Apple files for wireless location-finding patents
updated 11:20 am EDT, Thu May 29, 2008
Wireless location patents
Several Apple patent applications have today been published by the US Patent and Trademark Office, focusing around wireless location technology. The first involves Bluetooth devices, and specifically a means of finding them when they are lost; a master device "pings" the lost slave, which in turn makes audible or visible signals to lure a person towards its hiding place. The master could also be used gauge the distance to the slave, narrowing its location down even further.
The application makes specific reference to a cellphone as the master, and the slave being a headset; in theory this would allow iPhone owners to locate missing earpieces, but the current model does not have such a function. The invention was first submitted to the USPTO in November of 2006.
Another published document describes a technology related to wireless range, in which users of a device would be warned that they are wandering out of range. Apple notes that while many devices will tell people that their signal is low, its invention would deliver an estimated time before signal is lost. The technology would again apply mainly to cellphones, but virtually any kind of wireless could be supported, including WiFi, PCM and even infrared. This patent was also originally filed for in 2006.
Language please
05/29, 11:41am reply
Besides the archaic language of master and slave (primary/secondary is better, yeah?), I find "...to lure a person towards its hiding place." Downright creepy sounding (too much Dateline, perhaps). Don't think we'll hear Steve saying "Boom. You've lured your master to the slaves hiding place. Boom -- Boom" :D
jbruner
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Joined: Jun 2003
wake up liberal
05/29, 11:44am reply
wake up liberal
MyRightEye
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Joined: Apr 2008
FYI
05/29, 12:00pm reply
The Master/Slave terminology is a commonly used idiom when you have paired devices- be it camera flashes or headsets. It's based on there only being one controlling 'master' and possible multiple slaves, which are controlled directly and quite often only from the master.
True, the lure thing is a bit odd, but reading into the semantics as you do goes a bit far. Remember, the wise fool keeps his mouth shut so as not to flaunt his ignorance.
danviento
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Joined: Dec 2005
more
05/29, 12:32pm reply
It's just plain bad language. The headset is not "luring" you, it's notifying you of its location.
As far as the patent for finding a lost bluetooth headset by "pinging," haven't cordless phones had this function for years? You press a button and the lost handset makes a noise. Hardly worthy of a patent.
elroth
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keyfob
05/29, 01:07pm (1 reply) reply
I want a keyfob with this to help me find my car keys.
sgirard
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Joined: Aug 2005
Game
05/29, 01:19pm reply
Marco
Pingo
Marco
Pingo
dynsight
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Joined: May 2005
wow
05/29, 01:35pm (1 reply) reply
pinging a lost device to find it. Sounds like almost every cordless phone I've ever had.
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001
Oh it's a joke...
05/29, 02:48pm reply
Oh jeez, I've been master/slaving drives since I was a wee one - I know what it means, I just figured Apple would be "progressive" in it's terminology... but if you call me a liberal, just from that, then I'll have to call you a "ditto-head" :P
jbruner
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Joined: Jun 2003