IP Library Granted Patent US 11,287,511
Granted Patent B2
US 11,287,511 · App. 16/668,827 · Granted Mar 29, 2022

Method, apparatus, and computer program product improving real time location systems with multiple location technologies

Inventors: John K. Hughes (Coarsegold, CA); James J. O'Hagan (McHenry, IL)
Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
G01S5/0294G01S5/0221G01S5/0226G01S5/0289G06K7/10306G06K7/10366G06K19/0716G06K19/0717G06K19/0718G06K19/0723
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,287,511
App. No.
16/668,827
Granted
Mar 29, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

An example method includes sensing, by a sensor of a mesh node, first sensor data; receiving, at the mesh node, second sensor data from an origin node, wherein the mesh node and the origin mode are different nodes; and in response to receiving an indication that the origin node is obstructed, transmitting, by the mesh node, the second sensor data.

Claims (29)

1. A method comprising:

sensing, by a sensor of a mesh node, first sensor data;

receiving, at the mesh node, second sensor data from an origin node, wherein the mesh node and the origin mode are different nodes;

receiving, by the mesh node from a hub or the origin node, an indication that a transmission from the origin node is obstructed; and

in response to receiving the indication, transmitting, by the mesh node, the second sensor data.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the indication comprises a message route in which the mesh node is designated.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the indication is a distress signal.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, in response to not receiving the indication, transmitting the first sensor data and not transmitting the second sensor data.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, in response to not receiving the indication, transmitting only the first sensor data and blink data generated by a location tag associated with the sensor.

6. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:

sense first sensor data;

receive second sensor data from an origin node, wherein the apparatus and the origin node are different nodes;

receive, from a hub or the origin node, an indication that a transmission from the origin node is obstructed; and

in response to receiving the indication, transmit the second sensor data.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the indication comprises a message route in which the mesh node is designated.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the indication is a distress signal.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the at least one memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to, in response to not receiving the indication, transmit the first sensor data and not transmit the second sensor data.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the at least one memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to, in response to not receiving the indication, transmit only the first sensor data and blink data generated by a location tag associated with the sensor.

11. A location system comprising:

a first node including a first sensor configured to sense first data;

a second node including a second sensor configured to sense second data, wherein the first node is configured to send the first data to the second node;

location tags configured to generate blink data, a first one of the location tags being associated with the first node; and

a hub configured to:

receive the blink data and determine locations of the location tags based on the blink data; and

in response to determining that a transmission from the first one of the location tags is obstructed, send an instruction to the second node to send the first data, wherein the second node is configured to send the first data in response to the instruction.

12. The location system of claim 11 , wherein the hub is configured to use a last known location of the first one of the location tags to determine a route for the instruction.

13. The location system of claim 12 , wherein the second node is configured to determine with the second node is designated in the route before sending the first data.

14. The location system of claim 11 , wherein the second node is configured to send the second data and not the first data in response to not receiving the instruction.

15. The location system of claim 11 , wherein the first node is configured to transmit a distress signal in response to determining that the first one of the locations tags is obstructed.

Assignments (2)
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 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 14732141 · Jun 5, 2015
Continuation 14298035 · Jun 6, 2014
Continuation In Part 13942316 · Jul 15, 2013
Provisional Application 61831990 · Jun 6, 2013
Related Publication 20200064437A1 · Feb 27, 2020