Passive Low Frequency Inductive Tagging

• US 20110163882A1
• Filed: 08/02/2010
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Visible Assets Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Visible Assets Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: Waterhouse, Paul, Stevens, John K., August, M. Jason
• Application Number:
  US12/848,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20110163882A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/004 with electronic identification means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/008 incorporating GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/021 Electronic training devices specially adapted for dogs or cats
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/02 Agriculture; Fishing; Forestry; Mining
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00777 by induction
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2414 using inductive tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2471 Antenna signal processing by receiver or emitter

Abstract

A system for detection and tracking of objects which carry low radio frequency tags that comprise an inductive antenna and transceiver operable at a first radio frequency below 1 megahertz, a transceiver operatively connected to that antenna, an ID data storage device, a microprocessor for handling data from the transceiver and data store, and a tag energization inductive antenna which can receive radio frequency energy from an ambient radio frequency field of a second low radio frequency. The system includes a field communication inductive antenna disposed, preferably at a distance of several feet from each object, that permits effective communication therewith at the aforesaid first radio frequency, a data receiver, transmitter and reader data processor in operative communication with the field communication inductive antenna, and a field energization inductive antenna which can produce the ambient radio frequency field at the tag energization inductive antenna.

Claims

1. A system for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects, said system comprising:

a) a low radio frequency tag carried by each of the objects, said tag comprising a tag communication inductive antenna operable at a first radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, a transceiver operatively connected to said tag communication inductive antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said first radio frequency, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said tag, a microprocessor 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, and an energy source for activating said transceiver and said microprocessor, said energy source comprising a tag energization inductive antenna operable to receive radio frequency energy from an ambient radio frequency field of a second radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, said second radio frequency being substantially different than said first radio frequency;

b) a field communication inductive antenna disposed at an orientation and distance from each object that permit effective communication therewith at said first radio frequency;

c) a receiver in operative communication with said field communication inductive antenna, said receiver being operable to receive data signals at said first radio frequency from said low radio frequency tag;

d) a transmitter in operative communication with said field communication inductive antenna, said transmitter being operable to send data signals at said first radio frequency to said low frequency tag;

e) a reader data processor in operative communication with said receiver and said transmitter; and

f) a field energization inductive antenna operable to produce said ambient radio frequency field at the tag energization inductive antenna of said object.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1, said tag communication inductive antenna and said tag energization inductive antenna being mutually oriented and positioned to substantially minimize inductive coupling therebetween.

3. A system as set forth in claim 2, said tag communication inductive antenna and said tag energization inductive antenna being mutually coplanar.

4. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said distance does not exceed 1.0 wavelengths of electromagnetic waves at said at said first frequency.

5. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said distance does not exceed 1,000 feet.

6. A system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said distance is at least 1.0 feet.

7. A system as set forth in claim 1, said first radio frequency being an integral multiple of said second radio frequency.

8. A system as set forth in claim 1, said first radio frequency being 128 kHz and said second radio frequency being selected from 64 kHz, 32 kHz, 16 kHz, and 8 kHz.

9. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tag communication inductive antenna is a wound air loop coil, and said tag energization inductive antenna is a wound air loop coil.

10. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said field communication inductive antenna has an axis which is substantially orthogonal to a corresponding axis of said field energization inductive antenna.

11. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tag communication inductive antenna is a wound air loop coil having a first axis, and said tag energization inductive antenna is a wound air loop coil having a second axis that is substantially orthogonal to said first axis.

12. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tag communication inductive antenna comprises a wound ferrite coil, and said tag energization inductive antenna comprises a wound ferrite coil.

13. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tag communication inductive antenna is a wound ferrite coil having a first axis and said tag energization inductive antenna comprises a wound ferrite coil having a second axis that is substantially orthogonal to said first axis.

14. A system as set forth in claim 1, said tag communication inductive antenna comprising a first plurality of turns of wire, said tag energization inductive antenna comprising a second plurality of turns of wire, said tag communication inductive antenna and said tag energization inductive antenna being coplanar with one another and substantially decoupled.

15. A system as set forth in claim 1, said tag communication inductive antenna comprising a first plurality of turns of wire, said tag energization inductive antenna comprising a second plurality of turns of wire, said system further comprising a supplementary energy source.

16. A system as set forth in claim 15, said supplementary energy source comprising an energy storage device.

17. A system as set forth in claim 16, said energy storage device comprising a battery.

18. A system as set forth in claim 15, said supplementary energy source comprising a energy harvesting device operable to capture energy from an ambient energy condition.

19. A system as set forth in claim 1, said field communication inductive antenna comprising a first loop that is positioned and dimensioned to substantially surround said objects, said field energization inductive antenna comprising a second loop that is positioned and dimensioned to substantially surround said objects.

20. A system as set forth in claim 19, said objects and said field communication inductive antenna being disposed in a repository selected from a truck, a warehouse, storage shelving, a livestock field, a freight container, a drilling site for oil or gas, a weapons storage facility, and a sea vessel.

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

22. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said identification data comprises an internet protocol (IP) address, and wherein said reader data processor is operable for communication with an internet router.

23. A system as set forth in claim 1, said low radio frequency tag further comprising a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said detection tag, said transceiver being operable to automatically transmit a warning signal at said first radio frequency upon generation of said status signal.

24. A system as set forth in claim 23, said condition being selected from temperature change, shock, change in GPS position, and dampness.

25. A system as set forth in claim 1, said tag further comprising at least one indicator device which is automatically operable upon receipt by said transceiver of a data signal that corresponds to said identification data stored at said data storage device.

26. A system as set forth in claim 1, said tag further comprising a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said detection tag, and at least one indicator device which is automatically operable upon generation of said status signal.

27. A system as set forth in claim 26, said condition being selected from temperature change, shock, change in GPS position, and dampness.

28. A system as set forth in claim 1, said low radio frequency tag further comprising a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said detection tag, and a clock to generate a time signal corresponding to said status signal, said data storage device being operable to store corresponding pairs of status and time signals as a temporal history of conditions experienced by said object.

29. A system as set forth in claim 28, said condition being selected from temperature change, shock, change in GPS position, and dampness.

30. A system as set forth in claim 28, said transceiver being operable to automatically transmit said temporal history at said first radio frequency upon receipt by said transceiver of a data signal that corresponds to said identification data stored at said data storage device.

31. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said field communication inductive antenna has an axis which is substantially orthogonal to a corresponding axis of said field energization inductive antenna.

32. A system as set forth in claim 1, said low radio frequency tag further comprising key buttons operable for manual entry of data and a display operable to display data relating to said object carrying said tag.

33. A system as set forth in claim 1, said low radio frequency tag being formed with two major surfaces at opposite sides thereof, a first major surface on a first side of said low radio frequency tag being substantially flat to facilitate attachment to a surface of an object.

34. A system as set forth in claim 33, said first side being provided with a detector button operable to automatically electronically detect whether or not the low radio frequency tag is in contact with a package or other object.

35. A system as set forth in claim 1, said microprocessor 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.

36. A system as set forth in claim 1, said microprocessor of said low radio frequency tag being operable to compare a transmitted ID code from said transmitter 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.

37. A system as set forth in claim 1, said low radio frequency tag comprising a sensor operable to generate a status signal value based on the value of a sensed condition, said microprocessor being operable to cause said transmitter to transmit a signal when said value reaches a preselected value.

38. A system as set forth in claim 36, wherein said data storage device is programmable to store said plurality of ID codes.

39. A system as set forth in claim 38, wherein said data storage device is programmable to enable erasure of ID codes and thereafter programming of other ID codes in said data storage device.

40. A method for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects, said method comprising the steps of:

a) attaching a low radio frequency detection tag to each of the objects, each low radio frequency tag comprising a tag communication inductive antenna operable at a first radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, a transceiver operatively connected to said tag communication inductive antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said first radio frequency, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said tag, a microprocessor 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, and an energy source for activating said transceiver and said microprocessor, said energy source comprising a tag energization inductive antenna operable to receive radio frequency energy from an ambient radio frequency field of a second radio frequency, said second radio frequency being substantially different than said first radio frequency;

b) storing, in said data storage device of each said low radio frequency tag attached to an object, object data relating to said object;

said objects being commingled in a repository, said repository being provided with at least one field communication inductive antenna operable at said first radio frequency, said field communication inductive antenna being disposed at an orientation and distance from each object that permit effective communication therewith at said first radio frequency;

c) generating said ambient radio frequency field at the energization tag antenna of each object by radiating said second radio frequency from a field energization inductive antenna;

d) reading the identification data and object data from the transceiver of said low radio frequency tag by interrogating all low radio frequency tags in said repository with radio frequency interrogation signals at said first radio frequency via said field communication inductive antenna; and

e) transmitting the identification data and object data from each low radio frequency tag to a reader data processor to provide a tally of the objects in said repository.

41. A method as set forth in claim 40, said object data being selected from object description data, address-of-origin data, destination address data, object vulnerability data, and object status data, said repository being selected from a truck, storage shelving, a warehouse, a livestock field, a freight container, a drilling site for oil or gas, a weapons storage facility, and a sea vessel.

42. A method as set forth in claim 40, said first radio frequency being an integral multiple of said second radio frequency.

43. A method as set forth in claim 40, said field communication inductive antenna comprising a first loop that is positioned and dimensioned to substantially surround said objects, said field energization inductive antenna comprising a second loop that is positioned and dimensioned to substantially surround said objects.

44. A method as set forth in claim 40, said low radio frequency tag further comprising a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said low radio frequency tag, said method further comprising the step of:

(f) automatically transmitting a warning signal from said transceiver at said low radio frequency to said reader data processor upon generation of said status signal.

45. A method as set forth in claim 40, said low radio frequency tag further comprising (i) a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said low radio frequency tag and (ii) at least one indicator device, said method further comprising the step of:

(g) automatically activating said at least one indicator device upon generation of said status signal.

46. A method as set forth in claim 40, said low radio frequency tag further comprising (i) a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said low radio frequency tag and (ii) a clock to generate a time signal corresponding to said status signal, said method further comprising the steps of:

(h) storing, in said data storage device, corresponding pairs of status and time signals as a temporal history of conditions experienced by said object; and

(j) transmitting, to said reader data processor, said temporal history at said low radio frequency upon receipt by said transceiver of a data signal that corresponds to said identification data stored at said data storage device.

47. A low radio frequency tag for detection and tracking of animate and inanimate objects, said low radio frequency tag comprising:

a) a tag communication inductive antenna operable at a first radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz;

b) a transceiver operatively connected to said tag communication inductive antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said first radio frequency;

c) a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said low radio frequency tag;

d) a microprocessor 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; and

e) an energy source for activating said transceiver and said microprocessor, said energy source comprising a tag energization inductive antenna operable to receive radio frequency energy from an ambient radio frequency field of a second radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, said second radio frequency being substantially different than said first radio frequency.

48. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 47, said first radio frequency being an integral multiple of said second radio frequency.

49. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 48, said first radio frequency being 128 kHz and said second radio frequency being selected from 64 kHz, 32 kHz, 16 kHz, and 8 kHz.

50. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 47, said tag communication inductive antenna comprising a first plurality of turns of wire, said tag energization inductive antenna comprising a second plurality of turns of wire.

51. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 50, said tag communication inductive antenna and said tag energization inductive antenna each having a substantially flat configuration.

52. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 50, said tag communication inductive antenna and said tag energization inductive antenna each comprising a wound ferrite coil.

53. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 50, said tag communication inductive antenna and said tag energization inductive antenna being integrated into a microelectronic device comprising said transceiver, said data storage device, said energy source, and said microprocessor.

54. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 50, said low radio frequency tag comprising a frequency multiplier operable to integrally multiply the second radio frequency and to generate a clock signal at said first radio frequency and to supply said clock signal to said transceiver.

55. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 50, further comprising a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition (e.g. temperature change) experienced by an object that carries said low radio frequency tag, said transceiver being operable to automatically transmit a warning signal at said first radio frequency upon generation of said status signal.

56. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 50, further comprising at least one indicator device which is automatically operable upon receipt by said transceiver of a data signal that corresponds to said identification data stored at said data storage device.

57. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 50, further comprising:

(i) a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said detection tag, and (ii) at least one indicator device which is automatically operable upon generation of said status signal.

58. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 50, further comprising:

(i) a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said low radio frequency tag, and (ii) a clock to generate a time signal corresponding to said status signal, said data storage device being operable to store corresponding pairs of status and time signals as a temporal history of conditions experienced by said object.

59. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 58, said microprocessor being operable to cause said transceiver to automatically transmit said temporal history at said first radio frequency upon receipt by said transceiver of a data signal that corresponds to said identification data stored at said data storage device.

60. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 58, said microprocessor being operable to cause said transceiver to automatically transmit said corresponding pairs of status and time signals immediately upon generation thereof.

61. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 47, and further comprising a display operable to display data relating to said low radio frequency tag and an object carrying said low radio frequency tag.

62. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 47, and further comprising key buttons operable for manual entry of data.

63. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 47, 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 object.

64. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 47, said first side being provided with a detector button operable to automatically electronically detect whether or not the tag is in contact with an object.

65. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 47, said microprocessor of said low radio frequency 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.

66. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 47, said microprocessor of said low radio frequency tag being operable to compare a transmitted ID code from said transmitter to a plurality of ID codes stored in said data storage device of said low radio frequency tag and, in the event of a match, to respond to said transmitted ID code.

67. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 47, said low radio frequency tag comprising a sensor operable to generate a status signal value based on the value of a sensed condition, said microprocessor being operable to cause said transmitter to transmit a signal when said value reaches a preselected value.

68. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 66, wherein said data storage device is programmable to store said plurality of ID codes.

69. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 47, said energy source comprising a rectifier device operable to convert said radio frequency energy received by said tag energization inductive antenna into DC current.

70. An integrated microelectronic device for use in a low radio frequency tag for detection and tracking of animate and inanimate objects, said low radio frequency tag comprising a tag communication inductive antenna operable at a first radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, said low radio frequency tag further comprising a tag energization inductive antenna operable to receive radio frequency energy from an ambient radio frequency field of a second radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, said second radio frequency being substantially different than said first radio frequency, said microelectronic device comprising:

a) a transceiver for operative connection to said communication antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said first radio frequency;

b) a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said low radio frequency tag;

c) a microprocessor 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; and

d) an energy source circuit for operative connection to said tag energization inductive antenna for activating said transceiver and said microprocessor.

71. A microelectronic device as set forth in claim 70, said first radio frequency being an integral multiple of said second radio frequency.

72. A microelectronic device as set forth in claim 70, said first radio frequency being 128 kHz and said second radio frequency being selected from 64 kHz, 32 kHz, 16 kHz, and 8 kHz.

73. A microelectronic device as set forth in claim 70, said energy source circuit comprising a rectifier circuit operable to convert said radio frequency energy received by said tag energization inductive antenna into DC current.

74. A microelectronic device as set forth in claim 73, said tag communication inductive antenna and said tag energization inductive antenna being integrated into said microelectronic device.

75. A microelectronic device as set forth in claim 74, said tag communication inductive antenna comprising a first plurality of loops, and said tag energization inductive antenna comprising a second plurality of loops.

76. A microelectronic device as set forth in claim 74, said tag communication inductive antenna comprising a first plurality of loops around a ferrite core, and said tag energization inductive antenna comprising a second plurality of loops around a ferrite core.

77. A microelectronic device as set forth in claim 75, wherein said tag communication inductive antenna has a first axis and said tag energization inductive antenna has a second axis that is substantially orthogonal to said first axis.

78. A microelectronic device as set forth in claim 76, wherein said tag communication inductive antenna has a first axis and said tag energization inductive antenna has a second axis that is substantially orthogonal to said first axis.

79. A microelectronic device as set forth in claim 70, said microelectronic device further comprising a frequency multiplier operable to integrally multiply the second radio frequency and to generate a clock signal at said first radio frequency and to supply said clock signal to said transceiver.

80. A microelectronic device as set forth in claim 70, further comprising a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said low radio frequency tag.

81. A microelectronic device as set forth in claim 70, further comprising a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said low radio frequency tag, said transceiver being operable to automatically transmit a warning signal at said first radio frequency upon generation of said status signal.

82. A microelectronic device as set forth in claim 70, further comprising:

i) a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said low radio frequency tag, and (ii) a clock operable to generate a time signal corresponding to said status signal, said data storage device being operable to store corresponding pairs of status and time signals as a temporal history of conditions experienced by said object.

83. A microelectronic device as set forth in claim 70, further comprising a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said low radio frequency tag, said transceiver being operable to automatically transmit said temporal history at said first radio frequency upon receipt by said transceiver of a data signal that corresponds to said identification data stored at said data storage device.

84. A microelectronic device as set forth in claim 70, said microprocessor 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.

85. A microelectronic device as set forth in claim 70, said microprocessor of said low radio frequency tag being operable to compare a transmitted ID code to a plurality of ID codes stored in said data storage device of said low radio frequency tag and, in the event of a match, to respond to said transmitted ID code.

86. A microelectronic device as set forth in claim 70, further comprising a sensor operable to generate a status signal value based on the value of a sensed condition, said microprocessor being operable to cause said transmitter to transmit a signal when said value reaches a preselected value.

87. A microelectronic device as set forth in claim 85, wherein the data storage device is programmable to store said plurality of ID codes.

88. A system for detection and tracking of animate and inanimate objects, said system comprising:

a) a low radio frequency tag carried by each of the objects, said low radio frequency tag comprising;

i) a tag communication inductive antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz;

ii) a transceiver operatively connected to said tag communication inductive antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency;

iii) a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said low radio frequency tag;

iv) a microprocessor 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; and

v) an energy source for activating said transceiver and said microprocessor;

b) at least one field communication inductive antenna disposed at an orientation and within a distance from each object that permits effective communication therewith at said low radio frequency;

c) a receiver in operative communication with said field communication inductive antenna, said receiver being operable to receive data signals from said low radio frequency tags;

d) a transmitter in operative communication with said field communication inductive antenna, said transmitter being operable to send data signals to said low frequency tags; and

e) a reader data processor in operative communication with said receiver and said transmitter.

89. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 88, said tag communication inductive antenna comprising a wound ferrite coil comprising a plurality of turns of wire wound around a ferrite core.

90. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 89 wherein, during reading of said low radio frequency tag, said field communication inductive antenna is held with its axis oriented substantially parallel to a corresponding axis of said tag communication inductive antenna.

91. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 89, further comprising a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said low radio frequency tag, said transceiver being operable to automatically transmit a warning signal at said first radio frequency upon generation of said status signal.

92. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 89, said energy source comprising an energy storage device selected from a battery and a capacitor.

93. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 89, further comprising:

(i) a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said detection tag, and (ii) at least one indicator device which is automatically operable upon generation of said status signal.

94. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 89, further comprising:

(i) a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said low radio frequency tag, and (ii) a clock to generate a time signal corresponding to said status signal, said data storage device being operable to store corresponding pairs of status and time signals as a temporal history of conditions experienced by said object.

95. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 89, said microprocessor being operable to cause said transceiver to automatically transmit said corresponding pairs of status and time signals immediately upon generation thereof.

96. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 88, said microprocessor of said low radio frequency 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.

97. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 88, said microprocessor of said low radio frequency tag being operable to compare a transmitted ID code from said transmitter to a plurality of ID codes stored in said data storage device of said low radio frequency tag and, in the event of a match, to respond to said transmitted ID code.

98. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 88, said low radio frequency tag comprising a sensor operable to generate a status signal value based on the value of a sensed condition, said microprocessor being operable to cause said transmitter to transmit a signal when said value reaches a preselected value.

99. A low radio frequency tag for detection and tracking of animate and inanimate objects, said low radio frequency tag comprising:

a) a tag communication inductive antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz;

b) a transceiver operatively connected to said tag communication inductive 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 low radio frequency tag;

d) a microprocessor 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; and

e) an energy source for activating said transceiver and said microprocessor.

100. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 99, said tag communication inductive antenna comprising a wound ferrite coil comprising a plurality of turns of wire wound around a ferrite core.

101. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 99, said tag communication inductive antenna being integrated into a microelectronic device comprising said transceiver, said data storage device, said energy source, and said microprocessor.

102. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 100, further comprising a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said low radio frequency tag, said transceiver being operable to automatically transmit a warning signal at said first radio frequency upon generation of said status signal.

103. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 100, said energy source comprising an energy storage device selected from a battery and a capacitor.

104. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 100, further comprising:

(i) a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said detection tag, and (ii) at least one indicator device which is automatically operable upon generation of said status signal.

105. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 100, further comprising:

(i) a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said low radio frequency tag, and (ii) a clock to generate a time signal corresponding to said status signal, said data storage device being operable to store corresponding pairs of status and time signals as a temporal history of conditions experienced by said object.

106. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 100, said microprocessor being operable to cause said transceiver to automatically transmit said corresponding pairs of status and time signals immediately upon generation thereof.

107. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 100, said microprocessor of said low radio frequency 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.

108. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 100, said microprocessor of said low radio frequency tag being operable to compare a transmitted ID code from said transmitter to a plurality of ID codes stored in said data storage device of said low radio frequency tag and, in the event of a match, to respond to said transmitted ID code.

109. A low radio frequency tag as set forth in claim 100, said low radio frequency tag comprising a sensor operable to generate a status signal value based on the value of a sensed condition, said microprocessor being operable to cause said transmitter to transmit a signal when said value reaches a preselected value.