Inaudible tones used for security and safety

• US 10,242,518 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2017
• Issued: 03/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Web Access, LLC
• Original Assignee: Web Access, LLC
• Inventors: Bradley, Nathaniel T., Talmage, William, Paugh, Joshua S., Dromerhauser, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Alunkal, Thomas D
• Application Number:
  US15/819,729
• Publication Number:
  US 20180144567A1
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/30 not involving the use of a pass
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/38 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 11/00 Transmission systems employing sonic, ultrasonic or infrasonic waves

Abstract

A security system and method including a transmitter broadcasting an inaudible signal. The security system further includes one or more sensors configured to detect the inaudible signal. The security system further includes a processing system in communication with the one or more sensors. The processing system tracks the inaudible signal of the transmitter throughout a location in response to detecting the inaudible signal.

Claims

1. A security system, comprising:

a transmitter broadcasting an inaudible tone, wherein the inaudible tone is an audio tone that is inaudible to humans, wherein the transmitter is integrated in a tag configured for attachment to a user or object;

one or more sensors configured to detect the inaudible tone from the transmitter throughout a location;

a processing system in communication with the one or more sensors, wherein the processing system tracks the transmitter throughout a location in response to detecting the inaudible tone utilizing the one or more sensors.

2. The security system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is integrated in a chip included within the tag.

3. The security system of claim 2, wherein the chip broadcasts the inaudible tone in response to determining the tag is being moved or used.

4. The security system of claim 1, wherein the inaudible tone identifies one or more of a user or an item associated with the transmitter.

5. The security system of claim 1, wherein the inaudible tone is utilized to determine a location and orientation of a user associated with the transmitter.

6. The security system of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors are associated with entry points and exit points of the location.

7. The security system of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors are mobile for enhancing detection of the inaudible tone.

8. The security system of claim 1, further comprising:

associating the inaudible tone with the transmitter.

9. The security system of claim 1, further comprising:

associating data with the transmitter for communication as part of the inaudible tone.

10. The security system of claim 1, wherein the transmitters include one or more sensors for determining environmental or user conditions.

11. The security system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is integrated in a piece of jewelry, electronics, or clothing.

12. A method for utilizing inaudible tones, comprising:

receiving an inaudible tone broadcast from a transmitter integrated in a tag, wherein the inaudible tone is an audio signal that is inaudible to humans;

determining information associated with the inaudible tone;

associating the tag with a location where the inaudible tone was received; and

saving the information for subsequent access.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the transmitter is a microchip integrated with or attached to an item.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the inaudible tone identifies an item associated with the transmitter, and a user associated with the transmitter.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the transmitter broadcasts the inaudible tones in response to one or more settings or user preferences.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the inaudible tone is received at an entry or an exit, wherein the location specifies the entry or the exit.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

performing an action in response to detecting the inaudible tone.

18. A system for processing inaudible tones, comprising:

a processor for executing a set of instructions; and

a memory for executing the set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions are executed to;

receive an inaudible tone broadcast from a transmitter, determine information associated with the inaudible tone, associate the transmitter with a location where the inaudible tone was received, track the location of the transmitter throughout the location utilizing the inaudible tone, and save the information and tracked locations for subsequent access, wherein the inaudible tone is an audio signal that is inaudible to humans.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

receiving a plurality of inaudible tones from a plurality of transmitters simultaneously or concurrently.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the set of instructions are further executed to:

save the location associate with the transmitter for reference.