Portable RFID Reader for Animal-Milk Assignment Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current milking management systems face challenges in accurately recording milk quantity and sample collection, particularly due to positioning issues with animals, potential assignment mistakes of measurement tubes and analysis vials, and the need for costly electronic volume counters, which disrupt the milking process and complicate data processing.
Innovation Solution
A device with a portable apparatus that uses RFID or bar-code identification tags to associate milk containers with animals, emitting an alarm if incorrect tags are detected, allowing for accurate and efficient recording and sampling without operator interference, enabling the use of conventional milking systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional measurement tubes and vials are used without automated identification, then the equipment cost is low and the system is simple, but assignment mistakes between animals and their milk measurements/samples cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses RFID tags that create a digital copy of the animal's identification data, which is then automatically associated with the measurement tube and vial through the portable apparatus. This eliminates manual assignment errors while keeping the physical measurement system simple and low-cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of writing down animal numbers and matching them to tubes/vials with an automated electronic identification system using RFID tags and a portable reader, thereby eliminating assignment mistakes without requiring complex infrastructure changes.
2Extent of automation
If electronic volume counters are installed permanently in the facility, then automated measurement and data processing is achieved, but the cost increases significantly and the system becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the identification and data collection function from the fixed infrastructure and places it in a portable apparatus that can be moved between animals. This provides automated measurement capabilities without requiring permanent electronic counter installation throughout the facility.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement tube and vial are designed to be self-identifying through embedded RFID tags, automatically providing their identification data to the portable apparatus without requiring complex external tracking systems or manual recording.
3Productivity
If animals are positioned at an angle for group milking, then space is optimized and multiple animals can be milked simultaneously, but the identification tags on their ears are not easily readable by operators
Solution Approach 1:
The portable RFID reader acts as an intermediary that can detect and read tags from animals positioned at various angles without requiring direct line-of-sight reading by operators. The reader's antenna field extends to capture tag signals regardless of the animal's orientation during milking.
4Device complexity
If manual recording of milk quantities is performed, then equipment cost is low, but handling mistakes and data processing errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The portable apparatus provides immediate feedback by automatically reading RFID tags from the measurement tube and vial, cross-referencing them with the animal's tag, and confirming proper association before the operator proceeds. This feedback mechanism prevents data recording errors without requiring complex post-processing verification.
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
This solution ensures accurate and efficient recording of milk quantities and sample collection, reducing errors and allowing animals to be released promptly after milking, while enabling data processing without modifying existing milking facilities.
Implementation Method 1
a portable apparatus for detecting said first and second identification means
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
This invention relates to a device for controlling milk produced by an animal to be milked (1), comprising a first means (4) for identifying the animal (1) and a means (3) for measuring the quantity of produced milk, said measuring means (3) comprising a container (3) supplied with milk through a pipe adapted so as to deliver a determined fraction of the milk produced by the animal (1). Said container (3) comprises a second means (5) for identifying the container (3) and the device comprises a portable apparatus (6) holding means (14) for detecting said first and second identification means (4, 5) and means for associating said first and second identification means (4, 5) for associating the container (3) with the animal (1). The invention is characterized in that said portable apparatus (6) is arranged so as to emit an alarm when the detection means (14) detect a tag of a second identification means (5) which is not associated with the first identification means (4). By means of this invention, controlling milk is simple and possible mistakes are minimized.