System and method of locating wireless devices
First Claim
1. A system for locating a wireless device from among a plurality of wireless devices in a store, said plurality of wireless devices including electronic price labels, the system comprising:
- a number of transceivers includinga transmitter which transmits a first signal to the wireless device and which also transmits price information to electronic price labels;
a plurality of receivers, each of said receivers including at least one sensor;
at least one signal strength determining circuit for determining signal strengths of second signals received by the sensors; and
a control circuit for controlling transmission of the first signal and reception of the second signals;
a storage medium containing locations for each of the sensors; and
a computer coupled to the control circuit which instructs the control circuit to transmit the first signal and which determines a location of the wireless device from the signal strengths and from the locations of the sensors.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method of locating a wireless device which relies on signal strength measurements and the known positions of receiving sensors. The system includes a number of transceivers each including a transmitter which transmits a first signal to the wireless device, a plurality of receivers including a plurality of sensors and at least one signal strength determining circuit for determining signal strengths of second signals received by the sensors, and a control circuit for controlling transmission of the first signal and reception of the second signals. A storage medium contains the locations for each of the sensors. A computer coupled to the control circuit instructs the control circuit to transmit the first signal and determines a location of the wireless device from the signal strengths and from the locations of the sensors.
174 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for locating a wireless device from among a plurality of wireless devices in a store, said plurality of wireless devices including electronic price labels, the system comprising:
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a number of transceivers including a transmitter which transmits a first signal to the wireless device and which also transmits price information to electronic price labels; a plurality of receivers, each of said receivers including at least one sensor; at least one signal strength determining circuit for determining signal strengths of second signals received by the sensors; and a control circuit for controlling transmission of the first signal and reception of the second signals; a storage medium containing locations for each of the sensors; and a computer coupled to the control circuit which instructs the control circuit to transmit the first signal and which determines a location of the wireless device from the signal strengths and from the locations of the sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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4. A method of locating a wireless device transported through a predetermined area of a transaction establishment by a person from among a plurality of wireless devices in the transaction establishment, said plurality of wireless devices including electronic price labels, the method comprising the steps of:
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storing locations of a plurality of receiving sensors located in the area; receiving signals from the wireless device as the wireless device is transported by the receiving sensors; determining signal strength measurements for the signals; and determining locations of the wireless device from the signal strength measurements. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method of operating and locating wireless data collection devices of at least two types, a first type comprising a plurality of electronic price labels and a second type comprising a plurality of customer operated wireless data collection devices, the method comprising the steps of:
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storing locations of a plurality of receiving sensors located in a transaction establishment; transmitting price and status messages to the electronic price labels; transmitting price and article information to the customer operated wireless data collection devices in response to a request for price and article information; receiving signals from the wireless devices as the wireless devices are transported through the transaction establishment; determining signal strength measurements for said signals; and determining locations of the wireless devices from the signal strength measurements. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification