Device and Methods for Signal-Broadcasting Sockets

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to an electronic socket device that transmits radio signals, which can be used to approximate the location of a person or device in a room. In one embodiment, the device may be installed in a standard electrical outlet and powered by an AC power source.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . An electrical device, comprising:
 a transceiver operative to:   receive a configuration file for assigning an indoor location to the device, and   transmit a one-way broadcast signal based on the received configuration file.   
     
     
         5 . The electrical device of  claim 4 , wherein the electrical device is enclosed in a housing having an input end for connecting a standard AC socket. 
     
     
         6 . The electrical device of  claim 4 , wherein the electrical device is enclosed in an electrical outlet. 
     
     
         7 . The electrical device of  claim 4 , wherein the configuration file further includes information indicative of at least one of a broadcast interval and transmission strength of the one-way broadcast signal. 
     
     
         8 . The electrical device of  claim 4 , wherein the one-way broadcast signal further includes at least one of a URL, UUID, Major, and Minor of a radio signal. 
     
     
         9 . The electrical device of  claim 4 , wherein the one-way broadcast signal is a Bluetooth Low Energy signal. 
     
     
         10 . A method for delivering digital content to a receiver, comprising:
 receiving a one-way broadcast signal from an electrical device;
 wherein the signal is transmitted in accordance with a configuration file for assigning an indoor location to the device; 
   estimating a first distance between the receiver and the electrical device;   estimating a second distance between the receiver and the electrical device;   delivering a first digital content to the receiver based on the first estimated distance; and   delivering a second digital content to the receiver based on the second estimated distance.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the one-way broadcast is received in accordance with a configuration file. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first digital content and the second digital content is at least one of an image, text, audio, push notification, and video. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the electrical device is enclosed in a housing having an input end for connecting an AC socket. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the electrical device is enclosed in an electrical outlet. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the configuration file further includes information indicative of at least one of a broadcast interval and transmission strength of the one-way broadcast signal. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the one-way broadcast signal further includes at least one of a URL, UUID, Major, and Minor of a radio signal. 
     
     
         17 . A system for delivering digital content to a receiver, comprising:
 one or more electrical devices that broadcast a plurality of one-way radio signals in accordance with one or more configuration files for assigning indoor locations to the one or more electrical devices;   a receiver that receives the plurality of one-way radio signals and is operable to display digital content based on an estimated distance between the receiver and the one or more electrical devices.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the electrical devices are enclosed in a housing having an input end for connecting an AC socket 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the electrical devices are enclosed in an electrical outlet.