RFID-based positioning system for indoor environments

A method for providing RFID-based locations for items located in an indoor environment, the method comprising:

• transmitting, by an RFID scanner that is part of a RFID-based location apparatus, interrogating RFID signals;
• receiving, by the RFID scanner, a plurality of RFID identifiers for RFID tags that are within range of the RFID scanner, wherein the RFID tags are affixed to the items located in the indoor environment;
• determining, by an indoor location tracking device that is part of the RFID-based location apparatus, a current location of the RFID-based location apparatus within the indoor environment based on interactions between the indoor tracking device and an indoor positioning system, wherein the RFID-based location apparatus is mobile and configured to be moved throughout the indoor environment as the plurality of RFID identifiers are received by the RFID scanner within the period of time;
• and
• generating, by an RFID-location processor that is part of the RFID-based location apparatus, RFID-based location data for the items located in the indoor environment, wherein the generating includes:
• receiving, by the RFID-location processor, RFID data from the RFID scanner and location data from the indoor location tracking device, wherein the RFID data comprises a plurality of signal strength readings for each of the plurality of RFID identifiers at different locations in the indoor environment, the plurality of signal strength readings for each of the plurality of RFID identifiers comprising time series data within the period of time of each other, wherein the time series data for each of the RFID identifiers is generated from the RFID scanner being physically moved around different locations near the RFID identifier over the period of time,
• correlating, by the RFID-location processor, portions of the RFID data with portions of the location data,
• identifying, by the RFID-location processor and for each of the RFID identifiers, a current location for the RFID identifier using the correlated RFID and location data, wherein the current location of the RFID identifier in the indoor environment is selected from among the different locations for the RFID identifier in the correlated RFID and location data, wherein the current location is selected as a having a relative maximum signal strength amongst the plurality of signal strength readings in the time series data for the RFID identifier, and
• generating, by the RFID-location processor, the RFID-based location data for the items located in the indoor environment based, at least in part, on the identified correlated portion of the RFID data and the location data, wherein generating the RFID-based location data for the items further comprises identifying the current location in the indoor environment corresponding to the relative maximum signal strength for each of the RFID identifiers.

A device for providing RFID-based locations for items located in an indoor environment, the device comprising:

• an RFID scanner configured to transmit interrogating RFID signals and to receive a plurality of RFID identifiers for RFID tags that are within range of the RFID scanner, wherein the RFID tags are affixed to the items located in the indoor environment, wherein the plurality of RFID identifiers are received within a period of time of each other;
• an indoor location tracking device configured to interact with an indoor positioning system to determine a current location of the device within the indoor environment, wherein the device is mobile and configured to be moved throughout the indoor environment as the plurality of RFID identifiers are received by the RFID scanner within the period of time;
• processor in network communication with the RFID scanner and the indoor location tracking device, wherein the processor comprises memory storing instructions that are executed by the processor, wherein executing the instructions causes the processor to perform operations comprising:
• receiving, from the RFID scanner, RFID data, wherein the RFID data comprises a plurality of signal strength readings for each of the plurality of RFID identifiers at different locations in the indoor environment, the plurality of signal strength readings for each of the plurality of RFID identifiers comprising time series data within the period of time of each other, wherein the time series data for each of the RFID identifiers is generated from the RFID scanner being physically moved around different locations near the RFID identifier over the period of time;
• receiving, from the indoor location tracking device, location data;
• correlating, portions of the RFID data with portions of the location data;
• identifying, for each of the RFID identifiers, a current location for the RFID identifier using the correlated RFID and location data, wherein the current location of the RFID identifier in the indoor environment is selected from among the different locations for the RFID identifier in the correlated RFID and location data, wherein the current location is selected as a having a relative maximum signal strength amongst the plurality of signal strength readings in the time series data for the RFID identifier;
• and
• generating RFID-based location data for the items located in the indoor environment based, at least in part, on the identified correlated portion of the RFID data and the location data, wherein generating the RFID-based location data for the items comprises identifying the current location in the indoor environment corresponding to the relative maximum signal strength for each of the RFID identifiers.