Patent ID: 11937578
Assignee: HALTER USA INC
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC A  H  Y | IPC A  H

Claim 8:
9. A method controlling position of a livestock animal, the method comprising:
providing a collar comprising: two speakers configured to administer a first stimulus to the livestock animal by playing sound through one or both speakers that is audible to the livestock animal; an inertial measurement unit; a navigation device; at least one electrode configured to administer a second stimulus in the form of an electric shock to the livestock animal; and at least one vibrator configured to administer a vibration stimulus that is able to be sensed by the livestock animal,
securing the collar around a neck body of the livestock animal such that one of the speakers is located by each ear of the livestock animal, and the at least one electrode is in contact with the neck of the livestock animal;
monitoring angular position of the livestock animal's neck and whether the livestock animal is grazing from a location lower than its normal standing and/or resting condition using the inertial measurement unit;
monitoring location information of the collar using the navigation device;
allowing the livestock animal to graze within a field in a first condition where it is free to move around without any administered stimulus, but administering applying the first stimulus via one speaker at a time to keep the animal within the field;
guiding the livestock animal to towards a particular position or path by:
a) administering the first stimulus via one speaker at a time to direct the livestock animal towards the particular position or path if the inertial measurement unit detects an abnormal heading and the inertial measurement unit in conjunction with the navigation device detects that the livestock animal is walking and not grazing;
b) administering the vibration stimulus if the inertial measurement unit detects a normal heading and the inertial measurement unit in conjunction with the navigation device detects that the livestock animal is walking and not grazing, to encourage the livestock animal to continue to move forward along the normal heading;
c) administering the first stimulus through both speakers if the inertial measurement unit in conjunction with the navigation device detects that the livestock animal has stopped and is grazing,
ramping up the first stimulus over a period of time from a minimum level to a maximum level of intensity and continuing administration until determining that the livestock animal has stopped grazing and started walking,
ramping the first stimulus down over a period of time to the minimum level of intensity to nothing when the navigation device detects the livestock animal walking again, and

administering the second stimulus if the livestock animal continues to be stopped and grazing after the first stimulus being administered at the maximum level.