VISUAL IDENTIFIER OF THIRD PARTY LOCATION

• US 20140206389A1
• Filed: 01/23/2013
• Published: 07/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Aldana, Carlos Horacio, Zhang, Ning, Fales, Mary A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,161,167 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/022 with dynamic range variability
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/026 using orientation information, e.g. compass
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

Aspects of determining a geographical state of a target through a user device are provided. One method includes identifying at least one target associated with a target device configured to provide position data in a standard reference frame along with corresponding time values, and sending a request for access to geographical state information for at least one target. The method may further include receiving geographical state information associated with the at least one target, and generating a visual identifier of the at least one target based on the geographical state information. The visual identifier may be associated with data captured by an imaging sensor which is functionally coupled to the user device. Systems and apparatuses for determining a geographical state of a target through a user device are further presented.

Claims

1. A method for determining a geographical state of a target through a user device, comprising:

identifying at least one target associated with a target device configured to provide position data in a standard reference frame along with corresponding time values;

sending a request for access to geographical state information for at least one target;

receiving geographical state information associated with the at least one target; and

generating a visual identifier of the at least one target based on the geographical state information, wherein the visual identifier is associated with data captured by an imaging sensor functionally coupled to the user device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the visual identifier is dynamic and changes based on the geographical state information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating the visual identifier further comprises:

generating a visual identifier of a history of the at least one target, wherein the visual identifier changes based on time.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the at least one target is within a radius of a specified location; and

displaying the visual identifier of the at least one target only when the at least one target is within the radius.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

setting an alert in based on the geographical state information, wherein the alert comprises a text message, a pop up message, and/or an audible alert.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating a visual identifier further comprises:

collecting video data in a field of view of the imaging sensor; and

combining the visual identifier of the at least one target with the video data based on the geographical state information.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the video data is collected as an orientation of the user device is changed.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the combining further comprises:

overlaying the visual identifier of the at least one target on the video data based on the geographical state information when the at least one target is not within the field of view of the imaging sensor.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating a visual identifier further comprises:

collecting still image data in a field of view of the imaging sensor; and

combining the visual identifier of the at least one target with the still image data based on the geographical state information.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the still image data is collected as an orientation of the user device is changed.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the combining further comprises:

overlaying the visual identifier of the at least one target on the still image data based on the geographical state information when the at least one target is not within the field of view of the imaging sensor.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the imaging sensor and the user device are physically separate and functionally coupled over a network.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein a size of the visual identifier is based on proximity to a reference.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting the visual identifier of the at least one target;

interacting with the at least one target associated with the selecting.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the interacting comprises texting, voice calling, video conferencing, or initiating a game with the at least one target.

16. The method of claim 1, where in the at least one target is selected from a buddy list of third party members for display, and includes options to limit participants and options to display a class of third party members differently to distinguish them, or have different alerts when members of the buddy list are discovered and/or displayed.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

altering an appearance of the visual identifier of the at least one target based upon time.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one target interacts with the user device through playing a game.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

playing a game of hide and go seek wherein the game starts with no display of targets until a predetermined time expires, a seeker can scan an area to find hidden targets, wherein hidden targets can view the seeker at all times, further wherein the seeker will display targets within a proximity, upon which users associated with displayed targets will be provided a notification as being “

found.”

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

establishing a geo-fence designating an area wherein targets cannot be found by the seeker.

21. A mobile station which generates a visual identification of a location of a target, comprising:

a wireless transceiver;

a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver;

an imaging sensor functionally coupled to the processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores executable instructions and data for causing the processor to

identify at least one target associated with a target device configured to provide position data in a standard reference frame along with corresponding time values,

send a request for access to geographical state information for at least one target,

receive geographical state information associated with the at least one target, and

generate a visual identifier of the at least one target based on the geographical state information, wherein the visual identifier is associated with data captured by the imaging sensor.

22. The mobile station of claim 21, wherein the visual identifier is dynamic and changes based on the geographical state information.

23. The mobile station of claim 21, wherein the instructions to further cause the processor to:

generate a visual identifier of a history of the at least one target, wherein the visual identifier changes based on time.

24. The mobile station of claim 21, wherein the instructions to further cause the processor to:

determine whether the at least one target is within a radius of a specified location, and

display the visual identifier of the at least one target only when the at least one target is within the radius.

25. The mobile station of claim 24, wherein the instructions to further cause the processor to:

set an alert in based on the geographical state information, wherein the alert comprises a text message, a pop up message, and/or an audible alert.

26. The mobile station of claim 21, wherein the instructions to further cause the processor to:

collect video data in a field of view of the imaging sensor; and

combine the visual identifier of the at least one target with the video data based on the geographical state information.

27. The mobile station of claim 26, wherein the video data is collected as an orientation of the user device is changed.

28. The mobile station of claim 27, wherein the instructions to further cause the processor to:

overlay the visual identifier of the at least one target on the video data based on the geographical state information when the at least one target is not within the field of view of the imaging sensor.

29. The mobile station of claim 21, wherein the instructions to further cause the processor to:

collect still image data in a field of view of the imaging sensor; and

combine the visual identifier of the at least one target with the still image data based on the geographical state information.

30. The mobile station of claim 29, wherein the still image data is collected as an orientation of the user device is changed.

31. The mobile station of claim 30, wherein the instructions to further cause the processor to:

overlay the visual identifier of the at least one target on the still image data based on the geographical state information when the at least one target is not within the field of view of the imaging sensor.

32. The mobile station of claim 21, wherein the imaging sensor and the user device are physically separate and functionally coupled over a network.

33. The mobile station of claim 21, wherein a size of the visual identifier is based on proximity to a reference.

34. The mobile station of claim 21, wherein the instructions to further cause the processor to:

select the visual identifier of the at least one target;

interact with the at least one target associated with the selecting.

35. The mobile station of claim 21, wherein the instructions to further cause the processor to:

text, voice call, video conference, or initiate a game with the at least one target.

36. The mobile station of claim 21, where in the at least one target is selected from a buddy list of third party members for display, and includes options to limit participants and options to display a class of third party members differently to distinguish them, or have different alerts when members of the buddy list are discovered and/or displayed.

37. The mobile station of claim 21, wherein the instructions to further cause the processor to:

alter an appearance of the visual identifier of the at least one target based upon time.

38. The mobile station of claim 21, wherein the at least one target interacts with the user device through playing a game.

39. The mobile station of claim 38, wherein the instructions to further cause the processor to:

play a game of hide and go seek wherein the game starts with no display of targets until a predetermined time expires, a seeker can scan an area to find hidden targets, wherein hidden targets can view the seeker at all times, further wherein the seeker will display targets within a proximity, upon which users associated with displayed targets will be provided a notification as being “

found.”

40. The mobile station of claim 39, wherein the instructions to further cause the processor to:

establish a geo-fence designating an area wherein targets cannot be found by the seeker.

41. A mobile station which generates a visual identification of a location of a target, comprising:

means for identifying at least one target associated with a target device configured to provide position data in a standard reference frame along with corresponding time values;

means for sending a request for access to geographical state information for at least one target;

means for receiving geographical state information associated with the at least one target; and

means for generating a visual identifier of the at least one target based on the geographical state information, wherein the visual identifier is associated with data captured by an imaging sensor functionally coupled to the user device.

42. The mobile station of claim 41, wherein the visual identifier is dynamic and changes based on the geographical state information.

43. The mobile station of claim 41, further comprising:

means for generating a visual identifier of a history of the at least one target, wherein the visual identifier changes based on time.

44. The mobile station of claim 41, further comprising:

means for determining whether the at least one target is within a radius of a specified location; and

means for displaying the visual identifier of the at least one target only when the at least one target is within the radius.

45. The mobile station of claim 44, further comprising:

means for setting an alert in based on the geographical state information, wherein the alert comprises a text message, a pop up message, and/or an audible alert.

46. The mobile station of claim 41, further comprising:

means for collecting video data in a field of view of the imaging sensor; and

means for combining the visual identifier of the at least one target with the video data based on the geographical state information.

47. The mobile station of claim 41, further comprising:

means for collecting still image data in a field of view of the imaging sensor; and

means for combining the visual identifier of the at least one target with the still image data based on the geographical state information.

48. The mobile station of claim 41, further comprising:

means for selecting the visual identifier of the at least one target;

means for interacting with the at least one target associated with the selecting.

49. The mobile station of claim 41, where in the at least one target is selected from a buddy list of third party members for display, and includes options to limit participants and options to display a class of third party members differently to distinguish them, or have different alerts when members of the buddy list are discovered and/or displayed.

50. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the computer to perform operations, the instructions comprising:

instructions to identify at least one target associated with a target device configured to provide position data in a standard reference frame along with corresponding time values;

instructions to send a request for access to geographical state information for at least one target;

instructions to receive geographical state information associated with the at least one target; and

instructions to generate a visual identifier of the at least one target based on the geographical state information, wherein the visual identifier is associated with data captured by the imaging sensor.

51. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50, wherein the visual identifier is dynamic and changes based on the geographical state information.

52. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 51, wherein the instructions further comprise:

instructions to determine whether the at least one target is within a radius of a specified location, and

instructions to display the visual identifier of the at least one target only when the at least one target is within the radius.

53. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 52, wherein the instructions further comprise:

instructions to set an alert in based on the geographical state information, wherein the alert comprises a text message, a pop up message, and/or an audible alert.

54. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50, wherein the instructions further comprise:

instructions to collect video data in a field of view of the imaging sensor; and

instructions to combine the visual identifier of the at least one target with the video data based on the geographical state information.

55. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 54, wherein the instructions further comprise:

instructions to overlay the visual identifier of the at least one target on the video data based on the geographical state information when the at least one target is not within the field of view of the imaging sensor.

56. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50, wherein the instructions further comprise:

instructions to collect still image data in a field of view of the imaging sensor; and

instructions to combine the visual identifier of the at least one target with the still image data based on the geographical state information.

57. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 56, wherein the instructions further comprise:

instructions to overlay the visual identifier of the at least one target on the still image data based on the geographical state information when the at least one target is not within the field of view of the imaging sensor.

58. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50, wherein the instructions further comprise:

instructions to select the visual identifier of the at least one target;

instructions to interact with the at least one target associated with the selecting.

59. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50, where in the at least one target is selected from a buddy list of third party members for display, and includes options to limit participants and options to display a class of third party members differently to distinguish them, or have different alerts when members of the buddy list are discovered and/or displayed.

60. A method for providing tracking information for a plurality of targets, comprising:

receiving position data in a standard reference frame, along with corresponding time values, from a plurality of target devices;

generating three-dimensional geographical state information based on the position data and the corresponding time values;

receiving a request from a user device for access to the three-dimensional geographical state information for at least one target;

determining access permission of a user associated with the three-dimensional geographical state information of the at least one target; and

providing the three-dimensional geographical state information of the at least one target based on the request.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein providing three-dimensional geographical state information further comprises:

periodically updating the three-dimensional geographical state information.

62. The method of claim 60, further comprising:

determining whether the at least one target is within a radius of a specified location.

63. The method of claim 60, wherein the three-dimensional geographical state information comprises position, velocity, orientation with respect to a reference, or any combination thereof, and time values associated therewith.

64. A server which provides tracking information for a plurality of targets, comprising:

a network interface;

a processor coupled to the network interface; and

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores executable instructions and data for causing the processor to;

receive position data in a standard reference frame, along with corresponding time values, from a plurality of target devices,

generate three-dimensional geographical state information based on the position data and the corresponding time values,

receive a request from a user device for access to the three-dimensional geographical state information for at least one target,

determine access permission of a user associated with the three-dimensional geographical state information of the at least one target, and

provide the three-dimensional geographical state information of the at least one target based on the request.

65. The server of claim 64, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:

periodically update the three-dimensional geographical state information.

66. The server of claim 64, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:

determine whether the at least one target is within a radius of a specified location.

67. The server of claim 64, wherein the three-dimensional geographical state information comprises position, velocity, orientation with respect to a reference, or any combination thereof, and time values associated therewith.

68. A server for providing tracking information for a plurality of targets, comprising:

means for receiving position data in a standard reference frame, along with corresponding time values, from a plurality of target devices;

means for generating three-dimensional geographical state information based on the position data and the corresponding time values;

means for receiving a request from a user device for access to the three-dimensional geographical state information for at least one target;

means for determining access permission of a user associated with the three-dimensional geographical state information of the at least one target; and

means for providing the three-dimensional geographical state information of the at least one target based on the request.

69. The server of claim 68, further comprising:

means for periodically updating the three-dimensional geographical state information.

70. The server of claim 68, further comprising:

means for determining whether the at least one target is within a radius of a specified location.

71. The server of claim 68, wherein the three-dimensional geographical state information comprises position, velocity, orientation with respect to a reference, or any combination thereof, and time values associated therewith.

72. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the computer to perform operations, the instructions comprising:

instructions to receive position data in a standard reference frame, along with corresponding time values, from a plurality of target devices;

instructions to generate three-dimensional geographical state information based on the position data and the corresponding time values;

instructions to receive a request from a user device for access to the three-dimensional geographical state information for at least one target;

instructions to determine access permission of a user associated with the three-dimensional geographical state information of the at least one target; and

instructions to provide the three-dimensional geographical state information of the at least one target based on the request.

73. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 72, wherein the instructions further comprise:

instructions to periodically update the three-dimensional geographical state information.

74. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 72, wherein the instructions further comprise:

instructions to determine whether the at least one target is within a radius of a specified location.

75. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 72, wherein the three-dimensional geographical state information comprises position, velocity, orientation with respect to a reference, or any combination thereof, and time values associated therewith.