US 6,329,920 B1Granted

Apparatus and method for reading radio frequency identification transponders used for livestock identification and data collection

AssigneeAginfolink Holdings, Inc.

InventorsMatthew J. Morrison, Leland D. Curkendall

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A portable, durable, easy-to-use, safety-oriented, long-life apparatus for reading radio frequency identification transponders is described. This apparatus is well-suited for use in connection with livestock data collection and management. The preferred embodiment includes a single wound radio frequency identification antenna coil; a radio frequency transmitter; a power control, system timing and driver including a low battery indicator, and an optical switch; a rechargeable battery; a main power switch; an infrared activation switch; a radio frequency link antenna, a receiver analog section, a micro controller, an exciter drive and a read switch; and audio feedback to confirm receipt of data.

Claims40

Dependent claims

A portable, hand-held radio frequency identification reader comprising:

housing means;
handle means integral to said housing means;
exciter drive means for inducing current in a radio frequency identification loop antenna means such that a magnetic field is created which powers a radio frequency identification transponder, said exciter drive means being disposed within said housing means;
radio frequency identification loop antenna means for capturing a radio frequency signal from the radio frequency identification transponder and communicating said signal to an analog receiver means, said radio frequency identification loop antenna means being disposed within said housing means;
analog receiver means for capturing the radio frequency signal from said radio frequency loop antenna means and encoding said signal into a digital signal, said analog receiver means being disposed within said housing means;
micro controller means for decoding said digital signal from the analog receiver means and converting said digital signal into a unique code, said microcontroller means being disposed within said housing means;
read switch means for reading the identification from the transponder,
said read switch means being disposed within said housing means;
radio frequency transmitter means for transmitting the radio frequency signal to a host computer, said radio frequency transmitter means being disposed within said housing means;
radio frequency link antenna means for broadcasting said unique code to a host computer, said radio frequency link antenna means being disposed within said housing means;
power supply means for providing power to the reader, said power supply means being disposed within said housing means;
and
power control, system timing and display driver means including an activation switch means for activating said reader, said activation switch means thereby causing said reader to read a radio frequency identification transponder, said activation switch means being integral to said housing means.

10 more elements

A portable, hand-held radio frequency identification reader comprising:

housing having a handle integral to said housing;
a radio frequency identification antenna disposed within said housing;
radio frequency identification circuitry disposed within said housing;
radio frequency link circuitry disposed within said housing;
a radio frequency link antenna disposed within said housing;
a rechargeable battery disposed within said housing, said rechargeable battery having at least five hundred charge-discharge cycles;
a main power switch integral to said housing;
power control, system timing and display driver including an activation switch integral to said housing, such that the activation switch activates the radio frequency identification circuitry, said activation switch including an infrared transmitter and receiver;
wherein said rechargeable battery is connected to said radio frequency identification circuitry and to said radio frequency link circuitry, and said radio frequency identification antenna is connected to the radio frequency identification circuitry such that the antenna may capture a radio frequency signal from a radio frequency identification transponder and communicate said signal to the radio frequency identification circuitry, and the radio frequency identification circuitry may interpret the signal and identify the transponder and communicate the identification to the radio frequency link circuitry.

6 more elements

An apparatus for reading radio frequency identification transponders comprising:

housing having a handle integral to said housing;
a single wound radio frequency identification antenna coil disposed within said housing;
radio frequency identification circuitry disposed within said housing;
radio frequency link circuitry disposed within said housing;
a radio frequency link antenna disposed within said housing;
a rechargeable battery disposed within said housing, said rechargeable battery having at least five hundred charge-discharge cycles;
a main power switch integral to said housing;
power control, system timing and display driver including an activation switch integral to said housing, such that the activation switch activates the radio frequency identification circuitry, said activation switch including an infrared transmitter and receiver;
wherein said rechargeable battery is connected to said radio frequency identification circuitry and to said radio frequency link circuitry, and said single wound radio frequency identification antenna coil is connected to the radio frequency identification circuitry such that the single wound radio frequency identification antenna coil may capture a radio frequency signal from a radio frequency identification transponder and communicate said signal to the radio frequency identification circuitry, and the radio frequency identification circuitry may interpret the signal and identify the transponder and communicate the identification to the radio frequency link circuitry.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/488,897Filed 21 Jan 2000 · continuation in part
Priority: 9 Mar 1998
Granted: 11 Dec 2001
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

A01K 11/007
Automatic identification systems for animals, e.g. electronic devices, transponders for animals: boluses
A01K 11/006
Marking of animals: automatic identification systems for animals, e.g. electronic devices, transponders for animals
A01K 11/008
Automatic identification systems for animals, e.g. electronic devices, transponders for animals: incorporating global positioning system [GPS]
A01K 29/00
Animal husbandry: other apparatus for animal husbandry