Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a system for cattle identification and particularly to an Internet of Things (IoT) based system for cattle identification and method thereof.
Description of Related Art
[002] Cattle identification has both visual and management benefits. Initially, cattle were provided with burn marks for their identification. This process was unethical and painful to the cattle. Later, cattle were tied with identifying colored ropes around their neck but this solution was not possible with a large number of cattle. With the introduction of digital age, Electronic Identification Tags (EID) was introduced. By identifying cattle individually with Electronic Identification Tags (EID) tags, people can more easily determine which cattle are which. In addition, being able to track an animal’s history and performance helps in the determination of which ones are performing well. Electronic Identification Tags (EID) are small “button-like” tags that are placed in the ear. Each Electronic Identification Tags (EID) tag has a unique number printed on it, and the number can also be read by scanning the tag with an Electronic Identification Tags (EID) reader. These tags are designed to last for the life of the animal.
[003] However, installing these Electronic Identification Tags (EID) tags is a hard and painful process where cattle are pierced in their ears and then fitted with Electronic Identification Tags (EID) tags. Some of these Electronic Identification Tags (EID) tags are not robust and can fall apart. Getting wet in rain leads to malfunctioning of the Electronic Identification Tags (EID) tags.
[004] Moreover, several body-safe paints are commercially available that are used to mark the cattle with any symbol and/or indicator, but these paints are expensive and are needed to be over-coated before they disappear.
[005] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced Internet of Things (IoT) based system for cattle identification that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide an Internet of Things (IoT) based system for cattle identification. The system comprising: an image capturing unit arranged near a muzzle of cattle, and configured to capture an image of the muzzle of the cattle. The system further comprising: a processing unit communicatively connected to the image capturing unit. The processing unit is configured to: receive the captured image of the muzzle of the cattle from the image capturing unit; analyze the received image of the muzzle of the cattle for identifying cattle details using machine learning techniques and computer vision-based techniques; store the identified cattle details remotely in a database; and enable a user to view the identified cattle details remotely through a cattle identification application.
[007] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for identification of cattle using a muzzle-based cattle identification system. The method comprising steps of: receiving a captured image of a muzzle of the cattle from an image capturing unit; analyzing the received image of the muzzle of the cattle for identifying cattle details using machine learning techniques and computer vision-based techniques; storing the identified cattle details remotely in a database; and enabling a user to view the identified cattle details remotely through a cattle identification application.
[008] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide an Internet of Things (IoT) based system for cattle identification.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an Internet of Things (IoT) based system for cattle identification that operates similarly to human fingerprint recognition.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an Internet of Things (IoT) based system for cattle identification that allows remote identification and recognition.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an Internet of Things (IoT) based system for cattle identification that is easy to use and easy to install.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an Internet of Things (IoT) based system for cattle identification that is cost-efficient.
[0013] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an Internet of Things (IoT) based system for cattle identification that is sustainable in long run.
[0014] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0015] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible by utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an Internet of Things (IoT) based system for cattle identification, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a processing unit of the Internet of Things (IoT) based system for cattle identification, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for identification of cattle using the Internet of Things (IoT) based system for cattle identification, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0022] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0023] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an Internet of Things (IoT) based system 100 (hereinafter referred to as the system 100) for cattle identification, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may assist a user to recognize and identify cattle details. The cattle may be recognized and identified using their muzzle, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the muzzle of the cattle may provide a muzzle print that may be unique for every cattle, muzzle-print may be compared to fingerprint in humans. The system 100 may recognize the cattle and identify the cattle details using their muzzle print, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] According to embodiments of the present invention, the cattle details may be, but not limited to, an identification number of the cattle, an age of the cattle, a specie of the cattle, a breed of the cattle, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any cattle details, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, the cattle may be, but not limited to, a cow, a buffalo, a goat, a sheep, a donkey, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any cattle, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0026] According to embodiments of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise an image capturing unit 102, a processing unit 104, a memory unit 106, a database 108, a communication unit 110, a user device 112, a cattle identification application 114, and a display unit 116.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the image capturing unit 102 may be configured to capture an image of the muzzle of the cattle. The image capturing unit 102 may be arranged near the muzzle of the cattle, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to other embodiments of the present invention, a resolution for the image captured using the image capturing unit 102 may be, but not limited to, 320 pixels by 240 pixels, 640 pixels by 480 pixels, 1024 pixels by 768 pixels, 1360 pixels by 768 pixels, 1920 pixels by 1080 pixels, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any resolution for the image captured using the image capturing unit 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to the other embodiments of the present invention, the image capturing unit 102 may be, but not limited to, a still camera, a video camera, a color balancer camera, a thermal camera, an infrared camera, a telephoto camera, a wide-angle camera, a macro camera, a Close-Circuit Television (CCTV) camera, a web camera, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image capturing unit 102 may be a camera. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the image capturing unit 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the processing unit 104 may be communicatively connected to the image capturing unit 102. The processing unit 104 may be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to generate an output relating to the system 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the processing unit 104 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the processing unit 104 may be a Raspberry. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the processing unit 104 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, components of the processing unit 104 may be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the memory unit 106 may further be used to store the computer-executable instructions executed by the processing unit 104. In an embodiment of the present invention, the memory unit 106 may be a non-transitory storage medium. In an embodiment of the present invention, non-limiting examples of the memory unit 106 may be a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random-Access Memory (RAM), an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), a hard drive, a removable media drive for handling memory cards, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the memory unit 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the database 108 may store the identified cattle details. According to embodiments of the present invention, the database 108 may be for example, but not limited to, a distributed database, a personal database, an end-user database, a commercial database, a Structured Query Language (SQL) database, a non-SQL database, an operational database, a relational database, an object-oriented database, a graph database, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the database 108 may be a cloud database. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the database 108 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 110 may enable the database 108 and the user device 112 to communicate. The communication may be facilitated by the communication unit 110 by generation and establishment of a communication link, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the communication unit 110 may be, but not limited to, a Wi-Fi communication unit, a Bluetooth communication unit, a millimeter waves communication unit, an Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) communication unit, a physical layer communication, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the communication unit 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the user device 112 may be a computing device used by the user. The user device 112 may enable the user to view the identified cattle details remotely, in an embodiment of the present invention. The user device 112 may be, but not limited to, a personal computer, a consumer device, and alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user device 112 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the personal computer may be, but not limited to, a desktop, a server, a laptop, and alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the personal computer including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0033] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the consumer device may be, but not limited to, a tablet, a mobile phone, a notebook, a netbook, a smartphone, a wearable device, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the consumer device including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user device 112 may comprise software applications such as, but not limited to, a weather application, a medical application, a farming application, and the like. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user device 112 may comprise the cattle identification application 114 which may be a computer-readable program installed in the user device 112 for executing functions associated with the system 100.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 116 may be configured to display the identified cattle details locally to the user. The display unit 116 may be mounted in a visual proximity of the user, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the display unit 116 may be, but not limited to, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display, and so forth. Further, the display unit 116 may feature a backlight that may be turned on and/or turned off based on a requirement. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the display unit 116 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the processing unit 104 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The processing unit 104 may include a data receiving module 200, a data analyzing module 202, a data storage module 204, and a cattle identification module 206.
[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 200 may be configured to receive the captured images of the muzzle of the cattle from the image capturing unit 102. The data receiving module 200 may further transmit the received image of the muzzle of the cattle to the data analyzing module 202, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data analyzing module 202 may be configured to receive the transmitted image of the muzzle of the cattle from the data receiving module 200. The data analyzing module 202 may be configured to analyze the received image of the muzzle of the cattle for identifying the cattle details using machine learning techniques and computer vision-based techniques, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the identified cattle details may be, but not limited to, the identification number of the cattle, the age of the cattle, the specie of the cattle, the breed of the cattle, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any cattle details that may be identified by the data analyzing module 202.
[0039] According to embodiments of the present invention, the machine learning techniques may be, but not limited to, a supervised machine learning technique, a semi-supervised machine learning technique, an unsupervised machine learning technique, a reinforcement machine learning technique, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the machine learning techniques for identification of the cattle details, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, the computer vision-based techniques may be, but not limited to, an image classification, an object detection, a key point detection, a sematic detection, an instance detection, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the computer vision-based techniques for identification of the cattle details, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0040] Upon complete analysis of the image of the muzzle of the cattle, the data analyzing module 202 may transmit the identified cattle details to the data storage module 204.
[0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data storage module 204 may receive the identified cattle details from the data analyzing module 202. The data storage module 204 may further be configured to store the identified cattle details remotely in the database 108, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cattle identification module 206 may be configured to enable the user to view the identified cattle details remotely through the cattle identification application 114.
[0043] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for identification of the cattle using the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] At step 302, the system 100 may receive the captured image of the muzzle of the cattle from the image capturing unit 102.
[0045] At step 304, the system 100 may analyze the received image of the muzzle of the cattle for identifying the cattle details using machine learning techniques and computer vision-based techniques.
[0046] At step 306, the system 100 may store the identified cattle details remotely in the database 108.
[0047] At step 308, the system 100 may enable the user to view the identified cattle details remotely through the cattle identification application 114.
[0048] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0049] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. An Internet of Things (IoT) based system (100) for cattle identification, the system (100) comprising:
an image capturing unit (102) arranged near a muzzle of cattle, and configured to capture an image of the muzzle of the cattle; and
a processing unit (104) communicatively connected to the image capturing unit (102), wherein the processing unit (104) is configured to:
receive the captured image of the muzzle of the cattle from the image capturing unit (102);
analyze the received image of the muzzle of the cattle for identifying cattle details using machine learning techniques and computer vision-based techniques;
store the identified cattle details remotely in a database (108); and
enable a user to view the identified cattle details remotely through a cattle identification application (114).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a display unit (116) configured to display the identified cattle details.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the database (108) is a cloud database.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (104) is a Raspberry.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image capturing unit (102) is a camera.
6. A method (300) for identification of cattle using a muzzle-based cattle identification system (100), the method (300) comprising steps of:
receiving a captured image of a muzzle of the cattle from an image capturing unit (102);
analyzing the received image of the muzzle of the cattle for identifying cattle details using machine learning techniques and computer vision-based techniques;
storing the identified cattle details remotely in a database (108); and
enabling a user to view the identified cattle details remotely through a cattle identification application (114).
7. The method (300) as claimed in claim 6, comprising a step of displaying the identified cattle details on a display unit (116).
8. The method (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the database (108) is a cloud database.
9. The method (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the image capturing unit (102) is a camera.
10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the image capturing unit (102) is arranged near the muzzle of the cattle.
Date: February 22, 2023
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant