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

• US 9,366,746 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2015
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Linquet Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Linquet Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Kazerouni, Pooya H.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCNALLY, KERRI L
• Application Number:
  US14/617,240
• Publication Number:
  US 20150219743A1
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13, 340/539.14, 340/539.15, 340/539.21, 340/572.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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, health-care, 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 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 of whether the distance or range between the electronic device and wireless tag exceeds a predetermined distance or range and is configured to wirelessly communicate data including the position of the electronic device and the status to an external network, and wherein the electronic device is configured to send the data including the position of the electronic device and the status to the external network upon the initiation of a predetermined event.

2. The wireless tag of claim 1 wherein the predetermined event is an input to the user interface of the wireless tag.

3. The wireless tag of claim 1 wherein the predetermined event is a change in the status.

4. The wireless tag of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is configured to determine the position of the electronic device based upon data received from at least one of wireless networks, cellular towers, and global positioning system signals.

5. The wireless tag of claim 1 wherein the wireless tag has a thickness of about 6 mm or less.

6. The wireless tag of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is selected from the group consisting of:

a cellular phone, a laptop computer, and a tablet computer.

7. The wireless tag of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is one of a watch, pair of glasses, or integrated into clothing, sporting goods, food, medicine, or medical devices.

8. The wireless tag of claim 1 wherein the at least one input includes a button.

9. The wireless tag of claim 1 wherein the at least one output includes an audible alarm.

10. The wireless tag of claim 1, further comprising a sensor, measuring at least one condition of the environment, the electronic device determining a condition of the environment based on the measurement and wirelessly communicates data including the condition of the environment to the external network.

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

attaching a first wireless tag to the object, the first wireless tag including a first radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving a radio frequency signal and a tag output;

associating the first wireless tag with a first electronic device, the first electronic device including a second radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving a radio frequency signal and a device output, wherein the first electronic device is capable of determining a position of the first electronic device;

providing an allowable distance or range;

monitoring the radio frequency signal from the first radio transceiver received by the second radio transceiver; and

determining with the first electronic device a status of whether the distance between the wireless tag and the first electronic device is less than or equal to the allowable distance or range, or if the distance between the wireless tag and the first electronic device exceeds the allowable distance or range based at least in part on the strength or absence of the radio frequency signal;

wherein the first electronic device is configured to activate at least one of the tag output and the device output and wirelessly transmit data including the time and the position of the electronic device to an external device if the determined distance changes from a distance that is less than or equal to the allowable distance or range to a distance that exceeds the allowable distance or range, or if the determined distance changes from a distance that exceeds the allowable distance or range to a distance that is less than or equal to the allowable distance or range.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the determining step further includes the electronic device determining the position of the first electronic device and saving it locally as well as wirelessly transmitting data including the time and the position of the first electronic device to the external device.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the device output is a device alarm and further including activating the device alarm if the radio frequency signal is broken.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

detecting a radio frequency signal from the first radio transceiver with a third radio transceiver, a second electronic device including the third radio transceiver, the second electronic device being capable of determining the current time and the current position of the second electronic device, and upon detecting the signal wirelessly transmitting data including the current time and the current position of the second electronic device to the external device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second electronic device is unassociated with the first wireless tag.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising monitoring the current time and current position transmitted to the external device.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

detecting a radio frequency signal from a second wireless tag with the first electronic device, the second wireless tag including a third radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving a radio frequency signal and a tag output, and upon detecting the signal wirelessly transmitting data including the current time and the current position of the second electronic device to the external device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first electronic device is unassociated with the second wireless tag.

19. A method of utilizing a series of wireless tags, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of tags, each tag including a tag radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving a radio frequency signal;

providing an allowable distance or range and unique identification for each of the plurality of tags;

associating each of the plurality of tags with a first electronic device, the first electronic device including a radio transceiver for communicating with each of the tag radio transceivers;

spacing apart the plurality of tags;

approaching a first of the plurality of tags with a second electronic device, the second electronic device including a radio transceiver for communicating with each of the tag radio transceivers and a user interface;

determining with the second electronic device a status of whether the distance between the wireless tag and the electronic device is less than the allowable distance or range based at least in part on the strength or absence of the radio frequency signal; and

providing an alert through the user interface and transmitting with the second electronic device data including the time and tag identification to an external device if the determining step determines that the distance between the wireless tag and the electronic device is less than the allowable distance or range.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising providing a category for each of the plurality of tags and transmitting the category to the external device if the determining step determines that the distance between the wireless tag and the electronic device is less than the allowable distance or range.