METHOD AND SYSTEM OF PROVIDING LOCATION-BASED ALERTS FOR TRACKING PERSONAL ITEMS

• US 20110148625A1
• Filed: 12/23/2009
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Velusamy, Umashankar
• Granted Patent: US 8,866,607 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0269 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0275 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS] tag technology used for parent or child unit, e.g. same transmission technology, magnetic tag, RF tag, RFID
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

An approach is provided for tracking personal items. A triggering event associated with tracking a personal item is detected via a bearer tag coupled to the personal item. Sensing of the bearer tag is initiated in response to the detection of the triggering event. A determination of whether location of the personal item satisfies a predetermined criterion is made. A notification is generated if the criterion is satisfied.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting a triggering event associated with tracking a personal item via a bearer tag coupled to the personal item;

initiating sensing of the bearer tag in response to the detection of the triggering event;

determining whether location or presence of the personal item satisfies a predetermined criterion; and

generating a notification if the criterion is satisfied.

2. A method of claim 1, wherein the criterion specifies that the personal item is outside of a predetermined range from a designated object that includes a mobile device, a stationary device, or a vehicle.

3. A method of claim 2, wherein the triggering event includes either actuating the vehicle, moving the item within a predetermined area, moving the item away from the predetermined area, or changing location of the sensing of the bearer tag.

4. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

presenting a prompt indicating a plurality of options for the notification; and

presenting the notification according to one of the options.

5. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

presenting information about the location of the personal item; and

presenting directions to the determined location of the personal item.

6. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a list of personal items to be tracked, the list including the personal item;

maintaining a record of the personal items, wherein the record includes the location and number of notifications generated for the corresponding personal items.

7. A method of claim 1, wherein the bearer tag includes either a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a global positioning system (GPS)-enabled device, or a near-field radio frequency transceiver.

8. A method of claim 1, wherein the sensing is performed at either a mobile communication device, or within a wireless communication device coupled to a vehicle.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to detect a triggering event associated with tracking a personal item via a bearer tag coupled to the personal item,

wherein the processor is further configured to initiate sensing of the bearer tag in response to the detection of the triggering event, to determine whether location or presence of the personal item satisfies a predetermined criterion, and to generate a notification if the criterion is satisfied.

10. An apparatus of claim 9, wherein the criterion specifies that the personal item is outside of a predetermined range from a designated object that includes a mobile device, a stationary device, or a vehicle.

11. An apparatus of claim 10, wherein the triggering event includes either actuating the vehicle, moving the item within a predetermined area, moving the item away from the predetermined area, or changing location of the sensing of the bearer tag.

12. An apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a display configured to present a prompt indicating a plurality of options for the notification, and to present the notification according to one of the options.

13. An apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a display configured to present information about the location of the personal item, and to present directions to the determined location of the personal item.

14. An apparatus of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to generate a list of personal items to be tracked, the list including the personal item,

wherein the processor is further configured to maintain a record of the personal items, and the record includes the location and number of notifications generated for the corresponding personal items.

15. An apparatus of claim 9, wherein the bearer tag includes either a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a global positioning system (GPS)-enabled device, or a near-field radio frequency transceiver.

16. An apparatus of claim 9, wherein the sensing is performed at either a mobile communication device, or within a wireless communication device coupled to a vehicle.

17. A method comprising:

generating a list of personal items be tracked using near-field radio frequency sensing;

associating a triggering event to each of the personal items on the list, wherein the triggering event initiates a scan for the personal items;

defining a criterion for generating a notification for each of the triggering events; and

storing the list, the associated triggering events to the personal items, and the corresponding criteria.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the criterion specifies that the personal item is outside of a predetermined range from a designated object that includes a mobile device, a stationary device, or a vehicle.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the triggering event includes either actuating the vehicle, moving the personal item within a predetermined area, moving the personal item away from the predetermined area, or changing location of the sensing of the bearer tag.

20. A method according to claim 17, wherein the bearer tag includes either a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a global positioning system (GPS)-enabled device, or a near-field radio frequency transceiver.