Area tracking systems and methods of tracking electronic devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An area tracking system, comprising:
- a server connected to a network; and
a plurality of sensors connected to the server, the sensors configured to poll for electronic devices by broadcasting poll messages, at least one of the electronic devices operating in a non-discoverable mode such that the at least one electronic device is not broadcasting a device access code, the poll message including the device access code of an associated electronic device, the poll message configured to instruct the electronic device to transmit an acknowledgement upon receipt of poll message, the acknowledgement including the device access code, wherein the sensors are configured to poll a first plurality of the electronic devices at a greater frequency than a second plurality of the electronic devices.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Area tracking systems including a plurality of short range sensors that are communicatively connected to a server and methods of tracking electronic devices. The electronic devices are tracked by polling for the electronic devices, the polling including transmission of electronic addresses corresponding to the electronic devices and determining whether a reply to the poling is received. The electronic addresses are each stored on one of a plurality of lists. Each of the lists may be polled at a different frequency and may include a different number of electronic device addresses.
6 Citations
25 Claims
-
1. An area tracking system, comprising:
-
a server connected to a network; and a plurality of sensors connected to the server, the sensors configured to poll for electronic devices by broadcasting poll messages, at least one of the electronic devices operating in a non-discoverable mode such that the at least one electronic device is not broadcasting a device access code, the poll message including the device access code of an associated electronic device, the poll message configured to instruct the electronic device to transmit an acknowledgement upon receipt of poll message, the acknowledgement including the device access code, wherein the sensors are configured to poll a first plurality of the electronic devices at a greater frequency than a second plurality of the electronic devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of tracking a plurality of electronic devices using a plurality of sensors connected to a server, the method comprising:
-
polling, by a sensor, for a first electronic device by broadcasting a poll message associated with the first electronic device, the first electronic device operating in a non-discoverable mode such that the first electronic device is not broadcasting a device access code, the poll message including the device access code of the first electronic device, the poll message configured to instruct the first electronic device to transmit an acknowledgement upon receipt of poll message, the acknowledgement including the device access code; determining whether the first electronic device is within range of the sensor based on whether or not the acknowledgement is received by the sensor within a period of time; and transmitting, to a server, data relating to a position of the first electronic device wherein the first electronic device is one of a plurality of first electronic devices and the sensor is configured to poll the plurality of first electronic devices at a greater frequency than a plurality of second electronic devices. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
-
-
14. A method of tracking a plurality of electronic devices using a plurality of sensors connected to a server, the method comprising:
-
maintaining, by a first sensor, first and second lists including a plurality of electronic device addresses corresponding to a plurality of electronic devices, at least one of the electronic devices operating in a non-discoverable mode such that the electronic device is not broadcasting a device access code; sequentially polling, by the first sensor, for the plurality of electronic devices by sequentially broadcasting poll messages that are each associated with one of the electronic devices, the poll messages including the device access code of an associated one of the plurality of electronic devices, each of the poll messages configured to instruct the associated electronic device to transmit an acknowledgement upon receipt of poll message, the acknowledgement including the device access code; determining whether one of the plurality of electronic devices is in range of the first sensor based on whether or not the acknowledgement is received by the first sensor within a first period of time; and transmitting, to a server, data relating to a position of the one of the electronic devices wherein the sequentially polling the plurality of electronic devices sequentially polls the electronic devices corresponding to a first one of the first and second lists at a greater frequency than the electronic devices corresponding to a second one of the first and second lists. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
Specification