METHOD FOR ACCOUNTING FOR PEOPLE IN EMERGENCIES IN INDUSTRIAL SETTINGS
First Claim
1. A method of accounting for individuals in an emergency at an industrial facility, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) associating a UWB transmitter with an individual;
b) co-locating the UWB transmitter and the individual;
c) transmitting from the UWB transmitter, a UWB signal;
d) receiving the UWB signal by at least two UWB monitoring stations;
e) communicating from the at least two UWB monitoring stations, at least information identifying the UWB transmitter and time-of-arrival information; and
f) computing, using a computer and information communicated from the at least two UWB monitoring stations, the UWB transmitter'"'"'s location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for accounting for individuals in an emergency at industrial facilities utilizing Ultra-Wideband (UWB) transmitters associated with individuals or objects and UWB monitoring stations. Identification information received from the UWB transmitters by UWB monitoring stations are communicated along with time of arrival information to a computer which calculates the location of the UWB transmitter. The system can be used despite severe multi-path effects and can provide location information in 3 dimensions. The system can optionally include proximity-based RF equipment for access control or otherwise for identification in specific locations. Information from the proximity-based RF equipment is also sent to the computer which also receives information from the UWB monitoring stations.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of accounting for individuals in an emergency at an industrial facility, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) associating a UWB transmitter with an individual;
b) co-locating the UWB transmitter and the individual;
c) transmitting from the UWB transmitter, a UWB signal;
d) receiving the UWB signal by at least two UWB monitoring stations;
e) communicating from the at least two UWB monitoring stations, at least information identifying the UWB transmitter and time-of-arrival information; and
f) computing, using a computer and information communicated from the at least two UWB monitoring stations, the UWB transmitter'"'"'s location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of accounting for individuals in an emergency, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) associating an individual with a co-located UWB transmitter;
b) defining a mustering location having UWB monitoring stations positioned so as to be capable of determining whether or not the co-located UWB transmitter is within the mustering location;
c) identifying an emergency event requiring the individual to report to the mustering location; and
d) determining whether or not the individual has reported to the mustering location by determining whether or not the co-located UWB transmitter is within the mustering location. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for locating people or objects in an industrial setting, the system comprising:
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a) a UWB transmitter located on or in proximity to a person or object to be located and located in an industrial setting;
b) at least three UWB monitoring stations in different known locations;
c) a metal structure positioned such that a radio frequency signal transmitted by the UWB transmitter is reflected around all or a portion of the metal structure before reaching at least one of the UWB monitoring stations; and
d) a computer in communication with the at least three UWB monitoring stations;
wherein the at least three UWB monitoring stations are capable of receiving a UWB signal from the UWB transmitter, obtaining from the UWB signal identification information identifying the UWB transmitter communicating the identification information and time of arrival information to the computer and wherein the computer is capable of using the identification information and time of arrival information to calculate location of the person or object to be located. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification