Abstract: Systems and methods for companion animal health monitoring are described. In one embodiment, an animal health monitoring system including an electronic assembly located on a companion animal including a microprocessor, a power source connected to the microprocessor, and a transceiver and a microchip implanted in the companion animal and including memory storing identification data and a temperature sensor measuring the temperature of the companion animal, wherein the electronic assembly interrogates the microchip to obtain identification data and temperature data and transmits the identification data and the temperature data.

Abstract: Transponders are disclosed that are configurable to operate in an HDX mode and/or an FDX-B mode and that use a switchable load impedance across the transponders' resonant antenna circuit to induce amplitude and/or frequency modulation. One embodiment of the invention includes an inductive antenna including two terminals connected to tag circuitry, where the inductive antenna forms a resonant antenna circuit tuned to resonate at the frequency of the activation signal. The tag circuitry and the resonant antenna circuitry are configurable as an oscillator, the tag circuitry is configured to be powered by electric current induced in the resonant antenna circuit, includes at least one switchable load impedance connected across the antenna resonant circuit, configured to amplitude modulate the activation signal appearing at the resonant antenna circuit terminals using a switchable load impedance, and to frequency shift key modulate the oscillator signal appearing at the resonant antenna circuit terminals.

Abstract: Systems and methods for animal health monitoring are described. In one embodiment, an animal health monitoring system includes a ruminant bolus transponder, a high frequency radio frequency transceiver device, and at least one base station including a high frequency radio frequency transceiver, wherein the high frequency radio frequency transceiver device is proximally located to the bolus transponder, wherein the ruminant bolus periodically emerges from a low power dormant state and measures data including at least one sensor measurement including time and date data, wherein the ruminant bolus is configured to store the measured data using the memory connected to the microcontroller in the ruminant bolus, wherein the ruminant bolus periodically emerges from a low power dormant state and transmits the stored data in the memory to the proximally located device via high frequency RF transmission, and wherein the ruminant bolus can be spontaneously activated by a low frequency scanner.

Abstract: Systems and methods for animal health monitoring are described. In one embodiment, an animal health monitoring system includes a ruminant bolus transponder, a high frequency radio frequency transceiver device, and at least one base station including a high frequency radio frequency transceiver, wherein the high frequency radio frequency transceiver device is proximally located to the bolus transponder, wherein the ruminant bolus periodically emerges from a low power dormant state and measures data including at least one sensor measurement including time and date data, wherein the ruminant bolus is configured to store the measured data using the memory connected to the microcontroller in the ruminant bolus, wherein the ruminant bolus periodically emerges from a low power dormant state and transmits the stored data in the memory to the proximally located device via high frequency RF transmission, and wherein the ruminant bolus can be spontaneously activated by a low frequency scanner.

Abstract: In an inductively coupled radio frequency identification (RFID) system deployed in animal and livestock applications, reading system efficacy can be compromised by animal movement on, around, or near metal structures prone to producing sonic frequencies. Such is the case, for example, when a walk-by antenna is mounted at the entry door of a livestock transport trader, and animals transit on a metallic ramp and metallic trader floor. Associated with the observable acoustic noise are subtle disturbances in the magnetic field surrounding the antenna due to vibrating metal altering the reluctance of the antenna's magnetic field. This acoustic noise manifests itself as an electrical noise phenomenon that interferes with the signals of certain types of identification tags which rely on amplitude modulation.

Abstract: Transponders are disclosed that are configurable to operate in an HDX mode and/or an FDX-B mode and that use a switchable load impedance across the transponders' resonant antenna circuit to induce amplitude and/or frequency modulation. One embodiment of the invention includes an inductive antenna including two terminals connected to tag circuitry, where the inductive antenna forms a resonant antenna circuit tuned to resonate at the frequency of the activation signal. The tag circuitry and the resonant antenna circuitry are configurable as an oscillator, the tag circuitry is configured to be powered by electric current induced in the resonant antenna circuit, includes at least one switchable load impedance connected across the antenna resonant circuit, configured to amplitude modulate the activation signal appearing at the resonant antenna circuit terminals using a switchable load impedance, and to frequency shift key modulate the oscillator signal appearing at the resonant antenna circuit terminals.

Abstract: Transponders are disclosed that are configurable to operate in an HDX mode and/or an FDX-B mode and that use a switchable load impedance across the transponders' resonant antenna circuit to induce amplitude and/or frequency modulation. An RF level detection circuit determines when the instantaneous activation signal strength is sufficient to support monoplex, multiplex, and diplex operation. A non-volatile memory stores identification data coded in HDX and FDX-B formats. One embodiment of the invention includes an inductive antenna including two terminals connected to tag circuitry, where the inductive antenna forms a resonant antenna circuit tuned to resonate at the frequency of the activation signal.

Abstract: In an inductively coupled radio frequency identification (RFID) system deployed in animal and livestock applications, reading system efficacy can be compromised by animal movement on, around, or near metal structures prone to producing sonic frequencies. Such is the case, for example, when a walk-by antenna is mounted at the entry door of a livestock transport trader, and animals transit on a metallic ramp and metallic trader floor. Associated with the observable acoustic noise are subtle disturbances in the magnetic field surrounding the antenna due to vibrating metal altering the reluctance of the antenna's magnetic field. This acoustic noise manifests itself as an electrical noise phenomenon that interferes with the signals of certain types of identification tags which rely on amplitude modulation.

Abstract: A resonant antenna circuit for a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader generates an electrical signal for activating a passive identification tag. The identification tag in turn generates a coded electrical signal that is detected by the reader. The electrical characteristics of the resonant circuit are actively and dynamically altered so that the antenna performs more optimally during the transmit and receive intervals.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for reading EID tags in difficult to reach locations using a portable RFID reader. In many embodiments, the system includes a portable RFID reader and one or more stationary antenna assemblies. The stationary antenna assemblies typically include a loop antenna in a first location and a ferrite antenna in a second location. EID tags in the reading zone of the loop antenna can be read using the portable RFID reader via an inductive coupling between the resonant antenna in the portable RFID reader and the ferrite antenna in the stationary antenna assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for adapting a portable RFID reader to create a portable RFID reader assembly that includes an extension antenna. In many embodiments, the extension antenna can be added to increase the reach of the portable RFID reader. The extension antenna is inductively coupled to the portable RFID reader and in many embodiments, the extension antenna is retrofit to an existing portable RFID reader. In other embodiments, a portable RFID reader and one or more extension antennas are produced as part of a set.

Abstract: An injection-molded housing for a handheld portable electronic device employs a minimal number of parts. The housing, made of a thermoplastic elastomer, is watertight, buoyant and exceptionally rugged. Principal components of the housing snap together without the need for adhesive bonding or fasteners using a tongue-and-groove closure mechanism.