System and method for acquisition management of subject position information

A system and method for acquisition management of subject position information that utilizes radio frequency identification (RF ID) to store position information in position tags. Tag programmers receive position information from external positioning systems, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), from manual inputs, such as keypads, or other tag programmers. The tag programmers program each position tag with the received position information. Both the tag programmers and the position tags can be portable or fixed. Implementations include portable tag programmers and fixed position tags for subject position guidance, and portable tag programmers for collection sample labeling. Other implementations include fixed tag programmers and portable position tags for subject route recordation. Position tags can contain other associated information such as destination address of an affixed subject for subject routing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to systems and methods associated with subject position information and more particularly to acquisition management of subject position information.

2. Description of the Related Art

Systems and methods for acquisition management of subject position information conventionally have wide application in daily commerce. These conventional systems include recordation of prior positions occupied, identification of present position, and guidance regarding future positions of a subject. Implementation details vary according to the particular conventional system.

Technology of the conventional systems can include optical, magnetic, or visual scanning of a subject, a subject's printed address, or a track of a subject's intended path. These approaches generally require close proximity, predetermined orientation, and high visibility of the subject to the system, inflexible plans for subject position guidance, manual intervention with recordation, identification, and guidance, and other performance reducing requirements. Conventional integration of the recordation, identification, and guidance functions can also include requirements, that may increase weight, size, and cost of the systems involved.

Other conventional systems use external reference systems, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) managed by the United States Department of Defense, to provide position reference data. Unfortunately, these external reference systems are not always as useful as hoped due, in part, to problems related to signal interference, such as found inside buildings and geological structures, and less than sufficient resolution of subject position provided by the external reference system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed embodiments of the invention are directed to acquisition management of subject position information. In one embodiment, a position tag is provided having a memory configured to store position information, at least one radio frequency antenna, and a receiver circuit coupled to the at least one radio frequency antenna. The receiver is configured to receive control signals and position request signals via the at least one radio frequency antenna, and to send signals containing position information via the at least one radio frequency antenna responsive to the position request signals. The memory is configured to store position information in response to the control signals and to recall position information in response to the position request signals.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a position tag programmer is provided having at least one radio frequency antenna, a receiver configured to receive position information radio signals from an external position reference system via the at least one radio frequency antenna, and a tag program transmitter coupled to the receiver. The tag programmer transmitter is configured to transmit position information control signals via the at least one radio frequency antenna to a position tag for storage in the position tag of the position information received from the external position reference system.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a position tag reader is provided having at least one radio frequency antenna, a transmitter coupled to the at least one radio frequency antenna and configured to transmit a position information request signal to a position tag via the at least one radio frequency antenna, and a receiver coupled to the at least one radio frequency antenna. The receiver is configured to receive a signal containing position information from the position tag requested through the position information request signal sent by the transmitter to the position tag.

In accordance with one of the method embodiments of the present invention, a method of programming a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is provided including receiving position information from an external positioning system, and sending control instructions and the position information via radio signals to the RFID tag to store the position information in the RFID tag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Implementations of a system and method for acquisition management of subject position information are described herein. The position acquisition management system uniquely applies radio frequency technology to challenges involved with recordation of prior positions occupied, identification of present position, and guidance regarding future positions of a subject. Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, whose general use is known in the art, are uniquely used to store and retrieve position information of designated subjects at given moments of subject travel.

Some implementations will program position tags with predetermined architectural, geological, geographical, or other position information to be later used as position references to assist in guiding travel of users, robots, vehicles, or other subjects. Other implementations use position tags configured to store multiple position identifications to record information regarding routes taken by given subjects. In certain implementations, addressed position tags are attached to subjects to indicate destination information for delivery of the subjects. These addressed position tags can contain other information such as identification of the origination, sender, and receiver of the subjects. Implementations can use portable programmers to program position tags with position information including that obtained from external positioning systems such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) managed by the Department of Defense. Stationary programmers can be used to program position tags, such as with route recordation, as the position tags pass pre-designated positions.

As shown inFIG. 1, a basic RFID system10includes two components: an interrogator or reader12, and a transponder (commonly called an RF tag)14. The interrogator12and RF tag14include respective antennas16,18. In operation, the interrogator12transmits by a transmitter component (not shown) through its antenna16a radio frequency interrogation signal20to the antenna18of the RF tag14. In response to receiving the interrogation signal20, the RF tag14produces a modulated response signal22that is transmitted back to the interrogator12through the tag antenna18by a process known as continuous wave backscatter and is received by a receiver component (not shown) of the interrogator12.

The substantial advantage of RFID systems is the non-contact, non-line-of-sight capability of the technology. The interrogator12emits the interrogation signal20with a range from one inch to one hundred feet or more, depending upon its power output and the radio frequency used. Tags can be read through a variety of substances such as dispersions, fog, ice, paint, dirt, and other visually and environmentally challenging conditions where bar codes or other optically-read technologies would be useless. RF tags can also be read at high speeds, in most cases responding in less than one hundred milliseconds.

RF tags are divided into three main categories: Beam-powered passive tags, battery-powered semi-passive tags, and active tags. Each operates in different ways.

The beam-powered RFID tag is often referred to as a passive device because it derives the energy needed for its operation from the interrogation signal beamed at it. The tag rectifies the field and changes the reflective characteristics of the tag itself, creating a change in reflectivity that is seen at the interrogator. The battery-powered semi-passive RFID tag operates in a similar fashion, modulating its RF cross-section in order to reflect a delta to the interrogator to develop a communication link. Here, the battery is the source of the tag's operational power for optional circuitry. Finally, in the active RF tag, a transmitter is used to create its own radio frequency energy powered by the battery.

The range of communication for such tags varies according to the transmission power of the interrogator12and the RF tag14. Battery-powered tags operating at 2,450 MHz have traditionally been limited to less than ten meters in range. However, devices with sufficient power can reach up to 200 meters in range, depending on the frequency and environmental characteristics.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the response signal22is used to send position information from a unique type of RF tag known herein as a position tag30. The position tag30is configured to contain information regarding one or more positions, which can be programmed into and retrieved from the position tag through use of RF signals. The position information could be stored in a memory of the position tag30. Alternatively, a pointer in the position tag30could point to a position-related reference. With some implementations, the position tag30contains additional information, also referred to herein as position information. Position information for the position tag30could also include information associated with a position, such as, time of day that a position was achieved, and characteristics of the tagged subject, such as type (vehicle, robot, individual, etc.), owner identification, origination, destination, intended recipient, associated cost, product constituents, warranty information, associated purchaser, location of sale, seller identification, recycling information, instructor identification, associated warnings, storage information, and destruction instructions.

As shown inFIG. 2, the position tag30includes a position tag antenna32to receive position information request signals34, to receive position information programming control signals36, and to send requested position information38. Multiple antennas can be used in some implementations as the tag antenna32. A receiver40is communicatively linked to the position tag antenna32and a control circuit42to process the position information request signals34, to respond with the requested position information38retrieved from a memory44, and to process the position information programming control signals36to store position information into the memory44. The receiver40is configured to enable the position tag30to return the requested position information38as a radio signal shown in FIG.2. Some implementations include the functions of the control circuit42either being performed by the receiver40, the memory44, or both.

In some implementations, a portable programmer50is used to program position information into the position tags30. Some implementations of the portable programmer50include programming one position (1P) position tags52having the memory44sufficiently sized to contain information regarding one position (1P) such as shown in FIG.3. The portable programmer50includes a tag program transmitter54that is coupled to a transmitting antenna56to transmit the position information programming control signals36to the position tags30.

Position information to be programmed into one of the position tags30is inputted to the portable programmer50and stored, such as in the tag programmer54. In one embodiment, broadcast position information58is received by the portable programmer from an external positioning system (EPS)60through a receiving antenna62and an EPS receiver64. The Global Positioning System (GPS) managed by the Department of Defense, with its satellite-based broadcast of position information, is one example of the external positioning system60. Other examples of the external positioning system60include systems broadcasting other position information such as time and position coordinate information associated with one or more architectural structures, geographical points of interest, or geological structures. Alternatively, a local input66, such as a keypad or other input device, could be used to manually input position information into the portable programmer50. Although the portable programmer50is shown inFIG. 3to include both the EPS receiver64and the local input66, some implementations of the portable programmer only have one way of inputting position information into the portable programmer. Other implementations of the portable programmer50can include use of a single antenna or multiple antennas that are functionally equivalent to the combined functions of the transmitting antenna56and the receiving antenna62. Some implementations of the portable programmer50also include a control68that coordinates input of position information into, and transmission of position information from, the portable programmer.

In some implementations, such as shown inFIG. 4, a stationary programmer70is used to program position information into the position tags30. Some implementations of the stationary programmer50include programming multi-position (MP) position tags72having the memory44sufficiently sized to contain information regarding more than one position. The stationary programmer70includes a tag program transmitter74that is coupled to a transmitting antenna76to transmit the position information programming control signals36to the position tags30.

Position information to be programmed into one of the position tags30can be inputted to the stationary programmer70via several methods, including use of the broadcast position information58received by the portable programmer50from the external positioning system (EPS)60. The portable programmer50transmits a position information signal78containing the broadcast position information58to the stationary programmer70. The position information signal78is received by a receiving antenna80and processed by a receiver82coupled to the receiving antenna. The receiver82could also be configured similarly as the EPS receiver64of the portable programmer50to directly receive the broadcast position information58, but this may increase unit cost of the stationary programmer70to possibly impact deployment of large numbers of the stationary programmer.

Alternatively, a local input84, such as a keypad or other input device, could be used to manually input position information into the stationary programmer70. Although the stationary programmer70is shown inFIG. 4to include both the receiver82and the local input84, some implementations of the stationary programmer only have one way of inputting position information into the stationary programmer. Other embodiments may have an adapter to receive a detachable input device. The stationary programmer70may include use of a single antenna or multiple antennas that are functionally equivalent to the combined functions of the transmitting antenna76and the receiving antenna80. Some implementations of the stationary programmer70also include a control86that coordinates input of position information into and transmission of position information from the stationary programmer.

An exemplary use of the portable programmer50in conjunction with the 1P position tags52for position labeling of collection samples is shown in FIG.5. In this example, the 1P position tags52are affixed to samples88found in a collection site90. The portable programmer50is then used to program each of the 1P position tags52to indicate either absolute or relative position of each of the samples88with respect to their original positions at the collection site90. The samples are then moved, indicated by arrow92, to a sample repository94to be further studied. Additional study of the samples88can be aided by the programmed 1P position tags52since they contain either the relative or absolute original position of the samples in the collection site90. For instance, it is possible that the collection site90could be either physically or virtually reconstructed through use of the position information contained within the 1P position tags52identifying repositioning of the collected samples88. Examples of the collection site90include, but are not limited to, archeological sites, construction sites, excavation sites, disaster sites, battlefields, accident sites, crime scenes, arson sites, geological sites, and any other site or other collection in which the original relative or absolute position of collected samples of the collection site90is of interest.

Another exemplary use of the portable programmer50in conjunction with the 1P position tags52for position guidance of subjects such as robots, individuals, or vehicles is shown in FIG.6. The 1P position tags52are positioned in an area96, such as an interior area of a building. In this example, the area96also includes an obstacle98. The 1P position tags52are shown inFIG. 6to have a substantially regular spacing order; however, in other implementations, spacing of the 1P position tags can be of an irregular nature. The 1P position tags52can also include position information regarding particular attributes of the area96with respect to the particular positions of the 1P position tags. For instance, the 1P position tags52shown as being positioned in or near the corners of the obstacle98could contain information identifying the obstacle. Other position information could include that generally discussed above regarding additional information including information related to the position identified by one of the 1P position tags52, related to a purpose for the area96, and related to a purpose for the subject. For instance, if the area96was a warehouse for storing items to be later gathered and the subject was a gatherer, one or more of the 1P position tags52could contain identification information related to the type of items located near the position of the 1P position tag. Alternatively, additional information could be related to particular positions identified by the 1P position tags52through a database on board or separate from the subject.

Once the 1P position tags52are properly positioned in stationary locations in the area96, the portable programmer50is used to program each of the 1P position tags with their respective positions, either absolute or relative, with respect to the area. After transitioning from an initialization phase to an operation phase, as indicated by an arrow100, a subject, such as a robot102, using a unique one of the interrogators12configured to request and receive position information from the 1P position tags52, shown hidden in the operation phase ofFIG. 6, is used to navigate a path104. The interrogator12and the 1P tags52are so chosen and positionally oriented regarding strength of signals transmitted and received such that the subject receives position information from the 1P position tags appropriate to the position of the subject as it receives the position information. Depending upon the implementations and subject involved, the path104can be predetermined or can be determined in real time. Position guidance based upon position information obtained from the 1P position tags52could include range and bearing.

An exemplary use of a group of the stationary programmers70in conjunction with one of the MP position tags72affixed to a moving subject106, such as a robot, an individual, or a vehicle, for route recordation of the moving subject106is shown in FIG.7. Initially, each of the stationary programmers70are programmed with information regarding their positions. In implementations, the stationary programmers70are positioned along a path108to be taken by the moving subject106to allow the MP position tag72of the moving subject to receive the position information programming control signal36from each stationary programmer as the moving subject passes within the vicinity of each stationary programmer.

After completing the path108, the MP position tag72of the moving subject106contains position information for each of the stationary programmers70found along the path. This position information can then be requested and received by a special interrogator12configured to transmit the position information request signals34to the MP position tag72of the moving subject106and to receive the requested position information38from the MP position tag of the moving subject. In this example, the requested position information38would include for each of the stationary programmers70a fixed position near the stationary programmer and its absolute or relative position and the relative or absolute times that the moving subject106passed by the fixed position.

FIG. 8shows exemplary use of a network of branch nodes connected together by paths having subject routers110each located at one of the branch nodes of the network and containing one of the interrogators12. Each of the interrogators12are configured to request and receive position information for directing transit of a subject112having an affixed addressed tag114. As the subject112passes one of the subject routers110, the subject router sends the position information request signal134to the addressed tag114. In turn, the addressed tag114of the subject112sends the requested position information38back to the requesting subject router110. The position information contained by the addressed tag114includes the destination address of the associated subject112. The destination address can take many forms including street address and GPS coordinates or other address forms or coordinates. Upon receipt of the destination address contained within the position information of the addressed tag114, the subject router110performs any adjustments necessary to properly direct the subject112on to the next subject router to finally allow the subject to arrive at its final destination identified by the position information received from the addressed tag114. Principles of operations research is used in some implementations for directing the subject112. Other implementations of the addressed tag114need not use the subject routers110. For instance, another implementation of the addressed tag114could involve subjects being sorted by their destination addresses as indicated by their addressed tags.