US5434775A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Managing an inventory of devices
Assignee: Baxter International Inc
•
Filing: 1993-11-04
•
Granted: 1995-07-18
•
Expires: 2013-11-04
Abstract
Abstract The locations of a plurality of devices are tracked using a network of communication links, each of which corresponds to a location. Each device is given a tag that identifies the device with respect to other devices and that is connectable to a communication link when the device is disposed at the location to which the link corresponds. Each tag that is connected to each communication link is detected, and the location of each device is determined based on the detection. One feature of the technique is additionally determining the conditions of the devices by correlating one or more communication links with conditions. The technique is simple to use and highly effective technique in tracking devices stored at various locations throughout a facility. Device location and condition are monitored continuously, thereby reducing the risk that the removal of a device from storage will go undetected.
Inventors
- 👤 Nathaniel M. Sims
- 👤 John M. Turner
- 👤 Jane M. Zeisloft
- 👤 Daniel C. Kusswurm
- 👤 Ralph H. LaBedz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:52
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G06K17/0022; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/06; G06Q10/063; G06Q10/0631; G06Q10/08; G06Q10/087; G06Q10/0872; G06Q10/08724; G06Q10/0877; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/22; G08B13/24; G08B13/2402; G08B13/2405; G08B13/2414; G08B13/2417; G08B13/2428; G08B13/2434; G08B13/2451; G08B13/2462; G08B13/2465; G08B13/2468; G08B13/2471; G08B13/2474; G06Q10/0874; G06Q10/08744
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 109
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of assisting a user in allocating an inventory of a plurality of devices among a plurality of locations, comprising providing a network of communication links each of which corresponds to a location of said plurality of locations, providing each one of said devices in said inventory with a tag that identifies a said device with respect to other said devices in said inventory, said tag being connectable to a said communication link when said device is disposed at the location to which said communication link corresponds, detecting each said tag that is connected to each said communication link, generating, based on said detecting, information that indicates the location of each one of said devices in said inventory, and providing said information to the user in a manner that enables the user to determine how said devices are allocated among said locations and determine whether some of said devices should be reallocated among said locations.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of assisting a user in allocating an inventory of a plurality of devices among a plurality of locations, comprising providing a network of communication links each of which corresponds to a location of said plurality of locations, providing each one of said devices in said inventory with a tag that identifies a said device with respect to other said devices in said inventory, said tag being connectable to a said communication link when said device is disposed at the location to which said communication link corresponds, detecting each said tag that is connected to each said communication link, generating, based on said detecting, information that indicates the location of each one of said devices in said inventory, and providing said information to the user in a manner that enables the user to determine how said devices are allocated among said locations and determine whether some of said devices should be reallocated among said locations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each one of at least some of said communication links also correspond to conditions of said plurality of devices, and further comprising detecting each said tag that is connected to each one of said some communication links, and determining the condition of each said device identified by each said tag based on said detecting.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising assigning at least two of said some communication links to a single location.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said conditions include ready for use, in need of cleaning, and in need of repair.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising providing each said tag with data that includes an address identifying a said device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising storing said data that includes said address in a memory of said tag.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said determining includes reading said data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising allowing at least one of said communication links to have multiple said tags connected thereto, detecting said multiple tags, and identifying the devices that are disposed in the location to which said one link corresponds based on said detecting.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising storing data that includes an address in a memory of each said tag that identifies a said device, said identifying including reading said data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 6 or 9 further comprising writing information associated with the device identified by said data into said memory.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising causing equipment connected to said network to write said information into said memory over the communication link to which said tag is connected.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising causing said device to write said information into said memory.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said information includes maintenance information.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising connecting each said tag to the device identified thereby so that a user can dispose said device near a said link at one of said locations and connect said tag thereto.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said detecting includes monitoring each one of said links for activity thereon by one or more of said tags.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said activity includes a connection event in which a user connects a said tag to a said link, and a disconnection event in which a user disconnects a said tag from a said link.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising performing said monitoring in successive monitoring cycles for each one of said links, and determining that a connection event or a disconnection event is valid only if said connection event or disconnection event is detected in a selected number of successive monitoring cycles.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising determining that a connection event is valid only if the tag remains connected to said link for a selected amount of time.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising determining that a disconnection event is valid only if the tag remains disconnected from said link for a selected amount of time.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising performing said monitoring continuously for each said link.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing said network further comprises providing at least one node that performs said detecting for a set of said communication links.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 21 further comprising assigning at least some of said set of communication links to a single location, and assigning each communication link in said set to a condition of said plurality of devices.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 22 further comprising detecting each said tag that is connected to each one of said some communication links in said set, and determining the condition of each said device identified by each said tag based on said detecting.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the step of providing information includes storing a database of said information that relates each one of said plurality of devices to the determined said location and condition.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the step Of providing information further includes generating a report of the locations and conditions of at least some of said devices using said information in said database.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the step of providing information further includes transmitting said report over a branch of said network for use by equipment that communicate with said network.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said equipment includes a computer, the step of providing information further including causing said computer to display said report.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said equipment includes a printer, the step of providing information further including causing said printer to print said report.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said equipment includes facsimile equipment, the step of providing information further including causing said facsimile machine to transmit a facsimile of said report to a selected destination.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said equipment includes a computer, the step of providing information further including causing said computer to send a message that contains at least some of the information in said report to a user.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the step of providing information further includes causing said computer to send said message to a selected pager to page said user.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the step of providing information includes determining a quantity of said devices of a selected type that are stored in a selected one of said locations using said information in said database.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the step of providing information includes determining if said quantity differs from a selected quantity and, if so, notifying the user.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising allowing a user to access said database to obtain said information about the location and condition of a selected one or more of said devices.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 34 further comprising allowing said user to access said database by telephone.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising providing at least one of said communication links with a connector configured to allow multiple said tags to be connected thereto.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising providing at least one of said communication links with a plurality of connectors each of which is configured to allow one of said tags to be connected thereto.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for locating a plurality of devices, comprising providing a network of communication links each of which corresponds to a location among a plurality of locations, at least one of said locations including a shelf having at least one opening therein, electrically coupling at least one of said communication links to an electrically conductive member disposed below said opening, providing each one of said devices with a tag that identifies a said device with respect to other said devices, said tag being connectable to a said communication link when said device is disposed at the location to which said communication link corresponds, providing at least one of said devices with a plunger electrically coupled to said tag, resiliently urging said plunger through said opening and into engagement with said electrically conductive member when said at least one of said devices is disposed on said shelf over said opening, thereby to connect said tag to said communication link, detecting each said tag that is connected to each said communication link, and determining the location of each one of said devices based on said detecting.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for locating a plurality of devices, comprising providing a network of communication links each of which corresponds to a location among a plurality of locations, at least one of said locations including a shelf having at least one opening therein, electrically coupling at least one of said communication links to an electrically conductive member disposed below said opening, providing each one of said devices with a tag that identifies a said device with respect to other said devices, said tag being connectable to a said communication link when said device is disposed at the location to which said communication link corresponds, providing at least one of said devices with a plunger electrically coupled to said tag, resiliently urging said plunger through said opening and into engagement with said electrically conductive member when said at least one of said devices is disposed on said shelf over said opening, thereby to connect said tag to said communication link, detecting each said tag that is connected to each said communication link, and determining the location of each one of said devices based on said detecting.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 38 further comprising resiliently retracting said plunger when said at least one of said devices is disposed on a surface that does not include a said opening.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
98 words
The method of claim 38 wherein said at least one communication link includes a pair of wires, and further comprising electrically coupling a first one of said wires to said electrically conductive member, electrically coupling a second one of said wires to said shelf, electrically connecting said tag to said first wire with said plunger, and providing said at least one of said devices with an electrically conductive footing that is electrically coupled to said tag and is configured to contact said shelf when said device is disposed thereon to electrically couple said tag to said second wire.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for assisting a user in allocating an inventory of a plurality of devices among a plurality of locations, comprising network of communication links each of which corresponds to a location of said plurality of locations, a tag associated with each one of said devices in said inventory that identifies a said device with respect to other said devices in said inventory, said tag being connectable to a said communication link when said device is disposed at the location to which said communication link corresponds, means for detecting each said tag that is connected to each said communication link, means for generating, based on said detecting, information that indicates the location of each one of said devices in said inventory, and means for providing said information to the user in a manner that enables the user to determine how said devices are allocated among said locations and determine whether some of said devices should be reallocated among said locations.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for assisting a user in allocating an inventory of a plurality of devices among a plurality of locations, comprising network of communication links each of which corresponds to a location of said plurality of locations, a tag associated with each one of said devices in said inventory that identifies a said device with respect to other said devices in said inventory, said tag being connectable to a said communication link when said device is disposed at the location to which said communication link corresponds, means for detecting each said tag that is connected to each said communication link, means for generating, based on said detecting, information that indicates the location of each one of said devices in said inventory, and means for providing said information to the user in a manner that enables the user to determine how said devices are allocated among said locations and determine whether some of said devices should be reallocated among said locations.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein each one of at least some of said communication links also correspond to conditions of said plurality of devices, and further comprising means for detecting each said tag that is connected to each one of said some communication links, and means for determining the condition of each said device identified by each said tag based on said detecting.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 42 wherein at least two of said some communication links are assigned to a single location.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 42 wherein said conditions include ready for use, in need of cleaning, and in need of repair.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein each said tag includes data that includes an address identifying a said device.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 45 wherein each said tag includes a memory for storing said data that includes said address.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said means for determining includes circuitry for reading said data.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein multiple said tags are connected to one of said links, and further comprising means for detecting said multiple tags, and means for identifying the devices that are disposed in the location to which said one link corresponds based on said detecting.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 48 wherein data that includes an address is stored in a memory of each said tag that identifies a said device, said means for identifying including means for reading said data.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 46 or 49 further comprising means for writing information associated with the device identified by said data into said memory.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 50 wherein said means for writing includes equipment connected to said network, said equipment writing said information into said memory over the communication link to which said tag is connected.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 50 wherein said device includes said means for writing.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 50 wherein said information includes maintenance information.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 41 further comprising a connector for connecting each said tag to the device identified thereby so that a user can dispose said device near a said link at one of said locations and connect said tag thereto.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said means for detecting includes circuitry for monitoring each one of said links for activity thereon by one or more of said tags.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 55 wherein said activity includes a connection event in which a user connects a said tag to a said link, and a disconnection event in which a user disconnects a said tag from a said link.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 56 further comprising means for performing said monitoring in successive monitoring cycles for each one of said links, and means for determining that a connection event or a disconnection event is valid only if said connection event or disconnection event is detected in a selected number of successive monitoring cycles.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 57 wherein said means for determining determines that a connection event is valid only if the tag remains connected to said link for a selected amount of time.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 57 wherein said means for determining determines that a disconnection event is valid only if the tag remains disconnected from said link for a selected amount of time.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 55 wherein said circuitry is adapted to perform said monitoring continuously for each said link.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said network further comprises at least one node that includes said means for detecting for a set of said communication links.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 61 wherein at least some of said set of communication links are assigned to a single location, each communication link in said set being further assigned to a condition of said plurality of devices.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 62 further comprising means for detecting each said tag that is connected to each one of said some communication links in said set, and means for determining the condition of each said device identified by each said tag based on said detecting.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 42 wherein said means for providing information includes a database for storing information that relates each one of said plurality of devices to the determined said location and condition.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 64 wherein said means for providing information includes at least one computer for generating a report of the locations and conditions of at least some of said devices using said information in said database.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 65 further comprising a transmitter for sending said report over a branch of said network for use by equipment that communicate with said network.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said equipment includes a second computer that includes a display for displaying said report.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said equipment includes a printer for printing said report.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said equipment includes facsimile equipment for transmitting a facsimile of said report to a selected destination.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said equipment includes a second computer for sending a message that contains at least some of the information in said report to a user.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 70 wherein said second computer includes means for sending said message to a selected pager to page said user.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 64 wherein said means for providing information includes means for determining a quantity of said devices of a selected type that are stored in a selected one of said locations using said information in said database.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 72 wherein said means for providing information includes means for determining if said quantity differs from a selected quantity and, if so, notifying the user.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 64 further comprising means for allowing a user to access said database to obtain said information about the location and condition of a selected one or more of said devices.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 74 wherein said means for allowing includes a telephone.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 41 further comprising a connector associated with at least one of said communication links, said connector being configured to allow multiple said tags to be connected thereto.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 41 further comprising a plurality of connectors associated with at least one of said communication links, each of said connectors being configured to allow one of said tags to be connected thereto.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
191 words
Apparatus for locating a plurality of devices, comprising network of communication links each of which corresponds to a location among a plurality of locations, at least one of said locations including a shelf having at least one opening therein, means for electrically coupling at least one of said communication links to an electrically conductive member disposed below said opening, a tag associated with each one of said devices that identifies a said device with respect to other said devices, said tag being connectable to a said communication link when said device is disposed at the location to which said communication link corresponds, means for providing at least one of said devices with a plunger electrically coupled to said tag, means for resiliently urging said plunger through said opening and into engagement with said electrically conductive member when said at least one of said devices is disposed on said shelf over said opening, thereby to connect said tag to said communication link, means for detecting each said tag that is connected to each said communication link, and means for determining the location of each one of said devices based on said detecting.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
191 words
Apparatus for locating a plurality of devices, comprising network of communication links each of which corresponds to a location among a plurality of locations, at least one of said locations including a shelf having at least one opening therein, means for electrically coupling at least one of said communication links to an electrically conductive member disposed below said opening, a tag associated with each one of said devices that identifies a said device with respect to other said devices, said tag being connectable to a said communication link when said device is disposed at the location to which said communication link corresponds, means for providing at least one of said devices with a plunger electrically coupled to said tag, means for resiliently urging said plunger through said opening and into engagement with said electrically conductive member when said at least one of said devices is disposed on said shelf over said opening, thereby to connect said tag to said communication link, means for detecting each said tag that is connected to each said communication link, and means for determining the location of each one of said devices based on said detecting.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 78 further comprising means for resiliently retracting said plunger when said at least one of said devices is disposed on a surface that does not include a said opening.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
106 words
The apparatus of claim 78 wherein said at least one communication link includes a pair of wires, and further comprising means for electrically coupling a first one of said wires to said electrically conductive member, mean for electrically coupling a second one of said wires to said shelf, means for electrically connecting said tag to said first wire with said plunger, and means for providing said at least one of said devices with an electrically conductive footing that is electrically coupled to said tag and is configured to contact said shelf when said device is disposed thereon to electrically couple said tag to said second wire.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for assisting a user in allocating an inventory of a plurality of devices among a plurality of locations, comprising means for detecting connections of a plurality of tags to one or more communication links of a network, each one of said tags being associated with one of said devices in said inventory and identifying said one device with respect to other said devices in said inventory, means for associating each one of said communication links with a location of said plurality of locations, and means for generating, based on said detecting, information that indicates the location of each one of said devices in said inventory, and means for providing said information to the user in a manner that enables the user to determine how said devices are allocated among said locations and determine whether some of said devices should be reallocated among said locations.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for assisting a user in allocating an inventory of a plurality of devices among a plurality of locations, comprising means for detecting connections of a plurality of tags to one or more communication links of a network, each one of said tags being associated with one of said devices in said inventory and identifying said one device with respect to other said devices in said inventory, means for associating each one of said communication links with a location of said plurality of locations, and means for generating, based on said detecting, information that indicates the location of each one of said devices in said inventory, and means for providing said information to the user in a manner that enables the user to determine how said devices are allocated among said locations and determine whether some of said devices should be reallocated among said locations.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 81 wherein said means for associating also associates each one of at least some of said communication links to conditions of said plurality of devices, and further comprising means for detecting each said tag that is connected to each one of said some communication links, and means for determining the condition of each said device identified by each said tag based on said detecting.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 82 wherein at least two of said some communication links are assigned to a single location.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 82 wherein said conditions include ready for use, in need of cleaning, and in need of repair.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 81 wherein each said tag includes data that includes an address that identifies a said device.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 85 wherein each said tag includes a memory for storing said address.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 86 wherein said means for determining includes circuitry for reading said data.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 81 wherein apparatus comprises at least one node on said network, said node including said means for detecting for a set of said communication links.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 88 wherein said means for associating associates each one of said set of communication links to a single location and associates each communication link in said set to a condition of said plurality of devices.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 89 further comprising means for detecting each said tag that is connected to each communication link in said set, and means for determining the condition of each said device identified by each said tag based on said detecting.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 82 further comprising means for reporting said determined location and condition to a database for storage.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 90 further comprising at least one computer for generating a report of the locations and conditions of at least some of said devices using said information in said database.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing information includes storing data that indicates quantities of said devices that should be disposed in said locations, determining whether an insufficient quantity of said devices are disposed in a selected one of said locations based on said data and the determined locations of said devices, and notifying a user if an insufficient quantity of said devices are determined to be in said selected location.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 93 further comprising instructing the user to move one or more of said devices to said selected location from another one of said locations if an insufficient quantity of said devices are determined to be in said selected location.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
98 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said devices comprise a plurality of types of devices, the step of providing information including storing data that indicates quantities of each said type of said devices that should be disposed in said locations, determining whether an insufficient quantity of each said type of said devices are disposed in a selected one of said locations based on said data and the determined location of each one of said devices, and notifying a user if an insufficient quantity of said devices of a selected type are determined to be in said selected location.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 95 further comprising instructing the user to move one or more of said devices of a selected type to said selected location from another one of said locations if an insufficient quantity of said devices of said selected type are determined to be in said selected location.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
79 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said means for providing information includes storage for data that indicates quantities of said devices that should be disposed in said locations, means for determining whether an insufficient quantity of said devices are disposed in a selected one of said locations based on said data and the determined locations of said devices, and means for notifying a user if an insufficient quantity of said devices are determined to be in said selected location.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 97 further comprising means for instructing the user to move one or more of said devices to said selected location from another one of said locations if an insufficient quantity of said devices are determined to be in said selected location.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
103 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said devices comprise a plurality of types of devices, said means for providing information including storage for data that indicates quantities of each said type of said devices that should be disposed in said locations, means for determining whether an insufficient quantity of each said type of said devices are disposed in a selected one of said locations based on said data and the determined location of each one of said devices, and means for notifying a user if an insufficient quantity of said devices of a selected type are determined to be in said selected location.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 99 further comprising means for instructing the user to move one or more of said devices of a selected type to said selected location from another one of said locations if an insufficient quantity of said devices of said selected type are determined to be in said selected location.
Claim 106
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for managing a plurality of devices that are capable of being in a plurality of conditions, comprising providing a network of communication links each of which corresponds to a location and to one of said conditions, providing each one of said devices with a tag that identifies a said device with respect to other said devices, said tag being connectable to a said communication link when said device is disposed at the location to which said communication link corresponds, detecting said tags that are connected to said communication links, and determining the location and the condition of each one of said devices by identifying the communication link to which said tag of each one of said devices is connected.
Claim 107
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for managing a plurality of devices that are capable of being in a plurality of conditions, comprising providing a network of communication links each of which corresponds to a location and to one of said conditions, providing each one of said devices with a tag that identifies a said device with respect to other said devices, said tag being connectable to a said communication link when said device is disposed at the location to which said communication link corresponds, detecting said tags that are connected to said communication links, and determining the location and the condition of each one of said devices by identifying the communication link to which said tag of each one of said devices is connected.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for managing a plurality of devices that are capable of being in a plurality of conditions, comprising a network of communication links each of which corresponds to a location and to one of said conditions, a tag associated with each one of said devices that identifies a said device with respect to other said devices, said tag being connectable to a said communication link when said device is disposed at the location to which said communication link corresponds, means for detecting said tags that are connected to said communication links, and determining the location and the condition of each one of said devices by identifying the communication link to which said tag associated with each one of said devices is connected.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for managing a plurality of devices that are capable of being in a plurality of conditions, comprising a network of communication links each of which corresponds to a location and to one of said conditions, a tag associated with each one of said devices that identifies a said device with respect to other said devices, said tag being connectable to a said communication link when said device is disposed at the location to which said communication link corresponds, means for detecting said tags that are connected to said communication links, and determining the location and the condition of each one of said devices by identifying the communication link to which said tag associated with each one of said devices is connected.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-07-17 | 1999-01-16 | 1999-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-17 | 2003-01-16 | 2003-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-17 | 2007-01-16 | 2007-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |