Patent ID: 6535131
Filing Date: 2003-03-18
Classification: A01K,A61B,G10L,H04M

Abstract:
An apparatus for automatically identifying when an animal is in distress based upon animal sound patterns produced in distress, said apparatus comprising:an audio receiving device in, or proximate to, a selected animal for receiving a sound pattern produced in proximity to the selected animal and for converting the received sound pattern into an audio signal; a securing member for securing said device in or to the selected animal; a controller connected to said device; a storage unit connected to said controller for storing a plurality of pre-stored audio patterns, each of said pre-stored audio patterns corresponding to a respective sound expected to be produced by an animal of the same type as the selected animal when in a respective different type of distress; and a communication interface connected to said controller for communicating with a remote communication unit located in proximity to an attendant, wherein said controller receives said audio signal from said device and compares said audio signal with said pre-stored audio patterns to determine which of said pre-stored audio patterns best matches said audio signal, wherein said controller produces a likelihood value representing a respective degree of resemblance between said audio signal and the best-matching pre-stored audio pattern, wherein said controller compares said likelihood value with a pre-stored threshold, and wherein said controller automatically communicates a command to said communication interface when the likelihood value exceeds a pre-stored value, said communication interface automatically communicating a signal to the remote communication unit in response to said command informing the remote communication unit of the respective distress corresponding to the best-matching pre-stored audio pattern.