Communication and location system for shopping malls, parks, business districts, and the like

• US 6,281,811 B1
• Filed: 06/11/1999
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anthony S. Ranzino
• Original Assignee: Anthony S. Ranzino
• Inventors: Ranzino, Anthony S
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US09/330,890
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 340/988, 340/990, 340/995, 340/539, 701/208, 701/211, 701/213, 701/300, 342/457
• US Class Current: 340/988
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2201/01 adapted for specific applications or environments
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/16 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves

Abstract

A communication and location system provides a user with means to locate himself/herself within an area, typically a shopping mall, theme park, or the like, using voice commands. The system includes a multiplicity of IR sensors connected to a central computer, an RF receiver, voice recognition and generation equipment, and databases contained within the computer system. The user wears a headset containing an earphone, microphone, RF transmitter and receiver, and IR transmitter. The area contains a number of IR sensors which pickup the user'"'"'s IR transmission, locating the user within the area. The user speaks into the microphone, using keywords to describe the user'"'"'s resource of interest within the area. The user'"'"'s IR transmission is encoded, so that the user is identified for location. The user'"'"'s voice transmission is likewise encode, for identification. The keyword is used to identify the resource of interest, and the system responds with voice generation means, over the RF system providing information of interest related to the resource of interest in proximity to the user'"'"'s location.

Claims

1. A system for locating a person within an area containing resources, for communicating the person'"'"'s specific interests to the system, and for communicating information regarding the resources related to said interests to the person, comprising:

(a) a database of interests, of resources related to said interests, and of the geographic locations of said resources;

(b) an infra-red emitter attached to the person, further comprising means for emitting a signal uniquely identifying and locating the person;

(c) a multiplicity of infra-red sensors, one located in proximity to each resource;

(d) radio means for communicating a specific interest from the person to the system, further comprising;

A. one or more microphones;

B. one or more voice recognition subsystems;

C. one or more keyword search subsystems; and

D. one or more computers;

(e) means for storing the person'"'"'s location and specific interests;

(f) computational means to determine distances and directions from the person to each resource, and to generate instructions for allowing the person to reach said resource, further comprising;

A. a history database comprising a multiplicity of records, each of which further comprises a time, date, and location of the person; and

B. extrapolation means to determine the current position of the person based on said history database;

(g) radio means for communicating from the system to the person, further comprising means to communicate, for each resource related to the person'"'"'s specific interest;

A. said resource'"'"'s location;

B. a description of the resource;

C. said instructions for reaching the resource.

2. A method for locating a person within an area containing resources, for communicating the person'"'"'s specific interests to the system, and for communicating information regarding the resources related to said interests to the person, comprising:

(a) storing a database of interests, of resources related to said interests, and of the geographic locations of said resources;

(b) attaching an emitter to the person which generates a signal uniquely identifying and locating the person;

(c) locating a multiplicity of infra-red sensors, one in proximity to each resource,

(d) communicating a specific interest from the person to the system by means of;

A. one or more microphones;

B. voice recognition means;

C. keyword means; and

D. computation means;

(e) storing the person'"'"'s location and specific interests;

(f) determining distances and directions from the person to each resource related to each specific interest, and instructing the person how to reach each resource, further comprising;

A. creating a history database comprising, for each person, a multiplicity of records, each of which further comprises a time, date, and location; and

B. extrapolating to determine the current position of the person based on said history database;

(g) communicating by radio with the person, further comprising, for each resource related to said specific interest;

A. identifying said resource'"'"'s location;

B. identifying characteristics of the resource related to the specific interest; and

C. communicating instructions for reaching the resource.