Bump button

• US 20110191438A1
• Filed: 08/19/2010
• Published: 08/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bump Technologies Incorporated (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Lieb, David F., Mintz, Jacob, Huibers, Andrew G.
• Granted Patent: US 9,065,532 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/16 Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs coordinating program control therefor G06F9/52; in regulating and control system G05B
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1636 Sensing arrangement for detection of a tap gesture on the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/26 at least one of which is mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2757 by data transmission, e.g. downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces

Abstract

A fixed bump button may: (1) report its identification to a server connected to the internet when the button is bumped by a mobile device; and/or (2) emit a beacon signal identifying the button to a mobile device.

Claims

1. A fixed device comprising:

an input sensor;

an internet communications unit; and

,

a processor that is connected to the input sensor, the internet communications unit and

a read-only memory;

wherein the processor, upon receiving a signal from the input sensor, retrieves a message from the read-only memory and sends the message via the internet communications unit; and

,

wherein the processor is configured such that it does not perform any general purpose computer function other than sending the message stored in the read-only memory.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the input sensor is a button.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the input sensor is a keyboard.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the input sensor is a touch screen.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the input sensor is a microphone.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the input sensor is a camera.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the input sensor is a radio receiver.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the input sensor is a computer mouse.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the internet communications unit comprises a wired internet connection.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the internet communications unit comprises a wireless internet connection.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor sends the message to a server.

12. A fixed device comprising:

an input sensor;

an internet communications unit;

a beacon; and

,

a processor that is connected to the input sensor, the internet communications unit, and a read-only memory;

wherein the processor, upon receiving a signal from the input sensor, retrieves a message from the read-only memory and sends the message via the internet communications unit; and

,

wherein the beacon sends a short-range signal to a nearby mobile device; and

,

wherein the processor is configured such that it does not perform any general purpose computer function other than sending the message stored in the read-only memory.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the short-range signal is an audio signal.

14. The device of claim 12 wherein the short-range signal is a radio signal.

15. The device of claim 12 wherein the short-range signal is an optical signal.

16. The device of claim 12 wherein the input sensor is a button.

17. The device of claim 12 wherein the input sensor is a keyboard.

18. The device of claim 12 wherein the input sensor is a touch screen.

19. The device of claim 12 wherein the input sensor is a microphone.

20. The device of claim 12 wherein the input sensor is a camera.

21. The device of claim 12 wherein the input sensor is a radio receiver.

22. The device of claim 12 wherein the input sensor is a computer mouse.

23. The device of claim 12 wherein the internet communications unit comprises a wired internet connection.

24. The device of claim 12 wherein the internet communications unit comprises a wireless internet connection.

25. The device of claim 12 wherein the processor sends the message to a server.

26. A fixed device comprising:

an input sensor; and

,

a beacon that, when triggered by the input sensor, sends a short-range signal to a nearby mobile device, the signal identifying the fixed device.

27. The device of claim 26 wherein the short-range signal is an audio signal.

28. The device of claim 26 wherein the short-range signal is a radio signal.

29. The device of claim 26 wherein the short-range signal is an optical signal.

30. The device of claim 26 wherein the input sensor is a button.

31. The device of claim 26 wherein the input sensor is a microphone.

32. The device of claim 26 wherein the input sensor is a camera.

33. The device of claim 26 wherein the input sensor is a radio receiver.

34. The device of claim 26 wherein the input sensor is a gyroscope.

35. The device of claim 26 wherein the input sensor is an accelerometer.

36. A fixed device comprising:

a beacon that sends a short-range signal to a nearby mobile device, the signal identifying the fixed device.

37. The device of claim 36 wherein the short-range signal is an audio signal.

38. The device of claim 36 wherein the short-range signal is a radio signal.

39. The device of claim 36 wherein the short-range signal is an optical signal.