Tracking passengers on cruise ships
View Patent ↗A system for tracking the locations of passengers on a vessel includes a portable tag configured to be assigned to a passenger, the tag encoded with a tag identifier. The system further includes a plurality of tag readers configured to be positioned at predetermined locations on a vessel, each tag reader configured to read the tag identifier of the tag when the tag reader receives a signal from the tag. A tracking component is configured to communicate with the tag readers, the tracking component configured to receive, from a detecting tag reader, an indication that the signal has been received from the tag, the tracking component configured to determine a detected location of the tag based at least in part on the predetermined location of the detecting tag reader. A notification component is configured to send towards a user device, a notification including the detected location, and a tag reader in the plurality of tag readers is configured with a first and second operating mode, the first operating mode is used when the vessel is at least a predetermined distance from land, and the second operating mode is used when the vessel is less than the predetermined distance from land.
1. A system for tracking the locations of passengers on a vessel comprising:
a portable tag configured to be assigned to a passenger, the tag encoded with a tag identifier;
a plurality of tag readers configured to be positioned at predetermined locations on a vessel, each tag reader configured to read the tag identifier of the tag when the tag reader receives a signal from the tag;
a tracking component configured to communicate with the tag readers, the tracking component configured to receive, from a detecting tag reader, an indication that the signal has been received from the tag, the tracking component configured to determine a detected location of the tag based at least in part on the predetermined location of the detecting tag reader;
a notification component configured to send towards a user device, a notification including the detected location;
a tag reader in the plurality of tag readers is configured with a first and second operating mode;
the first operating mode is used when the vessel is at least a predetermined distance from land; and
the second operating mode is used when the vessel is less than the predetermined distance from land.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein:
the tracking component is further configured to determine the detected location based on the detecting tag reader's power.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein:
the tracking component is further configured to determine the detected location based on a detected signal strength.
4. The system of claim 2 wherein:
the tracking component is further configured to determine the detected location based on a physical property of the vessel in an area near the detecting tag reader.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the notification identities one of a room and a location on a deck.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the user device is a wireless device.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the notification is a text message.
8. The system of claim 6 wherein:
the user device is configured to display the detected location on a map of the vessel.
9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a user kiosk configured to communicate with the tracking system, the user kiosk configured to display the detected location, responsive to a user request.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein:
the kiosk is further configured to display a map of the vessel; and
the kiosk is further configured to display the detected location on the map.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the indication includes one of a time, a direction, a signal strength and rate of change.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tag reader is configured to operate at a first power level in the first operating mode and the tag reader is configured to operate at a second power level in the second operating mode.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tag includes one of a wrist band, a watch a room key, a beach tag, a smart card, and a wallet card.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tag is an RFID tag.
15. The system of claim 1 wherein:
the tag is configured to operate on a plurality of frequencies;
a first tag reader in the plurality of tag readers is configured to operate on a first frequency; and
a second tag reader in the plurality of tag readers is configured to operate on a second frequency.
16. The system of claim 1 wherein:
the tag is configured to operate on a plurality of frequencies;
a first of at least three tag readers in the plurality of tag readers is configured to operate on a first frequency;
a second of the at least three tag readers in the plurality of tag readers is configured to operate on a second frequency; and
a third of the at least three tag readers in the plurality of tag readers is configured to operate on a third frequency.
17. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a customizable display located on the vessel configured to display a customized message based on the detected location.
18. A method for tracking the locations of passengers on a vessel, comprising:
assigning a portable tag to a passenger, the tag encoded with a tag identifier;
positioning a plurality of tag readers at predetermined locations on a vessel, each tag reader configured to read the tag identifier of the tag when the tag reader receives a signal from the tag;
detecting the tag with a first tag reader in the plurality of tag readers;
identifying a detected location of the tag, responsive to detecting the tag with the first tag reader;
reporting the detected location of the tag to a user;
wherein at least one of the plurality of tag readers is configured with a first and second operating mode, the first operating mode enabled when the vessel is at least a predetermined distance from land; and
the second operating mode enabled when the vessel is less than the predetermined distance from land.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein:
reporting the detected location further comprises sending a text message towards one of a mobile telephone, a Personal Communication Device and a computer.
20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising:
charging a per message fee to the user.
21. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
receiving a notification rule;
wherein reporting the detected location of the tag is performed according to the notification rule.
22. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
receiving a group definition including a plurality of users; and
reporting the detected location of the tag to each user in the plurality of users.
23. The method of claim 18 , wherein:
the first operating mode is automatically enabled responsive to receiving a first Global Positioning System signal; and
the second operating mode is automatically enabled responsive to receiving a second Global Positioning System signal.
24. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
allocating vessel staff based on the detected location.
25. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
displaying a customized message based on the detected location.
26. A method for tracking the locations of passengers on a vessel, comprising:
assigning a portable tag to a passenger, the tag encoded with a tag identifier;
positioning a plurality of tag readers at predetermined locations on a vessel, each tag reader configured to read the tag identifier of the tag when the tag reader receives a signal from the tag;
detecting the tag with a first tag reader in the plurality of tag readers;
identifying a detected location of the tag, responsive to detecting the tag with the first tag reader;
reporting the detected location of the tag to a user;
reporting the detected location further comprises sending a text message towards one of a mobile telephone, a Personal Communication Device and a computer; and
charging a per message fee to the user.
27. The method of claim 26 , further comprising:
receiving a group definition including a plurality of users; and
reporting the detected location of the tag to each user in the plurality of users.