Zone-based command transmissions to cart wheel assemblies
First Claim
1. A system for controlling usage of human-propelled carts, comprising:
- a wheel assembly that attaches to a human-propelled cart, said wheel assembly comprising a wheel and communication circuitry; and
a device that transmits a command via radio frequency transmissions from an antenna, said device positioned at a fixed location to create a zone into which the cart can enter;
wherein the communication circuitry is responsive to receiving a radio frequency transmission of the command from the device by measuring a received signal strength of the transmission and by determining whether the measured received signal strength satisfies a threshold for responding to the command, wherein the communication circuitry is configured to respond to the command when the threshold is satisfied and to disregard the command when the threshold is not satisfied, said threshold thereby defining a boundary of the zone;
wherein the device is configured to transmit, via said radio frequency transmissions, threshold information that specifies said threshold to the wheel assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle tracking system includes a wheel assembly containing sensor circuitry capable of sensing various types of conditions, such as specific electromagnetic and/or magnetic signals indicative of particular wheel locations. The sensor circuitry is coupled to an RF transceiver, which may but need not be included within the wheel. The wheel may also include a brake mechanism. In one embodiment, the wheels are placed on shopping carts and are used to collect and monitor shopping cart status and location data via a wireless network. In some embodiments, the wheel assemblies detect that they have entered into particular zones by measuring received signal strengths of received command transmissions, and by comparing these measurements to thresholds that are used to define zone boundaries.
146 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for controlling usage of human-propelled carts, comprising:
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a wheel assembly that attaches to a human-propelled cart, said wheel assembly comprising a wheel and communication circuitry; and a device that transmits a command via radio frequency transmissions from an antenna, said device positioned at a fixed location to create a zone into which the cart can enter; wherein the communication circuitry is responsive to receiving a radio frequency transmission of the command from the device by measuring a received signal strength of the transmission and by determining whether the measured received signal strength satisfies a threshold for responding to the command, wherein the communication circuitry is configured to respond to the command when the threshold is satisfied and to disregard the command when the threshold is not satisfied, said threshold thereby defining a boundary of the zone; wherein the device is configured to transmit, via said radio frequency transmissions, threshold information that specifies said threshold to the wheel assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for controlling usage of human-propelled carts, comprising:
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a wheel assembly that attaches to a human-propelled cart, said wheel assembly comprising a wheel and communication circuitry; and a device that transmits a command via radio frequency transmissions from an antenna, said device positioned at a fixed location to create a zone into which the cart can enter; wherein the wheel assembly and device are configured to communicate wirelessly with each other using a protocol in which received signal strength (RSSI) values are calculated and are compared to a threshold, and in which the wheel assembly disregards the command when the threshold is not satisfied, said threshold defining a boundary of the zone. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification