Method and apparatus for tracking and locating a moveable article
First Claim
1. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method of operating a processor to determine a location of a moveable article, the method comprising the steps of:
- repeatedly instructing the transmission of an interrogation signal, wherein the article receives the interrogation signal and transmits a response signal, the response signal providing a unique identification code, wherein at least one of a plurality of receivers receives the response signal, each receiver having a unique receiver code;
receiving from at least one of the plurality of receivers a plurality of information signals providing the identification code and a corresponding receiver code;
recording the plurality of information signals in real-time over a period of time;
tracking the location of the article in real-time;
comparing the tracked location of the article with a predetermined route; and
generating an error signal when the tracked location deviates from the predetermined route.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Tracking of an article through geographic areas using electromagnetic signals, specifically radio frequency (RF) signals. The article contains a tag operating as a transmitter and receiver. Tag-readers in the defined geographic areas transmit RF signals and in response, the tag transmits RF signals received by the tag-reader. By knowing the areas in which the tag-readers are located, a system tracks the article by monitoring the tag-readers communicating with the tag.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method of operating a processor to determine a location of a moveable article, the method comprising the steps of:
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repeatedly instructing the transmission of an interrogation signal, wherein the article receives the interrogation signal and transmits a response signal, the response signal providing a unique identification code, wherein at least one of a plurality of receivers receives the response signal, each receiver having a unique receiver code;
receiving from at least one of the plurality of receivers a plurality of information signals providing the identification code and a corresponding receiver code;
recording the plurality of information signals in real-time over a period of time;
tracking the location of the article in real-time;
comparing the tracked location of the article with a predetermined route; and
generating an error signal when the tracked location deviates from the predetermined route. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification