Automatic Sensor-Tag Matching via Time Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for matching sensor devices, such as activity meters, with animal ID tags are cumbersome and prone to errors, particularly due to difficulties in reading device IDs and the manual nature of the process, which is time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that automatically match sensor devices to ID tags by synchronizing the transmission of identities from both devices when they are attached to the same animal, using time information to determine association, allowing for simultaneous receipt of ID tag and sensor device information without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual matching of sensor device ID to animal ID tag is performed, then the process can be completed with simple equipment, but the process is time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematching speedVSAvoidmatching accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of reading and matching IDs with an automated electronic system. The sensor device automatically transmits its identity information electronically to the monitoring device, which then automatically matches it with the animal ID tag information, eliminating manual intervention entirely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor device performs self-identification by automatically transmitting its own identity information when triggered. The system serves itself by having the sensor device autonomously provide its identification data without requiring external manual reading or input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If manual reading of sensor device ID is performed, then no additional sensors are needed, but the process introduces errors due to dirt, wear, and human factor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidID reading accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual visual reading process with an electronic detection and transmission system. Instead of manually reading potentially obscured or worn ID markings, the system uses electronic communication between the sensor device and monitoring device to exchange identity information accurately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor device creates an electronic copy of its identity information and transmits it to the monitoring device. This electronic copy is immune to physical degradation such as dirt or wear that affects physical ID tags.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If automatic matching using time synchronization is implemented, then matching accuracy improves, but the system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematching accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual matching procedures with a simplified automated electronic system that uses time synchronization. The monitoring device automatically compares timestamps from simultaneous transmissions to establish matches, eliminating the need for complex manual verification processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If sensor devices are reused on different animals, then resource utilization improves, but manual updating of registers becomes more time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor reuse capabilityVSAvoidregister update time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor device automatically provides its identity information to the monitoring device each time it is activated. The system self-updates the association between sensor and animal by comparing the transmitted sensor ID with the current animal ID tag information, eliminating manual register updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically updates the sensor-animal association automatically based on real-time transmissions. When a sensor is moved to a different animal, the new association is automatically established through the time-synchronized transmission and matching process, allowing flexible reuse without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11751537B2Method for matching a sensor device to an identity (ID) tag for animals and system for performing such method

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 DELAVAL HLDG AB

AI summary

A system and method for automatically matching a sensor device attached to an animal with an ID tag attached to the animal, wherein a reader device, located in or alongside a passage of an animal enclosure, transmits a signal toward the animal in the passage that triggers the ID tag to transmit ID information, and a monitoring device in communication with the reader device receives the ID information from the reader device, receives sensor device information from the sensor device including a sensor device identity, and determines that the ID tag and the sensor device are attached to a same animal based on time information associated with the ID information and the sensor device information.