Radio frequency tags for use in a motion tracking system

• US 20060125691A1
• Filed: 12/22/2005
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ubica LLC
• Original Assignee: Alberto Menache, Mark Alan Sturza
• Inventors: Sturza, Mark Alan, Menache, Alberto
• Granted Patent: US 7,432,810 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/450
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/525 Changing parameters of virtual cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/5372 for tagging characters, objects or locations in the game scene, e.g. displaying a circle under the character controlled by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/205 for detecting the geographical location of the game platform
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/306 for displaying a marker associated to an object or location in the game field
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 player location
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6045 for mapping control signals received from the input arrangement into game commands
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6661 for changing the position of the virtual camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8082 Virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0247 Determining attitude
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/06 Position of source determined by co-ordinating a plurality of position lines defined by path-difference measurements G01S5/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/14 Determining absolute distances from a plurality of spaced points of known location
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor

Abstract

Small radio frequency tags for use in a motion capture system include a power source, circuitry for generating radio frequency identification signals, an antenna for transmitting the signals, and means for automatically activating the tags so that the tags begin transmitting the signals including a tag identification code when a cover is removed. The activation means may include a release strip that, when removed, opens or closes an electrical circuit that activates the tag and also exposes an adhesive covered surface of the tag so that the tag can then be adhered to a clothed or unclothed human body or other object to be tracked. The activation means can also include an optical sensor, an oxygen sensor, or other sensors. The battery and the antenna may be printed or constructed of film, thus allowing the tag to be small, thin, and flexible.

Claims

1. A radio frequency transmission device comprising:

a backing layer;

circuitry affixed to the backing layer for generating a radio frequency waveform;

an antenna for transmitting the waveform;

an adhesive applied to the backing layer;

a removable portion applied to the adhesive;

a sensor for detecting when the removable portion is removed; and

a transmitter controller for enabling the device to begin transmitting the radio frequency waveform when the sensor detects that the removable portion has been removed.

2. The radio frequency transmission device of claim 1 wherein when the removable portion is removed the transmitter and the adhesive layer are left behind such that the transmitter is ready for adhering to an object via the adhesive.

3. The radio frequency transmission device of claim 1 wherein the device transmits at a frequency that is a multiple of 120 transmissions per second.

4. The radio frequency transmission device of claim 1 wherein the transmitter controller comprises a switch that enables power from a battery to flow to at least a portion of the circuitry upon detection that the removable portion has been removed.

5. The radio frequency device of claim 1 wherein the removable portion comprises a film or paper layer coated with a release coating in contact with the adhesive, such that the removable layer may be peeled away thereby activating the device, and the device thereafter adhered to an object by the adhesive.

6. The radio frequency transmission device of claim 1 wherein the device is sufficiently small and flexible to be adhered directly to either a clothed or unclothed human body while allowing substantially full movement of the body.

7. A method of tracking movement of an object comprising providing a plurality of radio frequency transmission devices according to claim 1, and further comprising:

removing the removable portions of the respective devices thereby initiating transmissions of waveforms from the devices; and

processing code phase and carrier phase information from said received waveforms in order to determine positions of the respective devices.

8. A radio frequency transmission device comprising:

a transmitter;

a power source for powering the transmitter;

a memory for storing data corresponding to a waveform to be transmitted;

a protective cover disposed over at least a portion of the device; and

means for automatically activating the device upon removal of the protective cover.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the protective cover is a removable layer having a release coating thereon disposed over an adhesive coated portion of the device, and the activating means comprises a switch operated by removal of the removable layer.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein the protective cover is an airtight wrapping surrounding the device, and the activating means comprises an oxygen sensor and a switch for activating the device when the oxygen sensor senses the presence of oxygen.

11. The device of claim 8 wherein the activating means is a photo switch, and the protective cover is an opaque cover disposed over the photo switch.

12. The device of claim 8 further having machine readable indicia on at least one of the device and the protective cover, the machine readable indicia corresponding to a tag identification code transmitted by the device when the device is activated.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the machine readable indicia is a bar code.

14. The device of claim 8 further having indicia readable by a human on at least one of the device and the protective cover, the indicia corresponding to a tag identification code transmitted by the device when the device is activated.

15. The device of claim 8 wherein the transmitter includes a film antenna for transmitting the waveform.

16. The device of claim 8 wherein the transmitter includes a printed antenna for transmitting the waveform.

17. The device of claim 8 wherein the waveform includes an encoded tag identification code.

18. A radio frequency tag comprising:

a flexible battery;

a flexible antenna; and

circuitry powered by the flexible battery for transmitting a waveform suitable for use in a radio frequency motion tracking system for identifying a location of the tag.

19. The radio frequency tag of claim 18 further comprising means for powering at least a portion of said circuitry from said flexible battery in response to a cover being removed from said tag.

20. The radio frequency tag of claim 18 wherein said cover includes a first portion having a release coating thereon, and a second and electrically conductive portion, the removal of the cover both activating said portion of said circuitry and exposing an adhesive coated area of the tag.