US6512478B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Location position system for relay assisted tracking
Assignee: Skyworks Solutions Inc
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Filing: 2000-02-26
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Granted: 2003-01-28
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Expires: 2020-02-26
Abstract
Abstract An extensible short-range tracking system is disclosed. The tracking system disclosed is a multi-level tracking system. At the first level is an RF tag, which is a transmit-only unit that transmits information including minimally an identification number. The transmission from the RF tags are sporadic with timing depending upon the application at implementation. Generally, the transmission timing comprises a transmission, which is repeated periodically at random times. Transmissions from the RF tags are received in a series of relays. The relays may calculate the position of the tags by knowing the position of the relays and the time difference of arrival of the signals from the RF tags by several relays or may pass the information needed to calculate position to a base station. Alternately, the RF tags may generate position information and transmit that information along with the RF tag identifier to the relays. The relays, which may be networked among themselves, then relay the information from the tags to a base station unit. The base station unit may be part of various applications such as a fire control system in a military application or an inventory system in an industrial application.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Chien
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S5/00; G01S5/02; G01S5/10; G01S5/0284; G01S5/0289; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/22; G08B13/24; G08B13/2402; G08B13/2451; G08B13/2462; G08B21/00; G08B21/02; G08B21/0202; G08B21/0269; G08B25/00; G08B25/009; G01S13/00; G01S13/87; G01S13/878; G01S5/0205; G01S5/0215; G01S5/0218
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for tagging and locating objects passing through a general area comprising: a plurality of tags transmitting signals containing a tag identifier; a dispenser for deploying the plurality of tags to a corresponding plurality of locations over the general area, the deployed tags being in locations within the general area such that at least one of the tags is likely to contact and become attached to at least one object upon the at least one object passing through the general area; a relay for accepting tag transmissions from the plurality of tags, processing information contained in the tag transmissions within a computing element and for transmitting information related to the tags; and a base station for receiving a transmission from at least one relay and for providing object location information from the transmission.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for tagging and locating objects passing through a general area comprising: a plurality of tags transmitting signals containing a tag identifier; a dispenser for deploying the plurality of tags to a corresponding plurality of locations over the general area, the deployed tags being in locations within the general area such that at least one of the tags is likely to contact and become attached to at least one object upon the at least one object passing through the general area; a relay for accepting tag transmissions from the plurality of tags, processing information contained in the tag transmissions within a computing element and for transmitting information related to the tags; and a base station for receiving a transmission from at least one relay and for providing object location information from the transmission.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the tags commence transmitting signals containing a tag identifier upon receipt of a trigger signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 2 wherein the dispenser, which dispenses the tags, also provides the trigger signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the tags transmitting signals transmit spread spectrum signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the tags transmitting signals transmit the signals at pseudo-random intervals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the relay further comprises a precision time element for determining the time of arrival of the signals transmitted from the tags in order to determine the location of the tags.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 6 wherein the precision time element comprises a Global Positioning System receiver.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the relay further comprises: a receiver for receiving transmissions containing information, related to the tags, from at least one further relay; and a transmitter for transmitting information, related to the tags, to at least one further relay.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the relay employs a networking protocol within the computing element for receiving information from other relays and for aggregating information received from the plurality of tags with information received from other relays.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the networking protocol routes the information received from the plurality of tags and other relays.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as in claim 9 wherein the networking protocol within the computing element further disseminates the aggregated information to other relays.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as in claim 9 wherein the networking protocol within the computing element coordinates processes for determining time delay of arrival for the information received from the plurality of tags and the other relays.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the dispenser deploys the plurality of tags in a corresponding plurality of pseudo-random locations.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the base station is mobile.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the dispenser deploys the plurality of tags utilizing an explosive charge.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the dispenser deploys the plurality of tags utilizing a pneumatic impulse.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the relay is located at a pseudo-random location.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the dispenser deploys the plurality of tags in specific locations within the general area.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the plurality of tags resemble natural objects.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the base station controls an automated weapon guidance system for guiding weapons toward the object location.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the base station tracks the location of inventory.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the base station tracks the location of packages.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the dispenser deploys the plurality of tags upon activation by a proximity sensor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the plurality of tags become affixed to proximate objects by means of at least one of an adhesive material, attaching hook, and magnetized material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
93 words
A system as in claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of relays for accepting the transmissions from the plurality of tags; means for storing time of arrival of the transmissions at the plurality of relays; means for receiving the time of arrival of the transmissions from the plurality of relays; means for determining the position of at least one relay; and means for determining the position of the tag by computing the time delay of arrival of the transmissions at the plurality of relays and the position of the at least one relay.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as in claim 25 wherein the means for determining the position of at least one relay comprises using a Global Positioning System to determine the position of the at least one relay.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as in claim 25 wherein the means for determining the position of at least one relay comprises means for manually programming the position into the at least one relay.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as in claim 25 , further comprising: means for decoding Global Positioning System data contained in the transmissions.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system as in claim 25 , further comprising: means for providing Inertial Navigational System information from at least one tag; and means for computing a position of the tag by calculating movement, using the Inertial Navigational System data, of the tag from an initial tag position.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
75 words
An apparatus for transmitting a signal containing an identifier the apparatus comprising: a power source for providing power to the apparatus; a receiver for receiving a signal containing an initial position of the apparatus from a dispenser which dispenses the apparatus; a computing unit programmed to determine a location of the apparatus; an antenna; and a transmitter coupled to the antenna for transmitting a signal containing an identifier and information corresponding to the determined location.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
75 words
An apparatus for transmitting a signal containing an identifier the apparatus comprising: a power source for providing power to the apparatus; a receiver for receiving a signal containing an initial position of the apparatus from a dispenser which dispenses the apparatus; a computing unit programmed to determine a location of the apparatus; an antenna; and a transmitter coupled to the antenna for transmitting a signal containing an identifier and information corresponding to the determined location.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as in claim 30 wherein the computing unit performs a power cycling of circuits not in use during the time the signal is not being transmitted.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as in claim 30 wherein the power source comprises a battery and a switched capacitor, the switched capacitor for reducing the peak current drain of the battery.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as in claim 30 wherein the power source comprises a power receiving circuit for receiving power in the form of radio frequency (RF) energy coupled into the power source.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as in claim 30 wherein the transmitter is a spread spectrum transmitter.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as in claim 30 wherein the computing unit is programmed to begin transmission upon the receipt of a trigger signal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as in claim 30 wherein the computing unit is programmed to begin asynchronous transmission upon the receipt of a trigger signal generated by the dispenser which dispenses the apparatus.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as in claim 30 wherein the transmitter generates the transmit signal using a non crystal locked time base.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 30 wherein the apparatus further comprises a Global Positioning System unit and transmits a signal derived from the Global Positioning System unit.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 30 wherein the apparatus further comprises an Inertial System Navigation unit and transmits a signal derived from the Inertial Navigation System unit.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as in claim 31 wherein the information is routed to the base station.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as in claim 31 wherein the information is routed to other relays.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as in claim 30 wherein the computing unit is further programmed to control the timing of the transmission of the signal.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for locating objects the method comprising: providing a tag unit for transmitting a first signal containing identifying information, the tag unit comprising a computing unit which is programmed to accept positioning coordinates of the tag unit from a dispenser, which dispenses the tag unit; receiving the first signal containing identifying information in a relay unit; deriving, from the first signal, information concerning a location of the tag unit; transmitting a further signal, from the relay unit, containing the derived information concerning the location of the tag unit; receiving the further signal in a tag location determination unit; and processing the further signal within the tag location determination unit to derive the location of the tag unit.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for locating objects the method comprising: providing a tag unit for transmitting a first signal containing identifying information, the tag unit comprising a computing unit which is programmed to accept positioning coordinates of the tag unit from a dispenser, which dispenses the tag unit; receiving the first signal containing identifying information in a relay unit; deriving, from the first signal, information concerning a location of the tag unit; transmitting a further signal, from the relay unit, containing the derived information concerning the location of the tag unit; receiving the further signal in a tag location determination unit; and processing the further signal within the tag location determination unit to derive the location of the tag unit.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 43 wherein receiving and processing the further signal in a tag location determination unit comprises receiving and processing the further signal in a base station.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 43 wherein receiving and processing the further signal in a tag location determination unit comprises receiving and processing the further signal in another relay unit.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 43 wherein transmitting the first signal further comprises transmitting at pseudo-random intervals.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 43 wherein transmitting the first signal and the further signal further comprises transmitting using spread spectrum techniques.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as in claim 43 wherein deriving, from the first signal, information concerning the location of the tag unit further comprises using a Global Positioning System receiver to derive the location of the tag unit.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as in claim 43 wherein deriving, from the first signal, information concerning the location of the tag unit further comprises: decoding Inertial Navigational System information from the first signal; and computing the location by calculating the movement, using the Inertial Navigation System data, of the tag from a previous tag location.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as in claim 43 wherein deriving, from the first signal, information concerning the location of the tag unit further comprises decoding Global Positioning System data provided by the tag in the first signal.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method as in claim 43 wherein processing the further signal within the base station unit to derive a location of the tag unit comprises computing the location of the tag unit using the time delay of arrival of the first signal at a plurality of relay units, and the locations of the relay units.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for propagating relay locations within an array of relays, comprising: providing location information to each relay within a first group of relays within the array; transmitting signals containing the location information from each relay within the first group of relays to each relay within a second group of relays within the array; and determining a location of each relay within the second group of relays based on the location information received from each relay within the first group of relays; wherein each relay within the second group of relays determines its own location.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for propagating relay locations within an array of relays, comprising: providing location information to each relay within a first group of relays within the array; transmitting signals containing the location information from each relay within the first group of relays to each relay within a second group of relays within the array; and determining a location of each relay within the second group of relays based on the location information received from each relay within the first group of relays; wherein each relay within the second group of relays determines its own location.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method recited in claim 52 wherein determining a location of each relay within the second group of relays comprises determining a time of arrival of the signals at each relay within the second group of relays and computing a time delay of arrival of the signals.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method recited in claim 52 , further comprising: transmitting signals containing location information from each relay within the second group of relays to each relay within a third group of relays within the array; and determining a location of each relay within the third group of relays based on the location information received from each relay within the second group of relays; wherein each relay within the third group of relays determines its own location.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method recited in claim 52 , wherein providing location information to each relay within a first group of relays within the array comprises providing Global Positioning System units within each relay within the first group.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method recited in claim 53 , further comprising using topographical information in combination with the computed time delay of arrival of the signals from the first group of relays to determine the location of each relay within the second group of relays.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for propagating relay locations within an array of relays, comprising: providing location information to each tag within a group of tags; transmitting signals containing the location information from each tag within the group of tags to each relay within a group of relays within the array; and determining a location of each relay within the group of relays based on the location information received from each tag within the group of tags; wherein each relay within the group of relays determines its own location.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for propagating relay locations within an array of relays, comprising: providing location information to each tag within a group of tags; transmitting signals containing the location information from each tag within the group of tags to each relay within a group of relays within the array; and determining a location of each relay within the group of relays based on the location information received from each tag within the group of tags; wherein each relay within the group of relays determines its own location.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method recited in claim 57 wherein determining a location of each relay within the group of relays comprises determining a time of arrival of the signals at each relay within the group of relays and computing a time delay of arrival of the signals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-01-27 | 2006-07-29 | 2007-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-01-27 | 2010-07-29 | 2011-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-01-27 | 2014-07-29 | 2015-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |