IP Library Granted Patent US 9,759,803
Granted Patent B2
US 9,759,803 · App. 14/732,623 · Granted Sep 12, 2017

Method, apparatus, and computer program product for employing a spatial association model in a real time location system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,759,803
App. No.
14/732,623
Granted
Sep 12, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media are disclosed for over-determining location estimations for an asset based on location estimates from a plurality of tags. Examples employ a spatial association model in a location system. Examples include a method for processing location information received from a radio frequency (RF) location tag. The method includes determining a first location of a first RF location tag associated with an asset, determining at least one second location of at least one second RF location tag associated with the asset, determining, using a processor, that the first location is not a valid location based at least in part on a comparison of the first location with the at least one second location using a spatial association model associated with the asset, and identifying the first location as erroneous in response to determining that the first location is not a valid location.

Claims (32)

1. A method of registering an asset, comprising:

registering, to the asset, a first RF location tag attached to the asset at a first attachment point and configured to provide a first tag identifier;

registering, to the asset, a second RF location tag attached to the asset at a second attachment point and configured to provide a second tag identifier;

defining an asset reference distance between the first attachment point and the second attachment point;

storing, in a memory, an identity of the asset, the asset reference distance, the first tag identifier, and the second tag identifier; and

identifying a posture of the asset by identifying a difference between the asset reference distance and a distance magnitude defined between the first RF location tag and the second RF location tag.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the asset is a human being.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the asset reference distance is determined based on at least one biometric characteristic.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the asset comprises an object to be worn by a human being.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the asset reference distance is determined based on at least one physical measurement of the object.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the object is a race car.

7. An apparatus comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the processor is configured by instructions stored in the memory to cause the apparatus to:

register, to an asset, a first RF location tag configured to provide a first tag identifier, the first RF location tag attached to the asset at a first attachment point;

register, to the asset, a second RF location tag configured to provide a second tag identifier, the second RF location tag attached to the asset at a second attachment point;

define an asset reference distance between the first attachment point and the second attachment point;

store, in a memory, an identity of the asset, the asset reference distance, the first tag identifier, and the second tag identifier; and

identify a posture of the asset by identifying a difference between the asset reference distance and a distance magnitude defined between the first RF location tag and the second RF location tag.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the asset is a human being.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein of the asset reference distance is determined based on at least one biometric characteristic.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the asset comprises an object to be worn by a human being.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the asset reference distance is determined based on at least one physical measurement of the object.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the object is a race car.

13. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, configure the processor to at least:

register, to an asset, a first RF location tag attached to the asset at a first attachment point and configured to provide a first tag identifier;

register, to the asset, a second RF location tag attached to the asset at a second attachment point and configured to provide a second tag identifier;

define an asset reference distance between the first attachment point and the second attachment point;

store, in a memory, an identity of the asset, the asset reference distance, the first tag identifier, and the second tag identifier; and

identify a posture of the asset by identifying a difference between the asset reference distance and a distance magnitude defined between the first RF location tag and the second RF location tag.

14. The computer readable storage medium of claim 13 , wherein the asset is a human being.

15. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the asset reference distance is determined based on at least one biometric characteristic.

16. The computer readable storage medium of claim 13 , wherein the asset comprises an object to be worn by a human being.

17. The computer readable storage medium of claim 16 , wherein the asset reference distance is associated with at least one physical measurement of the object.

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 Nov 29, 2016
From: O'HAGAN, JAMES J.; ALONSO, RODRIGO; WOHL, MICHAEL A.
To: ZIH CORP.
Reel/Frame 040455/0172 →