Wireless Tracking System And Method Utilizing Near-Field Communication Devices

a tracking system and communication device technology, applied in data switching networks, program control, instruments, etc., can solve problems such as insufficient resource visibility in a business and prior art failure to provide an adequate solution to these problems, and achieve the effect of increasing the transmission ra

US20110068892A1Inactive Publication Date: 2011-03-24AWAREPOINT CORPORATION
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2011-03-24
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

The present invention provides a method and system to determining a near-field communication interaction in a wireless tracking mesh network. The present invention preferably utilizes near-field communication devices in conjunction with tracking tags to transmit signals for reception by sensors stationed throughout a facility which form a mesh network and forward the signals to an information engine for analysis.
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Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 244,053, filed Sep. 20, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention is related to wireless tracking systems and methods utilizing near-field communication devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method utilizing near-field communication devices for analyzing near-field communication interactions.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] Real-time knowledge of resources, whether the resources are assets or people, is becoming a necessary tool of many businesses. Real-time knowledge of the location, status and movement of crucial resources can allow a business to operate more efficiently and with fewer errors. However, many businesse...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0051]As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a system for tracking objects within a facility is generally designated 50. The system 50 is capable of analyzing an interaction between objects, individuals 58 and / or objects 100. The system 50 preferably includes a plurality of sensors 55, a plurality of bridges 56, a plurality of near-field communication devices 59, a plurality of tags 60, and at least one information engine 65. The sensors 55 form a mesh network for receiving signals from the near-field communication devices 59 and tags 60. One example of the components of the system 50 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,197,326, for a Wireless Position Location And Tracking System, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. A more specific example of the sensors 55 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,324,824, for a Plug-In Network Appliance, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0052]The system 50 is preferably employed at a facility 70 such as a business office, factor...