DE102009041171A1 - System and method for locating mobile objects - Google Patents

Abstract

System and method for localizing mobile objects in buildings (eg hospitals, office buildings), comprising a multiplicity of local units, in particular rooms, the localization taking place on the basis of the object identifier and infrastructure information (eg dedicated telephone line) of the local unit.

Description

The invention relates to a system and a method for locating mobile objects in buildings, comprising a plurality of local units, in particular rooms.

The clear localization of objects in buildings is important for different applications. For example, asset management for asset management, inventory, or theft detection and security.

US Patent Application US 2009/0109033 A1 discloses a system for tracking medical devices based on GPS (Global Positioning System), RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and the like. The location of objects in buildings based on RFID is inaccurate and does not allow a clear allocation of space.

The reliable localization of mobile, in particular portable devices (eg PDA, laptop) in buildings (eg hospitals, clinics or office buildings) is a problem that has so far been insufficiently solved. There are installations that use wireless technology (such as RFID or WLAN) to locate and track mobile devices. When localizing mobile objects using wireless technology, however, problems arise, such. As inaccurate location of the objects or high installation and maintenance costs.

The object of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for the localization of mobile objects in buildings, which allow a cost-effective and clear space allocation of the objects.

The object is achieved by a system for localizing mobile objects in buildings, comprising a plurality of local units, in particular rooms, wherein the mobile objects have a unique identifier, comprising the system:
a location gateway for detecting an object in a location unit associated with the location gateway and for forwarding the identifier of the detected object to an evaluation device; and
an evaluation device for assigning the detected object to the local unit of the localization gateway, wherein the assignment is based on the object identifier and an infrastructure information of the local unit. The basic idea of this invention is a combination of a localization technique for mobile objects (eg PDA, laptop) in local units (eg rooms) with an IT / communication infrastructure present in or for the local units (eg telephone system , Computer network). The use of existing infrastructure enables a cost-effective design of a localization system, as there are no additional construction and maintenance measures. The localization technique (eg, based on ultrasound) provides for the assignment of an object to be located to a location gateway, which is uniquely associated with a location unit. When integrating into the existing IT / communication infrastructure, the existing assignment of individual devices or lines to rooms is used to also assign the objects to be located to these rooms. In hospitals are mobile objects, in addition to computers, PDAs, etc. also movable medical objects of any kind, such. B. ultrasound equipment, beds, wheelchairs. The evaluation device can be designed as a simple demodulator or as a server (eg, PC or workstation) with access to infrastructure information, such. B. Inventory information (room directories containing devices or cabling information, etc.).

A first advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the mobile object has an ultrasonic transmitter for transmitting the object identifier and / or status information of the object and that the localization gateway has an ultrasonic receiver for receiving and forwarding the object identifiers and the status information. Ultrasonic transmitters and receivers are small, robust, reliable and easy to install. It is proposed that the objects and devices to be located z. B. equipped with an ultrasonic transmitter, which can transmit status information in addition to their identity. For energy efficiency reasons, the transmission advantageously does not take place regularly, but only sporadically. The transmission interval can be made dependent on the movement of the device. If a device is not moved, it is sufficient, for example, once a day to generate a corresponding message. However, if a device is moved, which can be detected by a vibration sensor or acceleration sensor, a corresponding message can be sent at shorter intervals in order to be able to realize a tracking of the device. In the exemplary implementation of the system by means of ultrasound, it is advantageous if the location of the devices takes place in a building that consists of several rooms, the doors are usually closed, as is the case for example in hospitals and clinics but also in office buildings. Since sound does not penetrate solid objects, the location of objects / devices is limited to the dimensions of the surrounding space, as long as the room is closed. The location of the objects / devices on the room level is completely sufficient, for example, for a medical technology department in a hospital. The the same applies to a service department that looks after an office building. Even there the exact position within a room is not important but only the reliable localization in a room.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the localization gateway further comprises a modulator and is connected to a dedicated line, in particular a telephone line, wherein the object identifiers and status information received from the ultrasonic receiver are modulated onto the dedicated line. In each room to be monitored an ultrasonic receiver (localization gateway) is attached, which is responsible for the forwarding of the received device IDs. The allocation of a device (mobile object) to a room (local unit) takes place, as already mentioned, indirectly via the wiring of the room. In hospitals z. For example, each room has a telephone line that leads to a telephone system as a dedicated line. The receiver modulates its signals parallel to the telephone on the line. In order not to interfere with connected devices, the power required for the gateway should also be modulated onto the dedicated line, such as Power over Ethernet (PoE) or a free line. In principle, for the assignment of a mobile object to a location unit, each dedicated line assigned to this location unit can be used. For example, power connection with dedicated power outlets or LAN cable with port or address numbers. As a localization gateway, an ultrasound receiver itself may also be used, or a localization gateway and ultrasound receivers may be integrated into one device. This compact design brings advantages in the installation of the system.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the evaluation device has a demodulator as a receiver for object identifiers and status information, wherein the assignment of object to local unit is performed by the dedicated line. Since the assignment of the room numbers to the dedicated lines z. B. is already performed for a telephone system, this information is present and can be used by the demodulator to assign a device to a room and thus to locate. For this purpose, the demodulator can request the relevant information from the telephone system, for example via CSTA, TAPI or CTI. If a structured cabling on the basis of a twisted pair cabling (4 wire pairs) already exists in the building, the (normally) free cables can be used directly and the modulation / demodulation can be omitted.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention lies in the fact that the localization gateway is looped into the signal path between a computer spatially assigned to the local unit and a computer network, the localization gateway transmitting the MAC or IP addresses of the computer sent or received Data packets can read, and wherein the evaluation knows the spatially associated with the computer local unit and assigns a local unit by assigning object identifier and MAC or IP address of the computer to a mobile object. Each computer has a unique IP address or MAC address. At a central location is usually deposited as inventory information, which computers are in which rooms. This can be used for the localization of mobile devices. The localization gateway transparently transmits received data packets (such as an Ethernet switch), but can learn the MAC or IP addresses of the packets being sent and communicate with those MAC addresses with a server in the network. Since the location of the computer in front of which the receiver is used is known, packets containing localization information of objects containing the MAC or IP address of the computer could be assigned to the corresponding space.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention lies in the fact that the localization gateway is connected to a computer spatially assigned to the local unit, whereby the localization gateway is assigned to identification information of the computer, and wherein the evaluation device stores the local unit spatially assigned to the computer knows and by assignment of object identifier and identification information of the computer assigns a location object to a mobile object. As a result, an association of the object to be localized with the identity of the computer (eg PC, workstation) is present. Software runs on the computer or on a server in the network, which derives the room number from this. This is based on existing directories, z. On inventory lists for PCs, on IT atlases.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the localization gateway is connected to a USB port of the computer. In this way, a simple assignment of the object to be localized to the identity of the computer (eg PC, workstation) can be realized.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the local unit has an LED illumination with aufmodulierter location information that can be detected by the mobile object through a light-sensitive diode, wherein the mobile object mechanisms for transmitting the object identifier and the location information for Having localization gateway, and wherein the location gateway forwards the object identifier and the location information to the evaluation device. Due to the increasing use of LED lighting and the fact that information can be modulated on their light signals, information can be transmitted through the lighting. If a corresponding code is transmitted by the illumination for each room, this makes it possible for an object to determine an identifier for the space of its stay through a light-sensitive diode. This identity can then be transmitted to the evaluation device (eg an application system) via a wide variety of communication technologies (eg ultrasound, wireless LAN, Zigbee, etc.).

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that an assignment of the mobile object to the location unit takes place during a movement of the object. For reasons of energy efficiency, the transmission here does not have to be regular, but a sporadic transmission is sufficient. The transmission interval can be made dependent on the movement of the device. If a device is not moved, it is sufficient, for example, to generate a corresponding message once a day. If, however, a device is moved, which can be detected by a vibration sensor or an acceleration sensor, a corresponding message can be sent at shorter intervals in order to possibly be able to track the device.

The object is further achieved by a method for localizing mobile objects in buildings, comprising a plurality of local units, in particular rooms, wherein the mobile objects have a unique identifier, the method comprising the following steps:
Providing location gateways associated with each location unit;
Detecting an object in a location unit by the location gateway;
Forwarding the identifier of the detected object to an evaluation device; and
Assignment of the detected object to the local unit of the localization gateway by the evaluation device, wherein the assignment takes place on the basis of the object identifier and an infrastructure information of the local unit. For the inventive method, the same advantageous embodiments are possible with the same advantages as for the system.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and will be explained below.

Showing:

1 a first exemplary system for the location of mobile objects,

2 a second exemplary system for the location of mobile objects, and

3 a third exemplary system for the location of mobile objects.

The reliable localization of mobile devices in hospitals, clinics or office buildings is an unsolved problem. There are first installations that use wireless technology (such as RFID or WLAN) to locate and track mobile devices. The problem of the localization of objects by means of radio technology is due to the inaccurate location or the very high installation costs associated with the technical solution. If a location of devices at the room level is to take place, a correspondingly large number of RFID readers or WLAN base stations is required. In most cases, the use of radio technology attempts to cover the largest possible area by using less firmly installed nodes. It is then attempted to determine the position of a device with methods for field strength measurement by means of trilateration or triangulation. Typically, the position of a device is determined by comparison with reference measurements. Investigations have shown that the accuracy of these measurements, depending on the local conditions and only in individual cases falls below a radius of one meter. Since these systems have to be calibrated virtually always, the accuracy of the measurement depends on factors that in some cases fluctuate greatly, such as humidity. In addition, changes in the environment, such as the displacement of partitions or the presence of many people, lead to changed measurements and thus to incorrect conclusions in determining the position. Even with detection systems based on microwaves, which permit a higher positioning accuracy due to technical reasons, reliable localization at the room level can not be carried out, since even with an inaccuracy of half a meter it can no longer be decided whether a device is located on one or the other side of a wall when it is near them.

Another way of locating devices is that in each room a reader is installed, the transmitting / receiving area is limited so that it detects only devices in the corresponding room. Due to the physical characteristics of radio technology, however, this is only possible to a limited extent because electromagnetic waves penetrate walls and thus also inadvertently devices in adjacent rooms be recorded. However, this again leads to incorrect localization information.

Due to the described problems and the high costs, only a few readers are installed at strategically favorable positions in order to cover a larger area. However, as already explained, the positioning accuracy drops to a level far below the spatial level. A device can thus no longer be uniquely assigned to a room. If a mobile device is to be located, the area in which the device is located is approximately known, but the exact location must still be determined manually.

Basically, there are two methods of location: trilateration and triangulation. In the trilateration z. For example, the transit time differences between different receivers are measured. Since the position of the receiver is known, it can be concluded by means of a correlation of the data to the position of the transmitter. For this type of measurement, however, the receivers must be synchronized in order to be able to measure the transit time differences. The synchronization of the clocks is technically very complicated. Therefore, the field strength of the radio signal is usually used instead of the runtime. However, this has the disadvantage that objects and persons change the field strength and thereby falsify the measurement. Experience has shown that the field strength measurement is also significantly influenced by factors such as humidity. In triangulation, the location is determined by a trigonometric triangle mesh.

The basic idea of the present invention lies in a combination of a localization technique for mobile objects in rooms with a suitable integration into an existing IT / communication infrastructure. The localization technique (eg, based on ultrasound) provides for mapping an object to be located to a location gateway.

By integrating with the existing IT or communication infrastructure in the building, the existing assignment of individual devices (eg computers) or lines (eg telephone lines) to rooms is used to allocate the objects to be located to the rooms.

1 shows a first exemplary system for the location of mobile objects MO1 in a local unit OE1 of a building, such. B. a hospital or office building. 1 shows the schematic structure for an exemplary inventive system in an existing infrastructure based on dedicated telephone lines TAE, L1. In each room OE1 (eg hospital room), a location gateway UE1, consisting of an ultrasound receiver UE1 and a modulator, is plugged directly into a telephone socket (eg TAE). Since in a conventional telephone system each telephone connection is connected by a dedicated line L1 to a telephone system TA, a clear association between the ultrasound receiver UE1 and the room OE1 can take place in this way. The receiver UE1 therefore does not have to be specially configured or programmed during the installation, which also simplifies the replacement of defective receivers UE1. In the example below 1 For example, the location gateway, the ultrasound receiver UE1 and the modulator are designed as one device, ie compact and integrative. This compact design facilitates installation.

At a central location, for example in front of the telephone system TA, a demodulator DM is used as a receiver for the information sent by the location gateway UE1. The demodulator DM can additionally supply the gateway with power via the dedicated line TAE, L1, so that the gateway does not need batteries for operation. In order not to interfere with connected devices, the power should also be modulated on the line or, as in Power over Ethernet (PoE), one of the free lines should be used.

The modulator (in 1 integrated into the localization gateway) and the demodulator DM are used to be able to impose a signal on the existing line L1, without disturbing the normally occurring on the line communication. The demodulator DM can operate multiple lines (or ultrasonic receiver) in one unit.

The procedure for localization of a device by ultrasound US1, UE1 is then as follows:
In each room an ultrasonic receiver UE1 (localization gateway) is attached, which is responsible for the forwarding of the received device IDs. The allocation of a mobile device MO1 to a room OE1 takes place, as already mentioned, indirectly via the cabling (infrastructure) of the room OE1. In hospitals, each room has a telephone line TAE, which leads as a dedicated line L1 to a telephone TA. The receiver modulates its signals parallel to the telephone on the line. In front of the telephone system TA, a corresponding demodulator DM receives the data and makes the transmitted information available over a network N1 (eg TCP / IP), for example.

Since the allocation of the room numbers to the dedicated lines L1 is already carried out for a telephone system, this information is present and can be used by the demodulator DM, to assign a mobile device MO1 a room OE1 and thus to locate. For this purpose, the demodulator DM can request the relevant information from the telephone system TA, for example via CSTA, TAPI or CTI.

The telephone system TA and the demodulator DM are usually located in a central server room SR of the building. Via a directory VZ (database, spreadsheet, etc.), which contains the assignment of the infrastructure used for localization (eg dedicated telephone line) to a room OE1, the demodulator DM assigns the mobile device MO1 to a room OE1 of the building ,

When using ultrasound for locating the mobile devices MO1 in a building that consists of several rooms OE1, it is advantageous if their doors are mostly closed, as is the case for example in hospitals and clinics but also in office buildings. Since sound does not penetrate solid objects, the location of objects / devices MO1 remains limited to the dimensions of the surrounding space OE1, as long as the space OE1 is closed. The location of objects / devices MO1 at the room level, for example, is completely sufficient for a medical technology department in a hospital. The same applies to a service department that looks after an office building. Also there is not the exact position within a room of importance but only the reliable localization in a room OE1.

In the exemplary realization according to 1 For example, the objects MO1 to be localized are provided with an ultrasound transmitter US1, which can also transmit status information in addition to its identity. For energy efficiency reasons, the transmission does not take place regularly, but only sporadically. The transmission interval can be made dependent on the movement of the device. If a mobile device MO1 is not moved, it is sufficient, for example, once a day to generate a corresponding message. However, if a device MO1 is moved, which can be detected by a vibration sensor or an acceleration sensor, a corresponding message can be issued at shorter intervals in order to possibly be able to realize a tracking of the mobile device MO1.

If structured cabling based on TwistedPair cabling (4 wire pairs) is already available, the (normally) free cables can be used directly and the modulation / demodulation can be dispensed with.

Integration with structured cabling:

If there is already a structured cabling, which means that only network cables for the entire wiring of telephones and computers are used, the same structure can be used. In this case, the demodulator DM is in patch space before the first hub / switch, because from there also each room is wired by a dedicated line. The actual assignment of the room number to a transmitted ID is carried out by the demodulator (gateway), since the assignment of the rooms takes place physically at this point. (Here one could imagine a hub / switch, which already directly integrates the described functionality of the demodulator DM, which could then be configured accordingly via a web frontend).

2 shows a second exemplary system for the location of mobile objects MO2 MO4 in a local unit OE2 of a building. In the exemplary system 2 Localization uses the properties of the Ethernet / IP protocol stack. In this case, the localization gateway UE2 is looped into the signal path IP-A1, IP-A2 between the computer C1 (eg PC, workstation, computed tomography) and the network N2. The mobile objects MO2-MO4 are provided with ultrasonic transmitters, the localization gateway is designed as an ultrasonic receiver UE2 with IP processing logic. The location of the computer C1 is at a central location VZ (see 1 ) deposited and queriable.

The localization gateway UE2 transparently transmits received packets (such as an Ethernet switch), but can learn the MAC or IP addresses of the transmitted data packets and communicate with those MAC addresses with a server in the network N2. Since the location OE2 of the computer C1 in front of which the ultrasonic receiver UE2 is used is known, packets with location information of objects containing the MAC or IP address of the computer C1 would be able to be assigned to the corresponding space OE2.

3 shows a third exemplary system for the location of mobile objects MO5-MO7 in a room OE3 of a building. The mobile objects MO5-MO7 are equipped with ultrasonic transmitters. In the example below 3 For example, the ultrasound receiver UE3 is connected to a computer C2 (eg PC workstation, computer tomograph), for example via a USB port. The ultrasonic receiver UE3 can also be connected to the computer C2 via a connection V (cable-based or wireless). As a result, an assignment of the object MO5-MO7 to be localized to the identity (IP or MAC address or inventory number) of the Computer C2 available. The computer C2 is connected to a network N3 via an IP port IP-A3. A software runs on the computer C2 or on a server in the network N3, which derives therefrom the room number and evaluates the ultrasonic receiver UE3. This is done on existing directories VZ (s. 1 ), z. Eg inventory lists for PCs, IT atlases etc.

The described procedures assign identifiers for objects / devices in the IT infrastructure (telephone numbers, ports to an Ethernet switch, Mac addresses, IP addresses, identifiers of LED lighting, etc.). Typically, there are corresponding directory services or databases in the IT infrastructure which allow these identifiers to be mapped to room numbers and enable localization.

Instead of automatically obtaining the space allocation, this information can also be programmed manually at the time of installation of the ultrasound receiver / location gateway. With an ultrasonic transmitter, the receiver could be informed of the associated room number. In order to prevent inadvertent reprogramming of already installed receivers, the receiver to be programmed should be set to "programming mode" by a push-button. This very cost-effective solution has the disadvantage that when exchanging an ultrasound receiver, care must be taken to ensure that the room number has been programmed correctly, since otherwise the wrong room information is forwarded.

Indirect location of persons:

In principle, a localization of persons is possible with the system and method according to the invention. However, the position of a person can only be reasonably concluded if the user can be uniquely identified (for example by an authentication mechanism via a TPM (Trusted Platform Module)) and either an interaction with the device takes place or is detected by a motion sensor or acceleration sensor can be that the device is moved, so probably by the registered person is carried. If neither an interaction nor a movement is detected, it could be that the user has dropped the device. Thus, the position of the user can no longer be determined with high reliability.

Tracking the movement of objects

In principle, track and trace of objects is also possible with the system and method according to the invention. If the device is moved, which can be detected by vibration sensors or acceleration sensors, the device sends its own identification more frequently (continuously or within short time intervals). This can be used to track the movement of the device (tracking). This is also interesting to trigger an alarm when a device leaves a defined area. (Could also be used for automatic de-inventory / inventory.)

The above-mentioned alternatives of the implementation examples can replace the ultrasonic location or the automatic allocation of the room numbers in various design variants. The use of ultrasound to identify mobile devices and the transmission of status information enables a virtually unambiguous location of mobile devices at the room level. If the ultrasound transmitter is coupled to the device, continuous monitoring of the device status can also be carried out.

The localization is done by combining an ultrasonic location with an automatic allocation of room numbers to the ultrasonic receivers using existing infrastructure and the modulation of the information on these lines. The advantage of the described solution allows the reliable location of mobile devices in a building, without additional effort in the installation of the ultrasonic receiver.

The cost savings potential of the described invention message can be substantiated by a simple calculation example:
Every hospital is obliged to carry out an inventory of the existing devices at least once a year. Since most devices are mobile (about 95% of the medical devices are mobile), the location of the devices must first be determined. In a hospital with approximately 4,000 mobile devices (equivalent to a total bed count of approximately 670), either a medical device technician or clinical staff must identify and report a device for inventory. An average of seven minutes is assumed for the process of reading the device identification and the corresponding message. This corresponds to a total duration of (4,000 · 7/60 =) 466 hours, or about three man-months.

If a device is not found immediately, or if the device identifications can not be read unambiguously, the effort for the inventory may increase significantly. With a correspondingly large number of mobile devices, the effort increases at least proportionally. Since there is a greater spatial distribution of the devices with more devices, the effort increases in addition, if the inventory of people are carried out, which must first find the devices.

Already in medium-sized clinics with approx. 20,000 mobile devices, the equivalent of an expenditure of already more than one person year, provided that the devices can be found and identified without additional effort. Since devices are also stolen, they can not be found, which usually leads to a very high cost, to ensure that the device was not forgotten somewhere and thus can indeed be deventarisiert.

• • Asset-Management: Automatische Lokalisierung von Gütern (Assets) anstelle einer manuellen Inventur, die mit einem hohen personellen und zeitlichen Aufwand verbunden ist.
• • Statusüberwachung: Überwachung von Fehlerzuständen und Statusinformationen von Geräten. Die Statusüberwachung adressiert das Problem der Fehlervermeidung durch präventive Maßnahmen aufgrund einer kontinuierlichen Statusmeldungen des mobilen Geräts, sowie die Erkennung und automatische Weiterleitung aufgetretener Fehler.
• • Personenlokalisierung: Portable Endgeräte wie beispielsweise PDAs oder Laptops, werden vom klinischen Personal mitgeführt. Bei der Ortung dieser Geräte ist primär die Lokalisierung der Personen von Interesse. Aufgrund der Authentifizierungsinformation der angemeldeten Person, kann durch Ortung des Gerätes indirekt auf die Position der Person geschlossen werden. Diese Information kann in Notfallsituationen von Bedeutung sein, wenn beispielsweise der „nächste Arzt” (im Sinn einer Distanz) gefunden werden soll, oder allgemein zur Verbesserung von Workflows (z. B. von Servicetechnikern, Pflegepersonal etc.)
• • Diebstahlsicherung: Passiert ein Gerät einen bestimmten Bereich, ohne dass es zuvor entsprechend freigegeben wurde, kann ein Alarm ausgelöst werden, der darauf hinweist, dass ein Gerät möglicherweise gerade entwendet wird. Da eine Überführung eines Gerätes von einem Bereich in einen andern entsprechend für die Inventur protokolliert werden muss, kann anhand dieser Information zum einen Sichergestellt werden, ob und wann ein Gerät tatsächlich aus dem eigenen Verantwortungsbereich in einen anderen Überführt wurde, aber auch, ob ein Gerät überhaupt aus einem Zuständigkeitsbereich entfernt werden darf. Hierzu kann es sinnvoll mit einer erhöhten Frequenz Ortungsinformationen zu senden, wenn das Gerät bewegt wird.

There are a number of applications for the proposed localization system or method:

• • Asset management: Automatic asset localization instead of manual inventory, which requires a lot of time and effort.
• • Status monitoring: Monitoring of error conditions and status information of devices. The status monitoring addresses the problem of preventive measures due to continuous status messages from the mobile device, as well as the detection and automatic forwarding of errors that have occurred.
• • People localization: Portable devices such as PDAs or laptops are carried by the clinical staff. When locating these devices, the localization of the persons is of primary interest. On the basis of the authentication information of the person registered, the position of the person can be indirectly determined by locating the device. This information may be of importance in emergency situations, for example if the "next doctor" (in the sense of a distance) is to be found, or generally to improve workflows (eg of service technicians, nursing staff, etc.).
• • Anti-theft device: If a device passes a certain area without it having been previously released, an alarm may sound that indicates that a device may be being stolen. Since a transfer of a device from one area to another must be logged accordingly for the inventory, this information can be used to ensure, first, whether and when a device was actually transferred from its own area of responsibility to another, but also whether a device be removed from any jurisdiction at all. For this purpose it may make sense to send location information with an increased frequency when the device is being moved.

System and method for localizing mobile objects in buildings (eg hospitals, office buildings), comprising a multiplicity of local units, in particular rooms, the localization taking place on the basis of the object identifier and infrastructure information (eg dedicated telephone line) of the local unit.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

OE 1 OE3

local unit

SR

server room

MO1-MO7

Mobile object

US1

ultrasonic transmitter

UE1-UE3

ultrasonic receiver

N1-N3

network

TAE

Telephone connection unit

L1

telephone line

TA

PBX

DM

demodulator

VZ

directory

C1, C2

computer

IP A1 IP A3

IP port

V

connection

Claims (10)

System for locating mobile objects (MO1-MO7) in buildings, comprising a plurality of local units (OE1-OE3), in particular rooms, wherein the mobile objects (MO1-MO7) have a unique identifier, the system comprising: a location gateway ( UE1-UE3) for detecting an object (MO1-MO7) in a location unit (OE1-OE3) assigned to the location gateway (UE1-UE3) and for forwarding the identifier of the detected object (MO1-MO7) to an evaluation unit (DM) ; and an evaluation device (DM) for assigning the detected object (MO1-MO7) to the location unit (OE1-OE3) of the location gateway (UE1-UE3), characterized in that the assignment based on the object identifier and infrastructure information (L1) of Local unit (OE1-OE3) takes place. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile object (MO1-MO7) comprises an ultrasound transmitter (US1) for transmitting the object identifier and / or status information of the object (MO1-MO7) and that the localization gateway comprises an ultrasound receiver (UE1-UE3 ) for receiving and forwarding the object identifier and the status information. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the location gateway (UE1-UE3) further comprises a modulator and with a dedicated line (L1), in particular to a telephone line, wherein the object identifiers and status information received by the ultrasonic receiver (UE1-UE3) are modulated onto the dedicated line. System according to claim 3, characterized in that the evaluation device comprises a demodulator (DM) as a receiver for object identifiers and status information, wherein the assignment of object (MO1-MO7) to the location unit (OE1-OE3) by the dedicated line (L1). System according to claim 2, characterized in that the localization gateway (UE1-UE3) is looped into the signal path between a spatially associated with the local unit (OE1-OE3) computer and a computer network, wherein the location gateway (UE1-UE3 ) can read the MAC or IP addresses of the data packets sent or received by the computer, and wherein the evaluation device knows the spatially associated local unit (OE1-OE3) and by assigning the object identifier and MAC or IP address of the computer (C1 , C2) assigns a location (OE1-OE3) to a mobile object (MO1-MO7). System according to Claim 2, characterized in that the location gateway (UE1-UE3) is connected to a computer spatially assigned to the location unit (OE1-OE3), whereby an assignment of the location gateway (UE1-UE3) to identification information the computer (C1, C2) takes place, and wherein the evaluation device knows the spatially assigned local unit (OE1-OE3) and by assigning object identifier and identification information of the computer (C1, C2) to a mobile object (MO1-MO7) a local unit ( OE1-OE3). System according to claim 6, characterized in that the location gateway (UE1-UE3) is connected to a USB port of the computer (C1, C2). System according to claim 1, characterized in that the location unit (OE1-OE3) comprises an LED illumination with modulated location information, which can be detected by the mobile object (MO1 MO7) by a photosensitive diode, wherein the mobile object (MO1 MO7 ) Has mechanisms for transmitting the object identifier and the location information to the localization gateway (UE1-UE3), and wherein the localization gateway (UE1-UE3) forwards the object identifier and the location information to the evaluation device. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an assignment of the mobile object to the location unit (OE1-OE3) takes place during a movement of the object (MO1-MO7). Method for locating mobile objects (MO1-MO7) in buildings, comprising a multiplicity of local units (OE1-OE3), in particular rooms, wherein the mobile objects (MO1-MO7) have a unique identifier, the method comprising the following steps: Providing location gateways (UE1-UE3) associated with each location unit (OE1-OE3); Detecting an object (MO1-MO7) in a location unit (OE1-OE3) by the location gateway (UE1-UE3); Forwarding the identifier of the detected object (MO1-MO7) to an evaluation device; and Assignment of the detected object (MO1-MO7) to the location unit (OE1-OE3) of the location gateway (UE1-UE3) by the evaluation device, wherein the assignment is based on the object identifier and an infrastructure information of the local unit (OE1-OE3).

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