Object tracking and management system and method using radio-frequency identification tags

摘要

A tracking system (100) for tracking an object (132) positionable at a plurality of locations, the system comprises:- (a) A transport vehicle (110) to move the object between locations; (b) An object marker (130) associated with the object that stores information indicating the identity of the object; (c) A plurality of location markers (140,150) positioned at different locations and storing information indicating the location of the marker; (d) At least one interrogator (120) mounted on a vehicle to receive from the object marker the information indicating the identity of the object and from the location markers information on the location of the markers, the interrogator is comprised of at least one radio-frequency transmitter for transmitting information to be stored on a marker and at least one radio-frequency receiver; and (e) A processor on-board (160) the vehicle operatively connected to the interrogator, the processor determines the identity of the object from; the information indicative of the identity of the object; the location of at least one of the location markers from the information indicative of the location of the marker; and the spatial relationship between the object and the location.