초록 ▼

A system for tracking and monitoring at least one item in an environment includes at least one transmitter assigned a unique identification number for the item and attached to the item and at least one receiver for receiving a first data packet which includes the unique identification number from th

A system for tracking and monitoring at least one item in an environment includes at least one transmitter assigned a unique identification number for the item and attached to the item and at least one receiver for receiving a first data packet which includes the unique identification number from the transmitter. At least one node computer controls the receiver, receives a second data packet which includes said unique identification number and direction-of-travel code from the receiver, and determines a location of the item from the direction-of-travel code. A controller computer controls the node computer, receives the unique identification number and the location of the item from the node computer, and stores the unique identification number and the location of the item. A central computer facility coordinates the controller computer and collects and stores the unique identification number and the location of the item for exportation from the system.

대표청구항 ▼

A system for tracking and monitoring at least one item in an environment includes at least one transmitter assigned a unique identification number for the item and attached to the item and at least one receiver for receiving a first data packet which includes the unique identification number from th

A system for tracking and monitoring at least one item in an environment includes at least one transmitter assigned a unique identification number for the item and attached to the item and at least one receiver for receiving a first data packet which includes the unique identification number from the transmitter. At least one node computer controls the receiver, receives a second data packet which includes said unique identification number and direction-of-travel code from the receiver, and determines a location of the item from the direction-of-travel code. A controller computer controls the node computer, receives the unique identification number and the location of the item from the node computer, and stores the unique identification number and the location of the item. A central computer facility coordinates the controller computer and collects and stores the unique identification number and the location of the item for exportation from the system. laim 1 wherein, when said instruction indicates that a task is to be performed that relates to said determined position, said second message operates to instruct the performance of said task. 7. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 1 wherein, when said instruction indicates that a task is to be performed by an automated device, said second message operates to instruct said automated device to perform said task when said determined position meets a predetermined criterion. 8. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 7 wherein, when said instruction indicates that a gate is to be opened, said second message instructs operating circuitry coupled to said gate to open said gate when said determined position is near said gate. 9. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 7 wherein, when said instruction indicates that an alarm system is to be turned off, said second message instructs operating circuitry coupled to said alarm system to turn off said alarm system when said determined position is near said alarm system. 10. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 1 wherein said message is formatted in a Standard Mail Transmission Protocol (SMTP) format having a body and a header, said instruction indicated in said body and said determined position indicated in said header. 11. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 10 wherein, when said instruction indicates the insertion of said determined position in a particular format into the body of said first message, the determined position is converted into the designated format and is inserted into the body of said message. 12. A method for sending a message that indicates position comprising: a) receiving a first message from a remote message transmission device utilizing a computer, said first message includes position determination system data and an instruction that relates to position; b) determining the position indicated by said position determination system data; c) generating a second message that complies with said instruction and that indicates said determined position; and d) transmitting said second message via a communication network utilizing said computer. 13. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 12 wherein, when said instruction indicates routing, said second message is routed according to said instruction. 14. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 12 wherein, when said instruction indicates return routing, said second message is transmitted back to said message transmission device utilizing said computer. 15. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 12 wherein, when said instruction indicates transmission to a service provider, said second message is sent to said service provider, said message indicating said instruction and indicating said determined position. 16. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 12 wherein, when said instruction is a query, said second message indicates a response to said query. 17. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 12 wherein, when said instruction indicates that a task is to be performed that relates to said determined position, said second message operates to instruct the performance of said task. 18. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 12 wherein said position determination system data indicates time, and wherein said second message indicates time. 19. A method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 12 wherein said position determination system data indicates date, and wherein said second message indicates date. 20. A method for sending a message that indicates position from a remote message transmission device that is adapted to transmit a message that includes a body and a header, said remote message transmission device including a position determination system receiver adapted to receive position determination system signals, said method comprising: a) generating a message at said remote message transmission device that includes a body and at least one header; b) receiving position determination system signals containing position determination system data at said position determination system receiver; c) generating a position header that includes said position determination system data; and d) inserting said position header into said message. 21. A method for sending a message that indicates position from a message transmission device according to claim 20 wherein said message includes an instruction that relates to position. 22. In a computer system having a processor coupled to a bus, a computer readable medium coupled to said bus and having stored therein a computer program that when executed by said processor causes said computer system to implement a method for sending a message that indicates position of a remote message transmission device, said method comprising: a) generating a message at said remote message transmission device that includes a body and at least one header; b) receiving position determination system signals containing position determination system data at a position determination system receiver; c) generating a position header that includes said position determination system data; and d) inserting said position header into said message. 23. A computer readable medium according to claim 22 wherein said message includes an instruction that relates to position. 24. A computer implemented method of sending a message, said computer implemented method comprising: a) generating a message at a remote message transmission device that includes a body and at least one header; b) receiving position determination system signals containing position determination system data at a position determination system receiver; c) generating a position header that includes said position determination system data; and d) inserting said position header into said message. 25. A computer implemented method for sending a message that indicates position according to claim 24 wherein said message includes an instruction that relates to position. 26. A method for sending a message that indicates position from a remote message transmission device that is adapted to transmit a message that includes a body and a header, said message transmission device including a position determination system receiver adapted to receive position determination system signals, said method comprising: a) generating a message that includes a body and at least one header; b) receiving position determination system signals containing position determination system data; c) determining position using said position determination system data; d) generating a position header that includes said determined position; and e) inserting said position header into said message. 27. A method for sending a message that indicates from a message transmission device according to claim 26 wherein said message includes an instruction that relates to position. 28. In a computer system having a processor coupled to a bus, a computer readable medium coupled to said bus and having stored therein a computer program that when executed by said processor causes said computer system to implement a method for sending a message that indicates position, said method comprising: a) generating a message that includes a body and at least one header; b) receiving position determination system signals containing position determination system data; c) determining position using said position determination system data; d) generating a position header that includes said determined position; and e) inserting said position header into said message. 29. A computer readable medium