Method for recycling identification codes
Method for recycling one-time codes for individually marking individual products ( 11 - 15 ), the codes being each stored in a RFID tag ( 91 - 95 ) or encoded in the form of a bar code, including the following steps: determining that a one-time code individually marking a product ( 11 - 15 ) that no longer needs to be traced is available, offering said code for individually marking another product. With this method, one-time codes can be recycled independently from their carriers such as for example RFID tags or bar codes and sold to buyers interested in new codes.
1 . Method for recycling one-time codes for individually marking individual products, the codes being each stored in a RFID tag or encoded in the form of a bar code, including the following steps:
determining in a data processing system on the basis of data from a code reader and/or on the basis of a time span that a one-time code individually marking a product that no longer needs to be traced is available again,
offering said newly available code for individually marking another product.
2 . Method according to the preceding claim, said step of determining including the reading of said newly available code from a RFID tag or from a bar code.
3 . Method according to claim 1 , with the following additional step:
destroying said RFID tag or said bar code.
4 . Method according to claim 3 , with the following additional step:
recording in said RFID tag the recycling of said newly available code.
5 . Method according to claim 4 , said reading being performed at a collection point for recycling said product or a part of said product.
6 . Method according to claim 5 , said reading being performed with a mobile device having a RFID reader or a bar code reader and an interface to a telecommunication network.
7 . Method according to claim 1 , said step of determining being decided after a certain time after production, distribution and/or end sale of said product.
8 . Method according to claim 1 , a deposit refund for the recycling of said code and/or of said product being credited to a user.
9 . Method according to claim 1 , costs for recycling said product being billed to a user or to a producer of said product.
10 . Method according to claim 1 , said newly available code including a data set for identifying a producer of said product.
11 . Method according to claim 1 , said newly available code being first offered to said producer.
12 . Method according to claim 1 , said newly available code being offered by said producer to another buyer.
13 . Method according to claim 1 , said newly available code being sold.
14 . Method according to claim 1 , said newly available code being sold at an auction.
15 . Method according to claim 1 , said newly available code being sold electronically.
16 . Method according to claim 1 , said newly available code being via Internet.
17 . Method according to claim 1 , said newly available code being offered together with other codes that have a common data set with said newly available code.
18 . Method according to claim 1 , with the following additional step:
archiving data about said product in a tracing system.
19 . Method according to claim 18 , with the following additional step:
recording the recycling of said code in said data.
20 . Method according to claim 1 , said newly available code being an EPC code.
21 . Method according to claim 20 , with the following additional step:
modifying in an ONS server the correlation of at least one PML page allocated to said newly available code.
22 . Method according to claim 20 or 21 , with the following additional step:
modifying a PML page containing data over said product that is no longer to be traced.
23 . Method according to one of the claims 20 to 22 , with the following additional step:
allocating in an ONS server a new PML page with said newly available code.