SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING MOVEMENT OR LOCATION OF AN ANIMAL

Abstract

Described herein are systems and methods for monitoring an animal comprising: an electronic device configured to be implanted within an animal, the electronic device comprising: one or more sensors comprising at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a magnetometer, the one or more sensors configured to determine location or movement information relating to the animal; a memory device configured to store the location or movement information relating to the animal; a communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate the location or movement information to an external device; and a battery device for providing power to at least one of the one or more sensors or the communication interface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 63/278,240; 63/278,250; and 63/278,293, filed Nov. 11, 2021; the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Movement or location data relating to an animal (e.g., a pet) can have many uses in understanding animal health, well-being, and behavior. Collars are known that can collect some behavior data of the animal. However, many animals do not wear collars, or they have a limited ability to wear collars. For example, animals may not wear collars due to the animal's size, due to the collar being uncomfortable for the animal, or due to owners of the animal preferring the animal to not wear a collar. Further, there may be safety concerns around collar use, especially if there is a danger of the collar getting caught on something and thereby presenting a choking hazard. Despite the reasons for an animal to not wear a collar, data relating to the animal is important to collect. Thus, it is desired that a device capable of monitoring behavioral data of an animal be implantable within the animal. Such a device would be capable of monitoring the movement or location data of the animal without the animal wearing a collar, which would overcome the shortcomings described above.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure may be directed, in an aspect, to a device, method, and/or system for determining location or movement information relating to the animal via an electronic device implanted within the animal. The electronic device may include at least one component comprising: one or more sensors comprising at least one of an accelerometer, gyroscope, or magnetometer, the one or more sensors configured to determine the location or movement information relating to the animal; a memory device configured to store the location or movement information relating to the animal; a communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate the location or movement information with an external device; and a battery device for providing power to the at least one of the accelerometer, gyroscope, or magnetometer.

In an aspect, the electronic device may be configured to determine other data relating to the animal, such as biometric information relating to the animal. The biometric information may include at least one of glucose information relating to the animal, heart rate information relating to the animal, blood oxygen information relating to the animal, respiration rate information relating to the animal, and/or temperature information relating to the animal.

In an aspect, the electronic device may be coupled to a bone of the animal, for example, via sutures. A mesh object may couple the electronic device to the animal via at least one of sutures, staples, or glue. The electronic device may be implanted within at least one of a stomach of the animal or a tail of the animal. The electronic device may be implanted within a cavity of the animal. The cavity may include at least one of an ear of the animal, a scrotum of the animal, or a space within the animal created during a spay or neuter procedure of the animal.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a system for monitoring an animal comprising: an electronic device configured to be implanted within an animal, the electronic device comprising: one or more sensors comprising at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a magnetometer, the one or more sensors configured to determine location or movement information relating to the animal; a memory device configured to store the location or movement information relating to the animal; a communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate the location or movement information to an external device; and a battery device for providing power to at least one of the one or more sensors or the communication interface.

Other embodiments of the present invention provide a method for monitoring an animal comprising: implanting an electronic device within an animal, the electronic device comprising: one or more sensors comprising at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a magnetometer; a memory device operably coupled to the one or more sensors; a communication interface operably coupled to the memory device or the one or more sensors; and a battery device for providing power to at least one of the one or more sensors or the communication interface; determining, using the one or more sensors, location or movement information relating to the animal; storing, by the memory device, the location or movement information; and wirelessly communicating, by the communication interface, the location or movement information to an external device.

Further embodiments of the present invention provide a system for tracking an animal comprising: an electronic device configured to be coupled to an animal, the electronic device comprising: one or more sensors comprising at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a magnetometer, the one or more sensors configured to determine location or movement information relating to the animal; a memory device configured to store the location or movement information relating to the animal; a communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate the location or movement information to an external device; and a battery device for providing power the at least one of the one or more sensors or the communication interface; and a charging device configured to wirelessly provide power to the battery device.

Still further embodiments of the present invention provide a method for tracking an animal comprising: coupling an electronic device to an animal, the electronic device comprising: one or more sensors comprising at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a magnetometer; a memory device operably coupled to the one or more sensors; a communication interface operably coupled to the memory device or the one or more sensors; and a battery device for providing power to at least one of the one or more sensors or the communication interface; and wirelessly providing power, via a charging device, to the battery device; determining, using the one or more sensors, location or movement information relating to the animal; storing, by the memory device, the location or movement information; and wirelessly communicating, by the communication interface, the location or movement information to an external device.

Yet other embodiments of the present invention provide a system for tracking an animal comprising: an electronic device configured to be implanted within an animal and comprising: one or more sensors configured to determine information relating to the animal; a memory device configured to store the information relating to the animal; a communication interface configured to wirelessly and transcutaneously communicate the information to an external device according to predetermined priority rules; and a battery device for providing power to at least one of the one or more sensors or the communication interface.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for tracking an animal comprising: implanting an electronic device within an animal, the electronic device comprising: one or more sensors configured to determine the information relating to the animal; a memory device operably coupled to the one or more sensors; a communication interface operably coupled to the one or more sensors or the memory device; and a battery device for providing power to at least one of the one or more sensors or the communication interface; determining, using the one or more sensors, information relating to the animal; storing, by the memory device, the information relating to the animal; and wirelessly and transcutaneously communicating, by the communication interface, the information relating to the animal to an external device according to predetermined priority rules.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an example implantable device that may be used to determine information relating to an animal, as described herein;

FIG. 2 shows a component diagram of an example implantable device that may be used to determine information relating to an animal, as described herein;

FIG. 3 is an example system in which information relating to an animal may be provided by an implantable device, as described herein;

FIG. 4 is an example in which an implantable device may be charged by an external device, as described herein;

FIG. 5 is another example in which an implantable device may be charged by an external device, as described herein;

FIG. 6 is an example of a device that may be used to charge an implantable device, as described herein; and

FIG. 7 is an example process describing an implantable device providing information relating to an animal, as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention or inventions. The description of illustrative embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present inventions. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front” and “rear” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” “secured” and other similar terms refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

The discussion herein describes and illustrates some possible non-limiting combinations of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “or” is to be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. Furthermore, as used herein, the phrase “based on” is to be interpreted as meaning “based at least in part on,” and therefore is not limited to an interpretation of “based entirely on.”

As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by referenced in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

Features of the present inventions may be implemented in software, hardware, firmware, or combinations thereof. The computer programs described herein are not limited to any particular embodiment, and may be implemented in an operating system, application program, foreground or background processes, driver, or any combination thereof. The computer programs may be executed on a single computer or server processor or multiple computer or server processors.

Processors described herein may be any central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor, micro-controller, computational, or programmable device or circuit configured for executing computer program instructions (e.g., code). Various processors may be embodied in computer and/or server hardware of any suitable type (e.g., desktop, laptop, notebook, tablets, cellular phones, etc.) and may include all the usual ancillary components necessary to form a functional data processing device including without limitation a bus, software and data storage such as volatile and non-volatile memory, input/output devices, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), removable data storage, and wired and/or wireless communication interface devices including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (e.g., Bluetooth classic, Bluetooth low energy), LAN, etc.

Computer-executable instructions or programs (e.g., software or code) and data described herein may be programmed into and tangibly embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium that is accessible to and retrievable by a respective processor as described herein which configures and directs the processor to perform the desired functions and processes by executing the instructions encoded in the medium. A device embodying a programmable processor configured to such non-transitory computer-executable instructions or programs may be referred to as a “programmable device”, or “device”, and multiple programmable devices in mutual communication may be referred to as a “programmable system.” It should be noted that non-transitory “computer-readable medium” as described herein may include, without limitation, any suitable volatile or non-volatile memory including random access memory (RAM) and various types thereof, read-only memory (ROM) and various types thereof, USB flash memory, and magnetic or optical data storage devices (e.g., internal/external hard disks, floppy discs, magnetic tape CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, optical disk, ZIP™ drive, Blu-ray disk, and others), which may be written to and/or read by a processor operably connected to the medium.

In certain embodiments, examples may be embodied in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses such as processor-based data processing and communication systems or computer systems for practicing those processes. The present inventions may also be embodied in the form of software or computer program code embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, which when loaded into and executed by the data processing and communications systems or computer systems, the computer program code segments configure the processor to create specific logic circuits configured for implementing the processes.

Collars and other devices (e.g., harnesses, leashes) are devices used on animals, such as pets, to constrain the pet. For example, a pet may wear a collar and leash during a walk with a pet owner so that the pet remains with the pet owner. Pet collars may be used to store and/or convey information, such as identification information of the pet and/or the pet owner, address information of the pet, medical information of the pet, etc. The information may be provided via an electronic device and/or a non-electronic device. Devices (e.g., electronic devices) may be used within a collar and/or may be coupled to a collar. For example, an electronic device may be used to store information of a pet and/or a pet owner. Examples of devices that may house or couple to an electronic device may include one or more mechanisms worn by a pet for constraining the pet, storing information relating to the pet, and/or transmitting information of the pet. Such devices worn by the pet may include a harness, bracelet, anklet, belt, earring, headband, and the like.

As described herein, there may be reasons that it is desirable to use an electronic device in addition to wearing a collar, or without the wearing of a collar. For example, an electronic device (e.g., information provided by an electronic device) may be desired in addition to, or as an alternative to, a collar. As an example, information provided by an electronic device and/or to the electronic device may be desired when a pet is not wearing a collar. A pet may not wear a collar for many reasons, such as the animal's size (e.g., collars may not fit small or large animals), the collar being uncomfortable to the pet, the owner of the pet not wanting their pet to wear a collar (or wanting the pet to wear a collar for specific occasions, such as wearing GPS monitor collars for when the pet is outside), a pet owner forgetting to place a collar upon the pet, etc. In other examples, pets may not wear collars due to safety concerns around collar use, such as a danger of the collar getting caught on something, thereby presenting a choking hazard. Pets may not wear collars due to medical conditions (e.g., dermatitis, collapsed trachea, etc.), and the like. Despite the lack of a collar, there may be a continued desire to collect and/or transmit data (e.g., behavior data) relating to the pet.

Electronic devices may be positioned on locations about a pet or locations within a pet that are other than a collar of a pet. The electronic devices being positioned on locations other than a collar may be useful for pets that do not wear collars or who wear collars on a limited basis. As an example, electronic devices may be implantable within a pet. By implanting the electronic device within the pet, the electronic device may monitor and/or transfer data relating to the pet whether the pet is wearing a collar (or similar device) or not. Additional benefits of implanting the electronic device(s) may include allowing the monitoring of data (e.g., behavior data) of the pet without the need for the electronic device to be manually manipulated, for example, to complete tasks such a data transfer, power charging, and the like. Although the disclosure may use the term implant throughout, it should be understood that this is a non-limiting term. In other examples the device may be injected within the animal, coupled to the animal, as described herein.

Electronic devices may be found in one or more devices (e.g., housings) implantable within a pet. As described herein, the implantable device (e.g., housing holding one or more electronic devices) may be used in combination with one or more devices located on a collar or other article coupled to a pet. In examples, however, the implantable device may be a standalone device that is not used in combination with one or more devices located on a collar or other article coupled to a pet. As an example, the implantable device may perform services (such as monitoring data relating to the pet, storing the data relating to the pet, transferring the data relating to the pet, recharging, etc.) as a standalone device. When the implantable device acts as a standalone device it may not be used in combination with one or more devices located within a collar when monitoring behavioral data of the pet, for example.

In examples, the implantable device may communicate with one or more devices (e.g., mobile device, tablet, computer, etc.) to transfer data, provide alerts, and the like. The implantable device may communicate with one or more devices whether the implantable device is a standalone device or not a standalone device. For example, the implantable device may communicate with one or more mobile devices, tablets, computers, other implantable devices (within the same pet or within a different pet), internet of things (IoTs) devices, servers (e.g., cloud-based servers), and the like. The implantable device may communicate with one or more devices using one or more wireless communication modes known in the art, such as via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (standard or low-e), and the like.

One or more electronic devices (e.g., electronic devices within implantable device or coupled to implantable device) may store, transmit, and/or receive information of the pet. For example, the electronic device may monitor the movement and/or location information of the pet and transmit the movement and/or location information to an external device, such as a mobile device or a server. As an example, electronic devices within implantable device may provide radio communication with a base station that may provide the location and/or proximity of the animal, Global Positioning System (GPS) devices may reside in the electronic device or communicate with the electronic device and may be used for locating the pet (e.g., over distances), etc. In examples electronic devices within implantable device may locate the pet via one or more other monitoring methods, such as via Wi-Fi location monitoring, cellular location monitoring and/or triangulation, Bluetooth tracking and/or triangulation, etc.

Electronic device(s) within implantable device may communicate with one or more mobile devices, servers, and/or base stations to provide and/or receive information. Electronic devices may communicate with devices and/or objects other than servers and base stations, as described herein. For example, electronic devices may communicate with other items, such as items found in a home. Such items may include, for example, items worn by the pet (such as pet collars), pet beds, pet feeders, litter boxes, water bowls, floors within a home in which the pet resides, implantable devices found within other pets, etc. The electronic devices may store, process, and/or communicate information relating to the pet, the owner of the pet, and/or a caregiver (e.g., veterinarian) of the pet. The electronic device and/or the objects may determine when the electronic device is proximate to the object (e.g., via a proximity sensor), and may transmit (e.g., only transmit) signals upon the electronic device and the object being proximate to one another.

Information processed by the electronic device may relate to location information of the pet, movement information of the pet, and the like, although in examples the information may be unrelated to such information. For example, the information stored, processed, and/or communicated by the electronic device may include biometric information relating to the animal. Such information may include glucose information relating to the animal, cardiac monitoring of the animal, heart rate information relating to the animal, pulse information relating to the animal, blood pressure relating to the animal, blood oxygen information relating to the animal, respiration rate information relating to the animal, temperature information relating to the animal, and the like. In other examples information relating to the animal may include address information of the animal, contact information of the animal or owner of the animal, medical information relating to the animal (such as the illnesses of the animal and/or medications taken by the animal), and the like. The information may be electronically stored, processed, and/or communicated (e.g., wirelessly communicated from the electronic device to an external device, such as a mobile device, server, and the like). As used herein, the term “information” may refer to any signals, data, or other information from a sensor or other device, as well as any signals, data, or other information derived from such information. For example, location or movement information may refer to signals or data from a sensor that are indicative of a location or movement, and may also (or alternatively) refer to data or information derived from such sensor signals or data.

FIG. 1 shows an example implantable device 100. Implantable device 100 may be implanted within an animal (e.g., subcutaneously), coupled to the animal (such as directly coupled to the body of an animal or indirectly coupled to an animal, such as being coupled to a collar worn by the animal), etc. Device 100 may be implanted (e.g., subcutaneously implanted) within an animal, for example, via an injecting of the device, via an incision, and the like. For example, device 100 may be placed under the skin of the animal via an incision, a needle, and the like. In other examples the device 100 may be placed within the body of the animal via the animal swallowing the device. In other examples the device 100 may be coupled to one more portions that may be under the skin of the animal, within the body or the animal, above the skin of the animal, outside the body of the animal, and the like.

In examples the device 100 may be implanted within an animal via a medical procedure, such as via a spay/neutering procedure of the animal. The electronic device 100 may be coupled to the animal via a suturing of the device to one or more portions of the animal, including one or more internal or external portions of the animal. In examples the device 100 may be sutured to a bone of an animal. Although the device 100 may be described as being implanted within the animal, the device may also be coupled outside of the skin of the animal, such as via a contact lens, a tooth crown, in or on the animal's hair, as an ear tag, on the tail (such as the base of the tail), on the paw, and the like. Device 100 may be implanted with a cavity of the animal, such as stomach of the animal, a scrotum of the animal. The device 100 may be implanted within a cavity of the animal created during a spay or neuter procedure of the animal (such as in the stomach or a groin of the animal, and the like).

As described herein, implantable device 100 may include one or more devices for processing, storing, transmitting, receiving, etc., information relating to the animal. For example, implantable device 100 may include one or more sensors 102. Implantable device 100 may include a housing that houses one or more electronic devices 102. Housing may be formed of one or more materials that may be tolerated within a pet when implanted. For example, the housing may be formed of one or more of polyurethane (e.g., a polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)), silicone, urethane acrylic, glass, ceramic, titanium, and the like.

The housing of electronic device may be formed of one material in a first portion, a second material in a second portion, etc. For example, the housing of electronic device may be formed of titanium in some titanium portions 106, and other portions (e.g., portions in which the sensors communicate) of device 100 may be formed of a polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane. For example, FIG. 1 shows a TUP portion 104 comprised of a polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane. The housing may be formed of one or more materials to facilitate different functions of the implantable device 100. For example, TUP portion 104 may be formed around sensors to facilitate communication of the sensors, while the titanium portions 106 may be formed around the remaining portion of device 100 (e.g., portions that do not require sensor communications).

The housing may be hermetically sealed, for example, via welding of the materials forming the housing. The device 100 (e.g., housing of implantable device 100) may be sized and/or shaped so that the pet does not experience discomfort upon the implanting of the implantable device 100 and/or while housing the implantable device 100 within or about the body of the pet. For example, the device 100 may be shaped cylindrically, as shown on FIG. 1. The implantable device 100 may be thinly shaped, and the like. In examples the implantable device 100 may be less than 10 millimeters long and 1 millimeter thick, although preferably the implantable device 100 may be less than 2 millimeters long and ½ of a millimeter thick.

One or more exterior portions of housing of implantable device 100 may be smooth, although in examples one or more portions of housing of implantable device 100 may be textured. For example, one or more portions of housing of implantable device 100 may be textured to prevent or mitigate implantable device 100 from moving within the body of the pet. In examples, housing may include (or be coupled to) one or more materials configured to prevent implantable device 100 from moving within the body of the pet. For example, housing of implantable device 100 may include a mesh portion 108 that may be configured to hold in place implantable device 100 within a portion of the body of the animal (e.g. to prevent the implantable device 100 from migrating within or about the animal).

FIG. 2 shows an example implantable device 200 made up of one or more components. Implantable device 200 may be the same, or similar, to implantable device 100 (FIG. 1). Implantable device 200 may include one or more electronic devices. In examples, one or more of the components of implantable device 200 may be found within implantable device 200, outside of implantable device 200, or a combination thereof. One or more of the components of implantable device 200 may be used to store, process (e.g., determine), receive (e.g., actively receive, such as collect), and/or transmit information relating to the pet and/or the pet parent, including identification information, location information, medical information, biometric information, etc. The information may be real-time information and/or data that was previously processed and stored. Implantable device 200 may be one or more processors, sensors, transponders, etc., including a combination thereof.

Implantable device 200 may include and/or communicate with various components. For example, implantable device 200 may include and/or communicate with one or more of accelerometer 202, temperature sensor 204, global positioning system (GPS) sensor 214, gyroscope 206, magnetometer 218, glucose sensor 208, processor 210, memory 212, communication interface 220, and/or battery 216. One or more components (e.g., processor 210, temperature sensor 204) of the electronic device may perform additional detections, such as determining heart rate information relating to the animal, blood oxygen information relating to the animal, respiration rate information relating to the animal, temperature information relating to the animal, and the like. Implantable device 200 may communicate with one or more components that are external to the implantable device 200, via a Bluetooth connection, a Wi-Fi connection, and the like.

Processor 210 may store, receive (e.g., actively receive), and/or transmit identification information of the pet and/or pet owner. For example, processor 210 may store, receive (e.g., actively receive), and/or transmit real-time information of the pet and/or pet owner. Processor 210 may be within (e.g., integrated within) implantable device 200, although in examples one or more processors 210 may be coupled within or outside implantable device 200. Processor 210 may be configured to translate, process, and/or store data from components housed within implantable device 200 (e.g., accelerometer 202, gyroscope 206, magnetometer 218, etc.). Processor 210 may be configured to permit implantable device 200 to function and/or assist in one or more modes, such as active mode, sleep mode, transmit mode, onboarding mode, etc.

Implantable device 200 may identify and/or determine biometric data of a pet, such as a pet's glucose level, heart rate, pulse, blood pressure and/or blood oxygen level, respiration rate, temperature, etc. The biometric data may be used to determine and/or transmit a health condition of the pet, such as an unsafe temperature, glucose level, heart rate, and the like. Implantable device 200 may communicate information (e.g., biometric data, location data, movement data, etc.) to one or more persons, such as to the pet parent, a veterinarian, and the like. The implantable device 200 may communicate information via the communication interface 220 via one or more communication methodologies, such as via Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low-Energy, Wi-Fi, Cellular, and the like.

Implantable device 200 may communicate the information based on an alert (such as the animal moving beyond a designated area, the animal having an unhealthy glucose level, and the like). Implantable device 200 may determine and/or transmit location information of the pet, for example, to determine when the pet is inside/outside of the home of the pet, inside/outside a predetermined play area, and the like. Implantable device 200 may have cellular or other WAN transmission capabilities, which may provide communication capabilities with an external device, such as a mobile device, tablet, server, or the like.

Implantable device 200 may identify the pet and/or the pet owner, monitor the location of the pet, monitor biometric information of a pet or activity (e.g., heart rate, steps, calories burned, etc.) of the pet, and the like. Implantable device 200 may identify such information via one or more sensors, such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, glucose sensors, temperature sensors, heart rate sensors, magnetometers, electrocardiogram (EKG, otherwise known as ECG) electrodes, photoplethysmography (PPGs) and/or reflection mode PPGs (PPGr) sensors, or one or more other sensors of implantable device 200 or external to implantable device 200 that detect information of an animal. For example, implantable device 200 may identify biometric data of the animal via biosensors to determine health indicators of the animal, such as glucose, cortisol, serotonin, serum symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), and other indicators of the animal. Processor 210 may monitor such data over certain time periods. An example processor 210 may be an ARM Cortex M0-M3, or the like.

Accelerometer 202 may measure an activity and/or movement of a pet. Temperature sensor 204 may measure the pet's body temperature, gyroscope 206 may measure the pet's orientation, and/or GPS 214 may identify and/or determine the location (e.g., current location) of the pet. Memory 212 may be of any size. To perform proximity sensing, electronic device may include a cellular chip, Bluetooth (e.g., Bluetooth low energy), and the like.

Battery 216 may be contained within (e.g., self-contained within) a housing of implantable device 200 and/or may be located about (e.g., outside) housing of implantable device 200. Battery 216 may store a charge for operation of implantable device 200. Battery 216 may be chargeable (e.g., wirelessly chargeable, chargeable via a wire) while electronic device 200 is implanted within pet. For example, a wireless interface may be provided via implantable device 200 that may allow the battery 216 to be charged while implantable device 200 (e.g., implantable device 104) is within the body of the pet. Sensor (e.g., proximity sensor) may be used to determine if implantable device 200 is near a charging device. If the electronic device 200 is determined to be proximate to the charging device the charging device may charge battery 216 of device 200. For example, if the electronic device 200 is determined to be within five feet of a charging device, ten feet of a charging device, thirty feet of a charging device, etc., the charging device may charge battery 216 of device 200. Although the disclosure describes the charging device being external to the animal, in examples the charging device may be internal to the animal, such as below the skin of the anima, within the body of the animal, attached to the animal, and the like.

Implantable device 200 may receive power via one or more batteries, such as a Li-Po battery, although such battery is for illustration purposes only and any type of battery may be used. In examples, implantable device 200 may receive power from charging device at substantially the same time as the implantable device 200 receives information (e.g., location information, movement information, biometric information) from the external device, although in examples the power and information relating to the animal may be received as separate times.

The information relating to the animal may be associated with a priority. For example, the accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, biometric, etc., data may be associated with a priority. The priority may determine the order in which the information is processed, received, stored, and/or received with device 200 and external devices. The information relating to the animal may be associated with a priority to preserve (e.g., reduce) power consumed and/or used by the device 200. The priority may be evaluated and/or determined based on the amount of power available to device 200. For example, device 200 may wirelessly and/or transcutaneously communicate information with an external device according to predetermined priority rules and/or the amount of power available to the device 200. As described herein, the information may include accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, biometric, location, etc., data. The priority in which the data is sent may be based on predetermined settings and/or on user requests. For example, a user request may receive a higher priority than information processed by device 200 based on a periodic. The user may indicate the priority to be assigned to the user request, such as indicating that a user request is to be assigned a low priority, a high priority, and the like.

As an example, device 200 may be configured to communicate to the external device information derived from the accelerometer, the magnetometer, and the gyroscope. In an example, the information derived from the accelerometer may have (e.g., be assigned) a higher priority than the information derived from the magnetometer and gyroscope, although in other examples the magnetometer and/or gyroscope may have a higher priority than the accelerometer data. As another example, the priority of the information derived from the gyroscope may be increased during periods in which the animal is performing intense physical activity (such as when the animal is running or jumping). Biometric data may have a higher priority than one or more types of information, such as accelerometer, magnetometer, gyroscope, and location data. The priority assigned to the biometric data may be based on a safety concern. For example, biometric data relating to an unsafe temperature, heartbeat, glucose level, etc., of the animal may have a high priority level. Based on the high priority level, such information may be provided from device 200 to external device, such as to a user's mobile device, an external server, etc. In other examples data may be assigned lower priorities based on the activities of the animal, the time of day, the time of year, etc. For example, the priority of the information derived from the accelerometer and magnetometer may be lowered during light activity periods of the animal, during times at which the animal may be resting, sleeping, eating, urinating, and/or defecating.

Location data of the animal may have a higher priority than one or more types of information, such as accelerometer, magnetometer, gyroscope, and biometric data. The priority assigned to the location data may be based on a safety concern. For example, the location data may be assigned an increased priority if the animal moves into a prohibited area, such as outside of the yard of the pet parent, a water area, the street, and the like.

One or more pieces of data determined and/or stored by device may be combined and/or used with the one or more other pieces of data. For example, information derived from the magnetometer may be used with information derived from the accelerometer to estimate a distance traveled by the animal. In another example, information derived from the gyroscope may be used with information derived from the accelerometer to estimate a distance traveled by the animal. In another example, location data may be used with one or more pieces of data, such as the speed at which the animal is moving, the direction in which the animal is moving, the glucose level of the animal, etc.

FIG. 3 shows an example system 300 which includes a pet 302 and implantable device 304. Although an example location of implantable device 304 being at a belly of animal 302 is shown on FIG. 3, it should be understood that implantable device 304 may be located in one or more other locations of animal 304, such as within a back, leg, tail, groin, contact lens, tooth, and the like. In examples, implantable device 304 be under the skin of pet 302 and may not be accessible and/or visible from outside the body of pet 302. Implantable device 304 may include one or more electronic devices or couple to one or more electronic devices. System 300 may include a communication between implantable device 304 and one or more external devices, such as user devices 306, server 308, GPS 312, and cellular network 310.

System 300 may include a network configured to enable exchange of electronic communications between devices connected to the network. In examples the network may facilitate communications between implantable device 304 (e.g., electronic devices housed within or coupled to implantable device 304), one or more user devices 306, server 308 (e.g., an external server, such as a cloud server), as well as one or more electronic devices. The network may include, for example, one or more of the Internet, Wide Area Networks (WANs), Local Area Networks (LANs), analog or digital wired and wireless telephone networks (e.g., a public switched telephone network (PSTN), Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), a cellular network 310, and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), radio, television, cable, satellite, Bluetooth (e.g., Bluetooth classic and Bluetooth low energy), Medical Implant Communication System band, and/or one or more other delivery or tunneling mechanisms for carrying data. Implantable device 200 may include one or more antennas, such as two antennas, for communicating. In an example in which implantable device 200 includes one or more (e.g., two) antennas, one antenna may be used to communicate via one protocol (e.g., Bluetooth) and the one or more other antennas may be used to communicate via one or more other protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi).

System 300 may include multiple networks or subnetworks, each of which may include, for example, a wired or wireless data pathway. A network may include a circuit-switched network, a packet-switched data network, or any other network able to carry electronic communications (e.g., data or voice communications). For example, the network may include networks based on the Internet protocol (IP), the PSTN, packet-switched networks based on IP, or other comparable technologies. The network may include one or more networks that include wireless data channels and wireless voice channels. The network may be a wireless network, a broadband network, or a combination of networks including a wireless network and a broadband network.

One or more components (shown on FIG. 2) may be housed within implantable device 304, as described herein. In other examples one or more components may be housed outside of implantable device 304 and/or operationally coupled to implantable device 304. For example, one or more components of implantable device 200 may be housed within a collar, bedding, feeding bowl, waste area, as described further herein.

System 300 may include a charging device, such as charging device 314. Charging device 314 may be configured to charge one or more batteries (such as battery 216) within implantable device 302. The charging device 314 may charge the battery via one or more wired or wireless techniques. Example wireless techniques in which the charging device 314 may charge the battery may include inductive coupling, magnetic resonance coupling, microwave/RF ultrasonic (e.g., triboelectric piezoelectric), and the like.

Charging device 314 may be positioned such that implantable device 304 (e.g., animal housing implantable device 304) may be in proximity of charging device 314 or move within a proximity of charging device 314. For example, charging device 314 may be positioned near an area or a device that an animal may frequent. Examples may include charging device 314 taking one or more form factors, such as a bed of the animal, a collar of the animal, a feeding bowl of the animal, a waste area/device of the animal, a play area of the animal, floors within a room that the animal may frequent, tools used with an animal (such as a grooming tool), a pet scale, and the like. By placing the charging device 314 in one or more locations in which the animal may frequent, the charging device 314 may charge/recharge the battery (such as battery 216) of the implantable device 304 in a manner which would be unnoticed by the animal 304, would be convenient for the animal or the pet owner, and/or would not cause the animal 304 to change its habits or routines.

FIG. 4 shows an example in which an animal 402 is fitted with one or more implantable devices 404A, 404B, 404C (collectively implantable device 404). The implantable device may be placed in more than one location (e.g., for sensing purposes). For example, an implantable device 404 may be placed in an location (such as a chest) of the animal to determine location of the animal 402, an implantable device 404 may be placed in an location (such as an appendage) of the animal to determine an injury to the appendage or a speed of an appendage, an implantable device 404 may be placed near an organ (such as the heart) of the animal to determine the heartbeat of the animal 402, etc.

As described herein, a charging device may be positioned around or about a location in which the animal may be located (e.g., naturally located). FIG. 4 shows an example in which the charging device 406 is located on a device (e.g., collar 408) coupled to the animal. Although FIG. 4 shows an example in which the charging device 406 is located on a device (e.g., collar 408) coupled to the animal 402, such example is for illustration purposes only. In other examples the charging device 406 may be located on one or more portions of the animal 402, such as an anklet, tag (e.g., tail tag, eartag), ring (e.g., tail ring, earring), belt, and the like. In other examples, the charging device 406 may be located on one or more locations that the animal may frequent, such as a bedding of the animal, a feeding area, a waste area, and the like. In examples an external device for communicating (e.g., sending location, movement, biometric information, and the like) with the implantable device 404 may be located on the animal 402, such as on a collar 408 of the animal 402. The charging device 406 may send/receive signals 410 to and/or from one or more of the implantable devices 404. The charging device 406 may be charged via one or more techniques. For example, the charging device 406 may be charged via AC power, DC power, solar power, kinetic energy, and the like. The charging device may include an indicator indicating the amount of charge left on the charging device 406, etc.

FIG. 5 is an example in which charging device 506 is placed within a location that the animal 502 may visit, such as within a bedding 508 of animal 502. Although FIG. 5 shows an example in which the charging device 506 is located within a bedding 508 of animal 502, such example is for illustration purposes only. In other examples as described herein, the charging device 506 may be located within or on a feeding device, waste device, play device, and the like. Charging device 506 may be located on one or more of a bottom, top, side, middle, etc., of bedding 508. Charging device 506 may charge one or more implantable devices 504A, 504B, 504C (collectively implantable device 504) coupled to the animal or implanted within the animal. For example, charging device 506 may send and/or receive wireless signals 510 to and/or from implantable device 504 within animal 502. The charging device 506 may be charged via one or more techniques. For example, the charging device 506 may be charged via an AC power cord 512, as shown on FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 shows coils 607A, 607B, 607C (collectively coils 607) that may be used to charge the implantable device, as described herein. For example, one or more coils may be located in the bedding of animal, such as bedding 508 (FIG. 5). The efficiency of the coils 607 may be based on the diameter and/or cross-section of the coils 607. A bed (e.g., small) bed may allow for a large format coil 607 that may be used for charging implantable devices. The coils 607 may be placed under, within, on the side(s) of, and/or above one or more of animal beds, animal feeders, animal waste areas, animal play areas, and the like. In an example the charging device may detect an implantable device (e.g., via a proximity sensor, a pressure sensor, a sound, an image). The charging device may provide power to the implantable device upon (e.g., only upon) detecting the implantable device. For example, a charging device may be located within a bedding. The charging device within the bedding may include a pressure sensor that detects when an animal rests upon the bedding. Upon detecting the animal resting upon the bedding the charging device may send (e.g., wirelessly send) charging signals to the implantable device. The charging device may cease sending the charging signals upon receiving an indication that the implantable device is fully charged and/or upon the charging device receiving an indication that the animal is no longer resting upon the bedding (e.g., the pressure sensor within the bedding may detect that the pressure upon the bedding has ceased).

In other examples, a charging device may include a camera or microphone that may detect the presence or absence of the animal. For example, a feeding bowl may include a microphone that detects the presence (via sound) of an animal. The charging device may provide a power signal when the charging device detects the animal proximate the feeding bowl and may cease power signals upon the animal leaving the proximity of the feeding bowl. Another example may include a play area including a charging device having a camera (e.g., still or moving camera) that detects the presence of the animal or absence of the animal. The charging device may send charging signals upon the charging device detecting the animal proximate the play area and may cease power signals upon the animal leaving the proximity of the play area. The charging device may perform one or more additional functions in addition to providing power to the implantable device. For example, the charging device may be configured to receive and/or send information relating to the animal, such as location data, movement data, biometric data, and the like. The charging device may be configured to save information relating to the animal, process information relating to the animal, and the like.

FIG. 7 shows an example process 700 for using an implantable device (e.g., an electronic device, such as device 100, 200) configured to provide information relating to an animal. At 702, the electronic device may be implanted within the animal and/or coupled to the animal, as described herein. For example, the implantable device may be implanted under the skin of the animal, within the body of the animal, attached to the animal via a contact lens, earring, and the like. The electronic device may include one or more components, such as one or more sensors, memories, communication interfaces, batteries, etc.

At 704, the sensors of the electronic device may determine information relating to the animal. The information may relate to location and/or movement information of the animal, biometric information relating to the animal, etc. At 706 the information may be stored. The information may be stored on the electronic device and/or one or more external devices, such as a mobile device or server. At 708 the information may be communicated (e.g., wirelessly communicated) to one or more devices, such as a mobile device or external server. The information may be communicated via one or more technologies, such as via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (e.g., Bluetooth classic, Bluetooth low energy), LAN, etc.

At 710 power may be provided to the electronic device. For example, one or more batteries of the electronic device may be charged (e.g., recharged). The one or more batteries of electronic device may be charged while the electronic device is implanted within the animal, in examples, although in other examples the batteries of the electronic device may be charged while the electronic device is removed from the animal. Batteries of the electronic device may be wirelessly chargeable, chargeable via a wire. For example, a wireless interface may be provided via electronic device that may allow the batteries to be charged while the electronic device is within the body of the pet.

In examples a sensor (e.g., proximity sensor) may be used to determine if the electronic device is near a charging device, as described herein. If the electronic device is determined to be proximate to the charging device (e.g., only if the electronic device is determined to be proximate to the charging device), the charging device may charge the battery. For example, if the electronic device is determined to be within five feet of the charging device, ten feet of the charging device, thirty feet of charging device, etc., the charging device may charge battery of the electronic device. The electronic device may receive power via one or more batteries, such as a Li-Po battery, although such battery is for illustration purposes only and any type of battery may be used.

While the inventions have been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the inventions, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present inventions. Thus, the spirit and scope of the inventions should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring an animal comprising:

an electronic device configured to be implanted within an animal, the electronic device comprising:

(a) one or more sensors comprising at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a magnetometer, the one or more sensors configured to determine location or movement information relating to the animal;

(b) a memory device configured to store the location or movement information relating to the animal;

(c) a communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate the location or movement information to an external device; and

(d) a battery device for providing power to at least one of the one or more sensors or the communication interface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is further configured to determine biometric information relating to the animal.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the biometric information comprises at least one of glucose information relating to the animal, heart rate information relating to the animal, blood pressure information relating to the animal, pulse information relating to the animal, blood oxygen information relating to the animal, respiration rate information relating to the animal, or temperature information relating to the animal.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured to couple to a bone of the animal via sutures.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein a mesh object is configured to couple the electronic device to the animal via at least one of sutures, staples, or glue.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured to be implanted within at least one of a stomach of the animal, a groin of the animal, or a tail of the animal.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured to be implanted within a cavity of the animal.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the cavity comprises at least one of an ear of the animal, a scrotum of the animal, or a space within the animal created during a spay or neuter procedure of the animal.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is housed with a sheath material configured to mitigate migration of the electronic device when implanted within the animal.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured to be injected within the animal.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the location or movement information of the animal is determined based on a periodic.

12. The system of any foregoing claim 1, wherein the system further comprises one or more processors configured to cause a display device to display information that is based on the location or movement information relating to the animal.

13. A method for monitoring an animal comprising: wirelessly communicating, by the communication interface, the location or movement information to an external device.

implanting an electronic device within an animal, the electronic device comprising: (a) one or more sensors comprising at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a magnetometer; (b) a memory device operably coupled to the one or more sensors; (c) a communication interface operably coupled to the memory device or the one or more sensors; and (d) a battery device for providing power to at least one of the one or more sensors or the communication interface;

determining, using the one or more sensors, location or movement information relating to the animal;

storing, by the memory device, the location or movement information; and

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the electronic device determining biometric information relating to the animal.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the biometric information comprises at least one of glucose information relating to the animal, heart rate information relating to the animal, blood pressure information relating to the animal, pulse information relating to the animal, blood oxygen information relating to the animal, respiration rate information relating to the animal, or temperature information relating to the animal.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the electronic device is coupled to a bone of the animal via sutures.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein a mesh object couples the electronic device to the animal via at least one of sutures, staples, or glue.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the electronic device is implanted within at least one of a stomach of the animal, a groin of the animal, or a tail of the animal.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the electronic device is implanted within a cavity of the animal.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the cavity comprises at least one of an ear of the animal, a scrotum of the animal, or a space within the animal created during a spay or neuter procedure of the animal.

21-58. (canceled)