Networked RF tag for tracking freight
First Claim
1. A system for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects, said system comprising:
- a) a low radio frequency tag carried by each of the objects, said tag comprising a tag antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag, a programmed data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device, and an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor;
b) at least one field antenna disposed at an orientation and within a distance from each object that permits effective communication therewith at said low radio frequency;
c) a reader in operative communication with said field antenna, said reader being operable to receive data signals from said low frequency tags;
d) a transmitter in operative communication with said field antenna, said transmitter being operable to send data signals to said low frequency tags; and
e) a central data processor in operative communication with said reader and transmitter, wherein said identification data comprises an internet protocol (IP) address, and wherein said central data processor is operable for communication with an internet router.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention disclosed provides a method, system, and associated tag for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects. The novel method broadly comprises the steps of: a) attaching a low radio frequency detection tag to each of the objects, each tag comprising a tag antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz (preferably not exceeding 300 kilohertz), a transceiver operatively connected to the tag'"'"'s antenna, the transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at the low radio frequency, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag, a programmed data processor operable to process data received from the transceiver and the data storage device and to send data to cause the transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon the identification data stored in said data storage device, and an energy source for activating the tag'"'"'s transceiver and data processor; b) storing, in the data storage device of each tag, shipping data selected from object description data, address-of-origin data, destination address data, object vulnerability data, and object status data; c) commingling the objects in a repository selected from a warehouse and a truck, the repository being provided with at least one large loop field antenna operable at said low radio frequency; the field antenna being disposed at a distance from each object that permits effective communication therewith at the low radio frequency, d) reading the identification data and shipping data from the transceiver of each tag by interrogating all tags commingled in said repository with data signals, such as specific IP addresses or other identification codes, via said field antenna; and e) transmitting the identification data and shipping data from each tag to a central data processor to provide a tally of the objects in said repository.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects, said system comprising:
- a) a low radio frequency tag carried by each of the objects, said tag comprising a tag antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag, a programmed data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device, and an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor;
b) at least one field antenna disposed at an orientation and within a distance from each object that permits effective communication therewith at said low radio frequency;
c) a reader in operative communication with said field antenna, said reader being operable to receive data signals from said low frequency tags;
d) a transmitter in operative communication with said field antenna, said transmitter being operable to send data signals to said low frequency tags; and
e) a central data processor in operative communication with said reader and transmitter, wherein said identification data comprises an internet protocol (IP) address, and wherein said central data processor is operable for communication with an internet router.
- a) a low radio frequency tag carried by each of the objects, said tag comprising a tag antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag, a programmed data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device, and an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor;
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2. A system for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects, said system comprising:
- a) a low radio frequency tag carried by each of the objects, said tag comprising a tag antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag, a programmed data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device, and an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor;
b) at least one field antenna disposed at an orientation and within a distance from each object that permits effective communication therewith at said low radio frequency;
c) a reader in operative communication with said field antenna, said reader being operable to receive data signals from said low frequency tags;
d) a transmitter in operative communication with said field antenna, said transmitter being operable to send data signals to said low frequency tags; and
e) a central data processor in operative communication with said reader and transmitter, said tag further comprising a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said detection tag, said transceiver being operable to automatically transmit a warning signal at said low radio frequency upon generation of said status signal.
- a) a low radio frequency tag carried by each of the objects, said tag comprising a tag antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag, a programmed data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device, and an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor;
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3. A system for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects, said system comprising:
- a) a low radio frequency tag carried by each of the objects, said tag comprising a tag antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag, a programmed data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device, and an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor;
b) at least one field antenna disposed at an orientation and within a distance from each object that permits effective communication therewith at said low radio frequency;
c) a reader in operative communication with said field antenna, said reader being operable to receive data signals from said low frequency tags;
d) a transmitter in operative communication with said field antenna, said transmitter being operable to send data signals to said low frequency tags; and
e) a central data processor in operative communication with said reader and transmitter, said tag further comprising at least one indicator device which is automatically operable upon receipt by said transceiver of a data signal that corresponds to said identification data stored at said data storage device.
- a) a low radio frequency tag carried by each of the objects, said tag comprising a tag antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag, a programmed data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device, and an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor;
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4. A system for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects, said system comprising:
- a) a low radio frequency tag carried by each of the objects, said tag comprising a tag antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag, a programmed data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device, and an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor;
b) at least one field antenna disposed at an orientation and within a distance from each object that permits effective communication therewith at said low radio frequency;
c) a reader in operative communication with said field antenna, said reader being operable to receive data signals from said low frequency tags;
d) a transmitter in operative communication with said field antenna, said transmitter being operable to send data signals to said low frequency tags; and
e) a central data processor in operative communication with said reader and transmitter, said tag further comprising (i) a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said detection tag and (ii) at least one indicator device which is automatically operable upon generation of said status signal.
- a) a low radio frequency tag carried by each of the objects, said tag comprising a tag antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag, a programmed data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device, and an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor;
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5. A system for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects, said system comprising:
- a) a low radio frequency tag carried by each of the objects, said tag comprising a tag antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag, a programmed data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device, and an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor;
b) at least one field antenna disposed at an orientation and within a distance from each object that permits effective communication therewith at said low radio frequency;
c) a reader in operative communication with said field antenna, said reader being operable to receive data signals from said low frequency tags;
d) a transmitter in operative communication with said field antenna, said transmitter being operable to send data signals to said low frequency tags; and
e) a central data processor in operative communication with said reader and transmitter, said tag further comprising (i) a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said detection tag, (ii) a clock to generate a time signal corresponding to said status signal, said data storage device being operable to store corresponding pairs of status and time signals as a temporal history of conditions experienced by said object. - View Dependent Claims (6)
- a) a low radio frequency tag carried by each of the objects, said tag comprising a tag antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag, a programmed data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device, and an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor;
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7. A method for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) attaching a low radio frequency detection tag to each of the objects, each tag comprising a tag antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag, a programmed data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device, and an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor;
b) storing, in the data storage device of each tag, shipping data selected from object description data, address-of-origin data, destination address data, object vulnerability data, and object status data;
c) commingling the objects in a repository selected from a warehouse and a truck, said repository being provided with at least one field antenna operable at said low radio frequency;
said field antenna being disposed at a distance from each object that permits effective communication therewith at said low radio frequency d) reading the identification data and shipping data from the transceiver of each tag by interrogating all tags in said repository with RF interrogation signals at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz via said field antenna;
e) transmitting the identification data and shipping data from each tag to a central data processor to provide a tally of the objects in said repository. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
- a) attaching a low radio frequency detection tag to each of the objects, each tag comprising a tag antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag, a programmed data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device, and an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor;
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11. A detection tag for detection and tracking of animate and inanimate objects, said detection tag comprising:
- a) an antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz;
b) a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency;
c) a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag;
d) a data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device;
e) an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor, further comprising a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said detection tag, said transceiver being operable to automatically transmit a warning signal at said low radio frequency upon generation of said status signal.
- a) an antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz;
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12. A detection tag for detection and tracking of animate and inanimate objects, said detection tag comprising:
- a) an antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz;
b) a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency;
c) a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag;
d) a data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device;
e) an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor, further comprising at least one indicator device (e.g. colored LED, audible tone generator) which is automatically operable upon receipt by said transceiver of a data signal that corresponds to said identification data stored at said data storage device.
- a) an antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz;
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13. A detection tag for detection and tracking of animate and inanimate objects, said detection tag comprising:
- a) an antenna operable at low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz;
b) a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency;
c) a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag;
d) a data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device;
e) an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor, further comprising (i) a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition (e.g. temperature change, shock, dampness) experienced by an object that carries said detection tag and (ii) at least one indicator device (e.g. colored LED, audible tone generator) which is automatically operable upon generation of said status signal.
- a) an antenna operable at low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz;
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14. A detection tag for detection and tracking of animate and inanimate objects, said detection tag comprising:
- a) an antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz;
b) a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency;
c) a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag;
d) a data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device;
e) an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor, further comprising (i) a sensor operable to generate a status signal upon sensing a condition experienced by an object that carries said detection tag, (ii) a clock to generate a time signal corresponding to said status signal, said data storage device being operable to store corresponding pairs of status and time signals as a temporal history of conditions experienced by said object. - View Dependent Claims (15)
- a) an antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz;
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16. A detection tag for detection and tracking of animate and inanimate objects, said detection tag comprising:
- a) an antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz;
b) a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency;
c) a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag;
d) a data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device;
e) an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor, said tag being formed with two major surfaces at opposite sides thereof, a first major surface on a first side of said tag being substantially flat to facilitate attachment to a surface of an object, a second major surface of said tag being substantially convex, said second major surface being tapered to a thin edge along a perimeter of said tag, said tag being provided with an transparent film overlying said second major surface, said film being removably adherent to said object while permitting visual inspection of said second major surface. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
- a) an antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz;
Specification