Object tracking method and system using tags

摘要

A method and system of tracking documents uses tags and a workflow. Initially, a workflow is developed for each document or type of documents using a state diagram. The workflow specifies a subset of one or more destinations that the document is allowed to travel and a sequence for this travel. A tag is associated with each document to enable tracking of the document as it passes the one or more readers in the various destinations. These tag readers in turn report back position information on the document to assist in locating the document. A comparison between the state diagram for the workflow and the position information gathered from the tag readers determines if the document is outside the desired workflow. An alert is generated when the document is outside the workflow and not being processed as intended.