JP5119129B2 - Object tracking system - Google Patents

Description

[0001] Objects can be tracked using various sensing and communication techniques. For example, using a global positioning system (GPS), radio frequency identification (RFID) system and transponder using radar, video, color matching, ultraviolet, light, and infrared signals Can be used to track an object. As an example, a vehicle can be tracked using a transponder system. As another example, a retail object can be tracked using an RFID system. In addition, satellites can track objects from space in real time.

[0002] The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These drawings only illustrate some embodiments in accordance with this disclosure and, therefore, are understood not to limit the scope thereof, and the disclosure is further illustrated with the aid of the accompanying drawings. And describe in detail.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an object tracking system according to an exemplary embodiment. [0004] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a user computing device of the object tracking system of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment. [0005] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a middleware system of the object tracking system of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment. [0006] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a cloud computing system of the object tracking system of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment. [0007] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating operations performed by the cloud computing system of FIG. 4, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. [0008] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating operations performed by the user computing device of FIG. 2, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [0009] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating operations performed by the middleware system of FIG. 3 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0010] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, with the exception being required depending on the situation. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. Aspects of the present disclosure can be arranged, replaced, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, as generally described herein, and further shown in the drawings, all of which are explicitly described. Will be readily discussed and form part of this disclosure.

[0011] Exemplary systems, methods, devices, etc. for tracking an object using various sensing and communication techniques are described. Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of an object tracking system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. The object tracking system 100 includes one or more user computing devices 102a, 102b,. . . , 102n, middleware system 104, cloud computing system 106, one or more satellites 116a, 116b,. . . , 116n, and one or more sensors 120a,. . . , 120n. One or more user computing devices 102a, 102b,. . . , 102n may be any form factor computer including a laptop, desktop, server, integrated messaging device, personal digital assistant, mobile phone, iPod ™, and the like. One or more user computing devices 102a, 102b,. . . , 102n can be associated with the same and / or different users. One or more satellites 116a, 116b,. . . , 116n each uses one or more sensors mounted on the satellites to provide one or more targets 118a, 118b,. . . 118n can be tracked. In addition or alternatively, one or more sensors 120a,. . . , 120n sensors (multiple sensors) include one or more targets 118a, 118b,. . . 118n can be detected and tracked.

[0012] For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the satellite 116n has a target position, a restriction on an effective range of sensors (a plurality of sensors) mounted on the satellite 116n, and a sensor (a plurality of sensors mounted on the satellite 116n). One or more targets 118a, 118b,... Based on the resolution provided by the . . 118n can be tracked. One or more user computing devices 102a, 102b,. . . , 102n, middleware system 104, cloud computing system 106, one or more satellites 116a, 116b,. . . , 116n, and one or more sensors 120a,. . . , 120 n can communicate using the network 108. The network 108 is one or more types of networks including cellular networks, peer-to-peer networks, the Internet, local area networks, wide area networks, Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth (TM) networks, and the like. Can be included.

[0013] The cloud computing system 106 can include one or more servers 110 and one or more databases 114. A cloud computing system refers to one or more computational resources that are accessible over a network and that provide on-demand computing services to users. One or more servers 110 may include one or more computing devices 112a, 112b,. . . 112n, which may be any form factor computer. The one or more databases 114 are first databases 114a,. . . And the nth database 114n. One or more databases 114 can be housed in one or more of one or more servers 110, or one or more servers 110 can be accessed directly via a wired or wireless connection or via network 108. Can be housed in a separate computing device. One or more databases 114 can be organized into multiple tiers and can be created using various database technologies without limitation. The components of cloud computing system 106 may be implemented in a single computing device or in multiple computing devices in a single location, single facility, and / or with each other. Can be remote.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a user computing device 102 of the object tracking system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. User computing device 102 may include an input interface 200, an output interface 202, a communication interface 204, a computer readable medium 206, a processor 208, and a target locator application 210. Without limitation, the user computing device 102 can also incorporate different additional components. The target locator application 210 provides a graphical user interface with user selectable and controllable functions. Target locator application 210 may include a browser application or other user interface-based application that interacts with middleware system 104 to present available targets to the user, Allows the user to select from this available target and / or sends a request for the location of the selected target.

[0015] The input interface 200 provides an interface for receiving information from a user input to the user computing device 102, as is known to those skilled in the art. The input interface 200 interacts with a variety of input technologies including, but not limited to, a keyboard, pen and touch screen, mouse, trackball, touch screen, keypad, one or more buttons, etc. Allows a user to enter information into the user computing device 102 or chooses options presented on a user interface that is displayed using a display under the control of the target locator application 210 Can be made possible. The input interface 104 can also provide both input and output interfaces. For example, a touch screen allows both user input and presentation of output to the user. User computing device 102 may have one or more input interfaces that use the same or different interface technologies.

[0016] The output interface 202 provides an interface for outputting information for review by a user of the user computing device 102. For example, the output interface 202 can include an interface to a display, printer, speaker, and the like. The display may be any of various displays including but not limited to thin film transistor displays, light emitting diode displays, liquid crystal displays, and the like. The printer may be any of various printers including but not limited to ink-jet printers, laser printers, and the like. User computing device 102 may have one or more output interfaces that use the same or different interface technologies.

[0017] The communication interface 204 provides an interface for transmitting and receiving data between devices using various protocols, transmission techniques, and media. The communication interface can support communication using various transmission media, which can be wired or wireless. User computing device 102 may have one or more communication interfaces that use the same or different protocols, transmission technologies, and media.

[0018] The computer-readable medium 206 is a place or area for storing information electronically so that it can be accessed by the processor 208. The computer readable medium 206 includes any type of random access memory (RAM), any type of read only memory (ROM), any type of flash memory, etc. It is not limited. For example, a magnetic storage device (eg, hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strip), an optical disk (eg, compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD)) smart card, flash memory device, and the like. User computing device 102 may have one or more computer-readable media that use the same or different memory media technologies. The user computing device 102 may also have one or more drives that support loading of memory media such as CDs, DVDs, flash memory cards, and the like.

[0019] The processor 208 executes instructions as is known to those skilled in the art. The instructions can be performed by special purpose computers, logic circuits, or hardware circuits. Accordingly, the processor 208 can be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination of these methods. The term “execution” is to perform the action required by the process or instruction that runs the application. The instructions can be written using one or more programming languages, script languages, assembly languages, and the like. The processor 208 executes the instruction, which means that it performs the operation requested by that instruction. The processor 208 is operatively coupled to the input interface 200, the output interface 202, the communication interface 204, the computer readable medium 206, and the target locator application 210 to receive, transmit, and process information. The processor 208 can retrieve a set of instructions from the permanent memory device and copy the instructions in an executable form to a temporary memory device, typically some form of RAM. User computing device 102 may include multiple processors that use the same or different processing technologies.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram of the middleware system 104 of the object tracking system 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is shown. The middleware system 104 can include an input interface 300, an output interface 302, a communication interface 304, a computer readable medium 306, a processor 308, and an object tracking architecture 310. Without limitation, different additional components may be incorporated into the middleware system 104. For example, the middleware system 104 can include a database that is directly accessible by the middleware system 104 or accessible by the middleware system 104 using a network, such as the network 108. The middleware system 104 may further include a cache for temporarily storing information communicated to the middleware system 104. The input interface 300 provides the same function as the input interface 200. The output interface 302 provides the same function as the output interface 202. The communication interface 304 provides the same function as the communication interface 204. Computer readable medium 306 provides functionality similar to computer readable medium 206. The processor 308 provides the same function as the processor 208.

[0021] The object tracking architecture 310 may include a target tracking application 312, an application engine 314, a business component 316, and a hardware abstraction layer 318. The target tracking application 312 includes operations related to the interface between the cloud computing system 106 and the user computing device 102 to maintain and organize target tracking data and to make requests for target locations. Process and determine the target location at the requested time using the target tracking data. Object tracking architecture 310 includes signature, password support, object description, location description, RFID, GPS, news report, transponder verification, description of trackable parameters such as passport or other scan data points, It includes functions for specifying the position, specifying the position of the object through the community, and the like. Object location through the community uses the capabilities of a large group of people to locate the object, so the data points where the object can be used to estimate where the object is located Average the group's individual claims about the use. The location of objects through the community uses community resources of object finders registered in the field, and these object finders are polled to find objects by averaging responses.

[0022] The object tracking architecture 310 may use a load balancing server, a content server, a database server, an application server, and a registration server. The application and registration server facilitates the registration process for the user, as well as downloading the target locator application 210 and application updates. The middleware system 104 may include one or more user computing devices 102a, 102b,. . . , 102n is configured to download the correct software application. During the registration process, the user may fill out several fields that help identify the user's lifestyle choices and preferences. User related data may be stored in one or more user computing devices 102a, 102b,. . . , 102n and formatted using an application and database server. The load balancing server sorts the user's query from the data sent from the user, and sorts external data sources resulting from the user's access and applicability to the lifestyle recommendation system 100. The middleware system 104 sends anonymous data points to the cloud computing system 106. This data point, along with the user's current settings and information, constitutes any new data and cloud computing system 106 security specifications.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 4, a block diagram of modules associated with the cloud computing system 106 of the object tracking system 100 is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The cloud computing system 106 can include an interface module 400, a service catalog 402, a supply tool 404, a monitoring and metering module 406, a system management module 408, and one or more servers 110. Without limitation, different additional components may be incorporated into the cloud computing system 106. For example, the cloud computing system 106 can further include one or more databases 114. The middleware system 104 exchanges information with the interface module 400 to request a service. Service catalog 402 provides a list of services that middleware system 104 can request. The supply tool 404 can allocate computational resources from one or more servers 110 to send out the requested service and develop the images necessary for execution on the one or more servers 110. The monitoring and metering module 406 can track the use of one or more servers 110 and cause the resources used to belong to a user, for example for billing purposes. The system management module 408 manages one or more servers 110. One or more servers 110 can be interconnected as if in a grid running in parallel.

[0024] The interface module 400 may be configured to allow service selection from the service catalog 402. Requests associated with the selected service can be sent to the system management module 408. The system management module 408 identifies available resources, such as one or more of the servers 110 and / or one or more of the databases 114. The system management module 408 calls the supply tool 404 to assign the identified resource. The delivery tool 404 can also deploy the requested stack or web application.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 5, exemplary operations performed by the cloud computing system 106 are shown. Depending on the embodiment, operations may be added, reduced, or different operations may be performed. The order of presentation of the operations of FIG. 5 is not intended to be limiting. At operation 500, a tracking application associated with one or more target tracking applications is received. For example, the target tracking application includes instructions for determining a target location based on previously stored information and / or previously calculated information and / or current target data. The target tracking application can be in text form, object code form, or executable format. In operation 501, the received one or more target tracking applications are stored in the cloud computing system 106. When the target data is received at operation 502, the received target data is stored in the cloud computing system 106 at operation 504. If target data has not been received at operation 502, processing continues at operation 506. If a request for the target location is not received at operation 506, processing continues at operation 502.

[0026] When a request for a target location is received at operation 506, the request is processed to identify information for responding to the request. In an exemplary embodiment, the request includes a tracking method identifier or identifiers that identify a target tracking application that is used in determining the target location among one or more target tracking applications. The request further includes a target identifier used to identify the target data stored for the target and a time associated with the location request. For example, the time can be the current time, a future time, or a past time for which the target position is determined. In operation 508, the target tracking application is identified. At operation 510, target data associated with the target identifier is identified. At operation 512, the cloud computing system 106 determines the target location by executing the identified target tracking application using the identified target data. In operation 514, the determined target position is transmitted to the middleware system 104. Processing continues at operation 502 to continue receiving and storing target data and responding to target location requests from middleware system 104.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 6, exemplary operations performed by the user computing device 102 are illustrated. Depending on the embodiment, operations may be added, reduced, or different operations may be performed. The order of presentation of the operations of FIG. 6 is not intended to be limiting. In operation 600, a first request for locating a target is received. Associated with this request is an identifier that identifies the target that identifies the location. In operation 602, the first request is forwarded to the middleware system 104, or a second request is generated based on the first request and transmitted to the middleware system 104. In act 604, location information is received from the middleware system 104 that identifies a location for the target. In act 606, this location information is presented to the user computing device 102. For example, the output interface 202 can be used to display a map showing the target location to the user, the output interface 202 can be used to present coordinates to the user, and the output interface 202 can be used to present addresses to the user. And so on.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 7, exemplary operations performed by the middleware system 104 are illustrated. Depending on the embodiment, operations may be added, reduced, or different operations may be performed. The order of presentation of the operations of FIG. 7 is not intended to be limiting. The middleware system 104 uses an application programming interface, for example, parameters for returning readable data to the computing device 102 in association with operating system compatibility, display functions, media playback functions, etc. Define In operation 700, one or more target tracking applications are sent to the cloud computing system 106. If the first request for the target position is not received at operation 701, processing continues at operation 710. In operation 701, if a first request for the target location is received from the user computing device 102, the first request is processed. In the exemplary embodiment, the first request includes a target identifier that identifies the target selected by the user. At operation 702, one or more tracking methods for one or more target tracking applications are selected. For example, a logical elimination process can be used based on all available data types associated with the target and available methods. For example, radar tracking methods may not be available. This is because the radar cannot detect the target due to restrictions on the effective range of the radar, radar sensitivity, and the like. In operation 704, the request for the target location is sent to the interface module 400 of the cloud computing system 106. In the exemplary embodiment, the request includes a tracking method identifier or identifiers that identify the selected tracking method (s), a target identifier, and a time of day. In act 706, target location information is received from the interface module 400 of the cloud computing system 106. In operation 708, the target location information is transmitted to the user computing device 102.

[0029] If target data is not received at operation 710, processing continues at operation 701 to continue receiving and storing target data and responding to requests for target locations. If target data is received at operation 710, processing continues at operation 712. In operation 712, the received target data is transmitted to the interface module 400 of the cloud computing system 106 to store the target data. Processing continues at operation 701.

[0030] There is little distinction between hardware and software implementations of the system aspects. That is, the use of hardware or software is generally (but not always. In some situations, the choice between hardware and software may be important) and is a design cost / efficiency trade-off. Is a choice. There are various means (eg, hardware, software, and / or firmware) that can implement the processes and / or systems and / or other techniques described herein, and suitable means include processes and / or systems and It depends on the situation where other technologies are deployed. For example, if it is determined by the implementer that speed and accuracy are most important, the implementer can primarily select hardware and / or firmware means. If flexibility is paramount, implementers can choose primarily software implementations. Alternatively, the implementer can select some combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware.

[0031] In the foregoing detailed description, various embodiments of devices and / or processes have been described using block diagrams, flowcharts, and / or examples. As long as such a block diagram, flowchart, and / or example includes one or more functions and / or operations, each function and / or operation in such block diagram, flowchart, or example may be individually and / or collectively. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof can be implemented. In one embodiment, some portions of the subject matter described herein may be implemented by an application specific integrated circuit, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a digital signal processor, or other integrated form. However, some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein may be wholly or partially as one or more computer programs executing on one or more computers (eg, on one or more computer systems). As one or more programs that run on) one or more programs that run on one or more processors (eg, as one or more programs that run on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or In view of the present disclosure, virtually any combination thereof can be equally implemented in an integrated circuit, and further, designing circuits and / or writing code for software and / or firmware, Those skilled in the art will recognize that they are within the skill of the art. Furthermore, the subject matter described herein can be distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and further, exemplary embodiments of the subject matter described herein can be used to actually perform this distribution. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that it applies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium. Examples of signal recording media include, but are not limited to: That is, recordable media such as floppy disks, hard disk drives, CDs, DVDs, digital tapes, computer memories, and digital and / or analog communication media (eg, fiber optic cables, waveguides, A transmission type medium such as a wired communication link or a wireless communication link.

[0032] It is within the skill of the art to describe devices and / or processes with the methods described herein, and then to integrate such described devices and / or processes into a data processing system using engineering techniques. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that That is, at least some of the devices and / or processes described herein can be integrated into a data processing system with a reasonable amount of experimentation. Typical data processing systems generally include system unit enclosures, video display devices, memories such as volatile and non-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors and digital signal processors, operating systems, drivers, graphical A control system (eg position and / or velocity sensing) including a user interface, a computing entity such as an application program, one or more interaction devices such as a touch pad or screen, and / or a feedback loop and a control motor It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to include one or more of: feedback, components and / or control motors to move and / or adjust the quantity. A typical data processing system can be implemented using any suitable commercially available components, such as those normally found in data computing / communication and / or network computing / communication systems.

[0033] The subject matter described herein sometimes refers to different components that are included in or otherwise connected to different other components. It will be appreciated that such an illustrated architecture is merely exemplary and in fact many other architectures that achieve the same functionality can be implemented. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to accomplish the same function is effectively “associated” to achieve the desired function. Thus, any two components combined here to achieve a particular function are considered "associated" with each other to achieve the desired function, regardless of the architecture or intervening components. be able to. Similarly, any two components so associated can be considered “operably connected” or “operably coupled” to each other to achieve a desired function, and so on. Any two components that can be associated with can be considered “operably coupleable” to each other to achieve a desired function. Examples of operably coupleables are physical interlocking with a component and / or physical exchange of information and / or wireless communication of information with a component and / or Alternatively, including, but not limited to, wirelessly exchanging information and / or logically exchanging information with components and / or enabling logically exchanging information.

[0034] With respect to the use of substantially all plural and / or singular terms herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize from the plural to the singular and / or from the singular as appropriate depending on the context and / or application. Can be converted to form. Here, for clarity, various singular / plural permutations can be clearly stated.

[0035] In general, the terms used herein, particularly in the claims (eg, the body of the claims), are generally intended to be "open" terms, As understood by those skilled in the art (for example, the term “comprising” is to be interpreted as “including but not limited to” and the term “comprising” is “ Having at least ", and the term" including "is to be interpreted as" including but not limited to "). Furthermore, where a specific number is intended for a recitation of an introduced claim, such intention is expressly stated in the claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such intent does not exist in the absence of such explanation. For example, to aid understanding, the claims may include the use of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” in the introduction of the claim. However, the use of such a phrase is such that when the indefinite article “a” or “an” is introduced into a claim statement, any particular claim containing such a claim shall have only one stated. It should not be construed to mean limited to the inventions not included. This is true even if the same claim contains the introductory phrase “one or more” or “at least one” and an indefinite article such as “a” or “an” (eg “a” And / or “an” is usually taken to mean “at least one” or “one or more”). The same is true when definite articles are used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number is explicitly stated in the description of an introduced claim, such a description is usually not to be construed to mean at least a “number stated” As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art (eg, a direct description of “two“ description objects ”” without other modifiers usually refers to at least two “description objects” or two or more “description objects”. means). Further, where a notation similar to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, such a structure is generally intended to have a meaning for those skilled in the art to understand this notation (eg, “A, B A system having at least one of A, B and C includes systems such as A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, and / or A, B, and C. Not limited to this). Where a notation similar to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, such a structure is generally intended to have a meaning for those skilled in the art to understand this notation (eg, “A, B, or “A system having at least one of C” includes a system having only A, only B, only C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and / or A, B, and C. Not limited). Further, substantially all disjunctive words and / or phrases representing two or more alternative terms may be used in the description, claims, or drawings, as any one of those terms. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that it should be understood to envision the possibility of including or both. For example, the phrase “A or B” is understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B”.

[0036] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims (10)

A user device,
A first request for a target location, the first request including a target identifier and a time for determining the target location, configured to transmit to the second device, and from the second device to the time A first communication interface configured to receive target information associated with the target location at
A first processor;
A first computer readable medium comprising first computer readable instructions that, when executed by the first processor, cause the user device to present the received target information to a user;
A user device comprising:
The second device is
Providing a plurality of target tracking application for multiple tracking method to the third device, receiving the first request from the user device, transmits a second request to the third device, the A second communication interface configured to receive the target information from a third device and send the target information to the user device;
A second processor;
Including the plurality of the tracking method 1 of the tracking method of the second computer readable to the selected instruction to the second device and executed by the second processor, the second computer readable medium,
And wherein the second request includes a method identifier that identifies the target identifier, the time, and the selected tracking method.   The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tracking methods are associated with processing of at least one of a radar signal, a video signal, a color matching signal, an ultraviolet signal, an optical signal, and an infrared signal. Further comprising the third device, wherein the third device comprises:
A third communication interface configured to receive the plurality of target tracking applications from the second device and to receive the second request from the second device;
A third processor;
When executed by the third processor, the third device is configured to identify a target tracking application of the plurality of target tracking applications based on the method identifier and to obtain target data based on the target identifier. And identifying the target information at the time included in the second request by executing the identified target tracking application using the identified target data, and sending the target information to the second device. A third computer readable medium containing third computer readable instructions to be transmitted;
The system of claim 1, comprising: A device,
A communication interface configured to receive a first request for a target location from a second device, wherein the first request includes a target identifier and a time for determining the target location;
A processor;
A computer readable medium comprising computer readable instructions, wherein when the computer readable instructions are executed by the processor, the device
Providing a plurality of target tracking applications for a plurality of tracking methods to a third device different from the second device;
To select a tracking method from the plurality of tracking method,
Said target identifier, the time, and a second request including the process identifier for identifying the selected tracking method, is transmitted to the third device,
Receiving target information related to the target position at the time from the third device;
A computer readable medium for causing the received target information to be transmitted to the second device;
A device comprising:   The device of claim 4, wherein the plurality of tracking methods are associated with processing of at least one of a radar signal, a video signal, a color matching signal, an ultraviolet signal, an optical signal, and an infrared signal.   The device of claim 4, wherein the device is further configured to receive sensor data associated with the target from the sensor. A computer readable medium containing computer readable instructions, when the computer readable instructions are executed by a processor,
Receiving a first request for a target location from a second device, the first request comprising a target identifier and a time for determining the target location;
Providing a plurality of target tracking applications for a plurality of tracking methods to a third device different from the second device;
To select a tracking method from the plurality of tracking method,
Said target identifier, the time, and a second request including the process identifier for identifying the selected tracking method, is transmitted to the third device,
Receiving target information related to the target position at the time from the third device;
A computer-readable medium for causing the received target information to be transmitted to the second device.   The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the plurality of tracking methods are associated with processing of at least one of a radar signal, a video signal, a color matching signal, an ultraviolet signal, an optical signal, and an infrared signal. A method for determining a target position,
Receiving, at a first device, a first request for a target location from a second device, wherein the first request includes a target identifier and a time for determining the target location;
Providing a plurality of target tracking applications for a plurality of tracking methods to a third device different from the second device;
In the first device, and selecting the tracking method from the plurality of tracking method,
And transmitting the second request to the third device from the first device, the second request, the target identifier, the time and method identifier for identifying the selected tracking method Including steps, and
Receiving, from the third device, target information related to the target position at the time at the first device;
Transmitting the received target information from the first device to the second device;
A method comprising:   The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of tracking methods are associated with processing of at least one of a radar signal, a video signal, a color matching signal, an ultraviolet signal, an optical signal, and an infrared signal.

Images