The OptiReader^® Device

The OptiReader® device is a combination controller and digital video camera. It is an extremely versatile identification and data collection device. The controller, digital camera, and rechargeable battery create a powerful combination that allows you to capture a wide range of individual animal information.

 

The controller is a rugged handheld computer containing a global positioning system (GPS) satellite receiver and antenna. The latitude and longitude, along with a satellite set time-date stamp, are encrypted and become part of the image record.

 

The digital video camera transmits full motion video at the rate of 19 frames per second to the controller's display panel. The controller can identify and automatically collect an acceptable retinal image. A trained operator can collect an image, on average, in about 15 seconds.

Flexible Data Collection
The OptiReader® device is an extremely versatile data collection tool. It can be configured to allow the input of many different types of information that then become a part of the image record. This information can be keyed in as text from a “pick-list” or menu. Auxiliary data collection equipment such as scale heads, barcode readers, electronic ID readers, printers, keyboards or laptop computers can be connected either wirelessly or through the OptiReader® device's USB port.

The system also has photo documentation capability. Optical Character Recognition capabilities allow the system to recognize and digitize pre-printed visual ID tags.

Any and all of this data can be linked to the animal's retinal information and GPS location. Other important information such as premises ID, hand written tag numbers, program treatment, breed composition, operator's name, contact information, and contract identification can also be entered.

Compact Flash Card
The image and its accompanying data make up one record. The records are stored on a removable CompactFlash® memory card. Each card can hold several thousand images.

The compact flash is a powerful feature that allows for customization of input which customers can take advantage of in several different ways. For example, a customer with a vertically integrated or contracted production system may wish to provide their producers with a customized card that forces the operator to input specific information. This could include an affirmation of antibiotic-free production, implant-free, or humanly-treated animals. The flash card can also contain the contract supplier's reference information and identification. All this information then becomes part of each image record.