Nested visibility for a container hierarchy
First Claim
1. In an associated container within a plurality of nested containers, each nested container having automatic identification technology, a method for tracking the plurality of nested containers, comprising the steps of:
- receiving identification information and layer information from at least one of the plurality of nested containers; and
establishing a relative hierarchy within the plurality of nested containers based on the identification information and the layer information, the relative hierarchy being capable of including one or more lower-layer containers and one or more upper-layer containers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A nested container establishes a relative hierarchy of associated containers as logistical units. The relative hierarchy comprises lower-layer containers and upper-layer containers relative to the nested container. To do so, the nested container sends interrogation signals to neighboring containers in order to retrieve identification information and layer information. Also, the nested container sends its own information identification information and layer information responsive to received interrogation signals. The nested container outputs the relative hierarchy to, for example, a site server or agent using a hand-held device. The identification module comprises, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) device.
47 Citations
27 Claims
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1. In an associated container within a plurality of nested containers, each nested container having automatic identification technology, a method for tracking the plurality of nested containers, comprising the steps of:
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receiving identification information and layer information from at least one of the plurality of nested containers; and establishing a relative hierarchy within the plurality of nested containers based on the identification information and the layer information, the relative hierarchy being capable of including one or more lower-layer containers and one or more upper-layer containers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An associated container within a plurality of nested containers, each nested container having automatic identification technology, comprising:
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an input to receive identification information and layer information from at least one of the plurality of nested containers; and an association module to establish a relative hierarchy within the plurality of nested containers based on the identification information and the layer information, the relative hierarchy being capable of including one or more lower-layer containers and one or more upper-layer containers. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer product, having a computer-readable medium having computer program instructions embodied thereon capable of causing a computer to perform a method for tracking a plurality of nested containers, the method comprising:
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receiving identification information and layer information from at least one of the plurality of nested containers; and establishing a relative hierarchy within the plurality of nested containers based on the identification information and the layer information, the relative hierarchy being capable of including one or more lower-layer containers and one or more upper-layer containers. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification