Positional information storage and retrieval system and method

• US 5,748,148 A
• Filed: 09/19/1995
• Issued: 05/05/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ZYX Company LLC
• Original Assignee: H.M.W. Consulting, Inc.
• Inventors: Wohl, Charles M., Heiser, Stephen J., Poza, Fausto, Malvino, Joanna Mary
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, DAO LINDA
• Application Number:
  US08/531,219
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 342/465, 342/450, 342/457, 342/419, 342/463, 340/825.54, 340/825.49
• US Class Current: 342/457
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

A positional information storage and retrieval system includes a positional detection unit transmitting positional information of at least one subject moving within an operational environment of the system, a plurality of receiver/transmitter units and a processor unit. Coordinate information of the receiver/transmitter units is received by the positional information unit and used to determine the positional information according to triangulation or other techniques embodied within the positional detection unit. The positional information is transmitted to the receiver/transmitter units which, in turn, transmit the positional information to the processor unit. A method for designing such a system includes selecting operational frequencies of the receiver/transmitter units and positioning the receiver/transmitter units throughout the operational environment such that distortion and attenuation of the positional information are minimized. Algorithms embodied within the processor unit generate, update and control access to a data base of information relating to locations of the subjects within the operational environment over time.

Claims

1. A system for storing and retrieving positional information of a subject wearing a positional detection unit and moving within an operating environment of the system comprising:

a positional detection unit adapted to receiving signals including coordinate information, to process said coordinate information to generate positional information including a position fix of the positional detection unit, and to transmit said positional information at varying time intervals as determined by magnitudes of said signals and changes in a position of said positional detection unit within the operating environment;

a plurality of receiver/transmitter units (R/T units) adapted to transmit said signals including coordinate information and to receive and transmit said positional information; and

a processor unit adapted to receive said positional information from said plurality of R/T units and to process said positional information to track an absolute position of said positional detection unit within the operating environment.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said positional detection unit further comprises:

a bracelet apparatus;

a receiver attached to said bracelet apparatus, said receiver being adapted to receive said signals including coordinate information;

microcircuitry within said bracelet apparatus adapted to process said coordinate information of said R/T units to determine said positional information; and

a transmitter attached to said bracelet apparatus, said transmitter being adapted to transmit said positional information.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said bracelet apparatus is configured for attachment to a subject and wherein said microcircuitry detects a malfunctioning condition of said positional detection unit or a detachment of said bracelet apparatus from the subject.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said transmitter transmits radio waves carrying said positional information.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein said microcircuitry comprises an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

6. The system of claim 2 wherein said microcircuitry includes circuitry adapted to process said coordinate information pursuant to a triangulation technique.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of ground-based R/T units are strategically positioned throughout the operating environment and wherein operational frequencies of said plurality of ground-based R/T units are selected such that distortion and attenuation of said positional information are minimized.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said processing unit determines said position of said positional detection unit at predetermined sampling intervals and wherein said processing unit further comprises:

a storage device for storing data indicating said absolute position at said predetermined sampling intervals.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said positional detection unit is configured for attachment to a subject and wherein said processing unit comprises a Data Base Module for processing said stored data to determine a trajectory of the subject.

10. A system for storing and retrieving positional information of at least one subject moving within an environment comprising:

a positional detection unit secured to at least one subject, said positional detection unit being adapted to receive signals including coordinate information, to process said coordinate information to generate encrypted positional information including a position fix of the positional detection unit, and to transmit said encrypted positional information at varying time intervals as determined by magnitudes of said signals and changes in a position of said positional detection unit within the operating environment;

a plurality of receiver/transmitter units (R/T units) adapted to transmit said signals including coordinate information and to receive and transmit said encrypted positional information, operating frequencies of said R/T units being selected and said R/T units being positioned throughout the operating environment such that distortion and attenuation of said encrypted positional information are minimized; and

a processor/memory unit adapted to receive said encrypted positional information over time from said R/T units, to track a location of each subject over time, to store said location of each subject over time, and to determine which, if any, subject was near a selected location near any point in time, said processor/memory unit including a query module adapted to enable a user of the system to provide user inputs to the system including a date, time and location of a crime and to request a system output indicating which of said subjects were near said crime location near said date and time of said crime.