Autonomous aggregated search platform and methods using the same

• US 9,342,974 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2012
• Issued: 05/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Mo, Stanley, Mian, Mubashir A., Wouhaybi, Rita H., Kohlenberg, Tobias M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phung
• Application Number:
  US13/997,198
• Publication Number:
  US 20140197948A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,495 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13, 340/539.15, 3405721-5729, 340/686.1, 340/10.1, 340/13.26, 455/456.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/74 Systems using reradiation of radio waves, e.g. secondary radar systems; Analogous systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

Systems and methods for searching for lost moving objects such as children are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems and methods initiate an autonomous, expanding electronic search by emitting a search activation signal from a search initiation device. The search activation signal may include the target tag identifier of a target tag conveyed by the moving object. Search devices detecting the target tag may generate a hit signal, which may be used to determine the location of the target tag. In some instances, focused human searching for the moving object may be initiated based on this determined location, and/or on location information included in one or more hit signals.

Claims

1. A first mobile device, comprising:

a processor;

a communications interface; and

a search module;

wherein;

the search module is configured to initiate an autonomously electronic search for a target tag associated with a moveable object at least in part by transmitting a first search activation signal;

the first search activation signal is configured to;

cause a second mobile device to search for the target tag; and

when the target tag is not detected by the second mobile device, to cause the second mobile device to transmit a second search activation signal, the second search activation signal configured to cause a third mobile device to search for said target tag.

2. The first mobile device of claim 1, wherein said first search activation signal comprises a target tag identifier corresponding to said target tag and is configured to cause said second mobile device to search for said target tag based at least in part by searching for tag signals containing said target tag identifier.

3. The first mobile device of claim 2, wherein said second search activation signal includes said target tag identifier.

4. The first mobile device of claim 2, wherein said first search activation signal further comprises supplemental information, said supplemental information comprising at least a description of the moving object, an image of the moving object, or a combination thereof.

5. The first mobile device of claim 1, wherein said search module is further configured to determine the location of said target tag in response to receipt of a hit signal from said second mobile device, said third mobile device, or another mobile device, said hit signal signifying the detection of said target tag.

6. The first mobile device of claim 5, wherein said search module is further configured to cause said first communications interface to, in response to receiving said hit signal from said second mobile device, said third mobile device, or said other mobile device, transmit a human or animal search request to said second mobile device, said third mobile device, or said other mobile device.

7. The first mobile device of claim 1, wherein said search module is further configured to cause the first mobile device to transmit a search deactivation signal in response to an indication that a search for said target tag is complete.

8. A first mobile device for performing an autonomous electronic search for a tag associated with a moving object, comprising:

a processor;

a communications interface; and

a search module;

wherein the search module is configured to;

cause the first mobile device to perform an autonomously electronic search for a target tag associated with a moveable object in response to receipt of a first search activation signal; and

when the target tag is not detected by the first mobile device, to cause the first mobile device to transmit a second search activation signal, the second search activation signal configured to cause a second mobile device to search for said target tag.

9. The first mobile device of claim 8, wherein:

said first search activation signal comprises a tag identifier corresponding to said target tag; and

said search module is configured to cause said first mobile device to search for said tag based at least in part by searching for tag signals containing said target tag identifier.

10. The first mobile device of claim 8, wherein when said first mobile device detects said tag, said search module is further configured to cause said first mobile device to transmit a hit signal, the hit signal configured to inform at least one other mobile device of the detection of said tag.

11. The first mobile device of claim 10, wherein said hit signal includes information about the location of said device at a time said first mobile device detects said tag.

12. The first mobile device of claim 10, wherein:

when said first mobile device has a connection to a long range communications network, said search module is configure to cause said second communications interface to transmit said hit signal using long range communication; and

when said first mobile device lacks a connection to a long range communications network, said search module is configure to cause said second communications interface to transmit said hit signal using close range communication.

13. The first mobile device of claim 8, wherein said communications interface transmits said first search activation signal using close range communication.

14. A central service for managing the performance of an electronic search for a tag associated with a moving object, comprising:

a processor;

a communications interface; and

a search service management module;

wherein;

the search service management module is configured to initiate an autonomously electronic search for a target tag associated with a moveable object at least in part by transmitting a first search activation signal to a first mobile device;

the first search activation signal is configured to;

cause the first mobile device to search for a the target tag; and

when the target tag is not detected by the first mobile device, to cause the first mobile device to transmit a second search activation signal, the second search activation signal configured to cause a second mobile device to search for said target tag.

15. The central service of claim 14, wherein the search service management module is configured to cause the transmission of said first search activation signal in response to receipt of a first search request for said target tag.

16. The central service of claim 14, wherein in response to receipt of a hit signal signifying the detection of the target tag from at least one mobile device, the search service management module is configured to cause the central service to transmit a supplemental information signal, said supplemental information signal comprising at least a description of the moving object, an image of the moving object, or a combination thereof.

17. The central service of claim 16, wherein said search service management module is further configured to cause said central service to transmit said supplemental information signal to a detecting search device, the detecting search device being a mobile device that generated said hit signal.

18. The central service of claim 17, wherein said search service management module is further configured to transmit said supplemental information signal to mobile devices within a pre-determined distance of a determined location of said tag.

19. A method for searching for a moving object, comprising:

emitting a first search activation signal from a first search device;

wherein the first search activation signal is configured to;

cause a second search device to search for a the target tag; and

when the target tag is not detected by the second search device, to cause the second search device to transmit a second search activation signal, the second search activation signal configured to cause a third search device to search for said target tag; and

wherein the first, second, and third search devices are first, second, and third mobile devices, respectively.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said first search activation signal comprises a target tag identifier corresponding to said target tag and is configured to cause said second search device to search for said target tag based at least in part by searching for tag signals containing said target tag identifier.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

storing a database of registered search devices, said registered search devices being configured to participate in autonomous, expanding electronic searches;

wherein said first search device comprises one of said registered search devices.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising selecting said first search device from said database of registered search devices based at least in part on a last known location of said moving object.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

determining, in response to receipt of a hit signal from a search device, a location of a detected tag; and

transmitting an additional search signal to one or more search devices within a predetermined proximity to said detected tag, wherein the additional search signal is configured to cause said one or more search devices to perform another search for said target tag.