Electronic locating systems

• US 7,321,296 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2005
• Issued: 01/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Xalotroff Fund V LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Thomas J. Engellenner
• Inventors: Engellenner, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US11/124,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20050206523A1
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 340/505, 340/5.8, 340/10.1, 340/10.31, 340/10.33, 340/825.49, 235/385, 705/22, 705/28, 198/358, 198/349, 198/349.95
• US Class Current: 340/505
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2414 using inductive tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2471 Antenna signal processing by receiver or emitter
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2474 Antenna or antenna activator geometry, arrangement or layout loop antennae H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/248 EAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS and video or other presence detection system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2482 EAS methods, e.g. description of flow chart of the detection procedure
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2485 Simultaneous detection of multiple EAS tags

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for location of objects to facilitate retrieval, filing, security, inventory stock-keeping and the like. The methods and apparatus employ a tag element associated with each object-to-be-located, and interrogation system for searching one or more spatial regions for such tagged items, as well as mechanisms for identifying objects within the interrogated region.

Claims

1. A method of tracking the distribution of items comprising the steps of:

coding each item to be distributed with a tag responsive to a predetermined electromagnetic signal, said coded tag providing an identification of the item;

creating an initial interrogation region at an exit passageway from an initial location such that uncoded or improperly coded tags are detected before distribution;

interrogating a spatial region at a destination location with said electromagnetic signal to cause the tag to generate a responsive signal if present at the destination location;

detecting said responsive signal to confirm the tagged item'"'"'s presence; and

updating an inventory of items at the destination location to include the responsive tagged item.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of coding each item further comprises coding each item to be distributed with a code that specifies at least one attribute of the item.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of interrogating a spatial region further comprises varying the frequency or modulation pattern of interrogation signals generated by an electromagnetic radiation signal generator.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of interrogating the spatial region further comprises coding the interrogation signal such that the interrogation signal is a coded signal addressed to a specific tag.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of detecting said responsive signal further comprises correlating a responsive signal with a stored code to identify the object.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises displaying information on the tagged item following detection.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises generating an audible alarm if uncoded or improperly coded tag is detected before distribution.