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A method for accounting for individual ones of a plurality of items based upon random times that occur as a function of a first specified time interval, and a random interval inventory system that operates in accordance with the method. The method includes a first step of transmitting information si

A method for accounting for individual ones of a plurality of items based upon random times that occur as a function of a first specified time interval, and a random interval inventory system that operates in accordance with the method. The method includes a first step of transmitting information signals based upon random times from individual ones of a plurality of tags (5a1-5xx) to at least one of at least one master transceiver and at least one transceiver (4a-4n). The individual tags (5a1-5xx) are affixed to respective individual ones of a plurality of items. The information signals transmitted from each tag (5a1-5xx) correspond at least to the respective item to which the tag (5a1-5xx) is affixed. The random times occur as a function of a first specified time interval. For a case wherein the information signals are transmitted to the at least one remote transceiver, each at least one remote transceiver (4a-4n) receives information signals from at least one of the tags (4a-4n), and in response to receiving each information signal, relays the signal to the master transceiver (3). In response to the master transceiver (3) receiving an information signal, a next step includes supplying the signal to an associated confirmation device (2). Within the confirmation device (2), in response to receiving an information signal from the master transceiver (3), a next step includes confirming that the item corresponding to the information signal is accounted for.

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[ What is claimed is:] [20.] A method for accounting for individual ones of a plurality of items, comprising the steps of:transmitting information signals from individual ones of a plurality of transmitter tags to a receiving device, the transmissions of the information signals occurring at random t

[ What is claimed is:] [20.] A method for accounting for individual ones of a plurality of items, comprising the steps of:transmitting information signals from individual ones of a plurality of transmitter tags to a receiving device, the transmissions of the information signals occurring at random times within respective ones of a plurality of successive first predetermined time intervals, the individual ones of the plurality of transmitter tags being affixed to respective individual ones of the plurality of items, the information signals transmitted from the individual transmitter tags corresponding at least to the respective items to which the transmitter tags are affixed;in response to an input signal applied to at least one of the transmitter tags, transmitting the information signals from the at least one transmitter tag to the receiving device at random times within respective ones of a plurality of successive second predetermined time intervals; wherein within the receiving device, in response to receiving individual ones of the information signals, confirming that the items corresponding to the information signals are accounted for, and, detecting a variation in a rate at which the information signals are received from the at least one transmitter tag; andfurther comprising the step of:within the receiving device, in response to receiving a pair of at least one of the first and second information signals originally transmitted from an individual one of the transmitter tags, measuring the strength of each of the pair of said at least one of the first and second information signals; andbased upon a relationship between the measured strengths of each of said pair of said at least one of said first and second information signals, determining at least one of a location of an item to which the transmitter tag is affixed and a displacement of the item from a reference location.