RF system for tracking objects
First Claim
1. A method for tracking an object in space for position, comprising the steps of:
- emitting an RF signal from a fixed position;
receiving the RF signal with a transponder device on the object;
emitting from the transponder device an RF return signal consisting of the received RF signal delayed in time by a known time delay;
receiving the RF return signal with at least three aerials associated to the fixed position; and
calculating a position of the object from a distance between each of the at least three aerials and the transponder device as a function of the known delay and the time period between the emission of the RF signal and the reception of the RF return signal from the first, second and third aerials.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for tracking an object in space for position, comprises a transponder device connectable to the object. The transponder device has one or several transponder aerial(s) and a transponder circuit connected to the transponder aerial for receiving an RF signal through the transponder aerial. The transponder device adds a known delay to the RF signal thereby producing an RF response for transmitting through the transponder aerial. A transmitter is connected to a first aerial for transmitting the RF signal through a first aerial. A receiver is connected to the first, a second and third aerials for receiving the RF response of the transponder device therethrough. A position calculator is associated to the transmitter and the receiver for calculating a position of the object as a function of the known delay and the time period between the emission of the RF signal and the reception of the RF response from the first, second and third aerials. A method is also provided.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for tracking an object in space for position, comprising the steps of:
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emitting an RF signal from a fixed position; receiving the RF signal with a transponder device on the object; emitting from the transponder device an RF return signal consisting of the received RF signal delayed in time by a known time delay; receiving the RF return signal with at least three aerials associated to the fixed position; and calculating a position of the object from a distance between each of the at least three aerials and the transponder device as a function of the known delay and the time period between the emission of the RF signal and the reception of the RF return signal from the first, second and third aerials. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for tracking an object in space for position, comprising:
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a transponder device operatively connected to the object, the transponder device having a transponder aerial and a transponder circuit connected to the transponder aerial for receiving an RF signal through the transponder aerial, the transponder device for adding a known delay to the RF signal for thereby producing an RF response for transmitting through the transponder aerial; first, second and third aerials; a transmitter connected to the first aerial for transmitting the RF signal through the first aerial; a receiver connected to the first, second and third aerials for receiving the RF response of the transponder device therethrough; and a position calculator associated to the transmitter and the receiver and having a cycle counter and a phase comparator for calculating a position of the object as a function of the known delay, a number of cycles between the emission of the RF signal and the reception of the RF response from the first, second and third aerials, and as a function of a phase difference between the emitted RF signal and the received RF response. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification