Integrated rfid tag in a card holder, cage, lid, and rack for use with inventorying and tracking of cage occupants and equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to an integrated RFID card holder, cage, lid or rack and system for collecting census, inventorying, and tracking of animal cages, lids, card holders, racks, and other related equipment. Preferably, the card holder is comprised of an RF transparent material such as plastic. During operation, a RFID reader reads each integrated RFID card holder attached to an animal cage for virtually linking the cage to an animal rack in effect assigning a parking spot to each animal cage within an animal cage rack system. The integrated RFID card holder can be determined to be in a room when the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) is the highest comparing multiple reads from one or many antennas.

1 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An integrated RFID animal cage comprising:
 an animal cage,   a RFID inlay attached or integrated with said animal cage or a lid of said animal cage;   wherein said animal cage is comprised of a RF transparent material.   
     
     
         12 . The integrated RFID card holder of  claim 11  wherein said RFID inlay comprises a tag, said tag being applied to said animal cage as a RFID label or with an adhesive. 
     
     
         13 . A system for inventorying or tracking one or more animal cages, lids or racks of animal cages comprising:
 a RFID inlay attached or integrated with said animal cage or a lid of said animal cage or a rack of said animal cages;   a RFID reader for reading an identification from said RFID inlay; and   inventorying or tracking means for receiving said identification from said RFID reader and providing inventory or tracking information.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  further comprising a card holder adapted for receiving a card. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein said card holder includes a cavity;
 said RFID inlay including a RFID tag, said RFID inlay being received in said cavity of said card holder; 
 a cover coupled to said cavity for retaining said RFID inlay within said cavity, thereby attaching said RFID inlay to said card holder. 
 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14  wherein said card holder is comprised of a RF transparent material. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14  wherein said RFID inlay comprising an RFID tag, said RFID tag being applied to said card holder as a RFID label or with an adhesive. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14  wherein said card including an indicia region adapted for receiving information directed to an animal within the animal cage. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13  further comprising an inventory cart, said inventory cart being associated with said RFID reader. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13  wherein said inventory cart being associated with said inventorying or tracking means and further comprising:
 means for storing said identification in a database. 
 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 13  wherein said RFID reader is a LAN based RFID reader with fixed position antennas, said inventorying means further comprising means for determining received signal strength of said identification from said RFID reader for detecting said location of said animal cage. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 13  wherein said RFID reader is included in a hand held device. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 13  wherein said one or more animal cages, or lids, or racks are comprised of a RF transparent material, said RFID inlay comprising an RFID tag, said RFID tag being applied to said one or more animal cages or lids as a RFID label or with an adhesive.