Item monitoring

Abstract

The present invention relates to keeping track of / monitoring items, such as personal items, using an electronic device, namely an electronic finger ring. A method is provided comprising: a first electronic ring listening, using a receiver integrated in the first electronic ring, for radio signals transmitted by a first set of two or more electronic tags, the first electronic ring comprising one or more output devices for providing an output, the first electronic ring comprising one or more input devices for obtaining a user input, the radio signal transmitted by each tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags comprising a respective identifier allowing for electronic identification of the tag, and the first electronic ring providing a set of one or more outputs in dependence on electromagnetic properties of radio signals received by the first electronic ring from the first set of one or more electronic tags. A finger ring and other aspects are provided as well.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for keeping track of items, such as personal belongings.Background of the invention

[0002] Electronic equipment exists for informing users about positions of personal items, yet there are no methods that allow a user to keep track of or monitor personal items, let alone in a way that is not intrusive and does not require active steps from the user.Summary of the invention

[0003] In a first aspect, the invention provides a method comprising steps of: a first electronic ring listening, using a receiver integrated in the first electronic ring, for radio signals transmitted by a first set of one or more electronic tags, the first electronic ring comprising one or more output devices for providing an output, the first electronic ring comprising one or more input devices for obtaining a user input, the radio signal transmitted by each tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags comprising a respective identifier allowing for electronic identification of the tag, the first electronic ring providing a set of one or more outputs in dependence on electromagnetic properties of radio signals received by the first electronic ring from the first set of one or more electronic tags.

[0004] The present invention in part relies on the fact that a finger ring is very much present when worn by a wearer of the ring, i.e. a user. For instance, a visual output provided by a ring is usually visible to the wearer because the path between a ring and the wearer's eyes is most often not obstructed. Similarly, a vibration output from a ring is easily felt on a finger of the wearer of the ring. Similarly, an audio output will usually reach the wearer's ears relatively easily because the path between a finger ring and the wearer's ears is typically relatively unobstructed.

[0005] Even so, prior art electronic rings do not provide a set of one or more outputs in dependence on electromagnetic properties of radio signals received by the first electronic ring from the first set of one or more electronic tags, unlike a first electronic ring in accordance with the present invention.

[0006] A tag of the first set of one more electronic tags may be attached to an item, such as a key chain or a PC or a sleeve for a PC or a bag. This associates the tag with the item. A tag may be adhesive to make it easy to stick onto an item. A tag may also be simply contained, such as in a bag or a sleeve for a PC. Other options are available, as will be appreciated by the skilled person.

[0007] The one or more outputs provided in dependence on the properties of radio signals received by the first ring from the first set of one or more electronic tags while the ring is listening for radio signals transmitted by the first set of one or more electronic tags may for instance be dependent on whether the ring receives a radio signal from a specific tag and, if received, on a strength of the radio signal received by the ring from the specific tag. It is known in the field of transmitters and receivers that the strength of a received radio signal from a transmitter is based on the interaction between the radio signal from the transmitter and an antenna interface of the receiver. The interaction between the transmitted signal and the receiver is essentially a measurement of how much is left of the transmitted signal at the position of the receiver. A figure often used to represent the strength of a signal received by a receiver is the Received Signal Strength Indicator, RSSI. Another measure is the signal power, typically measured in dBm in accordance with known standards in the field. It is well known that devices such as a mobile phone or a laptop computer containing various receivers, such as a Wi-Fi receiver or an LTE (Long term evolution) receiver or a NR (New Radio) receiver, can report such standardized measurements. Thus, as used herein, the strength of a radio signal as received by a receiver generally refers to a figure representative of the amount of power that a transmitter delivers to the position of the receiver. Measured power depends for instance on the power with which the transmitter transmits the radio signal, the distance between the receiver and the transmitter, obstacles between the transmitter and the receiver, and other factors. The figures presented below shall therefore be seen as exemplary, used mostly for the purpose of illustrating the invention. At the same time, the figures may reflect real scenarios.

[0008] In some embodiments, the method is performed using a first set of electronic tags comprising two or more electronic tags. Tags are preferably relatively small to not attract attention. For instance, a largest dimension of each electronic tag may be between 0.5 cm and 3 cm. However, in some cases, larger dimensions might be useful, such as in the range 3 cm to 10 cm. Each tag comprises a transmitter and a power source for driving the transmitter, such as a battery. Preferably, the tags are thin, such as between 0.5 mm and 1 mm, so they are discrete even when attached to personal items. Different tags may have different shapes or colours. Tags may alternatively be integrated into an item, such as a bag.

[0009] In some embodiments, an electronic tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags may be configured to just transmit a radio signal. In some embodiments, the electronic tag transmits an identifier identifying the electronic tag. This allows the electronic tag to be distinguished electronically from other electronic tags. This allows the ring to provide output indicating which tag the output relates to. Any electronic device that emits a radio signal that can be received by the first electronic ring may be used as an electronic tag. However, electronic tags of the present invention are preferably relatively simple, which makes them cheaper. The present invention allows use of electronic tags with no input or output devices other than a transmitter for transmitting the radio signal to be received by the first electronic ring.

[0010] In some embodiments, each of the first electronic ring and the second electronic ring determines the signal strength of a radio signal received from each of the first set of one or more electronic tags based on two or more non-adjacent frequency subranges. This is particularly relevant when broader spectra are used for transmission, such as in ultra-wideband transmission.

[0011] In some embodiments, each of the first electronic ring and the second electronic ring is configured to store information about each tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags, including information representative of the respective identifier of each tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags.

[0012] The radio signal transmitted by each tag may for instance have a frequency in the range 430 MHz-53 GHz, such as in the range 430-435 MHz or in the range 2.3-2.6 GHz or in the range 4-6 GHz.

[0013] In some embodiments, radio signal transmitted by each tag is an ultra-wideband signal providing intentional radiation with either a -10 dB bandwidth of at least 500 MHz or a -10 dB fractional bandwidth greater than 0.2.

[0014] The first set of one or more tags may for instance use Bluetooth, such as Bluetooth low energy (LE), or Zigbee or Z-Wave or Thread.

[0015] In some embodiments, each electronic tag may also include a receiver and circuitry enabling the tag to be responsive to instructions received by the tag via its receiver, such as an instruction to provide a sound output or a vibration output or perform some action, such as report information in response to receiving an instruction via its receiver or configure itself, such as by storing configuration information in a memory of the tag.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first electronic ring, in addition to being configured to listen for radio signals from the first set of one or more electronic tags, may be configured to communicate with a first electronic device having a display, such as a smartphone or smartwatch or virtual reality or augmented reality headset. The first electronic ring itself has the advantage that it is small, which makes it easy for a user to carry. However, this comes at the expense that there is little room for a display. By being operable to communicate with a first electronic device having a display, the first electronic ring can be configured using the first electronic device, which is more convenient as it affords a larger display and easier user interaction via a relatively large touch-sensitive area. The first electronic device may be convenient for keeping track of the electronic tags and may be used to define which tags are part of the first set of one or more electronic tags. As an example, a user may have 3 tags, only 2 of which are in use during a normal week for that particular user. Thus, only the 2 tags normally in use need to be configured at the first electronic ring. With a smartphone, the user can easily define that those 2 tags make up the first set of one or more electronic tags. This configuration can then be transmitted wirelessly from the smartphone to the first electronic ring, for instance as a list comprising unique identifiers of the tags. The smartphone can also transmit the identifiers of all tags along with an indication that only some of the tags are part of the first set of one or more electronic tags. The first electronic ring can then start monitoring the first set of one or more electronic tags.

[0017] In some embodiments, the method comprises: the first electronic ring detecting a first trigger event, the first electronic ring executing, in response to detecting the first trigger event, a first procedure, wherein the first procedure includes determining, for each tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags, whether the first electronic ring receives a radio signal from the tag and a signal strength of the radio signal received from the tag is above a first signal strength threshold associated with the tag. In the embodiment, the first procedure may comprise steps according to item (i) below: (i) the first electronic ring providing an output via an output device of the one or more output devices of the first electronic ring for each tag for which it was not determined that a radio signal was received from the tag and that a signal strength of a radio signal received from the tag was above the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag; and the first electronic ring forging providing an output for each tag for which it was determined that a radio signal was received from the tag and a signal strength of the radio signal received from the tag was above the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag.

[0018] In this embodiment, the first electronic ring positively provides an output for those tags that are either too far away to be registered by the first electronic ring or far enough away from the first electronic ring that the strength of the radio signals received from those tags are below respective signal strength thresholds associated with those tags. For tags that are close enough that the signal strength of radio signals received from those tags at the first electronic ring are above respective first signal strength thresholds associated with those tags, no output is provided. That is, outputting an output is forgone.

[0019] The embodiment in which the first procedure comprises the steps according to item (i) above has the advantage that an output is provided for a tag if the tag is "far away" or "not in the vicinity", meaning that the user receives output for tags that are not close to the user in terms of signal strength. In this way, the user is alerted about tags that are not in the user's vicinity.

[0020] As an alternative to (i), the first procedure may comprise steps according to item (ii) below: (ii) the first electronic ring forgoing providing an output via an output device of the one or more output devices of the first electronic ring for each tag for which it was not determined that a radio signal was received from the tag and that a signal strength of a radio signal received from the tag was above the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag; and the first electronic ring providing an output for each tag for which it was determined that a radio signal was received from the tag and a signal strength of the radio signal received from the tag was above the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag.

[0021] The embodiment in which the first procedure comprises the steps according to item (ii) above provides an output for a tag if the tag is "not far away" or "in the vicinity", meaning that the user receives output for tags that are close to the user in terms of signal strength. In this way, the user is informed about tags that are in the user's vicinity. This is not as advantageous as the step of item (i), since people tend to need reminders of things they are leaving behind, not things they have with them. Thus, the steps according to item (i) are preferred over the steps according to item (ii).

[0022] As an alternative to (i) and (ii), the first procedure may comprise steps according to item (iii) below: (iii) the first electronic ring providing a first type of output via an output device of the one or more output devices of the first electronic ring for each tag for which it was not determined that a radio signal was received from the tag and that a signal strength of a radio signal received from the tag was above the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag; and the first electronic ring providing a second type of output via an output device of the one or more output devices of the first electronic ring for each tag for which it was determined that a radio signal was received from the tag and a signal strength of the radio signal received from the tag was above the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag.

[0023] The embodiment in which the first procedure comprises the steps according to item (iii) above provides one type (first type) of output for tags that are "not in the vicinity" and another type (second type) of output for tags that are "in the vicinity". This embodiment has the advantage that an output is provided whether a tag is "in the vicinity" or "not in the vicinity" of the user, allowing the user to acknowledge which tags are contained in the first set of one or more electronic tags. The type of output provided for a given tag informs the user whether the tag is with the user or not.

[0024] In accordance with the output, whether in accordance with item (i), (ii), or (iii), the user may deduct which tags are in the vicinity of the user's ring (signal strength above the associated signal strength threshold) and which tags are not in the vicinity of the user's ring (signal strength below the associated signal strength threshold). This allows the user to determine whether tags are sufficiently close or not. By attaching different tags to different items, for instance by attaching one tag to a key ring containing keys and putting another tag in a sleeve together with a PC (such as a laptop), the user can effectively determine whether the keys or the PC, rather than the tags as such, are in the vicinity (of the ring) or not.

[0025] In other embodiments, the first procedure is based on a time of flight determination rather than a signal strength determination. Instead of determining whether the signal strength for a given tag is above a first signal strength threshold associated with the tag, the first procedure may determine whether a time of flight associated with the tag is below a time of flight threshold associated with the tag.

[0026] In some embodiments, the determination is based on radio signals received from the first set of one or more electronic tags within a predefined time period. The predefined time period may for instance correspond to a frequency with which the first set of one or more electronic tags transmit radio signals. Alternatively, the predefined time period is larger than the time period that corresponds to a frequency with which the first set of one or more electronic tags transmit radio signals, such as twice the time period corresponding to a frequency with which the first set of one or more electronic tags transmit radio signals. The predefined time period may depend on circumstances, such as the signal strength of a signal received from a particular tag. Electronic tags may also transmit in a non-period fashion, and the determination may be adapted accordingly.

[0027] Criteria other than signal strength or time of flight may be used by the first electronic ring when providing the set of one or more outputs in dependence on electromagnetic properties of radio signals received by the first electronic ring from the first set of one or more electronic tags.

[0028] In the following, for simplicity and conciseness, a tag for which the first electronic ring received a radio signal from the tag and a signal strength of the radio signal received by the first electronic ring from the tag was above the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag, or for which the time of flight was measured to be below a time of flight threshold associated with the tag, will be referred to as a tag that is "in the vicinity" or "close by" or "safe" or "within a safe distance" or similar wording, whereas tags that do not meet such a requirement will be referred to as being "not in the vicinity" or "too far away" or "not within a safe distance" or similar wording. However, the technical content of the term "in the vicinity" is that the first electronic ring receives a radio signal from the tag with a signal strength that is above the signal strength threshold for the tag.

[0029] Accordingly, the methods above allow a user to identify whether one or more electronic tags are in the vicinity or not. The first procedure can therefore be thought of as a procedure for carrying out an inventory, i.e. an "inventory procedure" or a "check procedure".

[0030] In some embodiments, the output provided by the first electronic ring in response to detecting the first trigger event is distinct for each tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags. In such embodiments, the output provided by the first electronic ring in response to detecting the first trigger event allows a user to identify which tag output provided by the first electronic ring in response to detecting the first trigger event is associated with.

[0031] When tags are attached to respective items (belongings), the user can identify which items are or are not in the vicinity. For instance, a light-emitting diode (LED) may output light in colours unique to each tag (and thus item). If the LED lights up in blue, the user will know that the item associated with blue is missing, such as a bag. The user can then look for the bag. In some embodiments, the first electronic ring comprises a display that displays a text associated with the tag, e.g. "Bag" for tag 111a (see Fig. 1A), "Keys" for tag 111b, and "PC" for tag 111c.

[0032] Each of the one or more output devices may for instance be configured to provide one or more of: an audio output, a visual output, a vibration output, a haptic output.

[0033] In some embodiments, the first trigger event corresponds to detecting that a first user input is provided via an input device of the one or more input devices of the first electronic ring. For instance, the user may press a button on the ring for 3 seconds or say "check for my things" to trigger the first electronic ring to perform the method described above on demand, for instance when about to leave home in order to ensure that all important items are in the vicinity, preferably on the user's person. In some embodiments, the first trigger event is that a trigger tag is close to the first electronic ring. More specifically, the trigger tag transmits a radio signal just like the tags of the first set of tags, and when the first electronic ring is so close to the trigger tag that the strength of the radio signal received by the first electronic ring from the trigger tag exceeds a signal strength threshold associated with the trigger tag. For instance, the trigger tag may be located near the front door of a user's home, so when the user is about to leave home, the first electronic ring comes into the vicinity of the trigger tag, whereby the first procedure is triggered.

[0034] Generally, each of the one or more input devices may be one or more of: a touch-sensitive surface, a button, a microphone, a camera, an imaging device, an accelerometer, a gyroscope.

[0035] In some embodiments, the method comprises: the first electronic ring determining that no radio signal is received from a first tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags or that a signal strength of the radio signal received from the first tag is below the first signal strength threshold associated with the first tag, the first electronic ring providing an output indicating that no radio signal was received from the first tag or that the signal strength of the radio signal received from the first tag was below the first signal strength threshold associated with the first tag, the first electronic ring detecting a second user input via an input device of the one or more input devices of the first electronic ring, the second input being indicative of the first tag, the first electronic ring storing, in response to detecting the second input indicative of the first tag, an indication that the first tag is no longer part of the first set of one or more electronic tags, whereby a subsequent execution of the first procedure will not include the first tag.

[0036] This embodiment allows the user to exclude a tag (and thus an item / belonging) from the check procedure. Thus, the first electronic ring will no longer provide an indication if the tag is not in the vicinity. The storing can be performed for instance by maintaining the first tag as part of the first set of one or more electronic tags in a database but amending the database so that the first tag is no longer part of the first set of electronic tags. Alternatively, the first tag can be deleted outright from the database. Alternatively, it can be indicated in the database that the first procedure shall not be executed for the first tag. The skilled person will immediately realise other equivalent methods for avoiding that the first procedure is executed out for the first tag.

[0037] This allows the user to quickly avoid getting an alert about an item. For instance, a user may wish to leave the PC at home, to which a tag is attached. By providing appropriate input to the first electronic ring, the PC can be removed from the check procedure, and output from the first electronic ring during the check procedure will no longer include information about the PC tag.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first electronic ring comprises an accelerometer responsive to movements of the first electronic ring, and the second input that is indicative of the first tag is a predefined gesture associated with the first tag. For instance, the first tag may be associated with two shakes of the hand on which the first ring is placed. Another of the tags may be associated with a single shake of the hand, and so on. Other gestures can be used equivalently.

[0039] In some embodiments, the second input that is indicative of the first tag is a predefined input associated with the first tag, provided via an input device of the one or more input devices. The predefined input may for instance be a number of presses on a button, if the first electronic ring is so equipped, or a predefined gesture on a touch-sensitive surface of the first electronic ring, if the first electronic ring is so equipped.

[0040] In some embodiments, the second input that is indicative of the first tag is a predefined speech input associated with the first tag, provided via a microphone input device of the first electronic ring, if so equipped. For instance, the user may say "disregard tag 1" or "disregard the bag" or "never mind the PC" or similar input indicative of the tag to be excluded. In some embodiments, the microphone input device is a microphone input device of a smartphone or smartwatch or augmented reality headset or virtual reality headset in operable communication with the first electronic ring. This allows speech functionality to be provided via a larger and more powerful device. It also allows a ring that has speech input capability to hand over the speech input processing to another device, which can reduce the ring's power consumption associated with interpreting speech input.

[0041] In some embodiments, the second input that is indicative of the first tag is a user input provided via an input device of the one or more input devices of the first electronic ring while the first electronic ring is providing the output indicating that no radio signal was received from the first tag or that the signal strength of the radio signal received from the first tag was below the first signal strength threshold associated with the first tag. This allows the user to easily associate the input with the first tag (that is not in the vicinity).

[0042] In some embodiments, the signal strength threshold is adjusted as part of the check procedure. In some embodiments, the signal strength threshold is set to a value that corresponds to a threshold distance that is in the interval 0.5 m to 3 m, such as in the interval 0.5 to 2 m, such as in the interval 1 m to 2 m. As noted above, the relationship between distance and received power depends on many factors, and thus the definition is given functionally in terms of the distance, the power level being the power level that the first electronic ring receives when the given tag is positioned at the distance.

[0043] For instance, a signal strength threshold of -41 dBm may be appropriate for a threshold distance of 1 m and -47 dBm may be appropriate for a threshold distance of 2 m.

[0044] In some embodiments, the method comprises: the first electronic ring detecting a second trigger event, in response to detecting the second trigger event, performing a second procedure, the second procedure comprising adjusting, for each tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags, the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag based on a signal strength of a radio signal currently received from the tag.

[0045] This allows the user to calibrate according to circumstances for each tag. For instance, a PC tag may be hampered by a sleeve, and thus even though the PC is within a certain distance, say 1 m from the first electronic ring, the signal received by the ring is lower than it would have been given the same distance in free space. By storing the received signal strength, the first electronic ring can use this strength as a threshold. In some embodiments, a threshold buffer is added to allow for conditions that might reduce the received strength even if the PC is still carried by the user. For instance, the user might have worn the PC sleeve on the shoulder when performing the calibration, which resulted in a measurement of for instance -52 dBm. If the user then takes the sleeve off the shoulder, the distance is increased, but the sleeve is still within safe distance. The inventors have found that introducing a buffer in the range 2-4 dB allows an advantageous degree of freedom of positioning items on the person's body without getting false alerts indicating that items are no longer in the vicinity, and at the same time receiving alerts when items are truly no longer on the user.

[0046] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: the first electronic ring executing a third procedure, the third procedure comprising: the first electronic ring detecting, for each electronic tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags, whether a signal strength of a radio signal received by the first electronic ring from the electronic tag decreases below the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag, the first electronic ring providing, in response to detecting that a signal strength of a radio signal received by the first electronic ring from the electronic tag decreases below the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag, an output indicative of the tag.

[0047] Such embodiments provide a monitoring function in that if the strength of the radio signal received by the first electronic ring from a given tag decreases below the first signal strength threshold associated with a tag, this is interpreted as meaning that the user is leaving an item behind to which the tag is attached, or that the item to which the tag is attached is being removed by another person. In either case, the user is informed by the first electronic ring via an output indicative of the tag. For instance, a display on the first electronic ring may show the word "PC" to indicate that the tag attached to a PC is no longer in the vicinity of the user. In some embodiments, a speech output may be provided identifying the item, such as "the PC is left behind" or "did you leave the PC behind?" or "the PC has been removed". Several tags may be out of the vicinity, in which case multiple corresponding outputs may be provided in order to inform the user that items are no longer in the vicinity.

[0048] In some embodiments, the output provided in response to detecting that the signal strength of the radio signal received by the first electronic ring from the tag has decreased below the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag is a visual output associated with the tag, such as an light-emitting diode (LED) output in a colour or flash pattern associated with the tag; or it is a text indicative of the tag, displayed on a display output device of the first electronic ring; or it is a sound output indicative of the tag, provided by a speaker device of the first electronic ring, such as a speech output indicative of the tag as described above.

[0049] A second aspect of the invention provides an electronic ring configured to perform a method in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. The electronic ring comprises a receiver for receiving radio signals from a set of one or more electronic tags. In some embodiments, the electronic ring may comprise one or more output devices for providing an output. In some embodiments, the electronic ring may comprise one or more input devices for obtaining a user input.

[0050] A third aspect of the invention provides a method that involves a second electronic ring similar to the first electronic ring. The third aspect involves a method in accordance with the first aspect, further comprising: disabling the third procedure in the first electronic ring, the second electronic ring listening, using a receiver integrated in the second electronic ring, for the radio signals transmitted by the first set of one or more electronic tags, the second electronic ring comprising one or more output devices for providing an output, the second electronic ring comprising one or more input devices for obtaining a user input, the second electronic ring being configured to execute the third procedure, wherein the second electronic ring performs the first procedure based on a set of one or more second signal strength thresholds, each second signal strength threshold of the set of one or more second signal strength thresholds being associated with a respective tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags, the second electronic ring detecting that a signal strength of a radio signal received by the second electronic ring from a second tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags decreases below a second signal strength threshold associated with the second tag, the second electronic ring providing, via an output device of the one or more output devices and in response to detecting that the signal strength of the radio signal received by the second electronic ring from the second tag has decreased below the second signal strength threshold associated with the second tag, an output associated with detecting that the signal strength of the radio signal received by the second electronic ring from the second tag has decreased below the second signal strength threshold.

[0051] In another formulation, the third aspect of the invention provides a method that involves a second electronic ring similar to the first electronic ring and the third aspect involves a method in accordance with the first aspect and further comprises: disabling the third procedure in the first electronic ring, the second electronic ring listening, using a receiver integrated in the second electronic ring, for the radio signals transmitted by the first set of one or more electronic tags, the second electronic ring comprising one or more output devices for providing an output, the second electronic ring comprising one or more input devices for obtaining a user input, the second electronic ring being configured to execute a fourth procedure, the fourth procedure comprising: the second electronic ring detecting, for each electronic tag of the first set of one or more electronic tag, whether a signal strength of a radio signal received by the second electronic ring from the electronic tag decreases below a second signal strength threshold associated with the tag, and the second electronic ring providing, in response to detecting that a signal strength of a radio signal received by the second electronic ring from the electronic tag has decreased below the second signal strength threshold associated with the tag, an output indicative of the tag,

[0052] If a wearer of the first electronic ring leaves his items behind, the first electronic ring will, by default, provide a warning in the form of an output as described above. However, by involving a second electronic ring, the responsibility for monitoring the tags (items) can be shared. As long as the second electronic ring is monitoring the first set of one or more electronic tags, the first electronic ring can be moved away (by the wearer) to such a degree that one or more of the signal strengths received by the first electronic ring from one or more of the first set of one or more electronic tags decrease below the signal strength thresholds associated with the first set of one or more electronic tags. Therefore, the third procedure is disabled in the first electronic ring, allowing the first electronic ring to move out of the vicinity of the one or more electronic tags.

[0053] The second electronic ring uses a set of one or more second signal strength thresholds rather than the first signal strength thresholds employed by the first electronic ring. This is done because the distance from the second electronic ring to each electronic tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags is different from the respective distances to the first electronic ring. Therefore, other thresholds must be employed, as exemplified later in this specification.

[0054] In some embodiments, the output provided in response to detecting that the signal strength of the radio signal received by the second electronic ring from a tag has decreased below the second signal strength threshold associated with the tag is a visual output associated with the tag, such as an LED output in a colour or flash pattern associated with the tag; or the output is a text indicative of the tag, displayed on a display output device of the second electronic ring; or it is a sound output indicative of the tag, provided by a speaker device of the second electronic ring, such as a speech output indicative of the tag

[0055] A fourth aspect of the invention comprises a system comprising a first electronic ring and a second electronic ring configured to perform methods as recited herein involving a first electronic ring and a second electronic ring, such as methods in accordance with the third aspect.Brief description of the drawings

[0056] The invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1A illustrates a system for use in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 1B illustrates an electronic finger ring in accordance with the invention. Fig. 1C illustrates an electronic finger ring with input and output devices. Fig. 2 illustrates reception of radio signals transmitted by a set of electronic tags in accordance with the invention. Figs. 3A-3B illustrate reception of radio signals transmitted by a set of electronic tags in accordance with the invention. Fig. 4A illustrates a check procedure in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Figs.4B-4I illustrate output and input during a check procedure in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Figs. 5A-5C illustrate an embodiment involving two electronic rings for monitoring electronic tags. Figs. 6A-6L illustrate user interfaces for configuring an electronic ring in accordance with the invention. Detailed description of selected embodiments

[0057] Embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings. Similar reference numbers generally refer to similar elements throughout. The drawings show selected ways of implementing the aspects of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. The relative size of different elements as well as their shape may have been chosen to make different elements or details clearly discernible.

[0058] Fig. 1A illustrates a system 100 for use in accordance with the present invention. Such a system comprises a set of one or more, preferably at least two, electronic tags 111a-111c, a first electronic device 120 with a display 121, and a first electronic finger ring 101 that has an aperture 103 defined by e.g. a "shank" 102 that allows the first electronic ring 101 to being worn on a finger 151 of a user's hand 130, as shown in Fig. 1B. As shown in Fig. 1A, the electronic tags 111a-111c are configured to emit respective wireless signals 112a-112c, and the finger ring 101 is configured to receive these wireless signals using a wireless receiver (not shown) comprised in the first electronic ring 101. The first electronic device 120 is optional. It is included for instance when it is convenient to configure the first electronic ring via a relatively large display. Finger rings do not lend themselves to have large and convenient displays.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 1A, the first electronic ring 101 is further configured to be in wireless communication with the electronic device 120, and the electronic device 120 is configured to be in wireless communication with a server 160. Some embodiments of the present invention include the use of the server 160, while some embodiments do not require the server 160. This is described in more detail in relation to the description of various embodiments.

[0060] When the first electronic ring 101 is worn on a user's finger 151 as illustrated in Fig. 1B, the user is able to see a portion of the first electronic ring 101 that faces the user's eyes, illustrated with the schematic eye 150.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 1C, the first electronic ring 101 is configured with one or more output devices, such as output devices 104a-104b, and one or more input devices, such as input device 105. The one or more output devices may include one or more of a display device, an audio device, a haptic device, and a light diode. A haptic device is configured to cause the first electronic ring 101 to vibrate to inform the user of one or more events. The one or more input devices may include a touch-sensitive surface, a button, a microphone device, heat-sensing device, or other device capable of registering that a user intends to provide input to the first electronic ring 101. The input and output devices are schematic, and their shape and size shall not be construed as limiting or as implying a specific type of input device type or specific type of output device.

[0062] In Fig. 1A, all tags 111a-111c are within a range in which the strength of the signals 112a-112c as received by the receiver in the first electronic ring 101 is above a signal strength threshold. This represents a situation where the items are within an acceptable range, i.e. the user's items are in the vicinity of the user, such as within a certain distance. They may for instance be carried by the user.

[0063] Fig. 2 illustrates that the user leaves behind the item associated with tag 111a, while still carrying the items associated with tags 111b and 111c. The "X" 212a illustrates a position at which the signal 112a from the tag 111a is at the signal strength threshold. Beyond this point, the strength of the signal received at the first electronic ring 101 is below the threshold. The first electronic ring is configured to respond to the signal strength going below the threshold by providing an output signal using an output device of the first electronic ring 101. In the example in Fig. 2, the first electronic ring 101 has a light-emitting diode (LED) that is lit 204b in response to the low signal strength from the tag 111a, alerting the user of the missing item, as illustrated by the eye 150 seeing the lit LED. The first electronic ring 101 may instead or additionally vibrate, if equipped with a vibration device, or emit an audio signal, if equipped with a speaker device. In either case, the user is alerted that an item is out of range, which typically means that the item has been left behind. As discussed above, an electronic device in the form of a finger ring has the advantage that a wearer is virtually guaranteed to notice alerts. Vibration is readily felt, audio is readily heard, since the path between the first electronic ring 101 and the user's ears is usually unobstructed, and light is easily seen, again because the path between the first electronic ring 101 and the user's eyes is usually not obstructed. The use of simple electronic tags emitting radio signals, but performing no active actions, means that the method is reliable over an extended period of time, essentially the lifetime of the battery powering the tag.

[0064] In response to the alert, the user can revert to the position where the item is suspected to be. Depending on the situation, the first electronic ring 101 may be configured with a high signal strength threshold to alert the user when the distance between the first electronic ring 101 and the items corresponds to a short distance, such as 2-4 meters. If the user is in a public place, it is important that the alert comes quickly, as it allows the user to quickly be notified that one of the items is left behind. Another scenario is that another person takes the associated item and moves away without being authorised to remove the item, such as during a theft. By quickly alerting the user, action can be taken, for instance calling for help and / or pursuing a person that could be a possible suspect. In other scenarios, such as at home, the first electronic ring 101 may be configured with a lower signal strength threshold to alert the user only when the distance between the first electronic ring 101 and the items corresponds to a relatively long distance, such as 10-20 meters. Further, an obstacle 330 between a tag 111a and the first electronic ring 101, as illustrated in Fig. 3A, will reduce the signal strength, even if the physical distance is the same. The "X" 312a in Fig. 3A, representing a position at which the signal strength decreases below the signal strength threshold, is therefore closer to the tag 111a compared to the unobstructed situation illustrated in Fig. 2. This can be taken into account when configuring the first electronic ring 101 when at home or in another place that is considered safe. As illustrated in Fig. 3A, an LED may light up in response to the signal received from the tag 111a decreasing below the signal strength threshold.

[0065] Depending on the exact configuration of the first electronic ring 101, the first electronic ring 101 will provide an alert very close to the time at which the signal strength received at the first electronic ring from a tag, such as tag 111a, decreases below the signal strength threshold, to ensure that the user is alerted as soon as possible. The actual physical distance, represented by the dashed lines from the "X" to the first electronic ring 101, is therefore typically short.

[0066] Fig. 3B illustrates two tags 111a and 111b associated with two different items (bag and keys), become out of range. For instance, the user may have left behind both a bag, having tag 111a attached to it, and keys, having tag 111b attached to them. The "X" 312b in Fig. 3B illustrates a position in the line of sight between the tag 111b and the first electronic ring 101 at which the signal strength received by the first electronic ring 101 from the tag 111b decreases below the signal strength threshold associated with the tag 111b. On the other hand, the PC, associated with tag 111c, is still within the acceptable distance, the received signal from the tag 111c being above the signal strength threshold associated with tag 111c.

[0067] As shown in Fig. 3B, the first electronic ring 101 may respond by providing two alerts, one for each item. For instance, the first electronic ring may light the LED 204b similarly to Figs. 2 and 3A, indicating that the bag, attached to tag 111a, is out of range, and then a short while after illuminate in a different colour 304b. In some embodiments, the LED may flash back and forth between the colours to indicate which items are missing, in this case the keys, attached to tag 111b, and the bag, attached to tag 111a. For instance, a green light may be associated with the keys and a blue light may be associated with the bag. Flashing between green and blue indicates to the user that these two items are left behind.

[0068] This method allows the user to tailor the thresholds to suit the current position of the tags. For instance, keys tag 111b may be located in a pocket and the first electronic ring may measure a signal strength of -37 dBm. This value can then be stored in memory in the first electronic ring and used as a reference signal strength. If, later on, the signal strength received from tag 111a is -45 dBm during a check procedure, this is compared to the reference signal strength of -37 dBm. Since -45 dBm is significantly lower than the reference signal strength of -37 dBm, the check will result in an alert being provided, optionally as an output that identifies the keys tag 111b. The advantage of the method becomes even more clear when looking at a signal from a tag located in a bag such as a backpack. When the user is about to go out and wears the backpack on the back, a tag in the backpack is somewhat blocked by the user's body and also by the material of the backpack itself. Accordingly, the strength of the received signal from the backpack (bag) tag 111a may for instance be -43 dBm even though the distance from the first electronic ring to the keys tag 111b and the bag tag 111a is about the same. The method therefore acts as a calibration that ensures that the environment around the tags is taken into account. Whereas a received signal strength of -45 dBm for the keys tag is low enough to signify that the keys are not in the vicinity of the user, this value is only 2 dB below the reference signal strength of -43 dBm corresponding to the bag tag, which is not significant and thus will not result in an alert associated with the bag tag. Yet further, a tag associated with a PC in a sleeve located within the backpack may provide an even lower received signal strength at the first electronic ring, for instance -47 dBm which in turn is lower than the received signal strength from the bag tag. By basing the signal strength threshold associated with the PC tag on the value -47 dBm, the PC will not be considered to be out of the vicinity of the user even if the received signal strength is significantly lower than that from the keys tag when placed in the pocket.

[0069] Allowing the user to quickly adjust the signal strength threshold values this way allows the system to take into account the effect that different factors have on the received signal strength, including for instance the user's clothing, the position of the tag (associated item) on the body, and material that may be surrounding one or more of the tags. Another advantage is that the calibration eliminates the effect that a decreasing battery power might have on the strength of the radio signal transmitted from a given tag.

[0070] Fig. 4A illustrates a scenario in which the bag tag 111a and the keys tag 111b are with the user, while PC tag 111c is not. In the "home mode" or "safe mode", the first electronic ring 101 may be configured as described above to accept relatively large distances, i.e. alerts are provided only when the signal strength received from a tag is relatively low or not at all. In the example in Fig. 1A, the signals 112a-112c received by the first electronic ring 101 from tags 111a-111c exceed the set signal strength threshold for the tags, and thus no alert is provided.

[0071] The following embodiment, illustrated in Figs. 4A-4I, addresses a situation where the user is about to leave home. In this embodiment, the user may provide an input to the first electronic ring 101 when about to leave the house. In this example, the input is a press 435 on a button 105 on the first electronic ring, as shown in Fig. 4B. In response, the first electronic ring 101 adjusts the signal strength threshold to a relatively high value corresponding to an immediate vicinity of a user, for instance a signal strength threshold that corresponds to a distance in the range 1-3 meters. This is illustrated by the dashed circle representing an area defined by being with the distance from the first electronic ring 101. The strength of signals from tags beyond this range will be below the signal strength threshold. Tags 111a and 111b are still within range, but tag 111c is now out of range, i.e. the signal strength received from the PC tag 111c by the first electronic ring 101 is below the set signal strength threshold for tag 111a. This is illustrated with the "X" 412a in Fig. 4A, indicating the position at which the signal 112a from the PC tag 111c is below the signal strength threshold associated with the PC tag 111c.

[0072] Fig. 4B illustrates an input 435 on the first electronic ring 101 that triggers the procedure. Since the tag 111a, i.e the bag tag, is within the distance R check , the first electronic ring 101 may provide an output representing that the bag, is indeed in the vicinity. This is indicated by the display of the word "Bag" 404b on a display of the first electronic ring 101, as illustrated in Fig. 4C.

[0073] However, as described above, the tag 111c is now out of range, as the user is not carrying the sleeve with the PC in this example. Accordingly, as illustrated in Fig. 4D, the first electronic ring 101 will indicate "PC" in a different manner, a different type of output, that informs the user that the PC is not in range, such as by indicating "PC" in a different colour and / or on a different-coloured background compared to the background used for "Bag", which was within the vicinity. Alternatively, an audio output 405, such as tones or a speech output, may be provided. In relation to Fig. 4D, the audio output indicates that the PC is not in range.

[0074] In Fig. 4G, the first electronic ring indicates that "Keys" are also in the vicinity, by using the same type of output as provided for the "Bag" in Fig. 4C, which was also in the vicinity of the first electronic ring 101, as illustrated in Fig. 4A.

[0075] The first electronic ring has then provided output to the effect that the bag and the keys are in the vicinity of the user (i.e. the signal strengths of radio signals received by the first electronic ring 101 from the tags 111a and 111b are above the associated signal strength thresholds), whereas the PC was not in the vicinity (i.e. the signal strength of radio signals received by the first electronic ring 101 from tag 111c was below the signal strength threshold associated with tag 111c). In this way, the user is informed that the PC is not in the vicinity, so the user is, in practical terms, about to leave the PC behind. The user can then go get the PC before leaving.

[0076] Some embodiments of the invention allow the user to provide an input 436, as illustrated in Fig. 4E, at the time the first electronic ring indicates that the PC is not within the vicinity. The input 436 causes the PC tag to be removed from the check procedure. This may be indicated to the user for instance by a fading-out of the word "PC", as illustrated in Fig. 4F, indicating that the "PC" will be excluded from the check. In this way, the user can cause the PC to be ignored in the present check and during a subsequent check. The PC will therefore no longer appear as an item that is not in the vicinity when a check procedure is performed. The user can then leave home without getting an alert related to the PC.

[0077] As illustrated in Fig. 4E, the exclusion of the PC from the check may alternatively or additionally be indicated to the user by way of a vibration output 406.

[0078] Fig. 4G shows the first electronic ring 101 indicating that the keys are in the vicinity. Accordingly, the bag and the keys are within the vicinity, and the PC has been decoupled, and thus the first electronic ring can report that the check has been successfully completed, for instance using a checkmark as shown in Fig. 4H or a LED light or display with a characteristic colour, as shown in Fig. 4I. This completes a check procedure in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

[0079] In some embodiments, the invention allows a first user and a second user to monitor the same items, such as items belonging to the first user, to the second user, or to both users. For instance, two users, represented by the first electronic ring 101 and a second electronic ring 501, may be in a room 510 together, as illustrated in Fig. 5A. The first electronic ring 101 is monitoring the tags 111a and 111b, and the second electronic ring 501 is monitoring a second set of tags consisting of tags 511a and 511b.

[0080] In this example, the first user needs to step out of the room 510 or otherwise away from the items 111a and 111b. As described above, these items may for instance be a PC and a bag, respectively, which the first user might not want to bring along if the first user is away for just a brief moment, such as when leaving a table in a café to get a cup of coffee or use a restroom. As illustrated in Fig. 5B, this may cause the tags 111a-111b to not be in the vicinity of the first electronic ring 101, as illustrated by the "X" 512a and the "X" 512b indicating points at which the signals received by the first electronic ring 101 are below the signal strength thresholds of the items 111a-111b.

[0081] In the embodiments discussed above, this would cause the first electronic ring 101 to provide a set of outputs as the strength of the radio signals from the tags 111a-111b at the first electronic ring 101 decreased below the respective thresholds for the tags 111a-111b.

[0082] In the present embodiment, the method includes that a monitoring initiation signal is provided that causes the second electronic ring 501 to start monitoring the signal strength of the tags 111a-111b as described above in relation to the first electronic ring 101, as illustrated in Fig. 5C. The monitoring initiation signal may for instance be communicated by the first electronic ring 101 to the second electronic ring 501 via a direct communication connection 514 as illustrated in Fig. 5A in embodiments in which the first and second electronic rings 101 and 501 can communicate directly. Alternatively, the first electronic ring 101 may communicate with a server 160, which may communicate with the second electronic ring 501. In some embodiments, the communication with the server 160 is carried out via connections 561 and 562 to respective electronic devices, such as smartphones 120 and 520, which have a larger display that facilitate configuration changes to the electronic rings 101 and 501.

[0083] The monitoring initiation signal may include information about the tags to be monitored, such as identifiers related to the tags or just a subset of the tags.

[0084] In this example, this causes the second electronic ring 501 to start monitoring the signal strengths of the tags 111a-111b as illustrated by the radio signal 513a transmitted from tag 111a and the radio signal 513b transmitted from tag 111b.

[0085] The second electronic ring then monitors the tags 111a-111b in the same way they were monitored by the first electronic ring 101. Accordingly, if the signal strength of the radio signals 513a and 513b as received by the second electronic ring 501 from the tags 111a and 111b exceed the signal strength threshold, the tags will be considered to be in in the vicinity even if the signal received from one of the tags by the first electronic ring 101 decreases below the signal strength threshold associated with that tag. This allows the user of the first electronic ring 101 to leave the items behind without receiving an alert, while at the same time ensuring that the items are still being actively monitored, specifically by the second user via the second electronic ring 501.

[0086] As part of the method, the first electronic ring 101 disables alerts, leaving it to the second electronic ring 501 to provide alerts to the user of the second electronic ring 501.

[0087] As mentioned above, some embodiments involve communication from the first electronic ring 101 to the second electronic ring 501 directly between the rings 101 and 501 using wireless communication. That is, the first electronic ring 101 emits a radio signal to the second electronic ring 501 that the second electronic ring 501 shall monitor the tags. That is, the second electronic ring shall be responsive to a decrease in the signal strength of the tags in order to alert the user of the second electronic ring 501 in case the signal strength for one or more electronic tags decrease below the signal strength threshold associated with the tags.

[0088] In some embodiments, the method comprises the first electronic ring also communicating the current signal strength of the radio signals received from each of the tags, and the second electronic ring then bases the signal strength threshold on these values. In some embodiments, the second electronic ring 501 compares the values received from the first electronic ring with the values it receives itself. For instance, the first electronic ring may report that it receives -47 dBm for tag 111a. The second electronic ring measures a value of -50 dBm. The second electronic ring will then consider -50 dBm a safe signal strength threshold value. In some embodiments, the second electronic ring will add a signal strength threshold buffer, such as a threshold buffer in the range 2-5 dB, for instance 3 dB. This allows the distance (in free space) between the second electronic ring and the tag to increase about 40 % before the second signal strength threshold is reached. Accordingly, the second electronic ring will apply a second signal strength threshold of -53 dBm based on the measured value of -50 dBm for the tag 111a.

[0089] In some embodiments, the first electronic ring 101 and the second electronic ring 501 communicate via cloud service, for instance via electronic devices 120, 520 with respective displays, such as illustrated in Fig. 5A. The rings 101, 501 are in communication with respective electronic devices 120, 520. The wearer of the first electronic ring 101 may operate the first electronic device 120 to send a request to the server 160 with instructions for the second electronic device to start monitoring the first set of one or more electronic tags. The server communicates the request to the second electronic device 520. In some embodiments, the second electronic device 520 displays a message to the user whether to monitor the first set of one or more electronic tags, thereby allowing the user to reject the request if it is inconvenient or for some other reason. The request may contain the further information discussed above, such as currently received signal strengths for one or more of the tags. This information may instead be communicated once the user of the second electronic device 520 has accepted the request. The request may also contain information corresponding to a signal strength threshold buffer value that the user of the first electronic device 120 is currently applying or would like the second user's ring 501 to apply, for instance 2 dB. The second electronic ring can then use this buffer value. In the example above, the second electronic ring will apply a signal strength threshold of -49 dBm. In some embodiments, the information provided to the second electronic ring includes both current received signal strengths for the tags as well as the corresponding signal strength thresholds. For instance, for tag 111a, the current signal strength measured by the first electronic ring is -47 dBm (as above), and the first electronic ring currently applies a threshold for that ring of -51 dBm, i.e. there is an additional 4 dB that the signal can decrease before the first electronic ring would alert the user. In some embodiments, the first electronic ring communicates this information to the second electronic ring. The second electronic ring can then apply a threshold of -54 dBm, which is the currently measured value (in the example above) with the addition of the buffer of 4 dB that the first electronic ring itself applied for that tag.

[0090] In some embodiments, when the first user returns to be within the previous range of the tags, the method includes the second electronic ring stopping the monitoring of the first set of one or more electronic tags. This relieves the second user from responsibility for monitoring the items via the second electronic ring.

[0091] In embodiments that rely on a cloud service for instance via a server 160, information from the second electronic ring relating to the first set of items, such as measured signal strengths or whether the items are in the vicinity of the second electronic ring, can be provided to the first user, either to the first electronic device 120 or to the first electronic ring 101, such as through the first electronic device.

[0092] In a sense, the second electronic ring 501 extends the safe area since the tags are within a safe range from the second electronic ring 501, while the items are within a safe distance.

[0093] Figs. 6A-6L illustrate exemplary configuration interfaces for configuring a first electronic ring using a first electronic device 120 with a display 121 and an input device for receiving input, for instance user input. The electronic device may for instance be a smartphone. Other examples include a smartwatch, a tablet, an augmented reality headset, and a virtual reality headset. At the various stages shown in Figs. 6A-6L, the first electronic device 120 has already been paired with the first electronic ring 101, whereby the ring and the smartphone can exchange configuration information and other information, such as signal strength measurements. In such embodiments, the first electronic ring comprises a receiver to allow the first electronic ring 101 to receive configuration information from the first electronic device 120, making it easier for a user to configure the ring.

[0094] Fig. 6A illustrates the display 121 of the first electronic device 120 showing a tag management user interface indicating that two tags, a "Bag tag" (such as tag 111a) and a "Keys tag" (such as tag 111b), are configured on the ring. In some embodiments, the display shows corresponding checkboxes 621a and 621b with checkmarks that indicate that the tags are part of the first set of one or more electronic tags. The display may also show the current signal strengths 622a and 622b of the radio signals from the respective tags as received by the ring, in this case currently -69 dBm and -57 dBm, respectively. These levels depend on the current distance between the ring and the tags of the items, as discussed above. Fig. 6A illustrates that an input 642 is provided on an "Add tag" affordance 641. This initiates a procedure allowing the user to add a new tag for keeping track of an additional item. The "Add tag" affordance may be provided in a number of ways. For simplicity, the figures illustrate a single option. Thus, the "Add tag" option may be part of a dropdown menu "Menu" as shown for instance in Fig. 6E and 6F or be an option on a spinner. Alternatively, individual affordances are provided for the different functions, such as the "Calibration" function described below.

[0095] Fig. 6B illustrates an exemplary user interface resulting from selection of the "Add tag" affordance 641 in Fig. 6A. The display 121 shows a "New tag" with an unchecked checkbox 624c and a current signal strength 622c of the radio signal received by the ring from the "New tag", such as tag 111c, presently -36 dBm. The relatively high value may indicate that the "New tag" 111c is closer to the smartphone 120 than tags 111a and 111b that show signal strengths of -69 dBm and -57 dBm, respectively (see Fig. 6A), as received by the ring. By providing an input 643 on the checkbox 624c, the user may add the "New tag" 111c to the first set of one or more electronic tags. If the user provides an input on the "Back" affordance 641, the user interface may return for instance to the display shown in Fig. 6A.

[0096] As shown in Fig. 6C, the input 643 provided as illustrated in Fig. 6B results in the "New tag" being added to the first set of one or more electronic tags, indicated visually to the user with a checkmark in the checkbox 624c. Alternatively or additionally, audio output may be provided to indicate that the "New tag" has been added to the first set of one or more electronic tags. As shown in Fig. 6C, the signal strength for the "New tag" as received by the ring has changed to -37 dBm, indicating a slight reduction of the strength of the signal, resulting for instance from a slight increase in the distance between the ring and the "New tag". If the user does not want to add "New tag", the user can press the "Back" affordance 641. In the present case, the user has selected to add "New tag" by providing the input 643 as shown in Fig. 6B. If the user selects the "Back" affordance 641 by providing input 644 on the "Back" affordance 641, the user interface may for instance change to the display shown in Fig. 6D.

[0097] As shown in Fig. 6D, the tag management screen now displays "Bag tag" and "Keys tag" as before, and additionally it displays the newly added "New tag". The user interface further shows a user interface element 641 indicating that the tag has been added.

[0098] In the example in Fig. 6D, "New tag" is shown with an empty checkbox 621c, indicating that although the "New tag" has been registered, it is not part of the first set of one or more electronic tags. This means that the method performed in the ring will not include the "New tag". For instance, the first procedure that checks whether tags are in the vicinity will not check whether the "New tag" is in the vicinity. By providing an input 645 on the "New tag" text, the user may change the name of the tag to a different name. For instance, as shown in Fig. 6E, the user has changed the name to "PC tag" to indicate that the tag is used to keep track of a PC.

[0099] Fig. 6E further illustrates that a user may provide an input 646 in checkbox 621c, which will add the "PC tag" to the first set of one or more electronic tags, whereby the tag will be taken into account during a check procedure or a calibration procedure. The configuration change may be indicated to the user, for instance via a checkmark in the checkbox 621c. The configuration settings are transmitted to the ring, which will then listen to the "PC tag" as well in addition to the "Bag tag" and the "Keys tag" already being monitored. Alternatively, the user may want to remove a tag from the first set of one or more electronic tags. This may be performed in the same fashion, namely by pressing on a checkmark, for instance the checkmark in the box 621a corresponding to the "Bag tag". This removes the "Bag tag" from the first set of one or more electronic tags, whereby that tag will not be involved for instance in the check procedure when performed by the ring. The configuration change is transmitted to the ring, which will not perform the check procedure on the "Bag tag". The change can be signalled to the user by removing the checkmark.

[0100] In some embodiments, the smartphone may be used to initiate the calibration procedure. This is advantageous in case the user already has the smartphone present. The larger interface provides more information to the user. However, since the data is not essential to the user and the functionality of the ring, the check procedure is usually performed by interacting with the ring. When using the phone, a calibration user interface can be obtained by providing input 647 to select "Calibration" in the dropdown "Menu" as shown in Fig. 6F (the "Calibrate" entry is not shown in Fig. 6F but is shown in Fig. 6G, after selection from the dropdown menu).

[0101] Fig. 6G illustrates a user interface for configuring the threshold values to account for obstructions and distances between each tag and the ring. The user interface contains current threshold signals strengths for the existing tags "Bag tag" and "Keys tag", which have previously been configured. Although a default signal strength threshold may be used, the default is preferably that no threshold is applied, allowing the system to identify that the newly added "PC tag" has not been configured fully. To calibrate the threshold value, the user can provide an input 648 on the "Calibrate" affordance 641, which initiates a calibration procedure. The calibration procedure may be particularly useful in situations where the user's clothing changes or tags are added, or items are placed differently on the body. As part of the calibration procedure, the current signal strengths for the tags as received by the ring are measured.

[0102] As shown in Fig. 6H, the threshold for the "Bag tag" has increased from -43 dBm obtained in a previous calibration to -42 dBm. In the present example, the illustrated thresholds are not the actually measured signal strengths, but they are based on the measured signal strengths. As discussed above, a buffer is typically added to allow the distance to increase before an alert is provided. This suppresses false alerts. As discussed above, a buffer of 2-4 dB gives a useful degree freedom in positioning items on the body while still alerting the user when items are no longer in the vicinity of the user. Thus, the threshold of -42 dBm for "Bag tag" may for instance be based on a measured signal strength of -40 dBm, less 2 dB to increase the range while avoiding false alerts. Similarly, the "PC tag" threshold of -47 dBm may be based on a measurement of -45 dBm by the ring, less 2 dB, arriving at the illustrated value of -47 dBm. The threshold buffer may be adjusted for each tag by allowing the user to set individual threshold buffers for each tag.

[0103] If an item is subsequently removed, for instance because the PC is inadvertently forgotten or the bag is removed by an unauthorised person, the received signal strength decreases below the thresholds of -47 dBm and -42 dBm, respectively, and alerts will be output by the ring as described above. To show the user that the calibration is complete, the user interface may show a corresponding text, such as "Calibrated" as illustrated in Fig. 6H.

[0104] Fig. 6I illustrates an additional step in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the electronic device 120 shows a user interface allowing the user to adjust the warning distance. Allowing the user to adjust the warning distance is a user-friendly way for the user to change the underlying threshold value. In this example, the current buffer threshold, expressed as "Current [distance]" 661, corresponds to a distance of 1 meter, as shown in Fig. 6I. The user may change the vicinity, i.e. the range within which the tag is considered to be within a safe distance of the user, by adjusting the warning distance. In the present example, the user changes the value 662 to 2 meters. The new threshold may for instance become active in response to the user providing an input 649 on the "Set distance" affordance 641. The result of this action is shown in Fig. 6J. The doubling of the distance from 1 meter to 2 meters translates to a change in signal strength of -6 dBm. Accordingly, the threshold values are reduced by 6 dB from the previous values, such as the values -42 dBm, -38 dBm, and -47 dBm shown in Fig. 6H, resulting in new threshold values of -48 dBm, -44 dBm, and -53 dBm, respectively. The device 120 may show "Calibrated" to inform the user that the change has been implemented in the ring, whereby the ring will allow a larger distance before generating alerts for the different tags.

[0105] Fig. 6I also illustrates another embodiment. An option to change the ring to a Safe mode is available. In the present example, the Safe mode is not yet active. The Safe mode may set the thresholds to very low values or even cause the ring not to listen for radio signals from the tags at all. This is useful in the home, where items are considered to be safe and the distance as well as walls and doors may prohibit the ring from being able to register any radio signal at all from one or more of the tags. As shown in Fig. 6K, the current distance 661 is 2 meters following the adjustment described in relation to Figs. 6I-6J. This is not essential for the Safe mode functionality, but merely an example of a present configuration; since the current distance 661 and new distance 662 are identical, an input 650 on the "Set distance" affordance 641 will react to the change that the checkbox 663 now has a checkmark. The checkbox 663 may be checked for instance in response to the user pressing the checkbox 663 or the user speaking a command that activates the Safe mode, for instance "Ring, set safe mode" or "Ring, I'm home" or other speech input indicating that the user is in a safe environment. The Safe mode may also be automatically activated, for instance when the ring receives information that the current location is a home location of the user. The location may be determined by the ring in embodiments where the ring comprises a global positioning system, GPS. Alternatively, a user's smartphone may detect that the user is at the home location and transmit configuration information to the ring that changes the threshold values to Safe mode values or disables the alert function entirely. When the user leaves the home location, the ring may reactivate the alert function and / or reinstating temporarily disabled or disregarded threshold values in force before Safe mode was activated. The ring then becomes responsive to provide an alert in case one of the tags becomes out of range in the sense that the signal strength received by the ring from that tag is below the threshold.

[0106] Fig. 6L illustrates how the user interface may change in response to setting the Safe mode. In this example, the threshold values on the calibration user interface show the word "Safe" to indicate that the ring is no longer listening or is applying very low signal strength threshold values. By unchecking the Safe mode checkbox 663 in the user interface shown in Fig. 6K, the ring is configured with the previous values as shown in Fig. 6J, the configuration that was in force before the Safe mode was activated.

[0107] Various embodiments are set out in the following items. 1. A method comprising: a first electronic ring (101) listening, using a receiver integrated in the first electronic ring, for radio signals (112a-112c) transmitted by a first set of two or more electronic tags (111a-111c), the first electronic ring comprising one or more output devices (104a, 104b, 404b, 405, 406) for providing an output, the first electronic ring comprising one or more input devices (105) for obtaining a user input, the radio signal transmitted by each tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags comprising a respective identifier allowing for electronic identification of the tag, the first electronic ring providing a set of one or more outputs in dependence on electromagnetic properties of radio signals received by the first electronic ring from the first set of one or more electronic tags. 2. A method in accordance with item 1, comprising: the first electronic ring detecting a first trigger event, the first electronic ring executing, in response to detecting the first trigger event, a first procedure, wherein the first procedure includes determining, for each tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags, whether the first electronic ring receives a radio signal from the tag and a signal strength of the radio signal received from the tag is above a first signal strength threshold associated with the tag, the first procedure further comprising the steps of one of alternatives (i), (ii), or (iii) below: (i) the first electronic ring providing an output via an output device of the one or more output devices of the first electronic ring for each tag for which it was not determined that a radio signal was received from the tag and that a signal strength of a radio signal received from the tag was above the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag; and the first electronic ring forging providing an output for each tag for which it was determined that a radio signal was received from the tag and a signal strength of the radio signal received from the tag was above the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag, or (ii) the first electronic ring forgoing providing an output via an output device of the one or more output devices of the first electronic ring for each tag for which it was not determined that a radio signal was received from the tag and that a signal strength of a radio signal received from the tag was above the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag; and the first electronic ring providing an output for each tag for which it was determined that a radio signal was received from the tag and a signal strength of the radio signal received from the tag was above the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag, or (iii) the first electronic ring providing a first type of output via an output device of the one or more output devices of the first electronic ring for each tag for which it was not determined that a radio signal was received from the tag and that a signal strength of a radio signal received from the tag was above the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag; and the first electronic ring providing a second type of output via an output device of the one or more output devices of the first electronic ring for each tag for which it was determined that a radio signal was received from the tag and a signal strength of the radio signal received from the tag was above the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag. 3. A method in accordance with item 2, wherein the first trigger event corresponds to detecting that a first user input is provided via an input device of the one or more input devices of the first electronic ring. 4. A method in accordance with item 2 or 3, wherein the output provided by the first electronic ring in response to detecting the first trigger event is distinct for each tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags, whereby the output provided by the first electronic ring in response to detecting the first trigger event allows a user to identify which tag output provided by the first electronic ring in response to detecting the first trigger event is associated with. 5. A method in accordance with any of items 2-4, further comprising: the first electronic ring determining that no radio signal is received from a first tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags or that a signal strength of the radio signal received from the first tag is below the first signal strength threshold associated with the first tag, the first electronic ring providing an output indicating that no radio signal was received from the first tag or that the signal strength of the radio signal received from the first tag was below the first signal strength threshold associated with the first tag, the first electronic ring detecting a second user input via an input device of the one or more input devices of the first electronic ring, the second input being indicative of the first tag, the first electronic ring storing, in response to detecting the second input indicative of the first tag, an indication that the first tag is no longer part of the first set of one or more electronic tags, whereby a subsequent execution of the first procedure will not include the first tag. 6. A method in accordance with item 5, wherein the first electronic ring comprises an accelerometer responsive to movements of the first electronic ring, and wherein the second input that is indicative of the first tag is a predefined gesture associated with the first tag. 7. A method in accordance with item 5, wherein the second input that is indicative of the first tag is a predefined input associated with the first tag, provided via an input device of the one or more input devices. 8. A method in accordance with item 5, wherein the second input that is indicative of the first tag is a predefined speech input associated with the first tag, provided via a microphone input device of the first electronic ring or via a microphone input device of a smartphone or smartwatch or augmented reality headset or virtual reality headset in operable communication with the first electronic ring. 9. A method in accordance with item 5, wherein the second input that is indicative of the first tag is a user input provided via an input device of the one or more input devices of the first electronic ring while the first electronic ring is providing the output indicating that no radio signal was received from the first tag or that the signal strength of the radio signal received from the first tag was below the first signal strength threshold associated with the first tag. 10. A method in accordance with any of items 2-9, further comprising the first electronic ring executing a third procedure, the third procedure comprising: the first electronic ring detecting, for each electronic tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags, whether a signal strength of a radio signal received by the first electronic ring from the electronic tag decreases below the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag, the first electronic ring providing, in response to detecting that a signal strength of a radio signal received by the first electronic ring from the electronic tag decreases below the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag, an output indicative of the tag. 11. A method in accordance with item 10, wherein the output provided in response to detecting that the signal strength of the radio signal received by the first electronic ring from the tag has decreased below the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag is a visual output associated with the tag, such as an light-emitting diode (LED) output in a colour associated with the tag; or a text indicative of the tag, displayed on a display output device of the first electronic ring; or a sound output indicative of the tag, provided by a speaker device of the first electronic ring, such as a speech output indicative of the tag. 12. A method in accordance with any of items 2-11, further comprising: the first electronic ring detecting a second trigger event, in response to detecting the second trigger event, performing a second procedure, the second procedure comprising adjusting, for each tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags, the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag based on a signal strength of a radio signal currently received from the tag. 13. A method in accordance with any of items 10-12, further comprising: disabling the third procedure in the first electronic ring, a second electronic ring (501) listening, using a receiver integrated in the second electronic ring, for the radio signals transmitted by the first set of one or more electronic tags, the second electronic ring comprising one or more output devices for providing an output, the second electronic ring comprising one or more input devices for obtaining a user input, the second electronic ring being configured to execute the third procedure, wherein the second electronic ring performs the third procedure based on a set of one or more second signal strength thresholds, each second signal strength threshold of the set of one or more second signal strength thresholds being associated with a respective tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags, the second electronic ring detecting that a signal strength of a radio signal received by the second electronic ring from a second tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags decreases below a second signal strength threshold associated with the second tag, the second electronic ring providing, via an output device of the one or more output devices and in response to detecting that the signal strength of the radio signal received by the second electronic ring from the second tag has decreased below the second signal strength threshold associated with the second tag, an output associated with detecting that the signal strength of the radio signal received by the second electronic ring from the second tag has decreased below the second signal strength threshold. 14. A method in accordance with item 13, wherein the output provided in response to detecting that the signal strength of the radio signal received by the second electronic ring from the second tag has decreased below the second signal strength threshold associated with the second tag is a visual output associated with the second tag, such as an LED output in a colour associated with the second tag; or a text indicative of the second tag, displayed on a display output device of the second electronic ring; or a sound output indicative of the second tag, provided by a speaker device of the second electronic ring, such as a speech output indicative of the second tag. 15. A method in accordance with any of items 2-14, wherein the signal strength of a radio signal received from each of the first set of one or more electronic tags is determined by the first ring based on two or more non-adjacent frequency subranges. 16. A method in accordance with any of items 1-15, wherein the first electronic ring is configured to store information about each tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags, including information representative of the respective identifier of each tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags. 17. A method in accordance with any of items 1-16, wherein each of the one or more output devices is configured to provide one or more of: an audio output, a visual output, a vibration output, a haptic output. 18. A method in accordance with any of items 1-17, wherein the each of the one or more input devices is one or more of: a touch-sensitive surface, a button, a microphone, a camera, an imaging device, an accelerometer, a gyroscope. 19. A method in accordance with any of items 1-18, wherein the radio signal transmitted by each tag has a frequency in the range 430 MHz-53 GHz, such as in the range 430-435 MHz or in the range 2.3-2.6 GHz or in the range 4-6 GHz. 20. A method in accordance with any of items 1-18, wherein the radio signal transmitted by each tag is an ultra-wideband signal providing intentional radiation with either a -10 dB bandwidth of at least 500 MHz or a -10 dB fractional bandwidth greater than 0.2. 21. An electronic device, wherein the electronic device is an electronic finger ring and wherein the electronic device is configured to perform a method in accordance with one of items 1-20. List of references

[0108] 101: first electronic ring 102: shank 103: aperture defined by shank 104a, 104b: output devices 105: input device 111a-111c: first set of electronic tags 112a-112c: radio signals transmitted by first set of electronic tags 120: smartphone, smartwatch, first electronic device 121: display on first electronic device 130: hand of a user 150: eye of a user 151: finger of a user / wearer 160: server, cloud server 204b: output due to radio signal from tag being below signal strength threshold 212a: position at which radio signal from tag is at signal strength threshold 304b: output due to radio signal from tag being below signal strength threshold 312a, 312b: positions at which radio signals from tags are at signal strength thresholds 330: obstacle 412a: position at which radio signal from tag is at signal strength threshold 404a-404g: output device 405: speak output, speaker output device 406: vibration output, vibration output device 435: user input for carry out check procedure 436: user input to remove tag from first set of one or more electronic tags 501: second electronic ring 510: room 511a-511c: second set of electronic tags 512a, 512b: positions at which radio signals from tags are at signal strength thresholds 513a-513b: radio signals transmitted by first set of electronic tags and received by second smartphone 514: direct communication connection between electronic rings 520: smartphone, smartwatch, second electronic device with display 561-562: connection between respective smartphones and server 621a-621c: checkboxes indicating part of first set of one or more electronic tags 622a-622c: current radio signal strengths at first electronic ring 624c: checkbox indicating new tag shall be added to first set of one or more electronic tags 641: user interface navigation affordance 642-650: user inputs on smartphone 661-662: warning distances 663: safe mode checkbox, safe mode setting R check : distance within which first set of tags must be during check procedure

Claims

1. A method comprising: - a first electronic ring (101) listening, using a receiver integrated in the first electronic ring, for radio signals (112a-112c) transmitted by a first set of two or more electronic tags (111a-111c), the first electronic ring comprising one or more output devices (104a, 104b, 404b, 405, 406) for providing an output, the first electronic ring comprising one or more input devices (105) for obtaining a user input, the radio signal transmitted by each tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags comprising a respective identifier allowing for electronic identification of the tag, - the first electronic ring providing a set of one or more outputs in dependence on electromagnetic properties of radio signals received by the first electronic ring from the first set of one or more electronic tags.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, comprising: - the first electronic ring detecting a first trigger event, - the first electronic ring executing, in response to detecting the first trigger event, a first procedure, wherein the first procedure includes determining, for each tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags, whether the first electronic ring receives a radio signal from the tag and a signal strength of the radio signal received from the tag is above a first signal strength threshold associated with the tag, the first procedure further comprising the steps of one of alternatives (i), (ii), or (iii) below: (i) the first electronic ring providing an output via an output device of the one or more output devices of the first electronic ring for each tag for which it was not determined that a radio signal was received from the tag and that a signal strength of a radio signal received from the tag was above the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag; and the first electronic ring forging providing an output for each tag for which it was determined that a radio signal was received from the tag and a signal strength of the radio signal received from the tag was above the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag, or (ii) the first electronic ring forgoing providing an output via an output device of the one or more output devices of the first electronic ring for each tag for which it was not determined that a radio signal was received from the tag and that a signal strength of a radio signal received from the tag was above the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag; and the first electronic ring providing an output for each tag for which it was determined that a radio signal was received from the tag and a signal strength of the radio signal received from the tag was above the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag, or (iii) the first electronic ring providing a first type of output via an output device of the one or more output devices of the first electronic ring for each tag for which it was not determined that a radio signal was received from the tag and that a signal strength of a radio signal received from the tag was above the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag; and the first electronic ring providing a second type of output via an output device of the one or more output devices of the first electronic ring for each tag for which it was determined that a radio signal was received from the tag and a signal strength of the radio signal received from the tag was above the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the first trigger event corresponds to detecting that a first user input is provided via an input device of the one or more input devices of the first electronic ring.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3, wherein the output provided by the first electronic ring in response to detecting the first trigger event is distinct for each tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags, whereby the output provided by the first electronic ring in response to detecting the first trigger event allows a user to identify which tag output provided by the first electronic ring in response to detecting the first trigger event is associated with.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4, further comprising: - the first electronic ring determining that no radio signal is received from a first tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags or that a signal strength of the radio signal received from the first tag is below the first signal strength threshold associated with the first tag, - the first electronic ring providing an output indicating that no radio signal was received from the first tag or that the signal strength of the radio signal received from the first tag was below the first signal strength threshold associated with the first tag, - the first electronic ring detecting a second user input via an input device of the one or more input devices of the first electronic ring, the second input being indicative of the first tag, - the first electronic ring storing, in response to detecting the second input indicative of the first tag, an indication that the first tag is no longer part of the first set of one or more electronic tags, whereby a subsequent execution of the first procedure will not include the first tag.

6. A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein the first electronic ring comprises an accelerometer responsive to movements of the first electronic ring, and wherein the second input that is indicative of the first tag is a predefined gesture associated with the first tag.

7. A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein the second input that is indicative of the first tag is a predefined input associated with the first tag, provided via an input device of the one or more input devices.

8. A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein the second input that is indicative of the first tag is a predefined speech input associated with the first tag, provided via a microphone input device of the first electronic ring or via a microphone input device of a smartphone or smartwatch or augmented reality headset or virtual reality headset in operable communication with the first electronic ring.

9. A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein the second input that is indicative of the first tag is a user input provided via an input device of the one or more input devices of the first electronic ring while the first electronic ring is providing the output indicating that no radio signal was received from the first tag or that the signal strength of the radio signal received from the first tag was below the first signal strength threshold associated with the first tag.

10. A method in accordance with any of claims 5-9, further comprising the first electronic ring executing a third procedure, the third procedure comprising: - the first electronic ring detecting, for each electronic tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags, whether a signal strength of a radio signal received by the first electronic ring from the electronic tag decreases below the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag, - the first electronic ring providing, in response to detecting that a signal strength of a radio signal received by the first electronic ring from the electronic tag decreases below the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag, an output indicative of the tag.

11. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein the output provided in response to detecting that the signal strength of the radio signal received by the first electronic ring from the tag has decreased below the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag is a visual output associated with the tag, such as an light-emitting diode (LED) output in a colour associated with the tag; or a text indicative of the tag, displayed on a display output device of the first electronic ring; or a sound output indicative of the tag, provided by a speaker device of the first electronic ring, such as a speech output indicative of the tag.

12. A method in accordance with claim 10, further comprising: - the first electronic ring detecting a second trigger event, - in response to detecting the second trigger event, performing a second procedure, the second procedure comprising adjusting, for each tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags, the first signal strength threshold associated with the tag based on a signal strength of a radio signal currently received from the tag.

13. A method in accordance with claim 12, further comprising: - disabling the third procedure in the first electronic ring, - a second electronic ring (501) listening, using a receiver integrated in the second electronic ring, for the radio signals transmitted by the first set of one or more electronic tags, the second electronic ring comprising one or more output devices for providing an output, the second electronic ring comprising one or more input devices for obtaining a user input, the second electronic ring being configured to execute the third procedure, wherein the second electronic ring performs the third procedure based on a set of one or more second signal strength thresholds, each second signal strength threshold of the set of one or more second signal strength thresholds being associated with a respective tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags, - the second electronic ring detecting that a signal strength of a radio signal received by the second electronic ring from a second tag of the first set of one or more electronic tags decreases below a second signal strength threshold associated with the second tag, - the second electronic ring providing, via an output device of the one or more output devices and in response to detecting that the signal strength of the radio signal received by the second electronic ring from the second tag has decreased below the second signal strength threshold associated with the second tag, an output associated with detecting that the signal strength of the radio signal received by the second electronic ring from the second tag has decreased below the second signal strength threshold, where the output provided in response to detecting that the signal strength of the radio signal received by the second electronic ring from the second tag has decreased below the second signal strength threshold associated with the second tag is a visual output associated with the second tag, such as an LED output in a colour associated with the second tag; or a text indicative of the second tag, displayed on a display output device of the second electronic ring; or a sound output indicative of the second tag, provided by a speaker device of the second electronic ring, such as a speech output indicative of the second tag.

14. A method in accordance with any of claims 1-13, wherein each of the one or more output devices is configured to provide one or more of: an audio output, a visual output, a vibration output, a haptic output; and wherein each of the one or more input devices is one or more of: a touch-sensitive surface, a button, a microphone, a camera, an imaging device, an accelerometer, a gyroscope.

15. An electronic device, wherein the electronic device is an electronic finger ring and wherein the electronic device is configured to perform a method in accordance with one of claims 1-14.

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