Patent ID: 7746229

Claim:
A system ( 1 ) to identify and locate objects ( 2 ), the system ( 1 ) comprising: radio frequency identification (RFID) tags ( 10 ) to be affixed to objects ( 2 ) that are to be identified and to be located, wherein the RFID tags are configured to receive and to transmit signals; a carrier ( 13 ) or racks ( 14 ) to accommodate objects ( 2 ) that are to be identified and located; a plurality of antennae ( 16 ) to transmit signals to the RFID tags that are to be located; at least one unit comprising a receiver element ( 19 ) and a transmitter element ( 22 ), the receiver element ( 19 ) is connected to the antennae ( 16 ) and activates a transmitting antenna ( 16 ), so that a single RFID tag ( 10 ) is activatable, which is in close proximity to the transmitting antenna ( 16 ) activated by the receiver element ( 19 ), and the transmitter element ( 22 ) transmits energy to the receiver element incorporated in the unit; a computer ( 7 ); and a central transmitter ( 5 ) to at least transmit signals to at least one transmitter element ( 22 ), to receive signals from the RFID tags ( 10 ), and to convert signals received and transfer the converted signals to the computer ( 7 ); the computer ( 7 ) comprising a software for providing digital data relating to the identity and position of the objects ( 2 ), the software processing signals received from the central transmitter ( 5 ); wherein the system ( 1 ) is accomplished as a laboratory system comprising a laboratory apparatus ( 4 ) having a laboratory work table ( 3 ), wherein articles of laboratory ware ( 15 ), the carrier ( 13 ) or the rack ( 14 ) that are to be identified and to be located, are positionable on a surface ( 8 ) of the laboratory work table ( 3 ); the laboratory work table ( 3 ) comprising a virtual grid ( 11 ) which is designed to divide the surface ( 8 ) of the laboratory work table ( 3 ) into grid units ( 12 ); wherein the at least one unit is accomplished as a local unit ( 6 ) which comprises at least one receiver element ( 19 ) and which is incorporated in the carrier ( 13 ) or rack ( 14 ); wherein the transmitter elements ( 22 ) are arranged below the surface ( 8 ) of the laboratory work table ( 3 ) in a defined position thus defining the grid intersection points of the grid ( 11 ); a receiver element ( 19 ) of a local unit ( 6 ) is arranged in register with and above a transmitter element ( 22 ), the transmitter element ( 22 ) transmitting energy through the laboratory work table ( 3 ) to the receiver element ( 19 ); and at least one antenna ( 16 ) is incorporated in a carrier ( 13 ) or a rack ( 14 ), so that a single RFID tag ( 10 ) of an article of laboratory ware ( 15 ), which is closest to an antenna ( 16 ) of the carrier ( 13 ) or rack ( 14 ) currently being activated by the receiver element ( 19 ) and thus currently transmitting, is individually activatable.