The invention disclosed provides a method, system, and associated tag for
detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects. The novel method
broadly comprises the steps of: a) attaching a low radio frequency
detection tag to each of the objects, each tag comprising a tag antenna
operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz (preferably
not exceeding 300 kilohertz), a transceiver operatively connected to the
tag's antenna, the transceiver being operable to transmit and receive
data signals at the low radio frequency, a data storage device operable
to store data comprising identification data for identifying said
detection tag, a programmed data processor operable to process data
received from the transceiver and the data storage device and to send
data to cause the transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon
the identification data stored in said data storage device, and an energy
source for activating the tag's transceiver and data processor; b)
storing, in the data storage device of each tag, shipping data selected
from object description data, address-of-origin data, destination address
data, object vulnerability data, and object status data; c) commingling
the objects in a repository selected from a warehouse and a truck, the
repository being provided with at least one large loop field antenna
operable at said low radio frequency; the field antenna being disposed at
a distance from each object that permits effective communication
therewith at the low radio frequency, d) reading the identification data
and shipping data from the transceiver of each tag by interrogating all
tags commingled in said repository with data signals, such as specific IP
addresses or other identification codes, via said field antenna; and e)
transmitting the identification data and shipping data from each tag to a
central data processor to provide a tally of the objects in said
repository.