System and method using triangulation with RF/LF and infrared devices for tracking objects

• US 7,180,420 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2004
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MGM Computer Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: MGM Computer Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Maurer, Mike
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, LAM P
• Application Number:
  US10/853,396
• Publication Number:
  US 20050264416A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 340/572.9, 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/825.44, 340/825.34, 340/311.2, 340/539.16, 455/150.1, 455/151.1, 455/456, 455/517
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

The invention involves the usage of radio frequency, infrared, and low frequency radio frequency to accurately track transponders (tags) that are placed on objects. Transponders about the size of a small watch or a badge that can be worn on a lapel or pocket are used. The transponders are attached to staff, assets, and/or patients. Typically, ceiling mounted readers are used. The system utilizes the readers to triangulate the position of the transponders. The transponders can triangulate to a resolution accuracy of a couple of inches to 10 feet within 4 seconds. The system is also capable of triangulating the position of tags when they are lost to IR using RF. The system works with vector floor plans (AutoCAD or Microstation). This enables the system to function so that detail doesn'"'"'t deteriorate even with large areas (100,000 square feet to unlimited miles). This enables accurate reading of room labels to quickly identify exact location of tags.

Claims

1. A system for tracking objects comprising:

a transponder attached to an object, wherein said transponder emits RF signals, LF signals, and infra-red signals;

a RF signal reader for detecting emitted RF signals;

a LF signal reader for detecting emitted LF signals;

an infra-red signal reader for detecting emitted infra-red signals; and

a computer enabled to receive transmissions from said RF signal reader, said LF signal reader, and said infra-red signal reader, wherein said computer uses said transmissions to triangulate a location of said object in an area.

2. The system for tracking objects of claim 1, further comprising a display for displaying said location of said object in said area.

3. The system for tracking objects of claim 2, wherein said display comprises a vector floor plan of said area.

4. The system for tracking objects of claim 1, wherein said computer further uses said transmissions to indicate a boundary in said area.

5. The system for tracking objects of claim 4, wherein said computer further uses said transmissions to indicate a zone in said area.

6. The system for tracking objects of claim 5, wherein said boundary is within said zone within said area.

7. The system for tracking objects of claim 1, further comprising a hand-held device enabled to receive transmissions from said computer.

8. The system for tracking objects of claim 1, wherein said computer is a hand-held device.

9. The system for tracking objects of claim 1, wherein said object is one of a group consisting of staff, patients, and equipment in a hospital.

10. The system for tracking objects of claim 1, wherein said object is an inventory item.

11. A system for tracking objects comprising:

transmitting means attached to an object for emitting RF signals, LF signals, and infra-red signals;

RF signal detecting means for detecting emitted RF signals;

LF signal detecting means for detecting emitted LF signals;

infra-red signal detecting means for detecting emitted infra-red signals;

transmission means for transmitting detected signals from said RF signal detecting means, said LF signal detecting means, and said infra-red signal detecting means to a computer; and

triangulation means for triangulating said detected signals to determine a location of an object within an area.

12. The system for tracking objects of claim 11, further comprising a display means for displaying said location of said object within said area.

13. The system for tracking objects of claim 12, wherein said display means is a vector floor plan.

14. The system for tracking objects of claim 11, further comprising boundary recognition means to indicate boundaries in an area.

15. The system for tracking objects of claim 14, further comprising a step of recognizing a zone in said area.

16. The method for tracking objects of claim 15, wherein said boundary is within said zone with in said area.

17. The system for tracking objects of claim 11, further comprising a hand-held device enabled to receive transmissions from said computer.

18. The system for tracking objects of claim 11, wherein said computer is a hand-held device.

19. The system for tracking objects of claim 11, wherein said object is one of a group consisting of staff, patients, and equipment in a hospital.

20. The system for tracking objects of claim 11, wherein said object is an inventory item.

21. A method for tracking objects comprising the steps of:

attaching a transponder to an object, wherein said transponder emits RF signals, LF signals, and infra-red signals;

providing a RF signal readers for detecting emitted RF signals in an area;

providing a LF signal reader for detecting emitted LF signals in said area;

providing an infra-red signal reader for detecting emitted infra-red signals in said area;

detecting a signal emitted from said transponder at a plurality of readers;

transmitting data indicating a detected signal from said plurality of readers to a computer; and

triangulating a location of said object using said data transmitted to said computer.

22. The method for tracking objects of claim 21, further comprising a step of displaying said location of said object on a display.

23. The method for tracking objects of claim 22, wherein said display comprises a vector floor plan.

24. The method for tracking objects of claim 21, further comprising a step of recognizing a boundary in said area.

25. The method for tracking objects of claim 24, further comprising a step of recognizing a zone in said area.

26. The method for tracking objects of claim 25, wherein said boundary is within said zone with in said area.

27. The method for tracking objects of claim 21, further comprising transmitting said location of said object to a hand-held device enabled to receive transmissions from said computer.

28. The method for tracking objects of claim 21, wherein said computer is a hand-held device.

29. The method for tracking objects of claim 21, said object is one of a group consisting of staff, patients, and equipment in a hospital.

30. The method for tracking objects of claim 21, wherein said object is an inventory item.

31. A system for tracking objects comprising:

a transponder attached to an object, wherein said transponder emits RF signals, LF signals and infra-red signals;

a RF signal reader for detecting emitted RF signals;

a LF signal reader for detecting emitted LF signals

an infra-red signal reader for detecting emitted infra-red signals;

a computer enabled to receive transmissions from said RF signal reader, said LF signal reader and said infra-red signal reader to determine a location of said object; and

said computer further comprising boundary recognition means for determining a location of said object.

32. The system for tracking objects of claim 31, wherein said computer uses said transmissions to triangulate a location of said object in an area.

33. The system for tracking objects of claim 31, wherein said computer further comprises zone recognition means for determining a location of said objects.

34. The system for tracking objects of claim 31, further comprising a display for displaying said location of said object in said area.

35. The system for tracking objects of claim 34, wherein said display comprises a vector floor plan of said area.