System and method for measuring a plurality of physical variables from a remote location

• US 7,026,941 B1
• Filed: 03/30/2004
• Issued: 04/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Netquest Services LLC
• Original Assignee: Netquest Services LLC
• Inventors: Anderson, John William Crisman
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, LAM P
• Application Number:
  US10/812,670
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.3, 340/573.4, 340/572.4, 340/10.1, 340/693.5, 340/539.1, 600/549, 128/631, 128736-738, 128/755, 128/903, 119/51.02, 119/174
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• 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 29/00 Other apparatus for animal husbandry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders

Abstract

The present invention 10 provides a system and method of monitoring and tracking a plurality of physical variables from a remote location. The invention 10 utilizes a plurality of radio frequency identification transponders 20 each coupled with a sensor for measuring physical data. The transponders 20 are powered by a radio frequency reader/interrogator 60 that provides radio frequency excitation to the transponders 20 and receives and demodulates back-scattered signals therefrom. The invention 10 is particularly advantageous in monitoring temperature in cattle herds as an aid to early diagnosis of bovine respiratory disease.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring body temperatures in a plurality of herd animals, said system comprising:

a plurality of radio frequency identification transponders, each said transponder having a temperature sensor for sensing animal temperature, each herd animal provided with one of said radio frequency identification transponders, each transponder positioned such that said temperature sensor is in a viable sensing location for sensing the animal'"'"'s temperature;

a reader/interrogator for;

transmitting radio frequency signals to said transponders;

receiving radio frequency signals from said transponders, said received radio frequency signals containing animal temperature data from said temperature sensors; and

demodulating said received radio frequency signals into animal temperature data;

a memory for storing said animal temperature data; and

a microcontroller in communication with said reader/interrogator and said memory wherein said microcontroller is for;

processing said animal temperature data and determining a baseline temperature for each animal by averaging aid temperature data for each animal over time; and

providing an alarm indication when temperature data from any herd animal deviates a set percentage from said baseline temperature for said animal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said microcontroller is further for adjusting said temperature data by employing a correction factor to adjust for the sensor location in each animal.