Methods and apparatus for managing location information for movable objects
First Claim
1. A location information processing center for managing location information for objects to be stored and retrieved at various locations in an area, comprising:
- memory storing a database including fixed device identifiers, each fixed device identifier being associated with a fixed contactless identification device, each fixed contactless identification device exhibiting a fixed device identifier that can be detected from a distance, the database further including mapping information associating fixed device identifiers with locations in the area;
a communication interface for receiving messages from a mobile locator operative to read movable device identifiers from movable contactless identification devices, each movable contactless identification device exhibiting a movable device identifier, the mobile locator being operative to read fixed device identifiers from fixed contactless identification devices and movable device identifiers from movable contactless identification devices in the vicinity of the fixed contactless identification devices and to transmit messages to the location information processing center including identifiers of movable contactless identification devices and fixed contactless identification devices in the vicinity of the movable contactless identification devices; and
a processor for identifying a location of a movable contactless identification device based on messages including the identifier of the movable contactless identification device and fixed contactless identification devices in the vicinity of the movable contactless identification device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and techniques for locating stored goods. A plurality of fixed contactless identification devices are deployed in an area. Each fixed device exhibits a fixed device identifier that can be read from a distance. Locations within the area are identified through mapping to combinations of fixed device identifiers detected at the location. In addition, a plurality of movable contactless identification devices are associated with goods to be stored and retrieved. Each movable device exhibits a movable device identifier, and movable contactless identification devices are located by identifying a combination of fixed device identifiers received when a movable device identifier is received. The location information may be used independently, or as a supplement to expected location information obtained through other means.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A location information processing center for managing location information for objects to be stored and retrieved at various locations in an area, comprising:
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memory storing a database including fixed device identifiers, each fixed device identifier being associated with a fixed contactless identification device, each fixed contactless identification device exhibiting a fixed device identifier that can be detected from a distance, the database further including mapping information associating fixed device identifiers with locations in the area;
a communication interface for receiving messages from a mobile locator operative to read movable device identifiers from movable contactless identification devices, each movable contactless identification device exhibiting a movable device identifier, the mobile locator being operative to read fixed device identifiers from fixed contactless identification devices and movable device identifiers from movable contactless identification devices in the vicinity of the fixed contactless identification devices and to transmit messages to the location information processing center including identifiers of movable contactless identification devices and fixed contactless identification devices in the vicinity of the movable contactless identification devices; and
a processor for identifying a location of a movable contactless identification device based on messages including the identifier of the movable contactless identification device and fixed contactless identification devices in the vicinity of the movable contactless identification device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A locator for use in locating objects having attached movable contactless identification devices, each movable contactless identification device exhibiting a movable device identifier, comprising:
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an identifier communication interface for reading the movable device identifiers;
server communication interface for communicating with a data processing server storing records of the movable device identifiers; and
a control unit for processing movable device identifiers read within the vicinity of the locator to determine if a specified movable device identifier is present in the vicinity of the locator. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of object location management, comprising the steps of:
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deploying a plurality of fixed contactless identification devices in an area, each of the fixed contactless identification devices exhibiting a unique fixed device identifier that can be read from a distance;
placing movable contactless identification devices on movable objects to be stored in the area, each of the movable contactless identification devices exhibiting a unique movable device identifier that can be detected from a distance; and
computing a location of a designated movable contactless identification device based on fixed device identifiers and movable device identifiers that are detected. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification