LOCATION-SPECIFIC DATA ACQUISITION
Devices, methods, and systems are provided that allow for acquiring and/or communicating data associated with a location. Embodiments of the present invention allow a mobile communication device to detect a sensor associated with a particular location, and information about that location is provided to the mobile communication device. Other embodiments allow data to be detected and processed in order to characterize a location and objects contained therein.
1 . A device for sensing location-related data including:
a sensor configurable to detect data associated with a location, wherein the detected location data includes an indication of the presence of a mobile communication device;
a processor configurable to process the detected location data; and
a communications module that is operable to communicate content that corresponds to an object at or near a location of the mobile communication device.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configurable to detect at least one of light, sound, radio frequency (RF) signals, magnetic fields, wind current, temperature, and wireless network signals.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is configurable to communicate the detected location data to the mobile communication device in real-time or near real-time.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is configurable to communicate with a second device.
5 . A method for providing content associated with a location, the method including:
detecting a device associated with an object, wherein the detection is performed by a mobile communication device when the mobile communication device and the device associated with the object are geographically proximate to one another; and
providing content related to the object to the mobile communication device subsequent to the detection, wherein the content is provided by a remote server.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the mobile communication device prompts for a confirmation prior to the content being provided to the mobile communication device.
7 . A system for sensing location-related data including:
a device for sensing location-related data, wherein the device includes a sensor configurable to detect data associated with a location and a processor configurable to process the detected data associated with a location, and wherein the detected data associated with a location corresponds to the location and at least one object contained therein.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein a map is generated based at least in part on the detected data associated with a location.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the map is configurable to be overlaid with analytical data.
10 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the location is indoors.
11 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the device is configurable to communicate with a second device in order to coordinate which device will detect data associated with which portion of the location.
12 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the data associated with a location detected by the device is configurable to be combined with the location data detected by a second device.
13 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the device is capable of movement within the location.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the device is configurable to determine a path for the movement of the device.
15 . The system of claim 7 , wherein at least one capability of the device is controlled by a master controller.
16 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the device is powered by a rechargeable power source.
17 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the device is configurable to recharge its power source.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the device is powered by a wall outlet.
19 . A device for broadcasting an identifier, the device comprising:
a memory configurable to store an identifier associated with the device;
an antenna configurable to transmit the identifier; and
a processor configurable to communicate with the memory and antenna for transmission of the identifier, wherein the device is configurable to be powered by a battery in the device.
20 . The device of claim 19 , wherein the power source is configurable to obtain energy from the environment surrounding the device.