Method and apparatus for automatically monitoring objects
First Claim
1. Apparatus for use in monitoring objects within a predetermined monitored area comprising:
- at least two signpost units, each signpost unit being positioned within the monitored area and each signpost unit having a predetermined signpost code encoded therein identifying the signpost unit and providing an output signal encoded with the signpost code, each signpost unit outut signal establishing a far-field region extending a distance generally from the signpost unit, each signpost unit being positioned with respect to at least one other signpost unit so a portion of the far-field region of each signpost unit overlaps a portion of the far-field region of at least one other signpost unit, thereby forming an overlap region encompassing a predetermined coverage region with the monitored area;
means in the monitored object receiving the signpost unit output signals having a portion detecting the signpost code encoded in the received signpost unit output signal and providing an output signal in response to the received signpost unit output signal for indicating the location of the monitored object as being within the far-field region of the signpost unit identified via the signpost code corresponding to the signpost code encoded in the received signpost unit output signal; and
means in the monitored object for determining and indicating the location of the monitored object as being within one of the overlap regions.
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Abstract
An improved method and apparatus for automatically monitoring objects, such as vehicles, for example, wherein signpost units are positioned at predetermined locations and each signpost unit transmits a binary signpost code for reception via units installed in the objects being monitored and the objects being monitored receive the signpost codes and store object location information. In one aspect, the present invention contemplates a method and an apparatus which has a multi-mode operation capability wherein the location of the monitored objects is reported when the monitored object enters a different coverage region in an automatic reporting mode, wherein only those monitored objects within a predetermined region or on a predetermined route report to the base station in a region or route reporting mode, and wherein only the locations of predetermined monitored objects are reported to the base station in a polling mode. In another aspect, the present invention contemplates an improved method and an apparatus for locating and operating the signpost units to reduce the total number of signpost units required to cover a given number of locations wherein each signpost unit establishes a uniquely identifiable near-field region and a uniquely identifiable far-field region, the signpost units being located to establish uniquely identifiable overlap regions wherein a portion of the far-field region of at least one of the signpost units overlaps a portion of the far-field region on another signpost unit. The method and apparatus of the present invention also provides a non-polling location technique eliminating the necessity of interrogating the monitored objects at regular intervals and reducing the radio channel time required for reporting object location. Further, the method and apparatus of the present invention contemplates signpost units constructed and operating to intermittently transmit the signpost codes in a manner allowing the use of relatively long life battery type electrical power sources reducing the installation expense, the equipment costs and the maintenance expense.
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Citations
53 Claims
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1. Apparatus for use in monitoring objects within a predetermined monitored area comprising:
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at least two signpost units, each signpost unit being positioned within the monitored area and each signpost unit having a predetermined signpost code encoded therein identifying the signpost unit and providing an output signal encoded with the signpost code, each signpost unit outut signal establishing a far-field region extending a distance generally from the signpost unit, each signpost unit being positioned with respect to at least one other signpost unit so a portion of the far-field region of each signpost unit overlaps a portion of the far-field region of at least one other signpost unit, thereby forming an overlap region encompassing a predetermined coverage region with the monitored area; means in the monitored object receiving the signpost unit output signals having a portion detecting the signpost code encoded in the received signpost unit output signal and providing an output signal in response to the received signpost unit output signal for indicating the location of the monitored object as being within the far-field region of the signpost unit identified via the signpost code corresponding to the signpost code encoded in the received signpost unit output signal; and means in the monitored object for determining and indicating the location of the monitored object as being within one of the overlap regions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A method for monitoring objects within a predetermined monitored area utilizing signpost units wherein each signpost unit transmits an output signal having a signpost code encoded therein uniquely identifying the signpost unit and establishing a far-field region extending a distance generally from the signpost unit and wherein each monitored object is capable of receiving the signpost unit output signals, the method comprising:
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positioning the signpost units in the monitored area; positioning at least one of the signpost units with respect to at least one of the other signpost units so a portion of the far-field region of at least one signpost units overlaps a portion of the far-field region of at least one of the other signpost units for forming an overlap region encompassing a predetermined coverage region within the monitored area receiving the signpost unit output signals at the monitored objects; detecting the signpost code encoded in the signpost unit output signals received at the monitored objects; providing an output signal in response to the signpost unit output signal received at the monitored object for indicating the location of the monitored object as being within the far-field region of the signpost unit identified via the signpost code corresponding to the signpost code encoded in the signpost unit output signal received at the monitored object; and determining and indicating at the monitored object the location of the monitored object as being within one of the overlap regions. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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Specification