Patent Issued for Emergency Location Identfication Using Wireless Devices (USPTO 10,325,482)

2019 JUN 27 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (Springfield, Massachusetts, United States) has been issued patent number 10,325,482, according to news reporting originating out of Alexandria, Virginia, by NewsRx editors.

The patent’s inventors are Knas, Michal (Monson, MA); John, Jiby (Suffield, CT).

This patent was filed on April 30, 2018 and was published online on July 1, 2019.

From the background information supplied by the inventors, news correspondents obtained the following quote: “Large buildings, such as office campuses, can be disorienting and confusing to navigate. This problem is particularly acute when many buildings and floors look the same, which can be challenging for clients/employees unfamiliar with the building(s) and even more troublesome in emergency situations. Current methods used by emergency responders to locate victims in emergency situations are manual and cumbersome. For example, responders must review floor plans and train each other to navigate the new space, which has proven inefficient and sometimes inaccurate. In time-sensitive situations, efficiency and accuracy is vital to responders.”

Supplementing the background information on this patent, NewsRx reporters also obtained the inventors’ summary information for this patent: “For the aforementioned reasons, there is a need to utilize indoor positioning systems for better management/guidance of responder navigations. There is a need for an efficient computer system and method to manage indoor navigation and automatically generate notifications to guide responders towards potential victims. The systems and methods disclosed herein attempt to address the above-mentioned shortcomings in the art and provide a variety of other benefits. The systems and methods described herein can create, maintain, transmit, and utilize data from receiving devices and beacons.

“In an embodiment, a method comprises receiving, by a server, a device identifier and a first location information from a receiving device, the first location information being associated with a location of the receiving device received from a plurality of beacons within a building, wherein the device identifier comprises a distinctive combination of at least one of numbers and characters uniquely identifying the receiving device. The method comprises determining, by the server, a first location associated with the receiving device based at least on one of the first location information and the device identifier. The method comprises receiving, by a server, a second location information from the receiving device. The method comprises determining, by the server, a second location associated with the receiving device based at least on one of the second location information and the device identifier. The method comprises determining, by the server, whether the second location is within the building. The method comprises upon determining that the second location is within the building, assigning, by the server, a value to the receiving device representing the receiving device as present within the building. The method comprises receiving, by the server, from a responder mobile device, a request for one or more receiving devices within the building. The method comprises upon the value associated with the receiving device representing the receiving device as present within the building, generating, by the server, a graphical user interface configured to display the second location associated with the receiving device. The method further comprises transmitting, by the server, the graphical user interface to the responder mobile device.

“In another embodiment a computer system comprises a server, which is configured to receive a device identifier and a first location information from a receiving device, the first location information being associated with a location of the receiving device received from a plurality of beacons within a building, wherein the device identifier comprises a distinctive combination of at least one of numbers and characters uniquely identifying the receiving device. The server is configured to determine a first location associated with the receiving device based at least on one of the first location information and the device identifier. The server is configured to receive a second location information from the receiving device. The server is configured to determine a second location associated with the receiving device based at least on one of the second location information and the device identifier. The server is configured to determine whether the second location is within the building. The server is configured to upon determining that the second location is within the building, assign a value to the receiving device representing the receiving device as present within the building. The server is configured to receive from a responder mobile device, a request for one or more receiving devices within the building. The server is configured to upon the value associated with the receiving device representing the receiving device as present within the building, generate a graphical user interface configured to display the second location associated with the receiving device. The server is further configured to transmit the graphical user interface to the responder mobile device. In an alternative embodiment, the server may generate data to be presented on a graphical user interface, such as content to be presented when the graphical user interface is displayed or upon rendering a web page on a web browser. The server may then transmit this data to the receiving device for display accordingly.

“A beacon is small, battery-friendly device that sends out a low-voltage signal, such as Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE), for a programmable distance between about a few cm to 40-50 m. In addition, some smartphones can act as beacons. The frequency of sending the signal can also be programmable; for example, a signal can be sent every 100-400 milliseconds. Beacons can be placed strategically indoors or outdoors to perform many actions.

“Beacons can transmit small packets of data or data packets. Here the term ‘Beacon’ applies to any device, mobile or fixed, that is capable of transmitting a data packet. A data packet can be the same as defined in the Bluetooth specification or any other data packet that transmits a unique identifier. Currently, beacons repeatedly transmit data packets in set intervals. The iBeacon system (implemented by Apple.RTM.) utilizes iBeacons (a form of beacon) to transmit a data packet consisting mainly of three pieces of information--a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID), a major field, and a minor field. And an iBeacon typically transmits that packet over and over again. Further information about beacons can be found in the Supplement to the Bluetooth Core Specification, Version 5, which is incorporated by reference herein.

“In one use case, retailers use these beacons or transmitters as a hyper-local device tracking mechanism, i.e., to locate smartphones within the proximity. Non-limiting examples of transmitters include an iBeacon, AltBeacon, and EddyStone, a wireless router, a cellular phone, a tablet, a workstation, or any other suitable computing or other electronic device. Location-based information is provided to a clients’/consumers’ personal device based on its receipt a packet from a beacon. One or more mobile applications on receiving devices can use the data packet to assess current location or other information. For instance, the one or more applications can transmit information, such as a UUID, contained in the data packet, to a server to retrieve information associated with the data packet. These data packets also allow for delivery of specific content to users based on location. For example, an iBeacon located in aisle 3 of a personal goods store transmits its UUID to consumers’/clients’ mobile devices. If a consumer has a smartphone that contains the application for the personal goods store, then the store can transmit special offers for products sold in aisle 3. The UUID portion of the data packet is associated with the personal goods store while the major and minor field identifies specific section and aisle of the personal goods store. The iBeacon devices are little power-efficient sensor-like devices that do not receive anything, but transmit an identity in a given proximity, about a 30-foot range.

“Additional information can be gleaned from BLE signals, including an approximate distance between the beacon and the receiving device. Beacons can be programmed to broadcast their signals at different power levels, known as the ‘Broadcasting Power.’ The BLE beacon can transmit its Broadcasting Power to the receiving device, which can approximate its distance from the beacon by comparing the Broadcasting Power to the strength of the signal as received, known as the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI).

“The term ‘beacon’ as used herein refers to any device configured to transmit a data packet, which is used by a receiving device to identify the transmitting device and compute the relative distance between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beacons can be physical devices or virtual beacons. Beacons transmit small packets of data. Currently, beacons repeatedly transmit data packets in set intervals. There are several types of beacons and associated protocols available in the market such as iBeacon system (implemented by Apple.RTM.), AltBeacon (provided by Radius Networks), and EddyStone.RTM. (from Google.RTM.). The iBeacons and AltBeacons broadcast a data packet consisting mainly of following pieces of information--a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID), a major number, a minor number, and a transmission power level known as the ‘Broadcasting Power.’ These formats require external databases to give meaning to the beacon data packets. Receiving devices can approximate distance from the beacon by comparing the Broadcasting Power to the strength of the signal as received, known as the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI). As these devices typically transmit that packet over and over again, this type of transmission defines the functionality of beacons. These data packets are recognized only by special apps on the mobile phone of the users. Beacons supporting the Eddystone format broadcast three different packets: a unique ID number, a URL address, and telemetrics based on sensors. They don’t require an external database; instead they use web links to either link to data directly and could function via a two-way communication method. The Eddystone-URL frame type broadcasts information that can be used by a phone even without a specialized application. Virtual beacons may not require specialized devices and may use existing indoor positioning systems and the user devices to deliver location-based information. Beacons can be configured to broadcast sensor data such as temperature and battery level, or even data gathered from other sensors in the room such as motion-detectors.

“One embodiment includes beacons or transmitters at fixed locations, such that a user walking by can receive data packets from the transmitters, and the data packets have different distance granularities associated with them. For instance, users may not walk closely enough to transmitters that transmit only a short range, e.g., 1 m diameter. However, a transmitter that transmits with a larger diameter, e.g., 10 m, may be able to cover an entire hallway or corridor, and therefore a user could not avoid receiving a data packet from that transmitter if they went through the hallway or corridor.

“In addition to tracking which transmitters a user passed, one or more applications on the receiving device may make additional uses of the data packets from the transmitters. For example, an application on the receiving device may offer the user information about the area around the beacon, such as how far it is from the user’s destination, whose offices are nearby the beacon, how far the beacon is from various destinations, such as the cafeteria or coffee shop, the name of the building of location of the building. Buildings are often described in a grid format, with rows and columns having letters or numbers, respectively. Therefore, the data packet can either contain the row and column of the transmitter or the application can get that information using the transmitter’s unique identifier.

“Some embodiments allow for inter-application communication. For instance, a user may have a list of action items to accomplish, such as visit a co-worker’s desk, drop off a computer at the information technology office, or stop at corporate nurse for evaluation. Such information could be stored in the same application on a user’s receiving device as the one tracking the user’s position, or it could be stored in a separate application.

“In another use case, a receiving device (e.g., a smartphone or any other device configured to communicate with a beacon) can also transmit a data packet, acting as a beacon, which can be received by another receiving device, fixed or mobile. In either case, fixed or mobile, this reception serves to notify the receiver that the mobile transmitter is nearby. As an example, a mobile application could instruct a mobile device to transmit a data packet associated with a social network identity which, upon reception at another device, fixed or mobile, could indicate the proximity of a social network user. In this embodiment, receiving devices could be placed throughout a building. These receiving devices would monitor the receiving devices location to track where the user has been. The system of this embodiment could then store the information of which transmitters the user went past, and the user can use an application to retrieve this information. This embodiment has the disadvantage of using the user’s device as a beacon, which could drain the battery more quickly than using it simply as a receiving device. Nonetheless, this embodiment has advantages because there need not be transmitters constantly broadcasting throughout the building, and depending on the number of transmitters needed, there could be significant cost/complexity savings using this method.

“Some embodiments can use RSSI or triangulation to assess more accurately the location of a receiving device. For instance, the receiving device may receive signals from more than one source or of more than one type, e.g., Wi-Fi, BLE, and GPS. By relying on more than once source, these embodiments are more reliable and more accurate.

“One problem with current beacon technology is that they are single use, and therefore do not present accurate granular location information. Embodiments of the present invention solve this problem by allowing one or a plurality of beacons to transmit information at different ranges to provide more granular location information.

“Additional features and advantages of an embodiment will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description. The objectives and other advantages will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the exemplary embodiments in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory, and are intended to provide further explanation of embodiments as claimed.”

The claims supplied by the inventors are:

“What is claimed is:

“1. A method comprising: monitoring, by a server, a location of a first mobile device by periodically receiving, by the server via the first mobile device, identification data from a plurality of beacons within a building; receiving, by the server, from a second mobile device, a request to identify one or more mobile devices within the building; and upon determining by the server that the location of the first mobile device is within the building based on a latest identification data received from the first mobile device, transmitting, by the server, the location of the first mobile device to the second mobile device, whereby a graphical user interface displayed on the second mobile device displays the location of the first mobile device, wherein the graphical user interface further comprises identification information associated with a user operating the first mobile device.

“2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification information comprises one or more medical conditions associated with a user operating the first mobile device.

“3. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface further comprises instructions to reach the location associated with the first mobile device.

“4. The method of claim 3, wherein the instructions to reach the location associated with the first mobile device comprises a fastest route to the location associated with the first mobile device.

“5. The method of claim 3, wherein the instructions to reach the location associated with the first mobile device comprises a route comprising one or more points of interest within the building.

“6. A system comprising: a first mobile device; a second mobile device; and a server configured to: monitor a location of the first mobile device by periodically receiving via the first mobile device, identification data from a plurality of beacons within a building; receive from the second mobile device, a request to identify one or more mobile devices within the building; and upon determining that the location of the first mobile device is within the building based on a latest identification data received from the first mobile device, transmit the location of the first mobile device to the second mobile device, whereby a graphical user interface displayed on the second mobile device displays the location of the first mobile device, wherein the graphical user interface further comprises identification information associated with a user operating the first mobile device.

“7. The system of claim 6, wherein the graphical user interface is transmitted to the second mobile device through an encrypted transmission method.

“8. The system of claim 6, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a request for identification confirmation by a second user operating the second mobile device.

“9. The system of claim 8, wherein the identification confirmation is in form of a password.

“10. The system of claim 8, wherein the identification confirmation is in form of biometric data.

“11. A method comprising: monitoring, by a server, location data associated with a first mobile device within a building using at least one of GPS, Wireless, or BLE process; receiving, by the server, from a second mobile device, a request to identify one or more mobile devices within the building; determining whether a current location associated with the first mobile device is within the building, wherein the current location of the first mobile device is associated with a location of the first mobile device at a time period that the server receives the request from the second mobile device; and upon determining that the current location associated with the first mobile device is within the building, transmitting, by the server, the current location associated with the first mobile device to the second mobile device, whereby a graphical user interface associated with the second mobile device displays the current location associated with the first mobile device, wherein the graphical user interface further comprises identification information associated with a user operating the first mobile device.

“12. The method of claim 11, wherein the identification information comprises one or more medical conditions associated with a user operating the first mobile device.

“13. The method of claim 11, wherein the graphical user interface further comprises instructions to reach the current location associated with the first mobile device.

“14. The method of claim 13, wherein the instructions to reach the current location associated with the first mobile device comprises a fastest route to the current location associated with the first mobile device.

“15. The method of claim 13, wherein the instructions to reach the current location associated with the first mobile device comprises a route comprising one or more points of interest within the building.

“16. The method of claim 11, wherein the graphical user interface is transmitted to the second mobile device through an encrypted transmission method.

“17. The method of claim 11, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a request for identification confirmation by a second user operating the second mobile device.

“18. The method of claim 17, wherein the identification confirmation is in form of a password.”

For the URL and additional information on this patent, see: Knas, Michal; John, Jiby. Emergency Location Identfication Using Wireless Devices. U.S. Patent Number 10,325,482, filed April 30, 2018, and published online on July 1, 2019. Patent URL: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=10,325,482.PN.&OS=PN/10,325,482RS=PN/10,325,482

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