System and method for locating a device

• US 20090291636A1
• Filed: 05/20/2008
• Published: 11/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Morley-Smith, James Roger, Linsley-Hood, Richard
• Application Number:
  US12/123,667
• Publication Number:
  US 20090291636A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

Described are a system and a method for locating a device. The system includes a mobile device associated with a network via a wireless transceiver, the mobile device including an audio output component; and a network component receiving a query and generating a command signal to be transmitted to the mobile device in response to the query, the command signal indicating to the mobile device to activate the audio output component. A sound emitted from the audio output component is used to locate the mobile device when a location of the mobile device is unknown.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a mobile device associated with a network via a wireless transceiver, the mobile device including an audio output component; and

a network component receiving a query and generating a command signal to be transmitted to the mobile device in response to the query, the command signal indicating to the mobile device to activate the audio output component,

wherein a sound emitted from the audio output component is used to locate the mobile device when a location of the mobile device is unknown.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is activated independent of a mode in which the mobile device operates.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the query is transmitted from the mobile device when the mobile device is placed in an unattended mode.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the mobile device operates in the unattended mode after a predetermined time of being idle.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the unattended mode deactivates other components of the mobile device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the query is received from one of the mobile device and a further device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the query indicates that the location of the mobile device is unknown.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the network component further determines that the location of the mobile device is unknown by at least one of the network component not receiving a request from a beacon requesting a response, the network component receiving a status signal from the mobile device that is used to determine that the location of the mobile device is unknown, and an entering of an indication to the network component that the location of the mobile device is unknown.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device further includes an illumination component, wherein the command signal further indicates activating the illumination component.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the network component is one of a server, a switch, a network management arrangement, and an access point.

11. A mobile device, comprising:

a transceiver used to associate with a network; and

an audio output component emitting a sound when the mobile device receives a command signal from the network, the command signal being generated in response to a query, the command signal being generated when a location of the mobile device is unknown.

12. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the transceiver is activated independent of a mode in which the mobile device operates.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the query is transmitted from the mobile device when the mobile device is placed in an unattended mode.

14. The mobile device of claim 13, wherein the mobile device operates in the unattended mode after a predetermined time of being idle.

15. The mobile device of claim 13, wherein the unattended mode deactivates other components of the mobile device.

16. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the query is transmitted from the mobile device periodically until the mobile device receives the command signal.

17. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the command signal is received when the network is further aware that the location of the mobile device is unknown.

18. The mobile device of claim 11, further comprising:

an illumination component, wherein the command signal further indicates that the task includes activating the illumination component.

19. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the mobile device receives the command signal from a network component of the network, the network component being one of a server, a switch, a network management arrangement, and an access point.

20. A mobile device, comprising:

a transceiver used to associate with a network; and

an audio outputting means for emitting a sound when the mobile device receives a command signal from the network, the command signal being generated in response to a query, the command signal being generated when a location of the mobile device is unknown.