Methods and systems for synchronized infrared real time location
First Claim
1. A system for determining a location of a portable device, the system comprising:
- a plurality of stationary infrared (IR) base stations grouped into at least first and second groups, each group including multiple IR base stations, the IR base stations in each group being configured to receive timing synchronization information and, at a common predetermined time based on the received timing synchronization information, to transmit corresponding IR location codes, each IR location code representative of a location of the corresponding IR base station, wherein the IR base stations in the different groups are configured to transmit their corresponding IR location codes at respectively different predetermined times based on the received timing synchronization information;
a plurality of portable devices, each portable device configured to detect the IR location codes transmitted by the respective IR base stations and, if one of the IR location codes is detected, transmit an output signal including a portable device ID representative of the portable device and the detected IR location code; and
at least one radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to periodically provide, upon a request, the timing synchronization information to the respective IR base stations relative to a unified time of origin.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems for determining a location of a portable device are provided. The system includes stationary infrared (IR) base stations, portable devices and at least one radio frequency (RF) transceiver. At least two of the IR base stations receive timing synchronization information and transmit corresponding IR location codes in a time period based on the received timing synchronization information. Each IR location code is representative of a location of the corresponding IR base station. Each portable device detects the IR location codes and, if one of the IR location codes is detected, transmits an output signal including a portable device ID representative of the portable device and the detected IR location code. The RF transceiver periodically provides, upon a request, the timing synchronization information to the respective IR base stations relative to a unified time of origin.
24 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A system for determining a location of a portable device, the system comprising:
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a plurality of stationary infrared (IR) base stations grouped into at least first and second groups, each group including multiple IR base stations, the IR base stations in each group being configured to receive timing synchronization information and, at a common predetermined time based on the received timing synchronization information, to transmit corresponding IR location codes, each IR location code representative of a location of the corresponding IR base station, wherein the IR base stations in the different groups are configured to transmit their corresponding IR location codes at respectively different predetermined times based on the received timing synchronization information; a plurality of portable devices, each portable device configured to detect the IR location codes transmitted by the respective IR base stations and, if one of the IR location codes is detected, transmit an output signal including a portable device ID representative of the portable device and the detected IR location code; and at least one radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to periodically provide, upon a request, the timing synchronization information to the respective IR base stations relative to a unified time of origin. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for determining a location and an identity of a portable device, the system comprising:
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means for transmitting timing synchronization information including a plurality of radio frequency (RF) transceivers and a backbone network and a time server generating the timing synchronization information;
wherein each of the plurality of RF transceivers is coupled to the backbone network and periodically transmits a request to the time server to receive the timing synchronization information;a plurality of stationary infrared (IR) base stations grouped into at least first and second groups, each group including multiple IR base stations, the IR base stations in each group being configured to receive timing synchronization information and, at a common predetermined time based on the received timing synchronization information, to transmit corresponding IR location codes, each IR location code representative of a location of the corresponding IR base station, wherein the IR base stations in the different groups are configured to transmit their corresponding IR codes in respectively different predetermined times based on the received timing synchronization information; and a plurality of portable devices, each portable device including a motion detector and being configured; to be activated at each of the predetermined times for each of the groups of IR base stations and to be in a sleep state between successive activations; and to be activated when in motion, as determined by the motion detector, to detect the IR location codes transmitted by the IR base stations and, if one of the IR location codes is detected, transmit an output signal including a portable device ID representative of the portable device and the detected IR location code.
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Specification