Method for electronic tracking of units associated with a batch

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 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 the database.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for electronic tracking of units originating from a common source, comprising:
 physically associating a first transponder with it 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 some 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 moat 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 or 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 or 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 sensing articles, comprising:
 providing a source with at least one unit associated therewith, the source and at least one unit having a common identification;   providing a first radio frequency identification (RFID) device associated with the source comprising a substrate, the first RFID device comprising:
 one or more antennas disposed adjacent the substrate; 
 a radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit disposed adjacent the substrate comprising a radio frequency receiver for receiving radio frequency signals, a radio frequency transmitter for communicating radio frequency signals, control logic, a memory for persistently storing data including the common identification indicating the source, the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit coupled to the one or more antennas, and a power source coupled to the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit; 
   using a remote radio frequency interrogator, transmitting 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;   affixing to at least one unit physically associated with the source a second RFID device comprising a substrate, a radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit disposed adjacent the substrate comprising a radio frequency receiver, a radio frequency transmitter, control logic, a memory for persistently storing data, the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit coupled to the one or more antennas, and a power source coupled to the radio frequency transceiver;   transmitting to the second RFID device, from a radio frequency interrogator in remote proximity to the selected article a radio frequency signal including a second identification and a command to store the second identification in the memory within the second RFID device;   storing the second identification in the memory of the second RFID device; and   associating the common identification and the second identification in a 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 unit;   receiving the second identification as part of a radio frequency signal response communicated from the second RFID device; and   determining the common identification from referring to the second identification in the database.   
     
     
       48. The method of claim 46, wherein and further comprising:
 removing the unit to a location remote from the source;   transmitting from an interrogator in remote proximity to the selected 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 second identification 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 second identification. 
     
     
       50. The method of claim 46, wherein the providing the first 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 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 combination thereof. 
     
     
       52. The method of claim 46, wherein providing the RFID device 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 RFID device further comprises providing the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit with the 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 RFID device further comprises providing the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit with the memory wherein the memory has a nonvolatile portion. 
     
     
       55. The method of claim 54, wherein providing the nonvolatile 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 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 RFID device further comprises providing the power source that is a thin film battery. 
     
     
       59. The method of claim 58, wherein providing the 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 RFID device further comprises providing the radio frequency transceiver integrated with the control logic being one selected from the group of a microprocessor, a microcontroller, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       61. The method claim 46, wherein providing the source comprises providing perishable goods. 
     
     
       62. The method of claim 46, wherein providing the source comprises providing goods disposed in a container. 
     
     
       63. The method of claim 62, wherein the container has the first RFID device affixed to it. 
     
     
       64. The method of claim 46, wherein providing the source comprises providing goods disposed on a pallet. 
     
     
       65. The method of claim 64, wherein the pallet has the RFID device affixed to it. 
     
     
       66. The method of claim 47 and further comprising:
 providing a source with a plurality of units, the source and the plurality of units having a common identification;   removing additional units from the source;   associating additional RFID devices with one or more of the additional units;   transmitting from a remote radio frequency signal interrogator to each additional RFID device a unique identifier for storage in the memory of the each additional RFID device; and   associating each of the unique identifiers with the common identifier in the database.   
     
     
       67. A method comprising:
 providing a source and at least one unit from the source having a common identification., wherein the unit is packaged with the source;   providing, on the source, a first radio frequency identification (RFID) device associated with the group of articles comprising a substrate, the first RFID device further comprising:
 one or more antennas disposed adjacent the substrate, a radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit disposed adjacent the substrate comprising a radio frequency receiver for receiving radio frequency signals, a radio frequency transmitter for communicating radio frequency signals, control logic, a memory for persistently storing data including the common identification indicating the group; 
 the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit coupled to the one or more antennas, and a power source coupled to the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit; 
   transmitting to the first RFID device, from a radio frequency interrogator in remote proximity to the group of article, 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;   affixing to a selected unit from the source a second RFID device comprising a substrate, a radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit disposed adjacent the substrate comprising a radio frequency, a radio frequency transmitter, control logic, a memory for storing data including a second identification, the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuited coupled to the one or more antennas, and a power source coupled to the radio frequency transceiver;   transmitting to the second RFID device, from a radio frequency interrogator in remote proximity to the selected 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;   associating the common identification and the second identification in a database; and   associating the common identification of the source and the second identification of the unit, with information about the source and the unit in the database.   
     
     
       68. The method of claim 67 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 selected unit;   receiving the second identification as part of a radio frequency signal response communicated from the second RFID device; and   determining the common identification from referring to the second identification in the database.   
     
     
       69. The method of claim 67, wherein providing the first 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. 
     
     
       70. The method of claim 67, wherein providing the first RFID device further comprises providing the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit device operable to communicate spread spectrum modulated radio frequency signals using backscatter reflection. 
     
     
       71. The method of claim 67, wherein the source is a pallet, wherein the pallet has the first RFID device affixed to it. 
     
     
       72. The method of claim 68 and further comprising:
 removing additional units from the source;   associating additional RFID devices with one or more of the additional units;   transmitting from a remote radio frequency signal interrogator to each additional RFID device a unique identifier for storage in the memory of the each additional RFID device; and   associating each of the unique identifiers with the common identifier in the database.   
     
     
       73. A method comprising:
 receiving a source for at least one unit having a common identification, the source and unit are packaged together, wherein a first radio frequency identification (RFID) device is affixed to the source and is associated with the at least one unit, and at least a second RFID device is affixed to the at least one unit, wherein at least the first and second RFID comprise a substrate, one or more antennas disposed adjacent the substrate, a radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit disposed adjacent the substrate comprising a radio frequency receiver for receiving radio frequency signals, a radio frequency transmitter for communicating radio frequency signals, control logic, a memory for storing identification data, the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit coupled to the one or more antennas, and a power source coupled to the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit;   transmitting to the first RFID device from a radio frequency interrogator in remote proximity to the source and at least one unit, 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 a database wherein the common identification is associated with at least the second identification in the database;   transmitting to at least the second RFID device affixed to the at least one unit from the source, from a radio frequency interrogator in remote proximity to the selected 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 at least one unit from the source is associated with information about the source; and   separating the at least one unit from the source and redistributing the at least one unit.   
     
     
       74. The method of claim 73, wherein the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit device of the first and second RFID device, is 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. 
     
     
       75. The method of claim 73, wherein the radio frequency transceiver integrated circuit device of the first and second RFID device, is operable to communicate spread spectrum modulated radio frequency signals using backscatter reflection. 
     
     
       76. The method of claim 73, wherein the source is a pallet and the at least one unit is a package disposed on the pallet, wherein the pallet has the first RFID device affixed to it. 
     
     
       77. The method of claim 73 and further comprising:
 removing additional units from the source, wherein each unit has affixed thereto an RFID device;   transmitting to RFID devices affixed to the additional units from the source, from a radio frequency interrogator in remote proximity to the additional articles, a radio frequency signal including a command interrogating the additional RFID devices to determine their respective identifications;   receiving in response, a radio frequency signal communication from one or more of the additional RFID devices including their respective identifications; and   accessing the database wherein at least the respective identifications of the additional units from the source are associated with information about the units.