System and Method for Locating Objects

• US 20080231447A1
• Filed: 03/21/2007
• Published: 09/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avram Samuel Grossman
• Original Assignee: Avram Samuel Grossman
• Inventors: Grossman, Avram Samuel
• Granted Patent: US 7,719,418 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/06 using intensity measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/023 Power management, e.g. system sleep and wake up provisions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0252 System arrangements wherein the child unit emits, i.e. the child unit incorporates the emitter
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0255 System arrangements wherein the parent unit emits, i.e. the parent unit incorporates the emitter
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0258 System arrangements wherein both parent and child units can emit and receive
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article

Abstract

A system and method for locating objects in an approximate immediate proximity to a user is disclosed. A two-way radio transponder system is employed with a Coordinator as a parent device and multiple Identification Tags as child devices. The system is low-cost and consumes relatively low power using advancement in microcircuit technology and additionally the system employs predetermined timing cycles to further optimize power consumption. The Coordinator has a microprocessor programmed to compare signal strength in successive communication cycles to help determine the proximity of the Coordinator to the multiple Identification Tags. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, motion sensors are used to assist in determining relative motion between Coordinator and Identification Tags. A USB port is further included for the system to interface with a PC. A method for associating the various Identification Tags, each having a unique electronic address to all others manufactured, with the particular Coordinator is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for locating objects comprising:

a Coordinator unit comprising a first antenna, a first power source, a first integrated transceiver microprocessor, the first power source electrically connected to the first integrated transceiver microprocessor, and the antenna coupled to the first integrated transceiver microprocessor;

an Identification Tag comprising a second antenna, a second power source, a second integrated transceiver microprocessor, the second power source electrically connected to the second integrated transceiver microprocessor, and the antenna coupled to the second integrated transceiver microprocessor;

wherein the first and second integrated transceiver microprocessors communicate with each other according to predetermined timing cycles optimized for power consumption; and

wherein the Coordinator unit further comprises an LCD display conveying information to a user, the information including a signal strength corresponding to a transmitted and a received power, and wherein the signal strength is a relative measure of distance between the Coordinator and the Identification Tag.

2. The system of claim 1, the Coordinator unit further comprising a first sound device coupled to the first processor, the sound device programmed to audibly indicate when the Coordinator unit loses (or regains) communications with the Identification Tag;

and

wherein the first sound device comprises a simple beep generator, able to generate a plurality of combinations of short and/or prolonged beeps, wherein each of said plurality of combinations corresponds to a condition of the Identification Tag unit; and

wherein the Identification Tag unit further comprises a second sound device coupled to the second integrated transceiver microprocessor, the second sound device programmed to audibly indicate when the Identification Tag receives an appropriate polling command from the Coordinator unit; and

wherein the Coordinator unit further comprises a beacon coupled to the first integrated transceiver microprocessor, the beacon programmed to visually indicate when the Coordinator unit loses (or regains) communications with the Identification Tag unit; and

wherein the Identification Tag unit further comprises a second beacon device coupled to the second integrated transceiver microprocessor, the second beacon device programmed to visually indicate when the Identification Tag receives an appropriate polling command from the Coordinator unit; and

wherein the Coordinator unit further comprises a first user interface wherein the user can initiate a communication between the Coordinator and the Identification Tag.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the LCD display information further includes a Coordinator battery voltage, an Identification Tag battery voltage, an Identification Tag common name, and an indication that the Identification Tag is not responding to a communication;

and

wherein the Coordinator further comprises a first motion sensor able to detect when the Coordinator is physically moving, and wherein the Identification Tag further comprises a second motion sensor able to detect when the Identification Tag is physically moving; and

wherein a communication between the Coordinator and the Identification Tag comprises a plurality of bytes of information, and wherein the bytes of information comprise a transmit power of the Identification Tag, and movement of the Identification Tag based on the second motion sensor, the movement available as information on the LCD display; and

wherein the transmit power of the Identification Tag in successive communication cycles is compared by the first integrated transceiver microprocessor, and wherein information from the first and second motion sensors are further compared by the first integrated transceiver microprocessor to determine if the Identification Tag is moving toward or moving away; and

wherein the transmit power of the Identification Tag is compared to the signal strength and wherein the transmit power of a subsequent communication cycle is optimized based on said transmit power of the Identification Tag and said signal strength.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the Identification Tag unit further comprises a preprogrammed interval corresponding to the second integrated transceiver microprocessor enabling the Identification Tag unit to wake up and listen for communication from the Coordinator unit, the preprogrammed interval optimized for power consumption.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of second and subsequent Identification Tag units each communicating with the Coordinator unit according to predetermined timing cycles optimized for power consumption;

and

wherein the LCD display conveying the information further includes a signal strength corresponding to a relative measure of distance between the Coordinator and each of the second and subsequent Identification Tags; and

wherein the plurality of second and subsequent Identification Tags can be selectively tracked by the Coordinator or otherwise remain inactive; and

wherein the Coordinator unit further comprises a toggle switch configured to selectively scroll-up or scroll-down a list of items, the toggle switch further having a push operation to select an item, the Coordinator unit further comprising a separate switch for un-selecting an item.

6. The system of claim 1, the Identification Tag further comprising:

a selectively attachable clip appropriate for fastening the Identification Tag to a pocket or a belt;

a key chain clip suitable for attaching the Identification Tag to a key chain; and

a carrying strap suitable for wearing around a user'"'"'s neck or wrist; and

wherein the Identification Tag unit is manufactured with a unique electronic address different from all others manufactured.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the LCD display conveying information further includes a motion indicator, the motion indicator comprising symbols to indicate relative movement between the Coordinator and the Identification Tag.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second Coordinator wherein the first and second Coordinators communicate with each other having a signal strength associated therewith, the signal strength a measure of the relative distance between the first and second Coordinators;

and

wherein the Coordinator and the Identification Tag are comprised of durable shock resistant material; and

wherein the Coordinator and the Identification Tag each comprise a battery compartment cover; and

wherein the Coordinator comprises a battery voltage, the battery voltage continually monitored and wherein an indication is provided when the battery voltage drops below a minimum operating value; and

wherein the Identification Tag is integrated directly into an object to be tracked, wherein the object has material suitable for Identification Tag integration; and

wherein the Coordinator further comprising a USB port and wherein the first power source can be recharged via the USB port; and

wherein the Coordinator is a cellular device.

9. A method for tracking an object comprising:

providing a Coordinator unit having a first transceiver chip and an LCD display

attaching an Identification Tag unit to the object to be tracked, the Identification Tag having a second transceiver chip;

communicating wirelessly between the Coordinator and the Identification Tag;

optimizing power consumption for communication according to predetermined timing cycles; and

conveying information to a user, the information including a signal strength corresponding to a transmitted and a received power, and wherein the signal strength is a relative measure of distance between the Coordinator and the Identification Tag.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising programming the Coordinator to audibly indicate when the Coordinator unit loses (or regains) communications with the Identification Tag, wherein the programming the Coordinator to audibly to indicate when the Coordinator unit loses (or regains) communications with the Identification Tag comprises a simple beep generator, able to generate a plurality of combinations of short and/or prolonged beeps, wherein each of said plurality of combinations corresponds to a condition of the Identification Tag unit.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

polling the Identification Tag to initiate a communication;

programming the Identification Tag to audibly indicate when the Identification Tag receives an appropriate polling command from the Coordinator unit;

programming the Coordinator to visually indicate when the Coordinator unit loses (or regains) communications with the Identification Tag unit;

polling the Identification Tag to initiate a communication; and

programming the Identification Tag to visually indicate when the Identification Tag receives an appropriate polling command from the Coordinator unit;

displaying information on the Coordinator unit, the information including a Coordinator battery voltage, an Identification Tag battery voltage, an Identification Tag name, and an indication that the Identification Tag is not responding to a communication;

detecting when the Coordinator is physically moving;

detecting when the Identification Tag is physically moving;

processing the detecting the moving of the Coordinator and the Identification Tag along with a transmit power and a received power of successive communication cycles to determine if the Identification Tag is moving toward or moving away;

comparing a transmit power of the Identification Tag to the signal strength and wherein the transmit power of the subsequent communication cycle is optimized based on said transmit power of the Identification Tag and said signal strength; and

manufacturing the Identification Tag unit with a unique electronic address different from all others manufactured.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing a plurality of second and subsequent Identification Tag units each communicating with the Coordinator unit according to predetermined timing cycles optimized for power consumption;

and

wherein the conveying the information further includes a signal strength corresponding to a relative measure of distance between the Coordinator and each of the second and subsequent Identification Tags; and

wherein the method further comprises selectively tracking the plurality of second and subsequent Identification Tags using the Coordinator.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

providing for the Coordinator a toggle switch configured to selectively scroll-up or scroll-down a list of items, the toggle switch further having a push operation to select an item;

providing the Coordinator a separate switch for un-selecting an item; and

providing a cellular device configured for use as a coordinator.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising preprogramming an interval for the Identification Tag unit to wake up and listen for communication from the Coordinator unit, the interval optimized for power consumption.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

providing a USB port to the Coordinator;

uploading selectable features to the Coordinator from a computer device via a USB cable;

providing a clip for the Identification Tag appropriate for fastening the Identification Tag to a pocket or a belt;

providing a second Coordinator;

communicating between the first and second Coordinator having a signal strength associated therewith, the signal strength a measure of the relative distance between the first and second Coordinators;

manufacturing the Coordinator and the Identification Tag of durable shock resistant material; and

providing a battery compartment cover for each of the Coordinator and the Identification Tag.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the Coordinator comprises a battery voltage, the method further comprising continuously monitoring the battery voltage and providing an indication when the battery voltage drops below a minimum operating value;

and

wherein the method further comprises integrating the Identification Tag directly into an object to be tracked, wherein the object has material suitable for Identification Tag integration; and

wherein the Coordinator further comprises a power supply and a USB port, the method further comprising recharging the power supply via the USB port.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the conveying information further includes a motion indicator, the motion indicator indicating relative movement between the Coordinator and the Identification Tag using symbols.

18. A method of associating a plurality of Identification Tags to a Coordinator, the method comprising:

providing each Identification Tag with a unique MAC address;

transmitting from a first Identification Tag to the Coordinator to start the associating along with a first unique MAC address for the first Identification Tag;

receiving the first unique MAC address to the Coordinator;

comparing the first unique MAC address to a list of previously associated MAC addresses;

adding the first unique MAC address to the list of previously associated MAC addresses, in the event that the first unique MAC address is not currently on the list;

entering a common name of an object associated with the first Identification Tag; and

repeating the method for second and subsequent Identification Tags.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein subsequent to the receiving the first unique MAC address to the Coordinator, the method further comprised transmitting to the first Identification Tag that the Coordinator is “

associating.”

20. The method of claim 18, wherein if the first unique MAC address is currently in the list of previously associated unique MAC addresses, the method further comprises transmitting to the first Identification Tag “

previously associated;

” and

wherein the method further comprises transmitting “

associated”

to the first Identification Tag after the entering the common name of the object associated with the first Identification Tag.