Electronic identification apparatus

An electronic identification apparatus for identifying an object, the apparatus comprising:

• a base member having a connector for connecting the base member to the object;
• a processor assembly attached to the base member and including:
• a memory for storing data;
• a transponder;
• a sensor for sensing when the processor assembly is connected to the object;
• and
• a processor linked to the memory, the transponder and the sensor, the sensor indicating to the processor whether or not the processor assembly is connected to the object, the processor performing at least one security function when the processor assembly is disconnected from the object;
• wherein the at least one security function includes at least one of clearing the memory, disabling the memory and disabling the transponder.

An electronic information apparatus for use with an object data device that stored information related to an object, the apparatus comprising:

• (A) a base member having a connector for attaching the identification apparatus to the object;
• and
• (B) a processor assembly including:
• (1) a housing linkable to the base member;
• (2) a memory for storing information;
• (3) a data reader for reading information from an object data device;
• and
• (4) a processor linked to the memory and the reader for receiving information from the reader and storing the information in the memory.

A contents identifying containment apparatus comprising:

• (A) a vessel forming a container volume having an opening
• (B) a closure member for closing the opening;
• (C) a base member affixed to one of the vessel and the closure member having at least one latching device extending;
• (D) a memory for storing information
• (E) a processor assembly having:
• (1) a housing including a second latching device configured so as to receivable by the first latching device to secure the processor assembly to the base member;
• and
• (2) a processor linked to the memory for processing container control information, the processor assembly, vessel, closure member and base member each being apparatus components;
• and
• (F) a latch linked to one of the apparatus components and when the housing is attached to the base member, positioned with respect to the vessel so as to restrain the closure member when in a lock position and to allow the closure member to be moved when in an unlock position;
• wherein, when the housing is attached to the base member, the processor is linked to the latch for controlling the latch.

An electronic identification apparatus for identifying an object, comprising:

• a base member having a connector for attaching the base member to the object;
• at least one sensing transducer linkable to an external device containing data and, when an external device is linked, collecting data from the external device;
• and
• a memory attached to the base member and linked to the sensing transducer, the memory storing the data collected from the external device.

A method of using an electronic identification device attached to an object and capable of acquiring object related information from an object data device having readable segment, the electronic identification device having a processor assembly including a processor, a connection sensor, a memory and a data reader for reading information from the object data device, the processor being linked to the sensor, the memory, the method comprising the steps of:

• (A) reading information from the object data device with the reader of the processor assembly, the information at least including basic identification information;
• (B) storing at least the basic identification information in the memory;
• (C) monitoring, with the sensor, whether the processor assembly is connected to the object;
• and
• (D) when the sensor indicates the processor assembly is disconnected from the object, performing at least one security function.

The method of using a contents identifying containment apparatus comprising a closable container vessel to which is affixed a memory and a processor linked to the memory, the container vessel also having a latch linkable to the processor and positioned so as to control opening and closing of the container vessel, the method comprising the steps of:

• (A) storing in the memory basic identification information pertaining to the contents of the container vessel;
• (B) receiving container control information;
• and
• (C) when the container is closed, operating the latch to extend to a locked position so as to prevent the container from being opened and to retract to an unlocked position to allow the container to be opened, the latch being under the control of the processor assembly and operated according to the container control information.