Radio frequency animal tracking system
View Patent ↗The invention is directed to an improved RFID system. The system provides a transponder that can communicate over at least two different frequencies so that the real time performance of the transponder can be improved without losing backwards compatibility. The system provides an improved apparatus and method that allows the end user to customize and program identification tags. The system also provides an ear tag, which may be in button form, for use on livestock with superior durability and overall performance in the field.
1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for identification of animals, comprising:
a first antenna; and
a transponder coupled to the antenna, the transponder including a first transmission unit, first memory and first power circuitry, the first power circuitry being configured to receive a current induced in the first antenna, and to power the first transmission unit and first memory, the first transmission unit being configured to retrieve data stored in the first memory and to transmit at least a portion of the data via the first antenna on a first carrier frequency and on a second carrier frequency.
2. The RFID tag of claim 1 , wherein the transponder includes a second transmission unit, and second memory.
3. The RFID tag of claim 2 , wherein the first power circuitry is configured to power the second transmission unit and the second memory.
4. The RFID tag of claim 3 , wherein the first power circuitry, first transmission unit, and first memory are embodied on a first integrated circuit, and the second transmission unit and second memory are embodied upon a second integrated circuit, the first and second integrated circuits are electrically coupled to one another for provision of power from the first power circuitry to the second transmission unit and second memory.
5. The RFID tag of claim 4 , further comprising a second antenna coupled to the second transmission unit.
6. The RFID tag of claim 5 , wherein the first transmission unit and first antenna are configured to transmit on the first carrier frequency, and the second transmission unit and second antenna are configured to transmit on the second carrier frequency.
7. The RFID tag of claim 6 , wherein the first carrier frequency is approximately 134.2 kHz, and wherein the second carrier frequency is greater than the first carrier frequency.
8. The RFID tag of claim 6 , wherein the first carrier frequency is approximately 134.2 kHz, and wherein the second carrier frequency is at least ten times the first carrier frequency.
9. The RFID tag of claim 6 , wherein the first carrier frequency is approximately 134.2 kHz, and wherein the second carrier frequency is approximately 13.5 MHz.
10. The RFID tag of claim 6 , further comprising a body defining first and second channels configured in a closed shape, and further defining a recess, wherein the first antenna is wound around the first channel, the second antenna is wound around the second channel, and the first and second integrated circuits are housed in the recess.
11. The RFID tag of claim 10 , wherein the first and second channels are of circular shape.
12. The RFID tag of claim 11 , wherein the first and second channels are coaxial.
13. The RFID tag of claim 12 , wherein the body is annular.
14. The RFID tag of claim 10 , wherein the body is polymeric.
15. The RFID tag of claim 10 , wherein the recess and first and second channels are filled by a filling substance.
16. The RFID tag of claim 15 , wherein the filling substance is polymeric.
17. The RFID tag of claim 1 , wherein the data stored in the memory includes a number uniquely identifying an animal.
18. The RFID tag of claim 17 , wherein the data stored in the memory further includes an indicator of how large the animal is expected to be in the future.
19. The RFID tag of claim 17 , wherein the data stored in the memory further includes a categorization code indicating an expected weight range of the animal.
20. The RFID tag of claim 1 , wherein, upon receipt of an indication that the transmitted data was received by a base station, the transponder is configured to enter a period so that the transponder does not generate a transmission until expiration of the period.
21. The RFID tag of claim 1 , wherein the transponder is configured to pause for a delay period, prior to generating a transmission in response to a transmission from a base station.
22. The RFID tag of claim 21 , wherein the delay period is stored in the memory, and wherein the transponder further includes a clock circuit, and wherein the transponder is further configured to witness a number of cycles generated by the clock circuit, said number being determined by the delay period stored in the memory, prior to generation of the response transmission.
23. The RFID tag of claim 1 , wherein the antenna and transponder are enclosed in a body having a surface bearing printed matter.
24. The RFID tag of claim 23 , wherein the data stored in the memory includes a number uniquely identifying an animal, and wherein the printed matter includes the unique identifying number.
25. The RFID tag of claim 24 , wherein the printed matter further includes a date upon which the printed matter was printed upon the RFID tag.
26. The RFID tag of claim 24 , wherein the printed matter further includes a date upon which the animal arrived at a facility.
27. The RFID tag of claim 24 , wherein the printed matter further includes a date upon which the animal departed from a facility.
28. The RFID tag of claim 24 , wherein the printed matter further includes an identifying code used during handling of the cattle at a particular facility.
29. The RFID tag of claim 1 , wherein the data stored in the memory includes a number uniquely identifying an animal, and wherein the transponder is configured to generate an abbreviated number, which is the difference between the unique identifying number and another number.
30. The RFID tag of claim 29 , wherein the transponder is configured to transmit the abbreviated number on the first carrier frequency.
31. A method of collision prevention for radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for identification of animals, the method comprising:
assigning each of a plurality of RFID tags a delay value; and
configuring each RFID tag to receive a query from a base station, and to respond thereto by waiting for a duration of time corresponding to the delay value, and then providing a response transmission, the response transmission including a unique identification number identifying an animal associated with the tag.
32. The method of claim 31 , further comprising
directing a plurality of animals, each of which are outfitted with a configured RFID tag, through a region within radio contact of a base station; and
using the base station to broadcast a query to each RFID tag on each animal within the region.
33. The method of claim 31 , further comprising:
recording each delay value assigned to each RFID tag within the plurality of tags.
34. The method of claim 33 , further comprising:
assigning a particular delay value for a particular RFID tag within the plurality of tags, based upon the recorded delay values, so that the assigned delay values for the plurality of tags approximately fit a chosen distribution.
35. The method of claim 34 , wherein the chosen distribution is a flat distribution.
36. The method of claim 34 , wherein the chosen distribution is a normal distribution.
37. A method of providing identification of an animal, the method comprising:
receiving a query from a base station with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in an animal; and
responding to the query with a first transmission on a first carrier frequency and a second transmission on a second carrier frequency.
38. The method of claim 37 , wherein the first carrier frequency is approximately 134.2 kHz.
39. The method of claim 38 , wherein the second carrier frequency is greater than 134.2 kHz.
40. The method of claim 39 , wherein the second carrier frequency is approximately 13.5 MHz.
41. The method of claim 39 , wherein a unique identification number is transmitted upon the first carrier frequency.
42. The method of claim 41 , wherein a unique identification number is transmitted upon the second carrier frequency.
43. The method of claim 41 , wherein data other than the unique identification number is also carried upon the second carrier frequency.
44. The method of claim 37 , wherein the query comprises a transmission that energizes the RFID tag.
45. A method of identifying an animal to a base station with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, the method comprising:
providing the base station with a smallest identification number assigned to any of a plurality of RFID tags associated with a plurality of animals;
receiving a query from the base station with an RFID tag in the animal, the RFID tag being assigned a unique identification number; and
responding to the received query with a reply transmission including an abbreviated identification number, which is the difference between the unique identifying number and the smallest identification number.
46. The method of claim 45 , wherein the act of providing the base station with the smallest identification number comprises entering the smallest identification number into the base station manually.
47. The method of claim 45 , wherein the act of providing the base station with the smallest identification number comprises sending a query to the RFID tag, the query indicating that the RFID tag is to respond with the smallest identification number and with the abbreviated identification number.
48. The method of claim 47 , wherein the abbreviated identification number is transmitted to the base station on a carrier frequency of approximately 134.2 kHz.
49. The method of claim 48 , wherein the smallest identification number is transmitted to the base station on a carrier frequency greater than 134.2 kHz.
50. A system for identifying animals with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, the system comprising:
a first base station configured to operate at a first carrier frequency;
a second base station configured to operate at a second carrier frequency; and
a plurality of RFID tags, each tag being associated with one of a plurality of animals, each RFID tag being configured to respond to a transmission on the first carrier frequency with a response transmission on the first carrier frequency and a response transmission on the second carrier frequency, at least one of the response transmissions including a unique identification number.
51. The system of claim 50 , wherein the first carrier frequency is approximately 134.2 kHz.
52. The system of claim 51 , wherein the second carrier frequency is greater than 134.2 kHz.
53. The system of claim 52 , wherein an indicator of how large the animal is expected to be in the future is transmitted from an RFID tag to the second base station upon the second carrier frequency.
54. The system of claim 52 , wherein a categorization code indicating an expected weight range of the animal is transmitted from an RFID tag to the second base station upon the second carrier frequency.
55. The system of claim 51 , wherein the communication between the plurality of RFID tags and the first and second base stations is half duplex.
56. The system of claim 51 , wherein the communication between the plurality of RFID tags and the first and second base stations is full duplex.
57. The system of claim 50 , each of the plurality of RFID tags contains a surface having printed matter displayed thereupon.
58. The system of claim 57 , wherein the printed matter further includes a date upon which the printed matter was printed upon a given RFID tag.
59. The system of claim 57 , wherein the printed matter further includes a date upon which the animal arrived at a facility.
60. The system of claim 57 , wherein the printed matter further includes a date upon which the animal departed from a facility.
61. An identification tag for an animal, the tag comprising:
a first circuit including a memory subunit, a power subunit, and a first transmit subunit, the subunits electrically connected to each other;
a second circuit including a second transmit subunit, the second circuit electrically connected to the first circuit;
an antenna connected to the first circuit;
the power subunit of the first circuit configured to generate an electrical current when a radio signal is received by the antenna, and delivers this current to the first transmit subunit;
the first transmit subunit configured to transmit a first signal at a first frequency when it receives electrical current from the power subunit, the first signal encoding at least a first portion of any data within the memory subunit;
the second circuit configured to transmit a second signal at a second frequency when it when it receives electrical current from the power subunit, the second signal encoding at least a second portion of any data within the memory subunit.
62. The identification tag of claim 61 , wherein the first and second circuits are housed on separate integrated circuit substrates.
63. The identification tag of claim 61 , wherein the second circuit is electrically connected to a second antenna and transmits the second signal via the second antenna.
64. The identification tag of claim 61 , wherein the first frequency is lower than the second frequency.
65. The identification tag of claim 64 , wherein the first frequency is approximately 134.2 KHz.