Passive locator
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- collecting communications device usage information indicating the use of one or more communications devices by a first individual, the first individual being a member of a group of individuals;
determining an approximate location of the first individual from the collected communications device usage information;
generating a location report indicating the determined approximate location of the first individual at at least one point in time; and
providing said location report to at least one member of said group of individuals.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Groups of consenting users such as families can track where other members of the same group are under agreed upon access arrangements. The locating system can operate in a passive mode. Users do not have to actively sign-in or check-in to the locating system for the locating system to obtain individual location determination estimates. The locating system collects communications device usage information from a plurality of communications networks, e.g., landline, cellular, Wi-Fi, DSL. The locations of communication devices and infrastructure are known. Members of locating groups are associated with various communication devices detected are being used. Approximate locations of an individual member or members of a locating group are inferred from detected device usage information. A location report is generated, e.g., in a map, table, or audio format, indicating the determined location of individuals, and optionally including time tags. The report is provided to authorized members of the locating group.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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collecting communications device usage information indicating the use of one or more communications devices by a first individual, the first individual being a member of a group of individuals;
determining an approximate location of the first individual from the collected communications device usage information;
generating a location report indicating the determined approximate location of the first individual at at least one point in time; and
providing said location report to at least one member of said group of individuals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system comprising:
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a data collection module configured to collect communications device usage information indicating the use of one or more communications devices by a first individual, the first individual being a member of a group of individuals;
a location determination module coupled to said data collection module and configured to determine an approximate location of the first individual from the collected device usage information;
a location report generation module coupled to said location determination module and configured to generate a location report indicating the determined approximate location of the first individual at at least one point in time; and
a reporting module coupled to said location report generation module and configured to provide said location report to at least one member of said group of individuals. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification