Description:
Executive Summary
The invention is an object localization system that leverages radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to provide a new, GPS-like positioning capability that simultaneously delivers high accuracy, speed and reliability not previously seen in RFID technologies.
Background
RFID technology typically provides object tracking and identification functionality without providing object localization capabilities. Existing RFID-based localization techniques suffer from inherent position-estimate errors due to various factors (e.g., environmental interferences, radio frequency occlusions due to metals and liquids, variability in RFID tag sensitivity, etc.). Moreover, many of these localization techniques also use non-RFID technologies, such as ultrasonic sensors, vision sensors, cameras and lasers. Thus, existing RFID-based localization solutions often have limited accuracy, speed, cost, scalability and/or reliability.
Invention Description
The invention offers techniques to localize both RFID tags and readers attached to target objects. To localize tags, the technology varies the reader power level over a set of calibrated reference tags having known sensitivities. A separate technology determines the positions of mobile readers by measuring their proximity to reference tags. These two approaches can be combined to yield even higher accuracy and efficiency.
In addition, the invention’s object localization system can localize multiple stationary and mobile objects simultaneously, without degrading accuracy or speed. This RFID-based object localization system’s performance is unprecedented in terms of its ability to simultaneously offer high accuracy, speed and reliability. And unlike GPS technology, this RFID-technology offers object localization even indoors.
For more information, see the inventor publication.
Advantages
This invention offers the following advantages:
- Efficient algorithms enable fast and accurate localization of objects
- Power-optimizing system lowers operational costs
- System is capable of simultaneously localizing multiple stationary and mobile objects without degrading accuracy or speed
- Use of standard RFID tags and readers creates a user-friendly, scalable system
- Reliable and robust multi-tags address environmental interferences
Potential Applications
This RFID-based technology can be used for a variety of applications, such as localizing objects, real-time tracking and security systems. Other potential application areas include telemedicine, robotics and assisted living.
