Animal feeding and monitoring system
First Claim
1. Apparatus for producing a unique coded signal to be used in a system for feeding and monitoring animals comprising an electronic identity means for identifying each animal, said electronic identity means including a power pick-up means for receiving electromagnetic energy and for providing a supply of operating power in response to the electromagnetic energy so received, and a code generator means connected to receive operating power from said power pick-up means for generating a coded signal uniquely associated with each animal to be identified, and an electromagnetic field generator means for generating the electromagnetic energy received by the pick-up means of said electronic identity means and for selectively increasing the power content of the electromagnetic energy so generated in order to compensate for variations in distance between said electromagnetic field generator means and said electronic identity means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The animal feeding and monitoring system includes an electronic identity tag having a code generator for generating a coded identifier signal uniquely associated with an animal to be identified. Electromagnetic energy from an RF field generator mounted in a feeding station is coupled into a pick-up coil in the electronic identity tag when the animal wearing the electronic identity tag approaches the feeding station. Electromagnetic energy coupled into the pick-up coil serves a source of power for the operating components of the tag. The code generator generates the coded identifier signal in response to timing pulses supplied by either an independently set RC oscillator circuit or a countdown circuit connected to the pick-up coil. A voltage detector connected to the pick-up coil is connected to gate the coded identifier signal transmissions only when sufficient power to provide error-free operation of the code generator has accumulated in the pick-up coil.
Once the animal has been identified, certain control and monitoring functions can be performed under the command of a central computer. The central computer can direct the delivery of feed to the identified animal in accordance with that animal'"'"'s feeding requirements. Where the animal to be identified is a cow, feed consumption, milk production and temperature measurements for a particular cow can be obtained and stored over a period of time, enabling the central computer to determine the feeding requirements for that cow. Additional monitoring and diagnostic routines can be performed by the central computer to ascertain whether the cow is in heat or has mastitis. A multiplexing arrangement permits these various control, monitoring and diagnostic routines to be performed for a plurality of animals located in adjacent feeding stations.
83 Citations
16 Claims
- 1. Apparatus for producing a unique coded signal to be used in a system for feeding and monitoring animals comprising an electronic identity means for identifying each animal, said electronic identity means including a power pick-up means for receiving electromagnetic energy and for providing a supply of operating power in response to the electromagnetic energy so received, and a code generator means connected to receive operating power from said power pick-up means for generating a coded signal uniquely associated with each animal to be identified, and an electromagnetic field generator means for generating the electromagnetic energy received by the pick-up means of said electronic identity means and for selectively increasing the power content of the electromagnetic energy so generated in order to compensate for variations in distance between said electromagnetic field generator means and said electronic identity means.
Specification