초록 ▼

Tags capable of wirelessly transmitting unique codes when energized by radio frequency (RF) energy are used to identify a variety of different locations and objects. A portable battery-powered unit having digital storage capabilities is designed to be transported to the general location of the tagge

Tags capable of wirelessly transmitting unique codes when energized by radio frequency (RF) energy are used to identify a variety of different locations and objects. A portable battery-powered unit having digital storage capabilities is designed to be transported to the general location of the tagged locations and objects. The user moves an RF antenna sufficiently close to the tag to energize it and cause the tag to transmit its code. The detected code is then stored in digital form in a memory. The location tags contain an association or master list of the objects associated with that particular location. The method finds particular utility in performing inventory control of furniture or other objects since the tags can be mounted at points thereon that are not readily observable, thereby preserving their aesthetic appearance. Other methods include patient identification in a health care facility, project scheduling, quality control, interior decorating, or any other procedure where identification of a particular object or location is a preliminary step before proceeding with further work. Preferably, a programmable device having a display is used to prompt the operator after the object or location has been detected.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of conducting an inventory of objects within a predefined space associated with a fixed structure, comprising: defining an association between said predefined space and said objects; storing data which defines said association in at least one location tag being capable of wireless transmiss

A method of conducting an inventory of objects within a predefined space associated with a fixed structure, comprising: defining an association between said predefined space and said objects; storing data which defines said association in at least one location tag being capable of wireless transmission of a location code indicative of said data and mounting said location tag to a fixed structure associated with said predefined space; for each object to be inventoried, using at least one identification tag being capable of wireless transmission of an identification code indicative of said object and mounting said identification tag to each object to be inventoried; using a portable unit having noncontacting means for receiving and storing said location codes indicative of said data and said identification codes; transporting said portable unit to the vicinity of said fixed structure to thereby receive and store said location code produced by said location tag on said fixed structure and to thereby download said data into said portable unit; transporting said portable unit to the vicinity of at least one of said objects within said predefined space to thereby receive and store said identification code produced by said identification tag on said one of said objects; and comparing said downloaded data and said stored identification code in said portable unit to thereby conduct said inventory.