Method for Calculating a Position of a Transponder within an Area of Interest

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention provides a method to enhance the accuracy of local positioning systems that use directive antennas to track the position of a transponder (such as a tracking device) within a specific area. Instead of adding more antennas to improve coverage and accuracy, the system dynamically redirects the focus (or orientation) of existing antennas toward the transponder as it moves. This ensures the transponder is always within the effective coverage area of enough antennas to make precise timing measurements, allowing for more accurate position calculation.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Tracking athletes in sports arenas for performance analysis and referee decisions
• Monitoring equipment or personnel locations in warehouses, factories, or restricted zones
• Assisting in navigation and asset tracking in indoor environments such as airports or shopping malls
• Improving tracking of racehorses, vehicles, or moving objects in competitive settings
• Security applications to precisely track individuals or assets in sensitive areas

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Improves positional accuracy without increasing the number of antennas, reducing hardware and installation costs
• Enables dynamic and continuous tracking of moving objects or people, even in challenging environments
• Minimizes coverage gaps and increases measurement reliability by optimizing antenna directionality
• Allows flexible tracking of multiple transponders (e.g., groups of athletes) using electronic beam steering for rapid focus changes
• Can be retrofitted to existing local positioning systems, leveraging current infrastructure

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to method (MTH) for calculating a position of a transponder within an area of interest, by means of a local positioning system comprising a set of directive antennae located in the vicinity of the area of interest, each antenna having a coverage area, the method (MTH) comprising the following steps: - assessing (ASS_AP) an approximate position of the transponder - selecting (SEL_AT) at least one antenna of the set of antennae that is such that the transponder is within range but not in the effective coverage area of said antenna, according to the approximated position of the transponder and the positions and orientations of the antennae - redirecting (ROT_AT) the focus of the selected antenna so that the transponder is in the effective coverage area of said antenna, according to the approximated position of the transponder - performing (PRF_MS) time-of-arrival or time-difference-of-arrival measurements with respect to the transponder, by the set of antennae - calculating (CLC_EF) the effective position of the transponder by using said timing measurements.