WO1999027777A1

WO1999027777A1 - Measuring device

Info

Publication number: WO1999027777A1
Application number: PCT/NL1998/000680
Authority: WO
Inventors: Berend Andries Posthuma; Peter Dieleman
Original assignee: Gascoigne Melotte B.V.
Priority date: 1997-12-01
Filing date: 1998-12-01
Publication date: 1999-06-10
Also published as: NL1007662C2

Abstract

Measuring arrangement for measuring at least one characteristic parameter of, for example, an animal, comprising at least: a base station (2) for emitting interrogation signals (12) and receiving and processing data signals; a first group of measuring instruments (5) comprising: a first transponder (3) with the purpose, having received an interrogation signal (12) from the base station (2), of transmitting a first identification code in a first time slot (14); detection means (4) for detecting the parameter; processor means (6) for receiving and storing the parameter; a second transponder (8) which is likewise interrogated by the said interrogation signal (12), where the detection means (4), processor means (6) and the second transponder (8) form an autonomous measuring unit (10), data relating to at least part of the parameter being transmitted to the base station (2) in a second time slot (16) following the first time slot (14).

Description

MEASURING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a measuring arrangement for measuring a parameter of a first living being, comprising a base station for emitting interrogation signals and receiving and processing data signals; and a first group of measuring instruments comprising: a first transponder which, during operation, is attached to the first living being and is arranged such that, having received a first interrogation signal from the base station, it allows a first identification code to be transmitted in a first time slot; first detection means for detecting and measuring a first characteristic parameter relating to the first living being; and first processor means, connected to the first detection means, for receiving and storing the first characteristic parameter. A measuring arrangement of this type is disclosed by EP-A-0 743 043, which describes an animal activity meter which is provided with means for detecting and counting movements made by an animal, with a transponder which transmits the movement counts to a computer via a sensor, where they can be read and stored, and with memory means in which the counts are stored at a predetermined frequency, the counts being capable of being read in groups. Such a measuring arrangement allows an activity pattern to be established, on the basis of which information relating to the health of the animal or whether or not it is in heat can be devised, or it is possible to determine, for example, whether or not a cow has to be milked.

In most cases, readings from the measuring arrangement arc obtained at a location where an animal is present a number of times each day, for example at a feeding place or at a milking machine. The range of the base station which interrogates the transponders is set so as to ensure that only one animal at a time will be within the reception range, thus causing no interference with transponders of other animals.

Also known are identification arrangements comprising a base station, which interrogate a transponder attached to an animal, whereupon the transponder transmits to the base station an identification code stored in memory means. Such an arrangement is known, for example, as the TIRIS system from Texas Instruments. This system operates with passive transponders which store energy present in an RF interrogation signal and then use this energy for sending an identification code back to the base station. The identification code is modulated, by means of frequency shift keying (FSK), on a carrier wave signal having the same frequency as the interrogation signal of the base station.

Identification systems of this type are already in use in order to be able to identify a specific animal at a feeding trough or, in the case of cows, for example, at a milking machine.

When such measuring arrangements are used the intention is to establish, for each animal, at least its identity and one characteristic parameter, as soon as the animal is in the vicinity of the base station. Dispatching the identity requires a first transponder, while dispatching the characteristic parameter requires a second transponder. There is a problem in this context, in that the data transmitted by the first and second transponder must not interfere with one another.

In the abovementioned EP-A-0 743 043 this problem is resolved by providing a single transponder which transmits both the identification code of the animal and the characteristic parameter as measured by the detection means. The entirety of means for storing the identification code and for measuring movements of the animal is situated in one housing, however. If measurements of the animal are therefore also to be carried out at a second location, a second group of means of this type in an identical housing will have to be present there. This second group will then, likewise, once more provide the identification code, which is unnecessary. The object of the present invention is to provide a measuring arrangement for measuring a characteristic parameter relating to a living being, in which detection means for detecting the characteristic parameter can be attached to the living being at a location optimally suitable for detection, separate from the means for identifying the living being. This object is achieved by a measuring arrangement of the type defined in the preamble, which is characterized in that the first group of measuring instruments further comprises a second transponder which is connected to the first processor means and is likewise interrogated by the said first interrogation signal, and in that the first detection means, first processor means and the second transponder form a first autonomous measuring unit, the first autonomous measuring unit being arranged such that it allows data relating to at least part of the stored first characteristic parameter to be transmitted, by means of the second transponder, to the base station in a second time slot following the first time slot at a predetermined first time span after reception of the said first interrogation signal. The measuring arrangement according to the invention has the advantage that an inexpensive arrangement is provided in a simple manner, by means of which both the identification of animals and detection and recording of characteristic parameters associated with an animal are possible by using one base station. As a result of the first processor means, first detection means and the second transponder forming a first autonomous measuring unit, it is possible for these to be attached to the living being at a different location from the first transponder by means of which the identity of the living being can be established. This allows an optimal location for detection of the characteristic parameter to be chosen. According to the invention, the first transponder and the first processor means connected to the second transponder are set up so as to automatically transmit their information successively to the base station after they have received the same interrogation signal. The first transponder, for example, responds immediately, whereas the first processor means are arranged such that they wait for a predetermined time span before dispatching their information. This can be achieved by means of a simple hardware delay or software delay, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Thus it is possible to ensure that the signals transmitted by the first and second transponder will not overlap in time, interference being avoided. Consequently, no complex, different interrogation signals are required in order to interrogate the different transponders and to avoid interference. All the transponders on one and the same being can be interrogated by means of one interrogation signal.

The base station and transponders for establishing the identity of a possibly already present animal identification system can be used as components of the measuring arrangement of the present invention, thus providing economic advantages. Such transponders can, for example, be passive transponders of the abovcmentioned TIRIS system.

In one embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the first autonomous measuring unit compromises at least second detection means connected to the first processor means, for detecting and measuring a second characteristic parameter relating to the living being. This allows a second characteristic parameter to be detected and recorded at the same location on the living being. It is thus possible, for example, for numbers of movements over time and body temperature to be measured at one location. This allows a better diagnosis to be made regarding specific conditions of the animal, such as it being on heat, being ill, being pregnant etc.

In a further embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the first processor means are arranged such that they allow the data to be divided into a first and second data portion and, after the first interrogation signal, the first data portion to be transmitted and, after a subsequent interrogation signal, the second data portion to be transmitted. This has advantages if the time slot within which the data are transmitted is too short for all the important data relating to the characteristic parameter to be transmitted. Portions of the data are then recombined after reception in the base station. The portions can also contain different types of data. In such an arrangement, the first processor means can be arranged such that they allow the first data portion to be transmitted at most once in a predetermined first period and the second data portion, updated in each case, to be retransmitted in the said predetermined first period after reception of a subsequent interrogation signal. This may matter for particular detection methods where, for example, only one measurement is required within a particular period. At the same time it is then possible, for example, for mainly constant data to be transmitted in the first data portion and data which change more rapidly over time in the second data portion. Furthermore, the service life of, for example, a battery which provides the supply voltage for the processor means and detection means is thus considerably extended. In such an arrangement, the base station can then further be arranged such that, having received the second data portion, it allows a confirmation signal to be transmitted, and the first processor means can be arranged such that, having received the confirmation signal, they will transmit no further second data portion during a predetermined second period which is shorter than the first period. This latter embodiment has the advantage that the first and second data portions are not transmitted more often than is necessary, thus reducing the base station load regarding processing and storage of data. Furthermore, the load on a battery which, for example, provides the supply voltage for the processor means and detection means is lower in this embodiment, as a result of which the battery will have a longer service life. Provision can be made for the first group of measuring instruments to comprise at least one second autonomous measuring unit, which comprises a third transponder, second processor means and at least third detection means for detecting and measuring at least a third characteristic parameter of the first living being, the second processor means being arranged such that they allow data to be transmitted in a third time slot following the second time slot at a predetermined second time span after reception of the said first interrogation signal. This allows a plurality of characteristic parameters of the living being to be detected, it being possible for all the detection means to be attached to the living being at the optimal location for the parameter in question.

The embodiments of the arrangement according to the invention can be provided with detection means for one or more of the following parameters: the number of head movements of the animal, the number of foot/leg movements of the animal, the number of body movements of the animal, the body temperature of the animal and/or the heartbeat of the animal. With respect to the number of head movements it is possible, by making the right choice of detection means, to differentiate between, for example, eating movements (head down) and sideways movements. These data can be used to record various parameters of the living being and to use these subsequently in the operational management of keeping animals. So as to be able to carry out measurements not just on one living being, the invention preferably makes provisions for the measuring arrangement to comprise at least a second group of measuring instruments for placing on a second living being, comprising: a fourth transponder which, during operation, is attached to the second living being and is arranged such that, having received a second interrogation signal from the base station, it allows a second identification code to be transmitted in a fourth time slot; third detection means for detecting and measuring a characteristic parameter relating to the second living being; - third processor means, connected to the third detection means, for receiving and storing the characteristic parameter; a fifth transponder which is connected to the third processor means and is likewise interrogated by the said second interrogation signal, in which the third detection means, the third processor means and the fifth transponder form a third autonomous measuring unit, the third autonomous measuring unit being arranged such that it allows data relating to at least part of the stored characteristic parameter to be transmitted, by means of the fifth transponder, to the base station in a fifth time slot following the fourth time slot at a predetermined third time span after reception of the said second interrogation signal.

The arrangement according to the invention will now be explained with reference to the examples and referring to the drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the measuring arrangement according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a timing diagram relating to signals which are transmitted in one interrogation cycle of the measuring arrangement according to the invention; and

Figure 3 shows a timing diagram of data transmitted by the second transponder. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the measuring arrangement 1 according to the invention. A base station 2 communicates with a first transponder 3 and a second transponder 8 by means of RF signals. During operation the first and second transponder are attached to an animal. An application to other living beings is conceivable. The second transponder 8 is connected to processor means 6 which are connected to detection means 4. The detection means 4, processor means 6 and second transponder 8 form an autonomous measuring unit 10, which is provided with an electrical supply of its own (not shown). Preferably a passive transponder is used for the second transponder 8, so that the load on the electrical supply is lessened. If desired, the autonomous unit 10 may additionally comprise one or more further detection means 5, connected to the processor means 6, for measuring further characteristic parameters of the animal. The detection means 4 and 5 then measure at the same location on the animal and can therefore be accommodated within the same autonomous unit 10.

For each animal, further autonomous measuring units may be provided, one of which is shown, as 10', in Figure 1. Within the autonomous measuring unit 10', the reference numerals provided with a prime refer to the same components as the reference numerals without primes within the autonomous measuring unit 10. All further autonomous measuring units are therefore provided with a separate transponder 8', so that they need not be connected to one of the previously mentioned transponders 3, 8, and can be attached independently at any desired location on the animal, in order to measure further characteristic parameters.

In Figure 1, all the components 3 to 10 inclusive and 4' to 10' inclusive are placed within a dashed line, thus indicating that they form a separate group of measuring instruments 7 for one and the same animal. Figure 1 further depicts a further group of measuring instruments 20 of this type, which can be positioned on another animal. This further group of measuring instruments 20, in the embodiment shown, comprises a transponder 22 for the purpose of showing the identity of the other animal, and two autonomous measuring units 24, 24'. Each of the autonomous measuring units 24, 24' comprises a transponder 26, 26', processor means 28, 28' and detection means 30, 30'. If desired, further detection means 27, 27' can be provided. The mutual connections are the same as within the autonomous measuring units 10, 10'.

The base station 2 is preferably situated at a location where an animal is present a number of times each day, for example at a feeding place or in the case of cows at a milking machine. The range of the base station 2 which interrogates the first and second transponder 3, 8, 8' is set so as to ensure that only one animal at a time will be within reception range, thus causing no interference with transponders 22, 26, 26' of other animals. The characteristic parameter is one of the following parameters, for example: the number of head movements of the animal, the number of foot/leg movements of the animal, the number of body movements of the animal, the body temperature of the animal and/or the heartbeat of the animal. With respect to the number of head movements it is possible, by making the right choice of detection means, to differentiate between, for example, eating movements (head down) and sideways movements. These data can be used to record various parameters of an animal and to use these subsequently in the operational management of keeping animals. If a plurality of autonomous measuring units 10, 10' are present per animal, a plurality of different parameters can be detected, processed, stored and transmitted. Figure 2 depicts a timing diagram relating to signals which are transmitted in one interrogation cycle of the measuring arrangement according to the invention. The signal transmitted by the base station 2 is indicated by A, the signals transmitted by the first transponder 3 and the second transponder 8 are indicated by B and C, respectively. The base station 2 emits an interrogation signal 12 which is received by both the first transponder 3 and the second transponder 8, which are attached to an animal. In a first time slot 14 after the interrogation signal 12 has elapsed, the second transponder 3 sends a message containing the identification code of the animal in question to the base station 2. In a subsequent second time slot 16, transponder 8 sends a signal to base station 2, o consisting of data relating to a characteristic parameter of an animal, which have been detected by detection means 4 and have been further processed and stored by processor means 6. Processor means 6 determine the delay which is required after the interrogation signal 12 has elapsed, before the second time slot 16 is allowed to start. This can be software- or hardware-controlled. As a result of time slot 16 having a fixed delay after interrogation signal 12 has elapsed, the identification code transmitted in time slot 14 is not subject to any interference.

If a further autonomous measuring unit 10' is used, a third time slot will be defined therefor which does not start until time slot 16 has elapsed. This is not shown in Figure 2.

If a plurality of detection means 4, 5 are used in autonomous measuring unit 10, the processor means can, for example, successively transmit the data provided thereby in time slot 16. If time slot 16 is too short for this purpose, use can be made of the transmission schedule according to Figure 3, which will be discussed hereinafter. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the interrogation cycle has a duration of 100 milliseconds, the interrogation signal 12 has a duration of 50 milliseconds, and the first time slot 14 and the second time slot 16 have a duration of 20 milliseconds each.

The signal in the first time slot 14 and the second time slot 16, respectively, which is sent to the base station 2 from the first transponder 3 and the second transponder 8, respectively, in this preferred embodiment comprises 128 bits, which are divided into 16 bits of leading zeros, 8 bits of start character, 72 bits of data, 16 bits of checksum (Cyclic Redundant Checksum CRC), 8 bits of stop character and 8 bits of trailing zeros. This is the standard format in the TIRIS identification system of Texas Instruments. An identification code which is transmitted by the first transponder 3 in the first time slot 14 is then present in the 72 bits of data. Preferably, data transmitted by the second transponder 8 are also sent by means of the same format, i.e. 72 bits are preferably also available for the data sent in the second time slot 16.

In that case, the data to be transmitted by transponder 8 are split into a first data portion Gl and second data portion G2, as indicated in Figure 3. Data portion Gl, for example, contains data which do not change rapidly over time, whereas the data from data portion G2, for example, do. What may also happen is that the data to be transmitted arc too long to be transmitted within the said 72 bits, the data then being split into a first data portion Gl and a second data portion G2. Having received an interrogation signal 12, transponder 8, after transponder 3 has sent the identification code in time slot 14, will send the data portion Gl in time slot 16, as is indicated on the left in Figure 3. After a subsequent interrogation signal 12, the processor means 6 will automatically ensure that data portion G2 is sent in the second time slot 16 which then occurs (see also Figure 3). To switch between data portion Gl and G2, use can be made of a confirmation signal 18 (see Figure 2), which can be transmitted by the base station 2 when it has checked whether the information from data portion Gl has been received correctly. In so doing, the base station can make use of the abovementioned checksum (CRC), which can form part of the information transmitted in time slot 16. Receiving a confirmation signal 18 then has the result that the processor means 6 will automatically transmit the data portion G2 in the next cycle.

If data portion Gl contains information that changes slowly, it is not necessary for data portion Gl to be dispatched frequently. Provision can therefore be made to ensure that, as soon as data portion Gl has been dispatched once, the processor means 6 will prevent data portion Gl from being dispatched again during a predetermined time span TO. Whenever a subsequent interrogation signal 12 is received during time span TO, the processor means 6 automatically ensure that only the second data portion G2, which contains information that changes more rapidly, is dispatched. Obviously, the data portion G2 information dispatched in the event of subsequent interrogation signals 12 will indeed have been updated.

Limiting the number of times per unit time that the first data portion Gl is dispatched saves energy, which has advantages, since each autonomous measuring unit 10, 10', 24, 24' must have its own battery. Further energy savings can be obtained if the number of times that the data portion G2 can be dispatched is likewise limited. Thus the time span TO can, for example, be subdivided into time spans Tl, T2, T3 and T4, as shown in Figure 3. The processor means 6 can then be arranged such that, for each time span Tl, T2, T3 and T4, they will dispatch data portion G2 only once, irrespective of the number of interrogation signals 12 received. In time span T3, for example, it is shown that data portion has been dispatched once and, a further interrogation signal 12 having been received within time span T3, data portion G2 is not dispatched again.

Claims

split into a first data portion Gl and a second data portion G2. Having received an interrogation signal 12, transponder 8, after transponder 3 has sent the identification code in time slot 14, will send the data portion Gl in time slot 16, as is indicated on the left in Figure 3. After a subsequent interrogation signal 12, the processor means 6 will automatically ensure that data portion G2 is sent in the second time slot 16 which then occurs (see also Figure 3). To switch between data portion Gl and G2, use can be made of a confirmation signal 18 (see Figure 2), which can be transmitted by the base station 2 when it has checked whether the information from data portion Gl has been received correctly. In so doing, the base station can make use of the abovementioned checksum (CRC), which can form part of the information transmitted in time slot 16. Receiving a confirmation signal 18 then has the result that the processor means 6 will automatically transmit the data portion G2 in the next cycle.

4. Measuring arrangement according to Claim 3, characterized in that the first processor means (6) are arranged such that they allow the first data portion (Gl) to be transmitted at most once in a predetermined first period (TO) and the second data portion (G2), updated in each case, to be retransmitted in the said predetermined first period (TO) after reception of a subsequent interrogation signal (12).

5. Measuring arrangement according to Claim 4, characterized in that the base station (2) is arranged such that, having received the second data portion (G2), it allows a confirmation signal (18) to be transmitted and in that the first processor means (6) are arranged such that, having received the confirmation signal (18), they will transmit no further second data portion (G2) during a predetermined second period (Tl, T2, T3, T4, T5, ...) which is shorter than the first period (TO).

6. Measuring arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first group of measuring instruments (5) comprises at least one second autonomous measuring unit (10'), which comprises a third transponder (8'), second processor means (6') and at least third detection means (4') for detecting and measuring at least a third characteristic parameter of the first living being, the second processor means (6') being arranged such that they allow data to be transmitted in a third time slot following the second time slot (16) at a predetermined second time span after reception of the said first interrogation signal (12).

7. Measuring arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 inclusive, characterized in that the first, second and third characteristic parameters have been selected from the following group of parameters: the number of head movements of the first living being; the number of foot/leg movements of the first living being; - the number of body movements of the first living being; the body temperature of the first living being; the heartbeat of the first living being.

8. Measuring arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 7 inclusive, characterized in that it comprises at least a second group of measuring instruments (20) for placing on a second living being, comprising: a fourth transponder (22) which, during operation, is attached to the second living being and is arranged such that, having received a second interrogation signal (12) from the base station (2), it allows a second identification code to be transmitted in a fourth time slot (14); third detection means (30) for detecting and measuring a characteristic parameter relating to the second living being; and third processor means (28), connected to the third detection means (30), for receiving and storing the characteristic parameter; a fifth transponder (26) which is connected to the third processor means (28) and is likewise interrogated by the said second interrogation signal (12), in which the third detection means (30), the third processor means (28) and the fifth transponder (26) form a third autonomous measuring unit (24), the third autonomous measuring unit (24) being arranged such that it allows data relating to at least part of the stored characteristic parameter to be transmitted, by means of the fifth transponder (26), to the base station (2) in a fifth time slot (16) following the fourth time slot (14) at a predetermined third time span after reception of the said second interrogation signal (12).