The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 18, 2004
Filed:
Feb. 16, 2000
Colin David McCall, Glasgow, GB;
Andrew Liam Massey, Ayrshire, GB;
Neil Lindsay Robertson, Ayrshire, GB;
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
Objects can be tracked within a building using a radio device associated with each object to be tracked and an array of transmitting beacons. Each of the beacons transmits identification data. The received identification data from the object to be tracked is sent to a server which determines the location of the object. The identification data may be sent from the object to the server using a data communications network such as a local area network. The beacons may have a variable power output allowing the receipt or non-receipt of the signal from the beacon to be used to assist in locating the object. The beacons may be associated with an existing wireless communication mechanism, such as Bluetooth.