- 1 Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) beacon including controllable signal direction and range The present invention relates to the field of time and attendance management and, in particular, to accurately recording the movement of cleaning, security, 5 maintenance and other personnel through locations that need to be identified for audit purposes. In one aspect, the invention relates to a RFID beacon including a controllable signal range, the orientation of the beacon being adjustable so that the direction of the signal is controllable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 There are time and attendance management systems in existence whose aim it is to record movement of personnel and record such movement in a time and attendance database which can then be viewed and audited either at a later stage or in near real time by way of wireless transfer of information to mobile devices such as smarts phones and the like. For example, an existing system developed and used by 15 the present Applicant involves the distribution of portable data loggers/scanners to personnel who are required to carry the loggers/scanners with them when carrying out their duties. Throughout this specification, the word logger is used but is intended to include within its scope both logging and scanning capabilities. Each logger includes a personalised identity for that person and "iButton" 20 technology which allows the worker to activate their iButton at terminals located in each area being cleaned, patrolled, etc. The iButton unique serial number is activated (transmits data) when the logger iButton readhead is pressed against a iButton at a terminal. The data logger thereby captures records of time and attendance in specific areas, and such information can then be transferred wirelessly to a remote server or 25 direct to a supervisor's device. Typically, the logger is docked to a data transfer unit at the premises at the end of each shift. A problem with the use of "i-button" technology is that it requires personnel to manually activate the i-button in each area, and is thus reliant on personnel diligence and honesty.
-2 Another known time and attendance management system involves the use of Active RFID technology, whereby a RFID tag or transmitter is placed in the roof or ceiling space or on a wall of a room and personnel carry with them a portable data logger configured to receive the signal and thereby record that the logger has been in 5 the vicinity of the signal range. While the use of RFID technology overcomes some of the issues associated with "iButton technology", there are a number of problems associated with known systems. Current Active RFID transmitters generally include the following features: e They are typically antenna type devices which include a wire coil. The 10 transmission broadcasts RFID information with some signal intensity control, however, the signal is transmitted in a spherical pattern with limited height/depth/width control, and notably, no control of signal in the upward direction; e The frequency range is typically at the low end of the spectrum and thus 15 penetrates concrete more readily than at the high end frequency spectrum; e The enclosure shape of the RFID tags is typically square or rectangular with limited orientation adjustment post installation and therefore limited signal direction control. The placement of such tags inside ceiling spaces can make the device difficult to locate and at risk of interference or removal by persons 20 not associated with the installation.Where current RFID transponders transmit an ID signal in a spherical type pattern, it makes the signal intended or target footprint difficult to tune. Installing RFID tags in shopping centres, for example, often involves placing the tags in the ceiling. The steel fabrication that is used to hold the ceiling plaster 25 board of acoustic tiles can broadcast the RFID tag identity into unknown places. In addition to the steel infrastructure in the ceiling is a multitude of cables and other steel based fabrications that can act as conductors of radio frequencies which can spread the RFID tag identity into places that are not near or associated with the specific location seeking to be identified.
-3 When placed inside a ceiling space, individual location identification may result in overlap of location IDs. When the radio signals transmitted from two adjacent transmitters overlap, the sprayed RFID signal unique identification is such that room/area-specific identification can be difficult to achieve. Controlled area 5 specific identification is particularly important in the segregation of toilet units in a block of toilets in a shopping mall for example. Where a toilet unit is to be identified, it is possible that a RFID reader device that is intended to read and record the location could also include within its transmission range a corridor area outside the wall, in an adjoin toilet, or in a level above. ID signal overlap and signal spray are not desirable 10 outcomes when using active RFID for point to point location identification in individual shopping centre toilets and similar type facility precincts. In summary, tuning the signal range of present RFID transmitters can be a time consuming and difficult process to achieve. Placing active RFID transmitters in close proximity may compromise the efficiency of the communication between the 15 Active RFID transmitter and the RFID scanner. Therefore a specific location identification can be unintentionally received by other loggers within the vicinity, for example, in an adjacent room or in a room on an upper level. The importance of accurately recording movement data is paramount, particularly when there may be subsequent litigation claims which call for accurate historic records of personnel 20 movement on a particular day/night. The Applicant has identified a real need for a more accurate personnel movement tracking system, particularly in shopping centres, other public gathering precincts, and critical infrastructure facilities. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore in one form of the invention there is proposed a radio frequency 25 identification transmitter including a radio frequency identification antenna with a controllable signal range in one direction, the orientation of the beacon being adjustable about 360 degrees such that the direction of the signal is adjustable. In a further form of the invention there is proposed a radio frequency identification transmitter for use in providing a recordable signal in a time and 30 attendance management system, the transmitter including: -4 a housing including a longitudinal axis, said housing adapted to be mounted to a supporting structure such that the longitudinal axis of the housing extends substantially vertically; a radio frequency identification antenna for transmitting a radio signal, the 5 antenna being mounted inside the housing such that the radio signal emits a highest signal intensity from one side of the transmitter and a lowest signal intensity from an opposed side; and a means of controlling at least a horizontal dimension of the signal. In being configured like so, the housing and hence the antenna can be easily 10 rotated so that the direction of the signal can be adjusted. In one aspect, the housing includes a visual indicia which indicates the direction of the lowest signal intensity so that an installer is assisted as to the orientation to which the housing should be rotated. In one aspect, the visual indicia is in the form of a notch on an exposed surface of the housing. In an alternate aspect, an end piece of the housing includes a screw slot 15 across its diameter on which the visual indicia is present. In a further aspect, the housing includes a screw at an upper end thereof adapted to be screwed into a horizontal surface such as a ceiling. In this aspect, the screw acts as a means of adjusting the direction of the signal. In another aspect, the housing is fixed to a vertical surface using a saddle 20 attachment which also allows for the housing to be rotated. In this aspect, the saddle attachment acts as a means of adjusting the direction of the signal. In another aspect, the means of controlling at least a horizontal dimension of the signal is in the form of a printed circuit board adapted to receive instructions as to the intensity of the signal in the horizontal direction wirelessly. The horizontal 25 direction includes at least a width and a depth dimension of the signal. In another aspect, the printed circuit board and associated antenna include a power source mounted inside the housing. In one aspect, the power source is a lithium C-cell battery.
-5 In another aspect, the housing is cylindrical and the printed circuit board and battery are arranged such that the PCB is disposed at the base of the housing and the battery is disposed there above. In this aspect, the location of the battery serves to reduce the signal intensity in an upwards or vertical direction. 5 In another aspect, the transmitter further includes a means of controlling the transmission power dimension of the signal. In this aspect, the printed circuit board is configured to wirelessly receive transmission power control adjustment instructions which affect the output intensity of the signal. The vertical direction includes at least a height dimension of the signal. 10 In another aspect, the transmitter includes a high power - low power reference point from which the adjustment of the direction of the antenna can be measured. In this aspect, the low power reference point may be defined with a manual compass or inbuilt electronic compass. In another form of the invention there is proposed a method of installing the 15 transmitter including assembling the components in the housing as previously defined, fixing the housing to a surface such that it is aligned vertically, rotating the housing until the side of the transmitter emitting a highest signal intensity is directed towards an area to be monitored, and adjusting the intensity of the signal in at least its horizontal dimension. 20 In a still further form of the invention there is proposed a time and attendance management system for auditing movement of personnel across multiple defined areas, the management system including: at least one radio frequency identification transmitter as defined in the preceding paragraphs located in each of the defined areas and adjusted such that the 25 signal range of each transmitter is limited to the respective defined areas; a portable data logger adapted to be carried by each personnel, each logger including a personalised identification for each personnel and configured to receive said signal, each data logger thereby recording data relating to time and/or attendance in each area; and -6 a means of retrieving data from each logger. In a further aspect, the means of retrieving data is in the form of a docking station to which each personnel docks their logger at the end of their shift, the docking station capable of retrieving data from the logger and storing it or sending it 5 wirelessly to a data storage location. In a still further aspect, the logger includes an inbuilt wireless modem configured with mobile intemet connection that facilitates the transmission of incoming RFID information in real-time to a remote data storage and server location. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 10 The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate several implementations of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings, Figure 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a RFID beacon according to one 15 aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 is a front view of a radiation pattern of the RFID beacon of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top view of a radiation pattern of the RFID beacon of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side view of a radiation pattern of the RFID beacon of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an assembled RFID beacon saddle mounted to 20 a wall just beneath a ceiling, and an enlarged view of a data logger adapted to receive a signal from the beacon when in the vicinity of the beacon signal in accordance with a further aspect of the invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of an indoor environment including two adjacent rooms and two respective RFID beacons saddle mounted to walls 25 thereof beneath the ceiling, each beacon providing a controlled signal confined to each room; and -7 Figure 7 is a perspective view of an outdoor street environment including an RFID beacon saddle mounted to a streetlight. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying 5 drawings. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. 10 The present invention relates to a RFID beacon 10 which, according to one aspect, includes a cylindrical body or housing or enclosure 12 which houses a printed circuit board (PCB) 14 including on one side thereof an RFID antenna (not shown), and a power supply battery 16 disposed there above. An arrangement of these components is shown in Figure 1. The signal transmitted from the beacon 10 is 15 adapted to be received by a portable data logger 17 carried by personnel moving in and out of monitored locations throughout the course of their shift. The beacon body 12 includes a main hollow portion 18 and an end cap 20 to which a lower end of the PCB is adapted to be fixed and supported prior to insertion into the main hollow portion 18. In one aspect, an inside surface of the end cap is 20 slotted such that a channel 22 is formed, adapted to receive and thereby support the PCB 14. The end cap further includes a visual indicia in the form of a notch 24 on an exposed surface thereof, the notch being positioned on a radially opposite side to that of the RFID antenna. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, for example, it is 25 apparent that the antenna is not on the printed circuit side of the PCB but on the opposed side, and the notch 24 is thus located on the radially opposite side of the antenna. The notch 24 thereby indicates to an installer the side of the beacon 12 which will emit the lowest signal intensity, and therefore also the side which will emit the highest signal intensity as indicated by arrow 26. It is to be understood however that 30 other visual indicia could be used, for example, the end cap could include a slot (not shown) across its diameter providing a screw head notch which could be coloured -8 appropriately to indicate the low-high signal direction. The end cap 20 can be secured to the main body 18 by any suitable means, including by threaded engagement (although one needs to take into account the notch alignment when incorporating a threaded connection), or by using any suitable adhesive or other joining technique. 5 In a further aspect, there is an additional support member (not shown) used between the PCB 14 and the battery 16 to ensure that all components are appropriately aligned and supported prior to insertion of the components into the main hollow portion 18. The PCB 14 is used to controllably operate the antenna (not shown) and, 10 according to one aspect, this is achieved wirelessly using a hand held manual control device (not shown). There is evolving technology in the field of RFID signal transmission, including means to control the intensity of a signal along specified height, depth and width axes. One such technology which allows this level of control is BluegigaTM technology. However, the present invention is not intended to be 15 limited to any one type of antenna or intensity control means. It is however important that the control means allows for signal intensity control across a plurality of axes rather than just transmitting an equally intense signal across all axes (i.e. a spherical signal as per current RFID transmitters). Figures 2-4 illustrate radiation patterns of an RFID beacon 10 according to one 20 aspect, and a skilled addressee would appreciate from a viewing of those patterns the level of control that is possible across the different axes. One can thus wirelessly adjust the intensity so that the transmitted signal is substantially in the shape of a room or area requiring monitoring. The cylindrical shape of the beacon 10 is chosen as it facilitates the greatest 25 possible control of the direction of the RFID signal direction. The ability to manually rotate the beacon 10 through an axis of 360 degrees gives control over the direction of the low power and high power side of the signal footprint (the notch on the cap of the cylinder indicates to an installer the low power side of the RFID signal foot print). Further, the cylindrical shape of the beacon 10 and the arrangement of its 30 components enable the battery 16 to be mounted above the PCB and thereby used as a shield to restrict the upward direction of the transmitted RFID signal. This is -9 especially helpful in ceiling mounted configurations across multiple floor levels to ensure that the signal of a beacon mounted on one floor is not detected by personnel on the floor above. The cylindrical shape also facilitates the ability to mount the PCB and 5 associated transmission antenna in an externally identifiable format that facilitates the 360 degree rotational tuning function. The cylindrical shape makes it possible to have a single self-tapping screw 28 built into the enclosure, as shown in Figure 1. For ceiling mounting, this facilitates easy fixing of the beacon 10 and also facilitates the rotation of the beacon to achieve 10 the manual tuning of the high-low signal direction. Attachments or plugs (not shown) can be used where necessary to make the screw suitable for mounting to any surface including wood, concrete or plaster board. There may be situations where the self tapping screw 28 can turn in the end of the enclosure. To overcome this problem, a steel locking nut 30 can be used to stop 15 the fixing screw from turning in the beacon housing, although other variations are possible. A tool (not shown) for fixing the beacon to a ceiling may be used which does not require the installer to climb a ladder. In one aspect, such a tool could be in the form of a length of pole having at its end a means of engaging the lower end of the 20 cylindrical body such that subsequent turning of the tool causes rotation of the body and hence tightening of the screw into the ceiling. This will increase efficiency when installing or adjusting the signal strength direction of the beacons. It will also improve efficiency when it is necessary to access or remove a beacon. Figure 5 illustrates how the cylindrical shape of the beacon 10 makes it 25 possible for the beacon to be easily mounted to a vertical surface such as a wall. The vertical mount is in the form of a saddle fixing 32 adapted to secure the body of the beacon to the vertical surface while still allowing for it to be rotated by 360 degrees for manual tuning. It is to be understood that a beacon could be constructed with either a vertical or horizontal mounting means, or both. The skilled addressee would 30 realise the importance of a vertical mount being configured as described above when there are two beacons mounted on either side of a wall for example. It ensures that the - 10 low power signal direction of each beacon faces each other and the higher power direction faces into the respective rooms. Figure 6 illustrates two beacons 10 in use in two adjacent rooms, where each beacon has been rotated at the time of installation such that the red notch 24 faces the 5 wall and the high output direction of the beacon faces the inside of the room. One can appreciate from a viewing of this Figure the ease at which such beacons can be installed and tuned such that there is no overlap in the signal transmitted, even when the beacons are positioned only a few metres apart. In one aspect, the installation steps include: 10 (1) mounting a first beacon to a wall of a first room such that the battery end of the beacon is at the top of the beacon and the PCB is at the lower end; (2) manually rotating the beacon 10 about its central longitudinal axis relative to a reference point so that the notch side of the beacon faces the wall and the high output side faces the inside of the room; 15 (3) using a handheld control device, wirelessly adjusting the signal range at least in depth and width dimensions to suit the size of the room (the range could be tested by using a logger 17 at appropriate positions within the room and also in adjacent rooms to ensure that the signal range is appropriate across at least the depth and width axes); 20 (4) Repeating steps (1) to (3) for the second beacon in the adjacent room. For multi-story buildings, step (3) may also involve adjusting the signal range in the height dimension. As mentioned earlier, the arrangement of the internal components results in reduced signal strength in the upper direction in any event. When installing a beacon 10, it is important for an installer to know and have 25 documented reference to the signal strength direction/orientation. To achieve this, in accordance with one aspect, a high quality compass 32 can be mounted to a visible area of the beacon as shown in the Figures which is used by the installer to establish a point of reference for the orientation of the beacon to North-South. In another aspect, the beacon will have an inbuilt electronic compass (not shown). In a further aspect, - 11 the electronic compass will report, in addition to other microchip referenced settings such as the serial number, power setting and battery voltage, the North-South orientation of the installed beacon signal strength direction. The skilled addressee would appreciate that these settings are particularly important to know when replacing 5 or servicing a beacon. Versatile applications for the beacon embodying the present invention include the identification of personnel moving in outside locations too, for example, a street corner at an intersection as shown in Figure 7. Because of the cylindrical shape and the identifiable signal strength orientation of the beacon, the ability to mount the 10 active RFID beacon on a steel surface has the advantage of focussing the direction and maximising the range of the ID transmission. It has been established that it is possible to record the ID of the beacon 10 with a logger 17 carried in a passing vehicle (not shown). Managing the RFID footprint produced by a beacon 10 of the present 15 invention is far more accurate and efficient than other RFID transmission power adjustment methods. In a still further aspect, there is provided a time and attendance management system including vertically mounted RFID beacons 10 configured to transmit a signal of controlled width, height and depth intensity in substantially one radial direction, 20 and whose orientation is rotatable such that the direction of the signal is adjustable, thereby producing a signal that more accurately covers a defined surveillance area and which reduces the likelihood of signal overlap. The system further includes portable data loggers adapted to be carried by personnel moving in and out of the defined surveillance records in accordance with their duties, the data loggers adapted to 25 receive a signal from each beacon and store date and time history relating to movements of the person carrying the logger. In many service industries the ability to manage Key Performance Indicator information in manual and near-real-time downloads or wireless real-time data transfers has many critical safety, economic and policy planning efficiency 30 advantages.
-12 Where active RFID technology is not suitable, i-buttons are ideal for identifying air-conditioning and other critical equipment service and maintenance routines. Thus, in another aspect, each data logger further includes an i-button. In a further aspect, each logger is capable of reading GPS location signals. 5 In summary, it is important that the horizontal and vertical distance between sensor zones is managed. The beacon 10 embodied herein uses a combination of manual orientation adjustment and wirelessly controlled power settings and has been designed to manage the complexities of footprint vertical and horizontal separation and overlap. The beacon, owing to its configuration can be wirelessly controlled to 10 adjust intensity and manually rotated on a central axis to provide manual control of direction of the signal strong and weak fields. The beacon 10 is designed to be mounted in open space, not in the ceiling where materials can affect the signal transmission broadcast pattern. The upper level of the enclosure houses the battery that serves to control upward direction of the ID 15 signal transmission. In one aspect, the beacon includes a single screw for visible open space mounting, and is thus quick to fix and easy to remove. Owing to this configuration, the beacon 10 can also be introduced into new infrastructures. The end cap is slotted to facilitate the firm mounting of the PCB and in association with the notch serves to locate the direction of the high low power transmission directions. 20 In one aspect, the frequency range of the signal is at the high end of the spectrum so as to restrict any signal penetration through concrete floors and walls. In addition, the assembly can be sealed against water and dust incursion. A magnetic micro switch could also be used to facilitate turning the battery off when in storage and transport. 25 Controlling the signal footprint of an RFID transmitter in a toilet block can be a challenging exercise. Where it is required that each unit in a toilet block is identified the Daelibs Visit Point Beacon ( 100mm x 32mm ) will facilitate the highest level of location identification of the separate (Male/Female/Accessibility/Parent Room) units found in many toilet blocks. 30 Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown - 13 and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognised that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent 5 devices and apparatus. In the summary of the invention and claims, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention. 10