초록 ▼

A method and system 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

A method and system 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 digitized infrared light signals to provide a fine determination of its subject's location. Each badge transmits RF and IR signals upon actuation of a page request/alert push button switch on its badge. An RF signal is also generated at a timed interval as a "heartbeat" pulse. This pulse informs the host computer that the badge is both present and fully functional. The IR and RF signals are modulated or encoded with badge identification data, page request or alert notification data, and battery condition data. The system also includes ceiling or wall sensors in the form of IR and RF receivers. Each RF sensor converts the encoded RF signals into a first set of electrical signals. Each IR sensor converts encoded IR signals into a second set of electrical signals. In turn, the first and second sets of electrical signals are transmitted to a micro-processor-based collector of the system. The locating method and system are particularly useful in hospitals to determine and monitor the location of patients and/or critical equipment.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for locating subjects within a tracking environment, the method comprising the steps of:for each subject, providing a TAG capable of transmitting a substantially line-of-sight signal including a unique TAG ID substantially simultaneously with a substantially non-

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for locating subjects within a tracking environment, the method comprising the steps of:for each subject, providing a TAG capable of transmitting a substantially line-of-sight signal including a unique TAG ID substantially simultaneously with a substantially non-line-of-sight signal also including the unique TAG ID;providing an array of receivers distributed within the tracking environment, wherein the array of receivers includes an extended area receiver for receiving a plurality of substantially non-line-of-sight signals and a plurality of limited area receivers, each of the limited area receivers receiving substantially line-of-sight signals;generating an extended area detection packet including the unique TAG ID in response to each receivednon-line-of-sight signal;generating a limited area detection packet including the unique TAG ID in response to each received line-of-sight signal; anddetermining the location of each TAG and its associated subject based on the identity of the extended area and limited area receivers for the TAG as represented by its extended area and limited area detection packets.