Multimode system and apparatus for locating lost items

• US 20070138273A1
• Filed: 03/07/2006
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jan R. Saperstein
• Original Assignee: Jan R. Saperstein
• Inventors: Willis, Richard, Saperstein, Jan
• Granted Patent: US 7,451,927 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

An apparatus for locating an item includes a mesh network communication device, a global positioning satellite chipset, a cellular telecommunications modem, a digital memory that stores a unique identification and a processor. The processor is programmed to determine the location of the item based on an input from the global positioning satellite chipset. If a mesh network connection is available, then processor transmits the unique identification and the location of the item to a requester via the mesh network, otherwise the processor registers with a wireless communication network with the cellular telecommunications modem and transmits the unique identification and the location of the item to a requester via the wireless communication network.

Claims

1. An apparatus for locating an item, comprising:

a. a mesh network communication device;

b. a global positioning satellite chipset;

c. a cellular telecommunications modem;

d. a digital memory that stores a unique identification; and

e. a processor in digital communication with the mesh network communication device, the global positioning satellite chipset, the cellular telecommunications modem and the memory, the processor programmed to execute the following steps;

i. determine the location of the item based on an input from the global positioning satellite chipset;

ii. if a mesh network connection is available, then transmit the unique identification and the location of the item to a requester via the mesh network; and

iii. if a mesh network connection is not available then register with a wireless communication network with the cellular telecommunications modem and transmit the unique identification and the location of the item to a requester via the wireless communication network.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power source that drives the mesh network communication device, the global positioning satellite chipset, the cellular telecommunications modem, the digital memory, and the processor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a thin-film battery.

4. The apparatus or claim 1, wherein the item comprises a piece of luggage and wherein the apparatus is disposed within the piece of luggage.

5. A system for locating a piece of luggage, comprising:

a. a luggage locating device disposed in the piece of luggage, including;

i. a mesh network communication device;

ii. a global positioning satellite chipset;

iii. a cellular telecommunications modem;

iv. a digital memory that stores a unique identification; and

v. a processor in digital communication with the mesh network communication device, the global positioning satellite chipset, the cellular telecommunications modem and the memory; and

b. a program stored in the digital memory, that causes the processor to execute the following steps;

i. determine the location of the item based on an input from the global positioning satellite chipset;

ii. if a mesh network connection is available, then transmit the unique identification and the location of the item to a requester via the mesh network; and

iii. if a mesh network connection is not available, then register with a wireless communication network with the cellular telecommunications modem and transmit the unique identification and the location of the item to a requester via the wireless communication netwvork.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a power source that drives the mesh network communication device, the global positioning satellite chipset, the cellular telecommunications modem, the digital memory, and the processor.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the power source comprises a thin-film battery.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the item comprises a piece of luggage and wherein the apparatus is disposed within the piece of luggage.

9. A method of locating an item, using a locating apparatus that includes a processor that is in communication with a digital memory that stores a unique identification of the item, a mesh network communication device, a global positioning satellite chipset and a cellular telecommunications modem, the method comprising the steps of:

a. determining whether the mesh network communication device is communicating with a mesh network;

b. if the mesh network communication device is communicating with a mesh network and if a request identifying the item is received through the mesh network, then transmitting the unique identification of the item and an identification of a fixed mesh network node closest to the item through the mesh network to a requester; and

c. registering with a cellular network using the cellular telecommunications modem if the mesh network communication device is not communicating with a mesh network and performing the following steps;

i. determining a location of the item with the global positioning satellite chipset; and

ii. responding to a request identifying the item and received through the cellular network by transmitting the unique identification of the item and the location of the item through the cellular network to a requester.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of powering the mesh network communication device, the global positioning satellite chipset, the cellular telecommunications modem, the digital memory, and the processor with a thin-film battery.