Wireless tracking system and method with optical tag removal detection

• US 7,443,297 B1
• Filed: 12/29/2007
• Issued: 10/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Centrak Incorporated (Halma PLC)
• Original Assignee: Awarepoint Corporation
• Inventors: Caliri, Dyami, Smith, Derek, Baranowski, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Phung
• Application Number:
  US11/967,046
• Time in Patent Office: 304 Days
• Field of Search: 3405721-5729, 340/506, 340/539.15, 340/539.13, 340/539.23, 340/555, 340/568.1, 340/522, 250/200
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1436 with motion detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1481 with optical detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2448 Tag with at least dual detection means, e.g. combined inductive and ferromagnetic tags, dual frequencies within a single technology, tampering detection or signalling means on the tag

Abstract

A wireless tracking system and method with a tag removal detection feature is disclosed herein. The system and method utilize a tag attached to an asset which includes a processor, a motion sensor (such as an accelerometer), a transceiver, a tag removal sensor and a power source having a limited supply of power. The tag removal sensor is an optical sensor which is activated only when the motion sensor detects motion. In this manner, the tag conserves power since the tag is typically only in motion ten percent of the day. If the tag is removed from the asset, the optical sensor confirms the removal and an alert is activated by the system.

Claims

1. A method for determining if a tracking tag has been removed from an asset, the method comprising:

detecting motion of a tag with a motion sensor provided on the tag, the tag attached to an asset;

transmitting an activation signal to a tag removal sensor disposed on the tag, the activation signal activating the tag removal sensor from a low power consumption state;

determining if the tag is currently attached to the asset;

transmitting an unattached signal to a transceiver of the tracking tag to indicate that the tracking tag is currently unattached to the asset;

broadcasting the unattached signal to a plurality of network sensors positioned within an indoor facility; and

transmitting the unattached signal from at least one of the plurality of network sensors to a positioning engine to generate a warning.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the tag removal sensor is an optical sensor that emits light from the tracking tag to the asset and receives the light reflected from a surface of the asset indicating that the tracking tag is attached to the asset.

3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising tracking a location of the asset bearing a tag by transmitting a radiofrequency signal from the tag at a first periodic basis when the tag is in a resting state and at a second periodic basis when the tag is in a motion state.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the first periodic basis is every eight minutes and the second periodic basis is every five seconds.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the warning is a display on a graphical user interface.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the warning is an email message to at least one operator.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the warning is a SMS to at least one operator.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the tracking tag further comprises a power source having a limited supply of electrical power.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the tracking tag transmits a radiofrequency transmission of approximately 2.48 GigaHertz, and each of the plurality of network sensors communicates utilizing a 802.15.4 protocol.

10. A system for determining if a tracking tag has been removed from an asset, the system comprising:

a plurality of network sensors, each of the plurality of network sensors positioned within an indoor facility;

a tracking tag attached to an asset, the tracking tag comprising

means for detecting motion of the tracking tag,

a tag removal sensor activated from a low power consumption state to an activation state upon a signal from the motion detecting means,

means for wirelessly transmitting to each of the plurality of network sensors a signal that the tracking tag has been removed from the asset; and

means for processing the signals from the tracking tag.

11. The system according to claim 10 wherein the motion detection means comprises an accelerometer.

12. The system according to claim 10 wherein the tag removal sensor is an optical sensor including an emitter for emitting a light beam, and a photodiode for receiving a reflected light beam.

13. The system according to claim 12 wherein during the activation state the emitter generates the light beam, the light beam is reflected off the asset and the reflected light beam is received by the photodiode if the tracking tag is attached to the asset.

14. The system according to claim 12 wherein the wirelessly transmitting means comprises a radiofrequency transmitter, the wirelessly transmitting means transmitting a radiofrequency from the tracking tag to the plurality of network sensors at a first periodic basis when the tag is in a stationary state and at a second periodic basis when the tag is in a motion state.

15. The system according to claim 14 wherein the second periodic basis is substantially more frequent than the first periodic basis.

16. A tracking and security device for monitoring a location and status of an asset in an indoor facility, the device comprising:

a housing having a window;

a microcontroller positioned within the housing, the microcontroller having means for transmitting at a motion rate and at a stationary rate;

a wireless network interface positioned within the housing and connected to the microcontroller, the wireless network interface transmitting a broadcast from the device using a wireless communication format;

a power supply positioned within the housing and connected to the microcontroller;

a motion sensor positioned within the housing and connected to the microcontroller, the motion sensor having means for transmitting a signal to the microcontroller when the device is in motion; and

an optical sensor positioned within the housing, the optical sensor comprising an emitter for emitting a light beam through the window of the housing of the device, and a photodiode for receiving a reflected light beam generated by the emitter, the optical sensor having a resting mode to conserve power consumption and an activation mode to determine whether the device is attached to an asset, wherein during the activation mode the emitter generates the light beam which is reflected off the asset and received by the photodiode if the device is attached to the asset, the optical sensor further comprising means for informing the microcontroller that the device is attached to the asset.

17. The device according to claim 16 wherein the means for transmitting at a stationary rate occurs at a first periodic basis, the means for transmitting at a motion rate occurs at a second periodic basis, and wherein the second periodic basis is substantially more frequent than the first periodic basis.

18. The device according to claim 16 wherein the means for transmitting comprises a radiofrequency transmitter.

19. The device according to claim 16 wherein the motion sensor is an accelerometer.

20. The device according to claim 16 wherein the indoor facility is a hospital.