# US 10,769,939 B2 · Proximity-sensor supporting multiple application services > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,769,939 B2 - Document ID: US10769939B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/643,734 - Filed: 2017-07-07 - Published: 2017-10-26 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2007-11-09 - Assignees: Proxense, LLC - Applicants: Proxense, LLC - Inventors: David L. Brown; John J. Giobbi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10769939B2 ## CPC - G08C 17/02: using a radio link - G06F 21/32: using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints - G06F 21/35: communicating wirelessly - G06F 21/629: {to features or functions of an application} - G06F 2221/2111: Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS - G08C: TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS (fluid pressure transmitting systems F15B; mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member into a different variable G01D5/00; mechanical control systems G05G) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract A personal digital key (e.g., which can be carried by a human) contains a memory having different service blocks. Each service block is accessible by a corresponding service block access key. As the personal digital key (PDK) moves around, it is detected by sensors. The sensors report position data, thus enabling location tracking of the PDK. The sensors also provide a data path to various applications. An application that has access to a service block access key can therefore access the corresponding service block on the PDK. The sensors themselves may also contain service block access keys. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system comprising: a first application and an associated first instance of a first service block access key; a second application and an associated second instance of the first service block access key; the first service block access key shared by the first application and the second application, the first service block access key used directly for authorized access to a first service block, the first service block access key being distinct from a credential received via input from a user; a memory storing the first service block that is accessible using the first service block access key and inaccessible without the first service block access key, the memory communicatively coupled to receive the first instance of the first service block access key directly from the first application, and the second instance of the first service block access key directly from the second application; and a personal digital key including the memory, the personal digital key accessing the first service block using the first instance of the first service block access key, and accessing the first service block using the second instance of the first service block access key. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising: a biometric sensor for receiving a biometric input; and a second service block in the memory, the second service block accessible using a second service block access key, the second service block storing biometric information, the second service block access key used to access the biometric information to compare the biometric information to the biometric input. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising: biometric information stored in the first service block; and a biometric sensor for receiving a biometric input for comparison to the biometric information stored in the first service block. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3 wherein the biometric input is a fingerprint. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the first service block is accessible subsequent to a biometric authentication. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising: a first sensor at a first known location, the first sensor capable of communicating with the personal digital key in a first microcell; a second sensor at a second known location, the second sensor capable of communicating with the personal digital key in a second microcell; and a sensor management module communicatively coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6 wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are located inside a structure, and the sensor management module tracks location of the personal digital key within the structure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6 wherein the sensor management module gathers position data from the first sensor and the second sensor and generates location tracking data based on the position data. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the first service block includes log in information. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the first application and the second application are different types of applications. ### Claim 11 A method comprising: receiving, at a personal digital key including a memory, a first instance of a first service block access key directly from a first application, the first instance of the first service block access key being associated with the first application, and the first service block access key being distinct from a credential received via input by a user; selecting a first service block in the memory, the first service block accessible using the first instance of the first service block access key, and inaccessible without the first service block access key, the first service block access key shared by the first application authorized to directly access the first service block and a second application authorized to directly access the first service block; accessing the first service block using the first instance of the first service block access key; receiving, at the personal digital key, a second instance of the first service block access key from the second application, the second instance of the first service block access key being associated with the second application, and the second application being distinct from the first application; and accessing the first service block using the second instance of the first service block access key. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the memory includes a second service block, the second service block accessible using a second service block access key and inaccessible without the second service block access key; and the method further comprises: receiving an instance of the second service block access key; accessing the second service block, the second service block storing biometric information; and verifying, subsequent to accessing the second service block and prior to accessing the first service block, that the biometric information matches a biometric input. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein the biometric information is based on a fingerprint. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further comprising requesting the instance of the first service block access key responsive to verifying that the biometric information matches the biometric input. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the first service block includes credit card information for completing a financial transaction. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the first application and the second application are different types of applications. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the first service block includes log in information. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the first service block is accessed subsequent to a biometric authentication. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 further comprising storing a location of the personal digital key by communicating with a sensor management module coupled to a first sensor at a first known location, the first sensor capable of communicating with the personal digital key in a first microcell, the sensor management module coupled to a second sensor at a second known location, the second sensor capable of communicating with the personal digital key in a second microcell. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 further comprising: providing the location of the personal digital key to the first application.