Tracking device, system for tracking objects, and associated method of use

• US 10,560,811 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2019
• Issued: 02/11/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Cleaning Equipment Holdings Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Intelligent Cleaning Equipment Holdings Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Chen, Nai Pong Simon
• Primary Examiner(s): Addy, Anthony S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pannell, Mark G.
• Application Number:
  US16/280,413
• Publication Number:
  US 20190261135A1
• Time in Patent Office: 356 Days
• Field of Search: 4554561
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/206 specially adapted for indoor navigation
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06398 Performance of employee with respect to a job function
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/026 using orientation information, e.g. compass
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/33 for indoor environments, e.g. buildings
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

A tracking device including a housing, wherein the housing includes a cavity, and further wherein the housing is adapted for association with a user; an optional securement member, wherein the optional securement member is associated with at least a portion of the housing; a tracking assembly that tracks a motion logic and defines a job function of an employee/janitor.

Claims

1. A tracking system, consisting of:

a beacon system distributed across an area of operation, wherein at least one cleaning device operates within the area of operation;

a wearable device positioned on a user of the at least one cleaning device, the wearable device being configured to receive a unique identifier from the at least one cleaning device through near-field communications; and

a service provider system that consists of a controller having a processor and memory, the processor executing instructions stored in memory to;

provision the at least one cleaning device with moving logic;

receive signals indicative of actual movement of the user from motion sensors on the wearable device;

compare the actual movement of the user with the moving logic to determine if the user is operating the at least one cleaning device in accordance with the moving logic; and

transmit an alert to an administrator when the actual movement of the user does not correspond with the moving logic.

2. A tracking method, consisting of the steps of:

providing a beacon system distributed across an area of operation, wherein at least one cleaning device operates within the area of operation;

providing a wearable device positioned on a user of the at least one cleaning device, the wearable device being configured to receive a unique identifier from the at least one cleaning device through near-field communications; and

providing a service provider system that consists of a controller having a processor and memory, the processor executing instructions stored in memory to enable;

provisioning the at least one cleaning device with moving logic;

receiving signals indicative of actual movement of the user from motion sensors on the wearable device;

comparing the actual movement of the user with the moving logic to determine if the user is operating the at least one cleaning device in accordance with the moving logic; and

transmitting an alert to an administrator when the actual movement of the user does not correspond with the moving logic.