Claims
1) A method for establishing the location of one or more individuals within a facility, the method comprising installing a plurality of radio-frequency transceiver devices at fixed positions throughout the facility, issuing the or each individual with a respective portable radio-frequency transceiver device, and operating each of the fixed-position transceiver devices to communicate the identity of any of said one or more portable transceiver devices located within communications range thereof to centralised electronic processing means.
2) A method as claimed in Claim 1, used to monitor the location of an isolated worker within the facility, wherein the portable transceiver device issued to that worker comprises means operable by the worker, in the event of an emergency, to communicate a signal to said electronic processing means, via a fixed-position transceiver device, for summoning assistance.
3) A method as claimed in Claim 1, used to monitor the location of an isolated worker within the facility, wherein the portable transceiver device issued to that worker comprises means operable automatically, in the event of an emergency, to communicate a signal to said electronic processing means, via a fixed-position transceiver device, for summoning assistance.
4) A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a video-surveillance system is arranged to continuously track the movements of a particular individual within the facility according to his location.
5) A method as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein a video-surveillance system is arranged to selectively track the movements of a particular individual within the facility
according to his location.
6) A method as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the movements of the individual are tracked, in the event of the individual entering the communications range of a particular fixed-position transceiver device.
7) A method as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the movements of the individual are tracked, in response to a signal communicated to the electronic processing means by the portable transceiver device of that individual.
8) A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electronic processing means are arranged to remotely control the operation of a device in the vicinity of a particular individual.
9) A method as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said device comprises a monitor, the electronic processing means being arranged to select information to be displayed on the monitor, according to the identity of the individual in the vicinity thereof.
10) A method as claimed in Claim 1, used to monitor the respective locations of a plurality of travelers within an airport terminal building, for supervisory or administration purposes, wherein each traveler checking-in for a flight is issued with a respective portable transceiver device.
11) A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the reception sensitivity of each fixed-position transceiver device is independently adjusted to cover a pre-defined area of the facility, according to the chosen transmission power of the or each portable transceiver device.
12) A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the transmission power of each fixed-position transceiver device is independently adjusted to cover a pre-defined area of the facility, according to the chosen transmission power of the or each portable transceiver device.
13) A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the transmission field of each fixed-position transceiver device is independently adjusted to cover a pre-defined area of the facility, according to the chosen transmission power of the or each portable transceiver device.
14) A method as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 13, wherein said adjustment is made remotely by an operator of said electronic processing means.
15) A method as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 13, wherein said adjustment is made remotely and automatically by said electronic processing means.
16) A method as claimed in Claim 14 or Claim 15, wherein said adjustment is made to optimise coverage of a given area.
17) A method as claimed in Claim 14 or Claim 15, wherein said adjustment is made to improve the locating accuracy of the system.
18) A method as claimed in Claim 16 or Claim 17, wherein said adjustment is made continuously.
19) A method as claimed in Claim 18, wherein said adjustment is made to optimise the distribution of data traffic between fixed-position transceiver devices.
20) A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the
fixed-position transceiver devices are positioned to have overlapping communications ranges and the electronic processing means are arranged to determine the position of a portable transceiver device, from whichever fixed-position transceiver device (s) communicate to the electronic processing means the identity of that portable transceiver device.
21) A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fixed-position transceiver devices are adjusted in range to have overlapping communications ranges and the electronic processing means are arranged to determine the position of a portable transceiver device, from whichever fixed-position transceiver device (s) communicate to the electronic processing means the identity of that portable transceiver device.
22) A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the location of an individual is established by a triangulation- type process based on measurements of the distance of a portable transceiver device from each of a plurality of fixed- position transceiver devices
23) A method as claimed in Claim 22, wherein each distance measurement is derived from the time taken for the portable transceiver device to respond to a signal transmitted by a respective fixed-position device.
24) A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fixed-position transceiver devices ("pico-net masters") are arranged in one or more cells, each cell comprising a plurality of pico-net masters, the or each cell lying within communications range of a further respective fixed-position radio-frequency transceiver device (a "scatter-net master") arranged to relay communication signals from the pico-net masters of that cell to said electronic processing means.
25) A method as claimed in Claim 24, wherein the communications range of the or each scatter-net master extends beyond the combined range of its associated pico-net masters for communicating the identity of any of said one or more portable transceiver devices located outside of said combined communications range to said centralised electronic processing means .
26) A method as claimed in Claim 24, wherein the electronic processing means are arranged to determine the location of a particular portable transceiver device, from whether the identity of that device is communicated to it by one of the pico-net masters and/or by a scatter-net master.
27) A method as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the or each portable transceiver device and the or each fixed- position transceiver device comprises a respective Bluetooth ® transceiver device.
28) A facility equipped with means for establishing the location of one or more individuals therein, said means comprising at least one portable radio-frequency transceiver device for issuing to the or each individual and a plurality of radio-frequency transceiver devices installed at fixed positions within the facility, each fixed-position transceiver device being arranged to communicate the identity of any of said one or more portable transceiver devices located within communications range thereof to centralised electronic processing means.
29) A facility as claimed in Claim 28, wherein the centralised electronic means are arranged for monitoring the location of an isolated worker within the facility, the portable transceiver device issued to that worker comprising means operable by the worker, in the event of an emergency, to
communicate a signal to said electronic processing means, via a fixed-position transceiver device, for summoning assistance.
30) A facility as claimed in Claim 28, wherein said centralised electronic means are arranged for monitoring the location of an isolated worker within the facility, the portable transceiver device issued to that worker comprising means operable automatically, in the event of an emergency, to communicate a signal to said electronic processing means, via a fixed-position transceiver device, for summoning assistance.
31) A facility as claimed in any of Claims 28 to 30, comprising a video-surveillance system arranged to continuously track the movements of a particular individual within the facility according to his location.
32) A facility as claimed in any of Claims 28 to 30, comprising a video-surveillance system arranged to selectively track the movements of a particular individual within the facility according to his location.
33) A facility as claimed in Claim 31 or 32, wherein the movements of the individual are tracked, in the event of the individual entering the communications range of a particular fixed-position transceiver device.
34) A facility as claimed in Claim 31 or 32, wherein the movements of the individual are tracked, in response to a signal communicated to the electronic processing means by the portable transceiver device of that individual.
35) A facility as claimed in any or Claims 28 to 34, wherein the electronic processing means are arranged to remotely control the operation of a device in the vicinity of a particular individual.
36) A facility as claimed in Claim 35, wherein said device comprises a monitor, the electronic processing means being arranged to select information to be displayed on the monitor, according to the identity of the individual in the vicinity thereof.
37) A facility as claimed in Claim 28, wherein the electronic processing means are arranged for monitoring the respective locations of a plurality of travelers within an airport terminal building, for supervisory or administration purposes, each traveler checking-in for a flight being issued with a respective portable transceiver device.
38) A facility as claimed in any of Claims 28 to 37, wherein the reception sensitivity of each fixed-position transceiver device is independently adjusted to cover a pre- defined area of the facility, according to the chosen transmission power of the or each portable transceiver device.
39) A facility as claimed in any of Claims 28 to 38, wherein the transmission power of each fixed-position transceiver device is independently adjusted to cover a pre- defined area of the facility, according to the chosen transmission power of the or each portable transceiver device.
40) A facility as claimed in any of Claims 28 to 39, wherein the transmission field of each fixed-position transceiver device is independently adjusted to cover a pre- defined area of the facility, according to the chosen transmission power of the or each portable transceiver device.
41) A facility as claimed in any of Claims 38 to 40, wherein said adjustment is made remotely by an operator of said electronic processing means.
42) A facility as claimed in any of Claims 38 to 40, wherein said adjustment is made remotely and automatically by said electronic processing means.
43) A facility as claimed in Claim 41 or Claim 42, wherein said adjustment is made to optimise coverage of a given area.
44) A facility as claimed in Claim 41 or Claim 42, wherein said adjustment is made to improve the locating accuracy of the system.
45) A facility as claimed in Claim 43 or Claim 44, wherein said adjustment is made continuously.
46) A facility as claimed in Claim 45, wherein said adjustment is made to optimise the distribution of data traffic between fixed-position transceiver devices.
47) A facility as claimed in any of Claims 28 to 46, wherein the fixed-position transceiver devices are positioned to have overlapping communications ranges and the electronic processing means are arranged to determine the position of a portable transceiver device, from whichever fixed-position transceiver device (s) communicate to the electronic processing means the identity of that portable transceiver device.
48) A facility as claimed in of Claims 28 to 47, wherein the fixed-position transceiver devices are adjusted in range to have overlapping communications ranges and the electronic processing means are arranged to determine the position of a portable transceiver device, from whichever fixed-position transceiver device (s) communicate to the electronic processing means the identity of that portable transceiver device.
49) A facility as claimed in any of Claims 28 to 28,
wherein the location of an individual is established by a triangulation-type process based on measurements of the distance of a portable transceiver device from each of a plurality of fixed-position transceiver devices
50) A facility as claimed in Claim 49, wherein each distance measurement is derived from the time taken for the portable transceiver device to respond to a signal transmitted by a respective fixed-position device.
51) A facility as claimed in any of Claims 28 to 50, wherein the fixed-position transceiver devices ("pico-net masters") are arranged in one or more cells, each cell comprising a plurality of pico-net masters, the or each cell lying within communications range of a further respective fixed-position radio-frequency transceiver device (a "scatter- net master") arranged to relay communication signals from the pico-net masters of that cell to said electronic processing means .
52) A facility as claimed in Claim 51, wherein the communications range of the or each scatter-net master extends beyond the combined range of its associated pico-net masters for communicating the identity of any of said one or more portable transceiver devices located outside of said combined communications range to said centralised electronic processing means .
53) A facility as claimed in Claim 51, wherein the electronic processing means are arranged to determine the location of a particular portable transceiver device, from whether the identity of that device is communicated to it by one of the pico-net masters and/or by a scatter-net master.
54) A facility as claimed in any of Claims 28 to 53,
wherein the or each portable transceiver device and the or each fixed-position transceiver device comprises a respective Bluetooth ® transceiver device.
55) An apparatus for establishing the location of at least one individual within a facility, the apparatus comprising at least one portable radio-frequency transceiver device for issuing to the or each individual and a plurality of radio- frequency transceiver devices for installing at fixed positions within the facility to communicate the identity of any of said one or more portable transceiver devices located within their respective communication ranges to centralised electronic processing means.
56) An apparatus as claimed in Claim 55, wherein the centralised electronic means are arranged for monitoring the location of an isolated worker within the facility, the portable transceiver device issued to that worker comprising means operable by the worker, in the event of an emergency, to communicate a signal to said electronic processing means, via a fixed-position transceiver device, for summoning assistance.
57) An apparatus as claimed in Claim 55, wherein said centralised electronic means are arranged for monitoring the location of an isolated worker within the facility, the portable transceiver device issued to that worker comprising means operable automatically, in the event of an emergency, to communicate a signal to said electronic processing means, via a fixed-position transceiver device, for summoning assistance.
58) An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 55 to 57, comprising a video-surveillance system arranged to continuously track the movements of a particular individual within the facility according to his location.
59) An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 55 to 57, comprising a video-surveillance system arranged to selectively track the movements of a particular individual within the facility according to his location.
60) An apparatus as claimed in Claim 58 or 59, wherein the movements of the individual are tracked, in the event of the individual entering the communications range of a particular fixed-position transceiver device.
61) An apparatus as claimed in Claim 58 or 59, wherein the movements of the individual are tracked, in response to a signal communicated to the electronic processing means by the portable transceiver device of that individual.
62) An apparatus as claimed in any or Claims 55 to 61, wherein the electronic processing means are arranged to remotely control the operation of a device in the vicinity of a particular individual.
63) An apparatus as claimed in Claim 62, wherein said device comprises a monitor, the electronic processing means being arranged to select information to be displayed on the monitor, according to the identity of the individual in the vicinity thereof.
64) An apparatus as claimed in Claim 55, wherein the electronic processing means are arranged for monitoring the respective locations of a plurality of travelers within an airport terminal building, for supervisory or administration purposes, each traveler checking-in for a flight being issued with a respective portable transceiver device.
65) An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 55 to 64, wherein the reception sensitivity of each fixed-position
transceiver device is independently adjusted to cover a predefined area of the facility, according to the chosen transmission power of the or each portable transceiver device.
66) An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 55 to 65, wherein the transmission power of each fixed-position transceiver device is independently adjusted to cover a predefined area of the facility, according to the chosen transmission power of the or each portable transceiver device.
67) An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 55 to 66, wherein the transmission field of each fixed-position transceiver device is independently adjusted to cover a predefined area of the facility, according to the chosen transmission power of the or each portable transceiver device.
68) An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 65 to 67, wherein said adjustment is made remotely by an operator of said electronic processing means.
69) An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 65 to 67, wherein said adjustment is made remotely and automatically by said electronic processing means.
70) An apparatus as claimed in Claim 68 or Claim 69, wherein said adjustment is made to optimise coverage of a given area.
71) An apparatus as claimed in Claim 68 or Claim 69, wherein said adjustment is made to improve the locating accuracy of the system.
72) An apparatus as claimed in Claim 70 or Claim 71, wherein said adjustment is made continuously.
73) An apparatus as claimed in Claim 72, wherein said adjustment is made to optimise the distribution of data traffic between fixed-position transceiver devices.
74) An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 55 to 73, wherein the fixed-position transceiver devices are positioned to have overlapping communications ranges and the electronic processing means are arranged to determine the position of a portable transceiver device, from whichever fixed-position transceiver device (s) communicate to the electronic processing means the identity of that portable transceiver device.
75) An apparatus as claimed in of Claims 55 to 74, wherein the fixed-position transceiver devices are adjusted in range to have overlapping communications ranges and the electronic processing means are arranged to determine the position of a portable transceiver device, from whichever fixed-position transceiver device (s) communicate to the electronic processing means the identity of that portable transceiver device.
76) An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 55 to 75, wherein the location of an individual is established by a triangulation-type process based on measurements of the distance of a portable transceiver device from each of a plurality of fixed-position transceiver devices
77) An apparatus as claimed in Claim 76, wherein each distance measurement is derived from the time taken for the portable transceiver device to respond to a signal transmitted by a respective fixed-position device.
78) An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 55 to 77, wherein the fixed-position transceiver devices ("pico-net masters") are arranged in one or more cells, each cell comprising a plurality of pico-net masters, the or each cell
lying within communications range of a further respective fixed-position radio-frequency transceiver device- (a "scatter- net master") arranged to relay communication signals from the pico-net masters of that cell to said electronic processing means.
79) An apparatus as claimed in Claim 78, wherein the communications range of the or each scatter-net master extends beyond the combined range of its associated pico-net masters for communicating the identity of any of said one or more portable transceiver devices located outside of said combined communications range to said centralised electronic processing means .
80) An apparatus as claimed in Claim 78, wherein the electronic processing means are arranged to determine the location of a particular portable transceiver device, from whether the identity of that device is communicated to it by one of the pico-net masters and/or by a scatter-net master.
81) An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 55 to 80, wherein the or each portable transceiver device and the or each fixed-position transceiver device comprises a respective Bluetooth ® transceiver device.