Methods for electronic tracking of units originating from a common source

Abstract

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.

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.   
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the first transponder is associated with the common source for a period of time during which the second transponder is not physically associated with the common source. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein the second transponder is not associated with any portion of the common source until after the splitting of the common source into two or more units. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the first and second transponders comprise radio frequency identification devices, and wherein the sending a code comprises stimulating the radio frequency identification devices with an interrogator and transmitting data from the stimulated devices to the interrogator. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the physically associating the second transponder occurs after the splitting of the source into two or more units. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the common source comprises at least a portion of an animal body, wherein the units are different cuts of meat comprised by the animal body, and wherein the splitting comprises cutting the animal body into said units. 
     
     
       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.   
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7  wherein the first transponder is joined to a meat spike, and wherein the physically associating the first transponder with said carcass comprises inserting the meat spike into said carcass. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7  wherein the carcass is hung from a hanger on a trolley, and wherein the physically associating the first transponder with said carcass comprises joining the first transponder to the hanger. 
     
     
       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.   
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10  wherein the first and second transponders comprise radio frequency identification devices, and wherein the sending a code comprises stimulating the radio frequency identification devices with an interrogator and transmitting data from the stimulated devices to the interrogator. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10  wherein the first transponder is joined to a meat spike, and wherein the physically associating the first transponder with said carcass comprises inserting the meat spike into said carcass. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10  wherein the second transponders are joined to meat spikes, and wherein the physically associating the second transponders with said at least one of the first units comprises inserting the meat spikes into said at least one of the first units. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10  wherein the carcass is hung from a hanger on a trolley, and wherein the physically associating the first transponder with said carcass comprises joining the first transponder to the hanger. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 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. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15  further comprising:
 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. 
 
     
     
       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.   
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17  wherein the first, second, third and fourth transponders comprise radio frequency identification devices, and wherein the sending of codes from the first, second third and fourth transponders comprises stimulating the radio frequency identification devices with one or more interrogators and transmitting data from the stimulated devices to the interrogators. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 17  wherein the first, second, third and fourth transponders comprise radio frequency identification devices, and wherein the ascertaining of the interrogating the transponders stimulating the transponders removed from the units of the collection before the packaging with an interrogator and transmitting data from the stimulated transponders to the interrogator. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 17  wherein the second and fourth transponders are joined to meat spikes, and wherein the physically associating the second fourth transponders with said first and second units comprises inserting the meat spikes into the first and second units. 
     
     
       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.   
     
     
       22. The assembly of  claim 21  wherein the housing and spike comprise plastic. 
     
     
       23. The assembly of  claim 21  wherein the housing has only one spike extending therefrom. 
     
     
       24. The assembly of  claim 21  wherein the housing and spike consist essentially of plastic. 
     
     
       25. The assembly of  claim 21  wherein the housing comprises a pair of planar surfaces joined by a sidewall, and wherein the at least one spike extends from one of the surfaces. 
     
     
       26. The assembly of  claim 25  wherein the planar surfaces comprise circular outer peripheries, and wherein the sidewall extends around the circular outer peripheries. 
     
     
       27. The assembly of  claim 21  wherein the housing comprises a pair of planar surfaces joined by a sidewall, and wherein the at least one spike is spaced from the sidewall. 
     
     
       28. The assembly of  claim 27  wherein the planar surfaces comprise circular outer peripheries, and wherein the sidewall extends around the circular outer peripheries. 
     
     
       29. A meat identification assembly comprising a transponder removably attached to a meat spike. 
     
     
       30. The assembly of  claim 29  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 transponder is attached to a substrate configured to slide over the rod and be retained by the holder. 
 
     
     
       31. The assembly of  claim 29  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 transponder is attached to a substrate configured to be retained to the rod by the loop. 
 
     
     
       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.   
     
     
       33. The assembly of  claim 32  wherein the RFID is configured as a passive device. 
     
     
       34. The assembly of  claim 32  wherein:
 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. 
 
     
     
       35. The method of  claim 1  wherein the physically associating comprises physically associating the first transponder with a monolithic common source. 
     
     
       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.   
     
     
       37. The assembly of  claim 36  wherein the at least one spike is rigid. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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.   
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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.   
     
     
       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.   
     
     
       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.   
     
     
       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.   
     
     
       49. The method of claim 48 and further comprising accessing the database and determining the common identification from the unique identifier. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       55. The method of claim 54, wherein providing the non-volatile memory further comprises providing a memory that is readable and writeable. 
     
     
       56. The method of claim 54, wherein providing the memory further comprises providing a memory portion that is unalterable. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       58. The method of claim 46, wherein providing the second RFID device further comprises providing a power source that is a thin film battery. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       61. The method of claim 46, wherein providing the group of articles in the container comprises providing perishable goods. 
     
     
       62. The method of claim 46, wherein providing the group of articles in the container comprises providing boxed goods on a pallet. 
     
     
       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.   
     
     
       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.   
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       67. The method of claim 63, wherein providing the group of articles in the container comprises providing perishable goods. 
     
     
       68. The method of claim 63, wherein providing the group of articles in the container comprises providing boxed goods on a pallet. 
     
     
       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.   
     
     
       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.   
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       73. The method of claim 69, wherein providing the group of articles in the container comprises providing perishable goods. 
     
     
       74. The method of claim 69, wherein providing the group of articles in the container comprises boxed goods on a pallet.