System and method for improved item tracking

1. A method for tracking objects, comprising:

identifying and locating an object using a first method;

identifying and locating a person using a second method;

associating the object and the person;

tracking the person from a first location to a second location;

storing information associated with the person, the object, and track between the first location and second location; and using the collected information to locate lost objects;

detecting a disassociation of the object from the person, identifying the location of the object upon the disassociation of the object from the person;

issuing a warning if the object and the person improperly associated;

issuing a warning if the second location is not the intended second location;

generating a history of the location of the person when associated with the object; and

using the generated history to determine the location of the object,

wherein the first method comprises one of reading a bar code associated with the object and reading a radio frequency identification tag associated with the object,

wherein the second method comprises reading an active radio frequency identification tag associated with the person,

wherein the first location comprises a conveyor system,

wherein the second location is within a transport vehicle, and

wherein the second location within a transport vehicle is precisely determined.

2. A method for tracking objects, comprising:

associating an object with a person;

identifying and locating the person;

recording a disassociation of the object with the person;

locating the object based upon a location of the disassociation; and

receiving an enquiry for the location of the object, retrieving data regarding the association of the object with the person; retrieving the location of the disassociation of the object with the person; assigning a person to search the location of the disassociation for the object; and locating the object.

3. A system for tracking objects, comprising:

first means for determining an identification and location of a person;

second means associated with the person for reading identification data associated with an object; and

a computer system connected to the first means and the second means by a network, wherein the computer system receives the identification data read by the second means, identifies the object based on the received identification data, identifies the person associated with the second means, associates the object with the person, collects tracking information regarding the location of the person based on data received from the first means until the person and the object are disassociated, and stores the tracking information,

wherein the first means comprises at least one of an identification tag attached to the person comprising a radio frequency identification tag, and a biometric means comprising a video camera for vision-system identification of the person,

wherein the second means comprises at least one of a bar code reader, a radio frequency identification reader, a camera, and an ultra-sonic location sensor,

wherein the computer system further recieves an enquiry for a location of the object, retrieves the tracking information, and determines the location of the object upon disassociation of the object with the person, and

wherein the network comprises a wireless network.