Path storage and recovery using wireless devices

• US 9,949,091 B1
• Filed: 12/07/2016
• Issued: 04/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
• Original Assignee: Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
• Inventors: Knas, Michal, John, Jiby
• Primary Examiner(s): Phuong, Dai A
• Application Number:
  US15/371,970
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 4554142-4143, 4554561-4563, 455457
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/22 Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9537 Spatial or temporal dependent retrieval, e.g. spatiotemporal queries
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/224 providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 for supporting social networking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/33 for indoor environments, e.g. buildings
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/244 using a network of reference devices, e.g. beaconing

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure include an efficient method for presenting a traversed path. The method disclosed can be used to track individuals or provide directions for the individual to return using a path already traversed, so that the individual does not get lost. The method comprises determining a location for an individual by receiving a device identifier (e.g., distinctive combination of numbers and/or characters uniquely identifying a receiving device associated with the individual) and location information, received from one or more beacons, from the receiving device. The method comprises determining a first location associated with the receiving device based on the location information and/or the device identifier. The method comprises determining different locations associated with the individual as the individual moves. The method comprises, upon receiving a request for a traversed path, displaying instructions to reach the point of origin (e.g., first location).

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by a server, a device identifier and a first location information from a receiving device, the first location information being associated with a location of the receiving device received from a plurality of beacons, wherein the device identifier comprises a distinctive combination of at least one of numbers and characters uniquely identifying the receiving device;

determining, by the server, a first location associated with the receiving device based at least on one of the first location information and the device identifier;

generating, by the server, a first instruction to record the first location associated with the receiving device;

transmitting, by the server, the first instruction to a database, wherein the database is configured to store a plurality of records associated with the receiving device;

receiving, by a server, a second location information from the receiving device;

determining, by the server, a second location associated with the receiving device based at least on one of the second location information and the device identifier;

generating, by the server, a second instruction to record the second location associated with the receiving device;

transmitting, by the server, the second instruction to the database;

receiving, by the server, from the receiving device, a request for a traversed path, wherein the traversed path is associated with the second location;

generating, by the server, a graphical user interface configured to display instructions to reach the first locations in relation to the second location;

transmitting, by the server, the graphical user interface to the receiving device;

receiving, by the server, a third location information from the receiving device, the third location information being associated with a third location of the receiving device received from the plurality of beacons,

determining, by the server, the third location associated with the receiving device based at least on one of the third location information and the device identifier;

in response to the third location not being associated with the traversed path, generating, by the server, a notification associated with the traversed path; and

transmitting, by the server, the notification to the receiving device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by a server, a fourth location information from the receiving device, the fourth location information being associated with a location of the receiving device received from the plurality of beacons;

determining, by the server, a fourth location associated with the receiving device based on the fourth location information and the device identifier;

in response to the fourth location being associated with the first location, generating, by the server, a notification comprising a message informing a user associated with the receiving device that the traversed path has ended; and

transmitting, by the server, the notification to the receiving device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the request for a traversed path comprises a request for a fastest path to the first location.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the traversed path is a same as a path a user associated with the receiving device took from the first location to the second location.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the request for a traversed path comprises a request the traversed path to be near a point of interest.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the point of interest is at least one of a bathroom, a water fountain, and a colleague'"'"'s locations.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the point of interest is received, by the server, from the receiving device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface comprises one or more options displayed on the receiving device corresponding to a point of interest.

9. A computer system comprising:

a server configured to;

receive a device identifier and a first location information from a receiving device, the first location information being associated with a location of the receiving device received from a plurality of beacons, wherein the device identifier comprises a distinctive combination of at least one of numbers and characters uniquely identifying the receiving device;

determine a first location associated with the receiving device based at least on one of the first location information and the device identifier;

generate a first instruction to record the first location associated with the receiving device;

transmit the first instruction to a database, wherein the database is configured to store a plurality of records associated with the receiving device;

receive a second location information from the receiving device, the second location information being associated with a location of the receiving device received from the plurality of beacons;

determine a second location associated with the receiving device based on the second location information and the device identifier;

generate a second instruction to record the second location associated with the receiving device;

transmit the second instruction to the database;

receive from the receiving device, a request for a traversed path, wherein the traversed path is associated with the second location;

generate a graphical user interface configured to display instructions to reach the first locations in relation to the second location;

transmit the graphical user interface to the receiving device;

receive a third location information from the receiving device, the third location information being associated with a location of the receiving device received from the plurality of beacons;

determine a third location associated with the receiving device based on the third location information and the device identifier;

in response to the third location not being associated with the traversed path, generate a notification associated with the traversed path; and

transmit, by the server, the notification to the receiving device.

10. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the server is further configured to:

receive a fourth location information from the receiving device, the fourth location information being associated with a location of the receiving device received from the plurality of beacons;

determine a fourth location associated with the receiving device based on the fourth location information and the device identifier;

in response to the fourth location being associated with the first location, generate a notification comprising a message informing a user associated with the receiving device that the traversed path has ended; and

transmit the notification to the receiving device.

11. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the request for a traversed path comprises a request for a fastest path to the first location.

12. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the traversed path is a same as a path a user associated with the receiving device took from the first location to the second location.

13. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the request for a traversed path comprises a request the traversed path to be near a point of interest.

14. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the point of interest is at least one of a bathroom, a water fountain, and a colleague'"'"'s locations.

15. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the point of interest is received, by the server, from the receiving device.

16. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the graphical user interface comprises one or more options displayed on the receiving device corresponding to a point of interest.