Method And System Of Indoor Positioning Of A User And Delivery Of Information Thereto

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017289770-A1
Application number	US-201715629751-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 22, 2017
Priority date	Apr 21, 2015
Publication date	Oct 5, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Methods and systems of indoor positioning of a user and delivery of information thereto are described. A system may include a communication device and a plurality of networked devices. The communication device may receive incoming information which is intended for receipt by a user, and transmit a request signal responsive to the receiving of the incoming information. Each of the networked devices may receive the request signal, and determine which one of the networked devices is situated to notify the user of the incoming information. The networked device situated to notify the user may proceed to notify the user of the incoming information.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method, comprising:
receiving, by a communication device, incoming information which is intended for receipt by a user; transmitting, by the communication device, a first request signal to a plurality of networked devices, the first request signal indicating the receiving of the incoming information; and receiving, by the communication device, a response signal indicating that a first networked device of the plurality of networked devices is situated to notify the user of the incoming information, wherein the transmitting and receiving comprises transmitting and receiving via an access point device which is communicatively connected to the plurality of networked devices.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
transmitting, by the communication device to the first networked device, a second request signal that causes the first networked device to notify the user of the incoming information.

3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
receiving, by the communication device, an input from the user; and providing the incoming information to the user responsive to receiving the input.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving of the response signal comprises receiving the response signal originated from the first networked device.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving of the response signal comprises receiving the response signal originated from a second networked device of the plurality of networked devices.

6 . A method, comprising:
receiving, by a first networked device, a request signal originated from a communication device, the request signal indicating the communication device receiving incoming information which is intended for receipt by a user; determining, by the first networked device, whether the first networked device is situated to notify the user of the incoming information; and providing, by the first networked device, a notification to the user responsive to a determination that the first networked device is situated to notify the user, wherein the receiving comprises receiving via an access point device which is communicatively connected to the first networked device.

7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
transmitting, by the first networked device, a response signal indicating that the first networked device is situated to notify the user of the incoming information responsive to the determination that the first networked device is situated to notify the user.

8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the determining of whether the first networked device is situated to notify the user of the incoming information comprises:
obtaining position information indicating a position of the user; determining a first distance between the user and the first networked device based at least in part on the position information; receiving information indicating a second distance between the user and a second networked device; comparing the first distance and the second distance; and determining that the first networked device is situated to notify the user in response to a result of the comparing indicating the first distance being less than the second distance.

9 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the determining of whether the first networked device is situated to notify the user of the incoming information comprises:
obtaining position information indicating a position of the user; determining a first direction in which the first networked device is generally oriented to provide either or both audio and visual signals; receiving information indicating a second direction in which a second networked device is generally oriented to provide either or both audio and visual signals; comparing the first direction and the second direction with respect to the position of the user; and determining that the first networked device is situated to notify the user in response to a result of the comparing indicating the first direction being more toward the user than the second direction.

10 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the determining of whether the first networked device is situated to notify the user of the incoming information comprises receiving, from a portable device carried by the user, position information indicating a position of the user.

11 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
obtaining position information indicating a position of the user.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the obtaining of the position information indicating the position of the user comprises:
determining a first estimated position of the user relative to the first networked device; receiving information indicating a second estimated position of the user relative to a second networked device; and determining the position of the user based at least in part on the first estimated position and the second estimated position.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the determining of the first estimated position of the user relative to the first networked device comprises determining using one or more of a sound received by a microphone associated with the first networked device, a strength of a wireless signal received by the first networked device from a portable device carried by the user, or an ultrasonic signal received by the first networked device.

14 . A system, comprising:
a communication device configured to perform operations comprising:
receiving incoming information which is intended for receipt by a user; and
transmitting a first request signal responsive to receiving the incoming information, the first request signal indicating the receiving of the incoming information at the communication device;
a plurality of networked devices; and an access point device communicatively connected to the communication device and the plurality of networked devices, the access point device configured to perform operations comprising:
receiving the first request signal;
determining a position of the user;
determining that a first networked device of the plurality of networked devices is situated to notify the user of the incoming information; and
transmitting a response signal to the communication device, the response signal indicating that the first networked device is situated to notify the user of the incoming information,
wherein the plurality of networked devices transmit and receive signals via the access point device.

15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein:
the communication device is further configured to perform operations comprising:
receiving the response signal indicating that a first networked device of the plurality of networked devices is situated to notify the user of the incoming information; and
transmitting a second request signal that causes the first networked device to notify the user of the incoming information.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein:
the first networked device is configured to perform operations comprising:
receiving the second request signal; and
providing a notification to the user responsive to receiving the second request signal.

17 . The system of claim 14 , wherein, in determining that the first networked device of the plurality of networked devices is situated to notify the user of the incoming information, the access point device is configured to perform operations comprises:
determining a first distance between the user and the first networked device based at least in part on the position of the user; determining a second distance between the user and a second networked device of the plura

Assignees

• Mediatek Inc

Inventors

• Kan Tai-Wei
• Wang Tsung-Te
• Lee Yi-Kai

Classifications

• H04W4/04 Primary

  Electricity · mapped topic

• H04W4/022 Primary

  with dynamic range variability · CPC title

• H04W4/026

  using orientation information, e.g. compass · CPC title

• H04W4/30

  Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes · CPC title

• H04W4/029 Primary

  Location-based management or tracking services · CPC title