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.