Package location system
First Claim
1. A method of identifying a location of at least one particular item among a plurality of items disposed within a first predetermined area, 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 whose location within the first predetermined area is to be identified, 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 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, identifying the location of the first particular item within the first predetermined area, the first particular item being associated with the responsive receiver device,wherein the first receiver device is operative to execute a power management routine, the power management routine including the steps of;
automatically activating the first receiver device for a first predetermined time period,wherein the first predetermined time period is of sufficient duration to allow the first receiver device to receive an amount of bit level data;
in the event the first receiver device receives any bit level data within the first predetermined time period, extending the activation time of the first receiver device beyond the first predetermined time period to a second predetermined time period,wherein the second predetermined time period is of sufficient duration to allow the first receiver device to receive all of the first address code; and
in the event the first receiver device fails to receive bit level data within the first predetermined time period, at least partially de-activating the first 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
44 Claims
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1. A method of identifying a location of at least one particular item among a plurality of items disposed within a first predetermined area, 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 whose location within the first predetermined area is to be identified, 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 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, identifying the location of the first particular item within the first predetermined area, the first particular item being associated with the responsive receiver device, wherein the first receiver device is operative to execute a power management routine, the power management routine including the steps of; automatically activating the first receiver device for a first predetermined time period, wherein the first predetermined time period is of sufficient duration to allow the first receiver device to receive an amount of bit level data; in the event the first receiver device receives any bit level data within the first predetermined time period, extending the activation time of the first receiver device beyond the first predetermined time period to a second predetermined time period, wherein the second predetermined time period is of sufficient duration to allow the first receiver device to receive all of the first address code; and in the event the first receiver device fails to receive bit level data within the first predetermined time period, at least partially de-activating the first 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)
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42. A system for identifying a location of at least one particular item among a plurality of items disposed within a predetermined area, 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 whose location is to be identified within the predetermined area, 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 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 identifying the location of the first particular item within the predetermined area, the first particular item being associated with the responsive receiver device, wherein the first receiver device comprises means for executing a power management routine, including; means for automatically activating the first receiver device for a first predetermined time period, wherein the first predetermined time period is of sufficient duration to allow the first receiver device to receive an amount of bit level data; means for extending the activation time of the first receiver device beyond the first predetermined time period to a second predetermined time period, in the event the first receiver device receives any bit level data within the first predetermined time period, wherein the second predetermined time period is of sufficient duration to allow the first receiver device to receive all of the first address code; and means for at least partially de-activating the first receiver device, in the event the first receiver device fails to receive bit level data within the first predetermined time period. - View Dependent Claims (43)
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44. A method of identifying a location of at least one particular item among a plurality of items disposed within a predetermined area, 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 whose location is to be identified within the predetermined area, 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 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, identifying the location of the first particular item within the predetermined area, the first particular item being 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 whose location is to be identified within the predetermined area, the at least one first receiver device being re-programmed by the shipper of the items, wherein the first receiver device is operative to execute a power management routine, the power management routine including the steps of; automatically activating the first receiver device for a first predetermined time period, wherein the first predetermined time period is of sufficient duration to allow the first receiver device to receive an amount of bit level data; in the event the first receiver device receives any bit level data within the first predetermined time period, extending the activation time of the first receiver device beyond the first predetermined time period to a second predetermined time period, wherein the second predetermined time period is of sufficient duration to allow the first receiver device to receive all of the first address code; and in the event the first receiver device fails to receive bit level data within the first predetermined time period, at least partially de-activating the first receiver device.
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Specification