Abstract:
Apparatus having corresponding methods comprise: a first Bluetooth device configured to determine identities of second Bluetooth devices that are within communication range of the first Bluetooth device based on Bluetooth signals exchanged between the first Bluetooth device and the second Bluetooth devices; and a processor configured to i) determine whether the second Bluetooth devices are allowed within the communication range of the first Bluetooth device based on the identities of the second Bluetooth devices, and ii) provide an alarm indication responsive to the processor determining that any of the second Bluetooth devices are not allowed within the communication range of the first Bluetooth device. Apparatus also comprise the second Bluetooth devices.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This disclosure claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/597,954, filed on Feb. 13, 2012, entitled “PREVENT 3DG STEALING IN CINEMA,” the disclosure thereof incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to the field of wireless communication networks. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to Bluetooth wireless communication networks. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This background section is provided for the purpose of generally describing the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventor(s), to the extent the work is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. 
     Bluetooth wireless communication network technology has met with wide acceptance in an ever-increasing number of fields. For example, Bluetooth has recently been introduced in the field of active shutter 3D glasses for use in cinema, as well as at home. According to this technology, a cinema projector or television set controls active shutter 3D glasses using Bluetooth signals as a user views a movie or television show. In a cinema, a customer may bring his own pair of active shutter 3D glasses. Alternatively, the cinema may provide the active shutter 3D glasses to the customer. In the latter case, the user may inadvertently or purposefully remove the active shutter 3D glasses from the cinema after the movie ends, thereby causing a financial loss to the cinema. 
     SUMMARY 
     In general, in one aspect, an embodiment features an apparatus comprising: a first Bluetooth device configured to determine respectively identities of second Bluetooth devices that are within communication range of the first Bluetooth device based on Bluetooth signals exchanged between the first Bluetooth device and the second Bluetooth devices; and a processor configured to i) determine whether the second Bluetooth devices are allowed within the communication range of the first Bluetooth device based on the identities of the second Bluetooth devices, and ii) provide an alarm indication responsive to the processor determining that any of the second Bluetooth devices are not allowed within the communication range of the first Bluetooth device. 
     Embodiments of the apparatus can include one or more of the following features. Some embodiments comprise a memory configured to store the identities of the second Bluetooth devices that are not allowed within the communication range of the first Bluetooth device; wherein the processor is further configured to compare the identities determined by the first Bluetooth device to the identities stored in the memory. Some embodiments comprise an alarm device configured to produce an alarm responsive to the processor providing the alarm indication. Some embodiments comprise a physical object, wherein the physical object includes one of the second Bluetooth devices. In some embodiments, the physical object is a pair of active shutter 3D glasses; and the pair of active shutter 3D glasses is controlled in accordance with Bluetooth signals exchanged between one of the second Bluetooth devices and a third Bluetooth device. In some embodiments, the pair of active shutter 3D glasses further comprises: an alarm device; wherein the first Bluetooth device is further configured to transmit an alarm signal responsive to the processor providing the alarm indication; and wherein the alarm device is further configured to produce an alarm responsive to the one of the second Bluetooth devices receiving the alarm signal. In some embodiments, the identities of the second Bluetooth devices comprise at least one of: Bluetooth addresses of the second Bluetooth devices; and one or more access codes transmitted by the second Bluetooth devices. Some embodiments comprise an integrated circuit comprising the apparatus. 
     In general, in one aspect, an embodiment features a method comprising: respectively determining identities of second Bluetooth devices that are within communication range of a first Bluetooth device based on Bluetooth signals exchanged between the first Bluetooth device and the second Bluetooth devices; determining whether the second Bluetooth devices are allowed within the communication range of the first Bluetooth device based on the identities of the second Bluetooth devices; and providing an alarm indication responsive to determining that any of the second Bluetooth devices are not allowed within the communication range of the first Bluetooth device. 
     Embodiments of the method can include one or more of the following features. Some embodiments comprise storing the identities of the second Bluetooth devices that are not allowed within the communication range of the first Bluetooth device; and comparing the identities determined by the first Bluetooth device to the stored identities. Some embodiments comprise producing an alarm responsive to the alarm indication. Some embodiments comprise attaching the one of the second Bluetooth devices to a physical object. In some embodiments, the physical object is a pair of active shutter 3D glasses; and the method further comprises controlling the pair of active shutter 3D glasses in accordance with Bluetooth signals exchanged between the one of the second Bluetooth devices and a third Bluetooth device. In some embodiments, the pair of active shutter 3D glasses further comprises an alarm device; and the method further comprises i) transmitting an alarm signal from the first Bluetooth device responsive to the alarm indication, and ii) producing an alarm at the pair of active shutter 3D glasses responsive to the one of the second Bluetooth devices receiving the alarm signal. In some embodiments, the identities of the second Bluetooth devices comprise at least one of: Bluetooth addresses of the second Bluetooth devices; and one or more access codes transmitted by the second Bluetooth devices. 
     In general, in one aspect, an embodiment features an apparatus comprising: a Bluetooth device, wherein the Bluetooth device comprises a Bluetooth transmitter configured to transmit first Bluetooth signals, wherein the first Bluetooth signals include an identity of the Bluetooth device, and a Bluetooth receiver configured to receive second Bluetooth signals, wherein the second Bluetooth signals include i) an alarm signal, and ii) the identity of the Bluetooth device; and a processor configured to provide an alarm indication responsive to the Bluetooth device receiving the alarm signal. 
     Embodiments of the apparatus can include one or more of the following features. Some embodiments comprise an alarm device configured to produce an alarm responsive to the processor providing the alarm indication. Some embodiments comprise a pair of active shutter 3D glasses, wherein the pair of active shutter 3D glasses includes a left active shutter glass and a right active shutter glass; and an active shutter glass controller configured to control the left active shutter glass, and the right active shutter glass, in accordance with third Bluetooth signals received by the Bluetooth receiver. In some embodiments, the identity of the Bluetooth device comprises at least one of a Bluetooth address of the Bluetooth device; and an access code transmitted by the Bluetooth devices. Some embodiments comprise an integrated circuit comprising the apparatus. 
     The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a theft prevention system for preventing the theft of a physical object according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a theft prevention system for preventing the theft of a pair of active shutter 3D glasses from a cinema according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  shows detail of the pair of active shutter 3D glasses of  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  shows detail of the security detector of  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  shows a process for the theft prevention system of  FIG. 2 , according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  shows an identification process for the theft prevention system of  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     The leading digit(s) of each reference numeral used in this specification indicates the number of the drawing in which the reference numeral first appears. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure provide elements of a theft prevention system using Bluetooth signals. According to the described embodiments, a first Bluetooth device is attached to a physical object such as a pair of active shutter 3D glasses. When the physical object enters a prohibited zone, a second Bluetooth device detects the first Bluetooth device, and can trigger an alarm. The alarm can be located on the physical object, elsewhere, or both. For example, the alarm can be triggered when a cinema customer transports active shutter 3D glasses from an auditorium into a lobby. 
     The second Bluetooth device can identify the first Bluetooth device, for example by its Bluetooth address, in order to differentiate the prohibited physical object from other objects that are allowed in the prohibited zone. For example, active shutter 3D glasses belonging to a cinema can be prohibited in the lobby of the cinema, while active shutter 3D glasses not belonging to the cinema are allowed. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a theft prevention system  100  for preventing the theft of a physical object  102  according to one embodiment. Although in the described embodiment elements of the theft prevention system  100  are presented in one arrangement, other embodiments may feature other arrangements. For example, elements of the theft prevention system  100  can be implemented in hardware, software, or combinations thereof. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the theft prevention system  100  includes an allowed zone  104  where the physical object  102  is allowed, and a prohibited zone  106  where the physical object  102  is not allowed. At least one security detector  108  is located in the prohibited zone  106 . The physical object  102  includes a Bluetooth device  112 . Each security detector  108  includes a Bluetooth device  118 . 
     Each security detector  108  is positioned so that the communication range  122  of its Bluetooth device  118  extends within the prohibited zone  106 , but does not extend into the allowed zone  104 . Therefore, security detectors  108  do not detect the physical object  102  when the physical object  102  is located in the allowed zone  104 . However, when the physical object  102  enters the prohibited zone  106 , a security detector  108  detects the physical object  102 , and can trigger an alarm. For example, an alarm device  114  can be included in the security detector  108 . As another example, the physical object  102  can include an alarm device  116 . One or both of alarm devices  114 ,  116  can be triggered by a security detector  108  to produce an alarm, thereby alerting a bearer of the physical object  102  and/or security personnel. 
     In some embodiments, the physical object  102  is a pair of active shutter 3D glasses.  FIG. 2  illustrates a theft prevention system  200  for preventing the theft of a pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  from a cinema  220  according to one embodiment. The cinema  220  includes an auditorium  204  where the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  is allowed, and a lobby  206  where the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  is not allowed. A projection system operates within the auditorium  204 . The projection system includes a movie projector  232  configured to project movies on a projection screen, and a Bluetooth device  234  configured to control active shutter 3D glasses  202  in accordance with timing signals  236  provided by the movie projector  232 . The pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  includes a Bluetooth device  212 . 
     At least one security detector  208  is located in the lobby  206 . Each security detector  208  includes a Bluetooth device  218  and an alarm device  214 . In other embodiments, the alarm device  214  can be located elsewhere in the lobby  206 . Each security detector  208  is positioned so that a communication range  222  of its Bluetooth device  218  extends within the lobby  206 , but does not extend into the auditorium  204 . Therefore, security detectors  208  do not detect the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  when the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  is located in the auditorium  204 . However, when the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  enters the lobby  206 , a security detector  208  detects the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202 , and can trigger an alarm. For example, an alarm device  214  can be included in the security detector  208 . As another example, the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  can include an alarm device  216 . One or both of alarm devices  214 ,  216  can be triggered by a security detector  208  to produce an alarm, thereby alerting the bearer of the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  and/or security personnel. 
       FIG. 3  shows detail of the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  of  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment. Although in the described embodiments elements of the active shutter 3D glasses  202  are presented in one arrangement, other embodiments may feature other arrangements. For example, elements of the active shutter 3D glasses  202  can be implemented in hardware, software, or combinations thereof. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  includes a left active shutter glass  304 A, a right active shutter glass  304 B, an active shutter glass controller  306 , a processor  308 , an alarm device  216 , a Bluetooth device  212 , and a memory  318 . The Bluetooth device  212  includes a Bluetooth transmitter  314  and a Bluetooth receiver  316 . The memory  318  stores a Bluetooth address  320  of the Bluetooth device  212 , an access code  322 , and the like. The active shutter glass controller  306  and the processor  308  can be implemented together as a single controller, processor, or the like. The active shutter glass controller  306 , the processor  308 , the Bluetooth device  212 , and the memory  318  can be implemented as one or more integrated circuits. 
       FIG. 4  shows detail of the security detector  208  of  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment. Although in the described embodiments elements of the security detector  208  are presented in one arrangement, other embodiments may feature other arrangements. For example, elements of the security detector  208  can be implemented in hardware, software, or combinations thereof. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the security detector  208  includes a processor  408 , an alarm device  214 , a Bluetooth device  218 , and a memory  418 . The memory  418  stores Bluetooth addresses  420 , access codes  422 , and the like. The processor  408 , the Bluetooth device  218 , and the memory  418  can be implemented as one or more integrated circuits. 
       FIG. 5  shows a process  500  for the theft prevention system  200  of  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment. Although in the described embodiments elements of the process  500  are presented in one arrangement, other embodiments may feature other arrangements. For example, in various embodiments, some or all of the elements of the process  500  can be executed in a different order, concurrently, and the like. Also some elements of the process  500  may not be performed, and may not be executed immediately after each other. In addition, some or all of the elements of the process  500  can be performed automatically, that is, without human intervention. 
     According to the process  500  the security detector  208  scans for Bluetooth devices, identifies detected Bluetooth devices, and checks the identities of the identified Bluetooth devices against the stored identities. If the identity of one of the Bluetooth devices matches one of the stored identities, then an alarm is triggered. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the process  500  begins with the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  located in the auditorium  204  of the cinema  220 . At  502 , the projector Bluetooth device  234  controls the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  in accordance with the timing signals  236  provided by the movie projector  232 . In particular, the active shutter glass controller  306  controls the left active shutter glass  304 A, and the right active shutter glass  304 B, in accordance with the Bluetooth signals exchanged between the Bluetooth device  212  in the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  and the Bluetooth device  234  in the movie projection system. 
     In some embodiments, each active shutter glass  304  includes a transparent liquid crystal layer that becomes opaque when a voltage is applied by the active shutter glass controller  306 . When controlled in accordance with the projector timing signals  236 , the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  can present different images to the wearer&#39;s left and right eyes, thereby creating a 3D effect or the like. 
     At  504 , the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  are moved from the auditorium  204  of the cinema  220  to the lobby  206 . At  506 , when the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  enters the communication range  222  of the security detector  208 , the security detector  208  identifies the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202 . In particular, the identification process employs the transmission of Bluetooth signals between the Bluetooth device  212  in the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  and the Bluetooth device  218  in the security detector  208 . 
     At  508 , the security detector  208  determines whether the Bluetooth device  212  is allowed within the communication range  222  of the Bluetooth device  218  of the security detector  208 . This determination is based on the identity of the Bluetooth device  212 . If the security detector  208  determines that the Bluetooth device  212  is not allowed within the communication range  222  of the Bluetooth device  218  of the security detector  208 , one or more alarms may be triggered. In particular, the processor  408  of the security detector  208  provides an alarm indication. 
     In one embodiment, at  510 , responsive to the alarm indication, the security detector  208  produces an alarm. In particular, the processor  408  provides an alarm signal  402  to the alarm device  214  in the security detector  208 . Responsive to the alarm signal  402 , the alarm device  214  produces an alarm. In another embodiment, the security detector  208  causes the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  to produce an alarm. In particular, at  512 , the Bluetooth device  218  in the security detector  208  transmits an alarm signal to the Bluetooth device  212  in the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202 . The alarm signal can include the identity of the Bluetooth device  212 . At  514 , responsive to receiving the alarm signal, the processor  308  in the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  causes the alarm device  216  in the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  to produce an alarm. 
     This identification process employed by the security detector  208  to identify the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  can be implemented in any manner. In one embodiment, a conventional Bluetooth discovery process is employed. In particular, the Bluetooth device  212  of the security detector  208  transmits one or more Bluetooth inquiry messages. Responsive to receiving a Bluetooth inquiry message, the Bluetooth device  218  of the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  transmits an inquiry response message. The inquiry response message includes the Bluetooth address  320  of the Bluetooth device  218  of the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202 . In some embodiments, a dedicated inquiry is used based on class of device. 
     In other embodiments, an enhanced Bluetooth discovery process is employed. For example, a small set of Bluetooth channels can be used during an inquiry process for faster detection, and to save power in the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202 . The channel map employed can be transmitted to the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  by the Bluetooth device  234  in the auditorium  204 . As another example, the inquiry messages, and the inquiry response messages, can be transmitted on different Bluetooth channels. As another example, an access code  322  stored in the memory  318  of the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  can be used instead of the Bluetooth address  320 . The access code  322  can be included in a header of the inquiry response message, for example. The access code  322  may be common to multiple pairs of active shutter 3D glasses  202  used by the cinema  220 . 
     In other embodiments, a broadcast Bluetooth discovery process is employed. According to this approach, the Bluetooth device  212  of the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  transmits broadcast Bluetooth signals that include the Bluetooth address  320  of the Bluetooth device  212  or the access code  322 . In some embodiments, the broadcast Bluetooth signals are Bluetooth low energy (BLE) signals. The security detector  208  advertises its services, and the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  scans and replies with data specific to those services. In all of these identification approaches, the security detector  208  receives the Bluetooth address  320  of the Bluetooth device  212  in the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202 , the access code  322  stored in the memory  318  of the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202 , or the like. 
       FIG. 6  shows an identification process  600  for the theft prevention system  200  of  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment. Although in the described embodiments elements of the process  600  are presented in one arrangement, other embodiments may feature other arrangements. For example, in various embodiments, some or all of the elements of the process  600  can be executed in a different order, concurrently, and the like. Also some elements of the process  600  may not be performed, and may not be executed immediately after each other. In addition, some or all of the elements of the process  600  can be performed automatically, that is, without human intervention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , at  602 , the security detector  208  receives, from the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202 , the Bluetooth address  320  of the Bluetooth device  212 , and/or the access code  322  stored in the memory  318 , of the pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202 . At  604 , the security detector  208  determines whether the Bluetooth device  212  is allowed within the communication range  222  of the security detector  208  based on the received Bluetooth address  320  and/or access code  322 . In particular, the processor  408  of the security detector  208  compares the received Bluetooth address  320  to the Bluetooth addresses  420  stored in its memory  418 . In embodiments that employ access codes  322  that are specific to this use case, the Bluetooth receiver  316  of the security detector  208  correlates against this access code  322 . 
     If the specific access code  322  is not detected, or if the received Bluetooth address  320  does not appear in the memory  418 , then the Bluetooth device is allowed in the lobby  206  of the cinema  220 . For example, the Bluetooth device may be part of a pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  belonging to a customer, or may be part of a different type of Bluetooth device such as a smartphone or wireless headset. In this case, at  606 , no action is taken. 
     Alternatively, if the specific access code  322  is detected, or if the received Bluetooth address  320  appears in the memory  418 , then the detected Bluetooth device is part of a pair of active shutter 3D glasses  202  that belong to the cinema  220 , and so are not allowed in the lobby of the cinema  220 . In this case, at  608 , one or more alarms may be triggered, for example as described above. 
     Various embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations thereof. Embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in a computer program product tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage device for execution by a programmable processor. The described processes can be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. Embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in one or more computer programs that are executable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. Each computer program can be implemented in a high-level procedural or object-oriented programming language, or in assembly or machine language if desired; and in any case, the language can be a compiled or interpreted language. Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors. Generally, processors receive instructions and data from a read-only memory and/or a random access memory. Generally, a computer includes one or more mass storage devices for storing data files. Such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical disks; optical disks, and solid-state disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM disks. Any of the foregoing can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits). 
     A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.