Method and apparatus for browsing objects in a user's surroundings

• US 6,934,549 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2002
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: James, Brian, Neumiller, Phillip D., Lei, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zewdu, Meless
• Application Number:
  US10/060,642
• Publication Number:
  US 20030142983A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,301 Days
• Field of Search: 455/3.03, 455/414.2, 455/92, 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/456.3, 455/414.1, 455/422.1, 455/14, 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/523, 455/418, 455/419, 455/420, 359/237, 359/238, 359/615, 398/106, 398/107, 398/118, 398121-131, 398/183, 398/115, 340/825.49, 340/7.48, 340/7.29, 709/200, 709/203, 709/217, 709/219, 709/227, 709/225, 345/456.1, 345/456.2, 345/456.3, 345/456.6, 342/44, 342/53, 342/54, 725/109, 725/110, 725/112, 725/113
• US Class Current: 455/456.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisions for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

The system for browsing objects in reality that enables a user to obtain information via a wireless browser-enabled device. The browser-enabled device includes a modulated laser that is directed toward target sensors located on or near objects for which information is sought by a user. The target sensors, in turn, relay information as well as information received from the modulated laser via Internet to a wireless network that serves the browser-enabled device of the user. Information concerning the object of interest is then relayed to the browser-enabled device allowing the user to view information concerning the object.

Claims

1. An apparatus for browsing objects located in a surrounding area comprising:

a signaling unit configured to transmit a user identifier via a first medium, the signaling unit comprising a browser enabled device selected from the group consisting of a mobile telephone, a personal data assistant, a laptop computer and a mobile pager; and

one or more target sensors with each sensor corresponding to an object, the one or more target sensors configured to receive the user identifier and send an output signal containing the user identifier and information specific to the corresponding object to a site located within a first network;

wherein the site within the first network identifies a second network in communication with the signaling unit based on the user identifier and transmits the information signal with information particular to the object corresponding to the target sensor to the second network, wherein the second network relays the information particular to the object to the signaling unit.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an intefface unit configured to receive output signals from the one or more sensors and outputs an information signal to a second network in communication with the signaling unit.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the interface is comprised of an Interworking Unit.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first medium is optical transmission.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein optical transmission is effected by a modulated laser disposed in the signaling unit.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or more target sensors each comprise an array of optical detector modules.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein each optical detector module comprises an optical lens and a photodetector circuit.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the optical lens is a Fresnel lens.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is disposed on or near the corresponding object.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the identifier is comprises at least one of a subscriber'"'"'s electronic serial number and International mobile subscriber identifier.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second network is one of a cellular/wireless telephone network and a wide area network.

12. A method for browsing objects in a surrounding area, the method comprising:

transmitting a user identifier from a signaling unit via a first medium, the signaling unit is comprised of a browser enabled device, wherein the browser enabled device is selected from the group consisting of a mobile telephone, a personal data assistant, a laptop computer and a mobile pager;

sensing the user identifier using one or more target sensors with each sensor corresponding to an object, wherein the one or more target sensors are configured to receive the user identifier and send an output signal containing the user identifier and information specific to the corresponding object to a site located on a first network;

identifying within the site a second network in communication with the signaling unit based on the user identifier contained within the output signal and transmitting the user identifier and an information signal to the second network from the site; and

transmitting the information signal via the second network to the signaling unit, wherein the information signal includes information particular to the object corresponding to the target sensor sending the output signal.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the first medium is optical transmission.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein optical transmission is effected by a modulated laser disposed in the signaling unit.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the one or more target sensors each comprise an array of optical detector modules.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein each optical detector modules comprises an optical lense and a photodetector circuit.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the optical lens is a Fresnel lens.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the sensor is disposed on or near the corresponding object.

19. The method according to claim 12, wherein the identifier is comprised of at least one of a subscriber'"'"'s electronic serial number and international mobile subscriber identifier.

20. The method according to claim 12, wherein the second network is at least one of a cellular/wireless telephone network and a wide area network.

21. An apparatus for browsing objects located in a surrounding area comprising:

a signaling unit configured to transmit a user identifier via a first medium;

one or more target sensors with each sensor corresponding to an object, the one or more target sensors configured to receive the user identifier and send an output signal containing the user identifier and information specific to the corresponding object to a site located within a first network;

a range device associated with the target sensor and configured to determine a distance between the signaling unit and the target sensor; and

a logic to determine when the signaling unit is within a tolerance range distance and allow access by the signaling unit when the signaling unit is within the tolerance range and block access when the signaling unit is beyond the tolerance range;

wherein the site within the first network identifies a second network in communication with the signaling unit based on the user identifier and transmits the information signal with information particular to the object corresponding to the target sensor to the second network, wherein the second network relays the information particular to the object to the signaling unit.

22. An apparatus for browsing objects located in a surrounding area comprising:

a signaling unit configured to transmit a user identifier via a first medium, the signaling unit comprising

a laser;

a laser controller configured to direct a beam of light emitted by the laser into a plurality of distance settings having respective light dispersion ranges; and

one or more target sensors with each sensor corresponding to an object, the one or more target sensors configured to receive the user identifier and send an output signal containing the user identifier and information specific to the corresponding object to a site located within a first network;

wherein the site within the first network identifies a second network in communication with the signaling unit based on the user identifier and transmits the information signal with information particular to the object corresponding to the target sensor to the second network, wherein the second network relays the information particular to the object to the signaling unit.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the plurality of distance settings includes a near-range distance, a mid-range distance and a long-range distance.

24. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the laser controller utilizes one of a plurality of beam expander optical systems to respectively achieve the plurality of distance settings.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the laser controller comprises a plurality of beam splitters and mirrors that split a light beam emitted by the laser and direct corresponding beams to the plurality of beam expander optical systems.

26. An apparatus for browsing objects located in a surrounding area comprising:

a signaling unit configured to transmit a user identifier via a first medium, the signaling unit comprising a browser enabled device selected from the group consisting of a mobile telephone, a personal data assistant, a laptop computer and a mobile pager; and

one or more target sensors with each sensor corresponding to an object, the one or more target sensors configured to receive the user identifier and send an output signal containing the user identifier and information specific to the corresponding object to a site located within a first network;

wherein the site within the first network is configured to send an acknowledgment signal to the signaling unit via the second network within a predetermined time period in order to provide an indication to a user that the target sensor has received the identifier and the site within the first network identifies a second network in communication with the signaling unit based on the user identifier and transmits the information signal with information particular to the object corresponding to the target sensor to the second network, wherein the second network relays the information particular to the object to the signaling unit.

27. An apparatus for browsing objects located in a surrounding area comprising:

a signaling unit configured to transmit a user identifier via a first medium; and

one or more target sensors with each sensor corresponding to an object, the one or more target sensors configured to receive the user identifier and send an output signal containing the user identifier and information specific to the corresponding object to a site located within a first network;

wherein site on the first network is configured to determine whether the target sensor has received the identifier from the signaling unit for a prescribed number of times, wherein when the identifier is not yet received for the prescribed number of times, acceptance of the identifier is not rendered until the prescribed number of times has been attained and wherein the site within the first network identifies a second network in communication with the signaling unit based on the user identifier and transmits the information signal with information particular to the object corresponding to the target sensor to the second network, wherein the second network relays the information particular to the object to the signaling unit.

28. A method for browsing objects in a surrounding area, the method comprising:

transmitting a user identifier from a signaling unit via a first medium;

sensing the user identifier using one or more target sensors with each sensor corresponding to an object, wherein the one or more target sensors are configured to receive the user identifier and send an output signal containing the user identifier and information specific to the corresponding object to a site located on a first network;

determining a distance between the signaling unit and the target sensor;

determining when the signaling unit is within a tolerance range distance; and

allowing access by the signaling unit when the signaling unit is within the tolerance range and blocking access when the signaling unit is beyond the tolerance range;

identifying within the site a second network in communication with the signaling unit based on the user identifier contained within the output signal and transmitting the user identifier and an information signal to the second network from the site; and

transmitting the information signal via the second network to the signaling unit, wherein the information signal includes information particular to the object corresponding to the target sensor sending the output signal.

29. A method for browsing objects in a surrounding area, the method comprising:

transmitting a user identifier from a signaling unit via a first medium, the signaling unit comprising a laser and a laser controller configured to direct a beam of light emitted by the laser into a plurality of distance settings having respective light dispersion ranges;

sensing the user identifier using one or more target sensors with each sensor corresponding to an object, wherein the one or more target sensors are configured to receive the user identifier and send an output signal containing the user identifier and information specific to the corresponding object to a site located on a first network;

identifying within the site a second network in communication with the signaling unit based on the user identifier contained within the output signal and transmitting the user identifier and an information signal to the second network from the site; and

transmitting the information signal via the second network to the signaling unit, wherein the information signal includes information particular to the object corresponding to the target sensor sending the output signal.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the plurality of distance settings includes a near-range distance, a mid-range distance and a long-range distance.

31. The method according to claim 29, wherein the laser controller utilizes a plurality of beam expander optical systems to respectively achieve the plurality of distance settings.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the laser controller comprises a plurality of beam splitters and mirrors that split a light beam emitted by the laser and direct corresponding beams to the plurality of beam expander optical systems.

33. A method for browsing objects in a surrounding area, the method comprising:

transmitting a user identifier from a signaling unit via a first medium;

sensing the user identifier using one or more target sensors with each sensor corresponding to an object, wherein the one or more target sensors are configured to receive the user identifier and send an output signal containing the user identifier and information specific to the corresponding object to a site located on a first network, wherein the site located on the first network is configured to send an acknowledgment signal to the signaling unit via the second network within a predetermined time period in order to provide an indication to user that the target sensor has received the identifier;

identifying within the site a second network in communication with the signaling unit based on the user identifier contained within the output signal and transmitting the user identifier and an information signal to the second network from the site; and

transmitting the information signal via the second network to the signaling unit, wherein the information signal includes information particular to the object corresponding to the target sensor sending the output signal.

34. A method for browsing objects in a surrounding area, the method comprising:

transmitting a user identifier from a signaling unit via a first medium;

sensing the user identifier using one or more target sensors with each sensor corresponding to an object, wherein the one or more target sensors are configured to receive the user identifier and send an output signal containing the user identifier and information specific to the corresponding object to a site located on a first network, wherein the site located on the first network is configured to determine whether the target sensor has received the identifier from the signaling unit for a prescribed number of times, and wherein when the identifier is not yet received for the prescribed number of times, acceptance of the identifier is not rendered until the prescribed number of times has been attained;

identifying within the site a second network in communication with the signaling unit based on the user identifier contained within the output signal and transmitting the user identifier and an information signal to the second network from the site; and

transmitting the information signal via the second network to the signaling unit, wherein the information signal includes information particular to the object corresponding to the target sensor sending the output signal.