Method and apparatus for tracking and locating a moveable article
First Claim
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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:
- 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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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)
and wherein the step of comparing includes comparing the tracked location to the predetermined location and the time period.
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10. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the step of generating an error signal includes generating an error signal when the article is not in the predetermined location during the time period.
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11. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the step of generating an error signal includes generating an error signal when the article is in the predetermined location outside the time period.
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12. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the moveable article is a piece of equipment to be loaded onto a transport ship, and wherein the method ensures that the piece of equipment is placed on the transport ship in a correct order relative to one or more other pieces of equipment.
Specification