Comprehensive system and method of universal real-time linking of real objects to a machine, network, internet, or software service

• US 8,981,938 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2013
• Issued: 03/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Linquet Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Linquet Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: H. Kazerouni, Pooya
• Primary Examiner(s): MCNALLY, KERRI L
• Application Number:
  US13/754,607
• Publication Number:
  US 20130234853A1
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/782 Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0716 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising a sensor or an interface to a sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0717 the sensor being capable of sensing environmental conditions such as temperature history or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07713 the interface, upon reception of an interrogation signal, being capable of signaling to indicate its position to a user or a detection device
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0772 Physical layout of the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2019/06253 for a specific application
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2019/06281 rewritable
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10297 arrangements for handling protocols designed for non-contact record carriers such as RFIDs NFCs, e.g. ISO/IEC 14443 and 18092 cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; network security protocols H04L63/00; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; network protocols for data switching network services H04L67/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0247 System arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0269 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0272 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect exact location of child or item using triangulation other than GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0275 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS] tag technology used for parent or child unit, e.g. same transmission technology, magnetic tag, RF tag, RFID
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0277 Communication between units on a local network, e.g. Bluetooth, piconet, zigbee, Wireless Personal Area Networks [WPAN]
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

Methods of connecting or linking real objects to machines or the virtual world in real time utilizing a device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wireless tag attached to an object in communication with an electronic device, such as a cellular phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, or watch, monitors and updates the position of a wireless tag locally and on a machine/network/cloud. Methods of using a wireless tag in safety, loss/theft prevention, healthcare, tracking, advertising and marketing, education, games, finance, payment, and athletic are disclosed. In another embodiment, methods of providing an application programming interface and/or a software development kit based on the devices are provided, allowing software developers the ability to create their own programs or applications on top of the disclosed system is disclosed. Methods of allowing developers to distribute and/or monetize applications developed through the application programming interface and/or a software development kit are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring the location of an object, the method comprising:

providing an object, wherein the object includes a first radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals and a first controller controlling the transmission of radio frequency signals from the first radio transceiver;

assigning a first identification to the object;

associating the object with an electronic device including a second radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals and a second controller controlling the transmission of radio frequency signals from the second radio transceiver, the associating being based on receiving with the second radio transceiver a predetermined radio frequency signal transmitted from the first radio transceiver;

determining the position of the electronic device with the second controller;

assigning a second identification to the electronic device;

transmitting with the first radio transceiver a radio frequency signal;

receiving with the second radio transceiver the radio frequency signal from first radio transceiver ;

determining with the electronic device a status based at least in part on a strength of the radio frequency signal, the status indicating at least one of whether the distance between the object and the electronic device exceeds, equals, or is less than at least one of a predetermined distance and predetermined range; and

transmitting data including the first identification, the second identification, the position of the electronic device, and the status to an external device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the object further includes a removably coupled wireless tag including the first radio transceiver and a user input, wherein the first controller receives an associating signal from the user input when the user input is touched, the first radio transceiver receiving an instruction from the controller to transmit the predetermined radio frequency signal in response to the controller receiving the associating signal.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the tag has a thickness of about 10 mm or less.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the wireless tag includes a tag alarm operably connected to the first controller and the second radio transceiver transmits an alarm signal received by the first radio transceiver, the alarm signal causing the controller to activate the tag alarm when the status changes, the status change being caused by at least one of the determined distance became greater than the predetermined distance, the determined distance became greater than the predetermined range, the determined distance became equal to the predetermined distance, the determined distance became equal to the predetermined range, the determined distance became less than the predetermined distance, and the determined distance became less than the predetermined range.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the user input further includes an alarm input, user input transmitting an alarm signal to the first controller when the alarm input is touched, the controller activating the tag alarm in response to receiving the alarm signal.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising the steps of:

determining with the electronic device a second status of whether the user input has been touched and transmitting data including the second status to the external device; and

determining a time and position of the electronic device when the second status changes and transmitting data including the time and the position of the electronic device to a predetermined contact, wherein the predetermined contact is selected from a list of contacts based at least in part on at least one of the position of the electronic device and the time.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising determining at least one of an altitude, a longitude, a latitude, and a speed of the electronic device when the second status changes and transmitting data including the at least one of the altitude, the longitude, the latitude, and the speed to the predetermined contact.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the tag is attached to a participant in a race along a path and the electronic device is positioned at a point along the path, wherein the transmitting data step further includes transmitting a current time and the status is used to determine the participant'"'"'s distance to the point.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the tag is attached to a health care patient and the electronic device is positioned in a first area heath care facility, the status being used to determine the presence of the health care patient in the first area.

10. The method of claim 2, further comprising the steps of:

providing a second object, wherein the second object includes a second removably coupled wireless tag including a third radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals and a third controller controlling the transmission of radio frequency signals from the third radio transceiver;

assigning a third identification to the second object;

associating the second object with the electronic device, the associating being based on receiving with the second radio transceiver a predetermined radio frequency signal transmitted from the third radio transceiver;

transmitting with the third radio transceiver a second radio frequency signal;

receiving with the second radio transceiver the second radio frequency signal from third radio transceiver ;

determining with the electronic device a second status of whether the distance between the second object and the electronic device exceeds at least one of a second predetermined distance and second predetermined range based at least in part on a strength of the second radio frequency signal; and

transmitting data including the second identification, the third identification, the position of the electronic device, and the second status to an external device.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein the first controller receives an associating signal from the user input when the user input is touched a single time.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the external device includes at least one of a network cloud data service, a computer, and a network.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes an alarm operably connected to the second controller and the second controller activates the alarm when the status changes, the status change being caused by at least one of the determined distance became greater than the predetermined distance, the determined distance became greater than the predetermined range, the determined distance became equal to the predetermined distance, the determined distance became equal to the predetermined range, the determined distance became less than the predetermined distance, and the determined distance became less than the predetermined range.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising determining a time and position of the electronic device when the status changes and transmitting data including the time and the position of the electronic device to a predetermined contact, wherein the predetermined contact is selected from a list of contacts based at least in part on at least one of the position of the electronic device and the time.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising associating the object with the external device, the object including a user input and the external device including a data receiver and a controller operably connected to the data receiver, the associating step based on receiving a second predetermined radio frequency signal transmitted from the first radio transmitter and receiver system when the user input is touched.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting data including the first identification, the second identification, the position of the electronic device, and the status to an external device further includes the steps of:

transmitting a first set of data including the first identification, the second identification, a first time, a first position of the electronic device, and a first status to an external device and storing the first set of data on the external device when the electronic device determines the distance between the object and electronic device does not exceed at least one of a predetermined distance and a predetermined range; and

transmitting a second set of data including the first identification, the second identification, a second time, a second position of the electronic device, and a second status to an external device and storing the second set of data on the external device when the electronic device determines the distance between the object and electronic device exceeds at least one of a predetermined distance and a predetermined range.

17. The method of claim 16, further including the steps of:

configuring the external device to permit a first group of users to access the first set of data and the second set of data from the external device; and

configuring the external device to permit a second group of users to access the second set of data but not permit the second group of users to access the first set of data.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency signal is encrypted.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes at least one of a cellular phone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a watch, and a pair of glasses.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmitting data step is performed at predetermined intervals.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the position of the electronic device with the second controller step includes the second controller determining the position of the electronic device based on the electronic device receiving a signal from at least one of a cellular tower, a wireless network, a Wi-Fi network, and a Global Positioning System.

22. A wireless tag for determining the position of an attached physical object, the wireless tag comprising:

a power source for providing electrical power to the wireless tag;

a radio transmitter and receiver system for wirelessly exchanging data with an electronic device; and

a user interface including at least one input and at least one output;

wherein the electronic device determines the position of the electronic device and a status, the status indicating at least one of whether the distance between the object and the electronic device exceeds, equals, or is less than at least one of a predetermined distance and predetermined range, and wirelessly communicates data including the position of the electronic device and the status to an external network.

23. The wireless tag of claim 22 wherein the tag and electronic device communicate using Bluetooth technology.

24. The wireless tag of claim 22 wherein the external device is a network cloud data service.

25. The wireless tag of claim 22 wherein the wireless tag has a thickness of about 10 mm or less.

26. The wireless tag of claim 22 wherein the wireless tag includes a first audible alarm, the electronic device includes a second audible alarm, and the electronic device sends data to the network and activates the first and second audible alarms upon a change in the status, the status change being caused by at least one of the determined distance became greater than the predetermined distance, the determined distance became greater than the predetermined range, the determined distance became equal to the predetermined distance, the determined distance became equal to the predetermined range, the determined distance became less than the predetermined distance, and the determined distance became less than the predetermined range.

27. The wireless tag of claim 22, further comprising a sensor having an output reading wherein the radio transmitter and receiver system wirelessly transmits the output reading to the electronic device.

28. The wireless tag of claim 27, wherein the sensor determines a temperature and the output reading is the temperature.

29. A system comprising:

a wireless tag having a unique identification and including a power source for providing electrical power to the wireless tag, a radio transceiver for wirelessly exchanging encrypted data with an electronic device, and a user interface including at least one input and at least one output wherein the electronic device determines the position of the electronic device and a first status, the first status indicating at least one of whether the distance between the wireless tag and the electronic device exceeds, equals, or is less than at least one of a predetermined distance and predetermined range, and wirelessly communicates data including the position of the electronic device and the status;

the electronic device, wherein the electronic device includes a radio transceiver capable of communicating with the wireless tag radio transceiver, a user interface including at least one output, a module for determining the position of the electronic device, a module for determining a second status, the second status indicating at least one of whether the distance between the wireless tag and the electronic device exceeds, equals, or is less than at least one of a predetermined distance and predetermined range, and a data transmitter for transmitting data including the position of the electronic device and status of the distance between the electronic device and wireless tag to an external device for storage in a computer readable storage medium;

the external device in communication with the electronic device and wireless tag and storing data in the computer readable storage medium transmitted by the wireless tag and electronic device; and

a computer system in communication with the external device and electronic device, wherein the computer system is selected from a computer system executing an application programming interface in communication with the external device and electronic device and a computer system comprising a software kit in communication with the external device and electronic device, wherein the application programming interface provides a user interface to one of the external device and electronic device including an input to execute one or more commands transmitted by radio frequency signal to the wireless tag and the software development kit includes software development tools for creating software applications.

30. A method of providing a linking service to a customer, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of wireless tags to a customer, each wireless tag having a unique identification and including a power source for providing electrical power to the wireless tag, a radio transceiver for wirelessly exchanging encrypted data with an electronic device, and a user interface including at least one input and at least one output, wherein the electronic device determines the position of the electronic device and a status, the status indicating at least one of whether the distance between at least one of the wireless tags and the electronic device exceeds, equals, or is less than at least one of a predetermined distance and predetermined range, and wirelessly communicates data including the position of the electronic device and the status to an external network, the external network storing the data in a first computer-readable medium; and

providing a second computer-readable medium containing at least one of an application programming interface and a software development kit to the customer, the at least one of the application programming interface and the software development kit being configured to develop or support one or more software applications on at least one of the wireless tag, the electronic device, and the electronic network.