3m Innovative Properties Company

Sai-Kit K Tong

Robert A Sainati

Richard L Sheehan, Jr

James P McGee

Robert C Francis

An object tracking and management system and method using radio-frequency identification (&ldquo;RFID&rdquo;) tags is disclosed. Objects to be moved between locations are outfitted with RFID tags having information relating to the identities of the objects. The locations are also marked by RFID tags containing information on the locations. A transport vehicle for moving the objects is equipped with an RFID interrogator capable of detecting signals from the RFID tags. An onboard processor provides the operator of the vehicle with instructions on the movement of objects. The processor also determines the identities of the objects and locations from the detected signals and provides the operator with feedback as to the identity of an object being moved, the location of the vehicle and any error in carrying out the instructions. Numerous variations of the basic system and method using RFID tags are also described.

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Roseville, MN, United States of America

Sai-Kit K Tong