Methods, systems, and products for location determination
AssigneeAT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
InventorsKirk Kingsmill, Robert Johnston, Jeffery Russell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Location may be determined based on electrical outlets in a home or business. One or more of the electrical outlets may wirelessly communicate with a mobile device, thus updating a database with the location of the mobile device. As the mobile device moves within the home or business, a current location of the mobile device may be continually logged by passing one of the electrical outlets. Rules and operations may then be performed, based on the current location.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- receiving, by a processor, outlet messages sent from electrical outlets of an electrical distribution system, each one of the outlet messages comprising a device identifier and an outlet identifier, the device identifier associated with a mobile device communicating with a transceiver in a corresponding one of the electrical outlets, and the outlet identifier uniquely identifying the transceiver in the corresponding one of the electrical outlets;
- and
- adding, by the processor, an entry to an electronic database of locations associated with the mobile device, the electronic database of locations having entries that log the outlet identifier as an indoor location associated with the mobile device.
A system, comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- a memory storing instructions that when executed causes the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:
- receiving an outlet message sent from a transceiver in an electrical outlet in an electrical system, the outlet message comprising a device identifier and an outlet identifier, the device identifier associated with a mobile device communicating with the transceiver in the electrical outlet, and the outlet identifier uniquely identifying the transceiver in the electrical outlet;
- and
- storing the outlet identifier in an electronic database of locations associated with the mobile device, the electronic database of locations having entries that log the outlet identifier as an indoor location of the mobile device.
A memory device storing instructions that when executed cause a processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:
- receiving an outlet message sent from a transceiver in an electrical outlet installed in a wall, the electrical outlet connected to conductors of an electrical system, the outlet message comprising a device identifier and an outlet identifier, the device identifier associated with a mobile device communicating with the transceiver in the electrical outlet installed in the wall, and the outlet identifier uniquely identifying the transceiver in the electrical outlet installed in the wall;
- and
- storing the outlet identifier in an electronic database of locations associated with the mobile device, the electronic database of locations having entries that log the outlet identifier as an indoor location of the mobile device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.