Systems and methods for location of objects

• US 7,151,454 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2003
• Issued: 12/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc. (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Covi Technologies, Inc. (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Washington, Richard G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Toan N.
• Application Number:
  US10/732,174
• Publication Number:
  US 20040169587A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,105 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/573.1, 340/572.7, 340/572.4, 348/169, 348/135, 348/139, 348/143, 455/41.2
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10079 the collision being resolved in the spatial domain, e.g. temporary shields for blindfolding the interrogator in specific directions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19608 Tracking movement of a target, e.g. by detecting an object predefined as a target, using target direction and or velocity to predict its new position
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1963 Arrangements allowing camera rotation to change view, e.g. pivoting camera, pan-tilt and zoom [PTZ]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19656 Network used to communicate with a camera, e.g. WAN, LAN, Internet
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19693 using multiple video sources viewed on a single or compound screen
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19697 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00

Abstract

Systems and methods that may be employed to visually locate and/or track objects equipped with active RFID tags. The disclosed systems and methods may employ an articulated camera/s, such as closed circuit television (“CCTV”) or other suitable type of articulated camera/s, that is equipped with an antenna array.

Claims

1. A visual locating system, comprising:

a plurality of camera assemblies, each of said camera assemblies comprising an optical block and an embedded RF receiver, said RF receiver being embedded in said camera assembly and configured to receive from a RF antenna one or more RF signals comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by a RFID device;

a computer processor in communication with each of said plurality of camera assemblies;

wherein each of said plurality of camera assemblies comprises a differential antenna apparatus, said differential antenna apparatus being configured to receive and provide one or more RF signals comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by a RFID device to said RF receiver of said respective camera assembly;

wherein said differential antenna apparatus of each of said plurality of camera assemblies is directionally aligned with an optical block of said respective camera assembly;

wherein said visual location system further comprises signal processing circuitry configured to receive said one or more RF signals from said differential antenna apparatus, and to provide at least one of a signal strength signal or a differential output signal based upon said one or more RF signals;

wherein said signal processing circuitry is configured to identify and select one or more of said signal strength signals that are indicative of a RF signal strength value that exceeds a minimum RF signal strength value; and

wherein each of said camera assemblies comprises a PTZ camera assembly, and wherein said computer processor is configured to provide a command signal to a selected one or more of said PTZ camera assemblies, said command signal causing said selected one or more of said PTZ camera assemblies to each scan in pan and tilt directions while receiving said RF signal from said differential antenna apparatus; and

wherein each of said one or more camera assemblies is configured to provide a visual image signal corresponding to one or more null line of sight (LOS) positions of said optical block of said respective camera assembly to said computer processor.

2. A visual locating system, comprising:

a plurality of camera assemblies, each of said camera assemblies comprising an optical block and an embedded RF receiver, said RF receiver being embedded in said camera assembly and configured to receive from a RF antenna one or more RF signals comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by a RFID device;

a computer processor in communication with each of said plurality of camera assemblies;

wherein each of said plurality of camera assemblies comprises a differential antenna apparatus, said differential antenna apparatus being configured to receive and provide one or more RF signals comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by a RFID device to said RF receiver of said respective camera assembly;

wherein said differential antenna apparatus of each of said plurality of camera assemblies is directionally aligned with an optical block of said respective camera assembly;

wherein said visual location system further comprises signal processing circuitry configured to receive said one or more RF signals from said differential antenna apparatus, and to provide at least one of a signal strength signal or a differential output signal based upon said one or more RF signals;

wherein said signal processing circuitry is configured to identify and select one or more of said signal strength signals that are indicative of a RF signal strength value that exceeds a minimum RF signal strength value; and

wherein each of said camera assemblies comprises a PTZ camera assembly;

wherein each of said camera assemblies comprises signal processing circuitry associated with said respective camera assembly;

wherein said each of said respective camera assemblies is configured to scan in pan and tilt directions while receiving said RF signal from a differential antenna apparatus of said respective PTZ camera assembly;

wherein said signal processing circuitry associated with each of said camera assemblies is configured to provide one or more differential output signals while a respective camera assembly associated with said signal processing circuitry is scanning in pan and tilt directions; and

wherein said signal processing circuitry is configured to identify one or more null line of sight (LOS) positions of said optical block of said camera assembly associated with said signal processing circuitry based on said one or more differential output signals.

3. The visual locating system of claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of camera assemblies comprises a differential antenna array.

4. The visual locating system of claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of camera assemblies further comprises a RF transceiver and said RF antenna;

and wherein said RF transceiver is configured to provide a RF signal comprising RFID device activation data to said RF antenna of said respective camera assembly.

5. The visual locating system of claim 2, wherein each of said camera assemblies comprises a PTZ camera assembly, and wherein said signal processing circuitry of each of said camera assemblies is embedded as a single processor in said camera assembly.

6. The visual locating system of claim 2, wherein said signal processing circuitry of each of said camera assemblies comprises a first circuit that is configured to provide one or more differential output signals to a separate processor of said signal processing circuitry while a respective camera assembly associated with said signal processor circuitry is scanning in pan and tilt directions;

wherein said separate processor is configured to identify one or more null line of sight (LOS) positions of said optical block of said respective camera assembly based on said one or more differential output signals, and to provide a command signal causing said respective camera assembly to scan in pan and tilt directions while receiving said RF signal from said differential antenna apparatus.

7. The visual locating system of claim 6, wherein said separate processor comprises said computer processor.

8. The visual locating system of claim 6, wherein said first circuit of each of said camera assemblies is embedded in said respective camera assembly, and wherein said separate processor comprises a second processor embedded in said camera assembly.

9. The visual locating system of claim 2, wherein said computer processor is coupled to a visual display device, and is configured to display on said visual display device one or more visual images corresponding to each of said null LOS positions.

10. The visual locating system of claim 9, wherein said computer processor is configured to selectively display one or more of said visual images corresponding to each of said null LOS positions in response to selection data received from a system operator.

11. The visual locating system of claim 10, wherein said computer processor is configured to allow said system operator to select or reject one or more of said visual images.

12. The visual locating system of claim 11, wherein said computer processor is configured to associate a selected visual image corresponding to a null LOS position of at least one of said camera assemblies with the identity of a particular RFID device that corresponds to said RFID broadcast transmitted by said particular RFID device, so that said selected visual image is displayed in the future in response to said RFID broadcast transmitted by said particular RFID device.

13. The visual locating system of claim 11, wherein said computer processor is configured to associate a rejected visual image corresponding to a null LOS position of at least one of said camera assemblies so that said rejected visual image is not displayed again in the future.

14. The visual locating system of claim 2, wherein said computer processor is configured to provide a command signal to each of said one or more selected camera assemblies to provide a zoomed visual image signal and a non-zoomed visual image corresponding to each of said null LOS positions of said optical block of said respective camera assembly to said computer processor;

wherein said computer processor is coupled to a visual display device; and

wherein said computer processor and is configured to simultaneously display on said visual display device a zoomed visual image and a non-zoomed visual image corresponding to each of said null LOS positions.

15. The visual locating system of claim 2, wherein said plurality of camera assemblies of said visual locating system are installed in a passenger terminal.

16. The visual locating system of claim 15, wherein said passenger terminal comprises an airport.

17. A method of visually locating objects, comprising:

associating a RFID device with an object;

providing a camera assembly unit comprising an optical block and an embedded RF receiver, said RF receiver being embedded in said camera assembly and configured to receive from an antenna an RF signal comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device;

receiving a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device, said RFID broadcast being received by said RF receiver from said antenna; and

visually locating said object using said optical block of said camera assembly based on said RFID broadcast received by said RF receiver from said antenna;

wherein said camera assembly unit further comprises a differential antenna apparatus, and wherein said method further comprises using said differential antenna apparatus to receive and provide said RF signal comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by a RFID device to said RF receiver; and

wherein said method further comprises using said optical block to visually scan a field of view of said optical block corresponding to a location of said RF transmission broadcast by said RFID device; and

selecting one or more visual images from said scan, said one or more visual images being directionally selected based on directional reception characteristics of said RF transmission broadcast received by said differential antenna apparatus.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising presenting one or more of said selected visual images from said scan to an operator.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising allowing said operator to pick at least one of said multiple visual images for selective display;

wherein said selective display comprises presenting a zoomed version of at least a portion of said picked visual image.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising allowing said operator to reject at least one of said selected multiple visual images.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising presenting one or more of said selected visual images other than said rejected visual image.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising storing an identity of said rejected visual image;

and eliminating said rejected visual image from future presentations of visual images to said operator based on an RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device associated with said object.

23. A method of visually locating objects, comprising:

associating a RFID device with an object;

providing a camera assembly unit comprising an optical block and an embedded RF receiver, said RF receiver being embedded in said camera assembly and configured to receive from an antenna an RF signal comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device;

receiving a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device, said RFID broadcast being received by said RF receiver from said antenna; and

visually locating said object using said optical block of said camera assembly based on said RFID broadcast received by said RF receiver from said antenna;

wherein said camera assembly unit further comprises a differential antenna apparatus, and wherein said method further comprises using said differential antenna apparatus to receive and provide said RF signal comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by a RFID device to said RF receiver; and

wherein said differential antenna apparatus is directionally aligned with said optical block of said camera assembly unit, and wherein said method further comprises visually aligning said optical block with said object by moving said optical block based on said RF signal received by said differential antenna apparatus.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said differential antenna apparatus comprises a differential antenna array, and wherein said method further comprises visually aligning said optical block with said object by moving said optical block based on differences between said RF signal as separately received by each of two or more elements of said differential antenna array.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising processing one or more RF signals from said differential antenna array to provide a differential output signal based upon said one or more RF signals;

and wherein said method further comprises visually aligning said optical block with said object by moving said optical block based on said differential output signal.

26. A method of visually locating objects, comprising:

associating a RFID device with an object;

providing a camera assembly unit comprising an optical block and an embedded RF receiver, said RF receiver being embedded in said camera assembly and configured to receive from an antenna an RF signal comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device;

receiving a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device, said RFID broadcast being received by said RF receiver from said antenna;

visually locating said object using said optical block of said camera assembly based on said RFID broadcast received by said RF receiver from said antenna; and

providing a network of multiple camera assemblies, said network of multiple camera assembly units comprising a part of a visual locating system;

each of said multiple camera assembly units comprising an optical block, an embedded RF receiver and an embedded differential antenna apparatus;

said embedded RF receiver being configured to receive from said differential antenna apparatus an RF signal comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device; and

wherein said method further comprises receiving a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device, said RFID being received by an embedded RF receiver of one or more of said camera assemblies; and

visually locating said object by selecting at least one of said camera assemblies having a field of view corresponding to a location of said RF transmission broadcast by said RFID device and using an optical block of said selected at least one camera assembly based on said RFID broadcast received by said embedded RF receiver of said selected at least one camera assembly.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said differential antenna apparatus of each camera assembly comprises a differential antenna array directionally aligned with said optical block of said camera assembly.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein each of said camera assemblies comprises a PTZ camera assembly.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein each of said camera assemblies comprises a PTZ camera assembly.

30. A visual locating system, comprising:

a plurality of camera assemblies, each of said camera assemblies comprising an optical block and a RF receiver, said RF receiver being configured to receive from a RF antenna one or more RF signals comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by a RFID device; and

a computer processor in communication with each of said plurality of camera assemblies;

wherein each of said plurality of camera assemblies comprises a differential antenna apparatus, said differential antenna apparatus being configured to receive and provide one or more RF signals comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by a RFID device to said RF receiver of said respective camera assembly;

wherein said differential antenna apparatus of each of said plurality of camera assemblies is directionally aligned with an optical block of said respective camera assembly;

wherein said visual locating system further comprises signal processing circuitry configured to receive said one or more RF signals from said differential antenna apparatus, and to provide at least one of a signal strength signal or a differential output signal based upon said one or more RF signals;

wherein said signal processing circuitry is configured to identify and select one or more of said signal strength signals that are indicative of a RF signal strength value that exceeds a minimum BY signal strength value; and

wherein each of said camera assemblies comprises a PTZ camera assembly, and wherein said computer processor is configured to provide a command signal to a selected one or more of said PTZ camera assemblies, said command signal causing said selected one or more of said PTZ camera assemblies to each scan in pan and tilt directions while receiving said RF signal from said differential antenna apparatus; and

wherein each of said one or more camera assemblies is configured to provide a visual image signal corresponding to one or more null line of sight (LOS) positions of said optical block of said respective camera assembly to said computer processor.

31. A visual locating system, comprising:

a plurality of camera assemblies, each of said camera assemblies comprising an optical block and a RF receiver, said RF receiver being configured to receive from a RF antenna one or more RF signals comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by a RFID device; and

a computer processor in communication with each of said plurality of camera assemblies;

wherein each of said plurality of camera assemblies comprises a differential antenna apparatus, said differential antenna apparatus being configured to receive and provide one or more RF signals comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by a RFID device to said RF receiver of said respective camera assembly;

wherein said differential antenna apparatus of each of said plurality of camera assemblies is directionally aligned with an optical block of said respective camera assembly;

wherein said visual locating system further comprises signal processing circuitry configured to receive said one or more RF signals from said differential antenna apparatus, and to provide at least one of a signal strength signal or a differential output signal based upon said one or more RF signals;

wherein said signal processing circuitry is configured to identify and select one or more of said signal strength signals that are indicative of a RF signal strength value that exceeds a minimum RF signal strength value; and

wherein each of said camera assemblies comprises a PTZ camera assembly;

wherein each of said camera assemblies comprises signal processing circuitry associated with said respective camera assembly;

wherein said each of said respective camera assemblies is configured to scan in pan and tilt directions while receiving said RF signal from a differential antenna apparatus of said respective PTZ camera assembly;

wherein said signal processing circuitry associated with each of said camera assemblies is configured to provide one or more differential output signals while a respective camera assembly associated with said signal processing circuitry is scanning in pan and tilt directions; and

wherein said signal processing circuitry is configured to identify one or more null line of sight (LOS) positions of said optical block of said camera assembly associated with said signal processing circuitry based on said one or more differential output signals.

32. The visual locating system of claim 31, wherein each of said camera assemblies comprises a PTZ camera assembly, and wherein said signal processing circuitry of each of said camera assemblies is embedded as a single processor in said camera assembly.

33. The visual locating system of claim 31, wherein said signal processing circuitry of each of said camera assemblies comprises a first circuit that is configured to provide one or more differential output signals to a separate processor of said signal processing circuitry while a respective camera assembly associated with said signal processor circuitry is scanning in pan and tilt directions;

wherein said separate processor is configured to identify one or more null line of sight (LOS) positions of said optical block of said respective camera assembly based on said one or more differential output signals, and to provide a command signal causing said respective camera assembly to scan in pan and tilt directions while receiving said RF signal from said differential antenna apparatus.

34. The visual locating system of claim 33, wherein said separate processor comprises said computer processor.

35. The visual locating system of claim 33, wherein said first circuit of each of said camera assemblies is embedded in said respective camera assembly, and wherein said separate processor comprises a second processor embedded in said camera assembly.

36. The visual locating system of claim 31, wherein said computer processor is coupled to a visual display device, and is configured to display on said visual display device one or more visual images corresponding to each of said null LOS positions.

37. The visual locating system of claim 36, wherein said computer processor is configured to selectively display one or more of said visual images corresponding to each of said null LOS positions in response to selection data received from a system operator.

38. The visual locating system of claim 37, wherein said computer processor is configured to allow said system operator to select or reject one or more of said visual images.

39. The visual locating system of claim 38, wherein said computer processor is configured to associate a selected visual image corresponding to a null LOS position of at least one of said camera assemblies with the identity of a particular RFID device that corresponds to said RFID broadcast transmitted by said particular RFID device, so that said selected visual image is displayed in the future in response to said RFID broadcast transmitted by said particular RFID device.

40. The visual locating system of claim 38, wherein said computer processor is configured to associate a rejected visual image corresponding to a null LOS position of at least one of said camera assemblies so that said rejected visual image is not displayed again in the future.

41. The visual locating system of claim 31, wherein said computer processor is configured to provide a command signal to each of said one or more selected camera assemblies to provide a zoomed visual image signal and a non-zoomed visual image corresponding to each of said null LOS positions of said optical block of said respective camera assembly to said computer processor;

wherein said computer processor is coupled to a visual display device; and

wherein said computer processor and is configured to simultaneously display on said visual display device a zoomed visual image and a non-zoomed visual image corresponding to each of said null LOS positions.

42. The visual locating system of claim 31, wherein said plurality of camera assemblies of said visual locating system are installed in a passenger terminal.

43. The visual locating system of claim 42, wherein said passenger terminal comprises an airport.

44. A method of visually locating objects, comprising:

associating a RFID device with an object;

providing a camera assembly unit comprising an optical block and a RF receiver, said RF receiver being configured to receive from an antenna an RF signal comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device;

receiving a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device, said RFID broadcast being received by said RF receiver from said antenna; and

visually locating said object using said optical block of said camera assembly based on said RFID broadcast received by said RF receiver from said antenna;

wherein said camera assembly unit further comprises a differential antenna apparatus, and wherein said method further comprises using said differential antenna apparatus to receive and provide said RF signal comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by a RFID device to said RF receiver;

wherein said method further comprises using said optical block to visually scan a field of view of said optical block corresponding to a location of said RF transmission broadcast by said RFID device; and

selecting one or more visual images from said scan, said one or more visual images being directionally selected based on directional reception characteristics of said RF transmission broadcast received by said differential antenna apparatus.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising presenting one or more of said selected visual images from said scan to an operator.

46. The method of claim 45, further comprising allowing said operator to pick at least one of said multiple visual images for selective display;

wherein said selective display comprises presenting a zoomed version of at least a portion of said picked visual image.

47. The method of claim 44, further comprising allowing said operator to reject at least one of said selected multiple visual images.

48. The method of claim 47, further comprising presenting one or more of said selected visual images other than said rejected visual image.

49. The method of claim 47, further comprising storing an identity of said rejected visual image;

and eliminating said rejected visual image from future presentations of visual images to said operator based on an RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device associated with said object.

50. A method of visually locating objects, comprising:

associating a RFID device with an object;

providing a camera assembly unit comprising an optical block and a RF receiver, said RF receiver being configured to receive from an antenna an RF signal comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device;

receiving a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device, said RFID broadcast being received by said RF receiver from said antenna; and

visually locating said object using said optical block of said camera assembly based on said RFID broadcast received by said RF receiver from said antenna;

wherein said camera assembly unit further comprises a differential antenna apparatus, and wherein said method further comprises using said differential antenna apparatus to receive and provide said RF signal comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by a RFID device to said RF receiver; and

wherein said differential antenna apparatus is directionally aligned with said optical block of said camera assembly unit, and wherein said method further comprises visually aligning said optical block with said object by moving said optical block based on said RF signal received by said differential antenna apparatus.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein said differential antenna apparatus comprises a differential antenna array, and wherein said method further comprises visually aligning said optical block with said object by moving said optical block based on differences between said RF signal as separately received by each of two or more elements of said differential antenna array.

52. The method of claim 50, further comprising processing one or more RF signals from said differential antenna array to provide a differential output signal based upon said one or more RF signals;

and wherein said method further comprises visually aligning said optical block with said object by moving said optical block based on said differential output signal.

53. The method of claim 50, said method comprising:

associating a first RFID device with a passenger; and

locating said passenger within said passenger terminal using a RF transmission broadcast by said first RFID device;

wherein said method comprises visually locating said passenger within said passenger terminal using at least one camera assembly; and

wherein said camera assembly comprises an optical block and an RF receiver embedded in said camera assembly.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein said first RFID device is attached to or contained within a RFID carrier assigned to said passenger.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein said RFID carrier comprises a ticket holder or a ticket assigned to said passenger.

56. The method of claim 53, wherein said method comprises visually locating said passenger within said passenger terminal using at least one camera assembly having a field of view corresponding to a location of said RF transmission broadcast by said first RFID device.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein said method comprises visually locating said passenger within said passenger terminal using a plurality of camera assemblies, wherein said passenger is visually located by selecting one or more of said camera assemblies having a field of view corresponding to a location of said RF transmission broadcast by said first RFID device.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein each of said plurality of camera assemblies comprises an optical block and an embedded RF receiver, said embedded RF receiver being embedded in said camera assembly and configured to receive from an antenna an RF signal comprising said RF transmission broadcast by said first RFID device.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein said method further comprises tracking said passenger within said passenger terminal using a visual locating system, said visual locating system comprising:

said plurality of camera assemblies, each of said camera assemblies comprising an optical block and a an embedded RF receiver, said RF receiver being embedded in said camera assembly and configured to receive from a RF antenna one or more RF signals comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by said first RFID device; and

a computer processor in communication with each of said plurality of camera assemblies.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein each of said plurality of camera assemblies further comprises a differential antenna apparatus, said differential antenna apparatus being configured to receive and provide one or more RF signals comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by said first RFID device to said RF receiver of said respective camera assembly.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein each of said plurality of camera assemblies comprises a PTZ camera assembly.

62. The method system of claim 61, wherein each of said plurality of camera assemblies comprises a differential antenna array.

63. The method of claim 60, wherein said differential antenna apparatus of each of said plurality of camera assemblies is directionally aligned with an optical block of said respective camera assembly.

64. The method of claim 59, wherein each of said plurality of camera assemblies further comprises a RF transceiver and said RF antenna, said RF transceiver comprising said RF receiver or said respective camera assembly;

and wherein said RF transceiver is configured to provide a RF signal comprising RFID device activation data for said first RFID device to said RF antenna of said respective camera assembly.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein said RF antenna of each of said plurality of camera assemblies comprises a differential antenna apparatus.

66. The method of claim 60, wherein said differential antenna apparatus is directionally aligned with a line of sight (LOS) of said optical block of said camera assembly unit;

and wherein said visual locating system is configured to align said LOS of said optical block with a position of said passenger with the location of the source of said RFID broadcast transmitted by said first RFID device by determining the relationship between said LOS and said source location by analyzing the emitted signals from said first RFID device.

67. The method of claim 53, further comprising:

associating a second RFID device with a luggage item or carry on item of said passenger; and

at least one of;

locating said luggage item within the luggage handling areas of said passenger terminal or on a passenger vehicle using a RF transmission broadcast by said first RFID device;

or

locating said carry on item within said passenger terminal using a RF transmission broadcast by said second RFID device;

or a combination thereof.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein said method comprises locating said carry on item within said passenger terminal using a RF transmission broadcast by said second RFID device, and detecting when said location of said passenger differs from said location of said carry on luggage by a predetermined distance.

69. The method of claim 67, wherein said method comprises locating said luggage item within the luggage handling areas of said passenger terminal or on a passenger vehicle using a RF transmission broadcast by said first RFID device, and detecting when said passenger has not boarded the same passenger vehicle into which said luggage item has been loaded.

70. The method of claim 67, wherein said method comprises visually locating said luggage item within said luggage handling areas using a plurality of camera assemblies, wherein said luggage item is visually located by selecting one or more of said camera assemblies having a field of view corresponding to a location of said RF transmission broadcast by said second RFID device.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein said method further comprises tracking said luggage within said luggage handling areas using a visual locating system, said visual locating system comprising:

a plurality of camera assemblies, each of said camera assemblies comprising an optical block and a RF receiver, said RF receiver being configured to receive from a RF antenna one or more RF signals comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by said second RFID device; and

a computer processor in communication with each of said plurality of camera assemblies;

wherein each of said plurality of camera assemblies further comprises a differential antenna apparatus, said differential antenna apparatus being configured to receive and provide one or more RF signals comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by said second RFID device to said RF receiver of said respective camera assembly; and

wherein said differential antenna apparatus is directionally aligned with a line of sight (LOS) of said optical block of said camera assembly unit; and

wherein said visual locating system is configured to align said LOS of said optical block with a position of said luggage item with the source location of said RFID broadcast transmitted by said second RFID device by determining the relationship between said LOS and said source location by analyzing the emitted signals from said second RFID device.

72. The method of claim 53, wherein said passenger terminal comprises an airport.

73. The method of claim 53, further comprising associating a photograph of said passenger with an identity of said first RFID device;

receiving said RF transmission broadcast by said first RFID device at a station in said passenger terminal; and

displaying said photograph for identity verification purposes at said station based upon receipt of said RF transmission broadcast at said station by said first RFID device.

74. The method of claim 50, wherein said camera assembly unit further comprises an RF transceiver, and wherein said method further comprises transmitting a RF signal comprising RFID device activation data to cause said RFID device to transmit said RFID broadcast.

75. The method of claim 50, wherein said camera assembly unit comprises a PTZ camera assembly unit.

76. A method of visually locating objects, comprising:

associating a RFID device with an object;

providing a camera assembly unit comprising an optical block and a RF receiver, said RF receiver being configured to receive from an antenna an RF signal comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device;

receiving a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device, said RFID broadcast being received by said RF receiver from said antenna; and

visually locating said object using said optical block of said camera assembly based on said RFID broadcast received by said RF receiver from said antenna;

wherein said camera assembly unit further comprises a differential antenna apparatus, and wherein said method further comprises using said differential antenna apparatus to receive and provide said RF signal comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by a RFID device to said RF receiver;

wherein said method further comprises providing a network of multiple camera assemblies, said network of multiple camera assembly units comprising a part of a visual locating system;

each of said multiple camera assembly units comprising an optical block, an embedded RF receiver and an embedded differential antenna apparatus;

said embedded RF receiver being configured to receive from said differential antenna apparatus an RF signal comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device; and

wherein said method further comprises receiving a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device, said RFID being received by an embedded RF receiver of one or more of said camera assemblies; and

visually locating said object by selecting at least one of said camera assemblies having a field of view corresponding to a location of said RF transmission broadcast by said RFID device and using an optical block of said selected at least one camera assembly based on said RFID broadcast received by said embedded RF receiver of said selected at least one camera assembly.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein said differential antenna apparatus of each camera assembly comprises a differential antenna array directionally aligned with said optical block of said camera assembly.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein each of said camera assemblies comprises a PTZ camera assembly.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein each of said camera assemblies comprises a PTZ camera assembly.

80. A method of visually locating objects, comprising:

associating a RFID device with an object;

providing a camera assembly unit comprising an optical block and a RF receiver, said RF receiver being configured to receive from an antenna an RF signal comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device;

receiving a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device, said RFID broadcast being received by said RF receiver from said antenna; and

automatically visually locating said object using said optical block of said camera assembly based on said RFID broadcast received by said RF receiver from said antenna;

wherein said camera assembly unit comprises a PTZ camera assembly unit and further comprises a differential antenna apparatus, and wherein said method further comprises;

using said differential antenna apparatus to receive and provide said RF signal comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by a RFID device to said RF receiver,

using said optical block to visually scan a field of view of said optical block corresponding to a location of said RF transmission broadcast by said RFID device, and

directionally selecting one or more visual images based on directional reception characteristics of said RF transmission broadcast received by said differential antenna apparatus.

81. The method of claim 80, further comprising directionally selecting one or more of said visual images based on directional reception characteristics of said RF transmission broadcast received by said differential antenna apparatus;

and presenting one or more of said selected visual images from said scan to an operator.

82. The method of claim 80, wherein said differential antenna apparatus is directionally aligned with said optical block of said camera assembly unit, and wherein said method further comprises visually aligning said optical block with said object by moving said optical block based on said RF signal received by said differential antenna apparatus.

83. A method of visually locating objects, comprising:

associating a RFID device with an object;

providing a camera assembly unit comprising an optical block and a RF receiver, said RF receiver being configured to receive from an antenna an RF signal comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device;

receiving a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device, said RFID broadcast being received by said RF receiver from said antenna; and

automatically visually locating said object using said optical block of said camera assembly based on said RFID broadcast received by said RF receiver from said antenna; and

wherein said method further comprises providing a network of multiple camera assemblies, said network of multiple camera assembly units comprising a part of a visual locating system;

each of said multiple camera assembly units comprising an optical block, an embedded RF receiver and an embedded differential antenna apparatus;

said embedded RF receiver being configured to receive from said differential antenna apparatus an RF signal comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device; and

wherein said method further comprises receiving a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device, said RFID being received by an embedded RF receiver of one or more of said camera assemblies; and

automatically visually locating said object by selecting at least one of said camera assemblies having a field of view corresponding to a location of said RF transmission broadcast by said RFID device and using an optical block of said selected at least one camera assembly based on said RFID broadcast received by said embedded RF receiver of said selected at least one camera assembly.

84. The method of claim 83, wherein each of said camera assemblies comprises a PTZ camera assembly.

85. A method of visually locating objects, comprising:

associating a RFID device with an object;

providing a camera assembly unit comprising an optical block and a RF receiver, said RF receiver being configured to receive from an antenna an RF signal comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device;

receiving a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device, said RFID broadcast being received by said RF receiver from said antenna; and

automatically visually locating said object using said optical block of said camera assembly based on said RFID broadcast received by said RF receiver from said antenna;

wherein said camera assembly unit comprises a differential antenna apparatus that is directionally aligned with said optical block of said camera assembly unit, and wherein said method further comprises visually aligning said optical block with said object to visually track said object by moving said optical block based on said RF signal received by said differential antenna apparatus.

86. The method of claim 85, wherein said camera assembly unit comprises a PTZ camera assembly.

87. A visual location system, comprising:

a plurality of camera assemblies, each of said camera assemblies comprising an optical block and a RF receiver;

wherein said RF receiver is configured to receive from a RF antenna one or more RF signals comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by a RFID device;

wherein said visual location system is configured to automatically visually locate said object using said optical block of said camera assembly based on said RFID broadcast received by said RF receiver from said antenna; and

wherein each of said camera assembly units comprises a PTZ camera assembly unit and further comprises a differential antenna apparatus configured to receive and provide said RF signal comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by a RFID device to said RF receiver;

wherein said visual location system is configured to use said optical block to visually scan a field of view of said optical block corresponding to a location of said RF transmission broadcast by said RFID device; and

wherein said visual location system is further configured to directionally select one or more visual images based on directional reception characteristics of said RF transmission broadcast received by said differential antenna apparatus.

88. The system of claim 87, wherein said system is further configured to directionally select one or more of said visual images based on directional reception characteristics of said RF transmission broadcast received by said differential antenna apparatus;

and to present one or more of said selected visual images from said scan to an operator.

89. The system of claim 87, wherein said differential antenna apparatus is directionally aligned with said optical block of said camera assembly unit, and wherein said system is further configured to visually align said optical block with said object by moving said optical block based on said RF signal received by said differential antenna apparatus.

90. A visual location system, comprising:

a plurality of camera assemblies, each of said camera assemblies comprising an optical block and a RF receiver;

wherein said RF receiver is configured to receive from a RF antenna one or more RF signals comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by a RFID device;

wherein said visual location system is configured to automatically visually locate said object using said optical block of said camera assembly based on said RFID broadcast received by said RF receiver from said antenna; and

wherein said plurality of camera assemblies comprises a network of multiple camera assemblies, each of said multiple camera assembly units comprising an optical block, an embedded RF receiver and an embedded differential antenna apparatus, said embedded RF receiver being configured to receive from said differential antenna apparatus an RF signal comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by said RFID device; and

wherein said system is configured to automatically visual locate said object by selecting at least one of said camera assemblies having a field of view corresponding to a location of said RF transmission broadcast by said RFID device and using an optical block of said selected at least one camera assembly based on said RFID broadcast received by said embedded RF receiver of said selected at least one camera assembly.

91. The system of claim 90, wherein each of said camera assemblies comprises a PTZ camera assembly.

92. A visual location system, comprising:

a plurality of camera assemblies, each of said camera assemblies comprising an optical block and a RF receiver;

wherein said RF receiver is configured to receive from a RF antenna one or more RF signals comprising a RFID broadcast transmitted by a RFID device;

wherein said visual location system is configured to automatically visually locate said object using said optical block of said camera assembly based on said RFID broadcast received by said RF receiver from said antenna; and

wherein each of said camera assembly units comprises a differential antenna apparatus that is directionally aligned with said optical block of said camera assembly unit, and wherein said visual location system is further configured to visually align said optical block with said object to visually track said object by moving said optical block based on said RF signal received by said differential antenna apparatus.

93. The method of claim 92, wherein each of said camera assemblies comprises a PTZ camera assembly.