Computational systems and methods for locating a mobile device

• US 9,087,222 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2011
• Issued: 07/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Holman, Pablos, Rinaldo, Jr., John D., Dyor, Matthew G., Mundie, Craig J., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Tan, Desney S., Gates, William, Myhrvold, Nathan P., Kare, Jordin T., Tegreene, Clarence T., Hyde, Roderick A., Paek, Tim, Levien, Royce A., Whitmer, Charles, Bahl, Paramvir, Lord, Richard T., Wood, JR., Lowell L., Burger, Douglas C., Lord, Robert W., Wood, Victoria Y. H., Chandra, Ranveer, Malamud, Mark A., Zhong, Lin
• Primary Examiner(s): AJIBADE AKONAI, OLUMIDE
• Application Number:
  US13/341,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20130165140A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,299 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.1, 455/418, 455/456.3, 455/457, 455/550.1, 455/566, 4554561-4566
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72418 for supporting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/74 with voice recognition means
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0251 using monitoring of local events, e.g. events related to user activity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0264 by selectively disabling software applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Systems and methods are described relating to accepting an indication of an inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device; and presenting an indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on accepting the indication of the inertial impact associated with the at least one mobile device. Additionally, systems and methods are described relating to means for accepting an indication of an inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device; and means for presenting an indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on accepting the indication of the inertial impact associated with the at least one mobile device.

Claims

1. A machine, comprising:

circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device where the at least one inertial impact exceeds at least one predetermined inertial impact threshold;

circuitry for initiating at least one hibernation mode at least partially based on the circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device; and

circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device.

2. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device where the at least one inertial impact exceeds at least one predetermined inertial impact threshold comprises:

circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device where the at least one mobile device incorporates one or more of at least one accelerometer, at least one seismic sensor, at least some vibration technology, or at least one inertia switch.

3. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device where the at least one inertial impact exceeds at least one predetermined impact threshold comprises:

circuitry for determining whether at least one accepted indication of at least one inertial impact exceeds at least one predetermined g-force impact threshold.

4. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry for initiating at least one hibernation mode at least partially based on the circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device comprises:

circuitry for terminating at least one application.

5. The machine of claim 4, wherein circuitry for terminating at least one application comprises:

circuitry for terminating one or more of at least one texting program, at least one email program, or at least one internet browser.

6. The machine of claim 4, wherein circuitry for terminating at least one application comprises:

circuitry for at least one of terminating or reducing power to at least one wireless communication link.

7. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device where the at least one inertial impact exceeds at least one predetermined inertial impact threshold comprises:

circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with one or more of at least one portable media player, at least one tablet computer, at least one cell phone, or at least one smartphone where the at least one inertial impact exceeds at least one predetermined inertial impact threshold.

8. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device where the at least one inertial impact exceeds at least one predetermined inertial impact threshold comprises:

circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one partial power failure or at least one temperature change proximate to the at least one inertial impact.

9. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device comprises:

circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device to at least one second device.

10. The machine of claim 9, wherein circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device to at least one second device comprises:

circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device to one or more of at least one second mobile device or at least one dedicated device.

11. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device comprises:

circuitry for transmitting location information associated with the at least one mobile device.

12. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device comprises:

circuitry for presenting at least one sound that indicates location of the at least one mobile device.

13. The machine of claim 12, wherein circuitry for presenting at least one sound that indicates location of the at least one mobile device comprises:

circuitry for presenting one or more of at least one computer-created sound or at least one computer-created voice that indicates location of the at least one mobile device.

14. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device comprises:

circuitry for presenting at least one indication for the at least one mobile device to vibrate.

15. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device comprises:

circuitry for presenting at least one visible indication of the at least one mobile device location.

16. The machine of claim 15, wherein circuitry for presenting at least one visible indication of the at least one mobile device location comprises:

circuitry for presenting one or more of at least one constant light, at least one blinking light, or at least one strobe light that indicates the at least one mobile device location.

17. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device comprises:

circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device to at least one third party.

18. The machine of claim 17, wherein circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device to at least one third party comprises:

circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the mobile device to one or more of at least one phone locating service, at least one phone service provider, or at least one other mobile device.

19. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on at least one of the circuitry for accepting at least one indication related to movement of the at least one mobile device or the circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one impact associated with at least one mobile device comprises:

circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device to at least one remote location.

20. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device comprises:

circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device including global positioning system coordinates.

21. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device where the at least one inertial impact exceeds a predetermined inertial impact threshold comprises:

circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact indicating one or more of the at least one mobile device has been dropped, the at least one mobile device has been struck by another object, or the at least one mobile device has experienced at least one high rate of at least one of velocity or acceleration.

22. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device where the at least one inertial impact exceeds at least one predetermined inertial impact threshold comprises:

circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device where the at least one inertial impact exceeds at least one predetermined inertial impact threshold, the at least one predetermined inertial impact threshold configured via one or more of at least one user interface of the at least one mobile device, at least one network connection of the at least one mobile device, or at least one factory setting of the at least one mobile device.

23. The machine of claim 1, wherein the circuitry for accepting, the circuitry for initiating, and the circuitry for presenting are effected in the at least one mobile device.

24. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device where the at least one inertial impact exceeds at least one predetermined inertial impact threshold comprises:

circuitry for accepting, at a server, at least some transmitted data initiated by the at least one mobile device, the at least some transmitted data indicative of at least one inertial impact associated with the at least one mobile device and at least one location of the at least one mobile device; and

wherein circuitry for initiating at least one hibernation mode at least partially based on the circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device comprises;

circuitry for sending, from the server, at least some instructions related to the at least one mobile device initiating the at least one hibernation mode; and

wherein circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device comprises;

circuitry for presenting, by the server, at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device.

25. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry for initiating at least one hibernation mode at least partially based on the circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device comprises:

circuitry for initiating the at least one hibernation mode, including at least circuitry for powering down at least a portion of the at least one mobile device while retaining at least a part of the computing state of the at least one mobile device, the retaining at least a part of the computing state of the at least one mobile device including at least retaining at least some power associated with presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device.

26. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry for initiating at least one hibernation mode at least partially based on the circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device comprises:

circuitry for initiating at least one hibernation mode at least one of previous to, concurrent with, or subsequent to presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device.

27. The machine of claim 1, wherein circuitry for initiating at least one hibernation mode at least partially based on the circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device comprises:

circuitry for initiating at least one partial hibernation mode, the at least one partial hibernation mode including at least reducing a sample rate associated with detecting inertial impact when the mobile device is detected to be at rest at least partially based on absence of inertial impact.

28. A method, comprising:

accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device where the at least one inertial impact exceeds at least one predetermined inertial impact threshold;

initiating at least one hibernation mode at least partially based on the accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device; and

presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device,

wherein at least one of the accepting, initiating, or presenting is at least partially implemented using at least one processing device.

29. A machine, comprising:

means for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device where the at least one inertial impact exceeds at least one predetermined inertial impact threshold;

means for initiating at least one hibernation mode at least partially based on the means for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device; and

means for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the means for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device.

30. A machine, comprising:

a computing device; and

one or more instructions that, when executed on the computing device, cause the computing device to at least;

accept at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device where the at least one inertial impact exceeds at least one predetermined inertial impact threshold;

initiate at least one hibernation mode at least partially based on the acceptance of at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device; and

present at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the acceptance of at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device.

31. The machine of claim 30, wherein the computing device comprises:

one or more of a personal digital assistant (PDA), a personal entertainment device, a mobile phone, a laptop computer, a tablet personal computer, a networked computer, a computing system comprised of a cluster of processors, a computing system comprised of a cluster of servers, a workstation computer, and/or a desktop computer.

32. The machine of claim 30, wherein the computing device is operable to accept at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device where the at least one inertial impact exceeds at least one predetermined inertial impact threshold, initiate at least one hibernation mode at least partially based on the acceptance of at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device, and present at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the acceptance of at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with at least one mobile device from at least one memory.

33. A system, comprising:

a sensor, the sensor including at least;

circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with the sensor where the at least one inertial impact exceeds at least one predetermined inertial impact threshold; and

a mobile device, the mobile device including at least;

circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with the sensor,

wherein at least one of the sensor or the mobile device includes at least circuitry for initiating at least one hibernation mode at least partially based on the circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with the sensor.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the sensor comprises:

a remote accepter module including at least one or more of at least one accelerometer, at least one seismic sensor, at least some vibration technology, or at least one inertia switch.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein the sensor and the mobile device are capable of being operatively coupled via at least one Bluetooth connection.

36. The system of claim 33, wherein the circuitry for initiating at least one hibernation mode at least partially based on the circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with the sensor comprises:

circuitry for initiating at least one partial hibernation mode, the at least one partial hibernation mode including at least reducing a sample rate associated with the sensor when the sensor is detected to be at rest at least partially based on absence of inertial impact associated with the sensor.

37. The system of claim 33, wherein the circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with the sensor comprises:

circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially via the at least one mobile device transmitting a signal associated with the at least one indication of location, the transmitting a signal at least partially via at least one of a cellular network or a satellite network.

38. The system of claim 33, wherein the circuitry for presenting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the circuitry for accepting at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with the sensor comprises:

circuitry for interacting with a user via a user interface of the at least one mobile device to perform a user-health test function, including at least inquiring whether the user requires aid, at least partially based on the at least one indication of at least one inertial impact associated with the sensor; and

circuitry for transmitting at least one indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on one or more of (i) at least one response from the user associated with the user-health test function or (ii) a timer value related to the user-health test function.

39. The system of claim 33, wherein the mobile device comprises at least one of a cell phone, a tablet computer, or a smartphone.