Inaudible tones tracking chip and system for security and safety

• US 10,497,196 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2019
• Issued: 12/03/2019
• 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:
  US16/281,722
• Publication Number:
  US 20190180538A1
• Time in Patent Office: 285 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 tracking chip, system, and method including a battery powering components of the tracking chip. The tracking chip further includes a transmitter broadcasting one or more inaudible tones. The one or more inaudible tones are an audio tone that is inaudible to humans. The tracking chip further includes a logic engine that manages transmission of the one or more inaudible tones.

Claims

1. A tracking chip, comprising:

a battery powering components of the tracking chip;

a transmitter broadcasting one or more inaudible tones, wherein the one or more inaudible tones are audio tones that are inaudible to humans, and wherein the one or more inaudible tones include information identifying the user or the item associated with the tracking chip; and

a logic engine managing transmission of the one or more inaudible tones.

2. The tracking chip of claim 1, wherein the tracking chip is attached to or integrated with a user or an item.

3. The tracking chip of claim 1, wherein the tracking chip is capable of being reconfigured.

4. The tracking chip of claim 1, wherein the logic engine manages the transmitter transmitting the one or more tones in response to determining the tracking chip is being moved or used.

5. The tracking chip of claim 1, wherein the one or more inaudible tones is utilized to determine a location and orientation of the user or the item associated with the tracking chip.

6. The tracking chip of claim 1, further comprising:

a memory storing information regarding the user or the item associated with the tracking chip, wherein the information is encoded within the one or more inaudible tones.

7. The tracking chip of claim 1, wherein different information is transmitted by each of the one or more inaudible tones broadcasted by the transmitter.

8. The tracking chip of claim 1, wherein the tracking chip is connected to a piece of jewelry, electronics, pet clothing, car keys, wheelchair, wallet, inventory tag, or clothing.

9. The tracking chip of claim 1, wherein the tracking chip is adhered to the item utilizing an adhesive.

10. The tracking chip of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more sensors for determining environmental or user conditions.

11. The tracking chip of claim 1, wherein the one or more inaudible tones indicates a location of the tracking chip.

21. The tracking chip of claim 6, wherein the information includes medical information.

22. The tracking chip of claim 1, wherein the one or more inaudible tones includes an alarm.

23. The tracking chip of claim 1, wherein the one or more inaudible tones include information for tracking inventory.

12. A method for utilizing inaudible tones, comprising:

associating a tag with information, wherein the information specifies at least a user or item associated with the tag;

transmitting one or more inaudible tones from a transmitter integrated in the tag, wherein the one or more inaudible tones are audio signals that are inaudible to humans, and wherein the one or more inaudible tones include at least the information specifying at least the user or item associated with the tag.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the tag is capable of being reconfigured.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

connecting the tag to the user or the item.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

saving the information in a memory of the tag.

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

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the information specifies a location associated with the tag.

18. A tag 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;

associate the tag with information, transmit one or more inaudible tones from a transmitter integrated with the tag, wherein the one or more inaudible tones are audio signals that are inaudible to humans, wherein the tones includes at least the information, and wherein the information identifies the user or the item associated with the tag.

19. The tag of claim 18, wherein the set of instructions are further executed to:

save the information in a memory of the tag.

20. The tag of claim 18, wherein the tag is connected, attached, or integrated with the user or the item.