Abstract: A method for determining temperature from a transponder utilizing a thermistor and a running counter comprises providing a running count which varies as a function of temperature; latching the count at predetermined time intervals; determining the difference between the values of successive latched counts; aggregating the differences; determining the total elapsed time between a first latched count and a last latched count; dividing the aggregate by the total time to obtain a frequency; and converting the frequency to a temperature based upon the temperature frequency characteristics of the thermistor.

Abstract: A transponder includes a memory, the memory having a data region and a status byte region. A clock generator receives a program signal and outputs a data latch signal. An address module receives the address latch signal and addresses predetermined adresses in the memory. A program control reads the status byte from the memory and outputs a program enable signal in response thereto causing the clock generator to output the address latch in response to the program enable signal. The memory may further include a user lock region, where in the data stores characters therein and the user lock having a plurality of bits, each bit corresponding to a respective character. A lock status being stored in each bit of the user lock region to indicate whether the corresponding character may be reprogrammed.

Abstract: A passive transponder includes a receive antenna for receiving an input signal. A frequency generator and modulator receives the input signal and outputs a data carrier signal having a frequency independent of the input signal frequency. A programmable memory and thermistor are provided to produce user ID data and temperature data which is combined with the output signal.

Abstract: An improved identification marker and method of assembling the marker is provided, which includes the steps of providing a glass vial and filling the glass vial with a quick curing liquid to a predetermined volume corresponding to at least the volume wherein the unfilled volume of the vial is equal to the displacement volume of an IC circuit hybrid and antenna. The IC circuit hybrid and antenna are placed in the vial so as to be entirely enveloped by the liquid. A cap is placed on the vial and the liquid is cured. Preferably, the cap is an anti-migration cap so that when the transponder is implanted in an animal, it prevents the transponder from sliding out.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a characteristic sensor of a transponder having a memory characteristic of a host including the steps of placing a transponder in a liquid bath having a known temperature, measuring the value of the bath with the transponder, outputting the temperature value measured by the transponder, receiving the output signal and computing the temperature value of the bath, comparing the computed value of the bath with the known value of the bath and storing the difference between the computed value and the known value in a predetermined memory location in the transponder.

Abstract: A passive transponder including an antenna for receiving an input signal and transmitting an output and a memory for storing the data received by the transponder from an interrogator. The transponder can operate in either a read mode or a programming mode. The transponder includes an integrity circuit for indicating the integrity of the input signal, a monitoring circuit that monitors a characteristic of a host and an impedance modulator that prevents the overmodulation of the output signal.

Abstract: An antenna for programming a transponder in a partially shielded housing includes a non-metal spindle having a slot therein. The slot is adapted to receive the shielded housing containing the transponder. An exciter coil assembly is wound about the spindle so that the spindle positions the transponder relative to the exciter coil assembly so that the coil of the transponder antenna is coaxially aligned with the coil of the programming antenna.

Abstract: A passive transponder has a power antenna which receives a power signal and a communication antennas which receives a communication signal. An information generating circuit creates a second communication signal in response to the first communication signal and outputs the second communication signal through the communication antenna. The information generating circuit is powered by a power supply which outputs a voltage for powering the transponder in response to the power signal. The information generating circuit includes a reprogrammable EEPROM and an EEPROM interface circuit which operates on the EEPROM by retrieving and storing data in response to the instructions and data contained within the first communication signal.

Abstract: A passive transponder includes a receive antenna for receiving an input signal. A frequency generator and modulator receives the input signal and outputs a data carrier signal having a frequency independent of the input signal frequency. A programmable memory and thermistor are provided to produce user ID data and temperature data which is combined with the output signal.

Abstract: A passive transponder includes a receive antenna for receiving an input signal. A frequency generator and modulator receives the input signal and outputs a data carrier signal having a frequency independent of the input signal frequency. A programmable memory and thermistor are provided to produce user ID data and temperature data which is combined with the output signal.

Abstract: A system for receiving a signal from a passive transponder includes a probe which transmits an exciter signal having a first frequency and receives a signal from the transponder having a second frequency. The probe includes an antenna for transmitting the exciter signal. The antenna includes a second coil and a primary coil wound about the second coil. The second coil is tuned to resonate at the first frequency. A receiver is provided for driving the primary coil at the first frequency.

Abstract: A transponder scanner for scanning a passive transponder within a high noise environment has a housing. A ferrite rod is positioned within the housing. A high gauge thin wire is wound about the ferrite rod to form a magnetic coil so that adjacent coils of the magnetic coil are separated by a distance much greater than the diameter of the magnetic wire. A CPU receives the scanned signal corresponding to a preprogrammed code and an in house generated code and maps the preprogrammed code to the in house generated code.

Abstract: A system for receiving a signal from a passive transponder includes a probe which transmits an exciter signal having a first frequency and receives a signal from the transponder having a second frequency. The probe includes an antenna for transmitting the exciter signal. The antenna includes a second coil and a primary coil wound about the second coil. The second coil is tuned to resonate at the first frequency. A receiver is provided for driving the primary coil at the first frequency.

Abstract: A system for implanting a solid marker in an animal is provided. The apparatus includes a hollow tube having an entrance and an exit opening. A support is provided for supporting a hollow tube. A plunger is slideably disposed between a first position and a second position within the support. The plunger cooperates with the support and the tube. The plunger engages the marker proximate to the entrance opening of the tube, and ejects the marker through the tube when the plunger is moved from a first position to a second position. The hollow tubes are stored within the support in at least two groups. A gate prevents a tube from the second group from being displaced before the tubes from the first group as depleted.

Abstract: A system for implanting a solid marker in an animal is provided. The apparatus includes a hollow tube having an entrance and an exit opening. A support is provided for supporting a hollow tube. A plunger is slideably disposed between a first position and a second position within the support. The plunger cooperates with the support and the tube. The plunger engages the marker proximate to the entrance opening of the tube, and ejects the marker through the tube when the plunger is moved from a first position to a second position. The hollow tubes are stored within the support in at least two groups. A gate prevents a tube from the second group from being displaced before the tubes from the first group are depleted.

Abstract: A system for implanting a solid marker in an animal is provided. The apparatus includes a hollow tube having an entrance and an exit opening. A support is provided for supporting a hollow tube. A plunger is slideably disposed between a first position and a second position within the support. The plunger cooperates with the support and the tube. The plunger engages the marker proximate to the entrance opening of the tube, and ejects the marker through the tube when the plunger is moved from a first position to a second position. The hollow tubes are stored within the support in at least two groups. A gate prevents a tube from the second group from being displaced before the tubes from the first group are depleted.

Abstract: A system for implanting a solid marker in an animal is provided. The apparatus includes a hollow tube having an entrance and an exit opening. A support is provided for supporting a hollow tube. A plunger is slideably disposed between a first position and a second position within the support. The plunger cooperates with the support and the tube. The plunger engages the marker proximate to the entrance opening of the tube, and ejects the marker through the tube when the plunger is moved from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A system for implanting a solid marker in an animal is provided. The apparatus includes a hollow tube having an entrance and an exit opening. A support is provided for supporting a hollow tube. A plunger is slideably disposed between a first position and a second position within the support. The plunger cooperates with the support and the tube. The plunger engages the marker proximate to the entrance opening of the tube, and ejects the marker through the tube when the plunger is moved from a first position to a second position.