Computational systems and methods for locating a mobile device

• US 9,154,908 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2011
• Issued: 10/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Chandra, Ranveer, Malamud, Mark A., Zhong, Lin, Levien, Royce A., Whitmer, Charles, Dyor, Matthew G., Mundie, Craig J., Bahl, Paramvir, Lord, Richard T., Wood, Victoria Y. H., Gates, William, Myhrvold, Nathan P., Burger, Douglas C., Lord, Robert W., Wood, JR., Lowell L., Holman, Pablos, Paek, Tim, Hyde, Roderick A., Rinaldo, Jr., John D., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Tan, Desney S., Kare, Jordin T., Tegreene, Clarence T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Karikari, Kwasi
• Application Number:
  US13/340,512
• Publication Number:
  US 20130165158A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,377 Days
• Field of Search: 455/457, 455/418, 455/419, 455/421, 455/458, 455/502
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• 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 are described relating to determining a specified time period of non-movement in a mobile device and presenting an indication of location of the mobile device at least partially based on the specified time period of non-movement. Additionally, systems and methods are described relating to means for determining a specified time period of non-movement in a mobile device and means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device at least partially based on the specified time period of non-movement.

Claims

1. An article of manufacture, comprising:

means for accepting a predetermined elapsed time that causes a mobile device to indicate a location;

means for determining a specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device, including at least;

means for initializing a timer of the mobile device at least partially based on at least one indication of the mobile device at rest, the timer configured for measuring an elapsed time of non-movement of the mobile device; and

means for signaling the specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device if a measured elapsed time of the timer exceeds the accepted predetermined elapsed time while the mobile device remains at rest; and

means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device at least partially based on the specified time period of non-movement.

2. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the means for determining a specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device comprises:

means for determining a specified time period of non-movement using a motion sensor.

3. The article of manufacture of claim 2, wherein the means for determining a specified time period of non-movement using a motion sensor comprises:

means for determining a specified time period of non-movement using an accelerometer.

4. The article of manufacture of claim 2, wherein the means for determining a specified time period of non-movement using a motion sensor comprises:

means for determining a specified time period of non-movement using triangulation.

5. The article of manufacture of claim 2, wherein the means for determining a specified time period of non-movement using a motion sensor comprises:

means for determining a specified time period of non-movement using a global positioning system.

6. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the means for determining a specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device comprises:

means for determining a specified time period where the mobile device receives no information via at least one WiFi network connection of the mobile device.

7. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the means for determining a specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device comprises:

means for determining a specified time period where the mobile device receives no phone calls.

8. The article of manufacture of claim 6, wherein the means for determining a specified time period where the mobile device receives no information comprises:

means for determining a specified time period where the mobile device receives at least one text message.

9. The article of manufacture of claim 6, wherein the means for determining a specified time period where the mobile device receives no information comprises:

means for determining a specified time period where the mobile device receives no data.

10. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the means for determining a specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device comprises:

means for determining a specified time period utilizing vibration technology.

11. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the means for determining a specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device comprises:

means for determining a specified time period utilizing a passive infrared sensor.

12. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the means for determining a specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device comprises:

means for determining a specified time period utilizing seismic technology.

13. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the means for determining a specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device comprises:

means for determining a specified time period utilizing a smart device including an accelerometer.

14. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device at least partially based on the specified time period of non-movement comprises:

means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device to a second device.

15. The article of manufacture of claim 14, wherein the means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device to a second device comprises:

means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device to a second mobile device.

16. The article of manufacture of claim 14, wherein the means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device to a second device comprises:

means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device to a dedicated device.

17. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device at least partially based on the specified time period of non-movement comprises:

means for transmitting location information associated with the mobile device.

18. The article of manufacture of claim 17, wherein the means for transmitting location information associated with the mobile device comprises:

means for transmitting global positioning system coordinates.

19. The article of manufacture of claim 17, wherein the means for transmitting location information associated with the mobile device comprises:

means for transmitting network location information.

20. The article of manufacture of claim 19, wherein the means for transmitting network location information comprises:

means for transmitting at least IP address, the at least one IP address corresponding to at least one wireless router with which the mobile device is registered.

21. The article of manufacture of claim 20, further comprising:

means for detecting at least one geolocation associated with the mobile device and transmitting the at least one geolocation, including at least means for obtaining the at least one geolocation at least partially based on at least one search of at least one Internet database using the at least one IP address for at least one search query.

22. The article of manufacture of claim 20, further comprising:

means for presenting one or more geographic location coordinates relative to the at least one wireless router, the one or more geographic location coordinates obtained via at least one Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) analysis.

23. The article of manufacture of claim 20, further comprising:

means for detecting at least one geolocation associated with the mobile device and transmitting the at least one geolocation, including at least means for obtaining the at least one geoplocation at least partially based on one or more of at least one WHOIS search or at least one ARIN search using the at least one IP address for at least one search query.

24. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device at least partially based on the specified time period of non-movement comprises:

means for presenting an indication for the mobile device to vibrate.

25. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device at least partially based on the specified time period of non-movement comprises:

means for presenting a visible indication of the mobile device location.

26. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device at least partially based on the specified time period of non-movement comprises:

means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device to a third party.

27. The article of manufacture of claim 26, wherein means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device to a third party comprises:

means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device to at least one of a phone locating service, a phone service provider, or another mobile device.

28. The article of manufacture of claim 26, wherein means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device to a third party comprises:

means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device to security service.

29. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the means for accepting a predetermined elapsed time that causes a mobile device to indicate a location, the means for determining a specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device, and the means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device at least partially based on the specified time period of non-movement comprises:

means for accepting a predetermined elapsed time of twenty four hours that causes the mobile device to indicate a location, means for initializing a timer of the mobile device at least partially based on at least one indication of the mobile device at rest, the at least one indication including at least one indication from an accelerometer coupled to the mobile device, means for signaling the specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device if the timer exceeds twenty four hours and the accelerometer does not detect movement of the mobile device during the twenty four hours, and means for presenting a set of GPS coordinates as the indication of location of the mobile device at least partially based on the means for signaling the specified time period of non-movement.

30. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the means for accepting a predetermined elapsed time that causes the mobile device to indicate a location comprises:

means for receiving a user selection of a desired time of non-movement of the mobile device that causes the mobile device to indicate a location, the user selection received via at least one user interface of the mobile device.

31. The article of manufacture of claim 1, further comprising:

means for terminating at least one application of the mobile device at least partially based on the means for signaling the specified time period of non-movement, the means for terminating at least one application operable to reduce battery consumption while the mobile device is lost.

32. The article of manufacture of claim 11, wherein the means for determining a specified time period utilizing a passive infrared sensor comprises:

means for sensing movement within a proximity of the passive infrared sensor, including at least means for sensing movement of a first infrared source with a first temperature moving relative to a second infrared source with a second temperature within the predetermined elapsed time, and, if no movement is sensed by the passive infrared sensor during the predetermined elapsed time, determining the specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device.

33. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device at least partially based on the specified time period of non-movement comprises:

means for presenting at least (i) a physical address associated with a location of the mobile device, the physical address at least partially based on at least one search of at least one Internet database associating IP addresses and geographical locations, (ii) at least one IP address of at least one wireless router at the physical address with which the mobile device is registered, and (iii) at least one location within a site at the physical address, the at least one location expressed via at least one radial and distance from the at least one wireless router, the at least one location within a site obtained via at least one Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) analysis.

34. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device at least partially based on the specified time period of non-movement comprises:

means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device at least partially based on receiving the signal indicative of the specified time-period of non-movement in the mobile device, the presented indication of location operable at least to indicate that the mobile device has not been moved for at least one time period greater than the accepted predetermined elapsed time.

35. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the means for initializing a timer of the mobile device at least partially based on at least one indication of the mobile device at rest, the timer configured for measuring an elapsed time of non-movement of the mobile device and the means for signaling the specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device if a measured elapsed time of the timer exceeds the accepted predetermined elapsed time while the mobile device remains at rest comprise:

means for initializing a timer of the mobile device at least partially based on at least one indication of the mobile device not being engaged in a phone call, the timer configured for measuring an elapsed time between phone calls of the mobile device; and

means for signaling the specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device if a measured elapsed time of the timer exceeds the accepted predetermined elapsed time without the mobile device engaging in a phone call.

36. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the means for initializing a timer of the mobile device at least partially based on at least one indication of the mobile device at rest, the timer configured for measuring an elapsed time of non-movement of the mobile device and the means for signaling the specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device if a measured elapsed time of the timer exceeds the accepted predetermined elapsed time while the mobile device remains at rest comprise:

means for detecting the mobile device entering a state of non-movement at least partially based on at least one motion sensor of the mobile device;

means for starting an up-counting timer of the mobile device at least partially based on the means for detecting the mobile device entering a state of non-movement, the up-counting timer configured for measuring an elapsed time of the mobile device in a state of non-movement;

means for at least one of stopping, reinitializing, or masking the up-counting timer if movement of the mobile device is detected; and

means for signaling the specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device if a measured elapsed time of the up-counting timer exceeds the accepted predetermined elapsed time while the mobile device remains in a state of non-movement.

37. A machine, comprising:

at least one time-sequenced array of logic gates configured for accepting a predetermined elapsed time that causes a mobile device to indicate a location;

at least one time-sequenced array of logic gates configured for determining a specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device, including at least;

at least one time-sequenced array of logic gates configured for initializing a timer of the mobile device at least partially based on at least one indication of the mobile device at rest, the timer configured for measuring an elapsed time of non-movement of the mobile device; and

at least one time-sequenced array of logic gates configured for signaling the specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device if a measured elapsed time of the timer exceeds the accepted predetermined elapsed time while the mobile device remains at rest; and

at least one time-sequenced array of logic gates configured for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device at least partially based on the specified time period of non-movement.

38. A machine, comprising:

circuitry for accepting a predetermined elapsed time that causes a mobile device to indicate a location;

circuitry for determining a specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device, including at least;

circuitry for initializing a timer of the mobile device at least partially based on at least one indication of the mobile device at rest, the timer configured for measuring an elapsed time of non-movement of the mobile device; and

circuitry for signaling the specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device if a measured elapsed time of the timer exceeds the accepted predetermined elapsed time while the mobile device remains at rest; and

circuitry for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device at least partially based on the specified time period of non-movement.

39. A mobile device, comprising:

at least one application-specific integrated circuit configured at least to perform the operations of;

accepting a predetermined elapsed time that causes a mobile device to indicate a location;

determining a specified time period of non-movement in a mobile device, including at least;

initializing a timer of the mobile device at least partially based on at least one indication of the mobile device at rest, the timer configured for measuring an elapsed time of non-movement of the mobile device; and

signaling the specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device if a measured elapsed time of the timer exceeds the accepted predetermined elapsed time while the mobile device remains at rest; and

presenting an indication of location of the mobile device at least partially based on the specified time period of non-movement.

40. An article of manufacture, comprising:

a timer, the timer at least partially implemented using at least one digital signal processor, the digital signal processor configured to at least transform one or more clock periods associated with at least one central processing unit of the article of manufacture to one or more periods measurable in seconds;

circuitry configured to accept a predetermined elapsed time that causes a mobile device to indicate a location;

circuitry configured to determine a specified time period of non-movement in a mobile device, including at least;

circuitry configured to initialize the timer of the mobile device at least partially based on at least one indication of the mobile device at rest, the timer configured for measuring an elapsed time of non-movement of the mobile device; and

circuitry configured to signal the specified time period of non-movement in the mobile device if a measured elapsed time of the timer exceeds the accepted predetermined elapsed time while the mobile device remains at rest; and

circuitry configured to present an indication of location of the mobile device at least partially based on the specified time period of non-movement.

41. The article of manufacture of claim 40, wherein the article of manufacture comprises:

one or more of a personal digital assistant (PDA), a personal entertainment device, a mobile phone, a laptop computer, a tablet personal computer, a networked computer, a computing system comprised of a cluster of processors, a computing system comprised of a cluster of servers, a workstation computer, or a desktop computer.

42. The article of manufacture of claim 40, wherein at least one of the circuitry configured to accept, circuitry configured to determine, circuitry configured to initialize, circuitry configured to signal, or the circuitry configured to present is at least partially implemented using at least one non-transitory storage medium.