Rotatable tags for automated location and monitoring of moveable objects and related systems

• US 8,410,935 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2009
• Issued: 04/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TeleTracking Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: RadarFind Corporation (TeleTracking Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Jackson, Stephen S.
• Primary Examiner(s): HUNNINGS, TRAVIS R
• Application Number:
  US12/500,168
• Publication Number:
  US 20100007498A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,363 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572, 340/10, 340/505
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• 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: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A rotatable tag is provided that is configured to be affixed to a moveable object, the tag includes a housing configured to provide an increased volume and occupy a relatively small amount of surface area on the object to which the tag is affixed. The rotatable tag is configured to transmit information related to the tag and/or an environment surrounding the tag. Related systems are also provided herein.

Claims

1. A system having a rotatable tag configured to be affixed to a moveable object, the system comprising:

an electronic reader; and

a housing having a first portion that includes at least two different patterns and a second portion at least a portion of which is translucent, positioned over the first portion, and configured to rotate to reveal one of the at least two different patterns through the translucent portion of the second portion,

wherein the rotatable tag is communicatively coupled to the electronic reader and is configured to transmit information related to the tag and/or an environment surrounding the tag.

2. The rotatable tag of claim 1, wherein the tag is further configured to indicate at least one state of the object such that the at least one state of the object is discernable from a distance.

3. The rotatable tag of claim 2, wherein each of the at least two patterns is indicative of a state of the object.

4. The rotatable tag of claim 2, wherein the at least one state of the object comprises available for use, in use, needs cleaning and/or needs service.

5. The rotatable tag of claim 1, wherein the tag is further configured to provide an increased volume and occupy a relatively small amount of surface area on the object to which the tag is affixed.

6. The rotatable tag of claim 1, wherein the tag has a cylindrical shape.

7. The rotatable tag of claim 1, wherein the tag is intrinsically safe such that it can be used in an oxygen rich environment.

8. The rotatable tag of claim 1, wherein the tag is configured to transmit automatically, responsively or synchronously.

9. The rotatable tag of claim 1, wherein the housing includes at least one sensor and wherein the at least one sensor comprises a temperature sensor, a motion sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, an accelerometer or a gyroscope.

10. The rotatable tag of claim 1, wherein the tag is configured to transmit and/or receive information.

11. A system for locating and tracking moveable objects, the system comprising:

an electronic reader; and

a rotatable tag communicatively coupled to the electronic reader and configured to be affixed to a moveable object, the rotatable tag comprising;

a housing configured to provide an increased volume and occupy a relatively small amount of surface area on the object to which the tag is affixed, wherein the rotatable tag is configured to transmit information related to the tag and/or an environment surrounding the tag;

wherein the tag is further configured to indicate at least one state of the object such that the at least one state of the object is discernable from a distance; and

wherein the housing further comprises;

a first portion that includes at least two different patterns; and

a second portion at least a portion of which is translucent, positioned over the first portion, and configured to rotate to reveal one of the at least two different patterns through the translucent portion of the second portion, wherein each of the at least two patterns is indicative of a state of the object.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the tag has a cylindrical shape.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one state of the object comprises available for use, in use, needs cleaning and/or needs service.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the tag is intrinsically safe such that it can be used in an oxygen rich environment.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the tag is configured to transmit automatically, responsively or synchronously.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the housing includes at least one sensor and wherein the at least one sensor comprises a temperature sensor, a motion sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, an accelerometer or a gyroscope.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the tag is configured to transmit and/or receive information.