Calibration and operational assurance method and apparatus for RFID object monitoring system

• US 8,451,121 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2010
• Issued: 05/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RF Controls LLC
• Original Assignee: PF Controls LLC
• Inventors: Hook, Christopher Derek, Bloy, Graham P., Ellinwood, Thomas, Turner, Christopher Gordon Gervase
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T
• Assistant Examiner(s): NWUGO, OJIAKO K
• Application Number:
  US12/878,463
• Publication Number:
  US 20110063113A1
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13, 340/539.23, 340/5.2, 3405721-5729
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/82 wherein continuous-type signals are transmitted
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/878 Combination of several spaced transmitters or receivers of known location for determining the position of a transponder or a reflector G01S13/874 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4082 using externally generated reference signals, e.g. via remote reflector or transponder
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 PIN / Access code, authentication

Abstract

A method for monitoring objects in a three dimensional target area and or business process decision making. The methods include calibration, recalibration, operation and rules compliance for a radio frequency object monitoring system. Location tags are placed throughout a three dimensional area in predetermined positions and used to determine relative position, movement and or distances of objects with and without object tags. Repeated scanning and comparison of data provides a database by which the object monitoring system responds according to predetermined rules.

Claims

1. A method of rules compliance for an object monitoring system, comprising steps of:

assigning a value to each of a plurality of object tags;

the object monitoring system monitoring a relative position of the plurality of object tags in comparison with a position of a plurality of location tags;

the object monitoring system provided with a set of predetermined rules;

the predetermined rules including recognizing the values of the object tags;

and the object monitoring system initiating an alarm when the object tags move in relation to the location tags according to the predetermined rules;

the object monitoring system providing a surveillance response to moving object tags proportional to the values of the object tags;

wherein the predetermined rules specify an action when the object tags approach within a predetermined distance from a zone.

2. The method of claim 1, further including monitoring a predetermined distance between designated object tags and initiating a predetermined response upon detection of the predetermined distance that is less than a predetermined value.