Abstract:
An objection location system for locating and communicating with personnel or objects within a facility. Remote badges are coupled to respective objects or personnel to be located. The badges include transmission means for transmitting identification information associated with their respective objects or personnel. Operational parameters are stored in the badges and are monitored for controlling the operation of the badges. The badge may be in the form of a wristband.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an object location system, more particularly a system having a compact and intelligent badge or bracelet attached to an object for determining the location of the object. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Location systems for locating objects or personnel within a facility are known. One type of personnel location system used in hospitals involves personnel within the facility reporting their locations by manually setting switches at designated areas. The switches are monitored at a central station and the locations of the personnel are determined by the locations of the activated switches. Other proposed personnel or object location techniques include systems which locate personnel or objects by seeking out where the object or personnel is closest to designated monitors. Such systems generally include a central controller connected in a plurality of transceivers distributed at designated locations throughout a facility. Portable units are worn or attached to objects or personnel to be located. Each portable unit is assigned a unique identification. To locate a personnel, the central controller causes the transceivers to broadcast or page the portable unit by its identification. The broadcast or page signal is received by the portable units but only the portable unit having a matching identification will respond with a confirmation signal, which is received by the transceiver located closest to the responding portable unit. The transceiver in turn reports to the central controller that it has received a confirmation signal. The location of the portable unit is determined by the central controller by the message received from the transceiver. Location systems employing such location technique are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,385 to Aires et al. and U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,805,265, 3,805,226 and 3,696,384 to Lester. One problem with the systems of this type is in the portable units. They must include electronics with adequate sensitivity to receive signals broadcast from the transceivers and adequate power to transmit a reply. The portable units became bulky and cumbersome and therefore inconvenient to be worn or attached. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,000 to Nastrom and U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,104 to Heller propose location reporting systems which include portable electronic units worn or attached to objects. The portable units periodically transmit individually unique ID signals. A plurality of transceivers are distributed at designated locations and the transceiver(s) within range of the portable unit transmissions receives the transmitted ID signals. The transceiver(s) in turn communicates the ID information to the central control unit. From the location of the transceiver and the ID of the portable unit, the central control unit is able to determine the location of the object. A disadvantage of this type of location system is the large amount of energy required to periodically transmit information from a portable unit, causing a continual drain on the power source. A large battery is required for usage of the portable unit for any meaningful period of time. The size of the portable unit is then dictated by the size of the battery. Further, unless the portable unit is efficiently used, frequent battery replacement and maintenance is required. 
     It can be seen that there exists a need for a location system having portable units which are compact in size and include capability to optimize the efficiency of operation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an object location system for locating and communicating with personnel or objects within a facility. The system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of badges coupled to objects, each of the badges including: wireless transmitters for transmitting signals including a unique identification signal; a processor having associated memory and stored programs, the memory having a database with stored information including a plurality of operational parameters. The stored programs are executed by the badge processor for controlling badge operations including the control of the wireless transmitter depending upon the processing of the operational parameters. The badge is also capable of interfacing with an external device for data entry including the operational parameters into the badge memory. The location system of the present invention also includes a plurality of receivers disposed at spaced apart areas within the facility, each of the receivers is capable of receiving signals including the ID signals transmitted from the wireless transmitters of the badges, and a processor for processing the received information. A central processor receives messages from the plurality of receivers and the messages are periodically processed by the central processor for determining the location of each of the badges. 
     In another embodiment, the electronics of the badge unit is integrated in a housing which is attached to a bracelet which can be worn by a person, such as his wrist or ankle. 
     In a further embodiment of the present invention, the badge unit further includes an infrared receiver, a voice circuit with associated speaker and microphone for facilitating voice communication, a keypad for data entry, and a display for displaying information. 
     In still another embodiment of the present invention, the receivers are coupled to a PBX, which is coupled to the central computer and a plurality of telephones throughout the facility. The badge identification information is reported to the PBX and/or the central computer, facilitating the retrieval of location information of any identified personnel from any telephone connected to the PBX. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates the components of the location system according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the components of the basic badge unit according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the operation of the basic badge unit according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the components of the badge unit transmitter according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the components of the receiver unit according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 6A illustrates the bracelet embodiment according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 6B illustrates the top view of the housing for attachment to the bracelet; 
     FIG. 6C illustrates the top view of the housing when the housing is opened; 
     FIG. 6D illustrates the side view of the housing of the bracelet. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the badge unit according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 8A illustrates the side view of the housing of the badge unit according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 8B illustrates the top view of the housing of the badge unit according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary use of the badge and bracelet units in a location and communication system (“locator system”) in accordance to the present invention. A plurality of receivers  11 ,  12  and  13  are disposed spatially apart throughout a facility such as an office or a hospital. Each receiver receives signals transmitted by the badges and bracelets which are within the receiver&#39;s range of reception. Each receiver is identifiable by central computer  10 . Badge  20  and bracelet  22  are worn by facility personnel  31 ,  32  and badge  21  is shown attached to object  30 , which may be a facility equipment which may be mobile, commonly used, but in short supply. Each of the badges and bracelets transmits signals including an individually unique identification at selected intervals. The signals are received by the most proximal receiver and the receiver in turn communicates the received information to the central computer  10 . The central computer  10  includes in its memory the storage of information pertaining to the physical aspects of the facility such as rooms, floors, the identification of each receiver and its associated location, the identification of each badge or bracelet in operation and information regrading the object or person associated with each badge or bracelet. The central computer  10  receives messages from each receiver at selected intervals. Included in the messages are information last received by each of the receivers. The central computer  10  processes the messages received from the receivers and substantially continually updates the location of each badge or bracelet and its associated person or object within the facility. Location identification information may be retrieved from the central computer  10  by inquiring by badge identification, personnel name, and/or receiver identification. The central computer  10  may respond with the most recently updated information or respond with a history of location information from its memory. For example, a report on who visited a room, when and for how long. 
     The central computer  10  further communicates with LAN (local area network)  40 , which in turn may be connected to a plurality of personal computers or workstations  41  and  42 , facilitating communication with the central computer  10  and retrieval of updated location information from stations connected to the LAN  40  throughout the facility. According to the preferred embodiment, the central computer  10  may be an IBM compatible personal computer. A LAN compatible and the IBM PC protocol is coupled to the central computer  10 . 
     A telephone PBX (private-branch exchange)  50  couples to the plurality of receivers, the central computer  10 , and to a plurality of telephones throughout the facility, e.g., telephones  51  and  52 . The system configuration as shown facilitates direct communication of the receivers with the central computer  10  or the PBX  50 . The receivers may also communicate with the central computer  10  through the PBX  50  or communicate with the PBX  50  through the central computer  10 . The system as configured allows the flexibility of processing and transferring the information received from the receivers by the central computer  10  or shared processing and transferring responsibilities between the central computer  10  and the PBX  50 . For example, the PBX  50  may store the information such as the identity and location of each receiver. When a message is received by the PBX  50  from a receiver, the PBX adds the receiver identity or location information to the message and forwards the message to the central computer  10  for further processing and updating. Alternatively, the functions and components of the central computer  10  may be integrated within PBX  50 . In such alternate embodiment, the PBX  50  performs the functions described for both central computer  10  and PBX  50 . 
     Another exemplary usage of the system is the location of personnel with the telephones. For example, personnel  31  may locate personnel  32  by dialing the ID of personnel  32  on telephone  51 . The PBX receives the call from telephone  51  and inquires the central computer  10  as to the location of personnel  32 . The central computer  10  retrieves the location information of personnel  32  and identifies that he is at the location associated with receiver  13 . The central computer  10  responds to the PBX  50  with the location information. The PBX  50  in turn dials the telephone  52 , which may be equipped with a display and a speaker for announcing or displaying the name of personnel  32 . A PBX such as the IDS  228 , manufactured by Executone Information Systems, Inc., is preferred in accordance to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 shows the components of the basic badge unit according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The bracelet embodiment according to the present invention includes substantially the same components shown in FIG.  2 . Unless specifically described otherwise, the following descriptions for the basic badge unit is equally applicable to the bracelet unit. The basic badge unit includes a microcontroller  101  for controlling the operations of the badge and a transmitter  102  for transmitting signals to a plurality of receivers. The microcontroller  101  is preferably a single integrated circuit chip which includes a processor and RAM and ROM memory. The ROM memory may be of the programmable type and stores software programs for operating the badge. These programs include: program for controlling the transmitter  102 ; for monitoring operational parameters; and for interfacing with external devices. The RAM memory includes a database for storing information including the identification code of the badge and operational parameters which are retrieved and monitored by the processor for operating the badge unit. The database may further include information regrading the person associated with the badge, e.g., medicine which the person is allergic to. The database may also include information relating to an associated object, e.g., medical equipment and its operating parameters or data. The processor functions include: logical and arithmetic operations and coordination of data transfer to and from the microcontroller  101 . A microcontroller such as the PIC®16C5X manufactured by Microchip Technology, Inc. is used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is apparent to one skilled in the art that any microcontroller having equivalent performance characteristics and similar in size may also be used. 
     An edge connector  103  facilitates interfacing to the components of the badge from an external device (not shown). The edge connector  103  preferably has four connections which include a “Bidirect I/O” connection to an input/output port of the microcontroller  101  for bidirectional communication with the microcontroller  101 . Data can be written into or read out of the microcontroller memory by the external device (“the Base”) through this connection. The Base preferably includes processing, storage and interfacing capabilities for communicating with and transferring information between the Base and the badge. A standard serial interface protocol such as RS232 may be used. An “In-Base” connection is monitored by the microcontroller  101 . An active signal at the “In-Base” input indicates that the microcontroller is to relinquish control to the external device. The badge according to the present invention is powered by a battery, which preferably is made of lithium. Other battery designs such as a NICAD (nickel cadmium) rechargeable type or solar cell may also be used. Another input of the edge connector  103  may be used to recharge the battery. The fourth connection of the edge connector  103  is a spare input/output. The badge includes a light sensitive LED  108  for providing wireless means for inputting data to the microcontroller  101  by serially strobing data with a light source into the microcontroller  101 . 
     An oscillator  107  is connected to the microcontroller  101  for providing an oscillation signal, which in turn generates a clock signal for clocking or timing purposes. In the preferred embodiment, the oscillator  107  includes a resistor/capacitor combination for providing a clock which operates at a frequency of around 455 kilohertz. Due to variations in the tolerances of the resistor/capacitor combination, the clock rate for each badge unit will vary from one badge to another substantially around 455 kilohertz. The microcontroller  101  includes a prescaler for providing timing and clock signals. 
     According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electronics of the badge is enclosed in a housing which is shaped and sized like an ordinary credit card. FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the side and top views, respectively, of the badge housing, which is shown attached to a clip. The housing as shown is around 3.8″ in length, 2.27″ in width and 0.39″ in thickness. The housing includes a slot for slidingly mating with a personnel card. A card switch  105  is disposed in the slot of the housing in the path of the personnel card such that when the personnel card is inserted into the housing, the card switch  105  is opened. The personnel card may be an ordinary business card or a smart card having electronically stored information. 
     A select button switch  106  facilitates manual communication to the microcontroller  101  for functions such as mode select or transmission of a preselected message, dependant upon the number and sequence of button pushes. The modes of operation include: “erase memory” for erasing the contents of the RAM memory; “turn-off transmitter” for disabling any transmission from the badge; “card reinsertion” for turning off the badge when the personnel card is removed until a card is reinserted; “ID code change” for changing the ID code to a special preselected code to signal an abnormal condition; and “disable counters” mode, which overrides parameter operations for turning off or disabling the badge and maintains badge operations. 
     Parameter and Database Storage 
     The RAM memory of the microcontroller  101  includes storage of parameter values and a database for storage of information including identification information. The data can be written into and read out of the RAM memory by the base through the edge connector  103 . Data can also be serially strobed into the RAM memory via LED  108 . The parameter data in the RAM is accessed by the microcontroller processor under the control of the software programs stored in the ROM memory. The parameters are used to safeguard against unauthorized usage of the badge and to conserve battery power. The parameters include: rate of transmission; maximum duration of operation; card-out duration; maximum number of transmissions; and the length of the ID. 
     The “rate of transmission” parameter is the time rate or period between each transmission from the transmitter  102 . This parameter value is input to a counter and is counted down to zero until the next transmission. The actual rate of transmission will vary from badge to badge even if each badge is preset with the same rate of transmission because the microprocessor clock is derived from a resistor/capacitor time constant network and the microprocessor clock period will necessarily vary along with the variations within the tolerance of the resistor/capacitor devices. With such variations, when more than one badge is transmitting to the same receiver, the likelihood of two consecutive transmission bursts of information arriving at precisely the same time as the receiver is substantially nonexistent. 
     The “maximum duration of operation” parameter is a preset time limit which is monitored by the microcontroller processor. The expiration of this parameter causes the badge to switch to another operating mode. This parameter allows the system administrator to limit the time of usage of the badge dependent upon the user. This parameter is also useful for automatically turning off the badge after a certain time of operation to conserve battery power. 
     The “card out duration” parameter is the amount of time which is monitored when the personnel card is removed from the badge. The expiration of the card out duration will cause the badge unit to turn off or switch to another operating mode. 
     The “maximum number of transmissions” is a count value which is decremented each time a badge transmits. When this value reaches zero, the badge unit will, depending on the preset mode of operation, halt all transmissions, alert the user of the condition, and/or switch to another preselect operation mode. 
     The “length of ID” allows the user to adjust the transmission of the length of ID to include other pertinent information. The RAM database stores information including the identification of the badge, which may be a person&#39;s social security number or telephone number. Other information stored in the database may include data pertinent to the wearer of the badge, such as a patient&#39;s medical status or history. The microcontroller  101  may retrieve any stored data and transmit it from the badge. 
     Badge Software 
     According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the software programs of the badge are downloaded into the ROM during initialization from an external device such as the base. Alternatively, the programs may be preprogrammed in the ROM prior to its installation in the badge. Each badge is preassigned a classification code. The type of programs downloaded from the base to each badge may vary according to different classifications. For example, doctors and nurses may have different classifications than patients. Employees and visitors may also be classified differently. Exemplary operational programs downloaded into the ROM include: badge/external data entry unit interface; badge operation; and parameter monitoring/control. 
     Basic Badge Operation 
     FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary flow diagram of the operation of the basic badge unit. Each badge is initialized prior to its entry into the locator system. At initialization, the software programs of the badge are downloaded from the base in accordance to the badge&#39;s classification (step  301 ). In the preferred embodiment, the badge is assigned a classification which is stored in the ROM. The classification is retrieved from the badge by the base and software programs are downloaded from the base. Alternatively, the personnel card may be a smart card having stored information including the name or classification of the card owner. A smart card such as the one-chip-card, manufactured by Dai Nippon Printing Company LTD, may be used. The classification information is read from the card by the base through the edge connector  103  prior to initialization or download of the software programs to the badge memory. The operational parameters are also downloaded to the RAM. The badge is given an ID code which identifies the wearer of the badge. The ID is entered into the central computer  10  and/or the PBX  50 . 
     After initialization, the “rate of transmission” value is retrieved, loaded into a counter and decremented to zero (step  302 ). The microcontroller processor then checks the card switch  105  for an open condition, signaling that the personnel card has been inserted into the badge unit (step  303 ). If the switch is open, the processor executes the “transmit ID” routine, which includes the steps of retrieving the ID data from the RAM memory, adding the proper transmission signal codes, converting the data to a serial format, and forwarding the data to the transmitter  102  for transmission (step  304 ). After transmission, the “maximum number of transmission” counter is decremented (step  305 ) and the counter value is checked (step  306 ). If the counter is zero, the badge halts further transmission (step  307 ). If it is not zero, the badge returns to the timeout/transmission loop (steps  302  and  303 ). If at any time the personnel card is removed, the removal is detected after the rate of transmission timeout. The processor then retrieves the card out duration value and commences to count down to zero (step  308 ). During the count down, transmission is halted and the card switch  105  is checked after each decrement until the card out duration value reaches zero (step  309 ). If the personnel card is inserted at any time before the card out duration reaches zero, the badge returns to the timeout/transmit loop (steps  302  and  303 ). If the card out duration reaches zero, the badge operation is stopped (step  307 ). The badge enters a sleep mode (step  311 ). A sleep counter is decremented and the processor is turned off. When the counter reaches zero, the processor wakes up or is turned on. The processor checks for possible tasks and if no task is pending, the processor restarts the sleep counter and returns to sleep. 
     Transmitter 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the components of the transmitter  102  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The transmitter  102  receives a serial data bit stream to be transmitted from the microcontroller  101 . The FM generator  401  generates a carrier signal which is frequency modulated by the serial data. The modulated signal is fed to an LED driver  402  for providing current driving capability to LEDs  403 . According to the preferred embodiment, the to LEDs  403  emit infrared signals. The FM infrared signal transmission technique is known to one skilled in the art. See, for example, the descriptions of an FM infrared transmitter/receiver in U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,619 to J. Crimmins. The disclosure of the U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,619 patent is incorporated by reference herein. It is also understood to one skilled in the art that other known wireless data transmission techniques may be used, e.g. RF transmission. 
     Receiver 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the components of a receiver such as any of receivers  11 ,  12  or  13  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Infrared light sensitive diodes  510  receive the infrared signals transmitted from a transmitter  102  of a badge. Waveshaper and amplifier  520  conditions and amplifies the signals generated by the diodes  510 . The Waveshaper and amplifier  520  includes a plurality of operational amplifiers for detecting the energy level of the received signal. The operational amplifiers are connected as comparators which are set at different thresholds. The comparators are monitored by the microprocessor  540  for determining the energy level of the signal received. FM receiver  530  demodulates the data from the carrier signal. Microprocessor  540  receives the serial data from the FM receiver  530 . According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the receiver is capable of receiving infrared transmissions from badge units up to a distance of 30 feet. The microprocessor  540  extracts the information including the badge ID from the received data. The extracted data is reformatted and forwarded in a message to the central computer  10  or the PBX  50  or both. Preferably, a 64180 microprocessor, commercially available from Motorola, Inc., is used. It is apparent to one skilled in the art that any microprocessor having equivalent performance characteristics may also be used. 
     Badge to Receiver Transmission 
     The data format of the transmission between the badge and the receiver according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is now described. Again referring to FIG. 3, when the badge operation software routine reaches step  304 , the processor in microcontroller  101  fetches the data to be transmitted from the RAM memory location recognized to have the stored data for transmission, e.g., the badge identification number. The processor adds the necessary control and signaling information and formats the data in eight bit bytes plus a start and stop bit. An exemplary data burst is as follows: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 START / CONTROL &amp; PARITY / 
                 ID 
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                 START / 
                 ID 
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     The control and parity field (e.g., bits  2  to  5  of the first byte) identifies the type of data to follow. For example, a fixed or a variable length data. A fixed length data may be known in the system as 5 bytes long. If the data is variable length, the length of data to be transmitted is identified in the control field. Parity information may also be included in this field. 
     The formatted data is forwarded serially from the microcontroller  101  to the transmitter  102  for transmission to a receiver. The data transmission duty cycle is selectable and preassigned, i.e., both the data transmission rate and the period between each data burst are selectable parameters and are preset during initialization. Preferably, the data is selected to transmit to the receiver at a rate of 19.2 khz and the time between each data burst (transmission period) is one to five seconds. The transmission period may vary between milliseconds to hours. 
     Receiver to Central Computer Communication 
     The information received from the badges including the badge ID is communicated to the central computer  10  or PBX  50  at selected intervals by each of the receivers connected to the location system. Depending on the configuration of the receiver, the format of the messages to the central computer may be: 
     
       
         header/energy level/badge data received  (1) 
       
     
     or 
     
       
         header/receiver location/badge data received  (2) 
       
     
     Message type (1) includes an indication of the detected energy level of the signal received from the badge unit. This message format is used when the location of each receiver is already known to either the PBX  50  or the central computer  10 . According to an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which the receiver messages are sent to the central computer  10  through the PBX  50 . The alternative embodiment may be conveniently configured since the PBX  50  is already wired to all the telephones throughout the facility and has processing and database capabilities to communicate with the telephones. In such a configuration, the receivers may be connected and communicated to as if they are telephones. The PBX  50  is capable of identifying the location of each receiver or telephone. In the alternate embodiment configuration, the PBX  50  adds the location information of the receiver from which a message has just been received and forwards a new data packet to the central computer  10 . The central computer  10  receives messages from each receiver, either directly or through the PBX  50 , on a substantially periodic basis and processes the identification and location information. The processed information is updated in memory and retrieved when information about a particular badge or ID is requested by the user. 
     Message type (2) may be used in messages sent directly from the receivers to the central computer  10 . This message type is especially useful when satellite receivers (not shown) are connected to a standard receiver, preferably in a token ring network. Satellite receivers may include lesser components than a standard receiver but is capable of receiving signals from badges and relaying the information to a standard receiver for communication with the central computer  10 . The satellite receivers may be more widely and conveniently distributed throughout the facility. The receiver connected to the satellite receiver may act as the hub and periodically polls the satellite receivers for information. The receiver then reports all the satellite receiver information in a reformatted message to the central computer  10 . 
     External Control of the Badge 
     According to the preferred embodiment, the badge unit according to the present invention may be controlled by an external device (e.g., the base) to transmit data from the external device. When the microcontroller  101  detects an active signal at the “In Base” input at the edge connector  103 , the microcontroller  101  relinquishes control of the transmitter  102  and bypasses data input from the external device to the transmitter  102  for FM conversion and transmission in infrared. Any device having a RS232 interface may input data to the badge. For example, a heart rate monitoring equipment may transmit heart rate monitoring date to the central computer  10  through the badge in such a way. 
     Bracelet Unit 
     As previously discussed, the electronics and software heretofore described for the basic badge unit is also applicable to the bracelet unit. FIG. 6A illustrates the bracelet embodiment according to the present invention. The bracelet may be strapped on the wrist or the ankle of a personnel such as a patient or a baby in a hospital. The bracelet includes an interlock wire  601  which forms a closed circuit when the bracelet is in the closed position. This circuit is monitored by the microcontroller  101  and if the bracelet is opened, the microcontroller  101  senses the open condition and reports such condition to the receiver. 
     The electronics as shown in FIG. 2 are integrated in a housing which may be removably attached to the bracelet. FIG. 6B illustrates the top view of the housing. FIG. 6C is the top view of the bracelet housing with the cover opened, exposing the electronic components therein. FIG. 6D is a side view of the bracelet housing. The dimension of the housing is no larger than 2.0″ in length, 1.25″ in width and 0.44″ in thickness. The bracelet unit housing is preferably hermetically sealed and therefore waterproofed. The software programs are loaded into the ROM of microcontroller  101  prior to its installation in the bracelet housing. In the alternate embodiment, the bracelet unit does not mate with a personnel card and the card switch  105  is not used. The edge connector  103  is also eliminated to conserve space. Data can be read into the bracelet unit by strobing the light sensitive LED  108 . 
     Enhanced Badge Unit 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a alternate embodiment of the badge unit according to the present invention. This embodiment is an enhanced version of the basic badge unit as shown in FIG.  1 . The enhanced badge unit includes all the operations previously described for the basic badge unit and further includes: an infrared receiver  701  for receiving information; a card reader  702  for reading information stored in the smart card; a voice circuit  703  for receiving voice signals from speaker  704  and for translating digital signals to audio signals received from microphone  705 ; a keypad  706  for keypad entry of data; a display  707  for displaying information such as data entered from the keypad  706  or data received from the receiver  701 ; and a membrane switch (not shown) for special designated functions such as an emergency call or sending a selected message. 
     The receiver  701  includes infrared light sensitive diodes  510 , waveshaper and amplifier  520  and FM receiver  530  as shown in FIG. 5 for receiving infrared transmission. The received data is read into the microcontroller  101  in a serial fashion. The voice circuit  703  includes PCM encoder and decoder, digital to analog converter and analog to digital converter. Voice signals input at the microphone  705  are digitized by the analog to digital converter and encoded by the PCM encoder. The PCM data is input to microcontroller  101  for processing including storage in a memory or transmission via the transmitter  102 . In the enhanced badge unit, a digital signal processor is used as the microcontroller  101 . The digital signal processor includes the components of a microcomputer including RAM and ROM memory and is capable of compressing the digitized data prior to the storage in its RAM memory. Preferably, the GASM algorithm standard for converting speech signals into a 13 kbps digital bit stream is used. Similarly, if voice data is to be output to speaker  704 , the data stored in the RAM memory will be retrieved, decompressed, forwarded to voice circuit  703 , which decodes the PCM data, converts the digital data to analog data, then to audio signals through speaker  704 . The digital signal processor may be the ADSP-21MSP50, manufactured by Analog Devices, or any other comparable DSPs commercially available. 
     In the enhanced system embodiment according to the present invention, each of the receivers  11 ,  12  and  13  includes an infrared transmitter, having electronics substantially as shown in FIG. 4, for transmitting infrared signals for reception by the enhanced badge units within the reception range of the badge receiver  701 . A typical usage of the enhanced system involves the location of a badge wearer and communication of a message by the central computer  10  or PBX  50  to the badge wearer via the receive unit ( 11 ,  12  or  13 ) closest to the enhanced badge unit. The message received by the enhanced badge may be displayed on display  707  or converted to voice by voice circuit  703  and/or announced over speaker  704 . The badge wearer can in turn reply by speaking into the microphone  705 . The voice circuit  703  digitizes the analog signal for the microphone  705  and the microcontroller  101  adds the necessary control information prior to transmission of the message through the transmitter  102  to the receivers  11 ,  12  or  13 , which in turn transmits to the central computer  10  or PBX  50 . The badge wearer may also reply by entering a text message via the keypad  706 . 
     Exemplary software program commands and specifications suitable for usage in accordance with the locator system of the present invention is attached as the appendix. 
     It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the preferred embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. These changes and modifications are intended to be covered by the following claims.