Object tracking
DC
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of locating objects, comprising the steps of:
- attaching an E-tag to each object, each E-tag having a unique ID associated with the object to which the E-tag is attached, each E-tag adapted to receive a LF carrier signal, each E-tag adapted to receive a HF carrier signal, each E-tag adapted to determine whether a received LF carrier signal contains the E-tag'"'"'s unique ID, each E-tag adapted to determine whether a received HF carrier signal contains the E-tag'"'"'s unique ID, each E-tag adapted to transmit a response signal indicating a LF carrier signal was received, and each E-tag adapted to transmit a response signal indicating a HF carrier signal was received;
transmitting a LF carrier signal containing the unique ID associated with an object to be located;
transmitting a first response signal from any E-tag that receives a LF carrier signal containing the E-tag'"'"'s unique ID, the first response signal indicating that a LF carrier signal was received;
checking whether a first response signal is received;
transmitting a HF carrier signal containing the unique ID contained in the transmitted LF carrier signal if no first response signal is received;
transmitting a second response signal from any E-tag that receives a HF carrier signal containing the E-tag'"'"'s unique ID, the second response signal indicating that a HF carrier signal was received; and
checking whether a second response signal is received.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for tracking objects. Systems of the present invention include a base station capable of transmitting and receiving signals at multiple frequencies. Each object to be tracked has attached to it what for the purpose of the present specification is referred to as an electronic tag (“E-Tag”). Each E-Tag can transmit signals that can be received and interpreted by the base station and each E-Tag can receive and interpret signals transmitted by the base station. The transmitting (and receiving) of signals between the base station and an E-Tag allows the base station to track the E-Tag, and therefore, track the object to which the E-Tag is attached. Methods utilized to track objects in accordance with the present invention vary depending on the distance of the object from a base station (“range” of the object). The distances from the base station are divided into zones with the lowest numbered zone (that is, zone 1) being closest to the base station and the highest numbered zone being farthest away from the base station. Typically, embodiments of the present invention are adapted to track objects in four different zones. LF and HF communications can be utilized to track objects in zones 1 and 2, triangulation can be used to track objects in zone 3, and global location techniques can be utilized to track objects in zone 4. In a typical application, zone 1 covers a storage enclosure such as a desk drawer, a file cabinet, or a safe for example. Zone 2 frequently covers a room or a building, zone 3 covers up to the maximum distance for which triangulation technology can be used to track an object, and zone 4 covers the maximum distance for which global location techniques can be used to track an object.
96 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of locating objects, comprising the steps of:
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attaching an E-tag to each object, each E-tag having a unique ID associated with the object to which the E-tag is attached, each E-tag adapted to receive a LF carrier signal, each E-tag adapted to receive a HF carrier signal, each E-tag adapted to determine whether a received LF carrier signal contains the E-tag'"'"'s unique ID, each E-tag adapted to determine whether a received HF carrier signal contains the E-tag'"'"'s unique ID, each E-tag adapted to transmit a response signal indicating a LF carrier signal was received, and each E-tag adapted to transmit a response signal indicating a HF carrier signal was received; transmitting a LF carrier signal containing the unique ID associated with an object to be located; transmitting a first response signal from any E-tag that receives a LF carrier signal containing the E-tag'"'"'s unique ID, the first response signal indicating that a LF carrier signal was received; checking whether a first response signal is received; transmitting a HF carrier signal containing the unique ID contained in the transmitted LF carrier signal if no first response signal is received; transmitting a second response signal from any E-tag that receives a HF carrier signal containing the E-tag'"'"'s unique ID, the second response signal indicating that a HF carrier signal was received; and checking whether a second response signal is received. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A system for locating objects, comprising:
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a base station adapted to transmit a LF carrier signal containing a unique ID, the base station also adapted to receive a response signal having a higher frequency and longer range than the LF carrier signal; a plurality of E-tags, each object having an E-tag attached to it, each E-tag having a unique ID associated with the object to which the E-tag is attached, each E-tag adapted to receive a LF carrier signal transmitted by the base station, each E-tag adapted to determine whether a received LF carrier signal contains the E-tag'"'"'s unique ID, and each E-tag adapted to transmit a response signal indicating whether or not a LF carrier signal was received. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for locating objects, comprising:
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a base station adapted to transmit a LF carrier signal containing a unique ID associated with an object to be located, the base station adapted to transmit a HF carrier signal containing a unique ID associated with an object to be located, and the base station adapted to receive a response signal having a higher frequency and longer range than the LF carrier signal; a plurality of E-tags, each object having an E-tag attached to it, each E-tag having a unique ID, each E-tag adapted to receive a LF carrier signal transmitted by the base station, each E-tag adapted to receive a HF carrier signal transmitted by the base station, each E-tag adapted to determine whether a received LF carrier signal or a received HF carrier signal contains the E-tag'"'"'s unique ID, and each E-tag adapted to transmit a response signal indicating whether or not a LF carrier signal was received. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of locating objects, comprising the steps of:
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attaching an E-tag to each object, each E-tag having a unique ID associated with the object to which the E-tag is attached, each E-tag adapted to receive a LF carrier signal, each E-tag adapted to determine whether a received LF carrier signal contains the E-tag'"'"'s unique ID, and each E-tag adapted to transmit a response signal indicating whether or not a LF carrier signal was received; transmitting a LF carrier signal containing a unique ID associated with an object to be located; transmitting a first response signal from any E-tag that receives a LF carrier signal containing the E-tag'"'"'s unique ID, the first response signal indicating that a LF carrier signal was received; and periodically transmitting a second response signal from any E-tag that has not received a LF carrier signal, the second response signal indicating that no LF carrier signal has been received. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A method of locating objects, comprising the steps of:
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attaching an E-tag to each object, each E-tag having a unique ID associated with the object to which the E-tag is attached, each E-tag adapted to receive a LF carrier signal, each E-tag adapted to receive a HF carrier signal, each E-tag adapted to determine whether a received LF carrier signal contains the E-tag'"'"'s unique ID, each E-tag adapted to determine whether a received HF carrier signal contains the E-tag'"'"'s unique ID, each E-tag adapted to transmit a response signal indicating a LF carrier signal was received, and each E-tag adapted to transmit a response signal indicating a HF carrier signal was received; transmitting a LF carrier signal containing the unique ID associated with an object to be located; transmitting a HF carrier signal containing the unique ID contained in the transmitted LF carrier signal; transmitting a first response signal from any E-tag that receives a LF carrier signal containing the E-tag'"'"'s unique ID, the first response signal indicating that a LF carrier signal was received; transmitting a second response signal from any E-tag that receives a HF carrier signal containing the E-tag'"'"'s unique ID, the second response signal indicating that a HF carrier signal was received; checking whether a first response signal is received; and checking whether a second response signal is received. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification
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Litigation Data
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Current AssigneeForward Thinking Tracking LLC
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Original AssigneeG-5 Electronics LLC
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InventorsSzasz, Carl, Gilling, Robert, Marquardt, Thomas, Kenny, Thomas, Chawla, Raj, Pacsai, Ernest
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Primary Examiner(s)Pope, Daryl C
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Application NumberUS10/214,642Publication NumberTime in Patent Office1,266 DaysField of Search340/505, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/539.13, 340/539.32, 340/572.1, 340/7.27, 340/10.1, 340/10.2US Class Current340/505CPC Class CodesG08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver f...G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a ...
