Livestock RFID Tag for Temperature Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting abnormal disease symptoms in livestock, such as body temperature measurement and video-based activity analysis, face limitations in accuracy and effectiveness, especially in dense breeding environments, where ambient temperature affects non-contact measurements and image quality deteriorates at night, making it difficult to detect individual anomalies early.
Innovation Solution
A smart barn system utilizing RFID tags attached to livestock to measure and transmit temperature information, powered by harvesting generators, and a reader with wireless power switching modules to control signal radiation and estimate tag location, combined with neural network training to reduce errors and detect abnormal signs through LED displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If non-contact body temperature measurement system (thermal imaging camera) is used, then early detection of disease symptoms is enabled, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to ambient temperature influence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an RFID tag as an intermediary carrier that contains a temperature sensor. Instead of measuring temperature remotely through air (which is affected by ambient temperature), the tag serves as a direct contact intermediary between the livestock and the measurement system, transmitting temperature data wirelessly to the reader.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical/thermal field-based thermal imaging measurement with an electrical field-based RFID wireless communication system. The temperature sensor in the tag converts temperature to electrical signals, which are then transmitted via electromagnetic fields, avoiding the limitations of thermal imaging.
2Loss of time
If video-based livestock activity analysis through CCTV is used, then abnormal disease symptoms can be detected, but measurement accuracy deteriorates in dense breeding environments and at night
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical vision-based CCTV system with an electromagnetic field-based RFID system. The RFID tags actively transmit temperature and activity data through electromagnetic fields, enabling reliable measurement in dense environments and at night without relying on visual detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tags are equipped with temperature sensors and wireless communication capabilities, enabling them to autonomously measure and transmit their own temperature and activity data without requiring external cameras or lighting systems.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple readers are deployed to cover large-scale pig breeding operations, then detection coverage is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large-scale breeding area into multiple zones, each covered by a single reader. RFID tags are strategically placed at key locations (feeders, waterers, resting areas) within each zone, allowing one reader to effectively monitor multiple tags across the entire facility through wireless communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional spatial coverage model (where readers must be physically positioned to cover areas) to a three-dimensional wireless field coverage model. RFID electromagnetic fields can penetrate obstacles and cover larger volumes of space, allowing single readers to monitor tags throughout the entire breeding facility regardless of physical barriers.
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 system enables early detection of abnormal disease symptoms with improved accuracy and reduced costs by minimizing the number of readers required, effectively managing large-scale pig breeding operations and reducing tag location errors.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor provided in the body portion and configured to measure the body temperature of the livestock
Implementation Method 2
a harvesting power generator which generates the power to be used by the tag
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of antennas configured to transmit and receive wireless signals to and from the tags
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a smart barn system and smart barn control method for detecting an abnormal sign of livestock and a tag attachable to livestock. The smart barn system includes a plurality of tags attached to ears of livestock bred in a pigsty and configured to measure temperatures of the livestock and transmit the measured temperature information of the livestock, a plurality of antennas configured to transmit and receive wireless signals to and from the tags, a reader configured to collect tag information of the livestock, which approaches an apparatus for providing feed and water, through any one of the plurality of antennas and measure an access frequency of the tag, which is collected through each of the antennas, through the collected tag information of the livestock, and a plurality of wireless power switching modules provided between the antennas and the reader and connected in a cascade.