Communications: electrical – Selective – Interrogation response
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-04
2001-11-13
Zimmerman, Brian (Department: 2635)
Communications: electrical
Selective
Interrogation response
C340S010100, C340S010600, C340S010410, C340S010420, C340S010510, C340S573300, C040S300000, C128S202250
Reexamination Certificate
active
06317030
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to hunting tournaments and contests utilizing identification tagging and more particularly to utilizing passive transponders to tag game to be harvested and utilizing the passive transponders to award the hunting tournament prizes.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hunting tournaments and contests are conducted using a variety of formats and rules. Probably the most common format of a hunting tournament is to award prizes based on the size of the game harvested. For example, prizes in fishing tournaments are often based on the weight of the fish caught, either individually or cumulatively. In hunting for big game, such as deer, elk or the like, prizes are awarded based on size such as the weight of the animal or the size of the rack. Another format for conducting a hunting tournament used less frequently involves awarding prizes based on the particular animal harvested (caught, captured or killed). This type of tournament works especially well in fishing tournaments where a catch and release practice can be implemented.
In this latter type of tournament, animals are tagged and released back into their natural habitat. Tags used to mark the animals are visible tags and typically take the form of either a plastic tag attached to the animal's body or a plastic or metal band wrapped around a leg. If a hunter brings in an animal with a valid tag, a prize is awarded.
However, this system does not work as well in contests where the animal to be harvested must be killed during the hunting portion of the tournament. In this type of hunt, there is typically a limit to the number of animals an individual hunter may legally harvest. The use of a visible tag facilitates an environment wherein a hunter may harvest an animal, observe that there is no tag, and leave the animal in favor of the opportunity of harvesting an animal with a tag.
Another relevant consideration regarding the conducting of hunting tournaments and contests is the desire on the part of certain states and counties therein to encourage and increase hunting. States and counties are typically charged with wildlife management. Hunters perform a valuable service in helping to control the wildlife populations. If the population of a particular animal is low, regulations limiting the hunting of that animal can be implemented. This can be accomplished in ways such as limiting the length of the season, the number of animals that can be taken, the number of licenses that are issued, and the sex of the animal which a hunter may take. Adjusting these factors in an opposite manner can also be used to help reduce over-population as well.
However, using hunters to help control overpopulation presumes that the hunters are available. It is in this regard that tournaments and contests can be utilized to help encourage and increase hunting. An incentive to hunt is provided by awarding prizes to hunters that harvest particular animals. Even when there is an over-population, there is still a desire to conduct hunting under traditional standards. Poaching, the illegal harvesting of an animal, is not an acceptable practice. Thus, the use of external visible tags, which could encourage poaching, is not an optimal solution when a hunting contest requires that the animal be killed and has heretofore limited the viability of conducting hunts of these types.
Therefore, those concerned with these and other problems recognize the need for an improved method of and system for conducting hunting tournament and contests.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to hunting tournaments and contests utilizing identification tagging and more particularly to utilizing passive transponders to tag game to be harvested and utilizing the passive transponders to award the hunting tournament prizes. The present invention discloses using a passive transponder to tag an animal as part of a hunting tournament or contest. Animals to be hunted or harvested are tagged by inserting a passive transponder subcutaneously, including intramuscular, into the animal. The animal is then released into a natural habitat which is within the boundaries of where the hunting tournament will occur.
Hunters entered in the tournament are given hunter identification tags which are to be placed on animals harvested during the tournament. Typically, these tags will be long rectangular stickers which can be secured around the leg of a harvested animal. In a preferred embodiment, the hunter identification tag includes a bar code. Multiple hunter identification tags may be issued depending upon how many animals a hunter is allowed to harvest during the tournament.
During the proscribed times of the hunt, the hunters proceed to attempt to harvest animals. As animals are harvested, the hunters place the hunter identification tags on the animals. Tagged harvested animals are brought in by the hunters to be checked for passive transponders.
In a preferred embodiment, the passive transponder will only activate upon receiving a particular interrogation signal from a transponder reader associated with the hunting tournament. Still in a preferred embodiment, the transponder reader can also read and validate the bar code on the hunter identification tag.
Prizes for the hunting tournament are awarded to hunters bringing in game which include passive transponders. In a preferred embodiment, each passive transponder includes a unique identification code and prizes are awarded by matching specific identification codes to specific prizes.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is the provision of an improved method of and system for conducting a hunting tournament or contest.
Another object is to provide an improved method of and system for conducting a hunting tournament or contest which utilizes identification tags which are not visible to the hunter.
A further object is to provide an improved method of and system for conducting a hunting tournament or contest which utilizes passive transponders.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of and system for conducting a hunting tournament or contest which encourages hunting and increase interest in hunting.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of and system for conducting a hunting tournament or contest which discourages the improper and illegal harvesting of game and encourages the proper harvesting of game.
A still further object is to provide an improved method of and system for conducting a hunting tournament or contest which awards specific prizes for the harvesting of specific animals.
Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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patent: 6006460 (1999-12-01), Blackmer
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Pp. 1-2—What are Transponders—by Transponder News.
Pp. 1-3—Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Systems by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
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Pp. 1-2 Implantable Biochips.
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1 Page—About the Technology—by Trovan
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Pp. 1-3—Trovan Readers—by Trovan.
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Dalencourt Yves
Henderson & Sturm LLP
Zimmerman Brian
LandOfFree
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