Animal identification and entry control system for feeding purposes

• US 7,458,336 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2005
• Issued: 12/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Philip Stephen Eu
• Original Assignee: Philip Stephen Eu
• Inventors: Eu, Philip Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Valenti; Andrea M
• Application Number:
  US11/123,731
• Publication Number:
  US 20060249088A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,305 Days
• Field of Search: 119/161, 119/163, 119/165, 119/51.2, 119/62, 119/51.01, 119/61.1, 119/59, 119/51.12, 119/51.11, 119/54, 119/51.1, 119/63, 119/52.3, 119/52.4, 119/53.5, 119/484, 119/75, 119/416, 119/482, 119/51.02, 119/900, 119/494, 119/481, D30/108, D30/119, D30/121, D30129-131, D30/133, D30/132
• US Class Current: 119/51.02
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/033 Cat or dog houses
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/035 Devices for use in keeping domestic animals, e.g. fittings in housings or dog beds
• 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: A01K 27/009 with electric-shock, sound, magnetic- or radio-waves emitting devices
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 5/0114 Pet food dispensers; Pet food trays time-controlled A01K5/0291
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 5/0142 with means for preventing other animals or insects from eating
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 5/025 with doors or lids activated by the animals to access feeding place or trough
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/30 Peep-holes; Devices for speaking through; Doors having windows

Abstract

There is disclosed an animal identification, feeding and entry control system based on a radio frequency identification (RFID) system including an animal collar-mounted RFID tag, and RFID circuitry including a single antenna housed within a bezel placed forward of and surrounding the entry aperture to optimize signal reception. The bezel shape allows only one animal to enter at a time. To conserve power, the circuitry is only activated when an animal pushes against a door within the device, triggering a switch mechanism. A circuit-controlled latch prevents animals from opening the door unless a code match is detected between the programmed code in the tag and a stored code in the circuit controlling the system. Multiple codes may be stored for identifying multiple animals wearing collars tagged with unique identifying codes. The system'"'"'s applications include but are not limited to controlling animal entry to feeding enclosures, human housing and animal housing.

Claims

1. An animal feeding device having electronic identification and feed control comprising:

an enclosed feeding chamber having a single aperture therethrough permitting animal entry into said feeding chamber;

a bezel attached about said aperture and extending outwardly therefrom and substantially transversely thereto with an interior volume of said bezel defining a single entryway into said feeding chamber, said entryway dimensioned for entry into said feeding chamber by only one animal at a time, of an intended size range;

a door having a pivotal attachment within said feeding device in proximity to said aperture, said door having a closed position blocking said aperture;

said door in said closed position defining the length of said entryway and thus the length of said bezel;

said length of said entryway and said length of said bezel being at least equal to a length measured from the shoulders of said animal forward to the tip of the nose of said animal, and no longer than the total length of said animal;

said door further being pivotally attached to said feeding device in proximity to the upper boundary of said aperture;

said door being upwardly and inwardly pivotable into said feeding chamber if unlocked and pressed upon from outside said feeding chamber;

said door further comprising an upper substantially flat portion and a lower curved portion joined together, said lower curved portion curving inwardly towards said feeding chamber with a radius of curvature between 18 mm and 65 mm, spanning an arc section of between 30 degrees and 75 degrees, thereby when said door is upwardly and inwardly pivoted, said lower curved portion preventing objects from catching on said door;

locking means for locking and unlocking said door and operable between a locked condition and an unlocked condition, said locking means, with said door closed, operable to a locked position and, with said lock in an unlocked condition enabling said door to be opened;

radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor means configured to function cooperatively with an RFID-tagged animal;

said RFID sensor means including at least one antenna element positioned forward of said aperture and formed into at least one loop to circumferentially surround said entryway; and

said RFID sensor means actuating said locking means thereby permitting access to said feeding chamber by said RFID-tagged animal.

2. The animal feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said feeding chamber comprises one or more chamber walls disposed substantially vertically;

a single aperture therethrough in said one or more chamber walls, said aperture permitting entry to said feeding chamber; and

a roof portion disposed atop and disposed contiguous with the upper edges of said one or more chamber walls.

3. The animal feeding device as set forth in claim 2, further comprising;

a base having a perimeter in detachable mechanical communication with said one or more chamber walls;

said detachable mechanical communication comprising at least one mechanical latch; and

said base shaped at least in part to retain nutritional materials.

4. The animal feeding device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said base includes at least one compartment for holding means for cooling said nutritional materials.

5. The animal feeding device as set forth in claim 1 including at least one transparent or translucent portion thereby permitting the entry of light into said feeding chamber and the viewing of the contents of said feeding chamber.

6. The animal feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said feeding chamber is a single compartment dimensioned to prevent complete entry by animals.

7. The animal feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said feeding device includes airholes thereby permitting the odor of any nutritional materials contained within said feeding chamber to outwardly propagate.

8. The animal feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least a majority of the components are composed substantially of injection-molded plastic materials.

9. The animal feeding device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising:

said door having an inward surface substantially facing said feeding chamber and an outward surface substantially facing away from said feeding chamber;

a switch in mechanical communication with said door, said switch actuated by pressure against said outward surface of said door, said switch further in electrical communication with said RFID sensor means;

wherein at least a portion of said RFID sensor means further has at least two operational states wherein the first operational state is a minimum-power sleep state and the second operational state is an active state enabling full function of said RFID sensor means;

wherein said minimum-power sleep state draws a nonzero but minimum amount of power;

wherein the default operational state of said RFID sensor means is said minimum-power sleep state thereby providing minimum power consumption for said system; and

wherein said RFID sensor means is further configured such that if said switch is actuated then said RFID sensor means is brought out of said minimum-power sleep state into said active state, said RFID sensor means further including timekeeping means such that after an increment of time from an event such as the actuation of said switch, said RFID sensor means returns to said minimum-power sleep state, thereby conserving power.

10. The animal feeding device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said RFID sensor means includes storage and display means for the data associated with each actuation of said switch and subsequent activity of said RFID sensor means.

11. The animal feeding device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said bezel includes a floor surface;

and

wherein said switch is in mechanical communication with at least a portion of said floor surface, said switch being actuated by the weight of an animal treading upon said floor surface.

12. The animal feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said RFID sensor means includes programming means enabling said RFID sensor means to function cooperatively with at least one chosen RFID-tagged animal.

13. The animal feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said RFID sensor means functions cooperatively with multiple chosen RFID-tagged animals.

14. The animal feeding device as set forth in claim 13 wherein said RFID sensor means includes programming means allowing cooperative functioning with multiple chosen RFID-tagged animals at different programmed times.

15. The animal feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a latch in mechanical communication with said door and a solenoid in mechanical communication with said latch;

and

wherein said RFID sensor means further includes solenoid actuating means.

16. The animal feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said RFID sensor means further comprises a power source consisting of at least one battery.

17. The animal feeding device as set forth in claim 16 wherein said power source comprises a DC power supply adapted to be plugged into a standard AC wall socket.

18. The animal feeding device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising:

food storage means configured to store at least one day'"'"'s supply of animal food;

dispensing means in mechanical communication with said food storage means, said dispensing means configured to dispense animal food into said feeding chamber, said dispensing means in electronic communication with said RFID sensor means;

said RFID sensor means further comprising food dispensing timing means capable of signaling said dispensing means to dispense animal food into said feeding chamber.

19. The animal feeding device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising fastening means to secure said device to the ground or other underlying surface.

20. The animal feeding device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said closed position is configured to orient said door to slope inwardly towards said feeding chamber from said pivotal attachment.

21. An animal feeding device having electronic identification and feed control comprising:

an enclosed feeding chamber comprising one or more chamber walls rising substantially vertically, said one or more chamber walls having a single aperture therethrough permitting animal entry into said feeding chamber, said feeding chamber being a single compartment dimensioned to prevent complete entry by animals of an intended size range;

a base having a perimeter in detachable mechanical communication with said one or more chamber walls;

said detachable mechanical communication comprising at least one mechanical latch;

said base further shaped at least in part to retain nutritional materials and capable of holding means for cooling said nutritional materials;

a roof portion disposed atop and disposed contiguous with the upper edges of said one or more chamber walls, said roof portion further including a portion made of transparent or translucent material thereby permitting the entry of light into said feeding chamber;

a bezel attached about said aperture and extending outwardly therefrom and substantially transversely thereto with an interior volume of said bezel defining a single entryway into said feeding chamber, said entryway dimensioned for entry to said feeding chamber by only one animal at a time, of an intended size range;

said feeding device preferably formed of injection-molded plastic or low cost, easily formed and durable material, and wherein at least a portion of said feeding device includes airholes providing ventilation and permitting the odor of any nutritional materials contained within said feeding chamber to outwardly propagate;

a door pivotally attached within said feeding device in proximity to the upper boundary of said aperture, said door having a closed position substantially blocking said aperture, said door upwardly and inwardly pivotable into said feeding chamber if unlocked and pressed upon from outside said feeding chamber;

said closed position configured to orient said door to slope inwardly towards said feeding chamber from said pivotal attachment;

said door further comprising an upper substantially flat portion and a lower curved portion joined together, said door further having an inward surface substantially facing said feeding chamber and an outward surface substantially facing away from said feeding chamber;

said lower curved portion curving inwardly towards said feeding chamber with a radius of curvature between 18 mm and 65 mm, spanning an arc section of between 30 degrees and 75 degrees, thereby when said door is upwardly and inwardly pivoted, said lower curved portion preventing objects from catching on said door;

a latch in mechanical communication with said door and operable between a locked condition and an unlocked condition, said latch, with said door closed, operable to a locked position and, with said latch in an unlocked condition enabling said door to be opened;

said door in said closed position defining the length of said entryway and thus the length of said bezel;

said length of said entryway and said length of said bezel being at least equal to a length measured from the shoulders of said animal to the tip of the nose of said animal, and no longer than the total length of said animal;

a solenoid in mechanical communication with said latch, said solenoid operating said latch between a locked condition and an unlocked condition;

radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor means configured to function cooperatively with an RFID-tagged animal, said RFID sensor means actuating said solenoid thereby permitting access to said feeding chamber by said RFID-tagged animal;

said RFID sensor means further including at least one antenna element, said antenna element positioned forward of said aperture and formed into at least one loop to circumferentially surround said entryway;

a switch in mechanical communication with said door, said switch actuated by pressure against said outward surface of said door, said switch further in electrical communication with said RFID sensor means;

wherein at least a portion of said RFID sensor means further has at least two operational states wherein the first operational state is a minimum-power sleep state and the second operational state is an active state enabling full function of said RFID sensor means;

wherein said minimum-power sleep state draws a nonzero but minimum amount of power;

wherein the default operational state of said RFID sensor means is said minimum-power sleep state thereby providing minimum power consumption for said system;

wherein said RFID sensor means is further configured such that if said switch is actuated then said RFID sensor means is brought out of said minimum-power sleep state into said active state, said RFID sensor means further including timekeeping means such that after an increment of time from an event such as the actuation of said switch, said RFID sensor means returns to said minimum-power sleep state, thereby conserving power.