Implantable RFID Tracking Regions for Multi-Animal Temperature Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current animal tracking systems fail to simultaneously track multiple animals and record their core body temperatures due to the collision effect of low-frequency chips and the need for miniature devices that provide high-quality tracking signals, while also requiring proper illumination and contrast for video camera systems.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized sensor implanted under the skin of animals records core body temperature and movement using a multiplexed RFID reader with an antenna array, coupled to a computer tracking system that identifies and monitors multiple animals in a confined space, utilizing anti-collision LF microchips for simultaneous tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a tracking device is miniaturized to be implanted under the skin of animals, then the device size is reduced, but the quality of the emitted tracking signal and the speed of reading devices receiving the information deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (tracking signal emission, temperature sensing, and data storage) into a single miniaturized implantable device. This merging allows the device to maintain adequate signal quality for tracking while minimizing size through functional integration, resolving the contradiction between device miniaturization and signal quality maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The implantable device is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a tracking transmitter and a temperature monitor. This universal design enables the small device to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, maintaining tracking signal quality while keeping the device size small enough for implantation.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple low frequency tracking chips are simultaneously present in a designated area covered by a single antenna array, then multiple animals can be tracked, but the collision effect occurs and only the strongest signal is tracked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tracking area into multiple zones with multiple antenna arrays, allowing simultaneous tracking of multiple animals without signal collision. Each antenna array serves a specific zone, dividing the overall tracking function into separate segments that operate independently, thus maintaining tracking precision while monitoring multiple animals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single antenna array operating in one dimension to multiple antenna arrays arranged in a two-dimensional array configuration. This dimensional expansion allows the system to spatially separate the tracking of multiple animals, reducing signal collision and improving the ability to simultaneously track multiple targets with maintained precision.
3Productivity
If video camera systems are used for animal motion measurement, then motion activity can be recorded, but proper illumination and sharp contrast between animal and background are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical-mechanical video camera system with an electronic RFID-based tracking system. This substitution eliminates the need for illumination and contrast requirements inherent in optical systems, while maintaining motion measurement capability through electronic signal detection of implanted transponders.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the motion detection function from the optical video system and transfers it to the RFID electronic system. By taking out the motion measurement capability from the illumination-dependent video camera and placing it in the illumination-independent RFID reader system, the patent eliminates the illumination requirement while preserving productivity.
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
Enables simultaneous tracking and temperature recording of multiple animals with high accuracy and efficiency, generating real-time motion and temperature profiles, and supporting advanced analytics including AI for behavior analysis.
Implementation Method 1
A number of automatic measuring systems have been developed and reported and also available commercially. Various detection methods were offered. These include the use of video camera and photocell methods.
Implementation Method 2
a miniaturized sensor (e.g., a capsule) is configured to be preferably implanted under the skin layer of an animal operable to record core body temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system and method for identifying and monitoring animals in a confined space. A tracking apparatus is provided in proximity to the confined space that defines a plurality of separate individual tracking regions for the confined space. Each of a plurality of animals to be disposed in the confined space is associated respectively with a detection component operable to identify and detect a temperature of an animal it is associated with when detected by the tracking apparatus. Data is received in a computer monitor system from a detection component when detected by the tracking apparatus in the confined space wherein the received data includes motion and temperature data relating to an animal when located in the confined space. The tracking apparatus detects multiple animals simultaneously located in an individual tracking region. Utilizing the received data associated with an animal in the confined space, an animal's motion and temperature data is correlated to an individual tracking region an animal is located within.