Location-specific data acquisition

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.