Proximity-sensor supporting multiple application services

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12033494-B2
Application number	US-202318150441-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 5, 2023
Priority date	Nov 9, 2007
Publication date	Jul 9, 2024
Grant date	Jul 9, 2024

Abstract

A personal digital key (e.g., which can be carried by a human) contains a memory having different service blocks. Each service block is accessible by a corresponding service block access key. As the personal digital key (PDK) moves around, it is detected by sensors. The sensors report position data, thus enabling location tracking of the PDK. The sensors also provide a data path to various applications. An application that has access to a service block access key can therefore access the corresponding service block on the PDK. The sensors themselves may also contain service block access keys.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method comprising:
detecting a personal digital key (PDK) associated with an asset within a proximity zone of a sensor device;
responsive to the detecting, establishing a wireless communication channel between the sensor device and the PDK in the proximity zone of the sensor device by initiating a wireless transmission of an access key to the PDK, the access key being unique to an application and enabling the application to access the PDK via the sensor device;
responsive to establishing the wireless communication channel, gathering position data about the asset using the PDK;
generating location tracking data for the asset based on the position data; and
providing the location tracking data for the asset to the application.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein initiating the wireless transmission of the access key to the PDK enables the application to gain access to a secure memory element of the PDK.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein gathering the position data about the asset using the PDK includes collecting a PDK identifier, a signal strength indication, and a timestamp.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the location tracking data for the asset based on the position data includes:
determining a prior location history of the PDK associated with the asset; and
applying the position data and the prior location history of the PDK to a location deterministic algorithm.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
responsive to establishing the wireless communication channel, initiating a wireless transmission of a command from the application to the PDK associated with the asset;
receiving an acknowledgement message of an execution of the command by the PDK; and
providing the acknowledgement message to the application.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the command includes one from a group of turning on a light on the PDK and setting off an audible tone on the PDK.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the execution of the command by the PDK is used to locate the asset in an indoor or outdoor site.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensor device provides a data path between the PDK associated with the asset and the application.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the application is a location tracking application.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the location tracking application generates a graphical user interface to display a trail of the PDK associated with the asset.

11. A system comprising:
a sensor device and a memory including instructions that, when executed by the sensor device, cause the system to:
detect a personal digital key (PDK) associated with an asset within a proximity zone of the sensor device;
responsive to detecting the PDK, establish a wireless communication channel between the sensor device and the PDK in the proximity zone of the sensor device by initiating a wireless transmission of an access key to the PDK, the access key being unique to an application and enabling the application to access Ma the PDK via the sensor device;
responsive to establishing the wireless communication channel, gather position data about the asset using the PDK;
generate location tracking data for the asset based on the position data; and
provide the location tracking data for the asset to the application.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein initiating the wireless transmission of the access key to the PDK enables the application to gain access to a secure memory element of the PDK.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein to gather the position data about the asset using the PDK, the instructions, when executed by the sensor device, further cause the system to collect a PDK identifier, a signal strength indication, and a timestamp.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein to generate the location tracking data for the asset based on the position data, the instructions, when executed by the sensor device, further cause the system to:
determine a prior location history of the PDK associated with the asset; and
apply the position data and the prior location history of the PDK to a location deterministic algorithm.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the sensor device, further cause the system to:
responsive to establishing the wireless communication channel, initiate a wireless transmission of a command from the application to the PDK associated with the asset;
receive an acknowledgement message of an execution of the command by the PDK; and
provide the acknowledgement message to the application.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the command includes one from a group of turning on a light on the PDK and setting off an audible tone on the PDK.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the execution of the command by the PDK is used to locate the asset in an indoor or outdoor site.

18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the sensor device provides a data path between the PDK associated with the asset and the application.

19. The system of claim 11 , wherein the application is a location tracking application.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the location tracking application generates a graphical user interface to display a trail of the PDK associated with the asset.

Assignees

• Proxense Llc

Inventors

• Brown David L
• Giobbi John J

Classifications

• G06F21/35

  communicating wirelessly · CPC title

• G06F21/629

  to features or functions of an application · CPC title

• G06F21/32

  using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints · CPC title

• G06F2221/2111

  Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS · CPC title

• G08C17/02 Primary

  using a radio link · CPC title