A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING GOODS
This invention relates to the identification of goods. In particular, it relates to a method of identifying goods which are to be moved, and the location from which the goods are to be moved. The invention also relates to a system for identifying goods which are to be moved, and the location from which the goods are to be moved.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of identifying goods which are to be moved, and the location of the goods, which method includes the steps of: generating a plurality of article codes, each article code being associated with a particular article from a collection of goods which are to be moved; generating a plurality of location codes, each location code being associated
with a particular location in an area in which the articles are situated; attaching an associated article code to each article; and associating the appropriate location code with each of the articles.
The step of associating the appropriate location code with each of the articles may comprise attaching the associated location code to each of the locations of the articles. Instead, or in addition, the step of associating a location code with each of the articles may include attaching to each article the location
code associated with the location of that article.
The method may include the steps of generating a personal code for each person responsible for moving the articles, and attaching to each article the personal code associated with the person responsible for moving that article. The method may then include the step of allocating information to each personal code, and storing the information in electronic format.
A combination code, which includes an article code, a location code, and a personal code, may be attached to each article.
Each location code may comprise a hierarchical series of location subcodes. In this specification the phrase "hierarchical series of location sub-codes" means a series of different codes to identify, in a hierarchical manner the place
where the goods are in a zone, where the zone is in a region, where the region is in an area, the position of the area in a precinct, etc. For example, the series of location sub-codes may identify an item of furniture in which the goods are located, the room in which the item of furniture is located, the floor on which the room is located, the building in which the room is located, and the compound in which the building is located.
The method may include the step of generating a series of location sub-codes, and displaying each location sub-code at a position associated with that sub-code. The step of generating each location code may then comprise
successively reading in hierarchical order each of a hierarchical series of location sub-codes, and automatically compiling from the read sub-codes a location code for each location of articles.
The method may include the step of allocating information to at least some of the codes selected from the group consisting of location codes and location sub-codes, and storing the allocated information in electronic format.
Each of the codes may encrypted, so that the codes are secure. Typically, each of the codes is produced in hard copy in a format which is readable
by a laser-type code reading device for reading the codes in digital format. The codes may thus be conventional bar codes. Instead, the codes may be so-called two-dimensional codes, which are encoded and need to be read in two directions, as opposed to bar codes, which are considered to be one-dimensional codes. Each code will be unique, meaning that for each hierarchical level of each type of code, i.e. article codes, location codes, or personal codes, there will be no two codes which are the same.
The method may include the step of allocating information to at least some of the article codes, and storing the allocated information in electronic format.
The step of attaching article codes to the articles typically includes printing each article code on an adhesive sheet and attaching the adhesive sheet to the
associated article.
The method may include the step of successively reading the article
codes and the location codes of the articles to be moved, and automatically
75 compiling a list of read codes, such that, for each article, the list provides an article
code and an associated location code. Conveniently, the step of reading the codes
may include reading a personal code for each article, so that the list additionally
provides, for each article, an associated personal code. The codes may be read by
means of a portable scanning device.
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The method may include the step of producing a hard copy of the list of read codes, the list of codes serving as an inventory of articles which are to be
moved.
85 The method may include the step of moving the articles from their
respective locations to a storage site. This will naturally be the case when the
articles are seized for evidentiary purposes in legal proceedings. The method will then include dating and sealing the documents under supervision of the person
.under whose control, care or possession the documents were before moving
90 thereof.
The method may include the step of capturing in electronic format
those articles which are documents. The documents may either be scanned on-
site, or they may be scanned off-site at a location to which the documents have
95 been moved.
The codes may be colour-coded, to facilitate distinction between the codes. The codes may thus be colour coded to distinguish between codes generated on different days, between codes generated by different persons, or 100 between codes generated in respect of different areas. Thus, for instance, the article codes generated for all articles in a particular room, or a particular article of furniture, may be printed in ink of the same colour, which differs from the colour of codes generated in respect of articles in other rooms, or in other articles of furniture, as the case may be.
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According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for identifying goods which are to be moved and the location from which the goods are to be moved, which system includes: an article code generating device for generating a series of article codes, no each article code being associated with a particular article from a collection of goods which are to be moved; a location code generating device for generating a series of location codes, each of which is associated with a particular location in an area in which the articles are situated; and 115 a code producing device for producing the codes such that each article code is attachable to the associated article, and such that each location code is attachable to one of the associated articles or to the associated location.
The system may include a personal code generating device for 120 generating a personal code associated with each person responsible for movement
of the articles. Each code generating device may be arranged to generate the associated codes such that the codes are encrypted.
The code producing device may be arranged to produce the codes on 125 an adhesive sheet such that the codes are readable by an appropriate code reading device. Typically, the code producing device is arranged to produce the codes as digital two-dimensional symbols.
The system may include an information allocating device for allocating 130 information to at least some of the codes, the system further including a first memory for storing the information in electronic format.
Typically, the system includes a code reading device for reading codes produced by the code producing device.
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The location code generating device may be arranged to generate hierarchical location sub-codes, the code producing device being arranged to produce each of the location sub-codes for attachment at an associated position.
140 The location code generating device may in such a case be arranged automatically to compile a location code for each location from an associated hierarchical series of location sub-codes. The location code generating device may be connected to the code reading device for automatically compiling the location code for each location in response to reading of the associated hierarchical
series of location sub-codes by the code reading device.
The code generating devices, the code producing device, and the code reading device may form part of a portable hand-held unit.
The system may include an inventory compiler for automatically compiling a list of codes read by the code reading device, the system also including a second memory for storing the list of codes. Conveniently, the inventory compiler and the second memory form part of the code reading device. Instead, the inventory compiler and the second memory are provided by a processing unit which can interface with the code reading device.
The system may include a scanner for capturing in digital format those articles which are documents.
The respective code generating devices may be provided by a processing unit and a computer program for causing the processing unit, when the program is executed thereon, to generate the respective codes. Similarly, the information allocating device may be a computer having a user interface for accepting information related to the articles, the respective locations, and the associated person or persons.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.
In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a system for identifying goods to be moved and the location from which the goods are to be moved, in accordance with the invention; and
Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of a building from which goods are to be moved; and
Figure 3 shows, a schematic flow-diagram of a method of identifying goods which are to be moved, and the location from which the goods are to be moved, in accordance with the invention.
In Figure 1 of the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally refers to a system for identifying goods and the location of the goods in accordance with the invention. The system 10 is used in a method for identifying goods and the location of the goods, and for monitoring subsequent movement of the goods, in accordance with the invention. In this example, the method relates to the seizure of goods for evidentiary purposes in legal proceedings.
The system 10 includes an article code generating device for generating a series of article codes, a location code generating device for generating a series of location codes, and a personal code generating device for generating a personal code. In this example, the respective code generating devices are provided by a program 22 for a computer which can be executed on a processing unit 24 of a portable computer 20 accompanying a person performing the seizure ("the seizer"),
so that the article codes, the location codes, and the personal codes are generated on-site. In other words, when the computer program is executed on the computer
20, the processing unit 24 forms the respective code generating devices. In use, each article code is associated with a particular article 32 from a plurality of articles 195 32 to be moved. For ease of illustration, only three of the articles 32 are shown in Figure 2. Similarly, each location code is associated with a particular location from which the articles 32 are to be moved, and each personal code is associated with a particular person responsible for movement of the articles 32, in this case the seizer.
200
Each code is in the form of a digital two dimensional code which, when printed, can be read by a code reading device in the form of a laser type scanner
50, which functions similarly to a conventional bar code scanner. Naturally, each code is unique. The codes are also encrypted, so that they are secure and can not
205 easily be forged.
The computer program 22 is arranged to generate a series of location subcodes. Each location code thus consists of a hierarchical series of location subcodes, to pinpoint the exact location from which each article 32 is seized. The 210 system 10 is operable automatically to compile a location code for each location upon reading, by means of the code scanner 50, of a hierarchical series of location sub-codes.
In this example, the goods to be seized are in the form of documents 32
215 which are to be moved from a number of items of furniture, 120 to 131 , located in a number of rooms, 1 10 to 1 12, as shown in Figure 2. The rooms 1 10..1 12 are
in turn located in a particular building 100 in a specific compound (not shown). Although goods are to be seized from a number of buildings, for ease of illustration, only one building 100 is shown in Figure 2. 20
The system 10 also includes an information allocating device for allocating information related to each of the respective codes. The information allocating device is in the form of an interface 30 between the computer 20 and the seizer, which includes an input device such as a keyboard (not shown), and a display 25 device such as a display screen (not shown). The computer program 22 is arranged to prompt the seizer, upon generation of any of the personal codes, the location codes, or the articles codes, to enter explanatory or descriptive data relating to that code. For instance, when seizing a document such as a letter, the seizer may specify the date of the letter, to whom it was addressed, and what it 30 related to. This information is stored on a first memory 26 forming part of the computer 20.
The system 10 further includes a code producing device in the form of a printer 40 for printing the codes on adhesive sheets or labels 42, and an image or 35 text scanner 60 which can interface with the computer 20.
The computer program 22 is arranged additionally cause the computer 20 to serve as an inventory compiler for automatically compiling a list of codes read by the code reading device 50. The computer 20 also includes a second memory 28 40 for storing the list compiled by the inventory compiler.
Although not shown in the drawings, it is envisaged that the processing unit 24, the computer program 22, the first and second memories 26, 28, the code reading device 50, the printer 40, and the user interface 30 can form part of a single hand-held unit (not shown).
In use, the system 10 is used to perform a method of identifying goods to be moved and the location from which the goods are moved, in accordance with the invention. This method 12 is diagrammatically shown in Figure 3. Upon arrival at the compound, the seizer instructs the computer 20 to generate a personal code associated with the seizer, at 14. The seizer is prompted to allocate information to the personal code, and the seizer does this by entering explanatory information, at 16, via the interface 30. This information typically includes the identity of the seizer. The allocated information is stored on the first memory 26.
Thereafter, the computer 20 is used to generate a series of location sub-codes. First, a location sub-code for a particular building is generated, at 18, and information is allocated to that code, at 34. Typically, this information relates to a description of the building, including its location. The allocated information is automatically stored on the first memory 26. Thereafter, the location sub-code for the building is produced by printing it, via the printer 40, on an adhesive label 42. This label 42 is attached, at 36, in an appropriate location to the associated building. As can be seen in Figure 2 of the drawings, the label 42 which bears the location sub-code associated with the building 100 is attached to a wall of the building 100 adjacent an entrance 102 of the building 100. This procedure of
!65 generating a location sub-code, at 18, allocating information to the sub-code, at 34, and attaching the sub-code to the building, at 36, is repeated in respect of every building from which articles 32 are to be seized.
A similar procedure is followed in respect of every room 1 10..1 12 from 270 which articles 32 are to be seized. A location sub-code is generated for the particular room, at 38, information is allocated to the particular sub-code, at 46, and the location sub-code is printed on a label 42 and is attached at an appropriate position, at 48. As is shown schematically in Figure 2, the location sub-code associated with each room is attached to a wall of the building adjacent an 275 entrance 1 13 of the associated room 1 10..1 12. Again, the procedure is repeated in respect of every room 1 10..1 12 from which articles are to be seized.
This procedure is again followed to produce a location sub-code for each article of furniture 120..131 from which articles 32 are to be seized. The article
280 sub-code is generated, at 52, descriptive or explanatory information is allocated, at 54, and the sub-code is produced and attached, at 56, to the associated article of furniture 120..131.
When entering each of the compound, the building 100, and any of the
285 rooms 1 10, 1 1 1 , 1 12, and before seizing documents from any of the items of furniture, 120 to 131 , the seizer scans, at 62, in hierarchical order, each location sub-code. The processing unit 24 automatically compiles, at 64, a location code for each article of furniture from this hierarchical series of location sub-codes. If,
for instance, each location sub-code corresponded to the reference numeral for that 90 location (and disregarding a location sub-code for the compound) a location code for a cupboard 126 in room 1 12 may be " 100 1 12 126" .
It should be appreciated that, in order to compile, at 64, the location codes in this way, the computer program 22 can require the seizer to read, at 62, each
295 hierarchical series of location sub-codes in series, or, more conveniently, the computer program 22 can permit the seizer to specify the hierarchical level of any location sub-code which is to be read, at 62. This will allow the seizer to read, at 62, the sub-codes in any order, specifying the level of the sub-codes and with which sub-code in an immediately higher hierarchical level the particular sub-codes
300 are associated, while the computer 20 will automatically compile, at 64, the appropriate location codes.
After thus generating, at 64, the respective location codes, an article code for each document 32 is generated, at 66, by the computer 20 in response to an
305 instruction from the seizer. Again, information is allocated, at 68, via the interface
30, to each article code. This information typically includes a description of the article 32, and, when the article 32 is a document, the information will relate to the date of the document, the addressee of the document, the apparent author of the document, and what the document relates to. As before, the allocated information
310 is stored in the first memory 26 in such a manner that the allocated information is associated with the article code of the associated article 32.
In this example, a collective or combination code comprising the personal identification code, the associated location code, and the associated article code 315 is printed on a label 42 and attached to each of the articles 32. It will be appreciated that management of the codes under a combination code is not essential to the invention, and in other embodiments of the invention, only the associated article code can be attached to each document 32.
320 The combination code attached to each document 32 is thereafter read, at
74, by scanning it with the bar-code type scanner 50. The computer program 22 automatically compiles, at 76, a list of the read codes, such that for each article code read, the list includes an associated location code and personal code. The list automatically includes a date and time at which each article code was read. This
325 list is automatically stored on the second memory 28 of the computer 20.
All the documents 32 seized are hereafter placed in receptacles (not shown) that are then dated and sealed, at 78. The entire method 12 can be performed under supervision of the person under whose control, care, or possession the
330 documents 32 were before the moving of the documents 32 ("the owner"). The sealed receptacles are now moved to offices (not shown) of the seizer.
At the offices of the seizer, the seals of the receptacles are broken and the documents 32 removed therefrom, again under supervision of the owner. Each
335 document 32 is then captured, at 80, in electronic format by scanning it in conventional fashion with the image or text scanner 60. The data obtained from
scanning, at 80, the documents 32, together with the compiled list, are stored on a portable data storage device, such as a CD-ROM 70. The seized documents 32 can then be returned, at 84, to the owner. It will be appreciated that in the case 340 of non-documentary evidence, the goods will not be returned to the owner.
A hard copy 44 of the list compiled, at 76, which has been stored on the second memory 28 and which includes the allocated information relating to each document, is then produced by printing it, at 82, via the printer 40. This printed
345 list is essentially an inventory of the seized goods. A copy of the CD-ROM 70 may also be given to the owner.
It is an advantage of the method of identifying goods and the location of the goods, as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, that the
350 location from which a particular article 32 was seized, as well as the person by whom it was seized, can easily be established by having reference to the combination code of that document 32. The fact that an inventory 44 of the seized goods can almost immediately be provided to the owner facilitates transparency of the seizing process and may pre-empt any future disputes about
355 when, by whom, and from where a particular piece of evidence was seized. As the inventory is automatically compiled, the probability of inaccuracies in the inventory is substantially reduced. Accusations of any tampering with the inventory after the fact is also avoided by the owner's being provided with the hard copy 44 of the inventory almost immediately.
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