Method and system for estimating a position of a target using a plurality of smart-phones

Abstract

A method is disclosed for estimating a position of a target using a plurality of smartphones, each smartphone being capable of communicating with the target over a limited wireless range, the method comprising providing a target transmitting a wireless signal having a corresponding identification for uniquely identifying the target; providing the corresponding identification of the target to track to a group of smartphones; each smartphone of the group of smartphones being capable of receiving the signal transmitted if the target is in its vicinity and storing the corresponding identification of the target with a time stamp and an indication of a corresponding location of the smartphone and obtaining each of the stored corresponding identifications of the target with a time stamp and an indication of a corresponding location of the smartphone to thereby estimate a position of the target.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for enabling a third party to monitor a transfer of ownership of a target between a first user and a second user, each of the first user and the second user carrying a corresponding smartphone capable of communicating with the target over a limited wireless range, the method comprising:
 providing each of the two smartphones with an application for providing a reporting signal to a third party upon detection of a given indication of a signal transmitted by the target over the limited wireless range;   the third party receiving over time the reporting signal from the smartphone of the first user;   the third party receiving the reporting signal from each of the two smartphones; and   the third party receiving the reporting signal from the smartphone of the second user.   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a first given user of the two users experiences an issue with the other user, further comprising the first given user providing a notification of an issue to the third party using its smartphone. 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising the users sharing data using their smartphones on the target prior performing said transfer of ownership.