Tracking system and label for use in conjunction therewith
First Claim
1. A system for tracking at least one product, such as an item, carton or pallet, within a retail supply chain, the system comprising, (a) a supply chain management system which includes at least one database, the at least one database having a first set of electronic data records stored therein, the first set of electronic data records being designated for a first product, (b) a label affixed to the first product, the label comprising, (i) an radio frequency identification (RFID) device that stores a unique product identification code, (ii) a printed barcode configured to represent a link code that is different from the unique product identification code, and (iii) an alphanumeric character string configured to represent the link code, (c) a computer configured to capture the unique product identification code and the link code from the label, the computer being connected to the supply chain management system through a communication path, (d) automated means for capturing the unique product identification code on the computer from the RFID device, (e) automated means for capturing the link code on the computer from the barcode provided on the label, and (f) means for capturing the link code on the computer from the alphanumeric character string provided on the label, (g) wherein the supply chain management system utilizes the unique product identification code to identify the first set of electronic data records stored in the database, (h) wherein the supply chain management system utilizes the link code to locate the unique product identification code which is in turn utilized to identify the first set of electronic data records stored in the at least one database.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hybrid label is provided with a unique product identification code which can be retrieved using multiple independent processes. In one embodiment, the hybrid label includes an RFID inlay and a printable face sheet which are secured together by a layer of adhesive material. The RFID inlay includes an integrated circuit chip which is programmed with the unique product identification code. The printable face sheet includes a bar code and an alphanumeric character string, each of which is configured to represent the same identification code. A product tracking system designed in accordance with the hybrid label is able to extract the unique identification code from the label and, in turn, associate the identification code with a designated bundle of data records which is located in an external database. The product tracking system can retrieve the identification code through the use of either RFID technology, bar code technology or manual data entry. The ability to monitor an individual article of commerce throughout the retail supply chain provides the system with, among other things, item-level tracking, anti-counterfeit, anti-diversion, security and article return applications.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system for tracking at least one product, such as an item, carton or pallet, within a retail supply chain, the system comprising,
(a) a supply chain management system which includes at least one database, the at least one database having a first set of electronic data records stored therein, the first set of electronic data records being designated for a first product, (b) a label affixed to the first product, the label comprising, (i) an radio frequency identification (RFID) device that stores a unique product identification code, (ii) a printed barcode configured to represent a link code that is different from the unique product identification code, and (iii) an alphanumeric character string configured to represent the link code, (c) a computer configured to capture the unique product identification code and the link code from the label, the computer being connected to the supply chain management system through a communication path, (d) automated means for capturing the unique product identification code on the computer from the RFID device, (e) automated means for capturing the link code on the computer from the barcode provided on the label, and (f) means for capturing the link code on the computer from the alphanumeric character string provided on the label, (g) wherein the supply chain management system utilizes the unique product identification code to identify the first set of electronic data records stored in the database, (h) wherein the supply chain management system utilizes the link code to locate the unique product identification code which is in turn utilized to identify the first set of electronic data records stored in the at least one database.
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8. A system for tracking at least one product, such as an item, carton or pallet, within a retail supply chain, the system comprising,
(a) a supply chain management system which includes at least one database, the at least one database having a first set of electronic data records stored therein, the first set of electronic data records being designated for a first product, (b) a label affixed to the first product, the label being provided with a unique product identification code, the label comprising, (i) an RFID device that stores the unique product identification code, (ii) a printed barcode configured to represent the unique product identification code, and (iii) an alphanumeric character string configured to represent the unique product identification code, and (c) a computer configured to capture the unique product identification code from the label, the computer being connected to the supply chain management system through a communication path, (d) wherein the supply chain management system utilizes the unique product identification code to identify the first set of electronic data records stored in the at least one database.
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12. A system for tracking at least one product, such as an item, carton or pallet, within a retail supply chain, the system comprising,
(a) a supply chain management system which includes at least one database, the at least one database having a first set of electronic data records stored therein, the first set of electronic data records being designated for a first product, (b) a label affixed to the first product, the label comprising an RFID device that is provided with an identification code, and (c) a computer configured to capture the identification code from the RFID device using radio frequency identification technology, the computer being connected to the supply chain management system through a communication path, (d) wherein the supply chain management system utilizes the identification code to identify the first set of electronic data records stored in the at least one database.
Specification