Inventory control system

Abstract

An inventory control system is described which includes anti-collision, radio frequency identification apparatus or tags affixed to each item of an inventory and including a unique code, an interrogator/reader that generates a field of sufficient range to activate each tag associated with each item of the inventory in communication with a computer. The computer includes a list comprising an identifier for each item in the inventory, the code for the tag associated with each item in the inventory and an item status where the status indicates whether the item is present or absent.

1 . An inventory control apparatus comprising: 
 a computer including: 
 a processing unit for executing instructions;  
 a memory in electrical communication with the processing unit;  
 a peripheral for interfacing with a user;  
 communication hardware and software for wireless and non-wireless communication;  
 an operating system;  
 a list processing software; and  
 a list implemented therein comprising: 
 a unique item identifier for each item in an inventory;  
 a unique item code; and  
 an item status;  
 
   an anti-collision, field activated apparatus affixed to each item in the inventory; and    an interrogator/reader in communication with the computer which generates a field capable of causing each field activated apparatus within a range of the generated field to transmit a signal containing its unique code; and    where the status of each item activated by the interrogator/reader is set to a first state indicating that the item is inside the range of the generated field, while the status of all other items is set to a second state indicating that the item is outside of the range of the generated field and where each anti-collision, field activated apparatus transmits a signal when the anti-collision, field activated apparatus is within the range of the generated field only when no other anti-collision, field activated apparatus is transmitting a signal.    
   
   
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       21 . An inventory control apparatus comprising: 
 a computer including: 
 a list implemented therein comprising: 
 a unique item identifier for each item in an inventory;  
 a unique item code; and  
 an item status;  
 
   an anti-collision, field activated apparatus affixed to each item in the inventory and including a unique code corresponding to the unique item code; and    a reader in communication with the computer and including a generated field capable of activating each field activated apparatus within a range of the field,    where the apparatuses within the range of the field transmit a signal containing their unique code setting the status of each corresponding item to a first state indicating that the item is inside the range of the generated field, while the status of all other items is set to a second state indicating that the item is outside of the range of the generated field and where each anti-collision, field activated apparatus transmits a signal when the anti-collision, field activated apparatus is within the range of the generated field only when no other anti-collision, field activated apparatus is transmitting a signal.    
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each field activated apparatus transmits a periodic signal only when no other field activated apparatus transmits a periodic signal.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the items in the inventory are medical items associated with a surgery room.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the items in the inventory are children.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the items in the inventory are animals.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein each field activated apparatus transmits a periodic signal only when no other field activated apparatus transmits a periodic signal.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the items in the inventory are medical items associated with a surgery room.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the items in the inventory are children.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the items in the inventory are animals.