Tagging and tracking system

• US 20050017845A1
• Filed: 07/22/2003
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pathfinder Technology
• Original Assignee: Pathfinder Technology
• Inventors: Shellans, Mark Honore
• Application Number:
  US10/624,661
• Publication Number:
  US 20050017845A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.400
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/077 Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2448 Tag with at least dual detection means, e.g. combined inductive and ferromagnetic tags, dual frequencies within a single technology, tampering detection or signalling means on the tag
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles

Abstract

A tagging and tracking system includes an electromagnetic transmitter having an output. A modulating tag embeds an information signal on a reflection of the output from the electromagnetic transmitter. The modulating tag includes a tamper proof system. A receiver receives the reflection with the information signal. The receiver has a received output. A processor is coupled to the received output for decoding the information signal.

Claims

1. A tagging and tracking system, comprising:

an electromagnetic transmitter having an output;

a modulating tag embedding an information signal on a reflection of the output from the electromagnetic transmitter, wherein the modulating tag includes a tamper proof system;

a receiver for receiving the reflection having the information signal, the receiver having a received output; and

a processor coupled to the received output for decoding the information signal.

2. The system of claim 1, further including a database coupled to the processor.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the information signal is a periodic signal.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the information signal is modulated at a frequency higher than a probable Doppler shift.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the information signal is a polarization modulated signal.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the modulating tag has a battery for power.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the modulating tag includes an integrated circuit that drives a plurality of switches that create the information signal.

8. A tagging and tracking system, comprising:

a plurality of modulating tags each attached to one of a plurality of mobile units;

a plurality of electromagnetic transmitters positioned in a plurality of key locations;

a plurality of receivers, one of the plurality of receivers receiving a reflected signal from one of the plurality of modulating tags; and

a database coupled to the plurality of receivers comparing the reflected signal to a predetermined signal.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the reflected signal is a phase modulated signal.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the reflected signal defines a unique identifier for one of the plurality of modulating tags.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the database contains an associated group of information related to the unique identifier.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of mobile units are motor vehicles.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of modulating tags are each a license tag.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of key locations are traffic choke points in a city.

15. A tagging and tracking system, comprising:

a plurality of modulating tags attached to a plurality of mobile units, each of the plurality of tags capable of modulating a polarization of a received signal;

an electromagnetic transmitter having an output capable of being pointed at one of the plurality of modulating tags;

an electromagnetic receiver receiving a reflected signal from one of the plurality of modulating tags; and

a processor uniquely identifying the one of the plurality of modulating tags.

16. The system of claim 15, further including a database coupled to the processor, wherein the database contains an information associated with the one of the plurality of modulating tags.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein one of the plurality of modulating tags has been tampered with and reflects a tampered signal.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of modulating tags has a tamper proof system.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the information signal is a periodic signal.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the information signal has a frequency that is higher than a probable Doppler shift.