Multimode device for locating and identifying items
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An integrated identification system comprising:
- a housing;
an active light beacon supported by the housing;
an RF beacon, including an RF receiver, supported by the housing; and
a controller coupled to the active light beacon and RF beacon to facilitate independent control of the active light beacon and RF beacon responsive to receipt of an RF command by the RE receiver.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated identification system including a housing, an active light beacon supported by the housing, an RF beacon supported by the housing, and a controller coupled to the active light beacon and RF beacon to facilitate independent control of the active light beacon and RF beacon.
21 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An integrated identification system comprising:
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a housing; an active light beacon supported by the housing; an RF beacon, including an RF receiver, supported by the housing; and a controller coupled to the active light beacon and RF beacon to facilitate independent control of the active light beacon and RF beacon responsive to receipt of an RF command by the RE receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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- 8. The identification system of example 1 and further comprising a controller to receive external commands.
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11. An identification system comprising:
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a housing; a passive IR reflector positioned on at least one outside surface of the housing; an active light beacon supported by the housing; an RF beacon supported by the housing; a controller coupled to control the active light beacon and the RF beacon; an RF receiver coupled to receive transmitted commands and provide the commands to the controller; and wherein the controller is configured to independently activate the active light beacon and RF beacon responsive to the commands.
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12. The identification system of example 11 and further comprising a memory device coupled to the controller and having controller executable instructions to cause the controller to activate the active light beacon and RF beacon responsive to the commands.
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13. The identification system of example 12 and further comprising a battery coupled to power the beacons, wherein the RF beacon varies a duty cycle to conserve battery life.
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14. The identification system of example 12 wherein the RE beacon transmits a coded RE signal.
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15. The identification system of example 14 wherein the coded RE signal is coded to uniquely identify an item or person.
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16. The identification system of example 12 wherein the active light beacon emits an IR pulse of light that is coded.
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17. The identification system of example 12 wherein the controller is configured to turn on either or both beacons responsive to the commands.
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18. The identification system of example 12 and further comprising a battery to power the controller and the beacons and wherein the controller controls the activated beacon or beacons to periodically transmit identification signals and lengthens a period between transmissions based on remaining battery life.
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19. A method comprising:
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receiving a command via an RE receiver to turn on a beacon; determining which beacon to turn on from an RE beacon and an active light beacon integrated into an identification device; turning on the determined beacon; and periodically transmitting a coded pulse identifying a person wearing the identification device. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification