Identity and cow estrus indicator

• US 6,049,280 A
• Filed: 09/02/1998
• Issued: 04/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delavan Limited (Enpro Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: ALFA Laval LUND AB (ALFA Laval AB)
• Inventors: Andersson, Lars
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/145,767
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.3, 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/825.36, 340/539, 340/572.8, 340/572.7, 340/825.72, 600/549, 119/51.02
• US Class Current: 340/573.3
• 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 device for transmitting data from a movable unit, in particular for transmission of identification data and data associated with movement patterns of a domestic animal, comprising:

a first passive subdevice comprising;

a receiver antenna and means for storing electrical energy comprised in electrical voltage pulses received on the receiver antenna,

a transmitter antenna and means for transmitting on the transmitter antenna pulse sequences containing said data, and

a second subdevice comprising;

an electrical current source for supplying electrical current during a long lime without recharging, and

a transmitter antenna and means for transmitting, on the transmitter antenna, pulse sequences for containing information said data.

2. A device according to claim 1, the second subdevice including memory means for storing data including at least one of changing data obtained from a detector and a data value indicating the current time.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the means in the first subdevice for transmitting pulse sequences containing said data are arranged to transmit identification data and other data in the pulse sequences.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the means in the first subdevice for transmitting pulse sequences containing said data is arranged to transmit in the other data in these pulse sequences data obtained from the memory means in the second subdevice.

5. A device according to claim 3, wherein the means in the second subdevice for transmitting pulse sequences containing said data are arranged to transmit identification data and other data in these pulse sequences.

6. A device according to claim 2, wherein the means in the second subdevice for transmitting pulse sequences containing said data is arranged to transmit them when a changing data value stored in its memory means passes in a predetermined direction a threshold value also stored in its memory means.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said transmitting means in said second subdevice is arranged to transmit said pulse sequences when said changing data valued stored in the memory means of the second subdevice exceeds said threshold value.

8. A device according to claim 2 further comprising:

a detector comprised in the second subdevice for detecting an exterior quantity, and

an evaluating unit for evaluation of signals obtained from the detector and for storing in the memory means the result of this evaluation.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein said detector in said second subdevice is a motion detector.

10. A device according to claim 2, wherein the means in the first subdevice for transmitting pulse sequences containing said data are arranged to transmit identification information and other data in the pulse sequences.

11. A device according to claim 2, wherein the means in the second subdevice for transmitting pulse sequences containing said data are arranged to transmit identification data and other data in these pulse sequences.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein the means in the second subdevice for transmitting pulse sequences containing said data are arranged to transmit identification data and other data in these pulse sequences.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the means in the first subdevice for transmitting pulse sequences containing said data are arranged to transmit in the other data in these pulse sequences data obtained from the second subdevice.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein said electrical current source of said second subdevice comprises an electrochemical battery.