IP Library Granted Patent US 10,242,518
Granted Patent B2
US 10,242,518 · App. 15/819,729 · Granted Mar 26, 2019

Inaudible tones used for security and safety

Inventors: Nathaniel T. Bradley (Tucson, AZ); William Talmage (Calverton, NY); Joshua S. Paugh (Tucson, AZ); Robert Dromerhauser (Bay Shore, NY)
Assignee: WEB ACCESS, LLC
G07C9/00126G07C9/00166H04B11/00G01S5/0221
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,242,518
App. No.
15/819,729
Granted
Mar 26, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A security system and method including a transmitter broadcasting an inaudible signal. The security system further includes one or more sensors configured to detect the inaudible signal. The security system further includes a processing system in communication with the one or more sensors. The processing system tracks the inaudible signal of the transmitter throughout a location in response to detecting the inaudible signal.

Claims (34)

1. A security system, comprising:

a transmitter broadcasting an inaudible tone, wherein the inaudible tone is an audio tone that is inaudible to humans, wherein the transmitter is integrated in a tag configured for attachment to a user or object;

one or more sensors configured to detect the inaudible tone from the transmitter throughout a location;

a processing system in communication with the one or more sensors, wherein the processing system tracks the transmitter throughout a location in response to detecting the inaudible tone utilizing the one or more sensors.

2. The security system of claim 1 , wherein the transmitter is integrated in a chip included within the tag.

3. The security system of claim 2 , wherein the chip broadcasts the inaudible tone in response to determining the tag is being moved or used.

4. The security system of claim 1 , wherein the inaudible tone identifies one or more of a user or an item associated with the transmitter.

5. The security system of claim 1 , wherein the inaudible tone is utilized to determine a location and orientation of a user associated with the transmitter.

6. The security system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors are associated with entry points and exit points of the location.

7. The security system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors are mobile for enhancing detection of the inaudible tone.

8. The security system of claim 1 , further comprising:

associating the inaudible tone with the transmitter.

9. The security system of claim 1 , further comprising:

associating data with the transmitter for communication as part of the inaudible tone.

10. The security system of claim 1 , wherein the transmitters include one or more sensors for determining environmental or user conditions.

11. The security system of claim 1 , wherein the transmitter is integrated in a piece of jewelry, electronics, or clothing.

12. A method for utilizing inaudible tones, comprising:

receiving an inaudible tone broadcast from a transmitter integrated in a tag, wherein the inaudible tone is an audio signal that is inaudible to humans;

determining information associated with the inaudible tone;

associating the tag with a location where the inaudible tone was received; and

saving the information for subsequent access.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the transmitter is a microchip integrated with or attached to an item.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the inaudible tone identifies an item associated with the transmitter, and a user associated with the transmitter.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the transmitter broadcasts the inaudible tones in response to one or more settings or user preferences.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the inaudible tone is received at an entry or an exit, wherein the location specifies the entry or the exit.

17. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

performing an action in response to detecting the inaudible tone.

18. A system for processing inaudible tones, comprising:

a processor for executing a set of instructions; and

a memory for executing the set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions are executed to: receive an inaudible tone broadcast from a transmitter, determine information associated with the inaudible tone, associate the transmitter with a location where the inaudible tone was received, track the location of the transmitter throughout the location utilizing the inaudible tone, and save the information and tracked locations for subsequent access, wherein the inaudible tone is an audio signal that is inaudible to humans.

19. The system of claim 18 , further comprising:

receiving a plurality of inaudible tones from a plurality of transmitters simultaneously or concurrently.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the set of instructions are further executed to:

save the location associate with the transmitter for reference.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: WEB ACCESS, LLC
To: DATAVAULT AI INC.
Reel/Frame 071897/0881 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 13, 2024
From: ADIO, LLC
To: WEB ACCESS, LLC
Reel/Frame 067723/0395 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 23, 2021
From: WEB ACCESS, LLC
To: ADIO, LLC
Reel/Frame 057573/0970 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 21, 2017
From: BRADLEY, NATHANIEL; TALMAGE, WILLIAM; PAUGH, JOSHUA S.
To: WEB ACCESS, LLC
Reel/Frame 044194/0689 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62424921 · Nov 21, 2016
Related Publication 20180144567A1 · May 24, 2018
Cited By (2)
US 12,198,201 US 12,725,208