US Patent 7474207 Automatic notification in a sequential process

A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product that enable a component to prepare for the arrival of a moving component by providing, to the component, an automated notification of the moving component's approach. When a moving component approaches an arrival point, a signal is received from a transponder chip on the moving component, wherein the signal includes a unique identifier for the transponder chip. The moving component is then identified based on the unique identifier in the signal. A second signal is sent to the component to signal that initiation of a set of actions to be performed with respect to the moving component may occur.