Object tracking system

Claim 2

An object tracking system to obtain signature and data information relating to movement of an object to be tracked, the system comprising: a bar code reader to read a bar code on an object to be delivered under control of the system; a touch sensitive tablet display; a stylus, manually operable to enter a signature on the tablet display; a digital data store; a digital processor programmed to execute a tracking program controlling the reader, tablet display and stylus to store signature and data entered through the reader, display and stylus; and a host link to provide communication of the stored data from the system whereby signatures related to the tracking of objects can be obtained without paper documentation.

Claim 3

A system, as in claim 1, wherein the bar code reader is a laser scanner.

Claim 4

A system, as in claim 1, wherein the bar code reader is a magnetic bar code reader.

Claim 5

Asystem, as in claim 1, or 3 wherein the system further comprises: means to display control information in predetermined fields of the tablet display; and means to detect input from manual contact with the tablet display.

Claim 6

A system, as in claim 4, wherein the system further comprises means to disable input from manual contact with the tablet display when the stylus is within a predetermined distance to the tablet display.

Claim 7

Asystem, as in claim 4 or 5, wherein the bar code reader is controlled by selecting a control command displayed in one of the predetermined locations of the display tablet.

Claim 8

A system, as in claim 4, 5 or 6 wherein the bar code reader is automatically started when the signature data is entered.

Claim 12

A paperless parcel tracking system, comprising: a processor; storage; a bar code reader for reading parcel descriptive information from a bar code related to at least one selected parcel into the storage under control of the processor; a touch sensitive LCD tablet display for detecting input from a stylus, further comprising: means to display control commands on predetermined locations of the tablet display; means to detect the presence of the stylus in one of the predetermined locations on the tablet display; means to read signature information written on the tablet display which is related to the selected parcel descriptive information and store the signature information into the storage; and an infrared link to output the selected parcel descriptive information and related signature information; whereby signatures related to the tracking of parcels are obtained without paper documentation.

Claim 13

A paperless parcel tracking system, comprising: a processor; storage; a bar code reader for reading parcel descriptive information from a bar code related to at least one selected parcel into the storage under control of the processor; a touch sensitive LCD tablet display for detecting input from a stylus, further comprising: means to display control commands on predetermined locations of the tablet display; means to detect the presence of the stylus in one of the predetermined locations on the tablet display; means to read signature information written on the tablet display which is related to the selected parcel descriptive information and store the signature information into the storage; and an infrared link to output the selected parcel descriptive information and related signature information; whereby signatures related to the tracking of parcels are obtained without paper documentation.

Claim 14

An intelligent touch sensitive tablet display, comprising: a touch sensitive display screen capable of detecting input from a stylus and from manual touch; a first antenna positioned substantially adjacent to the perimeter of the display screen; an intelligent stylus having a second antenna; first logic means for transmitting positional information from the first antenna to the stylus; second logic means for processing positional information received from the first antenna, determining when the stylus is within a predetermined proximity to the touch sensitive display screen, and signalling the touch sensitive display screen that the stylus is within a predetermined distance to the touch sensitive display screen; and third logic means for processing the positional information transmitted from the stylus indicating that the stylus is within a predetermined distance to the touch sensitive display screen and disabling the detection of manual touch input when the stylus is within the predetermined distance to the touch sensitive display screen; whereby input resulting from inadvertent manual contact with the touch sensitive display screen will not interfere with inputfrom the stylus.

Claim 15

An intelligent touch sensitive tablet display, comprising: a touch sensitive display screen capable of detecting input from a stylus and from manual touch; a first antenna positioned substantially adjacent to the perimeter of the display screen; an intelligent stylus having a second antenna; first logic means for transmitting positional information from the first antenna to the stylus; second logic means for processing positional information received from the first antenna, determining when the stylus is within a predetermined proximity to the touch sensitive display screen, and signalling the touch sensitive display screen that the stylus is within a predetermined distance to the touch sensitive display screen; and third logic means for processing the positional information transmitted from the stylus indicating that the stylus is within a predetermined distance to the touch sensitive display screen and disabling the detection of manual touch input when the stylus is within the predetermined distance to the touch sensitive display screen; whereby input resulting from inadvertent manual contact with the touch sensitive display screen will not interfere with inputfrom the stylus.