Multi-function universal controller and locator systems

• US 6,353,413 B1
• Filed: 07/22/1999
• Issued: 03/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Conexant Systems Incorporated (Synaptics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Johnston, James W., Henderson, P. Michael, White, Stanley A., Walley, Kenneth S., Hale, Kelly H., Siann, Jonathan I., Andrews, Warner B. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mull, Fred H.
• Application Number:
  US09/358,999
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 342/387, 342/386, 342/450, 342/457, 342/465, 342/453, 342/394, 342/395, 342/393, 455/456
• US Class Current: 342/453
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/765 with exchange of information between interrogator and responder
• 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 5/0045 Transmission from base station to mobile station G01S5/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/14 Determining absolute distances from a plurality of spaced points of known location
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72415 for remote control of appliances

Abstract

A controller that communicates with a first set of devices and a second set of devices is disclosed. The controller includes a transmitter for transmitting commands to remotely control the first set of devices, and for communicating input/output (I/O) data with the second set of devices. A microphone, speaker, display and cellular and cordless phone circuitry are integrated into the controller to provide the controller with phone and paging capabilities. Systems for determining the spatial location of a target object are also disclosed. The spatial location of the target object is determined with reference to a predetermined spatial reference point based on measured elapsed times, which represent the difference between a time reference and the time of receipt of a location signal from the target object at the known locations.

Claims

1. A locator system for determining the spatial location of a target object having a particular identification code and generating a location signal in response to an interrogation signal containing the identification code, the locator system comprising:

a plurality of detection units for measuring time intervals between a time reference and the time at which the detection unit receives the location signal; and

a base unit for determining the spatial location of the target object with reference to a predetermined spatial reference point based on the measured time intervals, the base unit transmitting the interrogation signal containing the identification code in response to a request to find the target object having the identification code;

wherein the base unit comprises;

a plurality of counters, each corresponding to one of the detection units, each counter measuring the time interval between the time a start count signal is received and the time the detection unit receives the location signal.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the base unit further includes:

a processor for determining the spatial location of the target object.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein upon receipt of the location signal from the target object, each detection unit transmits a stop count signal to its corresponding counter at the base unit.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the base unit, after receiving the request to find the target object having the identification code:

turns on a clock generator, provides the start count signal to start the counters, turns on the detection units, turns on the processor and transmits the interrogation signal;

and wherein the base unit, after receiving the stop count signal;

turns off the clock generator, turns off the detection units and turns off the processor.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a display for displaying the spatial location of the target object.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the base unit further includes:

a processor for determining the spatial location of the target object.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the base unit provides a clock signal and the start-count signal.

8. A locator system for determining the spatial location of a target object having a particular identification code and generating a location signal in response to an interrogation signal containing the identification code, the locator system comprising:

a plurality of detection units for measuring time intervals between a time reference and the time at which the detection unit receives the location signal; and

a base unit for determining the spatial location of the target object with reference to a predetermined spatial reference point based on the measured time intervals, the base unit transmitting the interrogation signal containing the identification code in response to a request to find the target object having the identification code;

wherein each detection unit further comprises;

a counter having an input for receiving a start-count signal, the counter measuring the time interval between the time the start-count signal is received and the time the detection unit receives the location signal.

9. A method for determining the spatial location of a target object, the target object having an associated identification code and transmitting a location signal in response to an interrogation signal containing the associated identification code, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) accepting a request to find the target object having the associated identification code;

(b) determining whether the target object is a locatable object by comparing the associated identification code to pre-assigned identification codes of locatable objects;

(c) if the target object is a locatable object, transmitting an interrogation signal containing the associated identification code of the target object;

(d) receiving the location signal from the target object at a plurality of known locations;

(e) measuring and recording a plurality of elapsed times at the plurality of known locations, each elapsed time representing the difference between a time reference and the time of receipt of the location signal at the known location;

wherein step (e) further comprises the steps of;

(e1) providing a plurality of counters at a base unit, each counter corresponding to one of the known locations;

(e2) starting each counter; and

(e3) transmitting a stop count signal from each known location to its corresponding counter at the base unit upon receipt of the location signal from the target object at the known location, with the counter value at each counter after receipt of the stop count signal representing the elapsed time; and

(f) based on the elapsed times, determining the spatial location of the target object with respect to a predetermined spatial reference point.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of:

displaying the spatial location with respect to a predetermined spatial reference point.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of:

transmitting the spatial location to a remote location; and

displaying the spatial location with respect to a predetermined spatial reference point.

12. A locator system for determining the spatial location of a target object having a particular identification code and generating a location signal in response to an interrogation signal containing the identification code, the locator system comprising:

a plurality of detection units for measuring time intervals between a time reference and the time at which the detection unit receives the location signal;

a base unit for determining the spatial location of the target object with reference to a predetermined spatial reference point based on the measured time intervals, the base unit transmitting the interrogation signal containing the identification code in response to a request to find the target object having the identification code; and

a portable control unit remote from the base unit, wherein the identification codes for all locatable target objects are stored in the portable control unit, and wherein the portable control unit accepts from a user the identification code of a particular target object, and if that identification code is recognized transmits to the base unit the request to find the target object.

13. A locator system comprising a portable control unit, a base unit having a processor, a plurality of detection units positioned at known locations, a counter associated with each detection unit, and transponders for attachment to each locatable object, wherein:

the portable control unit stores an identification code for each locatable object, accepts a user request to find a target object, references the stored identification codes to determine whether the target object is a locatable object, and sends a request signal containing the identification code corresponding to the target object;

the base unit receives the request signal, starts the counters and sends an interrogation signal containing the identification code corresponding to the target object;

the transponder associated with the target object recognizes the interrogation signal and sends a location signal in response;

the detection units receive the location signal and stop the counters in response; and

the processor determines the location of the target object based on the time elapsed in each counter.