Abstract: An animal monitoring system includes a temperature monitoring unit which is governed by a microcontroller, i.e., an electronic computer, and which is placed inside an animal's body, usually inside the birth canal. An inactive or sleep mode of the monitoring unit reduces battery drain. Periodically the monitoring unit enters an active mode during which a temperature of the surroundings is measured; the analog temperature is converted to digital data, then transmitted as an UHF, low-power radio signal via a self-contained antenna. A base unit receives the signal, displays the received temperature value, compares the received temperature value to a predetermined range of temperature values, and initiates an alarm condition if the received temperature is outside the predetermined range. The alarm condition also results if the animal strays and the signal is lost.

Abstract: A single reel data tape cartridge includes a base and a cover. The cover includes a rear wall, two opposing side walls, a front wall, and an upper wall connecting the rear, front, and side walls. The upper wall has an upper surface and a lower surface. A leader block area is formed in one of the corners of the upper wall and a strengthening rib is formed on the lower surface of the upper wall adjacent the leader block area. The strengthening rib partially encloses the leader block area. The portion of the upper wall adjacent the strengthening rib and outside of the leader block area is at least thicker than the portion of the upper wall in the leader block area.