Methods and systems for locating subjects and providing event notification within a tracking environment and badge for use therein
US6838992B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 21, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jan 4, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 21, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG16H40/67
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method, system and a badge utilized therein utilize both the radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) parts of the electromagnetic spectrum to locate subjects (i.e. objects and persons) within a tracking environment. The system includes a battery-operated, microprocessor-based badge for each subject to be located. Each badge automatically transmits: (1) shorter interval, digitized, infrared light signals to identify a delimited area zone of its subject's location; (2) shorter interval, digitized, lower power RF signals to provide a local area zone of its subject's location; and (3) longer interval, digitized, higher power RF signals to provide a wide area zone of its subject's location. Each badge transmits uniquely identifiable IR and higher power RF signals upon actuation of one or more push button switches integrated on the badge or a change of state of one or more external switch connections. Each higher power, longer interval, RF signal is a “supervisory” pulse. This pulse informs a host computer that the badge is in range of an RF receiver and is functional.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.