RTLS-enabled tag reclamation receptacle

US8593282B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Todd Franklin Scarola · Glen Allen, US
• Lynn Ann DeRose · Gloversville, US
• John Michael Lizzi · Saratoga Springs, US
• Douglas Forman · Niskayuna, US
• Charles Burton Theurer · Niskayuna, US
• Brandon Stephen Good · Niskayuna, US
• Francis Christopher Hann · Porter Corners, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 23, 2010
• Grant date: Nov 26, 2013
• Expiry date: May 21, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S5/0009
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Techniques are provided for reducing the transmission of infrared (IR) signals outside of a reclamation receptacle. Techniques include using a reclamation receptacle having an IR transmitter configured to transmit IR signals when the reclamation receptacle is in a closed configuration and configured to cease transmission of the IR signals when the reclamation receptacle is in an open configuration. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag may be deposited in the reclamation receptacle. The RFID tag may receive the IR signals and generate a radio frequency (RF) signal in response to the IR signals, wherein the RF signal indicates that the RFID tag is in the reclamation receptacle.