Real time total asset visibility system

Abstract

A system and method for tracking articles and controlling inventory thereof on a real time basis comprising the use of a tag assembly including a plurality of tags including both active tags and passive tags distinguishable from one another by the provision of a self contained power source in the active tags. One or more readers are disposed within a locale being monitored and are structured to communicate received data transmission from a host controller, for additional administrative processing in terms of determining the existence, location and/or movement of various articles with which the plurality of tags are directly associated. Depending on their category the tags may be activated by either entering an electric field of a predetermined first frequency or by receiving an activation signal from the reader assembly also transmitted at the first predetermined frequency. Communication between the tags and the reader occurs at a second frequency being different from the first frequency.

1 . A system for tracking a plurality of objects on a real time basis, said system comprising: 
 a) at least one host controller,    b) a plurality of tags associated with a plurality of objects and movable therewith,    c) a reader assembly structured to receive transmitted data from said plurality of tags at least when said plurality of tags are within a predetermined locale, and    d) at least some of said plurality of tags including uni-directional, multi frequency capabilities at least partially defined by activation of said tags at a first frequency and transmission of data from said tags to said reader assembly at a second frequency, and    e) said reader assembly communicative with said host controller to facilitate determination of a status of individual ones of said plurality of tags within said predetermined locale.    
   
   
       2 . A system as recited in  claim 1  further comprising an access assembly disposed within the predetermined locale and structured to regulate ingress and egress to and from the predetermined locale; said access assembly communicative with said reader assembly and responsive to operative transmissions from said reader assembly.  
   
   
       3 . A system as recited in  claim 2  wherein said access assembly further comprises observation facilities responsive to operative transmission from said reader assembly and structured to monitor at least one area within the predetermined locale.  
   
   
       4 . A system as recited in  claim 2  wherein said reader assembly comprises at least one control reader communicative with said access facility and an at least some of said plurality of tags, said control reader structured to transmit operating signals to said access assembly determinative of ingress and egress of said predetermined locale.  
   
   
       5 . A system as recited in  claim 4  wherein said control reader includes a data base comprising status data of at least some of said plurality of tags; said status data being at least partially determinative of said transmission of operative signals to said access assembly.  
   
   
       6 . A system as recited in  claim 5  wherein said transmission of said operative signals is dependent on said status data within said data base or data transmission between said control reader and said host controller.  
   
   
       7 . A system as recited in  claim 4  further comprising an access assembly disposed within the predetermined locale and structured to regulate ingress and egress to and from the predetermined locale; said access assembly communicative with said reader assembly and responsive to operative transmission from said reader assembly.