Visibility radio cap and network

• US 7,864,053 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2008
• Issued: 01/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Visible Assets Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Visible Assets Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: August, Jason, Stevens, John, Waterhouse, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US12/048,181
• Publication Number:
  US 20080218348A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,027 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/572.8, 340/572.7, 340/505, 340/539.22, 340/539.26, 340/825.36, 340/10.1, 340/5.8, 235/494, 235/487, 235/385, 235/380, 235/382.5, 235/383, 726/2, 380/277, 705/2, 705/22, 705/67, 705/72, 705/17, 705/58
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0717 the sensor being capable of sensing environmental conditions such as temperature history or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring

Abstract

A pedigree tag for tracking and validating authenticity of contents in a container includes: a radio frequency modem operable at a low radio frequency, not exceeding one megahertz, and including a full duplex transmitter and receiver; an antenna operatively coupled with the radio frequency modem; a programmable microprocessor operatively coupled with the radio frequency modem; a memory operatively coupled with the programmable microprocessor; a clock; and a connector for connecting a power source for providing power to the microprocessor; wherein the pedigree tag is in a form factor conformable to the container to which it is affixed.

Claims

1. A method for enabling a pedigree tag visibility network, the method comprising steps of:

initializing a pedigree tag with a unique identifier and a network identifier;

affixing the pedigree tag onto a container, depending on the pedigree tag'"'"'s form factor;

transmitting data to the pedigree tag;

monitoring data recorded by the pedigree tag; and

deactivating the pedigree tag.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein data is transmitted to the pedigree tag from a base station.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein data is transmitted to the pedigree tag from remote data storage location.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the pedigree tag is affixed to the container using adhesive.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein monitoring the data comprises monitoring data recorded by the pedigree tag in response to sensor alerts.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising a step of altering data stored in the pedigree tag responsive to the sensor alerts.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the pedigree tag is deactivated pursuant to a sensor alert.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the deactivating occurs when the pedigree tag is removed from the container.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein removal prompts automatic deactivation of the pedigree tag, depending on placement of the pedigree tag vis-a-vis the container.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the monitoring continues even after the pedigree tag has been removed from the container and the deactivating occurs pursuant to a user request.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein removal of the pedigree tag prompts the pedigree tag to record a timestamp of the removal.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the deactivating comprises software deactivation.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the monitoring comprises remote web monitoring.