US20020165731A1 - System and method for performing object association at a tradeshow using a location tracking system - Google Patents

System and method for performing object association at a tradeshow using a location tracking system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20020165731A1
US20020165731A1 US10/095,766 US9576602A US2002165731A1 US 20020165731 A1 US20020165731 A1 US 20020165731A1 US 9576602 A US9576602 A US 9576602A US 2002165731 A1 US2002165731 A1 US 2002165731A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
location
signal
network
person
associations
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/095,766
Inventor
Michael Dempsey
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Radianse Inc
Original Assignee
Sentinel Wireless LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sentinel Wireless LLC filed Critical Sentinel Wireless LLC
Priority to US10/095,766 priority Critical patent/US20020165731A1/en
Assigned to SENTINEL WIRELESS, LLC reassignment SENTINEL WIRELESS, LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DEMPSEY, MICHAEL K.
Publication of US20020165731A1 publication Critical patent/US20020165731A1/en
Assigned to RADIANSE, INC. reassignment RADIANSE, INC. CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SENTINEL WIRELESS, INC.
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01SRADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S5/00Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
    • G01S5/16Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01SRADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S5/00Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
    • G01S5/02Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
    • G01S5/0252Radio frequency fingerprinting
    • G01S5/02521Radio frequency fingerprinting using a radio-map
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01SRADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S5/00Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
    • G01S5/02Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
    • G01S5/0252Radio frequency fingerprinting
    • G01S5/02521Radio frequency fingerprinting using a radio-map
    • G01S5/02522The radio-map containing measured values of non-radio values
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/38Payment protocols; Details thereof
    • G06Q20/382Payment protocols; Details thereof insuring higher security of transaction
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/02Services making use of location information
    • H04W4/029Location-based management or tracking services
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01SRADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S2205/00Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
    • G01S2205/01Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S2205/09Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations specially adapted for specific applications for tracking people
    • G01S2205/10Elderly or infirm
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01SRADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S5/00Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
    • G01S5/0009Transmission of position information to remote stations
    • G01S5/0081Transmission between base stations
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04BTRANSMISSION
    • H04B7/00Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
    • H04B7/14Relay systems
    • H04B7/15Active relay systems
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W24/00Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/02Services making use of location information
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W64/00Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W8/00Network data management
    • H04W8/18Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W8/00Network data management
    • H04W8/26Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W88/00Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
    • H04W88/02Terminal devices
    • H04W88/06Terminal devices adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S707/00Data processing: database and file management or data structures
    • Y10S707/99941Database schema or data structure
    • Y10S707/99943Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Definitions

  • the illustrative embodiment of the present invention relates generally to a location tracking system and more particularly to performing object association at a tradeshow or exposition using a location tracking system.
  • the illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a method of determining and tracking movements of tradeshow attendees using a location system.
  • the interactions of the tradeshow attendees with other objects and locations is also tracked using the location system.
  • Object identifiers equipped with a transmitting component are attached to attendees and broadcast a transmission signal which includes a unique identifier.
  • the transmission signal broadcast by the object identifiers is received by a network connected element.
  • the signal from the object identifier is forwarded over a network by the network connected element to an electronic device.
  • a location determining module analyzes a variety of factors including the unique identifier, the location of all of the the network connected elements receiving the signal, the receiver characteristics of the receivers of the network connected elements, and the historical location of the attendee in order to determine the current location of the attendee. Those skilled in the art will recognize the fact that different combinations of factors may be utilized to determine location without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • the location determining module consults a database to determine associations between the located attendee and other objects or locations such as exhibits, booths and other attendees. The associations are based on the other objects or locations proximity to the located object. Once an association is determined, it is stored and the duration of the association is subsequently recorded. This information may then be utilized in real-time while the tradeshow is ongoing or at a later date or time.
  • a location system includes a network with at least one network connected element and is interfaced with an electronic device.
  • the network connected element has at least one transceiver giving it the ability to transmit and receive signals.
  • An object identifier assigned to a person transmits a signal bearing a unique identifier which is received by the network connected element.
  • the network connected element appends a header to the signal and forwards it over the network to the electronic device.
  • the system also includes a database which is interfaced with the network and which is used to store object associations.
  • the object associations record the interaction of attendees with other people, objects and locations that are located within a defined distance of the attendees.
  • a location determining module is also interfaced with the network and uses the unique identifier sent to the electronic device and the location of the network connected element receiving the signal to calculate the location of the person assigned to the object identifier. The calculated location is checked against the stored location of other people, objects and locations in order to identify associations. Any identified associations are stored in the database.
  • a method of determining object associations which utilizes a location system is practiced over a network.
  • the network is interfaced with an electronic device and a network connected element.
  • An object identifier assigned to a person broadcasts a signal containing a unique identifier which is received by the network connected element.
  • the signal is forwarded to the electronic device.
  • a location determining module calculates the location of the object identifier and the person to which it is assigned using the known location of the network connected element and the unique identifier extracted from the signal retrieved from the object identifier signal.
  • the calculated position of the object is compared against the position of other people, objects and locations of interest in order to determine associations.
  • Identified associations are stored in a database interfaced with the network.
  • the associations are made available as input data to other applications executing on the network.
  • a fixed location identifier which is not interfaced with the network is used to receive and transmit signals from the object identifier to the network connected element.
  • the known location of the fixed location identifier and its receiver characteristics provide additional data to the location determining module which is used to determine the location of the object identifier and the person to which it is assigned.
  • FIG. 1A depicts a block diagram of an environment suitable for practicing an illustrative embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 1B depicts a block diagram of an alternate environment suitable for practicing an illustrative embodiment of the present invention not utilizing a network;
  • FIG. 2A depicts a block diagram of an object identifier used by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2B depicts a block diagram of a fixed location identifier used by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram of the layout of a tradeshow practicing an illustrative embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the sequence of steps followed by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention to programmatically generate sales leads as a result of object associations determined by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the sequence of steps followed by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention to broadcast targeted messages to a tradeshow attendee as a result of object association determined by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the sequence of steps followed by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention to display the location of tradeshow attendees in real-time as a result of object associations determined by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention
  • the illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a method of recording object associations using a location system.
  • the object association are formed between a person, such as a tradeshow attendee, and other people, objects and locations.
  • Object locations are determined based on signals generated from object identifier devices assigned to people and forwarded to an electronic device interfaced with a network.
  • the origin of the signal is calculated based on the known position of the receiving devices receiving the signal, the historical recorded position of the person, the characteristics of the receiving devices receiving the signal (i.e. the range ), the strength of the received signal, the type of signal, and whether or not the signal was repeated.
  • the location determining module consults a database to determine associations between the located person and other people, objects or locations based on the other people, objects and locations proximity to the located person. Once an association is determined, it is stored and the duration of the association is subsequently recorded. The identified associations may then be leveraged in a number of ways by other applications interfaced with the network, such as by being used to generate sales leads and determine the effectiveness of advertising based on the identified associations.
  • FIG. 1A depicts a location system 11 suitable for practicing an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
  • a plurality of object identifier devices 2 are attached, either directly or indirectly, to tradeshow attendees and include an infrared (IR) transmitter 3 and a radio frequency (RF) transmitter 4 which are used to generate a signal which is sent to a network connected element 6 .
  • the signal includes a unique identifier identifying the object identifier (and by extension the person to which it is attached).
  • the network connected element 6 includes an IR transmitter 3 , an RF transmitter 4 , an IR receiver 7 and an RF receiver 8 .
  • the IR receiver 7 is capable of receiving an IR signal generated by the object identifier 2 .
  • the RF receiver 8 is capable of receiving an RF signal generated by the object identifier 2 .
  • the network connected element 6 is interfaced with a network 10 and forwards the signal received from the object identifier 2 to an electronic device 12 which is also interfaced with the network 10 .
  • the interface between the network connected element 6 and the network 10 may be a physical interface in the case of a wired network, or a wireless interface in the case of a wireless network.
  • the electronic device 12 may be a desktop computer system, PDA, handheld wireless device, laptop, web server or other device interfaced with the network 10 .
  • the network 10 may be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, an intranet, or a metropolitan network.
  • the network 10 may be a wireless network such as a Bluetooth network, a cellular network, a GSM based network or some other type of network.
  • a wireless network such as a Bluetooth network, a cellular network, a GSM based network or some other type of network.
  • the object identifier 2 and network connected element 6 have been described as including IR and RF transmitters 3 and 4 and receivers 7 and 8 , those skilled in the art will recognized that other types of transmitters such as ultrasound (US) may be used, either alone or in combination with the implementation depicted herein, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • US ultrasound
  • the electronic device 12 includes a location determining module 14 which is used to locate the object identifer 2 and the corresponding person to which the object identifier is attached.
  • the location determining module 14 may be located anywhere it has access to the network 10 . Although the location determining module 14 will usually be implemented as a software component, the location determining module 14 may also be implemented by being hard-wired into a device. The location determining module 14 uses the unique identifer from the signal of the object identifier 2 in the calculation of the current location of the object identifier.
  • the location determining module 14 calculates the origin of the signal based on the known position of the receivers receiving the signal (which is retrieved from a topology database 16 which is also interfaced with the network 10 ), the historical recorded position of the object, the characteristics of the receivers receiving the signal (i.e. the range) (which are retrieved from a database 18 also interfaced with the network), the strength of the received signal, the type of signal, and whether or not the signal was repeated (which are determined by analyzing information contained in the signal received from the network connected element 6 ). Both the topology database 16 and database 18 may be located in any of a number of locations interfaced with the network, including on the electronic device 12 .
  • the location of the object identifier and the corresponding tradeshow attendee may be analyzed to see if it reveals object associations.
  • the process of analyzing the calculated location of the object identifiers is described in more detail below. Any identified associations are stored in the database 18 .
  • a fixed location identifier 20 is also present in the location system.
  • the fixed location identifier 20 is not interfaced with the network 10 and includes an IR transmitter 3 , an RF transmitter 4 , an IR receiver 7 and an RF receiver 9 .
  • the IR receiver 7 is capable of receiving an IR signal generated by the object identifier 2
  • the RF receiver 8 is capable of receiving an RF signal generated by the object identifier 2 .
  • the RF receiver 9 on the fixed location identifier 20 may have a different receiving range than the RF receiver 8 on the network connected element 6 .
  • the location of the fixed location identifier 20 is stored in the topology database 16 .
  • the fixed location identifier After receiving a signal from the object identifier 2 , the fixed location identifier appends its own identifier to the signal and tranmsits it to a network connected element 6 .
  • the location determining module uses the range characteristics of the fixed location identifier 20 to help locate the object identifier 2 . In other words, if the location determining module receives notification from both a fixed location identifier 20 and a network connected element 6 that both have received an RF signal, the signal can only have originated from a spot that is within both receivers receiving range.
  • the object identifier 2 may use different types and combinations of transmitters.
  • the object identifier 2 may include a receiving component capable of receiving signals from the network connected element 6 , may be interfaced with the network 10 , and may hold the location determining module 14 .
  • the location determining module 14 may appear in any of a number of locations interfaced with the network 10 and is not limited to being stored on the electronic device 12 .
  • FIG. 1B depicts a block diagram of location system 11 suitable for determining object association without relying on the use of a network.
  • An object identifier 2 transmits a signal directly to the location resolving module 14 which in this implementation includes stored data allowing it to associate objects and locations.
  • the object identifier 2 transmits the signal using a transceiver to transmit a signal.
  • a transmitter, transponder or similar device may be used.
  • the location determining module 14 may include any structure suitable for determining location. Examples include any device with intelligence to determine the location of one or more object identifiers 2 . According to various embodiments of the invention, the location determining module 14 may be an electronic device.
  • the electronic device may take multiple forms and may include, a processor, a computer, a personal digital assistant, a communications device, such as a cellular phone, a network appliance, a web server, a receiver, a transmitter, a different device capable of manipulating information, or any combination of these devices.
  • the location determining module 14 may be capable of performing additional functionality, such as receiving requests for information, providing information, storing information, commanding actions in response to location information, associating objects with other objects or with locations, establishing privacy conditions regarding availability of location information, interfacing directly with various network types, and the like.
  • the location determining module 14 includes multiple, distributed receivers, some of which may be connected to a network, and others not connected to a network.
  • the object identifier 10 and location determining module 14 utilize both RF signals and IR signals for the determination of location.
  • FIG. 2A depicts a block diagram of an object identifier 2 used by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
  • the object identifier 2 includes an IR transmitter 3 and an RF transmitter 4 . Both transmitters are controlled by an embedded processer 5 which controls the signaling process.
  • the object identifier 2 may be directly attached to a tradeshow attendee by embedding the object identifier in a piece of jewelry.
  • an object identifier may be indirectly attached to a tradeshow attendee by being attached to, or embedded in, a nametag worn by the attendee. As long as the object identifier 2 moves in tandem with the tradeshow attendee, it signals the current location of the attendee.
  • the fixed location identifier 20 includes an IR transmitter 3 and an RF transmitter 4 which are controlled by an embedded processer 5 which controls the signaling process. Also included in the fixed location identifier 20 are an IR receiver 7 and an RF receiver 9 which are used to receive signals from the object identifier 2 . As previously noted, both the object identifier 2 and the fixed location identifier 20 may use different types of signaling and receiving devices and components without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • the signaling process may make use of both RF and IR signals in alternating combination.
  • the RF signal is transmitted every ten seconds and the IR signal is transmitted every twenty seconds.
  • This method provides a substantially consistent IR power level, while varying an RF power level. Varying the RF power level may assist in determining a location of the object identifier 2 by enabling the network connected element 6 to receive less than all of the RF signals.
  • the transmitted signals may also include additional information such as the signal strength being transmitted, the period between transmissions, the length of time of the transmissions, a unique identifier for the object identifier 2 , information received from one or more input devices and/or various status information, such as those pertaining to the components of the object identifier.
  • the object identifier 2 also contains receivers and the location determining module 14 configures the object identifier over the network 10 by sending transmission parameters (i.e.: alternate signals every 30 seconds). Since IR signals are line-of-sight signals and RF signals travel through walls, the combination of signals may be used by the location determining module 14 to locate signals with greater accuracy than would be possible using either form of signaling alone.
  • transmission parameters i.e.: alternate signals every 30 seconds. Since IR signals are line-of-sight signals and RF signals travel through walls, the combination of signals may be used by the location determining module 14 to locate signals with greater accuracy than would be possible using either form of signaling alone.
  • FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram of a layout of a tradeshow floor 40 using the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
  • the tradeshow floor 40 includes multiple exhibit booths 42 .
  • Each of the exhibit booths 42 has a fixed location identifier 20 in the booth.
  • a number of fixed location identifiers 20 are also located around the outskirts of the tradeshow floor to increase the accuracy of determined locations.
  • the fixed location identifiers 20 send a signal to the network connected elements 6 which are interfaced with the network 10 .
  • One feature of the present invention is that the use of the fixed location identifiers 20 enables the use of a reduced number of the more expensive network connected elements 6 .
  • the network connecting elements 6 interface with an existing network 10 on the tradeshow floor 40 and do not require a new network to be set up in order to operate properly.
  • the network 10 to which the network connected element 6 is connected may be a wired or wireless network with the result that the network connected element 6 may or may not be physically connected to the network.
  • the tradeshow floor 40 also includes a pair of attendee display locations 44 at which an authorized user may display the current location of one or a number of tradeshow participants derived from the signals of their attached object identifiers 2 . The process of using the attendee display locations 44 is explained in more detail below.
  • An object identifier 2 attached to a tradeshow attendee may be configured to emit alternating IR signals and RF signals bearing a unique identifier. If the attendee is located on the far side of an exhibit booth 42 the RF signal (which may travel through walls) may be picked up by a number of receivers located on the network connected elements 6 and fixed location identifiers 20 . However, the alternating IR signal emitted by the object identifier 2 attached to the attendee will only be picked up by receivers in a direct line of sight (since line-of-sight signals do not travel through walls well).
  • the number of receivers receiving the RF signal will vary with the power level (more power causes the signal to go farther and thus be received by more receivers) and the pattern of receivers receiving the signal, the type of signal, and the receiving range of the fixed location identifiers 6 which are frequently configured to have a smaller receiving range than the receivers on the networked connected elements, are all used by the location determining module 14 to determine a location for the attendee.
  • the fixed location identifier might have a receiving range for RF signals of 6 feet (as opposed to a 20 foot receiving range for the RF receiver 8 for the network connected element 6 ) which allows an attendee to be located to within 6 feet of the fixed location identifier 20 when the fixed location identifier receives a signal.
  • the actual receiving ranges of the RF receivers 8 and 9 are an implementation choice, and those skilled in the art will recognize that they may be adjusted without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • the location determining module 14 determines the current location of an attendee, the determined location is compared against the current location of other tradeshow participants, exhibits and pre-determined locations to determine the proximity of the located object to the other participants, exhibits or the pre-determined location.
  • the predetermined location is usually a place of special interest, such as a location where a company officer is giving a speech. If the attendee is within a pre-defined distance of another attendee, exhibit or pre-determined location, the location determining module 14 determines the attendee and the other attendee, exhibit or pre-determined location are interacting, and records an association in the database 18 .
  • the location determining module 14 may require the association to occur for a minimum period of time before deciding an association is occurring.
  • the association is recorded for beginning time, ending time, duration and alternately for separate occurrences, all of which may be stored in the database 18 .
  • the electronic device 2 holds, or is interfaced with, a variety of software programs to make use of the object associations determined by the location determining module 14 .
  • the software may utilize a JDBC interface located in the location determining module 14 which allows Java applications to send SQL commands to the database 18 .
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the sequence of steps performed by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention to generate sales leads based upon the object associations determined by the location determining module 14 .
  • the sequence begins when an attendees location is determined to be interacting with an exhibit location of interest to the sales staff (step 60 ).
  • the location determining module 14 determines an association has occurred and the association is tracked and recorded for as long as it continues (step 62 ).
  • the association that was determined by the location determining module 14 is provided as data input for a sales application which collects the names of attendees who attended a particular exhibit during the tradeshow (step 64 ).
  • the data may be filtered by the sales application so that it filters the data to produce the top n % of attendees who attended the exhibit for the longest time (step 66 ).
  • the filtered data may then be provided to the salesperson for follow up contact (step 68 ). Since the attendees who spent the longest amount of time with the exhibit probably have the most interest in the exhibit, the filtered associations provide the salesperson with a more receptive audience for follow up contact than would be available using conventional methods.
  • the associations may be analyzed in real-time while the tradeshow is ongoing, or it may be analyzed after the tradeshow is over.
  • Sales related applications may use the object association data in a number of ways.
  • a tradeshow attendee who forms an association with a designated booth, display or item that meets duration criteria is automatically entered in a contest.
  • advertising campaigns are dynamically changed based upon how long a tradeshow attendee looks at something. Messages may be displayed in the attendee's location offering discounts if purchases are made within specified time periods. Discounts may be changed based on various parameters, including how much inventory is on hand, how an item is selling, time, historical buying patterns of the attendee, and similar factors.
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the sequence of steps performed by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention to determine and display the current location of tradeshow participants.
  • the sequence begins when an object identifier 2 attached to a participant broadcasts a signal to the network connected element 6 (step 80 ).
  • the signal may be forwarded from a fixed location identifier 20 to the network connected element 6 .
  • the network connected element 6 appends a time stamp and its identifier onto the signal and sends it to the electronic device 2 and location determining module 14 (step 82 ).
  • the location determining module 14 calculates the position of the tradeshow attendee as outlined above (step 84 ). Any associations for the attendee are then updated in the database 18 (step 86 ). An authorized participant on the tradeshow floor 40 may then go to the attendee display location 44 and request the current location of a particular attendee (step 88 ). The location determining module 14 sends the current location of the attendee to the attendee display location where it is displayed on a map of the tradeshow floor 40 . The request may be to determine the location of one attendee or multiple tradeshow attendees. Alternatively, the display information may be sent to a handheld device held by the tradeshow attendee.
  • individuals are allowed to opt in and opt out of the location system.
  • the location is determined but not displayed. This feature allows individuals to prevent their movements from being public knowledge to the other attendees of the tradeshow.
  • the object associations are used to verify attendance at continuing education seminars.
  • the attendence of individuals at mandatory training sessions may be verified by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention to make sure the individuals stay for the duration of a seminar. Those individuals staying for the duration of the seminar may be awarded continuing education credit.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the sequence of steps performed by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention to send targeted messages to selected attendees based on existing associations.
  • the sequence begins when an object identifier 2 attached to a participant broadcasts a signal to the network connected element 6 (step 100 ).
  • the signal may be forwarded from a fixed location identifier 20 to the network connected element 6 .
  • the network connected element 6 sends the signal to the electronic device 2 and location determining module 14 (step 102 ).
  • the location determining module 14 calculates the position of the tradeshow attendee as previously discussed (step 104 ).
  • Any associations for the attendee are then updated in the database 18 (step 106 ).
  • the identified association may then be programmatically compared against a template of associations. If the determined association matches an association listed in the template (step 108 ), a targeted message is broadcast to a device with a receiver located near the attendee (step 110 ). In some implementations, the message may be an interactive message requiring a response from the user.
  • the object association data may be used to determine how long all the attendees looked at a particular exhibit, display or booth, by cumulatively totaling the total number of tradeshow attendees who formed associations with the exhibit, display or booth, and the durations of those associations. This provides a good metric as to the length of time of the average association with the exhibit, display or booth which may be used as a guide to its effectiveness.
  • the information may also be compared to historical data recorded from previous events to guage changes occurring over extended periods of time.
  • the object association data may be used to page or contact a designated person if a specified individual enters a particular booth.
  • the illustrative embodiment of the present invention may be used to detect object associations in a variety of environments.
  • the illustrative embodiment of the present invention is equally applicable to company meetings, expositions, lectures and other events not ordinarily considered to be identical to tradeshows.
  • the word attendee has been used herein to describe an individual with an object identifier attached (directly or indirectly). Those skilled in the art will recognize that the attendance status of the individual bearing the object identifier 2 does not affect the scope of the present invention.

Abstract

The illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a method of recording and using object associations determined by a location system at a tradeshow. Object locations are determined based on signals generated from object identifiers attached to the tradeshow attendees and forwarded to an electronic device interfaced with a network. The origin of the signal is calculated by a location determining module based on a number of factors such as the known position of the receivers receiving the signal, the historical recorded position of the attendee, the characteristics of the receivers receiving the signal (i.e. the range), the strength of the received signal, the type of signal, and whether or not the signal was repeated. Once the location of the attendee has been determined, the location determining module consults a database to determine associations between the located attendee and other persons, objects, exhibits or specified locations based on proximity to the located attendee. Once an association is determined, it is stored and the duration of the association is subsequently recorded. The data from the identified associations may then be leveraged in a number of ways as input data for a variety of applications, such as software which generates sales leads and targeted advertising to tradeshow attendees based on their current location.

Description

    REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
  • The present invention claims priority to a U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Serial No. 60/274,544, filed Mar. 9, 2001, entitled Location System and the contents of that application are incorporated by reference herein.[0001]
  • FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • The illustrative embodiment of the present invention relates generally to a location tracking system and more particularly to performing object association at a tradeshow or exposition using a location tracking system. [0002]
  • BACKGROUND
  • Tradeshows and expositions usually involve multiple companies and products. They represent both advertising and selling opportunities. People interested in a company are exposed to a company's products. Since the tradeshow or exhibition are usually held in a convention center, the attendees represent a near-captive audience that is ideal for advertisers. Products may be demonstrated and new types of advertisements may be debuted to see how effectively they capture the audience's attention. Speeches by company officers and officials are sometimes given and the level of attendence and interest in the speech may be an important guage of the public's interest in the company. If a company has a booth at the tradeshow/exposition, the booth may be staffed with salespeople who have an opportunity to either sell or explain a company's products. If a sale isn't consummated with a customer who expresses interest in a product at the booth, the salesperson may be able to follow up with the customer later to finish the sales process. [0003]
  • Unfortunately, there are a number of problems that hamper the effectiveness of using tradeshows and expositions for sales and advertising purposes. The shows are often quite crowded with the number of people expressing interest at a company booth far exceeding the ability of a limited number of salespeople available to handle the inquiries. When people express a passing interest in a product but are not willing to purchase it immediately, it is often difficult to acquire the contact information necessary for a follow up sales opportunity, either because other potential customers are waiting or because the attendee expressing interest does not want to provide the information. When a large number of people attend a speech given by a company officer or official, there is often no mechanism available to find out who attended. If a competitor is attending a booth or a speech, they are often able to do so in anonymity. Similarly, it is often difficult to tell how well advertisements are working without resorting to subjective observations from company employees or random feedback from attendees. [0004]
  • Conventional methods of generating sales leads from tradeshows rely heavily on information provided by attendees at the time of registration. While the registration information allows for follow-up contact with individuals who attended the show, it does not provide a means of tracking the attendees movements at the shows. Where the tradeshow is a large one with different types of vendors, it is impossible to assess which company the attendee was most interested in based on the registration information. Accordingly, a follow up sales contact based solely on registration information is often quite inefficient. Unfortunately, conventional methods of tracking participants at tradeshows do not provide an automatic mechanism for tracking the movements of attendees. [0005]
  • BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a method of determining and tracking movements of tradeshow attendees using a location system. The interactions of the tradeshow attendees with other objects and locations is also tracked using the location system. Object identifiers equipped with a transmitting component are attached to attendees and broadcast a transmission signal which includes a unique identifier. The transmission signal broadcast by the object identifiers is received by a network connected element. The signal from the object identifier is forwarded over a network by the network connected element to an electronic device. A location determining module analyzes a variety of factors including the unique identifier, the location of all of the the network connected elements receiving the signal, the receiver characteristics of the receivers of the network connected elements, and the historical location of the attendee in order to determine the current location of the attendee. Those skilled in the art will recognize the fact that different combinations of factors may be utilized to determine location without departing from the scope of the present invention. Once the location of the object has been determined, the location determining module consults a database to determine associations between the located attendee and other objects or locations such as exhibits, booths and other attendees. The associations are based on the other objects or locations proximity to the located object. Once an association is determined, it is stored and the duration of the association is subsequently recorded. This information may then be utilized in real-time while the tradeshow is ongoing or at a later date or time. [0006]
  • In one embodiment of the present invention, a location system includes a network with at least one network connected element and is interfaced with an electronic device. The network connected element has at least one transceiver giving it the ability to transmit and receive signals. An object identifier assigned to a person transmits a signal bearing a unique identifier which is received by the network connected element. The network connected element appends a header to the signal and forwards it over the network to the electronic device. The system also includes a database which is interfaced with the network and which is used to store object associations. The object associations record the interaction of attendees with other people, objects and locations that are located within a defined distance of the attendees. A location determining module is also interfaced with the network and uses the unique identifier sent to the electronic device and the location of the network connected element receiving the signal to calculate the location of the person assigned to the object identifier. The calculated location is checked against the stored location of other people, objects and locations in order to identify associations. Any identified associations are stored in the database. [0007]
  • In another embodiment, a method of determining object associations which utilizes a location system is practiced over a network. The network is interfaced with an electronic device and a network connected element. An object identifier assigned to a person broadcasts a signal containing a unique identifier which is received by the network connected element. The signal is forwarded to the electronic device. A location determining module calculates the location of the object identifier and the person to which it is assigned using the known location of the network connected element and the unique identifier extracted from the signal retrieved from the object identifier signal. The calculated position of the object is compared against the position of other people, objects and locations of interest in order to determine associations. Identified associations are stored in a database interfaced with the network. In one aspect of the invention, the associations are made available as input data to other applications executing on the network. In an additional aspect of the invention, a fixed location identifier which is not interfaced with the network is used to receive and transmit signals from the object identifier to the network connected element. The known location of the fixed location identifier and its receiver characteristics provide additional data to the location determining module which is used to determine the location of the object identifier and the person to which it is assigned.[0008]
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1A depicts a block diagram of an environment suitable for practicing an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; [0009]
  • FIG. 1B depicts a block diagram of an alternate environment suitable for practicing an illustrative embodiment of the present invention not utilizing a network; [0010]
  • FIG. 2A depicts a block diagram of an object identifier used by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention; [0011]
  • FIG. 2B depicts a block diagram of a fixed location identifier used by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention; [0012]
  • FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram of the layout of a tradeshow practicing an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; [0013]
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the sequence of steps followed by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention to programmatically generate sales leads as a result of object associations determined by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention; [0014]
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the sequence of steps followed by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention to broadcast targeted messages to a tradeshow attendee as a result of object association determined by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and [0015]
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the sequence of steps followed by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention to display the location of tradeshow attendees in real-time as a result of object associations determined by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention[0016]
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • The illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a method of recording object associations using a location system. The object association are formed between a person, such as a tradeshow attendee, and other people, objects and locations. Object locations are determined based on signals generated from object identifier devices assigned to people and forwarded to an electronic device interfaced with a network. The origin of the signal is calculated based on the known position of the receiving devices receiving the signal, the historical recorded position of the person, the characteristics of the receiving devices receiving the signal (i.e. the range ), the strength of the received signal, the type of signal, and whether or not the signal was repeated. Once the location of the person has been determined, the location determining module consults a database to determine associations between the located person and other people, objects or locations based on the other people, objects and locations proximity to the located person. Once an association is determined, it is stored and the duration of the association is subsequently recorded. The identified associations may then be leveraged in a number of ways by other applications interfaced with the network, such as by being used to generate sales leads and determine the effectiveness of advertising based on the identified associations. [0017]
  • FIG. 1A depicts a [0018] location system 11 suitable for practicing an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of object identifier devices 2 are attached, either directly or indirectly, to tradeshow attendees and include an infrared (IR) transmitter 3 and a radio frequency (RF) transmitter 4 which are used to generate a signal which is sent to a network connected element 6. The signal includes a unique identifier identifying the object identifier (and by extension the person to which it is attached). The network connected element 6 includes an IR transmitter 3, an RF transmitter 4, an IR receiver 7 and an RF receiver 8. The IR receiver 7 is capable of receiving an IR signal generated by the object identifier 2. The RF receiver 8 is capable of receiving an RF signal generated by the object identifier 2. The network connected element 6 is interfaced with a network 10 and forwards the signal received from the object identifier 2 to an electronic device 12 which is also interfaced with the network 10. The interface between the network connected element 6 and the network 10 may be a physical interface in the case of a wired network, or a wireless interface in the case of a wireless network. The electronic device 12 may be a desktop computer system, PDA, handheld wireless device, laptop, web server or other device interfaced with the network 10. The network 10 may be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, an intranet, or a metropolitan network. The network 10 may be a wireless network such as a Bluetooth network, a cellular network, a GSM based network or some other type of network. Although the object identifier 2 and network connected element 6 have been described as including IR and RF transmitters 3 and 4 and receivers 7 and 8, those skilled in the art will recognized that other types of transmitters such as ultrasound (US) may be used, either alone or in combination with the implementation depicted herein, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • The [0019] electronic device 12 includes a location determining module 14 which is used to locate the object identifer 2 and the corresponding person to which the object identifier is attached. The location determining module 14 may be located anywhere it has access to the network 10. Although the location determining module 14 will usually be implemented as a software component, the location determining module 14 may also be implemented by being hard-wired into a device. The location determining module 14 uses the unique identifer from the signal of the object identifier 2 in the calculation of the current location of the object identifier. The location determining module 14 calculates the origin of the signal based on the known position of the receivers receiving the signal (which is retrieved from a topology database 16 which is also interfaced with the network 10), the historical recorded position of the object, the characteristics of the receivers receiving the signal (i.e. the range) (which are retrieved from a database 18 also interfaced with the network), the strength of the received signal, the type of signal, and whether or not the signal was repeated (which are determined by analyzing information contained in the signal received from the network connected element 6). Both the topology database 16 and database 18 may be located in any of a number of locations interfaced with the network, including on the electronic device 12. Once a calculation of the location of the object identifier 2 has been made, the location of the object identifier and the corresponding tradeshow attendee may be analyzed to see if it reveals object associations. The process of analyzing the calculated location of the object identifiers is described in more detail below. Any identified associations are stored in the database 18.
  • In one aspect of the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a fixed [0020] location identifier 20 is also present in the location system. The fixed location identifier 20 is not interfaced with the network 10 and includes an IR transmitter 3, an RF transmitter 4, an IR receiver 7 and an RF receiver 9. The IR receiver 7 is capable of receiving an IR signal generated by the object identifier 2, while the RF receiver 8 is capable of receiving an RF signal generated by the object identifier 2. The RF receiver 9 on the fixed location identifier 20 may have a different receiving range than the RF receiver 8 on the network connected element 6. The location of the fixed location identifier 20 is stored in the topology database 16. After receiving a signal from the object identifier 2, the fixed location identifier appends its own identifier to the signal and tranmsits it to a network connected element 6. When the signal eventually reaches the location determining module 14, the location determining module uses the range characteristics of the fixed location identifier 20 to help locate the object identifier 2. In other words, if the location determining module receives notification from both a fixed location identifier 20 and a network connected element 6 that both have received an RF signal, the signal can only have originated from a spot that is within both receivers receiving range. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many alternate implementations are possible within the scope of the present invention. The object identifier 2 may use different types and combinations of transmitters. Similarly, the object identifier 2 may include a receiving component capable of receiving signals from the network connected element 6, may be interfaced with the network 10, and may hold the location determining module 14. The location determining module 14 may appear in any of a number of locations interfaced with the network 10 and is not limited to being stored on the electronic device 12.
  • A non-networked form of the illustrative embodiment of the present invention may also be implemented. FIG. 1B depicts a block diagram of [0021] location system 11 suitable for determining object association without relying on the use of a network. An object identifier 2 transmits a signal directly to the location resolving module 14 which in this implementation includes stored data allowing it to associate objects and locations. The object identifier 2 transmits the signal using a transceiver to transmit a signal. In alternative embodiments, a transmitter, transponder or similar device may be used. Those skilled in the art will recognize that different types of components capable of transmitting and receiving signals may be used in place of the transmitters and receivers depicted herein. For example, a transceiver may be substituted for a receiver without departing from the scope of the present invention. The location determining module 14 may include any structure suitable for determining location. Examples include any device with intelligence to determine the location of one or more object identifiers 2. According to various embodiments of the invention, the location determining module 14 may be an electronic device. The electronic device may take multiple forms and may include, a processor, a computer, a personal digital assistant, a communications device, such as a cellular phone, a network appliance, a web server, a receiver, a transmitter, a different device capable of manipulating information, or any combination of these devices.
  • According to various embodiments of the invention, the [0022] location determining module 14 may be capable of performing additional functionality, such as receiving requests for information, providing information, storing information, commanding actions in response to location information, associating objects with other objects or with locations, establishing privacy conditions regarding availability of location information, interfacing directly with various network types, and the like. According to further embodiments of the invention, the location determining module 14 includes multiple, distributed receivers, some of which may be connected to a network, and others not connected to a network. According to various embodiments of the invention, the object identifier 10 and location determining module 14 utilize both RF signals and IR signals for the determination of location.
  • FIG. 2A depicts a block diagram of an [0023] object identifier 2 used by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The object identifier 2 includes an IR transmitter 3 and an RF transmitter 4. Both transmitters are controlled by an embedded processer 5 which controls the signaling process. The object identifier 2 may be directly attached to a tradeshow attendee by embedding the object identifier in a piece of jewelry. Alternatively, an object identifier may be indirectly attached to a tradeshow attendee by being attached to, or embedded in, a nametag worn by the attendee. As long as the object identifier 2 moves in tandem with the tradeshow attendee, it signals the current location of the attendee. FIG. 2B depicts a block diagram of a fixed location identifier 20 used by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The fixed location identifier 20 includes an IR transmitter 3 and an RF transmitter 4 which are controlled by an embedded processer 5 which controls the signaling process. Also included in the fixed location identifier 20 are an IR receiver 7 and an RF receiver 9 which are used to receive signals from the object identifier 2. As previously noted, both the object identifier 2 and the fixed location identifier 20 may use different types of signaling and receiving devices and components without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • The signaling process may make use of both RF and IR signals in alternating combination. According to one embodiment of the invention the RF signal is transmitted every ten seconds and the IR signal is transmitted every twenty seconds. This method provides a substantially consistent IR power level, while varying an RF power level. Varying the RF power level may assist in determining a location of the [0024] object identifier 2 by enabling the network connected element 6 to receive less than all of the RF signals. The transmitted signals may also include additional information such as the signal strength being transmitted, the period between transmissions, the length of time of the transmissions, a unique identifier for the object identifier 2, information received from one or more input devices and/or various status information, such as those pertaining to the components of the object identifier. In one aspect of the invention, the object identifier 2 also contains receivers and the location determining module 14 configures the object identifier over the network 10 by sending transmission parameters (i.e.: alternate signals every 30 seconds). Since IR signals are line-of-sight signals and RF signals travel through walls, the combination of signals may be used by the location determining module 14 to locate signals with greater accuracy than would be possible using either form of signaling alone.
  • FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram of a layout of a [0025] tradeshow floor 40 using the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The tradeshow floor 40 includes multiple exhibit booths 42. Each of the exhibit booths 42 has a fixed location identifier 20 in the booth. A number of fixed location identifiers 20 are also located around the outskirts of the tradeshow floor to increase the accuracy of determined locations. The fixed location identifiers 20 send a signal to the network connected elements 6 which are interfaced with the network 10. One feature of the present invention is that the use of the fixed location identifiers 20 enables the use of a reduced number of the more expensive network connected elements 6. The network connecting elements 6 interface with an existing network 10 on the tradeshow floor 40 and do not require a new network to be set up in order to operate properly. The network 10 to which the network connected element 6 is connected may be a wired or wireless network with the result that the network connected element 6 may or may not be physically connected to the network. The tradeshow floor 40 also includes a pair of attendee display locations 44 at which an authorized user may display the current location of one or a number of tradeshow participants derived from the signals of their attached object identifiers 2. The process of using the attendee display locations 44 is explained in more detail below.
  • The use of the network connected [0026] elements 6 and the fixed location identifiers 20 may be illustrated with an example. An object identifier 2 attached to a tradeshow attendee may be configured to emit alternating IR signals and RF signals bearing a unique identifier. If the attendee is located on the far side of an exhibit booth 42 the RF signal (which may travel through walls) may be picked up by a number of receivers located on the network connected elements 6 and fixed location identifiers 20. However, the alternating IR signal emitted by the object identifier 2 attached to the attendee will only be picked up by receivers in a direct line of sight (since line-of-sight signals do not travel through walls well). The number of receivers receiving the RF signal will vary with the power level (more power causes the signal to go farther and thus be received by more receivers) and the pattern of receivers receiving the signal, the type of signal, and the receiving range of the fixed location identifiers 6 which are frequently configured to have a smaller receiving range than the receivers on the networked connected elements, are all used by the location determining module 14 to determine a location for the attendee. In one embodiment, the fixed location identifier might have a receiving range for RF signals of 6 feet (as opposed to a 20 foot receiving range for the RF receiver 8 for the network connected element 6) which allows an attendee to be located to within 6 feet of the fixed location identifier 20 when the fixed location identifier receives a signal. The actual receiving ranges of the RF receivers 8 and 9 are an implementation choice, and those skilled in the art will recognize that they may be adjusted without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • Once the [0027] location determining module 14 has determined the current location of an attendee, the determined location is compared against the current location of other tradeshow participants, exhibits and pre-determined locations to determine the proximity of the located object to the other participants, exhibits or the pre-determined location. The predetermined location is usually a place of special interest, such as a location where a company officer is giving a speech. If the attendee is within a pre-defined distance of another attendee, exhibit or pre-determined location, the location determining module 14 determines the attendee and the other attendee, exhibit or pre-determined location are interacting, and records an association in the database 18. Depending upon the implementation, the location determining module 14 may require the association to occur for a minimum period of time before deciding an association is occurring. The association is recorded for beginning time, ending time, duration and alternately for separate occurrences, all of which may be stored in the database 18. The electronic device 2 holds, or is interfaced with, a variety of software programs to make use of the object associations determined by the location determining module 14. The software may utilize a JDBC interface located in the location determining module 14 which allows Java applications to send SQL commands to the database 18. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the location of the various software components utilizing the object associations as input data may change without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • Once the object associations have been determined by the [0028] location determining module 14, the records of the associations may be provided as input data to a variety of software programs and processes. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the sequence of steps performed by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention to generate sales leads based upon the object associations determined by the location determining module 14. The sequence begins when an attendees location is determined to be interacting with an exhibit location of interest to the sales staff (step 60). The location determining module 14 determines an association has occurred and the association is tracked and recorded for as long as it continues (step 62). The association that was determined by the location determining module 14 is provided as data input for a sales application which collects the names of attendees who attended a particular exhibit during the tradeshow (step 64). The data may be filtered by the sales application so that it filters the data to produce the top n % of attendees who attended the exhibit for the longest time (step 66). Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are multiple ways to filter the raw data without departing from the scope of the present invention. The filtered data may then be provided to the salesperson for follow up contact (step 68). Since the attendees who spent the longest amount of time with the exhibit probably have the most interest in the exhibit, the filtered associations provide the salesperson with a more receptive audience for follow up contact than would be available using conventional methods. The associations may be analyzed in real-time while the tradeshow is ongoing, or it may be analyzed after the tradeshow is over.
  • Sales related applications may use the object association data in a number of ways. In one embodiment, a tradeshow attendee who forms an association with a designated booth, display or item that meets duration criteria is automatically entered in a contest. In another embodiment, advertising campaigns are dynamically changed based upon how long a tradeshow attendee looks at something. Messages may be displayed in the attendee's location offering discounts if purchases are made within specified time periods. Discounts may be changed based on various parameters, including how much inventory is on hand, how an item is selling, time, historical buying patterns of the attendee, and similar factors. [0029]
  • The object association data held in the [0030] database 18 may also be used to determine the current location of a tradeshow attendee. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the sequence of steps performed by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention to determine and display the current location of tradeshow participants. The sequence begins when an object identifier 2 attached to a participant broadcasts a signal to the network connected element 6 (step 80). The signal may be forwarded from a fixed location identifier 20 to the network connected element 6. The network connected element 6 appends a time stamp and its identifier onto the signal and sends it to the electronic device 2 and location determining module 14 (step 82). Those skilled in the art will recognize that a number of different devices located at different points in the signal path may append the time stamp without departing from the scope of the present invention. The location determining module 14 calculates the position of the tradeshow attendee as outlined above (step 84). Any associations for the attendee are then updated in the database 18 (step 86). An authorized participant on the tradeshow floor 40 may then go to the attendee display location 44 and request the current location of a particular attendee (step 88). The location determining module 14 sends the current location of the attendee to the attendee display location where it is displayed on a map of the tradeshow floor 40. The request may be to determine the location of one attendee or multiple tradeshow attendees. Alternatively, the display information may be sent to a handheld device held by the tradeshow attendee.
  • In one embodiment of the present invention, individuals are allowed to opt in and opt out of the location system. By pressing a button on the object identifier, the location is determined but not displayed. This feature allows individuals to prevent their movements from being public knowledge to the other attendees of the tradeshow. [0031]
  • In one embodiment, the object associations are used to verify attendance at continuing education seminars. The attendence of individuals at mandatory training sessions may be verified by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention to make sure the individuals stay for the duration of a seminar. Those individuals staying for the duration of the seminar may be awarded continuing education credit. [0032]
  • The object association data held in the [0033] database 18 may also be used to send targeted messages to a tradeshow attendee. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the sequence of steps performed by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention to send targeted messages to selected attendees based on existing associations. The sequence begins when an object identifier 2 attached to a participant broadcasts a signal to the network connected element 6 (step 100). The signal may be forwarded from a fixed location identifier 20 to the network connected element 6. The network connected element 6 sends the signal to the electronic device 2 and location determining module 14 (step 102). The location determining module 14 calculates the position of the tradeshow attendee as previously discussed (step 104). Any associations for the attendee are then updated in the database 18 (step 106). The identified association may then be programmatically compared against a template of associations. If the determined association matches an association listed in the template (step 108), a targeted message is broadcast to a device with a receiver located near the attendee (step 110). In some implementations, the message may be an interactive message requiring a response from the user. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other forms of storing associations of special interest besides a template may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • The object association data may be used to determine how long all the attendees looked at a particular exhibit, display or booth, by cumulatively totaling the total number of tradeshow attendees who formed associations with the exhibit, display or booth, and the durations of those associations. This provides a good metric as to the length of time of the average association with the exhibit, display or booth which may be used as a guide to its effectiveness. The information may also be compared to historical data recorded from previous events to guage changes occurring over extended periods of time. Alternatively, the object association data may be used to page or contact a designated person if a specified individual enters a particular booth. [0034]
  • Although many of the examples listed herein have been made with reference to a tradeshow environment, the illustrative embodiment of the present invention may be used to detect object associations in a variety of environments. The illustrative embodiment of the present invention is equally applicable to company meetings, expositions, lectures and other events not ordinarily considered to be identical to tradeshows. Similarly, the word attendee has been used herein to describe an individual with an object identifier attached (directly or indirectly). Those skilled in the art will recognize that the attendance status of the individual bearing the [0035] object identifier 2 does not affect the scope of the present invention.
  • It will thus be seen that the invention attains the objectives stated in the previous description. Since certain changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a literal sense. Practitioners of the art will realize that the sequence of steps depicted in the figures may be altered without departing from the scope of the present invention and that the illustrations contained herein are singular examples of a multitude of possible depictions of the present invention. [0036]

Claims (39)

We claim:
1. A location system including a network with at least one network connected element and electronic device interfaced thereto, said network connected element including at least one signaling component capable of transmitting signals, and at least one receiving component capable of receiving signals, comprising:
a plurality of object identifiers, each said object identifier being a device attached to a person, each said object identifier having at least one signaling component, said signaling component generating a signal with a unique identifier, said signal received by said network connected element and incorporated into a second signal transmitted from said network connected element to said electronic device;
a database holding object associations interfaced with said network, each of said object associations being the interaction of a person to which said object identifier is attached with at least one of a person, object, advertising exhibit, and location, said interaction occurring when said person is within a defined distance at least one of a person, advertising exhibit, and location;
a location determining module interfaced with said network, said location determining module using said unique identifier and programmatically calculating the location of said object identifier and the person which the object identifier is attached using said unique identifier, said calculated location being used to determine an association between said person and at least one of a person, advertising exhibit, and location, the determined association being stored in said database.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said object identifier includes a receiving component, said receiving component receiving signals transmitted from said network connected element.
3. The system of claim 1, comprising further:
a fixed location identifier not interfaced with said network and located at said advertising exhibit, said fixed location identifier including at least one receiving component receiving transmissions from said object identifier, said receiving component having a different receiving range than the receiving component for said network connected element, and at least one signaling component transmitting a signal to said network connected element, said network connected element incorporating the signal from the fixed location identifier into a signal sent to said electronic device, said location determining module using the receiving range of the receiving component of said fixed location identifier, the receiving range of the receiving component of said network connected element, and the known location of said fixed location identifier in the calculation of said object identifier location.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the duration of said determined association is stored in said database.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein separate occurrences of said determined associations are stored in said database.
6. The system of claim 5, comprising further:
an application interfaced with said network, said application programmatically using said determined associations to generate sales leads based on the average time said persons spend interacting with said advertising exhibit.
7. The system of claim 5, comprising further:
an application interfaced with said network, said application programmatically using said determined associations to generate sales leads based on multiple visits of said persons to said advertising exhibit.
8. The system of claim 5, comprising further:
an application interfaced with said network, said application programmatically using said determined associations to cumulatively total the number and duration of associations between a plurality of located persons and one of another person, object, advertising exhibit and location.
9. The system of claim 5, comprising further:
an application interfaced with said network, said application programmatically notifying a previously designated person upon the determination of a specified association.
10. The system of claim 5, comprising further:
an application interfaced with said network, said application programmatically using said determined associations to verify attendance of at least one person at an educational course offering.
11. The system of claim 5, comprising further:
an application interfaced with said network, said application programmatically using said determined associations to cumulatively compare current associations with recorded historical associations from previous events.
12. The system of claim 5, comprising further:
an application interfaced with said network, said application programmatically using said determined associations to dynamically alter the sales terms of an item, said altered terms displayed to said located person.
13. The system of claim 5 wherein said object identifier is embedded in a name badge of a person.
14. The system of claim 5, comprising further:
an application interfaced with said network, said application programmatically using said determined associations to enter said located person in a contest.
15. The system of claim 5, comprising further:
an application interfaced with said network, said application programmatically using said determined associations to transmit information to a located person in response to a request based on their current location.
16. The system of claim 5, comprising further:
an application interfaced with said network, said application programmatically using said determined associations to generate a marketing message to one of said persons upon said located person associating with at least one of a pre-determined person, pre-determined advertising exhibit, and pre-determined location.
17. The system of claim 16 wherein said marketing message is an interactive message allowing a response from said located person.
18. The system of claim 1, comprising further;
a display showing the locations of at least one of a located person, object, exhibit and location.
19. The system of claim 18 wherein said display is located in at least one of a kiosk and a handheld device.
20. The system of claim 18 wherein said located person alters the signal of said object identifier and the location of said located person is omitted from said display.
21. The system of claim 1, wherein said object identifier includes a receiving component and said location determining module is located on said object identifier.
22. The system of claim 1, wherein said object identifier includes a receiving component and is interfaced with said network.
23. In a location system, said location system including a network with an electronic device and a network connected element interfaced thereto, said network connected element including at least one signaling component capable of transmitting signals, and at least one receiving component capable of receiving signals, a method, comprising the steps of:
providing an object identifier attached to a person, said object identifier being a device having at least one transceiver, said transceiver generating a signal with a unique identifier, said signal received by said network connected element;
transmitting a second signal from said network connected element to said electronic device, said second signal incorporating said signal from said object identifier;
calculating programmatically the location of said object identifier and said person to which it is attached using said unique identifier and the location of said network connected element; and
recording associations in a database interfaced with said network, said associations being the interaction of said person with at least one of another person, object, exhibit and a location, said interaction occurring when the calculated location of said person is within a defined distance of at least one of another person, object, exhibit and a location
24. The method of claim 23 wherein said association is with a salesperson.
25. The method of claim 24, comprising the further steps of:
programmatically generating sales leads based on determined associations between a located person and said salesperson.
26. The method of claim 24, comprising the further steps of:
analyzing programmatically the compliance with training procedures of said salesperson.
27. The method of claim 23, comprising the further steps of:
storing pre-defined associations involving a specified person in a location accessible over the network;
matching a determined association involving a specified person with one of said pre-defined associations; and
generating an event based on said matching of associations.
28. The method of claim 27 wherein said event is a warning message sent to said salesperson that a business competitor is attending a sales exhibit.
29. The method of claim 27 wherein said event is the recording of the time of a business competitor associating with a sales exhibit.
30. The method of claim 27 wherein said event is an audible alarm at a designated location.
31. The method of claim 23 wherein the signal generated by said object identifier is at least one of an ultrasound (US), signal an infrared (IR) signal and a radio frequency (RF) signal.
32. The method of claim 23 wherein the signal generated by said object identifier is at least two of an ultrasound (US), signal an infrared (IR) signal and a radio frequency (RF) signal.
33. The method of claim 23, comprising the steps of:
transmitting an IR signal from said object identifier;
transmitting an RF signal from said object identifier;
periodically alternating the transmitting of said IR signal and said RF signal;
calculating the location of the object to which said object identifier is attached based upon the received signal characteristics of said IR signal and said RF signal.
34. The method of claim 23 wherein said network is a wireless network.
35. The method of claim 23 wherein said network is the Internet.
36. The method of claim 23 comprising the further steps of:
providing a fixed location identifier not interfaced with said network, said fixed location identifier including at least one receiving component, said receiving component having a different receiving range than the receiver for said network connected element, and at least one signaling component;
receiving said signal from said object identifier with said fixed location identifier;
transmitting an additional signal from said fixed location identifier to said network connected element, said additional signal incorporating said signal from said object identifier; and
calculating programmatically the location of said object identifier and the corresponding object which it is attached using the receiving range of the receiver of said fixed location identifier and the receiving range of the receiver of said network connected element in the calculation.
37. The method of claim 23, wherein said object identifier includes at least one receiving component, comprising the further step of:
configuring the generation of signals sent by said object identifier by sending instructions from said electronic device to said object identifier over said network.
38. In a location system, said location system including a network with an electronic device and a network connected element interfaced thereto, said network connected element including at least one signaling component capable of transmitting signals, and at least one receiving component capable of receiving signals, a medium holding computer-executable steps for a method, said method comprising the steps of:
providing an object identifier attached to a person, said object identifier being a device having at least one transceiver, said transceiver generating a signal with a unique identifier, said signal received by said network connected element;
transmitting a second signal from said network connected element to said electronic device, said second signal incorporating said signal from said object identifier;
calculating programmatically the location of said object identifier and said person to which it is attached using said unique identifier and the location of said network connected element; and
recording associations in a database interfaced with said network, said associations being the interaction of said person with at least one of another person, object, exhibit and a location, said interaction occurring when the calculated location of said person is within a defined distance of at least one of another person, object, exhibit and a location.
39. The medium of claim 38 wherein said method comprises the further steps of:
storing pre-defined associations involving a specified person in a location accessible over the network;
matching a determined association involving a specified person with one of said pre-defined associations; and
generating an event based on said matching of associations.
US10/095,766 2001-03-09 2002-03-11 System and method for performing object association at a tradeshow using a location tracking system Abandoned US20020165731A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/095,766 US20020165731A1 (en) 2001-03-09 2002-03-11 System and method for performing object association at a tradeshow using a location tracking system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US27454401P 2001-03-09 2001-03-09
US10/095,766 US20020165731A1 (en) 2001-03-09 2002-03-11 System and method for performing object association at a tradeshow using a location tracking system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20020165731A1 true US20020165731A1 (en) 2002-11-07

Family

ID=23048643

Family Applications (4)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/096,187 Expired - Lifetime US7099895B2 (en) 2001-03-09 2002-03-11 System and method for performing object association using a location tracking system
US10/096,036 Active 2027-12-03 US8190730B2 (en) 2001-03-09 2002-03-11 Location system and methods
US10/095,766 Abandoned US20020165731A1 (en) 2001-03-09 2002-03-11 System and method for performing object association at a tradeshow using a location tracking system
US11/503,651 Abandoned US20060277202A1 (en) 2001-03-09 2006-08-14 System and method for performing object association using a location tracking system

Family Applications Before (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/096,187 Expired - Lifetime US7099895B2 (en) 2001-03-09 2002-03-11 System and method for performing object association using a location tracking system
US10/096,036 Active 2027-12-03 US8190730B2 (en) 2001-03-09 2002-03-11 Location system and methods

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/503,651 Abandoned US20060277202A1 (en) 2001-03-09 2006-08-14 System and method for performing object association using a location tracking system

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (4) US7099895B2 (en)
EP (3) EP1370990A2 (en)
JP (3) JP2004536285A (en)
AU (2) AU2002252294A1 (en)
CA (3) CA2441512C (en)
WO (3) WO2002073357A2 (en)

Cited By (45)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20020165733A1 (en) * 2001-04-05 2002-11-07 Instrumentarium Corporation Method and system for detecting variances in a tracking environment
US20040030491A1 (en) * 2002-08-06 2004-02-12 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Method and arrangement for guiding a user along a target path
GB2392274A (en) * 2002-08-06 2004-02-25 Hewlett Packard Development Co Providing information about a real-world space using different types of location marker
US20040103028A1 (en) * 2002-11-26 2004-05-27 The Advertizing Firm, Inc. Method and system of advertising
US20040189476A1 (en) * 2003-03-24 2004-09-30 Borovoy Richard D. Apparatus and method for enhancing face-to-face communication
US20040230809A1 (en) * 2002-01-25 2004-11-18 Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, A California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Portable wireless access to computer-based systems
US20040243455A1 (en) * 2004-04-28 2004-12-02 Smith Martin P. Apparatus and method for optimizing a selling environment
US20040254008A1 (en) * 2003-05-01 2004-12-16 Joseph Anderson Raffle assembly
US20050026631A1 (en) * 2003-07-31 2005-02-03 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Method and apparatus for providing information about a real-world space
US20050029432A1 (en) * 2003-08-06 2005-02-10 Bacarella Antonio V. System and method for processing and displaying light energy
US20050097111A1 (en) * 2003-07-11 2005-05-05 Arka Mukherjee System and method for data integration using multi-dimensional, associative unique identifiers
US20060099093A1 (en) * 2004-11-08 2006-05-11 Schlumberger Oilfield Services Flow control valve and method
US20060100926A1 (en) * 2004-11-11 2006-05-11 International Business Machines Corp. On demand advertising
US20060183426A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2006-08-17 Nortel Networks Limited Use of location awareness to control radio frequency interference in a healthcare environment
US20060181424A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2006-08-17 Nortel Networks Limited Use of location awareness to request assistance for a medical event occurring in a healthcare environment
US20060181243A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2006-08-17 Nortel Networks Limited Use of location awareness to facilitate clinician-charger interaction in a healthcare environment
US20060185005A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2006-08-17 Nortel Networks Limited Use of location awareness to transfer communications sessions between terminals in a healthcare environment
US20060184376A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2006-08-17 Nortel Networks Limited Use of location awareness to detect potentially supsicious motion or presence of equipment in a healthcare environment
US20060195354A1 (en) * 2005-02-28 2006-08-31 Ntag Interactive Corporation Method of scoring the performance of attendees at a meeting
US20060236373A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2006-10-19 Nortel Networks Limited Use of location awareness to establish and suspend communications sessions in a healthcare environment
US20060240771A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2006-10-26 Nortel Networks Limited Use of location awareness ot establish communications with a target clinician in a healthcare environment
US20060285685A1 (en) * 2005-06-19 2006-12-21 Temba Msezane DNA Based Identification and Tracking System
US20070004389A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2007-01-04 Nortel Networks Limited Method and system for enhancing collaboration
WO2007010334A1 (en) * 2005-07-21 2007-01-25 Temba Msezane Dna based identification and tracking system
US20070236334A1 (en) * 2006-03-31 2007-10-11 Borovoy Richard D Enhancing face-to-face communication
US20080169927A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2008-07-17 Alan Graves Methods and systems for use in the provision of services in an institutional setting such as a healthcare facility
US20090102645A1 (en) * 2003-03-24 2009-04-23 Borovoy Richard D Adding social networking to devices
US20090319182A1 (en) * 2008-06-18 2009-12-24 Dante Monteverde User positioning guidance system, devices, and methods
US20090319606A1 (en) * 2008-06-18 2009-12-24 Dante Monteverde Methods and systems for expositions and conventions
US20100217618A1 (en) * 2009-02-25 2010-08-26 Piccirillo Charles J Event Detection Based on Location Observations and Status Conditions of Healthcare Resources
US7831447B2 (en) 2001-03-30 2010-11-09 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Healthcare computer system
US8026821B2 (en) 2000-05-05 2011-09-27 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. System for monitoring caregivers and equipment at a patient location
US8082160B2 (en) 2007-10-26 2011-12-20 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. System and method for collection and communication of data from multiple patient care devices
US20120150578A1 (en) * 2010-12-08 2012-06-14 Motorola Solutions, Inc. Task management in a workforce environment using an acoustic map constructed from aggregated audio
US8421606B2 (en) 2004-08-02 2013-04-16 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Wireless bed locating system
US9142923B2 (en) 2003-08-21 2015-09-22 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Hospital bed having wireless data and locating capability
US9210542B2 (en) * 2013-12-09 2015-12-08 Nec Europe Ltd. Method and computer system for detecting crowds in a location tracking system
US9230421B2 (en) 2000-05-05 2016-01-05 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. System for monitoring caregivers and equipment
US10095987B2 (en) * 2014-04-25 2018-10-09 Ebay Inc. Integrating event-planning services into a payment system
US10360787B2 (en) 2016-05-05 2019-07-23 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Discriminating patient care communications system
US10846610B2 (en) 2016-02-05 2020-11-24 Nec Corporation Scalable system and method for real-time predictions and anomaly detection
US10878251B2 (en) 2015-11-12 2020-12-29 Signify Holding B.V. Image processing system
US10916119B2 (en) 2018-12-27 2021-02-09 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. System and method for caregiver availability determination
US20220217496A1 (en) * 2012-12-04 2022-07-07 Ebay Inc. Geofence Based On Members Of A Population
US20230239169A1 (en) * 2022-01-24 2023-07-27 Zoom Video Communications, Inc. Virtual expo analytics

Families Citing this family (101)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8417538B2 (en) * 2001-03-09 2013-04-09 Consortium P, Inc. System and method for performing object association based on interaction time using a location tracking system
US6720922B2 (en) * 2002-03-29 2004-04-13 Microsoft Corporation Radio-frequency badge for location measurement
WO2004021601A1 (en) * 2002-08-27 2004-03-11 Closer Communications Llc Wireless information retrieval and content dissemination system and method
US7796944B2 (en) * 2002-12-17 2010-09-14 Motorola Mobility, Inc. Communication system for dynamic management of a plurality of objects and method therefor
US6838992B2 (en) * 2003-03-21 2005-01-04 Versus Technology, Inc. Methods and systems for locating subjects and providing event notification within a tracking environment and badge for use therein
JP4358861B2 (en) * 2003-06-11 2009-11-04 ドレーガー メディカル システムズ インコーポレイテッド Mobile patient monitoring system with position identification capability
US10152453B1 (en) 2003-06-30 2018-12-11 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. System and method for managing medical prescriptions and inventory
US10580519B2 (en) * 2003-06-30 2020-03-03 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. System and method of automatically displaying patient information
KR100494847B1 (en) * 2003-11-21 2005-06-14 한국전자통신연구원 Apparatus and Method for bidirectional and high-accurate position determination for ubiquitous computing environment
US7466232B2 (en) * 2004-05-05 2008-12-16 Trenstar Tracking Solutions, Inc. Radio frequency identification asset management system and method
US20050258937A1 (en) * 2004-05-05 2005-11-24 Trenstar, Inc. Radio frequency identification asset management system and method
US7633392B2 (en) * 2004-05-05 2009-12-15 General Electric Company Radio frequency identification asset management system, and computer program product
DE602005009953D1 (en) 2004-06-24 2008-11-06 Nxp Bv METHOD, READER AND SYSTEM FOR FINDING OBJECTS
US7348883B2 (en) * 2004-08-16 2008-03-25 Sloan Dale A Medical communication and locator system and method
US20060097863A1 (en) * 2004-10-21 2006-05-11 Eric Horowitz Tracking equipment
CN1779481B (en) * 2004-11-26 2011-12-14 国际商业机器公司 Position identifying method, mobile terminal and system
US20060143064A1 (en) * 2004-12-23 2006-06-29 Mock Von A Method and system for managing events
US7598854B2 (en) * 2005-03-01 2009-10-06 Chon Meng Wong System and method for creating a proximity map of plurality of living beings and objects
US7930387B2 (en) * 2005-03-07 2011-04-19 National Institute Of Information And Communications Technology Location information server system and wireless communication system using the same
CA2603107C (en) 2005-03-29 2015-05-19 Stryker Canadian Management Inc. Location detection system for a patient handling device
US9838836B2 (en) 2005-03-29 2017-12-05 Stryker Corporation Patient support apparatus communication systems
US9937090B2 (en) 2005-03-29 2018-04-10 Stryker Corporation Patient support apparatus communication systems
JP4137910B2 (en) * 2005-05-09 2008-08-20 日本電信電話株式会社 Positioning device, identification information transmitting device, receiving device, positioning system, positioning method, computer program, and recording medium
US8112401B2 (en) * 2005-05-25 2012-02-07 Ecteon, Inc. Analyzing externally generated documents in document management system
US7259676B2 (en) 2005-05-31 2007-08-21 Symbol Technologies, Inc. Mode-diversity RFAID tag and interrogator system and method for identifying an RFAID transponder
US20060290519A1 (en) * 2005-06-22 2006-12-28 Boate Alan R Two-way wireless monitoring system and method
US7953826B2 (en) * 2005-07-14 2011-05-31 Cisco Technology, Inc. Provisioning and redundancy for RFID middleware servers
US10390212B2 (en) 2016-09-15 2019-08-20 Proximity Grid, Inc. Tracking system having an option of not being trackable
US7761400B2 (en) 2005-07-22 2010-07-20 John Reimer Identifying events
US10015630B2 (en) 2016-09-15 2018-07-03 Proximity Grid, Inc. Tracking people
US7333018B2 (en) * 2005-07-25 2008-02-19 Honeywell International Inc. Asset location system with enhanced accuracy
US20070129084A1 (en) * 2005-12-05 2007-06-07 Nortel Networks Limited Creating and recognizing user-defined locations using communication terminals
US7839266B2 (en) * 2006-05-15 2010-11-23 Linksense, Inc. System and method for managing point of care assignments
US7636043B2 (en) * 2006-06-29 2009-12-22 General Instrument Corporation Method and apparatus for improving the accuracy of security systems
US8175925B1 (en) 2006-08-18 2012-05-08 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Position-based item identification in a materials handling facility
ITPI20060161A1 (en) * 2006-12-27 2008-06-28 Quality For Technology S P A METHOD FOR THE REALIZATION OF A PORTABLE MULTIMEDIA GUIDE WITH AUTOMATIC ACTIVATION.
US8451725B1 (en) * 2006-12-31 2013-05-28 At&T Intellectual Property Ii, L.P. Method and apparatus for distributed compositional control of end-to-end media in IP networks
US20080164998A1 (en) * 2007-01-05 2008-07-10 Siemens Medical Solutions Usa, Inc. Location Sensitive Healthcare Task Management System
US8139945B1 (en) 2007-01-20 2012-03-20 Centrak, Inc. Methods and systems for synchronized infrared real time location
SG147329A1 (en) * 2007-04-18 2008-11-28 Anomaly Pte Ltd A multi function watch
US7761475B2 (en) * 2007-07-13 2010-07-20 Objectivity, Inc. Method, system and computer-readable media for managing dynamic object associations as a variable-length array of object references of heterogeneous types binding
US20090119062A1 (en) * 2007-11-01 2009-05-07 Timetracking Buddy Llc Time Tracking Methods and Systems
ES2385956T3 (en) * 2007-11-13 2012-08-06 Universitetet I Oslo Ultrasonic high capacity zone tracking system
PL2245606T3 (en) * 2008-02-14 2015-08-31 Lojack Corp Asset recovery system
US8360975B1 (en) 2008-02-25 2013-01-29 Midmark Corporation Networked interface appliance for improved medical device integration and physician workflow
US8212653B1 (en) 2008-03-20 2012-07-03 The General Hospital Corp. Protected zone system
US20090306893A1 (en) * 2008-06-06 2009-12-10 Harris Corporation Information processing system for a store providing consumer-specific advertisement features and related methods
US8976027B2 (en) 2008-06-06 2015-03-10 Harris Corporation Information processing system for consumers at a store using personal mobile wireless devices and related methods
US20100137001A1 (en) * 2008-12-01 2010-06-03 Electronics And Telecommunications Research Institute Terminal and method for providing terminal position
EP2404486B1 (en) * 2009-03-03 2014-07-23 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Method for a personal mobile device communication of service orders
US8285564B2 (en) * 2009-04-05 2012-10-09 Awarepoint Corporation Wireless tracking system and method for analyzing an interaction between objects
US8164439B2 (en) * 2009-06-18 2012-04-24 The General Hospital Corp. Ultrasonic compliance zone system
US8547220B1 (en) 2009-06-18 2013-10-01 The General Hospital Corporation Ultrasonic compliance zone system
US20120084188A1 (en) * 2009-06-26 2012-04-05 Thomas Zuber Method for interactively collaborating across online social networking communities
JP2011017685A (en) * 2009-07-10 2011-01-27 Kenwood Corp Positioning system and control method
JP2011017684A (en) * 2009-07-10 2011-01-27 Kenwood Corp Positioning system and control method
US20110025464A1 (en) * 2009-07-30 2011-02-03 Awarepoint Corporation Antenna Diversity For Wireless Tracking System And Method
KR20110016098A (en) * 2009-08-11 2011-02-17 삼성전자주식회사 Apparatus and method for offering information of goods on mobile communication terminal
WO2018200740A2 (en) 2017-04-26 2018-11-01 View, Inc. Tintable window system for building services
US8140258B1 (en) 2010-03-02 2012-03-20 The General Hospital Corporation Wayfinding system
US9000930B2 (en) 2010-05-24 2015-04-07 Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products Lp Hand hygiene compliance system
US8514071B2 (en) * 2010-07-28 2013-08-20 Versus Technology, Inc. Real-time method and system for locating a mobile object or person in a tracking environment
US9672726B2 (en) 2010-11-08 2017-06-06 Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products Lp Hand hygiene compliance monitoring system
US8744397B2 (en) * 2011-03-02 2014-06-03 Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. System for providing profile information
US8938257B2 (en) * 2011-08-19 2015-01-20 Qualcomm, Incorporated Logo detection for indoor positioning
US8385973B1 (en) 2011-09-23 2013-02-26 Peter Tamposi Remote equipment control system
US9400320B2 (en) 2012-04-04 2016-07-26 Qualcomm Incorporated Methods and apparatus for efficient transport and management of a positioning and timing almanac
US10290071B2 (en) 2013-03-29 2019-05-14 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Universal caregiver interface
US10474808B2 (en) 2013-03-29 2019-11-12 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Hospital bed compatibility with third party application software
US9794984B2 (en) 2013-09-17 2017-10-17 Qualcomm Incorporated Techniques for utilizing access point vicinity information
US9830424B2 (en) 2013-09-18 2017-11-28 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Bed/room/patient association systems and methods
JP2016008940A (en) * 2014-06-26 2016-01-18 株式会社デンソー Positional information providing device, position notification device, and program
JP6142898B2 (en) * 2014-09-30 2017-06-07 ダイキン工業株式会社 Positioning system
EP3002695B1 (en) 2014-09-30 2022-01-26 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Hospital bed compatibility with third party application software
US10403401B2 (en) 2014-11-19 2019-09-03 Stryker Corporation Medical apparatus with selectively enabled features
CN104794201B (en) * 2015-04-22 2018-03-30 哈尔滨工业大学深圳研究生院 A kind of stratification locus based on Voronoi diagram and terrestrial reference describes method and device
EP3103385A1 (en) 2015-06-12 2016-12-14 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Image transmission or recording triggered by bed event
US11020295B2 (en) 2015-12-22 2021-06-01 Stryker Corporation Patient support systems and methods for assisting caregivers with patient care
US10813806B2 (en) 2016-05-24 2020-10-27 Stryker Corporation Medical support apparatus with stand assistance
EP3610336A1 (en) 2017-04-13 2020-02-19 Johnson Controls Technology Company Building management system with space profiles
US10742441B2 (en) 2017-04-13 2020-08-11 Johnson Controls Technology Company Unified building management system
US11025563B2 (en) 2017-04-13 2021-06-01 Johnson Controls Technology Company Space-aware network switch
US10749607B2 (en) * 2017-07-06 2020-08-18 Tyco Fire & Security Gmbh Integrated infra-red receiver and low/high-frequency receiver in portable transponder device
WO2019044629A1 (en) * 2017-08-31 2019-03-07 株式会社村田製作所 Position estimation system
NO20171507A1 (en) * 2017-09-19 2019-03-20 Fdvlink As Communication system for gathering data about the location of an object in a building
US10904076B2 (en) 2018-05-30 2021-01-26 International Business Machines Corporation Directing functioning of an object based on its association to another object in an environment
US11761660B2 (en) 2019-01-30 2023-09-19 Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP Building control system with feedback and feedforward total energy flow compensation
US11911325B2 (en) 2019-02-26 2024-02-27 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Bed interface for manual location
CN114364926A (en) 2019-07-12 2022-04-15 江森自控泰科知识产权控股有限责任合伙公司 HVAC system with design and operation tools for building infection control
US11274842B2 (en) 2019-07-12 2022-03-15 Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP Systems and methods for optimizing ventilation, filtration, and conditioning schemes for buildings
US11714393B2 (en) 2019-07-12 2023-08-01 Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP Building control system with load curtailment optimization
CN111114833B (en) * 2019-12-11 2021-08-20 上海卫星工程研究所 Method and system for compatible track maintenance and relay application based on autonomous mission planning
TW202205310A (en) * 2020-03-23 2022-02-01 美商視野公司 Identifying, reducing health risks, and tracking occupancy in a facility
US11783240B2 (en) 2020-04-02 2023-10-10 Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP Building management system with dynamic workspace assignment
US11367534B2 (en) 2020-04-02 2022-06-21 Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP Systems and methods for contagious disease risk management
US11536476B2 (en) 2020-05-12 2022-12-27 Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP Building system with flexible facility operation
US11276024B2 (en) 2020-06-25 2022-03-15 Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP Systems and methods for managing a trusted service provider network
WO2022072734A1 (en) 2020-09-30 2022-04-07 Zoll Medical Corporation Remote monitoring devices and related methods and systems with audible aed signal listening
GB2620094A (en) * 2021-03-31 2023-12-27 Umano Medical Inc System and method for locating and managing patient support apparatus in a healthcare facility
US11729577B2 (en) 2021-07-08 2023-08-15 Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP Building management system with geofenced configuration templates
US20230062727A1 (en) 2021-08-13 2023-03-02 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Patient request system having patient falls risk notification and caregiver notes access

Citations (94)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US589229A (en) * 1897-08-31 Covered bake-pan
US4151407A (en) * 1977-04-28 1979-04-24 Texas Instruments Incorporated Low-power, infrared information transmission system
US4225953A (en) * 1978-09-29 1980-09-30 Simon William F Personnel locator
US4275385A (en) * 1979-08-13 1981-06-23 Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated Infrared personnel locator system
US4462022A (en) * 1981-11-12 1984-07-24 A. R. F. Products, Inc. Security system with radio frequency coupled remote sensors
US4471345A (en) * 1982-03-05 1984-09-11 Sensormatic Electronics Corporation Randomized tag to portal communication system
US4495496A (en) * 1981-12-15 1985-01-22 Johnson Engineering Corp. Personnel monitoring and locating system
US4598272A (en) * 1984-08-06 1986-07-01 Cox Randall P Electronic monitoring apparatus
US4598275A (en) * 1983-05-09 1986-07-01 Marc Industries Incorporated Movement monitor
US4601064A (en) * 1983-01-13 1986-07-15 Fisher Berkeley Corporation Communication system
US4649385A (en) * 1982-08-13 1987-03-10 Teloc R & D Ltd. Electronic locating system for persons receiving telephone calls
US4654793A (en) * 1984-10-15 1987-03-31 Showdata, Inc. System and method for registering and keeping track of the activities of attendees at a trade show, convention or the like
US4656463A (en) * 1983-04-21 1987-04-07 Intelli-Tech Corporation LIMIS systems, devices and methods
US4682155A (en) * 1986-01-13 1987-07-21 Central Security Mfg. Corp. Personnel security system
US4814751A (en) * 1987-02-27 1989-03-21 Wildlife Materials, Inc. Patient tracking system
US4868859A (en) * 1987-06-12 1989-09-19 Bt Telecom, Inc. Supervised, interactive alarm reporting system
US4906853A (en) * 1988-03-17 1990-03-06 United Manufacturing Co., Inc. Apparatus and method for varying the timing of a control signal
US4916444A (en) * 1988-03-25 1990-04-10 King Fred N Method and apparatus for mapping communications media
US4924211A (en) * 1988-10-28 1990-05-08 Digital Products Corporation Personnel monitoring system
US4952913A (en) * 1986-04-15 1990-08-28 B. I. Incorporated Tag for use with personnel monitoring system
US4952928A (en) * 1988-08-29 1990-08-28 B. I. Incorporated Adaptable electronic monitoring and identification system
US4982176A (en) * 1990-01-17 1991-01-01 Frank Schwarz Solar powered lighting and alarm systems activated by motion detection
US5014040A (en) * 1988-10-14 1991-05-07 Instantel Inc. Personal locator transmitter
US5017794A (en) * 1988-03-17 1991-05-21 United Manufacturing Co., Inc. Apparatus and method for varying the timing of a control signal
US5027383A (en) * 1987-06-12 1991-06-25 Versus Technology, Inc. Supervised, interactive alarm reporting system
US5027314A (en) * 1988-03-17 1991-06-25 United Manufacturing Co., Inc. Apparatus and method for position reporting
US5103108A (en) * 1985-10-17 1992-04-07 Crimmins James W Distributed infrared communication system
US5119104A (en) * 1990-05-04 1992-06-02 Heller Alan C Location system adapted for use in multipath environments
US5131019A (en) * 1987-12-07 1992-07-14 Versus Technology, Inc. System for interfacing an alarm reporting device with a cellular radio transceiver
US5194856A (en) * 1990-06-11 1993-03-16 Ericsson Radio Systems B.V. System for detecting the presence in a rack of a portable unit suitable for transmitting or receiving a signal containing an identification number assigned thereto
US5218344A (en) * 1991-07-31 1993-06-08 Ricketts James G Method and system for monitoring personnel
US5228449A (en) * 1991-01-22 1993-07-20 Athanasios G. Christ System and method for detecting out-of-hospital cardiac emergencies and summoning emergency assistance
US5276496A (en) * 1992-10-30 1994-01-04 Precision Tracking Fm, Inc. Optical receiver for area location system
US5283549A (en) * 1991-05-31 1994-02-01 Intellitech Industries, Inc. Infrared sentry with voiced radio dispatched alarms
US5301353A (en) * 1990-02-12 1994-04-05 Motorola, Inc. Communication system and apparatus
US5317309A (en) * 1990-11-06 1994-05-31 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Dual mode electronic identification system
US5319191A (en) * 1993-03-25 1994-06-07 K & M Electronics, Inc. Ask receiver with signal delay and stretching
US5382948A (en) * 1993-06-03 1995-01-17 Richmond; Henry Vehicular security system with remote signalling for auto carjacking functions
US5387993A (en) * 1993-06-25 1995-02-07 Precision Tracking Fm, Inc. Method for receiving and transmitting optical data and control information to and from remotely located receivers and transmitters in an optical locator system
US5402469A (en) * 1989-02-18 1995-03-28 Olivetti Research Limited Carrier locating system
US5416468A (en) * 1993-10-29 1995-05-16 Motorola, Inc. Two-tiered system and method for remote monitoring
US5426425A (en) * 1992-10-07 1995-06-20 Wescom, Inc. Intelligent locator system with multiple bits represented in each pulse
US5440559A (en) * 1993-11-10 1995-08-08 Seiko Communications Holding N.V. Portable wireless communication device
US5485634A (en) * 1993-12-14 1996-01-16 Xerox Corporation Method and system for the dynamic selection, allocation and arbitration of control between devices within a region
US5493692A (en) * 1993-12-03 1996-02-20 Xerox Corporation Selective delivery of electronic messages in a multiple computer system based on context and environment of a user
US5493283A (en) * 1990-09-28 1996-02-20 Olivetti Research Limited Locating and authentication system
US5512879A (en) * 1994-07-25 1996-04-30 Stokes; John H. Apparatus to prevent infant kidnappings and mixups
US5521902A (en) * 1993-12-06 1996-05-28 Hewlett-Packard Company Location identification in a communications signalling network
US5544321A (en) * 1993-12-03 1996-08-06 Xerox Corporation System for granting ownership of device by user based on requested level of ownership, present state of the device, and the context of the device
US5548637A (en) * 1993-09-09 1996-08-20 Precision Tracking Fm, Inc. Method and apparatus for locating personnel and objects in response to telephone inquiries
US5594786A (en) * 1990-07-27 1997-01-14 Executone Information Systems, Inc. Patient care and communication system
US5610589A (en) * 1995-02-09 1997-03-11 Bennie R. Evans Method and apparatus for enforcing hygiene
US5621384A (en) * 1993-07-26 1997-04-15 K And M Electronics, Inc. Infrared communicating device
US5627517A (en) * 1995-11-01 1997-05-06 Xerox Corporation Decentralized tracking and routing system wherein packages are associated with active tags
US5633875A (en) * 1995-06-07 1997-05-27 General Electric Company Protocol and mechanism for centralized asset tracking communications
US5742233A (en) * 1997-01-21 1998-04-21 Hoffman Resources, Llc Personal security and tracking system
US5774876A (en) * 1996-06-26 1998-06-30 Par Government Systems Corporation Managing assets with active electronic tags
US5793630A (en) * 1996-06-14 1998-08-11 Xerox Corporation High precision spatially defined data transfer system
US5903373A (en) * 1996-07-03 1999-05-11 Spectrix Corporation Method and apparatus for locating a transmitter of a diffuse infrared signal within an enclosed area
US5917425A (en) * 1996-01-22 1999-06-29 Wireless Communiations Products, Llc IR/RF locator
US5929848A (en) * 1994-11-02 1999-07-27 Visible Interactive Corporation Interactive personal interpretive device and system for retrieving information about a plurality of objects
US5936527A (en) * 1998-02-10 1999-08-10 E-Tag Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for locating and tracking documents and other objects
US5936542A (en) * 1995-09-11 1999-08-10 Nomadix, Llc Convention ID badge system
US6011487A (en) * 1996-09-17 2000-01-04 Ncr Corporation System and method of locating wireless devices
US6034622A (en) * 1995-08-18 2000-03-07 Robert A. Levine Location monitoring via implanted radio transmitter
US6040774A (en) * 1998-05-27 2000-03-21 Sarnoff Corporation Locating system and method employing radio frequency tags
US6075443A (en) * 1998-07-31 2000-06-13 Sarnoff Corporation Wireless tether
US6075433A (en) * 1995-05-29 2000-06-13 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Power supply unit
US6085240A (en) * 1997-08-08 2000-07-04 Nec Corporation Agent identification device, agent device with program reception function, and network system
US6100806A (en) * 1994-12-30 2000-08-08 Advanced Business Sciences, Inc. Apparatus and method for continuous electronic monitoring and tracking of individuals
US6104295A (en) * 1998-07-20 2000-08-15 Versus Technology, Inc. Electronic band tag and method of storing ID information therein
US6169484B1 (en) * 1998-04-28 2001-01-02 Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. Personal location system
US6172596B1 (en) * 1994-09-09 2001-01-09 Intermec Ip Corp. System method and apparatus for identifying and communicating with a plurality of types of radio frequency communication devices
US6175308B1 (en) * 1993-12-16 2001-01-16 Actall Corporation Personal duress security system
US6181933B1 (en) * 1997-12-05 2001-01-30 Hyundai Electronics Ind. Co., Ltd. Mobile communication system and controlling method thereof for paging and establishing dynamically paging area
US6211790B1 (en) * 1999-05-19 2001-04-03 Elpas North America, Inc. Infant and parent matching and security system and method of matching infant and parent
US6222440B1 (en) * 1998-02-23 2001-04-24 Freshloc Technologies, Inc. Location, identification and telemetry system using strobed signals at predetermined intervals
US6222484B1 (en) * 1999-06-16 2001-04-24 Ronald L. Seiple Personal emergency location system
US20010000958A1 (en) * 1997-11-03 2001-05-10 Ulrich Daniel J. Personnel and asset tracking method and apparatus
US6236335B1 (en) * 1996-09-17 2001-05-22 Ncr Corporation System and method of tracking short range transmitters
US6237051B1 (en) * 1997-07-24 2001-05-22 Data Capture Institute Asset tracking within and across enterprise boundaries
US6249252B1 (en) * 1996-09-09 2001-06-19 Tracbeam Llc Wireless location using multiple location estimators
US6259404B1 (en) * 1995-12-15 2001-07-10 Signatron Technology Corporation Position location system and method
US20010011954A1 (en) * 1998-03-11 2001-08-09 Monty M. Shelton Public area locator system
US6281811B1 (en) * 1999-06-11 2001-08-28 Anthony S Ranzino Communication and location system for shopping malls, parks, business districts, and the like
USRE37531E1 (en) * 1993-07-02 2002-01-29 Executone Information Systems, Inc. System for identifying object locations
US6363525B1 (en) * 1995-04-26 2002-03-26 Wink Communications, Inc. Method and apparatus for routing confidential information
US6373389B1 (en) * 2000-04-21 2002-04-16 Usm Systems, Ltd. Event driven information system
US20020053980A1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2002-05-09 Nhk Spring Co., Ltd Car-seat-occupant sensing device
US6424264B1 (en) * 2000-10-12 2002-07-23 Safetzone Technologies Corporation System for real-time location of people in a fixed environment
US6539393B1 (en) * 1999-09-30 2003-03-25 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Portable locator system
US6674368B2 (en) * 2000-08-28 2004-01-06 Continental Divide Robotics, Inc. Automated tracking system
US6700533B1 (en) * 1999-05-06 2004-03-02 Rf Technologies, Inc. Asset and personnel tagging system utilizing GPS
US6906625B1 (en) * 2000-02-24 2005-06-14 Time Domain Corporation System and method for information assimilation and functionality control based on positioning information obtained by impulse radio techniques

Family Cites Families (81)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5062151A (en) 1983-01-13 1991-10-29 Fisher Berkeley Corporation Communication system
US4549264A (en) * 1983-10-04 1985-10-22 B.I. Incorporated Time and accounting system
JPS6081698A (en) 1983-10-07 1985-05-09 東京電力株式会社 Monitor and command guide system using electromagnetic wave
US4955000A (en) 1986-07-17 1990-09-04 Nac Engineering And Marketing, Inc. Ultrasonic personnel location identification system
GB8726933D0 (en) 1987-11-18 1987-12-23 Cadell T E Telemetry system
US5822544A (en) 1990-07-27 1998-10-13 Executone Information Systems, Inc. Patient care and communication system
US5465082A (en) 1990-07-27 1995-11-07 Executone Information Systems, Inc. Apparatus for automating routine communication in a facility
US6958706B2 (en) * 1990-07-27 2005-10-25 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Patient care and communication system
US5826195A (en) 1992-01-27 1998-10-20 Highwaymaster Communications, Inc. Data messaging in a communications network
US5355222A (en) 1992-05-15 1994-10-11 Precision Tracking Fm, Inc. Optical receiver for area location system
US5363425A (en) 1992-06-29 1994-11-08 Northern Telecom Limited Method and apparatus for providing a personal locator, access control and asset tracking service using an in-building telephone network
EP0602459B1 (en) 1992-12-16 1999-11-03 Siemens Medical Systems, Inc. System for monitoring patient location and data
US5467074A (en) 1992-12-18 1995-11-14 Detection Systems, Inc. Personal security system with transmitter test mode
US5561412A (en) 1993-07-12 1996-10-01 Hill-Rom, Inc. Patient/nurse call system
US5838223A (en) 1993-07-12 1998-11-17 Hill-Rom, Inc. Patient/nurse call system
US5812865A (en) 1993-12-03 1998-09-22 Xerox Corporation Specifying and establishing communication data paths between particular media devices in multiple media device computing systems based on context of a user or users
US5661492A (en) * 1994-01-31 1997-08-26 Motorola, Inc. Personal alarm location system and method
JP2701731B2 (en) 1994-01-31 1998-01-21 日本電気株式会社 Wireless selective call receiver for computer connection
US5479408A (en) 1994-02-22 1995-12-26 Will; Craig A. Wireless personal paging, communications, and locating system
US5515426A (en) 1994-02-28 1996-05-07 Executone Information Systems, Inc. Telephone communication system having a locator
US5568963A (en) * 1994-03-09 1996-10-29 Del Mar Avionics Method and apparatus for multimedia presentations
US5818385A (en) * 1994-06-10 1998-10-06 Bartholomew; Darin E. Antenna system and method
US5572195A (en) 1994-08-01 1996-11-05 Precision Tracking Fm, Inc. Sensory and control system for local area networks
IL111550A (en) * 1994-11-07 1998-04-05 Visonic Ltd Signaling network system
US5570079A (en) 1995-04-24 1996-10-29 Dockery; Devan Home security system for detecting an intrusion into a monitored area by an infrared detector
US6671563B1 (en) * 1995-05-15 2003-12-30 Alaris Medical Systems, Inc. System and method for collecting data and managing patient care
US6259405B1 (en) * 1995-06-06 2001-07-10 Wayport, Inc. Geographic based communications service
US5991771A (en) 1995-07-20 1999-11-23 Novell, Inc. Transaction synchronization in a disconnectable computer and network
US6088586A (en) * 1996-01-24 2000-07-11 Codem Systems, Inc. System for signaling within a cellular telephone system
US5732401A (en) * 1996-03-29 1998-03-24 Intellitecs International Ltd. Activity based cost tracking systems
US5790974A (en) * 1996-04-29 1998-08-04 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Portable calendaring device having perceptual agent managing calendar entries
US6128549A (en) * 1996-06-21 2000-10-03 Symbol Technologies, Inc. RF interrogatable processing system
US5959568A (en) * 1996-06-26 1999-09-28 Par Goverment Systems Corporation Measuring distance
US5892441A (en) * 1996-06-26 1999-04-06 Par Government Systems Corporation Sensing with active electronic tags
US5804810A (en) * 1996-06-26 1998-09-08 Par Government Systems Corporation Communicating with electronic tags
GB2337386B (en) 1996-09-09 2001-04-04 Dennis J Dupray Location of a mobile station
US6353406B1 (en) * 1996-10-17 2002-03-05 R.F. Technologies, Inc. Dual mode tracking system
CA2268951A1 (en) 1996-10-17 1998-04-23 Pinpoint Corporation Article tracking system
US5977913A (en) 1997-02-07 1999-11-02 Dominion Wireless Method and apparatus for tracking and locating personnel
US5844482A (en) 1997-05-20 1998-12-01 Guthrie; Warren E. Tagging system using motion detector
US6091956A (en) * 1997-06-12 2000-07-18 Hollenberg; Dennis D. Situation information system
US6009333A (en) 1997-08-14 1999-12-28 Executone Information Systems, Inc. Telephone communication system having a locator and a scheduling facility
US6160481A (en) * 1997-09-10 2000-12-12 Taylor, Jr.; John E Monitoring system
US5956725A (en) 1997-11-26 1999-09-21 Interanational Business Machines Corporation Schema mapping to a legacy table with primary and foreign key support
US6122520A (en) * 1998-02-13 2000-09-19 Xerox Corporation System and method for obtaining and using location specific information
US6154139A (en) 1998-04-21 2000-11-28 Versus Technology Method and system for locating subjects within a tracking environment
JP3428902B2 (en) * 1998-06-23 2003-07-22 三菱電機株式会社 Network management method, network management equipment and network connection device
US6970183B1 (en) * 2000-06-14 2005-11-29 E-Watch, Inc. Multimedia surveillance and monitoring system including network configuration
US6141584A (en) * 1998-09-30 2000-10-31 Agilent Technologies, Inc. Defibrillator with wireless communications
AU2051300A (en) 1999-01-08 2000-07-24 Trueposition, Inc. Architecture for a signal collection system of a wireless location system
US6184829B1 (en) 1999-01-08 2001-02-06 Trueposition, Inc. Calibration for wireless location system
US6317082B1 (en) 1999-02-12 2001-11-13 Wherenet Corp Wireless call tag based material replenishment system
AU4282200A (en) 1999-05-06 2000-11-21 Cell-Loc Inc. Wireless location system
US6542951B1 (en) * 1999-08-04 2003-04-01 Gateway, Inc. Information handling system having integrated internal scalable storage system
US6456239B1 (en) 1999-08-25 2002-09-24 Rf Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for locating mobile tags
US6380894B1 (en) 1999-08-30 2002-04-30 Wherenet Corporation Multi-lateration system with automatic calibration and error removal
WO2001029574A2 (en) 1999-10-21 2001-04-26 Pinpoint Corporation Method and apparatus for low cost asset location
IL132711A (en) * 1999-11-03 2005-05-17 Elpas Electro Optic Systems Lt Dual rf/ir communication device and method of use thereof
US6424840B1 (en) * 1999-11-05 2002-07-23 Signalsoft Corp. Method and system for dynamic location-based zone assignment for a wireless communication network
IL132778A (en) 1999-11-05 2005-05-17 Elpas Electro Optic Systems Lt Method and system for transmitting short messages to a portable ir transceiver
IL132787A (en) 1999-11-07 2005-05-17 Elpas Electro Optic Systems Lt Battery-powered ir transmitter having constant power output
US6216087B1 (en) 1999-11-23 2001-04-10 Xerox Corporation Infrared beacon positioning system
US6512478B1 (en) * 1999-12-22 2003-01-28 Rockwell Technologies, Llc Location position system for relay assisted tracking
US20010049629A1 (en) 2000-01-11 2001-12-06 Freeman Jeffrey R. Package location system
US6859485B2 (en) 2000-03-07 2005-02-22 Wherenet Corporation Geolocation system with controllable tags enabled by wireless communications to the tags
GB2360356A (en) 2000-03-18 2001-09-19 Rupert William Meldrum Curwen Actuating an operation in accordance with location of a transponder
US6593885B2 (en) * 2000-04-27 2003-07-15 Wherenet Corp Low cost DTOA location processing system based on multiple readers-to-single processor architecture
CA2408258A1 (en) * 2000-05-05 2001-11-15 Hill Rom Services, Inc. Hospital monitoring and control system and method
GB2362978A (en) 2000-06-02 2001-12-05 Janice Glover Location system
US6519530B2 (en) 2000-08-15 2003-02-11 Ewatchdogs, Inc. Intelligent remote location system
US20020091659A1 (en) * 2000-09-12 2002-07-11 Beaulieu Christopher F. Portable viewing of medical images using handheld computers
US20020039067A1 (en) * 2000-10-03 2002-04-04 Timothy Eubanks Personnel location system
US6738671B2 (en) * 2000-10-26 2004-05-18 Medtronic, Inc. Externally worn transceiver for use with an implantable medical device
AU785280B2 (en) * 2000-11-14 2006-12-21 Extreme Networks, Inc. Methods and apparatus for identifying asset location in communication networks
US6995654B2 (en) * 2000-12-15 2006-02-07 X-Cyte, Inc. Apparatus and method for locating a tagged item
US7046657B2 (en) * 2000-12-20 2006-05-16 Wherenet Corp Wireless local area network system with mobile access point station determination
US6693592B2 (en) * 2000-12-22 2004-02-17 The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. Geographical navigation using multipath wireless navigation signals
US7493565B2 (en) * 2000-12-22 2009-02-17 Microsoft Corporation Environment-interactive context-aware devices and methods
US6892054B2 (en) 2000-12-29 2005-05-10 Wherenet Corp Interference suppression for wireless local area network and location system
US6473038B2 (en) * 2001-01-05 2002-10-29 Motorola, Inc. Method and apparatus for location estimation
US6970097B2 (en) * 2001-05-10 2005-11-29 Ge Medical Systems Information Technologies, Inc. Location system using retransmission of identifying information

Patent Citations (99)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US589229A (en) * 1897-08-31 Covered bake-pan
US4151407A (en) * 1977-04-28 1979-04-24 Texas Instruments Incorporated Low-power, infrared information transmission system
US4225953A (en) * 1978-09-29 1980-09-30 Simon William F Personnel locator
US4275385A (en) * 1979-08-13 1981-06-23 Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated Infrared personnel locator system
US4462022A (en) * 1981-11-12 1984-07-24 A. R. F. Products, Inc. Security system with radio frequency coupled remote sensors
US4495496A (en) * 1981-12-15 1985-01-22 Johnson Engineering Corp. Personnel monitoring and locating system
US4471345A (en) * 1982-03-05 1984-09-11 Sensormatic Electronics Corporation Randomized tag to portal communication system
US4649385A (en) * 1982-08-13 1987-03-10 Teloc R & D Ltd. Electronic locating system for persons receiving telephone calls
US4601064A (en) * 1983-01-13 1986-07-15 Fisher Berkeley Corporation Communication system
US4656463A (en) * 1983-04-21 1987-04-07 Intelli-Tech Corporation LIMIS systems, devices and methods
US4598275A (en) * 1983-05-09 1986-07-01 Marc Industries Incorporated Movement monitor
US4598272A (en) * 1984-08-06 1986-07-01 Cox Randall P Electronic monitoring apparatus
US4654793A (en) * 1984-10-15 1987-03-31 Showdata, Inc. System and method for registering and keeping track of the activities of attendees at a trade show, convention or the like
US5103108A (en) * 1985-10-17 1992-04-07 Crimmins James W Distributed infrared communication system
US4682155A (en) * 1986-01-13 1987-07-21 Central Security Mfg. Corp. Personnel security system
US4952913A (en) * 1986-04-15 1990-08-28 B. I. Incorporated Tag for use with personnel monitoring system
US4814751A (en) * 1987-02-27 1989-03-21 Wildlife Materials, Inc. Patient tracking system
US5027383A (en) * 1987-06-12 1991-06-25 Versus Technology, Inc. Supervised, interactive alarm reporting system
US4868859A (en) * 1987-06-12 1989-09-19 Bt Telecom, Inc. Supervised, interactive alarm reporting system
US5131019A (en) * 1987-12-07 1992-07-14 Versus Technology, Inc. System for interfacing an alarm reporting device with a cellular radio transceiver
US5017794A (en) * 1988-03-17 1991-05-21 United Manufacturing Co., Inc. Apparatus and method for varying the timing of a control signal
US5027314A (en) * 1988-03-17 1991-06-25 United Manufacturing Co., Inc. Apparatus and method for position reporting
US4906853A (en) * 1988-03-17 1990-03-06 United Manufacturing Co., Inc. Apparatus and method for varying the timing of a control signal
US4916444A (en) * 1988-03-25 1990-04-10 King Fred N Method and apparatus for mapping communications media
US4952928A (en) * 1988-08-29 1990-08-28 B. I. Incorporated Adaptable electronic monitoring and identification system
US5014040A (en) * 1988-10-14 1991-05-07 Instantel Inc. Personal locator transmitter
US4924211A (en) * 1988-10-28 1990-05-08 Digital Products Corporation Personnel monitoring system
US5402469A (en) * 1989-02-18 1995-03-28 Olivetti Research Limited Carrier locating system
US4982176A (en) * 1990-01-17 1991-01-01 Frank Schwarz Solar powered lighting and alarm systems activated by motion detection
US5301353A (en) * 1990-02-12 1994-04-05 Motorola, Inc. Communication system and apparatus
US5119104A (en) * 1990-05-04 1992-06-02 Heller Alan C Location system adapted for use in multipath environments
USRE36791E (en) * 1990-05-04 2000-07-25 Precision Tracking Fm, Inc. Location system adapted for use in multipath environments
US5194856A (en) * 1990-06-11 1993-03-16 Ericsson Radio Systems B.V. System for detecting the presence in a rack of a portable unit suitable for transmitting or receiving a signal containing an identification number assigned thereto
US5594786A (en) * 1990-07-27 1997-01-14 Executone Information Systems, Inc. Patient care and communication system
US6259355B1 (en) * 1990-07-27 2001-07-10 Elot, Inc. Patient care and communication system
US5493283A (en) * 1990-09-28 1996-02-20 Olivetti Research Limited Locating and authentication system
US5317309A (en) * 1990-11-06 1994-05-31 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Dual mode electronic identification system
US5228449A (en) * 1991-01-22 1993-07-20 Athanasios G. Christ System and method for detecting out-of-hospital cardiac emergencies and summoning emergency assistance
US5283549A (en) * 1991-05-31 1994-02-01 Intellitech Industries, Inc. Infrared sentry with voiced radio dispatched alarms
US5218344A (en) * 1991-07-31 1993-06-08 Ricketts James G Method and system for monitoring personnel
US5426425A (en) * 1992-10-07 1995-06-20 Wescom, Inc. Intelligent locator system with multiple bits represented in each pulse
US5276496A (en) * 1992-10-30 1994-01-04 Precision Tracking Fm, Inc. Optical receiver for area location system
US5319191A (en) * 1993-03-25 1994-06-07 K & M Electronics, Inc. Ask receiver with signal delay and stretching
US5382948A (en) * 1993-06-03 1995-01-17 Richmond; Henry Vehicular security system with remote signalling for auto carjacking functions
US5387993A (en) * 1993-06-25 1995-02-07 Precision Tracking Fm, Inc. Method for receiving and transmitting optical data and control information to and from remotely located receivers and transmitters in an optical locator system
USRE36530E (en) * 1993-06-25 2000-01-25 Precision Tracking Fm, Inc. Method for receiving and transmitting optical data and control information to and from remotely located receivers and transmitters in an optical locator system
USRE37531E1 (en) * 1993-07-02 2002-01-29 Executone Information Systems, Inc. System for identifying object locations
US5621384A (en) * 1993-07-26 1997-04-15 K And M Electronics, Inc. Infrared communicating device
US5548637A (en) * 1993-09-09 1996-08-20 Precision Tracking Fm, Inc. Method and apparatus for locating personnel and objects in response to telephone inquiries
US5416468A (en) * 1993-10-29 1995-05-16 Motorola, Inc. Two-tiered system and method for remote monitoring
US5440559A (en) * 1993-11-10 1995-08-08 Seiko Communications Holding N.V. Portable wireless communication device
US5544321A (en) * 1993-12-03 1996-08-06 Xerox Corporation System for granting ownership of device by user based on requested level of ownership, present state of the device, and the context of the device
US5603054A (en) * 1993-12-03 1997-02-11 Xerox Corporation Method for triggering selected machine event when the triggering properties of the system are met and the triggering conditions of an identified user are perceived
US5493692A (en) * 1993-12-03 1996-02-20 Xerox Corporation Selective delivery of electronic messages in a multiple computer system based on context and environment of a user
US5611050A (en) * 1993-12-03 1997-03-11 Xerox Corporation Method for selectively performing event on computer controlled device whose location and allowable operation is consistent with the contextual and locational attributes of the event
US5521902A (en) * 1993-12-06 1996-05-28 Hewlett-Packard Company Location identification in a communications signalling network
US5485634A (en) * 1993-12-14 1996-01-16 Xerox Corporation Method and system for the dynamic selection, allocation and arbitration of control between devices within a region
US6175308B1 (en) * 1993-12-16 2001-01-16 Actall Corporation Personal duress security system
US5512879A (en) * 1994-07-25 1996-04-30 Stokes; John H. Apparatus to prevent infant kidnappings and mixups
US6172596B1 (en) * 1994-09-09 2001-01-09 Intermec Ip Corp. System method and apparatus for identifying and communicating with a plurality of types of radio frequency communication devices
US5929848A (en) * 1994-11-02 1999-07-27 Visible Interactive Corporation Interactive personal interpretive device and system for retrieving information about a plurality of objects
US6100806A (en) * 1994-12-30 2000-08-08 Advanced Business Sciences, Inc. Apparatus and method for continuous electronic monitoring and tracking of individuals
US5610589A (en) * 1995-02-09 1997-03-11 Bennie R. Evans Method and apparatus for enforcing hygiene
US6363525B1 (en) * 1995-04-26 2002-03-26 Wink Communications, Inc. Method and apparatus for routing confidential information
US6075433A (en) * 1995-05-29 2000-06-13 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Power supply unit
US5633875A (en) * 1995-06-07 1997-05-27 General Electric Company Protocol and mechanism for centralized asset tracking communications
US6034622A (en) * 1995-08-18 2000-03-07 Robert A. Levine Location monitoring via implanted radio transmitter
US5936542A (en) * 1995-09-11 1999-08-10 Nomadix, Llc Convention ID badge system
US5627517A (en) * 1995-11-01 1997-05-06 Xerox Corporation Decentralized tracking and routing system wherein packages are associated with active tags
US6259404B1 (en) * 1995-12-15 2001-07-10 Signatron Technology Corporation Position location system and method
US5917425A (en) * 1996-01-22 1999-06-29 Wireless Communiations Products, Llc IR/RF locator
US5793630A (en) * 1996-06-14 1998-08-11 Xerox Corporation High precision spatially defined data transfer system
US5774876A (en) * 1996-06-26 1998-06-30 Par Government Systems Corporation Managing assets with active electronic tags
US5903373A (en) * 1996-07-03 1999-05-11 Spectrix Corporation Method and apparatus for locating a transmitter of a diffuse infrared signal within an enclosed area
US6249252B1 (en) * 1996-09-09 2001-06-19 Tracbeam Llc Wireless location using multiple location estimators
US6011487A (en) * 1996-09-17 2000-01-04 Ncr Corporation System and method of locating wireless devices
US6236335B1 (en) * 1996-09-17 2001-05-22 Ncr Corporation System and method of tracking short range transmitters
US5742233A (en) * 1997-01-21 1998-04-21 Hoffman Resources, Llc Personal security and tracking system
US6237051B1 (en) * 1997-07-24 2001-05-22 Data Capture Institute Asset tracking within and across enterprise boundaries
US6085240A (en) * 1997-08-08 2000-07-04 Nec Corporation Agent identification device, agent device with program reception function, and network system
US20010000958A1 (en) * 1997-11-03 2001-05-10 Ulrich Daniel J. Personnel and asset tracking method and apparatus
US6181933B1 (en) * 1997-12-05 2001-01-30 Hyundai Electronics Ind. Co., Ltd. Mobile communication system and controlling method thereof for paging and establishing dynamically paging area
US5936527A (en) * 1998-02-10 1999-08-10 E-Tag Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for locating and tracking documents and other objects
US6222440B1 (en) * 1998-02-23 2001-04-24 Freshloc Technologies, Inc. Location, identification and telemetry system using strobed signals at predetermined intervals
US20010011954A1 (en) * 1998-03-11 2001-08-09 Monty M. Shelton Public area locator system
US6169484B1 (en) * 1998-04-28 2001-01-02 Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. Personal location system
US6040774A (en) * 1998-05-27 2000-03-21 Sarnoff Corporation Locating system and method employing radio frequency tags
US6104295A (en) * 1998-07-20 2000-08-15 Versus Technology, Inc. Electronic band tag and method of storing ID information therein
US6075443A (en) * 1998-07-31 2000-06-13 Sarnoff Corporation Wireless tether
US6700533B1 (en) * 1999-05-06 2004-03-02 Rf Technologies, Inc. Asset and personnel tagging system utilizing GPS
US6211790B1 (en) * 1999-05-19 2001-04-03 Elpas North America, Inc. Infant and parent matching and security system and method of matching infant and parent
US6281811B1 (en) * 1999-06-11 2001-08-28 Anthony S Ranzino Communication and location system for shopping malls, parks, business districts, and the like
US6222484B1 (en) * 1999-06-16 2001-04-24 Ronald L. Seiple Personal emergency location system
US6539393B1 (en) * 1999-09-30 2003-03-25 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Portable locator system
US6906625B1 (en) * 2000-02-24 2005-06-14 Time Domain Corporation System and method for information assimilation and functionality control based on positioning information obtained by impulse radio techniques
US6373389B1 (en) * 2000-04-21 2002-04-16 Usm Systems, Ltd. Event driven information system
US6674368B2 (en) * 2000-08-28 2004-01-06 Continental Divide Robotics, Inc. Automated tracking system
US6424264B1 (en) * 2000-10-12 2002-07-23 Safetzone Technologies Corporation System for real-time location of people in a fixed environment
US20020053980A1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2002-05-09 Nhk Spring Co., Ltd Car-seat-occupant sensing device

Cited By (82)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8258965B2 (en) 2000-05-05 2012-09-04 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. System for monitoring caregivers and equipment at a patient location
US8487774B2 (en) 2000-05-05 2013-07-16 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. System for monitoring caregivers and equipment
US8026821B2 (en) 2000-05-05 2011-09-27 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. System for monitoring caregivers and equipment at a patient location
US8766804B2 (en) 2000-05-05 2014-07-01 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. System for monitoring caregivers and equipment
US9230421B2 (en) 2000-05-05 2016-01-05 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. System for monitoring caregivers and equipment
US9666061B2 (en) 2000-05-05 2017-05-30 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. System for monitoring caregivers and equipment
US7831447B2 (en) 2001-03-30 2010-11-09 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Healthcare computer system
US20020165733A1 (en) * 2001-04-05 2002-11-07 Instrumentarium Corporation Method and system for detecting variances in a tracking environment
US7069444B2 (en) * 2002-01-25 2006-06-27 Brent A. Lowensohn Portable wireless access to computer-based systems
US20040230809A1 (en) * 2002-01-25 2004-11-18 Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, A California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Portable wireless access to computer-based systems
US20040097226A1 (en) * 2002-08-06 2004-05-20 Richard Hull Method and apparatus for providing information about a real-world space
US20040137911A1 (en) * 2002-08-06 2004-07-15 Richard Hull Method and apparatus for providing information about a real-world space
US7096120B2 (en) * 2002-08-06 2006-08-22 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Method and arrangement for guiding a user along a target path
US7398093B2 (en) * 2002-08-06 2008-07-08 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Method and apparatus for providing information about a real-world space
GB2392274B (en) * 2002-08-06 2005-09-14 Hewlett Packard Development Co Method and apparatus for providing information about a real-world space
US20040097242A1 (en) * 2002-08-06 2004-05-20 Richard Hull Method and apparatus for providing information about a real-world space
GB2392274A (en) * 2002-08-06 2004-02-25 Hewlett Packard Development Co Providing information about a real-world space using different types of location marker
US20040030491A1 (en) * 2002-08-06 2004-02-12 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Method and arrangement for guiding a user along a target path
US20040103028A1 (en) * 2002-11-26 2004-05-27 The Advertizing Firm, Inc. Method and system of advertising
US20110205056A9 (en) * 2003-03-24 2011-08-25 Borovoy Richard D Adding social networking to devices
US7688211B2 (en) 2003-03-24 2010-03-30 Ntag Interactive Corporation Apparatus and method for enhancing face-to-face communication
US20090102645A1 (en) * 2003-03-24 2009-04-23 Borovoy Richard D Adding social networking to devices
US20100141398A1 (en) * 2003-03-24 2010-06-10 Ntag Interactive Corporation, A Delaware Corporation Apparatus and method for enhancing face-to-face communication
US20040189476A1 (en) * 2003-03-24 2004-09-30 Borovoy Richard D. Apparatus and method for enhancing face-to-face communication
US7090578B2 (en) 2003-05-01 2006-08-15 Joseph M. Anderson Raffle assembly
US20040254008A1 (en) * 2003-05-01 2004-12-16 Joseph Anderson Raffle assembly
US20050097111A1 (en) * 2003-07-11 2005-05-05 Arka Mukherjee System and method for data integration using multi-dimensional, associative unique identifiers
US7634482B2 (en) * 2003-07-11 2009-12-15 Global Ids Inc. System and method for data integration using multi-dimensional, associative unique identifiers
US7738883B2 (en) 2003-07-31 2010-06-15 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Method and apparatus for providing information about a real-world space
US20050026631A1 (en) * 2003-07-31 2005-02-03 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Method and apparatus for providing information about a real-world space
US20050029432A1 (en) * 2003-08-06 2005-02-10 Bacarella Antonio V. System and method for processing and displaying light energy
US10206837B2 (en) 2003-08-21 2019-02-19 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Hospital bed and room communication modules
US9572737B2 (en) 2003-08-21 2017-02-21 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Hospital bed having communication modules
US9925104B2 (en) 2003-08-21 2018-03-27 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Hospital bed and room communication modules
US9142923B2 (en) 2003-08-21 2015-09-22 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Hospital bed having wireless data and locating capability
US20040243455A1 (en) * 2004-04-28 2004-12-02 Smith Martin P. Apparatus and method for optimizing a selling environment
US8421606B2 (en) 2004-08-02 2013-04-16 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Wireless bed locating system
US20060099093A1 (en) * 2004-11-08 2006-05-11 Schlumberger Oilfield Services Flow control valve and method
US20060100926A1 (en) * 2004-11-11 2006-05-11 International Business Machines Corp. On demand advertising
US20060181424A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2006-08-17 Nortel Networks Limited Use of location awareness to request assistance for a medical event occurring in a healthcare environment
US20080169927A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2008-07-17 Alan Graves Methods and systems for use in the provision of services in an institutional setting such as a healthcare facility
US7676380B2 (en) 2005-02-11 2010-03-09 Nortel Networks Limited Use of location awareness to establish and suspend communications sessions in a healthcare environment
US20060183426A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2006-08-17 Nortel Networks Limited Use of location awareness to control radio frequency interference in a healthcare environment
US20060181243A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2006-08-17 Nortel Networks Limited Use of location awareness to facilitate clinician-charger interaction in a healthcare environment
US7801743B2 (en) * 2005-02-11 2010-09-21 Avaya Inc. Use of location awareness of establish communications with a target clinician in a healthcare environment
US20060185005A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2006-08-17 Nortel Networks Limited Use of location awareness to transfer communications sessions between terminals in a healthcare environment
US8929528B2 (en) 2005-02-11 2015-01-06 Rockstar Consortium Us Lp Method and system for enhancing collaboration
US7966008B2 (en) 2005-02-11 2011-06-21 Avaya Inc. Use of location awareness to control radio frequency interference in a healthcare environment
US20060240771A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2006-10-26 Nortel Networks Limited Use of location awareness ot establish communications with a target clinician in a healthcare environment
US20060184376A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2006-08-17 Nortel Networks Limited Use of location awareness to detect potentially supsicious motion or presence of equipment in a healthcare environment
US7707044B2 (en) 2005-02-11 2010-04-27 Avaya Inc. Use of location awareness to transfer communications sessions between terminals in a healthcare environment
US8050939B2 (en) 2005-02-11 2011-11-01 Avaya Inc. Methods and systems for use in the provision of services in an institutional setting such as a healthcare facility
US20070004389A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2007-01-04 Nortel Networks Limited Method and system for enhancing collaboration
US8180650B2 (en) 2005-02-11 2012-05-15 Avaya Inc. Use of location awareness to request assistance for a medical event occurring in a healthcare environment
US20060236373A1 (en) * 2005-02-11 2006-10-19 Nortel Networks Limited Use of location awareness to establish and suspend communications sessions in a healthcare environment
US20060195354A1 (en) * 2005-02-28 2006-08-31 Ntag Interactive Corporation Method of scoring the performance of attendees at a meeting
US20110035680A1 (en) * 2005-02-28 2011-02-10 Ntag Interactive Corporation, A Delaware Corporation Method of scoring the performance of attendees at a meeting
US20060285685A1 (en) * 2005-06-19 2006-12-21 Temba Msezane DNA Based Identification and Tracking System
WO2007010334A1 (en) * 2005-07-21 2007-01-25 Temba Msezane Dna based identification and tracking system
US20070236334A1 (en) * 2006-03-31 2007-10-11 Borovoy Richard D Enhancing face-to-face communication
US8756078B2 (en) 2007-10-26 2014-06-17 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. System and method for collection and communication of data from multiple patient care devices
US8082160B2 (en) 2007-10-26 2011-12-20 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. System and method for collection and communication of data from multiple patient care devices
US9734293B2 (en) 2007-10-26 2017-08-15 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. System and method for association of patient care devices to a patient
US11031130B2 (en) 2007-10-26 2021-06-08 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Patient support apparatus having data collection and communication capability
US20090319606A1 (en) * 2008-06-18 2009-12-24 Dante Monteverde Methods and systems for expositions and conventions
US8019819B2 (en) 2008-06-18 2011-09-13 Emergency 24, Inc. Methods and systems for expositions and conventions
US20090319182A1 (en) * 2008-06-18 2009-12-24 Dante Monteverde User positioning guidance system, devices, and methods
US20100217618A1 (en) * 2009-02-25 2010-08-26 Piccirillo Charles J Event Detection Based on Location Observations and Status Conditions of Healthcare Resources
US8706540B2 (en) * 2010-12-08 2014-04-22 Motorola Solutions, Inc. Task management in a workforce environment using an acoustic map constructed from aggregated audio
US20120150578A1 (en) * 2010-12-08 2012-06-14 Motorola Solutions, Inc. Task management in a workforce environment using an acoustic map constructed from aggregated audio
US11743680B2 (en) * 2012-12-04 2023-08-29 Ebay Inc. Geofence based on members of a population
US20220217496A1 (en) * 2012-12-04 2022-07-07 Ebay Inc. Geofence Based On Members Of A Population
US9210542B2 (en) * 2013-12-09 2015-12-08 Nec Europe Ltd. Method and computer system for detecting crowds in a location tracking system
US20190012616A1 (en) * 2014-04-25 2019-01-10 Ebay Inc. Integrating event-planning services into a payment system
US10755206B2 (en) * 2014-04-25 2020-08-25 Ebay Inc. Integrating event-planning services into a payment system
US10095987B2 (en) * 2014-04-25 2018-10-09 Ebay Inc. Integrating event-planning services into a payment system
US10878251B2 (en) 2015-11-12 2020-12-29 Signify Holding B.V. Image processing system
US10846610B2 (en) 2016-02-05 2020-11-24 Nec Corporation Scalable system and method for real-time predictions and anomaly detection
US10360787B2 (en) 2016-05-05 2019-07-23 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Discriminating patient care communications system
US11791055B2 (en) 2016-05-05 2023-10-17 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Discriminating patient care communications system
US10916119B2 (en) 2018-12-27 2021-02-09 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. System and method for caregiver availability determination
US20230239169A1 (en) * 2022-01-24 2023-07-27 Zoom Video Communications, Inc. Virtual expo analytics

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20020198986A1 (en) 2002-12-26
US8190730B2 (en) 2012-05-29
EP1370973A2 (en) 2003-12-17
WO2002073828A1 (en) 2002-09-19
EP1370973A4 (en) 2009-11-25
WO2002073359A3 (en) 2003-05-08
CA2439002C (en) 2009-11-24
WO2002073359A2 (en) 2002-09-19
AU2002255695A1 (en) 2002-09-24
JP2005512017A (en) 2005-04-28
EP1370990A2 (en) 2003-12-17
CA2441512C (en) 2010-06-29
JP2005506603A (en) 2005-03-03
JP2004536285A (en) 2004-12-02
EP1368909A1 (en) 2003-12-10
CA2439002A1 (en) 2002-09-19
US20060277202A1 (en) 2006-12-07
WO2002073357A2 (en) 2002-09-19
US20020145534A1 (en) 2002-10-10
EP1368909A4 (en) 2009-11-11
US7099895B2 (en) 2006-08-29
AU2002252294A1 (en) 2002-09-24
CA2439005A1 (en) 2002-09-19
WO2002073357A3 (en) 2003-02-20
CA2441512A1 (en) 2002-09-19

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20020165731A1 (en) System and method for performing object association at a tradeshow using a location tracking system
US11563826B2 (en) Detecting under-utilized features and providing training, instruction, or technical support in an observation platform
US11658906B2 (en) Observation platform query response
US20190207894A1 (en) Observation platform using structured communications with external devices and systems
US10785274B2 (en) Analysis of content distribution using an observation platform
US20240046193A1 (en) Context and contextual history within an observation platform environment
US10304094B2 (en) Observation platform for performing structured communications
US11735060B2 (en) Observation platform for training, monitoring, and mining structured communications
US20050278215A1 (en) Consumer reward system
EP2779059A1 (en) Mediating a communication in an observation platform
WO2003107246A1 (en) Consumer reward system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: SENTINEL WIRELESS, LLC, MASSACHUSETTS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DEMPSEY, MICHAEL K.;REEL/FRAME:013002/0915

Effective date: 20020606

AS Assignment

Owner name: RADIANSE, INC., MASSACHUSETTS

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:SENTINEL WIRELESS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:013826/0630

Effective date: 20030604

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION