Location based tracking using a wireless earpiece device, system, and method

• US 10,327,082 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2017
• Issued: 06/18/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bragi GmbH
• Original Assignee: Bragi GmbH
• Inventors: Milevski, Veniamin, Boesen, Peter Vincent
• Primary Examiner(s): Matar, Ahmad F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Diaz, Sabrina
• Application Number:
  US15/447,549
• Publication Number:
  US 20170257717A1
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 381 58
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/07 Use of position data from wide-area or local-area positioning systems in hearing devices, e.g. program or information selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/001 for loudspeakers H04R29/007 takes precedence

Abstract

A system, wireless earpiece, and method for locating a tag utilizing one or more wireless earpieces. The tag is associated with the one or more wireless earpieces. The tag includes identification information. The tag is searched for. The tag is located in response to searching for the tag. Feedback is provided through the one or more wireless earpieces for locating the tag.

Claims

1. A method for locating a tag utilizing one or more wireless earpieces, the method comprising:

linking the tag with the one or more wireless earpieces when the tag is in proximity with the one or more wireless earpieces, wherein the tag includes identification information and wherein the tag is configured to wirelessly communicate with the one or more wireless earpieces;

determining whether a user of the one or more wireless earpieces is authorized to search for the tag;

searching for the tag, wherein the searching is performed using the one or more wireless earpieces;

locating the tag in response to searching for the tag with the wireless earpiece to provide a location of the tag; and

generating audio feedback through the one or more wireless earpieces to the user wearing the one or more wireless earpieces for locating the tag.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing biometric readings for the user utilizing sensors of the one or more wireless earpieces;

determining whether the user is authorized to search for the tag, wherein the searching is performed in response to determining the user is authorized to search for the tag.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining an initial location associated with the tag if known; and

storing the initial location.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

rejecting a request to perform the searching in response to determining the biometric readings do not authorize the one or more wireless earpieces to fulfill the request.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the biometric readings include voice characteristics, pulse, ear mapping, and temperature.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more wireless earpieces are a pair of wireless earpieces.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the request is associated with information securely stored by the one or more wireless earpieces.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the biometric readings are automatically read by the one or more wireless earpieces in response to the one or more wireless earpieces being worn by the user.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the searching is performed automatically in response to the one or more wireless earpieces being proximate the tag.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the audio feedback provides audible instructions directly to the user wearing the one or more wireless earpieces for locating the tag.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the feedback is audibly communicated as speech.

12. A wireless earpiece comprising:

a processor for executing an application; and

a memory for storing the application, wherein the application is executed to;

link a tag with the wireless earpiece when the tag is in proximity with the wireless earpiece, wherein the tag includes identification information, and wherein the tag is in wireless communication with the wireless earpiece;

determine whether a user of the wireless earpiece is authorized to search for the tag;

if the user is authorized to search for the tag, search for the tag using the wireless earpiece;

locate the tag in response to searching for the tag using the wireless earpiece; and

provide audio feedback through the wireless earpiece to the user of the wireless earpiece for locating the tag.

13. The wireless earpiece of claim 12, wherein the wireless earpiece sends a command for a wireless device associated with the wireless earpiece to search for the tag.

14. The wireless earpiece of claim 12, wherein the application is further executed to:

authenticate that the user utilizing the wireless earpiece is authorized to locate the tag.

15. The wireless earpiece of claim 14, wherein the user is authenticated utilizing one or more biometric readings or user inputs received from the user.

16. The wireless earpiece of claim 12, wherein the wireless earpiece is one of a pair of wireless earpieces worn in ears of the user.

17. The wireless earpiece of claim 12, wherein the wireless earpiece searches for the tag in response to 1) nearing an initial location stored by the wireless earpiece, 2) receiving a ping from the tag, or 3) receiving user input to search for the tag.

18. The wireless earpiece of claim 12, wherein an initial location of the tag is determined utilizing global positioning information, wireless triangulation, or wireless signal strength and wherein the application is further executed to:

play alerts to the user regarding a status of locating the tag.

19. A wireless earpiece for location-based tracking, comprising:

a frame;

a transceiver operatively located within the frame for transmitting and receiving communications;

a processor operatively located within the frame and operatively coupled to the transceiver and executing an application; and

a memory operatively located within the frame and operatively coupled to the processor and storing the application, wherein the application is executed to;

link a tag with the wireless earpiece when the tag is in proximity with the wireless earpiece, wherein the tag includes identification information, and wherein the tag is in wireless communication with the wireless earpiece;

search for the tag using the wireless earpiece;

locate the tag in response to searching for the tag using the wireless earpiece; and

send a message through the transceiver to the tag directing the tag to play a sound, light up vibrate or otherwise communicate with a user searching for the tag.

20. The wireless earpiece of claim 19, wherein the application can determine whether the user of the wireless earpiece is authorized to search for the tag.