Personnel and asset tracking method and apparatus

Abstract

A method for processing messages in a system for locating and tracking tags within an area is provided. Each tag includes a transmitter configured to transmit a unique identifier periodically. Location messages are received and processed by at least one monitoring system to determine whether a tag has changed location.

1 . In a locating and tracking system, a method for processing location messages, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a location message,    determining whether an entry condition has occurred,    starting a timer if an entry condition has occurred, and    generating an exit message if the timer expires after a predetermined time during which no location messages are received.    
     
     
         2 . In a locating and tracking system, a method for processing action messages, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving an alert signal,    determining whether a first response to the alert signal is available,    initiating the first response if the first response is available,    determining whether a second response to the alert signal is available, and    initiating the second response if the second response is available.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the alert signal is received from a tag.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first response is maintained by a first computer and the second response is maintained by a second computer.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of initiating the second response is performed only if the first response is not initiated.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first response and the second response are one of an audible, visual, and electronic response.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of sending one of the first response and the second response to a pager.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of sending one of the first response and the second response to an audio annunciator.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of sending one of the first response and the second response to a client.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of storing the alert signal at a central server.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of storing the time that the alert signal was received.  
     
     
         12 . A method for processing a location message in a system for locating and tracking objects, the method comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a location message,    evaluating the location message to determine whether an event has occurred,    determining whether a notification is needed based on the results of the evaluating step, and    notifying a client if necessary based on the results of the determining step.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the evaluating step includes the step of comparing a current location to a prior location.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the evaluating step includes the step of determining whether a rule applies based on the location message.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the evaluating step includes the steps of determining whether the location message invokes any rules, and determining whether the location message violates any rules.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the notifying step includes the step of determining whether the client is registered to be notified of the event.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the location message includes information relating to an object at a location.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the notifying step includes the step of determining which client to notify of the event.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of verifying that the client wants to be notified of the occurrence of the event prior to notifying the client.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the event includes a change in location of a tag.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the event includes a change in status of a tag.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the event includes a tag being present at a location.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the event includes a tag exiting from a location.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the event includes a tag entering a location.  
     
     
         25 . In a system for locating and tracking objects, a computer program product operable to process a location message, comprising: 
 means for receiving a location message,    means for evaluating the location message to determine whether an event has occurred, and    means for notifying a client of the occurrence of an event if an event has occurred.    
     
     
         26 . In a locating and tracking system, a method for processing location messages, the method comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a location update,    storing the location update in a memory,    processing the location update to determine whether a rule applies,    generating a notification pursuant to an applicable rule, and    sending the notification to a client.    
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the location update includes tag information for a location.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the location update includes location information for a tag.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the rule is associated with a tag.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the rule is associated with a location.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the rule is associated with an asset assigned to a tag.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the rule is associated with a person assigned to a tag.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the rule is defined by a user.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the rule is associated with an event.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the event includes a tag changing location.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the event includes a tag entering a location.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the event includes a tag exiting a location.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the event includes a change in status of a tag.  
     
     
         39 . In a locating and tracking system, a method for processing status updates, the method comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a status update,    storing the status update in a memory,    processing the status update to determine whether a rule applies,    generating a notification pursuant to an applicable rule, and    sending the notification to a client.    
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the status update relates to a tag.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the status update relates to a location.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the status update relates to an asset assigned to the tag.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the status update relates to a person assigned to the tag.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the rule is defined by a user.