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US 7,007,841 B2Granted
Systems and methods for tracking tobacco packages
OwnerJoseph M. Kocottinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for systematically tracking tobacco packages throughout a given area (e.g., country, state, county, or municipality) to ascertain the transferee or purchaser of a tobacco package at any given time in the history of the transfer or purchase of the tobacco package.
Claims18
A system for tracking tobacco packages, the system comprising:
- a unique identity code affixed to each package including a tobacco product wherein each unique identity code is a radio frequency tag;
- an identification terminal configured to read identification information embedded within an identification card of each transferee of each tobacco package;
- an identity code reader configured to read the unique identity code affixed to each tobacco package at least at each transfer of the tobacco package;
- a centralized host system configured to store an integrated listing of tobacco product packages and transferees of each package;
- and
- a communicating device configured to combine the identification information and identity code information and configured to communicate the combined identification information and the identity code information associated with each transfer of at least one tobacco package to the centralized host system for registering the transfer of the at least one tobacco package.
3 more elements
A method of tracking tobacco packages, the method comprising the steps of:
- applying a unique identity code to each tobacco package at a manufacturing plant wherein each unique identity code is a radio frequency tag;
- reading the unique identity code of each tobacco package at least at a point of transfer of the tobacco package;
- reading identification information of the transferee of the tobacco package at the point of transfer of the tobacco package, the identification information being embedded within an identification card of the transferee, and wherein an identification terminal reads identification information about a transferee;
- associating the unique identity code of the tobacco package with the identification information of the transferee of the tobacco package at the point of transfer;
- communicating the associated tobacco package and transferee information over a network to a centralized host system;
- and
- storing the associated information in the centralized host system providing an integrated, automated reviewable record of the transferees of the tobacco packages.
4 more elements
A system for tracking tobacco packages, the system comprising:
- a centralized host system configured to receive associated identification information and identity code information regarding transfers of tobacco packages the identification information being embedded within an identification card of the transferee that is automatically read by an identification terminal and the identity code information being affixed to a tobacco package at a tune of transfer in the form of a unique identity code for each tobacco package, wherein each unique identity code is a radio frequency tag;
- and
- means for storing the identification information and the identity code information in the centralized host system for registering the transfer of the tobacco package with the transferees of the tobacco package.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.