Two-way wireless monitoring system and method
First Claim
1. A two-way wireless monitoring system for tracking the location of a badged user or a badged object within a facility, the monitoring system comprising:
- a plurality of beacons bearing unique beacon IDs thereof, distributed throughout the facility for periodically broadcasting over a wireless medium respective beacon messages carrying the respective beacon IDs;
a portable badge having a unique badge address, for picking up from the wireless medium the beacon messages of nearby beacons;
a base-station comprising an RF transceiver for establishing an RF link with the badge when being within an RF coverage range of the base-station; and
a central unit accessible by the base-station via a data network, wherein, in operation, the badge composes a badge message containing the beacon IDs of the nearby beacons;
wherein the base-station frequently polls, via the established RF link, the badge to receive the badge message therefrom;
wherein the base-station uploads a base-station message, containing the badge address and the badge message, to the central unit via the data network; and
wherein the central unit estimates the badge location using the base-station message and decides on triggering an event within the facility based on the badge address and the estimated badge location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A two-way wireless monitoring system tracks the location of badged users or objects within a facility, and accordingly provides a variety of services relevant to the badge location and ID. The system comprises a plurality of beacons bearing beacon IDs distributed throughout the facility, a portable badge having a badge address, a base-station having access to a central unit via a data network. Each beacon periodically broadcasts the respective beacon ID, for being picked up by the badge when being nearby. The base-station polls the badge to receive the beacon IDs of the nearby beacons, and then uploads such beacon IDs to the central unit via the data network. Finally, the central unit estimates the badge location and decides on triggering an event within the facility based on the estimated badge location.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A two-way wireless monitoring system for tracking the location of a badged user or a badged object within a facility, the monitoring system comprising:
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a plurality of beacons bearing unique beacon IDs thereof, distributed throughout the facility for periodically broadcasting over a wireless medium respective beacon messages carrying the respective beacon IDs;
a portable badge having a unique badge address, for picking up from the wireless medium the beacon messages of nearby beacons;
a base-station comprising an RF transceiver for establishing an RF link with the badge when being within an RF coverage range of the base-station; and
a central unit accessible by the base-station via a data network, wherein, in operation, the badge composes a badge message containing the beacon IDs of the nearby beacons;
wherein the base-station frequently polls, via the established RF link, the badge to receive the badge message therefrom;
wherein the base-station uploads a base-station message, containing the badge address and the badge message, to the central unit via the data network; and
wherein the central unit estimates the badge location using the base-station message and decides on triggering an event within the facility based on the badge address and the estimated badge location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for tracking the location of a badged user or a badged object within a facility, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a plurality of beacons throughout the facility, each of which periodically broadcasts over a wireless medium a beacon message, carrying a corresponding beacon ID;
(b) providing a portable badge having a badge address for picking up from the wireless medium the beacon messages within the coverage area thereof, and for composing a badge message containing the respective beacon IDs;
(c) transferring the badge message to a central unit over an RF network, at a predetermined polling frequency;
(d) estimating the badge location by the central unit, using the badge message; and
(e) triggering an event within the facility, based on the badge address and the estimated badge location. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification