Location Determination With A Wireless System

• US 20070254674A1
• Filed: 04/28/2006
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Pedigo, Madison, Panasik, Carl
• Application Number:
  US11/380,856
• Publication Number:
  US 20070254674A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.200
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/68 Marker, boundary, call-sign, or like beacons transmitting signals not carrying directional information
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2201/01 adapted for specific applications or environments
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/14 between corresponding nodes

Abstract

A mobile device comprises host logic and a first transceiver coupled to the host logic. The first transceiver is adapted to wirelessly communicate with a second transceiver. The second transceiver is positioned at a fixed location and comprises location information indicative of such fixed location. The first transceiver transmits wireless beacon signals. When the second transceiver is within range of the first transceiver, the beacon signal automatically causes the second transceiver to transmit the location information to the first transceiver.

Claims

1. A mobile device, comprising:

host logic; and

a first transceiver coupled to said host logic and adapted to wirelessly communicate with a second transceiver, said second transceiver positioned at a fixed location and comprising location information indicative of said fixed location;

wherein said first transceiver transmits a wireless signal and, when the second transceiver is within range of the first transceiver, said wireless signal automatically causes the second transceiver to transmit said location information to the first transceiver.

2. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein said mobile device comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader that comprises said first transceiver.

3. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein said mobile device comprises a near field communication device that comprises said first transceiver.

4. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein a range of communications between said first and second transceivers is less than about 3 meters.

5. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein a range of communications between said first and second transceivers is less than about 200 feet.

6. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein a range of communications between said first and second transceivers is less than about 1 foot.

7. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein said wireless signal also causes said second transceiver to transmit an identifier of said second transceiver.

8. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein said wireless signal comprises a beacon signal.

9. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein said host logic estimates a location for said mobile device based on the location information.

10. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein said second transceiver having one of a plurality of types and said host logic estimates a location for said mobile device based on the location information and the type of said second transceiver.

11. A mobile device, comprising:

host logic; and

a first transceiver coupled to said host logic and adapted to wirelessly communicate with a second transceiver, said second transceiver positioned at a fixed location and comprising location information indicative of said fixed location;

wherein said first transceiver receives a wireless signal transmitted by said second transceiver and said wireless signal causes the first transceiver to transmit a second signal to the second transceiver, and said first transceiver receives a response signal from the second transceiver that contains said location information.

12. The mobile device of claim 11 wherein said mobile device comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that comprises said first transceiver.

13. The mobile device of claim 11 wherein a range of communications between said first and second transceivers is less than about 3 meters.

14. The mobile device of claim 11 wherein a range of communications between said first and second transceivers is less than about 200 feet.

15. The mobile device of claim 11 wherein a range of communications between said first and second transceivers is less than about 1 foot.

16. The mobile device of claim 11 wherein said wireless signal comprises a beacon signal.

17. The mobile device of claim 11 wherein said host logic estimates a location for said mobile device based on the location information.

18. A communication device, comprising:

a transceiver; and

storage comprising location information indicative of the location of the communication device;

wherein, upon receiving a wireless signal from a mobile wireless device, said transceiver responds by transmitting its location to said mobile wireless device.

19. The communication device of claim 18 wherein a range of communication between the communication device and the mobile wireless device is less than about 3 meters.

20. The communication device of claim 18 wherein a range of communication between the communication device and the mobile wireless device is less than about 200 feet.

21. The communication device of claim 18 wherein a range of communication between the communication device and the mobile wireless device is less than about 8 inches.

22. The communication device of claim 18 wherein said communication device comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

23. The communication device of claim 18 wherein said communication device comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader.

24. A method, comprising:

detecting a wireless signal;

upon detecting said wireless signal, automatically retrieving a location of a fixed position wireless communication device; and

transmitting said location to a mobile wireless communication device.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein detecting a wireless signal comprises detecting a periodic beacon signal.