公开(公告)号：GB2353910A

公开(公告)日：2001-03-07

申请号：GB9920722

申请日：1999-09-03

Applicant: IBM

Inventor： MCCALL COLIN DAVID ,  MASSEY ANDREW LIAM ,  ROBERTSON NEIL LINDSAY

IPC: G01S1/68 ,  H04Q7/38

Abstract: Objects can be tracked within a building using a radio device 120 associated with each object to be tracked and an array of transmitting beacons 102,104,106,108,110,112. Each of the beacons transmits identification data. The received identification data from the object to be tracked is sent to a server which determines the location of the object. The identification data may be sent from the object to the server using a data communications network such as a local area network. The beacons may have a variable power output allowing the receipt 132 or non-receipt 232 of the signal from the beacon to be used to assist in locating the object. The beacons may be associated with an existing wireless communication mechanism, such as Bluetooth.