Object tracking method and system using tags

An apparatus for tracking objects, comprising:

• means for developing a state diagram corresponding to a desired workflow of an object to a subset of one or more destinations;
• means for associating a tag with an object to enable tracking of the object;
• means for obtaining position information of the object as it passes in the proximity of one or more tag readers located nearby the one or more destinations;
• means for determining if the position of the object is outside the desired workflow according to the state diagram;
• and
• means for generating an alert indicating that the object may be outside the desired workflow according to the determination and the state diagram.

A location detecting apparatus comprising:

• a first reader operating at a higher frequency and capable of detecting an object having a first tag responsive to the higher frequency in a larger coverage;
• a second reader operating at a lower frequency and capable of detecting an object having a second tag responsive to the lower frequency in a smaller coverage;
• and
• a logic circuit that determines a position of the object by comparing the coverage of the first reader with the coverage of the second reader.