US5642303A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Time and location based computing
Assignee: Apple Inc
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Filing: 1995-05-05
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Granted: 1997-06-24
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Expires: 2015-05-05
Abstract
Abstract Utilizing a simple, low-cost beacon and receiver technology to allow users to build their own infrastructure by placing beacons in key locations provides intelligent location awareness. This location awareness can be leveraged by the computer electronic equipment that the user is carrying, needs no networking or server infrastructure, works indoors, has no line-of-sight restrictions, is compact and inexpensive.
Inventors
- 👤 Ian S. Small
- 👤 Michael Chen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:42
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S1/00; G01S1/02; G01S1/68
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A location based portable computing system comprising: one or more beacons, each of the one or more beacons transmitting a unique beacon signal, each transmitted unique beacon signal having a transmitting signal range, at least one of the one or more beacons being placeable in a user desired location by a user of the portable computing system; a portable receiver which can receive the transmitted unique beacon signal from any one of the one or more beacons when the portable receiver is located within the transmitting signal range of any one of the one or more beacons; a portable computing host coupleable to the portable receiver such that the portable receiver can provide a notification to the portable computing host of which one of the one or more transmitted unique beacon signals the portable receiver received when the portable receiver receives any transmitted unique beacon signal from any one of the one or more beacons; and the portable computing host being user programmable to configure the user's portable computing host based upon the portable receiver providing the notification to the portable computing host of which one of the one or more transmitted unique beacon signals the portable receiver received.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A location based portable computing system comprising: one or more beacons, each of the one or more beacons transmitting a unique beacon signal, each transmitted unique beacon signal having a transmitting signal range, at least one of the one or more beacons being placeable in a user desired location by a user of the portable computing system; a portable receiver which can receive the transmitted unique beacon signal from any one of the one or more beacons when the portable receiver is located within the transmitting signal range of any one of the one or more beacons; a portable computing host coupleable to the portable receiver such that the portable receiver can provide a notification to the portable computing host of which one of the one or more transmitted unique beacon signals the portable receiver received when the portable receiver receives any transmitted unique beacon signal from any one of the one or more beacons; and the portable computing host being user programmable to configure the user's portable computing host based upon the portable receiver providing the notification to the portable computing host of which one of the one or more transmitted unique beacon signals the portable receiver received.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The location based portable computing system of claim 1 wherein the placeable beacon user desired location is in the user's office.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The location based portable computing system of claim 1 wherein the placeable beacon user desired location is in the user's home.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The location based portable computing system of claim 1 wherein the placeable beacon user desired location is in the user's car.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The location based portable computing system of claim 1 wherein the portable computing host coupleable to the portable receiver is via a PCMCIA card.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The location based portable computing system of claim 1 wherein the portable computing host coupleable to the portable receiver is via a hardwired connection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The location based portable computing system of claim 1 wherein the portable computing host coupleable to the portable receiver is via a serial connection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The location based portable computing system of claim 1 wherein the programmable portable computing host is programmed to configure the user's portable computing host in a simplified user interface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The location based portable computing system of claim 1 wherein the programmable portable computing host is programmed to configure the user's portable computing host in a full featured user interface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The location based portable computing system of claim 1 wherein the programmable portable computing host is programmed to configure the user's portable computing host to make available to the user one or more working documents.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The location based portable computing system of claim 1 wherein the programmable portable computing host is programmed to configure the user's portable computing host to launch one or more application programs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The location based portable computing system of claim 1 wherein the programmable portable computing host is programmed to configure the user's portable computing host to make one or more network connections.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
178 words
A location based portable computing method comprising: placement of one or more beacons in one or more user desired locations by a user of the portable computing system, each of the one or more beacons transmitting a unique beacon signal and having a transmitting signal range; receiving the transmitted unique beacon signal from any one of the one or more beacons by a portable receiver located within the transmitting signal range of any one of the one or more beacons; coupling a portable computing host to the portable receiver; the portable receiver providing a notification to the portable computing host of which one of the one or more transmitted unique beacon signals the portable receiver received when the portable receiver receives any transmitted unique beacon signal from any one of the one or more beacons; and, user programming the portable computing host to configure the user's portable computing host based upon the portable receiver providing the notification to the portable computing host of which one of the one or more transmitted unique beacon signals the portable receiver received.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
178 words
A location based portable computing method comprising: placement of one or more beacons in one or more user desired locations by a user of the portable computing system, each of the one or more beacons transmitting a unique beacon signal and having a transmitting signal range; receiving the transmitted unique beacon signal from any one of the one or more beacons by a portable receiver located within the transmitting signal range of any one of the one or more beacons; coupling a portable computing host to the portable receiver; the portable receiver providing a notification to the portable computing host of which one of the one or more transmitted unique beacon signals the portable receiver received when the portable receiver receives any transmitted unique beacon signal from any one of the one or more beacons; and, user programming the portable computing host to configure the user's portable computing host based upon the portable receiver providing the notification to the portable computing host of which one of the one or more transmitted unique beacon signals the portable receiver received.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The location based portable computing method of claim 13 wherein the placement of the one or more beacons in one or more user desired locations is in the user's office.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The location based portable computing system of claim 13 wherein the placement of the one or more beacons in one or more user desired locations is in the user's home.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The location based portable computing system of claim 13 wherein the placement of the one or more beacons in one or more user desired locations is in the user's car.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The location based portable computing system of claim 13 wherein the coupling of the portable computing host to the portable receiver is via a PCMCIA card.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The location based portable computing system of claim 13 wherein the coupling of the portable computing host to the portable receiver is via a hardwired connection.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The location based portable computing system of claim 13 wherein the coupling of the portable computing host to the portable receiver is via a serial connection.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The location based portable computing method of claim 13 wherein programming the portable computing host configures the user's portable computing host in a simplified user interface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The location based portable computing method of claim 13 wherein programming the portable computing host configures the user's portable computing host in a full featured user interface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The location based portable computing method of claim 13 wherein programming the portable computing host configures the user's portable computing host to make available to the user one or more working documents.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The location based portable computing method of claim 13 wherein programming the portable computing host configures the user's portable computing host to launch one or more application programs.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The location based portable computing method of claim 13 wherein programming the portable computing host configures the user's portable computing host to make one or more network connections.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-06-23 | 2000-12-23 | 2001-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-06-23 | 2004-12-23 | 2005-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-06-23 | 2008-12-23 | 2009-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |