Disposable, proximity-based communications systems, devices and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A disposable electronic device comprising:
- a housing that has an external appearance that is related to an entertainment event;
a light source and/or a sound source in the housing;
a short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver in the housing;
a controller in the housing that is configured to activate the light source and/or the sound source and to transmit an outgoing message via the short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver, in response to a first receipt of an incoming message at the short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver, and to ignore a second receipt of the incoming message at the short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver; and
a non-replaceable, non-rechargeable battery in the housing that is configured to power the user interface, the short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver and the controller until the non-replaceable, non-rechargeable battery discharges.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A disposable electronic device includes a housing, a user interface in the housing and a short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver in the housing. A controller is configured to control the user interface and the short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver. A non-replaceable, non-rechargeable battery also is provided in the housing. New forms of disposable, proximity-based communications systems, devices and methods thereby may be provided.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A disposable electronic device comprising:
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a housing that has an external appearance that is related to an entertainment event; a light source and/or a sound source in the housing; a short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver in the housing; a controller in the housing that is configured to activate the light source and/or the sound source and to transmit an outgoing message via the short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver, in response to a first receipt of an incoming message at the short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver, and to ignore a second receipt of the incoming message at the short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver; and a non-replaceable, non-rechargeable battery in the housing that is configured to power the user interface, the short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver and the controller until the non-replaceable, non-rechargeable battery discharges. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An entertainment method for a plurality of venues comprising:
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causing messages to pass among a plurality of first disposable electronic devices at a first venue that are carried by attendees of the first venue, the first disposable electronic devices including a housing having an external appearance that is related to an entertainment event at the first venue, a short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver in the housing that is configured to receive and transmit the messages and a non-replaceable, non-rechargeable battery in the housing that is configured to power the short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver until the non-replaceable, non-rechargeable battery discharges, such that the messages that pass among the plurality of first disposable electronic devices at the first venue facilitate entertainment of the attendees of the venue; causing messages to pass among a plurality of second disposable electronic devices at a second venue that are carried by attendees of the second venue, the second disposable electronic devices including a housing, a short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver in the housing that is configured to receive and transmit the messages and a non-replaceable, non-rechargeable battery in the housing that is configured to power the short range, unlicensed wireless transceiver until the non-replaceable, non-rechargeable battery discharges; and linking at least one of the first disposable electronic devices with at least one of the second disposable electronic devices via a wide area network. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A communication method comprising:
causing two disposable electronic devices that have a same external shape of an item of interest and that are carried by two individuals to automatically emit audible and/or visible signals sequentially and/or simultaneously in response to the two disposable electronic devices being proximate to one another and independent of interaction by the two individuals with the two disposable electronic devices, so as to automatically indicate to the two individuals who are proximate one another their mutual interest in the item of interest, and thereby facilitate social interaction between the two individuals. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
Specification