Disposable, proximity-based communications systems, devices and methods

• US 20060128447A1
• Filed: 12/15/2004
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Tischer, Steven, Zellner, Samuel N.
• Granted Patent: US 7,536,156 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3833 Hand-held transceivers

Abstract

A disposable electronic device includes a housing, a user interface in the housing and a short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver in the housing. A controller is configured to control the user interface and the short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver. A non-replaceable, non-rechargeable battery also is provided in the housing. New forms of disposable, proximity-based communications systems, devices and methods thereby may be provided.

Claims

1. A disposable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a user interface in the housing;

a short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver in the housing;

a controller in the housing that is configured to control the user interface and the short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver; and

a non-replaceable, non-rechargeable battery in the housing that is configured to power the user interface, the short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver and the controller until the non-replaceable, non-rechargeable battery discharges.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the user interface comprises a light source, a sound source and/or a user input device.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to receive a message from the short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver, and to control the user interface and to transmit a message via the short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver in response thereto.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to receive a message from the short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver and to control the short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver to transmit a message in response thereto and in further response to occurrence of a predetermined condition.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein the predetermined condition comprises activation of the user interface and/or expiration of a predetermined time.

6. A device according to claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to ignore receipt of a message from the short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver in response to occurrence of a predetermined condition.

7. A device according to claim 1 wherein the housing has an external appearance that is related to an entertainment event.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein the housing includes an admission ticket for the entertainment event.

9. An entertainment method for a venue comprising:

causing messages to pass among a plurality of disposable electronic devices at the venue that are carried by attendees of the venue, the disposable electronic devices including a housing, a short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver in the housing that is configured to receive and transmit the messages and a non-replaceable, non-rechargeable battery in the housing that is configured to power the short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver until the non-replaceable, non-rechargeable battery discharges.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein causing messages to pass is preceded by:

distributing the plurality of disposable electronic devices to the attendees of the venue.

11. A method according to claim 9 further comprising:

causing the plurality of disposable electronic devices to emit audible and/or visible signals in response to the messages that pass among the plurality of disposable electronic devices at the venue.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the audible and/or visible signals are emitted sequentially and/or simultaneously by the plurality of disposable electronic devices in response to the messages that pass among the plurality of disposable electronic devices at the venue.

13. A method according to claim 9 wherein the messages contain therein attendee input selections that are provided to a user interface of a respective disposable electronic device by a respective attendee who carries the respective disposable electronic device.

14. A method according to claim 9 wherein causing messages to pass is preceded by:

loading an initial message in at least one of the plurality of disposable electronic devices.

15. A method according to claim 9 wherein the plurality of disposable electronic devices at the venue are a plurality of first disposable electronic devices at a first venue, the method further comprising:

causing messages to pass among a plurality of second disposable electronic devices at a second venue that are carried by attendees of the second venue, the second disposable electronic devices including a housing, a short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver in the housing that is configured to receive and transmit the messages and a non-replaceable, non-rechargeable battery in the housing that is configured to power the short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver until the non-replaceable, non-rechargeable battery discharges; and

linking at least one of the first disposable electronic devices with at least one of the second disposable electronic devices via a wide area network.

16. A method according to claim 11 wherein the plurality of disposable electronic devices continue to emit the audible and/or visible signals until the non-replaceable, non-rechargeable batteries discharge.

17. A communication method comprising:

causing two disposable electronic devices that are carried by two individuals to interact with one another in response to the two disposable electronic devices being proximate to one another.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein causing two disposable electronic devices that are carried by two individuals to interact with one another comprises causing the two disposable electronic devices to emit audible and/or visible signals sequentially and/or simultaneously in response to the two disposable electronic devices being proximate to one another.

19. A method according to claim 17 further comprising:

causing the two disposable electronic devices that are carried by the two individuals to cease interacting with one another in response to the two disposable electronic devices no longer being proximate to one another.

20. A method according to claim 17 wherein causing two disposable electronic devices that are carried by two individuals to interact with one another comprises causing the two disposable electronic devices that are carried by the two individuals to interact with one another in response to the two disposable electronic devices being proximate to one another and independent of interaction by the two individuals with the two disposable electronic devices.