Asset localization identification and movement system and method
First Claim
1. An asset control method comprising:
- identifying an asset comprising the steps of;
associating an identification tag with said asset; and
reading said identification tag with a passive ID tag reader physically associated with a mover;
loading said asset on said mover, said mover having an active location tag thereon;
logically associating said asset with said active location tag;
moving said asset by said mover to a destination location;
determining location coordinates for said mover at said destination location based on signals from said active location tag;
unloading said asset from said mover; and
logically disassociating said asset from said active location tag;
recording destination location coordinates of said asset based on said determining said location coordinates for said mover at said destination location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for identification and location of an asset by tracking the mover of the asset using a locating device associated with the mover and identifying the asset using an identification reader associated with the mover and a passive identification tag associated with the asset. A single mover may move many assets. An asset is identified; the mover then moves the asset to a destination location, whereupon the mover and asset position are determined. The asset location may then be recorded in memory. The measurement of the destination location may be extended from the location measured by the active location device by using additional measurement devices, for example a forklift height sensor. A further embodiment utilizes RFID or barcode technology for the passive tag and may utilize near field positioning technology for the active location device.
55 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An asset control method comprising:
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identifying an asset comprising the steps of; associating an identification tag with said asset; and reading said identification tag with a passive ID tag reader physically associated with a mover; loading said asset on said mover, said mover having an active location tag thereon; logically associating said asset with said active location tag; moving said asset by said mover to a destination location; determining location coordinates for said mover at said destination location based on signals from said active location tag; unloading said asset from said mover; and logically disassociating said asset from said active location tag; recording destination location coordinates of said asset based on said determining said location coordinates for said mover at said destination location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 21, 22, 23)
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10. A logistics location and identification system comprising:
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an active location tag for transmitting a location signal; a set of locator receivers for receiving said location signal; a computer in communication with said set of locator receivers, said computer configured for receiving measurements of said location signal made by said set of locator receivers and computing location coordinates of said active location tag based on said measurements of said location signal; and an ID tag reader in communication with said computer, said ID tag reader for reading an asset identification from a passive ID tag associated with an asset; said ID tag reader and said active location tag to be carried by a mover, said mover for moving said asset to a destination location; said computer configured for determining destination location coordinates for said active location tag based on said measurements of said location signal upon arrival of said asset at said destination location while said active location tag is in known relative proximity to said asset; said computer configured for associating said destination location coordinates with said asset identification. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A logistics location and identification system comprising:
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an active location tag for transmitting a location signal; means for determining location coordinates for said active location tag based on said location signal; an ID tag reader in communication with a computer, said ID tag reader for reading an asset identification from a passive ID tag associated with an asset; said ID tag reader and said active location tag to be carried by a means for moving said asset to a destination location, wherein said location coordinates for said active location tag are determined by said means for determining said location coordinates upon arrival of said asset at said destination location while said active location tag is in known relative proximity to said asset; said logistics location and identification system configured for storing said destination location coordinates associated with said asset identification. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification