Method of allowing access to an electronic device
First Claim
1. A method of allowing access to an electronic device (218) disposed in a working space (14) by a user (16) having a remote device (212) in proximity to the electronic device (218), said method comprising the steps of:
- disposing the electronic device (218) selected from at least one of a computer, a printer, a personal digital assistant, a copy machine, and a cellular phone in communication with a network (13) at a known position in the working space (14);
disposing an access point (20) in communication with the network (13) at a known position about the working space (14);
detecting the remote device (212) with the access point (20);
transmitting an initial signal from the access point (20) instructing the remote device (212) to respond after a delay period;
detecting the initial signal with the remote device (212);
transmitting a response signal from the remote device (212) upon the expiration of the delay period;
detecting the response signal with the access point (20);
measuring a period interval from the transmission of the initial signal to the detection of the response signal by the access point (20);
determining a distance of the remote device (212) from the electronic device (218) based upon the period interval and the known positions of the access point (20) and the electronic device (218);
comparing the distance to a predetermined distance range;
enabling the electronic device (218) in response to the distance of the remote device (212) being within the predetermined distance range such that the user (16) can access the electronic device (218) and the network (13); and
disabling the electronic device (218) in response to the distance of the remote device (212) being outside the predetermined distance range such that the user (16) can not access the electronic device (218) and the network (13).
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method allows access to an electronic device disposed in a working space by a user having a remote device is disclosed. An access point transmits an initial signal instructing the remote device to respond after a delay period, which responds upon the expiration of the delay period. A distance of the remote device is determined based upon a period interval from the transmission of the initial signal to the detection of a response signal and the known positions of the access point and the electronic device. Alternatively, a fixed device transmits locating signals detected by three access points, which measure a time differential. The position of the remote device is determined based upon a time of arrival, the location of each of the access points, and the time differential. The electronic device is enabled when the remote device is within the predetermined distance range.
49 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of allowing access to an electronic device (218) disposed in a working space (14) by a user (16) having a remote device (212) in proximity to the electronic device (218), said method comprising the steps of:
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disposing the electronic device (218) selected from at least one of a computer, a printer, a personal digital assistant, a copy machine, and a cellular phone in communication with a network (13) at a known position in the working space (14); disposing an access point (20) in communication with the network (13) at a known position about the working space (14); detecting the remote device (212) with the access point (20); transmitting an initial signal from the access point (20) instructing the remote device (212) to respond after a delay period; detecting the initial signal with the remote device (212); transmitting a response signal from the remote device (212) upon the expiration of the delay period; detecting the response signal with the access point (20); measuring a period interval from the transmission of the initial signal to the detection of the response signal by the access point (20); determining a distance of the remote device (212) from the electronic device (218) based upon the period interval and the known positions of the access point (20) and the electronic device (218); comparing the distance to a predetermined distance range; enabling the electronic device (218) in response to the distance of the remote device (212) being within the predetermined distance range such that the user (16) can access the electronic device (218) and the network (13); and disabling the electronic device (218) in response to the distance of the remote device (212) being outside the predetermined distance range such that the user (16) can not access the electronic device (218) and the network (13). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of allowing access to an electronic device (218) in communication with a network (13) disposed in a working space (14) by a user (16) having a remote device (212) in proximity to the electronic device (218), said method comprising the steps of:
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disposing at least three access points (220, 221, 223) about the working space (14) each at a known position and each of the access points (220, 221, 223) connected to a network (13); compiling a database (254) of known positions for each of the access points (220, 221, 223) and connecting the database (254) to the network (13); disposing a fixed device (256) at a known position relative to the working space (14); storing the position of the fixed device (256) in the database (254); transmitting locating signals from the fixed device (256); detecting the locating signals at each of the access points (220, 221, 223); determining a time differential between the detection of the locating signal at each of the access points (220, 221, 223); transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal from the remote device (212); detecting the RF signal with the access points (220, 221, 223); measuring a time of arrival of the RF signal at each of the access points (220, 221, 223); determining a distance of the remote device (212) based upon the time of arrival, the location of each of the access points (220, 221, 223), and the time differential; comparing the distance to a predetermined distance range; and enabling the electronic device (218) in response to the distance of the remote device (212) being within the predetermined distance range such that the user (16) can access the electronic device (218) and the network (13); and disabling the electronic device (218) in response to the distance of the remote device (212) being outside the predetermined distance range such that the user (16) can not access the electronic device (218) and the network (13). - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification