System for identifying object locations

Abstract

An objection location system for locating and communicating with personnel or objects within a facility. Remote badges are coupled to respective objects or personnel to be located. The badges include transmission means for transmitting identification information associated with their respective objects or personnel. Operational parameters are stored in the badges and are monitored for controlling the operation of the badges. The badge may be in the form of a wristband.

We claim:  
     
       1. A badge for use in an object location and information retrieval system for locating within a facility an object coupled to said badge and obtaining information stored in said badge, said system having a central computer, a plurality of receivers disposed at spaced apart areas within said facility, each of said receivers being capable of receiving signals from said badge and communicating signals including the identification of said badge to said central computer, said badge comprising: 
       a transmitter for transmitting signals including a unique identification signal of said badge;  
       an on/off switch;  
       manual select means for selecting one of a plurality of operating modes;  
       a microcontroller having a processor, associated memory and stored programs, said memory having a database with stored information including a plurality of operational parameters and a plurality of records specific to said object being coupled to said badge, said stored programs being executed by said processor for controlling badge operations including the control of said transmitter depending upon the processing of said parameters;  
       means in said processor for accessing information from said database in said memory and for forwarding said information to said transmitter for transmission to one of said plurality of receivers;  
       a receiver;  
       display means for displaying information received by said receiver, transmitted by said transmitter, and stored in said memory database;  
       an audio interface having a voice circuit and a microphone, said voice circuit having amplification means and digital conversion means for converting digital signals into voice signals and for amplifying said voice signals for playing over a speaker, said microphone having voice digitization means for digitizing voice signals for transmitting said voice signals via said transmitter to one of said plurality of receivers; and  
       a data interface for interfacing with an external processing device for reading data from said memory database or entering data including operational parameter values into said memory database.  
     
     
       2. A badge according to  claim 1  wherein said transmitter transmits infrared signals. 
     
     
       3. A badge according to  claim 1  wherein said plurality of operational parameters include the period of transmission of said signals. 
     
     
       4. A badge according to  claim 1  wherein said plurality of parameters include the duration of transmitter operation. 
     
     
       5. A badge according to  claim 4  wherein said transmitter operation duration is monitored by said microcontroller and upon the expiration of said duration, said microcontroller switches to another mode of operation. 
     
     
       6. A badge according to  claim 5  wherein said another mode of operation include erasing the contents of said database in said memory. 
     
     
       7. A badge according to  claim 5  wherein said another mode of operation include turning off said transmitter. 
     
     
       8. A badge according to  claim 5  wherein said another mode of operation include changing the identification signal of said badge. 
     
     
       9. A badge according to  claim 1  further including a counter for counting the number of transmissions transmitted from said transmitter. 
     
     
       10. A badge according to  claim 1  wherein said identification of said badge is a person's social security number. 
     
     
       11. A badge according to  claim 1  wherein said database in said memory includes medical status information of a person. 
     
     
       12. A badge according to  claim 1  further including a rechargeable battery and means for recharging said battery. 
     
     
       13. A badge according to  claim 1  further including a housing, said housing including a slot for slidingly mating with a personnel card. 
     
     
       14. A badge according to  claim 13  further including a switch for turning off said transmitter when switch is in an open position, said switch is opened upon the removal of said personnel card. 
     
     
       15. A badge according to  claim 13  wherein said personnel card includes stored data including identification data and said badge includes means for accessing said stored data. 
     
     
       16. A badge according to  claim 1 , wherein said receiver receives infrared signals. 
     
     
       17. A badge according to  claim 1  wherein said central computer is coupled to an LAN for coupling to a plurality of processing units for communication with said central computer. 
     
     
       18. A badge according to  claim 1  wherein said central computer is coupled to a PBX for coupling to a plurality of telephones. 
     
     
       19. A badge according to  claim 18  wherein the location information of a badge to be located within said facility is retrievable by dialing the identification of said badge to be located from any of said plurality of telephones coupled to said PBX. 
     
     
       20. A badge according to  claim 1  wherein said data interface includes a bidirectional connection for facilitating communication between said external processing device and said microcontroller. 
     
     
       21. A badge according to  claim 1  wherein said external processing device is a keypad. 
     
     
       22. A bracelet for use in an object location tracking and information retrieval system for locating within a location an object coupled to said bracelet and obtaining information stored in said bracelet, said system having a central computer, a plurality of receivers disposed at spaced apart areas within said location, each of said receivers being capable of receiving signals from said bracelet and transmitting signals including the identification of said bracelet to said central computer, said bracelet having a housing with electronics integrated therein, comprising: 
       a transmitter for transmitting signals including a unique identification signal of said bracelet;  
       a microprocessor having associated memory and stored programs, said memory having a database storage of a plurality of records about said object including the identification of said object, said stored programs being executed by said microprocessor for controlling bracelet operations, said microprocessor further includes means for accessing information from said database in memory and for forwarding said information to said transmitter for transmission to one of said plurality of receivers;  
       a receiver;  
       display means for displaying information received by said receiver, transmitted by said transmitter, and stored in said memory database;  
       an audio interface having a voice circuit and a microphone, said voice circuit having amplification means and digital conversion means for converting digital signals into voice signals and for amplifying said voice signals for playing over a speaker, said microphone having voice digitization means for digitizing voice signals for transmitting said voice signals via said transmitter to one of said plurality of receivers; and  
       wherein said transmitter is preassigned with a duration of operation, said duration of operation is monitored by said microprocessor and upon the expiration of said duration, said microprocessor switches to another mode of operation.  
     
     
       23. A bracelet according to  claim 22 , wherein said integrated electronics is enclosed in the housing removably attached to said bracelet, said housing is less than 0.44 inches in thickness, 2.0 inches in length and 1.25 inches in width. 
     
     
       24. A bracelet according to  claim 23  wherein said housing is waterproof. 
     
     
       25. A bracelet according to  claim 22  wherein said bracelet includes means for receiving signals from an external data entry device and means for storing said received signals into said memory. 
     
     
       26. A bracelet according to  claim 25  wherein said means for receiving signals is capable of receiving infrared signals. 
     
     
       27. A bracelet according to  claim 22 , further including: 
       means for forming a closed circuit when said bracelet is in a closed position; means for detecting an open condition when said bracelet is opened; and means for indicating said open condition when said open condition is detected.  
     
     
       28. A bracelet according to  claim 22  wherein said transmitter transmits infrared signals. 
     
     
       29. A bracelet according to  claim 22  wherein said stored information includes a plurality of operational parameters, said operational parameters being used in conjunction with said stored programs for controlling bracelet operations. 
     
     
       30. A bracelet according to  claim 22  wherein said another mode of operation includes erasing the contents of said database in said memory. 
     
     
       31. A bracelet according to  claim 22  wherein said another mode of operation includes turning off said transmitter. 
     
     
       32. A bracelet according to  claim 22  wherein said another mode of operation includes changing the identification signal of said bracelet. 
     
     
       33. A bracelet according to  claim 22  further including a counter for counting the number of transmissions transmitted from said transmitter. 
     
     
       34. A bracelet according to  claim 22  wherein said identification of said bracelet is a person's social security number. 
     
     
       35. A bracelet according to  claim 22  wherein said database in said memory includes medical status information of a person. 
     
     
       36. A bracelet according to  claim 22  further including a rechargeable battery and means for recharging said battery. 
     
     
       37. A bracelet according to  claim 22  further including a manual select button for selecting one of a plurality of operating modes of said bracelet. 
     
     
       38. An object location tracking and information retrieval system comprising: 
       a plurality of badges coupled to objects to be tracked, each of said badges including: wireless transmission means for transmitting signals including a unique identification signal; processor means having associated memory and stored programs, said memory having a database storage of a plurality of records specific to an object coupled to said badge and a plurality of operational parameters, said stored programs being executed by said processor means for controlling badge operations including the control of said wireless transmission means depending upon the processing of said parameters; means for interfacing with external means for reading and entering data including operational parameter values into said memory database; and means in said processor for accessing information from said database and for forwarding said information to said wireless transmission means;  
       a plurality of receivers disposed at spaced apart areas, each of said receivers including means for receiving said signals including said unique identification signals and said information accessed from said database transmitted from said wireless transmission means of said badges, and processor means for processing said received signals; and  
       central processing means for receiving messages from said plurality of receivers, said messages including said unique identification signals of said badges, and means for tracking the location of each of said plurality of badges each of said badges further includes: an on/off switch; manual select means for selecting one of a plurality of operating modes; a receiver; display means for displaying information received by said receiver, transmitted by said wireless transmission means, and stored in said memory database; and an audio interface having a voice circuit and a microphone, said voice circuit having amplification means and digital conversion means for converting digital signals into voice signals and for amplifying said voice signals for playing over a speaker, said microphone having voice digitization means for digitizing voice signals for transmitting said voice signals via said wireless transmission means to said plurality of receivers.  
     
     
       39. An object location tracking and information retrieval system according to  claim 38 , wherein said central processing means includes private branch exchange means for communicating with a plurality of telephones. 
     
     
       40. An object location tracking and information retrieval system according to  claim 39 , wherein said central processing means is coupled to a local area network for coupling to a plurality of processing units. 
     
     
       41. A badge according to  claim 38  wherein said plurality of records within said database includes medical information. 
     
     
       42. A device for use in a object location tracking and information retrieval system for locating within a location an object coupled to the device and obtaining information relating to the object, comprising: 
       
         a housing having means for coupling to the object;  
       
       
         a transmitter disposed within the housing for repeatedly and intermittently transmitting a first coded signal including a unique identification signal of the device;  
       
       
         an on/off switch;  
       
       
         manual select means for selecting one of a plurality of operation modes;  
       
       
         a microcontroller having a processor, a memory, and at least one program stored in the memory, the memory including a database of operational parameters and records specific to the object to which the device is coupled, the processor controlling the execution of the at least one program and the transmitter in response to processing of the operational parameters, the processor being capable of accessing the database to provide information to the transmitter for transmitting the information;  
       
       
         a receiver disposed within the housing for receiving a second coded signal transmitted by a central base station of the system and having a string of data encoding information, the receiver including means for indicating receipt of the second coded signal;  
       
       
         display means for displaying information received by said receiver, transmitted by said transmitter, and stored in said memory database; and  
       
       
         an audio interface having a voice circuit and a microphone, said voice circuit having amplification means and digital conversion means for converting digital signals into voice signals and for amplifying said voice signals for playing over a speaker, said microphone having voice digitization means for digitizing voice signals for transmitting said voice signals via said transmitter to said receiver;  
       
       
         wherein said transmitter is preassigned with a duration of operation, said duration of operation is monitored by said microprocessor and upon the expiration of said duration, said microprocessor switches to another mode of operation;  
       
       
         wherein the microcontroller analyzes the string of data to determine if the device is an intended recipient of the second coded signal. 
       
     
     
       43. A device for use in an object location tracking and information retrieval system according to  claim 42 , further comprising a data interface port for inputting data to the database or outputting data from the database. 
     
     
       44. A device for use in an object location tracking and information retrieval system according to  claim 43 , wherein the data to be input and output to and from the database includes operational parameters of the device and the system. 
     
     
       45. A device for use in an object location tracking and information retrieval system according to  claim 42 , further comprising a manual select switch for selecting one of a plurality of operating modes. 
     
     
       46. A device for use in an object location tracking and information retrieval system according to  claim 42 , wherein the first and second coded signals are infrared transmissions. 
     
     
       47. A device for use in an object location tracking and information retrieval system according to  claim 42 , wherein the device is powered by a battery disposed within the housing. 
     
     
       48. A device for use in an object location tracking and information retrieval system according to  claim 47 , wherein the first coded signal transmitted by the transmitter includes information stored in the database as requested by the central base station, including operational parameters of the device. 
     
     
       49. A device for use in an object location tracking and information retrieval system according to  claim 48 , wherein the operational parameters includes an indication of battery lifetime of the battery of the device. 
     
     
       50. A device for use in an object location tracking and information retrieval system according to  claim 42 , wherein the housing is waterproof. 
     
     
       51. A device for use in an object location tracking and information retrieval system for locating within a location an object coupled to the device and obtaining information relating to the object, comprising: 
       
         a badge device for coupling to an object to be tracked, the badge device having a housing;  
       
       
         an on/off switch;  
       
       
         manual select means for selecting one of a plurality of operating modes;  
       
       
         a signal receiver in the housing for receiving a first, coded signal;  
       
       
         a processor means in the housing in communication with the signal receiver and being responsive to the first, coded signal for generating a second signal;  
       
       
         a transmitter in the housing in communication with the processor means and being responsive to the second signal for repeatedly and intermittently transmitting a third, coded signal, wherein said transmitter is preassigned with a duration of operation, said duration of operation is monitored by said processor means and upon the expiration of said duration, said processor means switches to another mode of operation;  
       
       
         an external programming device including means for transmitting the first, coded signal to the signal receiver, the first, coded signal having the operational parameters of the badge device encoded therein for storing within a database memory of the device;  
       
       
         means in said processor for accessing information from said database memory and for forwarding said information to said transmitter for transmission, wherein said information includes a plurality of records specific to said object being coupled to said badge device;  
       
       
         display means for displaying information received by said signal receiver, transmitted by said transmitter, and stored in said database memory; and  
       
       
         an audio interface having a voice circuit and a microphone, said voice circuit having amplification means and digital conversion means for converting digital signals into voice signals and for amplifying said voice signals for playing over a speaker, said microphone having voice digitization means for digitizing voice signals for transmitting said voice signals via said transmitter to said signal receiver. 
       
     
     
       52. The device of  claim 51 , wherein the first, coded signal further includes data pertinent to the object to which the badge is coupled. 
     
     
       53. The device of  claim 51 , wherein the programming device transmits the first, coded signal as an infrared signal. 
     
     
       54. The device of  claim 53 , wherein the programming device transmits the first, coded signal via a light source, the badge device including a light sensitive LED for entry of data. 
     
     
       55. The device of  claim 51 , wherein the device is powered by a battery in the housing of the badge. 
     
     
       56. The device of  claim 51 , wherein the housing of the badge device is waterproof. 
     
     
       57. A method of automatically locating a person or object in a location in response to a telephone inquiry from a telephone connected to a telephone system, comprising the steps of: 
       
         continuously controlling via control signals operation of a plurality of transmitters attached to a plurality of persons or objects to be monitored to repeatedly and intermittently transmit signals encoded with identification data unique to each of the plurality of persons or objects to be monitored, each of the plurality of transmitters being connected to a corresponding microcontroller providing the control signals and having an on/off switch and a manual select means for selecting one of a plurality of operating modes;  
       
       
         accessing information from a database memory of said corresponding microcontroller and forwarding said information to one of the plurality of transmitters for transmission, wherein said information includes a plurality of records specific to said each of the plurality of objects being coupled to each of the plurality of corresponding transmitters;  
       
       
         preassigning each of said plurality of transmitters with a duration of operation, said duration of operation being monitored by said corresponding microcontroller and upon the expiration of said duration, said corresponding microcontroller switches to another mode of operation;  
       
       
         tracking, based on signals received from transmitters, the locations of the persons or objects within at least a define area using a network of receivers positioned throughout the defined area;  
       
       
         storing current location data in a database;  
       
       
         retrieving requested location data of a person or object in response to the inquiry;  
       
       
         providing said requested location data over the telephone system to the telephone connected to the telephone system;  
       
       
         displaying information received by said network of receivers, transmitted by said plurality of transmitters, and stored in said database;  
       
       
         converting digital signals into voice signals and amplifying said voice signals for playing over a speaker; and  
       
       
         digitizing said voice signals for transmitting said voice signals via at least one transmitter of said plurality of transmitters to at least one receiver of said network of receivers. 
       
     
     
       58. The method of  claim 57 , wherein said step of tracking is accomplished using an infrared signal network. 
     
     
       59. The method of  claim 57 , further comprising the steps of: 
       
         selecting the identity of a telephone according to a predetermined protocol based upon the retrieved requested location data; and  
       
       
         connecting the telephone connected to the telephone system automatically to said selected telephone. 
       
     
     
       60. A system for automatically locating a person or object in response to a telephone inquiry by a user over a telephone system, comprising: 
       
         at least one transmitter attached to a person or object whose movement is to be monitored at least within a defined area, said at least one transmitter operable to repeatedly and intermittently transmit a signal including unique identification information associated with said person or object, said at least one transmitter connected to a microcontroller having means for accessing information from at least one database memory and for forwarding said information to said at least one transmitter for transmission, said microcontroller having an on/off switch and manual select means for selecting one of a plurality of operating modes;  
       
       
         a plurality of receivers operable to receive said transmitted signal, each receiver of said plurality of receivers positioned at a respective predetermined location within said defined area;  
       
       
         wherein said microcontroller is operable to store said received identification information including a plurality of records specific to said object being coupled to said at least one transmitter and respective location data of each of said receivers within the at least one database memory and further being operable to update the location data stored with the at least one database memory in response to the movement of said person or object;  
       
       
         display means for displaying information received by at least one of said plurality of receivers, transmitted by said at least one transmitter, and stored within said at least one database memory;  
       
       
         an audio interface having a voice circuit and a microphone, said voice circuit having amplification means and digital conversion means for converting digital signals into voice signals and for amplifying said voice signals for playing over a speaker, said microphone having voice digitization means for digitizing voice signals for transmitting said voice signals via said at least one transmitter to said at least one of said plurality of receivers; and  
       
       
         means to provide a message over the telephone system to the user wherein the message content gives the location of said person or object from a plurality of locations in response to a determination of said updated location, wherein said at least one transmitter is preassigned with a duration of operation, said duration of operation is monitored by said microcontroller and upon the expiration of said duration, said microcontroller switches to another mode of operation. 
       
     
     
       61. The system of  claim 60 , wherein said at least one transmitter comprises an infrared transmitter.