Tracking, presence verification and locating features as part of a security system
View Patent ↗Tracking, presence verification, and locating features are incorporated into a security system that includes a user interface device with a display, keypad and associated transceiver. Wireless RF electronic tags are attached to different objects, e.g., an inanimate object, or a living being such as a child or pet. To verify the presence of an object associated with a tag, the user instructs the user interface device to transmit a wireless signal to the tag. The tag responds, when within range, by returning a wireless signal. In another aspect, a person is detected such as at the entry to a home, and a low-power transmitter at the entry sends a signal to the electronic tag. The electronic tag responds by transmitting data to the security system to cause it to take a desired action. The presence of a person, such as a child, in an unauthorized area can trigger an alarm.
1. A system with a presence and location verification feature, comprising:
a user interface device for receiving a command from a user to verify the presence of an object;
a plurality of detectors for detecting the presence and location of the object, each of the plurality of detectors being associated with a transmitter;
an electronic tag associated with the object, the electronic tag comprising:
a receiver for receiving location information from one of the transmitters associated with one of the plurality of detectors;
a transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal encoded with an identifier of the electronic tag and the received location information indicating the location of the object;
a transceiver configured to transmit a wireless signal encoded with the identifier of the electronic tag associated with the object and receive the wireless signal from the electronic tag associated with the object;
a control in communication with the user interface device and the transceiver, the control responsive to the command for controlling the transceiver to transmit the wireless signal encoded with the identifier of the electronic tag associated with the object;
wherein the electronic tag transmits the wireless signal to the transceiver in response to receiving the wireless signal from the transceiver; and
wherein the control is responsive to the wireless signal received by the transceiver for informing the user, via the user interface device, that the presence and location of the object is verified.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the command designates a schedule for transmitting the wireless signal encoded with the identifier at different times.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the user interface device enables the user to select the object whose presence is to be verified from among a plurality of objects for which respective electronic tags are associated.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the control controls at least one component in a security system.
5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a memory for storing the identifier for the electronic tag responsive to inputs provided by the user via the user interface device.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the object comprises one of an inanimate object and a living being.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
wherein the control is responsive to a lack of receipt of the wireless signal by the receiver for informing the user, via the user interface device, that the presence of the object is not verified.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
at least one of the transmitter and the receiver is configured by a hardware setting.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
at least one of the transmitter and the receiver is configured by a user setting.
10. An electronic tag for use with a presence and location verification feature, comprising:
a memory for storing an identifier;
a receiver for receiving a wireless signal encoded with an identifier, and another wireless signal from one of a plurality of detectors, the another wireless signal comprising information indicating a location of the electronic tag;
a control for comparing the stored identifier to the received identifier; and
a transmitter responsive to the control for transmitting a wireless signal for verifying a presence and location of the electronic tag when the stored identifier matches the received identifier, the wireless signal for verifying a presence and location comprising the stored identifier and the information indicating the location of the electronic tag.
11. A detection apparatus, comprising:
a detector at a specified location for detecting the presence of a living being within a specified range;
a transmitter at the specified location; and
a control responsive to the detector for controlling the transmitter to transmit a wireless signal with a specified energy based on the specified range, the wireless signal comprising information indicating the specified location;
wherein the wireless signal from the transmitter, when received by an electronic tag within the specified range, causes the electronic tag to transmit a wireless signal with data to a security system, the data comprising an identifier of the electronic tag and the information indicating the specified location.
12. The detection apparatus of claim 11 , wherein:
the data transmitted by the electronic tag causes the security system to take a specified action.
13. The detection apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
a memory that is pre-programmed with data for setting the specified energy.
14. The detection apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
at least one of the transmitter and the detector is configured by a remote user setting.
15. The detection apparatus of claim 11 , wherein:
at least one of the transmitter and the detector is configured by a hardware setting.
16. An electronic tag, comprising:
a memory for storing an identifier;
a receiver for receiving a first wireless signal from a security system and a second wireless signal from one of a plurality of detectors;
a transmitter for transmitting a third wireless signal; and
a control responsive to receipt of the first wireless signal by the receiver for controlling the transmitter to transmit the third wireless signal to the security system;
wherein the third wireless signal is encoded with the identifier and the location of the electronic tag and other data for use by the security system.
17. The electronic tag of claim 16 , wherein:
the other data in the third wireless signal causes the security system to take a specified action.
18. The electronic tag of claim 16 , wherein:
at least one of the transmitter and the receiver is configured by a remote user setting.
19. The electronic tag of claim 16 , wherein:
the other data is configured by a hardware setting.
20. The electronic tag of claim 16 , wherein:
the other data is configured by a remote user setting.
21. The electronic tag of claim 16 , wherein:
at least one of the transmitter and the receiver is configured by a hardware setting.
22. A method for controlling a security system, comprising:
detecting the presence of a living being within a specified range of a detector at a specified location;
responsive to the detecting, controlling a transmitter at the specified location to transmit a wireless signal having a specified energy based on the specified range, the wireless signal comprising information indicating the specified location;
receiving the wireless signal at an electronic tag when the electronic tag is within the specified range; and
responsive to the receiving, transmitting a wireless signal, which includes data for use by the security system, from the electronic tag to the security system, the data comprising an identifier of the electronic tag and information indicating the specified location.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein:
the data is relayed from the received wireless signal.
24. The method of claim 22 , wherein:
the data causes the security system to take a specified action.
25. The method of claim 22 , wherein:
the data is configured by a remote user setting.
26. The method of claim 22 , wherein:
the data is configured by a hardware setting.
27. The method of claim 22 , wherein:
the transmitted wireless signal from the electronic tag includes an identifier associated with the electronic tag; and
the security system uses the identifier in determining how to process the data.