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Methods and apparatus for ceiling-mounted RFID-enabled tracking

  • US 9,418,260 B2
  • Filed: 02/25/2014
  • Issued: 08/16/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for tracking a subject using radio-frequency identification (RFID), the apparatus comprising:

  • an antenna array comprising a plurality of articulating brackets, mounted to a surface, and a plurality of antennas each mounted on a corresponding one of the plurality of articulating brackets, wherein each of the plurality of articulating brackets is configured to move a corresponding one of the plurality of antennas into a plurality of positions within a range of angles with respect to an axis that is orthogonal to the surface and within a range of angles with respect to an axis that is parallel to the surface, and wherein each of the plurality of antennas is configured to receive a RFID signal;

    one or more sensors configured to detect one or more environmental conditions, wherein the one or more environmental conditions comprise a presence of a subject; and

    at least one processor thatwhen the presence of the subject is not detected by the one or more sensors, switches the antenna array into a low power mode, and when the presence of the subject is detected, switches the antenna array into an active power mode,determines a distance between the subject and the antenna array based on a strength of the one or more signals received by the antenna array;

    determines a trajectory of the subject based on the determined distance; and

    based on the determined trajectory of the subject, controls a first one of the plurality of articulating brackets of the antenna array to move a first one of the plurality of antennas into a different position relative to a second one of the plurality of antennas to track the subject.

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