LU93011B1 - Locator - Google Patents

Locator Download PDF

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Publication number
LU93011B1
LU93011B1 LU93011A LU93011A LU93011B1 LU 93011 B1 LU93011 B1 LU 93011B1 LU 93011 A LU93011 A LU 93011A LU 93011 A LU93011 A LU 93011A LU 93011 B1 LU93011 B1 LU 93011B1
Authority
LU
Luxembourg
Prior art keywords
tag
computing device
location
locator
label
Prior art date
Application number
LU93011A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Al-Rubb Khalil Mahmoud Abu
Original Assignee
Abu Al Rubb Khalil Mahmoud
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Abu Al Rubb Khalil Mahmoud filed Critical Abu Al Rubb Khalil Mahmoud
Priority to LU93011A priority Critical patent/LU93011B1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of LU93011B1 publication Critical patent/LU93011B1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/80—Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/50—Network services
    • H04L67/52—Network services specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/02—Services making use of location information
    • H04W4/021—Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
    • H04W4/022—Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences with dynamic range variability

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Telephone Function (AREA)

Abstract

A locator for locating a lost item, the locator comprising: a tag associated with the item, the tag being capable of wireless communication; first and second computing devices, both being capable of wireless communication with one another and with the tag; wherein the first and second computing devices respond to a location of the other of the computing devices and to a location of the tag. Fig. 1 93011

Description

LOCATOR
TECHNICAL FIELD
Embodiments of the invention relate to equipment for locating articles; in particular, articles which are lost.
BACKGROUND
There are a number of known systems for locating items which involve powered tags which are attached to an item and associated software for a smart phone. One such system is sold under the trade name Trackr®. The tags use Bluetooth® wireless communication with the smartphone which determines the location of the tag by monitoring the strength of the Bluetooth® signal.
However, such systems suffer from the disadvantage that the tags rely on an independent power source. Once the power source is depleted, the tags lose their operability.
Furthermore, such systems suffer the disadvantage that they are unable to track the location of a lost phone.
Lastly, such systems are configured to only operate when the item is lost.
SUMMARY A first embodiment of the invention extends to a locator for locating a lost item, the locator comprising: a tag associated with the item, the tag being capable of wireless communication; first and second computing devices, both being capable of wireless communication with one another and with the tag; wherein the first and second computing devices respond to a location of the other of the computing devices and to a location of the tag.
By using a first computing device, such as a smart phone and a second computing device, such as a wearable device, the system is able to continuously monitor the user’s proximity to both the tag and the first computing device (such as the phone).
Furthermore, if the second computing device is a wearable device, the computing power available in such a device is limited, but it has the advantage that a user need not continuously remember to keep it on their person. For example, a bracelet can be worn continuously, even when charging. The computing power needed to calculate the distance to the tag, and therefore the location of the tag may be provided by the smart phone.
The tag may be attached to the item.
The smart phone may be adapted to register the location of the item by determining a distance between the smart phone and the item based on a signal strength of wireless communication from the tag.
The second computing device may be adapted for wireless communication and both the first computing device and the second computing device may be adapted to determine the location of the other of the computing devices based on wireless communication from the other of the computing device. The first computing device is able to determine a distance to the second computing device and the second computing device is able to determine a distance to the first computing device.
The second computing device may be a wearable device such as a bracelet.
The second computing device may be adapted to vibrate when in proximity to the tag and/or the first computing device.
The tag may be an RFID tag and wherein both the first and the second computing devices are adapted to calculate a distance to the item based on a strength of a signal received from the tag.
Either or both the first and the second computing devices may be adapted to calculate a location of the tag based on a strength of a signal received by the first computing device and a strength of a signal received by the second computing device, wherein said location may then be determined using a triangulation technique.
The tag may not include a power source. This is the case where the tag includes an RFID tag. The advantage of this is that the tag will work almost indefinitely and does not require recharging.
The tag may include a GPS sensor and the smart phone may then be adapted to register the location of the item with location information determined by the GPS sensor. A further embodiment of the invention extends to a method for locating a lost item, the method comprising: providing a tag associated with the item, the tag being capable of wireless communication; providing first and second computing devices, both being capable of wireless communication with one another and with the tag; using the first and second computing devices to respond to a location of the other of the computing devices and to a location of the tag.
The method may further comprise attaching the tag to the item.
The first computing device may be a smart phone.
The method may further comprise using the smart phone to register the location of the item by determining a distance between the smart phone and the item from a signal strength of wireless communication from the tag. 16. The method according to any of claims 12 to 15 wherein the second computing device is adapted for wireless communication and the method comprises using the first computing device and the second computing device to determine the location of the other of the computing devices based on wireless communication from the other of the computing devices.
The second computing device may be a wearable device such as a bracelet.
The method may further comprise vibrating the second computing device when in proximity to the tag and/or the first computing device.
The tag may be an RFID tag and both the first and the second computing devices may calculate a distance to the item based on a strength of a signal received from the tag.
The method may comprise using either or both the first and the second computing devices to calculate a location of the tag based on a strength of a signal received by the first computing device and a strength of a signal received by the second computing device, wherein said location is determined using a triangulation technique.
The tag may not include a power source.
The tag may include a GPS sensor and wherein the smart phone is adapted to register the location of the item with location information determined by the GPS sensor.
DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying schematic diagrams where:
Figure 1 illustrates a system according to an embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 illustrates a system according to an embodiment of the invention. The system includes a smart phone 10; a bracelet 12; an RFID tag 14 and an item which is often lost, in this case a key 16. As illustrated, the tag 14 is attached to the key.
The smart phone 10 is of the type known in the art. In this embodiment the smart phone 10 includes software to carry out the functionality described below.
The bracelet 12 includes a power source having a rechargeable battery, a radio transmitter and receiver and a vibrator.
The RFID tag 14 is a passive RFID tag of the type known in the art. The RFID tag 14 does not include a power source. When exposed to radio transmissions with predetermined characteristics, the tag 14 will transmit identifying information.
Both the phone 10 and the bracelet 12 are configured to transmit radio information which will cause the tag to transmit this identifying information. Furthermore, the software on the phone is able to determine a distance between the phone and the tag, and the bracelet and the tag based on the strength of the signal received from the tag.
In this embodiment, the bracelet 12 does include significant computing power, but is able to communicate with the phone 10 using Bluetooth® transmissions.
Since the phone 10 is also receiving radio transmissions from the bracelet 12, it is able to determine the distance between the phone and the bracelet. Therefore, the phone is able to use triangulation techniques, in a known manner to calculate location information to the tag 14.
Since the tag 14 is attached to the item 16, when the user loses the item 16 (here a key), he can activate the software on the phone to locate the key 16 in the manner described.
Furthermore, since the bracelet 12 is in continuous communication with the phone 10, in a further embodiment, the bracelet is configured to vibrate when the distance between the phone 10 and the bracelet 12 exceeds a predetermined amount. Thereby, the system is able to remind a user that he is leaving his phone behind. This avoids the user losing the phone and the inconvenience of having to find it again.
In a similar manner, the phone can be used to locate the bracelet, or determine when the phone moves away from the bracelet.
In a further embodiment, the tag includes a GPS sensor, and the information provided by this sensor is used to locate the tag. Similarly, the bracelet and the phone may comprise GPS sensors and the resulting information used in similar ways.

Claims (22)

1. Localisateur destiné à localiser un article perdu, le localisateur comprenant : une étiquette associée à l’article, l’étiquette étant apte à une communication sans fil; des premier et second dispositifs informatiques, tous deux étant aptes à une communication sans fil mutuelle ainsi qu’avec l’étiquette ; dans lequel les premier et second dispositifs informatiques répondent à un emplacement de l'autre des dispositifs informatiques et à un emplacement de l'étiquette.A locator for locating a lost item, the locator comprising: a label associated with the item, the tag being adapted for wireless communication; first and second computing devices, both of which are capable of mutual wireless communication as well as with the tag; wherein the first and second computing devices respond to a location on the other computer devices and at a location of the label. 2. Localisateur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l’étiquette est fixée à l’article.2. Locator according to claim 1, wherein the label is attached to the article. 3. Localisateur selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel le premier dispositif informatique est un téléphone intelligent.The locator of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first computing device is a smart phone. 4. Localisateur selon la revendication 3, dans lequel le téléphone intelligent est apte à enregistrer l’emplacement de l'article en déterminant une distance entre le téléphone intelligent et l’article à partir d'une intensité du signal d’une communication sans fil en provenance de l’étiquette.The locator of claim 3, wherein the smartphone is capable of recording the location of the article by determining a distance between the smartphone and the article from a signal strength of a wireless communication. from the label. 5. Localisateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel le second dispositif informatique est apte à une communication sans fil et à la fois le premier dispositif informatique et le second dispositif informatique sont aptes à déterminer l’emplacement de l'autre dispositif des autres dispositifs informatiques sur la base d’une communication sans fil en provenance de l’autre des dispositifs informatiques.5. Locator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second computing device is capable of wireless communication and both the first computing device and the second computing device are able to determine the location of the other device of other computing devices based on wireless communication from other computing devices. 6. Localisateur selon la revendication 5, dans lequel le second dispositif informatique est un dispositif à porter, tel qu'un bracelet.The locator of claim 5, wherein the second computing device is a device to be worn, such as a bracelet. 7. Localisateur selon la revendication 6, dans lequel le second dispositif informatique est apte à vibrer lorsqu'il est à proximité de l’étiquette et/ou du premier dispositif informatique.7. Locator according to claim 6, wherein the second computing device is able to vibrate when it is close to the label and / or the first computing device. 8. Localisateur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l’étiquette est une étiquette RFID et dans lequel les premier et second dispositifs informatiques sont aptes à calculer une distance par rapport à l’article sur la base d’une intensité d'un signal reçu en provenance de l’étiquette.The locator of claim 1, wherein the tag is an RFID tag and wherein the first and second computing devices are capable of calculating a distance from the article based on an intensity of a received signal. from the label. 9. Localisateur selon la revendication 8, dans lequel l'un ou l’autre ou les deux des premier et second dispositifs informatiques sont aptes à calculer un emplacement de l'étiquette sur la base d’une intensité d'un signal reçu par le premier dispositif informatique et d’une intensité d'un signal reçu par le second dispositif informatique, dans lequel ledit emplacement est déterminé en utilisant une technique de triangulation.The locator of claim 8, wherein either one or both of the first and second computing devices are capable of computing a location of the tag based on an intensity of a signal received by the first computing device and an intensity of a signal received by the second computing device, wherein said location is determined using a triangulation technique. 10. Localisateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l’étiquette n’inclut pas de source d'alimentation.The locator of any preceding claim, wherein the tag does not include a power source. 11. Localisateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, dans lequel l’étiquette inclut un capteur GPS et dans lequel le téléphone intelligent est apte à enregistrer l’emplacement de l'article avec des informations de localisation déterminées par le capteur GPS.11. Locator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the label includes a GPS sensor and wherein the smartphone is able to record the location of the article with location information determined by the GPS sensor. . 12. Procédé de localisation d'un article perdu, le procédé comprenant les étapes ci-dessous consistant à : fournir une étiquette associée à l’article, l’étiquette étant apte à une communication sans fil ; fournir des premier et second dispositifs informatiques, tous deux étant aptes à une communication sans fil mutuelle ainsi qu’avec l’étiquette ; utiliser les premier et second dispositifs informatiques en vue de répondre à un emplacement de l'autre des dispositifs informatiques et à un emplacement de l'étiquette.A method of locating a lost article, the method comprising the steps of: providing a label associated with the article, the tag being suitable for wireless communication; providing first and second computing devices, both being capable of mutual wireless communication as well as with the tag; using the first and second computing devices to respond to a location on the other computer devices and at a location on the label. 13. Procédé selon la revendication 12, comprenant l’étape consistant à fixer l’étiquette à l’article.The method of claim 12 including the step of affixing the label to the article. 14. Procédé selon la revendication 12 ou 13, dans lequel le premier dispositif informatique est un téléphone intelligent.The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the first computing device is a smart phone. 15. Procédé selon la revendication 14, comportant l'étape consistant à utiliser le téléphone intelligent en vue d’enregistrer l’emplacement de l'article, en déterminant une distance entre le téléphone intelligent et l’article à partir d'une intensité du signal d’une communication sans fil en provenance de l’étiquette.The method of claim 14 including the step of using the smartphone to record the location of the item, by determining a distance between the smartphone and the item from an intensity of the smartphone. wireless communication signal from the label. 16. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12 à 15, dans lequel le second dispositif informatique est apte à une communication sans fil et le procédé comporte l’étape consistant à utiliser le premier dispositif informatique et le second dispositif informatique en vue de déterminer l’emplacement de l'autre des dispositifs informatiques sur la base d’une communication sans fil en provenance de l’autre des dispositifs informatiques.The method of any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the second computing device is capable of wireless communication and the method includes the step of using the first computing device and the second computing device to determine the location of the other computer devices on the basis of wireless communication from the other computer devices. 17. Procédé selon la revendication 16, dans lequel le second dispositif informatique est un dispositif à porter, tel qu'un bracelet.17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second computing device is a device to be worn, such as a bracelet. 18. Procédé selon la revendication 17, comprenant en outre l’étape consistant à faire vibrer le second dispositif informatique lorsqu'il est à proximité de l’étiquette et/ou du premier dispositif informatique.The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of vibrating the second computing device when in proximity to the tag and / or the first computing device. 19. Procédé selon la revendication 12, dans lequel l’étiquette est une étiquette RFID, et dans lequel les premier et second dispositifs informatiques calculent une distance par rapport à l’article, sur la base d’une intensité d'un signal reçu en provenance de l’étiquette.The method of claim 12, wherein the tag is an RFID tag, and wherein the first and second computing devices calculate a distance from the article, based on an intensity of a received signal. from the label. 20. Procédé selon la revendication 19, comportant l'étape consistant à utiliser l’un ou l'autre ou les deux des premier et second dispositifs informatiques en vue de calculer un emplacement de l'étiquette sur la base d’une intensité d'un signal reçu par le premier dispositif informatique et d’une intensité d'un signal reçu par le second dispositif informatique, dans lequel ledit emplacement est déterminé en utilisant une technique de triangulation.The method of claim 19 including the step of using one or both of the first and second computing devices to calculate a location of the tag based on a current intensity. a signal received by the first computing device and an intensity of a signal received by the second computing device, wherein said location is determined using a triangulation technique. 21. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12 à 20, dans lequel l’étiquette n’inclut pas de source d'alimentation.The method of any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein the tag does not include a power source. 22. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12 à 20, dans lequel l’étiquette inclut un capteur GPS et dans lequel le téléphone intelligent est apte à enregistrer l’emplacement de l'article avec des informations de localisation déterminées par le capteur GPS.22. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein the label includes a GPS sensor and wherein the smartphone is able to record the location of the article with location information determined by the GPS sensor. .
LU93011A 2016-04-01 2016-04-01 Locator LU93011B1 (en)

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110234399A1 (en) * 2010-03-25 2011-09-29 Nokia Corporation Method and apparatus for providing a remote lost-and-found service
US20130005354A1 (en) * 2011-06-30 2013-01-03 Suman Sheilendra Recognition System
US20150126233A1 (en) * 2013-11-04 2015-05-07 Patrick E. Burns Method and apparatus for locating a low-power wireless device using a smartphone
US20160006577A1 (en) * 2009-10-08 2016-01-07 Bringrr Systems, Llc Method and device to set household parameters based on the movement of items

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20160006577A1 (en) * 2009-10-08 2016-01-07 Bringrr Systems, Llc Method and device to set household parameters based on the movement of items
US20110234399A1 (en) * 2010-03-25 2011-09-29 Nokia Corporation Method and apparatus for providing a remote lost-and-found service
US20130005354A1 (en) * 2011-06-30 2013-01-03 Suman Sheilendra Recognition System
US20150126233A1 (en) * 2013-11-04 2015-05-07 Patrick E. Burns Method and apparatus for locating a low-power wireless device using a smartphone

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Effective date: 20171108