Real-Time Location Information System Using Multiple Positioning Technologies

• US 20090105950A1
• Filed: 10/18/2007
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: iAnywhere Solutions Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Original Assignee: iAnywhere Solutions Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Diaz, Alberto, ARTEAGA, Carlos
• Granted Patent: US 9,068,836 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel

Abstract

Systems, methods and computer program products for tracking objects in an area of interest are described. According to an embodiment, an object is tracked as follows. First position information relating to the object is received from a first sensor and translated to a coordinate system of a map. The object is displayed on the map in accordance with the translated first position information. Second position information relating to the object is received from a second sensor, where the second sensor is based on a second positioning technology different from the first positioning technology. The second position information is translated to the coordinate system of the map, and the object is displayed on the map in accordance with the translated second position information. In an embodiment, other information relating to the object is also received from sensors.

Claims

1. A method of tracking objects in an area of interest, comprising:

(1) receiving first position information relating to an object from a first sensor, said first sensor based on a first positioning technology;

(2) translating said first position information to a coordinate system of a map;

(3) displaying said object on said map in accordance with said translated first position information;

(4) receiving second position information relating to said object from a second sensor, said second sensor based on a second positioning technology, said second positioning technology being different from said first positioning technology;

(5) translating said second position information to said coordinate system of said map; and

(6) displaying said object on said map in accordance with said translated second position information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first and second position information each comprise:

(a) coordinates of said object;

or (b) information from which coordinates of said object are determined.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving other information relating to said object;

wherein steps (3) and (6) each comprise;

displaying said other information on said map proximate to coordinates of said object.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second positioning technologies is based on one or more of:

GPS, RFID, WLAN, card reader, bar code, biometric, video, computer, and cellular.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(7) adding a third sensor based on a third positioning technology, said third positioning technology being different from said first and second positioning technologies;

(8) receiving third position information relating to said object from said third sensor;

(9) translating said third position information to said coordinate system of said map; and

(10) displaying said object on said map in accordance with said translated third position information.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein step (7) comprises:

programming said third sensor, wherein said programming includes information sufficient to enable translation from a coordinate system of said third sensor to said coordinate system of said map.

7. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for enabling a processor to track objects in an area of interest, said computer program logic comprising:

first means for enabling a processor to receive first position information relating to an object from a first sensor, said first sensor based on a first positioning technology;

second means for enabling a processor to translate said first position information to a coordinate system of a map;

third means for enabling a processor to display said object on said map in accordance with said translated first position information;

fourth means for enabling a processor to receive second position information relating to said object from a second sensor, said second sensor based on a second positioning technology, said second positioning technology being different from said first positioning technology;

fifth means for enabling a processor to translate said second position information to said coordinate system of said map; and

sixth means for enabling a processor to display said object on said map in accordance with said translated second position information.

8. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein said first and second position information each comprise:

(a) coordinates of said object;

or (b) information from which coordinates of said object are determined.

9. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein said computer program logic further comprises:

means for enabling a processor to receive other information relating to said object;

wherein said third and sixth means each comprise;

means for enabling a processor to display said other information on said map proximate to coordinates of said object.

10. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein each of said first and second positioning technologies is based on one or more of:

GPS, RFID, WLAN, card reader, bar code, biometric, video, computer, and cellular.

11. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein said computer program logic further comprises:

means for enabling a processor to add a third sensor based on a third positioning technology, said third positioning technology being different from said first and second positioning technologies;

means for enabling a processor to receive third position information relating to said object from said third sensor;

means for enabling a processor to translate said third position information to said coordinate system of said map; and

means for enabling a processor to display said object on said map in accordance with said translated third position information.

12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein said means for enabling a processor to add a third sensor comprises:

means for enabling a processor to accept programming for said third sensor, wherein said programming includes information sufficient to enable translation from a coordinate system of said third sensor to said coordinate system of said map.

13. A location information system, comprising:

a location information engine;

a visualization/query system;

a plurality of connectors; and

a plurality of sensors, at least some of said sensors based on different positioning technologies than others of said sensors, said sensors coupled to said location information engine via said connectors;

wherein said location information engine comprises;

means for receiving from said sensors position information relating to objects;

means for translating said position information to a coordinate system of a map; and

means for displaying objects on said map in accordance with said translated position information.

14. The location information system of claim 13, wherein position information relating to an object comprises:

(a) coordinates of said object;

or (b) information from which coordinates of said object are determined.

15. The location information system of claim 13, further comprising:

means for receiving from said sensors other information relating to said objects;

wherein said displaying means comprises;

means for displaying said other information on said map proximate to coordinates of said objects.

16. The location information system of claim 13, wherein said positioning technologies comprise a plurality of GPS, RFID, WLAN, card reader, bar code, biometric, video, computer, and cellular.

17. The location information system of claim 13, further comprising:

means for adding a new sensor based on a positioning technology different than said plurality of sensors.

18. The location information system of claim 17, wherein said adding means comprises:

means for programming said new sensor, wherein said programming includes information sufficient to enable translation from a coordinate system of said new sensor to said coordinate system of said map.