REVERSE INFRASTRUCTURE LOCATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
Embodiments include methods and systems by which an object can be located within an area. The system includes a moveable radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader and multiple RFID tags, which are positioned at known locations. The RFID tag reader is associated with the object, and is adapted to interrogate the RFID tags, to receive unique identifiers from responding RFID tags, to correlate the unique identifiers with tag location information stored in memory to determine fixed positions for the responding RFID tags, and to mathematically determine at least one location solution for the RFID tag reader using the fixed positions. A responding RFID tag is adapted to respond to an interrogation signal from the RFID tag reader by transmitting a unique identifier.
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This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of the filing date of co-pending, nonprovisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/954,967, filed on Sep. 29, 2004.
TECHNICAL FIELDEmbodiments of the present invention generally relate to position location, and more particularly to determining the position of a mobile object in real time.
BACKGROUNDThere are many applications today where it is desired to determine the location of a moveable object. For example, there is often a need to locate a moveable person, forklift, pallet or other cargo carrier in a warehouse, storage depot, factory or other area. In the past this has often been accomplished by placing a radio frequency (RF) beacon on the moveable object and then providing multiple infrastructure receivers at known locations in the area that receive signals from the moveable object and through trilateration or other proximity detectors determine the location of the moveable object within the area. While this arrangement works, it suffers from a number of disadvantages well known in the art, as for example, complexity, high installation cost, limited resolution, undesirably high power drain for the mobile beacon transmitter, and so forth. A further difficulty with this approach is that it is often very difficult to retrofit an existing structure or area to reliably use this approach since it is sensitive to multi-path, reflections and other structure dependant signal artifacts.
The positions of the trilateration receivers are known and the location of the moveable object (and its beacon transmitter) is unknown until its signal is read and analyzed by the trilateration receivers. The moveable object itself is ordinarily not self-aware, that is, it does not know its own location unless such information is sent to it from the base station managing the trilateration receivers or provided by some other means. Ordinarily, such a system cannot easily handle multiple moveable objects unless different frequencies and duplicate or multi-frequency trilateration receivers are provided, thereby adding further complexity. The infrastructure cost is significant because of the complexity and interconnection of the fixed trilateration receivers.
In a different application, it is also known to use radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to identify and at least crudely track large numbers of individual moveable items within an area. For example, each pallet or package of goods entering a storage yard, warehouse, factory or other area can be equipped with an RFID tag bearing a unique identifier (unique ID). When interrogated by an RFID tag reader, each tag responds with its unique ID indicating that it is present within signaling range of the reader. Thus, its position is known to be within the signaling range of the RFID tag reader. The RFID tags may be passive, semi-passive or active, depending upon the needs of the user. Such RFID tags are well known and widely available. In the conventional RFID tag installation, the location of the tag reader may or may not be known and the presence and rough location of the RFID tags themselves are unknown until interrogated by the reader. A single tag reader can detect the presence of a large number of tags. The ability of such a system to locate the RFID tags depends upon the proximity of the tag reader and it is ordinarily used to determine whether the tagged objects are present or absent, rather than to determine their exact location.
Thus, a need continues to exist for an improved position locating apparatus and method, especially one that takes advantage of present day RFID tag technology. Further it is desirable that such improved system be easy to retrofit into existing structures and areas. It is further desirable that such a system be able to take advantage of conventional infrastructure that may already exist in the area desired to be equipped with a position locating system and not require significant new infrastructure installation.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved position measuring apparatus and method, especially for measuring the position of moveable objects within an area or building. In addition, it is desirable that the sensing apparatus and method be simple, rugged and reliable and not require any substantial modifications to building infrastructure or the installation of significant complex new infrastructure. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.
BRIEF SUMMARYAn embodiment includes a system by which an object can locate itself within an area. The system embodiment includes multiple radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and a moveable RFID tag reader. The multiple RFID tags are positioned at known locations within the area, and a responding RFID tag of the multiple RFID tags is adapted to respond to an interrogation signal from an RFID tag reader by transmitting a unique identifier. The moveable RFID tag reader is associated with the object and in signaling contact with at least some of the RFID tags. The RFID tag reader is for interrogating at least some of the RFID tags and for receiving two or more unique identifiers from two or more responding RFID tags, and for correlating the two or more unique identifiers with tag location information stored in memory to determine fixed positions for each of the two or more responding RFID tags, and for mathematically determining at least one location solution for the RFID tag reader within the area using the fixed positions.
Another embodiment includes a method for determining the position of an object equipped with an RFID tag interrogator within an area having multiple RFID tags in known locations. The method includes interrogating multiple RFID tags by the RFID tag interrogator transmitting an interrogation signal, receiving information from two or more responding RFID tags of the multiple RFID tags, where such information includes two or more unique identifiers transmitted by the two or more responding RFID tags, correlating the two or more unique identifiers with tag location information stored in memory to determine fixed positions for each of the two or more responding RFID tags, and mathematically determining at least one location solution for the RFID tag interrogator within the area using the fixed positions.
Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.
It has been found that many of the problems associated with prior art real time position locating systems can be avoided by using what can be referred to as “reverse RFID” or “reverse infrastructure” position location. In this arrangement, multiple RFID tags are provided in known locations within the work area, and the mobile terminal acts as a tag interrogator and/or reader to determine its position based on the known positions of the tags it interrogates. In the preferred embodiment, the tags are located in, on or in association with light fixtures since such infrastructure generally already exists in most buildings or areas of interest, and tag installation cost is minimal. However, other convenient infrastructure elements can also be used.
System 10 comprises infrastructure RFID tags 14 installed in this example on light fixtures 16, and mobile terminal and tag readers 17, 17′. In the example of
RFID transceiver 30 of interrogator 17 sends interrogation signal 20 via antenna 23 to infrastructure tags 14 in its vicinity, e.g., tags 14-1, 14-2, 14-2 . . . 14-N, associated with known infrastructure locations 16-1, 16-2, 16-3, . . . 16-N. Interrogation signal 20 is received by some or all of antennas 14-1′, 14-2′, 14-3′, . . . 14-N′ associated respectively with tags 14-1, 14-2, 14-2 . . . 14-N. Tags 14 respond with at least, their unique identifiers (unique IDs), which are received by dual function transmit/receive antenna 23 or alternatively by separate receiving antenna 23′ of transceiver 30 (either arrangement is useful). It is desirable that each infrastructure tag 14 also respond with its location but this is not essential since the tag's positions are fixed on infrastructure elements 16 having known locations and each tag's unique ID can be correlated with the tag's location stored in memory, for example, within memory 34 of interrogator 17 or within memory in base station 44 or elsewhere. It will be noted that the unique tag ID may merely be the tag location coordinates (or translatable into its location coordinates) since each location is unique and a separate unique tag ID is not needed although not precluded. Either arrangement is useful. It is also desirable but not essential that interrogator 17 be able to vary the strength of its interrogation signal and/or adjust its receive sensitivity and/or measure the relative signal strength of the responses received from the various tags 14. This is conveniently accomplished by RFID transceiver 30 in cooperation with processor 32 and memory 34.
The responses received from tags 14 are used by interrogator 17 to determine its position with varying degrees of accuracy depending upon the needs of the user. For example, by initially broadcasting its interrogation signal at low power, interrogator 17 may receive no responses and then successively increase the transmitted power level until, for example, only one tag (e.g., tag 14-2) or a small number of tags (e.g., tags 14-2, 14-3) respond. This immediately establishes the position of interrogator 17 as being in close proximity to the responding tag(s). A similar result may be accomplished by measuring the signal strength of the received responses since, in general, the closer the tag, the stronger the received signal. In this manner the closest tags and therefore the approximate location of terminal 17 may be determined. The level of accuracy obtained by the above-described proximity detection may be sufficient in many applications where locations 16 with tags 14 are relatively closely spaced. When greater accuracy is desired and/or infrastructure locations 16 and tags 14 are more widely spaced, transceiver 30 in cooperation with processor 32 and memory 34 may determine the phase difference of arrival (PDOA) and/or time difference of arrival (TDOA) of signals 20. 20′ from various tags 14 and use this information to locate its position relative to the responding tags. PDOA and TDOA ranging techniques are well known in the art. Generally, signals received from at least two and preferably three spaced-apart infrastructure tags 14 are sufficient to permit a unique determination of range by PDOA and/or TDOA from responding tags 14. When the range to and position of the responding tags is known, the position of interrogator 17 relative to infrastructure elements 16 where tags 14 are located may be determined mathematically. Responses from three spaced-apart tags provide a single terminal location solution and responses from two spaced-apart tags provide two possible terminal location solutions, one true and one false. However, even a two tag solution can be used to determine a unique location by using other available information to eliminate the “false” solution. For example, if one of the two possible solutions from two-tag responses is within the actual workspace and the second possible solution is outside the actual workspace or in an inaccessible location or would require that the terminal jump a wall to move from its last determined location, and so forth, the second solution can be discarded on logical grounds as being physically unrealizable or unlikely. Hence, even two tag responses are often sufficient to provide a unique position determination using trilateration combined with logical inferences from other available information.
Terminal 17 may also include primary function 36 and/or system transceiver 40. Primary function 36 can be any convenient function incorporated in terminal 17 to suit the needs of the user. For example and not intended to be limiting, primary function 36 can be a bar code reader, an inventory checker, a cell phone or other communicator, a hazmat detector or other measuring instrument of some sort or whatever other function or combination of functions is needed by the user. Terminal 17 may also include system transceiver 40 for communicating via antenna 42 and wireless link 43 with base station 44 to which it may report or receive various data generated or used by primary function 36 and/or processor 32. System transceiver 40 may also be used to report the location of terminal 17 determined by RFID transceiver 30, processor 32 and memory 34. For an embodiment of the present invention, real time location of terminal 17 is preferably (but not essentially) performed within terminal 17 itself, using response signals obtained from infrastructure RFID elements 14 having known fixed locations on infrastructure elements 16. Alternatively, terminal 17 may receive the response signals from RFID beacons 14, transmit this information via transceiver 40 to base station 44 where the actual position determining calculations and/or logical operations are performed. Either arrangement works. System transceiver 40 and primary function 36 are desirably also coupled to data bus 31 and power supply leads 37, 39. While it is preferred that terminal 17 generate interrogation signal 20, this is not essential, and the interrogation signal may originate elsewhere in system 10 (e.g., from a separate interrogation transmitter, not shown) provided that terminal 17 can obtain range and/or location information from responding tags 14. Terminal 17 can obtain proximity information by varying its transmit power and/or receive sensitivity where it is sending out signal 20 or by varying its receive sensitivity where another element is providing interrogation signal 20. Either arrangement is useful.
Referring now to tag 142 of
When switch 247 is closed, voltage is applied to gas 250 and it becomes ionized gas 250′ and emits light 252. Ionized gas 250′ is electrically conductive so that portion 20″ of RF signal 20 from antenna 23 of terminal 17 is now reflected back toward antenna 23. The spatial impedance, i.e. the RCS of the lamp 242, changes significantly depending upon the state of ionization of gas 250 of lamp 242. As is explained more fully in connection with
Ballast 272 of an embodiment of the present invention, differs from conventional ballast 244 by addition of modulator 270 and unique ID 268. Unique ID 268 is conveniently stored in non-volatile memory and represents the location or location address of the light fixture to which ballast 272 is attached. Thus, unique ID 268 provides the position information needed to be backscattered or otherwise transmitted by RFID beacon 14, e.g., fixture 240, 260 in
In a further embodiment, interrogation receiver 274 coupled to modulator 270 is included in ballast 272′. In this embodiment, modulator 270 is dormant until receiver 274 receives an interrogation signal broadcast by terminal 17. This interrogation signal causes modulator 270 to become active so that fixture 240, 260 begins radiating position modulated signal 20″. In this way, only those fixtures within range of terminal 17 are backscattering or otherwise transmitting a position modulated signal. Modulator 270 may remain active as long as an interrogation signal is being received or may time-out after a predetermined interval or a combination thereof.
While the foregoing embodiments of the present invention have been described for fluorescent lamps, persons of skill in the art will understand based on the description herein that they are applicable to any type of lamp in which ionized gas is used to provide light. Fluorescent, sodium vapor, mercury vapor and other types of gas discharge lamps are non-limiting examples of gaseous ionization type of light sources. Thus, the terms “fluorescent” and gas “ionization” and “deionization” are intended to include all forms of gas ionization lamps.
Returning now to step 304 an alternative strategy is to send a first tag interrogation signal at either minimum or maximum power. Consider first starting with minimum interrogation power and/or minimum receiver sensitivity. Then, query 306 desirably responds according to outcomes 306U, that is, if the outcome of query 306 is NO FALSE then method 300 proceeds to step 308 wherein the transmit power and/or receiver sensitivity are changed so as to increase the effective detection range. In this circumstance, transmit power and/or receiver sensitivity are increased and step 304 and query 306 repeated. As long as the outcome of query 306 is NO (FALSE) terminal 17 will ratchet up the power and/or receiver sensitivity until the outcome of query 306 is YES (TRUE) (outcome 306U) whereupon method 300 proceeds to step 310 and following as already described.
Consider now starting with maximum interrogation power and/or maximum receiver sensitivity. Then query 306 desirably responds according to outcomes 306D, that is, if the outcome of query 306 is YES (TRUE) then method 300 proceeds to step 308 wherein the transmit power and/or receiver sensitivity are changed to decrease the effective detection range, i.e., use less transmit power and/or less receiver sensitivity. Steps 304 and query 306 are repeated. As long as the outcome of query 306 is YES (TRUE) (outcome 306D) terminal 17 will ratchet down the power and/or receiver sensitivity until the outcome of query 306 is NO (FALSE) (outcome 306D) whereupon method 300 proceeds to step 310 and following based on the location of the last tag(s) detected. With either the power-up or power-down approach, method 300 determines the terminal location on the basis of the closest tags, i.e., those first detected using power-up and those last detected using power-down. Either arrangement is useful.
While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.
Claims
1. A system by which an object can be located within an area, the system comprising:
- a moveable radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader associated with the object and in signaling contact with multiple RFID tags positioned at known locations within the area, wherein the RFID tag reader is adapted to interrogate at least some of the multiple RFID tags, to receive two or more unique identifiers from two or more responding RFID tags, to correlate the two or more unique identifiers with tag location information stored in memory to determine fixed positions for each of the two or more responding RFID tags, and to mathematically determine at least one location solution for the RFID tag reader within the area using the fixed positions.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
- the multiple RFID tags, wherein a responding RFID tag of the multiple RFID tags is adapted to respond to an interrogation signal from the RFID tag reader by transmitting a unique identifier.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein at least some of the multiple RFID tags are associated with light fixtures within the area.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the at least some of the multiple RFID tags derive energy from the light fixtures.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least some of the multiple RFID tags derive energy from the light fixtures by optical coupling.
6. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least some of the multiple RFID tags derive energy from the light fixtures by inductive coupling.
7. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least some of the multiple RFID tags derive energy from the light fixtures by capacitive coupling.
8. The system of claim 2, wherein the unique identifier includes location coordinates of the responding RFID tag.
9. The system of claim 2, wherein each of the multiple RFID tags also are adapted to respond to an interrogation signal with a location of the RFID tag.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the moveable RFID tag reader comprises a primary function.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the primary function is a function selected from a group that includes a bar code reader, an inventory checker, a cell phone, and a hasmat detector.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein the moveable RFID tag reader comprises a transceiver adapted to communicate with a base station.
13. A method for determining the position of an object associated with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag interrogator within an area having multiple RFID tags in known locations, the method comprising the steps of:
- interrogating multiple RFID tags by the RFID tag interrogator transmitting an interrogation signal;
- receiving information from two or more responding RFID tags of the multiple RFID tags, wherein such information includes two or more unique identifiers transmitted by the two or more responding RFID tags;
- correlating the two or more unique identifiers with tag location information stored in memory to determine fixed positions for each of the two or more responding RFID tags; and
- mathematically determining at least one location solution for the RFID tag interrogator within the area using the fixed positions.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the interrogating step comprises transmitting an interrogation signal.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:
- an RFID tag receiving an interrogation signal from the RFID tag reader; and
- the RFID tag responding to the interrogation signal by transmitting a unique identifier.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the unique identifier includes location coordinates of the RFID tag.
17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:
- an RFID tag receiving an interrogation signal from the RFID tag reader; and
- the RFID tag responding to the interrogation signal with a location of the RFID tag.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the interrogating step comprises interrogating an RFID tag associated with a light fixture in the area.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the RFID tag deriving energy from the light fixture.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein deriving energy from the light fixture comprises deriving energy using an energy derivation technique selected from a group that includes optical coupling, inductive coupling, and capacitive coupling.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 18, 2008
Publication Date: Jul 3, 2008
Applicant: SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (Holtsville, NY)
Inventors: Mark William DURON (East Patchogue, NY), Raj BRIDGELALL (Morgan Hill, CA)
Application Number: 12/050,784
International Classification: G08B 13/14 (20060101);