METHOD OF TRACKING AN ANIMAL USING MICRORADIOS
A microradio is provided with a hysteretic switch to permit an optimum range increasing charging cycle, with the charging cycle being long relative to the transmit cycle. Secondly, an ensemble of microradios permits an n 2 power enhancement to increase range with coherent operation. Various multi-frequency techniques are used both for parasitic powering and to isolate powering and transmit cycles. Applications for microradios and specifically for ensembles of microradios include authentication, tracking, fluid flow sensing, identification, terrain surveillance including crop health sensing and detection of improvised explosive devices, biohazard and containment breach detection, and biomedical applications including the use of microradios attached to molecular tags to destroy tagged cells when the microradios are activated. Microradio deployment includes the use of paints or other coatings containing microradios, greases and aerosols. Moreover, specialized antennas, including microcoils, mini dipoles, and staircase coiled structures are disclosed, with the use of nano-devices further reducing the size of the microradios.
1 - 77 . (canceled)
78 . A method for tracking an animal, comprising the steps of:
embedding a parasitically powered ensemble of microradios in the animal;
parasitically powering the microradios embedded in the animal; and,
detecting emissions from the parasitically powered microradios to establish the position of the animal.
79 . The method of claim 78 , and further including developing a track of the animal based on the emissions from the ensemble of microradios.
80 . The method of claim 78 , and further including the step of providing each ensemble of microradios embedded in the animal with a code identifying the particular animal; having the transmitters emit the code upon parasitic powering; and detecting the identity of the animal from the emissions from the ensemble of microradios.
81 - 93 . (canceled)
94 . A method for tracking an animal comprising the step of attaching a microradio to an animal and then monitoring positions of said animal.
95 - 99 . (canceled)
100 . The method of claim 78 , wherein the ensemble of microradios is dispersed in a fluid.
101 . The method of claim 100 , wherein embedding a parasitically powered ensemble of microradios is accomplished via injection of the ensemble of microradios dispersed in a fluid.
102 . The method of claim 78 , wherein the animal's body is a naturally radiative surface.
103 . The method of claim 78 , wherein the ensemble of microradios is charged from ambient radiation.
104 . The method of claim 78 , wherein the ensemble of microradios includes nano elements.
105 . An animal tracking system comprising:
an ensemble of parasitically powered microradios configured to be embedded in an animal and emit tracking data; and
a detection system configured to receive tracking data emitted from the ensemble of microradios.
106 . The animal tracking system of claim 105 , further comprising a parasitic power source configured to parasitically power the ensemble of microradios.
107 . The animal tracking system of claim 105 , wherein the ensemble of microradios is charged from ambient radiation.
108 . The animal tracking system of claim 105 , wherein the animal's body is a naturally radiative surface.
109 . The animal tracking system of claim 105 , wherein the ensemble of microradios is dispersed in a fluid.
110 . The animal tracking system of claim 109 , further comprising an injection device configured to inject the ensemble of microradios dispersed in the fluid into an animal.
111 . The animal tracking system of claim 105 , further comprising a polling system configured to transmit a polling signal to the ensemble of microradios.
112 . The animal tracking system of claim 111 , wherein the ensemble of microradios is configured to transmit a burst of tracking data upon detecting the polling signal.
113 . The animal tracking system of claim 112 , wherein the tracking data comprises identification data identifying the carrier of the ensemble of microradios.
114 . The animal tracking system of claim 112 , further comprising a database configured receive and index tracking data from the ensemble of microradios.
115 . The animal tracking system of claim 105 , wherein the ensemble of microradios includes nano elements.