RFID material tracking method and apparatus

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for tracking items use a RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag with a material tracking system capable of real-time location and identification of items. RFID tags are attached to the item to be tracked.

1 . A method of attaching an identification tag to an object, the method comprising: 
 forming a shallow polypropylene cup;    attaching a radio frequency identification tag to the polypropylene cup; and    attaching the polypropylene cup to the object.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein attaching the radio frequency identification tag to the polypropylene cup includes placing a bar code label in the polypropylene cup.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein attaching the radio frequency identification tag to the polypropylene cup includes placing an radio frequency identification tag containing a manufacturer serial number in the polypropylene cup.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein attaching the radio frequency identification tag to the polypropylene cup includes molding the radio frequency identification tag to the polypropylene cup.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein attaching the radio frequency identification tag to the polypropylene cup includes associating manufacturing lot information with the radio frequency identification tag.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein attaching the polypropylene cup to the object includes attaching the polypropylene cup to a wafer box.  
     
     
         7 . A method of attaching an identification tag to an object, the method comprising: 
 forming a shallow polypropylene cup;    welding a radio frequency identification tag to the polypropylene cup; and    attaching the polypropylene cup to the object.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein welding the radio frequency identification tag to the polypropylene cup includes welding the radio frequency identification tag to the polypropylene cup ultrasonically.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the method includes removing the radio frequency identification tag from the polypropylene cup at completion of a production cycle.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein welding the radio frequency identification tag to the polypropylene cup includes placing a bar code label in the polypropylene cup.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein welding the radio frequency identification tag to the polypropylene cup includes placing an radio frequency identification tag containing a manufacturer serial number in the polypropylene cup.  
     
     
         12 . A method of attaching an identification tag to an object, the method comprising: 
 forming a shallow polypropylene cup;    attaching a radio frequency identification to the polypropylene cup; and    welding the polypropylene cup to the object.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein welding the polypropylene cup to the object includes welding the polypropylene cup to the object ultrasonically.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , the method includes removing the radio frequency identification tag from the polypropylene cup at the completion of a production cycle.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein attaching the radio frequency identification tag to the polypropylene cup includes placing a bar code label in the polypropylene cup.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein attaching the radio frequency identification tag to the polypropylene cup includes placing an radio frequency identification tag containing a manufacturer serial number in the polypropylene cup.  
     
     
         17 . A method of attaching an identification tag to an object, the method comprising: 
 forming a shallow polypropylene cup;    welding a radio frequency identification tag to the polypropylene cup ultrasonically;    welding the polypropylene cup to the object ultrasonically; and    associating the radio frequency identification tag with manufacturer data regarding the object.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the method includes removing the radio frequency identification tag from the polypropylene cup at the completion of a production cycle.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein welding the radio frequency identification tag to the polypropylene cup includes welding a bar code label to the polypropylene cup.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein welding the radio frequency identification tag to the polypropylene cup includes welding an radio frequency identification tag containing a manufacturer serial number to the polypropylene cup.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein associating the radio frequency identification tag with manufacturer data includes associating the radio frequency identification tag with manufacturer data provided to a database.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein associating the radio frequency identification tag with manufacturer data includes generating historical information regarding the object to which the identification is attached.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the method includes: 
 removing the radio frequency identification tag from the polypropylene cup at the completion of a production cycle;    recycling the radio frequency identification tag for attachment to a second object; and    associating the radio frequency identification tag with manufacturer data regarding the second object.