Patent ID: 6462656
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A system for locating and tracking tags within an awareness area including a first sub-awareness area and a second sub-awareness area, each tag including a transmitter configured to transmit a unique identifier periodically, and at least one tag being assigned to the first sub-awareness area, the system comprising:a communication network, a first monitoring system associated with the first sub-awareness area, the first monitoring system comprising a receiver positioned to receive transmissions from tags positioned within the first sub-awareness area and configured to provide location messages in response to the transmissions, an intermediate location processor connected to the receiver and configured to transmit location messages from the receiver, and a master station connected to the intermediate location processor and connected to the communication network, a second monitoring system associated with the second sub-awareness area and connected to the communication network, the second monitoring system being configured to transmit downstream location messages to the communication network in response to transmissions from tags positioned within the second sub-awareness area, and a server connected to the communication network and configured to provide a network location message for each downstream location message associated with a tag assigned to the first monitoring system over the communication network to the first monitoring system.