Position and proximity detection systems and methods

• US 9,658,068 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2013
• Issued: 05/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Ernest Troxler
• Original Assignee: Robert Ernest Troxler
• Inventors: Troxler, Robert Ernest
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US14/047,231
• Publication Number:
  US 20140104063A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,324 Days
• Field of Search: 3405731, 3405733, 3405734, 3405391, 34053911, 34053912, 34053913, 34053915, 3406861, 340 1041, 340 106, 34235707, 34235709, 34235712, 34235764, 342457, 455429, 701 2, 119719, 119721
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/023 Anti-evasion devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/005 with correlation of navigation data from several sources, e.g. map or contour matching G01C21/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0211 Combination with medical sensor, e.g. for measuring heart rate, temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/023 Power management, e.g. system sleep and wake up provisions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0261 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect trespassing over a fixed physical boundary, e.g. the end of a garden
• 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 21/0277 Communication between units on a local network, e.g. Bluetooth, piconet, zigbee, Wireless Personal Area Networks [WPAN]

Abstract

Position and proximity detection systems and methods are disclosed. According to an aspect, a computing device may include a processor configured to determine a position coordinate of a first movable device. Further, the processor is configured to determine whether the position coordinate of the first movable device is a predetermined distance from a second movable device. The processor is also configured to signal the second movable device in response to determining that the position coordinate of the first movable device is a predetermined distance from a second movable device.

Claims

1. A method performed by a first mobile device in a first space in communication with a second mobile device in a second space, the method comprising:

detecting an occurrence of a proximity notification event defined by the second device;

responsive to detection of the proximity event and determining a reply based on a location with respect to a destination or boundary point location; and

communicating position with a notification from the first device to the second device and sending a notification to the second device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second mobile devices are each configured to program one of a boundary and point location event.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the one of the boundary and point location is a dynamic location of one of the first mobile device and the second mobile device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the reply is a wireless communication comprising at least location, speed, identity, diagnostic data, time, a map, a message, a text, short messaging service (SMS), automatically or when polled.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second mobile devices are configured to receive a request for notifications from other mobile devices.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second mobile devices are one of in direct communication and communicate through a stationary or mobile base station.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein information about the location comprises at least one of global positioning satellite (GPS) information, cellular triangulation information, BLUETOOTH®

based information, radio triangulation, wireless triangulation, and assisted GPS information.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mobile device communicates wirelessly using at least one of short messaging service (SMS), text, voice, map, cellular network, and email.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification is based on the first mobile device approaching the boundary as defined by the second mobile device.

10. The method of claim 9, where each of the devices comprises one of a mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), base station, laptop, a server, a processor, and personal computer (PC).

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the boundary of the second mobile device is a dynamic location of the second mobile device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein detection of the proximity event comprises determining the first mobile device entering or exiting a geographic region containing an area, a boundary, or point of interest, and wherein the area, the boundary, or the point of interest of the geometric zone defined by the second device which may be stationary or mobile.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein each mobile device can be represented by an object space, specify an instant location, configured to implement an algorithm to notify itself or another mobile device of a boundary alarm, capability for two way communication with another mobile device or base station, define and send zones of alarm, send a message, send data to connect to a host, read and map coordinates, operate on complex or simple shapes, obtain position estimates based on location, velocity, acceleration, and transmit information one of location, speed, identity, diagnostics, medical parameters automatically or when polled.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mobile device is a portable application device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first mobile device consists of a cellular communication device.

16. A method performed by a first mobile device in communication with a second mobile device, the method comprising:

obtaining input specifying a notification of a location event;

receiving a notification from the second mobile device in response to occurrence of the specified location notification event, the notification being an alarm including one of location, date, time, mapping, and estimates on arrival at the location; and

sending information related to the location notification event to the second mobile device.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

sending a request for or polling for custom notifications to the second mobile device; and

handshaking or two way communicating information to at least a second device located in a second space.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing a base station or mobile station containing a readout screen, communication equipment, and hardware to communicate readout and map coordinates.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the mobile devices are configured to read and map coordinates.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the alarm is a response to the second mobile device departing or arriving to a location area, boundary, or point of location.

21. A system comprising:

one or more processors and memory operatively connected to the one or more processors and configured to store instructions when executed by the one or more processors configured to;

detect an occurrence of a proximity notification event defined by the second device;

responsive to detection of the proximity event and determining a reply based on a location with respect to a destination or boundary point location; and

communicate position with a notification from the first device to the second device and send a notification to the second device.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the notification comprises an alarm based on a location event, or an arrival of a location event determined with velocity and acceleration vectors.

23. The system of claim 21, further comprising a wearable device including the one or more processors and memory.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the wearable device comprises one of a collar, a wearable band, embedded equipment for clothing, a device for wear by a person, a mobile phone, and a device for attachment to a vehicle.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein the one or more processors are configured to implement the detection, response, and communication.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein information about the location comprises at least one of global positioning satellite (GPS) information, cellular triangulation information, BLUETOOTH®

based information, radio triangulation, wireless triangulation, and assisted GPS information.

27. A system comprising:

a first mobile device comprising one or more processors and memory configured to;

receive input specifying at least one metric of a position of the first mobile device with respect to the second mobile device;

determine an occurrence of an event meeting the at least one metric; and

present notification of the event in response to determining the occurrence.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the metric is associated with one of a location event, a position arrival estimate, velocity, and acceleration.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the first mobile device is one of a mobile phone or a wearable device.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the wearable device is one of a collar, a wearable band, embedded equipment for clothing, a device for wear by a person, a smartphone, and a device for attachment to a vehicle.

31. The system of claim 27, wherein the one or more processors are configured to implement the functions of receipt, determine, and present in real time.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein information about the location comprises at least one of global positioning satellite (GPS) information, cellular triangulation information, BLUETOOTH®

based information, radio triangulation, wireless triangulation, and assisted GPS information.