NETWORKED RF TAG FOR TRACKING ANIMALS

Abstract

The invention disclosed provides a method, system, and associated tag for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects. The novel method broadly comprises the steps of: a) attaching a low radio frequency detection tag to each of the objects, each tag comprising a tag antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz (preferably not exceeding 300 kilohertz), a transceiver operatively connected to the tag's antenna, the transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at the low radio frequency, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag, a programmed data processor operable to process data received from the transceiver and the data storage device and to send data to cause the transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon the identification data stored in said data storage device, and an energy source for activating the tag's transceiver and data processor; b) storing, in the data storage device of each tag, shipping data selected from object description data, address-of-origin data, destination address data, object vulnerability data, and object status data; c) commingling the objects in a repository selected from a warehouse and a truck, the repository being provided with at least one large loop field antenna operable at said low radio frequency; the field antenna being disposed at a distance from each object that permits effective communication therewith at the low radio frequency, d) reading the identification data and shipping data from the transceiver of each tag by interrogating all tags commingled in said repository with data signals, such as specific IP addresses or other identification codes, via said field antenna; and e) transmitting the identification data and shipping data from each tag to a central data processor to provide a tally of the objects in said repository.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, various features of preferred embodiments of the novel system, method, and tag, are illustrated in the drawings, as will be described hereinbelow:

FIG. 1 a is a schematic plan view of an RF tag in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1 b is a cross-sectional view of the RF tag of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 2 a is a schematic plan view of the back of an RF tag in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 b is a cross-sectional view of the RF tag of FIG. 2a;

FIG. 3 a is a schematic plan view of an RF tag in accordance with the invention, showing its attachment to a surface of a freight box;

FIG. 3 b is a cross-sectional view of the RF tag of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram depicting the functional components of an RF tag in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a number of low frequency RF tags attached to freight packages in a warehouse repository, together with a large loop antenna and other components for reading the tags and communicating the information;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a number of low frequency RF tags attached to freight packages in a truck repository, together with a large loop antenna and other components for reading the tags and communicating the information to the internet or elsewhere;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the use of a handheld reader to interrogate a selected individual RF tag;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the use of a handheld reader to interrogate RF tags with reader; antennas of different sizes for different communication ranges;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart using block diagrams to describe the use of the invention and its use with the novel RF tags and other components; and

FIG. 10 is a table listing of advantages and features of the the invention.

Claims

1. A system for detection and tracking of animate objects, namely animals, said system comprising: a) a low radio frequency tag carried by each of the animals, said tag comprisinga tag antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz,a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency,a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag,a programmed data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device, andan energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor;b) at least one field antenna disposed at an orientation and within a distance from each animal that permits effective communication therewith at said low radio frequency;c) a reader in operative communication with said field antenna, said reader being operable to receive data signals from said low frequency tags;d) a transmitter in operative communication with said field antenna, said transmitter being operable to send data signals to said low frequency tags; ande) a central data processor (e.g. server) in operative communication with said reader and transmitter.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1, said low radio frequency not exceeding 300 kilohertz.

3. A system as set forth in claim 1, said field antenna, said reader, and said transmitter being combined into a unitary handheld device.

4. A system as set forth in claim 2, said field antenna comprising a large loop, said distance from said field antenna to each animal not exceeding a major dimension of said loop.

5. A system as set forth in claim 4, said animals and said field antenna being disposed in a repository selected from a truck, a warehouse, a freight container, and a sea vessel, said field antenna comprising a large loop, said distance from said field antenna to each animal not exceeding a major dimension of said loop.

6. A system as set forth in claim 1, said tag further comprising a display (e.g. LCD) operable to display data relating to said tag and an animal carrying said tag.

7. A system as set forth in claim 1, said tag further comprising key buttons operable for manual entry of data.

8. A system as set forth in claim 1, said tag being formed with two major surfaces at opposite sides thereof, a first major surface on a first side of said tag being substantially flat to facilitate attachment to a surface of an animal, a second major surface of said tag being substantially convex.

9. A system as set forth in claim 8, said second major surface being tapered to a thin edge along a perimeter of said tag.

10. A system as set forth in claim 9, said tag being provided with an transparent film overlying said second major surface, said film being removably adherent to said animal while permitting visual inspection of said second major surface.

11. A system as set forth in claim 10, said tag being provided with key buttons for manual entry of data, said second major surface being provided with an LCD display, and at least one LED indicator device.

12. A system as set forth in claim 11, said first major surface being provided with said key buttons having frictional (e.g. rubberized) surfaces for reducing slippage with respect to said animal.

13. A system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said at least one of said key buttons is operable to automatically electronically detect whether or not the tag is in contact with an animal.

14. A system as set forth in claim 1, said transceiver being normally ON to receive data signals.

15. A system as set forth in claim 1, said programmed data processor of said tag being operable to compare a transmitted ID code with a stored ID code and, in the event of a match, to respond to said transmitted ID code.

16. A system as set forth in claim 15, said programmed data processor of said tag being operable to compare a transmitted ID code from a server to a plurality of ID codes stored in said data storage device of said tag and, in the event of a match, to respond to said transmitted ID code.

17. A system as set forth in claim 14 that can transmit a signal when a condition related to a sensor meets a preselected value.

18. A system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the data storage device is programmable to store said plurality of ID codes.

19. A system as set forth in claim 15 wherein said stored ID codes that are programmable to enable erasure thereof and thereafter programming of other ID codes in said data storage device.

20. A system as set forth in claim 17, said sensor further comprising a GPS detector.

21. A detection tag for detection and tracking of animate objects, namely animals, said detection tag comprising: a) an antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz;b) a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency;c) a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag;d) a data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device; ande) an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processorfurther comprising a display (e.g. LCD) operable to display data relating to said tag and an animal carrying said tag.

22. (canceled)

23. A detection tag as set forth in claim 21, and further comprising key buttons operable for manual entry of data.

24. A detection tag as set forth in claim 21, said tag being formed with two major surfaces at opposite sides thereof, a first major surface on a first side of said tag being substantially flat to facilitate attachment to a surface of an animal, a second major surface of said tag being substantially convex.

25. A detection tag as set forth in claim 24, said second major surface being tapered to a thin edge along a perimeter of said tag.

26. A detection tag as set forth in claim 21, said transceiver being normally ON to receive data signals.

27. A detection tag as set forth in claim 21, said programmed data processor of said tag being operable to compare a transmitted ID code with a stored ID code and, in the event of a match, to respond to said transmitted ID code.

28. A detection tag as set forth in claim 27, said programmed data processor of said tag being operable to compare a transmitted ID code from a server to a plurality of ID codes stored in said data storage device of said tag and, in the event of a match, to respond to said transmitted ID code.

29. A detection tag as set forth in claim 26 that can transmit a signal when a condition related to a sensor meets a threshold value

30. A detection tag as set forth in claim 28, wherein the data storage device is programmable to store said plurality of ID codes.