Personnel and asset tracking method and apparatus
A method for processing messages in a system for locating and tracking tags within an area is provided. Each tag includes a transmitter configured to transmit a unique identifier periodically. Location messages are received and processed by at least one monitoring system to determine whether a tag has changed location.
1 . In a locating and tracking system, a method for processing location messages, comprising the steps of:
receiving a location message,
determining whether an entry condition has occurred,
starting a timer if an entry condition has occurred, and
generating an exit message if the timer expires after a predetermined time during which no location messages are received.
2 . In a locating and tracking system, a method for processing action messages, comprising the steps of:
receiving an alert signal,
determining whether a first response to the alert signal is available,
initiating the first response if the first response is available,
determining whether a second response to the alert signal is available, and
initiating the second response if the second response is available.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the alert signal is received from a tag.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the first response is maintained by a first computer and the second response is maintained by a second computer.
5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of initiating the second response is performed only if the first response is not initiated.
6 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the first response and the second response are one of an audible, visual, and electronic response.
7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising the step of sending one of the first response and the second response to a pager.
8 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising the step of sending one of the first response and the second response to an audio annunciator.
9 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising the step of sending one of the first response and the second response to a client.
10 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of storing the alert signal at a central server.
11 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of storing the time that the alert signal was received.
12 . A method for processing a location message in a system for locating and tracking objects, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving a location message,
evaluating the location message to determine whether an event has occurred,
determining whether a notification is needed based on the results of the evaluating step, and
notifying a client if necessary based on the results of the determining step.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the evaluating step includes the step of comparing a current location to a prior location.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the evaluating step includes the step of determining whether a rule applies based on the location message.
15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the evaluating step includes the steps of determining whether the location message invokes any rules, and determining whether the location message violates any rules.
16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the notifying step includes the step of determining whether the client is registered to be notified of the event.
17 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the location message includes information relating to an object at a location.
18 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the notifying step includes the step of determining which client to notify of the event.
19 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of verifying that the client wants to be notified of the occurrence of the event prior to notifying the client.
20 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the event includes a change in location of a tag.
21 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the event includes a change in status of a tag.
22 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the event includes a tag being present at a location.
23 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the event includes a tag exiting from a location.
24 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the event includes a tag entering a location.
25 . In a system for locating and tracking objects, a computer program product operable to process a location message, comprising:
means for receiving a location message,
means for evaluating the location message to determine whether an event has occurred, and
means for notifying a client of the occurrence of an event if an event has occurred.
26 . In a locating and tracking system, a method for processing location messages, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving a location update,
storing the location update in a memory,
processing the location update to determine whether a rule applies,
generating a notification pursuant to an applicable rule, and
sending the notification to a client.
27 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the location update includes tag information for a location.
28 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the location update includes location information for a tag.
29 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the rule is associated with a tag.
30 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the rule is associated with a location.
31 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the rule is associated with an asset assigned to a tag.
32 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the rule is associated with a person assigned to a tag.
33 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the rule is defined by a user.
34 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the rule is associated with an event.
35 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the event includes a tag changing location.
36 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the event includes a tag entering a location.
37 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the event includes a tag exiting a location.
38 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the event includes a change in status of a tag.
39 . In a locating and tracking system, a method for processing status updates, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving a status update,
storing the status update in a memory,
processing the status update to determine whether a rule applies,
generating a notification pursuant to an applicable rule, and
sending the notification to a client.
40 . The method of claim 39 , wherein the status update relates to a tag.
41 . The method of claim 39 , wherein the status update relates to a location.
42 . The method of claim 39 , wherein the status update relates to an asset assigned to the tag.
43 . The method of claim 39 , wherein the status update relates to a person assigned to the tag.
44 . The method of claim 39 , wherein the rule is defined by a user.