Package location system
First Claim
1. A method of locating at least one particular item among a plurality of items, comprising the steps of:
- programming at least one first reusable receiver device to receive signals representative of a respective first unique address code, the first receiver device being associated with at least one first particular item to be located, the first receiver device being programmed by a shipper of the items, wherein the first receiver device provides a signal that can be directly sensed by a human in response to receiving the first address code;
providing one or more unique address codes including the first address code to an intended recipient of the items;
programming a first transmitter device to transmit wireless signals representative of the one or more unique address codes, the first transmitter device being programmed by the intended recipient of the items;
receiving the plurality of items including the first particular item to be located and the first receiver device associated therewith;
interrogating the at least one first receiver device with the coded wireless signals using the first transmitter device; and
in response to the human sensible signal provided by the first receiver device receiving the first address code, locating the first particular item associated with the responsive receiver device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system is provided for locating an intended package, product, or other item that may be located in an area where a number of such packages may be located, such as a warehouse, a receiving area, or the like. The system allows personnel to quickly identify a particular package or package location from among other packages in the area. The system includes a wireless transmitter operative to transmit coded signals, each associated with a respective package to be located. A receiver device such as an RFID tag is disposed on or near each particular package being sought. The receiver device upon receipt of an interrogating signal from the transmitter and recognition of a unique identifying address code indicates its presence by an audible and/or visible signal that can be directly sensed by a human.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. A method of locating at least one particular item among a plurality of items, comprising the steps of:
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programming at least one first reusable receiver device to receive signals representative of a respective first unique address code, the first receiver device being associated with at least one first particular item to be located, the first receiver device being programmed by a shipper of the items, wherein the first receiver device provides a signal that can be directly sensed by a human in response to receiving the first address code;
providing one or more unique address codes including the first address code to an intended recipient of the items;
programming a first transmitter device to transmit wireless signals representative of the one or more unique address codes, the first transmitter device being programmed by the intended recipient of the items;
receiving the plurality of items including the first particular item to be located and the first receiver device associated therewith;
interrogating the at least one first receiver device with the coded wireless signals using the first transmitter device; and
in response to the human sensible signal provided by the first receiver device receiving the first address code, locating the first particular item associated with the responsive receiver device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A system for locating at least one particular item among a plurality of items, comprising:
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means for programming at least one first reusable receiver device to receive signals representative of a respective first unique address code, the first receiver device being associated with at least one first particular item to be located, the first receiver device being programmed by a shipper of the items, wherein the first receiver device provides a signal that can be directly sensed by a human in response to receiving the first address code;
means for providing one or more unique address codes including the first address code to an intended recipient of the items;
means for programming a first transmitter device to transmit wireless signals representative of the one or more unique address codes, the first transmitter device being programmed by the intended recipient of the items;
means for receiving the plurality of items including the first particular item to be located and the first receiver device associated therewith;
means for interrogating the at least one first receiver device with the coded wireless signals using the first transmitter device; and
in response to the human sensible signal provided by the first receiver device receiving the first address code, means for locating the first particular item associated with the responsive receiver device. - View Dependent Claims (44)
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45. A method of locating at least one particular item among a plurality of items, comprising the steps of:
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programming at least one first reusable receiver device to receive signals representative of a respective first unique address code, the first receiver device being associated with at least one first particular item to be located, the first receiver device being programmed by a shipper of the items, wherein the first receiver device provides a signal that can be directly sensed by a human in response to receiving the first address code;
providing one or more unique address codes including the first address code to an intended recipient of the items;
programming a first transmitter device to transmit wireless signals representative of the one or more unique address codes, the first transmitter device being programmed by the intended recipient of the items;
receiving the plurality of items including the first particular item to be located and the first receiver device associated therewith;
interrogating the at least one first receiver device with the coded wireless signals using the first transmitter device;
in response to the human sensible signal provided by the first receiver device receiving the first address code, locating the first particular item associated with the responsive receiver device;
disassociating the first receiver device from the first particular item associated therewith; and
re-programming and re-using the at least one first receiver device, wherein the re-programming and re-using step includes re-programming the first receiver device to receive signals representative of a second unique address code, and wherein the first receiver device provides a signal that can be directly sensed by a human in response to receiving the second address code, the first receiver device being associated with at least one second particular item to be located, the at least one first receiver device being re-programmed by the shipper of the items.
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Specification