Method and device for identification

• US 7,538,682 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2005
• Issued: 05/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Matthew Richard Andrews, Steven Michael Trost
• Original Assignee: Matthew Richard Andrews, Steven Michael Trost
• Inventors: Andrews, Matthew Richard, Trost, Steven Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout; Brent
• Application Number:
  US11/153,592
• Publication Number:
  US 20070008155A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,441 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.2, 340/573.3, 340/539.11, 340/539.12, 340/539.13, 340/539.15, 340/686.1, 340/7.54, 340/10.1, 340/5.8, 340/825.36, 340/10.42, 600/549, 600/548, 600/551, 600/591, 119/174, 128/899
• US Class Current: 340/573.3
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/007 Boluses
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2402 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting mechanical aspects of the tags, e.g. related to locking E05B73/0017; RFID readers G06K7/00; RFID tags G06K19/00; access control systems G07C9/00; anti-theft control in point of sale systems G07G3/003; security seals G09F3/03

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for identifying an entity comprising placing an internal tag within the entity and placing an external tag proximate the entity wherein the internal tag and external tag are coupled.

Claims

1. A method for identifying an entity comprising

placing an internal tag within said entity and

placing an external tag proximate said entity wherein

said internal tag and said external tag are directly and persistently coupled by a communication protocol and wherein

an alert is triggered whenever said internal tag and said external tag are decoupled,

wherein said entity comprises a living organism,

wherein said living organism comprises a ruminant animal and said internal tag is placed within the stomach of said ruminant animal,

wherein said external tag comprises memory for storing data related to said animal, and

wherein said data comprise data selected from a group consisting of weaning date, dehorning date, and vaccination history.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said communication protocol comprises electromagnetic pulses timed according to a distinguishing temporal pattern.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said communication protocol comprises a distinguishing electromagnetic signal wherein the distinguishing nature of said signal results from a distinguishing combination of two or more characteristics wherein at least two characteristics are selected from a group consisting of wavelength, temporal pattern, and amplitude.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein a change in state of said external tag is effected whenever said external tag is decoupled from said internal tag.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said external tag further comprises a visual identifier selected from a group consisting of a printed serial number, a stamped serial number, a bar code, and a liquid-crystal display.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said external tag further comprises an electronic serial number.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said external tag further comprises an electronic serial number and a transmitter for transmitting said electronic serial number to a separate external device.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising placing a growth-measurement apparatus proximate said entity.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said growth-measurement apparatus comprises a strap placed around the neck or midsection of said animal.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein said alert is selected from a group consisting of illumination, color change, displaying a message, sounding an audible alarm, and transmitting a long-range signal.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein said change in state of said external tag is visual.

4. A device for identifying an entity comprising

an internal tag and

an external tag

wherein said internal tag and said external tag are directly and persistently coupled by a communication protocol,

wherein said communication protocol comprises a temp oral pattern of electromagnetic signals and

wherein an alert is triggered whenever said temporal pattern is altered by virtue of said internal tag and said external tag being decoupled, thus indicating an undesirable change in state of said entity,

wherein said entity comprises a living organism.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said communication protocol comprises electromagnetic pulses timed according to a distinguishing temporal pattern and said distinguishing temporal pattern comprises a repeating non-uniform pattern.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein said communication protocol comprises electromagnetic pulses timed according to a distinguishing temporal pattern and said distinguishing temporal pattern comprises a repeating non-uniform pattern comprising at least five different time intervals.

7. The device of claim 4 wherein said alert is selected from a group consisting of illumination, color change, displaying a message, sounding an audible alarm, and transmitting a long-range signal.

8. The device of claim 4 wherein said living organism comprises a ruminant animal.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said internal tag is placed within the stomach of said ruminant animal.

18. The device of claim 4 further comprising a growth-measurement apparatus.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein said growth-measurement apparatus comprises a strap placed around the neck or midsection of said animal.

20. The device of claim 4 wherein a change in state of said external tag is effected whenever said external tag is decoupled from said internal tag.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein said change in state of said external tag is visual.