MULTI BEACON ACTIVE RFID TAG FOR IDENTIFICATION OF LOCATION OF ASSETS

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the invention generally relate to radio frequency identification system, and, more particularly, to system for locating an asset within a zone with multi beacons active RFID tag.

Description of the Related Art

[0002] RFID systems are now being proposed for widespread use in business for benefits and economics of automated tracking and identification (e.g., in retail stores, as an alternative to the Universal Product Code (UPC) "bar code" technology). The uniqueness of RFID tags means that each tagged product potentially can be identified individually as it moves between various locations. Applications of RFID technology include detecting uniquely identifying a specific tag and associated asset.

[0003] Most of the assets tracking systems have been implemented using RFID tag readers with consistent, similar antenna pattern designs. These designs, however, require the use of triangulation techniques such as time difference of arrival (TDOA) which determines the location of an active tag through triangulation, measuring the time differences of a single signal received by multiple receivers. TDOA requires complex algorithms to determine the location of a tag. It will also require the tags to be both transmitting and receiving RF signals. TDOA works best only in outdoor environments or large open door environments.

[0004] RSSI based location identification system determines the location of an active tag by measuring the power of radio signals which works only for indoor deployments where the density of active RFID readers is high. RSSI based location will not serve the purpose in searching a specific item since it is more tuned to calculation of position based on received signal. If no signal is received, it is difficult to search based on RSSI. RSSI based location will require two or more readers to detect a particular tag. It is not practical to use to locate assets to a precise location in large outdoor environments since it will require a large number of readers to be installed.

[0005] There are systems which includes wireless hand-held mobile device configured to read information from an RFID tag and obtain asset data from the data server associated with the RFID tag where the RFID tag readers are mounted at a corresponding plurality of fixed locations within a facility, and the RF field generated by each RFID tag reader corresponds to a zone within the facility. The locations of assets are tracked within a specified zone covering only a small area of an RF coverage zone of the RFID tag reader. There are no separations of zones when the area to be searched is large. Conventional systems provide asset tracking in locations assigned to specific zones. It therefore remains important factor with special concern to use RFID readers covering the whole area where the assets are to be identified and located.

SUMMARY

[0006] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides an apparatus for locating an asset in a zone. The apparatus includes an active RFID tag attached to the asset, the active RFID tag to emit a first RF beacon and a second RF beacon, the first RF beacon includes a first power level, the second RF beacon includes a second power level. A fixed active RFID reader configured to receive the first RF beacon emitted by the active RFID tag. A location of the asset is determined based on the strength of the first power level of the first RF beacon in the zone. A handheld active RFID reader configured to determine a precise location of the asset in the zone based on the second power level of the second RF beacon received from the active RFID tag associated with the zone. The first power level and the second power level are of a same frequency.

[0007] The fixed active RFID reader receives the first RF beacon from the active RFID tag when the fixed active RFID reader is near to the asset. The first power level of the first RF beacon is high. The handheld active RFID reader raises an alarm on receiving the second power level of the second RF beacon corresponding to the active RFID tag. The second power level is low. The alarm is at least one of a buzzer, an audio signal, an SMS on a computer or a audio visual signal. The audio visual signal includes a graphic indication of relative distance of the asset. The handheld active RFID reader identifies the location of the active RFID tag based on the second power level associated with the second RF beacon. The asset is taken out of the zone if the alarm is not raised. The signal strength of the second power level is indicated in the handheld active RFID reader.

[0008] In another aspect, a RFID server computer to locate an asset in a zone is provided. The RFID server computer includes an asset database including information associated with the asset and the zone. The zone includes an ID for the asset. An update module to update the information associated with the asset and the zone. An asset locate module to locate the asset in the zone. The asset is located using a fixed active RFID reader.

The fixed active RFID reader is configured to receive the first RF beacon emitted by an active RFID tag, the first RF beacon including a first power level.

[0009] A communication module to receive a communication message when the asset is located. A location of the asset is determined based on strength of the first power level of the first RF beacon in the zone. The first power level is a high power level. A precise location of the asset is determined using a handheld active RFID reader. The handheld active RFID reader is configured to determine the precise location of the asset in the zone based on the second RF beacon received from the active RFID tag associated with the zone. A signal strength of the second power level is indicated in the handheld active RFID reader.

[0010] The first power level and the second power level are of a same frequency. The handheld active RFID reader raises an alarm based on the signal strength of the second power level of the second RF beacon corresponding to the active RFID tag. The second power level is a low power level. The asset is taken out of the zone if the alarm is not raised. The communication message and the alarm is at least one of a buzzer, an audio signal, an SMS on a computer or a audio visual signal. The audio visual signal includes a graphic indication of relative distance of the asset.

[0011] In yet another aspect, an RFID tag for locating an asset in a zone is provided. The RFID tag is attached to the asset. The RFID tag emits a first RF beacon and a second RF beacon. The first RF beacon includes a first power level and the second RF beacon includes a second power level. The RFID tag includes a tag RF Module to demodulate and decode the first RF beacon and the second RF beacon received from an antenna. An ID associated with the RFID tag is extracted from the first RF beacon and the second RF beacon. A tag RF controller module is configured to control the tag RF Module. The tag RF controller module - maintains at least one of the ID associated with the first RF beacon and the second RF beacon, the power level, and an interval of transmission of the first RF beacon and the second RF beacon by the tag RF module. A tag RF transmitter module is configured to transmit the first RF beacon and the second RF beacon based on the first power level and the second power level.

[0012] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with
reference to the drawings, in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a system view of a active RFID tags for identifying location of assets in a zone according to an embodiment herein;

[0015] FIG. 2 is an interaction diagram illustrating the identification of location of assets of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein;

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the active RFID tags of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein;

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the fixed active reader of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein;

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the handheld active reader of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein;

[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the RFID server computer of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein;

[0020] FIG. 7 is a table view of the asset database of FIG. 6 of the RFID server computer FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein;

[0021] FIG. 8 is a table view of the database of the fixed active reader of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein;

[0022] FIG. 9 is a table view of the database of the RF beacons transmitted from active RFID tags of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein;

[0023] FIG. 10A through 10B is a flow diagram illustrating a method of locating the asset using the fixed active reader and the handheld active reader of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein;

[0024] FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic diagram of the handheld active reader of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein; and

[0025] FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic diagram of a computer architecture used in accordance with the embodiment herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0027] The embodiments herein achieve this by providing a plurality of active RFID tags emitting a plurality of RF beacons for identification of asset within a location. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 11, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a system view of a plurality active RFID tags 106A-D for identifying location of assets according to an embodiment herein. The system 100 includes a zone 1 102, a zone 2 104, a fixed active reader 108A-B, a handheld active reader 110, and a RFID server computer 112.

[0029] The active RFID tag 106 A of the zone 1 102 broadcasts beacon 1 signal. The fixed active reader 108 A detects beacon 1 signal and sends data extracted from it to the RFID server computer 112. In one embodiment all the active RFID tags 106A-D broadcast beacon 1 signal and beacon 2 signals. The active RFID tag 106B of the zone 1 broadcast beacon 1 signal and beacon 2 signals. In one embodiment, the beacon 1 includes a first power level and the beacon 2 includes a second power level. In another embodiment, the first power level and the second level have the same frequency. The fixed active reader 108A detects beacon 1 signal and sends data extracted from it to the RFID server computer 112. In one embodiment, the fixed active reader 108 A detects the first power level of the beacon 1 signal. The handheld active reader 110 receives beacon 2 signals and sends data extracted from it to the RFID server computer 112 which stores the details regarding the beacon signals. In one embodiment, the handheld active reader 110 receives the second power level associated with the beacon 2 signal.

[0030] The active RFID tag 106C and 106D of the zone 2 104 broadcast beacon 1 signal. The fixed active reader 108B detects beacon 1 signal and sends the data extracted from it to the RFID server computer 112. The RFID server computer 112 receives information from the fixed active reader 108B, and then determines the zone for corresponding tag and asset. In one embodiment, each asset that is to be identified and located in the zone (e.g., the zone 1 102 and the zone 2 104) is attached with a special active RFID tag which emits multiple RF beacons (e.g., the beacon 1 signal and the beacon 2 signal) with varying power levels (e.g., the first power level and the second power level). The fixed active reader 108A-B and the handheld active reader 110 receive RF signals transmitted by the tags.

[0031] The system performs two level identification of the location of tags. One at zone level that is the high power signals (e.g., the first power level) are used to determine the large zone in which the tag is located and another is the low power signals (e.g., the second power level) which are used to determine the precise location up to a few meters accuracy. The system installs one handheld active reader 110 to locate multiple assets along with small number of fixed active reader's 108A-B with large identification range (read range) to cover the whole area. The number of fixed active reader's 108A-B depends on the high level zone within which the search may be performed for the precise location of the tag.

[0032] The strength of RF signals and the location of corresponding asset to the specific zone (e.g., the zone 1 102, and the zone 2 104) are determined based on the active readers (e.g., the fixed active reader 108A-B, the handheld active reader 110) which receives the RF signals. In an example embodiment, a more precise location of the asset within the zone may be determined by identifying and locating for the associated tag within the zone using the mobile handheld active RFID reader 110.

[0033] The handheld active reader 110 receives the RF signals (e.g., the RF beacons) transmitted by the tags. The active RFID tags 106A-D may transmit RF signals (e.g., RF beacons) at varying power levels. The handheld active reader 110 may receive the low power RF signals (e.g., the second power level) only when it is very near to the asset which is identified. The handheld active reader 110 indicates through an audio signal or a visual indication for locating the asset when the low power signal corresponding to the required tag is received. In one embodiment, the handheld active reader may raise an alarm. The alarm may be a buzzer, an audio signal, an SMS on a computer or an audio visual signal. The audio visual signal includes a graphic indication of relative distance of the asset.

[0034] In an example embodiment, one RF beacon can be used for identifying all assets within a zone. A low power RF beacon (e.g., the second power level) can be detected by a reader kept near a gate. The reader at the gate will detect the low power beacon only when the corresponding tag is very near to it. The detection of low power beacon by the reader at the gate is interpreted as the corresponding asset being taken out. The reader will send the tag data extracted from the beacon to the RFID server computer which will verify that the corresponding asset has been authorized to be taken out or in. In the absence of authorization an alarm will be raised.

[0035] FIG. 2 is an interaction diagram 200 illustrating the identification of location of assets of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein. FIG. 2 illustrates a series of operations carried out during various stages of interaction on transmitting RF signals. In operation 202, the active RFID tag 106A transmits beacon 1 signal to locate the asset. In operation 204, the fixed active reader 108A detects beacon 1 signal and sends data extracted from it to the RFID server computer 112. The RFID server computer 112 stores the necessary details in a database for locating the asset. In operation 206, the RFID server computer 112 receives information from the fixed active reader 108A and determines the zone for corresponding tag and asset.

[0036] In operation 208, the user requests details for the asset to be identified and located to the RFID server computer 112 through the handheld active reader 110. In operation 210, the RFID server computer 112 sends the Tag ID and the current zone information of the asset to the handheld active reader 110. The system identifies and locates the asset within the zone (e.g., the zone 1 102 or the zone 2 104) using the handheld active reader 110. In operation 212, the active RFID tag 106A transmits RF beacon 2 signals. In operation 214, the handheld active reader 110 detects the RF beacon 2 signal and provides indication to the user, the detection of corresponding asset within the zone 1 102. The tag ID extracted from the received RF signals is then sent to the RFID server computer 112.

[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view 300 of the active RFID tag 106A-D of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein. The RFID active tag 106A-D includes a tag controller module 302, a tag RF module 304, a battery 306, and an enclosure 308. The controller module 302 and the RF module 304 are constructed in a Printed Circuit Board assembly. The printed circuit board assembly and the battery are inside the enclosure 308 and the lid of the enclosure 308 is fixed using screws (not shown).

[0038] The tag controller module 302 configures and controls the tag RF module 304. The tag controller module 302 maintains the tag ID, prefix for different beacons, power levels for different beacons and the interval of transmission of beacons by the tag RF module 304. The tag RF transmitter module transmits the beacons using RF signals as per the power level and interval preset by the factory program. The data to be transmitted is obtained from the tag controller module 302. The tag controller module 302 appends error detection bytes using cyclic redundancy check mechanism and transmits data. The multi beacon active tags 106A-D are transmit-only tags which have longer battery life. In one embodiment tags with both transmit and receive functionalities may be developed with similar multi beacon features.

[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view 400 of the fixed active reader 108A-B of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein. The fixed active reader 108A-B includes a reader antenna 402, a reader RF module 404, a reader controller module 406, a reader memory 408, and a reader power adapter 410. The reader antenna 402 receives the RF beacon signals from the active RFID tags 106A-D and directs the RF beacon signals to the Reader RF module 404. The reader RF module 404 demodulates and decodes the beacon signal and extracts the tag ID from the signal received by the Reader antenna 402.

[0040] The reader RF module 404 sends the extracted tag ID to the reader controller module 406 along with the antenna ID and signal strength information. The reader controller module 406 stores extracted information in a buffer in the reader memory 408 and sends the nation periodically to the RFID server computer 112.

[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view 500 of the handheld active reader 110 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein. The handheld active reader 110 includes a handheld antenna 502, a handheld RF module 504, a handheld controller module 506, a memory 508, a display 510, a keyboard 512, and a power adapter 514. The handheld antenna 502 receives the beacon signals from the multi beacon active tag 106A-D and sends it to the handheld RF module 504. The handheld RF module 504 demodulates and decodes the beacon signal, extracts the tag ID from the signal received by the handheld antenna 502 and sends the extracted tag ID to the handheld controller module 506 along with the antenna ID and signal strength information.

[0042] The handheld controller module 506 interacts with the memory 508, the display 510 and the keyboard 512. The handheld controller module 506 stores extracted information in a buffer in the memory 508 and send the information periodically to the RFID server computer 112. The user enters the ID of the asset (e.g., to be identified and located) using the keyboard 512. The tag ID received by the handheld controller module 506 is then compared with the ID of the asset entered by the user.

[0043] An audio and/or visual indication is given to the user in the display 510, if the received ID corresponds to the asset being identified and located. The audio alarm may indicate a high tone when the asset is nearer to the handheld reader 110 and low tone when the asset is away from the handheld reader 110. The audio visual indication may also have suitable graphics to indicate relative distance of the asset from the handheld reader 110.

[0044] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the RFID server computer 112 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein. The RFID server computer 112 includes an asset database 602, an update module 604, an asset locate module 606, and a communication module 608. The asset database 602 includes an information associated with the asset and the zone. The zone may include an ID for the asset. The update module 604 updates the information associated with the asset and the zone (e.g., the zone 1 102 and the zone 2 104).

[0045] The asset locate module 606 locates the asset in the zone. The asset is located using the fixed active RFID reader 108A-B. The communication module 608 receives a communication message when the asset is located. In one embodiment, the communication message may be at least one of a buzzer, an audio signal, an SMS on a computer or a audio visual signal. The audio visual signal includes a graphic indication of relative distance of the asset. A location of the asset is determined based on a strength of the first power level of the first RF beacon (e.g., beacon 1) in the zone.

[0046] In one embodiment, the first power level is a high power level. In another embodiment, a precise location of the asset is determined using the handheld active RFID reader 110. The handheld active RFID reader determine the precise location of the asset in the zone based on the second RF beacon (e.g., beacon 2) received from the active RFID tag associated with the zone. In an example embodiment, a signal strength of the second power level is indicated in the handheld active RFID reader. The second power level is a low power level.

[0047] FIG. 7 is a table view of the asset database 602 of the RFID server computer 112 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein. The asset database 602 includes a tag ID field 702, an asset ID field 704, and a current zone field 706. The tag ID field 702 contains the tag ID of the multi beacon active tag 106A-D (e.g., 1234, 1235) that is used to identify and locate the asset in the particular location. The asset ID field 704 contains the asset number (e.g., asset-1, asset-2) to distinguish one asset from the other asset (e.g., assets). The current zone field 706 indicates a particular zone (e.g., zone-1, zone-2) identified on which the asset is located among the group of demarcated zones.

[0048] FIG. 8 is a table view of the database 800 of the fixed active reader 108A-B of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein. The database 800 includes a reader ID field 802, an antenna ID field 804, and a zone field 806. The reader ID field 802 contains the fixed active reader 108A-B (e.g., reader-1). The fixed active reader 108A-B detects the beacon 1 signal and sends it to the RFID server computer 112. The antenna ID field 804 contains the fixed active reader 108A-B (e.g., antenna-1), the handheld active reader 110 (e.g., antenna-2) which receives the beacon signals sent by the multi beacon active tag 106A-D and transmits to the RF module for processing the beacon signals received from the antenna. The zone field 806 contains the location of the asset in the specific zone (e.g., zone-1, zone-2).

[0049] FIG. 9 is a table view of the database 900 of the RF beacons transmitted from the active RFID tags 106A-D of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein. The database 900 includes a beacon ID field 902, a power level field 904, an Interval field 906, and an ID prefix field 908. The beacon ID field 902 contains various beacon signals (e.g., a beacon-1, a beacon-2, a beacon-3 and a beacon-4). The power level field 904 contains the power levels (e.g. 10 dbm, 0 dbm, -5 dbm and -10 dbm) for each of the beacon signals (e.g., beacon 1 and beacon 2). The interval field contains the time intervals (e.g.30 seconds, 2 seconds, 5 seconds and 5 seconds) of multi beacon active tag 106A-D for the various power levels. The beacon ID field 902 is associated with the ID prefix field 908 containing the ID prefix (e.g.01, 02, 04, 08) for each of the beacon signal that is transmitted.

[0050] FIG. 10A through 10B is a flow diagram 1000 illustrating a method of locating the asset using the Fixed reader 108A-B and the handheld reader 110 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein. In step 1002, the tag ID for all the assets are received by the fixed active reader 108A-B. In step 1004, the received zone information is updated and sent to the asset database 602. In step 1006, the zone ID is obtained from the asset database 602. In step 1008, an asset ID is inputted to search the asset.

[0051] In step 1012, the system identifies and locates the asset inside the zone (e.g., the zone 1 102 and the zone 2 104) using the handheld active reader 110. In step 1014, the low power beacon is detected by the handheld active reader 110. In step 1016, the signal strength is indicated in the handheld device 110 to identify the multi beacon active tag ID 106A-D. In step 1018, it is checked whether the asset if found. In one embodiment, the asset is compared with the tag ID specified by the user. If both the IDs do not match, the signal is fed back into the comparator 1010 to initiate the next set of search iterations and step 1012 is repeated.

[0052] In one embodiment, the power levels for multiple RF beacons are factory programmed. The beacon interval for different power levels and the active tags which emit beacon signals may also be factory programmed (e.g., depending on the requirement). The prefixes for different beacons are also factory programmed for the control of beacon. These parameters may be reconfigured by another version of tag with capabilities to receive configuration commands from the reader.

[0053] FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic diagram of the handheld active reader of FIG. 1 having an a memory 1102 having a computer set of instructions, a bus 1104, a display 1106, a speaker 1108, and a processor 1110 capable of processing a set of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies herein, according to an embodiment herein.

The processor 1110 may also enable digital content to be consumed in the form of video for output via one or more displays 1106 or audio for output via speaker and/or earphones 1108. The processor 1110 may also carry out the methods described herein and in accordance with the embodiments herein.

[0054] Digital content may also be stored in the memory 1102 for future processing or consumption. The memory 1102 may also store program specific information and/or service information (PSI/SI), including information about digital content (e.g., the detected information bits) available in the future or stored from the past. A user 102 of the handheld active RFID reader 110 may view this stored information on display 1106 and select an item of for viewing, listening, or other uses via input, which may take the form of keypad, scroll, or other input device(s) or combinations thereof. When digital content is selected, the processor 1110 may pass information. The content and PSI/SI may be passed among functions within the handheld active RFID reader 110 using bus 1104.

[0055] The techniques provided by the embodiments herein may be implemented on an integrated circuit chip (not shown). The chip design is created in a graphical computer programming language, and stored in a computer storage medium (such as a disk, tape, physical hard drive, or virtual hard drive such as in a storage access network). If the designer does not fabricate chips or the photolithographic masks used to fabricate chips, the designer transmits the resulting design by physical means (e.g., by providing a copy of the storage medium storing the design) or electronically (e.g., through the Internet) to such entities, directly or indirectly.

[0056] The stored design is then converted into the appropriate format (e.g., GDSII) for the fabrication of photolithographic masks, which typically include multiple copies of the chip design in question that are to be formed on a wafer. The photolithographic masks are utilized to define areas of the wafer (and/or the layers thereon) to be etched or otherwise processed.

[0057] The resulting integrated circuit chips can be distributed by the fabricator in raw wafer form (that is, as a single wafer that has multiple unpackaged chips), as a bare die, or in a packaged form. In the latter case the chip is mounted in a single chip package (such as a plastic carrier, with leads that are affixed to a motherboard or other higher level carrier) or in a multichip package (such as a ceramic carrier that has either or both surface interconnections or buried interconnections).

[0058] In any case the chip is then integrated with other chips, discrete circuit elements, and/or other signal processing devices as part of either (a) an intermediate product, such as a motherboard, or (b) an end product. The end product can be any product that includes integrated circuit chips, ranging from toys and other low-end applications to advanced computer products having a display, a keyboard or other input device, and a central processor.

[0059] The embodiments herein can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment including both hardware and software elements. The embodiments that are implemented in software include but are not limited to, firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.

[0060] Furthermore, the embodiments herein can take the form of a computer program product accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable medium providing program code for use by or in connection with a computer or any instruction execution system. For the purposes of this description, a computer-usable or computer readable

- medium can be any apparatus that can comprise, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0061] The medium can be an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system (or apparatus or device) or a propagation medium. Examples of a computer-readable medium include a semiconductor or solid state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk and an optical disk. Current examples of optical disks include compact disk - read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk - read/write (CD-R/W) and DVD.

[0062] A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing program code will include at least one processor coupled directly or indirectly to memory elements through a system bus. The memory elements can include local memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulk storage, and cache memories which provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from bulk storage during execution.

[0063] Input/output (I/O) devices (including but not limited to keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers. Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable the data processing system to become coupled to other data processing systems or remote printers or storage devices through intervening private or public networks. Modems, cable modem and Ethernet cards are just a few of the currently available types of network adapters.

[0064] A representative hardware environment for practicing the embodiments herein is depicted in FIG. 12. This schematic drawing illustrates a hardware configuration of an information handling/computer system in accordance with the embodiments herein. The system comprises at least one processor or central processing unit (CPU) 10. The CPUs 10 are interconnected via system bus 12 to various devices such as a random access memory (RAM) 14, read-only memory (ROM) 16, and an input/output (I/O) adapter 18. The I/O adapter 18 can connect to peripheral devices, such as disk units 11 and tape drives 13, or other program storage devices that are readable by the system. The system can read the inventive instructions on the program storage devices and follow these instructions to execute the methodology of the embodiments herein.

[0065] The system further includes a user interface adapter 19 that connects a keyboard 15, mouse 17, speaker 24, microphone 22, and/or other user interface devices such as a touch screen device (not shown) to the bus 12 to gather user input. Additionally, a communication adapter 20 connects the bus 12 to a data processing network 25, and a display adapter 21 connects the bus 12 to a display device 23 which may be embodied as an output device such as a monitor, printer, or transmitter, for example.

[0066] The active RFID tags emit RF beacons for identification of asset within a location. In an example embodiment, one RF beacon can be used for identifying all assets within a zone. A low power RF beacon can be detected by a reader kept near a gate. The reader at the gate will detect the low power beacon only when the corresponding tag is very neat to it. The detection of low power beacon by the reader at the gate is interpreted as the corresponding asset being taken out. The reader will send the tag data extracted from the beacon to the RFID server computer which will verify that the corresponding asset has been authorized to be taken out or in. In the absence of authorization an alarm will be raised.

[0067] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

CLAIMS
What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for locating an asset in a zone, said apparatus comprising:

an active RFID tag, said active RFID tag attached to said asset, wherein said active RFID tag to emit a first RF beacon and a second RF beacon, said first RF beacon comprising a first power level, said second RF beacon comprising a second power level;

a fixed active RFID reader, said fixed active RFID reader configured to receive said first RF beacon emitted by said active RFID tag, wherein a location of said asset is determined based on a strength of said first power level of said first RF beacon in said zone; and

a handheld active RFID reader, said handheld active RFID reader configured to determine a precise location of said asset in said zone based on said second power level of said second RF beacon received from said active RFID tag associated with said zone.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first power level and said second power level are of a same frequency.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fixed active RFID reader receives said first RF beacon from said active RFID tag when said fixed active RFID reader is near to said asset, wherein said first power level of said first RF beacon is high.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handheld active RFID reader raises an alarm on receiving said second power level of said second RF beacon corresponding to said active RFID tag, wherein said second power level is low.

5. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said alarm is at least one of a buzzer, an audio signal, an SMS on a computer or a audio visual signal, wherein said audio visual signal comprises a graphic indication of relative distance of said asset.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handheld active RFID reader identifies said location of said active RFID tag based on said second power level associated with said second RF beacon.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said asset is taken out of said zone if said alarm is not raised.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a signal strength of said second power level is indicated in said handheld active RFID reader.

9. An RFID server computer to locate an asset in a zone, said RFID server computer comprising:

an asset database comprising an information associated with said asset and said zone, wherein said zone comprising an ID for said asset;

an update module to update said information associated with said asset and said zone;

an asset locate module to locate said asset in said zone, said asset is located using a fixed active RFID reader, said fixed active RFID reader configured to receive said first RF beacon emitted by an active RFID tag, said first RF beacon comprising a first power level,

a communication module to receive a communication message when said asset is located, wherein a location of said asset is determined based on a strength of said first power level of said first RF beacon in said zone, said first power level is a high power level;

wherein a precise location of said asset using an handheld active RFID reader, said handheld active RFID reader configured to determine said precise location of said asset in said zone based on said second RF beacon received from said active RFID tag associated with said zone, wherein a signal strength of said second power level is indicated in said handheld active RFID reader.

10. The RFID server computer of claim 9, wherein said first power level and said second power level are of a same frequency.

11. The RFID server computer of claim 9, wherein said handheld active RFID reader raises an alarm based on said signal strength of said second power level of said second RF beacon corresponding to said active RFID tag, said second power level is a low power level.

12. The RFID server computer of claim 11, wherein said asset is taken out of said zone if said alarm is not raised, wherein said communication message and said alarm is at least one of a buzzer, an audio signal, an SMS on a computer or a audio visual signal, wherein said audio visual signal comprises a graphic indication of relative distance of said asset.

13. An RFID tag for locating an asset in a zone, said RFID tag attached to said asset, said RFID tag to emit a first RF beacon and a second RF beacon, said first RF beacon comprising a first power level, said second RF beacon comprising a second power level, said RFID tag comprising:

a tag RF Module to demodulate and decode said first RF beacon and said second RF beacon received from an antenna, wherein an ID associated with said RFID tag is extracted from said first RF beacon and said second RF beacon; and

a tag RF controller module configured to control said tag RF Module, wherein said tag RF controller module to maintain at least one of a said ID associated with said first RF beacon and said second RF beacon, said power level, and an interval of transmission of said first RF beacon and said second RF beacon by said tag RF module.

14. The RFID tag of claim 13, further comprising a tag RF transmitter module configured to transmit said first RF beacon and said second RF beacon based on said first power level and said second power level.