IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,004,413
Granted Patent B2
US 8,004,413 · App. 12/719,351 · Granted Aug 23, 2011

Networked RF tag for tracking people by means of loyalty cards

Assignee: Visible Assets, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,004,413
App. No.
12/719,351
Granted
Aug 23, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and associated tag for detecting and tracking people makes use of a low radio frequency detection tag. Each tag comprises an antenna operate at a at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, a transceiver connected to the tag's antenna operable to transmit and receive data signals at low radio frequency, a data storage for storing the tag identification data, a data processor operable to process data received from the transceiver and the data storage device and causes the transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon the stored identification data, and an energy source to supply power for the operation of the tag's transceiver and data processor. The tag also includes a display operable to display data relating to the tag and to a person carrying said tag. A field antenna is used with a reader, a transmitter and a central data processor to provide communication between the tags and the central data processor.

Claims (31)

1. A system for detection and tracking of animate objects, namely people, said system comprising:

a) a low radio frequency tag carried by each of the people, said tag comprising a tag antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag, a programmed data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device, and an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor;

b) at least one field antenna disposed at an orientation and within a distance from each person that permits effective communication therewith at said low radio frequency;

c) a reader in operative communication with said field antenna, said reader being operable to receive data signals from said low frequency tags;

d) a transmitter in operative communication with said field antenna, said transmitter being operable to send data signals to said low frequency tags; and

e) a central data processor (e.g. server) in operative communication with said reader and transmitter,

said programmed data processor of said tag being operable to compare a transmitted ID code with a stored ID code and, in the event of a match, to respond to said transmitted ID code, and

said programmed data processor of said tag being operable to compare a transmitted ID code from a server to a plurality of ID codes stored in said data storage device of said tag and, in the event of a match, to respond to said transmitted ID code.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1 that can transmit a signal when a condition related to a sensor meets a preselected value.

3. A system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the data storage device is programmable to store said plurality of ID codes.

4. A system for detection and tracking of animate objects, namely people, said system comprising:

a) a low radio frequency tag carried by each of the people, said tag comprising a tag antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag, a programmed data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device, and an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor;

b) at least one field antenna disposed at an orientation and within a distance from each person that permits effective communication therewith at said low radio frequency;

c) a reader in operative communication with said field antenna, said reader being operable to receive data signals from said low frequency tags;

d) a transmitter in operative communication with said field antenna, said transmitter being operable to send data signals to said low frequency tags; and

e) a central data processor (e.g. server) in operative communication with said reader and transmitter,

said programmed data processor of said tag being operable to compare a transmitted ID code with a stored ID code and, in the event of a match, to respond to said transmitted ID code,

wherein each stored ID code is programmable to enable erasure thereof and thereafter programming of other ID codes in said data storage device.

5. A system as set forth in claim 2 , said sensor further comprising a GPS detector.

6. A detection tag for detection and tracking of animate and inanimate objects, said detection tag comprising:

a) an antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz;

b) a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said low radio frequency;

c) a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said detection tag;

d) a data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device; and

e) an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor, said data processor of said tag being operable to compare a transmitted ID code with a stored ID code and, in the event of a match, to respond to said transmitted ID code,

said programmed data processor of said tag being operable to compare a transmitted ID code from a server to a plurality of ID codes stored in said data storage device of said tag and, in the event of a match, to respond to said transmitted ID code.

7. A detection tag as set forth in claim 6 , and further comprising key buttons operable for manual entry of data.

8. A detection tag as set forth in claim 6 , said transceiver being normally ON to receive data signals.

9. A detection tag as set forth in claim 6 , and further comprising a display (e.g. LCD) operable to display data relating to said tag and a person carrying said tag.

10. A detection tag as set forth in claim 6 that can transmit a signal when a condition related to a sensor meets a threshold value.

11. A detection tag as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the data storage device is programmable to store said plurality of ID codes.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 20, 2011
From: WATERHOUSE, PAUL; VERGE, CHRISTOPHER W.; STEVENS, JOHN K.; TRUONG, KENNETH; AUGUST, M. JASON
To: VISIBLE ASSETS, INC.
Reel/Frame 026475/0817 →
Continuity (12)
Continuation 11677037 · Feb 20, 2007
Continuation In Part 11461443 · Jul 31, 2006
Continuation In Part 11276216 · Feb 17, 2006
Continuation 10820366 · Apr 8, 2004
Continuation In Part 11423509 · Jun 12, 2006
Provisional Application 60461562 · Apr 9, 2003
Provisional Application 60595156 · Jun 10, 2005
Provisional Application 60707218 · Aug 10, 2005
Provisional Application 60725334 · Oct 2, 2005
Provisional Application 60596527 · Oct 3, 2005
Provisional Application 60744524 · Apr 10, 2006
Related Publication 20100253510A1 · Oct 7, 2010