US RE41,171 E1Granted

System for monitoring a person's location in a defined area

OwnerPaul E. Howe, Jr.inventor

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Abstract

A system for monitoring a person's location in a defined area (“monitoring system”) according to the present invention includes a plurality of ID badges remote from a plurality of ID readers and a CPU. Each ID badge includes a badge transmitter and a badge receiver, each ID reader includes a reader transmitter and a reader receiver. An alarm and a plurality of kiosks are preferably included. The respective ID readers detect the presence of the ID badges and communicate their respective positions to the CPU. If an ID badge exits the defined area or is disabled, the alarm is activated. The kiosks may be used to add interactivity to the monitoring system, and the ID badges may also include interactive elements. The CPU may perform various additional functions, such as directing a wearer of an ID badge to a destination and conveying information to the kiosks.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for monitoring a person's location in a defined area, comprising:

a plurality of ID readers, each respective ID reader having a reader transmitter and a reader receiver for transmitting and receiving signals, respectively, each respective ID reader having a predetermined reader transmission identifier different from a predetermined reader transmission identifier of any other said ID reader, each respective ID reader including means for including a respective reader transmission identifier in a respective signal;
a plurality of ID badges remote from said plurality of ID readers, each respective ID badge having a badge receiver for receiving query signals from a respective ID reader and a badge transmitter for transmitting reply signals to a respective ID reader, each respective badge transmitter baying a predetermined badge transmission identifier different from a predetermined badge transmission identifier of any other said badge transmitter, each respective ID badge including means for including a respective badge transmission identifier in a respective reply signal;
a CPU in communication with a data storage unit for maintaining ID badge information, said CPU including means for recognizing a respective badge transmission identifier and means for associating said respective badge transmission identifier with a corresponding ID badge, said CPU including means for recognizing a respective reader transmission identifier and means for associating said respective reader transmission identifier with a corresponding ID reader;
means for communicating between said CPU and said plurality of ID readers;
a plurality of kiosks remotely positioned in a spaced-apart relationship relative to said CPU for allowing a respective wearer of a respective ID badge to access information from said CPU pertinent to said wearer;
means for communicating between said CPU and said plurality of kiosks;
wherein respective ID reader is positioned adjacent at least one attraction;
and
wherein said CPU includes means for determining a wait time at said at least one attraction based upon the number of said ID badges detected at said at least one attraction.

6 more elements

A system for monitoring people in a defined area, comprising:

a plurality of ID readers, each respective ID reader having a reader transmitter for transmitting unprocessed signals including query signals and a reader receiver for receiving reply signals, alarm signals, and processed signals;
a plurality of ID badges remote from said plurality of ID readers, each respective ID badge having a badge receiver for receiving said query signals from a respective ID reader and a badge transmitter for transmitting said reply signals and said alarm signals, each respective badge transmitter having a predetermined badge transmission identifier different from a predetermined badge transmission identifier of any other said badge transmitter, each respective ID badge including means for including a respective badge transmission identifier in respective reply and alarm signals;
a CPU in communication with a data storage unit for maintaining ID badge information, a CPU transmitter for transmitting processed signals, and a CPU receiver for receiving unprocessed signals, said CPU including means for recognizing a respective badge transmission identifier included in respective reply and alarm signals and means for associating said respective badge transmission identifier with a corresponding ID badge;
a plurality of kiosks remotely positioned in a spaced-apart relationship relative to said CPU for allowing a respective wearer of a respective ID badge to access information from said CPU pertinent to said wearer, each respective kiosk having a kiosk transmitter for transmitting said unprocessed signals and a kiosk receiver for receiving said processed signals;
wherein each respective kiosk includes a kiosk input device and a kiosk display;
wherein each respective ID badge has a microcontroller in communication with a plurality of LEDs and a power source for conveying information to a wearer of said respective ID badge;
and
wherein said CPU includes means for guiding an ID badge wearer to a destination determined by said wearer at a respective kiosk, said means for guiding including means for selectively actuating respective LED.

5 more elements

A system for monitoring a person's location in a defined area, comprising:

a plurality of ID readers, each respective ID reader having a reader transmitter and a reader receiver for transmitting and receiving signals, respectively, each respective ID reader having a predetermined reader transmission identifier different from a predetermined reader transmission identifier of any other said ID reader, each respective ID reader including means for including a respective reader transmission identifier in a respective signal;
a plurality of ID badges remote from said plurality of ID readers, each respective ID badge having a badge receiver for receiving query signals from a respective ID reader and a badge transmitter for transmitting reply signals to a respective ID reader, each respective badge transmitter having a predetermined badge transmission identifier different from a predetermined badge transmission identifier of any other said badge transmitter, each respective ID badge including means for including a respective badge transmission identifier in a respective reply signal;
a CPU in communication with a data storage unit for maintaining ID badge information, said CPU including means for recognizing a respective badge transmission identifier and means for associating said respective badge transmission identifier with a corresponding ID badge, said CPU including means for recognizing a respective reader transmission identifier and means for associating said respective reader transmission identifier with a corresponding ID reader;
means for communicating between said CPU and said plurality of ID readers;
a plurality of kiosks remotely positioned in a spaced-apart relationship relative to said CPU for allowing a respective wearer of a respective ID badge to access information from said CPU pertinent to said wearer;
means for communicating between said CPU and said plurality of kiosks;
wherein:
said CPU includes means for associating a respective amount of money with a respective ID badge;
and
said CPU includes means for updating a respective amount of money associated with a respective ID badge.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.