This application claims priority to U.S. Non-provisional Patent Application Number 14334641 filed on July 17, 2014 and U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 14334641 and U.S. Provisional Patent Serial Number 61/958074 filed on July 17, 2013, which are incorporated herein in there entirety by this reference thereto.

The disclosed device and method relate to animal and, alternatively, object identification. More particularly, the system herein relates to a device and method, enabling long range identification of individual tagged animals and objects, amongst a closely grouped plurality thereof, through the employment of a user-directed electromagnetic beam, which may be coherent light, which upon communication with a tag operatively positioned on an animal or object causes communication of an identifying response related specifically to the animal or object which is the recipient, of the directed light communication.

2. PRIOR ART

In the industrialized nations as well as third world areas of the world, millions of animals are herded and kept in close groups to supply milk, fabric, meat, and other products. For instance, in the production of beef, animals are maintained and fed by the thousands in confined, feeding operations known as "feed, lots" on large tracts of land. Such operations can have a population in the thousands of animals, and include animals which are owned by a plurality of different owners.

Such a commercial enterprise conventionally houses animals from differing owners and thus it is paid for differing animal stock, from the large maintained herd of animals, owned by different parties. This creates a need for identification of each of the animals in a highly reliable manner. The same is tme, for instance, for vehicles being run through an automotive auction or otherwise closely grouped in a parking lot, or for large areas where machinery may be adjacently stored, such as venues where hundreds of metal components are cured and weathered before use in an industrial plant,

In the case of animals, past identification has included plastic (visual) ear-tags and, more recently, electronically readable tags employing RFID radio frequency technologies. In the case of other objects, and even humans, for instance at ball game or concert, or skiing on a crowded mountain, RFID technologies have also provided a means for individual

identification of each person, from the masses of people or objects in the large group, when the persons wearing the RF ^' ID impregnated tag reach a reading gate.

However, visual tags are not easily discerned when viewed, from a distance, even with the aid of binoculars or the like, especially at odd angles, RFID type tags and similar RF identifiers conventionally require the object, person, or animal bearing the RFID identifier to move to a position proximate to a gate or other device which is capable of eliciting the electronic signal from the RFID. While highly accurate as to the object, animal, or person to which they relate, RFID-enabled and bar code type tagging systems are generally not readable from a distance of many feet or yards in passive mode. In modes of RFID which employ batteries which may transmit irrespective of an energized gate, such have not faired well due to short battery life and the rigors of operation on an animal in a harsh outdoor environment which can be wet, frozen, and continually affected by vibration from animal movement. Other modes of RFID and bar coded and similar tags also provide problems with visual

identification of the individual item or person or animal when a large cl ose group becomes proximate to a reading gate. While the gate may determine who or what is proximate, a viewing user cannot determine which item, person, or object relates to the information returned nor can they choose individual animals visually to identify.

As such, there is an unmet need for an identification system which provides highly accurate individualized identification, of distant, closely-spaced objects persons, or animals. Such a system should enable the user to visually identify an individual animal, person, or object from a distance, and then use the system to provide the user detained information on the visually sighted animal, person, or object. Such a system should also overcome the other shortcomings of existing electronic identification systems, such as bar codes, ear tags, and RFID components, which, even at short distances, frequently lack the ability to discern information about targeted individual animals, objects, or people who are closely spaced, and/or positioned at l onger distances such as a distance which exceeds the beamwidth of the reading device.

The forgoing examples of related art and limitations related, therewith are intended to be il lustrative and not exclusive, and they do not imply any limitations on the identification system and method described and claimed herein. Various additional limitations of the related art will become apparent to those skilled, in the art upon a reading and understanding of the specification below and the accompanying drawings. SUMMARY OF TH E INVENTION

The present invention provides users a means for identifying single objects, animals, or persons at larger distances, and immediately discerning communicated information concerning the user-targeted object or animal. Unlike existing systems, the device and method herein allows for the identification of these single objects or animals or persons when they are in a closely-spaced group, and/or in a position a large distance from the identifier. The system herein achieves this utility through the use of a directed electromagnetic beam which can be in the RF spectrum but preferably is employed using narrow coherent light beam or laser communication which is configured to allow a user to choose an individual, object, or person by aiming a query device emitting a coherent energy beam at the chosen frequency at the user-determined target. Concurrently, the user may thereby query a return of information from an individual electronic identification "tag" which is reactive to the received beam communication and which is operatively engaged with the object, person, or animal. The projected beam from the query device preferably has a landing diameter at the target sized to render it easily aimed at the target animal or object to cause the tag to react and return information so it need not be pencil-thin upon contact with the target and. a diameter of a few inches may be preferable to render the device and method easily operative. The important aspect is that the communicated beam of energy be a coherent targetable beam which will cause the resulting response from targeted animal or object, and the tag engaged therewith.

The disclosed tag device, and method herein, is adapted for engagement upon an animal, person, or object, and, so positioned, the device will detect a communicated query from a directed emitted coherent energy or light signal communicated from the query device. While the specification herein describes the communication of a coherent beam as light based., which is preferable in the visual spectrum to allow user aiming, the use of a beam of RF energy or light beyond human visual perception can also be employed and is anticipated within the scope of this in vention herein and is to be included where the term light or laser is employed.

Upon detection of a communicated coherent beam of light or other coherent beam of directed energy employed in the system, a tag is configured to then respond with an identifier, such as identification code, and/or with an identification code in combination with data held in onboard electronic memory. Alternatively, the tag of the system is configured to respond with data only, which may be employed using communication with an available relational database, to identify the animal or object, or used otherwise to discern information concerning the object, animal, or person to which the generated response relates.

A benefit of the employment of a laser or directed narrow beam of light, or energy having a focused cross section adapted to communicate a query to the tags engaged to the object, animal, or person is the ability for the user to choose a target and then aim the query device and send a signal using a coherent beam of light, such as a laser, which communicates from the sending query device to the tag at a very narrow beamwidth upon communication therewith. The directed light may be emitted using an LED enabled laser or other laser device in any visual or invisible light spectrum available or it may be through the use of directable coherent energy, such as a microwave, with suitable means to aim and direct it to a target. The use of such a user-aimed extremely narrow coherent beam signal to choose the animal, person, or object desired, and elicit a response, is a significant advance over a conventional radio-frequency sending devices which are not selective as to discerned targets amongst a crowd.

Additionally, because the energy or light frequency employed by the sending device of the query component is preferably made visible or in the visual spectrum, contact with a target of a coherent beam or laser beam can be seen by the user employing it. This allows for very selective user targeting of individuals from closely grouped objects or animals from which to seek information. Of course, a sight may be provided where the coherent beam of electromagnetic energy or light is not visible to the user and which is sighted in on the landing of the distal end. of the projected coherent beam so visually sighting or targeting herein can mean either the employment of a means for sighting or determining the landing of the coherent beam, or actually viewing it visually.

In all modes, communicating the coherent beam is accomplished by a simple pointing toward the object, person, or animal of interest of the narrow or coherent beam emission to a communication with a tag surface to elicit a response. As noted, if the coherent beam or the laser is outside the visible spectnim, such as at infrared wavelengths, a means for targeting by a user of an animal or object and the tag thereon, such as a simple optical scope with cross hairs, can provide the user with a targeting means for where the coherent beam or laser is communicating at its distal end, or the user may employ glasses or goggles having lenses or filters enabling them to view the projected beam during use.

In operation, the identifying response generated by the engaged ID tag receiving the coherent beam or light transmission from a user can be transmitted using a radio-frequency ID signal, it can be an on-off retro-reflected signal emitted from the tag in response to the communication of the laser or directed light beam thereto, or it can be by a light-based signal emanating from an onboard LED or other means to project a light signal response. The responding communication from the engaged ID tag, as noted, can include a visually discemable or electronically transmitted identifier and/or data. It can also include the activation of a visually perceptible identifier upon or in engagement with the ID tag such that a third party other than the aiming user can also discern information concerning the animal, person, or object wearing the ID tag.

As noted, in all preferred modes of the device and method, the employed coherent energy beam, laser, or light beam query signal from a targeted query device is communicated with a very narrow beamwidth. Thus, the visual landing point or a targeting device may be used to point at or select a single tag at very long distances even when that tag is located adjacent or in the midst of many other animals or objects bearing closely spaced tags. By aiming the means for targeting or the actual emitted light beam, and using his unaided eyes or a telescopic site, the user can thus pick a single tag of a single animal or object out of hundreds in a group to communicate the emitted beam communication thereto and thereby elicit a response to such a query from very a long distance. If aided by binoculars or a telescope, or telescopic sight, that distance can be in the hundreds or even thousands of yards since coherent energy beams or laser beams will, traverse such distances with ease without significant divergence of the original diameter of the communicated beamwidth.

The beam divergence of an electromagnetic beam is an angular measure of the increase in beam diameter or radius with distance from the optical aperture or antenna aperture from which the electromagnetic beam emerges. The term is relevant only in the "far field," away from any focus of the beam. Practically speaking, however, the far field can commence physically close to the radiating aperture, depending on aperture diameter and the operating wavelength of the projecting energy or light beam.

Beam divergence is often used to characterize electromagnetic beams in the optical regime, for cases in which the aperture from which the beam emerges is very large with respect to the wavelength. That said, it is also used in the Radio Frequency (RF) regime for cases in which the antenna is operating in the so-called optical region and is likewise very large relative to a wavelength.

However, beam divergence conventionally and herein also refers to a beam of energy or light of a circular cross section upon communication with a surface or target, but not necessarily so. A beam may, for example, have an elliptical cross section, in which case, the orientation of the beam divergence must be specified, for example, with respect to the major or minor axis of the elliptical cross section. It is well known that the divergence of a coherent beam of directed energy or coherent light beam can be calculated and can be easily fixed, or adjusted, using lenses and/or changes in frequency, or other means for focusing at the emanating point to achieve the desired cross sectional area of communication with a target. Thus, the coherent beam herein, whether energy, visible, or invisible light, should have a cross sectional area on communication with a target, such as a tag, that renders it easily aimed and communicated to the tag, and the beam generating component may employ optical or RF lenses or other means for focusing the emanated coherent beam to a cross section on communication of the beam with a tag which is sufficiently wide to easily maintain momentary communication and to elicit a response. However, the cross section

communicated should not be too wide so as to impact more than a single tag in close group thereof. For instance, between 1/4 inch and 24 inches in cross section would work well to provide such targeted communication, although such may vary depending on the application, closeness of the tags, and distance of the target. Thus, the query device having the means for communicating a coherent beam of light or energy may also have a lens or aperture, frequency variance, or other means for focusing the projected beam to achieve the cross section a t the point of communication of the coherent beam with the targeted tag and such would be preferable,

When the laser or coherent beam query signal images on or communicates with a light sensor or receiver, operatively engaged with a tag on the target, such will generate a current which may be electronical ly detected by appropriate circuitry on the tag. Using a

microprocessor or other component which may be powered by a battery, or by the current from the received light beam or coherent energy beam, and using software adapted to the task of discerning a beam communication, the successful communication will elicit a return signal in the form of an electronic or visually transmitted identifier such as an ID code and/or a communication in return back to a receiver proximate to the user, a third party, or component in the form of data stored, in onboard electronic memory.

In one preferred mode of the device and method, such data and/or identifier can be communicated back to the sending device, and/or another device adapted for reception of such tag communications, through modulating a retro reflective surface operatively positioned on the tag between "on" and "off positions (reflecting and not reflecting), or by communication of an RF signal of the data or identifier, or both. This digital or on/off communication may be triggered by the communication of the laser or narrow light beam with the tag and thereby eliciting the response by a transmitter operatively engaged to communicate upon discerning a successful receipt of a. light signal query from a. user.

If used, a retro reflective response signal employs a reflector, configured to refl ect light energy from the sending device, back in the direction of original communication. Such retro reflective materials are employed on highway signs so that the light from headlights is reflected, back to the vehicle from which the original light, was emitted thereby providing a means for communicating reflected light, and thus a message from the sign, in a manner brighter than if the sign were simply illuminated.

In one preferred mode of the device and method herein, an electronically-controlled optical shutter, such as a. liquid-crystal display, or LCD which varies in transparency using a controller, or even electrically powered mechanically operated shutter, is positioned in front of a retro reflector or retro reflective surface. Thus, the shutter is positioned in-between the communication of the coherent beam or laser being transmitted to the tag and. its reflective surface.

In operation, when the communicated coherent beam or laser query signal

communicates to the retro reflector, while the shutter is open or "on," the transmitted light reflects back substantially toward the original light emitting query device being employed. A reader is engaged thereon or located proximate to the light-emitting device and adapted to read or communicate electronically, such a response communication from an energized tag.

When the shutter is closed or "off." limited or no light from the communicated laser beam is reflected back to the reading component. Employing an onboard electronic circuit and microprocessor running software, if necessary, a pattern of durations of reflected and non-reflected light can be generated to provide a code as a means to communicate the tag identifier or ID Code and/or an ID code phis data stored in onboard electronic memory on the device. As noted, the shutter can be a liquid crystal display which varies in transparency to modulate the reflected laser beam to encode the indenter or data or it could be mechanical.

In a mode employing active light-based communication, since conventional LCD displays are very power efficient, a retro reflective tag with an LCD and liquid crystal shutter can be employed in an energized state at all times, such that the shutter causes a continually blinking of the light emitted from the LCD and communication of data from the stored information resident in tag memory. Alternatively, LED's can be employed without the LCD and shutter and communicate in multiple directions upon communication of a light beam by a user.

In all modes of the device and method herein, such an LCD-enabled tag can be powered by solar cells, slow discharge capacitors, or onboard battery, or by a combination thereof. Employing such a tag having LCD's, which are only blinking to broadcast a visually discernabie ID code and/or data, will use such a small current they can run for years off of a very small battery, such as wrist watch battery.

As mentioned previously, the advantage and object of the system and device herein is the ability for a user to employ a means for targeting and select a single animal, object, or person, bearing a single tag, at a long distance, from a group of closely spaced animals, objects, or persons wearing tags, and to subsequently receive an identifier such as an ID code and/or data from that one user-selected tag. Since the coherent energy or laser query signal allows the user to communicate a query to the tag of individual animals, objects or persons with great accuracy, the response signal does not have to be by retro-reflection of the laser beam itself. Instead, the query laser signal communicated to the tag can provide a discernible query code to electronic sensors and/or software running on a microprocessor of the tag, to trigger the tag to transmit an RF or light signal response which carries the identifier, or, it can also trigger a non-retro-reflected optically-communicated signal of the identifier and/or data relating with the tag which may be cross referenced through communication with an a vailable database to discern the identity and other data concerning the animal, person, or object wearing it.

With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the herein disclosed identification system in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components in the fol lowing description or illustrated in the draw ings. The invention herein described is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried, out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art, will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other structures, identification methods, and systems for earning out the several purposes of the present disclosed device. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart, from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

As used in the claims to describe the various inventive aspects and embodiments, "comprising" means including, but not limited to, whatever follows the word "comprising." Thus, use of the term "comprising" indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present. By

"consisting of is meant including, and limited to, whatever follows the phrase "consisting of." Thus, the phrase "consisting of indicates that the listed elements are required or mandator}', and that no other elements may be present. By "consisting essentially of" is meant including any elements listed after the phrase, and limited to other elements that do not interfere with or contribute to the activity or action specified in the disclosure for the listed elements. Thus, the phrase "consisting essentially of indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and may or may not, be present, depending upon whether or not they affect the activity or action of the listed elements. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It, is an object, of the invention to provide a significantly improved means for discerning information concerning animals, objects, or persons, located at a distance and/or in a group, using a tag system activated by light transmission to communicate data.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide such a system which allows a. user to target an individual animal, object, or person through communication of a laser or narrow light beam which a user targets and communicates.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a device and method, which can employ the selecting light beam itself as a source of electrical power for optical transmission of a response communication.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present tagging and identification device and, method, as well as the advantages thereof o ver existing prior art, which will become apparent from the description to follow, are accomplished by the novel improvements described in this specification and as described in the following detailed description which fully discloses the invention, which however in no manner should be considered as placing any limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, exampl es of embodiments and/or features. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting.

Figure 1 depicts the device and method herein allowing for user targeting and querying for information from a tagged object or animal at a distance and in close grouping.

Figure 2 is a depiction of the operation of the retro reflective tag mode of the system and device herein.

Figure 3 show the operation of the system herein in a non retro reflective mode.

Figure 4 depicts the operation of the system using retro refl ected communications of tag identifiers and/or data concerning the animal or object attached thereto.

Figure 5 shows a graphic rendition of one manner of operation of the user targetable query component and reader subsystems employable for response communications,

Figure 6 shows a mode of retro reflective tag which is employable with the system herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TH E PREFERRED EMBODIMENT'S OF THE INVENTION

In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right, and other such terms refer to the device or system as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only. The employment of such terms, thus, is not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

In accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention provides a highly accurate system for user targeting of a single object, person, or animal, in a closely spaced group, positioned at a long distance from the inquiry position of the user, to obtain data or identification thereof. It should be again noted that the system employs a coherent energy beam of focused energy having a diameter on contact with a targeted tag 16, sufficient to communicate with a single tag 16 amongst many closely grouped and, while coherent light in the visually discemable spectmm is a favored mode due to the ability of the light contacting a. target to be the means for targeting, a properly calibrated sight on a beam projecting component of a query component 1 1 allowing a user to target an individual animal or object tag 16 will also work with either a projected visible or non visible coherent energy or light beam, and such is anticipated in ail modes of the system 11 herein.

The tags 16 may be adapted to engage with the animal or object using connectors, belts, pins, adhesive, or any other means for operative engagement to the respective animal or object which is suitable to the operating environment in which the tag 16 will be employed.

In one preferred mode of operation of the system 10, as can be discerned in figures 1 - 5, a means for transmission of a coherent energy beam to a targeted tag 16 to a

communication therewith in a. cross sectional area, is shown as a laser 14 beam from a query component 11. The communicated outgoing laser 14 beam can be adapted to communicate a query code 15 which is modulated onto the outgoing laser 14 beam, or coherent beam light signal in the 350nm to 750 nm frequency range, so as to be visible to a human upon contact with a surface of a tag 16. Where a non- visible coherent light or energy beam is projected from the query component 11, a sight 19 thereon calibrated to the landing communication position for a cross sectional area of the projected beam can be employed. Visually viewing the contact point of the laser 14, or viewing the calibrated contact surface of the sighted tag 16 through the sight 19, will allow the user to choose and target an individual animal or object bearing a tag 16, in real time, by viewing the cross sectional communication of the distal end of the laser 14 or the contact surface through a calibrated sight 19 for the communication point of the projected coherent energy beam such as a low power laser 14 or other coherent light or projected, coherent energy beam which will not harm the targeted, animal or object.

The sight 19 may be a telescopic or magnified sight and can be employed by the user to aim the projected beam from the query component 1 1 by discerning where the projected light, energy beam, or laser 14 will contact with the animal and tag 16 of choice. Such coherent energy or light shown as laser 14 light, may be generated, for example, by a laser diode which will easily produce a beam of l ight reaching hundreds or thousands of yards using less than one watt of electrical energy. As noted above, it is well known to those skilled in the art. that lenses and apertures, frequency changes, and. other means for focusing 13 the coherent beam projected to achieve a. desired cross section or diameter on contact with the target, can be employed to widen or narrow the diameter of the cross section of the projected beam on contact with a target at various ranges, and. such may be included as part of the laser or beam projecting device employed on the query component. 1 1 herein. Employment of such a means for focusing 13 can, for instance, allow formation of the cross section on contact with a target between ½ inch to 24 inches or more, depending on the distance of the target and closeness of the group of tags 16. Such is anticipated as a good range for the targeted cross section.

Using an onboard processor running software adapted to the task of validation of an incoming query signal or query code 15, in a received signal carried within the coherent light beam or laser 14, the query code 15 may be validated 21 by the tag 16 before initiating the return transmission or response signal 17 to a receiving device or reader 20 which will communicate the response to discern an identifier and/or other data from electronic memory _' 23 occurs. Of course, in the simplest mode of the system 11, where security is not an issue, the actual receipt of a communication of the beam of coherent light or focused energy, by the tag 16 alone, may be sufficient to elicit the response signal 17, and such could be employed in low security instances.

In order to have some form of control over whether a non-retro reflective tag 16 transmits to store tag-stored energy 26 within a battery or capacitor or other means for stored electric power, and to avoid interference from multiple simultaneous tag transmissions, the system 10 may employ some form of electronic circuit or software configured, for

decision/ validation 21 when a valid query code 15, transmitted within the outgoing laser 14 or light beam, has been received by the light or other photo detector 27 or sensor producing an electric signal employable to ascertain receipt of the beam by the tag 16. This, as noted, may be software-based or by electronic reader adapted to discern only the query code 15 to close a switch, or by other means as would occur to those skilled in the art.

As noted in the figures herein, this query code 15 and its validation 21 control electronics in the tag 16 to prevent a response signal 17 to invalid inquiries. It will be appreciated that this validation 21 can be accomplished in many ways as would occur to those in the art where data can be encoded into a coherent light beam, such as 1) ascertaining arrival of a sufficiently strong light signal at an expected wavelength between 350nm and 750nm, 2) using a modulated signal carried on the beam of cohering light or laser 14, which can include a coded sequence such as a simple digital or on-off square wave modulation of the laser 14 communication, such as a 38KHZ ON-OFF modulation of the laser 14 communication, or 3) other modulation of a coherent light beam or laser 14 transmission from the query component 11 employed by the user targeting a tag 16 visually or with a sight 19. The use of

cryptographic query signals might also be employed as described elsewhere in this

application.

In modes of the system 10 herein employing a non-retro reflective response signal 17, the outgoing light beam or laser 14 from the query component 11 bearing a. query code 15, and the receiver 20 for the response signal 17, do not have to be co-located as they do in the retro-reflective mode. (The retro-reflector 30 reflects the signal back in substantially the same direction of origination so its receiver 20 must be substantially at that location.) Because the query component 11 transmitting the coherent light beam or laser 14 employed by a user in targeting a tag 16 and the receiver 20 do not have to be co-located in the non retro-reflective mode of the system 10, they may be physically separated, if desired, or if such pro vides a data gathering advantage.

Furthermore, the user- targeted query component 11 generating the targeted coherent light beam or laser 14 may have an associated receiver 20 for responding information communicated in the response signal 17 from a queried tag 16, or the receiver 20 might be remotely located from the coherent light beam or laser 14 generated from the query component 11 , and/or multiple receivers 20 might be employed for gathering data in the response signal 17. These multiple receivers 20, and the user-activated and targeted query component 11 generating the coherent light beam or laser 14, can be networked, or they may communicate with each other as described elsewhere herein,

In modes of the system 10 where the response signal 17 is encoded with an identifier or other ID signal which will return directly to the querying device 11 which has an onboard reader 20, such a response reader 20 can be equipped with electronic means to discern the communicated identifier or ID signal carried in the response signal 17. Such an electronic means to discern can include one or a combination of a radio-frequency receiving device for a radio-frequency response signal 17 if employed instead of or in combination with an optical response signal 17 bearing an identifier or other ID data, or the reader 20 may simply employ an optical signal receiving means for reading an optical response signal 17 having an identifier or ID signal and generating an electronic signal relating thereto. Such an optical signal, as noted, may be generated by an LED or other means for light projection operatively engaged on the tag 16, or may be provided, as noted, by the coherent light or laser 14 from the querying device 11 employed by the user in targeting the object or animal bearing the responding tag 16.

In another mode of the system, a simplified reader 20 and/or query component 11 may be employed which only triggers the response signal 17 bearing the identifier communication from a tag 16, but does not actually read it or discern from stored data or a database the associated object or animal to the tag 16. For example, a laser 14 carried query code 15 or signal to the user-identified tag 16 can be communicated from the query component 1 1 to the targeted tag 16 which can respond, by emitting a response signal 17 bearing the tag identifier which is actually received by a response receiving means or receiver 20 at another location or at multiple other locations.

One such use, of many uses, would be the employment of a laser query component 11, having a means to generate a coherent projected energy beam 12, such as the laser 14, which can be targeted by the user in real time to a tag 16 on a targeted animal or object, to choose and identify multiple individual animals being off-loaded from a truck. The trigger generating a laser 14 communication from the query component 11 can trigger communication of response signals 17 bearing identifiers or ID signals from the animals one at a time as they are individually targeted by the user. The response signals 17 bearing the tag 16 identifier or ID signals can concurrently be picked up by a receiver 20 more proximate to the targeted animal which is in communication with an animal inventory computer system. The important point in this aspect of the invention is that the query component 11 that triggers the identifier or the ID signals to be emitted does not have to have ID-signal receiver 20 means attached to it, although it can. Additionally, the response signals 17 may be optical or low power RF, This allows for instance a user to target animals with tags 16 across a 100 yard arena and nearby proximate receivers 20 such as surrounding a corral or pen, which will communicate the identifier of the tags 16 of targeted animals to local receivers 20 which can communicate over a network to computing devices which can employ the information as needed concerning the animals. Thus, one user, even many yards away, can ascertain and target the animals requiring a communicated tag 16 identifier to be communicated and then initiate the response signals 17 as needed by targeting the tags 16 by a user.

In another mode, the user query component 11 can have a receiver 20 for the response signals 17 bearing the identifier or data or ID signals concurrently with additional receivers 20 which are also receiving the same tag 16 identifier and data in the response signal 17. There does not need to be a one to one correspondence between the user-triggered query component 11 and a receiver 20. Furthermore, there can be multiple combination

reader/query components 11 operating at the same general time. This can be done by simple coordination so that response signals 17 bearing identifiers are not emitted simultaneously or if they are, those identifiers in the response signals 17 are communicated, to a buffer or in a. way similar to the manner etheraet data collisions are avoided. In the example identifying a group of animals being off loaded from a truck, two or more users can employ query components 11 to trigger response signals 17 bearing identifiers from animals bearing tags 16 but situated on different sides of the herd or group of animals.

In the retro-reflected mode of the system 10 herein, such as shown, in figure 4, because the retro reflected response signals 17 bearing the identifier and/or data communicate substantially back in the direction of the source of the emitted cohering light or laser 14 from a query component 11 which may be combined with both the laser 14 and reader 20, multiple query component/readers can operate simultaneously. Such a mode will operate even when multiple users employ query components 11 to elicit response signals 17 from the same tag 16 at the same time. This is because the response signal 17, from each respective retro- reflected light source, returns only in. a direction substantially toward that source from the individual query component! 1 , and not in the other directions where other readers 20 on other query components 1 1 may be operating.

Security Encrypted Signals

The query signal or query code 15 of the system 10 herein, can be very simple or it can have various levels of complexity to avoid false or unwanted triggering of response signals 17 and carried identifiers, data, or other ID signals. The query code 15 can also be encrypted so that a triggered response signal 17 will only occur when a secure, valid query code 15 is sent and discerned by the software or electronics adapted to discern validity on a receiving tag 16.

For example, in the laser 14 transmission resulting in a retro reflective implementation of the system 10, such can be used as a means for identification, such as friend-or-foe "IFF" for soldiers, vehicles or other objects which are targeted with the laser 14 from a query component 1 1 by a user. It is important in this case that a proper response only occurs when the tag 16 targeted ascertains onboard that a secure valid query code 15 has been received, because the response signal 17 bearing an identifier or other ID response could otherwise be used by a foe to locate soldiers, equipment, etc.

This is true both where the optical light is communicated from a query component 11 to generate an optical response signal 17 or an RF response signal 17, but it is particularly true for the retro reflective response signal 17 generated by reflecting the laser 14

communication from a query component 11. in this mode of the system 10, the ID tag 16 would be maintained in a de-energized non-reflective state until a valid query code 15 is discerned, by software or electronic means, as having been received, which will then cause the modulated retro reflective response signal 17. This is preferable because if the tag 16 were in a retro reflective state at other times, unauthorized parties could search a retro reflective enabled tag 16 and, by so doing, discover the position of soldiers or objects. While the user of the query component 11 in this mode would be revealing their own position, it is advantageous for the tag 16 to switch into the retro reflective reflected-light-modulated mode when a valid query code 15 arrives. For severe security situations, where a tag 15 position should not be available to anyone, the tag 15 can be covered or switched off.

While the simplest mode of the system 10 herein employs a simple query code 15 which once discerned as valid elicits the response signal 17 bearing a transmitted identifier or ID signal , which can be an indi vidual ID or a group ID code, or other data which may be read or related to databases stored in electronic memory, more complex schemes are employable and anticipated. More complex query codes 15 may be employed to control the amount and type of information returned in a response signal 17, which can include combinations of identifiers, ID codes, and/or other data to which the query code 15 identifies as authorized for communication to the user with the respective query code 15. For example, where the system 10 is employed for the identification of livestock at a distance, users with a minimum clearance may be given a query component 11 which generates a query code 15 which software or electronic switching on the tag 16 discerns. In responding to a query code 15 which relates to a minimum level, an animal identifier might be the only data provided in the response signal 17 to the targeted query sent by the user. Alternatively, for example, when a user uses the laser 14 of a query component 11 to target the tag 16 worn by an indi vidual animal while looking for sick animals, the query code 15 may be encoded with instructions or relational information causing the tag 16 to send a response signal 17 with an identifier and a body temperature from an onboard thermometer, or just the body temperature of the animal wearing the targeted tag 16. Thus the user can employ the identifier with a relational database to identify the animal wearing the responding tag 16 and track their temperature over time, or discern in real time the animal is ill.

Alternatively, the system 10 might be employed where a particular animal, targeted by the query component 11 of a user for a response, is known to be sick. In this case, the query code 15 carried by the light communication or laser 14 can be directed to the tag 16 of the selected target animal by the user and can carry data discerned by software or electronics operative on the tag 16 to command a small emitting device, such as a light-emitting diode, to illuminate or to flash as a visually discemable identifier of that particular animal discemable by the user and third parties not having the query component 11. Subsequently, a third party, such as an animal handier, can discern visually in real time which animal from the group is identified as sick from the illuminated tag 16 so that it can be treated or separated from the group. The same system of identification may be accomplished with objects bearing tags 16 where the user targets an object of choice to elicit an illumination or blinking of an illumination means subsequently viewable by others.

In another mode of the system 10, an identifying light emitter, on a tag 16 of the system herein, can be switched, on in a non ID-specific manner while still operating when targeted by a query component 1 1 . For example, in an automated milking parlor where, by temperature or by automated testing of the milk for mastitis or some other illness, the parlor detects a sick animal. By identifying the animal, and the tag 16 related thereto, and then employing an RF or optical signal that is selectively broadcast to be discerned as a valid query code 15 only by the tag 16 of the identified particular animal (this can be done with a very short-range RF transmitter or wideband optical transmission,) the illuminating device such as an LED on the tag 16 of the sick animal can be energized and be an identifier visually-discemable by handlers so they may treat the animal or separate it. Again, this can be done with user targeting of the tag 16 of the animal or by transmitting a special secondary query signal to the tag 16 which has been identified as associated with the individual animal to thereby illuminate the identifier light on the tag 16.

Also, switching on the power of a tag 16 powering the illumination of a light-emitting component of the tag 16 of one or a plurality of animals can be used for a variety of purposes, rather than just for sick animals. Other such purposes include identifying an animal in estrus, identifying a cow-calf pair, et c. Thus, the tag 16 employed for user t argeting of individual animals for information, using a query component 11 may also be employed in a non targeted fashion based on other factors. Similarly, objects bearing tags .16 can also have visible lights which are energized for visibly locating one or a plurality of objects. One example would be causing the onboard power on a tag 16 to energize a light engaged thereto on a tag 16 engaged with a particular box in a warehouse thus making it easier for workers to find,

In the case of the system 10 employing a retro-reflecti ve ID response transmission where a light signal from a query component 1 1 yields a light signal response mode of the system 1 1 , the retro reflected light communicates back to the location and direction of the querying light means which can also be called the "ready." In the case of narrow-beam width query with a non-narrow beamwidth response, the ID, ID plus data, or data only signal can reply to multiple receivers of the response signal. So, for example, the response signal can communicate to the querying means and it can also be received by other receivers, such as a receiver for a computer with a database. In an mode of the system in this operation, an animal handler with a reader or query component 11 targets individual animals and communicates light to query the tags of animals one by one and a nearby receiver receives the response data and enters it into a computer database. The query component/reader can simultaneously receive the same tag data, but a very simple less expensive query component 11 does not require the receiving means while still allowing the user to discern the animal or animals of interest within a group so as to elicit information concerning them. In this case, the query component 1 1 simply causes each tag to ascertain the query from the user and the response information goes to the receiving means nearby. There can be multiple receiving locations that all receive the tag response communications and this can include other query components 1 1.

In the case of the retro reflective light-out yielding a light-response mode of the system 10, the response signal 17 communicated from the targeted tag 16 is communicated back to the query component 11 communicating the light based query code 15 to that tag 16.

Once the query component 1 1 has decoded the response signal 17 from the queried tag 16, the query component 1 1 can be configured with operative wireless or wired communication components to retransmit the data from the response signal 17 wirelessly or by other means to other nearby receivers.

For example, the query component 1 1 can be employed by a user to use the sight 19, or to communicate the light or laser 14 to targets, and thereby identify individual animals or objects bearing tags 16 eliciting a response signal 17 which can include in an identifier or ID code plus other data or data or an identifier only, The response signal 17 triggered from the tag 16 can then be communicated in a subsequent transmission to other receiving means. A practical use of this aspect of the system 10 is the case of identifying, with the retro reflecti ve embodiment of the system 10, animals that are being offloaded from transport. As each animal is offloaded, it is targeted with the laser 14 by the user with outgoing light signals bearing the query code 15 to elicit a response. The user-employed query component 1 1 with a reader 20 then recei ves the response signal 17 and tag data which can be re transmitted to a computer. Once received by the computer, the received data is entered into a computer database. In this way, the query component 1 1 is completely mobile and can move around with the user who may target and identify _' animals of interest and communicate the query code 15 using the directed light beam or laser 14 thereto, while the computer and database are in a remote location receive the data from the elicited response signals 17 without needing to see the animals or objects.

There are several methods for searching within a group of tags 16 engaged on animals or objects to find a tag 15 having a specific identifier. One method is simply for the user to employ the light beam or laser 14 from the query component 1 1 to target an animal by communicating the narrow beam light to the area proximate to targeted animal's tag 16 or to employ the sight 19 which is calibrated to the landing spot for the coherent energy beam or light being projected from the query component 11. Then the user will discern the

communicated response signal 17 for an identifier and repeat the process until the desired identifier is transmitted from a tag 16, The query component 1 1 in combination with a reader 20 for the response signal 17 can be pre-programmed, to ascertain when a desired, identifier is communicated to the reader 20 and then produce a visual, audible, or tactile signal or combination thereof, thereby providing the user an automatic indication they have targeted and found the animal of interest.

Another method is to program a signal into the query code of the laser communication which, when received by a particular tag 16 bearing the desired identifier, will cause the tag 16 to energize and generate a visually discernable signal such as an il luminated or blinking LED from the targeted tag 16 itself in response to a light-communicated query code 15 having the switching instruction.

Another mode of employment of a visually discernable tag 16 indicator such as means for illumination would be to communicate, to electronic memory of the query component 1 1 of the user, the identifiers of those tags 16 which have already been successfully read. In this case, when the user targets an animal of interest, with the query component 11, and the query component 1 1 uses onboard software to compare the identifier of a response signal 17 to the identifiers stored in memory as having already been received, the query component 1 1 can send a second signal in the light or laser 14 communication to the tag 16 to energize a visually discernable indicator. The visually discernable indicator, such as a flashing LED, would then pro vide the user real time visual confirmation that the information of an animal has been received to eliminate duplication of effort while surveying large herds of close moving animals as the user can look for non illuminated tags 16 to query.

In another operational mode of the system 10, engaged tags 16 can combine communication methods. A tag 16 can have both retro reflective optical communications as in figure 4, and radio-frequency communications as noted in figure 5, and, if desired, the radio frequency communications may also operate in multiple modes. As an example, the tag 16 can be configured to provide a response signal 17 to a targeted communication of a query code 15, communicated in a laser 14 communication, at two or more different frequencies with two or more modulations, etc.

As noted above, electric power for the system 10 for a tag 16 to operate and to communicate a response signal 17 to a received laser or light query having a proper query code 15 can be provided by capturing energy from the laser 14 or directed light beam itself such as in a capacitor or batteiy, or can be provided by a batteiy or capacitor which is charged by a solar electrical generating component as in figure 4. This is true especially in the case of retro reflected response signals 17 since the shutter 31 which modulates the reflected light generating the response signal 17 can be extremely low power devices and use the energy from the communicated laser 14 or light beam itself for power. As noted, the shutter 31 could be a Liquid Crystal which can be varied in transparency or can be mechanical and thereby encode the data or identifier to the response signal 17 in the form of a returned laser modulated by the shutter 31 to encode it. However, in general, the tags 16 can be powered by stored-energy devices such as batteries, solar cells, capacitors, or by a combination of solar cells that recharge batteries and/or capacitors. The query components 11 would use the same means for electrical power and would work well with rechargeable batteries.

While ail of the fundamental characteristics and. features of the device and method have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes, and substitutions are intended in the foregoing discl osure and it will be apparent that, in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It shoul d also be understood that various substitutions, moditications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications, variations, and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.