Patent ID: 7012529
Filing Date: 2006-03-14
Classification: G06K,G06Q,G07C

Abstract:
1. A tracking system for use in identifying contents of a container, the container having an associated data set indicative of the container contents and parameters thereof, said system comprising: an electromagnetic identification apparatus attached to said container for providing an electromagnetic signal indicative of said container content data set; a writer for use in encoding said electromagnetic signal indicative of said container content data set onto said electromagnetic identification apparatus; a controller for receiving said encoded signal corresponding to said container content data set and for storing said encoded signal in a master database storage apparatus; a reader configured outside said container for communicating with said electromagnetic identification apparatus and for receiving said encoded signal therefrom and corresponding to said container content data signal set, said reader also for providing said controller with signals indicative of the same; wherein said electromagnetic identification apparatus includes a plurality of associated electromagnetic identification tags, each of said tags associated with a corresponding one of an element corresponding to said contents of said container; an apparatus for generating an aggregate electromagnetic signature signal-associated with the corresponding content signals associated with each of the plurality of electromagnetic identification tags; an apparatus for storing said electromagnetic signature associated with said container contents on said master database storage mechanism; an apparatus for polling said master database storage mechanism to access signals thereon corresponding to the aggregate signature; an apparatus for comparing the contents of said aggregate signature signals obtained from said reader with said aggregate signature signals stored on said master database storage mechanism; and an apparatus for generating an alarm signal if a discrepancy between said aggregate signature signals obtained from said reader as compared to those aggregate signature signals stored in said master database is detected.