Tracking passengers on cruise ships

• US 8,823,517 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2013
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anuvu IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: MTN Satellite Communications
• Inventors: Hadsall, Richard A Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US13/947,484
• Publication Number:
  US 20130300560A1
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 235/375, 235/385
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 2009/0017 characterised by making use of satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. the Global Positioning System [GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 2009/131 specially adapted for being attachable to a single arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0275 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS] tag technology used for parent or child unit, e.g. same transmission technology, magnetic tag, RF tag, RFID
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 26/007 Wireless interrogation

Abstract

Systems and procedures for tracking the locations of passengers on a vessel are provided. Example systems may include a portable tag configured to be assigned to a passenger, the tag encoded with a tag identifier; a plurality of tag readers configured to be positioned at predetermined locations on a vessel, each tag reader configured to read the tag identifier of the tag when the tag reader receives a signal from the tag; a tracking component configured to communicate with the tag readers, the tracking component configured to receive, from a detecting tag reader, an indication that the signal has been received from the tag, the tracking component configured to determine a detected location of the tag based at least in part on the predetermined location of the detecting tag reader; and a notification component configured to send towards a user device, a notification including the detected location.

Claims

1. A system for tracking the locations of passengers on a vessel, comprising:

a portable tag configured to be assigned to a passenger, the tag encoded with a tag identifier;

a plurality of tag readers configured to be positioned at predetermined locations on a vessel, each tag reader configured to read the tag identifier of the tag when the tag reader receives a signal from the tag;

a tracking component configured to communicate with the tag readers, the tracking component configured to receive, from a detecting tag reader, an indication that the signal has been received from the tag, the tracking component configured to determine a detected location of the tag based at least in part on the predetermined location of the detecting tag reader; and

a notification component configured to send towards a user device, a notification including the detected location;

a tag reader in the plurality of tag readers is configured with a first and second operating mode;

the first operating mode is used when the vessel is at least a predetermined distance from land; and

the second operating mode is used when the vessel is less than the predetermined distance from land.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the tracking component is further configured to determine the detected location based on the detecting tag reader'"'"'s power.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the tracking component is further configured to determine the detected location based on a detected signal strength.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein:

the tracking component is further configured to determine the detected location based on a physical property of the vessel in an area near the detecting tag reader.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the notification identifies one of a room and a location on a deck.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the user device is a wireless device.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the notification is a text message.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein:

the user device is configured to display the detected location on a map of the vessel.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a user kiosk configured to communicate with the tracking system, the user kiosk configured to display the detected location, responsive to a user request.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein:

the kiosk is further configured to display a map of the vessel; and

the kiosk is further configured to display the detected location on the map.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the indication includes one of a time, a direction, a signal strength, and rate of change.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the tag reader is configured to operate at a first power level in the first operating mode and the tag reader is configured to operate at a second power level in the second operating mode.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the tag includes one of a wrist band, a watch, a room key, a beach tag, a smart card, and a wallet card.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the tag is an RFID tag.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the tag is configured to operate on a plurality of frequencies;

a first tag reader in the plurality of tag readers is configured to operate on a first frequency; and

a second tag reader in the plurality of tag readers is configured to operate on a second frequency.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the tag is configured to operate on a plurality of frequencies;

a first tag reader in the plurality of tag readers is configured to operate on a first frequency;

a second tag reader in the plurality of tag readers is configured to operate on a second frequency; and

a third tag reader in the plurality of tag readers is configured to operate on a third frequency.

17. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a customizable display located on the vessel configured to display a customized message based on the detected location.

18. A method for tracking the locations of passengers on a vessel, comprising:

assigning a portable tag to a passenger, the tag encoded with a tag identifier;

positioning a plurality of tag readers at predetermined locations on a vessel, each tag reader configured to read the tag identifier of the tag when the tag reader receives a signal from the tag;

detecting the tag with a first tag reader in the plurality of tag readers;

identifying a detected location of the tag, responsive to detecting the tag with the first tag reader; and

reporting the detected location of the tag to a user; and

wherein a second tag reader in the plurality of tag readers is configured with a first and second operating mode, the method further comprising;

enabling the first operating mode when the vessel is at least a predetermined distance from land; and

enabling the second operating mode when the vessel is less than the predetermined distance from land.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein:

reporting the detected location further comprises sending a text message towards one of a mobile telephone, a Personal Communication Device, and a computer.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

charging a per message fee to a user.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

receiving a notification rule;

wherein reporting the detected location of the tag is performed according to the notification rule.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

receiving a group definition including a plurality of users; and

reporting the detected location of the tag to each user in the plurality of users.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein:

the first operating mode is automatically enabled responsive to receiving a first Global Positioning System signal; and

the second operating mode is automatically enabled responsive to receiving a second Global Positioning System signal.

24. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

allocating vessel staff based on the detected location.

25. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

displaying a customized message based on the detected location.