Computational systems and methods for locating a mobile device

• US 9,482,737 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2011
• Issued: 11/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Hyde, Roderick A., Rinaldo, Jr., John D., Chandra, Ranveer, Malamud, Mark A., Zhong, Lin, Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Tan, Desney S., Dyor, Matthew G., Mundie, Craig J., Holman, Pablos, Tegreene, Clarence T., Gates, William, Myhrvold, Nathan P., Kare, Jordin T., Whitmer, Charles, Levien, Royce A., Wood, Victoria Y. H., Bahl, Paramvir, Lord, Richard T., Paek, Tim, Burger, Douglas C., Lord, Robert W., Wood, JR., Lowell L.
• Primary Examiner(s): AJIBADE AKONAI, OLUMIDE
• Application Number:
  US13/341,728
• Publication Number:
  US 20130172004A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,768 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.1, 455/404.2, 4554561-4566, 455/457, 455/566, 455/466
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/56 for presence detection presence detection using near field arrangements G01V3/00, e.g. G01V3/08, G01V3/12; burglar, theft or intruder alarms with electrical actuation G08B13/22 - G08B13/26
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 Systems determining the presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/006 with additional information processing, e.g. for direction or speed determination

Abstract

Systems and methods are described relating to detecting an indication of a person within a specified proximity to at least one mobile device; and presenting an indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the indication of the person within the specified proximity. Additionally, systems and methods are described relating to means for detecting an indication of a person within a specified proximity to 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 the indication of the person within the specified proximity.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

at least one electronic device configured to communicate with at least one mobile device, the at least one electronic device including at least;

detector circuitry configured to detect an indication of presence of a person within a specified proximity to the at least one mobile device; and

presenter circuitry configured to present an indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the indication of presence of the person within the specified proximity.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the detector circuitry configured to detect an indication of presence of a person within a specified proximity to the at least one mobile device comprises:

an electronic device circuitry operable to detect the at least one mobile device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the electronic device circuitry comprises:

a phone circuitry operable to detect at least one of a mobile phone, av smartphone, or an infrared or Bluetooth communications device.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the electronic device circuitry comprises:

a computer circuitry operable to detect at least one mobile computer.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to detect an indication of presence of a person within a specified proximity to the at least one mobile device comprises:

a sensor circuitry operable to detect at least one of the person or the at least one mobile device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the sensor circuitry comprises:

an electromagnetic sensor circuitry operable to detect at least one of the person or the at least one mobile device.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the electromagnetic sensor circuitry comprises:

an infrared circuitry operable to detect at least one of the person or the at least one mobile device.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the sensor circuitry comprises:

an adjustable circuitry operable to detect at least one of the person or the at least one mobile device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to detect an indication of presence of a person within a specified proximity to the at least one mobile device comprises:

a motion circuitry configured to detect motion indicating entry of the person into the specified proximity.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the motion circuitry comprises:

a passive motion circuitry.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the passive motion circuitry comprises:

a passive sensor circuitry.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the motion circuitry comprises:

an active motion circuitry.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the active motion circuitry comprises:

an ultrasonic circuitry.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the active motion circuitry comprises:

a microwave circuitry.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the active motion circuitry comprises:

an acoustic circuitry.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the active motion circuitry comprises:

a multi-technology circuitry.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to detect an indication of presence of a person within a specified proximity to the at least one mobile device comprises:

a vibration circuitry.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the vibration circuitry comprises:

a seismic circuitry.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to detect an indication of presence of a person within a specified proximity to the at least one mobile device comprises:

a non-movement determiner circuitry.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the non-movement determiner circuitry comprises:

a passive sensor determiner circuitry.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the non-movement determiner circuitry comprises:

an accelerometer determiner circuitry.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the non-movement determiner circuitry comprises:

a GPS determiner circuitry.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the non-movement determiner circuitry comprises:

a seismic determiner circuitry.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the presenter circuitry configured to present an indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the indication of presence of the person within the specified proximity comprises:

a second device presenter circuitry.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the second device presenter circuitry comprises:

a mobile device presenter circuitry.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the second device presenter circuitry comprises:

a dedicated device presenter circuitry.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the presenter circuitry configured to present an indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the indication of presence of the person within the specified proximity comprises:

a transmitter circuitry.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the presenter circuitry configured to present an indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the indication of presence of the person within the specified proximity comprises:

a sound presenter circuitry.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the sound presenter circuitry comprises:

a computer-created sound presenter circuitry.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the computer-created sound presenter circuitry comprises:

a computer-created voice presenter circuitry.

31. The system of claim 1, wherein the presenter circuitry configured to present an indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the indication of presence of the person within the specified proximity comprises:

a vibration presenter circuitry.

32. The system of claim 1, wherein the presenter circuitry configured to present an indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the indication of presence of the person within the specified proximity comprises:

a visible presenter circuitry.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the visible presenter circuitry comprises:

a light presenter circuitry.

34. The system of claim 1, wherein the presenter circuitry configured to present an indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the indication of presence of the person within the specified proximity comprises:

a remote presenter circuitry.

35. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to detect an indication of presence of a person within a specified proximity to the at least one mobile device-comprises:

at least one of;

circuitry configured to detect motion indicating presence of a person within a proximity to at least one mobile device specified as a programmed value;

circuitry configured to detect motion indicating presence of a person within a proximity to at least one mobile device specified as a programmed value up to an effective range;

or

circuitry configured to detect entry of the person into the specified proximity to the at least one mobile device including at least detecting motion indicating entry of the person into the specified proximity.

36. The system of claim 1, wherein the presenter circuitry configured to present an indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the indication of presence of the person within the specified proximity comprises:

at least one of;

presenter circuitry configured to present an indication of a global coordinate location of the at least one mobile device that identifies the global coordinate location of the at least one mobile device;

presenter circuitry configured to send one or more GPS coordinates identifying the global coordinate location of the at least one mobile device to at least a second mobile device;

presenter circuitry configured to present an indication of a global coordinate location of the at least one mobile device that identifies the global coordinate location of the at least one mobile device, wherein presenting an indication of the global coordinate location includes at least one;

of emitting at least one sound, presenting an audible beep, activating a light, transmitting location information, transmitting one or more GPS coordinates, transmitting a location on a map, transmitting a signal to at least a second mobile device, transmitting a GPS coordinate entry to a web page, or sending a message to a printer;

presenter circuitry configured to present an indication of a global coordinate location of the at least one mobile device that identifies the global coordinate location of the at least one mobile device, wherein presenting an indication of the global coordinate location includes at least sending a text message including a predetermined word or phrase indicating a predetermined command indicating the global coordinate location for the at least one mobile device;

presenter circuitry configured to present an indication of a global coordinate location of the at least one mobile device that identifies the global coordinate location of the at least one mobile device, wherein presenting an indication of location includes at least one of sending a message indicating the location to at least one of a third party, an off location computer, a website, an off-location service provider, a computer programmed to receive one or more GPS coordinates and alert an owner of the at least one mobile device, a phone locating service, a phone service provider, an individual who has misplaced at least one mobile device, a printer coupled to a computer at a central location, a printer coupled to a computer at an office of an owner of the at least one mobile device, a dedicated device, a dedicated cell phone, or a computer tablet configured to accept the location;

or

presenter circuitry configured to present an indication of a global coordinate location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on detection of entry of a person into the specified proximity to the at least one mobile device including at least detecting motion indicating entry of the person into the specified proximity.

37. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one proximity sensor configured to receive adjustment information and specify a proximity to the at least one mobile device based on the received adjustment information, the at least one proximity sensor including at least one of;

a selectable field motion detector configured to specify the proximity based on received adjustment information specifying a selectable field;

a proximity sensor configured to emit electromagnetic radiation and adjust detection of a return signal based on the received adjustment information to specify proximity range;

an infrared sensor configured to adjust wavelength of emitted infrared radiation based on the received adjustment information to specify proximity range;

an optical signal controller configured to adjust optical signals based on the received adjustment information to specify proximity range;

a passive motion circuitry configured to detect an indication of a person within a proximal region encompassing a room in a building;

a multi-technology motion detector configured to receive adjustment information indicative of a specified proximity and select from among technologies of motion detection to attain the specified proximity;

or

a multi-technology motion detector configured to receive adjustment information indicative of a specified proximity and select at least two technologies of motion detection to increase accuracy of detection.

38. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic device comprises:

a computing device configured to communicate with the at least one mobile device, wherein the computing device includes;

a circuitry configured to detect the at least one mobile device and the person, and determine the indication of presence of the person within the specified proximity to the at least one mobile device; and

the presenter circuitry configured to present an indication of location of the at least one mobile device.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the computing device comprises:

a programmed workstation, a programmed desktop computer, a programmed networked computer, a programmed server, a programmed virtual machine running inside a computing device, a programmed mobile computing device, or a programmed tablet PC.

40. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic device further comprises:

at least one sensor separate from the at least one mobile device configured to sense at least one indication of presence of the person within the specified proximity to the at least one mobile device.

41. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic device comprises:

one or more computing devices configured to communicate with the at least one mobile device, wherein the one or more computing devices include;

at least one sensor separate from the at least one mobile device configured to sense at least one indication of presence of the person within the specified proximity to the at least one mobile device;

detector circuitry configured to detect the indication of presence of the person within the specified proximity to the at least one mobile device; and

presenter circuitry configured to present an indication of location of the at least one mobile device.

42. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic device further comprises:

acceptor circuitry configured to accept at least one mobile device location query, wherein the presenter circuitry is configured to present an indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on receiving the at least one mobile device location query.

43. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic device configured to communicate with at least one mobile device, the at least one electronic device further comprises:

at least one electronic device configured to communicate with the at least one mobile device as a third party to the at least one electronic device and the person.

44. A system comprising:

means for communicating with at least one mobile device;

means for detecting an indication of presence of a person within a specified proximity to the 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 the indication of presence of the person within the specified proximity.

45. A communication method comprising:

communicating with at least one mobile device;

detecting an indication of presence of a person within a specified proximity to the at least one mobile device; and

presenting an indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the indication of presence of the person within the specified proximity, wherein at least one of the communicating, detecting, or presenting is performed by at least one electronic device.