Localization system and method for localizing objects or animals using such a localization system

• US 7,649,466 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2004
• Issued: 01/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eyeon Trust BV
• Original Assignee: Eyeon Trust BV
• Inventors: Blom, George Johannes Ferdinandus, Schimmer, Martijn
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu; Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): WANG, JACK K
• Application Number:
  US10/552,547
• Publication Number:
  US 20070171063A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,112 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.4
• US Class Current: 340/573.4
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/003 Bistatic radar systems; Multistatic radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/0209 Systems with very large relative bandwidth, i.e. larger than 10 %, e.g. baseband, pulse, carrier-free, ultrawideband
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/878 Combination of several spaced transmitters or receivers of known location for determining the position of a transponder or a reflector G01S13/874 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 15/00 Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object record carriers for use with machines having a detectable tag or marker G06K19/00

Abstract

In particular situations it may be desirable to follow, trace or otherwise localize specific (groups of) objects or animals, in particular people. The invention relates to a localization system. The invention also relates to a method for localizing objects or animals using such a localization system.

Claims

1. A localization system, comprising:

means for generating an electromagnetic energy field within the Ultra-Wideband (UWB), wherein the electromagnetic energy field is formed by one or more pulse streams,

at least one disrupting means for locally disrupting the electromagnetic energy field,

detecting means for detecting the local disruption of the electromagnetic energy field, and

a control unit coupled to the detecting means for localizing the disrupting means on the basis of the detected local disruption,

wherein the means for generating the electromagnetic energy field are adapted to transmit pulse beams of a plurality of pulse streams, wherein each pulse beam comprises nine pulse streams, which pulse streams are oriented at least substantially parallel to each other.

2. The localization system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disrupting means is arranged on at least one object.

3. The localization system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disrupting means is arranged on an animal.

4. The localization system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the disrupting means is arranged on a person.

5. The localization system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disrupting means is adapted to disrupt the electromagnetic energy field in a manner that distinguishes it from other disrupting means in the system.

6. The localization system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disrupting means is adapted to reflect the pulse streams.

7. The localization system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disrupting means is adapted to influence the pulse streams.

8. The localization system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disrupting means is formed by a chip.

9. The localization system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disrupting means is formed by a coating.

10. The localization system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the localization system is provided with visual means communicating with the control unit for displaying the location of the detected disrupting means.

11. The localization system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the communication between the control unit and the visual means takes place wirelessly via electromagnetic radiation.

12. The localization system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the communication between the control unit and the visual means takes place wirelessly via pulse streams.

13. A method for localizing objects or animals, comprising the steps of:

A) generating an electromagnetic energy field within the Ultra-Wideband (UWB), wherein the electromaanetic energy field is formed by one or more pulse beams, wherein each pulse beam comprises nine pulse streams oriented at least substantially parallel to each other,

B) placing in the electromagnetic energy field at least one object or animal provided with at least one disrupting means for locally disrupting the electromagnetic energy field,

C) detecting the local disruption of the electromagnetic energy field, and

D) localizing the object or animal on the basis of the detected local disruption.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the method is provided with a step E) comprising of visualizing the location of the object or animal after localizing the object or animal on the basis of the detected local disruption as according to step D).

15. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein while step B) is being performed a person provided with at least one disrupting means is placed in the electromagnetic energy field to locally disrupt the energy field.