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US 6,388,569 B1Granted
Electronic locating methods
OwnerThomas J. Engellennerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for location of objects to facilitate retrieval, filing, security, inventory stock-keeping and the like. The methods and apparatus employ a tag element associated with each object-to-be-located, and interrogation system for searching one or more spatial regions for such tagged items, as well as mechanisms for identifying objects within the interrogated region.
Claims6
A method for item handing during transport comprising
- coding a plurality of items with individual tags, responsive to a predetermined electromagnetic signal, said signal being chosen to identify items that are coded for at least one predetermined location along a route;
- and
- interrogating at least one spatial region containing a plurality of items with the signal to periodically inventory items in said region and determine whether a tagged item within said region is on an intended route.
A method for item handing during transport comprising
- coding an item with a tag responsive to a predetermined electromagnetic signal, said signal being chosen to identify items that are coded for at least one predetermined location along a route;
- interrogating at least one spatial region with the signal to periodically inventory items in said region and determine whether a tagged item within said region is on an intended route;
- programming said tag to generate an audible alarm when an improper interrogation signal is detected.
A method for item handing during transport comprising
- coding an item with a tag responsive to a predetermined electromagnetic signal, said signal being chosen to identify items that are coded for at least one predetermined location along a route;
- interrogating at least one spatial region with the signal to periodically inventory items in said region and determine whether a tagged item within said region is on an intended route;
- removing an item that is detected as misrouted within the interrogation zone;
- determining a new route to deliver said item to its intended destination;
- and
- re-coding the item with a tag coded to define at least a part of a new transport route for said item.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.