Granted Patent B2

US 8,823,517 · App. 13/947,484 · Granted Sep 2, 2014

Abstract

Claims (30)

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; and 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 identifies 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 tag reader in the plurality of tag readers is configured to operate on a first frequency; a second tag reader in the plurality of tag readers is configured to operate on a second frequency; and a third tag reader 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; and reporting the detected location of the tag to a user; and

wherein a second tag reader in the plurality of tag readers is configured with a first and second operating mode, the method further comprising: enabling the first operating mode when the vessel is at least a predetermined distance from land; and enabling the second operating mode 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 a 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.

Assignments (21)