Electronic control system/network

• US 5,682,142 A
• Filed: 07/29/1994
• Issued: 10/28/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Id Systems Incorporated (PowerFleet, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Id Systems Incorporated (PowerFleet, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ehrman, Kenneth, Jagid, Bruce, Loosmore, N. Bert
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US08/282,978
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572, 340/573, 340/574, 340/539, 340/584, 340/825.49, 340/825.44, 340/825.31-825.34, 342/44, 342/450, 364/403, 235/385, 235/382, 382/124, 379/37-38, 455/88, 455/49.1
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/10 together with the recording, indicating or registering of other data, e.g. of signs of identity
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 3/08 Registering or indicating the production of the machine either with or without registering working or idle time
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2454 Checking of authorisation of a person accessing tagged items in an EAS system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00

Abstract

A network system of programmable, identification, locating, monitoring and processing fixed position (FPN) and movable tag nodes, which provides direct inter-node communication capability without a central processor. The individual nodes include microprocessor elements, pre-programmed to recognize external environmental conditions and to logically act on the basis of recognized condition parameters, and where appropriate, to communicate with other nodes for network action. Each node comprises an IC having three independent processors which share a common memory and control circuitry but with separate sets of registers. A first processor (CPU) provides media access control and communication between the nodes and includes transceiver elements for receiving and transmitting information. A second processor is the application CPU which runs code written for the particular use, as well as the overall operating system, which is provided with direct linkage to interfacing input and output, and the like, for initial processing based on environmental conditions, as preprogrammed. The third processor, a network CPU, links the applications CPU with the communication CPU, and handles network variable processing, addressing, transaction processing, authentication, network management, etc. The nodes provide an independently operable overall network, in a defined area of operation, capable of location identification, logical control of preprogrammed environmental conditions and logical interaction with external inquiries for transactional operations.

Claims

1. An identification and location network system comprising two or more nodes, with at least one programmable, location marking and processing, movable tag node, and at least one programmable fixed position node (FPN) for communication with the tag node, for the location, identification and monitoring of said tag node relative to the FPN;

said nodes each comprising an integrated circuit with programmable microprocessor means, a unique identification number, transceiver means for receiving and sending information, and memory storage means, and wherein each node further comprises means for direct inter-node communication and means for decision making capable of making decisions by itself, which do not require a central system processor for operation;

the tag node further comprising an integral power source and means for communication with an FPN or other tag node with or without interrogation; and

said FPN'"'"'s and tag nodes comprising interface means for interfacing with human or object input and output, wherein said integrated circuit comprises at least three independent microprocessors which share common memory means and control circuitry but with separate sets of registers, wherein a first microprocessor comprises a communication CPU adapted to provide media access control and communication between the nodes and includes linkage to the transceiver means for receiving and transmitting information.

2. The identification and location system of claim 1, wherein a second microprocessor comprises an application CPU, adapted to run code written for at least one of a particular identification and location use, and wherein the second microprocessor is provided with direct linkage to the interface means for initial processing based on environmental conditions, as preprogrammed, and for human interaction for instruction entry.

3. The identification and location system of claim 2, wherein a third microprocessor comprises a network CPU, adapted to link the application CPU with the communication CPU, and wherein said third microprocessor is adapted to handle network variable processing, addressing, transaction processing, authentication, and network management.

4. The identification and location system of claim 3, wherein messages between nodes are effected to allow the sending node to know if its message was received or not, and whether a reply is requested and expected.

5. The identification and location system of claim 3, wherein each node comprises said common memory means comprised of RAM, ROM, and EEPROM, and wherein the memory of said memory means is at least 64K.

6. The identification and location system of claim 1, wherein the tag nodes are programmed with security level parameters to enable the system to determine proper location for the tags and wearers thereof.

7. The identification and location system of claim 6, wherein said tag nodes electronically store versions of the biometric information of the wearers thereof.

8. The identification and location system of claim 6, wherein tag nodes contain personal data of the wearers thereof and said tag nodes present random questions to the wearer, with correct response being required for entry to security protected sites to which the tag nodes are programmed with appropriate security level parameters.

9. The identification and location system of claim 6, wherein the tag nodes comprise means for permitting remote changing of the security level parameters or deactivation thereof, via said transceiver means.

10. The identification and location system of claim 5, wherein locations with security levels have motion detectors to detect entry of anyone not wearing a tag node.

11. The identification and location system of claim 1, wherein the tag nodes are adapted to retain location information and process profiles of employee work habits and time spent at work or with specific work functions.

12. The identification and location system of claim 1, wherein a tag node is adapted to receive a message from another node, which message contains the ID number of the sending node, whereby the receiving node returns an intelligently directed response only to the sending node.

13. The identification and location system of claim 1, wherein said tag nodes further comprise paging means for permitting remote bi-directional paging of the wearer thereof.

14. The identification and location system of claim 13, wherein said paging means comprises an alarm actuating member, which, when activated, causes at least one FPN, in a communication area range, to receive an alarm signal from a tag node having such alarm actuating member thereon.

15. The identification and location system of claim 1, wherein the FPN'"'"'s are placed throughout an area to be monitored, with potentially overlapping inquiry capture zones, determined by the range of the transceiver means, and at entry and exit locations, wherein FPN'"'"'s at the entry and exit locations constantly send out "seek-tag" messages, whereby tag nodes which enter the capture zone communicate with the FPN and receive and store messages from the FPN and in turn store entry time and location in the tag node memory storage means, whereby, as the tag node leaves through an exit, an exit FPN is constantly sending out "seek-tag" messages, and thereby contacts the exiting tag node with exiting time and date information, and wherein the tag node calculates the total time worked, defined as the total time the tag node was present within the monitored area.

16. The identification and location system of claim 15, wherein a distance of the capture zone is varied based on the power output of the transceiver means, whereby the capture zone defines the identity of the FPN for relative location of the tag node.

17. A monitoring system comprising the identification and location system of claim 1, wherein a tag node is of specialized dimensions suitable for attachment to a work order in a manufacturing facility, and wherein said tag node is adapted to monitor stages of production processes in said manufacturing facility via interface means, for comparison of the actual stages of production processes to formulas perfected by industrial engineers to optimize internal and external quality of the production processes, which are stored on the tag node, whereby deviations of the actual stages of production processes from the formulas indicate a process which is out of control, and whereby said tag node further comprises means to notify a supervisor of said out of control process.

18. A monitoring system for use in a hospital comprising the identification and location system of claim 1, wherein a tag node is affixed to a specific patient and wherein the health history of the patient is stored in the memory of the tag node for availability to an attending doctor via the interface means thereof.

19. A monitoring system for use in a hospital comprising the identification and location system of claim 1, wherein a tag node is affixed to a specific patient and wherein patient prescription or diet information is stored in the memory storage means of said tag node for availability to an attending physician and wherein said tag node comprises means to alert personnel when dosages or meals are missed.

20. The monitoring system of claim 19, wherein a tag node is affixed to an attending nurse and wherein said nurse'"'"'s tag node is provided with means to send confirming messages to a patient'"'"'s tag node as a drug or meal is being administered to said patient to confirm that the drug or meal is appropriate for the patient and wherein said patient'"'"'s tag node comprises means to sound a warning in the absence of confirmation from the nurse'"'"'s tag that the drug or meal is appropriate.

21. A monitoring system for use in customizing operation of machinery, comprising the identification and location system of claim 1, wherein an FPN is attached to said machinery, and wherein said tag node identifies the wearer thereof to the FPN and wherein said machinery comprises means to adapt its operation to requirements of said wearer, preprogrammed therein, with said identification information from the FPN.

22. A monitoring system for use in inventory control, comprising the identification and location system of claim 1, with a tag node being used for each item of inventory, wherein the tag nodes are attached to individual items of inventory and wherein the memories of said tag nodes are initially loaded with item identification information relating to the item of inventory to which they are attached.

23. The monitoring system of claim 22 wherein said identification information includes the initial date of introduction of the item to inventory to permit age determination of said item.

24. The monitoring system of claim 22, wherein said tag nodes comprise interface means for measuring environmental conditions for the item of inventory.

25. The monitoring system of claim 24, wherein said interface means comprises a temperature gauge.

26. The monitoring system of claim 22, wherein the system includes an additional node which comprises preprogrammed inventory level parameters, wherein with depletion of inventory and removal of tag nodes, inventory depletion warning means of said FPN are activated.

27. A monitoring system for use in monitoring transport of cargo via transport means, comprising the identification and location system of claim 1 attached to said transport means, with the memory of said tag node containing stored information regarding the cargo, sufficient to provide an electronically stored bill of lading.

28. The monitoring system of claim 27, wherein said tag nodes are programmed and adapted to monitor real-time fuel consumption of said transport means via the interface means.

29. The monitoring system of claim 27, wherein said tag nodes are programmed and adapted to monitor environmental conditions for said cargo via the interface means.

30. The monitoring system of claim 27, wherein said transport means comprises a truck and wherein said tag nodes are programmed and adapted to monitor performance of the truck and a driver thereof via the interface means.

31. A method for the identification and location of an object or person within a designated area, utilizing the network system of claim 1, comprising the steps of:

a. fixedly deploying one or more FPN'"'"'s at predetermined location points within said designated area, with each FPN having its own said unique identification number,

b. providing said object or person with one of said tag nodes having said unique identification number,

c. causing said FPN'"'"'s to send seek messages to said tag node with identification thereof, by said unique identification number, with the tag node having said unique identification number responding to the FPN or nodes closest thereto with an acknowledgment response, and

d. identifying the FPN or nodes receiving the acknowledgment response by means of the unique identification number or numbers thereof, thereby locating the tag node and object or person having said tag node relative to the identified FPN or nodes.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the person is an employee and the designated area is a workplace for the employee.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the area is a workplace and wherein FPN'"'"'s are located at an exit and an entrance of said workplace whereby exit and entry of the tag node is noted and stored in said memory storage means of said tag node with instructions from an FPN in communication therewith, said FPN further comprising clock/calendar means to relate said exit and entry to a specific time, and wherein the stored information of said exit and entry times is processed by said microprocessor means to calculate the cumulated time of said tag node being present in the workplace.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said cumulated time is transmitted to accounting means for payroll determination for the employee having said tag node.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the person is a doctor and the designated area is a hospital.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein the person is a patient and the designated area is a hospital.

37. The method of claim 31, wherein the object is a movable medical device and the designated area is a hospital.

38. The method of claim 31, wherein the object is an item of inventory and the designated area is a warehouse containing a plurality of items of inventory.

39. The method of claim 31, wherein the object is a work order and the designated area is a factory used for production of items with direction from said work order.

40. The method of claim 31, wherein the object comprises items being transported by transport means and said designated area is the route for said transport means.

41. A method for maintaining security control of a designated area utilizing the network system of claim 1, comprising the steps of:

a. programming a security level on said tag node,

b. programming a security access level on an FPN in fixed position adjacent an entrance of said designated area,

c. causing said FPN to inquire of said tag node regarding the security level programmed thereon, and

d. said FPN permitting access to said entrance only if said security level matches or exceeds the security access level.

42. A method for maintaining security in a university or other campus setting, utilizing the network system of claim 1, wherein FPN'"'"'s are distributed throughout the university to receive alerts from persons wearing tag nodes, and wherein each tag node is provided with an alarm actuating member, which, when activated, causes at least one FPN, in a communication area range, to receive an alarm signal from the tag node, whereby triangulation of an area may be effected to determine the specific location of the tag node providing the activated alarm signal, said triangulation being accomplished by an FPN, which receives the alarm signal, communicating with other FPNs around the communicating FPN, in the communication area range, to determine which of the FPNs in the communication area range have also received the alarm signal.

43. A method for locating a person or object having a tag node thereon, utilizing the network system of claim 1, comprising the steps of:

a. causing the tag node to communicate with two or more FPN'"'"'s directly, or

b. causing the tag node to communicate with one FPN, and causing the one PPN in turn to communicate with one or more other FPN'"'"'s and the one or more other FPN'"'"'s communicating with the tag node, whereby the two or more FPN'"'"'s triangulate a location position, relative to the tag node, for location of the tag node and the person or object having the tag node thereon.