U.S. patent application number 16/456180 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-17 for advanced tools for an object tracking system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Isolynx, LLC. Invention is credited to Douglas J. DeAngelis, Edward G. Evansen, Joseph M. Gaudreau, Gerard M. Reilly, Brian D. Rhodes, Kirk M. Sigel.
Application Number | 20190317182 16/456180 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60267872 |
Filed Date | 2019-10-17 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190317182 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DeAngelis; Douglas J. ; et
al. |
October 17, 2019 |
ADVANCED TOOLS FOR AN OBJECT TRACKING SYSTEM
Abstract
A method and software product display errors of a tracking
system that utilizes a plurality of receivers positioned around a
tracking area to receive pings periodically transmitted by a
tracking tag within the tracking area. For each locate received
from the tracking system, a symbol indicative of the locate is
plotted on a display graphically depicting the tracking area. A
vector connecting each pair of chronologically consecutive symbols
is plotted on the display, the vector visually indicating an error
within the locates that would otherwise not be visible on the
display. Another method concurrently displays predicted sensitivity
for each of at least two receivers of a tracking system that
locates tracking tags within a tracking area, the receivers being
positioned within a surrounding area of the tracking area. A
graphical representation of the surrounding area, the tracking
area, and receiver sensitivities indicate the predicted receiver
coverage of the tracking area.
Inventors: |
DeAngelis; Douglas J.;
(Ipswich, MA) ; Evansen; Edward G.; (West Newbury,
MA) ; Reilly; Gerard M.; (Newton, MA) ;
Rhodes; Brian D.; (Andover, MA) ; Gaudreau; Joseph
M.; (Waltham, MA) ; Sigel; Kirk M.; (Ithaca,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Isolynx, LLC |
Haverhill |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
60267872 |
Appl. No.: |
16/456180 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15153618 |
May 12, 2016 |
|
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16456180 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01S 5/0294 20130101;
G01S 5/021 20130101; G01S 5/14 20130101; G01S 5/0205 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01S 5/02 20060101
G01S005/02; G01S 5/14 20060101 G01S005/14 |
Claims
1. A computer-based system that facilitates positioning of three or
more receivers of a tracking system by predicting coverage of a
tracking area by the receivers, the computer-based system
comprising: a model, implemented as software stored in the
computer-based system, configured to determine a modeled
sensitivity of each receiver, of the three or more receivers, based
on a position and an orientation of the receiver relative to the
tracking area; and a graphics generator, implemented as software
stored in the computer-based system, configured to generate, on a
display, a graphical representation of the tracking area and a
graphical representation of the modeled sensitivity of each
receiver relative to the graphical representation of the tracking
area; wherein the graphical representation of the modeled
sensitivity of each receiver together with the graphical
representation of the tracking area indicate predicted receiver
coverage of the tracking area.
2. The computer-based system of claim 1, further comprising the
display.
3. The computer-based system of claim 2, further comprising a user
interface configured to receive, from a user, one or both of the
position and the orientation of each receiver.
4. The computer-based system of claim 1, the model being further
configured to include a ground effect.
5. The computer-based system of claim 1, the graphics generator
being further configured to generate the graphical representation
of the modeled sensitivity of each receiver as a sector and at
least one annular sector such that each of the sector and the at
least one annular sector indicates a respective level of the
modeled sensitivity.
6. The computer-based system of claim 1, the graphics generator
being further configured to generate the graphical representation
of the modeled sensitivity of each receiver as a graduated
representation such that a density of the graduated representation
indicates a level of the modeled sensitivity.
7. The computer-based system of claim 1, the graphics generator
being further configured to generate the graphical representation
of the modeled sensitivity of each receiver in a different
color.
8. The computer-based system of claim 1, the orientation of each
receiver including a pan and a tilt of the receiver.
9. The computer-based system of claim 1, the position of each
receiver including an elevation of the receiver above the tracking
area.
10. The computer-based system of claim 1, the position of each
receiver being in a surrounding area outside of the tracking
area.
11. The computer-based system of claim 10, the graphics generator
being further configured to generate, on the display, a graphical
representation of the surrounding area relative to the graphical
representation of the tracking area.
12. The computer-based system of claim 1, further configured to
generate, on the display, an interactive dialog with which a user
interacts to enable and disable, on the display, the graphical
representation of the modeled sensitivity of each receiver.
13. The computer-based system of claim 1, the interactive dialog
including one toggle, for each receiver, selectable by the user to
enable and disable, on the display, the graphical representation of
the modeled sensitivity of the receiver.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/153,618, filed May 12, 2016, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Installation, configuration, and calibration of an RF tag
based object tracking system for use in a sports environment is a
labor intensive and iterative process that requires expert
knowledge. Receivers are first installed around a perimeter of the
sports environment and each receiver is manually aimed, by eye, at
a predetermined location within the sporting environment such that
uniform coverage of a specific region of the sports environment
(e.g., a portion of a playing surface) is achieved. An initial
system performance evaluation is completed by recording and
manually analyzing location data determined by the object tracking
system for an RF tag placed on a technician as he/she walks a
predetermined path within the sports environment. The predetermined
path is designed to establish receiver coverage of the sports
environment by the object tracking system.
[0003] This recording and manual analysis process is iteratively
repeated, typically using three different paths of increasing
granularity. After analyzing the location data from a current path,
the technician will either manually adjust one or both of pan and
tilt of one or more receivers and repeat the current path, or
continue the process by performing the next path.
[0004] This approach requires that the technician has a system
expert's intimate knowledge of receiver characteristics and
associated skill to extract information from the location data
recorded for each test path. The expert knowledge required is at a
very high premium and the application of the knowledge varies from
technician to technician.
[0005] Thus, installation of an RF tag based object tracking system
(a) requires highly specific expert knowledge, (b) is time
intensive, (c) is a labor intensive incremental adjustment process,
(d) may result in the RF tag based object tracking system operating
at adequate but not optimal performance, and (e) result in
inconsistent performance from installation to installation.
SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0006] In an embodiment, an optimization method displays errors of
a tracking system that utilizes a plurality of receivers positioned
around a tracking area to receive pings periodically transmitted by
a tracking tag within the tracking area. A plurality of locates are
received in chronological order from the tracking system, each
locate defining a location of the tracking tag calculated by the
tracking system from one of the pings received by at least two of
the receivers. For each locate, a symbol is plotted on a display
graphically depicting the tracking area, the symbol being
indicative of the location relative to the tracking area. A vector
connecting each pair of chronologically consecutive symbols is
plotted on the display, the vector visually indicating an error
within the locates that would otherwise not be visible on the
display.
[0007] In another embodiment, a software product includes
instructions, stored on non-transitory computer-readable media,
wherein the instructions, when executed by a computer, perform
steps for displaying errors of a tracking system that utilizes a
plurality of receivers positioned around a tracking area to receive
pings periodically transmitted by a tracking tag within a tracking
area. The software product includes instructions for receiving,
from the tracking system, a plurality of locates in chronological
order, each locate defining a location of the tracking tag
calculated by the tracking system from one of the pings received by
at least two of the receivers. The software product also includes
instructions for plotting, for each locate, a symbol on a display
graphically depicting the tracking area, the symbol being
indicative of the location relative to the tracking area. The
software product also includes instructions for plotting, on the
display, a vector connecting each pair of chronologically
consecutive symbols, the vector visually indicating an error within
the locates that would otherwise not be visible on the display.
[0008] In another embodiment, a method concurrently displays
predicted sensitivity for each of at least two receivers of a
tracking system that locates tracking tags within a tracking area,
the receivers being positioned within a surrounding area of the
tracking area to receive pings transmitted from the tracking tags.
A graphical representation of the surrounding area and the tracking
area is generated on a display. A position of each of the two
receivers relative to the tracking area, and an orientation of each
of the two receivers relative to a reference direction are
interactively received. Each of the at least two receivers are
modeled to determine sensitivity of the receiver to the pings based
upon the receiver position and the receiver orientation. A
graphical representation of the sensitivity of each of the two
receivers is generated on the display relative to the graphical
representation of the surrounding area and the tracking area. The
graphical representation of the surrounding area, the tracking
area, and the receiver sensitivities indicate the predicted
receiver coverage of the tracking area by the at least two
receivers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0009] FIG. 1 shows a tracking system configured for a tracking
area and an optimization tool that is used to optimize performance
of tracking system, in embodiments.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows the tracking system of FIG. 1 configured with
an embodiment of an improved optimization tool that is similar to
the tool of FIG. 1, including a display, software with a plotter
and a symbol generator, and further includes, within software, a
vector generator.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows the display of FIG. 2 in further example
detail.
[0012] FIG. 4 shows a further example of the display of FIG. 2
illustrating lines generated by vector generator when the erroneous
location of several locates cannot be shown on the display.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating one example method for
visually evaluating and optimizing installation of tracking system
of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0014] FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show exemplary screen shots of the display
of the optimization tool of FIG. 2, for an initial test, a
subsequent test, and a final test, respectively, of tracking system
configured at an ice rink.
[0015] FIG. 9 shows one example tracking area within a surrounding
area that is to be fitted with a tracking system that includes a
plurality of receivers to be optimally positioned and aligned
within surrounding area to track objects within tracking area.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating an example sensitivity
area of one receiver of FIG. 9 to receiving transmissions (pings)
from one or more tracking tags (not shown).
[0017] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustrating graphic representation
of FIG. 9 in further detail.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0018] PCT patent application publication WO 2014/197600, filed
Dec. 11, 2014, and incorporated herein in its entirety, illustrates
tools used to configure and optimize an object tracking system. The
functionality described herein enhances these tools to visualize
problems in deployment of the tracking system, and to visualize the
resolution of these problems.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a tracking system 100 configured for a tracking
area 102 (e.g., a football field for playing American football, an
ice rink used for playing ice hockey, and so on) and an
optimization tool 150 that is used to optimize performance of
tracking system 100, in embodiments. Tracking area 102 may
represent any area desired to be tracked, such as any sports field,
and is not limited in scope to the football field or ice rink
expressly mentioned herein. Tracking system 100 includes four
receivers 104 positioned around tracking area 102 (also known as an
operational area) that are each communicatively coupled with a hub
110. Within tracking area 102 a tracking tag 106 is configured to
periodically transmit a wireless signal (ping) 108. As each ping
108 is received by receivers 104, receiver 104 generates a receiver
event 105 that includes arrival time, data content, as well as
other data, of ping 108, and sends receiver event 105 to hub 110,
from where it is optionally recorded by a record/replay tool 112 as
tracking data 120 and/or delivered to tracking computer 140 for
immediate processing. Record/replay tool 112 may comprise a
processor and associated memory storing software that, when
executed by the processor, implements the recording and replay
functionality of tool 112 discussed herein. Optionally, where
tracking data 120 has been recorded by tool 112, tool 112 may
replay all or part of tracking data 120 (i.e., receiver events 105
corresponding to certain receivers and/or a certain period) to
tracking computer 140. Tool 112 may replay tracking data 120 at a
desired speed, such as one of real-time (i.e., at the rate it was
received), at slow speed (e.g., at a reduced rate as compared to
the recording rate), and at a fast speed (e.g., at a rate faster
than received). For example, tool 112 may replay receiver events
105 of tracking data 120 at a rate that matches the processing
speed of tracking computer 140.
[0020] Tracking computer 140 includes a memory and a processor that
executes software (machine readable instructions store in the
memory) to process receiver events 105, either as received from hub
110 or as replayed by tool 112 from tracking data 120, and to
generate a locate 142 for each ping 108 received by three or more
receivers 104. Each locate 142 defines the determined location of
tag 106 with respect to tracking area 102 at the time that the ping
108 was transmitted. Tracking computer 140 sends locates 142, as
they are determined, to optimization tool 150.
[0021] It should be appreciated that the memory and processor of
tracking computer 140 may be the same as, or separate from, that of
record/replay tool 112, or any other device herein that includes a
processor or memory. In other words, each processor and memory
discussed herein may be the same processor and memory that stores
various software instructions for implementing the functionality of
the elements of the advanced tools for an object tracking system
discussed herein. Alternatively, each of the elements of the tools
herein may be separate elements in that they each have respective
processor(s) and memory for implementing a given functionality.
[0022] Optimization tool 150 is a computer that includes a display
156, a memory, a processor, and software 151 (i.e., machine
readable instructions stored in the memory and executed by the
processor) to control display 156 to display a graphical
representation 156 of tracking area 102 (e.g., of the ice rink) to
illustrate operation of tracking system 100. Software 151 includes
a plotter 152 that invokes a symbol generator 154 to display each
locate 142 on display 156 in relation to representation 156.
[0023] The accuracy and quality of the determined location in each
locate 142 is based upon ping 108 being detected by receivers 104,
and thus accuracy and quality of each locate 142 may vary due to
unpredictable environmental conditions that result in degraded
reception of ping 108 by one or more receivers 104. Symbol
generator 154 generates symbols 160 (illustratively shown as
circles) to represent each locate 142 with respect to
representation 158. Symbols 160 may also indicate other errors and
information corresponding to locate 142, such as by displaying
symbol 160 in an alternative color to indicate an error (e.g., too
few receivers, no convergence, etc.) or missing locate. Spacing of
symbols 160 on display 156 is based upon at least the periodicity
of ping 108 and the movement (speed) of tag 106. Where tag 106 is
moving slowly or is stationary, symbols 160 are plotted closer
together.
[0024] Symbol generator 154 may determine one or more of shape,
color, and size of symbol 160 based upon information within locate
142, such as one or more of accuracy, errors, or other status of
locate 142. In the example of FIG. 1, symbol 160(A) is shown in
heavy line to indicate a reduced accuracy (e.g., due to poor
reception of ping 108, etc.) of the corresponding locate 142.
[0025] Although using different symbols to indicate certain aspects
of each locate 142 provides some indication of potential problems
in the configuration and operation of tracking system 100, these
symbols do not visualize all issues with locates 142. For example,
as shown in FIG. 1, based upon the position of symbols 160 on
display 156, locates 142 appear to accurately track the movement of
tag 106 within tracking area 102. However, where errors in locate
142 are large, the symbol may not be shown on display 156, and thus
the error is not noticed by the viewer.
[0026] FIG. 2 shows tracking system 100 of FIG. 1 configured with
an improved optimization tool 250 that is similar to tool 150 of
FIG. 1, including a display 256, software 251 with a plotter 252
and a symbol generator 254, and further includes, within software
251, a vector generator 255. FIG. 3 shows display 256 of FIG. 2 in
further example detail. FIGS. 2 and 3 are best viewed together with
the following description.
[0027] Similar to tool 150, plotter 252 and symbol generator 254
cooperate to generate a graphical representation on display 256 of
tracking area 102 and symbols 260, 262 corresponding to locates
142. For each pair of chronologically consecutive locates 142,
vector generator 255 generates a straight line 264 between
locations defined by the chronologically consecutive locates, and
shows line 264 on display 256. Where the pair of chronologically
consecutive locates 142 are shown as symbols 260 on display 256,
the line appears to connect the symbols. Thus, where tracking
system 100 optimally detects each ping 108 and correctly determines
the location for each locate 142, lines 264 are short since
chronologically consecutive symbols 260 are close to one another.
However, where the determined location of at least one of the pair
of chronologically consecutive locates 142 is erroneous, the length
of line 264 is greater such that line 264 becomes more visible (and
there error more obvious) to the viewer. As noted above, symbols
160 of display 156 of FIG. 1 appear to correctly track the location
of tag 106. However, as shown in the enhanced display 256 of FIGS.
2 and 3, lines 264 indicate that symbol 362, and thus the location
defined by the corresponding locates 142, are erroneous.
[0028] FIG. 4 shows a further example of display 256 showing lines
264 generated by vector generator 255 when the erroneous location
of several locates 142 cannot be shown on display 256. That is,
symbols 260 corresponding to these erroneous locates 142 cannot be
generated by symbol generator 254 since they fall outside the area
represented by display 256. However, as shown in FIG. 4, even when
symbols 260 cannot be shown in display 256, at least part of lines
264 generated by vector generator 255 are visible on display 256,
and the possible configuration error of tracking system 100 becomes
visible to the viewer.
[0029] In the example of FIG. 4, even though symbols corresponding
to the erroneous locates 142 cannot be displayed, convergence of
lines 264 provide additional information to indicate the locations
of these erroneous locates 142. As known in the art, certain
materials reflect radio waves, resulting in the erroneous locations
of some locates 142. By visually displaying lines 264 on display
256, the viewer gains valuable insight into possible causes of the
error.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating one example method 500
for visually evaluating and optimizing installation of tracking
system 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2. At least steps 510 and 512 of method
500 are for example implemented within software 251 of optimization
tool 250 of FIG. 2.
[0031] In step 502, method 500 positions at least three receivers
around a tracking area. In one example of step 502, at least three
receivers 104 are positioned around tracking area 102. In step 504,
method 500 moves a tracking tag configured to periodically transmit
a ping within the tracking area. In one example of step 504,
tracking tag 106 is configured to periodically transmit ping 108
and is moved within tracking area 102 in a particular pattern. In
one embodiment, tracking tag 106 is positioned on a
remote-controlled vehicle that is controlled by optimization tool
250 to move in a predefined pattern at a constant speed within
tracking area 102. In step 506, method 500 generates, within each
receiver, a receiver event for each ping received by the receiver.
In one example of step 506, for each received ping 108, receivers
104 are configured to generate and send receiver event 105 to hub
110, where receiver event 105 identifies tag 106 and indicates a
time of arrival of ping 108 at receiver 104.
[0032] In step 508, method 500 processes the receiver events to
determine a location of the tracking tag for each ping. In one
example of step 508, tracking computer 140 processes receiver
events 105 and generates locates 142, where each locate 142 defines
a location of tag 106 within tracking area 102. In step 510, method
500 plots a symbol corresponding to each determined location on a
graphical representation of the tracking area. In one example of
step 510, plotter 252 and symbol generator 254 cooperate to
generate symbols 260, 262, on display 256 corresponding to each
locate 142.
[0033] In step 512, method 500 generates a vector on the graphical
representation connecting each chronologically consecutive pair of
determined locations. In one example of step 512, plotter 252 and
vector generator 255 cooperate to generates lines 264 on display
256 between locations of chronologically adjacent locates 142. In
step 514, method 500 identifies areas of the graphical display
where the vectors indicate location errors. In one example of step
514, lines 264 on display 256 highlight errors in determined
locations (locates 142), thereby identifying areas 270 within
tracking area 102 where ping 108 is not optimally received by
receivers 104. Since lines 264 are longer where the location error
is greatest, an engineer or operator easily sees where the error is
occurring.
[0034] Step 516 is a decision. If, in step 516, method 500
determines that optimization is required, method continues with
step 518; otherwise, method 500 terminates.
[0035] In step 518, method 500 adjust configuration of the tracking
system. In one example of step 518, alignment of one or more
receivers 104 is adjusted (either manually and/or automatically) to
improve reception of ping 108 from identified areas of tracking
area 102. Steps 504 through 518 repeat to reevaluate tracking
system 100 and further adjust if optimization is still
necessary.
[0036] FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show exemplary screen shots 600, 700, and
800, of display 256 of optimization tool 250 of FIG. 2, for an
initial test, a subsequent test, and a final test, respectively, of
tracking system 100 configured at an ice rink. As with the above
examples, a single tracking tag was tracked as it moved
systematically (e.g., over a predetermined pattern and at a
constant speed) within the ice rink. Screen shot 600 shows severe
degradation of tracking system 100 through reflection of the pings
from the tracking tag. Upon analysis of screen shot 600, the system
configuration was modified and the subsequent test made, resulting
in screen shot 700. Although significant improvement was made to
subsequent results from tracking system 100, lines generated by
vector generator 255 indicate areas where reflections still
occurred. Through analysis of these lines by the installation
engineers, the configuration of tracking system 100 was further
modified and then a further test performed, resulting in screen
shot 800. As seen from screen shot 800, the number of tracking
errors has been significantly reduced such that use of tracking
system 100 is optimal.
[0037] FIG. 9 shows one example tracking area 902 (e.g., an
American football field) within a surrounding area 904 (e.g., a
stadium) that is to be fitted with a tracking system 900 that
includes a plurality of receivers 906 to be optimally positioned
and aligned within surrounding area 904 to track objects within
tracking area 902. To facilitate positioning of receivers 906
within surrounding area 904, an optimization tool 950 generates a
graphic representation 970 of receivers 906, surrounding area 904
and tracking area 902 on a display 956. Optimization tool 950 is a
computer that includes software 951 that provides a user interface
952, a model 953, and a sensitivity graphic generator 954 that
cooperate to generate graphic representation 970 to illustrate
coverage of tracking area 902 by receivers 906. More particularly,
user interface 952 allows a user to manipulate model 953 to change
one or both of position and orientation of modelled receivers 906
with respect to tracking area 902. Sensitivity graphic generator
954 generates graphic representation 970 based upon model 953 to
illustrate expected sensitivity of one or more of modelled
receivers 906 with respect to modelled tracking area 902.
Optimization tool 950 thereby allows the user (e.g., an installer
of tracking system 900) to determine optimal position and/or
orientation of receivers 906 within surrounding area 904 to provide
optimal operation of tracking system 100.
[0038] FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating an example sensitivity
area 1002 of one receiver 906 of FIG. 9 to receiving transmissions
(pings) from one or more tracking tags (not shown). Such
sensitivity is dependent upon an antenna used with receiver 906, an
orientation (pan and tilt) of receiver 906, and an elevation of
receiver 906 above tracking area 902. Receiver 906 is facing in a
direction indicated by arrow 1002, and in this example, is
configured with an antenna that receives signals within a
sixty-degree wide reception area, where sensitivity decreases with
distance from receiver 906. Sensitivity of receiver 906 is
determined by experimentation, measurement, and use of optimization
tool 150 of FIG. 1, for example.
[0039] As shown in the example of FIG. 10, sensitivity of receiver
904 is generated as a sector 1010 that defines an area having a
first sensitivity level, an annular sector 1012 adjacent to sector
1010 and defining an area having a second sensitivity level, an
annular sector 1014 adjacent to sector 1012 and defining an area
having a third sensitivity level, and an annular sector 1016
adjacent to sector 1014 and defining an area having a fourth
sensitivity level. The first sensitivity level is the greatest
(most sensitive), the fourth sensitivity level is the least
sensitive, the third sensitivity level is between the first and the
fourth sensitivity level. In general, for a constant signal
strength of a transmission, the further location of the transmitter
from receiver 906, the less the sensitivity of receiver 906 is to
the transmission. However, in the case of annular segment 1012, the
transmitted signal is cancelled out due to a ground effect, known
in the art, such that the second sensitivity level is less that the
third sensitivity level. This ground effect may be based upon
elevation of receiver 906 above tracking area 902. Such variation
in sensitivity of receiver 904 complicates configuration of a
tracking system that uses receiver 906. In an alternate embodiment,
the modeled receiver sensitivity is generated as a graduated
representation where a density of the graduation indicates the
modeled sensitivity of the receiver.
[0040] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustrating graphic representation
970 of FIG. 9 in further detail. FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 are best viewed
together with the following description.
[0041] For correct operation of tracking system 900, at least
three, preferably four or more, receivers 906 are required to
simultaneously receive a wireless transmission (ping) from a
tracking tag attached to an object located within tracking area
902. Thus, receivers 906 are positioned and oriented such that
their sensitivity areas 1102 overlap within tracking area 902. In
the example of FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, each receiver 906 is assumed to
have similar sensitivity areas 1002. However, where different
receivers and/or antennae are used, model 953 may be adapted to
model the appropriate sensitivity area without departing from the
scope hereof. In certain embodiments of tracking system 900, one or
more receivers 906 are configured with selectable antennae.
Accordingly, model 953 may be adapted to selectively display
multiple sensitivity areas for each receiver, thereby allowing the
user to see the effect of each selectable antenna. In one
embodiment, the sensitivity area of each receiver is displayed in a
different color to allow the user to easily discerning the
overlapping areas of the receiver sensitivities.
[0042] In the example of FIG. 11, the user has, through interaction
with user interface 952 of optimization tool 950, enabled modelled
sensitivity areas 1108(6) and 1108(8) of modelled receivers 1106(6)
and 1106(8) to show expected overlap areas of ping reception of
receivers 906(6) and 906(8), respectively. The user interactively,
via user interface 952, adjusts one or both of angles 1107(6) and
1107(8) of modelled receivers 1106(6) and 1106(8), respectively, to
position corresponding sensitivity areas 1108 relative to tracking
area 1102 and to other sensitivity areas in real-time. Angles 1107
may be defined relative to a defined reference orientation (e.g.,
true north, magnetic north, a building orientation reference, and
so on), such that when the user determines optimal angles 1107,
corresponding receivers 906 may be correctly configured.
[0043] FIG. 11 also shows an interactive dialog 1180 of optimizing
tool 950 that allows the user to interactively enable and disable
display of modelled receivers 1106 using selectable toggles 1182,
one per modelled receiver 1106, and define an orientation angle
1184 for each modelled receiver 1106. Other controls of optimizing
tool 950 may be similarly implemented, such as for defining
tracking area 1102, surrounding area 1104, and positioning of
modelled receivers 1106 relative to modeled tracking area 102
and/or modelled surrounding area 1104.
[0044] Optimizing tool 950 facilitates installation of tracking
system 900 to optimally track objects (e.g., players, balls,
officials) configured with tracking tags when within tracking area
902.
[0045] Changes may be made in the above methods and systems without
departing from the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the
matter contained in the above description or shown in the
accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not
in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all
generic and specific features described herein, as well as all
statements of the scope of the present method and system, which, as
a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.
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