Identification device

Abstract

An electronic tag 10 is provided which includes magnetic sensing means 18 which is operable to sense a change in a magnetic field in order to program the tag 10. Typically, the tag 10 includes microprocessor based circuitry 14 including storage means 20, the microprocessor based circuitry 14 being programmable in response to activation of the magnetic sensing means 18. The tag 10 further includes transmitter means 12 connected to the microprocessor based circuitry 14 and operable selectively to transmit data sourced from the microprocessor based circuitry 14. Accordingly, the microprocessor based circuitry 14 may include a microcontroller which has one of its input ports connected to the contact of the magnetic sensing means 18, typically a reed switch or the like, for feeding data into the microcontroller. In response to activation of the reed switch, the microcontroller may enter into a programming mode, a monitoring mode, or the like.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.