Tracking system and a method for tracking the position of a device

• US 8,676,228 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2010
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Europe Ltd (NEC Corporation)
• Inventors: Strohbach, Martin, Kovacs, Erno
• Primary Examiner(s): Karikari, Kwasi
• Application Number:
  US13/147,444
• Publication Number:
  US 20120021760A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,505 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.1, 455/404.2, 455/63.4, 455/25, 455/524, 455/67.17
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0289 of multiple transceivers, e.g. in ad hoc networks

Abstract

For allowing a reliable and fast determination of the position of devices with a high degree of privacy preservation a tracking system for determination of the position of devices within a wireless network is claimed, wherein the tracking system is including a number of tracking stations, each tracking station being adapted for wireless communication with at least one device. The system is characterized by a management unit for control of a tracking activity of the tracking stations. Further, an according method for tracking the position of a device within a wireless network is claimed, preferably for use with the above mentioned tracking system.

Claims

1. A tracking system for determination of the position of devices within a wireless network, wherein the tracking system is comprising a number of tracking stations, each tracking station being adapted for wireless communication with at least one device, characterized by a management unit for control of a tracking activity of the tracking stations,

wherein the management unit is adapted for scheduling which device shall be pinged by which tracking station, preferably within which time interval, and

wherein the scheduling is based on previous sightings and/or on the importance of previous sightings of the respective device and/or on the necessary accuracy or QoS (Quality of Service).

2. A tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the tracking stations are adapted for pinging of a device and/or for invoking an operation of a device.

3. A tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the scheduling is based on a potential walkway of the respective device.

4. A tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the tracking stations can be controlled by the management unit for immediately pinging a definable device.

5. A tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the management unit is comprising a registration module for registering a device and/or an identity and/or an access policy.

6. A tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the management unit is comprising an activation module for activation and/or deactivation of tracking of a device.

7. A tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the management unit is comprising an access module for permitting access by services to a tracking information.

8. A tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the management unit is comprising a mash-up module for receiving events and/or information from and/or for communicating with other systems or sources.

9. A tracking system according to claim 8, wherein the other systems or sources are comprising a preferably GPS-based positioning system, a cell-phone and/or a calendar.

10. A tracking system according to claim 8, wherein the mash-up module is comprising an API (Application Programming Interface) with access control.

11. A tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the management unit is comprising a learning module for predicting a movement pattern or a potential walkway of a device.

12. A tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the management unit is comprising a communication module for communication with tracking stations.

13. A tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the management unit is integrated in a tracking station.

14. A tracking system according to claim 1, wherein each tracking station is supporting multiple radio interfaces and/or multiple interfaces of the same technology.

15. A tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the tracking system is realized as part of a display system, an indoor navigation system or a surveillance system.

16. A method for tracking the position of a device within a wireless network, preferably for use with a tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the tracking system is comprising a number of tracking stations, each tracking station being adapted for wireless communication with at least one device, characterized by controlling of a tracking activity of the tracking stations by a management unit.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the management unit will perform high precision measurements for devices already discovered in a specific area and/or needing close monitoring, while it occasionally checks for devices coming into a definable range.

18. A method according to claim 16, wherein for tracking stations along a definable or predictable walkway of a device, the device being tracked will be added to a queue of potentially arriving devices at said tracking stations.

19. A method according to claim 16, wherein the tracking will only be started when a positioning system is providing the information that the device might come into a definable range.

20. A method according to claim 16, wherein the management unit is scheduling the time needed to perform one or more trackings of devices.