RF Confinement System

• US 20140152508A1
• Filed: 11/30/2013
• Published: 06/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pet Mate Limited
• Original Assignee: Pet Mate Limited
• Inventors: Brooks, Steve Martin, Kirk, Chrstopher Peter
• Application Number:
  US14/093,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20140152508A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/464
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/006 Automatic identification systems for animals, e.g. electronic devices, transponders for animals identification systems for access to feeding pens A01K1/0209; ear tags with electronic identification means A01K11/004
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/767 Responders; Transponders teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying using reflecting targets or active targets F41G3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/878 Combination of several spaced transmitters or receivers of known location for determining the position of a transponder or a reflector G01S13/874 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/08 Position of single direction-finder fixed by determining direction of a plurality of spaced sources of known location
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/14 Determining absolute distances from a plurality of spaced points of known location

Abstract

A system of locating a moveable RFID transceiver, in which the moveable transceiver is capable of sending and receiving TOF (Time of fight) signals, and also includes battery powered base stations suitable for outdoor use, and capable of sending and receiving TOF signals. The system measures the signals to derive time of flight information between the moveable transceiver and the base stations and using this data to calculate the position of the moveable transceiver. The position of the base stations may be fixed using TOF signals before attempting location of the moveable RFID transceiver. The base stations may be solar powered, and can work with a base network of only 2 base stations.

Claims

1. A system of locating a moveable RFID transceiver, comprising;

a moveable transceiver capable of sending and receiving TOF (Time of fight) signals

battery powered base stations suitable for outdoor use, and capable of sending and receiving TOF signals

the system being capable of measuring the signals to derive time of flight information between the moveable transceiver and the base stations and using this data to calculate the position of the moveable transceiver.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the position of the base stations is fixed using TOF signals before attempting location of the moveable RFID transceiver.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the base stations are solar powered

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the base network of only 2 base stations.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein there is included a home station capable of controlling the system, and receiving the TOF signals, allowing the location of the moveable transceiver to be ascertained within a non-symmetrical shape.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein there is included a home station receiving and sending TOF signals, allowing the location of the moveable transceiver to be ascertained within a non-symmetrical shape.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein all devices are capable of receiving each TOF signal so as to calculate additional distances to reduce power requirements and/or RF traffic and detect reflections.

8. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first TOF signal is sent from the moveable transceiver

a second TOF signal is sent from the first base station in response to first TOF signal, and received by the moveable transceiver, to generate one direct measurements of distance and/or a further two or more indirect measurements.

a third TOF signal is sent from second base station in response to first TOF signal, and received by the moveable transceiver, to generate a further one direct measurements of distance and/or a further two or more indirect measurements.

9. A system according to claim 8 wherein a fourth TOF signal is sent from the moveable transceiver in response to second and third TOF signals to give a further two direct measurements of distance and/or a further four or more indirect measurements

10. A system according to claim 1 wherein the TOF signal includes data relating to the measurement a previous time of flight of a TOF signal.