Path storage and recovery using wireless devices

• US 10,327,108 B1
• Filed: 01/04/2018
• Issued: 06/18/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
• Original Assignee: Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
• Inventors: Knas, Michal, John, Jiby
• Primary Examiner(s): Phuong, Dai
• Application Number:
  US15/862,543
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 4554561-4563, 4554122-4143, 455457, 455566-5692
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/22 Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9537 Spatial or temporal dependent retrieval, e.g. spatiotemporal queries
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/224 providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 for supporting social networking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/33 for indoor environments, e.g. buildings
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/244 using a network of reference devices, e.g. beaconing

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure include an efficient method for presenting a traversed path. The method disclosed can be used to track individuals or provide directions for the individual to return using a path already traversed, so that the individual does not get lost. The method comprises determining a location for an individual by receiving a device identifier (e.g., distinctive combination of numbers and/or characters uniquely identifying a receiving device associated with the individual) and location information, received from one or more beacons, from the receiving device. The method comprises determining a first location associated with the receiving device based on the location information and/or the device identifier. The method comprises determining different locations associated with the individual as the individual moves. The method comprises, upon receiving a request for a traversed path, displaying instructions to reach the point of origin (e.g., first location).

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by a server, from a receiving device, a device identifier and a first location information, wherein the first location information is received by the receiving device from at least one of a plurality of beacons and identifies a first location of the receiving device;

receiving, by the server, a second location information from the receiving device, wherein the second location information is received by the receiving device from at least one of the plurality of beacons and identifies a second location of the receiving device;

receiving, by the server, from the receiving device, a request for a traversed path corresponding to a path traversed by the receiving device from the first location to the second location, wherein the traversed path represents instructions for the receiving device to travel from the second location back to the first location;

determining, by the server, the traversed path using information associated with the first location and the second location, and distance of the receiving device from each beacon located between the first location and the second location;

rendering, by the server on the receiving device, a graphical user interface to display instructions to reach the first location using the traversed path;

receiving, by the server, a third location information from the receiving device, wherein the third location information is received by the receiving device from at least one of the plurality of beacons and identifies a third location of the receiving device;

determining, by the server, whether the third location is along the traversed path displayed on the graphical user interface; and

in response to the third location not being along the traversed path,

transmitting, by the server, a notification to the receiving device informing the receiving device that the receiving device is not along the traversed path.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first, second and third location information comprise identifiers of the plurality of beacons and the locations where the beacons are installed.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving device receives signals from the plurality of beacons within a predetermined area from the beacons.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, by the server, a distance between the receiving device and one of the plurality of beacons based on strength of signals received at the receiving device from the beacon.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the device identifier comprises a distinctive combination of at least one of numbers and characters uniquely identifying the receiving device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by a server, a fourth location information from the receiving device, the fourth location information being associated with a location of the receiving device received from the plurality of beacons;

determining, by the server, a fourth location associated with the receiving device based on the fourth location information and the device identifier;

determining, by the server, whether the fourth location corresponds to the first location; and

in response to the fourth location corresponding to the first location, transmitting, by the server, a notification to the receiving device comprising a message informing a user associated with the receiving device that the traversed path has ended.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the request for a traversed path further comprises a second request for a second path, which is a fastest path to the first location.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface comprises one or more options displayed on the receiving device corresponding to a point of interest associated with the traversed path.

9. A computer system comprising:

a plurality of beacons where each beacon emits location information;

a receiving device operated by a user; and

a server communicatively coupled to the plurality of beacons and the device, wherein the server;

receive from the receiving device, a device identifier and a first location information, wherein the first location information is received by the receiving device from at least beacon within the plurality of beacons and identifies a first location of the receiving device;

receive a second location information from the receiving device, wherein the second location information is received by the receiving device from at least one of the plurality of beacons and identifies a second location of the receiving device;

receive from the receiving device, a request for a traversed path corresponding to a path traversed by the receiving device from the first location to the second location, wherein the traversed path represents instructions for the receiving device to travel from the second location back to the first location;

determine the traversed path using information associated with the first location and the second location, and distance of the receiving device from each beacon located between the first location and the second location;

render on the receiving device, a graphical user interface to display instructions to reach the first location using the traversed path;

receive a third location information from the receiving device, wherein the third location information is received by the receiving device from at least one of the plurality of beacons and identifies a third location of the receiving device;

determine whether the third location is on the traversed path displayed on the graphical user interface; and

in response to the third location not being on with the traversed path,

transmit a notification to the receiving device informing the receiving device that the receiving device is not on the traversed path.

10. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the first, second and third location information comprise identifiers of the plurality of beacons and the locations where the beacons are installed.

11. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the receiving device receives signals from the plurality of beacons within a predetermined area from the beacons.

12. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the server further programmed to execute instructions to:

determine a distance between the receiving device and one of the plurality of beacons based on strength of signals received at the receiving device from the beacon.

13. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the device identifier comprises a distinctive combination of at least one of numbers and characters uniquely identifying the receiving device.

14. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the server further programmed to execute instructions to:

receive a fourth location information from the receiving device, the fourth location information being associated with a location of the receiving device received from the plurality of beacons;

determine a fourth location associated with the receiving device based on the fourth location information and the device identifier;

determine whether the fourth location corresponds to the first location; and

in response to the fourth location corresponding to the first location, transmits a notification to the receiving device comprising a message informing a user associated with the receiving device that the traversed path has ended.

15. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the request for a traversed path further comprises a second request for a second path, which is a fastest path to the first location.

16. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the graphical user interface comprises one or more options displayed on the receiving device corresponding to a point of interest associated with the traversed path.