IP Library Granted Patent US 9,699,278
Granted Patent B2
US 9,699,278 · App. 14/732,360 · Granted Jul 4, 2017

Modular location tag for a real time location system network

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,699,278
App. No.
14/732,360
Granted
Jul 4, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A modular location tag, method of manufacture, and method of use thereof are provided. The modular location tag including a controller including a microcontroller configured to generate a data packet and a two or more individual transmit modules in data communication with the controller such that each individual transmit module is configured to transmit the data packet, each individual transmit module including an antenna and a pulse generator configured to transmit the data packet on ultra-wideband (UWB) blink data pulses. The controller causes substantially simultaneous transmission of the UWB blink data pulses from the respective transmit modules encourage reliable receipt of the UWB blink data pulses at one or more of a plurality of receivers.

Claims (33)

1. A wearable modular location tag system comprising:

a wearable article comprising a controller support and at least two transmitter supports;

a controller, supported within the controller support, comprising a microcontroller configured to generate a data packet;

two or more individual transmit modules, supported within the two or more transmitter supports, in data communication with the controller such that each individual transmit module is configured to transmit the data packet, each individual transmit module comprising an antenna and a pulse generator configured to transmit the data packet on blink data pulses, and

wherein the controller is disposed between the at least two individual transmit modules and causes substantially simultaneous transmission of the blink data pulses from the respective transmit modules.

2. The wearable modular location tag system of claim 1 further comprising:

cables providing data communication between the pulse generators of the respective individual transmit modules of the two or more individual transmit modules and the microcontroller of the controller, wherein the cables define a common length, and

wherein the substantially simultaneous transmission of the blink data pulses is based at least in part on the common length of the cables.

3. The wearable modular location tag system of claim 2 , wherein the cables are disposed within an impact absorbent material.

4. The wearable modular location tag system of claim 2 , wherein the cables each comprise a plurality of flexible cables.

5. The wearable modular location tag system of claim 1 , wherein component based signal delays of the respective individual transmit modules of the two or more individual transmit modules are matched, and

wherein the substantially simultaneous transmission of the blink data pulses is based at least in part on the matched component based signal delays.

6. The wearable modular location tag system of claim 1 , wherein the microcontroller is further configured to trigger the transmission of the blink data pulses based on component based signal delays associated with the respective individual transmit modules, and

wherein the substantially simultaneous transmission of the blink data pulses is based at least in part on the triggering of the transmission of the blink data pulses.

7. The wearable modular location tag system of claim 1 , wherein the controller or two or more of individual transmit modules are encased in an impact resistant enclosure.

8. The wearable modular location tag system of claim 1 , wherein the controller and the two or more individual transmit modules are configured to be mounted to a participant defining a front and back, wherein a first transmit module of the two or more individual transmit modules is configured to be mounted to the front the participant and a second transmit module of the two or more individual transmit modules is configured to be mounted to the back of the participant.

9. The wearable modular location tag system of claim 1 , wherein the controller and the two or more individual transmit modules are configured to be mounted to a participant defining a front and back, wherein a first transmit module of the two or more individual transmit modules is configured to be mounted to a right front portion of the participant, a second transmit module of the individual transmits modules is configured to be mounted to a front left portion of the participant, a third transmit module of the two or more individual transmit modules is configured to be mounted to a back right portion of a participant, and a fourth transmit module of the individual transmit modules is configured to be mounted to a back left portion of the participant.

10. The wearable modular location tag system of claim 1 , wherein the controller and two or more transmit modules are incorporated into a participant protective equipment.

11. The wearable modular location tag system of claim 1 , wherein the controller and the two or more transmit modules are incorporated into a participant clothing.

12. The wearable modular location tag system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is mounted to a participant belt.

13. The wearable modular location tag system of claim 1 further comprising:

an environmental sensor in data communication with the microcontroller; and

wherein the microcontroller is further configured to receive environmental data from the environmental sensor.

14. The wearable modular location tag system of claim 13 , wherein the environmental sensor is an accelerometer.

15. The wearable modular location tag system of claim 14 , wherein the controller drives the substantially simultaneous transmission of the blink data pulses at a first rate based on the accelerometer outputting accelerometer data in a first value range and at a second rate based on the accelerometer outputting accelerometer data in a second value range.

16. The wearable modular location tag system of claim 13 , wherein the environmental sensor is at least one of a heart rate monitor, a humidity sensor, a temperature monitor, a moisture sensor, a breathing sensor, a global position sensor, a proximity sensor, or a pedometer.

17. The wearable modular location tag system of claim 13 further comprising:

the microcontroller configured to include the environmental data in the data packet to be transmitted by the two or more individual transmit modules.

18. The wearable modular location tag system of claim 1 wherein the blink data pulses comprise ultra-wideband blink data pulses.

19. The wearable modular location tag system of claim 1 further comprising:

a power supply configured to provide electrical power to the controller.

20. The wearable modular location tag system of claim 19 , wherein the wearable article further comprises a power supply support, and

wherein the power supply is supported within the power supply support.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST - 364 - DAY Recorded Mar 5, 2021
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; LASER BAND, LLC; TEMPTIME CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 056036/0590 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 1, 2020
From: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; LASER BAND, LLC; TEMPTIME CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053841/0212 →
NOTICE OF TRANSFER OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jul 3, 2019
From: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 049675/0049 →
MERGER Recorded Mar 29, 2019
From: ZIH CORP.
To: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 048884/0618 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 25, 2017
From: ZIH CORP.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS THE SUCCESSOR AGENT
Reel/Frame 044616/0736 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 31, 2017
From: RICHLEY, EDWARD A.; TURNER, BELINDA; AMETI, AITAN; STELFOX, JILL; O'HAGAN, JAMES J.; MUEGGENBORG, ALEXANDER
To: ZIH CORP.
Reel/Frame 042539/0674 →