PORTABLE DEVICE ADAPTED TO HOLD A TRANSPONDER

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a portable device for identifying features of a person or animal. In a particular aspect, the device may be threadably attached to the person or animal by a cord or strap. In another particular aspect device is adapted to hold a dual frequency transponder.

Background of the Invention

Dairy cows may be lined up for milking in a milking shed. The identity of each cow and features such as its age, health status, infection status, previous milk productivity, and previous milk quality may be of importance in determining, inter alia, the line up order of the cows in the shed, whether or not the cow is suitable for milking, whether the milk is suitable for eventual human consumption, and any changes in the quality and productivity of the cow's milk between milking phases.

Thus it may be desirable to have a portable device which can be held in relation to a person or animal and which can transmit information regarding features of the person or animal to an external receiver.

In a particular aspect it may advantageous for the device to be able to sense information from the person or animal. For example, it may be desirable to sense a person's heart rate, step frequency, or distance travelled. In order to obtain such information the device may need to be held or attached in close proximity to the user.

It may be desirable to provide a device which is able to be placed about different locations of the body of the person or animal. For instance, different or more accurate measurements may be readily obtained at some locations of the body than others. Furthermore, attachment and portability may be easier or more preferable at some locations of the body than others. Thus, in a particular aspect it may be

advantageous to provide a portable device which may be threadably attached to a user by a cord or strap.

Disclosure of the Invention

In one aspect the invention provides a portable device comprising,

- feature means for identifying a person or animal and/or associated features,

- a housing for the feature means,

- retaining means for retaining the feature means in relation to the housing, and

- holding means for holding the device in relation to a person or animal.

The features of the person or animal may include identifying and characteristic features such as name, number, race, breed, age, blood pressure, height, weight, diseases, infections, health status, and heart rate, and/or positional features such as position, location, arrangement, order, and movement.

The feature means may comprise a unique number from which the features of the person or animal may be derived. They may be derived from a separate database in response to identification by the unique number. Alternatively or additionally features of the person or animal may be directly held by the feature means in addition to the unique number.

The housing may comprise a recess adapted to receive the feature means.

The retaining means may or may not comprise part of the housing itself. In one form the retaining means is adapted to seal the feature means in the recess.

The feature means may comprise a transponder. In a particular form the feature means comprise a dual frequency transponder.

The feature means may comprise a sensor.

The feature means may comprise a receiver.

In a particular aspect the invention provides a device comprising, a dual frequency transponder, a housing for the transponder, retaining means for retaining the transponder in relation to the housing, and holding means for holding the device in relation to a person or animal.

The device may comprise a sensor.

The dual frequency transponder may comprise a low frequency receiver and a high frequency transmitter. The low frequency signal may energize the high frequency transmitter.

The dual frequency transponder may use a low frequency range between 20 and 700 kHz and a high frequency range between 0.5 and 50 MHz. Preferably the low frequency range is between 75 and 200 kHz and the high frequency range is between 2 and 10 MHz.

The dual frequency transponder may comprise, a ferrite rod, a low frequency coil wound around the ferrite rod, a high frequency coil surrounding the ferrite rod, and a microprocessor.

The low frequency coil may energize the microprocessor to cause it to transmit a high frequency signal through the high frequency coil such as a number characteristic of the microprocessor and/or the information it contains.

The housing may comprise a recess adapted to receive the transponder.

The retaining means may be adapted to seal the transponder in the recess. The retaining means may comprise a resin and/or recess cap. The resin may be an epoxy resin or a polyurethane. The recess cap may be welded to the housing.

The transponder may be dipped into a polyurethane material to provide encapsulation for water protection. It may then be embedded in the recess with polyurethane. The cap may then be ultrasonically welded in place to give an additional seal.

The recess may comprise a central region adapted to receive the rod and low frequency coil, and a surrounding region adapted to receive the high frequency coil.

The holding means may comprise a cord or strap.

The housing may comprise threadable means adapted to threadably receive the cord or strap therethrough.

In one aspect, the threadable means comprise,

- a pair of first legs

- an intermediate member between the pair of first legs, and - a pair of first threadable holes between the intermediate member and respective first legs.

In this specifications, the term "legs" may be considered equivalent to the term "arms", and the term "holes" may be considered equivalent to the term "aperture".

The intermediate member may be located partly or completely in the space between the pair of first legs, but not necessarily in the same plane as the pair of first legs. Thus the intermediate member may be located partly or completely in front of or behind the plane joining the pair of first legs.

The threadable means may comprise a pair of second legs with the pair of first legs therebetween, and a pair of second threadable holes between respective first and second legs.

There may be two pairs of second legs. The pairs of second legs may oppose each other end to end.

There may be two pairs of second threadable holes between respective first and second legs.

In one particular form the intermediate member comprises a body of the housing. The body of the housing may define the central region of the recess.

In another particular form the intermediate member comprises a leg. There may be two pairs of threadable holes separated by respective legs and located on respective sides of a body of the housing. The legs may define part of the surrounding region of the recess.

In another aspect, the invention provides a buckle for fastening together two loose ends of a cord or belt or strap, the buckle being adapted to receive feature means. The buckle may be adapted to receive a transponder.

In a particular aspect, the invention provides a device comprising, a body adapted to hold a transponder, and threadable means adapted to allow a cord or strap to be threaded therethrough whereby to attach the device to a user, the threadable means comprising a pair of first outer arms spaced from and extending along at least one side of the body, and an inner arm located between each first outer arm and the body, wherein the arrangement is such that at least four apertures threadable by a cord or strap are formed between the outer and inner arms and body.

The body may be adapted to hold a sensor.

The body may define a central region of the recess and the inner arms may define part of the surrounding region of the recess.

The pair of first outer arms may be substantially parallel to each other. They may be arranged on or alongside opposite sides of the body. Alternatively they may project from a rear face of the body. The pair of first outer arms may be flexible to assist the user in threading the cord or strap. The pair of first outer arms may be resilient so that they are biased to return to their original position after being bent to enable threading of the cord or strap. They may comprise a knob at one end to limit unthreading of the cord or strap. Alternatively a free end of the first outer arms may be angled so as to limit unthreading of the cord or strap.

The cord or strap may be threaded over one of the first outer arms, under the rear face of the body, and over the other first outer arm. Alternatively the cord or strap may be threaded over one of the first outer arms and back around under the same arm. In another alternative the cord or strap may be threaded under one of the first pair of arms and back around over the same arm.

The threadable means may comprise a pair of second outer arms. The pair of second outer arms may substantially oppose the first outer arms end to end. The pair of second outer arms may be substantially parallel to each other. They may be arranged on or alongside opposite sides of the body. Alternatively they may project from a back face of the body. The pair of second outer arms may be flexible to assist the user in threading the cord or strap. The pair of second outer arms may be resilient so that they are biased to return to their original position after being bent to enable threading of the cord or strap. They may comprise a knob at one end to limit unthreading of the cord or strap. Alternatively a free end of the second outer arms may be angled so as to limit unthreading of the cord or strap. They may be joined to the first pair of outer arms.

The cord or strap may be threaded over one of the second outer arms, under the rear face of the body, and over the other second outer arm. Alternatively the cord of strap may be threaded over one of the second outer arms and back around under the same outer arm. In another alternative the cord or strap may be threaded under one of the second outer arms and back around over the same arm.

The cord or strap may be threaded over one of each of the first and second outer arms which are opposed end to end, under the rear face of the body, and over each of the other first and second outer arms. Alternatively the cord of strap may be threaded over one of each of the first and second outer arms and back around under the same arms. In another alternative the cord or strap may be threaded under one of each of the first and second outer arms and back around over the same arms.

The pair of inner arms may be substantially parallel to each other. The inner arms may be substantially parallel to the first outer arms. They may be arranged on or alongside opposite sides of the body. Alternative they may project from a back face of the body. The ends of the inner arms may be joined to the body thereby creating an aperture through which the cord or strap may be passed.

The cord or strap may be threaded under one of the inner arms, back around over the same inner arm, and under one of each of the first and second outer arms which are opposed end to end.

The cord may comprise a shoelace. The strap may comprise a band such as a wristband or ankle band.

The body may comprise a groove for receiving a sensor and transponder. When installed the sensor may form part of the rear face of the body.

The device may comprise aerial means for radiating transmissions to a receiver. The aerial means may radiate up to 5 metres. The receiver may be attached to a wrist band. It may receive and display information relating to the user's heart rate, sweat, blood pressure, temperature, breathing, respiration, distance travelled, cadence and step length for instance.

In another aspect the invention provides a method of identifying a person or animal and/or their features comprising, mounting a device or buckle as hereinbefore described on the person or animal,

transmitting information regarding the identification or features from the device or buckle, receiving the information transmitted from the device or buckle by a receiver, and reading the information from the receiver.

The method may comprise sensing the features from the person or animal with the device or buckle. Sensing may occur after mounting of the device or buckle, prior to transmission of the information.

The method may comprise loading the information into the transponder. Loading may occur prior to transmission, before or after mounting of the device or buckle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

By way of example only, embodiments of the invention are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is an isometric view from above a device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an isometric view from below the device of Figure 1 with the sensor/transponder removed;

Figure 3 an isometric view from below the device of Figure 1 with the sensor/transponder installed;

Figure 4 is an isometric view from above the device of Figure 1 having two shoelaces threaded therethrough;

Figure 5 is an isometric view from below the device and shoelaces of Figure

4.

Figure 6 is a front isometric view of the device of Figure 1 having an elasticised band threaded therethrough; Figure 7 is a rear isometric view of the device and band of Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows two devices attached to a user at different locations;

Figure 9 is a bottom isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the invention showing a housing having a recess for a dual frequency transponder;

Figure 10 is a bottom isometric view of the device of Figure 9 showing the housing as well as the dual frequency transponder prior to its insertion into the housing;

Figure 11 is a bottom isometric view of the device of Figure 9 with the transponder inserted into the recess of the housing; and

Figure 12 is a bottom isometric view of the device of Figure 9 after potting.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

The various elements identified by integers in the drawings are listed in the following integer list.

Integer List

2 Device

4 Body

6, 6 Flange

7 Groove

8 S ensor/Transponder

10 Direction for Transponder Installation

12, 12' First Outer Arm

14, 14' Second Outer Arm

16, 16' Inner Arm

18, 18' First Outer Aperture

20, 20' Second Outer Aperture

22, 22' Liner Aperture

24, 24' Ridge

26 Shoelace

28 Shoelace

29 Shoe

30 Band

32 Leg

34 Dual frequency transponder

36 Housing

38 Ferrite rod

40 Low frequency coil

42 High frequency air coil

44 Microprocessor

46 Recess

48 Central region

50 Surrounding region

52 Epoxy resin or polyurethane

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a device generally designated 2. The device is integrally formed from plastic in this instance. The device comprises a body 4, of which the top face is shown in Figure 1. The structure of the device is mirrored in longitudinal and transverse axes passing through a central point of the body 4. Opposing features mirrored along the longitudinal axis are indicated by an apostrophe (') following the designated integer. The underside of the body 4 has a pair of flanges 6, 6' defining a groove 7 therebetween. The flanges 6, 6' are adapted to receive and hold a combined sensor/transponder 8 across the groove 7.

Threadable means are integrally formed on each side of the body 4 and comprise:

• a pair of first outer arms 12, 12',

• a pair of second outer arms 14, 14' opposed end to end to the pair of first outer arms 12, 12', and

• a pair of inner arms 16, 16' located between and parallel with the body 4 and pairs of first and second outer arms 14, 14', 16, 16'.

A pair of first outer apertures 18, 18', a pair of second outer apertures 20, 20', and a pair of inner apertures 22, 22' is present in the threadable means. Each one of the first outer apertures 18, 18' is located between the ipsilateral first outer arm 12 or 12' and the ipsilateral inner arm 16 or 16'. Each one of the second outer apertures 20, 20' is located between the ipsilateral second outer arm 12 or 12' and the ipsilateral inner

arm 16 or 16'. Each one of the inner apertures 20, 20' is located between the ipsilateral inner arm 16 or 16' and the body 4.

A ridge 24, 24'is formed on the outer aspect of the inner arms 16, 16'. A narrow gap separates each ridge 24, 24' from knobs formed at the free ends of the ipsilateral outer arms 12, 14 or 12', 14'. The narrow gaps open out into the outer apertures 18, 18', 20, 20'.

Figure 2 shows the sensor/transponder 8 separate from the device 2 prior to installation. Arrows 10 indicate the direction in which the sensor/transponder 8 may be slid between the flanges 6 for installation.

Figure 3 shows the device 2 following installation of the sensor/transponder, wherein the sensor/transponder 8 now forms part of the rear face of the body 4.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, two shoelaces 26, 28 are shown threaded through the device 2. Shoelace 26 is threaded over outer arm 12, down through outer aperture 18, under the body 4 and sensor/transponder 8, up through outer aperture 18' and over outer arm 12'.

Threading of shoelace 26 occurs by slidably forcing the shoelace through the narrow gap between ridge 24 and the knob at the end of first outer arm 12. As the shoelace 26 is forced through the gap in a direction parallel with outer arm 12, the outer arm flexes to accommodate the width of the shoelace. As the shoelace is then passed from the enlarged gap into aperture 18, the outer arm 12 returns to its resting position and the gap returns to its usual narrow shape, thereby preventing the shoelace 26 from easily sliding back out through the gap.

On the opposite side of the body 4, shoelace 26 is forced through the narrow gap between ridge 24' and the knob at the end of outer arm 12' causing the outer arm to flex in accommodating the width of the shoelace. As the shoelace passes from the enlarged gap into aperture 18', the outer arm 12' returns to its resting position and

gap returns to its usual narrow shape, thereby preventing the shoelace 26 from easily sliding back through the gap.

Shoelace 28 is threaded over arm 14, down through outer aperture 20, under the body 4 and sensor/transponder 8, up through outer aperture 20' and over outer arm 14'. In a similar fashion to shoelace 26, threading of shoelace 28 occurs by slidably forcing the shoelace 28 through the narrow gap between ridge 24 and the knob at the end of second outer arm 14. Then at another point along its length the shoelace 28 is forced through the narrow gap between ridge 24' and the knob at the end of second outer arm 14'.

Figure 8 shows how a device 2 is attached to a user's shoe 29 by threading shoelaces 26 and 28 through the device 2. The threading of two shoelaces in this manner keeps the sensor/transponder 8 fairly flat along the tongue of the shoe 29 and limits migration of the device toward the heel or toe of the shoe 29 which may reduce the chance of either of the shoelaces 26, 28 unthreading by sliding out of the outer apertures through one of the narrow gaps.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, an elasticised band 30 is shown threaded through the device 2. The band 30 is threaded under outer arms 12, 14 and inner arm 16, up through inner aperture 22, back over inner arms 16, down through outer apertures 18, 20, and back under outer arms 12, 14.

The first step in threading the band 30 involves passing it up through inner aperture 22. Following this, one side of the band is slidably forced through the narrow gap between ridge 24 and the knob at the end of the first outer arm 12. As the band 30 is forced through the gap in a direction parallel with the outer arm 12, the outer arm flexes to accommodate the band 30. One side of the band 30 then remains positioned within both outer aperture 18 and the gap, with the portion of the band 30 located within the gap being compressed between the knob of first outer arm 12 and the ridge

24.

The other side of the band is then slidably forced through the narrow gap between ridge 24 and the knob at the end of the second outer arm 14. As the band 30 is forced through the gap in a direction parallel with the outer arm 14, the outer arm flexes to accommodate the band 30. This side of the band 30 then remains positioned within both the outer aperture 20 and the gap, with the portion of the band 30 located in the gap being compressed between the knob of second outer arm 14 and the ridge 24.

Similarly, on the opposite side of the body 4 the band 30 is:

• passed up through inner aperture 22', then • one side of the band is slidably forced through the narrow gap between ridge

24' and the knob at the end of the first outer arm 12', then

• the other side of the band is slidably forced through the narrow gap between ridge 24' and the knob at the end of the second outer arm 14'.

Figure 8 shows how a device 2 is attached to a human user's leg 32 by threading the elasticised band 30 through the device 2. In attaching the device, the band is threaded on one side of the device 2, wrapped around the user's leg 32, and then threaded through the other side of the device 2. Compression of the band between ridges 24, 24' and the knobs of the outer arms 12, 12', 14, 14' limits loosening of the band when placed around the ankle.

Referring to Figures 9 to 12 there is shown an alternative device 2 comprising a dual frequency transponder 34 with a sensor, and a housing 36 for the transponder 34.

The dual frequency transponder 36 comprises a ferrite rod 38, a low frequency coil 40 wrapped around the ferrite rod 38, a high frequency air coil 42 surrounding the ferrite rod 38, and a microprocessor 44 connected between the high and low frequency coils, 42 and 40 respectively.

The transponder 36 receives at a low frequency of 125 kHz and transmits at a high frequency of 6.8MHz.

The housing 36 of the alternative embodiment is similar to that of the device shown in Figures 1 to 8. However, whereas the housing of the device of Figures 1 to 8 defines a groove 7 for a sensor/transponder 8, the housing 36 of the alternative embodiment defines a recess 46 for a dual frequency transponder 34.

The recess 46 has a central region 48 which is defined in the body 4 of the housing 36 between the inner apertures 22 & 22', and a surrounding region 50 which communicates with and surrounds the central region, the surrounding region extending along the inner arms 16, 16' on each side of the housing 36 between the inner 22, 22' and outer 18, 18', 20, 20' apertures. The central region is adapted to receive the rod 38, low frequency coil 40 and microprocessor 44, and the surrounding region 50 is adapted to receive the high frequency coil 42.

As shown in Figure 11, the dual frequency transponder 34 is inserted into the recess 46 of the housing 36 during assembly of the device 2.

Following insertion of the transponder 34, a nozzle is used to flow into the recess 46 an epoxy resin or polyurethane 52 (see Figure 12) or glue thereby holding and sealing the transponder 34 within the recess 46 of the housing 36. hi this embodiment the epoxy resin or polyurethane can provide a water tight seal to stop moist air from corroding the transponder 34.

A cap (not shown) may be used to close off the recess either in addition to or instead of the epoxy resin or polyurethane. The cap may be ultrasonically welded to the housing 36 and provide a water tight seal.

The device may be mounted on to a person or animal. In a preferred method of use the device is strapped on to the rear leg of a dairy cow. Strapping occurs in a similar fashion to that of the device 2 shown in Figure 8 which is strapped around the user's leg 32.

Once strapped the device can be activated to identify a cow and/or to sense features from the cow. For example, the device may sense characteristic features such as the

cow's heart rate blood pressure, or leg girth. It may also be used to sense positional features such as the cow's location, the cow's position in relation to other cows, and the cow's movements. The sensed features are stored as information in the microprocessor.

In addition to or instead of sensing features from the cow, information regarding the features of the cow may be loaded into the transponder's microprocessor from an external device. Downloaded information may include identifying and characteristic features such as the cow's name, number, weight, height, breed, infections, diseases and health status.

Once the cow is in dairy, the information stored in the microprocessor is transmitted from the device. A receiver such as a moving antenna or hand held wand is used to receive the information transmitted by the device. The receiver identifies and registers each cow's features which enables identification of the order in which the cows are standing in the milking shed. Determining the line up order enables identification of the milk coming from each cow.

Whilst the above description includes the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that many variations, alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the essential features or the spirit or ambit of the invention.

It will be also understood that where the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", are used in this specification, unless the context requires otherwise such use is intended to imply the inclusion of a stated feature or features but is not to be taken as excluding the presence of other feature or features.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.