Systems and methods for locating objects and related facilities

Abstract

The disclosure relates to interactive and adaptive systems and methods for tracking location-sensitive objects. An example method includes presenting a first set of user interfaces for receiving a visual image of the location-sensitive object, and using the image to determine an identifier and identify a geographic location. The example method also includes transmitting the identifier and the location to a remote computing device, and in response to receiving location-specific requirements. A second set of user interfaces may be generated and presented to guide a user to comply with the location-specific requirements.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method performed by a portable computing device that is configured to track geographic locations of objects and/or related facilities, the method comprising:
 presenting a first set of user interfaces;   receiving tracked-object information and image data from the first set of user interfaces;   identifying identification information based, at least in part, on the received image data;   identifying a geographic location associated with the tracked-object and/or the portable computing device based on the tracked-object information and/or locating circuits within the portable computing device;   transmitting the tracked-object information, the geographic location, and identification information to at least one remote computing device, wherein at least one of the tracked-object information, the geographic location, and the identification information are analyzed based, at least in part, on communication between the remote computing device and one or more third-party computing resources;   receiving instructions from the at least one remote computing device for generating a second set of user interfaces based, at least in part, on the analysis of at least one of the tracked-object information, the geographic location, and the identification information, wherein the second set of user interfaces are dynamically adjusted according to the geographic location;   generating and presenting the second set of user interfaces;   receiving additional data from the second set of user interfaces;   concurrently with presenting the second set of user interfaces, transmitting at least a portion of the additional data to the at least one remote computing device, wherein the at least a portion of the additional data is analyzed based, at least in part, on communication between the remote computing device and one or more third-party computing resources; and   providing a set of requirements associated with the geographic location and a tracked-object based, at least in part, on the analysis of the at least a portion of the additional data.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the tracked-object information is obtained from an identification device. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the tracked-object information includes a unique identifier associated with a related supplier. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of user interfaces are predefined independent of at least one of the tracked-object information or the identification information of the user. 
     
     
         5 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing content that, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform actions comprising:
 presenting a first set of user interfaces for inputting supplier information;   deriving at least one identifier of a tracked-object based on a real-time image received via the first set of user interfaces;   identifying a geographic location associated with the tracked-object and/or a user device based on the at least one identifier and/or a locating circuit within the user device;   transmitting the at least one identifier and the geographic location to a remote computing device for obtaining location-specific requirements at least partially associated with the tracked object; and   in response to receiving the location-specific requirements, presenting a second set of user interfaces for complying with the location-specific requirements.   
     
     
         6 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one identifier of the tracked object is derived from visual patterns that include at least one of an alpha-numerical code, a bar code, or a QR code. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 5 , wherein the geographic location represents a third-party assignment of the tracked object to a supplier. 
     
     
         8 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one identifier is included with the physical card in a hidden form. 
     
     
         9 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein a format of the at least one identifier is revealable based on a user-prescribed process. 
     
     
         10 . A system, comprising:
 at least a memory storing computer-executable instructions; and   one or more processors that, when executing the instructions, are configured to:
 present a first set of user interfaces for obtaining image data; 
 derive tracked-object information based on the image data from the first set of user interfaces; 
 identify a geographic location associated with a tracked-object and/or a user device based on the tracked-object information and/or a locating circuit within the user device; 
 transmit the at least one identifier and the geographic location to a remote computing device for obtaining location-specific requirements associated with the geographic location and the tracked object; and 
 in response to receiving the location-specific requirements, present a second set of user interfaces for complying with the location-specific requirements. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the user device includes a mobile phone. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to receive personally identifiable information associated with a user via the second set of user interfaces. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the tracked-object information includes one or more identifiers derived based, at least in part, on letter and/or numbers on a surface of the tracked object. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the second set of user interfaces is configured to guide the user for satisfying one or more conditions associated with obtaining a location-specific product associated with the tracked object.