Radio frequency animal tracking system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for identification of animals, comprising:
- a first antenna; and
a transponder coupled to the antenna, the transponder including a first transmission unit, first memory and first power circuitry, the first power circuitry being configured to receive a current induced in the first antenna, and to power the first transmission unit and first memory, the first transmission unit being configured to retrieve data stored in the first memory and to transmit at least a portion of the data via the first antenna on a first carrier frequency and on a second carrier frequency.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is directed to an improved RFID system. The system provides a transponder that can communicate over at least two different frequencies so that the real time performance of the transponder can be improved without losing backwards compatibility. The system provides an improved apparatus and method that allows the end user to customize and program identification tags. The system also provides an ear tag, which may be in button form, for use on livestock with superior durability and overall performance in the field.
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Citations
96 Claims
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1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for identification of animals, comprising:
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a first antenna; and
a transponder coupled to the antenna, the transponder including a first transmission unit, first memory and first power circuitry, the first power circuitry being configured to receive a current induced in the first antenna, and to power the first transmission unit and first memory, the first transmission unit being configured to retrieve data stored in the first memory and to transmit at least a portion of the data via the first antenna on a first carrier frequency and on a second carrier frequency. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 73, 74, 75, 76)
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31. A method of manufacturing a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, for identification of animals, the method comprising:
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providing a substrate;
disposing a first coil upon the substrate;
coupling a first integrated circuit to the first coil;
forming a first material atop the first coil and first integrated circuit; and
forming a second material over the first material. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. A method of collision prevention for radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for identification of animals, the method comprising:
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assigning each of a plurality of RFID tags a delay value; and
configuring each RFID tag to receive a query from a base station, and to respond thereto by waiting for a duration of time corresponding to the delay value, and then providing a response transmission, the response transmission including a unique identification number identifying an animal associated with the tag. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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57. A method of providing identification of an animal, the method comprising:
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receiving a query from a base station with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in an animal; and
responding to the query with a first transmission on a first carrier frequency and a second transmission on a second carrier frequency. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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65. A method of identifying an animal to a base station with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, the method comprising:
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providing the base station with a smallest identification number assigned to any of a plurality of RFID tags associated with a plurality of animals;
receiving a query from the base station with an RFID tag in the animal, the RFID tag being assigned a unique identification number; and
responding to the received query with a reply transmission including an abbreviated identification number, which is the difference between the unique identifying number and the smallest identification number. - View Dependent Claims (66, 67, 68, 69)
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70. A system for identifying animals with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, the system comprising:
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a first base station configured to operate at a first carrier frequency;
a second base station configured to operate at a second carrier frequency; and
a plurality of RFID tags, each associated with one of a plurality of animals, each RFID tag being configured to respond to a transmission on a first carrier frequency with a response transmission on the first carrier frequency and a response transmission on a second carrier frequency, at least one of the response transmissions including a unique identification number. - View Dependent Claims (71, 72, 77, 78, 79, 80)
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81. An identification tag for an animal, the tag comprising:
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a first circuit including a memory subunit, a power subunit, and a first transmit subunit, the subunits electrically connected to each other;
a second circuit including a second transmit subunit, the second circuit electrically connected to the first circuit;
an antenna connected to the first circuit;
the power subunit of the first circuit configured to generate an electrical current when a radio signal is received by the antenna, and delivers this current to the first transmit subunit;
the first transmit subunit configured to transmit a first signal at a first frequency when it receives electrical current from the power subunit, the first signal encoding at least a first portion of any data within the memory subunit;
the second circuit configured to transmit a second signal at a second frequency when it when it receives electrical current from the power subunit, the second signal encoding at least a second portion of any data within the memory subunit. - View Dependent Claims (82, 83, 84, 85)
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86. A method of making an identification tag for an animal, the method comprising:
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providing a producer of animals, at least one animal, an animal identification tag with a data transponder and a memory storage, and a tag printer located adjacent a space for confining the at least one animal;
acquiring at least one registration code to be assigned to the at least one animal;
inputting the at least one registration code into the tag printer;
positioning the animal in the confined space adjacent the tag printer;
positioning the animal identification tag within the tag printer;
printing the registration code on an exterior of the animal identification tag;
writing the registration code into the memory storage of the animal identification tag. removing the animal identification tag from the machine; and
,attaching the animal identification tag to the at least one animal. - View Dependent Claims (87, 88)
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89. An animal identification tag comprising:
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a flexible substrate including upper and lower portions;
a transponder mount positioned between the upper and lower portions, the transponder mount substantially rigid;
a transponder mounted to the transponder mount, the transponder including a data memory storage, an antenna, power circuitry and transmission circuitry, the power circuitry configured to generate electrical current when a first radio signal at a first frequency is received by the antenna, the transmission circuitry configured to transmit at least a portion of any data within the data memory storage at a second frequency, and to transmit at least a portion of any data within the data memory storage at a second frequency when electrical current is received from the power circuitry;
a mounting opening extending through the upper and lower portions and a mounting opening reinforcement mounted between the upper and lower bodies adjacent the mounting opening.
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90. A device for making animal identification tags comprising:
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a housing including a path along which an animal identification tag may be positioned;
a data writing apparatus within the housing adjacent the path and positioned to write digital information to a data storage of the animal identification tag;
a printing device within the housing adjacent the path and positioned to print information on an exterior of the animal identification tag;
an optical scanner within the housing and positioned adjacent the path to optically scan the printed information on the exterior of the animal identification tag;
a radio frequency generator and receiver within the housing and positioned adjacent the path to query the digital information written into the data storage of the animal identification tag.
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91. A method of tracking livestock comprising:
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registering an identification code with a central data base, wherein registering includes associating the identification code with a user name;
providing a passive radio frequency identification tag;
writing the identification code to the passive radio frequency identification tag;
subsequently writing additional data to the passive radio frequency identification tag.
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92. A method of tracking livestock comprising:
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registering an identification code with a central data base, wherein registering includes associating the identification code with a user name;
providing a passive radio frequency identification tag;
writing the identification code to the passive radio frequency identification tag at a physical location where an animal to be tracked is located.
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93. A method of tracking livestock comprising:
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registering an identification code with a central data base, wherein registering includes associating the identification code with a user name;
providing a passive radio frequency identification tag;
writing the identification code to the passive radio frequency identification tag;
querying the passive radio frequency identification tag using a first frequency and receiving a response at a second frequency.
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94. An radio frequency identification tag comprising:
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a flexible substrate; and
a transponder position within the flexible substrate, the transponder including a passive inductance radio frequency device positioned within a substantially rigid housing.
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95. An animal identification tag comprising:
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a flexible substrate including upper and lower portions;
a transponder mount positioned between the upper and lower portions, the transponder mount substantially rigid;
a transponder mounted to the transponder mount, the transponder including a data memory storage, an antenna, power circuitry and transmission circuitry, the power circuitry configured to generate electrical current when a first radio signal at a first frequency is received by the antenna, the transmission circuitry configured to transmit at least a portion of any data within the data memory storage at the first frequency;
a mounting opening extending through the upper and lower portions and a mounting opening reinforcement mounted between the upper and lower bodies adjacent the mounting opening;
operator provided indicia printed on the exterior of the flexible substrate.
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96. A system comprising an animal and a radio frequency identification tag;
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the radio frequency identification tag being coupled to the animal;
the radio frequency identification tag comprising a transponder and a flexible substrate;
the flexible substrate comprising upper and lower portions;
the transponder positioned between the upper and lower portions; and
operator provided indicia printed on the exterior of the flexible substrate.
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Specification