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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains generally to an apparatus which includes
identifying indicia readily readable without removing it from the object
sought to be identified.
In my earlier U.S. Pat. No. 3,545,405 issued on Dec. 8, 1970, there is
described an apparatus for investigating the migratory habits of
macro-organisms and more specifically one wherein the identifying tag
contains along the surface thereof coded information. This coded
information is in the form of a predetermined pattern which is imparted on
the surface of the body by a high energy heat source such as by focusing
laser pulses in a predetermined pattern on the surface of the body.
Although this particular identifying tag has been highly successful in its
usage, certain instances exist where a more desirable form of identifying
tag might be utilized.
The identifying tag described in my earlier issued patent has been used
extensively in conjunction with investigating the migratory habits of
Pacific Coast salmon. When such an identifying tag is applied to
investigating the migratory habits of Atlantic Coast salmon certain
drawbacks have been encountered. For instance, in the case of the
identifying tag described in my earlier patent, it has been necessary to
excise the implanted tag before decoding could be accomplished. In other
words, removal of the tag from the salmon is necessary in order to
properly decode the information contained thereon. In the case of Atlantic
Coast salmon, where generally only a limited quantity are recovered, this
requires destruction and loss of the specimen which is disadvantageous.
Also, there are certain other instances wherein a tag which could be read,
i.e., the information thereon decoded, while still within the body of the
object is advantageous and desirable. By the means disclosed herein, such
a system is provided which allows for all the advantages of my previously
disclosed system and yet which does not necessitate removal of the
identifying tag in order to obtain the coded information imparted thereon.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the invention disclosed herein includes an identifying tag
which is adapted for implanting in a non-metallic object for the purpose
of later identifying the object by means of x-ray equipment while the tag
remains implanted within the object. The tag is in the form of a metallic
elongated member having a circular or oblong cross-section and having a
length significantly greater than the cross-sectional width thereof.
In the case of an oblong cross-section, the identifying tag has a plurality
of grooves spaced from one another and cut into the outer surface of the
tag so as to render the tag readable by means of x-ray equipment while
implanted in a non-metallic object. In one preferred embodiment, the
oblong cross-section has two opposite parallel surfaces contiguous at
their edges with two outwardly curved surfaces. The base of the grooves
are semicircularly shaped to form notches cut into the curved surfaces to
a depth of one-quarter of the diameter of the notches. End notches which
are cut deeper than the remaining notches provide an index defining the
beginning of a code. In addition, holes can be cut through the parallel
surfaces to increase the informational capacity of the tag. Optimal
readability of the tag profile is obtained by viewing the tag transversely
to the plane of the central spacing between the edges.
In the case of the circular cross-section, a plurality of cut grooves are
spaced from one another and extend about the circumference of the
cylindrical member such that in profile, each of the grooves is readily
identifiable by means of x-ray equipment. In one embodiment, the grooves
are rings having a diameter equal to one-half that of the circular
cross-section and cut to a depth of one-quarter of the circular
cross-sectional diameter.
In all cases, identification may be made while the tag remains implanted in
the non-metallic object.
The tag is particularly suitable for implanting within the body of fish to
aid in investigating their migratory habits. In the embodiment with an
oblong cross-section having two parallel surfaces with their edges
contiguous to outwardly curved surfaces, the tag has a cross-sectional
maximum width of 0.016" and a minimum of 0.010" with the curved surfaces
0.008" distant from the longitudinal axis of the tag. The tag has an
overall length of at least 0.045". Such a size and length has been found
particularly suitable biologically for implanting within the body of the
fish near the snout. The tag includes a plurality of cut notches spaced
from one another, with the notch centerline to centerline distance being
approximately 0.005" or about one-half the minimal cross-sectional length.
The notches extend along the curved surfaces of the tag such that in
profile, they are readily identifiable by means of x-ray equipment.
Additionally, holes can be cut in the central spacing on the parallel
surfaces.
The tag having a circular cross-section is of a size approximately 0.010"
or larger in diameter and has a length of at least 0.040". Such a size and
length has been found particularly suitable for implanting within the body
of the fish. The tag includes a plurality of cut grooves spaced from one
another, with the grooves being 0.005" in diameter and cut into the tag to
a depth approximately equal to the radius of the groove. The grooves are
spaced from one another and extend about the circumference of the
cylindrical member such that in profile, they are readily identifiable by
means of x-ray equipment.
Thus, the identifying tag of this invention includes a large amount of
coded information so as to allow a large number of objects within which
the tag is implanted to be identified. Moreover, the identification may
readily be accomplished while the tag remains implanted within the object
thus eliminating the necessity for excising the tag prior to decoding.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved
identifying tag which is adapted to be read while remaining implanted
within the object.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved identifying tag
which may be implanted into the body of an organism under study and which
may be decoded while remaining therein.
A further object of this invention is to provide an identifying tag which
is suitable for usage in conjunction with identifying non-metallic objects
and which may be read and decoded by means of x-ray equipment.
Yet a further object of this invention is to provide an identifying tag
suitable for implantation in a known orientation without rotation thereby
permitting coding in a known plane.
Yet a further object of this invention is to provide an identifying tag
with increased informational capacity.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will
become more apparent from the following description of the preferred
embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an identifying tag in conformance with this
invention;
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a fish having the identifying tag of this
invention implanted therein;
FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a first embodiment of the identifying tag
of FIG. 1 illustrating its shape in profile;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an identifying tag
according to the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a top elevational view of the identifying tag of FIG. 4; and
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the identifying tag of FIG. 4 taken
along line 6--6 of FIG. 5.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference to the drawings, the identifying tag indicated generally at
10 and 20, which has circular and oblong cross-sections respectively, has
its size dictated by the information density which may be successfully
decoded with the x-ray technique. That density is such that in the case of
fish, the use of three different lengths of tags in the system is
preferred.
For tag 10 having a 0.010" or larger diameter such as 0.014" and made of
stainless steel wire, lengths of 0.040", 0.060" and 0.080" are preferred
to be used simultaneously in the system and have the following information
capacities. The smallest size tag has the capacity for 64 different
numbers, the intermediate length 1,024 different numbers and the longest
16,384.
According to the present invention and as shown in FIG. 1, the information
capacity is provided on the tag 10 by means of a plurality of grooves 11
spaced from one another. The spaced grooves 11 are in ring form having a
0.005" diameter and are preferably cut to a depth of 0.0025". The grooves
spaced around the periphery of the identifying tag 10 are located at
predetermined positions and allow for the interpreting of the presence or
absence of a ring at a given position as a binary number, 1 or 0
respectively. The ring spacing chosen is half of the wire diameter, i.e.,
0.005". Two positions are reserved for an index bar which defines the
reading direction and starting point with the remaining positions
available as the number. E.g., the 0.040" tag has 8 positions on its
length, two reserved, six available for data. Since each position can have
either of two values, ring or no ring, interpreted as 1 or 0, the data
capacity is 2.sup.6 or 64 combinations. Similarly, for the tags having a
greater length, the data capacity is increased as indicated previously.
The identifying tag 20 comprises a metallic elongated member having an
oblong cross-section thereby resulting in curved surfaces 27, 28 and
substantially flat parallel surfaces 25 and 26 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6.
Information grooves are provided in the form of notches 21 spaced and cut
into each of the curved surfaces 27, 28, each surface thus being provided
with different information coding. End notches 22 which are cut deeper
into the curved surfaces 27, 28 than are the information notches 21
provide an index defining the code reading order. Perforations 23 can be
cut through the surface spacing between the two rows of notches and
thereby increase the information density. In order to maintain structural
integrity, the holes 23 are cut off center from the central axis of the
oppositely positioned notches 11 as shown in FIG. 5.
Information capacity is provided on the identifying tag 20 by means of the
plurality of notches 21 spaced from one another. The notches 21 are
arranged at predetermined positions and allow for the interpreting of the
presence or absence of a notch 21 at a given position as binary number, 1
or 0 respectively, similarly to that for rings 11 for tag 10. In one
preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, space is provided for seven notches
21 along either curved surface 27, 28 as well as for two end notches 22.
Six holes 23 may be positioned between the rows of notches 21. Since each
position can have either of two values, notch or no notch (hole or no
hole), interpreted as 1 or 0, the data capacity for either curved surface
is 2.sup.7 or 128 while that for the holes 12 is 2.sup.6 or 64
combinations. Therefore, a tag 20 as shown in FIG. 5 has a total
information capacity of 2.sup.20 or 1,048,576 codes.
In the case of use with fish, three lengths are preferred, all made of a
stainless steel wire having an oblong cross-section with a smaller
cross-sectional width of 0.010" and a larger cross-sectional width of
0.016". The curved surfaces are each 0.008", from the longitudinal axis of
tag 20. Tags of lengths 0.045", 0.065" and 0.085" are preferred to be used
simultaneously in the system and have information notch capacities
respectively along a given edge of 7, 11 and 15. The latter two tag
lengths provide proportionally increased data capacity by a factor of
4,096 and 16,777,216 respectively as compared to the data capacity for the
smallest tag length. If a standard distance between successive central
axes of notches 21 is taken as one-half the minimal cross-sectional width
of the tag, then for a 0.010" width the notch axis separation distance
becomes 0.005". Tags of even greater length will accommodate more notches
21 along a given curved surface 27, 28 and correspondingly more holes 23
in the tag central spacing thereby providing for greater information
capacity.
The spaced notches 21 are preferably semicircular at least at the base
portion although other shapes and geometry may be utilized to provide even
further information storage capacity on the tag. For use in other animals,
tags 10 and 20 are provided in various sizes dependent upon the biological
suitability.
Grooves 11 and notches 21, 22 and holes 23 are preferably cut by means of
rotary spark discharge machinery wherein the grooves 11 and notches 21, 22
are formed by spark erosion of the wire surface. Alternatively, the
grooves 11, notches 21, 22 and holes 23 may be cut by means of a
conventional diamond or carbide tool. The grooves 11, notches 21, 22 and
holes 23 might also take a square or triangular shape which shape is such
that it is readily identifiable when viewed in profile.
Once the tag is coded in accordance with the predetermined relationship, it
is implanted into the snout or head portion of the salmon. This is
illustrated in FIG. 2. Successful implantation of this nature might be
best accomplished by employing the implanting machine disclosed in my
earlier U.S. Pat. No. 3,820,545 issued on June 28, 1974. The identifying
tags 10 and 20 are preferably fabricated of type 302 stainless steel. This
material has been found to have the requisite magnetic characteristics for
detection so as to make a preliminary determination that the recovered
animal has an implanted identifying tag. Subsequently when the animal has
been recovered and it being determined as having an identifying tag 10 or
20 implanted therein, a portable x-ray unit may be employed and the
identifying tag may be viewed while remaining within the body of the
animal. In profile, the identifying tag will appear as depicted in FIG. 2
in the case of fish and the particular grouping of grooves 11 or notches
21, 22 and holes 23 may be readily ascertained and the history of the fish
and its migratory habits may then be determined.
By way of example, consider the tag of FIG. 5 as implanted in the snout of
a fish depicted in FIG. 2. Assuming that face 30 is inserted into the
snout and that by convention the code will read starting at the face
farthest into the fish, here face 30, and beginning with the notches
bounded between the end notches 22, in such instance the code would read
as 0011101, 110101 for the holes 23, and finally 1110100 for the notches
21 extending along curved surface 28 and not bounded by end notches 22.
Both the circular and oblong cross-section of tags 10 and 20 respectively
have definite functional advantages. Reading of the tag 10 within a fish,
or animal is possible without regard to orientation of tag 10. However,
tag 20 with an oblong cross-section provides for fixed orientation upon
implantation, and therefore fish or animals can then be examined under a
given orientation with assurance that a complete code will be read.
In addition to the utility of this invention in conjunction with
macro-organisms as described, it has also been found that numerous
problems exist in other areas where such identifying tags might also be
used to advantage. For instance, a manufacturer of wood products has a
need to determine whether or not a certain product is one of its own at
some later date. Frequently, the question arises many years later as to
the identity of the manufacturer of a certain component utilized in the
structure of a building. Under some present practices, manufacturers of
laminated beams inscribe identifying marks on the ends of the beam or
elsewhere for the purposes of latter identification. However, such a
system has proven inadequate in that the ends are frequently cut off or
destroyed during construction. Even when this does not occur, these
identifying marks generally cannot be located and read without at least
partially dismantling the structure and removing the particular beam in
question. Identification in such instances might however, be made without
these prior art difficulties by utilizing the means disclosed herein.
By following the teachings disclosed herein, under such circumstances, the
tags are fabricated in a slightly larger size than those heretofore
described and include notches and perforations shaped and formed generally
in the same manner previously described. For a laminated wooden beam, such
identifying tag is preferably in the form of a short nail which is
ultimately nailed and thus embedded into the beam, and if necessary the
wooden beams can later be identified by means of the coded tag or nail
embedded therein. Preferably, the nail is of a size of approximately
0.125" in maximum diameter and approximately 1.5 to 2.0 inches long. The
grooves 11, notches 21, 22 and holes 23 are cut and located in the manner
previously described to thus incorporate the coded information onto the
nail. For this size nail, the grooves 11 or notches 21, 22 and holes 23
are preferably a 0.025" semicircle or square. The nail type tag may then
be embedded in the laminated beam by nailing in the conventional manner
generally at a predetermined location, for instance, one-third the
distance from the end of the beam, in a predetermined orientation.
Thereafter, when it becomes necessary to identify the beam, the decoding
takes place while the nail or tag remains within the beam by utilizing a
portable x-ray machine. Thus, the utility of this invention encompasses
numerous non-metallic objects into which the tag or nail might be embedded
without causing destruction of the particular object. It is therefore
readily seen, that by utilizing the identifying tag as disclosed herein,
products might later be identified simply by subjecting them to an x-ray
viewing and then decoding the particular information on the identifying
tag or nail contained therein.
Other modifications, variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth
may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and
therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the
appended claims.
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