Abstract: A system and methods for estimating the location of a mobile device are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a mobile device receives, at a first time t1, a wireless electromagnetic signal, where the wireless electromagnetic signal comprises a first identifier that identifies a first beacon that transmitted the wireless electromagnetic signal. The mobile device receives, at a second time t2, t2>t1, an ultrasound signal lacking an identification of the source of the ultrasound signal. A time difference of arrival (TODA) t2?t1 is compared to a maximum TDOA. A location of the mobile device is estimated based on the TDOA only when the TDOA is less than or equal to the maximum TDOA.

Abstract: A system and methods for estimating the location of a mobile device are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a mobile device receives a wireless electromagnetic signal and an ultrasound signal from a first beacon during a first occurrence of a time slot. The mobile device further receives a wireless electromagnetic signal and an ultrasound signal from a second beacon during a second occurrence of the time slot, where the ultrasound signals from the first and second beacons have non-overlapping areas of coverage. The electromagnetic and ultrasound signals from the first beacon are used to estimate a first location of the mobile device, and the electromagnetic and ultrasound signals from the second beacon are used to estimate a second location of the mobile device.

Abstract: A system and methods for estimating the location of a mobile device are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a mobile device located within a first corridor of a building receives (1) a first wireless electromagnetic signal and a first ultrasound signal from a first beacon located in the first corridor, (2) a second wireless electromagnetic signal and a second ultrasound signal from a second beacon located in the first corridor, and (3) a third wireless electromagnetic signal from a third beacon located in a second corridor of the building. The first wireless electromagnetic signal, the first ultrasound signal, the second wireless electromagnetic signal, and the second ultrasound signal are used to estimate a location of the mobile device.

Abstract: A system and methods for estimating the location of a mobile device are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a mobile device located within a first corridor of a building receives (1) a first wireless electromagnetic signal and a first ultrasound signal from a first beacon located in the first corridor, (2) a second wireless electromagnetic signal and a second ultrasound signal from a second beacon located in the first corridor, and (3) a third wireless electromagnetic signal from a third beacon located in a second corridor of the building. The first wireless electromagnetic signal, the first ultrasound signal, the second wireless electromagnetic signal, and the second ultrasound signal are used to estimate a location of the mobile device.

Abstract: A system and methods for estimating the location of a mobile device are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a mobile device receives an ultrasound signal lacking an identification of the source of the ultrasound signal. One or both of the mobile device or a server identify which of a plurality of beacons transmitted the ultrasound signal based on the time at which the mobile device received the ultrasound signal and the time at which the mobile device received a wireless electromagnetic signal prior to receiving the ultrasound signal. One or both of the mobile device or the server estimate a location of the mobile device based on the identified beacon and on the times at which the mobile device received the wireless electromagnetic and ultrasound signals.

Abstract: A hybrid infrared-ultrasound real time location system includes at least one emitter having an infrared transmitter and a plurality of ultrasound transmitters and at least one tag. The tag receives an infrared signal from the infrared transmitter and ultrasound signals from the ultrasound transmitters. The time between the time-of-arrival of the IR signal and the time-of-arrival of each ultrasound signal is calculated and used to measure the respective time-of-flight of each of the US transmissions from the US transmitters to the tag and compute location.

Abstract: A bed proximity-determining system includes communications functionality and an ability to determine the proximity of a caregiver to a bed. Based on that proximity, the system transmits commands to the bed or a local system.

Abstract: A security system and method includes a tag that continues to function in the presence of LF noise by (i) detecting the LF noise, and (ii) generating an RF signal comprising information that causes a controller to issue a lock command.

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 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: A position location system and method, the system including: an infrared (IR) transmitter, a first and a second ultrasound (US) transmitter, the first and a second US transmitters arranged at respective predetermined distances from a reference plane, an IR receiver configured to receive an IR signal from the IR transmitter, a US receiver configured to receive a first US signal from the first US transmitter and a second US signal from the second US transmitter; and a processor coupled to a memory and further coupled to the IR receiver and the US receiver, the processor configured to detect: a time of flight (ToF) of the first US signal from the first US transmitter to the US receiver; and a ToF of the second US signal from the second US transmitter to the US receiver.

Abstract: A bed proximity-determining system includes communications functionality and an ability to determine the proximity of a caregiver to a bed. Based on that proximity, the system transmits commands to the bed or a local system.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method to track location, the apparatus including: a substantially planar disposable housing comprising an electronics compartment; a secondary technology sensor disposed along a periphery of the disposable housing; an electronics module disposed within the electronics compartment, the electronics module comprising: a processor coupled to a memory; an RF transceiver coupled to an RF antenna and to the processor; a secondary technology transceiver coupled to the processor; and a battery coupled to the apparatus, wherein the battery is not field-replaceable. The apparatus may further include a marking to indicate a predetermined period of time that the apparatus is operable. Embodiments further include an unattended smart container to autonomously collect a plurality of the apparatus and to report status to a central monitor system.

Abstract: A hybrid infrared-ultrasound real time location system includes at least one emitter having an infrared transmitter and a plurality of ultrasound transmitters and at least one tag. The tag receives an infrared signal from the infrared transmitter and ultrasound signals from the ultrasound transmitters. The time between the time-of-arrival of the IR signal and the time-of-arrival of each ultrasound signal is calculated and used to measure the respective time-of-flight of each of the US transmissions from the US transmitters to the tag and compute location.

Abstract: A security system and method includes a tag that continues to function in the presence of LF noise by (i) detecting the LF noise, and (ii) generating an RF signal comprising information that causes a controller to issue a lock command.

Abstract: A hybrid infrared-ultrasound real time location system includes at least one base station having an infrared emitter and a plurality of ultrasound emitters and at least one tag. The tag receives an infrared signal from the infrared emitter and ultrasound signals from the ultrasound emitters and a time difference is determined between the time-of-arrival of the IR signal and the time-of-arrival of each ultrasound signal. Based on the time relationship of the respective transmissions of the IR signals and the US signals, the tag can measure the respective time-of-flight of each of the US transmissions from the US emitters to the tag and compute the distance from the base-station.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method to track location, the apparatus including: a substantially planar disposable housing comprising an electronics compartment; a secondary technology sensor disposed along a periphery of the disposable housing; an electronics module disposed within the electronics compartment, the electronics module comprising: a processor coupled to a memory; an RF transceiver coupled to an RF antenna and to the processor; a secondary technology transceiver coupled to the processor; and a battery coupled to the apparatus, wherein the battery is not field-replaceable. The apparatus may further include a marking to indicate a predetermined period of time that the apparatus is operable. Embodiments further include an unattended smart container to autonomously collect a plurality of the apparatus and to report status to a central monitor system.

Abstract: System and method for real-time location, the system including: a base-station comprising: an interface to a secondary technology communication channel, wherein the base-station configured to emit: a first periodic signal on the secondary technology communication channel and having a first repetition rate, to communicate an identification of the base-station; and a second periodic signal on the secondary technology communication channel and having a second repetition rate, to provide a wake-up signal, wherein transmitted energy of the second periodic signal in one period of the second periodic signal is less than transmitted energy of the first periodic signal in one period of the first periodic signal; and a portable tag configured to receive the first and second periodic signals and control its receiver timing based upon the first and second periodic signals.

Abstract: Real-time location system and method, the system including a tag and a plurality of groups, each group including: a plurality of battery operated secondary technology base-stations, and a battery operated wireless timing beacon generator to provide a timing beacon to the group, such that the timing beacon generator for a group obtains timing information for the timing beacon wirelessly from a timing server, and such that each timing beacon generator transmits timing beacons with timing information to the plurality of base-stations in the group, and each secondary technology base-station transmits a secondary technology signal to the tag based on the received timing beacon.

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.