Presence indicator signal

• US 10,616,744 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2019
• Issued: 04/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: White, Jr., David C., Mortensen, Magnus, Johnston, Jay Kemper, Darbha, Rama
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Danh C
• Application Number:
  US16/373,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20190261150A1
• Time in Patent Office: 371 Days
• Field of Search: 455411, 4555501, 4554562, 455418
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/54 Presence management, e.g. monitoring or registration for receipt of user log-on information, or the connection status of the users
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/244 using a network of reference devices, e.g. beaconing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal

Abstract

In one embodiment a method for providing presence information in a smart environment is implemented on a personal computing device associated with a user and includes; broadcasting a presence indicator signal in the smart environment, where the presence indicator signal indicates presence of the user in the smart environment, and the personal computing device is not provided by an operator of the smart environment.

Claims

1. A smart environment management system comprising:

a multiplicity of wireless receivers deployed in a smart environment, wherein said wireless receivers are operative to receive presence indicator signals from at least personal computing devices associated with users in said smart environment;

at least one robot, wherein said at least one robot is configured to transmit said robot indicator signals to be received by said multiplicity of wireless receivers; and

a multiplicity of building facilities associated with said smart environment, wherein said smart environment management system is operative to differentiate between said presence indicator signals and robot indicator signals and adjust said building facilities to optimize said smart environment in accordance with presence of said users in said smart environment according to said presence indicator signals.

2. The smart environment management system according to claim 1 wherein said building facilities comprise at least one of:

illumination, air conditioning, thermostat control, or physical access control.

3. The smart environment management system according to claim 1 wherein said smart environment management system is further operative to prioritize safety and rescue measures during emergencies based said presence indicator signals in specific areas of said smart environment.

4. The smart environment management system according to claim 1 wherein said multiplicity of wireless receivers use Bluetooth LE.

5. The smart environment management system according to claim 1 wherein said personal computing devices are managed independently of said smart environment management system.

6. The smart environment management system according to claim 1 wherein:

at least one of said presence indicator signals is associated with a specific user from among said users; and

at least one of said presence indicator signals is a generic presence indicator signal, wherein said generic presence indicator signal is not associated with a specific user from among said users.