer and/or shorter walks to feed and/or water points/sources. The data may also be used to automatically track the use and stock of consumable resources, such as feed and water, and to provide alerts about the need to replenish supplies. Local sensors and transceivers 34 may also transmit some or all of the data to tags 20 attached to livestock 12 for local storage and processing.

It is contemplated and will be understood that the data provided by the local sensors and transceivers 34 concerning the proximity of the livestock 12 to feeding and/or water points or sources as an indication of eating and drinking behavior may be processed with other data obtained by the tag 20 attached to the livestock 12 to provide even more accurate determinations. Such data may comprise, for example, the location of the tag 20 (from the GNSS receiver 82), as well as the orientation and altitude of the tag 20 (from the gyroscope 54 and the altimeter 58), which indicate eating and drinking behavior, as described above and shown in Fig. 12.

As another example, the local sensor and transceiver 34 can be located in a passage structure that leads to a plurality of pens or other holding areas, each of which has an entry gate. The local sensor and transceiver 34 can read tag identifiers from tags 20 when livestock 12 cross the passage/lane, and can communicate with one or more local controllers to automatically control the opening of a gate associated with a particular pen or holding area based on the tag identifier. This capability provides for automatic sorting and isolation of livestock 12 according to one or more selected characteristics. For example, cows, calves, bulls, farm animals, heifers, sick animals, animals in heat, and animals before calving can be automatically sorted and isolated into one or more of the individual pens or holding areas.

As another example, a plurality of local sensors and transceivers 34 may be located at spaced fixed locations corresponding to the boundaries of one or more designated zones within a controlled zone or the perimeter of a controlled zone, as described above. When the livestock 12 approaches and/or crosses such a boundary or perimeter, one or more local sensors and transceivers 34 can detect and communicate with the tag 20 attached to the livestock 12. The local sensors and transceivers 34 can receive the tag identifier and transmit an alert or warning to the control system platform 140 along with the tag identifier and other data from the tag 20, such as the location, direction, and speed indicator of the livestock 12. The local sensors and transceivers 34 can also transmit the alert or warning to the tag 20 to perform an action, such as activating the tone generator 68 and/or the stimulator 70, to encourage the livestock 12 to stop and/or return through the boundary or perimeter.

As another example, local sensors and transceivers 34 can be placed in one or more of the pens, alleys, gates or other designated areas that the livestock 12 must pass nearby to receive selected information from the tags 20 and to transmit the data to the platform 140 of the management system for automatically tracking the status of the livestock 12. For example, local sensors and transceivers 34 can read a tag identifier and receive other selected tag data, such as the status and/or vaccination history of the livestock 12. Local sensors and transceivers 34 can also receive the medical status and/or disease history of the livestock 12, such as whether and when it was administered a particular medication or sprayed with an insecticide against lice, parasites or larvae infestation. The local sensors and transceivers 34 may also receive the status and/or history of the medical procedure of the livestock 12. The local sensors and transceivers 34 may transmit their data to the platform 140 of the control system to automatically determine and track whether the vaccinations of the livestock 12 have been completed in a timely manner, the necessary medications have been administered and/or the medical procedures have been completed, and to generate alerts or warnings for the herder, herder, etc. to take appropriate action.

In addition to generating alerts or warnings for performing an action, the local sensors and transceivers 34 can be adapted and configured to respond to data exchanged with the tags 20 to autonomously initiate an action by the associated equipment. As one example, the local sensor and transceiver 34 can receive data from the tag 20 that indicates that the livestock 12 to which it is attached has not been timely vaccinated, medicated, or treated locally, and can activate the associated sprayer or injection equipment to autonomously control the necessary element. The tag 20 in communication with the local sensor and transceiver 34 can then update the data for the livestock 12 in the tag 20, and the tag 20 and/or the local sensor and transceiver 34 can transmit the updated data to the platform 140 of the control system in the manner described herein. As another example, the local sensor and transceiver 34 can implement an automatic sorting gate by responding to a tag identifier received from the tag 20 to select and activate a pen/gate control to autonomously direct livestock 12 to a selected area. This functionality is useful not only for farms, but also for retail chains.

The local sensors and/or transceivers 34 may also be located in one or more mobile devices within one or more designated areas of the controlled area. As one example, the local sensor and transceiver 34 may be present in a mobile phone or mobile computing device carried by a herder, a shepherd, a hired hand on a ranch, etc. As another example, the local sensor and transceiver 34 may also be located on or in a drone or a vehicle remotely controlled by the herder, the shepherd, etc. The local sensor and transceiver 34 may read the identifiers of the nearby tags 20, and the mobile device may display or otherwise transmit them to the herder, the shepherd, etc. so that one or more of them can be selected. The local sensor and transceiver 34 may then transmit an alert or warning to the selected tag(s) and cause it(them) to perform an action to identify the livestock 12 to which it(they) is(are) attached, such as by activating the LED 64 and/or the tone generator 68. This is useful for a herder, herder, etc. to select and identify a specific livestock 12 from a group or herd of livestock 12, such as for vaccination or administration of a medicine, to address a health issue, etc.

As described above, the local sensors and/or transceivers 34 may also be adapted and configured to exchange data between the tags 20 and the control system platform 140 and/or the remote computer system 220 when the tag 20 is within the range of the Bluetooth or LPWAN signals of the corresponding Bluetooth or LPWAN transceiver of the local sensor and transceiver 34. The local sensor and transceiver 34 may, in turn, communicate with the control system platform 140 and/or the remote computer system 220 via the same or a different wired or wireless communication channel and/or communication interface, as described herein. Similarly, if tag 20 is within Bluetooth or LPWAN range of local sensor and transceiver 34, local sensor and transceiver 34 may receive data and/or updates from control system platform 140 and/or remote computer system 220 and may transmit them to tag 20 via respective Bluetooth or LPWAN transceivers.

E. Control system platform.

The management system platform 140 is adapted and configured to provide management of the livestock 12 to which the tags 20 are attached and of the tags 20 themselves. The management system platform 140 is adapted and configured to perform various functions and operations associated with managing the livestock 12 individually and as a herd. Such functions may include, but are not limited to: detecting, monitoring, tracking, and responding to various ongoing health-related conditions of the livestock 12; monitoring, tracking, and maintaining data regarding various characteristics of the livestock 12; monitoring, tracking, and responding to the location and movement of the livestock 12; detecting, monitoring, and responding to significant ongoing physical conditions of the livestock 12; determining and maintaining genetic data and pedigree data of the livestock 12; monitoring and managing the use of managed grazing areas by the livestock 12; monitoring and maintaining a health history of the livestock 12; generating, tracking, and maintaining demographic, health history, and other livestock data 12; detecting, monitoring, and responding to external events; creating and managing system access for external users; monitoring and managing inventory of consumables; monitoring, tracking, and maintaining various financial data; detecting, monitoring, and responding to weather and meteorological conditions and/or events; tracking and maintaining historical ownership and location data of livestock 12; and monitoring and responding to various tag conditions 20.

The control system platform 140 may comprise and may be located in one or more computers, such as a desktop PC, a workstation or a server, in one or more fixed locations, including in the cloud, and/or in one or more mobile computing devices, such as a laptop PC or a tablet computer, etc. A number of suitable host platforms are identified and described further below. Additionally, all or part of the control system platform 140 may be duplicated and/or distributed across one or more host platform devices. The control system platform 140 may communicate with the tags 20 and the local sensors and transceivers 34 wirelessly either locally or remotely via cellular networks, satellite networks or IP-based networks, LPWAN and/or other communication channels, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 10.

The control system platform 140 is adapted and configured to communicate with the tags 20, with the local sensors and transceivers 34 in the controlled area, and with the remote computer system 220. The control system platform 140 can send and receive various information to and from the tags 20, the local sensors and transceivers 34, and the remote computer system 220, including, but not limited to, data, warnings and alerts, programs, applications, AI models, other detection algorithms and updates. The control system platform 140 is adapted and configured to receive and store data generated by each individual tag 20, as well as the local sensor and transceiver 34, and to process and respond to such data to perform the various control functions described in this document. The control system platform 140 is also adapted and configured to receive, aggregate, and store data received from all individual tags 20 and local sensors and transceivers 34, and to process, respond to, store, transmit, and provide access to such data to perform the various control functions described in this document. 1. Elements and Architecture.

As illustrated in Fig. 10, the control system platform 140 may comprise a processor 142, a memory element 144, one or more input devices 146, a scanner/reader 148, a local storage 150, and a display 152. The control system platform 140 may also comprise a communication interface comprising a cellular network interface 154, a WAN/LAN network interface 156, and a local radio frequency interface 158. The communication interface may also comprise a satellite network interface and/or an LPWAN interface, if necessary.

The processor 142 may comprise one of the types of processors described herein below. For example, the processor 142 may comprise one commercially available general-purpose processing unit or several commercially available general-purpose processing units (GPUs), such as a microprocessor(s), etc. The processor 142 is adapted to execute programs, applications, models, etc., stored in the memory 144, and to process data received by the control system platform 140 to perform the livestock management functions and operations described herein.

The processor 142 is configured and programmed to transmit, control and manage the operation of various other components and elements of the control system platform 140 identified above and illustrated in Fig. 10. The processor 142 is connected and communicates with each of the elements and components via a bus 143. The bus 143 may comprise one or more physical and/or logical buses adapted to transfer data, instructions, commands, requests, control words, etc. between the processor 142 and each of the other elements and components.

The memory element 144 is adapted to provide local storage for operating data and application data for use in conjunction with the operation and functioning of the control system platform 140. The memory element may comprise a memory controller, volatile memory such as DDR DRAM, and non-volatile memory such as flash memory or other electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM). The memory element 144 may provide local storage for essential operating data necessary for the processor 142 to provide the primary operation of the control system platform 140, such as an operating system, BIOS, etc. The memory element 144 may also provide local storage for application data, programs, applications, models, parameters, settings, etc. for execution by the processor 142 of the control system platform 140 for the purpose of performing the various livestock management functions described in this document.

The input device(s) 146 are (are) adapted and configured to provide a user with the ability to interact with the control system platform 140. The user can interact with the control system platform 140 using the input device(s) 146 in many ways, including, but not limited to, entering or contributing data, selecting data or information items presented by the system, selecting programs, applications, models, algorithms, functions, etc. presented by the system to be executed, creating queries or providing commands to the system, etc. The input device(s) 146 may comprise one or more user-controlled input devices, including, but not limited to, mice, trackballs, touch pads, touch screens, keyboards, etc. To the extent not identified herein, the input device(s) may also include any of the types of user-controlled input devices identified and described below.

The scanner/reader 148 is adapted and configured to scan and/or read data and/or information from the tag 20 when the scanner/reader 148 is in proximity to the tag 20. The scanner/reader 148 may comprise, but is not limited to, an RFID scanner/reader, a barcode scanner/reader, a QR code scanner/reader, etc. The data and/or information may comprise any data that can be encoded and included on or in the tag 20. Such data and/or information may comprise, but is not limited to, a unique tag identifier and corresponding data that are characteristic of the livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is attached or is to be attached, etc.

The scanner/reader 148 may be integrated into a mobile element of the platform 140 of the control system, such as a hand-held or other mobile device. Such a device may be carried by a herder, a herder, etc. and may be used to scan and/or read data and/or information from a tag 20 attached to a particular animal of the livestock 12 in a field. This may provide the herder, herder, etc. with the ability to determine the location of a particular animal of the livestock 12, confirm the identification information of a particular animal of the livestock 12, and/or pay attention to a particular animal of the livestock 12 in a field. Similarly, the scanner/reader 148 may be used to scan or read data and/or information from a tag 20 that has become detached from the livestock 12 in a field and has subsequently been detected. The data may help to locate and identify the livestock 12 from which the tag 20 has become detached, and the tag 20 may then be reattached to the correct livestock 12. Alternatively, the detected tag 20 may be removed from the management system and its data transferred to a new tag 20 that is attached to the livestock 12.

The scanner/reader 148 may also be integrated into a non-mobile element of the platform 140 of the management system, such as a desktop PC or a workstation in an office. In these settings, the scanner/reader 148 may be used to enter new tags 20 into the management system that are to be attached to new livestock 12, such as newly born or newly received livestock 12 that are to be added to the managed herd.

The local storage 150 is adapted and configured to provide storage for data and information received from the tags 20, from the local sensors and transceivers 34 and from the remote computer system 220, as well as from other external sources, such as banks, veterinarians, markets, other ranches, etc. The local storage 150 is also adapted and configured to provide storage for data and information generated by the control system platform 140 and/or the remote computer system 220. The local storage 150 may comprise one or more suitable storage devices with sufficient capacity, including, but not limited to, disk drives, solid state drives (SSD) and/or tape drives, etc. To the extent not identified herein, the local storage 150 may also comprise any of the types of storage devices identified and described below.

The display 152 is adapted and configured to visually present data and/or information to a user of the control system platform 140. Such data and/or information may comprise, but is not limited to, data or information entered by the user, data or information received from one or more tags 20 and/or local sensors and transceivers 34, data or information received from other external sources, data or information generated by the control system platform 140, presentations of data, information, programs, applications, models, functions, etc. for selection by the user and presentation of user-selectable menus and menu items. The display 152 may comprise one or more of any suitable display types, including, but not limited to, computer displays, television displays, and mobile device displays. To the extent not identified herein, the display 152 may also comprise any of the display device types identified and described below.

As one example, display 152 may display a visual representation of a surface map or a topographic map of a managed area and/or one or more designated areas within the managed area. Management system platform 140 may contain mapping software and maps for this purpose and/or may receive this information from an external source. Display 152 may also display one or more user-defined geofence boundaries of a managed area and/or one or more designated areas within the managed area as an overlay on the map. Management system platform 140 may generate this information based on known GPS coordinates of the physical boundaries of the managed area and the designated areas within the managed area. Display 152 may also display representations of some or all of the managed livestock 12 as overlays on the map. The platform 140 of the control system can generate this information based on the GPS location data of each animal of the livestock 12 received from the tags 20 attached to the livestock 12. The displayed information allows the user to visually determine the locations of each animal of the managed livestock 12 relative to the controlled area, designated areas within the controlled area and the boundaries of the geofence. The user can thus easily determine whether the livestock 12 is within or outside the perimeter boundary of the controlled area, for example.

The control system platform 140 may also be adapted and configured to provide the display 152 with representations of the livestock 12 with different display attributes, such as colors, flashing, etc., based on different characteristics or conditions of the livestock 12, such as bulls, cows, calves, recently sick, recently vaccinated, etc. The control system platform 140 may also be adapted and configured to respond to a user's selection of a livestock representation 12 on the display 152 to perform an action with respect to the selected livestock 12. For example, the user may select a displayed livestock representation 12 using the input device 146, and one action performed may include displaying additional information about the selected livestock 12. Depending on how the control system platform 140 is configured, the displayed information may comprise any or all of the information from the tag 20 attached to the livestock 12 and any or all of the information about the livestock 12 maintained on the control system platform 140. Another action may be generating and sending an alert or warning with respect to the selected livestock 12. Any number of actions may be performed individually or in combination.

The control system platform 140 is adapted and configured to communicate with the tags 20, the local sensors and transceivers 34, and the remote computer system 220 via a communication interface. The communication interface provides interfaces for a number of different communication channels through which the control system platform 140 can communicate.

The cellular network interface 154 provides one communication channel through which the control system platform 140 can communicate remotely with the tags 20, the local sensors and transceivers 34, and the remote computer system 220. The cellular network interface 154 comprises a cellular network transceiver that operates to wirelessly transmit and receive data to and from the respective cellular transceivers 86 of the tags 20, the local sensors and transceivers 34, and the remote computer system 220 via one or more cellular networks, including, for example, those that were previously identified in this document. The cellular network transceiver of the control system platform 140 can be the same as or similar to the cellular network transceivers 86 of the tags 20, as well as the local sensors and transceivers 34, described above.

The cellular network transceiver of the control system platform 140 communicates with one or more cellular towers within the cellular signal range. The cellular towers transmit data in both directions between the control system platform 140, individual tags 20 and local sensors and transceivers 34, and the remote computer system 220. The data may be transmitted directly between the respective cellular transceivers over the cellular network, or may be transmitted partially over the cellular network and partially over an intermediate WAN and/or LAN network, including, but not limited to, the Internet, as shown in Fig. 10. One or more cellular accelerators, repeaters and/or gateways may also form a portion of the cellular communication channel between the control system platform 140, individual tags 20, individual local sensors and transceivers 34, and the remote computer system 220.

If necessary, the communication interface may also comprise a satellite data network interface. The satellite data network interface provides another communication channel through which the control system platform 140 can communicate remotely with the tags 20, the local sensors and transceivers 34, and the remote computer system 220. The satellite data network interface comprises a satellite data network transceiver that transmits data in both directions between the control system platform 140, the individual tags 20 and the local sensors and transceivers 34, and the remote computer system 220 over a network of satellites, such as those previously identified herein. The individual tags 20 and the local sensors and transceivers 34, and the remote computer system 220 comprise corresponding satellite data network transceivers. The data may be transmitted directly between the respective transceivers of the satellite data transmission network over the satellite network, or may be transmitted partly over the satellite network and partly over an intermediate WAN and/or LAN network, including, but not limited to, the Internet.

The WAN/LAN interface 156 provides another communication channel through which the control system platform 140 can communicate remotely or locally with the tags 20, with the local sensors and transceivers 34, and with the remote computer system 220. The WAN/LAN interface 156 may comprise an LPWAN transceiver that operates to wirelessly transmit and receive data remotely to and from the corresponding LPWAN transceivers 88 of the tags 20, as well as the local sensors and transceivers 34, including through one or more intermediate WAN and/or LAN networks, such as those previously identified herein, including the Internet. The LPWAN transceiver of the control system platform 140 may be the same as or similar to the LPWAN transceivers 88 of the tags 20, as well as the local sensors and transceivers 34. One or more LPWAN gateways, amplifiers and/or signal repeaters, etc. may also form part of the LPWAN communication channel between the control system platform 140 and the tags 20 and/or the local sensors and transceivers 34.

The WAN/LAN network interface 156 may also include a traditional network interface such as TCP/IP and/or HTTP, which operates to exchange data either remotely or locally with the tags 20, with the local sensors and transceivers 34, and with the remote computer system 220, at least under certain conditions. For example, the control system platform 140 may exchange data with the tags 20, the local sensors and transceivers 34, and the remote computer system 220 remotely via a WAN, such as the Internet, provided that they have an available Internet connection. This will often not be the case with respect to the tags 20, but the remote computer system 220 will typically have an available wired or wireless WAN connection. The control system platform 140 can also exchange data with the tags 20, the local sensors and transceivers 34, and the remote computer system 220 locally via LAN, provided that they have an available LAN connection. In particular, in the case of the tags 20, this again depends on whether a wireless LAN connection, such as Wi-Fi, is available. In the case of the remote computer system 220, a wired or wireless LAN connection is typically available depending on the relative locations of the control system platform 140 and the remote computer system 220.

The local radio frequency interface 158 provides another communication channel through which the control system platform 140 can wirelessly exchange data locally with the tags 20, as well as with the local sensors and transceivers 34, when the control system platform 140 is in relatively close proximity to the tag 20 or the local sensor and transceiver 34. For this purpose, the local radio frequency interface 158 can comprise a Bluetooth transceiver and/or an RFID transceiver. The Bluetooth and/or RFID transceivers of the control system platform 140 can be the same or similar to the corresponding Bluetooth and/or RFID transceivers 84, 92 of the tags 20 and the local sensors and transceivers 34, as described above. Accordingly, when the control system platform 140 is within the range of the Bluetooth or RFID tag 20 or the local sensor and transceiver 34, it can wirelessly communicate via the Bluetooth transceiver or the RFID transceiver with the tag 20 or the local sensor and transceiver 34. Although this range is quite limited, this communication mode can be useful for a herder, a herder, etc. to communicate with the tags 20 in the field. For example, at least a part of the control system platform 140, including the local radio frequency interface 158, can be built into a mobile device that the herder, herder, etc. carries with him in the field. In this arrangement, the control system platform 140 can wirelessly communicate with selected tags 20, in the relatively close proximity to which it is located. As described herein, the management system platform 140 may also communicate wirelessly with the tags 20 via Bluetooth or another local radio frequency communication channel through the local sensors and transceivers 34 when the management system platform 140 and/or the livestock 12 to which the tags 20 are attached are within the signal range of the local sensors and transceivers 34.

Similar to the tags 20, as described above, the control system platform 140 may first attempt to communicate with the tags 20 and/or the remote computer system 220 via a local communication channel, such as the Bluetooth transceiver 84 or the LPWAN transceiver 88, if it is within the signal range of the corresponding transceivers of the tag 20 and/or the local sensors and transceivers 34. As mentioned with respect to the tags 20, the control system platform 140 can communicate with the tags 20 via these local communication channels at a relatively high data rate and relatively inexpensively compared to using long-range communication channels. However, if the management system platform 140 determines that a suitable Bluetooth or LPWAN connection is not available for communication, such as when the livestock 12 to which the tags 20 are attached are in an unfenced pasture and far from the management system platform 140 and any local sensors and transceivers 34, then the management system platform 140 has the ability to communicate with the tags 20 over a long-range communication channel, such as a cellular network through a cellular transceiver 86 or a satellite data network through a satellite data network transceiver. Like the tags 20, the management system platform 140 autonomously selects the fastest and/or least expensive communication channel for exchanging data depending on conditions such as location, signal strength, and other transmission conditions. As mentioned above, this functionality can lead to significant savings over time.

Similarly, the control system platform 140 may first attempt to communicate with the remote computer system 220 via a TCP/IP-HTTP network interface of the WAN/LAN interface 156. This communication channel provides greater bandwidth and data rates and is less expensive than a long-range wireless communication channel, such as a cellular or satellite. The TCP/IP-HTTP network interface may provide wired and/or wireless communication of a long range via a WAN, such as the Internet, and/or short range via a LAN. However, if a WAN and/or LAN connection is unavailable for any reason, then the control system platform 140 has the ability to communicate with the remote computer system 220 via a long-range wireless communication channel, such as a cellular network via the cellular network transceiver 154 of the WAN/LAN interface 156 or a satellite data network via a satellite data network transceiver, albeit with less bandwidth and data rates and at an additional cost.

The control system platform 140 can also remotely exchange data with clients via a WAN/LAN network communication channel via a WAN/LAN network interface 156, a cellular network channel via a cellular network interface 154, or a satellite network channel via a satellite data network interface. Clients may include, but are not limited to, banks, insurance companies, government agencies, veterinarians, auction participants, subscribers of other services, etc., as further described below.

2. Functions, data and workflow.

As illustrated graphically in Figs. 11A-11E, the control system platform 140 is adapted and configured to perform a number of livestock control functions and operations. The control system platform 140 typically follows a logical sequence in performing these functions and operations. It should be understood that the graphical representation of Figs. 11A-11E includes only some of the functions and operations that the control system platform 140 may be adapted and configured to perform, and provides only an example of one possible logical sequence for performing such functions and operations. It should also be understood that the sequence illustrated in Figs. 11A-11E is intended to be logical in nature and is not intended to be interpreted as necessarily requiring a linear and sequential sequence of execution of all functions, operations, steps and/or activities of the control system platform 140. Rather, multiple illustrated functions, operations, steps and/or activities may be performed in various orders and simultaneously or sequentially.

In block 160, the control system platform 140 may detect, monitor, track, manage, and respond to various ongoing health-related conditions of each individual animal of the managed livestock 12. The control system platform 140 receives data on a periodic basis about one or more physical parameters of each animal of the livestock 12 and about determinations made with respect to one or more activities and behaviors of each animal of the livestock 12, from tags 20 attached to the livestock 12. The control system platform 140 may also periodically receive additional data about the livestock 12 directly from one or more local sensors and transceivers 34. The control system platform 140 stores the received data locally in a local data store 150 and may transmit the data to a remote computer system 220. The stored data provides a history of the various physical parameters, activities, and behaviors of the individual animal of the livestock 12 over time.

The management system platform 140 is adapted and configured to process the received and stored data to determine whether the livestock 12 has a current health-related condition that may require attention. The management system platform 140 can process the data and make determinations in the same or similar manner as the individual tags 20. For example, the management system platform 140 can periodically receive and store data regarding the relative body temperature, orientation, altitude level, independent movement and weight of the livestock 12. The management system platform 140 can be adapted and configured to determine that the livestock 12 is healthy if the relative body temperature is within a normal range, the orientation and altitude level parameters indicate that the livestock 12 regularly eats, drinks, chews food, etc., the determination of independent movement indicates that the livestock 12 is moving normally, and/or the weight of the livestock 12 is stable or increasing. Conversely, the control system platform 140 may be adapted and configured to determine that the livestock 12 is not healthy, such as sick or injured, if the relative body temperature is abnormally high or low, the orientation, altitude and acceleration parameters indicate that the livestock 12 is not eating, chewing and drinking normally, the determination of independent movement indicates that the livestock 12 is immobile or not moving normally, and/or the weight of the livestock 12 is decreasing. For example, a decrease in water intake may indicate some respiratory infections. Similarly, an abnormal increase in relative body temperature in combination with limited independent movement may indicate some other infections.

If the management system platform 140 determines that the livestock 12 has a health-related condition that may require attention, the management system platform 140 can generate and transmit an alert or notification in the same or similar manner and with the same or similar information as the individual tags 20. For example, the management system platform 140 can transmit alerts and notifications to one or more mobile and/or stationary devices of a herder, herder, owner, etc. in the form of an email, text messages, or direct communication between devices. The alerts or notifications can contain information to help identify the livestock 12, information about the condition requiring attention, and information about the action to be taken. The control system platform 140 may also transmit an alert or warning to the tag 20 attached to the livestock 12 with a health-related condition to cause the tag 20 to activate the LED 64 and/or the tone generator 68 to help the herder, herder, etc. to determine the location of the livestock 12 requiring attention and/or to activate the stimulator 70 to encourage the livestock 12 to move to a desired location, such as a pen for sick cattle or an alley. The content of the alert or warning may vary depending on the condition that caused it to be generated by the control system platform 140.

The management system platform 140 may also be adapted and configured to generate a report on the current health status of an individual animal from the livestock 12 and/or on the health status of a group of animals from the livestock 12 of the entire managed herd based on data and determinations received from all tags 20 attached to the group or herd.

In block 162, the platform 140 of the control system may monitor, track and maintain data concerning various characteristics of the livestock 12. The platform 140 of the control system may be adapted and configured to receive characteristic data for each individual animal of the livestock 12 as input data. For example, such input data may be entered using one or more input devices 146 and may include, but are not limited to, date of birth, age, sex, breed, color, etc. livestock 12. Such input data may also include characteristic data received from tags 20 attached to an individual animal of the livestock 12 and/or from local sensors and transceiver 34 that communicate with the tags 20. For example, the control system platform 140 may periodically receive data regarding certain variable physical characteristics of the livestock 12, such as weight, from a tag 20 attached to the livestock 12 and/or from one or more local sensors and transceivers 34 in communication with the tag 20 and with scales in one or more instances in the controlled area. The control system platform 140 stores the input data locally in the memory 144 and/or the local data store 150, thereby creating a record and history of the characteristics of each individual animal of the livestock 12 over time. The control system platform 140 may also transmit some or all of the characteristic data to a tag 20 attached to each individual animal of the livestock 12 and/or to a remote computer system 220.

The management system platform 140 may be adapted and configured to process the characteristic data for a number of purposes. For example, the data may be processed to determine whether the livestock 12 has a current health-related condition, as described above. The data may also be processed for various market, financial and demographic purposes. For example, the management system platform 140 may determine that the livestock 12 is ready for slaughter when it reaches a certain age and/or weight. It may also determine that a baby livestock 12 is ready for weaning when it reaches a certain age and/or weight. It may also determine the current market value of an individual animal of the livestock 12, as well as a group or an entire herd of livestock 12 based on the total weight and current market prices.

The management system platform 140 may also be adapted and configured to generate reports containing characteristic information about an individual animal of the livestock 12 and/or about a group or an entire herd of the managed livestock 12. Such reports may be used by a cattle breeder, herder, etc. to identify the livestock 12 to be slaughtered, to identify the demographic characteristics of the herd, and for many other livestock management purposes. For example, a report may contain a slaughter/cull list that is generated by the management system platform 140 based on the productivity of the livestock 12 determined based on the data provided by the tags 20. If a bull does not breed cows or breeds few cows over a period of time, he may be placed on a cull list. Similarly, if a cow does not become pregnant or comes into heat several times and calves late, she may be placed on a cull list. The control system platform 140 may be adapted and configured to implement an automatic rating system based on such data, which facilitates the manufacturer in making such decisions.

In block 164, the control system platform 140 may monitor, track, and respond to the location, movement, and activity of the livestock 12 in the same or similar manner as the individual tags 20. For example, the control system platform 140 may periodically receive and store data and determinations regarding the location, movement, activity, and behavior of each individual animal of the livestock 12 from the tags 20 attached to the livestock 12. The control system platform 140 stores each of the received data and determinations in the local data storage 150, thereby creating a history of the location, movement, and activity of each animal of the livestock 12 over time. The control system platform 140 may also transmit data and determinations to the remote computer system 220.

The management system platform 140 may process current and historical data and determinations and determine the current and historical location of each animal of the livestock 12 relative to assets of the managed area, such as barns, paddocks, feedlots, etc., having known location coordinates. It may also determine whether the livestock 12 are currently or have historically been within or outside a geofence boundary, including a perimeter boundary of the managed area and/or a boundary of one or more designated zones within the managed area. It may also determine where the livestock 12 are currently located and what activity they are currently engaged in, as well as where the livestock 12 have been in the past at various points in time and what activity they were engaged in at each location and at each point in time. Such data provides complete tracking of the location and activity of the managed livestock 12 and may be used for numerous purposes, including, for example, to determine whether the livestock 12 have been in an outbreak area for a period of time or are susceptible to a disease.

The control system platform 140 can also make additional determinations from the above. For example, from the history of the movements and activities of the livestock 12, it can determine whether the livestock 12 may have a health-related condition or another physical condition, such as estrus or calving, that may require attention. If the livestock 12 is determined to be sick, it can also track where the livestock 12 has been and what it has been doing to accurately determine whether the livestock 12 has ingested something that has caused the disease.

The platform 140 of the control system may also be adapted and configured to display the current and historical locations of each individual animal of the livestock 12 on the display 152, superimposed on a map, relative to the controlled area and one or more geofences, as described above. This may provide a visual indication of where each animal of the livestock 12 was located and what it was doing at various points in time.

The control system platform 140 may also be adapted and configured to generate and transmit alerts and/or warnings in response to determinations regarding the location, movement and activity of the livestock 12. The alerts and/or warnings may be the same as described above. For example, an alert or warning may be generated in response to a determination that the livestock 12 is in a location outside a geofence boundary, such as a perimeter boundary of a managed area. The alert or warning may also be sent to a tag 20 attached to the livestock 12 to activate a tone generator 68 and/or a stimulator 70, for example, to encourage the livestock 12 to stop and/or return.

The management system platform 140 may also be adapted and configured to generate a report of current and/or historical locations, movements, and activities of an individual animal of the livestock 12 and/or a group or entire herd of managed livestock 12 based on data and definitions received from all tags 20 attached to the herd.

In block 166, the control system platform 140 may detect, monitor, track, manage, and respond to significant physical conditions of the livestock 12 in the same or similar manner as the individual tags 20. Such conditions may include, for example, estrus, conception, calving, and weaning dates. The control system platform 140 may periodically receive and store data and determinations regarding the physical conditions from the tags 20 attached to the livestock 12. As described above, such data may include, for example, internal body temperature, movement, orientation, elevation, independent movement, etc. The control system platform may receive determinations of the physical conditions via the tags 20 and may separately confirm such conditions by processing the underlying data regarding the physical parameters, activities, and behaviors on the basis of which the determinations were made. The control system platform 140 stores each of the received data and determinations in the local data storage 150, thereby creating a history of the determined physical conditions for each animal of the livestock 12 over time. The control system platform 140 can also transmit the data and determinations to the remote computer system 220.

The platform 140 of the control system can also be adapted and configured to generate and transmit alerts and/or warnings in response to determinations regarding the physical conditions of the livestock 12. The alerts and/or warnings can be the same as described above. For example, an alert or warning can be generated in response to a determination that the livestock 12 is in a state of estrus or calving. The alert or warning can also be sent to the tag 20 attached to the livestock 12 to activate the LED 64, for example, to help a herder, a herder, etc. determine the location of the livestock 12 to provide the necessary attention.

The management system platform 140 may also be adapted and configured to generate a report on the significant physical conditions of an individual animal of the livestock 12 and/or a group or an entire herd of managed livestock 12 based on data and determinations received from all tags 20 attached to the herd.

In block 168, the control system platform 140 may determine, update, and maintain genetic data and family pedigree data of the livestock 12. For example, the control system platform 140 may periodically receive data and determinations from the tag 20 attached to the livestock 12, including the estrus state of the livestock 12, the distance and angle between one animal of the livestock 12 and another nearby animal of the livestock, the height level and orientation of one animal of the livestock 12 compared to another nearby animal of the livestock, and the determination of fertilization and insemination of the livestock 12. The control system platform 140 may receive determinations of physical condition, activity, and behavior using the tags 20 and may separately confirm them by processing the underlying data. The management system platform 140 may determine the identification information of the livestock 12 that is being bred based on the unique identifiers of the tags 20 attached to each of them. Subsequent pregnancy may be physically confirmed by a herder, a herder, etc., or may be determined using the tag 20 attached to the pregnant livestock 12 based on the physical parameters, activity and behavior of the livestock 12, and a report on it is transmitted to the management system platform 140. When the pregnant livestock 12 subsequently gives birth, a new tag 20 with a unique identifier may be filled with information, attached to the newborn and entered into the management system platform 140. The management system platform 140 stores the data of the new tag in the local data store 150 with the identifier of the tag of the newborn and with the identifiers of the tags of the father and mother. The identifier of the tag of the newborn is also stored with the identifier of the tag and the data of both the father and the mother. This creates a linked chain or tree of genetic and family pedigree for each animal of the livestock 12. The management system platform 140 also stores the data and definitions received from the tags 20 in the local data storage 150, thereby creating a history of estrus, insemination, pregnancy and calving events or cases of the livestock 12 over time. The management system platform 140 can also transmit any or all of the described data and definitions to the remote computer system 220.

The management system platform 140 may also be adapted and configured to generate reports for an individual animal of the livestock 12, containing their estrus, conception, pregnancy and calving history, as well as their genetic and family pedigree. It may also aggregate such data for all livestock 12 in the managed herd and generate similar reports for the herd. Such reports allow the herder, shepherd, owner, etc., among other things, to determine the demographic fertility rates and productivity of the herd as a whole.

In block 170, the management system platform 140 may monitor and manage the use of designated grazing zones within the managed area by a group or an entire herd of managed livestock 12. For example, as described above, the management system platform 140 may comprise mapping software or other means for defining one or more designated zones, including one or more designated grazing zones, within the managed area and may limit them to one or more geofence boundaries. Also, as described above, the management system platform 140 periodically receives and stores data and determinations regarding the location, movement, activity and behavior of each individual animal of the livestock 12, from tags 20 attached to the livestock 12.

The management system platform 140 may identify livestock 12 having locations within the boundary coordinates of each designated pasture zone at any given time, determine the amount of time they have spent there engaging in eating activity, and apply a predetermined consumption rate value to estimate the amount of pasture material consumed. The predetermined consumption rate may be a value input into the management system platform 140 and stored in the memory 144 and/or local data storage 150. For example, for cattle, a consumption rate of approximately 2-4% of the livestock 12's body weight per day may be appropriate.

The pasture capacity value and the pasture limit value may also be input into the control system platform 140 and stored in the memory 144 and/or the local data storage 150 for each designated pasture zone. For example, the pasture capacity value may be the number of tons of dry pasture material that is estimated to be contained in the designated pasture zone at 100% capacity. The pasture limit value may be a percentage of the full capacity value, such as, for example, 20%.

The platform 140 of the control system can be designed and adapted to periodically determine, based on current and stored data on the location and activity of the livestock 12, the amount of pasture material consumed in the designated pasture area, and to subtract this amount to obtain a value of the remaining capacity of the pasture. The amount of pasture material consumed will be subtracted from the value of the pasture capacity if the designated pasture area is again used as a pasture after being regrown to full capacity, and will be subtracted from the previous value of the remaining capacity of the pasture if the designated pasture area was previously used as a pasture.

When the control system platform 140 determines that the value of the remaining capacity of the pasture is equal to or less than the limit value of the pasture, it can generate alerts or warnings, substantially the same as described above, to warn the herder, herder, owner, etc. that the livestock 12 must be moved to prevent overgrazing and potential damage in the designated area. The alerts or warnings can also direct the tags 20 attached to the livestock 12 within the designated area to activate the tone generators 68 and/or stimulators 70 to encourage the livestock 12 to leave the designated area.

The platform 140 of the control system may also be adapted and configured to generate reports containing information on the capacity, remaining capacity, consumption rates and grazing limits of designated grazing zones. The cattle breeder, herder, owner, etc. may use such information to create plans for placement, movement, grazing and provision of other feed for livestock 12.

As described above, the platform 140 of the control system may also be adapted and configured to display representations of the livestock 12 on the display 152 as an overlay on a map of the control area containing the designated grazing areas. This may provide a visual indication of the concentration of livestock 12 in one or more designated grazing areas at different times, which may also be useful for a herder, etc., when managing the livestock 12 and the designated grazing areas.

In block 172, the management system platform 140 may monitor and maintain a health history and a medical history for each animal of the livestock 12. The management system platform 140 is adapted and configured to receive health and medical examination related input data for each animal of the managed livestock 12. The input data may include data from one or more external sources. Such external sources may include, but are not limited to, veterinarians, veterinary clinics, pharmacies, sources of medical supplies, etc. The input data from external sources may include, but are not limited to, records of vaccinations and administered medications; treatments performed, such as deworming, parasite treatment; examinations; diagnoses and prognoses; veterinary visits, etc. The data may also include future scheduled or unscheduled vaccinations, medications, treatments, doctor's appointments, etc. The input data may also include health-related and other physical conditions detected and/or determined by the tag 20 attached to the livestock 12. Health-related data from the tag 20 may include, but is not limited to, disease and injury determinations. Physical condition data from the tag 20 may include, but is not limited to, estrus, conception, calving determinations, etc.

The control system platform 140 stores the input data in the memory 144 and/or the local data storage 150. The control system platform 140 may also transmit some or all of the input data for an individual animal of the livestock 12 to the tag 20 attached to the livestock 12 for storage and/or use by the tag 20 locally for the livestock 12.

The control system platform 140 may also be adapted and configured to generate and transmit alerts and warnings. The alerts and warnings may be the same as described above, such as in the form of a text message or an email to one or more mobile and/or stationary devices of a herder, a herder, etc. For example, the control system platform 140 may be configured to send an alert or warning when the time that has passed since the administration of a vaccine or medicine has expired and it is time for the next dose. Similarly, the alert or warning may be sent when the control system platform 140 detects that the date has arrived or is approaching when the vaccine or medicine is scheduled or to be administered. The alert or warning may also contain information identifying the livestock 12 and information about the vaccine or medicine that is to be administered. The alert or warning may also include a command for the tag 20 attached to the livestock 12 to activate the LED 64 and/or the tone generator 68 to assist the herder, herder, etc. in determining the location of the livestock 12.

The management system platform 140 may also be adapted and configured to generate reports containing some or all of the data and information about the health history and disease history of an individual animal of the livestock 12. Such reports may be used by a herder, herder, etc. to quickly determine how many times and when the livestock 12 was in heat, was impregnated, calved, had an abortion, was sick, etc. They may also be used to easily determine all vaccines, medications, treatments, etc. that have been administered or are to be administered to an individual animal of the livestock 12 in the future.

The management system platform 140 may also aggregate data and information for a group of livestock 12 or for the entire managed herd and generate reports for the group or herd. For example, a herd-level report may contain data on which livestock 12 have received a particular vaccine or medicine and which have not. Such information may be used by a herder, a herder, etc. to plan the necessary medical care, estimate and plan medical care costs, manage medical supplies, etc.

In block 174, the management system platform 140 may monitor, track, update and maintain data about a selected group of livestock 12 or about the entire managed herd. Such herd data may include, for example, but not limited to, location(s), population size, demographics, etc. The management system platform 140 is adapted and configured to aggregate and process data and information regarding an individual animal of the livestock 12 received as input from one or more input devices 146, from one or more external sources, from tags 20 attached to an individual animal of the livestock 12, and from local sensors and transceivers 34, as described herein, to obtain herd data.

For example, the management system platform 140 may aggregate and process location data for all livestock 12 of a group or an entire herd, which is periodically received from tags 20 attached to livestock 12, and determine the movement and location of the group or herd within the managed area, currently and historically over time. This information may be used for various purposes, including, but not limited to, monitoring the spread of disease, managing the use of consumable resources such as pastures, etc.

The management system platform 140 may also aggregate and process characteristic and other data for an individual animal of the livestock 12 and determine herd-level demographic data. Such data may include, for example, but not limited to, age, sex, breed, weight, etc. The herd-level demographic data may include, for example, but not limited to, current and historical (a) the total number of managed livestock 12, (b) the number of livestock 12 in various age and weight ranges, (c) the number of males and females of the livestock 12, including the number of each in reproductive age, (d) the number of new livestock 12 born over time, (e) the number of each breed of livestock 12 within the managed herd, etc. This information may be used for a variety of purposes including, but not limited to, determining and managing the performance of the managed herd, determining the current value and historical cost trends of the managed herd, and estimating the current and future costs and historical cost trends of the managed herd.

The management system platform 140 may store the herd data in the memory 144 and/or the local data storage 150 and may transmit some or all of the data to the remote computer system 220. The management system platform 140 may also generate reports containing some or all of the herd data.

In blocks 176 and 184, the control system platform may detect, monitor, and respond to external events and/or conditions that may affect the health or well-being of the managed livestock 12. As described above and as shown in block 176, the control system platform 140 periodically receives from the tags 20 attached to each animal of the livestock 12 data and determinations regarding some detected or determined external conditions that may pose a risk to the livestock 12, such as a nearby predator, a gunshot, a vehicle engine, and/or a theft. Also, as described above and as shown in block 184, the control system platform 184 periodically receives from the tags 20 data and determinations regarding weather and/or meteorological conditions that may pose a risk. The control system platform 140 stores the data and determinations in the memory 144 and/or the local data storage 150. The control system platform 140 may receive risk determinations via the tags 20 and may separately determine and/or confirm them by processing the underlying data.

The platform 140 of the control system is adapted and configured to generate and transmit alerts and/or warnings in response to detecting or determining such conditions or events. The alerts and/or warnings may be substantially the same as described above, when a separate tag 20 detects or determines such a condition or event, such as emails, text messages, etc. to one or more mobile and/or stationary devices to alert a herder, a herder, etc. that an appropriate action must be taken, such as intervening to eliminate the threatening condition or moving the livestock 12 to another location. The alerts or warnings may also include commands for the tag 20 attached to the livestock 12 at risk to activate the microphone 66 and/or camera 72 to obtain additional audio and/or video information to confirm the risk, to activate the tone generator 68 and/or stimulator 70 to try to encourage the livestock 12 to move or scare away the source of the risk, and/or to activate the LED 64 to help the herder, herder, etc. determine the location of the livestock 12 and provide the necessary attention.

In block 178, the management system platform 140 may create and manage an external access interface and may control access to the livestock management system 10 by one or more external users. For example, the management system platform 140 may be adapted and configured to provide external access to a cattle breeder or herder, a hired worker on a ranch, an owner, a veterinarian, participants in an online auction and/or veterinary services, a user(s) of banks or other financial services, an insurer(s), government agencies and other users to whom the system administrator chooses to provide access to some or all of the data and functionality of the system.

The external access interface may include login/password access protection, and the management system platform 140 may be configured to limit access to only designated data, information, and functionality of the management system platform 140 depending on the user. For example, a cattle breeder and/or owner may have access to all data, information, and functionality of the management system platform 140 with respect to livestock 12 owned by the cattle breeder or owner, but not with respect to livestock 12 owned by other cattle breeders or owners. Conversely, a herder may be given access to most information and functionality only with respect to the livestock 12 for which the herder is responsible, but not to some financial information, and a hired ranch hand may be given more limited access to only some data, information, and functionality relating to the livestock 12 and expendable assets, such as pasture or range uses and limitations, feed and water uses and levels, etc., for which the hired hand is responsible. Similarly, a veterinarian may be limited to access to health and medical examination related data and information, a bank may be limited to access to livestock characteristic and demographic information related to financial value, and auction bidders may be limited to access to health and physical characteristic data and information for a particular livestock 12 animal being auctioned.

The management system platform 140 may also be configured to allow different users to edit or update different data. A rancher or owner may be allowed to edit or update any information in the system relating to his own livestock 12. A herder may be allowed to update most of the information in the system relating to the livestock 12 for which he is responsible, but not financial or ownership data. A ranch hand may be limited to updating only certain data and information on aspects of management for which the hand is directly responsible, such as levels of expendable assets as they are replenished, vaccination and medication records as they are administered, etc. Similarly, a veterinarian may be limited to updating only health and medical examination related data and information, and a bank or auction participant may not be allowed to edit or update any information.

The management system platform 140 may also be configured to operate as a remote or cloud-based service provider platform for users. For example, the management system platform 140 may provide a remote online auction service. Users wishing to participate in the auction, either to buy or sell livestock 12, may register and may be charged a one-time or ongoing subscription fee. The management system platform 140 may allow participating sellers to identify the livestock 12 for sale and the terms of the sale. The management system platform 140 may allow an auction participant to view certain health and physical characteristics data, ownership and location information, etc., regarding the livestock 12 offered for sale. The management system platform 140 may allow participating buyers to submit bids and participating sellers to accept or reject bids.

Upon completion of the sale, the management system platform 140 may provide or transfer some or all of the data and information in the system for the sold livestock 12 to the buyer. For example, current and historical physical characteristics, as well as current and historical health and physical condition data may be transferred. Such data may include, for example, vaccination history, physical pain/disease alerts and reports, age, number of calvings, abortions, etc. Also transferred may be the chain of title and current and historical location data, such as identification information and the location of the ranch where the livestock 12 was present. Genetic chain and/or pedigree information may also be transferred. Transfer of some or all of such data to the buyer may be subject to the seller's approval of the disclosure of information and/or the payment of an additional fee, since such information may have additional value to the buyer and to subsequent end users, i.e. Information about the ranch, pedigree(s), and location(s) from which consumer retail beef was sourced may be valuable to some consumers.

The management system platform 140 may also be configured to provide a remote online veterinary service for users to contact and communicate with a veterinarian, and/or for veterinarians to access data and information about livestock 12 owned by their clients. For example, a veterinarian may be on staff at a ranch or other organization operating the management system platform 140, or may be independently employed by the organization, and may communicate with users of the management system platform 140 who pay a one-time or ongoing subscription fee. A user who observes an abnormality in a health-related or other physical condition of livestock 12, or who receives a health-related alert or notification, may log in to the management system platform 140 and contact a veterinarian to ask questions and identify problems and potential solutions. Alternatively, veterinarians may pay an ongoing subscription fee to log in to the system as users and access certain health-related data, physical metric data, activity and behavior data, location data, and/or other data about their clients' livestock 12 to help diagnose livestock 12 conditions and recommend treatments.

In block 180, the control system platform 140 may track, monitor, and manage supplies (in addition to managing the designated pasture areas described above). For example, the control system platform 140 may manage supplies that include, but are not limited to, feed, hay, water, vaccination doses, drug doses, deworming and parasite treatments, artificial insemination straws, etc.

With respect to feed, hay, water and similar consumable resources, the control system platform 140 may periodically receive and store data and determinations from tags 20 attached to each individual animal of the livestock 12 concerning the location and activity of the livestock 12, such as eating and drinking. The control system platform 140 may also receive data and information from local sensors and transceivers 34 located near or adjacent to feed, water, hay and similar consumable resources concerning visits by the livestock 12 to these sources. The control system platform 140 may process these data and information in a manner similar to that described above with respect to pasture management to monitor and manage inventories of consumable resources.

For example, for each individual and/or other consumable resource, a predetermined capacity value and a predetermined limit value may be input into the platform 140 of the control system via the input device 146 and stored in the memory 144 and/or the local data storage 150. In a similar manner, a predetermined consumption rate value may be input and stored. For example, the capacity value may be the number of pounds or tons of feed, hay, etc., or the number of gallons of water when the consumable resource has 100% capacity. The limit value may be a percentage of the capacity value, such as, for example, 20% of the full capacity. The consumption rate value may be the same for all livestock 12 or different for each animal of the livestock 12 and may be determined, for example, as a percentage of the body weight of the livestock 12 during a day, hour, or other period of time, for example, 2% of the body weight per day.

The control system platform 140 can determine, based on the location and activity data periodically received for each tag 20, when the livestock 12 is present on the consumable resource, whether it consumes the consumable resource and for how long. The control system platform 140 can determine the amount of the consumable resource consumed by an individual animal of the livestock 12 based on the time of consumption and a predetermined value of the consumption rate. The control system platform 140 can aggregate the consumption of the consumable resource by all livestock 12 determined as a consuming source to obtain a value of the total consumption. The control system platform 140 can subtract the value of the total consumption from the value of the capacity to obtain a value of the remaining capacity and store the value of the remaining capacity in the memory 144 and/or the local data storage 150. The value of the total consumption is subtracted from the value of the capacity if the consumable resource has a full capacity, and is subtracted from the previous value of the remaining capacity if the consumable resource was previously partially used.

When the control system platform 140 determines that the remaining capacity value is equal to or less than the limit value, it can generate an alert or warning, essentially the same as described above, to alert the herder, herder, owner, etc. that the consumable needs to be replenished. The alert or warning can also provide information for replenishing the consumable, if necessary.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the local sensor and transceiver 34 may be located in relation to the consumable resource for directly determining that the consumable resource has reached a limit value and for generating and transmitting an alert or warning. For example, the water resource may be equipped with a water level sensor, such as a float switch, a capacitive sensor, etc., configured to detect the moment when the water level reaches a limit value. When the water level reaches a limit value, the sensor and transceiver 34 may automatically generate a warning in the form of an alert. They may also automatically replenish the consumable resource when necessary, for example, by opening a filling valve or the like.

With respect to other types of consumables, such as vaccination doses, drug doses, deworming and parasite treatment products, artificial insemination straws, etc., as described above, the control system platform 140 can receive as input data via one or more input devices 146 an initial inventory value and a predetermined limit value for each individual and/or other consumable and can store the values in the memory 144 and/or the local data storage 150. As described above, the input device(s) 146 can include, for example, one or more barcode and/or QR code scanners or readers. The local sensors and transceivers 34 can also include RFID scanners or readers or the like. Each consumable item in the inventory can be marked or labeled with a barcode, QR code, or RFID chip indicating the type and number of units of the consumable item. When a consumable item is withdrawn from the inventory, the person who takes it can scan it using a scanner or a barcode reader, QR code reader, RFID reader. The control system platform 140 can be configured to receive the scanner data as input, subtract the appropriate number of units from the initial inventory value or from the remaining inventory value if consumable items of the same type have previously been removed from the inventory, and store the new remaining inventory value in the memory 144 and/or local data storage 150. Alternatively, the person who takes the consumable item from the inventory can manually enter the withdrawal using a keyboard or other type of input device 146.

In any case, the control system platform 140 may determine when the remaining inventory value has reached a limit value and may generate and transmit a warning or alert. The warning or alert may be the same as described above, such as sent as a text message, email, etc. to a mobile and/or stationary device of a herder, shepherd, etc. The warning or alert may also contain information for reordering and replenishing stock of a particular consumable item.

The control system platform 140 may also be adapted and configured to generate reports containing information on the stock of consumables. The herder, herder, owner, etc. may use the information in the reports to manage stock, reorder and replenish stock as needed, track the use of consumables, plan and budget for consumables, etc.

In block 182, the management system platform 140 monitors, tracks, updates and maintains various financial data and information related to an individual animal of the livestock 12, groups of livestock 12 and/or the entire managed herd. The financial data and information may include, for example, but not limited to, current and historical market values of an individual animal and the herd, current and historical market prices and cost data. The cost data may include, but not limited to, current, historical and projected future costs. The cost data may also include costs related to consumables and resources such as feed, hay, medications, etc., medical care costs, machinery and equipment costs, labor costs, debt servicing and interest costs, etc.

The management system platform 140 can receive financial data as input data through one or more input devices 146 and store them in the memory 144 and/or in the local data storage 150. The management system platform can be configured to receive updates from time to time for some financial data elements manually through the input device 146 and can automatically update other financial data elements in response. For example, a new market price for beef can be manually entered through the input device 146 to update the previous market price. In response, the management system platform 140 can automatically recalculate and update the market value of an individual animal from the livestock 12 and/or a group or managed herd based on the values of the current weight of the livestock 12 stored in the system and the updated current market value for beef. The management system platform 140 can store both the original values and the updated values, so that the system maintains a history of such financial data and values.

Similarly, the management system platform 140 may receive manual updates from time to time for various cost elements, such as costs for various inputs, labor, debt service, etc. The management system platform 140 may be configured to allocate the total costs associated with the managed herd to each individual animal of the livestock 12 either on an annual basis, or on a time-to-slaughter basis, or on some other basis. In response to updating the individual cost elements, the management system platform 140 may automatically recalculate the costs associated with each individual animal of the livestock 12, and may store the original and updated individual cost elements, as well as the original and updated cost values for each animal of the livestock 12, to maintain history. Alternatively, all financial data elements and their updates may be entered and/or recalculated manually.

The management system platform 140 may be configured to generate reports of financial data and information. The reports may contain financial data and information about an individual animal of the livestock 12 and about groups of livestock 12 or about the entire managed herd. The reports may contain historical, current and projected market value data, as well as historical, current and projected cost data on a per animal basis of the livestock 12 and on a herd basis. From such information, the owner, herder, herder, etc. can determine the actual and expected profitability of an individual animal of the livestock 12 and the herd. In this way, the owner, etc. can make informed management decisions, including, but not limited to, whether to keep or sell some livestock 12, whether to make or postpone some purchases and investments, and whether to make other changes to the herd portfolio.

The management system platform 140 may also be configured to generate alerts and warnings in response to financial data or conditions. The alerts and warnings may be the same as described above. For example, the management system platform 140 may generate an alert or warning in which an owner, herder, etc. is advised to buy or sell some livestock 12 when the current market price reaches a predetermined level.

In block 186, the management system platform 140 tracks and maintains historical ownership and location data for each individual animal of the livestock 12. The management system platform 140 may receive the ownership and location data as input via the input device 146 and may store it in the memory 144 and/or the local data storage 150. The historical ownership data for each owner may include, but is not limited to, the name(s), address(es), location(s) and dates concerning the ownership, as well as the share in the ownership. The historical location data may include, but is not limited to, the name, address and location of each ranch or other property on which the livestock 12 was located and the dates when the livestock 12 was located there.

The management system platform 140 may transmit some or all of the historical ownership and location data for each animal of the livestock 12 to the tag 20 attached to the livestock 12 for local storage and use. The data may be transmitted to the tag 20, for example, when the tag 20 is first populated with data and added to the system. Thereafter, updates may be remotely transmitted to the tag 20 from time to time, as described herein.

The management system platform 140 may also generate reports containing some or all of the historical ownership and location data for an individual animal of the livestock 12 and for groups of livestock 12 or the entire managed herd. As described above, some or all of such data may be transferred to the purchaser and the new owner of the livestock 12 under certain conditions. Such data may also be used to identify, separate, isolate and/or quarantine the livestock 12 in the event of an outbreak of an infectious disease in a location where the livestock 12 was located or exposed.

In block 188, the management system platform 140 manages the tags 20 and monitors, tracks, and responds to the states of the tags 20. With respect to managing the tags 20, the management system platform 140 may, among other things, add new tags 20 to the system, remove tags 20 from the system, and populate the tags 20 with some or all of the livestock-related data described herein, and prepare the tags 20 for operation. A tag 20 may be added to the system when new livestock 12 are born or otherwise added to the managed herd. The tag 20 may be added to the system, for example, by assigning a unique tag identifier, associating the unique tag identifier with a unique asset number of the livestock 12 to which the tag 20 is to be attached, and storing the tag identifier and the asset number in the local data store 150 along with some or all of the livestock data. For example, as described herein, the livestock data may include characteristic data (e.g., sex, species, breed, birth date, age), ownership history and location data, health and disease history data, historical physical condition data, genetic sequence and pedigree data, and any other data about the livestock 12. The tag 20 may be removed from the system when the livestock 12 dies, is sold, or otherwise leaves the managed herd. Tag 20 can be removed from the system by deleting information about it from local data storage 150 and detaching tag 20 from livestock 12.

The tag 20 may be populated with its unique tag identifier, associated unique asset number and livestock data prior to being attached to the livestock 12 by bringing it into proximity to the management system platform 140, which as described herein may be located in whole or in part on a mobile device, and pairing via Bluetooth or another radio frequency communication link. Once paired, the data is transferred to the tag 20 and stored in the memory 50 and/or 60 of the tag 20. The tag 20 is prepared for operation in the livestock management system 10 in the same manner by transferring all data, settings and parameters necessary for configuring the various communication interfaces (e.g., cellular, LPWAN) and for operating the tag 20 in the field, as described herein, to the tag 20 and storing them therein.

Similarly, tag 20, once associated with and attached to one animal of livestock 12, can be detached, re-associated with and attached to another animal of livestock 12. The management system platform 140 may delete the old livestock asset number and the old livestock data stored with the unique identifier of the tag 20 from the memory and local data storage of the management system platform 140 and overwrite them with the livestock asset number and the livestock data of the new livestock 12 with which the tag 20 is to be associated. The tag 20 is paired with the management system platform 140 via Bluetooth or another radio frequency communication link and is refilled and re-prepared using the asset number, data, settings, parameters, etc., associated with the new livestock 12, which overwrites the asset number, data, settings, etc., associated with the old livestock 12. The tag 20 may then be attached to the new livestock 12.

With respect to monitoring, tracking and responding to the conditions of the tags 20, the control system platform 140 may be configured to monitor and track operational, diagnostic, environmental and other conditions for each tag 20, and to generate and transmit a warning or alert in response to a condition detected during the monitoring. The control system platform 140 may monitor the states of the tags by checking the state-related data periodically received from the tags 20 and/or by communicating with the tags 20 and requesting some state-related data upon request. The states detected during the monitoring may include, for example, but not limited to, an energy level (e.g., a solar energy level), an electrical power level (e.g., a battery charge level or a supercapacitor charge level), a signal power level, diagnostic results, self-test results, ambient temperature, humidity, etc.

The platform 140 of the control system may be configured to generate and transmit an alert or warning when it determines that a condition detected during monitoring indicates a need for attention, such as maintenance, repair, replacement, etc. For example, the platform of the control system may be configured to generate an alert or warning when it determines that a battery-related or energy accumulator-related operating condition indicates a low remaining life of the battery or energy accumulator. Similarly, it may generate an alert or warning when it determines that a diagnostic or self-test result identifies a fault in the communication interface or in the built-in memory. The alert or warning may be the same as described above, such as a text message or email to one or more mobile devices of the cattle breeder, etc., and may identify the tag 20, its location and the state that triggers the alert or warning, as well as information regarding one or more potential solutions. For example, the alert or warning may contain a recommendation to detach and replace or repair the tag 20. The alert or warning may also contain a command for the tag 20 to perform an action, such as activating the LED 64 and/or the tone generator 68, to assist the herder, herder, etc. in determining the location of the tag 20.

3. Logical data structures.

The control system platform 140 may organize the data, information, and definitions that it receives and/or generates, as described in the previous sections, into one or more logical data structures in which related data, information, and definitions are logically grouped for storage and access from the memory 144 and/or the local data store 150. One potential logical data structure 190 is illustrated, for example, in Figs. 14A-14C. However, it is contemplated and will be understood that numerous other and different data structures may be used and that any and all such data structures that are consistent with performing the purposes, functions, and operations of the control system platform 140 as described herein are intended to be included within the scope of the descriptions of the exemplary embodiments.

The logical data structure 190 may comprise a persistent or semi-persistent section similar to section 122 of the logical data structure 120 of the tags 20, but for data and information about the control system platform 140. As described above, the control system platform 140 may be duplicated and/or distributed in whole or in part and located on a number of different devices, including one or more mobile devices. Accordingly, the persistent or semi-persistent section may comprise data and information for a specific instance of the control system platform 140 intended for persistent or semi-persistent execution of management. Such data and information may include, for example, but not limited to, a unique platform identifier and encryption key(s) for encrypted communication with a specific instance of the platform.

The logical data structure 190 may also contain a tag data section 192 with a plurality of records of data, information, and determinations periodically received by the control system platform 140 over time from the tags 20 and/or the local sensors and transceivers 34. Each set of data, information, and/or determinations received at a given point in time may be considered a logical tag data record. Each logical tag data record may contain any or all data, information, and/or determinations that the tag 20 and/or the local sensor/transceiver 34 may generate and transmit to the control system platform 140, as described herein. Each logical record may contain a plurality of fields.

For example, a field labeled as "tag identifier" may contain identifying data about the tag 20 and/or the local sensor/transceiver 34 that generated the data, information, and determinations included in the record. The identifying data may include, but is not limited to, a unique identifier and location of the tag 20 and/or the sensor/transceiver 34. A field labeled as "date/time" may have the date and time when the data, information, and/or determinations were generated by the tag 20 and/or the local sensor/transceiver 34.

The field labeled "tag data" in Fig. 14A may contain data regarding the location, orientation, direction, movement, elevation, and body temperature of the livestock; external data such as weather and meteorological data; audio and video data; tag operational data and states; and any other data that the tag 20 can receive or receive and transmit. The field labeled "other sensor data" may contain any data that the local sensor/transceiver 34 can transmit, including but not limited to the weight of the livestock 12. The field labeled "certain activity" may contain definitions of eating, drinking, ruminating, resting, fertilization, and any other definitions that the tag can implement and transmit. The field labeled "certain conditions" may contain definitions of illness, injury, estrus, pregnancy, calving, and any other physical conditions of the livestock 12 that the tag 20 can implement and transmit. The field labeled "nearest tags" may contain data regarding the relative position and angle of the tag 20 that generated the data, information and/or definitions when they were generated. Alternatively, this data may also be included in the "tag data" field.

The logical data structure 190 may also contain a genetic data/pedigree data section 194 that contains a plurality of records, each of which contains data concerning the genetic chain and the family pedigree of each animal of the livestock 12. Each record may contain a plurality of fields. For example, a record may contain a field for a tag identifier and an associated asset number of the livestock 12, fields for a tag identifier and an asset number of the mother and father of the livestock 12, a field for a birth date and fields for gender and any other characteristic data about the livestock that may be required. The genetic chain and family pedigree of the livestock 12 may be determined by tracking the tag identifiers of the mother and father in the records associated with them, determining each of the tag identifiers of their mother and father, tracking these identifiers in the records associated with them, etc.

The logical data structure 190 may also comprise a grazing area management section 196, 198 that comprises a plurality of records relating to one or more designated grazing areas, and for each designated grazing area, a plurality of records relating to the use of the grazing area by livestock 12, as described in the sections above. Each designated grazing area record may comprise a plurality of fields. The fields may comprise, but are not limited to, a field for data identifying the grazing area (e.g., "grazing area #1"), and a field for data identifying and/or defining the boundaries of the designated grazing area. Each such record may also have fields that contain predetermined values for determining the use of the designated grazing area, such as the total area, the capacity of the pasture, and the limit of the pasture, which were described in the sections above.

Each grazing area usage record is associated with a designated grazing area record. The grazing area usage records are generated at various times by the management system platform 140 based on livestock location and activity data generated and transmitted by the tags 20, as described in the sections above. Each grazing area usage record may contain a plurality of fields, including, for example, a field for the date and time the record was made, a field for the number of livestock 12 detected within the designated grazing area, a field for the estimated consumption rate of the livestock 12, and a field for the calculated remaining pasture capacity, which may be calculated in a manner also described in the sections above.

The logical data structure 190 may also contain a medical/physical condition data section 200 that contains a plurality of records concerning medical examination and health related data, as well as physical conditions of the livestock 12. Each record may contain any health related and other physical conditions and data determined and/or received by the tags 20 and/or the platform 140 of the management system, as described in the sections above. Each record may contain a plurality of fields, including, for example, a field for a tag identifier and a livestock asset number for identifying the livestock 12 to which the remaining data of the record belongs. Each record may also contain a field for an indicator or description of the medical data or physical condition. For example, indicators of medical examination and health related data may include vaccinations, medications, etc. Indicators of physical conditions may include illness, injury, estrus, pregnancy, abortion, calving, etc. Additional fields may contain more detailed information, such as a field containing additional descriptions of medical and health related data and physical conditions, as well as fields for dosage, duration, start and end dates, additional information, etc. The collection of records for each livestock tag identifier and/or asset number may provide a medical, health, and physical condition history for each animal in the livestock 12.

The logical data structure 190 may also contain an events and external events section 202 that contains a plurality of records containing information about events and conditions external to the livestock 12. Each record may contain any event and/or external condition data and definitions received or determined and transmitted by the tags 20 and/or the management system platform 140, as described in the sections above. Each record may contain a plurality of fields, including, for example, a field for a tag identifier and a livestock asset number for identifying the livestock 12 to which the remaining data of the record belongs. Each record may also contain a field for an indicator or description of an event or external condition detected or determined by the tag 20. Indicators and descriptions may include, for example, a predator, a shot, a vehicle, a theft, etc. Additional fields may contain additional information, such as fields for a date and time, as well as a location of the event or external condition. A field for additional information may also be included. Additional information may include, for example, behavioral information such as cured, lost, injured, and/or additional descriptive information such as wolf, red truck, etc. The collection of records for each livestock tag identifier and/or asset number may provide a history of events and environmental conditions for each animal in the livestock 12.

The logical data structure 190 may also contain a consumables section 204 that contains a plurality of records and fields containing information about the use and inventory of consumables and/or assets, such as feed, hay, medical supplies, medications, vaccines, artificial insemination straws, and any other consumables that are subject to monitoring, tracking, and management. For example, each of the plurality of first-level records may contain a field labeled as a "feed/material identifier" for data identifying and/or describing the consumable asset. Associated with each first-level record may be a plurality of second-level records. Each second-level record may contain a plurality of fields, such as fields for a location, a predetermined capacity, and a predetermined limit for the use of the identified consumable asset. Associated with each second-level record may be a plurality of third-level records. Each third-level record may contain multiple fields, such as a field for the date and time the record was made, a field for the measured or determined consumption rate of the consumable, and a field for the remaining capacity or inventory of the consumable, both of which may be determined in the manner described in the sections above. A third-level record may also optionally contain a field for estimating when the limit of the consumable will be reached, which may be determined from the consumption rate and remaining capacity values.

The logical data structure 190 may also contain an ownership/location data section 206 that contains a plurality of records, each record containing information about the ownership history and location of the livestock 12.

Each record may contain multiple fields. For example, a record may contain a field for the tag identifier and the associated livestock asset number 12, a field for the date of record, and fields for the current owner data, the date of transfer to the current owner, the previous owner data, the current location data, the previous location data, and the date of transfer to the current location. As described in the sections above, the current and previous owner data may contain names, addresses, locations, ownership interest, and any other necessary data. Likewise, the current and previous location data may contain location names (e.g., ranch name), global positioning coordinates, and any other necessary data. The collection of records with common tag identifier fields provides a history and chain of ownership and location of livestock 12.

The logical data structure 190 may also contain a tag status section 208 that contains a plurality of records containing data and information about the states of each tag 20. Each time the tag 20 transmits status data to the platform 140 of the control system, it can be considered a logical record of tag data. Each record may contain a plurality of fields with any or all of the data and information about the internal and external conditions of the tag 20 described in the sections above, including operating, diagnostic, self-test, and external environmental conditions. For example, a record may contain a field for the tag identifier and the associated livestock asset number 12, a field for the date and time of the recording, a field for the location of the tag 20 during the transmission of status data, and a plurality of fields for various states. Such fields may contain, for example, a field for the battery charge level, a field for the power or level of the communication signal, a field for the ambient temperature, a field for the ambient humidity, and fields for any other necessary states.

F. Remote computer system.

The remote computer system 220 may consist of any computing and/or storage node capable of exchanging data (e.g., receiving and/or transmitting data), processing and/or storing data. The remote computer system 220 may consist of one or more server computers, cloud computers, mainframes, personal computers, virtual computers or other computer systems. The remote computer system 220 may be capable of exchanging data and information via one or more IP networks and/or telecommunication networks specified herein. As may be understood, one or more modems, transceivers or other communication devices, including devices such as those described in the sections above with respect to the tags 20 and the control system platform 140, may be required between the remote computer system 220, the control system platform 140 and the tags 20 for such communication.

The remote computer system 220 may also include, and preferably includes, one or more displays (e.g., screens or monitors), one or more fixed or portable hard disk drives or solid state drives, one or more communication interfaces (e.g., network or telecommunications), and one or more keyboards. The remote computer system 220 may also include, integrated or separate, portable printer and/or scanner.

The remote computer system 220 will include one or more central processing units (CPUs), such as one or more microprocessors, a memory bus, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a peripheral bus, and a keyboard controller. The buses may be combined into a single bus or may be separate buses. The central processing unit may be a general-purpose digital processor that controls the operation of the computer. The central processing unit may be a single-chip processor or implemented using multiple components. Using instructions retrieved from memory, the central processing unit controls the reception and processing of input data, as well as the output and display of data on output devices. The memory bus is used by the central processing unit to access the RAM and ROM. RAM is used by the central processing unit as a general storage area and as scratch pad memory, and may also be used to store input data and processed data. ROM may be used to store instructions or program code for execution by the central processing unit, as well as other data intended for permanent or semi-permanent execution of maintenance. A peripheral bus is used to access input, output and storage devices used by the remote computer system 220. In the embodiments described, these devices may comprise one or more displays (e.g., a screen or monitor), printer devices, hard disk drives or solid state drives and communication interfaces (e.g., an IP network, a cellular network, LPWAN). A keyboard controller is used to receive input from the keyboard and send decoded characters for each pressed key to the central processing unit over the bus. The keyboard is used by the user to enter commands and other instructions into the remote computer system 220. The remote computer system 220 may also comprise other types of user input devices. For example, pointing devices such as a computer mouse, a trackball, a stylus or a tablet are configured to be controlled by the user to manipulate a pointer on the display of the remote computer system 220 to make user selections. The display may be an output device that displays images of data provided by the central processing unit via the peripheral bus or provided by other components in the remote computer system 220. The display may also be an input device, such as a touch screen, that receives selection information from a user and transmits it to the central processing unit. The printer device, when operating as a printer, produces an image on a sheet of paper or other permanent media surface. One or more hard disk drives and/or solid state drives may be used to store various types of data, including arrays of data and definitions generated and transmitted by the tags 20 and the control system platform 140. The central processing unit, together with the operating system, operates to execute computer code and to create and use data. The computer code and data may reside in RAM, ROM, or a hard disk drive, or a solid state drive. The computer code and data may also be located on a removable and/or portable program carrier and may be loaded or installed into the remote computer system 220 as needed. Removable program carriers include, for example, a CD-ROM, a PC card, USB drives, a floppy disk, and a magnetic tape. Communication interfaces are used to send and receive data over one or more networks that may be connected to other devices and/or computer systems, such as tags 20, local sensors and transceivers 34, and the control system platform 140. The communication interfaces may comprise an interface card or similar device and appropriate software implemented by a central processing unit or a separate communication processor for connecting the remote computer system 220 to an existing network and transferring data according to standard data transfer protocols and network protocols.

The remote computer system 220 may be a separate computer system or may be part of the control system platform 140. The remote computer system 220 may also be located in whole or in part in the same location as the control system platform 140, or in relative proximity to it, and may be located in whole or in part in a location relatively remote from the control system platform 140. For example, if it is not included as part of the control system platform 140, the remote computer system 220 may be located in the same room or a room adjacent to the control system platform, and may be connected to the control system platform 140 via a LAN network connection, as described in this document. Alternatively, the remote computer system 220 may be located at a location that is many yards or miles away from the control system platform 140 and the tags 20, and may be connected to the control system platform 140 and the tags 20 via a WAN connection, a cellular connection, a satellite connection, an LPWAN connection and/or another communication connection, as described herein. Accordingly, the term "remote" in connection with the remote computer system is intended to distinguish it and its functionality from the control system platform 140, at least in the case where it is not included as part of the control system platform 140, and is not necessarily intended to indicate its physical distance from the control system platform 140.

The remote computer system 220 is preferably configured to receive, store and process any and all sets of aggregated data received and obtained by means of a plurality of tags 20 attached to a plurality of animals from the managed livestock 12. Such data may include, but is not limited to, the location, orientation, movement on the ground, direction, elevation and internal body temperature of the livestock 12, the position and angle of the livestock 12 relative to other nearby livestock 12 and any other livestock-related data described herein. The remote computer system 220 is preferably also configured to receive, store and process any and all sets of aggregated determinations of the activity, behavior, health-related and other physical conditions of the livestock made by the tags 20. Such determinations may include, but are not limited to, eating, drinking, chewing, resting, moving independently, estrus, ovulation, fertilization, pregnancy, calving, illness, injury, various external events and conditions and any other determinations described herein. In addition, the remote computer system 220 is preferably configured to receive, store and process aggregated data and determinations of not only the tags 20 attached to the livestock 12 of one managed herd, but also the tags 20 attached to the livestock 12 of a plurality of managed different herds in the same or different locations and the same or different herders, herders, owners, etc.

The remote computer system 220 preferably comprises suitable tools for creating and developing a machine learning model(s), AI and/or other detection algorithm(s) for creating, developing, training and updating one or more AI models and/or other detection algorithms using the stored arrays of aggregated data and definitions received from all tags 20. Various programs, applications, coding and other tools are known for this purpose. Preferably, the remote computer system 220 is configured to and is used to create, develop, train and update one or more machine learning models and/or AI and/or other detection algorithms for predicting and/or determining the activity of livestock 12 based on selected data about the livestock 12. As one example, one or more detection models or algorithms can be created to predict and/or determine based on data including location, orientation, elevation and movement data that the livestock 12 is eating, drinking, chewing, resting or moving on its own. Similarly, the remote computer system 220 is preferably configured to and used to create, develop, train, and update one or more machine learning and/or AI models and/or other detection algorithms for predicting and/or determining a health-related or other physical condition of the livestock 12 based on the selected data and the selected activity definitions relative to the livestock 12. As one example, the one or more models or other detection algorithms can be created to predict and/or determine, based on the selected data (e.g., internal body temperature over time, weight, location, relative position and angle relative to nearby herd members, orientation, elevation, and movement) and based on the selected activity definitions (e.g., eating, drinking, moving independently), that the livestock 12 is sick, injured, in estrus, ovulating, fertilizing, pregnant, or calving.

Once one or more models and/or other detection algorithms are created, developed and trained in and by the remote computer system 220, they can be transmitted to each of the tags 20 either directly or via the control system platform 140 integrated into the tags 20 and applied to the data and determinations during operation of the tags 20 in the manner described in the sections above. As the tags 20 receive and obtain additional data and make additional determinations using the models and/or other detection algorithms, the additional data and determinations can be transmitted to the remote computer system 220 either directly or via the control system platform 140, as described in the sections above. Known machine learning, modeling and/or other tools can be applied in the remote computer system 220 to the historical and new additional data and determinations to create new models or other detection algorithms and/or to update existing models and/or other detection algorithms. For example, the values of some weights or other parameters of an existing model and/or other detection algorithm may be adjusted to provide predictions and/or determinations that are more statistically accurate based on existing and added data. The new and/or updated models and/or other detection algorithms and/or parameters are then transmitted to the tags 20, as described herein, to supplement, replace or update the existing models and/or other detection algorithms built into them. In this way, the predictions and determinations made by the tags 20 may become more accurate over time.

G. Examples of telecommunication networks.

In addition to the various communication channels and networks mentioned above in connection with the livestock management system 10, the livestock management system 10 can be used in any telecommunications network capable of transmitting data, including voice data and other types of electronic data. Examples of suitable telecommunications networks for the livestock management system 10 include, but are not limited to, wide area networks (e.g., the Internet), wireless networks, cellular networks, satellite communication networks, cable communication networks (via a cable modem), a microwave communication network, local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), low power wide area networks (LPWAN), campus area networks (CAN), metropolitan area networks (MAN) and home area networks (HAN). The livestock management system 10 can communicate via one telecommunications network or multiple telecommunications networks simultaneously. The electronic devices can use various protocols for communication, such as, but not limited to, HTTP, SMTP, FTP and WAP (wireless access protocol). The livestock management system 10 may be implemented in various wireless networks, such as, but not limited to, 3G, 4G, LTE, CDPD, CDMA, GSM, PDC, PHS, TDMA, FLEX, REFLEX, IDEN, TETRA, DECT, DATATAC and MOBITEX. The livestock management system 10 may also be used with online services and Internet service providers.

The Internet is an example telecommunications network for the livestock management system 10. The Internet consists of a global computer network having multiple computer systems around the world that are in communication with each other. Through the Internet, the computer systems are capable of transmitting various types of data to each other. Communication between the computer systems may be accomplished through various methods, such as, but not limited to, wireless, Ethernet, cable, direct connection, telephone lines, and satellite.

H. Mobile device(s).

As described above, all or part of the platform 140 of the management system may be located on one or more mobile devices. The mobile devices may include any type of computer for processing various aspects of the livestock management system 10. For example, in addition to the types of mobile devices described in the sections above, the mobile devices may include any traditional computer system, provided that it is portable. Also, for example, the mobile devices may be portable personal computers (e.g., an APPLE®-based computer, an IBM-based computer or compatible with them) or tablet computers (e.g., an IPAD®). Mobile devices may also include various other electronic devices capable of sending, receiving, and processing electronic data, including, but not limited to, smartphones, mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile electronic devices, handheld wireless devices, two-way radios, communicators, video viewing units, portable television units, portable television receivers, portable cable television receivers, pagers, communication devices, and digital satellite receiving units.

I. Operation of the preferred embodiment.

In describing an example of using embodiments of the livestock management system 10 described herein, it is assumed that any programs, applications, algorithms, models, etc. necessary to perform the operations and functions of the system as described herein have first been created in a conventional manner and using conventional coding and development tools known to those skilled in the art. It is also assumed that some necessary permanent or semi-permanent data and information have been created and/or already exist. Such data may include, for example, assignments and definitions of a managed area, designated grazing and other areas within the managed area, and geofence boundaries of the perimeter of the managed area and designated areas within the managed area. Such data may also include, for example, unique asset numbers for each animal of the managed livestock 12; configuration data for the various communication interfaces described; data on predetermined capacities and limits for grazing areas and supplies; report format data; pre-existing data on the history of health and physical conditions, ownership and location of the livestock, etc. pre-existing data on current stocks of consumables; pre-existing data on future scheduled or unscheduled administrations of vaccines and/or drugs, visits and/or appointments with a veterinarian, etc.; and configuration data for external access interfaces to the system, etc. It should be understood that the above lists of data and information are not exclusive or limiting.

In use, previously existing or created data and information may be stored in the local data store 150 of the management system platform 140, for example, in accordance with one or more logical data structures 190 described in this document. Any previously existing or created data related to an individual animal of the livestock 12 is stored with a corresponding unique tag identifier and a unique asset number for the livestock 12, as described in this document. Each tag 20 that is to be attached to the livestock 12 is then filled in and prepared for use in the system. Each tag 20 is brought into proximity to the management system platform 140 and paired via Bluetooth or another radio frequency communication link. The tag 20 is filled with all necessary data and information by transferring such data and information from the platform 140 of the control system to the tag 20 and storing them in the memory 50, 60 of the tag 20. Similarly, each tag 20 is prepared for operation in the system by transferring all necessary programs, applications, algorithms, models, etc. and all necessary configuration data to the tag 20 and storing them in the memory 50, 60.

Once filled and prepared, the tag 20 is physically attached to the livestock 12 to which it corresponds, such as in the manner described herein. In addition, any sensors 32 that are to be implanted in and/or attached to the livestock 12 to provide physical parameters or other data are implanted in and/or attached to the livestock 12 in a known manner and at a distance from the tag 20, as described herein.

Thereafter, the tags 20, the management system platform 140, and the remote computer system 220 operate to perform the various functions and operations described herein with respect to each of them, and to communicate with each other as described herein. Over time, new tags 20 may be added to the system and attached to livestock 12 recently added to the managed herd in the manner described herein. Similarly, tags 20 attached to livestock 12 of the managed herd may be detached from the livestock 12 and removed from the system or replaced with another tag 20, as also described herein.

As the tags 20 transmit additional data, information, and determinations to the management system platform 140 and/or the remote computer system 220 over time, the models for determining the activity, behavior, health, and other physical conditions of the livestock are updated. The models are transmitted to the tags 20 as described herein so that over time the tags 20 can make more accurate determinations of the activities, behaviors, and conditions of the livestock.

Any and all headings are for convenience only and have no limiting effect. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used in a general and descriptive sense only and not for limiting purposes. Any publications, patent applications, patents and other references that may be mentioned in this document are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent permitted by applicable statutes and regulations.

The data structures and code described in this specification are typically stored on a computer-readable storage medium, which may be any device or medium that can store code and/or data for use by a computer system. This includes, but is not limited to, magnetic and optical storage devices such as disk drives, magnetic tape, CDs (compact discs), DVDs (digital video discs), and computer instruction signals embodied in a transmission medium (with or without a carrier wave onto which the signals are modulated). For example, a transmission medium may include a telecommunications network such as the Internet.

At least one embodiment of the livestock management system 10 has been described above with reference to block diagrams and flow charts of systems, methods, apparatuses and/or computer program products according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that one or more blocks of the block diagrams and flow charts and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flow charts, respectively, can be implemented using computer-executable program instructions. Likewise, some blocks of the block diagrams and flow charts may not necessarily be executed in the order shown or may not necessarily be executed at all according to some embodiments. These computer-executable program instructions can be loaded into a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a processor or other programmable data processing apparatus to create a specific machine, such that the instructions that are executed on the computer, processor or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing one or more functions indicated in the block or blocks of the flow chart. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that may cause a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to operate in a specific manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory create a finished article comprising instruction means that implement one or more functions specified in a block or blocks of the block diagram. As an example, embodiments may provide a computer program product comprising a computer-usable medium having a computer-readable program code or program instructions embodied therein, wherein the computer-readable program code is adapted to be executed to implement one or more functions specified in a block or blocks of the block diagram. Computer program instructions may also be loaded into a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a number of operational elements or steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to create a computer-implemented process, so that the instructions that are executed on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide elements or steps to implement the functions specified in the block or blocks of the flow chart. Accordingly, the blocks of the flow charts and flow charts support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of elements or steps for performing the specified functions, and means of program instructions for performing the specified functions. It should also be understood that each block of the flow charts and flow charts, as well as combinations of blocks in the flow charts and flow charts, may be implemented using special-purpose computer systems based on hardware that perform the specified functions, elements or steps, or combinations of special-purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential features, and it is therefore desirable that the embodiment of the present invention be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Many modifications and other embodiments of the livestock management system 10 will occur to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, using the principles presented in the preceding description and the associated drawings. It is therefore to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the livestock management system 10, suitable methods and materials are described above. Thus, the livestock management system 10 is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

Claims (21)

1. A system for monitoring livestock, comprising: at least two tags, each tag being capable of being attached to an animal in a group of animals, each tag comprising: a sensor that detects a physical parameter relating to the animal to which the tag is attached; a processor capable of receiving or processing information from the sensor relating to the animal to which the tag is attached; a memory adapted to store data relating to the animal to which the tag is attached and data received from other tags; and a communication interface adapted for wireless communication between the tags and other devices; wherein one of the at least two tags provides an optimal tag that is in an optimal state for exchanging data with respect to sufficient power supply and/or signal strength, wherein the optimal tag generates and stores a set of aggregated data concerning the animal to which it is attached, as well as data concerning other animals in a group of animals, wherein the data from the other animals in the group of animals is transmitted to the optimal tag through communication interfaces of the tags attached to the animals in the group of animals; and a remote computer system configured to communicate with at least two tags through a communication interface of each tag; wherein the remote computer system is adapted to receive the set of aggregated data transmitted by the optimal tag. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the set of aggregated data comprises location data and time data corresponding to the location data for a plurality of individual animals. 3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that each tag additionally contains a GNSS receiver, and wherein the location data contains the location of each tag determined by the GNSS receiver. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least two tags comprise a plurality of tags that are within wireless communication range of each other, and the plurality of tags are adapted to communicate with each other. 5. The system according to item 4, characterized in that the optimal tag is located within the wireless communication range of the transceiver designed for two-way communication with a remote computer system. 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the determination of which tags are within the wireless communication range of each other is carried out based on the signal strength between the tags. 7. The system of claim 4, wherein each tag further comprises a GNSS receiver, and wherein the determination of which tags are within the wireless communication range of each other is carried out based on location data for a plurality of tags determined by the GNSS receiver. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least two tags comprise a plurality of tags that are within wireless communication range of each other, and wherein at least one of the tags in the plurality of tags is within wireless communication range of a local sensor, wherein the plurality of tags constitute a dynamic local mesh network; wherein the local sensor is adapted to wirelessly transfer data between one or more tags and a remote computer system. 9. The system according to item 8, characterized in that the local sensor is located in a controlled geographic zone. 10. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that the local sensor comprises a transceiver adapted to receive a set of aggregated data from the optimal tag and to transmit the set of aggregated data to a remote computer system. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein at least two tags are adapted to determine when it is necessary to transmit a set of aggregated data to a remote computer system. 12. The system according to claim 11, characterized in that the determination of when it is necessary to transmit a set of aggregated data is carried out on the basis of time and date. 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the determination of when it is necessary to transmit a set of aggregated data is carried out on the basis of atmospheric conditions. 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the determination of when it is necessary to transmit a set of aggregated data is carried out on the basis of signal states. 15. The system of claim 11, wherein the determination of when to transmit the aggregated data set is based on the condition of the livestock. 16. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the set of aggregated data contains data related to the health of each animal in the group. 17. A system for monitoring livestock, comprising: at least two tags, each tag being capable of being attached to an animal in a group of animals, each tag comprising: a sensor that detects a physical parameter relating to the animal to which the tag is attached; a processor configured to receive or process information from the sensor relating to the animal to which the tag is attached; a GNSS receiver operatively connected to the processor; a memory adapted to store data relating to the animal to which the tag is attached and data received from other tags; and a communication interface adapted to wirelessly communicate between the tags and other devices; wherein one of the at least two tags provides an optimal tag that is in an optimal state for exchanging data with respect to sufficient power supply and/or signal strength, wherein the optimal tag generates and stores a set of aggregated data concerning the animal to which it is attached, as well as data concerning other animals in a group of animals, wherein the data from the other animals in the group of animals is transmitted to the optimal tag via communication interfaces of the tags attached to the animals in the group of animals; and a transceiver configured for two-way communication with at least two tags via a communication interface of each tag; wherein the transceiver wirelessly receives the set of aggregated data from the optimal tag. 18. The system according to item 17, characterized in that the transceiver is adapted for two-way communication with a remote computer system. 19. The system according to item 17, characterized in that the transceiver is adapted for two-way communication with the control system platform. 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the aggregated data set comprises location data and time data corresponding to the location data for a plurality of individual animals in a group of animals, and wherein the location data comprises the location of each tag as determined by the GNSS receiver. 21. A system for monitoring livestock, comprising: at least two tags, each tag being capable of being attached to an animal in a group of animals, each tag comprising: a sensor that detects a physical parameter concerning the animal to which the tag is attached; a processor configured to receive or process information from the sensor concerning the animal to which the tag is attached; a GNSS receiver operatively connected to the processor; a memory adapted to store data concerning the animal to which the tag is attached and data received from other tags; and a communication interface adapted to wirelessly communicate between the tags and other devices; wherein the at least two tags include a plurality of tags that are within wireless communication range of one another, wherein the plurality of tags constitute a dynamic mesh network; wherein the location of each animal is determined by the GNSS receiver; wherein one of the at least two tags provides an optimal tag that is in an optimal state for exchanging data with respect to sufficient power supply and/or signal strength, wherein the optimal tag generates and stores in memory a set of aggregated data concerning the health and location of an animal to which it is attached, as well as data concerning the health and location of other animals in a group of animals; wherein the data from the animals in the group of animals is transmitted based on the states to the optimal tag through communication interfaces of the tags attached to the animals in the group of animals; wherein the determination of when it is necessary to transmit the set of aggregated data is performed based on the signal states; and a transceiver configured for two-way communication with the communication interface of each tag, wherein the transceiver wirelessly receives the set of aggregated data from the optimal tag; wherein the transceiver is adapted for two-way communication with a control system platform; and wherein the transceiver is adapted for two-way communication with a remote computer system.