Tagging system using motion detector

• US 5,844,482 A
• Filed: 05/20/1997
• Issued: 12/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Inventors: Guthrie, Warren E., Pappadia, Joseph F. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullen, Jr., Thomas J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US08/859,574
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 340/571, 340/572, 340/573, 340/541, 340/539, 340/568, 340/825.36, 340/687, 340/689, 340/825.54
• US Class Current: 340/572.4
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1436 with motion detection

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a tag monitoring system network used for tracking object movement. The tags utilized in the system incorporate a motion sensor which detects object movement and includes a signal generation circuit adapted to generate a signal when motion is detected. A microcontroller is provided which is in electrical communication with the motion sensor and includes a transmitter activation circuit wherein said microcontroller includes a preprogrammed transmitter sequence which is activated by receipt of a signal from the motion sensor. A radio transmitter is also provided on the tag which is in electrical communication with the microcontroller, and generates radio signals at the direction of the microcontroller.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring movement of an object comprising:

(a) a system receiver for receiving radio signals, the system receiver configured to receive a radio signal of an unknown center frequency within a known frequency band;

(b) at least one system tag engagable with an object comprising;

(1) a motion sensor for detecting object movement including a signal generation circuit adapted to generate a signal upon detected object movement;

(2) a microcontroller in electrical communication with said motion sensor including a transmitter activation circuit for communicating a preprogrammed transmitter sequence stored in said microcontroller upon receipt by said microcontroller of a signal from the motion sensor; and

(3) a radio transmitter in electrical communication with said microcontroller for generating a transmission sequence of radio signals having an unknown center frequency within a known frequency band in response to communication of said preprogrammed transmitter sequence from the microcontroller wherein said transmission sequence of radio signals comprise an initial series of frequent signal bursts transmitted for a short time following initial detected object movement, an intermediate series of periodical signal bursts transmitted following the initial signal bursts, and a final series of signal bursts transmitted to a short time following detection of cessation of movement of the object.

2. The system for monitoring movement of an object of claim 1 wherein said motion sensor is a mercury tilt switch.

3. The system for monitoring movement of an object of claim 1 wherein said motion sensor is an accelerometer.

4. The system for monitoring movement of an object of claim 1 wherein said motion sensor is a velocity sensor.

5. The system for monitoring movement of an object of claim 1 wherein said motion sensor is a displacement sensor.

6. The system for monitoring movement of an object of claim 1 wherein said motion sensor is a rotation sensor.

7. A system for monitoring movement of an object comprising:

(a) a system receiver for receiving radio signals, the system receiver configured to receive a radio signal of an unknown center frequency within a known frequency band;

(b) at least one system tag engagable with an object comprising;

(1) a motion sensor for detecting object movement including a signal generation circuit adapted to generate a signal upon detected object movement;

(2) a microcontroller in electrical communication with said motion sensor including a transmitter activation circuit for communicating a preprogrammed transmitter sequence stored in said microcontroller upon receipt by said microcontroller of a signal from the motion sensor; and

(3) a radio transmitter in electrical communication with said microcontroller for generating a transmission sequence of radio signals having an unknown center frequency within a known frequency band in response to communication of said preprogrammed transmission sequence from the microcontroller wherein said transmission sequence of said radio signals comprises an initial series of frequent signal bursts transmitted for a short time following initial detected object movement, an intermediate series of random signal bursts transmitted following the initial signal bursts, and a final series of signal bursts transmitted for a short time following detection of cessation of movement of the object.

8. The system for monitoring movement of an object of claim 7 wherein said motion sensor is a mercury tilt switch.

9. The system for monitoring movement of an object of claim 7 wherein said motion sensor is an accelerometer.

10. The system for monitoring movement of an object of claim 7 wherein said motion sensor is a velocity sensor.

11. The system for monitoring movement of an object of claim 7 wherein said motion sensor is a displacement sensor.

12. The system for monitoring movement of an object of claim 7 wherein said motion sensor is a rotation sensor.

13. A system for monitoring movement of an object comprising:

(a) a system receiver for receiving radio signals from system radio transmitters;

(b) at least one system tag engagable with an object comprising;

(1) a motion sensor for detecting object movement including a signal generation circuit adapted to generate a signal upon detected object movement;

(2) a microcontroller in electrical communication with said motion sensor including a transmitter activation circuit for communicating a preprogrammed transmitter sequence stored in said microcontroller upon receipt by said microcontroller of a signal from the motion sensor; and

(3) a system radio transmitter in electrical communication with said microcontroller for generating a transmission sequence of radio signals in response to communication of said preprogrammed transmission sequence from the microcontroller wherein said transmission sequence of said radio signals comprises an initial series of frequent signal bursts transmitted for a short time following initial detected object movement, an intermediate series of periodic signal bursts transmitted following the initial signal bursts, and a final series of signal bursts transmitted for a short time following detection of cessation of movement of the object.

14. The system for monitoring movement of an object of claim 13 wherein said motion sensor is a mercury tilt switch.

15. The system for monitoring movement of an object of claim 13 wherein said motion sensor is an accelerometer.

16. The system for monitoring movement of an object of claim 13 wherein said motion sensor is a velocity sensor.

17. The system for monitoring movement of an object of claim 13 wherein said motion sensor is a displacement sensor.

18. The system for monitoring movement of an object of claim 13 wherein said motion sensor is a rotation sensor.

19. A system for monitoring movement of an object comprising:

(a) a system receiver for receiving radio signals from system radio transmitters;

(b) at least one system tag engagable with an object comprising;

(1) a motion sensor for detecting object movement including a signal generation circuit adapted to generate a signal upon detected object movement;

(2) a microcontroller in electrical communication with said motion sensor including a transmitter activation circuit for communicating a preprogrammed transmitter sequence stored in said microcontroller upon receipt by said microcontroller of a signal from the motion sensor; and

(3) a system radio transmitter in electrical communication with said microcontroller for generating a transmission sequence of radio signals in response to communication of said preprogrammed transmission sequence from the microcontroller wherein said transmission sequence of said radio signal comprises an initial series of frequent signal bursts transmitted for a short time following initial object movement, an intermediate series of random signal bursts transmitted following the initial bursts, and a final series of bursts for a short time following detection of cessation of movement of the object.

20. The system for monitoring movement of an object of claim 19 wherein said motion sensor is a mercury tilt switch.

21. The system for monitoring movement of an object of claim 19 wherein said motion sensor is an accelerometer.

22. The system for monitoring movement of an object of claim 19 wherein said motion sensor is a velocity sensor.

23. The system for monitoring movement of an object of claim 19 wherein said motion sensor is a displacement sensor.

24. The system for monitoring movement of an object of claim 19 wherein said motion sensor is a rotation sensor.

25. A method for monitoring movement of an object comprising the steps of:

(a) detecting initial movement of the object;

(b) transmitting radio signals in an initial series of frequent signal bursts in response to detection of movement of the object;

(c) detecting continued movement of an object following said initial movement of the object;

(d) transmitting radio signals in an intermediate series of periodical signal bursts in response to continued movement of the object;

(e) detecting cessation of movement of the object following said continued movement of an object; and

(f) transmitting radio signals in a final series of signal bursts for a short time in response to detection of cessation of movement of the object.

26. A method for monitoring movement of an object comprising the steps of:

(a) detecting initial movement of the object;

(b) transmitting radio signals in an initial series of frequent signal bursts in response to detection of movement of the object;

(c) detecting continued movement of an object following said initial movement of the object;

(d) transmitting radio signals in an intermediate series of random signal bursts during continued movement of the object;

(e) detecting cessation of movement of an object following said continued movement of an object; and

(f) transmitting radio signals in a final series of signal bursts for a short time in response to detection of cessation of movement of the object.