Asset location using direction finding features
AssigneeCypress Semiconductor Corporation
InventorRobert Hulvey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatus cause a first wireless device to transmit to a plurality of locator devices, an extended signal including a first segment and second segment. The first segment includes an indication for each of the plurality of locator devices to listen for a change in the extended signal from the first segment to the second segment. The second segment includes an indication for each of the plurality of locator devices to rotate through a plurality of antennas to receive the second segment via the plurality of antennas. Responsive to the transmitting of the extended signal, receiving direction data from each of the plurality of locator devices.
Claims20
A location method comprising:
- by each of a plurality of locator devices, receiving a signal from a first wireless device through a first antenna, of a plurality of antennas, the signal including a first segment and a second segment;
- by each of the plurality of locator devices, responsive to detecting a change in the signal from the first segment to the second segment, traversing the plurality of antennas to receive the second segment through each of the plurality of antennas;
- by each of the plurality of locator devices, storing a plurality of phase samples, each phase sample associated with the second segment received through one of the plurality of antennas;
- and
- using the plurality of phase samples from each of the plurality of locator devices to calculate direction data associated with the first wireless device, wherein the direction data is configured to identify a direction of the first wireless device relative to a second wireless device.
A method comprising:
- causing a first wireless device to transmit to a plurality of locator devices, an extended signal including a first segment and a second segment,
- wherein the first segment comprises an indication for each of the plurality of locator devices to listen for a change in the extended signal from the first segment to the second segment,
- wherein the second segment comprises an indication for each of the plurality of locator devices to rotate through a plurality of antennas to receive the second segment via the plurality of antennas;
- and
- responsive to the transmitting of the extended signal, receiving direction data from each of the plurality of locator devices, wherein the direction data is configured to identify a relative direction of the first wireless device.
A locator system comprising:
- a plurality of wireless locators, each including,
- multiple antennas configured to detect an extended radio frequency (RF) signal received from a target asset, wherein the extended RF signal includes a first segment and a second segment;
- and
- a location determination module configured to periodically determine direction data associated with the target asset by executing Bluetooth angle-data calculations using phase samples associated with the second segment of the extended RF signal, wherein the direction data is configured to identify a relative direction of the target asset.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.