Methods and apparatus for location determination based on dispersed radio frequency tags
First Claim
1. A location identification system comprising:
- a location server operative to store location identification information for each of a plurality of locations in a region, the location identification information comprising a location identifier and RF information characteristic of the location, the RF information for a location comprising signals received at the location by one or more of a plurality of RF tags distributed throughout the region.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques for location determination are described. A plurality of tags emitting radio frequency signals are dispersed throughout an region, such as a building, within which a user'"'"'s location is to be determined. The radio frequency signals emitted by the tags include information that can be used to identify the location in which the tags are placed, or simply to distinguish the tags from one another. A portable device receives signals from the tags and provides the signal information to a location server that computes the location of the portable device by comparing the signal information received from the portable device to a map of location versus stored signal information, and identifies the location of the portable device as the location for which the stored signal information best matches the signal information received from the portable device.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A location identification system comprising:
a location server operative to store location identification information for each of a plurality of locations in a region, the location identification information comprising a location identifier and RF information characteristic of the location, the RF information for a location comprising signals received at the location by one or more of a plurality of RF tags distributed throughout the region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A location identification system comprising:
a location server for receiving transmissions from a plurality of tags arranged in a regions wherein locations are to be identified, each tag emitting an encoded signal identifying the location in which the tag is placed, the location server being operative to store each encoded signal emitted by a tag, the encoded signal being associated with the location in which the tag is placed. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of location identification for a wireless device, comprising the steps of:
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dispersing a plurality of radio frequency tags throughout a volume within which the location of the wireless device is to be identified;
mapping the signals emitted by the tags against locations within the volume; and
storing a map of locations to signal characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of locating a user of a wireless device, comprising the steps of:
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compiling a sequence of radio frequency tag identification values along a path traveled by the user carrying the wireless device; and
identifying the location of the user as the location arrived at by following a path defined by the sequence. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A program storage medium encoded with a computer executable program for performing steps of a method, the method comprising:
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storing locations for a plurality of radio frequency tags throughout a volume within which the location of the wireless device is to be identified;
mapping signals emitted by a plurality of radio frequency tags distributed throughout a region against locations within the region; and
storing a map of locations to signal characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A program storage medium encoded with a computer executable program for performing steps of a method, the method comprising:
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compiling a sequence of radio frequency tag identification values along a path traveled by the user carrying the wireless device; and
identifying the location of the user as the location arrived at by following a path defined by the sequence. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification