Electronic locating systems

• US 5,798,693 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 08/25/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Callahan Cellular LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Thomas J. Engellenner
• Inventors: Engellenner, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US08/478,866
• Time in Patent Office: 1,175 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572, 340/571, 340/505, 340/825.54, 340/825.08, 342/42, 342/44, 342/51, 235/385, 364/403, 381/42, 395/2.6, 395/228, 705/22, 705/28
• US Class Current: 340/10.33
• 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 taking inventory of distributed items comprising the steps of:

coding each item to be located with a tag responsive to a predetermined electromagnetic signal;

interrogating at least one spatial region with said electromagnetic signal to cause the tag to generate a responsive signal if present within the region;

detecting said responsive signal to confirm the tagged item'"'"'s presence within a particular region;

storing an inventory of information on locations of particular tagged items in a data storage device,

inputting an inquiry for information on the location of an item;

re-interrogating at least one spatial region to determine the location of the item;

updating said inventory of information on locations of particular tagged items in said data storage device, and providing a response to the inquiry.