(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2008/0125040 A1
`
`
` Kalayjian (43) Pub. Date: May 29, 2008
`
`US 20080125040A1
`
`(54) LOCATION DISCOVERY USING
`BLUETOOTH
`l
`t
`nven or:
`
`(75)
`
`N' h l R K 1
`__
`1c 0 as
`.
`a ayjian,
`CA (US)
`
`S
`
`C 1
`an ar os,
`
`Correspondence Address:
`ROPES & GRAY LLP
`PATENT DOCKETING 39/361, 1211 AVENUE 0F
`THE AMERICAS
`NEW YORK: NY 10036'8704
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`Apple Computer, Inc.
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/606,850
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Nov. 29, 2006
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`H04B 7/00
`(52) US. Cl. ....................................................... 455/412
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method and system for locating objects using a Bluetooth
`communications protocol is provided. A first device can be
`paired, using a Bluetooth protocol, with one or more second
`devices. In that case, the first device is referred to as the
`master device and one or more second devices are referred to
`as the slave devices. When prompted by a user, the master
`device can transmit a signal to one of the slave devices. The
`slave device can then take a predetermined action to attempt
`to guide a user to its location. For example, the slave device
`can transmit a return signal to the master device or emit
`auditory or visual alerts itself.
`
`1 0
`
`116
`
`114
`
`Application Layer
`
`104
`
`'
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`106
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`eSCO
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`RFCOMM
`
`L2CAP
`
`1 12
`
`108
`
`102
`
`Lower Stack
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1008
`
`APPLE 1008
`
`1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 29, 2008 Sheet 1 of 8
`
`US 2008/0125040 A1
`
`116
`
`114
`
`Application Layer
`
`104
`
`.
`
`106
`
`eSCO
`
`RFCOMM
`
`L2CAP
`
`112
`
`108
`
`102
`
`Lower Stack
`
`FIG. 1
`
`2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 29, 2008 Sheet 2 0f 8
`
`US 2008/0125040 A1
`
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`Patent Application Publication May 29, 2008 Sheet 3 0f 8
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`US 2008/0125040 A1
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`

`Patent Application Publication May 29, 2008 Sheet 4 0f 8
`
`US 2008/0125040 A1
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`Patent Application Publication May 29, 2008 Sheet 5 of 8
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`US 2008/0125040 A1
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`Patent Application Publication May 29, 2008 Sheet 6 0f 8
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`US 2008/0125040 A1
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`Patent Application Publication May 29, 2008 Sheet 7 0f 8
`
`US 2008/0125040 A1
`
`or more slave device using a
`Bluetooth® communication
`protocol
`
`1020
`
` 1010 Pairing a master device with one
`
`Master device transmitting a
`signal to a slave device using a
`Bluetooth® communication
`protocol
`
`1030
`
`Slave device taking a
`predetermined action to guide a
`user to its location
`
`FIG. 10
`
`8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 29, 2008 Sheet 8 0f 8
`
`US 2008/0125040 A1
`
`1100
`
`1110
`
`P
`
`airing a master device with one
`or more slave devices using a
`Bluetooth® communication
`protocol
`
`1120
`
`Master device transmitting a
`signal to a slave device using a
`Bluetooth® communication
`protocol
`
`1130
`
`Slave device transmitting a
`return signal to the master device
`using a Bluetooth®
`communication protocol
`
`
`
`1140
`
`Master device calculating the
`distance to the slave device by
`determining the delay between
`transmitting the first signal and
`receiving the return signal
`
`FIG. 11
`
`9
`
`

`

`US 2008/0125040 A1
`
`May 29, 2008
`
`LOCATION DISCOVERY USING
`BLUETOOTH
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to wireless communi-
`cations. More particularly, the present invention relates to
`locating physical devices using a Bluetooth® communica-
`tions protocol.
`[0002]
`Small items get lost. These items, such as keys or
`remote controls, often are close by, but can be out of sight. The
`resulting search for such objects is tedious, annoying and
`sometimes unsuccessful if the objects are never found. Some
`devices have been designed to aid users in locating lost
`objects. Such systems traditionally transmit a radio frequency
`signal to a transceiver which reacts by broadcasting an audio
`or visual alarm.
`
`[0003] Traditional location discovery systems have several
`drawbacks. These systems commonly involve permanent
`base units, which broadcast a signal to the lost object. Such
`base units take up space and often offer no other functions.
`The transmitted signal, which is essentially an alert to trigger
`an alarm, is typically the only type of signal being broadcast.
`Often this signal is a one way signal to the lost device, which
`can emit a sound, flash a light, etc. to try and let the user know
`where the device is.
`
`[0004] An example of such a system involves a base station
`and multiple portable receivers. When a user pushes a button
`on the base station, the corresponding receiver emits an
`audible alarm to notify the user of its location. In this type of
`system, the base station may need a separate circuit in order to
`generate and transmit a signal to each receiver.
`[0005] These devices often require dedicated electronic
`hardware to transmit or receive an alert signal. This extra
`hardware can increase the cost, weight, size and power con-
`sumption of such devices. It is therefore desirable to provide
`an improved way to aid people in locating misplaced objects.
`[0006]
`Further limitations and disadvantages of conven-
`tional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one
`of ordinary skill in the art, through comparison of such sys-
`tems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in
`the remainder of the present application with reference to the
`drawings.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0007] A method and system for locating objects using a
`Bluetooth communications protocol
`is provided. A first
`device can be paired, using a Bluetooth protocol, with one or
`more second devices. In that case, the first device is referred
`to as the master device and one or more second devices are
`
`referred to as the slave devices. When prompted by a user, the
`master device can transmit a signal to one ofthe slave devices.
`The slave device can then take a predetermined action to
`attempt to guide a user to its location. For example, the slave
`device can transmit a return signal to the master device or emit
`auditory or visual alerts itself.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0008] The above and other features of the present inven-
`tion, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent
`upon consideration of the following detailed description,
`taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
`[0009]
`FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram showing
`how software in a Bluetooth device is organized.
`
`FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic diagram of an
`[0010]
`exemplary hardware implementation of a Bluetooth device.
`[0011]
`FIGS. 3a and 3b are illustrations of an embodiment
`of a location discovery system in accordance with the prin-
`ciples of the present invention.
`[0012]
`FIG. 4 is an illustration of an embodiment of a
`device which can be operated in accordance with the prin-
`ciples of the present invention.
`[0013]
`FIGS. 5a and 5b are illustrations of another embodi-
`ment ofa device which can be operated in accordance with the
`principles of the present invention.
`[0014]
`FIG. 6 is an illustration ofa sample screenshot ofa
`user interface of a device which can be operated in accor-
`dance with the principles of the present invention.
`[0015]
`FIG. 7 is an illustration of an additional screenshot
`of a user interface of a device which can be operated in
`accordance with the principles of the present invention.
`[0016]
`FIG. 8 is an illustration of another screenshot of a
`user interface of a device which can be operated in accor-
`dance with the principles of the present invention.
`[0017]
`FIG. 9 is an illustration of an embodiment of a
`location discovery system in accordance with the principles
`of the present invention.
`[0018]
`FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method for locating an
`object in accordance with the principles of the present inven-
`tion.
`
`FIG. 11 is a flowchart ofanother method for locating
`[0019]
`an object in accordance with the principles of the present
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0020] Bluetooth wireless technology has the potential to
`revolutionize personal connectivity by providing users with
`freedom from wired connections. Bluetooth is a standard, or
`protocol, designed to provide a low cost radio solution that
`creates wireless links between mobile computers, mobile
`phones and other portable and handheld devices. Two fea-
`tures of Bluetooth that can be used in accordance with the
`
`principles ofthe present invention are Bluetooth’s low power
`consumption and the ability ofBluetooth devices to automati-
`cally communicate with other Bluetooth devices once they
`become within range of each other.
`[0021] Bluetooth wireless technology is an international,
`open standard for allowing intelligent devices to communi-
`cate with each other through wireless, short-range communi-
`cations. This technology allows any sort of electronic equip-
`ment, from computers and cell phones to keyboards and
`headphones, to make its own connections, without wires or
`any direct action from a user. Bluetooth is already incorpo-
`rated into numerous commercial products including laptop
`computers, PDAs, cell phones and printers, with more prod-
`ucts coming out every day.
`[0022] Bluetooth is referred to as a frequency hopping
`spread spectrum (FHSS) radio system that operates in the 2.4
`GHz unlicensed band. What this means is that Bluetooth
`
`transmissions change frequencies based on a sequence which
`is known to both the transmitter and the receiver. According to
`the current standard, Bluetooth transmissions use 79 different
`frequencies ranging from 2.404 GHz to 2.480 GHz. Blue-
`tooth’s low power transmissions allow a typical range of
`about 10 meters or roughly 30-40 feet. This range can vary
`from about 1 meter to 100 meters depending on the amount of
`power used by the device for Bluetooth.
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`

`US 2008/0125040 A1
`
`May 29, 2008
`
`[0023] Bluetooth devices connect to each other to form
`networks known as piconets. A piconet includes two or more
`devices which are synchronized to a common clock signal
`and hopping sequence. What this means is that the two
`devices are operating using two characteristics that can vary
`from device to device but are matched in this instance to help
`form the network. Any other devices that connect to a given
`piconet must also have the same clock signal and hopping
`sequence. The synchronized clock and hopping sequence are
`derived using the clock signal of one of the devices on the
`piconet. This device is often referred to as the “master” device
`while all other devices on the piconet are referred to as “slave”
`devices. Each piconet includes one master device and up to
`seven slave devices. Moreover, Bluetooth devices can belong
`to more than one piconet.
`[0024] When two Bluetooth devices initially connect, they
`first share some general information (e. g. device name, device
`type, etc.) with each other. In order to enhance the connection,
`the devices can establish a trusted relationship by using a
`secret passkey. This passkey is typically provided by a user or
`stored on memory in a device. According to the Bluetooth
`standard, the process of establishing this trusted relationship
`is called pairing. Once two devices are paired, they will typi-
`cally share more information and accept instructions from
`one another.
`
`today, Bluetooth
`[0025] Using technology available
`devices can operate with a maximum data throughput of
`approximately 2.1 Mbit/s (Megabits-per-second), but the
`principles of the present invention can also be applied to
`devices operating at other rates, particularly if the Bluetooth
`standard evolves. This maximum throughput
`is shared
`between all devices on a piconet meaning that if more than
`one slave device is communicating with the master, the sum
`of all communications must be less than the maximum data
`
`throughput.
`[0026] The Bluetooth standard includes a published soft-
`ware framework. The shared framework is called the Blue-
`
`tooth Protocol Stack and includes the different parts of soft-
`ware required to implement Bluetooth communications. FIG.
`1 is a simplified schematic diagram of an exemplary Blue-
`tooth Protocol Stack 100. The most low-level software is
`included in Lower Stack 102. This section includes code to
`
`generate/receive radio signals, correct transmission errors
`and encrypt/decrypt transmissions, among other things. The
`Host Controller Interface (HCI) 104 is a standardized inter-
`face between the low-level Bluetooth functions and applica-
`tions. Often, the HCI layer will represent a division between
`the Lower Stack 102 functions handled by a dedicated Blue-
`tooth processor and the rest of the functions handled by an
`application-specific processor.
`[0027] The Extended Synchronous Connection-Oriented
`(eSCO) 106 layer is used to implement dedicated communi-
`cation channels, commonly used for voice data, in between
`the Lower Stack 102 and high-level applications. The Logical
`Link Control and Adaptation Protocol (L2CAP) 108 layer
`combines and repackages the data transmitted and received
`by the multiple higher-level applications. The L2CAP 108
`layer combines all ofthese different communications into one
`data stream that can interface with Lower Stack 102 The
`
`RFCOMM 110 layer emulates the protocol used by serial
`connections. This allows software designers to easily inte-
`grate Bluetooth into existing applications which previously
`used a serial connection. The Service Discovery Protocol
`(SDP) 112 layer is used by devices to provide information
`
`about what services (or functions) each device offers and how
`other devices can access those services through Bluetooth.
`The Profiles 114 layer allows a device to identify itself as a
`member of a generic group of devices with a predefined set of
`functions. For example, a device complying with the headset
`profile will support predefined methods relating to audio
`communications. The Application Layer 116 contains pro-
`grams that implement the useful tools created by all of the
`other layers. By writing different programs for Application
`Layer 116, software developers can focus on new uses of the
`Bluetooth functionality without having to rewrite the code
`which controls the underlying communication tasks.
`[0028] Bluetooth hardware is typically implemented using
`highly integrated systems that can consist of one or more
`complex integrated circuits (IC). FIG. 2 is a block diagram
`that illustrates one exemplary implementation of Bluetooth
`hardware.
`In this implementation,
`the system has been
`divided into two ICs, baseband integrated circuit 210 and
`radio integrated circuit 260.
`[0029] The baseband IC can include central processor 212,
`Bluetooth baseband processor 214, random access memory
`(RAM) 216, read-only memory (ROM) 218, signal process-
`ing circuitry 220 and interface circuitry 222. Central proces-
`sor 212 can be, for example, anARM processor that performs
`higher-level application functions. Bluetooth baseband pro-
`cessor 214 can perform Bluetooth specific functions, such as
`eSCO 106, L2CAP 108, RFCOMM 110 and SDP 112. RAM
`216 and ROM 218 can be used to store data. Signal processing
`circuitry 220 can be used to filter or decompress data. Inter-
`face circuitry 222 can allow the device to communicate over
`other interfaces besides Bluetooth, such as the Universal
`Serial Bus (USB) interface.
`[0030] Transmitting and receiving radio signals can be
`implemented in a separate Radio IC 260. This separate circuit
`approach is often desirable because ofthe precision necessary
`for generating high-frequency radio signals. By incorporat-
`ing all of the other less precise, non-radio circuits into the
`Baseband IC, this implementation offers a small, low power,
`low cost solution.
`
`Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
`[0031]
`that any references to Bluetooth protocols in this application
`encompass both existing protocols as well as Bluetooth pro-
`tocols that may be developed in the future.
`[0032]
`FIGS. 3a and 3b show location discovery system
`300 which includes first device 310 and second device 320.
`
`FIG. 3a is a front view of system 300, and FIG. 3b is a rear
`view of system 300. Devices 310 and 320 can be any devices
`capable of communicating using a Bluetooth protocol but in
`this instance are cellular phone 310 and headset 320. Devices
`310 and 320 can have additional uses (e.g. telephone, audio
`headphones, music player, etc.) unrelated to locating other
`devices. It is contemplated that these other functions may use
`a Bluetooth communications protocol in which case much of
`the hardware related to the present invention might be able to
`serve multiple functions. This feature, if implemented, might
`lower cost and power consumption for devices 310 and 320
`even further.
`
`[0033] Device 310 canbe, for example, a Bluetooth capable
`cellular phone. Cell phone 310 can include speaker 312,
`microphone 314, display screen 316 and keypad 318. As
`described in more detail below, cell phone 310 can also be
`referred to as master device 310.
`
`Second device 320 can be, for example, a Bluetooth
`[0034]
`enabled wireless phone headset. FIG. 3b shows an additional
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`US 2008/0125040 A1
`
`May 29, 2008
`
`view of headset 320. Headset 320 can include light 322,
`speaker 324, and microphone 326. Light 322 can be activated
`to attempt to guide a user to its location. Light 322 can also be
`used to indicate the operational status of the device. For
`example a flashing light could signify a low battery condition.
`Headset 320 can have speaker 324 to emit sounds operable to
`guide a user to its location. In one embodiment, speaker 324
`can be a single speaker that can broadcast sound to both sides
`of headset 320. In another embodiment, speaker 324 can
`include two separate speakers. One speaker could broadcast
`sound into a user’s ear for cellular operation, and another
`speaker could broadcast sound into the area around headset
`320 for location discovery. Headset 320 can also include
`microphone 326 to facilitate cellular operation. As described
`in more detail below, headset 320 can also be referred to as
`slave device 320.
`
`FIG. 4 includes device 400 in the form of an attach-
`[0035]
`able device in accordance with the principles of the present
`invention. Device 400 can be attached to objects (e.g. keys,
`etc.) to aid in locating those objects should they be lost.
`Device 400 can include clip 426 for attaching device 400 to
`another object. Device 400 can have light 422 and speaker
`424 which function similar to the corresponding features of
`device 320. The attachable nature of device 400 allows a user
`
`to attach it to any object to be located even if that object is not
`electronic in nature. As described in more detail below, device
`400 can also be referred to as slave device 400. Once a master
`
`device has been paired to slave device 400, a user can create
`or edit an identifying name in the master device’s user inter-
`face to correspond to the object that device 400 has been
`attached to.
`
`FIGS. 5a and 5b include device 500 in the form of
`[0036]
`another attachable device in accordance with the principles of
`the present invention. FIG. 5a shows a front view of device
`500, and FIG. 5b shows a side view ofdevice 500. Device 500
`can be attached to an object using adhesive 526.Adhesive 526
`can be useful when attaching device 500 to objects with
`smooth outer surfaces and nothing to clip onto (e.g., remote
`controls, etc.). As described in more detail below, device 500
`may also be referred to as slave device 500.
`[0037] Master device 310 can be paired, using a Bluetooth
`protocol, with one or more slave devices. Master device 310
`can keep a record of the various slave devices to which the
`master device is paired. A user can be given the ability to
`create unique names or other identifiers for the slave devices
`through the master device’s user interface. It is contemplated
`that a user can set-up the configuration using software on a
`computer and then transfer the information to a master
`device. After the devices have been paired, the master device
`can automatically alert a user whenever one of the slave
`devices is leaving the effective range of communication.
`[0038] After being paired together, devices may not neces-
`sarily be used for an extended period of time. When a user
`wants to locate one ofthe slave devices 320, 400 and 500, the
`user can initiate the location discovery process through mas-
`ter device 310. Master device 310 can transmit a signal to a
`slave device. Upon receiving the signal, the slave device can
`guide a user to its location and/or notify a user of the distance
`from master device 310 to the slave device. It is contemplated
`that a slave device can also be used to locate a master device.
`
`In that instance, a user can initiate the location discovery
`process using, for example, a button on a slave device and the
`master device can guide the user to its location.
`
`In one embodiment, slave devices 320, 400 and 500
`[0039]
`can guide a user to their location by emitting auditory or
`visual signals. This embodiment allows a user to follow the
`sound or light to the misplaced object. To save power, the
`signals can be cycled on and off repeatedly. It may also be
`desirable to have the signals cycle according to an increas-
`ingly longer duty cycle. This means that the length of the
`signals can become longer while the frequency of the signals
`remains the same.
`
`In another embodiment, slave devices 320, 400 and
`[0040]
`500 can notify a user of the distance between the slave device
`and master device 310. This can include transmitting a return
`signal to master device 310. Master device 310 can then
`calculate the distance to the slave devices. The results of this
`
`calculation can be presented to a user through a graphical
`display on screen 316.
`[0041] The distance between the devices can be calculated
`by comparing the amount of time delay between the trans-
`mission of the signal sent from the master device to the slave
`device and the reception of the return signal from the slave
`device. With a precise timing system, the master device can be
`capable ofperforming such measurements. Since the speed of
`the radio waves is known, the distance can be calculated using
`the time information. The average time it takes the slave
`device to respond after receiving a signal can also be used to
`compensate the time delay. Alternatively,
`the distance
`between the two devices can be calculated by switching the
`amount of power used to transmit signals and measuring the
`comparative strength of the received signals.
`[0042] Once this distance is calculated, it can be displayed
`to the user through graphics on the master device. This infor-
`mation can also affect an auditory or visual signal emitted by
`the slave device. For example, a beeping alarm might change
`in pitch, rate of beeping, or volume as a user approaches a
`second device. In that instance, the beeping could get faster as
`the user gets closer to the missing device, or the sound could
`get louder as the user gets closer.
`[0043]
`In another embodiment, directional antennas can be
`used to determine the direction towards a slave device from
`
`the master device. This information can be presented to a user
`through a graphical interface on the master device’ s screen to
`direct the user to the missing slave device.
`[0044]
`In still another embodiment, the slave device’s loca-
`tion can be determined and presented to the user through the
`master device. Calculating the slave device’s location can
`involve using multiple transmitters or receivers to triangulate
`the position of the missing device. In order to triangulate
`position, a system can determine the distances from a device
`to at least three other known locations. A Global Positioning
`System, for example, could be used to triangulate a device’s
`location in accordance with the principles of the present
`invention. It is further contemplated that systems using other
`RF signal types can triangulate a device’s location in accor-
`dance with the principles of the present invention. Once the
`slave device’s location has been determined, the information
`could then be transmitted to the master device and displayed
`to the user.
`
`It may also be desirable for a master device to tri-
`[0045]
`angulate its own position. In this instance, knowing the loca-
`tion of both devices could allow the system to calculate addi-
`tional information. For example, the distance between the
`devices, the heading from the master device to a slave device,
`
`12
`
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`

`US 2008/0125040 A1
`
`May 29, 2008
`
`and the speed at which the master device is moving towards
`the slave device can be calculated once both locations are
`known.
`
`slave
`In another embodiment, determining a
`[0046]
`device’s relative location can involve using more than one
`master device and determining the distance of the slave
`device to each master device. By comparing the distances, the
`approximate location of the slave device can be determined.
`[0047]
`FIG. 6 includes a screenshot of the user interface of
`master device 600. Device 600 can include speaker 612,
`microphone 614, screen 616 and keypad 618. Screen 616 can
`include title 620 to identify the information displayed. Screen
`616 can also include list 630 of the slave devices that are
`associated with master device 600. List 630 can be automati-
`
`cally filtered to only include those devices which are paired
`and within range ofmaster device 600. Device 600 can permit
`a user to select a slave device from list 630. Any user input in
`accordance with the principles ofthe present invention can be
`delivered through speech into microphone 614 which can be
`recognized by a voice recognition system in device 600. In
`accordance with the principles of the present invention, such
`input can also be prompted or confirmed by an audio signal or
`via synthesized speech emanating from speaker 612 in master
`device 600.
`
`FIG. 7 includes a screenshot of the user interface of
`[0048]
`master device 700 after a slave device has been selected.
`
`Device 700 can include speaker 712, microphone 714, screen
`716 and keypad 718. Screen 716 can include title 720 to
`identify the selected slave device. Screen 716 can also include
`status information 730 about the selected slave device. Status
`
`information can include the state ofthe slave device (e. g., on,
`standby, out-of-range, etc.). Status information can also
`include, for example, battery power information ifapplicable.
`The status information can be displayed using various graphi-
`cal representations, such as battery power meter 732. Screen
`716 can include graphical button 740 to enable the user to
`prompt master device 700 to locate the selected slave device.
`[0049]
`FIG. 8 includes a screenshot of the user interface of
`master device 800 when the master device is attempting to
`locate a slave device. Screen 816 can include title 820 to
`
`identify the selected slave device. Screen 816 can include
`directional graphic 830 to indicate to the user the direction
`where the slave device should be located. Directional graphic
`830 can include, for example, quadrants 832 which represent
`different areas in front of master device 800. Quadrants 832
`can change so as to distinguish the area where the slave device
`is. Screen 816 can include distance graphic 840 to identify the
`distance between the selected slave device and master device
`
`800. Distance graphic 840 can include a symbolic represen-
`tation 842 of distance, for example, a horizontal bar graphic
`or a numeric representation of distance 844. Screen 816 can
`include graphical button 850 to enable the user to prompt the
`slave device to beep, flash or perform a combination of both,
`or provide some other indication.
`[0050]
`FIG. 9 is an illustration of an embodiment of a
`location discovery system 900 in accordance with the prin-
`ciples of the present invention. System 900 includes master
`device 910 and slave devices 930, 950 and 970. Master device
`910 can be a computer with other functions besides location
`discovery. Computer 910 can include speakers 912, micro-
`phone 914, screen 916 and buttons 918. Computer 910 can be
`Bluetooth capable and can be paired to slave devices such as
`wireless keyboards, wireless computer mice, remote con-
`trols, etc. If one of the slave devices becomes lost, a user can
`
`initiate the location discovery process using buttons 918.
`Each button can be assigned to a different device so that a user
`only needs to press the button corresponding to the lost
`device. It is also contemplated that users can initiate the
`location discovery process using a different type of input,
`such as speech commands.
`[0051]
`Slave device 930 can be a computer mouse for use
`with computer 910. Computer mouse 930 can include light
`932, speaker 934 and buttons 928. Ifmouse 930 becomes lost,
`light 932 and speaker 934 can attempt to guide a user to its
`location.
`
`Slave device 950 can be a computer keyboard for
`[0052]
`use with computer 910. Keyboard 950 can include light 952,
`speaker 954 and buttons 958. If keyboard 950 becomes lost,
`light 952 and speaker 954 can attempt to guide a user to the its
`location.
`
`Slave device 970 can be a remote control for use
`[0053]
`with computer 910 or other electronics (e. g. television, DVD
`player, stereo). Remote control 970 can include light 972,
`speaker 974 and buttons 978. If remote control 970 becomes
`lost, light 972 and speaker 974 can attempt to guide a user to
`the its location. Slave devices 930, 950 and 970 can use other
`interfaces, in addition to Bluetooth, to communicate with
`computer 910. Mouse 930, keyboard 950, and remote control
`970 are provided for purposes of illustration rather than of
`limitation. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
`other types of devices may be used as slave devices in accor-
`dance with the principles of the present invention.
`[0054]
`FIG. 10 is a flowchart of method 1000 for locating
`an object. At step 1010, a master device is paired with one or
`more slave devices using a Bluetooth communications pro-
`tocol. Once two devices are paired, method 1000 can remain
`in between step 1010 and step 1020 for an indefinite period of
`time. Method 1000 can be manually instructed to proceed by
`a user or can proceed automatically if a slave device becomes
`lost. At step 1020, the master device transmits a signal to a
`slave device using a Bluetooth communications protocol. At
`step 1030, the slave device takes a predetermined action to
`guide a user to its location. The predetermined action could
`be, for example, turning on a light, emitting a sound, or
`transmitting a signal back to the master device with informa-
`tion about the slave device’s location.
`
`FIG. 11 is a flowchart for method 1100 for locating
`[0055]
`an object. At step 1110, a master device is paired with one or
`more slave devices using a Bluetooth communications pro-
`tocol. At step 1120, the master device transmits a signal to a
`slave device using a Bluetooth communications protocol. At
`step 1130, the slave device transmits a return signal to the
`master device using a Bluetooth communications protocol. At
`step 1140, the master device calculates the distance to the
`slave device by determining the amount of time delay
`between transmitting its signal to the slave device and when it
`receives a return signal from the slave device. The master
`device can use the known speed ofradio waves and the known
`response time of the slave device when calculating the dis-
`tance. Once this distance is determined it can be displayed to
`a user through a graphical interface on the master device.
`[0056] Thus it is seen that descriptions of a location discov-
`ery system and method are provided. A person of ordinary
`skill in the art will appreciate that the present invention may
`be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which
`are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limi-
`tation.
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`US 2008/0125040 A1
`
`May 29, 2008
`
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A system comprising:
`a master device capable of transmitting a signal using a
`Bluetooth communications protocol; and
`a slave device capable of receiving a signal using a Blue-
`tooth communications protocol, wherein the slave
`device is operable to guide a user to its location when
`prompted to by a Bluetooth transmission from the mas-
`ter device.
`
`2. The system of claim 1 wherein the slave device com-
`prises a speaker and the slave device is operable to guide the
`user to its location by emitting an auditory signal from the
`speaker.
`3. The system of claim 1 wherein the slave device com-
`prises a light and the slave device is operable