BLE Cattle Tag with NFC-Activated Battery for Individual Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
UHF-based cattle tracking systems are expensive and complex to implement, and they fail to provide tractability at the user level due to difficulties in identifying specific animals when they are clustered together.
Innovation Solution
A BLE-based tracking system with an NFC module, a battery module, and a Bluetooth module, where the NFC module is programmed with a unique identifier, and the battery module is activated upon first read to supply energy to the Bluetooth module for BLE transmission, allowing for cost-effective and efficient cattle tracking with improved traceability using mobile devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If UHF tags are used for cattle tracking, then the infrastructure cost is reduced and implementation is simplified, but the system cannot identify specific animals when they are clustered together
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tracking system into two distinct functional components: UHF tags for broad area tracking and identification, and BLE tags for precise individual animal identification. This segmentation allows each technology to excel at its specific function - UHF for infrastructure-efficient herd-level tracking and BLE for user-level individual identification when animals are clustered
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces BLE tags as an intermediary technology that bridges the gap between UHF's infrastructure simplicity and the need for precise individual identification. The BLE tag acts as a mediator that can be individually scanned by mobile devices to provide unique identification when animals are clustered, while the UHF system continues to provide infrastructure-efficient herd tracking
2Device complexity
If BLE tags are used for cattle tracking, then the infrastructure cost is reduced and user-level traceability is enabled, but the tags require batteries which add logistical complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-attaching the BLE tag with an integrated battery to the animal at birth or early in its life. The battery is selected and installed with sufficient capacity to last the animal's entire productive lifespan, eliminating the need for future battery replacements or recharging operations. This preliminary setup resolves the logistical complexity issue by addressing the power supply need before the animal enters the tracking system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable or long-life battery technology where the battery is designed to last the animal's entire productive lifespan (typically 5-10 years for cattle). The battery module uses low-power BLE transmission that consumes minimal energy, allowing a single battery to power the tag throughout the animal's life without replacement, thus eliminating ongoing logistical complexity
3Use of energy by moving object
If UHF tags are used, then battery-free operation is maintained, but the system lacks user-level traceability capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two previously separate technologies - UHF passive tags and active BLE tags with batteries - into a single integrated tracking solution. The combined system leverages UHF's battery-free, infrastructure-efficient characteristics for herd-level tracking while incorporating BLE's capability for user-level individual identification through mobile device scanning, thus achieving both energy efficiency and traceability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The BLE-based system provides a cost-effective and simpler infrastructure for cattle tracking, enabling traceability at the user level by using battery-powered tags with long lifespan and reducing logistical complications, while ensuring continuous operation throughout the animal's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a near-field communication (NFC) module programmed with a unique identifier... The NFC module is further configured to: harvest radio-frequency energy from an external reader when the NFC module is first read
Data Source
AI summary
Tracking tag and method for cattle tracking. The tracking tag includes, in some implementations, a near-field communication (NFC) module, a battery module, and a Bluetooth module. The NFC module is programmed with a unique identifier. The battery module is coupled to the NFC module. The battery module is configured to supply battery energy when active. The battery module is also configured to activate when the NFC module is first read after being programmed with the unique identifier. The Bluetooth module is coupled to the battery module. The Bluetooth module is configured to receive the battery energy from the battery module. The Bluetooth module is also configured to transmit the unique identifier using a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transmission protocol.