Allflex USA TEI 30014, 30014 Users Manual

USER MANUAL

Revision 1.0

RS420NFC

Portable Stick Reader with NFC feature

2

Description

The RS420NFC reader is a rugged portable hand-held scanner and telemeter for Electronic
Identification (EID) ear tags specifically designed for livestock applications with SCR
cSense™ or eSense™ Flex Tags (see chapter “What is an cSense™ or eSense™ Flex Tag?”).
The reader fully complies with ISO standards ISO11784 / ISO11785 for FDX-B and HDX
technologies and ISO 15693 for SCR cSense™ or eSense™ Flex Tags.

In addition to its tag reading capabilities, the reader can store the ear tag numbers in different
working sessions, each ear tag being associated with a time/date stamp and a SCR number, in
its internal memory and transmit them to a personal computer via a USB interface, an RS-232
interface or a Bluetooth® interface.

The device has a large display which allows you to view the “Main Menu” and configure the

reader to your specifications.

Packaging list

Item

features

Description

1

Cardboard

Used to transport the reader

2

Reader

- 3 IEC cable

Supply cable to power the external adapter

4

CD-ROM

Support for user manual and reader datasheets

5

Data-Power Cable

Conveys external power to reader and serial data to and from reader.

6

External Power Adapter

Powers the reader and charges the battery
(reference: FJ-SW20181201500, Input : 100-240V 50/60Hz, 1.5A. Output :
12Vdc, 1.5A, LPS, 45°C)

7

USB flash drive adapter

Allows the user to connect an USB stick to upload or to download data to or
from reader.

8

User Manual

-

9

Ear Tags1

2 ear tags to demonstrate and test FDX and HDX reading capabilities.

10 & 13

Rechargeable Li-Ion
battery

Supplies the reader.
11 & 12

No longer available

14

Plastic case (optional)

Use to transport the reader in a robust case.

1

Ear tags not provided in Australia and New Zealand

3

Figure 1 - Reader features and user interface.

Table 1 – Reader features and description of use

Item

Feature

Description of use

1

Antenna

Emits activation signal and receives RFID tag signal (LF and HF).

2

Fiberglass Tube Enclosure

Rugged and watertight enclosure.

3

Audible beeper

Beeps once on first tag reading and 2 short beeps for repeat.

4

Large graphical readout with
backlight

Displays information about current reader status.
5

Green indicator

Illuminates whenever a tag data has been stored.

6

Red indicator

Illuminates whenever antenna is emitting activation signal.

7

black MENU button

Navigates in the reader menu to manage or to configure it.

8

green READ button

Applies power and causes activation signal to be emitted for reading tags

9

Vibrator

Vibrates once on first tag reading and short vibrates for repeat.

10

Handle grip

Rubber anti-slip griping surface

11

Cable connector

Electrical interface for attaching Data/Power cable or USB stick adapter.

12

Bluetooth® (internal)

Wireless interface to communicate data to and from reader (not pictured)

4

Operation

Getting Started

It is necessary to first fully charge the Battery Pack as described below and to have a few
electronic identification ear tags or implants available for testing. It is very important to
carry out the three steps described in this section before using the reader (see “

Battery handling instructions” section for more information)

Step 1: Installing the battery pack in the device.

1

Insert the battery in the reader. The pack is keyed for proper
installation.

2

The stationary key should be up towards the display. The
battery pack will “snap” into place when it is properly
inserted. DO NOT FORCE the battery into the reader. If the
battery does not insert smoothly, verify it is properly
orientated.

Step 2: Charging the battery pack.

1

Unscrew the protective cap which guards against foreign
material contamination.
Insert the data-power cable by engaging the connector and
rotating the lock-ring.

2

Plug the power cord into the cable socket located at the end
of the data-power cable (see Note 1)

5

3

Plug the adapter into a power outlet. The battery icon
indicates the battery pack is in charge with the bars flashing
inside the icon. It also gives the battery charge level.

4

The battery icon will remain in a fix state when charging has
finished. Charging takes approximately 3 hours.
Remove the power cord.
Unplug the adapter from the power outlet, and remove the
data-power cable inserted in the reader.

Note 1 – Ensure you are using the correct adapter (item 6) provided with the reader.

Power on / off instructions

Press the green button on the reader handle to power on the reader. The main screen will appear
on the display:

Item

Feature

Description of use

1

Battery level

The battery level shows the fully charged level as well as the charge level
during the charge mode. (see “Power Management” section)

2

Bluetooth connection

Indicates Bluetooth® connection status (see “
Bluetooth® management” and “Using Bluetooth® interface” sections for
more details).

3

Current number of ID codes

Number of read and saved ID codes in the current session.

4

Clock

Clock time in 24-hour mode.

5

USB connection

Indicates when the reader is connected to a computer via USB port. (See
“Using USB interface” section for more details)

6

Reader name

Displays the reader name. It appears only upon power on and until a tag is
read.

7

Number of ID codes

Total number of read and saved ID codes in all recorded sessions.

Note 2 - Once activated, the reader will stay on for 5 minutes by default, if it is
powered only by its battery pack.

Note 3 - Depress BOTH buttons for 3 seconds to power off the reader.

6

Reading an EID Ear Tag

Scanning animals

Place the device near the animal identification tag to be read, then press the green button to
activate the reading mode. The screen backlight switches on and the red light will be flashing.

During the reading mode, move the reader along the animal to scan the ear tag ID. The reading
mode remains activated during a programmed duration. If the green button is held down, the
reading mode remains activated. If the device is programmed in continuous reading mode, the
reading mode remains indefinitely activated until you press the green button a second time.

The following picture shows the result of a successful reading session:

Item

Feature

Description of use

1

Tag type

ISO standard 11784/5 has approved 2 technologies for animal identification: FDX­B and HDX. When the reader displays the word “IND” as tag type, it means that
its tag is not coded for animals.

2

Country code /
Manufacturer code

The country code is according the ISO 3166 and ISO 11784/5 (numeric format).
Manufacturer code is according to ICAR assignment.

3

First digits of ID code

First digits of the identification code according the ISO 11784/5.

4

Last digits of ID code

Last digits of the identification code according the ISO 11784/5. The user can
select the number of last bold digits (between 0 and 12 digits).

When a new ear tag is successfully read the green light flashes, the reader stores the ID code
in its internal memory2 and the current date and time.

The number of read ID codes in the current session is increased.
The buzzer and the vibrator will sound and/or vibrate with every scan.

Note 4

2

Depending on tag storage mode option

7

▪ Two short beeps and a short vibration mean that the reader has previously

read the tag in the current session.

▪ A beep/vibration of medium-duration means that the reader has read a new

tag which has NOT been previously read during the current session

▪ A long beep/vibration means that there is an alert regarding the tag which has

been read (see “Comparison sessions” section for more information).

Note 5 –The date and time stamp, and the sound/vibration features are options that
can be turned on or off according to your specific applications.

Note 6 - The reader can scan when the power cable is attached3.

Each time a tag is scanned, the identification code is transmitted automatically via the USB
cable, the RS-232 cable, or Bluetooth®.

Read range performances

Figure 2 illustrates the reading zone of the reader, within which tags can be successfully
detected and read. Optimum read distance occurs depending on the orientation of the tag. Tags
and implant read best when positioned as shown below.

Figure 2 - Optimum Read Distance Tag Orientation

Item

Legend

Comments

1

Reading zone

Area in which the ear tags and the implants can be read.

2

RFID Ear tag

- 3 RFID Implant

- 4 Best orientation

Best orientation of the ear tags regarding the reader antenna

5

Antenna

- 6 Reader

-

Typical read distances will vary when reading different types of tags. In the optimum tag
orientation at the end of the reader (as shown in Figure 2), the reader will read up to 42cm
depending tag type and orientation.

3

Except in Canada

8

Tips for efficient reading

Tag reader efficiency is often linked with reading distance. The device's read distance
performance may be affected by the following factors:

▪ Tag orientation: See Figure 2.
▪ Tag quality: It is normal to find that many common tags from different manufacturers

have different read range performance levels.

▪ Animal movement: If the animal moves too quickly, the tag may not be located in the

read zone long enough for the ID code information to be obtained.

▪ Tag type: HDX and FDX-B tags generally have similar reading distances, but

environmental factors such as RF interferences may affect overall tag performances.

▪ Nearby metal objects: Metal objects located near a tag or reader may attenuate and

distort the magnetic fields generated in the RFID systems therefore, reducing the
reading distance. An example, an ear tag against a squeeze chute significantly reduces
the read distance.

▪ Electrical noise interference: The operating principle of RFID tags and readers is based

on electromagnetic signals. Other electromagnetic phenomena, such as radiated
electrical noise from other RFID tag readers, or computer screens may interfere with
RFID signal transmission and reception, therefore, reducing the read distance.

▪ Tag/reader interference: Several tags in the reception range of the reader, or other

readers that emit excitation energy close by may adversely affect reader performance or
even prevent the reader from operating.

▪ Discharged battery pack: As the battery pack discharges, the power available to activate

the field becomes weaker, which in turn reduces the read range field.

Advanced reading features

Comparison sessions

The reader can be configured to work with a comparison session. Working with comparison
sessions allows to:

▪ Display / Store additional data for a given ear tag (Visual ID, medical information…).

The additional data is stored in the current working session and can be retrieved when
downloading the session.

▪ Generate alerts on animal found / not found (see
▪ Menu 10)

Display / Store additional data:

Alert on animal found:

9

Note 7 – icon informs that a comparison session is currently active. The
comparison session is displayed between “> <” symbols (ex: “>My List<”).

Note 8 – icon informs that alerts are currently enabled.

Note 9 – Comparison sessions can be uploaded into the reader using EID Tag

Manager PC software or any third-party software implementing this feature. You
can change the comparison session using the reader menu (see

Menu 9)

Note 10 – When an alert occurs, the reader will generate a long beep and vibration.

Data entry

Data entry feature can be enabled to associate one or several information to an animal ID.
When an animal is scanned and the data entry feature is enabled, a window pops-up to select
one of the data in the selected data entry list (see below). Up to 3 lists can be used at the same
time for data entry. See Menu 11 to select the desired list(s) or enable/disable data entry
feature.

Note 11 – icon informs that data entry feature is currently enabled

Note 12 – Data entry lists can be uploaded into the reader using EID Tag Manager

PC software or any third-party software implementing this feature.

1. Scan an animal

2. Choose a value and validate

3. Data selected are stored

Note 13 – Up to four data fields can be used for a given tag. If a comparison session

is used and contains three data fields, only one data entry list can be used.

Note 14 – A list named “Default” containing numbers (1, 2…) is always available.

0002 00218

11:06

HDX

SEX:
PRE:

982 0001234

SESSION 9 TOTAL

00245

Male
Twin

10

Note 15 – When a tag is read twice or more, the reader will preselect the previously
validated data. If the data entry is different, a duplicate tag is stored in the session
with the new data.

Reading a cSense™ or eSense™ Flex Tags

What is an cSense™ or eSense™ Flex Tag?

The SCR cSense™ or eSense™ Flex Tag are RF tags worn by cows. They
combine rumination, heat detection and cow identification functionality to give
dairy farmers a revolutionary tool to monitor their cows in real-time, 24 hours a
day.

Each Flex Tag collects information and transmits it to the SCR system a few times
per hour via RF technology, so the information in the system is up-to-date at all
times, no matter where the cow is located.

To combine each tag with the EID tag carried on each animal, an NFC tag is
included inside the Flex Tags and can be read by the device.

(refer to SCR’s website for complementary information (www.scrdairy.com))

Scanning animals and assign Flex Tag

Before to read, select in the menu (see Menu 17 - Menu “SCR by Allflex”), the assignment
operation, then place the device close to the animal identification ear tag to be read, then press
the green button in order to activate the reading mode. The screen backlight switches on and
the red light will be flashing. Once the EID ear tag is read, the red light will be flashing and
message will be displaying, place the device parallel to the Flex Tag to assign it to the EID
number (see Figure 3to list all use cases).

The following picture shows the result of a successful reading session:

Item

Feature

Description of use

1

Tag type

ISO standard 11784/5 has approved 2 technologies for animal identification: FDX­B and HDX. When the reader displays the word “IND” as tag type, it means that
its tag is not coded for animals.

2

Country code /
Manufacturer code

The country code is according the ISO 3166 and ISO 11784/5 (numeric format).
Manufacturer code is according to ICAR assignment.

3

First digits of ID code

First digits of the identification code according the ISO 11784/5.

4

Last digits of ID code

Last digits of the identification code according the ISO 11784/5. The user can
select the number of last bold digits (between 0 and 12 digits).

5

SCR’s icon

Indicate the SCR feature is enabled and can operate.

6

SCR’s number

Number of the HR LD tag