System and method for locating objects
First Claim
1. A system for locating objects comprising:
- a first Coordinator comprising a first antenna, a first power source, a first integrated transceiver microprocessor, the first power source electrically connected to the first integrated transceiver microprocessor, and the antenna coupled to the first integrated transceiver microprocessor;
an Identification Tag comprising a second antenna, a second power source, a second integrated transceiver microprocessor, the second power source electrically connected to the second integrated transceiver microprocessor, and the antenna coupled to the second integrated transceiver microprocessor;
wherein the first and second integrated transceiver microprocessors communicate with each other according to predetermined timing cycles optimized for power consumption; and
wherein the first Coordinator further comprises an LCD display conveying information to a user, the information including a signal strength corresponding to a transmitted and a received power, and wherein the signal strength is a relative measure of distance between the first Coordinator and the Identification Tag; and
wherein the system further comprises a second Coordinator wherein the first and second Coordinators communicate with each other having a signal strength associated therewith, the signal strength a measure of the relative distance between the first and second Coordinators; and
wherein the first Coordinator and the Identification Tag are comprised of durable shock resistant material; and
wherein the first Coordinator and the Identification Tag each comprise a battery compartment cover; and
wherein the first Coordinator comprises a battery voltage, the battery voltage continually monitored and wherein an indication is provided when the battery voltage drops below a minimum operating value; and
wherein the Identification Tag is integrated directly into an object to be tracked, wherein the object has material suitable for Identification Tag integration; and
wherein the first Coordinator further comprising a USB port and wherein the first power source can be recharged via the USB port; and
wherein the first Coordinator is a cellular device.
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Abstract
A system and method for locating objects in an approximate immediate proximity to a user is disclosed. A two-way radio transponder system is employed with a Coordinator as a parent device and multiple Identification Tags as child devices. The system is low-cost and consumes relatively low power using advancement in microcircuit technology and additionally the system employs predetermined timing cycles to further optimize power consumption. The Coordinator has a microprocessor programmed to compare signal strength in successive communication cycles to help determine the proximity of the Coordinator to the multiple Identification Tags. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, motion sensors are used to assist in determining relative motion between Coordinator and Identification Tags. A USB port is further included for the system to interface with a PC. A method for associating the various Identification Tags, each having a unique electronic address to all others manufactured, with the particular Coordinator is also disclosed.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for locating objects comprising:
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a first Coordinator comprising a first antenna, a first power source, a first integrated transceiver microprocessor, the first power source electrically connected to the first integrated transceiver microprocessor, and the antenna coupled to the first integrated transceiver microprocessor; an Identification Tag comprising a second antenna, a second power source, a second integrated transceiver microprocessor, the second power source electrically connected to the second integrated transceiver microprocessor, and the antenna coupled to the second integrated transceiver microprocessor; wherein the first and second integrated transceiver microprocessors communicate with each other according to predetermined timing cycles optimized for power consumption; and wherein the first Coordinator further comprises an LCD display conveying information to a user, the information including a signal strength corresponding to a transmitted and a received power, and wherein the signal strength is a relative measure of distance between the first Coordinator and the Identification Tag; and wherein the system further comprises a second Coordinator wherein the first and second Coordinators communicate with each other having a signal strength associated therewith, the signal strength a measure of the relative distance between the first and second Coordinators; and wherein the first Coordinator and the Identification Tag are comprised of durable shock resistant material; and wherein the first Coordinator and the Identification Tag each comprise a battery compartment cover; and wherein the first Coordinator comprises a battery voltage, the battery voltage continually monitored and wherein an indication is provided when the battery voltage drops below a minimum operating value; and wherein the Identification Tag is integrated directly into an object to be tracked, wherein the object has material suitable for Identification Tag integration; and wherein the first Coordinator further comprising a USB port and wherein the first power source can be recharged via the USB port; and
wherein the first Coordinator is a cellular device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for tracking an object comprising:
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providing a Coordinator unit having a first transceiver chip and an LCD display attaching an Identification Tag to the object to be tracked, the Identification Tag having a second transceiver chip; communicating wirelessly between the Coordinator and the Identification Tag; optimizing power consumption for communication according to predetermined timing cycles; and conveying information to a user, the information including a signal strength corresponding to a transmitted and a received power, and wherein the signal strength is a relative measure of distance between the Coordinator and the Identification Tag; and programming the Coordinator to audibly indicate when the Coordinator loses (or regains) communications with the Identification Tag, wherein the programming the Coordinator to audibly to indicate when the Coordinator loses (or regains) communications with the Identification Tag comprises a simple beep generator, able to generate a plurality of combinations of short and/or prolonged beeps, wherein each of said plurality of combinations corresponds to a condition of the Identification Tag. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of associating a plurality of Identification Tags to a Coordinator, the method comprising:
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providing each Identification Tag with a unique MAC address; transmitting from a first Identification Tag to the Coordinator to start the associating along with a first unique MAC address for the first identification Tag; receiving the first unique MAC address to the Coordinator; comparing the first unique MAC address to a list of previously associated MAC addresses; adding the first unique MAC address to the list of previously associated MAC addresses, in the event that the first unique MAC address is not currently on the list; entering a common name of an object associated with the first Identification Tag; and repeating the method for second and subsequent identification Tags. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification