LOCATION FINDER SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method of locating a subject of interest among a number of subjects, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) attaching RFID tags to the respective subjects, each of said tags having an unique RFID code that is transmitted therefrom upon receiving an RF interrogation signal,(b) providing a database of said RFID tag codes for a wireless communications network having subscribers enrolled in a finder network,(c) equipping a transceiver used by each of said subscribers with an RFID reader and an associated processor responsive to the transceiver and reader,(d) transmitting the associated RFID code via the communications network to the transceivers in response to a report that the subject of interest is to be located,(e) at each of the transceivers receiving the RFID code from the communications network, activating the transceiver to a transmit mode that produces the interrogation signal, thereby interrogating any RFID tags within range, and(f) at each transceiver that receives a reply, transmitting data therefrom to the communications network that identifies the transceiver and the found RFID code, whereby the subject of interest can be located.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A locating system for locating a specific subject among a number of possible subjects having an RFID tag attached to subjects which, when interrogated by an RFID reader, provides a unique identification code. A database containing information about subscribers including a list of RFID tag codes associated with the subjects of interest is included in the system. Transceivers having an RFID reader and a processor responsive to the transceiver and the RFID reader are also included in the locating system for locating a subject of interest. When the transceivers receive RFID code transmitted via the communications network, the transceiver is activated to transmit data to any nearby RFID tags. Upon receipt of a response from the RFID tag, the transceivers transmit the tag data to the communications network so that the subject of interest can be located.
37 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of locating a subject of interest among a number of subjects, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) attaching RFID tags to the respective subjects, each of said tags having an unique RFID code that is transmitted therefrom upon receiving an RF interrogation signal, (b) providing a database of said RFID tag codes for a wireless communications network having subscribers enrolled in a finder network, (c) equipping a transceiver used by each of said subscribers with an RFID reader and an associated processor responsive to the transceiver and reader, (d) transmitting the associated RFID code via the communications network to the transceivers in response to a report that the subject of interest is to be located, (e) at each of the transceivers receiving the RFID code from the communications network, activating the transceiver to a transmit mode that produces the interrogation signal, thereby interrogating any RFID tags within range, and (f) at each transceiver that receives a reply, transmitting data therefrom to the communications network that identifies the transceiver and the found RFID code, whereby the subject of interest can be located. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A locator system for determining the geographic location of a subject of interest among a number of subjects said system comprising:
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a plurality of RFID tags each of which are adapted for attaching to a subject of interest, an electronic storage media for retrievably storing RFID tag data associated with the RFID tags, an interrogation device for producing an interrogation signal, said RFID tags being responsive to said transmitted interrogation signal whereby the RFID tag data is transmitted in response to said interrogation signal, and a network of transceivers responsive to a communication network, each of the transceivers having an RFID reader and a processor responsive to the transceiver and reader, wherein said transceiver transmits data to the locator system upon identification of the RFID tag attached to the subject of interest. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification