ELECTRONIC ACCESS CONTROL AND LOCATION TRACKING SYSTEM
First Claim
1. An electronic system for determining or tracking a current location for an individual within a geographical area, said system comprising:
- an identification and location tracking computer specifically programmed to monitor, track and determine current locations of an individual within a geographical area;
an identification and location tracking electronic database storing any permissions information for the individual, the electronic database in electronic communication with the tracking computer;
a plurality of beacons located within the geographical area;
each of the plurality of beacons representing a specific location within the geographical area, each specific beacon of the plurality of beacons automatically broadcasting a signal containing unique identification information for the specific beacon; and
a portable electronic device specifically programmed with a software application for permitting electronic wireless communication between the portable electronic device and one or more of the plurality of beacons, the portable electronic device carried by or on the person of the individual when the individual travels or is present within the geographical area, the software application running on the portable electronic device while the individual travels or is present within the geographical area, while running the software application receives one or more signals broadcasted from one or more specific beacons of the plurality of beacons if in communication range of the portable electronic device;
wherein when the individual is in a communication range of one or more specific beacons of the plurality of beacons, said portable electronic device receives the unique identification signal broadcasted by each of the one or more specific beacons and said portable electronic device transmits electronic data transmits the electronic data to the tracking computer to allow the tracking computer to determine the current location of the individual within the geographical area.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system in a first embodiment that allows authorized individuals access into controlled access locations and the ability to grant temporary and limited access to guests into these locations. The method and system allow for navigational services to be provided to members and guests, and real-time tracking and confirmation to members and administrators that guests have arrived at their destination and did not enter any unauthorized areas. The method preferably can work through a system of wireless radio, sound and/or light-based beacons communicating with member and guest'"'"'s electronic devices. Members and administrators can send one or more temporary electronic access keys to a guest'"'"'s smartphone or other electronic device. Wireless radio, sound and/or light-based beacons provide an access control and location tracking system with real-time data about the member and guest whereabouts, allowing for the confirmation and tracking. A system and method in a second embodiment for identifying a customer'"'"'s location within a facility or place of business, such as, but not limited to a casino. The system and method provide notification to company representatives upon arrival of the customer at the given location. Additionally, the method and system allow for navigational services to be provided to customers, and real-time location determination, location tracking and confirmation to customers of location and rewards program status. The disclosed method and system can work through a system of wireless radio, sound and/or light-based beacons communicating with the customer'"'"'s smartphone, computer system, or other electronic device.
10 Citations
29 Claims
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1. An electronic system for determining or tracking a current location for an individual within a geographical area, said system comprising:
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an identification and location tracking computer specifically programmed to monitor, track and determine current locations of an individual within a geographical area; an identification and location tracking electronic database storing any permissions information for the individual, the electronic database in electronic communication with the tracking computer; a plurality of beacons located within the geographical area;
each of the plurality of beacons representing a specific location within the geographical area, each specific beacon of the plurality of beacons automatically broadcasting a signal containing unique identification information for the specific beacon; anda portable electronic device specifically programmed with a software application for permitting electronic wireless communication between the portable electronic device and one or more of the plurality of beacons, the portable electronic device carried by or on the person of the individual when the individual travels or is present within the geographical area, the software application running on the portable electronic device while the individual travels or is present within the geographical area, while running the software application receives one or more signals broadcasted from one or more specific beacons of the plurality of beacons if in communication range of the portable electronic device; wherein when the individual is in a communication range of one or more specific beacons of the plurality of beacons, said portable electronic device receives the unique identification signal broadcasted by each of the one or more specific beacons and said portable electronic device transmits electronic data transmits the electronic data to the tracking computer to allow the tracking computer to determine the current location of the individual within the geographical area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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7. (canceled)
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11. An electronic method for determining when an individual is present within a geographical area, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) continuously transmitting unique identification signals by a plurality of beacons located in a geographical area; (b) automatically receiving a unique identification signal automatically broadcasted by a specific one of the plurality of beacons by a portable electronic device specifically programmed with a software application for permitting electronic wireless communication between the portable electronic device and the plurality of beacons, wherein the portable electronic device belongs to an individual who carries the portable electronic device or has the portable electronic device on his or her person while the individual is located in the geographical area; (c) electronically determining a signal strength for the received unique identification signal and a duration for how long the unique identification signal was received by the portable electronic device; (d) wirelessly transmitting electronic data from the portable electronic device to a tracking computer, wherein the electronic data includes information concerning a signal strength of the unique identification signal received from the specific one beacon and a duration of the unique identification signal; and (e) electronically determining by the tracking computer whether the signal strength and duration exceed preconfigured signal strength and duration thresholds;
wherein where the signal strength and duration exceed the preconfigured thresholds the individual is considered present at or near the location of the specific one beacon(b). - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An electronic method for ordering and receiving a product for delivery by an individual located within a geographical area, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) selecting a product from a list of products displayed on a screen of an electronic portable device by an individual while the individual is located within a geographical area; (b) wirelessly forwarding electronic data representing the product selected in step (a) to a tracking computer system; and (c) receiving the ordered product by the individual at a current location for the individual within the geographic area determined by (i) wirelessly transmitting electronic data from the portable electronic device to a particular beacon from a plurality of beacons located in the geographical area that is in communication range with the portable electronic device, (ii) transmitting the received electronic data by the particular beacon to the tracking computer system, and (iii) determining the current location by the tracking computer system based on the electronic data and a location of the particular beacon within the geographical area.
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20. An electronic method for receiving an order for a product and delivering the ordered product to a current location for an individual within a geographical area, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving an order for a product by a tracking computer system where the order was originated from an electronic portable device belonging to an individual; (b) determining a current location for the individual within a geographical area by (i) wirelessly transmitting electronic data from the portable electronic device to a particular beacon from a plurality of beacons located in the geographical area that is in communication range with the portable electronic device, (ii) transmitting the received electronic data by the particular beacon to the tracking computer system, and (iii) determining the current location by the tracking computer system based on the electronic data and a location of the particular beacon within the geographical area; and (c) forwarding information representing the current location for the individual to a person responsible for delivering the product to the individual.
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Specification