Unlock instant, AI-driven research and patent intelligence for your innovation.

Mobile device utilizing time of flight for personal security and localization

a mobile device and time-of-flight technology, applied in the field of personal security and localization, can solve the problems of low-cost mobile personal security monitoring devices that have been typically limited, low-cost devices that have not made use of automated communication through the network, and have been limited in their use, so as to achieve better integration and better chance of escaping

Active Publication Date: 2015-03-19
VOLL INC
View PDF0 Cites 45 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a mobile device case that can function as a sensor module for monitoring the location and movement of the mobile device. The case includes a controller and a cradle that can attach to the mobile device and function as a wired or wireless connection. The case also includes a sensor, such as an accelerometer or directional antenna, that can calculate the time of flight of a message and compare it to an expected time of flight to initiate an action based on the discrepancy. The technical effect of this patent is to provide a convenient and effective way to monitor the location and movement of a mobile device in real-time, which can enhance security and protect against unauthorized access.

Problems solved by technology

Low cost mobile personal security monitoring devices have been typically limited to discrete devices that require additional package space for travel.
These devices are often limited to simply performing the action of an audio or visual alarm if an event such as the opening of a hotel room door is detected.
These low cost devices have typically not made use of automated communication through network means to notify various parties for help based on preprogrammed parameters and Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates.
Such low cost personal security devices have not integrated multiple detection methods and aggregated monitoring sensors and devices, located both local and distant, into a convenient and small travel package.
Further, they have not included the ability to aggregate additional monitoring devices and to form mesh networks of multiple personal security devices and peripherals through communication means, such as Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and other wireless communication means.
They also were not able to aggregate distant monitoring devices through wireless communication to the internet and wireless communication to other devices from the internet to remote aggregated devices.
Yamazaki fails to disclose a case capable of physical coupling to a mobile device.
Yamazaki further fails to disclose a means by which to detect a large motion or movement and guard against detecting vibrations which are to be ignored.
This publication fails to include a mesh network in that senders / nodes do not relay information between each other but only to a portable terminal.
Further, the portable terminals do not relay information between each other and are not able to relay information from one terminal to another and back to the central terminal.
Thus, if a portable terminal loses communication, it cannot relay through another portable terminal.
Yamazaki fails to disclose localization methods.
It does not however disclose a smart phone case having the tools and means for detecting large motions and movements, etc.
Melbrod also fails to disclose localization methods.
It does not however disclose a smart phone case having the tools and means for detecting large motion and movements, etc.
Mock also fails to disclose localization methods.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Mobile device utilizing time of flight for personal security and localization
  • Mobile device utilizing time of flight for personal security and localization
  • Mobile device utilizing time of flight for personal security and localization

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example # 1

Example #1

[0147]In this example, there is no specific location of the customer mobile device determined through any positioning system and there is only communication between the mobile device and a restaurant system (which utilizes SLDs to form a mesh network by Wi-Fi, etc.).

(1) Customer enters restaurant;

(2) Customer places mobile device near a Near Field Communication (NFC) pairing device, e.g., a pad on a counter with a sign. It should be noted that the NFC pairing device can be located anywhere and there can be multiples as part of a mesh network (e.g., there could be one at each table for a walk-in and “choose own table” style of restaurant). The pairing device could be an SLD handed to the customer, much like table ready pagers. In another embodiment, the pairing device does not include an NFC device, but rather devices involving other radio frequency (RF) signals such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. When a button is pushed, it provides a secure gateway into the restaurant system for ...

example # 2

Example #2

[0148]In this example, there is a specific location of the customer mobile device determined for the mobile device and the restaurant system utilizes SLD in a method to establish the customer mobile device location.

(1) Customer enters restaurant;

(2) Customer places mobile device near NFC pairing device, e.g., a pad on a counter with a sign. It should be noted that the NFC pairing device can be located anywhere and there can be multiples as part of a mesh network (e.g., there could be one at each table for a walk-in and “choose own table” style of restaurant).

(3) Customer mobile device is allowed into the restaurant network while in the restaurant with: (a) the notification of the availability of a table when a table becomes available and (b) the table assignment. It should be noted that the mesh network of the system allows the customers mobile device to be relayed through multiple communication nodes (e.g., SLDs in examples disclosed elsewhere herein that are placed as de...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

A mobile device case for functional connection and physical attachment to a mobile device, the mobile device case comprises an application adapted to run in the mobile device and a cradle configured for removable attachment with the mobile device, the cradle comprising a controller capable of functional connection with the application, where the cradle is adapted to protect the mobile device while attached to the mobile device and the cradle is adapted to functionally pair with the application to create at least a portion of a mesh network.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM AND RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This non-provisional application claims the benefit of priority from provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 61 / 877,935 filed on Sep. 13, 2013. Said application is incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. The Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention is directed generally to a system for enabling personal security and localization. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a system for enabling personal security that is coupled to a ubiquitous mobile device and a localization system not dependent on a Global Positioning System (GPS) network.[0004]2. Background Art[0005]Low cost mobile personal security monitoring devices have been typically limited to discrete devices that require additional package space for travel. These devices are often limited to simply performing the action of an audio or visual alarm if an event such as the opening of a hotel room door is detected. These moni...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
IPC IPC(8): H04B1/38H04W64/00H04W4/00H04W4/80
CPCH04B1/3888H04W64/00H04W4/008H04B1/3877H04W4/80H04W4/023H04W56/0025
Inventor BIETZ, STEVEN LEEACOSTA-CAZAUBON, JESUS
Owner VOLL INC