Method and system for collaborative and fail-tolerant deployment of automatic identification and data collection (AIDC) devices
First Claim
1. A method for tracking items, comprising:
- (a) storing data on a tag unit, the data including information regarding tracking of an item and the tag unit being at least one of readable and writeable, the tag unit monitoring and storing a status of the item;
(b) attaching the tag unit to the item;
(c) sending the item to a destination;
(d) scanning the tag unit when the item has arrived at a destination;
(e) updating the data on the tag unit as a function of scanning, the data being updated when the tag unit is scanned at the destination; and
(f) validating the data on the tag unit;
wherein a set of tag units forms a database for tracking items.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Data is stored on a tag unit. The tag unit provides for alert monitoring capabilities and monitoring of events, these capabilities allow for supply chain plans to be restructured and for events to be rescheduled. The tag unit is attached to an item for tracking purposes. The tag unit monitors and stores a status of the item. Then the item is sent to a destination. The tag unit is scanned when the item has been sent to a destination. The data on the tag unit is updated as a function of scanning. The data is updated when the tag unit is scanned at a destination. Then the data on the tag unit is validated. The data is validated for security purposes. The data on the tag unit is scanned to identify conditions to trigger actions. The system recovers from failure to read data on the tag unit by reconstructing the expected data from a history of the tag unit. Failure may be a result of identified or unidentified tempering of tag units, failure of the tag unit mechanism, or violation of the tag unit access limitations.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method for tracking items, comprising:
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(a) storing data on a tag unit, the data including information regarding tracking of an item and the tag unit being at least one of readable and writeable, the tag unit monitoring and storing a status of the item;
(b) attaching the tag unit to the item;
(c) sending the item to a destination;
(d) scanning the tag unit when the item has arrived at a destination;
(e) updating the data on the tag unit as a function of scanning, the data being updated when the tag unit is scanned at the destination; and
(f) validating the data on the tag unit;
wherein a set of tag units forms a database for tracking items. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A computer-readable storing medium storing a set of instructions, the set of instructions capable of being executed by a processor to implement a method for tracking items, the set of instructions performing the steps of:
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(a) storing data on a tag unit, the data including information regarding tracking of an item and the tag unit being at least one of readable and writeable, the tag unit monitoring and storing a status of the item;
(b) attaching the tag unit to the item;
(c) sending the item to a destination;
(d) scanning the tag unit when the item has arrived at a destination;
(e) updating the data on the tag unit as a function of scanning, the data being updated when the tag unit is scanned at the destination; and
(f) validating the data on the tag unit;
wherein a set of tag units forms a database for tracking items. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. A system comprising:
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a processor;
at least one computing arrangement configured to communicate with the processor via a communications network; and
a computer-readable storing medium storing a set of instructions, the set of instructions capable of being executed by the processor to implement a method for tracking items, the set of instructions performing the steps of;
(a) storing data on a tag unit, the data including information regarding tracking of an item and the tag unit being at least one of readable and writeable, the tag unit monitoring and storing a status of the item;
(b) attaching the tag unit to the item;
(c) sending the item to a destination;
(d) scanning the tag unit when the item has arrived at a destination;
(e) updating the data on the tag unit as a function of scanning, the data being updated when the tag unit is scanned at the destination; and
(f) validating the data on the tag unit;
wherein a set of tag units forms a database for tracking items. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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Specification