System and method for tracking personnel and equipment

Abstract

A system for tracking personnel and equipment in hazardous environments in pre or post-accident situations includes an intrinsically safe tracking tag and an intrinsically safe reader system. The intrinsically safe tracking tag transmits identification and status information to the intrinsically safe reader system, which includes a plurality of intrinsically safe antennas and a hub cable driver. In one embodiment, antennas are located at known positions in the hazardous environment and connected via a redundant, wired-mesh topology. The wired-mesh topology also allows more flexible antenna placement than line-of-sight wireless-mesh systems. The hub cable driver provides intrinsically safe power to and communication with the antennas using communication cables, receives data signals from the antennas, and transmits the data signals to a server. The server stores the data signals in a storage device and is connected to a workstation. The workstation retrieves the stored data to track persons or equipment.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 943,807, filed June 13, 2007. technical field [0003] The present invention relates to tracking people and equipment in hazardous environments, such as underground mines, foundries, factories, large ships, oil refineries, heavy industrial environments, etc., where tracking systems based on GPS (Global Positioning System) and other technologies are not feasible or not working. Background technique [0004] Prior art systems and methods for tracking people and equipment in hazardous environments with poor radio signal propagation characteristics lack the desired "granularity" (ie, precision) in determining their location in the hazardous environment. [0005] Additionally, prior art systems may use tracking tags that are not permanently assigned to a particular person or device, leading to problems with accuracy and confidence in identifying t...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

GPS based systems do not work reliably due to closed buildings

[0009] In another example, an oil refinery with overhead pipelines and tanks can create an environment where GPS signals cannot be reliably received

[0010] In yet another example, a large vessel may include a large enclosed area below deck where it is desirable to track personnel, such as confirming that all personnel have disembarked, but cannot reliably receive GPS signal

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