Patent ID: 7589614

Claim:
A method of allowing access to an electronic device ( 218 ) disposed in a working space ( 14 ) by a user ( 16 ) having a remote device ( 212 ) in proximity to the electronic device ( 218 ), said method comprising the steps of: disposing the electronic device ( 218 ) selected from at least one of a computer, a printer, a personal digital assistant, a copy machine, and a cellular phone in communication with a network ( 13 ) at a known position in the working space ( 14 ); disposing an access point ( 20 ) in communication with the network ( 13 ) at a known position about the working space ( 14 ); detecting the remote device ( 212 ) with the access point ( 20 ); transmitting an initial signal from the access point ( 20 ) instructing the remote device ( 212 ) to respond after a delay period; detecting the initial signal with the remote device ( 212 ); transmitting a response signal from the remote device ( 212 ) upon the expiration of the delay period; detecting the response signal with the access point ( 20 ); measuring a period interval from the transmission of the initial signal to the detection of the response signal by the access point ( 20 ); determining a distance of the remote device ( 212 ) from the electronic device ( 218 ) based upon the period interval and the known positions of the access point ( 20 ) and the electronic device ( 218 ); comparing the distance to a predetermined distance range; enabling the electronic device ( 218 ) in response to the distance of the remote device ( 212 ) being within the predetermined distance range such that the user ( 16 ) can access the electronic device ( 218 ) and the network ( 13 ); and disabling the electronic device ( 218 ) in response to the distance of the remote device ( 212 ) being outside the predetermined distance range such that the user ( 16 ) can not access the electronic device ( 218 ) and the network ( 13 ).