SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A TRACKING SYSTEM

• US 20090098958A1
• Filed: 10/09/2008
• Published: 04/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kent H. Miner
• Original Assignee: Kent H. Miner
• Inventors: Miner, Kent H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,128,520 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/570
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/387 Passive tracers, e.g. using a reflector mounted on the projectile

Abstract

A tracking system and associated methods for locating animals, such as wounded/downed game animals or non-game animals such as research animals, and/or projectiles configured to be shot at an animal are disclosed. The system includes a transmitter and one or more radio frequency reflectors that are coupled to a projectile. After the projectile is shot, a user utilizes the transmitter to locate the reflector. In some cases, the reflector is integrally coupled to the projectile to allow the user to locate the projectile. In other cases, the reflector is selectively coupled to the projectile so as to be removed from the projectile and attached to the animal when the projectile hits the animal. In such cases, the user may use the transmitter to locate the animal. In still other cases, at least one reflector is integrally coupled to the projectile while another is selectively coupled to the projectile. Accordingly, the user can locate the projectile and the animal.

Claims

1. A tracking system comprising:

a projectile configured to be shot at an animal;

a radio frequency reflector coupled to the projectile, wherein the reflector is configured to reflect a signal to a transmitter to enable a user to track at least one of (a) the projectile and (b) the animal.

2. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency reflector comprises a passive radio frequency identification reflector.

3. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein said projectile is selected from:

a. an arrow;

b. a bullet;

c. a cross-bow bolt;

d. a dart; and

e. a harpoon.

4. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency reflector is selectively and removably coupled to the projectile.

5. The tracking system of claim 4, wherein the radio frequency reflector is coupled to a barb configured to become attached to the animal.

6. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency reflector is integrally coupled to the projectile.

7. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency reflector comprises a first radio frequency reflector that is integrally connected to the projectile and a second radio frequency reflector that is selectively and removably coupled to the projectile.

8. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein the first reflector and the second reflector each reflect a different radio frequency signal and the transmitter is capable of distinguishing the different radio signals.

9. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is capable of sending signal to and receiving signal from the radio frequency reflector and capable of indicating a strength of the signal received from the radio frequency reflector.

10. A method for tracking at least one of a projectile and an animal, the method comprising:

providing a tracking system comprising a projectile configured to be shot at an animal and a radio frequency reflector coupled to the projectile;

shooting the projectile at the animal; and

using a transmitter to obtain a signal reflected by the radio frequency reflector to determine a location of at least one of (a) the projectile and (b) the animal.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the radio frequency reflector comprises a passive radio frequency identification reflector.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the radio frequency reflector is selectively and removably coupled to the projectile.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the radio frequency reflector is coupled to a barb configured to attach to the animal.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the radio frequency reflector comprises a first radio frequency reflector that is integrally connected to the projectile and a second radio frequency reflector that is selectively and removably coupled to the projectile.

15. A radio frequency reflector, comprising:

a radio frequency reflector configured to reflect a signal to a transmitter;

means for backscattering radio frequency energy from the transmitter; and

means for attaching the reflector to an animal,

wherein the radio frequency reflector comprises means for selectively and removably coupling the reflector with a projectile configured to be shot at the animal.

16. The reflector of claim 15, wherein the backscattering means comprises an antenna that is electrically connected to the reflector.

17. The reflector of claim 15, wherein the coupling means comprises an adhesive.

18. The reflector of claim 15, wherein the coupling means comprises a washer configured to receive the radio frequency reflector.

19. The reflector of claim 15, wherein the reflector comprises a passive radio frequency identification reflector.

20. The reflector of claim 15, wherein the antenna comprises a plurality of wires configured to extend laterally along a shaft of the projectile.

21. The reflector of claim 15, wherein the projectile is selected from:

a. an arrow;

b. a bullet;

c. a cross-bow bolt;

d. a dart; and

e. a harpoon.

22. The reflector of claim 15, wherein the reflector is capable of reflecting a different radio frequency signal than at least one other radio frequency reflector.