公开(公告)号：US06552661B1

公开(公告)日：2003-04-22

申请号：US09648409

申请日：2000-08-25

Applicant: Roc A. Lastinger ,  John J. Coulthard ,  Steve Koerner

Inventor： Roc A. Lastinger ,  John J. Coulthard ,  Steve Koerner

IPC: G08B1314

CPC classification number: G06K7/0008

Abstract: A locator according to various aspects of the present invention includes a receiver and a processor. The receiver receives several signals, each signal having respective indicia of identification device presence within a respective communication pattern. The processor performs a method for determining whether a first identification device is located within a zone. The method includes the following steps performed in any order. A first step of determining, in response to receiver signals, a respective reliability of communication between the receiver and a plurality of identification devices. The plurality includes the first identification device and at least one second identification device. A first and a second communication pattern each respectively has a periphery such that communication with a provided identification device when located beyond the periphery is less reliable than communication with the provided identification device when located within the periphery. The first identification device is located within the periphery of the first pattern. Each second identification device is located beyond the periphery of the first pattern and within the periphery of the second pattern. And, the first pattern has a periphery substantially within the zone. A second step of comparing each respective reliability of communication to a respective threshold to identify validly present identification devices. And, a third step of determining that the first identification device is within the zone in accordance with whether the first identification device is validly present within the first pattern, the second identification device is validly present within the second pattern, and the second identification device is not validly present within the first pattern.

Abstract translation: 根据本发明的各个方面的定位器包括接收器和处理器。 接收机接收多个信号，每个信号具有相应通信模式中识别装置存在的相应标记。 处理器执行用于确定第一识别装置是否位于区域内的方法。 该方法包括以任何顺序执行的以下步骤。 响应于接收机信号确定接收机和多个识别设备之间的通信的相应可靠性的第一步骤。 多个包括第一识别装置和至少一个第二识别装置。 第一和第二通信模式分别具有周边，使得当位于超出外围时与所提供的识别装置的通信比位于周边内部时与所提供的识别装置的通信不太可靠。 第一识别装置位于第一图案的周边内。 每个第二识别装置位于第一图案的周边之外并且位于第二图案的周边内。 并且，第一图案具有基本上在该区域内的周边。 将通信的各个可靠性与各自的阈值进行比较以识别有效存在的识别装置的第二步骤。 并且，根据第一识别装置是否有效地存在于第一图案内，确定第一识别装置在区域内的第三步骤，第二识别装置有效地存在于第二图案内，而第二识别装置是 在第一种模式中无效。