Wearable RFID Tag Locationing via Wireless Access Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods fail to accurately determine the location of emergency personnel within buildings or sites, especially in environments where traditional RFID infrastructure is not deployed, and GPS systems may not provide reliable 3-dimensional information.
Innovation Solution
A wearable active RFID tag that transmits data to multiple wireless access points, using a locationing algorithm based on signal strength to determine the individual's location within the site, with access points positioned externally and a locationing module to process this data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional RFID infrastructure is deployed throughout a building to track personnel location, then location tracking capability is improved, but device complexity and deployment cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses wireless access points as intermediary devices to enable location tracking without requiring dedicated RFID infrastructure. The access points serve dual purposes: providing wireless connectivity and collecting signal strength data for location determination through triangulation algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
Existing wireless access points in the building are repurposed to perform both their original function of providing wireless internet connectivity and the additional function of collecting RF signal strength data for location tracking, eliminating the need for separate tracking infrastructure.
2Measurement precision
If GPS systems are used to track emergency personnel location, then real-time location information is obtained, but GPS does not provide accurate 3-dimensional information and may not work in certain environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D GPS coordinates to 3D location determination by incorporating vertical floor level information and using signal strength-based triangulation in three-dimensional space, enabling accurate location tracking on multiple floors of buildings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the satellite-based GPS mechanical system with an RF signal-based triangulation system using wireless access points, which works effectively in indoor environments where GPS signals are blocked.
3Loss of information
If emergency personnel use radios and communication equipment during emergencies, then communication capability is maintained, but the information transmitted is intermittent and inaccurate due to exigencies
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable RFID tag automatically transmits location information without requiring manual input or operation by the emergency personnel. The system self-updates location data continuously based on RF signal strength measurements from multiple access points.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous location tracking through automatic RF signal exchanges between the wearable tag and access points, eliminating the intermittent nature of manual radio reporting and providing uninterrupted location information.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and reliable location tracking of emergency personnel in environments without pre-deployed RFID infrastructure, providing real-time location information to enhance emergency response coordination.
Implementation Method 1
Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems have achieved wide popularity in a number of applications
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for determining the location of an individual (e.g., emergency personnel) within an environment. A system includes a wearable RFID tag removably attached to the individual (e.g., on his/her wrist, or uniform), wherein the wearable RFID tag is configured to send data to one or more access ports positioned external to the environment (e.g., on a fire truck or other such vehicle). A locationing module is communicatively coupled to the access port and is configured to determine the location of the individual within the site based on the data acquired from the wearable RFID tag.