Patent ID: 12200655

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the present invention.

Referring initially toFIGS.1A,1B,2A, and2B, therein is depicted a geolocationing system for providing awareness in a multi-space environment such as a hospitality environment, which may be as a furnished multi-family residence, dormitory, lodging establishment, hotel, hospital, which is schematically illustrated and designated10. The multi-space environment may also be a multi-unit environment such as an educational environment like a school or college campus, for example. More generally, the geolocationing system10and the teachings presented herein are applicable to any multi-space environment including hospitality environments, educational campuses, hospital campuses, office buildings, multi-unit dwellings, sport facilities and shopping malls, for example. It should be appreciated that the multi-space environment may include inside and outside spaces as well.

As shown, by way of example and not by way of limitation, the multi-space environment is depicted as a hotel H having a lobby and floors F, which are appropriately labeled the 2ndfloor through the 10thfloor. Additionally, a common area near the elevators is labeled E, a hallway labeled P, and a stairwell is labeled S. The lobby, the common area E, the hallway P, and the stairwell S are further illustrations of spaces in the multi-space environment in addition to the rooms. Outside areas X are also further illustrations of spaces in the multi-space environment.

Gateway devices12are deployed as part of a horizontal and vertical array, which is generally a spatial array, throughout the hotel H. It should be appreciated, however, that the gateway devices12and more generally deployment of the geolocationing system10may include a horizontal array. Further, the deployment may be in a single story, multiple stories, or a combination thereof. As alluded previously, the deployment may include inside and outside spaces. As will be discussed in further detail hereinbelow, the gateway devices12may include set-top boxes14, gateway service devices16, or a common space gateway device18. The gateway devices12define a network covered area20and a non-network covered area22that is outside of the network covered area20, which is represented by a wired network, and connected thereto by a mesh network24. The mesh network24may include a local topology in which the vertical and horizontal array of gateway devices12connect directly, dynamically and non-hierarchically to as many other gateway devices12as possible to cooperate with one another to efficiently route the gateway signal. The mesh network24may be a partially connected mesh network26or a fully connected mesh network28.

Individuals, such as I1, I2, I3, I4carry personal locator devices30which periodically, or on demand, transmit beacons that are received by a gateway device12. The personal locator devices30may be a single button personal locator device32or a wireless-enabled interactive programmable device34, such as a smart watch, a smart phone, or a tablet computer, for example. In one embodiment, the wireless-enabled interactive programmable device34may be a wireless-enabled smart and interactive handheld device that may be supplied or carried by the user or guest. As shown, individual14works in the hospitality industry at hotel H and is presently working outside in an outside area X. As the individual14is working in the outside area X, the personal locator device30is transmitting beacons that are received by gateway devices12, which are part of the mesh network24located in the non-network covered area22. The gateway devices12propagate gateway signals through the mesh network24to the network covered area20, where the gateway signals are forwarded to the server66.

As shown, the gateway device12in the room R is a set-top box14, which may be connected to an electronic visual display device such as a display or television. The set-top box14includes a housing40and a connection, which is depicted as an HDMI connection42, connects the set-top box14to the display (not shown). Other connections include a power cable44coupling the set-top box14to a power source, a coaxial cable46coupling the set-top box14to an external cable source, and a category five (Cat 5) cable48coupling the set-top box14to an external pay-per-view source, for example. As shown, the set-top box14may include a dongle50providing particular technology and functionality extensions thereto. That is, the set-top box14may be set-top box-dongle combination in one embodiment. More generally, it should be appreciated that the cabling connected to the set-top box14will depend on the environment and application, and the cabling connections presented inFIG.2Bare depicted for illustrative purposes. Further, it should be appreciated that the positioning of the set-top box14will vary depending on environment and application and, with certain functionality, the set-top box14may be placed more discretely behind the display14or as an in-wall mount. At least one antenna associated with the set-top box14provides for the wireless capabilities of the gateway device12and include, for example, wireless standards: Wi-Fi52, Bluetooth54, ZigBee56, infrared58.

As mentioned, in one embodiment, the gateway device12in the outside space X of the non-network covered area22is a gateway service device16having a housing60with physical connection ports62,64. A network cable which may be a category five (Cat 5) cable, may be secured to physical connection port62. Multiple antennas provide for the wireless capabilities of the gateway device12and include, for example, wireless standards: Wi-Fi52, Bluetooth54, ZigBee56, and IR58. The personal locator device30, including each of the single button personal locator device32or the wireless-enabled interactive programmable device34, may utilize any wireless standard, including the standards of Wi-Fi52, Bluetooth54, ZigBee56, and IR58. More generally, it should be appreciated that the cabling connected to the gateway device12and antenna configuration will depend on the environment and application and the cabling connections and wireless standards presented inFIG.2Bare depicted for illustrative purposes. Although not shown inFIG.2B, the common space gateway device18may be similar in appearance to the gateway service device16.

As shown, each of the gateway devices12, including the set-top box14and the gateway service device16ofFIG.2B, have a data link to the server66which is providing a geolocation and safety network68. In one implementation, an individual12has the personal location device, which may transmit a beacon from the personal location device30using a wireless standard such as Wi-Fi52to the gateway devices12. Each of the gateway devices12, including the set-top box14and the gateway service device16, then processes the received beacon signal and sends a gateway signal to the server66. More particularly, with respect to data flow70, the personal locator device30, which is the single button personal locator32, transmits the beacon signal72which includes a personal location device identification identifying the personal locator device30. The beacon signal72is received by each of the gateway devices12which transmit broadcast signals74,76including the personal location device identification, a gateway device identification identifying the gateway device12, and a signal characteristic indicator, such as signal strength, for example. The server66receives the broadcast signal74via the mesh network24and uses multiple broadcast signals, including the broadcast signals74,76, for locationing78, for determining the estimated location80of the personal location device30of the individual12. The server66, in turn, sends out the appropriate notifications to various phones, activates alarms, or notify others via a computer, depending on the situation. As a spatial array of horizontal and vertical gateway devices12are provided, the server66and system10presented herein is able to determine the location of the individual associated with the personal location device30within a building. The estimated location80includes which floor the individual is presently located as well as the room or common area.

As will be appreciated, there are several methods for connecting vertical and horizontal array of gateway devices12to the server66. Commonly used methods include Ethernet, Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS), Multimedia over Coax (MoCa), and Wi-Fi. Frequently, however the desired coverage areas include non-network covered areas that lack the wired network or Wi-Fi connections, such as parking lots, parking garages, outdoor spaces, playgrounds, and ball fields, for example. Extending the network covered area to the non-network covered area is generally a costly option and it often involves substantial time. The teachings presented herein propose to utilize a self-contained mesh network connecting gateway devices12within the non-network covered area22to the network covered area20.

Generally, the gateway devices12within the network covered area20are connected by a wired network such as Ethernet or DOCSKS. Using the mesh technology presented herein, the gateway devices12within the non-network covered area22are will be configured with a wireless interface. Working as a mesh routers, the gateway devices12within the non-network covered22area will form a self-contained mesh that can expand the network covered area into a non-network covered area22. In this configuration, gateway devices12at the edge of the network covered area20may act as bridges and also connect to the gateway devices12in the non-network covered area22by way of the wireless interface being used by the mesh network24.

Referring toFIG.3A,FIG.3B, andFIG.4, the gateway device12may be a set-top unit that is an information appliance device that does not include television-tuner functionality and generally contains convenience and safety functionality. The gateway service device16includes the housing60having a front wall82, a rear wall84, a side wall86, a side wall88, a top wall90, and a bottom base92. It should be appreciated that front wall, rear wall, and side wall are relative terms used for descriptive purposes and the orientation and the nomenclature of the walls may vary depending on application. The front wall82includes various ports, including the ports62,64that provide interfaces for various interfaces, including inputs104and outputs106. In one implementation, as illustrated, the port62is an RJ45 port and port64is a USB2 port. It should be appreciated that the configuration of ports may vary with the gateway device depending on application and context.

Within the housing60, a processor108, memory110, storage112, the inputs104, and the outputs106are interconnected by a bus architecture116within a mounting architecture. The processor108may process instructions for execution within the computing device, including instructions stored in the memory110or in storage112. The memory110stores information within the computing device. In one implementation, the memory110is a volatile memory unit or units. In another implementation, the memory110is a non-volatile memory unit or units. Storage112provides capacity that is capable of providing mass storage for the gateway device12. Various inputs104and outputs106provide connections to and from the computing device, wherein the inputs104are the signals or data received by the gateway device12, and the outputs106are the signals or data sent from the gateway device12.

Multiple transceivers114are associated with the gateway device12and communicatively disposed with the bus116. As shown the transceivers114may be internal, external, or a combination thereof to the housing. Further, the transceivers114may be a transmitter/receiver, receiver, an antenna, multiple transmitters/receivers, multiple receivers, or multiple antennas, for example. Communication between various amenities in the hotel room and the gateway device12may be enabled by a variety of wireless methodologies employed by the transceivers114, including 802.11, 802.15, 802.15.4, 3G, 4G, Edge, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, near field communications (NFC), Bluetooth low energy and Bluetooth, for example. Also, infrared (IR) may be utilized.

The memory110and storage112are accessible to the processor108and include processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor108to execute a series of operations. With respect to the processor-executable instructions, the processor108is caused to receive and process a beacon signal including a personal location device identification. More particularly, the processor-executable instructions cause the processor108to receive a beacon signal via the wireless transceiver from a proximate wireless-enabled personal locator device. The processor-executable instructions then cause the processor108to measure a signal characteristic of the beacon signal. The instructions may then cause the processor108to generate a gateway signal including the personal location device identification, a gateway device identification, and signal characteristics indicator, including received signal strength, for example. Finally, the instructions may cause the processor108to send the gateway signal to the server66. The processor108may be caused to transmit the gateway signal to the server66via the mesh network24.

Referring toFIG.5A,FIG.5B,FIG.5C, andFIG.6, as used herein, set-top boxes, back boxes and set-top/back boxes may be discussed as set-top boxes. By way of example, the set-top box14may be a set-top unit that is an information appliance device that generally contains set-top box functionality including having a television-tuner input and displays output through a connection to a display or television set and an external source of signal, turning by way of tuning the source signal into content in a form that can then be displayed on the television screen or other display device. Such set-top boxes are used in cable television, satellite television, and over-the-air television systems, for example.

The set-top box14includes a housing40including a panel120and a rear wall122, front wall124, top wall126, bottom base128, and two sidewalls130,132. It should be appreciated that front wall, rear wall, and side wall are relative terms used for descriptive purposes and the orientation and the nomenclature of the walls may vary depending on application. The front wall includes various ports, ports134,136,138,140,142,144,146,148and150that provide interfaces for various interfaces, including inputs152and outputs154. In one implementation, as illustrated, the ports134through150include inputs152and outputs154and, more particularly, an RF input156, a RJ-45 input158, universal serial bus (USB) input/outputs160, an Ethernet category 5 (Cat 5) coupling162, an internal reset164, an RS232 control166, an audio out168, an audio in170, and a debug/maintenance port172. The front wall124also includes various inputs152and outputs154. More particularly, ports180,182,184,186,188include a 5V dc power connection190, USB inputs/outputs192, an RJ-45 coupling194, an HDMI port196and an HDMI port198. It should be appreciated that the configuration of ports may vary with the set-top box14depending on application and context. As previously alluded to, the housing40may include a housing-dongle combination including, with respect to the dongle50, a unit200having a cable202with a set-top box connector204for selectively coupling with the set-top box14.

Within the housing40, a processor220, memory222, storage224, the inputs152, and the outputs154are interconnected by a bus architecture226within a mounting architecture. It should be understood that the processor220, the memory222, the storage224, the inputs152, and the outputs154may be entirely contained within the housing40or the housing-dongle combination. The processor220may process instructions for execution within the computing device, including instructions stored in the memory222or in storage224. The memory222stores information within the computing device. In one implementation, the memory222is a volatile memory unit or units. In another implementation, the memory222is a non-volatile memory unit or units. Storage224provides capacity that is capable of providing mass storage for the set-top box12. Various inputs152and outputs154provide connections to and from the computing device, wherein the inputs152are the signals or data received by the set-top box14, and the outputs154are the signals or data sent from the set-top box14. A television content signal input228and a television output230are also secured in the housing40in order to receive content from a source and forward the content, including external content such as cable and satellite and pay-per-view (PPV) programing, to the display.

A transceiver232is associated with the set-top box14and communicatively disposed with the bus226. As shown the transceiver232may be internal, external, or a combination thereof to the housing40. Further, the transceiver232may be a transmitter/receiver, receiver, or an antenna for example. Communication between various devices and the set-top box14may be enabled by a variety of wireless methodologies employed by the transceiver232, including 802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, WiFi, ZigBee, near field communications (NFC), Bluetooth low energy and Bluetooth, for example. Also, infrared (IR) may be utilized.

One or more wireless communication antennas234are associated with the set-top box14and communicatively disposed with the bus226. As shown the wireless communication antennas234may be internal, external, or a combination thereof to the housing40. Further, the wireless communication antennas234may be a transmitter/receiver, receiver, or an antenna for example. Communication from the set-top box14to one or more of the personal locator devices30may be enabled by a variety of wireless methodologies employed by the wireless communication antennas234, including 802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, WiFi, ZigBee, near field communications (NFC), Bluetooth low energy and Bluetooth, for example. Also, infrared (IR) may be utilized. In one implementation, the one or more wireless communication antennas234utilize a network connection protocol such as Bluetooth and the one or more wireless communication antennas234are Bluetooth transmitters.

The memory222and storage224are accessible to the processor220and include processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor220to execute a series of operations. With respect to the processor-executable instructions, the processor is caused to receive and process a beacon signal including a personal location device identification. More particularly, the processor-executable instructions cause the processor220to receive a beacon signal via the wireless transceiver from a proximate wireless-enabled personal locator device. The processor-executable instructions then cause the processor220to measure received signal strength of the beacon signal. The instructions may then cause the processor220to generate a gateway signal including the personal location device identification, a gateway device identification, and signal characteristics indicator, including received signal strength. Finally, the instructions may cause the processor220to send the gateway signal to the server66. The processor220may be caused to transmit the gateway signal to the server66via the mesh network24.

Referring now toFIG.7, one embodiment of the server66as a computing device includes a processor250, memory252, storage254, inputs256, outputs258, and network adaptors260interconnected with various buses262in a common or distributed, for example, mounting architecture. In other implementations, in the computing device, multiple processors and/or multiple buses may be used, as appropriate, along with multiple memories and types of memory. Further still, in other implementations, multiple computing devices may be provided and operations distributed therebetween. The processor250may process instructions for execution within the server66, including instructions stored in the memory252or in storage254. The memory252stores information within the computing device. In one implementation, the memory252is a volatile memory unit or units. In another implementation, the memory252is a non-volatile memory unit or units. Storage254includes capacity that is capable of providing mass storage for the server66. Various inputs256and outputs258provide connections to and from the server66, wherein the inputs256are the signals or data received by the server66, and the outputs268are the signals or data sent from the server66. The network adaptors260couple the server66to a network such that the server66may be part of a network of computers, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), an intranet, a network of networks, or the Internet, for example.

The memory252and storage254are accessible to the processor250and include processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor250to execute a series of operations. In one embodiment of first processor-executable instructions, the processor-executable instructions cause the processor250to receive gateway signals from multiple gateway devices of the array, which may the vertical and horizontal array or only a horizontal array. The processor250is caused to process the plurality of gateway signals and determine estimated location of the proximate wireless-enabled personal location device.

FIG.8depicts one embodiment of a method for providing safety in a hospitality environment or other environment, according to the teachings presented herein. At block280, the array of gateway devices is deployed vertically and horizontally throughout the hospitality environment. The array of gateway devices includes a network covered area in communication with a non-network covered area. The gateway devices in the non-network covered area form a mesh network. At block282, beacon signals are periodically transmitted from personal location devices and received by the gateway devices in a non-network covered area.

At block284, the beacon signals are received and processed at the gateway device. The beacon signals may include a personal location device identification corresponding to the device being employed by the user. In one embodiment, a signal characteristic is measured. At block286, gateway signals are sent from the gateway devices through the mesh network that is part of the geolocation and safety network. The gateway signals may include the personal location device identification, gateway device identification, and signal characteristic indicators. At block288, the gateway signals are propagated from the non-network covered area to the network covered area. At block290, the server receives and processes the broadcast signals.

The order of execution or performance of the methods and data flows illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, elements of the methods and data flows may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methods may include more or less elements than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular element before, contemporaneously with, or after another element are all possible sequences of execution.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.