TAGS AND TAG-BASED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOCATING AND TRACKING OBJECTS
First Claim
1. A method for combining information for locating a tag within a region, the region including a plurality of zone or boundary identifier transmitters and a plurality of access points, the method comprising:
- a) receiving by the tag, from one of the plurality of zone or boundary identifier transmitters, a zone or boundary identifier;
b) transmitting by the tag, information identifying (1) the zone or boundary identifier and (2) a tag identifier associated with the tag, over at least two channels;
c) receiving by at least two of the plurality of access points, the information identifying (1) the zone or boundary identifier and (2) a tag identifier associated with the tag, transmitted by the tag;
d) transmitting, by each of the at least two of the plurality of access points, the information identifying (1) the zone or boundary identifier and (2) a tag identifier associated with the tag, as well as secondary information for use in deriving a location of the tag; and
e) storing (1) the zone or boundary identifier and (2) the tag identifier associated with the tag, and (3) the secondary information, in association with one another.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The accuracy and reliability of tracking and locating is increased by using a unique combination of at least two locating technologies. This may be done while reducing the costs for achieving a given level of accuracy and reliability, leveraging existing standard technologies, delivering room level location accuracy, providing choke point capabilities, providing RTLS capability minimizing additional infrastructure costs and maintenance costs, and/or increasing battery life of tags. Information for locating a tag within a region, the region including a plurality of zone or boundary identifier transmitters and a plurality of access points may be combined by (a) receiving by the tag, from one of the zone or boundary identifier transmitters, a zone or boundary identifier, (b) transmitting by the tag, information identifying the zone or boundary identifier and a tag identifier associated with the tag, over at least two channels, (c) receiving, by at least two of the access points, the information identifying the zone or boundary identifier and a tag identifier associated with the tag, transmitted by the tag, (d) transmitting, by each of the at least two access points, the information identifying the zone or boundary identifier and a tag identifier associated with the tag, as well as secondary information for use in deriving a location of the tag, and (e) storing the zone or boundary identifier and the tag identifier associated with the tag, and the secondary information, in association with one another.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method for combining information for locating a tag within a region, the region including a plurality of zone or boundary identifier transmitters and a plurality of access points, the method comprising:
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a) receiving by the tag, from one of the plurality of zone or boundary identifier transmitters, a zone or boundary identifier; b) transmitting by the tag, information identifying (1) the zone or boundary identifier and (2) a tag identifier associated with the tag, over at least two channels; c) receiving by at least two of the plurality of access points, the information identifying (1) the zone or boundary identifier and (2) a tag identifier associated with the tag, transmitted by the tag; d) transmitting, by each of the at least two of the plurality of access points, the information identifying (1) the zone or boundary identifier and (2) a tag identifier associated with the tag, as well as secondary information for use in deriving a location of the tag; and e) storing (1) the zone or boundary identifier and (2) the tag identifier associated with the tag, and (3) the secondary information, in association with one another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23)
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5. The method of claim 5 wherein the radio-frequency receiver is one of a Zigbee receiver, an Ultra Wide Band receiver, and a Bluetooth receiver.
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24. A tag apparatus comprising:
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a) a storage device storing a tag identifier for identifying the tag apparatus; b) a receiver adapted to receive a zone or boundary identifier from a zone or boundary identifier transmitter; c) a packet processor adapted to generate a packet including (1) a zone or boundary identifier received by the receiver and (2) the tag identifier stored in the storage device; d) a transmitter adapted to transmit a packet generated by the packet processor over at least two channels, wherein a location of the tag can be derived from an attribute of receptions of the transmitted packet by at least two access point devices tuned to the at least two channels; and e) an untethered power source. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A system comprising:
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a) a tag including 1) a storage device storing a tag identifier for identifying the tag, 2) a receiver adapted to receive a zone or boundary identifier from a zone or boundary identifier transmitter, 3) a packet processor adapted to generate a packet including (i) a zone or boundary identifier received by the receiver and (ii) the tag identifier stored in the storage device, 4) a transmitter adapted to transmit a packet generated by the packet processor over at least two channels, and 5) an untethered power source; and b) at least two access points, each of the at least two access points including 1) a receiver tuned to one of the at least two channels and adapted to receive a packet transmitted by the transmitter of the tag, and 2) a transmitter adapted to transmit a packet received by its receiver, as well as secondary information for use in deriving a location of the tag.
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Specification