Livestock chute scanner

The interrogator device as claimed in claim I10, wherein at least one of said first flux field or said second flux field is a different pattern than said third flux field.

An interrogator device for use with a plurality of identification transponders, said interrogator device producing an interrogation signal for interrogating at least one of the plurality of transponders, the transponders transmitting an identification signal in response to said interrogation signal, each of the plurality of transponders being adapted to attach to an article to be identified, said identification signal including at least an identification component, said interrogator device comprising:

• a transmitter including a first transmit coil encompassed by a second transmit coil, said first transmit coil and said second transmit coil electrically coupled to one another, said first transmit coil generating a first flux field, said second transmit coil generating a second flux field, wherein said first flux field circumscribes said second flux field.

An interrogator device for use with a plurality of identification transponders, said interrogator device producing an interrogation signal for interrogating at least one of the plurality of transponders, the transponders transmitting an identification signal in response to said interrogation signal, each of the plurality of transponders being adapted to attach to an article to be identified, said identification signal including at least an identification component, said interrogator device comprising:

• an inner core having a longitudinal axis;
• a transmitter, said transmitter including a first transmit coil wound around said longitudinal axis, a second transmit coil wound around said longitudinal axis, and a third transmit coil wound substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, said first transmit coil, said second transmit coil and said third transmit coil coupled to one another.

An interrogator device for use with a plurality of identification transponders, said interrogator device producing an interrogation signal for interrogating at least one of the plurality of transponders, the transponders transmitting an identification signal in response to said interrogation signal, each of the plurality of transponders being adapted to attach to an article to be identified, said identification signal including at least an identification component, said interrogator device comprising:

• a transmitter, said transmitter including a transmit coil;
• a reflector shield situated proximate said interrogator device.

In combination:

• an interrogator device for use with a plurality of identification transponders, said interrogator device including a transmitter having a first transmit coil wound in a first direction, a second transmit coil wound in a second direction different than said first direction, and a third transmit coil wound in a third direction different than said first or said second directions, said first transmit coil, said second transmit coil and said third transmit coil electrically coupled to one another;
• an existing mechanical gate fitted with said interrogator device.

A system for identifying characteristics of animals in a livestock chute, the system comprising:

• a transponder mounted to an animal to be identified;
• an interrogator comprising an antenna assembly for transmitting an interrogation signal to said transponder, and for receiving an identification signal from said transponder;
• a reflector shield situated proximate said interrogator, said reflector shield projecting a portion of said interrogation signal toward said transponder.