In one aspect, the invention encompasses a method for electronic tracking of units originating from a common source which comprises a plurality of units physically joined with one another. A first transponder is physically associated with the common source, and the source is split to separate it into three or more of the units. A second transponder is physically associated with one of the three or more units, and the second transponder sends a code. The code of the second transponder is electrically associated with an identifier of the common source. In a particular aspect, the common source is an animal carcass. A batch comprises separate units of objects that are physically joined together. rfid tags are attached to each of the units and to the batch. The codes stored in the rfid tags are electrically associated with one another in a database.
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0. 71. A system, comprising:
a batch comprising a plurality of separate units that have been bound together;
a container to transport the batch comprising the plurality of separate units;
a plurality of first radio frequency identification (rfid) tags, each of the plurality of first rfid tags physically associated with each of the plurality of separate units, respectively, wherein each of the plurality of first rfid tags is configured to transmit one of a plurality of first codes, respectively;
a second rfid tag physically attached to the batch and configured to transmit a second code;
an interrogator configured to read the second code from the second rfid tag; and
a computer configured to provide access to a database that associates the second code with the plurality of separate units.
0. 64. A method, comprising:
receiving a batch comprising a plurality of separate units that have been physically joined together by packaging for shipment, a first radio frequency identification (rfid) tag is physically associated with the batch and is configured to transmit a batch code, each respective separate unit of the batch has physically associated thereto a unit rfid tag of a plurality of unit rfid tags, each unit rfid tag stores a unit code of a plurality of unit codes, and each respective unit code is electrically associated with the respective separate unit to which the respective unit rfid tag is physically associated;
reading at least a set of the plurality of unit rfid tags to determine the plurality of unit codes;
reading the batch rfid tag to determine the batch code;
accessing a database in which the plurality of unit codes are associated with the batch code; and
physically separating the plurality of separate units.
0. 77. A method, comprising:
identifying a problem with at least one of a plurality of separate units, the plurality of separate units previously physically bound together to form a batch that included a batch radio frequency identification (rfid) tag physically associated with the batch and storing a batch code electrically associated with the batch, each respective separate unit having physically associated thereto a unit rfid tag of a plurality of unit rfid tags, each unit rfid tag storing a unit code of a plurality of unit codes, and each respective unit code electrically associated with the batch code and associated with the respective separate unit to which the respective unit rfid tag is physically associated;
reading an rfid tag of the separate unit identified with the problem to identify a unit code of the unit identified with the problem; and
using the unit code of the unit identified with the problem to access a database to identify the batch code and identify the remaining plurality of separate units associated with the batch.
0. 46. A system for managing articles remotely, comprising:
an interrogator operable for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals including interrogatory commands requiring a remote radio frequency identification (rfid) device in receiving range to respond;
a group of articles initially joined together and having a first rfid device associated with the group comprising a substrate, one or more antennas disposed on the substrate, a radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit disposed adjacent the substrate and operable for receiving radio frequency signals and operable for communicating radio frequency signals, and having a memory for persistently storing data;
a group identification common to the group of articles stored within the memory of the first rfid device;
providing a second rfid device associated with one or more of the articles comprising one or more antennas disposed on the substrate, a radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit coupled to one or more of the antennas and disposed adjacent the substrate and operable for receiving radio frequency signals and operable for communicating radio frequency signals, and having a memory for persistently storing data;
wherein a unique second identifier associated with the group identification in a database is stored in the memory of the second rfid device and the second rfid device is operable to communicate the unique second identifier in response to a radio frequency signal received from the interrogator.
0. 82. A method for remotely monitoring articles formed by separating a whole article into additional articles, comprising:
providing a whole article having a first radio frequency identification (rfid) device associated with it, the first rfid device comprising a substrate, one or more antennas disposed on the substrate, a radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit disposed adjacent the substrate and operable for receiving radio frequency signals and operable for communicating radio frequency signals, control logic circuitry and a memory for persistently storing data;
transmitting from an interrogator in remote proximity to the first rfid device a radio frequency signal requesting a common identification associated with the whole article in a database, the first rfid device receiving the radio frequency signal and communicating the common identification in response, wherein the common identification is stored in the memory of the first rfid device;
removing a portion of the whole article to form a second article that is separated from the whole article;
wherein the second article has a second rfid device associated therewith, the second rfid device comprising a substrate one or more antennas disposed on the substrate, a radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit disposed adjacent the substrate and operable for receiving radio frequency signals and operable for communicating radio frequency signals, control logic circuitry and a memory for persistently storing data; and
transmitting from an interrogator in remote proximity to the second rfid device a radio frequency signal requesting a unique identification associated with the second article and associated with the common identification of the whole article in a database, the second rfid device receiving the radio frequency signal and communicating the unique identification in response, wherein the unique identification is stored in the memory of the second rfid device.
0. 1. A method for electronic tracking of units originating from a common source, comprising:
physically associating a first transponder with a common source, the source comprising a plurality of units physically joined with one another, the first transponder sending a code which is electrically associated with the common source;
splitting the common source to separate the source into two or more of the units;
physically associating a second transponder with one of the two or more units, the second transponder sending a code; and
electrically associating the code of the second transponder with an identifier of the common source in a database.
0. 2. The method of
0. 3. The method of
0. 4. The method of
0. 5. The method of
0. 6. The method of
0. 7. A method for electronic identification of meat units originating from a common animal carcass, comprising:
physically associating a first transponder with an animal carcass, the first transponder sending a code which is electrically associated with an identifier of the animal carcass;
splitting the animal carcass into two or more units and physically associating a second transponder with one of the two or more units, the second transponder being joined to a meat spike, the physically associating the second transponder with said one of the units comprising inserting the meat spike into said one of the units, the second transponder sending a code; and
electrically associating the code of the second transponder with the identifier of the animal carcass.
0. 8. The method of
0. 9. The method of
0. 10. A method for electronic identification of meat units originating from a common animal carcass, comprising:
providing an animal carcass on a conveyer and conveying the carcass through a meat processing plant, the animal carcass being no more than half of an animal body and initially having a first transponder physically associated therewith, the first transponder sending a code which is electrically associated with an identifier of the animal carcass;
first splitting the animal carcass into at least two first units, one or more of the first units being physically separated from the first transponder after the first splitting;
physically associating one or more second transponders with at least one of the first units which are physically separated from the first transponder after the first splitting, the second transponders sending codes; and
electrically associating the codes of the second transponders with the identifier of the animal carcass.
0. 11. The method of
0. 12. The method of
0. 13. The method of
0. 14. The method of
0. 15. The method of
second splitting at least one of the first units into at least two second units, one or more of the second units being physically separated from both the first and second transponders after the second splitting;
physically associating one or more third transponders with at least one of the second units which are physically separated from the first and second transponders after the second splitting, the third transponders sending codes; and
electrically associating the codes of the third transponders with the identifier of the animal carcass.
0. 16. The method of
packaging a collection of units comprising one or more packaged units selected from the group consisting of first units, second units and mixtures thereof;
removing transponders from the units of the collection before the packaging;
providing a package identifier associated with the package in a database; and
associating an identifier of the packaged units with the identifier of the animal carcass in the database, the identifier of the animal carcass being ascertained by interrogating the transponders physically associated with the units of the collection before the packaging.
0. 17. A method for electronic identification of an originating animal carcass for packaged meat units, comprising:
providing a first animal carcass on a conveyer and conveying the first animal carcass through a meat processing plant, the first animal carcass initially having a first transponder physically associated therewith, the first transponder sending a code which is electrically associated with an identifier of the first animal carcass;
first splitting the first animal carcass into at least two first units, one or more of the first units being physically separated from the first transponder after the first splitting;
physically associating one or more second transponders with at least one of the first units which are physically separated from the first transponder after the first splitting, the second transponders sending codes;
electrically associating the codes of the second transponders with the identifier of the first animal carcass;
providing a second animal carcass on a conveyer and conveying the second animal carcass through the meat processing plant, the second animal carcass initially having a third transponder physically associated therewith, the third transponder sending a code which is electrically associated with an identifier of the second animal carcass;
second splitting the second animal carcass into at least two second units, one or more of the second units being physically separated from the third transponder after the second splitting;
physically associating one or more fourth transponders with at least one of the second units which are physically separated from the third transponder after the second splitting, the fourth transponders sending codes;
electrically associating the codes of the fourth transponders with the identifier of the second animal carcass;
packaging a collection of units comprising one or more packaged units selected from the group consisting of first units, second units and mixtures thereof;
removing transponders from the units of the collection before the packaging;
providing a package identifier associated with the package in a database; and
electrically associating an identifier of the packaged units with the identifiers of the first and second animal carcasses in the database, the identifiers of the first and animal carcasses being ascertained by interrogating the transponders physically associated with the units of the collection before the packaging.
0. 18. The method of
0. 19. The method of
0. 20. The method of
0. 21. An identification assembly comprising:
a housing having an outer periphery;
a transponder entirely contained within the housing; and
at least one spike removably secured to the housing.
0. 22. The assembly of
0. 23. The assembly of
0. 24. The assembly of
0. 25. The assembly of
0. 26. The assembly of
0. 27. The assembly of
0. 28. The assembly of
0. 29. A meat identification assembly comprising a transponder removably attached to a meat spike.
0. 30. The assembly of
the meat spike comprises:
a rod having a pair of opposing ends;
a point at one of the opposing ends of the rod; and
a holder at an other of the opposing ends of the rod; and
the transponder is attached to a substrate configured to slide over the rod and be retained by the holder.
0. 31. The assembly of
the meat spike comprises:
a rod having a pair of opposing ends;
a point at one of the opposing ends of the rod; and
a loop at an other of the opposing ends of the rod; and
the transponder is attached to a substrate configured to be retained to the rod by the loop.
0. 32. A meat identification assembly comprising a radio frequency identification device (rfid) attached to a meat spike, and wherein:
the meat spike comprises:
a rod having a pair of opposing ends;
a point at one of the opposing ends of the rod; and
a holder at an other of the opposing ends of the rod; and
the rfid is attached to a substrate configured to slide over the rod and be retained by the holder.
0. 33. The assembly of
0. 34. The assembly of
the holder comprises a loop at the other of the opposing ends of the rod; and
the substrate is configured to be retained to the rod by the loop.
0. 35. The method of
0. 36. An identification assembly comprising a transponder housed in an assembly having at least one spike extending therefrom, and wherein the housing comprises a pair of planar surfaces joined by a sidewall, and wherein the at least one spike extends from the sidewall, and wherein the at least one spike is configured for insertion into an object while maintaining substantially the same shape after insertion as before insertion, and wherein the at least one spike alone secures the identification assembly to the object; and
wherein the planar surfaces comprise circular outer peripheries, and wherein the sidewall extends around the circular outer peripheries.
0. 37. The assembly of
0. 38. A meat identification assembly comprising a transponder attached to a meat spike, the meat spike comprising:
a rod having a pair of opposing ends;
a point at one of the opposing ends of the rod; and
a holder at an other of the opposing ends of the rod; and
the transponder is attached to a substrate configured to slide over the rod and be retained by the holder.
0. 39. A meat identification assembly comprising a transponder attached to a meat spike, the meat spike comprising:
a rod having a pair of opposing ends;
a point at one of the opposing ends of the rod; and
a loop at an other of the opposing ends of the rod; and
the transponder is attached to a substrate configured to be retained to the rod by the loop.
0. 40. A meat identification assembly comprising a radio frequency identification device (rfid) attached to a meat spike, the meat spike comprising:
a rod having a pair of opposing ends;
a point at one of the opposing ends of the rod; and
a holder at an other of the opposing ends of the rod; and
the rfid is attached to a substrate configured to slide over the rod and be retained by the holder.
0. 41. A meat identification assembly comprising a radio frequency identification device (rfid) attached to a meat spike, the meat spike comprising:
a rod having a pair of opposing ends;
a point at one of the opposing ends of the rod; and
a loop at an other of the opposing ends of the rod; and
the rfid is attached to a substrate configured to be retained to the rod by the loop.
0. 42. An identification assembly comprising a transponder housed in an assembly having at least one spike extending therefrom, and wherein the housing comprises a pair of planar surfaces joined by a sidewall, and wherein the at least one spike extends from the sidewall, and wherein the at least one spike is configured for insertion into an object while maintaining substantially the same shape after insertion as before insertion; and
wherein the planar surfaces comprise circular outer peripheries, and wherein the sidewall extends around the circular outer peripheries.
0. 43. A meat identification assembly comprising a transponder attached to a meat spike, the meat spike comprising:
a rod having a pair of opposing ends;
a point at one of the opposing ends of the rod; and
a holder at an other of the opposing ends of the rod; and
the transponder is attached to a substrate configured to slide over the rod and be retained by the holder.
0. 44. A meat identification assembly comprising a transponder attached to a meat spike, the meat spike comprising:
a rod having a pair of opposing ends;
a point at one of the opposing ends of the rod; and
a loop at an other of the opposing ends of the rod; and
the transponder is attached to a substrate configured to be retained to the rod by the loop.
0. 45. A meat identification assembly comprising a radio frequency identification device (rfid) attached to a meat spike, and wherein:
the meat spike comprises:
a rod having a pair of opposing ends;
a point at one of the opposing ends of the rod; and
a loop at an other of the opposing ends of the rod; and
the rfid is attached to a substrate configured to be retained to the rod by the loop.
0. 47. The system of
the second rfid device is operable to receive an interrogation command from a radio frequency interrogator in remote proximity to the selected article;
the second rfid device is operable to communicate the unique second identifier as part of a radio frequency signal response from the second rfid device.
0. 48. The system of
0. 49. The system of
0. 50. The system of
0. 51. The system of
0. 52. The system of
0. 53. The system of
0. 54. The system of
0. 55. The system of
0. 56. The system of
0. 57. The system of
0. 58. The system of
0. 59. The system of
0. 60. The system of
0. 61. The system of
0. 62. The system of
0. 63. The system of
0. 65. The method of
0. 66. The method of
0. 67. The method of
0. 68. The method of
0. 69. The method of
0. 70. The method of
0. 72. The system of
0. 73. The system of
0. 74. The system of
0. 75. The system of
0. 76. The system of
0. 78. The method of
0. 79. The method of
0. 80. The method of
0. 81. The method of
0. 83. The method of
0. 84. The method of
subsequently transmitting radio frequency signal including an interrogation command to the second rfid device from a radio frequency interrogator in remote proximity to the selected article;
receiving the unique identification as part of a radio frequency signal response from the second rfid device; and
determining the common identification from referring to the unique identification in the database.
0. 85. The method of
removing the second article to a location remote from the whole article;
transmitting from an interrogator in remote proximity to the second article a radio frequency command message requesting that the second rfid device respond with an identification; and
receiving from the second rfid device a radio frequency signal that includes the unique identification stored in the memory of the second rfid device.
0. 86. The method of
0. 87. The method of
0. 88. The method of
0. 89. The method of
0. 90. The method of
0. 91. The method of
0. 92. The method of
0. 93. The method of
0. 94. The method of
0. 95. The method of
0. 96. The method of
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As is apparent from the discussion above, for purposes of the present invention a common source can be a plurality of separated units in a single container or an animal carcass, and in either event considered as comprising a plurality of units physically joined together (the meat carcass can be considered a union of individual meat units).
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.
Dando, Ross S., Tuttle, Mark E.
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