TWI591574B - Proximity monitoring system and method - Google Patents

Description

Close-range monitoring system and method

The present invention relates to a proximity alert monitoring system and method for monitoring a plurality of objects.

The use of monitoring devices for valuable items is known in the prior art. Such devices are utilized for personal and commercial use. For example, a company that provides a product delivery service for it will be required to ensure that items carried by a delivery person will be delivered to the intended recipient. The monitoring device enables the company and the sender of the item to track the whereabouts of the item, from the time the item leaves the location of the sender to the intended address. Manual procedures may also be established within the company to ensure that the transfer personnel warrant the transfer of the item and that it is transmitted in a timely manner.

However, the transfer person accidentally placing the object on the way to the intended destination may occur. One way of misplacement of the item may be when the item is transported by the transporter to the intended destination in a walking manner. Another way of misplacement of the object may be when an object is left by a vehicle unit when the transporter leaves due to a transfer job, either carefully or inadvertently. In some cases, the loss of the item by the transfer person can result in financial loss to the sender or the recipient of the intended item.

At present, there are monitoring devices, methods and systems to ensure the movement of objects and timely and accurate delivery of a company's products to the intended address. However, the monitoring device and method And the system does not reduce the occurrence of the loss of the object on the way to the intended address. These monitoring devices, methods, and systems also do not allow the transfer personnel to retrieve lost items.

In addition, the workflow of transferring personnel's objects presents some challenges in meeting the customer's expectations. Some customers expect the object to be delivered within a certain time frame due to the sensitivity of the document. For example, a transmitting person may be delayed at a specified transfer location due to failure to obtain a person to receive the item, or a transfer person may be delayed due to a malfunction of the vehicle transmitting the item. Current workflows and systems may not be sufficient to reduce these occurrences.

The discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to describe the invention. It should not be taken as part of the prior art or common general knowledge in this technical field in Singapore or elsewhere, on or before the date of the recognition of any material forming the disclosure and claims. All current narratives or representations of the contents of these documents are based on information available to the applicant and do not constitute any admission as to the correctness of the date or content of such documents.

Purpose of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least substantially ameliorate the disadvantages or disadvantages of the problems described above.

Other objects or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. Embodiments of the present invention are disclosed by way of illustration and example.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a proximity monitoring alarm system for monitoring a plurality of items is disclosed, comprising a plurality of item labels, wherein each item label is attached to an actuation condition and is attachable To each of a plurality of objects located within a vehicle unit And each object tag is constructed to transmit an object tag confirmation signal within a predetermined time interval. It also includes a hand-held unit that is configured to house a monitoring unit that is operative to communicate with each item tag by receiving the item tag confirmation signal such that when the monitoring unit fails to receive from the plurality of An alarm signal will be triggered on the handheld unit when the object label confirmation signal is sent from any one of the object labels; a vehicle label is attached to the vehicle unit, and the vehicle label is operated with the monitoring unit Communicating, and transmitting a vehicle tag confirmation signal to be received by the monitoring unit during a predetermined time interval; a disable module for selecting by a user on the handheld device for use in disabling a plurality of object tags within a predetermined distance from the handheld unit such that the plurality of object tags are in a prohibited condition, wherein when the inhibiting module is selected, and when the monitoring unit subsequently detects the vehicles When the tag confirmation signal is less than a first predetermined vehicle tag receiving signal strength indicator (RSSI) value, the predetermined distance from the handheld unit Portion of the plurality of system tags within the object to be actuated again, the situation becomes actuated, and the vehicle unit of the rest of the plurality of object tags will remain in deactivating the case.

Preferably, the proximity monitoring alarm system further comprises a mediation module, which is operable when the monitoring unit detects that the vehicle tag confirmation signal is higher than a second predetermined vehicle tag reception signal strength indicator (RSSI) value. Actuating, wherein the monitoring unit matches object tag identifier information received from each of the plurality of object tags in the prohibited condition of the vehicle unit, and the object tag identifier of the object tags Information is stored in the handheld unit.

Preferably, the proximity monitoring alarm system further comprises an exit module for use when one of the plurality of objects for transmission at a transfer point is not receivable by a recipient Selecting on the handheld unit, thereby causing the leaving module to be When moving, one of the plurality of objects is maintained in an actuating condition.

Preferably, the proximity monitoring alarm system further comprises an exit module for use by the user when the second item for collection is not available for collection at a transfer point. Select on the unit.

Preferably, when the exit module is actuated, the handheld unit prompts the user to select a predefined list of reasons.

Preferably, the object tag identifier information of one of the plurality of objects that cannot be received by a receiving person and the selected pre-defined reason list are transmitted through the communication network to notify the administrator interface.

Preferably, the system further includes a first job reassignment module for selection by a user of the administrative manager interface for assigning a work assignment list from a transfer delivery personnel to One takes over the transfer of personnel.

Preferably, when the first work reassignment module is activated, the user of the administrative manager interface notifies the transfer delivery personnel and the takeover transfer personnel of a designated location for handing over and taking over the plurality of objects. .

Preferably, the system further comprises a second work reassignment module for selecting, by the takeover transfer personnel, the second hand held device to take over the transfer of the person from the transfer at a designated location. A list of work assignments and the plurality of objects.

Preferably, the predetermined distance from the handheld unit is about 0.5 meters.

Preferably, the first predetermined vehicle tag receiving signal strength indication value is less than 130 units.

Preferably, the second predetermined vehicle tag receiving signal strength indication value is exceeded. 160 units.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a method of monitoring a plurality of items is provided, each of the plurality of items being affixed with an item label, the method comprising the steps of: a) actuating the plurality of items with a hand held unit The article label becomes an actuating condition, each of the tags transmitting an object tag confirmation signal at a predetermined time interval and operating to communicate with a monitoring unit adapted to be received by the handheld unit such that when the monitoring unit is not An alarm may be triggered on the handheld unit when receiving an object tag confirmation signal from any of the plurality of object tags; b) assigning a vehicle unit for transmitting the plurality of objects, the vehicle unit including a vehicle tag adapted to communicate with the monitoring unit and transmitting a vehicle tag confirmation signal to be received by the monitoring unit during a predetermined time interval; c) selecting, by a user, a ban on the handheld device a module for disabling a plurality of object labels within a predetermined distance from the handheld unit The prohibition condition; d) when the monitoring unit detects that a vehicle tag confirmation signal is less than a first predetermined vehicle tag reception signal strength indication value, and then activates a plurality of object tags within the predetermined distance from the handheld unit In part, the remainder of the plurality of object tags in the vehicle unit is maintained in a prohibited condition.

Preferably, the method further comprises the following steps: e) mediating the ban in the vehicle unit when the monitoring unit detects that the vehicle tag confirmation signal is higher than a second predetermined vehicle tag receiving signal strength indication value In the case of the plurality of object labels, each of the plurality of object labels receives the object label identifier information, and the object label identifier information of the object labels is stored in the handheld unit.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of: f) actuating one of a plurality of objects for transmission at a transfer point that cannot be received by a recipient The module is removed for selection by the user on the handheld unit, whereby one of the plurality of objects is maintained in an actuated condition when the exit module is actuated.

Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of: f) actuating an exit module for use by the user when a second item for collection cannot be collected at a transfer point Select on the handheld unit.

Preferably, the predetermined distance from the handheld unit is about 0.5 meters.

Preferably, the first predetermined vehicle tag receiving signal strength indication value is less than 130 units.

Preferably, the second predetermined vehicle tag receives a signal strength indication value of more than 160 units.

10‧‧‧Close monitoring alarm system

20‧‧‧Portable Handheld Unit

21‧‧‧Alarm

23‧‧‧Module Manager Interface

24‧‧‧ distance adjustment module

25‧‧‧Tag Tracking Module

26‧‧‧Time Synchronization Module

27‧‧‧Status Monitoring Module

30‧‧‧Central Server

32‧‧‧RF Identification Adjuster

34‧‧‧Administrator interface

36‧‧‧Database

38‧‧‧Report generation module

40‧‧‧Communication network

50‧‧‧Monitoring unit

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a close-range monitoring alarm system in accordance with the present invention; Is a flow chart of an object collection method according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a monitoring method according to the present invention; FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an object label dropping method according to the present invention; A flow chart of a method for displaying an object tag in a range according to the present invention; FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the relationship between the manager interface, the database, and the report generation module according to the present invention; Is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag status indicator according to the present invention. Figure 8 is a flow chart of a method for transferring an object according to the present invention; Figure 9 is a flow chart of a method for retrieving an object according to the present invention; Figure 10 is a diagram of a method according to the present invention; A flow chart of a method for further object retrieval; FIG. 11 is a flow chart of FIG. 10; FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a method for disabling an object to be labeled; FIG. 13 is a A flow chart of a method of actuating a labeled object; FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a method for a transfer point check; FIG. 15 is a method for a disable module and a mediation module Flowchart; Figure 16 is a method flow for a leaving module; and Figure 17 is a method flow for a work reassignment module.

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments of the drawings. The present invention detects an object to which a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is attached. When it is transported from point A to point B, the object is not within the monitoring distance of a monitoring unit. In the event that the system detects a violation within the surveillance distance from the collection point to the intended destination, the present invention also provides a method of retrieving the object.

Figure 1 shows a proximity monitoring alarm system 10 for monitoring tagged items. The system 10 includes a portable handheld unit 20 that is operative to communicate with a central server 30 via a communications network 40. Each object being monitored is labeled with an RFID tag (not shown), each tag having a unique identification number. The portable handheld unit 20 is based on the handheld unit 20 and houses a monitoring unit 50. The monitoring unit 50 has a male portion or a female portion so as to be connectable to an individual female portion or a male portion of the portable handheld unit 20. The monitoring unit 50 is a receiver that is constructed to receive an item label confirmation signal for each item label on the items. The object tag confirmation signal may be in the form of a radio frequency received by the monitoring unit. The object label confirmation signal from each item label is periodically transmitted at a predetermined time interval, which can range from 1.5 seconds to 3 seconds. In the event that the monitoring unit 50 does not receive the object label confirmation signal from any of the object labels, an alarm will be actuated on the handheld unit 20 to alert a transmitting personnel that the item is missing. The alert provides an audible, visual or tactile signal to alert the transmitting person. The alert can be in the form of a buzzer, horn, light or sound source on the handheld unit 20. At the same time, an alert message will be transmitted to the central server 30 to notify a user of the loss of the object at the administrator interface 34.

The handheld unit 20 includes a microprocessor (not shown) for executing instructions and applications disposed thereon, and a memory (not shown) for storing data. The handheld unit 20 is capable of transmitting and receiving information from the monitoring unit 50. This information can be tag identifier information, which will be further explained. The handheld unit 20 also includes a module manager interface 23 that controls the functions and actions of the handheld unit 20, the monitoring unit 50, and the object tag. The handheld unit also includes a disable module, a mediation module, a leaving module and a work Reassign the module. The module manager interface 23 includes a distance adjustment module 24 that allows a user to predetermine or select a monitoring distance for the object tag or a plurality of object tags by the monitoring unit 50. The monitoring distance of the monitoring unit 50 is a distance or radius around the monitoring unit, and the object label confirmation signal received from the radio frequency identification tag can be received by the monitoring distance. It is assumed that a monitoring unit 50 can receive the predetermined monitoring distance of the object label confirmation signal. When the object label confirmation signal is received from the object label at a position farther than the predetermined monitoring distance, or the object label confirmation signal cannot be received, Upon arrival, an alarm will be activated. The monitoring distance can be adjusted from 0.5 meters to 10 meters or more if the specifications of the monitoring unit 50 allow.

The handheld unit 20 also includes a time interval adjustment module. As previously described, the object tag confirmation signal transmitted by the article tag at periodic intervals is received by the monitoring unit 50. The time interval adjustment module has an option that allows a user to select the time interval at which the item label confirmation signal is transmitted from the item label when needed. Preferably, the time interval during which the object label confirmation signal is transmitted from the item label is automatically pre-selected on the handheld unit 20, and the time is instead controlled at the central server 30, which will be further detailed below. Description.

The module manager interface 23 of the handheld unit 20 also includes a tag tracking module 25, an object retrieving module, a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) module, a time synchronization module 26, and a a status monitoring module 27, a report generating module 38, the label tracking module 25, the object retrieving module, the global positioning satellite module, the time synchronization module 26, the status monitoring module 27, and the report Each of the generation modules 38 will be described in further detail.

The central server 30 includes a database 36 for storing item tag identifier information for each item tag. The object tag identifier information for each object tag contains a unique identification code and an object identifier information that is unique to the object to which the object tag is attached. The central server 30 is configured to communicate with the handheld unit 20 and the article tag via the communication network 40. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the communication network 40 can be in any form that allows for wireless or non-wireless transmission of data. The central server 30 includes a radio frequency identification adjuster 32 that can be integrated or separated from the central server 30 for transmitting data to or from the central server 30 to the handheld Unit 20. When an alarm is actuated on the handheld unit 20, an alarm is correspondingly transmitted to the central server 30 to notify the loss of an item. The alert message can be sent to a workstation or portable communication device in the form of a Short Message Service (SMS) or an email. The alert message may contain information such as the details of the handheld unit 20, the transfer of personnel information, the geographic location details of the handheld unit 20, or operational information required to implement an object retrieval.

The system 10 also includes a workstation or other portable communication device that can receive the central server 30 through the communication network 40 to control or utilize the functionality of the central server 30. The central server 30 further includes an administrative manager interface 34 for controlling the functions and actions of the database 36, the handheld unit 20, and the object tags. The administrator interface 34 can be an application installed on a workstation or other portable communication device. Other program modules can be installed on the administrator interface 34. The program modules include program modules that can be included in the handheld unit 20, such as a distance adjustment module 24, a tag tracking module 25, an object retrieving module, and a global positioning satellite (Global Positioning Satellite, GPS) module, a time synchronization module 26, a status monitoring module 27, a report generation Modules, a work reassignment module, and more. The administrator interface 34 also includes a time interval adjuster that allows for adjustments to a predetermined time interval for the transmission of the item label confirmation signal from the item label. However, when the modules on the handheld unit 20 are specific to the object tag being tracked by the particular handheld unit 20, the program modules on the administrative manager interface 34 control a plurality of handheld devices. Unit 20, each of the plurality of handheld units 20 controls a plurality of item labels.

Figure 2 illustrates an object collection method 100 that is transmitted from a particular location to an intended destination. One day a transfer person starts by collecting a handheld unit 20 from the headquarters. The transmitting personnel will verify on the handheld unit 20 by providing a user or employee identity and a password to confirm the identity of the transmitting personnel. At the time of verification, the handheld unit 20 will synchronize the clock time on the handheld unit 20 with the clock time on the central server 30. The handheld unit 20 also downloads a work assignment list from the central server 30 that contains a transfer route indicating the location of each item to be collected and transmitted. At step 102, the transfer personnel will travel to the point where they are intended to collect the items. Alternatively, items that have been tagged with objects can be collected at the headquarters and will be delivered at a variety of different locations. At the collection point, the transfer person will need to actually add an item label to the item to be transported. Once this is done, the object will be verified next to ensure that the details of the object are correct. This verification can be performed by a customer representative or the transfer person. In step 104, the handheld unit 20 then, by scanning the object tag with the handheld unit 20 or configuring the handheld unit 20 to automatically receive an object tag confirmation signal from the object tag, and the object tag communication. As described above, the object tag identifier information includes the unique identification code of the tag and the object identifier information identifying the object. The object tag identifier information is followed by the handsheet Element 20 receives and becomes a watch list. Step 106 confirms if the object tag identifier information has been added to the watch list. Once the handheld unit 20 confirms receipt of the item tag identifier information in the watch list, in step 108, the information is also transmitted to the central server 30 as an overall tag tracking watch list indicating the tagged The object is now monitored by both the handheld unit 20 and the central server 30. However, in step 110, the handheld unit 20 does not receive the object tag identifier information in its watch list, which will also notify the central server 30 that the objectless tag identifier information is received by the handheld unit 20, and At step 114, the central server 30 will then alert the handheld unit 20 that the item tag identifier information has not been entered. In step 110, the handheld unit 20 will attempt to communicate directly with the item tag again until the item tag identifier information is tied to the watch list. The method is constructed in such a way that if the object tag identifier information is not in the watch list, the information is in a range of tag lists, the details of which will be described below. Once the object tag identifier information has been confirmed to be in the watch list, the object tag identifier information will then be removed from the list of tags within the range.

Once the transfer person arrives at the intended destination, the item will be verified by the recipient to confirm receipt of the item. The verification can be in the form of a user identity, password or digital signature to ensure that the recipient is authorized to receive the object. Once this is done, the handheld unit 20 will remove the tag from the tag by removing the tag identifier information from the watch list. The central server 30 will be notified of the tagged object tag and similarly remove the object tag identifier information from the overall watch list within the administrator interface 34.

3 illustrates a monitoring method 200 that occurs once the transmitting person leaves the location of the carrier and carries the tagged item to the intended destination. In the steps 202. When it is confirmed that the object tag identifier information is in the watch list, the transfer personnel will transmit to the intended destination. Once in the tag tracking module 25 mode, the monitoring unit 50 will be actuated to receive the item tag confirmation signals transmitted from the item tags. If the object tags are within a preset monitoring distance, the monitoring unit 50 will receive the object tag confirmation signals, and the object tags will be maintained in the watch list of the handheld unit 20. The transmission of the object label confirmation signal from the object labels can be measured according to the label signal strength or the received signal strength indication (RSSI) value, and the label signal strength or the received signal strength indication value can be configured to be tracked by the label. Module 25 is on. When the monitoring unit 50 receives an object tag confirmation signal, the tag signal strength or the received signal strength indicator value is measured by the monitoring unit 50. A stronger label signal strength indicates that the item label is in close proximity to the monitoring unit 50. In step 204, if the object tag signal strength is higher than a predetermined object tag signal strength, the object tag will remain in the watch list, indicating that the object is within the monitoring distance. In step 204, if the object tag signal strength is lower than the predetermined object tag signal strength, it indicates that the object is not within the monitoring distance. In order to confirm that the object is not within the monitoring distance of the monitoring unit 50, a series of consecutive object label confirmation signals and corresponding corresponding received signal strength indication values from each object label will be The acquisition is compared with a predetermined object tag receiving signal strength indication value, and each cycle corresponds to a predetermined time interval of the object tag confirmation signal. For example, 7 consecutive received signal strength indication values will be taken in 7 cycles, and if any received signal strength indicator does not meet certain criteria, the object tag confirmation signal will be considered a false positive and ignored. The object tag confirmation signals will be verified again until the received signal strength indicator values meet the particular criteria. At this point, an item label age counter within the item label is actuated in step 206 to indicate when The time elapsed when the monitoring distance is exceeded. The object tag age can be predetermined by the central server 30 or the handheld unit 20, and a threshold is predetermined by the central server 30 or the handheld unit 20. If it is below the threshold, the handheld unit 20 will continuously monitor the object tag signal strength to determine whether the object tag signal strength is higher or lower than the predetermined object tag signal strength. In step 210, once the object tag age reaches a threshold indicating that a certain amount of time has elapsed, a "tag loss" event will be actuated in step 210. This "tag loss" event will trigger an alert within the handheld unit 20. The object tag identifier information will be removed from the watch list in step 212 and transferred to an in-range list in step 214. Once the object tag identifier information is listed in the range in step 214, the central server 30 will be notified correspondingly in step 216, and similarly the object tag identifier information is transferred from the overall watch list to the entirety. In-scope list.

Figure 4 illustrates an alert notification method 300 when an object tag loss event has occurred. In step 302, the event will be received by the administrator interface 34. In step 306, an alert message will be transmitted through the administrator interface 34 to notify the workstations connected to it and the portable device that the object is lost. In step 304, the event is also stored in the database 36.

Figure 5 shows the flow of the method when the object tag is listed in the range. As described above, the object tag identifier information is listed in the watch list or within the range. In step 400, when the object tag identifier information is in the range list, communication between the monitoring unit 50 and the object tag has been interrupted, and the monitoring unit 50 cannot receive the tag from the object tag. Object label confirmation signal. In step 402, the monitoring unit 50 will be automatically activated to detect the object tag signal strength. This will monitor the object so that the object is misplaced The object tag confirmation signal from the tag can be received by the monitoring unit 50. By doing so, an object tag signal strength measured based on the Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) value is sent back to the monitoring unit 50 indicating the estimated distance of the object tag from the monitoring unit 50. As mentioned above, the monitoring distance of the monitoring unit 50 is between approximately 8 and 10 meters, or to the configured maximum monitoring distance of the monitoring unit 50. In step 404, an event within the scope of an object tag will occur regardless of whether the object tag is within the monitoring distance.

6 shows the relationship between the administrative manager interface 34, the database 36, and a report generation module 38 within the central server 30. All information about the administrator interface 34, including the data stored in the individual program modules, will be stored in the database 36 for retrieval. A report generation module 38 can be actuated by a user whenever needed. A report can be generated to display the status of the item tags within the watch list, an in-range list, geographic location details, or details of the handheld unit 20.

Figure 7 shows a variety of status indicators for an item label from the collection location of the labelled item to the intended destination. A new item tag status 500 indicates that the item tag is inactive. This can be before the object label is attached to the object. A tracked object tag status 502 indicates that the item tag is attached to an item and is in an actuated state that is actively monitored by the monitoring unit 50. An item tag removal status 504 indicates that the item tag has been removed and is no longer being monitored. The tagged item can have reached its intended destination and is thus removed. Alternatively, the item tag is now inactive because it cannot be positioned after a predetermined period of time after being misplaced. An item tag missing state 506 indicates that the item tag is active, but is not within the monitoring distance of the monitoring unit 50.

Figure 8 illustrates a method of retrieving an object once it has detected that an item tag is no longer within the monitored distance of the monitoring unit 50. As described above, when the system 10 detects that an item tag is no longer within the monitoring distance, the monitoring unit 50 will be preset to be actuated to receive an item tag confirmation from the item tag. The signal or object tag receives a signal strength indication (RSSI) value. The object tag transmits an object tag confirmation signal to the monitoring unit 50. If the object tag is within the monitoring distance of the monitoring unit 50, the monitoring unit 50 receives the object tag confirmation signal. In step 604, if the object tag is within the monitoring distance, the object is in a safe position and the method is cycled. However, if the monitoring unit 50 no longer receives an item tag confirmation signal from the item tag, the system 10 will trigger an alarm in step 606, which can be in an audible, visual or tactile mode. Once the alarm is triggered, a timer will be triggered to indicate the start time T. A visual inspection will be performed by the delivery personnel in step 607 in an attempt to locate the object in its vicinity. The system 10 will transmit a signal to the handheld unit 20 and simultaneously transmit an alert message to the central server 30 to notify a user at the administrator interface 34. In addition, at this time, the central server 30 will activate a business process notification module that alerts the relevant personnel to the loss of the object. If the item is transmitted by a company or an individual transmitter of the item, the person concerned may be a representative or manager of the delivery company of the item. In some cases, the relevant person may be the representative or manager of the intended recipient of the item or the individual recipient of the item. The contact mode and email address of these related personnel are stored in the central server 30, and when the business process notification module is activated, the contact mode and email address of the relevant personnel are captured. These alerts can be transmitted by the system via a Short Message Service (SMS) or email. Alternatively, a user at the administrator interface 34 can also Notify the relevant personnel by phone. The business process notification module is a module that can be accessed on the administrator interface 34, or it can be a stand-alone program that is activated whenever an alarm message is actuated. By alerting the sender of the item or the representative or manager of the intended address, the person concerned can take steps to mitigate the loss of the item, particularly if the item is misused or unauthorized. When the alert is triggered, the object tag identifier information will be removed from the watch list and transferred to the in-range list. If the object-free label confirmation signal is received after a predetermined time interval (T+x) in step 612, the object will be considered lost, and in step 700, a first object retrieval module will be caused move. If an object tag confirmation signal is received, then in step 614 the alert will be cancelled and the central server 30 will be notified to retrieve. Once the item tag is within the extended monitoring distance, the item tag identifier information will be transferred from the in-scope list to the watch list.

Upon actuation of the first item retrieving module, a retrieving program criterion 1 is generated in step 702 for the transmitting personnel to assist the transmitting personnel in attempting to retrieve the item. The retrieving program can be in the form of returning tracking to his previous location or monitoring the tag identification signals of the objects. The transmitting personnel will perform the retake procedure as indicated. If the object is found in step 704, the user at the administrator interface 34 will be notified via the central server 30 in step 706. This method will start from the starting point of step 600. However, if the item is not found after a certain time interval, for example, 3 minutes from the triggering of the alarm in step 708, a second object retrieving module will be actuated in step 800.

Upon actuation of the second item recapture module, a recapture team will be actuated by the executive interface 34 at step 802. This is the ability to send an alert message to the person who regained the team via a newsletter service or email. In step 804, within a predetermined time interval, The recapture team will arrive at the location. In step 806, the re-acquisition team will set up a re-acquisition device that includes an item tag confirmation signal that can be received from the lost item tag at an extended monitoring distance. The extension monitoring distance can be in the range of 60 meters. At this point, in step 810, a second list of re-acquisition programs will be generated for the re-acquisition team, which will help the re-acquisition team find the lost item. In step 812, if the object is found in step 812, the user at the administrator interface 34 will be notified via the central server 30 in step 814. The re-acquisition team will also return to the base and take steps to report its findings. After a predetermined time interval, for example after 10 minutes, it is possible that the item has not yet been found. In this case, in step 822, the re-acquisition team will report that the re-acquisition was unsuccessful to the user at the administrative manager interface 34. The winning team will then return to the base. However, if the system is still within the predetermined time interval, then in step 820, the recapture team will continue to execute the program in the second retrieving program list again.

The handheld unit 20 can also include a proximity indicator that provides a visual indication of the approximate distance of the tagged item from the monitoring unit 50 on the display interface of the handheld unit 20. The distance proximity indicator can be provided in the form of a module on the administrative manager interface 34. Once the transmitting person finds that the item has been misplaced or the alarm has been actuated, the distance proximity indicator can be selected to indicate the approximate distance of the tagged item from the monitoring unit 50.

Figure 12 shows a flow chart of a method for disabling a labeling object in an actuated condition. Each transfer person is assigned a vehicle unit to deliver a specified number of tagged items. The plurality of tagged items can be placed separately into a variety of different bags, each bag being assigned a transfer position and holding a quantity of tagged items. As above As described herein, in step 100 of FIG. 2, during the item collection process, the transfer personnel will be sent to a handheld unit 20 containing a work list containing all the information needed for the transfer personnel to perform the transfer. The work list is downloaded into the handheld unit 20 by the administrative manager interface 34 and includes identifier information of the object identifier assigned to the item label for transmission, a vehicle label corresponding to the vehicle label attached to the vehicle unit. Identifier information and transmission path. The vehicle tag is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and has similar characteristics as the object tag. In step 830, the registration process occurs simultaneously when the handheld unit 20 sends the transfer personnel. Upon verification, the handheld unit 20 will register the vehicle tag identifier information into the handheld unit 20, and the transmitting personnel will collect the designated bag containing the plurality of tagged items. Once the monitoring unit 50 fails to receive the object tag confirmation signal from any of the plurality of item tags, the plurality of tagged items will be actuated to become an actuation condition to trigger the alarm. In step 832, when the transmitting person approaches a vehicle unit, the handheld unit 20 on his hand will verify whether the vehicle tag on the vehicle unit matches the vehicle tag identifier information on the handheld unit 20. Once the handheld unit 20 is within the surveillance distance, the handheld unit 20 will receive the vehicle identification confirmation signals from the vehicle tag. Next, the handheld unit 20 will match the vehicle identifier information stored in the handheld unit 20 with the detected vehicle tag. Next in step 834, he places the tagged items in the actuated condition in the vehicle unit.

At a transfer point (step 836), if the transfer person walks away from his vehicle unit to deliver one of the bags containing the plurality of tagged items, the alert will be actuated because the sticker remaining in the vehicle unit The tagged item is in an actuated condition and will violate the surveillance distance of the handheld unit 20. In order to prevent the alarm from being triggered unnecessarily in this case, Before leaving his vehicle unit, the transporter will need to scan a plurality of tagged items that he intends to carry with the handheld unit 20. Once this is done, the handheld unit 20 will attempt to detect the vehicle tag. If the detected vehicle tag is higher than the predetermined vehicle tag receive signal strength indicator (RSSI) value, this means that the transporter is in the vicinity of the vehicle unit and is a "ban" function in the form of a button. Appearing on the screen of the handheld unit 20 (step 840), the transporter is prompted to select whether or not to ban the remaining bags containing the plurality of tagged items in the vehicle unit in the actuated condition. Once the "forbidden" function is selected, the status of the remaining tagged items in the vehicle unit will be changed from the actuated condition to the disabled condition, and once the handheld unit 20 is attached to the remaining portion of the vehicle unit This alarm will not be triggered beyond the monitored distance of the tag's object. However, the remaining tagged items remain in the watch list. If the handheld unit 20 is maintained within the monitoring distance of the vehicle tag after a predetermined time interval after the "forbidden" button has been selected, that is, the transmitting personnel are tied to the vehicle unit. In the vicinity, the handheld unit 20 will cause the remaining tagged items to be returned to the actuated condition in the event of a ban, and return to step 838 again. If the handheld unit 20 is unable to receive the vehicle tag confirmation signal from the vehicle tag, or if the vehicle tag confirmation signal can be received and the received signal strength indication (RSSI) value is less than the predetermined vehicle tag reception signal The intensity indication value is, in step 842, the received signal strength indication value that the handheld unit 20 performs verification verification is less than the predetermined vehicle label reception signal strength indication value. The verification procedure is similar to the "false positive" test described above, which verifies the received vehicle tag confirmation signal for a predetermined number of cycles prior to verifying the verification. Once the program satisfies the preset parameters, for example, if at least one received signal strength indication value is less than the predetermined vehicle tag reception signal strength indication value from the 7 predetermined periods, then in step 844, The "forbidden" function will not be prompted on the handheld unit 20 and the alarm will be actuated to alert the transmitting personnel to return to the vehicle unit. If it is not possible to verify that the received signal strength indication value is less than the predetermined vehicle tag reception signal strength indication value, then the handheld unit 20 will return to step 838 to detect the vehicle tag again. Once the tagged item scanned in step 848 has been transmitted at the transfer point, in step 850, the transfer personnel are returned to his vehicle unit.

Figure 13 is a flow chart showing a method for re-actuating a plurality of tagged items in the event of actuation. In step 852, when the transmitting personnel returns to the vehicle unit to proceed to the next transfer point, once the handheld unit 20 is within the monitoring distance, the handheld unit 20 will receive the vehicle tag confirmation signal from the vehicle tag. . If the vehicle tag is detected, and the received signal strength indication value of the vehicle tag confirmation signal is higher than the predetermined vehicle tag reception signal strength indication value, indicating that the handheld unit 20 is in close proximity to the vehicle unit The "re-actuation" function will be prompted on the handheld unit 20 in step 854. The re-actuation function will be prompted only if the monitoring unit 50 detects the presence of the tagged item in the banned condition. Once the re-actuation function is selected, in step 856, The hand-held unit 20 changes the state of the plurality of tagged objects that have changed in the forbidden condition to a re-actuation condition. In the case of re-actuation, once the monitoring distance is violated, the plurality of tagged items in the remaining bag can now trigger the alarm. In the case that the handheld unit 20 detects that the vehicle tag reception signal strength indication value is less than the predetermined vehicle tag reception signal strength indication value, in step 858, a verification procedure will be implemented. As above, the verification procedure will verify whether the received signal strength indicator values are less than the predetermined vehicle tag reception signal strength indicator value after a predetermined number of cycles. In either case, the "re-actuation" function will be in the handheld unit At 20, the program will return to step 852 again. In all of the above cases, the predetermined vehicle tag reception signal strength indication value is in the range of 230-250.

Figure 14 shows a flow chart of a method for implementing a transfer point check. This check (step E in Figure 12) is performed after the transfer person has selected the "forbidden" function to transfer the tagged items. In the case of the transporter transmitting the labelled article in an actuated condition, but accidentally removing another tagged object in the banned condition, if it is in a prohibited situation If the tagged item breaks the monitoring distance of the handheld unit 20, the alarm will not be triggered. In the event that the transmitting personnel misplaces the tagged object in the event of a ban on the way of delivery, the transmitting personnel will not be alerted. To prevent this, the handheld unit 20 will actuate a transfer point check. The transfer point check ensures that the handheld unit 20 will detect any tagged items within the monitored range of the handheld unit 20 in the event of a ban. In step 860, the handheld unit 20 detects the tagged object having a received signal strength indication value that is higher than a predetermined object tag received signal strength indication value in the banned state. This indicates that the tagged item is in close proximity to the handheld unit 20 in the event of a ban. If the tagged object is not detected in a prohibited situation, the transfer point check ends. If a tagged object is detected in a prohibited situation and the object tag confirmation signal has a received signal strength indicator value higher than the predetermined object tag received signal strength indicator value, the handheld unit 20 will verify The object tag receives the signal strength indication value. In step 862, the verification program determines whether the received signal strength indication value of the obtained object label confirmation signals is higher than the predetermined object label reception signal strength indication value by a predetermined number of cycles. If one or more of the received signal strength indication values are below the predetermined object tag reception signal strength indication value, the process will return to step 860 again. In case of the predetermined number of cycles, all connected If the received signal strength indication value is higher than the predetermined object tag received signal strength indication value, then in step 864, the handheld unit 20 will automatically "actuate" the tagged object in the disabled state. In the event that the transmitting person misplaces the actuated tagged item, the alarm will be actuated accordingly. Therefore, the transfer point check detects any tagged object in the case of the ban, and the handheld unit 20 automatically changes the state of the tagged object in the banned state to an actuated condition. The predetermined object tag receiving signal strength indication value is in the range of 220-240.

In the case where the transmitting person leaves the remaining animal label in the vehicle unit when an assignment is left, when the transmitting person returns to the vehicle unit upon completion of his assignment work and one or more has a ban A condition may arise when an object of an animal item has been misplaced or stolen. In this case, the transmitting person may not know the object that was misplaced or stolen. This is because the handheld unit is actuated by the transmitting person when the handheld unit detects that the vehicle tag signal is higher than the predetermined received signal strength indicator value of the vehicle tag (as described above). Only all object tags in the case of ban will be actuated. Any misplaced object in the event of a ban will not be detected by the handheld unit when it is reactivated. In order to prevent the occurrence of misplaced objects that have been left behind, the handheld unit will implement a mediation procedure to mediate the remaining items of the object with the animal-resistant label in the vehicle unit and the object label in the watch list, Details will be explained below.

Figure 15 shows the flow of a method for operating a disable module and a mediation module. In step 870, the transfer personnel is at a designated transfer point. At this point, he will carry the item to be delivered or a plurality of items (if any) and decide if there are any remaining items in his vehicle unit that will be left when he is performing the transfer. In the affirmative case, the transmitting personnel will select the forbidden module or the "away vehicle" located on the display interface of the handheld unit. (AWAY) module. As described above, all item labels in the vehicle unit are actuated or "protected" throughout the journey to the transfer point to ensure that there are no objects on the way to the transfer point. Loss. In step 874, once the ban module is actuated, the monitoring unit in the handheld unit will disable all object tags, including the items for scheduling the items to be transferred at the transfer point. An item label in the vehicle unit, the hand unit must be within a predetermined range from the item label. Once all the item labels have been banned, the handheld unit will notify the transmitting personnel that the prohibition procedure has been completed and Walk away from the vehicle unit. If he continues to remain within the predetermined range after notification by the handheld unit, the ban procedure will be aborted after a predetermined time interval and the item tags will not be banned. For example, the predetermined range from the handheld unit to the item labels is about 0.5 meters. In step 876, once the prohibition of the object labels is completed, the transfer personnel are connected. The item for transport (if any) will be picked up and walked away from the vehicle unit. Once the transfer person is at a predetermined distance from the vehicle unit, or the monitoring unit detects a vehicle tag confirmation signal is higher than one When the predetermined vehicle tag receives the signal strength indication (RSSI) value, in step 878, the handheld unit will prompt the monitoring unit to reactivate or "reprotect" the object tag that the transmitting person is holding. For example, the distance The predetermined distance of the vehicle unit is about 1.5 meters to 2.0 meters, or the predetermined vehicle tag receiving signal strength indication value is less than 130 units. In the case where no remaining items are left in the vehicle unit, the transmitting personnel will only Walk away from the vehicle unit and carry out the transfer at the transfer point.

In step 880, once the item or items have been transferred at the transfer point, or the collection of items at the transfer point has been implemented, in step 882, the transfer personnel will return to the vehicle unit. If there is no unattended item in the vehicle unit, then the transmission The person will only return to his vehicle unit and proceed to the next designated transfer point. In step 884, if the vehicle unit has an unattended item, then in step 886, when the transmitting personnel approaches the vehicle unit, the monitoring unit will detect the vehicle tag confirmation signal. Within a certain range of distance, for example, 0.5 to 2.0 meters from the vehicle unit, or once the monitoring unit detects that the vehicle tag confirmation signal is higher than a predetermined vehicle tag reception signal strength indication value of 160 units, The monitoring unit will be automatically actuated to receive all of the item tag confirmation signals remaining in the vehicle unit to detect if any items are missing (step 888). The predetermined vehicle tag receiving signal strength indication values for the mediation module and the forbidden module are different. This is because if the same predetermined vehicle tag reception signal strength indication value is used, the monitoring unit cannot distinguish whether its system is being banned or mediating. Each item label confirmation signal on each item label contains a unique item label identifier information for each item label. The monitoring unit transmits the received object tag identifier information to the handheld unit. Then, the object tag identifier information of the object tags is compared with the object tag identifier information of the object tag in the watch list, and the watch list is assigned to the work assigned to the transfer person and stored in the handheld unit. Inside. If the item tag identifier information of the item remaining in the vehicle unit matches the item tag identifier information of the item tag stored in the watch list in the handheld unit, this indicates successful mediation of the item tags, and No further action is required. However, if the mediation of the object tags is unsuccessful, the handheld unit will notify the transmitting personnel of the mismatch or mediation failure. Specifically, the delivery person will be notified of the item tag lost by the watch list. The breakdown information, such as the customer identifier of the lost object tag, the customer address, will be displayed on the display screen of the handheld unit. At the same time, in step 890, this will trigger an alarm similar to a lost object alarm on both the handheld unit and the server, and The object retrieval module will be activated.

A transporter is exposed to time pressure during the transfer or collection of tagged items at a designated transfer location. For example, a document that is unable to immediately acknowledge receipt of the item at the specified delivery location or that is not yet available for distribution may result in a delay in transmitting the subsequently labeled item. In order to prevent such a series of delays, the handheld unit provides a "leave" module for transmitting personnel to be actuated if the designated recipient of the designated transfer location is not available for a predetermined time interval. The predetermined time interval is determined by an appropriate agreement that can be determined by the customer or the delivery company. For example, the predetermined time interval can be 5-10 minutes. Figure 16 shows the flow of a method when the "out of place" module is actuated. In step 900, the delivery personnel arrive at the designated delivery location or the customer's office with the designated item to be delivered or a designated tagged item for delivery. In step 910, the transfer personnel will then confirm that the customer location is correct. The system can be implemented by, for example, a card identification element, and the transmitting personnel can scan the card identification element with the handheld unit to ensure the customer location on the card identification unit and the work list of the handheld unit. The customer location matches. In step 920, the delivery personnel must now ensure that the item being conveyed is securely received by the recipient or that the item he is collecting for delivery is available. If the recipient is available, the recipient will simply acknowledge receipt of the item. Upon receipt of the item, the item label is disabled and the work assignment is completed. In the event that an item is collected for subsequent delivery, the delivery person will actuate the item label on the item and complete the assignment. If the recipient is not available or the item is not ready to be collected, an "out of place" module is provided as an option for the transfer person to make a selection on the user interface of the handheld unit. In step 940, when the "out of place" module is actuated by the transmitting personnel Or, when selected, the item label on the item to be delivered (in an actuated condition before a recipient receives the item) will remain in an actuated condition. The handheld unit will prompt the transmitting personnel to select one of the pre-defined list reasons for the item not being transmitted. Some reasons can be "the recipient is not empty" or "the file is not ready for collection." In step 960, the reason, the object identifier information for the object, and whether the server will be transmitted or collected will be transmitted back to a remote location, and in step 970, the administrative manager interface will be at the job. The assignment is not implemented and is prompted. The item will remain in the watch list and the status of the item will remain untransmitted or not collected. The delivery personnel will leave the customer location with the animal piece (if any) and return to the vehicle unit.

There may be opportunities in a surviving work assignment that must be reassigned to maintain the efficiency of the workflow or prevent delays in completing the assignment. For example, a transmitting person may encounter a vehicle unit failure or accident on his way to a transfer location. In this case and as shown in Figure 17, in step 980, the affected transmitting personnel informs the command center of this. The command center can also be a user who manipulates the administrator interface at the server. Once the user of the administrator interface has been notified that work reassignment is required, in step 982, the user will act on a job reassignment module on the display screen of the administrator interface. The job reassignment module allows the user to reassign the affected work assignment list to a suitable delivery person. Once the job assignment list has been reassigned, the user will notify the transfer delivery personnel and the takeover transfer personnel of the change in assignment. The mode of notification can be via telephone or a mobile communication unit. In step 986, if the item for transmission has been collected, the takeover transfer personnel and the transfer transfer personnel must meet to forward the item to be delivered. At this encounter, in step 988, the transfer agent passes a job on his handheld unit. Reassign the module and initiate the transfer. When actuated, the job reassignment module will proceed to instruct the takeover transfer personnel to begin taking over. A list of job assignments containing details of the object tag, customer identifier and location, etc., will be downloaded wirelessly from the server to the handheld unit of the take-over person. This is synchronized to the list of job assignments in his handheld unit. In step 990, on the indication of the work reassignment module on the handheld unit, the takeover transfer person then uses the scan to take over the item from the transfer person. The object tag identifier information on the item tags will match the item tag identifier information contained in the job assignment. At this time, the handheld unit that takes over the transfer personnel will notify the administrator interface through the communication network of the successful takeover of the objects and the synchronization of the work assignment list. Once all of the items have been forwarded to the takeover transfer personnel, in step 992, the transfer transfer personnel will select the work reassignment module on his handheld unit to synchronize his work assignment list. This synchronization involves removing the item tag stored on the watch list of his handheld unit and removing the workpiece assignment by his hand held unit. Synchronization is successful only if the takeover of the items and the synchronization of the takeover personnel are successful.

While the invention has been shown and described with respect to the embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that The full scope of the appended claims is intended to cover any and all equivalent devices and devices.

The drawings and the discussion above are intended to provide a brief and general description of a suitable computing environment in which the invention can be implemented. Although not required, the present invention is described in the context of computer-executable instructions, such as a program module, which can be executed by a computer such as a personal computer, laptop, or note. Computer, tablet, Personal digital assistants and the like. Generally speaking, the program module includes: a routine, a program, a character, a component, and a data structure for implementing a special work or implementing a special summary data type. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention can be implemented in other computer system configurations, including handheld devices, microprocessor systems, microprocessor-based consumer electronics or programmable consumer electronics, networks. Road personal computers, small computers, large computers and the like.

"Comprising/including" when used in the specification is to be understood as indicating the feature of the description, the whole, the steps, or the component, but does not exclude one or more other features, the whole, the steps, the components, or the group thereof Exist or attached.

Claims (19)

A proximity monitoring alarm system for monitoring a plurality of objects, comprising: a plurality of object tags, wherein each object tag is attached to an actuation condition and is attachable to a plurality of objects located within a vehicle unit Each of the object tags is configured to transmit an object tag confirmation signal at a predetermined time interval; a hand held unit configured to receive a monitoring unit, the monitoring unit operating to receive the object tag Confirming the signal and communicating with each of the object tags such that when the monitoring unit fails to receive the object tag confirmation signal from any of the plurality of object tags, an alarm signal is triggered on the handheld unit; a vehicle a tag for attaching to the vehicle unit, the vehicle tag being operative to communicate with the monitoring unit and transmitting a vehicle tag confirmation signal to be received by the monitoring unit at a predetermined time interval; a prohibited mode a set for selection by a user on the handheld device for banned distance from the handheld a plurality of object tags within a predetermined distance of the element, such that the plurality of object tags are in a prohibited state; wherein, when the forbidden module is selected, and when the monitoring unit subsequently detects the vehicle tags When the signal is less than a first predetermined vehicle tag receiving signal strength indication (RSSI) value, one of the plurality of object tags within a predetermined distance from the handheld unit will be reactivated to become an actuation condition, and the The remainder of the plurality of object tags within the vehicle unit will remain in the banned condition. According to the short-range monitoring alarm system of claim 1, further comprising a mediation module, wherein the monitoring unit detects that the vehicle tag confirmation signal is higher than a second The predetermined vehicle tag can be actuated when receiving a signal strength indication (RSSI) value, wherein the monitoring unit is associated with an object tag received from each of the plurality of object tags in the vehicle unit in the prohibited state The identifier information matches, and the object tag identifier information of the object tags is stored in the handheld unit. A proximity monitoring alarm system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an exit module for not being able to be used by an object in the plurality of objects for transmission at a transfer point When the receiving person receives, the user selects on the handheld unit, whereby when the leaving module is actuated, the one of the plurality of objects is maintained in an actuated condition. A proximity monitoring alarm system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an exit module for when a second item for collection at a transfer point is not available for collection, The user selects on the handheld unit. The proximity monitoring alarm system of claim 3, wherein when the leaving module is actuated, the handheld unit prompts the user to select a predefined list of causes. According to the close range monitoring alarm system of claim 5, wherein the object tag identifier information of an object of the plurality of objects that cannot be received by a receiving person and the selected pre-defined reason list are transmitted through the The communication network is transmitted to notify the administrator interface. The proximity monitoring alarm system of claim 1 further comprising a first job reassignment module for selection by a user on the administrative manager interface for assignment from a referral Transfer the work assignment list from the person to a takeover transfer person. The proximity monitoring alarm system of claim 7, wherein when the first work reassignment module is activated, the user is used to transfer and take over the plurality of objects on the administrative manager interface A designated location is notified to the transfer delivery personnel and the takeover transfer personnel. The proximity monitoring alarm system of claim 8 further comprising a second work reassignment module for selecting by the takeover personnel to select on the second handheld device to take over at a designated location The work assignment list and the plurality of objects from the transfer delivery personnel. The proximity monitoring alarm system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance from the handheld unit is 0.5 meters. The proximity monitoring alarm system of claim 1, wherein the first predetermined vehicle tag reception signal strength indication value is less than 130 units. The proximity monitoring alarm system of claim 2, wherein the second predetermined vehicle tag receives a signal strength indication value of more than 160 units. A method of monitoring a plurality of items, each of the plurality of items being affixed with an item label, the method comprising the steps of: a) actuating the item labels by a hand held unit to become an actuating condition, the objects Each of the tags transmits an object tag confirmation signal at a predetermined time interval and is operative to communicate with a monitoring unit adapted to be received by the handheld unit such that when the monitoring unit fails to receive the plurality of object tags When an incoming item tag confirms the signal, an alarm will be triggered on the handheld unit; b) assign a vehicle unit for transmitting the plurality of items, the vehicle unit containing one a vehicle tag adapted to communicate with the monitoring unit and transmit a vehicle tag confirmation signal to be received by the monitoring unit at a predetermined time interval; c) selecting, by a user, a disable module on the handheld device, The plurality of object tags are forbidden within a predetermined distance from the handheld unit to cause the plurality of object tags to be in a prohibited condition; d) when the monitoring unit detects that a vehicle tag confirmation signal is less than a first When the predetermined vehicle tag receives the signal strength indication value, it is further actuated to a portion of the plurality of object tags within the predetermined distance from the handheld unit, and the remaining portions of the plurality of object tags in the vehicle unit are maintained in a prohibited state Happening. The method for monitoring a plurality of objects according to claim 13 of the patent application further includes the following steps: e) when the monitoring unit detects that the vehicle tag confirmation signal is higher than a second predetermined vehicle tag receiving signal strength indication value And mediate the object tag identifier information received from each of the plurality of object tags in the vehicle unit in the prohibited state, and the object tag identifier information of the object tags is stored in the handheld unit. A method of monitoring a plurality of objects according to claim 13 or 14 of the patent application, further comprising the step of: f) when an object in the plurality of objects for transmitting at a transfer point is not capable of being received by a recipient Upon receiving, an exit module is actuated for selection by the user on the handheld unit, whereby when the exit module is actuated, the one of the plurality of objects is maintained in an actuated condition . According to the method of monitoring a plurality of objects according to the 13th or 14th patent application scope, The step includes the steps of: f) actuating an exit module for selection by the user on the handheld unit when a second item for collection at a transfer point cannot be collected. A method of monitoring a plurality of objects according to claim 13 of the patent application, wherein the predetermined distance from the handheld unit is 0.5 meters. The method of monitoring a plurality of objects according to claim 13 of the patent application, wherein the first predetermined vehicle tag receiving signal strength indication value is less than 130 units. A method of monitoring a plurality of objects according to claim 14 of the patent application, wherein the second predetermined vehicle tag receives a signal strength indication value of more than 160 units.