System and method for monitoring and managing an environment
A network for monitoring and managing the occurrence of specified events in an environment requires a plurality of beacons. Specifically, the beacons are positioned at predetermined locations in the environment to emit respectively unique signals. Tags, with each tag having a distinctive identifier, are separately responsive to each beacon signal to generate a data record that is indicative of an interaction between the tag and a beacon signal. The data record is then transferred to a network control center for use in monitoring and managing the occurrence of specified events in the environment.
1 . A network for monitoring and managing the occurrence of specified events in an environment which comprises:
a system integrator;
at least one beacon positioned at a predetermined location in the environment, wherein the particular beacon emits a unique signal;
a tag having a distinctive identifier, wherein the tag is separately responsive to the unique signal of the beacon to generate a data record whenever the tag interacts with the unique signal of a particular beacon;
a means for transmitting the data record to the system integrator; and
a means incorporated into the system integrator for transferring the data record to a network control center for use in monitoring and managing the occurrence of specified events in the environment.
2 . A network as recited in claim 1 wherein each beacon emits its unique signal into a respective space, and the data record is generated when the tag with distinctive identifier enters the unique space of a particular beacon.
3 . A network as recited in claim 2 wherein there is a plurality of tags, and at least one tag is mounted on an object for movement through the environment.
4 . A network as recited in claim 3 wherein the object is a shopping cart having a wheel, and further wherein the data record initiates a response signal for locking the wheel of the shopping cart.
5 . A network as recited in claim 1 wherein the distinctive identifier of the tag is programmable.
6 . A network as recited in claim 1 wherein the unique signal of each beacon is programmable.
7 . A network as recited in claim 1 further comprising a web protocol incorporated in the system integrator for transferring the data record to the network control center via a connection over the Internet.
8 . A network as recited in claim 1 further comprising a means at the network control center for creating a report based on data records received by the network control center.
9 . A network as recited in claim 8 wherein the report is used for an inventory control purpose.
10 . A network for monitoring and managing the occurrence of specified events in an environment which comprises:
a means for generating a plurality of unique signals, wherein each unique signal is emitted into a predetermined portion of the environment;
a means for separately interacting with each unique signal to generate a respective data record indicative of the occurrence of a specified event; and
a means for receiving the data records as they are generated in real time for use in monitoring and managing the occurrence of specified events in the environment.
11 . A network as recited in claim 10 wherein the generating means is a plurality of beacons positioned at predetermined locations in the environment.
12 . A network as recited in claim 11 wherein the interacting means is a plurality of tags, with each tag having a distinctive identifier.
13 . A network as recited in claim 12 wherein the receiving means is a network control center.
14 . A network as recited in claim 13 further comprising a system integrator having a web protocol for transferring the data records to the network control center via a connection over the Internet.
15 . A network as recited in claim 12 wherein each beacon emits its unique signal into a respective space, and the data record is generated when the tag with distinctive identifier enters the unique space of a particular beacon.
16 . A network as recited in claim 15 wherein the data record includes information about the time duration the tag remains in the unique space of a particular beacon.
17 . A method for monitoring and managing the occurrence of specified events in an environment which comprises the steps of:
positioning at least one beacon at a predetermined location in the environment, wherein each particular beacon emits a unique signal;
providing at least one tag, wherein each tag has a distinctive identifier, and wherein each tag is separately responsive to the unique signal of each beacon to generate a data record whenever the tag interacts with the unique signal of a particular beacon; and
transmitting the data record to the system integrator for subsequent use in monitoring and managing the occurrence of specified events in the environment.
18 . A method as recited in claim 17 further comprising the steps of:
programming the unique signal for each beacon; and
programming the distinctive identifier for each tag.
19 . A method as recited in claim 18 wherein the transmitting step includes incorporating a web protocol in the system integrator for transferring the data record to the network control center via a connection over the Internet.
20 . A method as recited in claim 19 further comprising the step of creating a report based on data records received by the network control center.