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 method is provided to receive a container comprising a group of separated units that have been physically joined together by packaging for shipment. A first radio frequency identification (rfid) tag is physically associated with the group and is configured to transmit a first code. The first code is associated with the group in a database. The plurality of units are physically separated and distributed. Each of the plurality of separated units is physically associated with each of a plurality of rfid tags, respectively, and each of the plurality of rfid tags is configured to transmit one of a plurality of codes, respectively. The plurality of codes is associated with the group in a database.
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0. 46. A method for remotely collecting information related to articles comprising:
disposing articles grouped together in a container;
associating with the container a radio frequency identification (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 as operable for communicating radio frequency signals, control logic circuitry and a memory for persistently storing data;
receiving from an interrogator in remote proximity to the rfid device associated with the container a radio frequency signal comprising a common identification associated with the container in a database, the rfid device storing the common identification in the memory; removing an article from the container;
providing a second rfid device associated with the removed article 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;
receiving in the second rfid device a radio frequency signal from the interrogator comprising a unique identifier and a command to store the unique identifier in the memory of the second rfid device;
storing the unique identifier in the memory of the second rfid device; and
associating the unique identifier of the second rfid device with the common identifier of the first rfid device in the database.
0. 63. A method for remotely collecting information related to articles comprising:
disposing articles grouped together in a container, the articles having a common identification associated with the container in a database;
affixing to the container, a first radio frequency identification (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 as operable for communicating radio frequency signals, control logic circuitry and a memory for storing data including the common identification;
transmitting to the first rfid device, from a radio frequency interrogator in remote proximity to the container, a radio frequency signal including a command interrogating the first rfid device to determine the common identification;
receiving in response, a radio frequency signal communication from the first rfid device including the common identification;
removing an article from the container;
providing a second rfid device associated with the removed article 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 storing data including a unique identifier;
receiving in the second rfid device a radio frequency signal from the interrogator comprising a command interrogating the second rfid device to determine the unique identifier in the memory of the second rfid device;
receiving in response, a radio frequency signal communication from the second rfid device including the unique identification; and
associating the unique identifier of the second rfid device with the common identifier of the first rfid device in the database.
0. 69. A method for remotely collecting information related to articles comprising:
receiving articles grouped together in a container having a common identification associated with the container in a database, wherein a first radio frequency identification (rfid) device is affixed to the container and is associated with the group of articles, and at least a second rfid device is affixed to a second article from the group, wherein at least the first and second rfid comprise 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 as operable for communicating radio frequency signals, control logic circuitry and a memory for storing data including an identification;
transmitting to the first rfid device, from a radio frequency interrogator in remote proximity to the container, a radio frequency signal including a command interrogating the first rfid device to determine the common identification;
receiving in response, a radio frequency signal communication from the first rfid device including the common identification;
accessing the database wherein the common identification is associated with at least the second identification in the database;
removing the second article from the container;
transmitting to at least the second rfid device affixed to the second article from the container, from a radio frequency interrogator in remote proximity to the second article, a radio frequency signal including a command interrogating the second rfid device to determine the second identification;
receiving in response, a radio frequency signal communication from the second rfid device including the second identification;
accessing the database wherein at least the second identification of the second article from the container is associated with information about the articles of the group; and
redistributing the second article.
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 method of claim 46 and further comprising:
subsequently transmitting radio frequency signals including an interrogation command to the second rfid device from a radio frequency interrogator in remote proximity to the removed article;
receiving the unique identifier as part of a radio frequency signal response from the second rfid device; and
determining the common identification from referring to the unique identifier in the database.
0. 48. The method of claim 46, further comprising:
transporting the removed article to a location remote from the group of articles;
transmitting from an interrogator in remote proximity to the removed article a radio frequency command message requesting that the second rfid device respond with an identifier; and
receiving from the second rfid device a radio frequency signal that includes the unique identifier stored in the memory of the second rfid device.
0. 49. The method of claim 48 and further comprising accessing the database and determining the common identification from the unique identifier.
0. 50. The method of claim 46, wherein the providing the second rfid device further comprises providing the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit device operable to receive spread spectrum modulated radio frequency signals.
0. 51. The method of claim 46, wherein providing the second rfid device further comprises providing the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit device operable to receive spread spectrum modulated radio frequency signals modulated using one selected from the group of amplitude modulation, binary phase shift keying, and combinations thereof.
0. 52. The method of claim 46, wherein providing the second rfid device further comprises providing the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit device operable to communicate spread spectrum modulated radio frequency signals using backscatter reflection.
0. 53. The method of claim 46, wherein providing the second rfid device further comprises providing a power source that is a capacitively coupled power supply operable to provide power in the presence of radio frequency signals.
0. 54. The method of claim 46, wherein providing the second rfid device further comprises providing the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit with the memory wherein the memory has a non-volatile portion.
0. 55. The method of claim 54, wherein providing the non-volatile memory further comprises providing a memory that is readable and writeable.
0. 56. The method of claim 54, wherein providing the memory further comprises providing a memory portion that is unalterable.
0. 57. The method of claim 46, wherein providing the second rfid device further comprises providing the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit with memory that has a volatile portion.
0. 58. The method of claim 46, wherein providing the second rfid device further comprises providing a power source that is a thin film battery.
0. 59. The method of claim 58, wherein providing the second rfid device further comprises providing the radio frequency transceiver integrated operable to actively transmit spread spectrum modulated radio frequency signals.
0. 60. The method of claim 46, wherein providing the second rfid device further comprises providing the radio frequency transceiver integrated with control logic being one selected from the group of a microprocessor, a microcontroller, and combinations thereof.
0. 61. The method of claim 46, wherein providing the group of articles in the container comprises providing perishable goods.
0. 62. The method of claim 46, wherein providing the group of articles in the container comprises providing boxed goods on a pallet.
0. 64. The method of claim 63, further comprising:
transporting the removed article to a location remote from the group of articles;
transmitting from an interrogator in remote proximity to the removed article a radio frequency command message requesting that the second rfid device respond with an identifier;
receiving from the second rfid device a radio frequency signal that includes the unique identifier stored in the memory of the second rfid device; and
accessing the database and determining the common identification from the unique identifier.
0. 65. The method of claim 63, wherein providing the second rfid device further comprises providing the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit device operable to receive spread spectrum modulated radio frequency signals modulated using one selected from the group of amplitude modulation, binary phase shift keying, and combinations thereof.
0. 66. The method of claim 63, wherein providing the second rfid device further comprises providing the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit device operable to communicate spread spectrum modulated radio frequency signals using backscatter reflection.
0. 67. The method of claim 63, wherein providing the group of articles in the container comprises providing perishable goods.
0. 68. The method of claim 63, wherein providing the group of articles in the container comprises providing boxed goods on a pallet.
0. 70. The method of claim 69, further comprising:
transporting the removed article to a location remote from the group of articles;
transmitting from an interrogator in remote proximity to the removed article a radio frequency command message requesting that the second rfid device respond with an identifier;
receiving from the second rfid device a radio frequency signal that includes the unique identifier stored in the memory of the second rfid device; and
accessing the database and determining the common identification from the unique identifier.
0. 71. The method of claim 69, wherein providing the second rfid device further comprises providing the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit device operable to receive spread spectrum modulated radio frequency signals modulated using one selected from the group of amplitude modulation, binary phase shift keying, and combinations thereof.
0. 72. The method of claim 69, wherein providing the second rfid device further comprises providing the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit device operable to communicate spread spectrum modulated radio frequency signals using backscatter reflection.
0. 73. The method of claim 69, wherein providing the group of articles in the container comprises providing perishable goods.
0. 74. The method of claim 69, wherein providing the group of articles in the container comprises boxed goods on a pallet.
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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.
Tuttle, Mark E., Dando, Ross R.
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| Oct 15 2007 | Round Rock Research, LLC | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
| Dec 22 2009 | Keystone Technology Solutions, LLC | Micron Technology, Inc | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 023839 | /0881 | |
| Dec 23 2009 | Micron Technology, Inc | Round Rock Research, LLC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 023786 | /0416 |
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