Identity and cow estrus indicator

• US 5,857,434 A
• Filed: 11/27/1996
• Issued: 01/12/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delaval Holding AB (Tetra Laval Holdings BV)
• Original Assignee: Alfa Laval Agri Ab (Tetra Laval Holdings BV)
• Inventors: Andersson, Lars
• Primary Examiner(s): Price, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US08/737,885
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 119/859, 119/718, 119/720, 119/719, 119/721, 119/174, 119/908
• US Class Current: 119/859
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/006 Automatic identification systems for animals, e.g. electronic devices, transponders for animals identification systems for access to feeding pens A01K1/0209; ear tags with electronic identification means A01K11/004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0012 Ovulation-period determination for animals A61D17/002
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 17/002 for detecting period of heat of animals, i.e. for detecting oestrus for humans A61B10/0012

Abstract

A device for transmitting data from a movable unit such from a domestic animal contains a conventional passive transponder unit (1) which is coupled to an antenna (3). The transponder (1) comprises means (23) for storing electrical energy comprised in electrical voltage pulses received on the antenna (3) and can by means of the stored energy transmit on the antenna (3) pulse sequences carrying information such as identification data for the device. Further, in the device a permanent electrical current source such as a lithium battery (9) is provided, which powers a processor (7). The processor (7) receives signals from a motion sensor (15) and is coupled to a transmitter (11) having an antenna (13) and can activate the transmitter (11) for transmitting radio signals having a good range, when the motion detector (15) signals an increased activity, such as for a non-milking cow during the estrus period.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a movable unit, which can take different states, at least a first normal state and a second special state, in particular for monitoring a domestic animal and the movement intensity thereof, including the steps of:

providing the unit with a sensor for the different states;

transmitting wirelessly, when the unit is located in the neighborhood of a fixedly arranged station, from the unit information in regard of the identity of the unit;

always transmitting wirelessly, when the sensor detects the second special state, information both in regard of the identity of the unit and of the fact that the unit now takes the second state.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein in the step where the unit is located in the neighborhood of a fixedly arranged station and transmits information in regard of the identity of the unit, information is also transmitted in regard of the state which the sensor has latest detected.

3. A method according to claim 2, including:

transmitting electromagnetic pulses having a high frequency wirelessly from the fixed station, which pulses can be received by the movable unit, only when it is in the neighborhood of the fixed station;

storing in the movable unit the energy contained in the received pulses; and

transmitting wirelessly directly after the reception of the pulses information in regard of the identity.

4. A method according to claim 1, including:

transmitting electromagnetic pulses having a high frequency wirelessly from the fixed station, which pulses can be received by the movable unit, only when it is in the neighborhood of the fixed station;

storing in the movable unit the energy contained in the received pulses; and

transmitting wirelessly directly after the reception of the pulses information in regard of the identity.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the step of transmitting directly, after the reception of the pulses, also comprises transmitting other information including the latest detected state of the movable unit.