US5984875A — Ingestible animal temperature sensor

Claim 1

Independent Claim 77 words

A remote monitor system for animals which comprises: a) an ingestible programmable bolus, said bolus including: i) means for storing a remotely programmable individual animal identification code and a remotely programmable cycle period, and ii) means for transmitting a plurality of data burst signals at transmit intervals dependent upon said cycle period, each said data burst signal including information corresponding to said identification code; and b) a receiver for receiving data burst signals transmitted from said bolus.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 77 words

A remote monitor system for animals which comprises: a) an ingestible programmable bolus, said bolus including: i) means for storing a remotely programmable individual animal identification code and a remotely programmable cycle period, and ii) means for transmitting a plurality of data burst signals at transmit intervals dependent upon said cycle period, each said data burst signal including information corresponding to said identification code; and b) a receiver for receiving data burst signals transmitted from said bolus.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 35 words

A remote monitor system for animals according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting means is remotely programmable to transmit said plurality of data burst signals in one of an autonomous mode and a demand mode.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 39 words

A remote monitor system for animals according to claim 1, wherein said bolus further comprises a means for sensing a physiological parameter of an animal and each said data burst signal includes information corresponding to a sensed physiological parameter.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 22 words

A remote monitor system for animals according to claim 3, wherein said means for sensing a physiological parameter comprises a temperature sensor.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 37 words

A remote monitor system for animals according to claim 1, wherein said means for transmitting the data burst signal includes means for effecting Frequency Shift Keying or Binary Phase Shift Keying modulation of transmitted data burst signals.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 27 words

A remote monitor system for animals according to claim 1, wherein said means for transmitting the data burst signal includes a Class C amplifier for final amplification.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 17 words

A remote monitor system for animals according to claim 1, wherein said bolus includes a ballast weight.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 20 words

A remote monitor system for animals according to claim 6, wherein said ballast weight comprises a magnetic or magnetizable material.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 29 words

A remote monitor system for animals according to claim 3, wherein said receiver is coupled to a processing means for processing data from the plurality of data burst signals.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 45 words

A remote monitor system for animals according to claim 9, wherein said bolus further includes means for encoding the data burst signal with error detection and correction parameters and said processing means includes means for performing error detection and correction on received data burst signals.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 17 words

A remote monitor system for animals according to claim 1, wherein said receiver is a hand-held unit.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 122 words

A method of continuously monitoring a physiological parameter of an animal which comprises: a) providing an ingestible bolus, said bolus including: i) means for storing a remotely programmable individual animal identification code and a remotely programmable cycle period, ii) a sensor for sensing a physiological parameter, iii) means for transmitting a data burst signal which includes information corresponding to said identification code and a sensed physiological parameter, said means for transmitting said data burst signal comprising means to transmit data burst signals at a transmit interval which is dependent upon said cycle period; b) placing said ingestible bolus within an animal; c) providing a receiver for receiving data burst signals transmitted from said bolus; and d) continuously monitoring received data burst signals.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 122 words

A method of continuously monitoring a physiological parameter of an animal which comprises: a) providing an ingestible bolus, said bolus including: i) means for storing a remotely programmable individual animal identification code and a remotely programmable cycle period, ii) a sensor for sensing a physiological parameter, iii) means for transmitting a data burst signal which includes information corresponding to said identification code and a sensed physiological parameter, said means for transmitting said data burst signal comprising means to transmit data burst signals at a transmit interval which is dependent upon said cycle period; b) placing said ingestible bolus within an animal; c) providing a receiver for receiving data burst signals transmitted from said bolus; and d) continuously monitoring received data burst signals.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 25 words

A method of continuously monitoring a physiological parameter of an animal according to claim 12, wherein the physiological parameter comprises the temperature of an animal.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 34 words

A method of continuously monitoring a physiological parameter of an animal according to claim 13, further comprising: e) coupling said receiver to a processing means; and f) processing data from the data burst signals.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 38 words

A method of continuously monitoring a physiological parameter of an animal according to claim 12, further comprising: producing an audio or visual warning in response to a sensed physiological parameter which is above or below a set threshold.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method of continuously monitoring a physiological parameter of an animal according to claim 12, wherein there are a plurality of boluses provided in a plurality of animals.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 126 words

A method of monitoring a physiological parameter of an animal, comprising the steps of: placing a bolus within a stomach of the animal, said bolus including a non-volatile memory, a receiver, a transmitter and a sensor; transmitting a signal from a remote transmitter to said receiver within said bolus, said signal corresponding to an individual animal identification code associated with the animal; storing said identification code in said memory; sensing a physiological parameter of the animal using said sensor; transmitting a signal from said transmitter within said bolus to a remote receiver outside the animal, said signal including data corresponding to each of said identification code and said sensed physiological parameter; and monitoring the physiological parameter of the animal with the remote receiver using said signal.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 126 words

A method of monitoring a physiological parameter of an animal, comprising the steps of: placing a bolus within a stomach of the animal, said bolus including a non-volatile memory, a receiver, a transmitter and a sensor; transmitting a signal from a remote transmitter to said receiver within said bolus, said signal corresponding to an individual animal identification code associated with the animal; storing said identification code in said memory; sensing a physiological parameter of the animal using said sensor; transmitting a signal from said transmitter within said bolus to a remote receiver outside the animal, said signal including data corresponding to each of said identification code and said sensed physiological parameter; and monitoring the physiological parameter of the animal with the remote receiver using said signal.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 60 words

The method of claim 17, comprising the further steps of: transmitting a signal from said remote transmitter to said receiver within said bolus, said signal corresponding to a cycle period; and transmitting a plurality of signals from said transmitter within said bolus to said remote receiver, said plurality of signals being transmitted at transmit intervals corresponding to said cycle period.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 18, wherein said transmit intervals have a random factor.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 17, wherein said remote transmitter and said remote receiver are each within a remote unit.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 17, wherein said signal transmitted from said bolus comprises a data burst.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 17, wherein said first transmitting step occurs after said placing step.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 17, wherein said remote transmitter transmits said signal at a frequency in a kilohertz range and said bolus transmitter transmits said signal at a frequency in a megahertz range.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 17, wherein said remote transmitter transmits said signal at a frequency of approximately 10.7 kilohertz and said bolus transmitter transmits said signal at a frequency of approximately 27.145 megahertz.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 17, wherein said remote transmitter comprises a hand-held unit and said remote receiver comprises one of said hand-held unit and a stationary base unit.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 149 words

A method of monitoring a physiological parameter of an animal, comprising the steps of: placing a bolus within a stomach of the animal, said bolus including a non-volatile memory, a receiver, a transmitter and a sensor; transmitting a signal from a remote transmitter outside the animal to said receiver within said bolus, said signal corresponding to a cycle period; storing said cycle period in said memory; repeatedly sensing a physiological parameter of the animal at different points in time using said sensor; transmitting a plurality of signals from said transmitter within said bolus to a remote receiver outside the animal, each said signal including data corresponding to said sensed physiological parameter at a different said point in time, said plurality of signals being transmitted at transmit intervals corresponding to said cycle period; and monitoring the physiological parameter of the animal with the remote receiver using said plurality of signals.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 149 words

A method of monitoring a physiological parameter of an animal, comprising the steps of: placing a bolus within a stomach of the animal, said bolus including a non-volatile memory, a receiver, a transmitter and a sensor; transmitting a signal from a remote transmitter outside the animal to said receiver within said bolus, said signal corresponding to a cycle period; storing said cycle period in said memory; repeatedly sensing a physiological parameter of the animal at different points in time using said sensor; transmitting a plurality of signals from said transmitter within said bolus to a remote receiver outside the animal, each said signal including data corresponding to said sensed physiological parameter at a different said point in time, said plurality of signals being transmitted at transmit intervals corresponding to said cycle period; and monitoring the physiological parameter of the animal with the remote receiver using said plurality of signals.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 26, wherein said transmit intervals have a random factor.

Claim 32

Independent Claim 165 words

A system for remotely monitoring a physiological parameter of an animal, comprising: a remote transmitter for transmitting at least one signal, said at least one signal including data corresponding to an individual animal identification code and a cycle period; an ingestible remotely programmable bolus including: a receiver for receiving said at least one signal from said transmitter; a non-volatile memory for storing an individual animal identification code and a cycle period dependent upon said at least one signal; a sensor for sensing a physiological parameter of the animal at different points in time; a transmitter for transmitting a plurality of signals from said bolus, each said signal including data corresponding to said sensed physiological parameter at a different said point in time, said plurality of signals being transmitted at transmit intervals corresponding to said cycle period; and a remote receiver for receiving said plurality of signals transmitted from said bolus, said remote receiver monitoring the physiological parameter of the animal using said plurality of signals.

Claim 33

Independent Claim 165 words

A system for remotely monitoring a physiological parameter of an animal, comprising: a remote transmitter for transmitting at least one signal, said at least one signal including data corresponding to an individual animal identification code and a cycle period; an ingestible remotely programmable bolus including: a receiver for receiving said at least one signal from said transmitter; a non-volatile memory for storing an individual animal identification code and a cycle period dependent upon said at least one signal; a sensor for sensing a physiological parameter of the animal at different points in time; a transmitter for transmitting a plurality of signals from said bolus, each said signal including data corresponding to said sensed physiological parameter at a different said point in time, said plurality of signals being transmitted at transmit intervals corresponding to said cycle period; and a remote receiver for receiving said plurality of signals transmitted from said bolus, said remote receiver monitoring the physiological parameter of the animal using said plurality of signals.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 31 words

The system of claim 28, wherein said transmitter in said bolus autonomously transmits said plurality of signals at transmit intervals with a random factor which is dependent upon said cycle period.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 26 words

The system of claim 28, wherein said sensor senses said physiological parameter of the animal at points in time which are dependent upon said cycle period.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-11-15	2003-05-17	2003-11-16	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-11-15	2007-05-17	2007-11-16	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-11-15	2011-05-17	2011-11-16	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Ingestible animal temperature sensor

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