System for tracking grain

• US 20060169776A1
• Filed: 12/09/2005
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Pointer, Robert H. Hornbaker, Volodymyr Kindratenko
• Original Assignee: David Pointer, Robert H. Hornbaker, Volodymyr Kindratenko
• Inventors: Pointer, David, Hornbaker, Robert H., Kindratenko, Volodymyr
• Granted Patent: US 7,511,618 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/04 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

A system for tracking transported grain. A writer records data into an RFID tag. The data includes at least a time when the RFID tag was handled with surrounding grain and information sufficient to determine a location of handling at the time when the RFID tag was handled with surrounding grain. A reader retrieves the recorded data from the RFID tag.

Claims

1. A system for tracking transported grain, the system comprising:

a writer for recording data into an RFID tag, the data including at least a time when the RFID tag was handled with surrounding grain and information sufficient to determine a location of handling at the time when the RFID tag was handled with surrounding grain; and

a reader for retrieving said recorded data from the RFID tag.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said reader and said writer comprise a single device.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a database for analyzing the retrieved data.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said database comprises a stand-alone database within a microcomputer of said writer.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein said database comprises a personal computer.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein said database comprises a personal computer, said personal computer comprising a display and visualization software for visualizing the retrieved data.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said writer encodes a data set in the RFID tag for each of a plurality of stages in processing of grain.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an apparatus for encrypting the data to be recorded in the RFID tag before the data is recorded in the RFID tag.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag dimensioned to have a size approximating surrounding grain, said tag comprising a memory and an RF communication channel, wherein said writer records the data in the memory, and wherein said reader retrieves the recorded data from the memory.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein at least one of said reader and said writer communicates with said RFID tag by sending and receiving electromagnetic signals.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said RFID tag is a passive device, and wherein electromagnetic signals transmitted from at least one of said reader and said writer to said RFID tag provide power for said RFID tag.

12. The system of claim 9 further comprising:

a dispenser for dispensing said RFID tag into a grain flow.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said dispenser comprises:

a container for holding a plurality of RFID tags, said container including an opening;

a surface for selectively unblocking or blocking the opening to permit or block one or more RFID tags from exiting said container through the opening;

a device for selectively moving said surface.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said surface is selectively positioned to cover the opening, and wherein said dispenser further comprises:

a connection between said surface and said device for selectively moving said surface.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said connection comprises a rod, and wherein said device for operating said dispenser comprises a selectively operable apparatus for moving the rod, thus moving said surface to selectively cover or uncover the opening.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the selectively operable apparatus comprises:

a solenoid;

a control for selectively applying a positive or negative current to said solenoid.

17. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

a guide for the RFID tags connected at one end to the opening, and having an opposing opening for dispensation of the RFID tags.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said opposing opening is directed toward a belt of a belt-based grain handling system.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein said opposing opening is directed toward a container into which free-falling grain is directed.

20. The system of claim 9 further comprising:

a remover for removing said RFID tag from surrounding grain.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein said remover comprises:

a container for holding RFID tags;

a magnet for magnetically attracting the RFID tags;

a moving surface for moving said magnetically attracted RFID tags towards said container, said moving surface being disposed between said magnet and the surrounding grain including the RFID tags;

said moving surface moving said magnetically attracted RFID tags to a location wherein the RFID tags are sufficiently displaced from a force of said magnet and is permitted to freely fall into said container.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein said moving surface comprises a belt operated by an electrical engine.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein said belt is positioned facing a moving belt of a belt-based grain handling system.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein said belt is positioned to face the quantity of grain as it freely falls with the RFID tags.