Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of an object in a zone by means of a wireless detector located proximal to the zone, the wireless detector comprising an orientation sensor for sensing the spatial attitude of the detector, the method comprising: defining a solid angle relative to a first spatial reference plane, the solid angle being defined such that at least part of the zone is within that solid angle when the solid angle is projected from the location of the detector; detecting by means of the detector a wireless signal from the object, and thereby estimating the direction of the object from the detector with reference to a second spatial reference plane fixed relative to the detector; sensing by means of the orientation sensor the spatial attitude of the detector; and comparing the solid angle and the estimated direction in dependence on the sensed spatial attitude so as to determine whether the object is present in the zone.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of an object in a zone by means of a wireless detector located proximal to the zone, the wireless detector comprising an orientation sensor for sensing the spatial attitude of the detector, the method comprising: defining a solid angle relative to a first spatial reference plane, the solid angle being defined such that at least part of the zone is within that solid angle when the solid angle is projected from the location of the detector; detecting by means of the detector a wireless signal from the object, and thereby estimating the direction of the object from the detector with reference to a second spatial reference plane fixed relative to the detector; sensing by means of the orientation sensor the spatial attitude of the detector; and comparing the solid angle and the estimated direction in dependence on the sensed spatial attitude so as to determine whether the object is present in the zone.

Abstract: A method of identifying an article on a production line, the production line comprising a plurality of articles along its length, the relative positions of the plurality of articles along the length of the production line being predetermined, the method comprising: receiving location information of an object which executes the same motion with respect to at least a first subset of the plurality of articles on the production line; for at least a second subset of the plurality of articles, determining from the location information the location of the object at a predetermined interaction between the object and the article; and identifying an article of the plurality of articles at a specified location of the object in dependence on (i) a known location of any one article of the plurality of articles at any one time, and (ii) the locations of the object at the predetermined interactions between the object and the at least second subset of the plurality of articles.

Abstract: A method of identifying an article on a production line, the production line comprising a plurality of articles along its length, the relative positions of the plurality of articles along the length of the production line being predetermined, the method comprising: receiving location information of an object which executes the same motion with respect to at least a first subset of the plurality of articles on the production line; for at least a second subset of the plurality of articles, determining from the location information the location of the object at a predetermined interaction between the object and the article; and identifying an article of the plurality of articles at a specified location of the object in dependence on (i) a known location of any one article of the plurality of articles at any one time, and (ii) the locations of the object at the predetermined interactions between the object and the at least second subset of the plurality of articles.

Abstract: A location system comprises a plurality of transponders whose locations are detectable by a base system. The base system interrogates (51-55) the transponders one at a time in accordance with a schedule of consecutive time slots. In response to a priority request received (53) from one of the transponders, the base system interrupts the schedule and interrogates substantially immediately (56, 57, 55) the signaling transponder so as to determine its location with minimal latency.

Abstract: A location system comprises a plurality of transponders whose locations are detectable by a base system. The base system interrogates (51-55) the transponders one at a time in accordance with a schedule of consecutive time slots. In response to a priority request received (53) from one of the transponders, the base system interrupts the schedule and interrogates substantially immediately (56, 57, 55) the signaling transponder so as to determine its location with minimal latency.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the presence of persons within a zone, the system comprising: one or more remotely detectable markers, each capable of being carried by a person; a first sensor arrangement capable of identifying the presence of the body of at least one person within the zone; a second sensor arrangement capable of identifying the presence of at least one marker within the zone; and a processing arrangement responsive to the first sensor arrangement and the second sensor arrangement to generate an alarm signal if the first sensor arrangement identifies the presence of a body without the second sensor arrangement identifying a marker corresponding in a first predetermined manner to that body.

Abstract: A location system comprises a plurality of transponders whose locations are detectable by a base system. The base system interrogates (51-55) the transponders one at a time in accordance with a schedule of consecutive time slots. In response to a priority request received (53) from one of the transponders, the base system interrupts the schedule and interrogates substantially immediately (56, 57, 55) the signaling transponder so as to determine its location with minimal latency.

Abstract: A location system comprises a plurality of transponders whose locations are detectable by a base system. The base system interrogates (51-55) the transponders one at a time in accordance with a schedule of consecutive time slots. In response to a priority request received (53) from one of the transponders, the base system interrupts the schedule and interrogates substantially immediately (56,57,55) the signalling transponder so as to determine its location with minimal latency.

Abstract: A user interface system for allowing users to initiate events comprises: a plurality of markers each having a marker identity; a plurality of portable readers each having a reader identity and arranged to read said marker identities from adjacent markers, and at least one base station arranged to communicate with said readers in a wireless manner, wherein at least one reader is provided with actuation means which when actuated by a user causes the reader identity of the reader and the marker identity of an adjacent marker to be transmitted by the reader to said base station, so as to cause, for at least one of said markers, said base station to initiate, directly or indirectly, an action which is at least partly determined by the reader identity of said reader.

Abstract: A technique is provided for providing total flexibility of control of any desired operation within an environment where personnel work, such as an office suite. The location of transponders is determined by a location system. A user arbitrarily selects a convenient region for controlling an operation and the location system registers this in a memory. The location system then determines the position of each transducer and, when a transducer is within one of the selected regions, the location system responds by controlling the operation. For example, a region may be selected entirely arbitrarily so as to control room lighting.

Abstract: A location system for objects having location devices (16) as a means for repeatedly interrogating the location devices on each object to provide position signals. A means (18) to detect the position signals are provided. The position of each object and the area associated with each object are determined from the position signals and stored. The system is then able to determine the relative locations of the thus determined objects and associated areas.

Abstract: A technique is provided for providing total flexibility of control of any desired operation within an environment where personnel work, such as an office suite. The location of transponders is determined by a location system. A user arbitrarily selects a convenient region for controlling an operation and the location system registers this in a memory. The location system then determines the position of each transducer and, when a transducer is within one of the selected regions, the location system responds by controlling the operation. For example, a region may be selected entirely arbitrarily so as to control room lighting.

Abstract: A technique is provided for providing total flexibility of control of any desired operation within an environment where personnel work, such as an office suite. The location of transponders is determined by a location system. A user arbitrarily selects a convenient region for controlling an operation and the location system registers this in a memory. The location system then determines the position of each transducer and, when a transducer is within one of the selected regions, the location system responds by controlling the operation. For example, a region may be selected entirely arbitrarily so as to control room lighting.

Abstract: A technique is provided for providing total flexibility of control of any desired operation within an environment where personnel work, such as an office suite. The location of transponders is determined by a location system. A user arbitrarily selects a convenient region for controlling an operation and the location system registers this in a memory. The location system then determines the position of each transducer and, when a transducer is within one of the selected regions, the location system responds by controlling the operation. For example, a region may be selected entirely arbitrarily so as to control room lighting.