Abstract:
Methods, systems and devices for enabling the geolocational monitoring, tracking and management of an agricultural workflow are provided. A first version of the method includes establishing a serial number for shipping containers which corresponds to a software database record that is readily editable. The invented method avoids the need for correcting errors on detailed physical labels placed on produce shipping containers, thereby increasing overall efficiency of sending fresh produce to the stream of commerce. Increasing the speed at which said produce enters the marketplace allows growers to realize more of the value of each crop.

Description:
CLAIM FOR PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation-in-part of currently pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/347,702 titled “METHOD, SYSTEM AND DEVICE FOR A GEOLOCATIONAL TRACKING AND MANAGEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL WORKFLOW” filed on Jan. 11, 2012. The present application claims the priority date of filing for this U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/347,702. Furthermore, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/347,702 is incorporated into the present disclosure in its entirety and for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to methods and systems of agricultural process monitoring and management, and more particularly to associating aspects and elements of agricultural production, processing and delivery with distinguishable persons, goods and locales. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many environments within the agricultural sector have proven to be resistant to harvesting the benefits of information technology than most industrial and manufacturing operations. In many aspects of prior art agricultural production and foodstuff management, the logging and association of agricultural inputs and relevant production factors, e.g., seed, fertilizer, pesticides, plant nutrients, and labor, with specific food items, locations and fields of plant growth, individual farm workers, shipping and processing agents, and the stream of agricultural commerce have not been optimally addressed or enabled by the prior art. 
         [0004]    Escalating concerns over food safety and immigrant worker tracking in the first decade of this century have significantly increased in importance in the consciousness of the public and numerous United States government agencies and officials. In particular, the importance of control, tracking and documenting of the persons and phases through which an individual foodstuff has contact, or may be affected by, has increased in public and governmental priority in the last ten years. As a consequence of these concerns, many government agencies are expanding their vigilance over, and legally enforceable duties of, vendors and firms in the food industry. 
         [0005]    Agricultural producers are required by law to have certain labeling information on containers of produce shipped. This is largely for health and safety concerns. The prior art addresses container labeling requirements by pre-labeling containers and storing them in a warehouse until needed. Once needed the containers are sent to a work site where they are filled. This process is not immune to error. Often, a container with an incorrect label is sent to a work site. For example, a container labeled to ship strawberries is sent to a work site where growers are cultivating lettuce. Since the container may not legally be shipped while incorrectly labeled, the labeling has to be corrected at the work site. This is a wholly inefficient process. 
         [0006]    There is therefore a long felt need to provide systems and methods that improve the application of information technology to provide a more efficient means for tracking and monitoring agricultural and food shipments. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is an object of the method of the present invention to enhance food safety. 
         [0008]    It is another object of the method of the present invention to provide improved devices, systems and methods that enable the monitoring and analysis of aspects, conditions and outcomes of an agricultural production process. 
         [0009]    It is another object of the method of the present invention to increase accountability of agricultural workers by enabling the tracking of individual workers with reference identifiers that are recorded in association with time, date and location information. 
         [0010]    It is another object of the method of the present invention to prepare shipping containers for produce such that the labeling is readily changeable through use of a software database. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    These and other objects of the present invention are made obvious in light of this disclosure, wherein methods, systems and computer-readable media for monitoring and managing agricultural production process. According to a first aspect of the method of the present invention, a method is provided that applies labeling to shipping containers for goods and produce with electronic labeling. This method proceeds by identifying a product unit, the method comprising: generating a plurality of unit identifiers, each unit identifier including a source entity identifier and a unique unit serial number; converting the plurality of unit identifiers into a machine-readable format; printing a unique image of each of the plurality of unit identifiers in the machine-readable format onto a separable adhesive label and/or alternatively or additionally applying ink to one or more containers to imprint one or more unit identifiers onto one or more containers; affixing each adhesive label onto a separate unit container of a plurality of unit containers; distributing at least one unit container to a product source location; associating the label of the at least one unit container with a unit of goods at the product source location; associating unit identifier of the label of the at least one unit container with software record; and populating the software record with a goods identifier, the goods identifier indicating the identity of the unit of goods. 
         [0012]    This method allows a particular shipping container to be physically labeled simply by a number and a work site location. The number corresponds to an entry in a software database, the database containing additional information about the container and is readily editable. 
         [0013]    According another optional aspect of the invention, an element of crop cultivation is instantiated at or proximate to an identified area of plant cultivation, assigned an element identifier, or “marker”, and then tracked by referenced to the element marker as the element passes along the stream of commerce from the area of plant cultivation and to the consumer or end user. The database records are then automatically populated through use of these “markers” when selected container. 
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0014]    All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety and for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,037,846 (inventor: Pratt and issued on Oct. 18, 2011) titled “Method and system for tracking and managing animals and/or food products”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,904,373 (inventors: Kimle, et al. and issued on Mar. 8, 2011) titled “Method for electronically initiating and managing agricultural production contracts”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,772,983 (inventors: Grose, et al. and issued on Aug. 10, 2010) titled “Apparatus for tracking carcass”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,702,462 (inventors: Fuessley, et al. and issued on Apr. 20, 2010) titled “Method and apparatus for tracking individual plants while growing and/or after harvest”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,127 (inventor: Crosby and issued on Jun. 1, 2004) titled “System and method for tracking and reporting pesticide and fertilizer use on agricultural products”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,188 (inventors: Johnson, et al. and issued on Apr. 29, 2003) titled “Terminal for an active labeling system”; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,152,063 (inventors: Grant, et al. and issues on Apr. 10, 2012) entitled, “Case Labeling for Field-Packed Produce.” 
         [0016]    The publications discussed or mentioned herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Furthermore, the dates of publication provided herein may differ from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0017]    These, and further features of various aspects of the present invention, may be better understood with reference to the accompanying specification, wherein: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a crop cultivation area A located within a larger geographic area; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a schematic of the GPS device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an electronics communications network comprising the Internet, the GPS device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a GIS, and a database server; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of a first area data set record that may be stored in the GPS device of  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the GIS and the database server of  FIG. 3 , includes data relating the area of  FIG. 1  to a crop area, a GPS location, a worker identifier, a plurality of area inputs to the area A, and/or historical data; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is process diagram of certain aspects of the method of the present invention as enabled by the GPS device of  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  and the electronics communications network of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart of certain other aspects of the method of the present invention related to monitoring a distinguishable crop growing area that may be implemented by the GPS device of  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  and the electronics communications network of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of an exemplary first crop element record that includes a crop area identifier rand information related to the crop area and crop element of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a schematic of an RFID device containing a crop element record of  FIG. 7 , a worker record and/or a crop area record; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of an exemplary first worker record that includes a worker identifier and information related to the worker and crop area(s) and crop element(s) of  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  7 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of a database of  FIG. 2  that may be stored in a device, computer or server of  FIG. 1 ,  2 , or  3  and comprising information partially or entirely of  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  7 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is a flow chart of a prior art method of associating a product unit with a shipping container; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  is a flow chart depicting a first aspect of the invented method for associating a product unit with an invented label and a shipping container; 
           [0030]      FIG. 13A  is an illustration of an exemplary invented label; 
           [0031]      FIG. 13B  is a block diagram of an exemplary software label record that is associated with the exemplary label of  FIG. 13A ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of a first stamp that may be used to mark the invented label of  FIG. 13A  with a country of origin indication; 
           [0033]      FIG. 14B  is a perspective view of a second stamp that may be used to mark the invented label of  FIG. 13A  with a particular date; 
           [0034]      FIG. 14C  is a perspective view of a third stamp that may be used to mark the invented label of  FIG. 13A  with a selectable date; 
           [0035]      FIG. 14D  is a perspective view of a marker that may be used to manually mark the invented label of  FIG. 13A ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 15  is a software flowchart of aspects of the invented method that may be implemented by one or more systems or devices the communications network of  FIG. 3 , wherein a particular product unit is associated with a software record, and information from the software record is associated with a label attached to or coupled with a product unit; 
           [0037]      FIG. 16  is a software flowchart that may be implemented within the communications network of  FIG. 3 , wherein a software record is updated; 
           [0038]      FIG. 17  is a software flowchart of additional aspects of the invented method that may be implemented by one or more systems or devices the communications network of  FIG. 3 , wherein a particular product unit is associated with a software record, and information from the software record is associated with a label attached to or coupled with a product unit; 
           [0039]      FIG. 18  is a software flowchart of additional aspects of the invented method that may be implemented by one or more systems or devices the communications network of  FIG. 3 , wherein information of a software label record is requested; 
           [0040]      FIG. 19  is a software flowchart of printer operations in the printing of an invented label; 
           [0041]      FIG. 20A  is a block diagram of a message containing label record update information; 
           [0042]      FIG. 20B  is a block diagram of a query message containing information from a labeled software record; 
           [0043]      FIG. 20C  is a block diagram of a printer message that directs a printer to print an invented label; 
           [0044]      FIG. 20D  is a block diagram of a label record message containing label record information; 
           [0045]      FIG. 20E  is a block diagram of a palette message that associates a pallet label record with a plurality of additional label records; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 21  is a front view of a pallet containing a plurality of containers wherein the pallet and each container is marked with a unique invented label. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0047]    It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular aspects of the present invention described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims. 
         [0048]    Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of the recited events which is logically possible, as well as the recited order of events. 
         [0049]    Where of values is provided herein, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention. 
         [0050]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the methods and materials are now described. 
         [0051]    It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation. 
         [0052]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 1  is an illustration of a crop cultivation area A located within a larger geographic area B. A GPS device  2  is placed within an area A wherein a human worker  4 , a defined crop growth area  6  (hereinafter, “crop area”  6 ), a plurality of plants  8 , a plurality of animals  10 , and a mobile farm equipment  12 , such as a tractor or a plant bagger, are located. The GPS device  2  accepts and records information, including but not limited to information identifying or describing a quality, aspect or element related or provided regarding the area A, one or more crop areas  6 , equipment  12 , and life forms  4 ,  8  &amp;  10  located within the area A. The recorded information is associated with a GPS signal received by the GPS device  2  and optionally (a.) a crop area identifier CE.ID; (b.) information related to or identifying a crop area  6 , the Area A, a worker  4 , an equipment  12 , and/or a plant  8 , and/or (c.) a time date stamp  14 B. 
         [0053]    An exemplary crop  14  comprises an agricultural output, e.g., plants, fruits, vegetables, meat sections, livestock, and/or other suitable agricultural process outputs known in the art, that has been harvested from, collected at, or removed from a distinguishable and identified crop area  6 . An RFID marker device  16  travels with the crop element  14  (or “crop  14 ”) in the stream of commerce optionally with or within a crop container  18 . The crop  14  may be or comprise, for example but not limited to, an individual animal, tree or plant, or a plurality, bushel, or container load of fruit, vegetables, livestock or other suitable agricultural process output known in the art. An exemplary first crop container  18 A segregates and holds an exemplary first product unit  14 A selected from the crop  14  and supports tracking of the first product unit  14 A as the first container  18 A is transported and processed through the stream of commerce extending from the originating and identified crop area  6  and to the consumer, and optionally beyond delivery to the consumer and in one or more stages of recycling, composting, and/or waste management. A prior art label LBL.PRI is optionally affixed to the first container  18 A. 
         [0054]    The RFID marker  16  may send and receive information to and from a communications network  20 , the Internet  22 , a telephony network  30 , one or more GPS devices  2 , GIS servers  24 , database servers  26 , network computers  28 , and RFID writers/readers  32  to generate and store information related to the instant crop  14  as the crop  14  is moved through the stream of commerce. 
         [0055]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 2  is a schematic of the GPS device  2  of  FIG. 1 . It is understood that one, more than one, or all of the elements and aspects of the GPS device  2  may also be present in one or more GIS servers  24 , database servers  26 , and/or network computers  28 . 
         [0056]    An internal power and communications bus  2 A bi-directionally communicatively couples a central processing unit  2 B (“CPU”  2 B), a system memory  2 C, a GPS module  2 D, a visual pattern bar code reader  2 E, a data input module  2 F, a display module  2 G having a display screen  2 G 1 , a disk memory, controller and disk memory module  2 H, an electronic media reader  21 , a network interface module  2 J, a wireless communications module  2 K, and an RFID writer/reader. A battery  2 M is further coupled with the GPS device  2  elements  2 A- 2 K by means of the power and communications bus  2 A and provides electrical power to the elements  2 A- 2 K of the GPS device  2 . The electronic media reader  21  and each of a plurality of electronic media  2 N are selected are configured to enable the transfer of software encoded data and instructions between the GPS device  2  and the electronic media  2 N. 
         [0057]    The bar code reader  2 E and each of a plurality of bar code patterns  20  are selected and configured to enable the transfer of encoded identifiers, data and instructions as encoded in the bar code pattern and the electronic media  2 N. One or more identifiers, data and instructions of one or more of the bar code patterns may identify and/or relate to one or more human workers  4 , crop areas  6 , plants  8 , animals  10 , equipment  12 , and/or crops  14 . Alternatively or additionally, one or more identifiers, data and instructions of one or more of the bar code patterns  20  may identify and/or relate to an identification of a plant seed, an identification of a plant fertilizing agent, an identification of a plant nutritional agent, an identification of a volume of water, an identification of a pest reduction agent, an identification of a plant disease, and/or other data related to, describing or identifying an agricultural process input. Still alternatively or additionally, one or more identifiers, data and instructions of one or more of the bar code patterns  20  may identify and/or relate to an agricultural process output, such as a fruit or vegetable, a measure of a harvested plant element, an animal or animal product, and/or other agricultural process output known in the art. 
         [0058]    The RFID reader/writer  2 L and the RFID marker  16  are selected and configured to communicate, store and/or exchange information relating to the Area A, the associated crop  14 , the instant crop area  6 , an identification of a plant seed, an identification of a plant fertilizing agent, an identification of a plant nutritional agent, an identification of a volume of water, an identification of a pest reduction agent, an identification of a plant disease, and/or other data related to, describing or identifying an agricultural process input. Still alternatively or additionally, information communicated between the RFID marker  16  and the RFID reader/writer  2 L may identify and/or relate to an agricultural process output comprised within the crop  14  associated with the RFID marker  16 , such as a fruit or vegetable, a measure of a harvested plant element, an animal or animal product, and/or other agricultural process output known in the art. 
         [0059]    The GPS device  2  system memory  2 C has various software programs and utilities stored therein, to include, but not limited to, an operating system SW. 1 , an input module driver software SW. 2 , a display module driver software SW. 3 , a media reader module driver software SW. 4 , a network communications software SW. 5 , a GPS software SW. 6 , a database management software SW. 7  (hereinafter “DBMS” SW. 7 ) and a system software SW. 8 . The DBMS SW. 7  includes a plurality of software databases DBS. 1 , DBS. 2 , DBS. 3  &amp; DBS.N. The system software SW. 8  enables and directs the GPS device  2  in the performance of the steps and aspects of the invention as presented in the Figures and disclosed in accompanying text. The operating system software SW. 1  may be selected from freely available, open source and/or commercially available operating system software, to include but not limited to a LINUX™ or UNIX™ or derivative operating system, such as the DEBIAN™ operating system software as provided by Software in the Public Interest, Inc. of Indianapolis, Ind.; a WINDOWS XP™, VISTA™ or WINDOWS 7™ operating system as marketed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.; or the MAC OS X operating system or iPhone G4 OS™ as marketed by Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. 
         [0060]    The database management system DBMS SW. 7  may be or comprise an object oriented database management system (“OODBMS”) and/or a relational database management system (“RDBMS”), and one or more databases DBS. 1 -DBS.N may be or comprise an object oriented database and/or a relational database. The DBMS SW. 7  may be selected from prior art database management systems including, but not limited to, Objectivity/DB 10™ marketed by Objectivity, Inc. of Mountain View, Calif.; a Database 2™, also known as DB2™, relational database management system as marketed by IBM Corporation of Armonk, N.Y.; and the Advantage Database Server™ relational database management system. 
         [0061]    The GPS device  2  may be or comprise (a.) an IPHONE G4™ internet enabled cellular telephone marketed by Apple, Inc., of Cupertino, Calif.; (b.) an IPAD™ tablet computer marketed by Apple, Inc., of Cupertino, Calif.; (c.) or other suitable or handheld portable computational communications device known in the art. 
         [0062]    The system software SW. 8  directs the GPS device  2  and the elements  20  through to execute, instantiate and/or comply with the software-enabled aspects of the method of the present invention. The input module driver software SW. 2  directs and enables the CPU  2 B and the input module  2 F in receiving and recording in the system memory data and commands received from the input module  2 F, wherein the input module may be a computer keyboard and/or a point and click selection device, or other suitable user input device known in the art. The display module software module SW. 3  directs and enables the CPU  2 B and the video display module  2 G in rendering commands, messages, data and graphics via the video display module  2 G. The media reader/writer driver software SW. 4  directs and enables the CPU  2 B and the media reader/writer in sending and receiving information to and from the media  2 N. The network communications software SW. 2  directs and enables the CPU  2 B and the GPS device  2  in general to bi-directionally communicate with the communications network  20  of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0063]    A printer driver software PDR. 01  enables the GPS device or the network computer  28  to provide data and instructions to a printer  34  of  FIG. 3  to print images on conventional label stock to generate labels  35 A- 35 N and invented labels LBL. 001 -LBL.N. A mobile printer driver software PDR. 01  enables the GPS device or the network computer  28  to provide data and instructions to a wireless-communications enabled portable printer  36  of  FIG. 3  to print images on conventional label stock to generate labels  35 A- 35 N and invented labels LBL. 001 -LBL.N. A programmable handheld printer driver software PDR. 03  enables the GPS device or the network computer  28  to provide data and instructions to a programmable handheld printer  38  of  FIG. 3  to form pattern images on external surfaces of containers  18 . 
         [0064]    The printer  34  and/or the mobile printer  36  may be an HP 6700™ ink jet printer marketed by Hewlett Packard, Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif., a Brother MW-260™ hand held thermal printer marketed by Brother International of Bridgewater, N.J., an HP Officejet 100™ mobile printer marketed by Hewlett Packard, Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif., a Brother PocketJet 6 Plus PJ663-K™ mobile printer marketed by Brother International of Bridgewater, N.J., or other suitable ink, laser, inkjet or thermal printer known in the art. 
         [0065]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 3  is a schematic of an electronics communications network  20  comprising the Internet  22 , the GPS device  2  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a GIS server  24 , a database server  26 , a network computer  28 , a telephony network  30 , an RFID writer/reader  32 , a printer  34 , a wireless-communications enabled portable printer  36  (hereinafter, “mobile printer”  36 ), and a programmable handheld printer  38 . 
         [0066]    The programmable handheld printer  38  may be a HANDJET MODEL 250 or a HANDJET MODEL 260 as marketed by EBS Ink-Jet Systeme GmbH of Nümbrecht-Elsenroth, Germany; or a SPEED-I-JET as marketed by Ernst Reiner GmbH &amp; Co.KG of Furtwangen Germany; or other suitable programmable handheld printer known in the art. 
         [0067]    It is understood that the network  20  preferably includes a plurality of GPS devices  2 , GIS servers  24 , database servers  26 , network computers  28  and printers  34 - 38 . 
         [0068]    The GPS device  2  is communicatively coupled to the Internet  22  and one or more GIS servers  24 , database servers  26 , and network computers  28  the by means of the network interface module  2 J and/or the wireless communications module  2 K. An optional intervening telephony network  30  provides an alternate or additional bi-directional communications pathway between one or more GPS devices  2 , GIS servers  24 , database servers  26 , and network computers  28 . Information transmitted from the GPS device  2  may be stored at and accessed from the GIS server  24 , the database server  26 , and/or the network computer  28 , whereby a human analyst may examine the information in association with (a.) an identifier of a specific crop cultivation area, e.g., area A, (b.) an identifier of an individual worker  4 ; (c.) an identifier of a crop area  6 ; (d.) an identifier of an equipment  12 ; and/or (e.) an identifier of a crop element harvested from a plant  8 . 
         [0069]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 4  is an illustration of an exemplary crop area data set record REC. 001  contained within a database DBS. 1 -DBS.N. The data set record REC. 001  may include a unique record identifier data R. 1  relating a crop area identifier A.ID R. 2  that identifies s specific crop area  6  (hereinafter “instant crop area”  6 ″) and associates with Area A, a GPS location data R. 3  of one or more associated crop areas  6 , one or more time and data stamps R. 4  that relate to aspects or information related to the Area A, the instant crop area  6 , and/or one or more associated crops  14 , one or more worker identifiers R. 5 , a plurality of data inputs R. 7 -R. 9 , that relate to Area A, the instant crop area  14  and/or a specified crop area  6  of Area, and/or historical data R. 10  that relate to aspects or information related to one or more associated crops  14 , and/or one or more workers  4  identified by a worker identifier R. 5 . The worker identifier R. 5  may be communicated to the GPS device  2  and entered into the first area data set record REC. 001  as read by the GPS device  2  via (a.) the GPS device  2  data input device, (b.) radio transmission, (c.) radio signal from a radio frequency identification device  16 , and/or (d.) a bar code detection by the bar code reader  2 E. The area input entries input. 1 -input.N R. 7 -R. 9  include data describing the type, time, date, and condition of individual area inputs and other information related to individual and distinguishable area data inputs. The information R. 1 -R. 10  contained within the data set record REC. 001  may be received into the GPS device  2  by means of bar code patterns  20 , operator manipulation of the input module  2 F, reading from one or more media  2 N, and/or from the communications network  20 . 
         [0070]    One or more data input entries R. 7 -R. 9  my comprise or include a measure of labor hours, an identification of a plant seed, an identification of a plant fertilizing agent, an identification of a plant nutritional agent, an identification of a volume of water, an identification of a pest reduction agent, an identification of a plant disease, and/or other data related to, describing or identifying an agricultural process input. Alternatively or additionally, one or more data input entries R. 7 -R. 9  my comprise or include information that identifies and/or relates to an agricultural process output, such as a fruit or vegetable, a measure of a harvested plant element, an animal or animal product, and/or other agricultural process output known in the art. 
         [0071]    Further alternatively or additionally, or more data input entries R. 7 -R. 9  may comprise or include information that identifies and/or relates to a marker of a distinguishable element of crop output and/or an association of the marker of the element of crop output in tracking the movement in time and space of the element of crop output. 
         [0072]    The information each of the crop area record data fields R. 1 -R. 10  of the each crop area records.REC. 001 -REC.N may be entered into the comprising crop area record REC. 001 -REC.N by means of manual input into the GPS device  2 , the GIS server  24 , the database server  26 , the network computer  28 , or the RFID reader/writer  32  in combination or in singularity. 
         [0073]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 5  is process diagram of certain aspects of the method of the present invention. In step  5 . 2  a crop cultivation Area A, the instant crop area  6 , and other crop areas  6  are delineated and assigned identifiers. In step  5 . 4  identifiers are assigned to one or more crop areas  6 , area data inputs R. 7 -R. 9 , workers  4 , equipment  12 , plants  8  and/or animals  10 , wherein the instant crop area  6  is identified by a crop area identifier R. 2 . The GPS device  2  of  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  is positioned in step  5 . 6  within or proximate to the Area A delineated in step  5 . 2 , and in step  5 . 8  data and identifiers related to activity in the instant crop area  6  is recorded in the GPS device  2  and optionally formatted in crop area data set software records REC. 001 -REC.N. The data, identifiers and optionally area data set software records REC. 001 -REC.N are transmitted from the GPS device  2  via the Internet  22  and/or the telephony network  30  to the GIS server  24  and/or the database server  20 . 
         [0074]    The GPS device  2 , the database server  20 , the GIS server  24 , and/or the network computer  28  may be a (a.) a network-communications enabled SUN SPARCSERVER™ computer workstation marketed by Sun Microsystems of Santa Clara, Calif. running LINUX™ or UNIX™ operating system; (b.) a network-communications enabled personal computer configured for running WINDOWS XP™, VISTA™ or WINDOWS 7™ operating system marketed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.; (c.) a VAIO FS8900™ notebook computer marketed by Sony Corporation of America, of New York City, N.Y.; (d.) a PowerBook G4™ personal computer as marketed by Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.; or an IPAD™ tablet computer as marketed by Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. 
         [0075]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 6  is a flowchart of certain other aspects of the method of the present invention related to monitoring a crop element  14  that may be implemented by the GPS device  2  and the electronics communications network. In step  6 . 2  a crop element  14  is formed and a crop identifier CE.ID is assigned to the crop element  14  and an exemplary crop element record C.REC.  1  is initiated in step  6 . 4  and a unique crop element record identifier CE. 1  is assigned to the instant exemplary crop element record C.REC. 001 . A crop element marker, such as an RFID or a bar code pattern  20  is generated and/or marked by printing or programmed in step  6 . 6  with a crop element identifier CE.ID, and in step  6 . 8  the crop element record C.REC. 001  is updated with identification information CE.ID in the second crop element data field CE. 2  of the crop element identifier CE.ID. The GPS device  2  updates the GIS server  24  and/or the database server  26  via the electronics communications network  20  with the information DATA. 1 -DATA.N received in step  6 . 8 . When the electronics communications network  20  receives in step  6 . 12  additional information related to the crop element identifier CE.ID or the instant crop area  6 , and cycles through step  6 . 8  and step  6 . 10  to again update the exemplary crop element record C.REC. 001  and/or the GIS device  2  with the information DATA. 1 -DATA.N received or detected in step  6 . 12 . 
         [0076]    One or more crop records CE.REC. 001 -CE.REC.N may then be stored and updated with information of crop element record data fields CE. 1 -CE. 10 , wherein the stored information may be generated by and/or received by and/or stored in whole or in part in information technology systems communicatively coupled with the Internet  22  and/or or one or more GPS devices  2 , communications networks  20 , telephony networks  30 , one or more GPS devices  2 , GIS servers  24 , database servers  26 , network computers  28 , and RFID writers/readers  32  in combination or in singular. 
         [0077]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 7  is an illustration of a first crop element record C.REC. 001  that includes data relating a first crop element  14  with a originating crop area identifiers CE.ID, the identified crop area  14  being the location from which the crop element  14  was grown, harvested and/or collected and formed. The first crop element record C.REC. 001  further comprises a crop element record identifier CE. 1 , the crop element identifier CE.ID, GPS location data CE. 4  optionally related to at least one data DATA. 1 -DATA.N, time date/stamps CE. 5  optionally related to at least one data DATA. 1 -DATA.N, one or more worker identifiers CE. 8  associated with individual workers  4 , a plurality of crop data entries DATA. 1 -DATA.N CE. 7 -CE. 9  related to the first crop element  14  and/or the originating instant crop area  16 , and historical data CE. 10 . 
         [0078]    One or more crop data entries DATA. 1 -DATA.N CE. 7 -CE. 9  and/or the historical data may comprise information relating to the Area A, the associated crop  14 , the instant crop area  6 , an identification of a plant seed, an identification of a plant fertilizing agent, an identification of a plant nutritional agent, an identification of a volume of water, an identification of a pest reduction agent, an identification of a plant disease, and/or other data related to, describing or identifying an agricultural process input, an agricultural process output comprised within the crop  14  associated with the RFID marker  16 , such as a fruit or vegetable, a measure of a harvested plant element, an animal or animal product, and/or other agricultural process output known in the art. 
         [0079]    One or more of the plurality of data entries DATA. 1 -DATA.N may describe the change of condition and/or location of the first crop element  14  as the first crop element  14  is grown or transported from the first area A or exemplary instant crop area  6  and passes through the stream of commerce. The responsibility for the travel time, travel delays and decline in condition of the first crop element  14  may thus be assigned with greater confidence and integrity by reference to the information contained within the first crop element record C.REC. 001  or elsewhere in a database DBS. 1 -DBS.N of the GPS device  2 , and one or more GIS servers  24 , database servers  26 , and/or network computers  28 . 
         [0080]      FIG. 8  is a schematic of the RFID device  16  containing a crop element identifier CE.ID of  FIG. 7 . A control logic  16 A, a register  16 B, optional memory  16 C, and transmission antenna  16 D are communicatively coupled with an RFID power and signal bus  16 E. Electrical energy received by an energy reception antenna  16 F is transferred to a battery  16 D via the RFID power and signal bus  16 E. Electrical power is additionally provided via the RFID power and signal bus from the battery  16 G to the control logic  16 A, register  16 B and memory  16 C. The register  16 B stores the crop element identifier CE.ID and optionally the memory stores one or more crop area records C.REC. 001 -C.REC.N. 
         [0081]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of an exemplary first worker record W.REC. 001  that includes a worker identifier W.ID and information INPUT. 1 -INPUT.N related to a particular and exemplary worker  4  associated with the worker identifier W.ID. The Worker identifier W.ID may be, comprise, or be associable with a government issued immigration service identifier and/or tax identifier, such as a social security account number. issued and crop area(s) and crop element(s) of  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  7 . The information for each of the worker record data fields W. 1 -W. 10  of the each worker record W.REC. 001 -W.REC.N may be entered into the comprising worker record W.REC. 001 -W.REC.N by means of manual input into the GPS device  2 , the GIS server  24 , the database server  26 , the network computer  28 , or the RFID reader/writer  32  in combination or in singular. 
         [0082]    The process of  FIG. 6  may be applied to generate and update a worker record wherein an individual worker  4  is identified in step  6 . 2 . A worker record identifier R. 1  is assigned or received and an exemplary first worker record W.REC. 001  is formed in step  6 . 4 . The first worker record W.REC. 001  is then instantiated in step  6 . 6  and the worker record identifier W.ID of step  6 . 4  and a worker identifier W.ID associated with the worker  4  selected in step  6 . 2  is written into the exemplary first worker record W.REC. 001 . 
         [0083]    One or more worker records W.REC. 001 -W.REC.N may then be stored and updated with information of worker record data fields W. 1 -W. 10 , wherein the information may be generated by and/or received by and/or stored in whole or in part in information technology systems communicatively coupled with the Internet  22  and/or or one or more GPS devices  2 , communications networks  20 , telephony networks  30 , one or more GPS devices  2 , GIS servers  24 , database servers  26 , network computers  28 , and RFID writers/readers  32  in combination or in singularity. A bar code record  20  may further be generated to store and display patterned information that identifies and/or is related to the worker  4  identified by the worker identifier W.ID.  FIG. 10  is an illustration of the exemplary database DBS. 1  of  FIG. 2  that may be stored in the GPS device  2 , computer or server of  FIG. 1 ,  2 , or  3  and comprising information partially or entirely of records REC. 001 -REC.N, CE.REC. 001 -CE.N &amp;W.REC. 001 -W.REC.N of  FIGS. 2 ,  4 ,  7  and  9 . 
         [0084]      FIG. 11  is a process chart of prior art preparation, printing and use of the prior art label LBL.PRI in association with an individual container  18 A- 18 N. In step  11 . 02  a country code CC.ID identifying a source nation of an individual unique product unit  14 A- 14 B of the crop element  14  associated with a particular container  18 A- 18 N, e.g., an association of the first product unit  14 A with the exemplary first container  18 A. In step  11 . 04  a source identifier SOU.ID is selected that identifies a firm, association, person or brand name that is held as the legally responsible and/or de facto source of the crop element  14 . In step  11 . 06  a goods identifier GDS.ID is selected that identifies a type applicable to the first product unit  14 A. In step  11 . 08  a container type CON.TYP and/or container size CON.SIZ descriptive of the first container  14 A is selected. In step  11 . 10  a source location identifier SOU.LOC that identifies a geographic location at which the crop element  14  is substantively grown or produced is selected. 
         [0085]    In step  11 . 12  the prior art label is printed wherein the country code CC.ID, the source identifier SOU.ID, the goods identifier GDS.ID, the container type CON.TYP, the container size CON.SIZ and/or the source location identifier SOU.LOC are printed onto label stock LBL.STK to generate the prior art label LBL.PRI. This printing of step  11 . 12  preferably includes redundant representation wherein some or all of the information selected in steps  11 . 02  through  11 . 10  may be represented in both human readable form and machine-readable bar code imaging. 
         [0086]    In step  11 . 14  the prior art label LBL.PRI is affixed to the first container  18 A and the first container  18 A may be alternatively transported in step  11 . 16  and stored in step  11 . 18 . The first product unit  14 A of the crop element is preferably substantively positioned with the first container  18 A and this action of step  11 . 22  may be documented in step  11 . 24 . The first container  18 A is then shipped into and within the stream of commerce in step  11 . 24 , and a determination is made in step  11 . 26  whether to repeat an execution of steps  11 . 02  through  11 . 24  or to proceed on to alternate actions of step  11 . 28 . 
         [0087]    A particular weakness of the prior art method of  FIG. 11  lies in the danger of affixing the prior art label LBL.PRI to a container  18 A- 18 N that does conform in some way to the information visually displayed by the prior art label LBL.PRI. In the prior art, all to often after the performance of step  11 . 22  it is determined that the information presented in the prior art label LBL.PRI does not accurately describe one or more valid attributes of the first product unit  14 A, i.e., an inaccuracy may be expressed by the printing of the source identifier SOU.ID, the goods identifier GDS.ID, the container type CON.TYP, the container size CON.SIZ and/or the source location identifier SOU.LOC in step  11 . 12 . 
         [0088]      FIG. 12  is a flow chart depicting a first aspect of the invented method for associating a product unit with a shipping container  18 A- 18 N. In step  12 . 02  the country code CC.ID identifying the source nation of an individual unique product unit  14 A- 14 B of the crop element  14  associated with a particular container  18 A- 18 N, e.g., an association of the first product unit  14 A with the exemplary first container  18 A. In step  12 . 04  the source identifier SOU.ID is selected that identifies a firm, association, person or brand name that is held as the legally responsible and/or de facto source of the crop element  14 . In step  12 . 06  an exemplary first unit identifier UNIT.ID. 001  is selected. In step  12 . 08  an exemplary first label software record L.REC. 001  is formed and populated with the country code CC.ID, the source identifier SOU.ID and the first unit identifier UNIT.ID. 001  selected in steps  12 . 02  through  12 . 06 . 
         [0089]    In step  12 . 10  the country code CC.ID, the source identifier SOU.ID and the first unit identifier UNIT.ID. 001  are printed on a label stock LBL.STK to generate an exemplary first invented label LBL. 001 , wherein some or all of the information printed onto the label stock LBL.STK may be expressed as a machine-readable bar code image. 
         [0090]    The label stock LBL.STK may be selected from a plurality of readily available brands and sizes. The area dimensions of label stock LBL.STK placed upon containers such as individual containers  18 A- 18 B are determined by individual distributors, or by governmental requirements. Illustrative, but not limiting, examples of possible label stock LBL.STK dimensions are substantively rectangular labels having orthogonal dimensions of 3″ by 1.5″, 3″ by 2″, 4″ by 2″ or 4″ by 2.5″. Other suitable adhesive label stock LBL.STK known in the art may be selected in accordance with the invented method, such as, but not limited to, Part Number 5126 Avery™ White Internet Shipping Labels for Laser Printers 5126, having orthogonal dimensions of 5½″×8½ as marketed by Avery Products Corporation of 50 Pointe Drive, Brea, Calif. 92821; or Avery™ Permanent Shipping Labels Part Number 05286 having orthogonal dimensions of 3″×4 as marketed by Avery Products Corporation of 50 Pointe Drive Brea, Calif. 92821; or other suitable labels known in the art. 
         [0091]    The first invented label LBL. 001  may be shipped to a work site in step  12 . 12  and attached to an individual container  18 A- 18 B in step  12 . 14 . Additional data relating to the first product unit  14 A and/or the first container  18 A may be uploaded via the network  20  in step  12 . 16  and stored into the first label software record L.REC. 001 . More particularly, the container type identifier CON.TYP applicable to and/or descriptive of the first container  18 A may be uploaded via the network  20  in step  12 . 18  and stored into the first label software record L.REC. 001  in step  12 . 16 . 
         [0092]    A worker or other party in step  12 . 20  may add representations of information to the first invented label LBL. 001 , by of, for example and not limited to, stamps  1400 - 1404 , a marking pen  1406  and/or the programmable handheld printer  38 . The first product unit  14 A is substantively positioned within, or in spatial relation to, the first container  18 A in step  12 . 22 . In optional step  12 . 24  additional data, such as time-date stamps and GPS data relating to the progress of the first product unit  14 A through the stream of commerce may be uploaded via the network  20  and stored into the first label software record L.REC. 001  and thereby be associated with the first product unit  14 A. 
         [0093]    The first product unit  14 A is released into, or continues to proceed, within the stream of commerce in step  12 . 26 . 
         [0094]    In step  12 . 28  a determination is made whether to proceed to step  12 . 24  and upload additional data into the first label software record L.REC. 001  or to proceed to step  12 . 30 . In step  12 . 30  a determination is made as to whether a query has been received from the first label software record L.REC. 001 . When a query is received in  12 . 30 , a report is generated and transmitted in step  12 . 32 . The method proceeds either from step  12 . 30  or step  12 . 32  to step  12 . 34 . A determination is made in step  12 . 34  whether to repeat an execution of steps  12 . 28  through  12 . 34  or to proceed on to alternate actions of step  12 . 36 . 
         [0095]      FIG. 13A  is an illustration of the exemplary first invented label LBL. 001  (hereinafter, “the first label” LBL. 001 ). The first label LBL. 001  includes a label stock paper  1300  having an external face side  1300 A upon which are visually presented (a.) human-readable text and images, and (b.) machine-readable bar code images. In particular, the first label LBL. 001  visually presents a first bar code image  1302  and a two-dimensional bar code image  1304  are printed on the label stock paper  1300 , in addition to a source logo image  1306 , a first information image  1308 , a first unit identifier text  1310 , a second unit identifier text  1312 , and a parameter block image  1314 . A pick date area  1316  is provided wherein a date of picking of the first product unit  14 A contained within the first container  18 A may be added by means of programmable handheld printer  38 , the manual stamps  1400 ,  1402 , and  1404  and/or the manual marking pen  1406  of  FIGS. 14A-14D   
         [0096]      FIG. 13B  is a block diagram of an exemplary first software label record L.REC. 001  that is identified by a first label record identifier UNIT.REC.ID. 001  and is associated with the first label LBL. 001  by reference to a first unique unit serial number UNIT.ID. 001  (hereinafter, “the first unit identifier” UNIT.ID. 001 ) stored within the first software label record L.REC. 001  (hereinafter, “the first label record” L.REC. 001 ). It is thereby understood that the first unit identifier UNIT.ID. 001  value of (10)00F9H is stored within the first software label record L.REC. 001 . 
         [0097]    The first label record L.REC. 001  further includes a first barcode data BARC. 001  that contains the information presented in the first barcode  1302 . The first label record L.REC. 001  also includes a second barcode data BARC. 002  that contains the information presented in the two-dimensional barcode  1304 . Further included in the first label record L.REC. 001  is a first image data IMAGE. 001  that contains image data rendered as the first source logo image  1306 . The first label record L.REC. 001  additionally includes a second image data IMAGE. 002  which contains image data printed in the first information image  1308 . The first label record L.REC. 001  further includes a first alphanumeric datum DATA. 001  that contains the first unit identifier text  1310 . Also included in the first label record L.REC. 001  is a second alphanumeric datum DATA. 002 , which contains information represented by the second unit identifier text  1312 . The first barcode data BARC. 001 , the second bar code data BARC. 002 , the first alphanumeric datum DATA. 001  and/or the second alphanumeric datum DATA. 002  may redundantly include, and when rendered display, (a.) the first unit identifier UNIT.ID. 001  value of (10)00F9H and/or (b.) a source identifier data value (01)10086780600002 that is provided by a third party source registration and identification provider such as Global Trade Item Number (or “GTIN”™) as issued by GS1 of Lawrenceville, N.J. In addition, the second image data IMAGE. 002  that is rendered as the first information image  1308  may optionally include, and when rendered display, a human-readable visual representation of the (a.) the first unit identifier UNIT.ID. 001  value of (10)00F9H and/or (b.) a source identifier data value (01) 10086780600002. 
         [0098]    The first label record L.REC. 001  further contains a third image data IMAGE. 003  which contains image data that is rendered as the parameter block image  1314 . 
         [0099]    Optionally, additionally or alternatively, the first label record L.REC. 001  may include a container type designation CON.TYP. 001 , a container size designator CON.SIZ. 001 , a product type value PROD. 001 , and/or one or more alphanumeric, barcode or image data DATA. 003 -DATA.N. It is understood that one or more data values DATA. 001 -DATA.N, IMAGE. 001 -IMAGE. 003  &amp; BARC. 001 -BARC. 002  may be added to or revised within the first label record L.REC. 001  in an execution of (a.) step  12 . 16 ,  12 . 18 , and/or  12 . 14  of the method of  FIG. 12 . (b.) step  15 . 04 ,  15 . 06 ,  15 . 08 ,  15 . 18 , and/or  15 . 22  of the method of  FIG. 15 , (c.) step  16 . 10  and/or  16 . 18  of the method of  FIG. 16 , (d.)  17 . 08 ,  17 . 10 ,  17 . 12 ,  17 . 14 , and/or  17 . 24  of the method of  FIG. 17 , and (e.) step  18 . 16  of the method of  FIG. 18 . 
         [0100]    Referring now generally the Figures and particularly to  FIGS. 14A-14D , four instruments that may separately be used to mark the first label LBL. 001  are presented. Referring now to  FIG. 14A , a first stamp  1400  is used to mark a nation of origin indicator on the first label LBL. 001 . The first tamp  1400  comprises a first stamping surface  1408  that defines a country indication shape  1409  that indicates a country of origin. The first stamping surface  1408  is set within a first stamp frame  1410 . A first handle  1412  of the first stamp  1400  is attached to a back of the first stamp frame  1410 . A first ink housing  1414  contains a first well of ink  1416  that is used to supply wet ink to the first stamp  1408  to enable stamping an ink image of the country indication shape  1409  onto the first label LBL. 001 . 
         [0101]    Referring now to  FIG. 14B , a second stamp  1402  is used to mark a date indicator image onto the first label LBL. 001 . The second stamp  1402  includes a second stamp surface  1418  that includes a date shape  1419  that specifies a particular calendar date. The second stamp surface  1418  is set within a second stamp frame  1420 . A second handle  1422  of the second stamp  1402  is attached to a back of the second stamp frame  1420 . A second ink housing  1424  contains a second well of ink  1426  that is used to supply wet ink to the second stamp  1418  to enable stamping an ink image of the date shape  1419  onto the first label LBL. 001 . 
         [0102]    Referring now to  FIG. 14C , a third stamp  1404  that may be used to mark the first label LBL. 001  with a selectable date indication mark. The third stamp  1404  includes a third stamp frame  1428 . Attached to a top of the third stamp frame  1428  is a third stamp handle  1430  that enabled manual positioning and application of the third stamp  1404  to ink-stamp dates onto the labels LBL. 001 -LBL.N, e.g., the first label LBL. 001 . Within the third stamp frame  1428 , a first moving gear  1432  allows the user to select a year value from a year value stamp strip  1433  to be stamped onto the first label LBL. 001 . A second moving gear  1434  allows the user to select a month value from a month value stamp strip  1435  to be stamped onto the first label LBL. 001 . The third moving gear  1436  allows the user to select a numeric date value from a month value stamp strip  1435  to be stamped in ink onto the first label LBL. 001 . The user may thus select a date indication on a stamp surface  1436  by manually manipulating the moving gear  1432 , the second moving gear  1434 , and the third moving gear  1436  in order to stamp a selected year, month and day date value onto the first label LBL. 001 . 
         [0103]    Referring now to  FIG. 14D , a marker  1406  that may be used to manually mark the first label LBL. 001 . The marker  1406  includes a handle  1438 . The handle  1438  surrounds a felt tip  1440  that may be used to manually mark first label LBL. 001  in ink. A removable cap  1442  may be attached to the handle  1438  over the top of the felt tip  1440  in order to keep the felt tip  1440  damp for further use. 
         [0104]    Referring now generally the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 15 ,  FIG. 15  is a software flowchart of aspects of the invented method that may be implemented by one or more servers  26 , computers  28  or GPS devices  2  of the network  20 , wherein a particular product unit  14 A- 14 N is associated with a software record L.REC. 001 -L.REC.N, and information from the selected and associated software record L.REC. 001 -L.REC.N is associated with an invented label LBL. 001 -LBL.N that is attached to a container  18 A- 18 N and/or coupled with a product unit  14 A- 14 N. 
         [0105]    For the purposes of illustration, and not offered as a limitation, the steps and aspects of the process of  FIG. 15  will be discussed as being executed by the GPS device  2 , whereas it is understood that one or more or all of the steps and aspects of the process of  FIG. 15  may be implemented by one or more alternate servers  26 , computers  28  or GPS devices  2  in singularity or in combination. 
         [0106]    In step  15 . 02  a label record L.REC. 001 -L.REC.N having a unique label record identifier UNIT.REC.ID. 001 -UNIT.REC.N is initiated and a unit identifier UNIT.ID. 001 -UNIT.N is assigned in in step  15 . 04 . For the purposes of illustration, and not offered as a limitation, the steps and aspects of the process of  FIG. 15  will be discussed as being directed toward the first exemplary label record L.REC. 001  having the first unit record identifier L.REC.ID. 001  and populated in step  15 . 04  with a first unit identifier UNIT.ID. 001 . In step  15 . 06  the first logo data LOGO. 001  is written into the first label record L.REC. 001 , wherein the first logo data LOGO. 001  contains image data that may be rendered by one or more printers  34 ,  36  &amp;  38  to visually present the source logo image  1306 . In step  15 . 08  bar code data BARC. 001  &amp; BARC. 002  is written into the first label record L.REC. 001 , wherein the bar code contains alphanumeric data that may be rendered by one or more printers  34 ,  36  &amp;  38  to visually present the barcode images  1302  &amp;  1304  of the first label LBL. 001 . 
         [0107]    In step  15 . 10  a determination is made whether a command has been received to initiate a print action wherein the first label LBL. 001  shall be printed. In step  15 . 12  the GPS device formats and transmits an exemplary first print message PMSG. 001  that is addressed to a printer  34 ,  36  &amp;  38  and contains data (a.) formatted by a selected printer driver PDR. 01  &amp; PDR. 02  to enable the printer  34  &amp;  36  addressed by the message to either print onto label stock  1300  to generate the invented label LBL. 001 ; or (b.) formatted by the programmable handheld printer driver PDR. 03  to enable the programmable handheld printer  38  to apply ink images  1302 - 1314  onto the first container  18 A. In optional step  15 . 14  the GPS device  2  issues a command to (a.) the printer  34  &amp;  36  addressed in step  15 . 12  to print the first invented label LBL. 001  and/or (b.) alternatively or additionally direct the programmable handheld printer  38  to image by application of the images  1302 - 1314  rendered from the first label record LBL. 001 . 
         [0108]    In step  15 . 16  the GPS device  2  determines whether a command has been received to upload the first label record LBL.REC. 001  via the network  20  to another device  2 , server  24  &amp;  26  and/or computer  28 . When the GPS device  2  determines in step  15 . 116  that a command has been received to upload the first label record LBL.REC. 001 , the GPS device  2  executes this command and transmits the first label record LBL.REC. 001  via the network  20  in step  15 . 18 . 
         [0109]    In step  15 . 20  the GPS device  2  determines whether a command has been received to accept additional information to be written into the first label record LBL.REC. 001 , optionally by either access to a computer-product memory device or via the network  20  from another device  2 , server  24  &amp;  26  and/or computer  28 . When the GPS device  2  determines in step  15 . 16  that a command has been received to accept and write additional information into the first label record LBL.REC. 001 , the GPS device  2  executes this command in step  15 . 22 . 
         [0110]    The instant GPS device  2  determines in step  15 . 24  whether to proceed back through an additional execution of the loop of steps  15 . 10  through  15 . 24 , or whether to proceed on to alternate computational process of step  15 . 26 . It is understood that the GPS device  2  may proceed from step  15 . 26  to an additional execution of step  15 . 02  and to generate, populate, disseminate and update one or more label records LBL. 001 -LBL.N. 
         [0111]    Referring now generally the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 16 ,  FIG. 16  is a software flowchart that may be implemented within the communications network  20 , wherein a label record LBL.REC. 001 -LBL.REC.N is updated as directed in step  15 . 18  of the  FIG. 15 . 
         [0112]    For the purposes of illustration, and not offered as a limitation, the steps and aspects of the process of  FIG. 16  will be discussed as being executed by the GPS device  2 , whereas it is understood that one or more or all of the steps and aspects of the process of  FIG. 16  may be implemented by one or more alternate servers  24  &amp;  26 , computers  28  or GPS devices  2  in singularity or in combination. 
         [0113]    In step  16 . 02  the GPS device  2  initiates an exemplary first update message U.MSG. 001  that incudes a unique first update message identifier U.MSG.ID. 001  and the network address of the GPS device  2  is added as the sender address SND.ADDR. 001  in step  16 . 04 . In step  16 . 06  a destination address DEST.ADDR. 001  is added to the first update message U.MSG. 001 , a unit identifier UNIT.ID. 001 -UNIT.ID.N of a label record LBL.REC. 001 -LBL.N is added to the first update message U.MSG. 001 . 
         [0114]    In optional step  16 . 10  additional barcode data BARC. 001  &amp; BARC. 002  is added to the first update message U.MSG. 001 . In optional step  16 . 12  a type is input into the GPS device  2  and in step  16 . 14  data signified by the data type indicated in step  16 . 12  is entered into the first update message U.MSG. 001 . In step  16 . 16  the GPS device  2  determines whether it is directed by either a user or the system software SW. 8  to input additional information in an additional execution of steps  16 . 12  and  16 . 14 . In step  16 . 16  the GPS device  2  determines whether it is directed by either a user or the system software SW. 8  to transmit the first update message U.MSG. 001  in step  16 . 18 . The GPS device  2  transmits the first update message U.MSG. 001  in step  16 . 20 . 
         [0115]    The GPS device  2  determines in step  16 . 22  whether to proceed back through an additional execution of the loop of steps  16 . 02  through  16 . 20 , or whether to proceed on to alternate computational process of step  16 . 24 . It is understood that the GPS device  2  may proceed from step  16 . 24  to an additional execution of step  16 . 02  and to generate an additional update message to update the informational contents of one or more label records L.REC. 001 -L.REC.N. 
         [0116]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 17 ,  FIG. 17  is a software flowchart of additional aspects of the invented method that may be implemented by one or more systems  24 ,  26  &amp;  28  or GPS devices  2  of the communications network  20 , wherein a particular product unit  14 A- 14 N is associated with a label record L.REC. 001 -L.REC.N, and information from an individual label record L.REC. 001 -L.REC.N is associated with a label LBL. 001 -LBL.N attached to or coupled with a product unit  14 A- 14 N. 
         [0117]    For the purposes of illustration, and not offered as a limitation, the steps and aspects of the process of  FIG. 17  will be discussed as being executed by the GPS device  2 , whereas it is understood that one or more or all of the steps and aspects of the process of  FIG. 17  may be implemented by one or more alternate servers  24  &amp;  26 , computers  28  or GPS devices  2  in singularity or in combination. 
         [0118]    In step  17 . 02  the GPS device  2  initiates an exemplary label record L.REC. 001 . In step  17 . 04  the GPS device  2  assigns an exemplary unique record identifier UNIT.REC.ID. 001  to the first label record L.REC. 001 . In step  17 . 06  the unique label record identifier UNIT.REC.ID. 001  is recorded into the first label record L.REC. 001  by the GPS device  2 , whereby the unique label record identifier UNIT.REC.ID. 001  and first label record L.REC. 001  may be stored locally within the GPS device  2  or transmitted via the communication network  20  to a remote system, server and or computer  24 ,  26  &amp;  28 . In optional step  17 . 08  the GPS device  2  writes one or more image data LOGO. 001 , IMAGE. 001 -IMAGE. 003  into the first label record L.REC. 001 . The GPS device  2  in optional step  17 . 10  writes one or more the barcode data BARC. 001  &amp; BARC. 002  into the first label record L.REC. 001 . 
         [0119]    In step  17 . 12  the GPS device  2  optionally determines whether to locally store the first label record L.REC. 001  with the data recorded in steps  17 . 06 - 17 . 10  locally within the GPS device  2 . If the GPS device  2  determines to store the data contained within the first label record L.REC. 001 , the data is stored locally in step  17 . 14 . The GPS device  2  additionally optionally determines whether to transmit the first label record L.REC. 001  to a server  24  &amp;  26 , computer  28  or additional GPS devices  2  in step  17 . 16 . If the determination in step  17 . 16  is affirmative, the GPS device  2  formats the first label record L.REC. 001  for transmission in step  17 . 18 , and transmits an exemplary first label message L.MSG. 001  in step  17 . 20  that includes the first label record L.REC. 001  in whole or in part. 
         [0120]    The GPS device  2  proceeds either from step  17 . 20  or from step  17 . 16  to step  17 . 22 , wherein the GPS device  2  determines whether to input an additional update data DATA. 003 -DATA.N to the first label record L.REC. 001 . The GPS device  2  updates the local label record L.REC. 001  in step  17 . 24  with update data detected in step  17 . 22 . In step  17 . 26  the GPS device  2  determines whether a first query message Q.MSG. 001  has been received that requests transmission of the first label record L.REC. 001 . When the GPS device  2  detects receipt of the first query message Q.MSG. 001  from a requesting remote server GPS device  1 , computer  28  or server  24  &amp;  26 , the first label record L.REC. 001  is transmitted to the requesting remote system  2 ,  24 ,  26  &amp;  28 . 
         [0121]    The GPS system  2  proceeds either from step  17 . 26  or from step  17 . 28  to step  17 . 30 , wherein the GPS device  2  determines whether a command has been received to print some or all of the contents of the first label record L.REC. 001  onto the label stock  1300  to form the first label LBL. 001  by means of the printer  34 , or the printer  36 , and/or partially image some or all of the contents of the first label record L.REC. 001  onto the first container  18 A by application of the programmable handheld printer  38 . If the determination in step  17 . 30  is positive, an exemplary first print message P.MSG. 001  is transmitted by the GPS device  2  to the printer  34 , the printer  36 , and/or the programmable handheld printer  38  in step  17 . 32 . It is understood that the payload of first print message P.MSG. 001  may have been generated by application of a printer driver PDR. 01 -PDR. 03  to the information of the first label record L.REC. 001 . 
         [0122]    The instant GPS device  2  determines in step  17 . 34  whether to proceed back through an additional execution of the loop of steps  17 . 02  through  17 . 34 , or whether to proceed on to alternate computational process of step  17 . 36 . It is understood that the GPS device  2  may proceed from step  17 . 36  to an additional execution of step  17 . 02  and to generate, populate, disseminate and update one or more label records LBL. 001 -LBL.N. 
         [0123]    Referring now generally the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 18 ,  FIG. 18  is a software flowchart of aspects of the invented method that may be implemented by one or more GPS devices  2 , computers  28  or servers  26  of a query message process. 
         [0124]    For the purposes of illustration, and not offered as a limitation, the steps and aspects of the process of  FIG. 18  will be discussed as being executed by the GPS device  2 , whereas it is understood that one or more or all of the steps and aspects of the process of  FIG. 18  may be implemented by one or more alternate servers  26 , computers  28  or GPS devices  2  in singularity or in combination. 
         [0125]    In step  18 . 02  the GPS device receives and input of an exemplary unit identifier UNIT.ID. 001 -UNIT.N, for example the first unit identifier UNIT.ID. 001 , for insertion an exemplary first query message Q.MSG. 001  and generates and formats the first query message Q.MSG. 001  in step  18 . 04 . In step  18 . 06  the GPS device  2  adds the network address of the first GPS device  2  as the sender address SND.ADDR. 001  and inputs a second destination address DEST.ADDR. 002  in step  18 . 08 , wherein the second destination address DEST.ADDR. 002  is a network address of a system, computer, device or server  2 ,  24 ,  26  &amp;  28  that stores or has access to label records L.REC. 001 -L.REC.N. The first query message Q.MSG. 001  is populated with a unit identifier UNIT.ID. 001 -UNIT.N, for example the first unit identifier UNIT.ID. 001 , by the GPS device  2  in step  18 . 10  and the query message Q.MSG. 001  is transmitted in step  18 . 12  via the network  20 . In step  18 . 14  the GPS device  2  makes a determination whether a exemplary first responding label record message L.MSG. 001  has been received, wherein the first responding label record message L.MSG. 001  preferably includes the label record L.REC. 001 -L.REC.N associated with the unit identifier UNIT.ID. 001 -UNIT.N included in the first query message Q.MSG. 001 . 
         [0126]    When the GPS device  2  determines that the GPS device  2  has a valid responding label record message L.MSG. 001 -L.MSG.N in step  18 . 14 , the GPS device  2  updates the local record L.REC. 001 -L.REC.N associated with the unit identifier UNIT.ID. 001 -UNIT.N of the received responding label record message L.MSG. 001 -L.MSG.N in step  18 . 16 . Alternatively, if the GPS device  2  determines that no valid responding label record message L.MSG. 001 -L.MSG.N has been received by the GPS device  2  in step  18 . 14 , the GPS device proceeds from step  18 . 14  to step  18 . 18 . The GPS device  2  proceeds from either  18 . 14  or step  18 . 14  to step  18 . 18  and determines whether to proceed to step  18 . 02  to execute an additional loop of steps  18 . 02  through  18 . 18 , or whether to proceed on to step  18 . 20  to continue other operations. 
         [0127]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 19 ,  FIG. 19  is a software flowchart of aspects of the invented method that may be implemented by one or more mobile printers  36 , printers  34  or programmable handheld printer  38  of the Internet  22 . 
         [0128]    For the purposes of illustration, and not offered as a limitation, the steps and aspects of the process of  FIG. 19  will be discussed as being executed by a mobile printer  26 , whereas it is understood that one or more or all of the steps and aspects of the process of  FIG. 19  may be implemented by one or more alternate mobile printers  36 , printers  34  or programmable handheld printer  38  in singularity or combination. 
         [0129]    In step  19 . 02  the mobile printer  26  makes a determination whether a print command has been received to initiate a print action, wherein the print command may be received in a print message P.MSG. 001 -P.MSG.N. If a print command to initiate a print command has not been received by the mobile printer  26  in step  19 . 03 , the mobile printer  26  proceeds on to step  19 . 04  to perform alternate operations. If a command to initiate a print action has been received, the mobile printer  26  proceeds on to step  19 . 06  to determine if a label stock  1300  can be detected. 
         [0130]    If a label stock  1300  is not detected by the mobile printer  26  in step  19 . 06 , the mobile printer  26  proceeds on to step  19 . 08  to report a condition of an undetected label stock  1300  to the user and proceeds on to step  19 . 10  to determine if the mobile printer  26  shall (a.) additionally perform another execution of the loop of steps  19 . 02  through  19 . 18 , or (b.) alternately proceed to perform alternate operations of step  19 . 04 . 
         [0131]    If the mobile printer  26  detects a label stock  1300  in step  19 . 06 , the mobile printer  26  proceeds on to print the logo image data IMAGE. 001 , IMAGE. 002  &amp; IMAGE. 003  in step  19 . 12 , representations of the bar code data BARC. 001  &amp; BARC. 002  in step  19 . 14  and representations of the alphanumeric value data DATA. 001  &amp; DATA. 002  in step  19 . 16  on the label stock  1300 . Additionally, it should be noted that the mobile printer  26  may perform steps  19 . 12 ,  19 . 14  and  19 . 16  simultaneously in whole or in part. The mobile printer  26  then proceeds on to step  19 . 18  to complete the printing process and to discharge the label stock  1300 , i.e., the printed invented label LBL. 001 -LBL.N. The mobile printer proceeds from step  19 . 18  to step  19 . 02 . 
         [0132]    It is understood that steps  19 . 06  and  19 . 18  are not applicable to nor performed by the programmable handheld printer  38  in the generation of images  1302 - 1310  on to a container  18 ,  18 A- 18 N. 
         [0133]    Referring now generally the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 20A ,  FIG. 20A  is a block diagram of the exemplary first update message UMSG. 001  containing update information to be added to the first label record L.REC. 001  to enable the data DATA. 003 , DATA. 007 , GPS. 001  &amp; TDS. 001  contained within the first update message U.MSG. 001  to be associated with the first product unit  14 A and the first container  18 A. The first message UMSG. 001  includes a unique first update message identifier U.MSG.ID. 001 , a network destination address DEST.ADDR. 001  of a system, device, server or computer  2 ,  24 ,  26  &amp;  28  to which the first update message U.MSG. 001  is to be sent, and additional data DATA. 003  &amp; DATA. 007 , including a first global positioning system data GPS. 001  that indicates a geolocational position and a first time date stamp TDS. 001  that specifies a particular date and time. The first update message also includes a sender network address of the GPS device  2  that originated the first update message U.MSG. 001 . It is understood that the invented method optionally enables systems, devices, servers and computers  2 ,  24 ,  26  &amp;  28  to generate, populate, send and receive additional update messages U.MSG. 002 -U.MSG.N that send alternative and additional data DATA. 004 -DATA. 006  &amp; DATA. 8 -DATA.N to other systems, devices, servers and computers  2 ,  24 ,  26  &amp;  28  in order to associate the additional information DATA. 004 -DATA. 006  &amp; DATA. 8 -DATA.N with alternate unit identifiers UNIT.ID. 001 -UNIT.ID.N, wherein each unit identifiers UNIT.ID. 001 -UNIT.ID.N is in turn associated with a label record L.REC. 002 -L.REC.N. 
         [0134]    Referring now generally the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 20B ,  FIG. 20B  is a block diagram of the exemplary first query message Q.MSG that references the first unit identifier UNIT.ID. 001  and further includes (a.) its own unique query message identifier U.MSG.ID. 001 , (b.) a sender network address SND.ADDR. 001 , and (c.) a destination network address DEST.ADDR. 001 . It is understood that the invented method optionally enables systems, devices, servers and computers  2 ,  24 ,  26  &amp;  28  to generate, populate, send and receive additional query messages Q.MSG. 002 -Q.MSG.N that include alternate unit identifiers UNIT.ID. 001 -UNIT.ID.N, wherein each unit identifiers UNIT.ID. 001 -UNIT.ID.N is in turn associated with a particular label record L.REC. 002 -L.REC.N of which the sender is requesting a transmission of at least some of the information contained in the label record L.REC. 001 -L.REC.N in a query message Q.MSG. 001 -Q.MSG.N. 
         [0135]    Referring now generally the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 20C ,  FIG. 20C  is a block diagram of an exemplary first printer message P.MSG. 001  that directs the mobile printer  36  to print the first invented label LBL. 001 . The first printer message P.MSG. 001  includes a network address PTR.ADDR. 001  of the mobile printer  36  as a destination address, a sender network address of the GPS device  2  that originated the first print message P.MSG. 001 , the first unit identifier UNIT.ID. 001  that is associated with the first label record L.REC. 001 , and information BARC. 001 , BARC. 002 , IMAGE. 001 , IMAGE. 002 , IMAGE. 003 , DATA. 001  &amp; DATA. 002  that is to visually rendered with the label stock  1300  to form the first label LBL. 001 . 
         [0136]    Referring now generally the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 20D ,  FIG. 20D  is a block diagram of the exemplary first responding label record message L.MSG. 001  that references the first unit identifier UNIT.ID. 001  and further includes (a.) its own unique label record message identifier L.MSG.ID. 001 , (b.) a sender network address SND.ADDR. 001 , and (c.) a destination network address DEST.ADDR. 001 . The payload of the first responding label record message L.MSG. 001  includes a copy of some or all of the data of the first label record L.REC. 001 . 
         [0137]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 20E ,  FIG. 20E  is a block diagram of a group label record L.REC. 010  that associates an invented pallet label LBL. 010  that is coupled with a particular pallet  40  with a group of other invented labels LBL. 001 -LBL. 009 . The group label record L.REC. 010  includes a plurality of unit identifiers UNIT.ID. 001 -UNIT.ID. 009  that are each in turn separately associated with an individual label record L.REC. 001 -L.REC. 009 . 
         [0138]    Referring now generally the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 21 ,  FIG. 21  is a front view of a pallet  40  that organizes and is associated with a plurality of containers  18 A- 18 N wherein the pallet  40  and each container  18 A- 18 I is marked with a unique invented label LBL. 001 -LBL. 010 . 
         [0139]    The foregoing disclosures and statements are illustrative only of the present invention, and are not intended to limit or define the scope of the present invention. The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Although the examples given include many specificities, they are intended as illustrative of only certain possible applications of the present invention. The examples given should only be interpreted as illustrations of some of the applications of the present invention, and the full scope of the Present Invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described applications can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. The scope of the present invention as disclosed and claimed should, therefore, be determined with reference to the knowledge of one skilled in the art and in light of the disclosures presented above.