The Use of Radio Frenquency Identification for Navigation and Location Tracking

• US 20060164236A1
• Filed: 01/14/2005
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Benjamin Peter Siegl, Steven Donald Herman
• Original Assignee: Benjamin Peter Siegl, Steven Donald Herman
• Inventors: Herman, Steven Donald, Siegl, Benjamin Peter
• Application Number:
  US10/905,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20060164236A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.130
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/061 with electronic detecting or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/758 using a signal generator powered by the interrogation signal
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/876 Combination of several spaced transponders or reflectors of known location for determining the position of a receiver G01S13/874 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0295 Proximity-based methods, e.g. position inferred from reception of particular signals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags have the capability of sending large strings of numbers unique to that tag using radio waves. This application looks to use RFID tags to assist navigation and location tracking within a building. The RFID tags, which have a radiation range of 3 feet, will be placed on the floor of the building. Each tag will represent an area on the floor with a number which can be accessed by passing an RFID reader over the area of the tag. A computer program in the RFID reader will be able to translate the number using a database into voice, print the information on the screen, search the database for items, or give directions to certain items. Also a program will be created so store managers can update the database and use a map of the building to easily write descriptions for each RFID tag area.

Claims

1. This application claims the right to the use of RFID tags for proposes of navigation, specifically the use of a database with corresponding RFID numbers that gives a description of the area surrounding the unique number. This includes the use of RFID tags to designate areas of a building or store which then can be compared to a database for a description and the area within the building or store.

2. This application directly claims the right to a computer program which enables a user to scan RFID tags as used in navigation. A program which can use a database to access a description of an area and either print it on the screen of a computerized device or read it aloud using a voice synthesis program on the computer. This program also can be used to search the database for desired items and their location. Lastly the program can use the information and location of other RFID tags to give detailed directions to a specified area within the building or store.

3. This application also claims a second program which the database and the RFID numbers are created. A program designed for store managers that maps out the building or store by the areas created by RFID tags. The program allows the manager to edit or write the area'"'"'s description and list of products within the area. The database will update itself according the changes specified by the store manager.