Method and system for locating a dependent

• US 20070040693A1
• Filed: 10/30/2006
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: George Sai-Halasz
• Original Assignee: George Sai-Halasz, Ildiko Medve
• Inventors: Sai-Halasz, George, Medve, Ildiko
• Granted Patent: US 7,355,514 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.100
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• 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: G08B 21/0275 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS] tag technology used for parent or child unit, e.g. same transmission technology, magnetic tag, RF tag, RFID

Abstract

A method and system for locating a dependent by a guardian entity at a locality using RFID technology is disclosed. A RFID tag is situated with the dependent and a plurality of RFID reader devices capable of communicating with the RFID tag are distributed about the locality. A processor is directing communications between the RFID tag and the plurality of RFID reader devices, and is tracking the RFID tag. An authenticating system, which uniquely associates the RFID tag with the guardian entity, validates commands pertaining to the tracking of the RFID tag. The processor upon receiving a validated command generates a response, which includes location information regarding the dependent.

Claims

1. A method for locating a dependent by a guardian entity, said method comprising:

situating a RFID tag with said dependent;

distributing a plurality of RFID reader devices capable of communicating with said RFID tag;

in a processor;

directing communications between said RFID tag and said plurality of RFID reader devices, and tracking said RFID tag by using said communications between said RFID tag and said plurality of RFID reader devices;

uniquely associating said RFID tag with said guardian entity;

accepting a command pertaining to said tracking of said RFID tag if said command is validated as being associated with said guardian entity; and

generating a response upon receipt of a validated command, wherein said response comprises providing a location information regarding said dependent.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said uniquely associating comprise providing a code for said guardian entity, and wherein entering said code thereinto said processor is said validated command.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said guardian entity is entering said code by using a radio transmission.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said uniquely associating comprise situating with said guardian entity an additional RFID tag, wherein said method further comprises in said processor:

directing communications between said additional RFID tag and said plurality of RFID reader devices, and tracking said additional RFID tag by using said communications between said additional RFID tag and said plurality of RFID reader devices.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said processor comprises a memory, wherein said method further comprises in said processor:

accepting as said validated command if in said tracking of said RFID tag and in said tracking of said additional RFID tag a pattern of endangerment for said dependent is recognized, wherein said pattern of endangerment is stored in said memory of said processor.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said pattern of endangerment has been learnt by said processor.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said method further comprises situating a warning device with said guardian entity, wherein said response comprise activating said warning device.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein each one of said plurality of RFID reader devices has a range of coverage, wherein said pattern of endangerment comprises any one of said plurality of RFID reader devices having said RFID tag in its said range of coverage and not having said additional RFID tag in its said range of coverage.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising distributing said plurality of RFID reader devices about a locality, and tracking said RFID tag at said locality.

10. A processor program product comprising a processor useable medium having a processor readable program, wherein said processor readable program when executed on a processor causes said processor to:

direct communications between a RFID tag situated with a dependent and a plurality of RFID reader devices, and tracking said RFID tag by using said communications between said RFID tag and said plurality of RFID reader devices;

uniquely associate said RFID tag with a guardian entity;

accept a command pertaining to said tracking of said RFID tag if said command is validated as being associated with said guardian entity; and

generate a response upon receipt of a validated command, wherein said response comprises providing a location information regarding said dependent.

11. The processor program product of claim 10, further causing said processor to direct communications between an additional RFID tag situated with said guardian entity and said plurality of RFID reader devices, and tracking said additional RFID tag by using said communications between said additional RFID tag and said plurality of RFID reader devices.

12. The processor program product of claim 10, further causing said processor to recognize a pattern of endangerment for said dependent in said tracking of said RFID tag and in said tracking of said additional RFID tag, and accept said recognition as said validated command.