Abstract: Dual-mode position-locating tag, including: a transmitter module configured to communicate with a Wi-Fi network; a transceiver module configured to communicate with a non-Wi-Fi network; a processor coupled to the transmitter module and the transceiver module; and at least one location sensor coupled to the processor, the location sensor coupled to a secondary technology receiver. The transmitter module may transmit a signal to produce a first location measurement. The secondary technology receiver may receive a signal usable to calculate a second location measurement that is more accurate than the first location measurement.

Abstract: System and method of generating a received signal strength indication, the method including: selecting a high power level of a transmitter to be received above a receiver threshold at a predetermined distance from the transmitter; selecting a low power level of the transmitter to be received below the receiver threshold at the predetermined distance; transmitting a marker signal at high power; and adjacent in time to the marker signal, transmitting a power-varying signal, wherein a power of the power-varying signal varies monotonically between the high power level and the low power level.

Abstract: A wireless active RFID tag, system and method, the system including: a plurality of access points, wherein each access point is groupable by a characteristic in common with another access point; a system controller communicatively coupled to a system memory and to the plurality of access points; and an active RFID tag, the tag comprising: a transmitter module configured to transmit, to access points in the system, request for an acknowledgement from any member of a predetermined group of access points. The acknowledgement may further include one or more of a time reference used by the system; and an identification of secondary technologies used by the system.

Abstract: Systems for determining a location of a portable device are provided. The system includes stationary infrared (IR) base stations, portable devices and at least one radio frequency (RF) transceiver. At least two of the IR base stations receive timing synchronization information and transmit corresponding IR location codes in a time period based on the received timing synchronization information. Each IR location code is representative of a location of the corresponding IR base station. Each portable device detects the IR location codes and, if one of the IR location codes is detected, transmits an output signal including a portable device ID representative of the portable device and the detected IR location code. The RF transceiver periodically provides, upon a request, the timing synchronization information to the respective IR base stations relative to a unified time of origin.

Abstract: System and method for wireless infrared-aided location, including: a portable tag to be located, the portable tag comprising an infrared (IR) receiver; and a plurality of base-stations, at least one of said base-stations comprising: a processor coupled to a memory; a first clock coupled to the processor, the first clock configured to be selectively activated and deactivated by the processor; a receiver coupled to the processor, the receiver configured to receive a periodic timing synchronization signal; and an infrared transmitter coupled to the processor, the infrared transmitter configured to transmit an IR signal to the portable tag, wherein the IR signal is substantially identical and in-phase with IR signals from other base-stations, wherein the processor is configured to synchronize said base-station to the periodic timing synchronization signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a location and an identity of a portable device are provided. The system includes apparatus for transmitting timing synchronization information, a plurality of stationary ultrasonic base stations and a plurality of portable devices. Each ultrasonic base station is configured to receive the timing synchronization information and to transmit a corresponding ultrasonic location code in a time period based on the received timing synchronization information. Each portable device is configured to: 1) receive the timing synchronization information, 2) detect the ultrasonic location codes from the ultrasonic base stations and 3) transmit an output signal including a portable device ID representative of the portable device and the detected ultrasonic location code. Each portable device is synchronized to detect the ultrasonic location code in the time period based on the received timing synchronization information.

Abstract: System and method to determine a status of a person, the method including: receiving a sensor indication of a first orientation of a first body part of the person relative to a predetermined direction; receiving a sensor indication of a second orientation of a second body part of the person relative to the predetermined direction; receiving a sensor indication of a location of the person; inferring, by use of a processor, an orientation of the person from the sensor indication of the first orientation and the sensor indication of the second orientation; and determining, by use of a processor, the status of the person from an allowability of the inferred orientation of the person at the indicated location.

Abstract: System and method to determine a status of a person, the method including: receiving a sensor indication of a first orientation of a first body part of the person relative to a predetermined direction; receiving a sensor indication of a second orientation of a second body part of the person relative to the predetermined direction; receiving a sensor indication of a location of the person; inferring, by use of a processor, an orientation of the person from the sensor indication of the first orientation and the sensor indication of the second orientation; and determining, by use of a processor, the status of the person from an allowability of the inferred orientation of the person at the indicated location.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a location and an identity of a portable device are provided. The system includes apparatus for transmitting timing synchronization information, a plurality of stationary ultrasonic base stations and a plurality of portable devices. Each ultrasonic base station is configured to receive the timing synchronization information and to transmit a corresponding ultrasonic location code in a time period based on the received timing synchronization information. Each portable device is configured to: 1) receive the timing synchronization information, 2) detect the ultrasonic location codes from the ultrasonic base stations and 3) transmit an output signal including a portable device ID representative of the portable device and the detected ultrasonic location code. Each portable device is synchronized to detect the ultrasonic location code in the time period based on the received timing synchronization information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a location and an identity of a portable device are provided. The system includes apparatus for transmitting timing synchronization information, a plurality of stationary infrared (IR) base stations and a plurality of portable devices. Each IR base station is configured to receive the timing synchronization information and to transmit a corresponding IR location code in a time period based on the received timing synchronization information. Each portable device is configured to: 1) receive the timing synchronization information, 2) detect the IR location codes from the IR base stations and 3) transmit an output signal including a portable device ID representative of the portable device and the detected IR location code. Each portable device is synchronized to detect the IR location code in the time period based on the received timing synchronization information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for locating a portable device in an enclosure having a location defining a virtual wall are provided. The system includes first and second infrared (IR) transmitters directed to opposite sides of the virtual wall. Each of the transmitters is configured to selectively transmit an interfering IR signal (IIS) and a data signal including a corresponding transmitter location ID.