Abstract: A method for monitoring the location accuracy of an object tracking system includes receiving, from the object tracking system, a recorded position of a wireless test tag installed at a fixed position. This fixed position may be accurately determined without the tracking system, for example, using a laser measurement device. The method includes determining a positioning error of the tracking system by comparing the recorded position, as measured with the tracking system, to the fixed position. The method also includes outputting, in response to the positioning error exceeding a threshold, an indication that the tracking system has reduced accuracy. The method may be extended to several test tags located at several fixed positions throughout the operating area of the tracking system, in which case the indication of reduced accuracy may be generated when any one or more of the test tags has a positioning error exceeding the threshold.

Abstract: A method optimizes an object tracking system that uses receivers to receive beacon signals, or pings, from tracking tags that are attached to objects. An optimizer receives locations of the tracking tags and groups identifiers of the tracking tags into two or more sets. The first set identifies tracking tags that are attached to objects involved in a situation of interest. The optimizer determines a first receiver group based on the locations of tracking tags in the first set and the locations of the receivers. The optimizer determines a center of a smallest three-dimensional polygon bounding the locations of tracking tags in the first set. An antenna of each receiver in the first receiver group is then steered to point towards the center of the polygon while a number of receiver events per second generated by the receiver for tracking tags in the first set increases.

Abstract: A method optimizes an object tracking system that uses receivers to receive beacon signals, or pings, from tracking tags that are attached to objects. An optimizer receives locations of the tracking tags and groups identifiers of the tracking tags into two or more sets. The first set identifies tracking tags that are attached to objects involved in a situation of interest. The optimizer determines a first receiver group based on the locations of tracking tags in the first set and the locations of the receivers. The optimizer determines a center of a smallest three-dimensional polygon bounding the locations of tracking tags in the first set. An antenna of each receiver in the first receiver group is then steered to point towards the center of the polygon while a number of receiver events per second generated by the receiver for tracking tags in the first set increases.

Abstract: A method for dynamically configuring a receiver of an object tracking system includes detecting an environmental or situation change with the tracking system, and transmitting, in response to the detected change, a signal to the receiver to switch from a first analog front end to a second analog front. The analog front ends may have antennas with different gain, or antennas with the same gain but different filters. The environmental change may be detected based on events per second received from the receiver. The situational change may be detected by determining a bounding region encompassing tracking-tag locations and identifying an optimum analog front end from a plurality of analog front ends of the receiver. A signal is then transmitted to the receiver to switch to the optimum analog front end. The optimum analog front end is the one analog front end having the greatest coverage of the bounding area.

Abstract: A method for dynamically configuring a receiver of an object tracking system includes detecting an environmental or situation change with the tracking system, and transmitting, in response to the detected change, a signal to the receiver to switch from a first analog front end to a second analog front. The analog front ends may have antennas with different gain, or antennas with the same gain but different filters. The environmental change may be detected based on events per second received from the receiver. The situational change may be detected by determining a bounding region encompassing tracking-tag locations and identifying an optimum analog front end from a plurality of analog front ends of the receiver. A signal is then transmitted to the receiver to switch to the optimum analog front end. The optimum analog front end is the one analog front end having the greatest coverage of the bounding area.

Abstract: Systems, methods and software products optimize installation and operation of an object tracking system. Performance of the athlete tracking system is continually monitored and optimized based upon one or more of: statically positioned tags, grouping tags within two or more tag sets to assign ping rates, selecting receiver configuration and aim dynamically based upon environmental and situational conditions. Tracking tags are improved to facilitate coupling of the tag to an athlete and may be self-configurable. A trackable protection pad allows a tracking tag to be positioned substantially horizontal when the athlete is competing. A data replay tool replays location tracking information in chronological order and visually plots location of tracking tags and errors in the determined location. A tag manager automatically configures the tracking tags. A robotic vehicle automated installation of the object tracking system.

Abstract: Systems, methods and software products optimize installation and operation of an object tracking system. Performance of the athlete tracking system is continually monitored and optimized based upon one or more of: statically positioned tags, grouping tags within two or more tag sets to assign ping rates, selecting receiver configuration and aim dynamically based upon environmental and situational conditions. Tracking tags are improved to facilitate coupling of the tag to an athlete and may be self-configurable. A trackable protection pad allows a tracking tag to be positioned substantially horizontal when the athlete is competing. A data replay tool replays location tracking information in chronological order and visually plots location of tracking tags and errors in the determined location. A tag manager automatically configures the tracking tags. A robotic vehicle automated installation of the object tracking system.

Abstract: A method and software product display errors of a tracking system that utilizes a plurality of receivers positioned around a tracking area to receive pings periodically transmitted by a tracking tag within the tracking area. For each locate received from the tracking system, a symbol indicative of the locate is plotted on a display graphically depicting the tracking area. A vector connecting each pair of chronologically consecutive symbols is plotted on the display, the vector visually indicating an error within the locates that would otherwise not be visible on the display. Another method concurrently displays predicted sensitivity for each of at least two receivers of a tracking system that locates tracking tags within a tracking area, the receivers being positioned within a surrounding area of the tracking area. A graphical representation of the surrounding area, the tracking area, and receiver sensitivities indicate the predicted receiver coverage of the tracking area.

Abstract: Systems, methods and software products optimize installation and operation of an object tracking system. Performance of the athlete tracking system is continually monitored and optimized based upon one or more of: statically positioned tags, grouping tags within two or more tag sets to assign ping rates, selecting receiver configuration and aim dynamically based upon environmental and situational conditions. Tracking tags are improved to facilitate coupling of the tag to an athlete and may be self-configurable. A trackable protection pad allows a tracking tag to be positioned substantially horizontal when the athlete is competing. A data replay tool replays location tracking information in chronological order and visually plots location of tracking tags and errors in the determined location. A tag manager automatically configures the tracking tags. A robotic vehicle automated installation of the object tracking system.

Abstract: A method and software product display errors of a tracking system that utilizes a plurality of receivers positioned around a tracking area to receive pings periodically transmitted by a tracking tag within the tracking area. For each locate received from the tracking system, a symbol indicative of the locate is plotted on a display graphically depicting the tracking area. A vector connecting each pair of chronologically consecutive symbols is plotted on the display, the vector visually indicating an error within the locates that would otherwise not be visible on the display. Another method concurrently displays predicted sensitivity for each of at least two receivers of a tracking system that locates tracking tags within a tracking area, the receivers being positioned within a surrounding area of the tracking area. A graphical representation of the surrounding area, the tracking area, and receiver sensitivities indicate the predicted receiver coverage of the tracking area.

Abstract: Systems, methods and software products optimize installation and operation of an object tracking system. Performance of the athlete tracking system is continually monitored and optimized based upon one or more of: statically positioned tags, grouping tags within two or more tag sets to assign ping rates, selecting receiver configuration and aim dynamically based upon environmental and situational conditions. Tracking tags are improved to facilitate coupling of the tag to an athlete and may be self-configurable. A trackable protection pad allows a tracking tag to be positioned substantially horizontal when the athlete is competing. A data replay tool replays location tracking information in chronological order and visually plots location of tracking tags and errors in the determined location. A tag manager automatically configures the tracking tags. A robotic vehicle automated installation of the object tracking system.

Abstract: Systems, methods and software products optimize installation and operation of an object tracking system. Performance of the athlete tracking system is continually monitored and optimized based upon one or more of: statically positioned tags, grouping tags within two or more tag sets to assign ping rates, selecting receiver configuration and aim dynamically based upon environmental and situational conditions. Tracking tags are improved to facilitate coupling of the tag to an athlete and may be self-configurable. A trackable protection pad allows a tracking tag to be positioned substantially horizontal when the athlete is competing. A data replay tool replays location tracking information in chronological order and visually plots location of tracking tags and errors in the determined location. A tag manager automatically configures the tracking tags. A robotic vehicle automated installation of the object tracking system.

Abstract: Systems, methods and software products optimize installation and operation of an object tracking system. Performance of the athlete tracking system is continually monitored and optimized based upon one or more of: statically positioned tags, grouping tags within two or more tag sets to assign ping rates, selecting receiver configuration and aim dynamically based upon environmental and situational conditions. Tracking tags are improved to facilitate coupling of the tag to an athlete and may be self-configurable. A trackable protection pad allows a tracking tag to be positioned substantially horizontal when the athlete is competing. A data replay tool replays location tracking information in chronological order and visually plots location of tracking tags and errors in the determined location. A tag manager automatically configures the tracking tags. A robotic vehicle automated installation of the object tracking system.

Abstract: Systems, methods and software products optimize installation and operation of an object tracking system. Performance of the athlete tracking system is continually monitored and optimized based upon one or more of: statically positioned tags, grouping tags within two or more tag sets to assign ping rates, selecting receiver configuration and aim dynamically based upon environmental and situational conditions. Tracking tags are improved to facilitate coupling of the tag to an athlete and may be self-configurable. A trackable protection pad allows a tracking tag to be positioned substantially horizontal when the athlete is competing. A data replay tool replays location tracking information in chronological order and visually plots location of tracking tags and errors in the determined location. A tag manager automatically configures the tracking tags. A robotic vehicle automated installation of the object tracking system.

Abstract: Systems, methods and software products optimize installation and operation of an object tracking system. Performance of the athlete tracking system is continually monitored and optimized based upon one or more of: statically positioned tags, grouping tags within two or more tag sets to assign ping rates, selecting receiver configuration and aim dynamically based upon environmental and situational conditions. Tracking tags are improved to facilitate coupling of the tag to an athlete and may be self-configurable. A trackable protection pad allows a tracking tag to be positioned substantially horizontal when the athlete is competing. A data replay tool replays location tracking information in chronological order and visually plots location of tracking tags and errors in the determined location. A tag manager automatically configures the tracking tags. A robotic vehicle automated installation of the object tracking system.

Abstract: Systems, methods and software products optimize installation and operation of an object tracking system. Performance of the athlete tracking system is continually monitored and optimized based upon one or more of: statically positioned tags, grouping tags within two or more tag sets to assign ping rates, selecting receiver configuration and aim dynamically based upon environmental and situational conditions. Tracking tags are improved to facilitate coupling of the tag to an athlete and may be self-configurable. A trackable protection pad allows a tracking tag to be positioned substantially horizontal when the athlete is competing. A data replay tool replays location tracking information in chronological order and visually plots location of tracking tags and errors in the determined location. A tag manager automatically configures the tracking tags. A robotic vehicle automated installation of the object tracking system.

Abstract: A method and software product display errors of a tracking system that utilizes a plurality of receivers positioned around a tracking area to receive pings periodically transmitted by a tracking tag within the tracking area. For each locate received from the tracking system, a symbol indicative of the locate is plotted on a display graphically depicting the tracking area. A vector connecting each pair of chronologically consecutive symbols is plotted on the display, the vector visually indicating an error within the locates that would otherwise not be visible on the display. Another method concurrently displays predicted sensitivity for each of at least two receivers of a tracking system that locates tracking tags within a tracking area, the receivers being positioned within a surrounding area of the tracking area. A graphical representation of the surrounding area, the tracking area, and receiver sensitivities indicate the predicted receiver coverage of the tracking area.

Abstract: Systems, methods and software products optimize installation and operation of an object tracking system. Performance of the athlete tracking system is continually monitored and optimized based upon one or more of: statically positioned tags, grouping tags within two or more tag sets to assign ping rates, selecting receiver configuration and aim dynamically based upon environmental and situational conditions. Tracking tags are improved to facilitate coupling of the tag to an athlete and may be self-configurable. A trackable protection pad allows a tracking tag to be positioned substantially horizontal when the athlete is competing. A data replay tool replays location tracking information in chronological order and visually plots location of tracking tags and errors in the determined location. A tag manager automatically configures the tracking tags. A robotic vehicle automated installation of the object tracking system.