Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
340825490 | Location indication | 73 |
20080266131 | SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOCATING AND/OR TRACKING ASSETS - A system is provided for tracking an asset within a geographic area. The system includes an antenna mast supportable by, and extending upward from, an object configured to move or facilitate movement of the asset. The antenna mast is capable of supporting a plurality of wireless locating units of a plurality of geo-spatial positioning systems, which are configured to locate a respective one or more locating units, and thereby the asset, within the geographic area. The system also includes a controller positionable on the object and configured to control operation of the wireless locating units. The controller is further configured to direct transmission of data to a host via one of the locating units or another wireless transmitter, and in a manner that accounts for a wireless link between the respective locating unit or other wireless transmitter and the host. | 10-30-2008 |
20080303690 | Electronic device with remote finding function - An electronic device with remote finding function includes a main body and a remote controller. The main body includes a first control circuit, a switch and a display unit. The first control circuit emits a wireless finding signal and receives a wireless responding signal via an antenna, wherein the antenna is directional; the switch is connected with the first control circuit to receive the user's input and actuate the wireless finding signal; the display unit is connected with the first control circuit to display the orientation of the wireless responding signal. Moreover, the remote controller has a second control circuit to receive the wireless finding signal, and then transmit the wireless responding signal thereby. | 12-11-2008 |
20080316045 | Intelligent medical material cart - A method and system is disclosed for monitoring, control and containment of medical product in a healthcare facility. The physical coordinates of the intelligent medical material cart (IMMC) within the healthcare facility are determined. Based on the physical coordinates of the IMMC, the room and the identity of the patient being operated within the room are determined. The electronic medical records of the identified patient are accessed. The IMMC is accessed by the healthcare staff for the medical product stored within the IMMC. The IMMC determines the identity of the medical product that has been removed from the IMMC based on radio frequency identification (RFID) mechanism. The IMMC also determines the effect of interaction of the drugs on the patient, by referring to the medical profile of the patient in the electronic medical records. An alarm is set off if an adverse interaction of medical product is anticipated. | 12-25-2008 |
20090009357 | Method and system for preventing accidents - A method and a system for preventing an undesired incident between moving objects within a defined area which comprise establishing an overview of the objects by using a combination of data received from positioning means installed in the objects and sound data from the objects to be monitored. From data received, future expected position is computed, and warning is initiated if necessary. | 01-08-2009 |
20090015430 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR LOCATING AND IDENTIFYING LABWARE RADIO-FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION TAGS - Methods and systems for automatically locating and identifying labware using radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags are described herein. The methods and systems include a plurality of RFID tags (pre-programmed with unique data codes) that are associated with labware (or labware holders). For example, the RFID tags can be embedded within the locating pegs of the labware (or labware holders). The methods and systems also include a plurality of RFID tag readers that mount near known locations of an instrument deck which receives the labware. The RFID tag readers automatically scan for the presence of RFID tags such that when a piece of labware is added to the instrument deck, and then report to a processing device the specific known location on deck where each tag was found, as well as the unique data code of each tag. Using this information, the methods and systems determine one or more of the location, orientation, and identity of the received labware. | 01-15-2009 |
20090015431 | Arrangement Comprising An Object Made At Least Partially Of Metal Or Precious Metal And An RFID Indetification Device - The invention relates to an arrangement including an object made at least partially of metal and/or precious metal and an RFID system, wherein the object and the RFID system are connected to one another in such a way that the transponder and the aerial of the RFID system are applied on a site of the object, on its surface, which is facing or can be caused to face an assigned reading device or are embedded into its surface in the form of an inlay, and means are provided which shield or attenuate the electrically conductive surface of the object against eddy currents induced in the conductor loop. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for tracking and position-fixing objects of all kinds, which are made at least partially of metal and/or precious metal or are plated therewith, and into which a position-fixing device operating according to RFID technology is integrated. A transponder and, spaced apart from the latter, an aerial coupled with a reading device are disposed in or on the object at an application-specific conductive site and the transponder is shielded with respect to the conductive surface. | 01-15-2009 |
20090021390 | System and apparatus for integrated wireless location detection - An apparatus, system and method are provided for integrated wireless location detection. The system includes a location detection (LD) transmitter that transmits first and second radio frequency signals in first and second formats, respectively. First and second LD receivers, respectively, receive the first and second signals and determine first and second information relating to a location of the LD transmitter. An LD server wirelessly receives the first and second information and calculates the location of the LD transmitter from one of the first and second information. The LD server may receive a signal indicating a preferred one of the first and second information and calculate the location from the preferred one of the first and second information. | 01-22-2009 |
20090027226 | Table accessory - An apparatus for providing a silent signal to a waiter/waitress that one of service is required and service is not required. The apparatus comprises a base member having a first predetermined shape and formed of a first predetermined material. A signaling member is engageable with the base member and has a second predetermined shape and is formed of a second predetermined material. There is a connecting member for engaging such signaling member to the base member. | 01-29-2009 |
20090033515 | REAL-TIME EVENT NOTIFICATION - Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for the real-time notification of user events. According to various embodiments described herein, a user initiates a notification process in which the geographic location of a device associated with the user, as well as any desired activity data, is generated into a real-time notification for another party. The location of the user device is determined upon the initiation of the notification process. Original or pre-programmed messages may be posted on a website or delivered along with the location of the user device to any number of communication devices. The various embodiments provide an efficient manner of updating selected individuals with the location of a user and of providing those individuals with desired information. | 02-05-2009 |
20090051566 | System, Method , and Apparatus For Collecting Telematics and Sensor Information In A Delivery Vehicle - The invention is directed to a data collection and evaluation system that includes a telematics device for collecting, time-stamping, and storing vehicle sensor data. Examples of the type of data collected include door data, ignition data, speed data, global positioning data, and diagnostic and trouble code data. The system further includes an external data acquisition device, such as a mainframe computer system or a hand-held computing device like an iPAQ. The external data acquisition device is configured to communicate with the telematics device over a wireless network, which enables the telematics device to transmit the time-stamped data to the external data acquisition device and receive information and instructions from the external data acquisition device. The ability of the system to automatically collect and transfer data and communicate with an external data acquisition device allows for the automation of fleet management processes, vehicle maintenance and repair processes, and certain security features. | 02-26-2009 |
20090128358 | Identification System - A system and method for identification of a plurality of movable objects, such as animals entering a milking or feeding stall. The system includes a plurality of activators, each activator being in a fixed location and capable of generating a unique first identification signal. The system also includes a plurality of identification tags, each tag being adapted to be attached to one of the movable objects and capable of generating a unique second identification signal. An identification module is used to receive from each activator an identification signal and to transmit to a processor a first transmitted signal indicative of an identification of the activator. The identification module is also used to receive a identification signal of a tag adjacent to each activator and to transmit to the processing unit a signal indicative of an identification of the tag. The processor is configured, for each pair of a first transmitted signal and a second transmitted signal received from the identification module, to associate the identification of the activator with the identification of the tag and to store the identification of the activator and the identification of the tag in the memory. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128359 | Advanced Alert, Notification, and Response Device - Contemplated devices and methods employ a system in which at least two receivers are configured to receive at the same time a first and a second emergency signal via a first and a second communication pathway, respectively. The device further has a control unit that is programmed to assign priority to one channel of one communication pathway over at least one channel of the other communication pathway, wherein priority assignment is performed on the basis of geographic location and a set of predefined rules. Most preferably, the location of the device is automatically determined using global positioning signals and/or digital television signals. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128360 | ELECTRONIC TAG LOCATION SYSTEM - A system for locating one or more radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, the system comprising a radio frequency (RF) receiver including a receiver processor, the receiver adapted to programmably adjust reception range depending on a programmably variable attenuation parameter, the receiver further adapted to receive identification data from the one or more RFID tags, and a system host adapted to receive RFID tag data from any of the one or more RFID tags within the reception range and receiver attenuation data associated with the receiver, and provide an estimated location area for a received RFID tag using the RFID tag data and the receiver attenuation data. Other examples include methods for determining an RFID tag's location. | 05-21-2009 |
20090146831 | WIRELESS ENABLED DEVICE TRACKING SYSTEM AND METHOD - Systems and methods are provided for determining a location of one or more wireless devices. The method may include identifying an address associated with at least one wireless device and determining a phase relationship between a plurality of signals generated by the wireless device. The method further includes determining a location of the wireless device based on the phase relationship and the address associated with the wireless device. | 06-11-2009 |
20090146832 | CONTEXT-AWARE AND REAL-TIME ITEM TRACKING SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE AND SCENARIOS - Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for real-time and context-aware tracking of items. Tags bound to items are read and information read from the tags and location information about the tags is provided by at least two enterprises and used to maintain disposition information about the items, which is made visible to enterprises in the supply chain. The disposition information can be mapped to a world model that tracks the items and circumstances affecting the items, for example, geo-spatial events and traffic delays. Visibility of the disposition information can be controlled through authorization. Visible information can include relationships between particular items and business documents such as order and shipping documents. | 06-11-2009 |
20090167554 | APPARATUS AND METHODS SUITABLE FOR LOCATION RELATED INFORMATION REPORTING - A method suitable for location reporting, comprising the step of reporting location information periodically based on a distance period. | 07-02-2009 |
20090174569 | Plug-In Network Appliance - A plug-in network appliance is disclosed. In one aspect, a network appliance performs a bridge between two wireless communication formats. In another aspect, a network appliance is deployed to perform position location services. In another aspect, a mesh network comprising one or more network appliances is deployed. A mesh network comprising one or more network appliances may be deployed to perform position location services. A plug-in form factor is described. A network appliance may convert power received from a plug in a first format to power in a second format for powering various components. A network appliance may connect with a wireless network and/or a network connected through a plug. A plug-in network appliance may connect to a weight-bearing outlet. Various other aspects are also presented. | 07-09-2009 |
20090201169 | Real-Time Location Systems and Methods - A real-time location system for identifying and locating tagged items. The system may include an identification protocol that tracks in-network transponders and assigns dynamic in-network identification numbers to in-network transponders. The system includes a locator function that employs time-of-arrival analysis. Rather than attempt to synchronize the time base at each reader, the system and process eliminate the need to sync the readers and also eliminate the impact of differential receive delays in the respective readers. Both the transponder and a master reader transmit locate signals, which are measured at slave readers. The system relies on differences in time-of-arrival of the two signals at the respective slave readers to determine the likely location of the transponder. | 08-13-2009 |
20090219169 | Method and System for Identifying and Handling (Tracing/Locating/Identifying to Receive Services) An Owner And Items In A Secure/Private Area - To securely handle (trace/locate/identify to receive services) of an owner and items within a secure/private area, the owner is identified ( | 09-03-2009 |
20090219170 | Wireless network inventory system - A wireless location system is provided. The system includes network tags that emit a signal containing tag data, network readers that continuously receive data from the tags, a communication motes to receive the tag data from the readers and to calculate a network signal strength of the signal between the reader and the mote, and a server. The server receives the tag data and network signal strength data from the communication mote, performs calculations on the data, and determines the location of the reader that received the tag data based in part on the received network signal strength data. | 09-03-2009 |
20090278705 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING LOCATION-AWARE WI-FI ACCESS FOR A PORTABLE DEVICE - Methods and systems for providing location-aware WiFi access for a portable device include determining an initial location of the portable device and transmitting the initial location to a WiFi location provider, wherein the WiFi location provider comprises locations and WiFi parameters for a plurality of WiFi access points, wherein each WiFi access point has a corresponding wireless range. The locations and the WiFi parameters for a set of WiFi access points are then received from the WiFi location provider, wherein the set of WiFi access points are within a radius of the initial location of the portable device. At least one WiFi access point in the set of WiFi access points is scanned for that contains the portable device within its wireless range. The portable device then connects to the at least one WiFi access point, thereby forming a WiFi connection. | 11-12-2009 |
20090284390 | Operator's Device for the Detection of a Required Sensor or Actuator, and Corresponding Method - There is described an operator's device which communicates in a wireless manner with sensors and/or actuators. Positional data of the sensors/actors as well as the ways to get to the same are stored in the memory of the operator's device. Access data is evaluated and displayed in a program and processing unit of the operator's device in order to find a sensor or actuator required in a system when a signal is received. | 11-19-2009 |
20090315735 | Patient flow management and analysis using location tracking - A patient flow system and method manages patients in a medical facility by tagging patients, medical staff, and medical assets with wireless locator tags, and assigning a patient flow pattern to each patient. As the patient moves throughout the medical facility, the patient tag sends location information to a management computer to track the patient's progress through the patient flow pattern. The patient's next state is determined by analyzing the patient's location as well as the patient's current and previous states. | 12-24-2009 |
20100013662 | Product locating system - A system for quickly locating selected products in a store uses a computer module which has a keyboard and a visual display position and a plurality of position indicating devices, such as passive or active RFID devices, which are fixed to a shelf or to products on a shelf to indicate the location of the product, whereby a consumer can type in the description of a selected product on a keyboard on the computer module and a signal, such as a radio signal, will be generated by the computer module and sent to the position indicating device. The computer module can be a hand held computer module and can have fixing structures for releasably fixing the computer module to a shopping cart at the store. The signal is sent to the position indicating device on the shelf where the selected product is located. The position indicating device then sends back a signal to the computer module indicating the location of the selected product which location is displayed on the visual display or screen, namely the aisle number and location in the aisle, so that the consumer can go to the aisle where the product is located and select the product he or she wishes to purchase without having to walk up and down aisles in the store to find the product and without having to ask a store employee where the product is located. | 01-21-2010 |
20100019925 | WIRELESS LOCATING SYSTEM - A method is provided for exchanging information to locate a key fob. The method comprises transmitting a wireless locator signal from a first portable wireless device, the wireless locator signal conveying the identity of the first portable wireless device and receiving a first once-adjusted wireless locator signal from a distant wireless device locator system, the first once-adjusted wireless locator signal comprising at least some information conveyed in the wireless locator signal. | 01-28-2010 |
20100026514 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING SELF-LOCATING WIRELESS SENSORS - A wireless sensor network is disclosed that comprises a plurality of wireless sensors and a wireless sensor base station. The wireless sensor base station sends a request to one of the wireless sensors requesting the location information for the selected wireless sensor. The wireless sensor determines its location using a location information determination method, associates its identity information with the location information, and sends the identity information and the location information to the wireless sensor base station. The wireless sensor continuously sends updated location information to the wireless sensor base station as the wireless sensor moves within the wireless sensor network. The wireless sensor base station displays the identity information and the location information of the wireless sensor on a display unit. | 02-04-2010 |
20100033341 | OPERATION SYSTEM AND OPERATION INSTRUCTION METHOD IN OPERATION SYSTEM - An optical ID having a pair of light emitting sections ( | 02-11-2010 |
20100033342 | METHOD OF FINDING A KEY TO A MOBILE VEHICLE - A method of finding a key to a mobile vehicle includes receiving a call, at a call center, indicating that the key is lost and requesting, via the call center, a telematics unit on-board the mobile vehicle to establish communication with a remote access key fob that is associated with the key, the remote access key fob having an alarm integrated therewith. The method further includes requesting, via the call center, the telematics unit to activate the alarm of the remote access key fob and activating, via the telematics unit, the alarm of the remote access key fob. | 02-11-2010 |
20100033343 | Apparatus and Method for Transmitting/Identifying Location Based on Local Communication - Provided are an apparatus and method for transmitting/identifying a location based on local communication. The apparatus, includes: a location information calculating unit for receiving a Global Positioning System (GPS) signal from a GPS satellite and calculating location information; own location transmitting unit for transmitting a signal, in which the calculated location information and recognition information are inserted, through a local communication antenna; a counterpart location receiving unit for receiving a signal transmitted from another location transmitting/identifying apparatus located in a close range through the local communication antenna; and a counterpart location identifying unit for checking the received signal and identifying a location of another location transmitting/identifying apparatus. | 02-11-2010 |
20100066558 | PERSONAL SECURITY DEVICE - A security device with a locator module and an identifier module sends an alert signal to warn others of an emergency situation. The security device uses a wireless transceiver to transmit the alert signal and a monitoring center. Location information updates and an audio signal are sent to the monitoring station. The security device may be located within an outer casing that conceals its functionality. | 03-18-2010 |
20100066559 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY VIEWING, COORDINATING, MANIPULATING AND INTERPRETING THREE-DIMENSIONAL AND TWO-DIMENSIONAL DIGITAL IMAGES OF STRUCTURES FOR PROVIDING TRUE SCALE MEASUREMENTS AND PERMITTING RAPID EMERGENCY INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION - The present invention provides a true-scale, coordinate-matched, linked in real-time, dual three-dimensional/two-dimensional visual display/viewer. The display simultaneously shows a 3D digital image and an associated 2D digital image of a selected drawing. The display of the present invention allows a user to visualize an asset's location, surrounding environment and hazards and true scale structural details for interior or external structural scenes. Using the display and associated tools, the user can obtain real-time information of an environment, true-scale measurement, plan ingress/egress paths, shortest paths between points and the number of doorways in a structure and track objects within the displayed environment. The intelligence gained using the tools and 3D/2D display may be used and further manipulated by a single user or may be distributed to other users. | 03-18-2010 |
20100073188 | System and Method for Real Time Asset Location and Tracking - A system for estimating the current position of an asset within a location that includes a transponder associated with the asset, a plurality of wireless interface devices provided within the location, and a central computer system in electronic communication with the wireless interface devices. The central computer system is adapted to: (i) identify a particular one or more of the wireless interface devices that have received a wireless signal from the transponder, and (ii) determine an estimate of the current position based on the identified particular one or more of the wireless interface devices. | 03-25-2010 |
20100079303 | MONITORING OBJECTS IN MOTION ALONG A STATIC ROUTE USING SENSORY DETECTION DEVICES - A system for monitoring a plurality of objects in motion (OIMs) along a static route using a plurality of sensory detection devices, the static route having a plurality of route portions, each route portion having an entering boundary and an exiting boundary, at least one OIM being a designated OIM and having a tag indicating the location of the designated OIM along the route, the system comprising a plurality of sensory detection devices corresponding to the plurality of route portions for monitoring activity in each of the plurality of route portions and for providing monitor output representing activity within each of the plurality of route portions, a plurality of data stores corresponding to each of the plurality of route portions for receiving and storing the monitor output for each of the plurality of route portions, and a plurality of location detectors communicative with the tag of the designated OIM for identifying the location of the designated OIM, each location detector providing output when the designated OIM is located within a route portion. | 04-01-2010 |
20100079304 | LOCATION DETECTION SYSTEM FOR A PATIENT HANDLING DEVICE - A location detection system for a facility including a patient handling device for supporting a patient and being mobile for positioning at a location in the facility, a locator fixed relative to the patient handling device for transmitting a unique location identifier corresponding to the location of the patient handling device, and a processing station remote from the patient handling device and the locator for receiving the unique location identifier such that the location of the patient handling device can be determined and monitored remotely from the patient handling device. The system further includes a receiver mounted to the patient handling device for receiving the unique location identifier from the locator and a communication module with a unique ID for the patient handling device mounted to the patient handling device and in communication with the receiver and transmitting the unique ID and the unique location identifier received by the receiver from the patient handling device to the processing station such that the patient handling device acts as a communication link between the locator and the processing station, and the processing station receiving the unique location identifier and the unique ID and correlating the unique location identifier with the unique ID and further correlating the unique ID of the patient handling device with a patient supported by the patient handling device wherein the processing station can track the patient handling device and the patient supported thereby. | 04-01-2010 |
20100109903 | Methods and Apparatuses For RFID Tag Range Determination - Apparatus and methods are described which are useful for determining a distance between an RFID tag and an RFID tag reader. In various embodiments, signals backscattered from a singulated tag over a range of frequencies are evaluated for in-phase I and in-quadrature Q signal components. The I-Q data is processed to determine phase delay angles associated with each signal frequency. The phase delay data can be processed by a sum of squared errors method or Fourier transform method to determine a distance to the singulated tag. The methods can also be used to determine any of a location, a radial velocity, a directional velocity of the singulated tag, and proximity of the singulated tag to a second tag. | 05-06-2010 |
20100127887 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR FACILITATING LOCATION DISCOVERY - A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to permit location discovery, including location discovery in indoor settings. The method may identify a wireless signature present at a geographical location and determine whether the wireless signature corresponds to a previously observed wireless signature associated with the predefined geographical location. In instances in which the wireless signature fails to correspond to a previously observed wireless signature, the method may also receive an identification of a geographical location and associate, such as by means of a processor, the wireless signature with the identification of the geographical location. A corresponding computer program product and apparatus are also provided. | 05-27-2010 |
20100148985 | Association Based Locationing for RFID - An apparatus, system and techniques for determining a location of an RFID tag among a population of tags are disclosed. The system includes an RFID reader with at least one antenna port and a population of RFID tags. The population of tags can be homogenous or heterogeneous. The RFID reader varies its transmit power through one or more antenna ports resulting in a grouping of the RFID tags into clusters. In one embodiment, the reader utilizes multiple antennas to further define RFID tag clusters among the population. Each read tag is then uniquely associated with a defined cluster. Tag agents also can be provided among the population of tags facilitating definition of the clusters. | 06-17-2010 |
20100156660 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING POSITION OF MOBILE UNIT - Provided is a tag attached to a mobile unit to estimate a position of the mobile unit, which can minimize the estimation position error of a mobile unit even while increasing the positioning interval of a beacon, and the tag includes a radio frequency (RF) transceiver transmitting and receiving an RF signal, an ultrasonic receiver receiving an ultrasonic signal, and a controller transmitting the RF signal to a beacon through the RF transceiver, receiving an RF response signal to the RF signal to calculate a distance between the mobile unit and the beacon based on the RF signal, and calculating a distance between the mobile unit and the beacon based on the ultrasonic signal when the ultrasonic signal, which is transmitted from the beacon together with the RF response signal, is received through the ultrasonic receiver. | 06-24-2010 |
20100156661 | Locator system and device - A system for locating an object includes a transmitter and a receiver. A transmitter includes an actuator and a transmitter adapted to generate a radio-frequency signal in response to the actuator. The receiver is adapted to receive a radio-frequency signal and, in response to receipt of the radio-frequency signal, generate a locator signal. Optionally, the locator signal is an audio signal. Additionally or alternatively, the locator signal may include a visible signal. | 06-24-2010 |
20100176964 | INSPECTION SYSTEM AND INSPECTION METHOD - The article IDs of a mixture mounting pallet being shipped are read out collectively by means of an ID reader and collated with the ID list on a shipment table. IDs and their positions are stored on the shipment table and the positions of IDs not read out by means of the ID reader are displayed on a handy ID reader and confirmed by a worker using the ID reader. | 07-15-2010 |
20100188252 | WIRELESS APPARATUS - If it is judged that audio information is being transmitted when transmitting position information by a control unit, a wireless apparatus of a mobile station side embeds the position information in an empty packet of audio information being transmitted by the control unit and causes a wireless communication unit to transmit the packet to a wireless apparatus of a base station side. Thus, it is possible to perform accurate position management even when an audio communication is present. | 07-29-2010 |
20100207780 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING PASSENGER LUGGAGE - A method for luggage tracking comprises: providing a tracking device having an asset number; receiving a first tracking information including initial location information from the tracking device at a starting location; updating a location of the tracking device based on the initial location information; receiving a second tracking information including updated location information from the tracking device at a destination location; and updating the location of the tracking device based on the destination location information. | 08-19-2010 |
20100207781 | SOUND OR RADIATION TRIGGERED LOCATING DEVICE WITH ACTIVITY SENSOR - A portable device is equipped with a signaling circuit that responds to a searching signal (e.g., hand clap, light flash, RF signal, infrared light) generated to locate the portable device when it is misplaced or lost. The device generates a location signal to enable the user to find the device. The location signal may be an audible, light, vibration, or other signal that calls attention to the device to enable the user to find it. The device may also sense events which cause it to disable the sensor, render it less sensitive, or suppress the generation of the location signal. The sensed event is any event, e.g., heat, motion, which indicates that the device is not, in fact, lost. | 08-19-2010 |
20100214116 | RFID LOCATION METHOD AND SYSTEM THEREOF - A RFID location method and a system thereof are configured for determining a coordinate position of a RFID tag ( | 08-26-2010 |
20100214117 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREDICTING FUTURE MEETINGS OF WIRELESS USERS - Methods and system for predicting a future location of users of wireless communications terminals. Location information indicating respective locations of multiple wireless communication terminals may be received and processed so as to predict a future meeting among respective users of the wireless communication terminals. An action may be taken with respect to the predicted future meeting. The location information may be received from a wireless communication network to obtain a Point-of-Interest (POI) that is related to one or more of the users from a characteristic location profile of the one or more users. The POI may be indicated as the likely location of the future meeting. | 08-26-2010 |
20100214118 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING A PERSON - A system and method for tracking a person using a deduced reckoning device is disclosed. The method includes the operation of selecting an initial location of the person. The person's movement along a path is then monitored using directional sensors, including a digital magnetic compass, at least one accelerometer, at least one magnetometer, at least one gyroscope, and an altimeter. The person's changing location is recorded based on a change in outputs of the directional sensors that occur during the person's movement. The person's changing location is transmitted to a command and control center. The person's changing location is then displayed on a graphical user interface at the command and control center. | 08-26-2010 |
20100219979 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING DEVICE RECOVERY ASSISTANCE - An apparatus for providing device recovery assistance may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured, with the processor, to cause the apparatus to perform at least causing a device to be registered with a service, receiving a verification procedure from a platform associated with the service, the verification procedure defining device recovery parameters associated with maintenance of a loss status indicator indicating a loss status of the device, causing a device identifier associated with the device to be stored in a permanent storage medium of the device, and enabling device location reporting based on the received verification procedure in response to a determination that the device is classified as lost or stolen. A corresponding method and computer program product are also provided. | 09-02-2010 |
20100231410 | Device and Method for Multi-Dimensional Location of Target Objects, In Particular Rfid Transponders - A radio-based system and a method for multi-dimensional location of a target object are provided. A target object may be, in particular, an RFID transponder. In this context, a base signal is emitted by a base station and is sent back by a back scatter transponder. A distance between the base station and the transponder is determined by means of a frequency spacing ΔF between two maximum values in the base band of the spectrum of a base signal, transmitted with a simultaneously received response signal superimposed on it, from an antenna of the base station. Phase evaluation is carried out in order to calculate a target deviation angle α | 09-16-2010 |
20100238048 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING LOCATION INFORMATION - An apparatus for generating location information transmits an SUPL INIT message for measuring a location to a target terminal so as to position the target terminal. The target terminal transmits an SUPL POS INIT message including RFID tag information to the apparatus. The apparatus determines a positioning method of the target terminal by using RFID tag information, generates the location of the target terminal according to the determined positioning method, and transmits the location to a service user. | 09-23-2010 |
20100245113 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING A CONTROLLER - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a gateway comprising a controller to transmit a first RF signal to a remote control device, wherein the first radio-frequency signal is received by a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with the remote control device, receive at each of a plurality of receivers operably coupled to the gateway a second RF signal from the RFID tag of the remote control device in response to the first RF signal, determine an approximate location of the remote control device based on at least a portion of the second RF signals received by the plurality of receivers, and transmit a signal to a set-top-box, wherein the signal comprises the approximate location of the remote control device, and wherein the set-top-box displays the approximate location of the remote control device.. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 09-30-2010 |
20100245114 | Thin Flexible Sensor - The present invention provides a sensor ( | 09-30-2010 |
20100245115 | Estimating the Location of a Wireless Terminal Based on Signal Path Impairment - A technique for estimating the location of a wireless terminal at an unknown location in a geographic region is disclosed. The technique is based on the recognition that there are traits of electromagnetic signals that are dependent on topography, the receiver, the location of the transmitter, and other factors. For example, if a particular radio station is known to be received strongly at a first location and weakly at a second location, and a given wireless terminal at an unknown location is receiving the radio station weakly, it is more likely that the wireless terminal is at the second location than at the first location. | 09-30-2010 |
20100253536 | RADIO COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, PROGRAM AND RADIO COMMUNICATION METHOD - There is provided a radio communication apparatus capable of communicating with a base station of radio communication and moved with movement of a movable body, including: a storage unit having position information of unknown base stations whose base station identification information attached to the base station is unknown recorded therein; a notification unit that notifies the movable body or an operation subject of the movable body of the position information of the unknown base stations recorded in the storage unit; a communication unit that receives a radio signal containing the base station identification information from the base stations including the unknown base stations; and a recording unit that records the base station identification information contained in the radio signal received by the communication unit in the storage unit. | 10-07-2010 |
20100259413 | LOCATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR MOVING OBJECT AND LOCATION MANAGEMENT METHOD FOR MOVING OBJECT - A system and method for managing the location of at least one moving object is disclosed. An object movement detection unit is configured to be provided on the moving object, and to detect the movement of the moving object. A wireless tag is configured to be provided on the moving object, and to wirelessly transmit Identification (ID) information based on information about the movement of the moving object which is detected by the object movement detection unit. A location information generation unit is configured to be provided on the transporting object, and to generate the location information of the transporting object. A moving object location information generation unit is configured to generate location information of the moving object using the ID information wirelessly transmitted from the wireless tag and the location information generated by the location information generation unit. | 10-14-2010 |
20100259414 | METHODS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS FOR SUBMITTING VIRTUAL WHITE LINE DRAWINGS AND MANAGING NOTIFICATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH UNDERGROUND FACILITY LOCATE AND MARKING OPERATIONS - Methods, apparatus, and systems for providing information regarding a locate and/or marking operation to identify a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. At least one notification indicating a status of the locate and/or marking operation is electronically transmitted and/or stored so as to inform at least one party associated with requesting the operation (a “requesting party,” e.g., an excavator, a property owner, a facility owner, a regulatory authority, a damage investigator, etc.) of the status of the operation. In one aspect, a requesting party may designate a preferred format, content, and/or method of receiving notifications regarding the locate and/or marking operation. In another aspect, a computer-generated GUI is provided to facilitate submission of requests, generation of “virtual white line” images to indicate one or more dig areas on a digital image of a work site, and/or selection of notifications and preferences for same. In yet another aspect, a requesting party may provide an acknowledgement of receipt (e.g., a “return receipt”) for one or more received notifications. | 10-14-2010 |
20100265091 | Locating a Wireless Device - A computer-implemented method for determining the location of a wireless device includes dividing an area into a grid and assigning the wireless device to a first portion of the grid. The method continues with calculating a first difference between a signal strength expected when the wireless device is at the first portion of the grid and a measured signal strength and assigning the wireless device to a second portion of the grid. The method also includes calculating a second difference between a signal strength expected when the wireless device at a second portion of the grid and a second measured signal strength and concludes with selecting the least one of the first and second differences to determine the location of the wireless device. | 10-21-2010 |
20100265092 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING LOCATION USING ACCESS POINT, AND APPARATUS THEREOF - The present invention relates to a location measuring method using an access point, and an apparatus using the same. According to the present invention, a location of a terminal is estimated by using a signal strength received from an access point installed at a known position in a wireless network, and location of the access point installed at an unknown position is estimated by using a signal strength received from the access point installed in the unknown position and estimated location information of the terminal. In addition, a location of the terminal is finally calculated by using estimated location information of the access point installed at the known position. As described, the location of the terminal is determined by using estimated location information of an AP that is randomly installed by a user (that is, installed at an unknown position), and therefore a location of an AP installed in an area where it is difficult to measure and availability of location measurement can be improved. In addition, a signal strength measurement value, estimation location information of an AP installed at a known position, and estimation location information of an AP installed at an unknown position are used for location information calculation of a terminal, and accordingly, accuracy of the location measure can be improved. | 10-21-2010 |
20100265093 | METHOD OF AUTOMATICALLY GENERATING FINGERPRINT DATABASE FOR AN INDOOR WIRELESS LOCATION - The present invention relates to a method of automatically generating a fingerprint database for indoor wireless location. For this purpose, the present invention provides a method of generating a fingerprint database that determines a method of calculating the strength of signals transmitted from a plurality of access points, calculates the strength of signals at nodes of a plurality of vertical and horizontal grids set in an indoor space, and generates a database table by using the location information about the nodes and the calculated strength of the signals. Further, the present invention provides an environment analysis tool including a communication module that performs communication between at least one of the access points and a receiving terminal, an environment analysis module that calculates the strength of a signal at a specific location by using a method of calculating strength and generates a fingerprint database table, and a fingerprint database that stores the fingerprint database table. According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce time and manpower required to build a fingerprint database, and to easily build a new fingerprint database even though an indoor structure is changed. | 10-21-2010 |
20100277338 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POSITIONING AND TRACKING MOBILES WITHIN A STRUCTURE - Method and a system for positioning and tracking a mobile within an infrastructure. The method includes transmitting, from a first aerial, a first signal generated in accordance with a first characteristic for addressing specifically a first mobile, and the first aerial located at a position outside of the infrastructure; upon receiving the first signal and detecting the first characteristic, the first mobile generating and transmitting a second signal with a second characteristic; receiving, at the first aerial and other additional aerials, the second signal at respective reception times, the other aerials located at respective pre-determined positions outside of the infrastructure; determining a position of the first mobile based on: the respective reception times; the position of the first aerial; and the respective positions of the other aerials; and outputting the position of the first mobile to a display device, for display relative to a given location. | 11-04-2010 |
20100277339 | PRECISION LOCATION METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Systems and methods are described herein for determining the location of a transmitter by jointly and collectively processing the full sampled signal data from a plurality of receivers to form a single solution. | 11-04-2010 |
20100283626 | Coastal Monitoring Techniques - Method and system for monitoring coastlines includes arranging sensors proximate the coastline, obtaining data about the coastline via the sensors, analyzing the data to determine the presence of a reportable condition relating to passage of an object proximate the coastline, and transmitting the data or a signal indicative of the analysis, optionally with an identification or location of the sensors, to a monitoring facility. The sensors may be spaced apart from one another along the coastline and programmed to wake-up upon detection of a predetermined condition in order to obtain data. If the location of each sensor is not programmed into the sensor or otherwise known by the monitoring facility, each sensor may be arranged to determine its location so that each sensor provides its location when transmitting data or the signal to the monitoring facility. | 11-11-2010 |
20100295699 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND MONUMENT FOR LAND SURVEYING - A monument usable for locating stationary geographical positions and/or assets includes a housing, comprising a body and a cap; at least one permanent magnet mounted on or in the housing; and at least one electronic marker located on or in the housing. The magnet has a magnetic field of sufficient strength for its location to be readily identified from outside the housing using a portable magnetic locator and the electronic marker includes an electronic transceiver for receiving and/or transmitting electronic information unique to the geographical location and/or functional properties of the monument or an asset associated with the monument. | 11-25-2010 |
20100302056 | LOCATION DISCOVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD - Systems and methods for location discovery are presented. One or more applications are run on the mobile device. At least one of the applications receives, from a server computer via the wireless communications network, location-based content based on a context determined by the server computer, the location-based content including an a location-based application associated with a location of the mobile device, the context being based on the location of the mobile device and a profile of a user of the mobile device. The application accesses the location-based content to execute the location-based application to generate a function that is personalized for the user of the mobile device based on the context, and executes the function based an input from the user of the mobile device. | 12-02-2010 |
20100309017 | Localization Using Virtual Antenna Arrays In Modulated Backscatter RFID Systems - A localization method for use in a tag communication system includes associating a supertag having a plurality of tags with an item, reading backscatter signals from the tags of the plurality of tags to provide a plurality of backscatter signals, estimating a signal parameter of the backscatter signals of the plurality of backscatter signals to provide a plurality of derived signal parameters, and localizing the item in accordance with the plurality of derived signal parameters. The backscatter signals are read by a tag reader having a single antenna and the item is localized in accordance with an antenna array technique performed upon the plurality of derived signal parameters. The backscatter signals are read with an antenna array to provide a further plurality of derived signal parameters for each tag of the plurality of tags, and the item is localized in accordance with the further pluralities of derived signal parameters. | 12-09-2010 |
20100309018 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER FOR A PROXIMITY SENSOR - An ultrasonic transducer assembly for use in sensing the location of objects in proximity to the transducer. The ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a piezoceramic resonator plate and a coupler. The resonator plate is supported to the coupler in cantilever relation. The coupler extends transverse to the resonator plate for acoustically coupling the resonator plate to a medium in contact with the coupler. | 12-09-2010 |
20100315259 | POSITION DETERMINING SYSTEM - A position determining system with a sensor unit and a transducer unit, the sensor unit comprises a first RFID transponder reader unit and a first induction detection unit, the transducer unit comprises an RFID transponder and a metallic material, the sensor unit is movable relative to the transducer unit, and the position of the sensor unit can be determined using the data determined by the transducer unit. | 12-16-2010 |
20100315260 | PASSENGER GUIDANCE DEVICE, PASSENGER GUIDANCE METHOD AND ASSOCIATED POSITIONING SYSTEM - A passenger guidance method includes the following steps: receiving a signal that is transmitted by a transmitter and that has an identifier; calculating a position of the transmitter using the signal; and outputting the position information to the transmitter. A passenger guidance method is provided which helps the driver of a motor vehicle find his or her parked motor vehicle. To method includes a step of identifying the transmitter before outputting the position information for that purpose. | 12-16-2010 |
20100328093 | Emergency Responder Geographic Information System - Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system for providing a layered map illustrating information associated with an emergency event location during an emergency event. The information can include pre-planning data, map data, and current data. The layered map can be accessed by emergency responders using user devices and administrators or other command center personnel. The information can be used to better respond and manage a response to an emergency event. | 12-30-2010 |
20110006909 | COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, COMMUNICATION METHOD, PROGRAM, INFORMATION MANAGEMENT APPARATUS AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - Provided is a communication apparatus | 01-13-2011 |
20110012750 | TRACKING THE MOVEMENT OF RFID READER-EQUIPPED DEVICES WITHIN A DEFINED AREA USING BARRIER SERIES - Disclosed is a method for checking and managing the history of movement of equipment, which operates in a target space divided into at least two areas, by using a number of RFID tags. The target space (e.g. warehouse) is divided into at least two areas, and RFID tags are installed on the boundary line between the areas at a short interval. When equipment (e.g. forklift) provided with a RFID reader moves across the boundary line and recognizes the RFID tags installed on the boundary line, the computer system recognizes that the equipment has moved from an area to another and displays the result of recognition to the outside so that the operator can finally recognize in which area of the target space the equipment or the object (cargo) carried by it exists in real time. | 01-20-2011 |
20110018732 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING INFORMATION RELATED TO INFRASTRUCTURE, AND POSITIONING METHOD AND SYSTEM USING THE SAME - An infrastructure information collecting device collects measurement information including location information regarding a plurality of wireless access devices disposed in an indoor space based on an indoor map, and a positioning system generates information regarding a wireless communication infrastructure of the corresponding indoor space based on the thusly collected measurement information. The positioning system then provides the generated wireless communication infrastructure information to a terminal of which location is desired to be measured, and then the terminal measures its location based on the wireless communication infrastructure information and signals received from nearby wireless access devices. | 01-27-2011 |
20110037610 | LOCATING COMPUTER-CONTROLLED ENTITIES - A beacon device is provided in proximity to said entity. A request to locate said entity is triggered on a central control unit. In response to the request to locate said entity, said control unit generates specification data for a unique radio signal identifier, sends an activation request and said specification data to said beacon device, and provides said specification data to a portable device and storing said specification data on the portable device. In response to receiving said activation request, said beacon device sends a radio signal identifier generated from said specification data. Signals are received on said portable device and compared with the specification data stored on the portable device. Based on the results of the comparison by said portable device, information is provided about at least one of a direction and distance to said entity. The location of said entity is detected using said direction information. | 02-17-2011 |
20110043373 | Reverse RFID location system - A reverse RFID location system is based on set of RFID tags in which each tag stores data representing its position. | 02-24-2011 |