Methods for locating an entity within a structure using RFID

• US 20080042829A1
• Filed: 08/16/2006
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Insight Holding Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Insight Holding Group, Inc.
• Inventors: Christopher, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,728,729 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/26 Government or public services business processes related to the transportation industry G06Q50/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/28 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading, distribution or shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

The present invention provides method for locating an entity within a structure using RFID system including a portable RF transmitter/receiver transported by the entity within the structure, a base unit, and a plurality of RFID tags, the method comprising the steps of: (a) emitting an RF interrogation signal at constant, predetermined intervals; (b) powering up and emitting a signal containing location data; (c) receiving the location data and broadcasting the location data to the base unit; and (d) receiving and displaying the location data; wherein steps (a) and (c) are performed by the RF transmitter/receiver, step (b) is performed by an RFID tag when the RF interrogation signal is within an effective range of the RFID tag, and step (d) is performed by the base unit.

Claims

1. A method for locating an entity within a structure using RFID system including a portable RF transmitter/receiver transported by the entity within the structure, a base unit, and a plurality of RFID tags, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) emitting an RF interrogation signal at constant, predetermined intervals;

(b) powering up and emitting a signal containing location data;

(c) receiving the location data and broadcasting the location data to the base unit; and

(d) receiving and displaying the location data;

wherein steps (a) and (c) are performed by the RF transmitter/receiver, step (b) is performed by an RFID tag when the RF interrogation signal is within an effective range of the RFID tag, and step (d) is performed by the base unit.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing the location information, a unique RFID tag identification, and a time of entry on the base unit.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID tags are passive devices that do not require AC or DC power.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein each RFID tag has an RF signal containing unique location information.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the base unit comprises a computer including a processor, a memory, an operating system, a database, a human-machine interface, and an RF receiver.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the RF receiver comprises a PC card or a PCMCI card with a USB interface.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable RF transmitter/receiver unit is battery-operated.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID tags are disposed at predetermined intervals within a multiple story building.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein additional RFID tags are provided at entrances and stairwells of the multiple story building.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein when the RF transmitter/receiver is within a range of an RF tag, the RF transmitter/receiver records an RF signal containing unique location information of the RF tag within the structure.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the RF transmitter/receiver broadcasts the location of the RF tag to the base unit, which maintains a log of the location of the RF tag.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises a mine.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises a subway.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein an RFID tag located at an entrance to the structure includes general information about the structure.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the general information comprises the building'"'"'s contact information, the number of floors, and a schematic of the structure.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the base unit maintains a base log comprising information including the identification of the entity, the name of the structure, the location of the structure, the current date, and a listing by time of the positions of the entity as it moves throughout the structure.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein a distance between RFID tags is predetermined based upon a standard that balances accuracy against signal load.

18. A method for locating an entity within a structure using RFID, comprising the steps of:

(a) emitting an RF interrogation signal at constant, predetermined intervals;

(b) powering up and emitting a signal containing location data;

(c) receiving the location data and broadcasting the location data to the base unit; and

(d) receiving and displaying the location data;

wherein steps (a) and (c) are performed by an RF transmitter/receiver, step (b) is performed by an RFID tag when the RF interrogation signal is within an effective range of the RFID tag, and step (d) is performed by a base unit.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of storing the location information, a unique RFID tag identification, and a time of entry on the base unit.

20. A method for locating an entity within a structure using RFID system including a portable RF transmitter/receiver transported by the entity within the structure, a base unit, and a plurality of RFID tags, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) emitting an RF interrogation signal at constant, predetermined intervals;

(b) powering up and emitting a signal containing location data;

(c) receiving the location data and broadcasting the location data to the base unit; and

(d) receiving and displaying the location data;

wherein steps (a) and (c) are performed by the RF transmitter/receiver, step (b) is performed by an RFID tag when the RF interrogation signal is within an effective range of the RFID tag, and step (d) is performed by the base unit;

wherein the RFID tag is a passive device having a unique RF signal;

wherein the RF transmitter/receiver broadcasts a location of the RF tag to the base unit, which maintains a log of the location of the RF tag.