Comprehensive system and method of universal real-time linking of real objects to a machine, network, internet, or software service
First Claim
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.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring the location of an object, the method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A wireless tag for determining the position of an attached physical object, the wireless tag comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A system comprising:
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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.
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30. A method of providing a linking service to a customer, the method comprising:
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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.
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Specification