Rule-based tool for tracking co-located objects

Abstract

A tool and computer-implemented method for not only determining co-location of items based on rules, but also automatically generating rules based upon arrival at some location in the future. Rules are created both based upon items to be located, as well as combined with positional information.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62 / 128,809, filed Mar. 5, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This disclosure relates generally to a tool for determining co-location of items based upon rules and, more particularly, to a tool for determining co-location of items that is capable of automatically generating temporary rules based upon arrival at some location in the future.BACKGROUND[0003]A person does not just consist of himself or herself, but also moves around with a collection of inanimate objects (e.g., a wallet, purse, keys, laptop, luggage, etc.) and also, at times, animate objects for which they are responsible (e.g., dependent children / adults, pets etc.). Keeping track of all these items and getting them from one place to another can, at times, be an overwhelming task, particularly in the distra...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a tool and computer method for monitoring the presence of items. The tool receives information from multiple transmitters and uses a rule-based application to determine if an item is co-located with the tool when it reaches its destination. The tool can automatically generate rules based on the data related to the future location and monitor the location-based information and item-based information to alert if the item is not co-located with the tool. The technical effect of this patent is to provide a tool for efficient and accurate monitoring of item co-location in real-time.

Problems solved by technology

Keeping track of all these items and getting them from one place to another can, at times, be an overwhelming task, particularly in the distracted world that we live in.

However, not only is it difficult to track routine occurrences, but people are particularly prone to forget things while in unfamiliar situations, such as, for example, while traveling on vacation or on a business trip.

In this case, the situation can be catastrophic, and not easily recoverable, since it might not be possible to simply return to pick up the missing item, because of distance or it may have been left in a public location, which means someone may take it.

Images