US6424264B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for real-time location of people in a fixed environment
Assignee: GUEST TECHNOLOGIES LLC
•
Filing: 2000-10-12
•
Granted: 2002-07-23
•
Expires: 2020-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A system is provided for tracking in real-time the location of a group of individuals within a defined environment, for providing information to an individual user about the location of any other individuals of the group and for gaining assistance to locate and reunite lost individuals. The system uses an identification Tag with serial identification Tag number worn by each individual of the group, has means for communicating with each Tag as it moves with the individual through the environment and means for using the communication to determine the position of the Tag in the environment. The system also uses strategically placed ID stations distributed within the environment for users to activate a request that the system locate members and for displaying a map indicating the location of members of the group.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick W. Giraldin
- 👤 Regan E. Kelly
- 👤 Timothy W. Giraldin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:40
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/20; G07C9/28; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/20; G07C11/00; G07C2011/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
243 words
A system for tracking in real-time the location of a group of individuals within a defined environment and for providing information to any individuals of the group about the location of any other individuals of the group, comprising: (a) identification tags having a unique identification tag number carried by each individual of the group, the tags having means for receiving a radio signal and for responding to that signal with a radio signal that includes the identification tag number; (b) cells controllers distributed throughout the environment having radio transmission and receiving means for sending and receiving a radio signal via one or more monitoring sites, each site having an antenna for sending and receiving the signals; (c) means for computing a tag to antenna distance based on the time between sending the signal and receiving the signal from the tag; (d) a host computer for storing identification tag numbers with the identity of each individual, the host computer in communication with cell controllers and ID stations, said stations accessible to individuals of the group and distributed throughout the environment and having means for communicating with individuals of the group who visit the station and for obtaining information about the location of individuals of the group, wherein said means for communicating with individuals at the station comprises a display that offers two buttons, one for activating the system to locate an individual and one for indicating that the individual activating the button is lost.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
243 words
A system for tracking in real-time the location of a group of individuals within a defined environment and for providing information to any individuals of the group about the location of any other individuals of the group, comprising: (a) identification tags having a unique identification tag number carried by each individual of the group, the tags having means for receiving a radio signal and for responding to that signal with a radio signal that includes the identification tag number; (b) cells controllers distributed throughout the environment having radio transmission and receiving means for sending and receiving a radio signal via one or more monitoring sites, each site having an antenna for sending and receiving the signals; (c) means for computing a tag to antenna distance based on the time between sending the signal and receiving the signal from the tag; (d) a host computer for storing identification tag numbers with the identity of each individual, the host computer in communication with cell controllers and ID stations, said stations accessible to individuals of the group and distributed throughout the environment and having means for communicating with individuals of the group who visit the station and for obtaining information about the location of individuals of the group, wherein said means for communicating with individuals at the station comprises a display that offers two buttons, one for activating the system to locate an individual and one for indicating that the individual activating the button is lost.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein each cell controller transmits at a different radio wave frequency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said means for communicating with individuals at the station comprises a computer and a graphical user interface (“GUI”).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system in accordance with claim 3 , wherein said GUI includes a touch screen video monitor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said environment is selected from the group consisting essentially of theme amusement parks, casinos, hotels, zoos, ski resorts, shopping malls, homes and residences, and neighborhood associations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said means for communicating with individuals at the station includes a keyboard or a bar code scanning device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said means for communicating information about the location of individuals of the group at the ID station comprises the preparation of a map of the environment and display of the map at a video terminal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system in accordance with claim 7 , wherein said displayed map includes different icons or pictures each representing an individual of the group wherein the icons or pictures are located at the position on the map corresponding to the position where the individual is in the environment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said means for communicating information about the location of individuals of the group at the ID station includes a computer generated voice message.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 , further including connection of the host computer or ID station to a security force which is notified when said one of the buttons for indicating that the individual activating the button is lost is selected.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
196 words
A system for tracking in real-time the location of a group of individuals within a defined environment and for providing information to individuals of the group about the location of any other individuals of the group, comprising: (a) an identification tag worn by each individual of the group; (b) means for communicating with each tag as it moves with the individual through the environment and means for using the communication to determine the position of the tag in the environment; (c) ID stations distributed within the environment, said stations providing a “Locate” button or other means for activating a request that the system locate members of the group; (d) means for receiving the activation request from an ID station and for generating a map showing the location of each group member on the map; and (e) means for displaying the map at the ID station, wherein said means for activating a request that the system locate members of the group includes a keyboard or a bar code scanning device, and wherein said stations further include a “Lost” button which when activated indicates the user is lost or needs assistance to meet an individual of the group.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
196 words
A system for tracking in real-time the location of a group of individuals within a defined environment and for providing information to individuals of the group about the location of any other individuals of the group, comprising: (a) an identification tag worn by each individual of the group; (b) means for communicating with each tag as it moves with the individual through the environment and means for using the communication to determine the position of the tag in the environment; (c) ID stations distributed within the environment, said stations providing a “Locate” button or other means for activating a request that the system locate members of the group; (d) means for receiving the activation request from an ID station and for generating a map showing the location of each group member on the map; and (e) means for displaying the map at the ID station, wherein said means for activating a request that the system locate members of the group includes a keyboard or a bar code scanning device, and wherein said stations further include a “Lost” button which when activated indicates the user is lost or needs assistance to meet an individual of the group.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system in accordance with claim 11 , wherein said means for communicating with the tags comprises various cells controllers that transmit via an antenna, a radio signal to the tag which responds by transmitting a radio signal that is received by the antenna of the cell controller.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
69 words
A system in accordance with claim 12 , wherein said means for using the communication to determine the position of the tag in the environment comprises a computer for calculating a tag to antenna distance based on the time between sending the signal and receiving the return signal from the tag and for using tag to antenna distances from each cell controller to pinpoint the position of the tag.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system in accordance with claim 11 , wherein said means for receiving the activation request from each location and for generating a map showing the location of each group member on the map comprises a host computer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system in accordance with claim 11 , wherein said means for displaying the map at the activation requesting ID station includes a graphical user interface (“GUI”).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system in accordance with claim 15 , wherein said GUI includes a touch screen video monitor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system in accordance with claim 11 , wherein said map displays different icons or pictures each representing an individual of the group wherein the icons or pictures are located at the position on the map corresponding to the position of the individual in the environment.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system in accordance with claim 11 , wherein said environment is selected from the group consisting essentially of theme amusement parks, casinos, hotels, zoos, ski resorts, shopping malls, homes and residences, and neighborhood associations.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system in accordance with claim 11 , further including means for obtaining assistance from a security force following activation of the Lost button.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method for tracking in real-time the location of a group of individuals within a defined environment and for providing information to individuals of the group about the location of any other individuals of the group using the system of claim 11 .
Claim 23
Independent Claim
243 words
A method for tracking in real-time the location of a group of individuals within a defined environment and for providing information to individuals of the group about the location of any other individuals of the group, comprising: (a) providing individuals of the group with identification tags having a unique identification tag number, the tags having means for receiving a radio signal and for responding to that signal with a radio signal that includes the identification tag number; (b) locating one or more cells controllers throughout the environment having radio transmission and receiving means for sending and receiving a radio signal via one or more monitoring sites, each site having an antenna for sending and receiving the signals; (c) computing a tag to antenna distance based on the time between sending the signal and receiving the signal from the tag; (d) using a host computer for storing identification tag numbers with the identity of each individual, the host computer in communication with cell controllers and ID stations, said stations accessible to individuals of the group and distributed throughout the environment and having means for communicating with individuals of the group who visit the station and for obtaining information about the location of individuals of the group, wherein said means for communicating with individuals at the station comprises a display that offers two buttons, one for activating the system to locate an individual and one for indicating that the individual activating the button is lost.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
243 words
A method for tracking in real-time the location of a group of individuals within a defined environment and for providing information to individuals of the group about the location of any other individuals of the group, comprising: (a) providing individuals of the group with identification tags having a unique identification tag number, the tags having means for receiving a radio signal and for responding to that signal with a radio signal that includes the identification tag number; (b) locating one or more cells controllers throughout the environment having radio transmission and receiving means for sending and receiving a radio signal via one or more monitoring sites, each site having an antenna for sending and receiving the signals; (c) computing a tag to antenna distance based on the time between sending the signal and receiving the signal from the tag; (d) using a host computer for storing identification tag numbers with the identity of each individual, the host computer in communication with cell controllers and ID stations, said stations accessible to individuals of the group and distributed throughout the environment and having means for communicating with individuals of the group who visit the station and for obtaining information about the location of individuals of the group, wherein said means for communicating with individuals at the station comprises a display that offers two buttons, one for activating the system to locate an individual and one for indicating that the individual activating the button is lost.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method in accordance with claim 21 , wherein each cell controller transmits at a different radio wave frequency.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accordance with claim 21 , wherein said means for communicating with individuals at the station comprises a computer and a graphical user interface (“GUI”).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method in accordance with claim 23 , wherein said GUI includes a touch screen video monitor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method in accordance with claim 21 , wherein said environment is selected from the group consisting essentially of theme amusement parks, casinos, hotels, zoos, ski resorts, shopping malls, homes and residences, and neighborhood associations.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accordance with claim 21 , wherein said means for communicating with individuals at the station includes a keyboard or a bar code scanning device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method in accordance with claim 21 , wherein said means for communicating information about the location of individuals of the group at the ID station comprises the preparation of a map of the environment and display of the map at a video terminal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method in accordance with claim 27 , wherein said displayed map includes different icons for pictures each representing an individual of the group wherein the icons or pictures are located at the position on the map corresponding to the position where the individual is in the environment.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 21 , wherein said means for communicating information about the location of individuals of the group at the ID station includes a computer generated voice message.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method in accordance with claim 21 , further including connection of the host computer or ID station to a security force which is notified when the Lost button is selected.
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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) | 2005-07-22 | 2006-01-21 | 2006-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-22 | 2010-01-21 | 2010-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-22 | 2014-01-21 | 2014-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |