1 Introduction
Computers are used to process, analyze and display information about many processes
involving moving “things.” Entering the information about the status of moving things
requires repeated data entry which is cumbersome, expensive and error-prone.
Consequently, many automated systems have been developed to perform this data entry
task. Together these systems are referred to as automatic identification (“Auto ID”)
systems. Example application areas include product identification in consumer goods
industries, swipe card access systems and GPS/on board computer systems used in
trucking. The availability of such data entry systems has provided the impetus for
development of more sophisticated decision support and control systems. Thus, while bar
codes speed checkout counters [1] as well as shipping and receiving processes, powerful
software uses these data for dynamic pricing and inventory control. And while simple RF
tags allow anybody to follow a runner in the Boston marathon on the Internet, powerful
decision support system help optimize the dispatching of large truck fleets [2] or
locomotives