Event driven information system

• US 6,717,517 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2002
• Issued: 04/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Przygoda Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: USM Systems, Ltd.
• Inventors: Przygoda, Jr., Chester T.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US10/091,858
• Publication Number:
  US 20020089423A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.4, 340/572.1, 340/573.1, 340/539.1, 340/539.13, 340/691.1, 340/692, 340/825.49
• US Class Current: 340/572.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0636 in which the trolleys or carts are kept in a restricted zone such as a coral-like enclosure, or are passing a gate before use is possible
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0036 Checkout procedures
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1418 Removal detected by failure in electrical connection between the appliance and a control centre, home control panel or a power supply
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0222 Message structure or message content, e.g. message protocol
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article

Abstract

A system for tracking and monitoring at least one item in an environment includes at least one transmitter assigned a unique identification number for the item and attached to the item and at least one receiver for receiving a first data packet which includes the unique identification number from the transmitter. At least one node computer controls the receiver, receives a second data packet which includes said unique identification number and direction-of-travel code from the receiver, and determines a location of the item from the direction-of-travel code. A controller computer controls the node computer, receives the unique identification number and the location of the item from the node computer, and stores the unique identification number and the location of the item. A central computer facility coordinates the controller computer and collects and stores the unique identification number and the location of the item for exportation from the system.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring and tracking a container in an environment, comprising:

a transmitter assigned a unique identification number and being coupled to the container, the transmitter being adapted to transmit the unique identification number;

at least one receiver adapted to receive the unique identification number from the transmitter, to responsively determine a direction of travel of the transmitter, and to responsively generate a direction of travel code;

at least one node computer coupled to the at least one receiver and being adapted to control the receiver, to receive the unique identification number and the direction of travel code from the at least one receiver, and to responsively determine a location of the container as a function of the direction of travel code;

a controller computer coupled to the node computer and being adapted to receive the unique identification number and the location of the container from the node computer and to store the unique identification number and the location of the container; and

a central computer facility coupled to the controller computer and being adapted to collect and store the unique identification number and the location of the container for exportation from the system.

2. A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the receiver includes a first antenna and second antenna, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are placed at a portal in the environment and correspond to the direction of travel.

3. A system, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the controller computer compares the location of the container to at least one predefined constraint to movement of the container stored in the controller computer to determine at least one violation in movement of the container and activating at least one warning device connected to the node computer, controller computer or central computer facility if the at least one predefined constraint of movement is violated.

4. A system, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the warning device is selected from the group consisting of the following:

(a) a user terminal or work station;

(b) an electronic sign;

(c) a voice synthesizer;

(d) a speaker;

(e) a monitor;

(f) a video or digital camera;

or

(g) a pager system.

5. A system, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the central computer facility links with at least one third party communication system to respond to the violation of movement of the container.

6. A system, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the third party communication system is selected from the group consisting of the following:

(a) a computer network;

(b) a telecommunication network;

or

(c) a pager network.

7. A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a record maintained by the controller computer stores the unique identification number and location of the container and the record being transferable to the central computer facility.

8. A method, for monitoring and tracking at least one container in an environment, including the steps of:

dividing the environment into a plurality of domains with at least one portal separating the domains;

providing the container with a unique identification number;

developing an electronic record for the identification number and recording a first location for the container in a first computer;

attaching a transmitter emitting the unique identification number to the container;

providing a receiver at the portal;

moving the container through the portal;

receiving the unique identification number by the receiver when the transmitter passes through the portal and responsively determining a direction of travel of the container and generating a direction of travel code;

sending the identification number and the direction of travel code from the receiver to a second computer to verify the identification number and the direction of travel code;

determining a second location of the container from the direction of travel code by the first computer; and

sending the unique identification number and the location of the container from the second computer to the first computer to store the second location of the container in the electronic record of the container.

9. A method, set forth in claim 8, further comprising:

defining at least one constraint to movement of the container in the record of the container;

comparing the second location of the container to the constraint to movement of the container by the first computer to determine at least one violation in movement of the container; and

activating a warning device connected to the first computer or the second computer to respond to the violation in movement of the container.

10. A method, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the warning device is selected from the group consisting of the following:

(h) a user terminal or work station;

(a) an electronic sign;

(b) a voice synthesizer;

(c) a speaker;

(d) a monitor;

(e) a video or digital camera;

or

(f) a pager system.

11. A method, as set forth in claim 8, further comprising:

transferring the record with the unique identification number and the second location to a third computer; and

exporting the record with the unique identification number and the second location to an independent third party system.

12. A method, as set forth in claim 8, further comprising:

transferring the record with the unique identification number and the second location to a third computer; and

communicating with at least one-third party communication system to respond to the violation in movement of the container.

13. A method, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the third party communication system is selected from the group consisting of the following:

(d) a computer network;

(e) a telecommunication network;

or

(f) a pager network.

14. A system for monitoring and tracking a container in an environment, comprising:

a transmitter attached to the container and being assigned a unique identification number, the transmitter being adapted to transmit the unique identification number;

a receiver located within the environment, the receiver being adapted to receive the unique identification number and responsively determine a direction of travel code;

a node computer coupled to the receiver, the node computer being adapted to receive the unique identification code and direction of travel code from the receiver and responsively determine a location of the container;

a controller computer coupled to the node computer, the controller computer being adapted to receive the unique identification number and the location of the container from the node computer and to store the unique identification number and the location of the container; and

a central computer facility coupled to the controller computer, the central computer facility being adapted to collect and store the unique identification number and the location of the container for exportation from the system.

15. A system, as set in claim 14, wherein the receiver includes first and second antennas, the receiver being adapted to generate first and second receiving fields using the first and second antennas, respectively.

16. A system, as set forth in claim 15, wherein the receiver is adapted to detect the container in the first and second receiving fields.

17. A system, as set in claim 16, wherein the direction of travel code is a function of the container being detected in the first and second receiving fields.

18. A system, as set forth in claim 14, wherein the environment is a transportation environment.

19. A system, as set forth in claim 14, wherein the environment is an airport environment.

20. A system, as set forth in claim 14, wherein the environment is a truckyard.

21. A system, as set forth in claim 14, wherein the environment is a railyard.

22. A system, as set forth in claim 14, wherein the receiver uses ultra wide band technology and is further adapted to determine a distance between the receiver and the transmitter.

23. A system, as set forth in claim 14, wherein the node computer is adapted to track and store location information based on signals received from the receivers.