Real-Time Location System Using Tag Interrogator and Embedded or Fixed Tag Transmitters

Abstract

A system tracks vehicles within a terminal and includes at least one tag interrogator mounted on a vehicle to be identified and tracked within the terminal. The tag interrogator is operative for emitting a signal containing data identifying the vehicle to which the tag interrogator is mounted. At least one tag transmitter is fixed at a known location within the terminal where vehicles are to be identified and receptive to a tag interrogator on the vehicle when the vehicle passes within proximity to the fixed tag transmitter for transmitting a wireless RF signal having data identifying the tag transmitter and identifying the tag interrogator as an identifier for the vehicle to which the tag interrogator is mounted. At least one access point is positioned at the terminal for receiving the RF signal from the tag transmitter for subsequent processing to verify vehicle identity at the known location.

1 . A system for tracking vehicles within a terminal, comprising
 at least one tag interrogator mounted on a vehicle to be identified and tracked within the terminal and operative for emitting a signal containing data identifying the vehicle to which the tag interrogator is mounted;   at least one tag transmitter fixed at a known location within the terminal where vehicles are to be identified and receptive to a tag interrogator on a vehicle when the vehicle passes within proximity to the fixed tag transmitter for transmitting a wireless RF signal having data identifying the tag transmitter and identifying the tag interrogator as an identifier for the vehicle to which the tag interrogator is mounted; and   at least one access point positioned at the terminal for receiving the RF signal from the tag transmitter for subsequent processing to verify vehicle identity at the known location.