Wireless identification and tracking using magnetic fields
US6686881B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 3, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S5/0205
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for tracking assets. The method comprises the steps of generating a magnetic field at the base station, receiving a radio signal transmitted from the remote station disposed at a location, and determining a distance from the base station to the location from the received radio signal transmitted from the remote station. In another embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the steps of remotely sensing a magnetic field generated by a base station, measuring an intensity of the sensed magnetic field, and transmitting a radio signal from the remote station to the base station as an indication of a distance between the base station and the remote station. The apparatus comprises tracking system having a magnetic field generator, a receiver for receiving a signal from a remote station indicative of a distance between the base station and the remote station, and a processor, coupled to the magnetic field generator and the receiver, the processor for determining a distance from the remote location to the base station from the received signal. In one embodiment, the processor is embodied in discrete components, whi…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.