Methods and apparatus for managing location information for movable objects

• US 8,369,981 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2005
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: Dunsker, Eric D., Spaulding, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burgess, Ramya
• Application Number:
  US11/302,715
• Publication Number:
  US 20070136152A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,610 Days
• Field of Search: 700/215, 700/213, 700/228, 700/214
• US Class Current: 700/214
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/878 Combination of several spaced transmitters or receivers of known location for determining the position of a transponder or a reflector G01S13/874 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 7/00 Methods or arrangements for processing data by operating upon the order or content of the data handled logic circuits H03K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

Systems and techniques for locating stored goods. A plurality of fixed contactless identification devices are deployed in an area. Each fixed device exhibits a fixed device identifier that can be read from a distance. Locations within the area are identified through mapping to combinations of fixed device identifiers detected at the location. In addition, a plurality of movable contactless identification devices are associated with goods to be stored and retrieved. Each movable device exhibits a movable device identifier, and movable contactless identification devices are located by identifying a combination of fixed device identifiers received when a movable device identifier is received. The location information may be used independently, or as a supplement to expected location information obtained through other means.

Claims

1. A method of object location management, comprising the steps of:

deploying a plurality of fixed contactless identification devices in an area, each of the fixed contactless identification devices exhibiting a unique fixed device identifier that can be read from a distance by a mobile locator;

placing movable contactless identification devices on movable objects to be stored in the area, each of the movable contactless identification devices exhibiting a unique movable device identifier that can be detected from a distance by the mobile locator;

computing a current location of a designated movable contactless identification device based on fixed device identifiers and movable device identifiers that are detected by the mobile locator and received through a network by a server;

determining that the designated movable contactless identification device and associated object has been placed in an improper location by the server; and

sending directions to the mobile locator to remove the object from the improper location and to place the object in an assigned location by the server.

2. A method of object location management, comprising the steps of:

storing fixed device identifiers associated with fixed contactless identification devices in an area by a server;

storing locations of the fixed contactless identification devices by the server;

storing path information identifying fixed device identifiers detected by a mobile locator as the mobile locator travels about the area by the server;

receiving a movable device identifier from a moveable contactless identification device on a movable object in the area from a mobile locator through a network communication interface by the server;

computing a location of the movable contactless identification device and the object based on fixed device identifiers and any other movable device identifiers received by the mobile locator by the server; and

sending directions to the mobile locator to remove the object from an improper location and to place the object in an assigned location.