Object locator system

0001The invention relates to an apparatus for locating a predetermined Object at one of a plurality of locations.

0002Although the invention described below using an office operation, For example, a law firm, will be described, is already at this Agency noted that it is advantageously also in other Applications can be used, for example, in so-called "chaotic" storage. In the application, "firm" can the properties files, the files associated Aservate or like his articles, while the locations of the individual rooms Firm, individual workstations assigned areas, parts of a may be files bearing or the like places. In the application, "Storage" on the other hand, the objects, the stored items his or goods, while the places that individual sections of the camp may, for example subjects of store shelves.

0003For ease of finding files in an office is operating from the prior art discloses a system in which each file with an object tag is provided, wherein the object of these transponders provided object data each associated file clearly identify. In addition, each location is the office operation, associated for example every room of the office building, an interrogator, of when a file comes in his interrogation range, of which Transponder retrieves the object data. Once submitted query the interrogator via a hardwired connection or a Radio link to a central unit a record of its own Identity, thus includes the location data and the object data of the file.

0004Are the interrogators installed near the doors of the offices, so is the presence of the files in a particular room automatically reported to the central unit if the Act brought into this space becomes. Namely, even if the file at a later time of an office messenger or the like out of the considered space is worn out, a the presence of these acts in the space transmitted message-type data to the central unit. However, it be assumed that the Act as part of the errand immediately in is brought to another room of the office operation, so that the local Interrogator the central unit brings up to date again. Thus contains the central processing unit only momentarily not correct Information on the whereabouts of the Act. Thus, the known System in accordance with dense placement of office operation with fixed installed interrogators a substantially continuous monitoring ensure the movement of files. That is, the central processing unit can practically give at any time information as to the location at which a particular file is.

0005Not least due to the large number of stationary interrogators the known system costly to purchase and maintain, with the use of hard-wired data links between the interrogators and the central unit a further increase in costs for intensity Entails. The use of a radio link between the interrogators and the central unit pushes the other hand, due to the associated "Electrosmog" the office staff is not always on the required Acceptance, if not to complete rejection.

0006By contrast, the object of the invention to provide an easy aufgebautere and cost-effective device for locating objects provide.

0007This object is achieved by a device for Locating a predetermined object at a plurality of a Locations, comprising:<ul><li>at least one associated with the object object-transponder, the object identifying information (Object data) includes,</li><li>a plurality of location transponders, wherein each of the Plurality of locations at least one local transponder is associated with the respective location data identifying (Location data) includes,</li><li>a mobile interrogator with at least one Interrogator to the transponders, the object data or query the spatial data,</li><li>a location data memory in which, when the queried data are local data, these local data stores be, and</li><li>a record store, in which when the queried data are object data, stores a record is that at least the object data and the in includes local data storage location data stored.</li></ul>

0008The invention is based on the recognition that most of the files movements be made in offices by office messengers. equips you now an office boy with the mobile interrogator, so can he whenever he brings one or more files into an office, First the location data of this office space associated local transponder Check, and then the object data of the file associated object transponders query. In the latter Query are then in the record store to the file associated object data also just read the location data Office space filed, in which the office boy just brought these files Has. This represents a fundamental updating of the contents of record memory for sure. In particular, the movement of which is to each file through the rooms the firm traced.

0009It can happen again and again that acts not by the office boy are brought from an office space to the next. For example can a secretary a file in person at one of the departments of Firm bring. But even this, the value of the base date in Question alternate Commission file movement can use the invention Device be collected: Namely, an office boy who just has brought acts in a certain office space, the object data not only these files to query, but all in this office space located Direction files. This addition can thus update also brought the records of such files back on stand will that not be deductible from an office messenger in this office space have been.

0010Another addition to the update given in an office located files, for example, performed by the office boy be when he made a particular office space a file collect in order to be an agent or back in the filing bring.

0011Finally, it is also possible that the office messenger specifically to Purpose of supplementing update all offices of the law firm successively going.

0012In the manner described above reflects the contents of record memory the current location of each file with an error of at most a few hours. This low temporal error but easy to get over in the search for a specific file:

0013The office boy initially asked the record store, where office space where the requested file takes are. Find the office boy the Act in the specified office space not, for example, because they a Secretary has been moved to another office space, so will this secretary certainly due to the close temporal relationship remember where they brought the desired file. With this Information it will be easy for the office boy who acts quickly find. Should the Act actually once, for example due unusually fast file movement, can not be located, so is it at the next routine supplementation update without More can be localized.

0014It should be noted that routine supplementation for updates representing office messenger no additional effort, since the for these additional firm passage time required is much shorter as the search for files usually expended time. In addition, these additional firm through at any given time be carried out, ie the office boy can this "calmer" office hours use.

0015In development of the invention it is proposed that the mobile Interrogation unit further comprising a central processing unit is connectable, which has a central record memory includes and an input device for Selecting a desired object, and a display device for Displaying the desired to the object in the record store stored location data. The mobile Abrageeinheit can with the central unit for data exchange either hardware, that is, via a connecting cable or via a radio link to be connected. The connection can both for reading out the stored data in the mobile unit for the purpose of updating the central data set memory as well for reading the data from the central data record memory for the purpose of serve update of record memory of the mobile unit. Of the Use of such a central unit is particularly useful when a plurality of office messenger with a corresponding plurality of mobile Interrogation units is equipped.

0016In the case of using a plurality of mobile interrogation units, but not only in this case, it is furthermore advantageous when the device comprises a timing element, the data defining the time of the query (Time data) provides, and that the data record further includes the time data. Based on these time data can particularly when exchanging data between the central record memory and the record store the mobile interrogation unit to ensure that always the latest data contained in the record store.

0017To keep the cost of the transponder is low, it is proposed that the data provided by the transponders machine-defined data. These machine-defined data For example, include a serial number. to increase the usability of the device according to the invention can, however, be provided that the record in addition to the machine-defined Object data further includes user-defined object data. When user-defined Object data can, for example, by the firm to individual files assigned file number used. The Assignment of machine-defined object data to the user-defined Object data can in a concordance, for example, be a concordance data memory stored.

0018To provide a power-saving mode for the usually battery powered mobile interrogation units is in development of the invention proposed that the mobile unit a query, preferably from Manually operable, switch for activating the at least one Interrogator includes.

0019In order specifically to query the object data of certain acts is, proposed that the at least one interrogator the object data or the location data of the transponders only interrogates if the distance between interrogator and transponder a predetermined distance below. Nevertheless, this predetermined minimum distance should not be too low, so that even with relatively disordered stacked files a reliable query of object data is ensured. To not capture precisely stacked files sufficient, for example, a minimum distance in the Order of 20 cm. However, if even upside down on the Stack arranged files can be recorded, as should the Minimum distance is preferably in the order of about 50 cm be. Since files, as indicated above, usually are stacked, it is furthermore advantageous if the at least one Interrogator for simultaneous communication with a plurality of Transponders is formed.

0020For cost reasons, the invention is proposed in a further, that the transponders are passive transponders. Such passive transponders obtain the energy to respond to the Interrogationssignal from the transmission power of the signal. For cost reasons, it is further preferable that the object-transponder and the transponder location are identical.

0021To facilitate the office messenger locating specific files, proposes development of the invention that the mobile Interrogation unit, an input device for selecting a desired includes object. The input device may in this case a keyboard for Direct entry of the object identifying indicia, for example, the user-defined data, and / or a device for moving a pointer arrow on a screen and for triggering on the be displayed screen action, such as a touchpad, a Trackball or other computer mouse-like device.

0022Further, the mobile interrogator a display device for Displaying the desired to the object in the record store include stored location data, it is also conceivable that the display device to the desired object further in the Record storage time stored data indicates.

0023To view the contents of record memory, especially of the central record memory, To keep up to date as possible stand, can in development of the invention at least one stationary interrogation unit be provided, which has at least one interrogator, in order of the object transponders interrogate the object data. These fixed Interrogation unit is the central unit preferably continuously in data exchange connection and delivers these in addition to the object data and the own location data preferably also time data. The provision of such stationary interrogation units is particularly in those departments useful, often in the routine operation of the Registry port of call of Files are. It is here in particular to the docketing department thought and those departments that the formal correspondence Authorities and courts handle.

0024The invention is described below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the Drawings accompanying be explained in more detail. It shows:<dl tsize="6"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a schematic representation of an inventive Apparatus for locating files in a law firm; and</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>a schematic representation of a central processing unit in a Data exchange connection stationary mobile interrogation unit.</dd></dl>

0025In Fig. 1 an inventive device is a rough schematic for 10 Finding files 12 in offices 14, 16 a law firm represented the 18th The central part of the inventive device 10 is a mobile Interrogation unit 20 which falls below a predetermined Minimum distance with passive transponders 22a-22e and other passive transponders 24a and 24b may occur in connection query. As shown in Fig. 1, each record 12a-12e is one of the Transponder 22a assigned to 22e. The transponders 22a-22e therefore hereinafter collectively as acts transponder 22 designated. Analogously, the office space 14 and 16 assigned transponder 24a, 24b hereinafter collectively as Office space transponder 24 designated.

0026Entering a (not shown) office boy, the interrogation unit 20 with him bears, office space 14 to there 12a and 12b deliver the files, so initially it activates the interrogation unit 20 by operating the switch 26. Then, he brings the scan unit 20 in the vicinity of the Office space transponder 24a, the example in the area of ​​the door frame may be attached. If the distance between the Interrogator 20 and the transponder 24 a predetermined Minimum value, for example, half a meter, so receiving the Interrogator 28 of the interrogation unit 20 of the transponder 24 a signal the example indicating the room number of the office space 14 or this is assignable. Detects the processor 30 of the interrogation unit 20 that If the received signal is an office space 14 identifying, location data is signal-containing, it shall adopt these Spatial data in a local data storage 32nd

0027Subsequently, the office messenger brings the scan unit 20 in the vicinity of the Files 12a, 12b, to the interrogator 28 falls below the predetermined Distance from the transponders 22a and 22b, the respective Act identifying signal receiving. These files data together with the stored data in the local memory 32 location data and optionally the time from a member 34 provided, the Time of detection indicating time data as a record in a Record memory 36 stored. If one assumes that all Filing motions between the offices 14 and 16 by the Office messenger be made, containing the record memory 36 each the exact information about the current location of every file 12th

0028Since this condition but in many, for example, the following described cases is not true, can further Measures to be taken to the content of the record store 36 to keep up to date as possible as of:

0029The files 12 can by another law firm staff as the office boy of Office space will be carried to the office space. It is therefore recommended that the Office boy occasionally with the interrogation unit 20 not only by the Transponders 22 of those files 12 that he was relevant in the Office space has brought that retrieves file data, but also of those files 12, which are already in this office space. In the in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment, this is for example the Act 12e with the transponder 22e.

0030Serves up a firm of several office messengers, each of these office boy should be equipped with a mobile interrogation unit 20th In this case it is advisable also to provide a central processing unit 40, which also has a record memory 42nd If the interrogation unit 20 a Office messenger in data exchange communication with the central processing unit 40 brought, so can the record memories 36 and 42 stored records for each of the files 12 with reference to the time data be checked to see if the record memory 36 of Interrogation unit 20 or the data record memory 42 of the CPU 40 to contains more current data set. Contains the record memory 36 of Interrogation unit 20 the more recent record, this record is in the record memory 42 of the CPU 40 is loaded. Contains contrast the record memory 42 of the CPU 40 to more recent data, so it is loaded into the record memory 36 of interrogator 20th The central unit 40 can thus to update or to Clean up the interrogation units 20 of the plurality of office messenger be used.

0031In offices, there are usually certain departments, particularly frequently are starting point of filing motions. It is especially the docketing department thought and to departments Settlement of the formal correspondence with authorities and courts. Just in these departments are often files by clerks or secretaries brought, so bypassing the office messenger. In Fig. 1, this is For example, the office space 16, in which the files 12c and 12d of a Secretary were brought. In order to update the office messenger to facilitate content of the record store, is in the office space 16, therefore, a stationary interrogation unit 44 is arranged, which has a Data line 46 communicates with the central unit 40 in connection. by means of this stationary interrogation unit 44 may 12c the presence of files and 12d are recorded in the office space occupied 16th

0032To the interrogation unit 20 and the central processing unit 40 also searches for files To use, has the interrogation unit 20 via a keyboard 48 and a display 50, and has the central processing unit 40 also has a Keyboard 52 and a display 54. The keyboards allow 48 and 52 may the requested file specifying data is inputted. About the Listings 50 and 54 can each of the record memory 36 or 42 stored location of the file are displayed.

0033If, despite all these measures a specific file again not can be found, so the interrogation unit 20 further may be configured to store the file data of such acts and when at a supplement of updates described above from Interrogation unit 20 which records data of this file are recorded, outputting an example acoustic warning signal.