Radio frequency animal tracking system
The invention is directed to an improved RFID system. The system provides a transponder that can communicate over at least two different frequencies so that the real time performance of the transponder can be improved without losing backwards compatibility. The system provides an improved apparatus and method that allows the end user to customize and program identification tags. The system also provides an ear tag, which may be in button form, for use on livestock with superior durability and overall performance in the field. The present invention also relates to a flexible and/or implantable radio frequency identification system, such as a flexible and/or implantable radio frequency identification system for tracking animals.
1 . An animal identification tag comprising:
an RFID system, a flexible substrate, and a wrap;
the tag being configured with a rolled flexible substrate;
the wrap sealing the RFID system from the surroundings.
2 . The tag of claim 1 , wherein the tag is configured for implantation in an animal.
3 . The tag of claim 1 , wherein the RFID system comprises a processor and an antenna coupled to the flexible substrate.
4 . The tag of claim 3 , wherein the antenna can be embossed or printed on the flexible substrate.
5 . The tag of claim 3 , wherein the antenna is configured on the flexible substrate for effective reception of electromagnetic energy of the desired frequency when the substrate is rolled up.
6 . The tag of claim 1 , wherein the wrap comprises parylene.
7 . The tag of claim 1 , wherein the rolled tag is configured to provide a generally cylindrical roll dimensioned to fit in the cannula of a needle or catheter.
8 . The tag of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first antenna; and
a transponder coupled to the antenna, the transponder including a first transmission unit, first memory and first power circuitry, the first power circuitry being configured to receive a current induced in the first antenna, and to power the first transmission unit and first memory, the first transmission unit being configured to retrieve data stored in the first memory and to transmit at least a portion of the data via the first antenna on a first carrier frequency and on a second carrier frequency.
9 . The tag of claim 8 , wherein the transponder includes a second transmission unit, and second memory.
10 . The tag of claim, wherein the first power circuitry is configured to power the second transmission unit and the second memory.
11 . The tag of claim 10 , wherein the first power circuitry, first transmission unit, and first memory are embodied on a first integrated circuit, and the second transmission unit and second memory are embodied upon a second integrated circuit, the first and second integrated circuits are electrically coupled to one another for provision of power from the first power circuitry to the second transmission unit and second memory.
12 . The tag of claim 11 , further comprising a second antenna coupled to the second transmission unit.
13 . The tag of claim 12 , wherein the first transmission unit and first antenna are configured to transmit on the first carrier frequency, and the second transmission unit and second antenna are configured to transmit on the second carrier frequency.
14 . The tag of claim 8 , wherein the data stored in the memory includes a number uniquely identifying an animal.
15 . The tag of claim 8 , wherein, upon receipt of an indication that the transmitted data was received by a base station, the transponder is configured to enter a refractory period so that the transponder does not generate a transmission until expiration of the refractory period.
16 . The tag of claim 8 , wherein the transponder is configured to pause for a delay period, prior to generating a transmission in response to a transmission from a base station.
17 . The tag of claim 8 , wherein the data stored in the memory includes a number uniquely identifying an animal, and wherein the transponder is configured to generate an abbreviated number, which is the difference between the unique identifying number and another number.
18 . A method of manufacturing a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, for identification of animals, the method comprising:
providing a flexible substrate;
disposing a first coil upon the substrate;
coupling a first integrated circuit to the first coil;
rolling the flexible substrate to produce a rolled tag;
enclosing the rolled tag in a wrap, the wrap being effective for sealing the RFID system from the surroundings.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the integrated circuit comprises a transmission unit, power circuitry, and a memory unit, and wherein the method further comprises writing a number uniquely identifying an animal to the memory.
20 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising accessing a data store, to determine the unique identification number, prior to writing the number to the memory.
21 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising accessing a server to obtain a lot of identification numbers hitherto unassigned to other animals within a political boundary, and selecting the unique identification number for storage in the memory from said lot of unassigned numbers.
22 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
disposing a second coil upon the substrate;
coupling a second integrated circuit to the second coil.
23 . The method of claim 22 , further comprising electrically coupling the first and second integrated circuits.
24 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the first integrated circuit and first coil are configured to cooperate to transmit upon a first carrier frequency, and the second integrated circuit and second coil are configured to cooperate to transmit upon a second carrier frequency.
25 . An identification tag for an animal, the tag comprising:
an RFID system, a flexible substrate, and a wrap;
the tag being configured with a rolled flexible substrate;
the wrap sealing the RFID system from the surroundings;
the RFID system comprising:
a first circuit including a memory subunit, a power subunit, and a first transmit subunit, the subunits electrically connected to each other;
a second circuit including a second transmit subunit, the second circuit electrically connected to the first circuit;
an antenna connected to the first circuit;
the power subunit of the first circuit configured to generate an electrical current when a radio signal is received by the antenna, and delivers this current to the first transmit subunit;
the first transmit subunit configured to transmit a first signal at a first frequency when it receives electrical current from the power subunit, the first signal encoding at least a first portion of any data within the memory subunit;
the second circuit configured to transmit a second signal at a second frequency when it when it receives electrical current from the power subunit, the second signal encoding at least a second portion of any data within the memory subunit.