Method of allowing access to an electronic device
First Claim
1. A method of allowing access to an electronic device (218) disposed in a working space (14) by a user (16) having a remote device (212) in proximity to the electronic device (218), said method comprising the steps of:
- disposing the electronic device (218) at a known position in the working space (14);
disposing an access point (20) at a known position about the working space (14);
detecting the remote device (212) with the access point (20);
transmitting an initial signal from the access point (20) instructing the remote device (212) to respond after a delay period;
detecting the initial signal with the remote device (212);
transmitting a response signal from the remote device (212) upon the expiration of the delay period;
detecting the response signal with the access point (20);
measuring a period interval from the transmission of the initial signal to the detection of the response signal by the access point (20);
determining a distance of the remote device (212) from the electronic device (218) based upon the period interval and the known positions of the access point (20) and the electronic device (218);
comparing the distance to a predetermined distance range; and
enabling the electronic device (218) in response to the distance of the remote device (212) being within the predetermined distance range such that the user (16) can access the electronic device (218).
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The subject invention provides a method of allowing access to an electronic device (218) disposed in a working space (14) by a user (16) having a remote device (212). An initial signal is transmitted from an access point (20) instructing the remote device (212) to respond after a delay period. The remote device (212) responds upon the expiration of the delay period. The access point (20) measures a period interval from the transmission of the initial signal to the detection of a response signal. A distance of the remote device (212) is determined based upon the period interval and the known positions of the access point (20) and the electronic device (218). In another embodiment, a fixed device (256) transmits locating signals detected by three access points (220, 221, 223) and the access points (220, 221, 223) measure a time differential. The position of the remote device (212) is determined based upon a time of arrival, the location of each of the access points (220, 221, 223), and the time differential. The electronic device (218) is enabled in response to the distance of the remote device (212) being within the predetermined distance range.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of allowing access to an electronic device (218) disposed in a working space (14) by a user (16) having a remote device (212) in proximity to the electronic device (218), said method comprising the steps of:
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disposing the electronic device (218) at a known position in the working space (14);
disposing an access point (20) at a known position about the working space (14);
detecting the remote device (212) with the access point (20);
transmitting an initial signal from the access point (20) instructing the remote device (212) to respond after a delay period;
detecting the initial signal with the remote device (212);
transmitting a response signal from the remote device (212) upon the expiration of the delay period;
detecting the response signal with the access point (20);
measuring a period interval from the transmission of the initial signal to the detection of the response signal by the access point (20);
determining a distance of the remote device (212) from the electronic device (218) based upon the period interval and the known positions of the access point (20) and the electronic device (218);
comparing the distance to a predetermined distance range; and
enabling the electronic device (218) in response to the distance of the remote device (212) being within the predetermined distance range such that the user (16) can access the electronic device (218). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of allowing access to an electronic device (218) disposed in a working space (14) by a user (16) having a remote device (212) in proximity to the electronic device (218), said method comprising the steps of:
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disposing at least three access points (220, 221, 223) about the working space (14) each at a known position and each of the access points (220, 221, 223) connected to a network (13);
compiling a database (254) of known positions for each of the access points (220, 221, 223) and connecting the database (254) to the network (13);
disposing a fixed device (256) at a known position relative to the working space (14);
storing the position of the fixed device (256) in the database (254);
transmitting locating signals from the fixed device (256);
detecting the locating signals at each of the access points (220, 221, 223);
determining a time differential between the detection of the locating signal at each of the access points (220, 221, 223);
transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal from the remote device (212);
detecting the RF signal with the access points (220, 221, 223);
measuring a time of arrival of the RF signal at each of the access points (220, 221, 223);
determining a distance of the remote device (212) based upon the time of arrival, the location of each of the access points (220, 221, 223), and the time differential;
comparing the distance to a predetermined distance range; and
enabling the electronic device (218) in response to the distance of the remote device (212) being within the predetermined distance range such that the user (16) can access the electronic device (218). - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification