System and method for locating objects

Abstract

A tag, and a method of operation of a tag, for directing a person toward a target asset that is located in a zone within a facility. The tag presents to the person a description of the target asset and directions for reaching the zone, seeks beacon signals from a beacon attached to the target asset, and produces homing directions for approaching the target asset.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operation of a tag of a person for directing the person toward target assets, the method comprising:
 receiving a target asset identifier and a zone associated with the target asset;   presenting to the person a description of the target asset;   presenting to the person directions for reaching the zone;   seeking beacon signals that match a beacon identifier of a beacon attached to the target asset; and   upon detecting a beacon signal that matches the beacon identifier: producing a series of human-comprehensible homing directions for approaching the target asset.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the directions for reaching the zone include at least one of a name of the zone or instructions for reaching the zone. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said presenting directions includes at least one of: displaying text instructions, displaying graphical guidance, or playing audio instructions. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said producing a series of homing directions includes at least one of: displaying a textual representation of a current strength of the detected beacon signal, displaying a textual guidance regarding the direction of the beacon, displaying a graphical representation of a current strength of the detected beacon signal, displaying a graphical guidance regarding the direction of the beacon, playing an audio signal that is indicative of the current strength of the detected beacon signal, or playing an audio guidance regarding the direction of the beacon. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the person is a staff member designated to relocate the target asset, the method further comprising:
 receiving a relocation assignment identifying a target location for the target asset;   detecting short-range beacon signals transmitted by a beacon of the target asset;   learning from the beacon signals that the staff tag and the beacon have reached close proximity;   measuring the duration of the close proximity;   checking whether the staff tag has moved while the close proximity has been maintained; and   based on the results of the measuring and the checking: locating the target asset at the target location.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein at least said locating the target asset is performed by a recipient device to which the tag reports. 
     
     
         7 . A tag for directing a person toward target assets, the tag comprising:
 a short-range signal receiver;   a network communication device;   a user interface; and   a processor controlling the short-range signal receiver, the network communication device and the user interface, the processor is programmed to:
 receive via the network communication device a target asset identifier and a zone associated with the target asset, 
 present to the person via the user interface a description of the target asset, 
 present to the person via the user interface directions for reaching the zone, 
 seek via the short-range signal receiver beacon signals that match a beacon identifier of a beacon attached to the target asset, and 
 upon detecting a beacon signal that matches the beacon identifier: produce via the user interface a series of human-comprehensible homing directions for approaching the target asset. 
   
     
     
         8 . The tag of  claim 7 , wherein the directions for reaching the zone include at least one of a name of the zone or instructions for reaching the zone. 
     
     
         9 . The tag of  claim 7 , wherein said present directions includes at least one of: display text instructions, display graphical guidance, or play audio instructions. 
     
     
         10 . The tag of  claim 7 , wherein said produce a series of homing directions includes at least one of: display a textual representation of a current strength of the detected beacon signal, display a textual guidance regarding the direction of the beacon, display a graphical representation of a current strength of the detected beacon signal, display a graphical guidance regarding the direction of the beacon, play an audio signal that is indicative of the current strength of the detected beacon signal, or play an audio guidance regarding the direction of the beacon. 
     
     
         11 . The tag of  claim 7 , wherein the person is a staff member designated to relocate the target asset, the processor is further programmed to:
 receive via the network communication device a relocation assignment identifying a target location for the target asset;   detect via the short-range signal receiver short-range beacon signals transmitted by a beacon of the target asset;   learn from the beacon signals that the staff tag and the beacon have reached close proximity;   measure the duration of the close proximity;   check whether the staff tag has moved while the close proximity has been maintained; and   based on the results of the measuring and the checking: locate the target asset at the target location.