Proximity sensing

• US 20050285740A1
• Filed: 06/25/2004
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Kubach, Uwe, Decker, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 7,774,242 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0092 for cargo, freight or shipping containers and applications therefore in general
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00

Abstract

A method and apparatus for proximity sensing is described and illustrated. In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus. The apparatus includes a processor. The apparatus also includes a memory coupled to the processor. The apparatus further includes a radio frequency interface coupled to the processor. The apparatus also includes an antenna coupled to the radio frequency interface. The memory embodies an identifier of an associated item along with specific information related to the associated item. The memory also embodies instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to exchange the identifier with similar apparatuses through the radio frequency interface and antenna and cause the processor to compare the specific information with information received from the similar apparatuses.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor;

a radio frequency interface coupled to the processor;

an antenna coupled to the radio frequency interface;

and wherein

the memory embodies an identifier of an associated item along with specific information related to the associated item and the memory embodies instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to exchange the identifier with similar apparatuses through the radio frequency interface and antenna and cause the processor to compare the specific information with information received from the similar apparatuses.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the item is cargo and the specific information is identifiers of material in other potential cargo.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein:

the specific information relates to materials excluded from co-location with the item.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:

an alert output component coupled to the processor;

and wherein the memory further embodies instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate the alert output component responsive to affirmative comparison of the specific information with the information received from similar apparatuses.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein:

the specific information relates to materials required for co-location with the item.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the item is a document and the specific information is authorized locations for the document.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein:

the specific information further includes authorized users of the document.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein:

the specific information further includes identifiers of people authorized to approve the document.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a user input component coupled to the processor;

and wherein the memory further embodies instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to store in memory an indication of operation of the user input component responsive to affirmative and contemporaneous comparison of the specific information with the information received from similar apparatuses.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the item is a restricted area and the specific information is identifiers of authorized people for the restricted area.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

a lock interface coupled to the processor;

and wherein the memory further embodies instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor operate the lock interface responsive to affirmative comparison of the specific information with the information received from similar apparatuses.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the item is a hazardous area and the specific information is identifiers of people authorized to enter the hazardous area.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

an alert output component coupled to the processor;

and wherein the memory further embodies instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate the alert output component responsive to affirmative comparison of the specific information with the information received from similar apparatuses.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

an alert output component coupled to the processor;

and wherein the memory further embodies instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate the alert output component responsive to affirmative comparison of the specific information with the information received from a single similar apparatus;

and wherein the memory further embodies instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate the alert output component responsive to negative comparison of the specific information with the information received from a similar apparatus.

15. An apparatus, comprising:

a first proximity sensor coupled to a stationary object, the first proximity sensor including;

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor;

a radio frequency interface coupled to the processor;

an antenna coupled to the radio frequency interface;

and wherein

the memory embodies a set of identifiers along with specific information related to the set of identifiers and the memory embodies instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a comparison identifier from any nearby proximity sensor through the radio frequency interface and antenna and cause the processor to compare the comparison identifier with identifiers of the set of identifiers.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein

the memory further embodies an apparatus identifier and the memory embodies further instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to send the apparatus identifier to any nearby proximity sensor through the radio frequency interface and antenna.

17. A method, comprising:

detecting in a first proximity sensor a nearby second proximity sensor;

receiving information from the second proximity sensor;

comparing the information from the second proximity sensor to stored information of the first proximity sensor; and

acting on results of the comparison.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein:

acting on results includes providing a human perceptible alert at the first proximity sensor.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein:

the alert is an audible alert.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein:

the alert is a visible alert.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

transmitting information to the second proximity sensor.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the information received from the second proximity sensor includes an identifier for material associated with the second proximity sensor.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein:

the stored information includes a set of identifiers of material prohibited from close proximity to a material associated with the first proximity sensor.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein:

acting on results includes providing a human perceptible alert at the first proximity sensor responsive to an affirmative comparison.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein:

the stored information includes a set of identifiers of material required in close proximity to a material associated with the first proximity sensor.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein:

acting on results includes providing a human perceptible alert at the first proximity sensor responsive to a negative comparison.

27. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the information received from the second proximity sensor includes an identifier for a location associated with the second proximity sensor.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein:

the stored information includes a set of identifiers of locations permitted for an item associated with the first proximity sensor.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein:

acting on results includes providing a human perceptible alert at the first proximity sensor responsive to a negative comparison.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein:

the item is a document.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein:

the item is a file.

32. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the information received from the second proximity sensor includes an identifier for a person associated with the second proximity sensor.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein:

the stored information includes a set of identifiers of people allowed within an area associated with the first proximity sensor.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein:

acting on results includes operating a lock interface coupled to the first proximity sensor responsive to an affirmative comparison.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein:

acting on results includes providing a human perceptible alert at the first proximity sensor responsive to a negative comparison.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein:

the stored information includes a set of identifiers of people prohibited from an area associated with the first proximity sensor.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein:

acting on results includes providing a human perceptible alert at the first proximity sensor responsive to an affirmative comparison.

38. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the proximity sensors are implemented as Smart-Its.

39. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the proximity sensors are implemented as Motes.

40. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the proximity sensors include a buzzer.

41. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the proximity sensors include a speaker.

42. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the proximity sensors include set of three LEDs (light emitting diodes), with each of the colors red, yellow and green represented among the three LEDs.

43. The method of claim 17, wherein:

each proximity sensor includes

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor;

a radio frequency interface coupled to the processor;

an antenna coupled to the radio frequency interface; and

a human-perceptible output device.

44. A system, comprising:

a first proximity sensor coupled to a stationary object, the first proximity sensor including;

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor;

a radio frequency interface coupled to the processor;

an antenna coupled to the radio frequency interface;

and wherein

the memory embodies a set of identifiers along with

specific information related to the set of identifiers and the memory embodies instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a comparison identifier from any nearby proximity sensor through the radio frequency interface and antenna and cause the processor to compare the comparison identifier with identifiers of the set of identifiers;

a second proximity sensor coupled to a person, the second proximity sensor including;

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor;

a radio frequency interface coupled to the processor;

an antenna coupled to the radio frequency interface;

and wherein

the memory embodies an identifier of an associated item along with specific information related to the associated item and the memory embodies instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to provide the identifier to nearby proximity sensors through the radio frequency interface and antenna.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein:

the first proximity sensor is coupled to a door and the set of identifiers includes identifiers encoding identities of people authorized to pass through the door.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein:

the identifier of the second proximity sensor encodes an identity of a person associated with the second proximity sensor.

47. The system of claim 44, wherein:

the identifier of the second proximity sensor encodes an identity of a person associated with the second proximity sensor.

48. The system of claim 44, wherein the first proximity sensor further includes:

an actuator operation component coupled to the processor;

and wherein the memory further embodies instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate the alert output component responsive to affirmative comparison of the specific information with the information received from similar apparatuses.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein:

the first proximity sensor is coupled to a door; and

the actuator operation component is an interface with an electronically controlled lock of the door.

50. The system of claim 46, wherein:

wherein the first proximity sensor further includes;

an actuator operation component coupled to the processor, the actuator operation component is an interface with an electronically controlled lock of the door;

and wherein the memory further embodies instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate the alert output component responsive to affirmative comparison of the specific information with the information received from similar apparatuses.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the first proximity sensor further includes:

a user input component coupled to the processor;

and wherein the memory further embodies instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to store in memory an indication of operation of the user input component responsive to affirmative and contemporaneous comparison of the specific information with the information received from the second proximity sensor.

52. The system of claim 44, wherein:

the stationary object is a boundary of a hazardous area and the set of identifiers is identifiers encoding identities of people authorized to enter the hazardous area.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the first proximity sensor further includes:

an alert output component coupled to the processor;

and wherein the memory further embodies instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate the alert output component responsive to affirmative comparison of the specific information with the information received from similar apparatuses.

54. A machine readable medium embodying instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method, the method comprising:

detecting a nearby proximity sensor;

receiving information from the proximity sensor;

comparing the information from the proximity sensor to stored information; and

acting on results of the comparison.

55. The machine readable medium of claim 54, further embodying instructions, wherein the method further comprises:

transmitting information to the proximity sensor.

56. The machine readable medium of claim 54, further embodying instructions, wherein:

acting on results includes providing a human perceptible alert.

57. The machine readable medium of claim 54, further embodying instructions, wherein:

the information received from the proximity sensor includes an identifier for material associated with the proximity sensor.

58. The machine readable medium of claim 57, further embodying instructions, wherein:

the stored information includes a set of identifiers of material prohibited from close proximity to a material associated with the medium.

59. The machine readable medium of claim 58, further embodying instructions, wherein:

acting on results includes providing a human perceptible alert responsive to an affirmative comparison.

60. A material tracking means, comprising:

means for sensing a nearby material tracking means;

means for exchanging data with the nearby material tracking means;

means for comparing data from the nearby material tracking means to data of the material tracking means; and

means for alerting a user responsive to results of the means for comparing.

61. The material tracking means of claim 60, further comprising:

means for supplying power to the means for sensing, the means for exchanging, the means for comparing and the means for alerting.

62. The material tracking means of claim 60, further comprising:

means for sensing aspects of an environment of the material tracking means.

63. A proximity sensor, comprising:

a Smart-It having a memory, wherein the memory has stored therein an identifier for a material of a cargo accompanying the proximity sensor.

64. The proximity sensor of claim 63, wherein:

the memory further has stored therein a list of identifiers of materials which may not be co-located with the cargo.

65. The proximity sensor of claim 63, wherein:

the memory further has stored therein an expiration date associated with the cargo.

66. A proximity sensor, comprising:

a Smart-It to receive a set of one or more identifiers for a material of a cargo to accompany the proximity sensor.

67. A proximity sensor, comprising:

a Mote to receive a set of one or more identifiers for a material of a cargo to accompany the proximity sensor.