Patent ID: 6665631
Filing Date: 2003-12-16
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
A short-distance measuring system operable for measuring short distances in the range of twenty meters or less within an environment, comprising:a plurality of moveable objects moveable independently of each other within said environment, each of said plurality of moveable objects having a transponder mounted thereto operable for receiving a query signal and producing a response signal; a synchronized clock system, said synchronized clock system being operable for producing synchronized timing signals to said plurality of moveable objects, each of said transponders being operable for producing said response signal in response to said query signal at a start time based on said synchronized timing signals from said synchronized clock system; and a response signal detector for each of said plurality of moveable objects, said response signal detector being operable to measure a transit time for said response signal beginning at said start time and ending upon detection of said response signal, said response signal detector being operable for measuring a magnitude of a separation vector between a first of said plurality of moveable objects and one or more of said plurality of moveable objects based on said transit time.