Abstract: A system and method optimizes throughput of tracked assets as work-in-progress (WIP) within a monitored environment such as a manufacturing establishment with off-line processing areas. A plurality of assets such as vehicles have a tag transmitter associated therewith and operative for transmitting a wireless RF signal that includes data relating to the identification of the asset to which the tag transmitter is associated. A real-time location system (RTLS) infrastructure tracks the location of the plurality of assets to various containment, staging, and processing task areas within the monitored environment as WIP. A processor is operative with the RTLS infrastructure for determining an asset input rate into WIP at an origin to the WIP for optimizing asset flow rate as WIP through different containment, staging, and processing areas within the monitored environment.

Abstract: A system associates change in the state of an asset to an event trigger within a monitored environment. This environment includes a plurality of assets and a tag transmitter positioned on each asset and operative for transmitting a wireless RE signal based on an event trigger based on one of at least the change in state of an asset and change in location of the asset. A plurality of spaced apart access points receive an RF signal transmitted from a tag transmitter. A processor is operatively connected to the access points and collect possible candidates as assets associated with the event trigger and assigning a numerical score to each candidate to determine which asset is best associated with the event trigger.

Abstract: A tag mounting device can temporarily mount a tag transmitter on a shipping container or trailer for tracking location of the shipping container or trailer. The tag mounting device includes a mounting frame having a support leg with opposing ends. A clamp mechanism is carried by the support leg for clamping the support leg onto a rim of a container or trailer such that the support leg extends against a surface of the container or trailer. A tag support member extends outward from the support leg. A tag transmitter is carried by the tag support member and operative for transmitting wireless signals to at least one receiver for subsequent processing to determine the location of the tag transmitter and a container or trailer on which the tag mounting device is mounted.

Abstract: A system for locating an object within a monitored environment includes receivers arranged in loosely coupled networks. A tag transmitter acts as a network node and bridge between the loosely coupled networks. A processor is operative with each receiver within each network for defining a clock timing for each network, a system time for all networks, and tracking its relationship to the clock timing for each network for time synchronizing all receivers. The processor is also operative for conducting differentiation of time of arrival signals received from a tag transmitter to locate an object associated with the tag transmitter.

Abstract: A location system includes a plurality of signal readers for receiving signals from a wireless transmitter to be located. The signals include a wideband, spread spectrum signal and a timing marker appended a predetermined time in front of the wideband, spread spectrum signal for indicating the presence of the wideband, spread spectrum signal. A location processor is operatively coupled to the signal readers for detecting the timing markers of signals and responsive to a detection of a timing marker, correlating a signal as a first-to-arrive signal and conducting differentiation of first-to-arrive signals to locate a wireless transmitter.

Abstract: A system for locating an object within a monitored environment includes a tag transmitter that transmits an RF signal to receivers having unsynchronized clocks. A processor is operative with each receiver and determines clock timing relationships for the clocks based on one of at least propagation or processing delays in the receivers to synchronize receiver performance.

Abstract: A system for tracking cargo containers contained within a terminal includes a tag transmitter adapted to be positioned on container handling equipment and operative for transmitting a wireless RF signal based on an event affecting the location of a container handled by the container handling equipment. A plurality of spaced apart access points are positioned at known locations within the terminal that receive the wireless RF signals from the tag transmitter. A processor is operatively connected to the locating access points for geolocating the tag transmitter and determining the container location at the time the event occurs.

Abstract: A wireless local area network system includes a plurality of access point stations at known locations that receive and transmit communication signals within the wireless local area network. A mobile access point station receives and transmits communication signals within the wireless local area network. A location processor is operatively connected to each of the access point stations and operative to process communication signals transmitted from the mobile access point station and determining which communication signals are first-to-arrive signals based on a common timing signal and conducting differentiation of the first-to-arrive signals to locate the mobile access point station.

Abstract: A system of the present invention is operative for locating a wireless mobile device in communication with a wireless local area network (WLAN) that includes a plurality of cells defining a wireless local area network each having an access point base station. The access point base stations communicate with wireless mobile devices using wireless communication signals as typically spread spectrum communication signals. A processor is operatively connected to each of the access point base stations and operative to process communication signals transmitted from a mobile device and determine which signals are first-to-arrive signals based on a common timing signal and conduct differentiation of the first-to-arrive signals to locate the mobile device.

Abstract: A system for locating an object within a monitored environment includes a tag transmitter that transmits an RF signal to receivers having unsynchronized clocks. A processor is operative with each receiver and determines clock timing relationships for the clocks based on one of at least propagation or processing delays in the receivers to synchronize receiver performance.

Abstract: A wireless local area network and location system for locating objects within a monitored environment are disclosed. A plurality of access point stations receive and transmit communication signals within a wireless local area network. A processor is operatively connected to each of the access point stations and operative for processing communication signals received from the mobile station and, in one embodiment, determining which communication signals are first-to-arrive signals and conducting differentiation of the first-to-arrive signals to locate a mobile station. Delayed versions of at least one interference signal are weighted and the amplitude and phase controlled with weighted functions W1, W2 . . . Wn. The resultant weighted replicas are summed to determine an approximation of disbursed interference for cancelling interference. The location system can include a tag transmitter and spaced monitoring receivers and processor.

Abstract: An object tracking system for locating radio-tagged objects within a monitored environment has a plurality tag transmission readers that detect RF transmissions from the tags, and generate output signals representative of the time-of-arrival of first-to-arrive tag transmissions. An object location processor processes the first to arrive signals in accordance with a multilateration algorithm to geolocate a tag. In order to modify the operation of a tag that comes within a prescribed region of the monitored environment (such as passing through a doorway), one or more relatively short range, magnetic field proximity-based, tag-programming ‘pingers’, are placed proximate to the region. A magnetic field receiver on the tag detects the field generated by the pinger and causes the tag to change operation such as increase its RF transmission rate.

Abstract: A vehicle tag includes a housing and a tag connector supported by the housing for connecting to a diagnostic jack of a vehicle on-board diagnostic (OBD) system. A tag transmitter is carried by the housing and operative with the tag connector for receiving telemetry data from the OBD system and transmitting the telemetry data in an RF pulse.

Abstract: Magnetic field-based communication with an object is enhanced by generating a rotating AC magnetic field that effectively ensures magnetic field coupling with the magnetic field sensor of the object, irrespective of the orientation of the object. The rotating AC magnetic field is produced by a diverse spatial orientation (a two-dimensional arrangement) of a plurality of magnetic field coils, and the driving of those coils in a prescribed phase relationship (e.g., in phase quadrature) to realize a composite AC magnetic field that rotates (at the carrier frequency of the coil drive signal) over the entirety of the spatial coverage area.

Abstract: Magnetic field-based communication with an object is enhanced by generating a rotating AC magnetic field that effectively ensures magnetic field coupling with the magnetic field sensor of the object, irrespective of the orientation of the object. The rotating AC magnetic field is produced by a diverse spatial orientation (a two-dimensional arrangement) of a plurality of magnetic field coils, and the driving of those coils in a prescribed phase relationship (e.g., in phase quadrature) to realize a composite AC magnetic field that rotates (at the carrier frequency of the coil drive signal) over the entirety of the spatial coverage area.

Abstract: An amplitude modulation (AM) based mechanism controllably alters the shape of a binary phase shift keyed (BPSK) digital spreading waveform modulated onto an RF carrier. The modulated RF carrier is amplified by a saturated RF amplifier. The spectral properties of the amplified AM-BPSK waveform, when combined with the spectral properties of a BPSK waveform modulated onto the RF carrier and amplified by another saturated RF amplifier, produces a composite BPSK-modulated RF waveform containing substantially suppressed sidelobes.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying objects within a monitored environment includes a plurality of tag signal readers contained within the monitored environment and serially connected along a single connection line as a coaxial cable for receiving tag signals from at least one tag contained within the monitored environment. The tagged signals received by tag signal readers are timed and associated with a particular tag signal reader, such as by the use of multiplexing techniques. A location processor is connected to the single connection line and determines which tag signals are first-to-arrive signals and conduct differentiation of the first-to-arrive signals to locate a tag.

Abstract: A system and method for locating an object uses a plurality of tag signal readers that receive wireless tag signals from a tag transmitter coupled with an object to be located. The tag signals include data indicating the identity of the object to which the tag transmitter is coupled. Each tag signal reader includes a global positioning system receiver associated therewith for determining the location of a tag signal reader. A wireless transmitter transmits a wireless data signal incorporating the wireless tag signal and location of the tag signal reader to a location processor, which receives the wireless data signals and determines which tag signals are first-to-arrive signals and conducts differentiation of the first-to-arrive signals to locate a tag transmitter and object coupled therewith.

Abstract: A time division multiplexed reader to shared RF channel processor signal transport network for a geolocation system in which the number of readers is relatively small, allowing the use of only a single shared RF channel processor. The differential signal transport delays among respective segments of the network creates an inherent set of time division multiplexed time slots for the various readers, that allows the shared RF channel processor to receive and process the output of each reader in a known, independent time frame.

Abstract: A tool for augmenting and customizing business transaction processes uses the communication capability and functionality of a geolocation system to embed information associated with a transaction of a tagged object within the spread spectrum signals used to geolocate the object. This enables an ancillary transaction controller, separate from the geolocation system, to focus or target one or more transactions with respect to the tagged object, which may be an individual, such as a customer, patient, client, or the like of an institution in which the geolocation system is installed.