Abstract:
The present invention includes methods and devices for locating emergency service providers during emergency operations. According to some implementations, radio frequency identification ("RFID") tags are positioned at various locations throughout a building. Building locations can be determined from the RFID tags . Emergency service providers may be equipped with a portable device that includes at least one RFID reader for reading the RFID tags. Some implementations involve transmitting the RFID tag data to a control center from which the emergency services are coordinated. The emergency service workers' current and prior locations can be determined by the portable devices and/or at the control center.
Abstract:
An object 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.
Abstract:
A medical alert distribution system selectively filters information received from an inbound information source. Software modules resident in a "limit" software subsystem of a memory of a host computer of the system are organized to interface with software modules resident in a database subsystem to selectively filter the database information in response to stored selection and limit parameters. The software modules embody a plurality of independent processes, each of which perform specific operations. Upon completion of the filtering process, the host computer distributes the filtered information over a communications network.
Abstract:
In a location monitoring system, a plurality of mutually spaced-apart fixed units (Fig. 1) are each capable of transmitting a wireless (e.g. microwave or infra-red) fixed unit signal (FUS), at least one mobile unit (Fig. 2) to be carried by a person is capable of detecting such a fixed-unit signal when in a limited region with respect to the fixed unit transmitting the signal, and a central unit (Fig. 3) receives a location signal (LS) from the or each mobile unit indicating which fixed unit was last detected by that mobile unit.
Abstract:
A method for facilitating the flow of pedestrian traffic in, for example an airport, which method comprises the steps of: a) providing a person, for example a passenger, with a device on or shortly before entry to a specific area, for example a duty-free area; and b) transmitting a signal to said device at a specific time, for example when the passenger should make his or her way to a boarding gate. The method also finds applicability in theme parks and similar places where it is desired to ensure that people get to a desired location at a particular time.
Abstract:
A method of determining the locations of a plurality of users within a predetermined space. The method comprising allocating an electronic tag having an identifier to each user, each tag being responsive to a predetermined interrogation signal to transmit a response signal from which the location of the tag within the predetermined space can be determined. The electronic tag identifier is associated with the user on allocation of said electronic tag, such that it is assumed that the location of an electronic tag corresponds to the location of the associated user. An interrogation signal is transmitted within the predetermined space and response signals are detected, to determine the location of users from the response signals.
Abstract:
A group selected from a plurality of portable subscriber units (122) is defined (402), and a plurality of locations corresponding to members of the group are identified (404) by a controller (112) in cooperation with a base station and the group members. The controller determines (406) from the plurality of locations at least one distance between selected ones of the members, and sends (408) a notification when the at least one distance satisfies a predetermined set of rules.
Abstract:
A monitoring system is provided with a two tier communication network. Multiple first tier nodes comprising wireless or RF sensors are each equipped with transceivers operating at a first, low power level. Multiple second tier nodes are spaced to communicate with selected sensors at the lower bandwidth level, and also communicate with each other at a higher power level and higher bandwidth, to route sensor communications to a central controller. The sensors comprise standard home and small business sensors such as motion detectors, glass breakage, pressure, temperature, humidity and carbon monoxide sensors to name a few, each equipped with a transceiver. The sensors are placed throughout a structure to be protected or monitored. Since such structures can be quite large, several second tier routers are provided such that at least one is within range of each sensor to receive its low power signals. A routing table is dynamically generated to direct communications between routers and the controller.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a patient care and communication system which utilizes a central processing system and a plurality of remote stations electrically connected to the central processing system to facilitate visual and data communications. Each remote station includes telephone circuitry which is connected to a private branch exchange for telephone communications between stations. In addition, the private branch exchange is connected to a telephone exchange and a plurality of telephones for facilitating telephone communication therebetween. The central processing system facilitates the visual and data communications between the plurality of remote stations, and includes a system for determining which of the plurality of remote stations are transmitting the visual and data communications and which of the plurality of remote stations are to receive the visual and data communications. The central processing system also includes a system which establishes a communication link between the transmitting stations and the receiving stations. The remote stations include a processing system which also facilitates the visual, data and telephone communications and a display for displaying the visual communications. The present invention also includes a staff and/or patient locator system, in which each remote station includes an infrared receiver that receives infrared transmissions from a portable transmitter worn by a staff member or patient. The infrared transmissions include identity information associated with the person wearing the transmitter. The identity information is then transferred to the central processing system which determines the identity and location of each person wearing a portable transmitter.
Abstract:
A locating system in which a network of communication stations are spread over a surveillance area. Each moveable element is provided with a transponder (50) having an associated identification code. A paging signal (F1) sent out over the surveillance area is picked up by the transponders (50) and the one with the identification code provided in the page responds. The response is made at a frequency (TF1) different from the page (F1). The response is picked up by the nearest communication stations. A master station (30) communicates with the communication stations at a frequency (F2) different from that used by the paging signal (F1) or the transponder (TF1). The master station (30) which interrogates all the communication stations locates the paged transponder (50) to within a sector bordered by the communication stations that received the response from the transponder (50). The communication stations can be subdivided into three or more interspersed arrays (40).