INDOOR LOCATION USING A PACKET SYNCHRONIZED RECEIVER ARRAY

摘要

Location of one or more devices in a monitored environment based at least in part on data communications between a device and a communication array disposed relative to the monitored environment. The communication array may include a plurality of nodes, at least two of which may be in operative communication with a mobile device. The plurality of nodes may be synchronized to a common time base with communications over a packet-switched communication network (e.g., employing IP communications or the like). In turn, communications between nodes of known location and a device may be used to determine ranging values at least in part based on characteristics (e.g., time of flight) of the communication. As such, a location may be determined by, for example, multilateration of a plurality of ranging values.

主权项

1. A system for determining a location of a mobile device in a monitored environment, the system comprising:
a plurality of communication nodes distributed within the monitored environment that define a communication array, wherein each communication node in the communication array is in operative communication with at least one mobile device for communication of a data communication between the communication array and the mobile device; a central hub in operative communication with the communication array by way of a packet switched communication network, the central hub providing a synchronization communication to the communication array over the packet switched communication network including information for synchronization of each of the plurality of communication nodes of the communication array to a common time base; and a location determination module that is operative to determine a location of the mobile device within the monitored environment relative to the communication array using at least the common time base and the data communication.