System and method for information assimilation and functionality control based on positioning information obtained by impulse radio techniques

• US 6,906,625 B1
• Filed: 02/24/2000
• Issued: 06/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Humatics Corporation
• Original Assignee: Time Domain Corporation (Humatics Corporation)
• Inventors: Finn, James S., Taylor, Elise H.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/511,991
• Time in Patent Office: 1,937 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1, 340/539.13, 340/539.15, 340/572.1, 340/573.1, 340/573.3, 340/573.4, 340/686.1, 340/317, 340/572.4, 342/457, 342/458, 342/463, 455/226.3, 455/522, 455/524
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/765 with exchange of information between interrogator and responder
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/7163 using impulse radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/6908 using time hopping

Abstract

A system and method for information assimilation and functionality control based on positioning information obtained by impulse radio techniques, which utilizes the position information and communication abilities inherent in impulse radio technology to correlate position information of an entrant into a predetermined area with information about the entrant to accomplish a multitude of functionalities and assimilate information.

Claims

1. A method of correlating information related to an entrant within a predetermined area defined by a plurality of fixed ultra wideband impulse radios, comprising the steps of:

a. obtaining information relating to the entrant within said predetermined area;

b. determining at least one position of the entrant within said predetermined area using ultra wideband impulse radio position determination techniques; and

c. correlating information about the entrant to said at least one position of the entrant.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of reporting said correlated information according to desired parameters.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of obtaining information relating to the entrant in said predetermined area comprises manual input of personal information into a computer in response to questions from an attendant at an entrance to said predetermined area.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of obtaining information relating to said entrant in said predetermined area comprises requiring the entrant to input said personal information via a wide area network such as the Internet.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of obtaining information relating to the entrant in said predetermined area comprises requiring the entrant input said information via a computing device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of correlating comprises associating an ultra wideband impulse radio TAG with the entrant, wherein position of the entrant is determined using said information about the entrant and a position of the ultra wideband impulse radio TAG determined by ultra wideband impulse radio position determination techniques.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said information comprises gender of said entrant.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said information comprises age of the entrant.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said information comprises a physical description of the entrant.

10. The method of correlating information related to an object or person moving within a predetermined area of claim 6, wherein said record includes primary height of said person.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein, if the entrant is a child, said information comprises an indication of whether the child is accompanied by a parent or guardian.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined area is a theme park.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined area is a shopping mall.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined area is an office building.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined area is a prison.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined area is a convention center.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined area is a zoo.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined area is a museum.

19. A system of controlling functions in response to position information determined by ultra wideband impulse radio position determination techniques, comprising:

an ultra wideband impulse radio positioning device; and

an interface with a controller, said controller acting upon a function based upon the position information, a predetermined area defined by a plurality of fixed ultra wideband impulse radios, which use ultra wideband position determination techniques, and predetermined position parameters.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said function is activating an alarm when an entrant is in a particular position within a predetermined area.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein said function is activating a communication device.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said communication device comprises an ultra wideband impulse radio, said ultra wideband impulse radio communicating information specific to the position wherein the entrant is located.

23. The system claim 19, wherein said function is a visual alarm that illuminates an area wherein an entrant is located.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein said function is an alerting means to alert an entrant of an unsafe position.

25. The system of claim 19, wherein said controller is a microprocessor.