Methods, Systems, and Products for Enhanced Location

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016353250-A1
Application number	US-201615234034-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 11, 2016
Priority date	Oct 29, 2014
Publication date	Dec 1, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Location may be determined based on electrical outlets in a home or business. One or more of the electrical outlets may wirelessly communicate with a mobile device, thus updating a database with the location of the mobile device. As the mobile device moves within the home or business, a current location of the mobile device may be continually logged by passing one of the electrical outlets. Rules and operations may then be performed, based on the current location.

First claim

1 . A portable product for use in conjunction with an electrical outlet, comprising:
a transceiver; a memory device that stores an outlet-side algorithm; and a processor that executes the outlet-side algorithm to perform operations, the operations comprising: receiving, via the transceiver, a wireless signal from a mobile device, the wireless signal comprising a device identifier associated with the mobile device; generating an outlet message that includes the device identifier and an outlet identifier, the outlet identifier identifying the electrical outlet; and sending the outlet message to a network device, the outlet message enabling electronic logging of an indoor location associated with the mobile device.

2 . The portable product of claim 1 , further comprising enclosing the transceiver, the memory device, and the processor in an enclosure.

3 . The portable product of claim 1 , further comprising receiving electrical power via the electrical outlet.

4 . The portable product of claim 1 , further comprising wirelessly transmitting the outlet message via the transceiver.

5 . The portable product of claim 1 , further comprising sending the outlet message sent via the electrical outlet of an electrical power distribution system.

6 . The portable product of claim 1 , further comprising time stamping the outlet message.

7 . The portable product of claim 1 , further comprising retrieving a textual description associated with the outlet identifier, the textual description textually describing the indoor location.

8 . A system, comprising:
a processor; and a memory device, the memory device storing instructions, the instructions when executed causing the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising: receiving an outlet message sent from a portable product, the outlet message comprising a device identifier and an outlet identifier, the device identifier identifying a mobile device communicating with a transceiver, and the outlet identifier identifying an electrical outlet; and adding an entry to an electronic database of locations associated with the mobile device, the electronic database of locations logging the outlet identifier as an indoor location associated with the mobile device.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise time stamping the outlet message.

10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise wirelessly receiving the outlet message.

11 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving the outlet message sent via an electrical power distribution system.

12 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise retrieving a textual description associated with the outlet identifier, the textual description textually describing the indoor location.

13 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise querying a luminary database for the outlet identifier to determine a luminaire at the indoor location.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the operations further comprise activating the luminaire associated with the indoor location.

15 . A memory device storing instructions that when executed cause a processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:
receiving an outlet message sent from a portable product, the portable product receiving electrical power from an electrical outlet in an electrical system, the outlet message comprising a device identifier of a mobile device communicating with the portable product and an outlet identifier that uniquely identifies the electrical outlet; and storing the outlet identifier as an indoor location of the mobile device.

16 . The memory device of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise time stamping the outlet message.

17 . The memory device of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise activating a luminaire associated with the indoor location of the mobile device.

18 . The memory device of claim 17 , wherein the operations further comprise deactivating the luminaire after expiration of a timer.

19 . The memory device of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise triangulating the indoor location of the mobile device.

20 . The memory device of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise activating an electronic lock associated with the indoor location of the mobile device.

Assignees

• At & T Ip I Lp

Inventors

• Kingsmill Kirk
• Johnston Robert
• Russell Jeffery

Classifications

• H04M1/7253

  Electricity · mapped topic

• H04W4/008

  Electricity · mapped topic

• H04M1/72533

  Electricity · mapped topic

• H04W4/04 Primary

  Electricity · mapped topic

• H04M1/72415 Primary

  for remote control of appliances · CPC title