| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20090256699 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CALIBRATION OF RADIO FREQUENCY LOCATION SENSORS - A method includes receiving, in a scanner, at least one radio-frequency (RF) signal from a sensor proximate to the scanner. The method also includes storing location information, corresponding to a location of the scanner, and signal strength information corresponding to the scanner. The method further includes calibrating location records according to the signal strength information and location information. There is also a system for calibrating location records. The system includes a plurality of sensors each configured to transmit an RF signal. The system also includes a scanner configured to receive at least one RF signal from a sensor proximate to the scanner, store location information corresponding to a location of the scanner, and store signal strength information corresponding to the scanner. The system further includes a location manager configured to receive the stored signal strength information and location information from the scanner and to calibrate location records according to the stored signal strength information and location information. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20110059698 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CALIBRATION OF RADIO FREQUENCY LOCATION SENSORS - A method includes receiving, in a scanner, at least one radio-frequency (RF) signal from a sensor proximate to the scanner. The method also includes storing location information, corresponding to a location of the scanner, and signal strength information corresponding to the scanner. The method further includes calibrating location records according to the signal strength information and location information. There is also a system for calibrating location records. The system includes a plurality of sensors each configured to transmit an RF signal. The system also includes a scanner configured to receive at least one RF signal from a sensor proximate to the scanner, store location information corresponding to a location of the scanner, and store signal strength information corresponding to the scanner. The system further includes a location manager configured to receive the stored signal strength information and location information from the scanner and to calibrate location records according to the stored signal strength information and location information. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110082643 | LOCATION ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD BASED ON TOPOLOGY CONSTRAINTS - A method for enhanced location sensing based on topology constraints. A potential position value and a corresponding probability value with respect to an observed position data of an object within a structure can be calculated utilizing a normal probability distribution function. Thereafter, an optimal route between adjacent observed time periods may be calculated utilizing a heuristic search algorithm. The potential position value and the optimal route can be calculated by accessing a pre-installed topology data associated with the structure. An optimization problem can then be solved to refine the observed position data. The position between a pair of observed time periods can be interpolated and the position of the object before a next observed time can be predicted by interpolation based on the spatial constraints. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110164768 | ACOUSTIC USER INTERFACE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING SPATIAL LOCATION DATA - An acoustic user interface system and method for tracking spatial location data. A location tracking unit provides location information with respect to an object in an environment. The location information may be further employed to synthesize a perception of three-dimensional spatial location data with respect to multiple objects in the environment. The acoustic user interface communicates the three-dimensional spatial location data via an auditory channel to a stereophonic device based on a human stereophonic perception of one or more acoustic signal variable correlated with a relative location of the objects in order to co-ordinate and communicate location information effectively. | 07-07-2011 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20080220780 | Method for the automatic calibration of location anchors - A target radio can be located and tracked by an array of anchor radios. The anchor radios are calibrated when each anchor radio transmits an anchor message that is received by the other anchor radios. The distance between anchor radios is known because their positions are known. The received signal strengths are dependent on distance and an attenuation value. The calibration operation uses the received signal strengths and known anchor radio locations to determine the attenuation values of the anchor radios. After calibration, a target radio transmission can be received by the anchor radios. Each anchor radio estimates the distance to the target. The distance estimates and the anchor locations can then be used to determine the target radio's location. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080228039 | Semi-passive method and system for monitoring and determining the status of an unattended person - A method and system for determining the status and monitoring an unattended individual. A radio beacon device can be associated with one or more individuals (e.g., an unattended person). Behavioral information about the individual(s) can be collected by tracking the location of the individual within a particular area (e.g., home, assisted living facility, etc.) utilizing the radio beacon device. The presence of other persons can then be distinguished from that of the individual within said particular area utilizing said behavioral information collected about said individual, thereby permitting a determination of the status of said individual and distinguishing the presence of other persons within said particular area. The behavioral information can include, for example, one or more activity levels associated with the individual. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20090018785 | Model-based determination of power source replacement in wireless and other devices - A model-based system and method for analyzing power source performance and optimizing operational costs are provided. Data from the power source (such as a battery) and/or a device associated with the power source is analyzed and processed to predict an operating life of the power source. This could allow, for example, a power source replacement schedule to be generated for the device. If the analysis indicates that abnormal conditions exist or that any user-defined alerts are warranted, a message could also be sent to an operator terminal. The system and method may continue to monitor the device and thus provide real-time data. The data may also be stored in memory, collected over time, and analyzed or used in various ways. The system and method thus provide a cost effective and reliable analysis of power source performance and any associated operational and replacement costs. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090051551 | Apparatus and method for wireless location sensing - A sensor assembly includes a sensor configured to detect at least one material or condition, such as a smoke detector, fire detector, or carbon monoxide detector. The sensor assembly also includes a base configured to be mounted on a structure, such as a wall or ceiling, and to receive the sensor. The sensor assembly further includes a wireless module located between the sensor and the base. The wireless module is configured to transmit position information. The wireless module may include one or more electrical contacts used to form at least one electrical connection between the base of the sensor assembly and the sensor. The wireless module may also include a printed circuit board having the contacts, wireless radio circuitry, an antenna, and other components. The printed circuit board could be substantially hidden from view when the sensor is attached to the base and the base is mounted on the structure. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090102642 | Apparatus and method for location estimation using power supply voltage levels of signal transmitters - Beacon generators transmit wireless beacon signals for use in tracking an object. Among other things, a wireless beacon signal from a particular beacon generator contains information identifying a power supply voltage associated with that beacon generator. A tracking device associated with the object receives one or more of the beacon signals. The tracking device measures the signal strength of a received beacon signal, and the tracking device identifies the power supply voltage associated with the beacon generator that transmitted the received beacon signal. The tracking device or an external component, such as a control unit, can use the identified signal strength and the identified power supply voltage to determine the location of the object. As a particular example, signal strengths and power supply voltages associated with at least three beacon signals can be used to identify the location of the object. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20100039280 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WIRELESS ASSET TRACKING USING ASSET TAGS WITH MOTION SENSORS - A system includes an asset tag associated with an asset, the asset tag having a motion sensor to detect a movement of the asset. The system also includes a plurality of readers, each reader receiving one or more signals from the asset tag and measuring a distance between the asset tag and the reader based on the signals. The system further includes a controller receiving a measured distance from each of the plurality of readers and determining a location of the asset based on the measured distances. | 02-18-2010 |
