Data Packet Generator and Implementations of Same

• US 20110244798A1
• Filed: 02/24/2011
• Published: 10/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Wherepro, LLC
• Original Assignee: Wherepro, LLC
• Inventors: Bogott, Amy L., Daigle, Mark R.
• Application Number:
  US13/034,358
• Publication Number:
  US 20110244798A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/00 Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 Rental transactions; Leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/107 wherein the security policies are location-dependent, e.g. entities privileges depend on current location or allowing specific operations only from locally connected terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

A data packet generator transmits data packets using radio frequency signals. The data packets are included, in some embodiments, in a network name. The network name can be detected by a computing device, which receives the data packet. The data packet can then be used for a variety of purposes.

Claims

1. A method of tracking a consumer packaged good, the method comprising:

connecting a data packet generator to an object associated with a consumer packaged good, the data packet generator configured to transmit a data packet as a network name;

receiving at a server data from the data packet, the data being provided to the server from a computing device within a broadcast range of the data packet generator; and

determining a location of the consumer packaged after receiving the data.

2. A method of interacting with a mobile computing device in proximity to a vehicle, the method comprising:

placing a data packet generator in or on a vehicle, the data packet generator configured to transmit a data packet as a network name;

receiving, at a server, data from the data packet, the data being provided to the server from a mobile computing device within a broadcast range of the data packet generator; and

sending information from the server to the mobile computing device to cause the mobile computing device to take an action.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the action is to adjust the operation of the mobile computing device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein adjusting the operation is one of:

disabling or enabling text-messaging, disabling or enabling e-mail, and disabling or enabling airplane mode.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the vehicle is at an automobile dealership, and wherein the information contains sales content describing attributes of the automobile.

6. A method of operating an automated teller machine, the method comprising:

receiving, at a server, data from a data packet transmitted by a data packet generator, the data packet generator including the data packet in a network name; and

utilizing the data to permit or deny a transaction at an automated teller machine.

7. A method of operating a door lock, the method comprising:

receiving, at a computing device, data from a data packet transmitted by a data packet generator in proximity to a door, the data packet generator including the data packet in a network name; and

selectively opening a door lock associated with the door based on the data in the data packet.

8. A method of operating a vending machine, the method comprising:

receiving data from a data packet transmitted as a network name by a data packet generator in proximity to a vending machine; and

providing content to a mobile computing device relating to one or more goods available through the vending machine.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the vending machine is a movie rental kiosk, and wherein the content relates to movies available for rent through the movie rental kiosk.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising awarding loyalty rewards points to a user'"'"'s account for use of the vending machine.

11. A method of interacting with attendees of a sporting event, the method comprising:

detecting movement of an object associated with a sporting event; and

generating a data packet with a data packet generator in response to the movement, the data packet being included in a network name.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the object is at least one segment of a wall surrounding an ice rink.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising generating an output with a mobile computing device upon receipt of the data packet.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the data packet generator includes an accelerometer that detects the movement of the wall upon a hockey player making contact with the wall.

15. A method of customizing music selections, the method comprising:

identifying one or more people at a location utilizing a data packet transmitted in a network name;

identifying a music selection for at least one of the one or more people; and

providing the music selection to permit the music selection to be played at the location.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the location is one of:

a bar, a restaurant, an elevator, a lobby, and an automobile.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the network name is a service set identifier according to an IEEE 802.11 protocol.