System and method for locating and communicating with personnel and equipment in a facility
US7323991B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 12, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jan 29, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 10, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W4/80
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
This invention provides a system and method for identifying, locating, authorizing by proximity and communicating with equipment and personnel in a facility that generally employs a series of limited range transceivers for location determination and a distributed wireless data network for data transfer. The system employs unique RF transceiver tags on personnel and equipment that are each uniquely identified and registered with a facility control application that oversees activities in the facility. The tags are tracked by RF communication based upon their proximity to one or more fixed-base networked access points and relays (which transfer location data by RF back to access points) within four range zones. Location data on all tags is uploaded periodically to a location server that interfaces with the facility control server. Tag data is monitored by the facility control server to track, authorize and deauthorize certain data transfers, movements and activities in accordance with rules established for each tag (or type of tag) within the facility control server's application. Wireless networking (WiFi, for example), in combination with the RF-derived location information, allows …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.