Method of determining the exact location of an individual in a structure

• US 6,909,367 B1
• Filed: 02/24/2003
• Issued: 06/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Larry P. Wetmore
• Original Assignee: Larry P. Wetmore
• Inventors: Wetmore, Larry P.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US10/373,241
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.21, 340/573.1, 340/539.11, 340/539.27, 340/539.13, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 342/463, 342/465
• US Class Current: 340/539.21
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0202 Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12

Abstract

A method of determining the exact location of an individual in a structure includes at least one transmitter unit, at least three receiver units and a central processing unit (CPU). A single transmitter unit is attached to each individual in the structure. If it is desired to control temperature adjacent the individual, a temperature sensor is also included in the transmitter unit. A panic button signal may also be included as one of the transmitter outputs. The CPU receives data from the at least three receivers and determines the location of each individual in the structure and whether the area they are in requires temperature modification. The CPU is preferably capable of opening and closing motorized drapes or operating lighting according to a time schedule. A panic button may be included in the transmitter and the controller programmed to seek assistance.

Claims

1. A method of determining the position of at least one individual in a structure, comprising the steps of:

attaching a transmitter to each individual in the structure;

providing at least three receivers to receive a signal from each said transmitter, each one of said at least three receivers outputing a received strength signal to produce at least three received strength signals;

storing a plurality of signal strength values for each area of the structure to compensate for electro-magnetic interference, adjusting said at least three received strength signals taken in a particular area with one of said plurality of signal strength values; and

calculating said at least three received strength signals to determine the location of the at least one individual in the structure.

2. The method of determining the position of at least one individual in a structure of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

combining temperature data with said signal to produce a data signal.

3. The method of determining the position of at least one individual in a structure of claim 2, further comprising the step of:

receiving said data signal from said transmitter, each one of said at least three receivers outputing said temperature data and said received signal strength to a controller.

4. The method of determining the position of at least one individual in a structure of claim 3, further comprising the step of:

unpacketizing said temperature data before outputing to said controller.

5. The method of determining the position of at least one individual in a structure of claim 3, further comprising the step of:

providing an input device for programming said controller, said programming capable of controlling lighting, audio, video or security.

6. The method of determining the position of at least one individual in a structure of claim 3, further comprising the step of:

buffering data input into said controller with an I/O board.

7. The method of determining the position of at least one individual in a structure of claim 2, further comprising the step of:

packetizing said temperature data before inputing thereof into said transmitter.

8. The method of determining the position of at least one individual in a structure of claim 2, further comprising the steps of:

examining temperature data to determine if the temperature is out of a predetermined range, activating said transmitter if said temperature is out of the predetermined range.

9. The method of determining the position of at least one individual in a structure of claim 8, further comprising the step of:

controlling HVAC with said temperature data.

10. The method of determining the position of at least one individual in a structure comprising the steps of:

attaching a transmitter unit to each individual in the structure;

providing at least three receiver units to receive a signal from each said transmitter unit, each one of said at least three receivers outputing a received strength signal to produce at least three received strength signals;

storing a plurality of signal strength values for each area of the structure to compensate for electro-magnetic interference, adjusting said at least three received strength signals taken in a particular area with one of said plurality of signal strength values; and

calculating said at least three received strength signals with a controller to determine the location of the at least one individual in the structure.

11. The method of determining the position of at least one individual in a structure of claim 10, further comprising the step of:

providing a transmitter unit with a temperature sensor, combining temperature data from said temperature sensor with said signal to produce a data signal.

12. The method of determining the position of at least one individual in a structure of claim 11, further comprising the step of:

receiving said data signal from said transmitter, each one of said at least three receivers outputing said temperature data and said received signal strength to said controller.

13. The method of determining the position of at least one individual in a structure of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

unpacketizing said temperature data before outputing to said controller.

14. The method of determining the position of at least one individual in a structure of claim 11, further comprising the step of:

packetizing said temperature data before combining thereof into said data signal.

15. The method of determining the position of at least one individual in a structure of claim 11, further comprising the step of:

examining temperature data to determine if the temperature is out of a predetermined range, activating said transmitter if said temperature is out of the predetermined range.

16. The method of determining the position of at least one individual in a structure of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

controlling HVAC with said temperature data.

17. The method of determining the position of at least one individual in a structure of claim 10, further comprising the step of:

providing an input device for programming said controller, said programming capable of controlling lighting, audio, video or security.

18. The method of determining the position of at least one individual in a structure of claim 10, further comprising the step of:

buffering data input into said controller with an I/O board.

19. The method of determining the position of at least one individual in a structure of claim 10, further comprising the step of:

providing a programming cradle for programming a specific temperature range into a transmitter unit.