1. An object location and tracking system for tracking infrared transmitters that transmit identifying codes, comprising: a computer network for passing messages; a computer connected to said network, said computer including means for sending and receiving messages over said computer network in a variable-based protocol that implements object identifier variables; a plurality of infrared sensors for receiving transmitted identifying codes from the infrared transmitters, said plurality of infrared sensors providing signals containing the transmitted identifying codes; and interface circuitry coupling said plurality of infrared sensors to said computer network, said interface circuitry including means for providing to said computer network object identifier variables in the variable-based protocol corresponding to the transmitted identifying codes received from said signals from said plurality of infrared sensors.