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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is drawn to a locator system. More particularly, the
present invention is drawn to a locator device for locating a desired item
based on satellite location information, and utilizing a cellular
communication network.
It is presently difficult to locate and accurately track the movement of
mobile items such as automobiles, pets, and people. However, given the
present concern over abductions and car thefts, it is highly desirable to
be able to quickly, efficiently and accurately determine the location of
mobile items, and track movement of the mobile items. Present systems for
determining and tracking the location of mobile items are subject to a
number of significant disadvantages. Further, once detected, there is
presently no organized system or method by which the located entity can be
recovered.
For instance, there are current locator systems which rely on two-way radio
locating devices. In other words, the item to be located is first fitted
with a radio transmitter. Persons who wish to locate the item are equipped
with a radio receiver. By using certain well known techniques, the item to
be located can be located based on the two-way radio communication which
takes place between the transmitter and receiver. This system has
significant disadvantages. First, location can only be accomplished within
several hundred feet of the actual location of the item to be located. In
addition, such two-way radio transmitters commonly have a very limited
range. When the radio receiver is out of the transmitters range, location
is essentially impossible.
A second method of locating utilizes a strictly cellular communications
network to locate the item. The item to be located is fitted with a
cellular transmitter and the item is located based on triangulation from a
plurality of cell site transmitter towers. However, this method also has
significant disadvantages. A third party must be employed to perform the
triangulation technique in order to do any location, whatsoever. In
addition, the accuracy of this type of location technique is dependent
upon the power of the individual cell site in which triangulation is
taking place. The accuracy can be anywhere between three blocks (or
approximately 300 feet) and in excess of three miles. Further, the
triangulation in such a system only covers the area in which the
particular cellular transmitting tower is presently controlling the
cellular communication. Finally, in more remote areas, there is a far
greater geographic spread between cellular transmitter towers. This makes
the triangulation technique even less accurate.
In addition, neither of the above-mentioned systems (either the two-way
radio locator system, or the cellular triangulation locator system)
provides any mechanism or system for processing location information once
it is obtained from the item to be located. Thus, any response generated
based on these signals would typically be slow and inefficient. Further,
response times of such systems typically suffer because the mobile item to
be located, by its very nature, is typically moving. Prior systems do not
provide any efficient mechanisms for extrapolating to what is believed to
be a future destination of the item to be located.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a locator apparatus which includes a first
receiver for receiving location information indicative of the location of
the receiver. A memory is coupled to the first receiver and stores the
location information. A cellular transmitter is coupled to the memory and
the first receiver. The cellular transmitter transmits the location
information to a second receiver where the location information is
processed.
In one embodiment, the location information received by the first receiver
is based on satellite transmissions. Also, in another embodiment, the
second receiver which receives the location information from the locator
apparatus provides it to a tracking system which relates the location
information to a map. A mapped output is thus provided which is indicative
of the location of the receiver.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic-type diagram of a system according to the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram of a portable locator unit
according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a more detailed block diagram of a data processor station
according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an illustration of a portable locator unit according to the
present invention.
FIG. 4A is a side view of the portable locator unit shown in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 is an overall schematic-type view illustrating the operation of a
locator system according to the present invention. FIG. 1 includes
satellite 10, portable locator 12 attached to a person 14, cellular
transmitter tower 16, data processor station 18 and responder 20. In the
preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, satellite 10 is a satellite in the
Global Positioning System (GPS). Satellite 10 continuously transmits
longitude, latitude, and altitude information coordinates to earth.
The person 14 has attached, by clothing or another suitable attachment
mechanism, portable locator 12 according to the present invention.
Portable locator 12 includes a satellite transmission receiver which
receives the positional information (longitude, latitude and altitude
coordinates) from satellite 10. The positional information is received by
portable locator 12 and stored in a memory located in portable locator 12.
Portable locator 12 periodically stores additional location information
received from satellite 10, as the individual 14 carrying portable locator
12 moves about. In the preferred embodiment, fifty sets of location
information are stored in portable locator 12 on a revolving basis. In
other words, after all fifty memory locations contain position
information, the oldest position information is deleted from the memory
and the next update is stored in that memory location.
Upon the occurrence of one of two actions, transceiver 12 transmits the
most recently stored position information via a cellular network to data
processor station 18. A first action which results in the transmission of
the position information is that transmission is activated by the
individual 14 carrying portable locator 12. This instance typically occurs
when individual 14 is in need of some type of assistance. Under such
circumstances, individual 14 activates a switch or other suitable input
device on portable locator 12. In response, portable locator 12 initiates
cellular communication via a cellular transmitter tower (or cell site) 16.
In one preferred embodiment, data processor station 18 is also equipped
with a cellular transceiver. Thus, data processor station 18 is capable of
communicating with portable locator 12 via a cellular network. When
portable locator 12 transmits position information via the cellular
network, data processor station 18 receives that information. It should
also be noted that any suitable receiver can be used, such as a receiver
based on wire-line communication. In that case, data processor station 18
simply interfaces with a public switched telephone network station which,
in turn, interfaces with cellular transmitter tower 16.
A second circumstance which initiates the transfer of position information
from portable locator 12 to data processor station 18 occurs when data
processor station 18 interrogates portable locator 12 via cellular
communication. This will be described in greater detail later in the
specification. Briefly, data processor station 18 is preferably provided
with an operator input device which allows an operator at data processor
station 18 to initiate communication with portable locator 12. As an
operator requests data processor station 18 to initiate such
communication, data processor station 18 sends an interrogation signal,
via the cellular communication network, to portable locator 12. In
response to the interrogation signal, portable locator 12 transmits
requested information from the memory in portable locator 12 to data
processor station 18 via the cellular network.
After data processor station 18 receives position information from portable
locator 12 (either by operator initiation or interrogation from data
processor station 18), data processor station 18 processes the position
information to determine what action is required by data processor station
18. The action taken by data processor station 18 primarily depends upon
the reason for initiation of communication with portable locator 12. For
instance, individual 14 can initiate an emergency communication in which
data processor 18 takes one action. However, individual 14 can also
initiate a second level, or normal, communication in which data processor
station 18 takes a second action. Further, if communication is initiated
by data processor station 18, data processor station 18 may take yet
another action in response to receiving position information from portable
locator 12. All of these circumstances are described later in the
specification.
Once data processor station receives the position information, it can
generally be stated that data processor station 18 relates the position
information to a map using a mapping system (such as mapping software).
Data processor station 18 then sends this information, by any suitable
means, to a responder 20.
Responder 20 is typically an individual or entity which is to be informed
of the location of individual 14 based on the circumstance under which
communication is initiated with portable locator 12. If individual 14
initiates an emergency communication by actuating portable locator 12,
then responder 20 is typically the police or other emergency response
personnel. However, if, for instance, individual 14 is not a person, but
rather a pet, automobile, parcel, or other animate or inanimate object, an
operator at data processor station 18 may be requested to locate the
object carrying portable locator 12. In such a case, responder 20 would
typically be the owner of the object and the location of the object would
be provided to the owner to allow the owner to retrieve the object in due
course.
Data processor station 18 typically communicates with responder 20 by
sending an electronic communication over conventional wire line telephone
lines and via modems. However, the operator of data processor station 18
can also telephone responder 20 and pass the relevant information via
telephone. Other electronic communication apparatus can also be used, such
as cellular telephones, telefacsimile machines, or any other suitable
communication systems.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of portable locator 12 according to the present
invention. Portable locator 12 includes satellite transmission antenna 22,
GPS receiver 24, memory 25, control computer 26, operator input device 27,
power supply and charger 28, battery 30, modulator/demodulator (modem) 32,
cellular transceiver 34, cellular communication antenna 36, and connector
62. In operation, the position information transmitted by satellite 10 is
received, through antenna 22, by GPS receiver 24. It should be noted that,
in the preferred embodiment, receiver 24 is suitable for receiving from
the GPS. However, receiver 24 could also be any other suitable satellite
receiver for receiving position information from a satellite, such as a
LORAN receiver.
The GPS receiver 24 decodes the satellite information and provides the
decoded position information in digital form to control computer 26.
Control computer 26 stores the position information in memory 25, along
with the time and date when the position information was received. In the
preferred embodiment, control computer 26 stores fifty sets of position
information in memory 25, at predetermined time intervals, and then
updates the information in memory 25 by erasing the oldest information in
memory 25 and replacing it with the newest position information.
Power supply and charger 28, along with battery 30, supply power to the
rest of portable locator 12 in a conventional manner.
Operator input device 27 typically includes a plurality of push button
inputs. However, operator input device 27 can also include a membrane
keypad input, or any other suitable operator input.
Once position information is stored in memory 25, and in response to an
appropriate operator input from operator input device 27, control computer
26 retrieves position information from memory 25 and provides it in the
form of position information signals to modem 32. Modem 32 modulates the
position information signals and provides the modulated signals to
cellular transceiver 34. Cellular transceiver 34 transmits the modulated
position information signals, via antenna 36, and a cellular network (and
optionally a wire-line network), to the data processor station 18.
Based on the particular operator input provided at operator input device
27, control computer 26 can also append an emergency indicator message to
the signal transmitted by cellular transceiver 34. Also, based on the
program instructions provided to control computer 26 (which are typically
stored either in memory 25, or in a memory integral with control computer
26) control computer 26 may provide either the most recent position
information stored in memory 25 in response to an operator input, or may
provide all fifty of the saved position information sets stored in memory
25, or any combination thereof, to data processor station 18.
In the preferred embodiment, control computer 26 is a digital computer or
other suitable controller or integrated circuit chip or chipset which
includes a real time clock for providing time and date information. This
information is appended to the position information stored in memory 25
and is provided along with the position information so that data processor
station 18 is capable of tracking movement of individual 14 based on the
time that the position information was logged.
Cellular transceiver 34 is also capable of receiving cellular
communications. Therefore, when data processor station 18 sends an
interrogation signal via the cellular network to portable locator 12, the
interrogation signal is received, through antenna 36, by cellular
transceiver 34. Cellular transceiver 34, in turn, provides the received
signal to modem 32. The received signal is demodulated at modem 32 and
provided in digital form to control computer 26. Upon receiving the
demodulated interrogation signal, control computer 26 performs basically
the same functions as if it was requested from operator input device 27 to
transmit data. In other words, control computer 26 accesses memory 25 to
send requested position information to data processor station 18.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of data processor station 18. Data processor
station 18 includes CRT 38, control computer 40, operator input device 42,
modem 44, transceiver 46, cellular communications antenna 47, electronic
communicator 48, mapping computer 50, mouse 52 and CRT 54. Transceiver 46
is preferably a cellular transceiver (such as a cellular telephone) in
which case it includes antenna 47 or a wire-line transceiver (such as a
wire-line telephone) in which case no antenna is utilized. If a
communication is initiated by portable locator 12, transceiver 46 receives
the position information from portable locator 12. Transceiver 46 provides
a modulated signal indicative of the position information to modem 44
which demodulates the signal and provides the position information, in
digital form, to control computer 40.
In a preferred embodiment, control computer 40 is a digital computer with
associated support circuitry, such as memory and timing circuitry 40A.
Control computer 40 displays the position information, and any other
relevant information, on CRT 38. Control computer 40 also provides the
position information to mapping computer 50 which relates the position
information to a map.
In a preferred embodiment, mapping computer 50 is also a digital computer
having associated support circuitry such as memory and timing circuitry
50A. Further, mapping computer 50 is preferably programmed with
commercially available mapping software, such as MapExpert 2.0 software
commercially available by the DeLorme company. Various selections in the
mapping and programming process are accomplished by the operator using
mouse 52. It should be noted that mouse 52 can be replaced or accompanied
by any suitable operator input device. However a mouse is preferable since
the mapping software is provided in a pull down-type format. Mapping
computer 50 also displays the position information after it is related to
a map, on CRT 54. This essentially provides the operator of mapping
computer 50 with a visual map indicating the location of portable locator
12.
In addition, mapping computer 50 sends signals indicative of the mapped
position information back to control computer 40. In response, control
computer 40 either initiates a cellular or wire line telephone call to
responder 20 (shown in FIG. 1) or provides the relevant information to
responder 20 via another electronic communicator 48. In the preferred
embodiment, electronic communicator 48 is a telefacsimile machine, another
computer, or another suitable electronic communicator. Alternatively, or
in addition, the operator at data processor station 18, upon viewing the
mapped information on CRT 54 calls responder 20.
In the preferred embodiment, the identity and telephone number of responder
20 is provided on CRT 38 once control computer 40 receives the position
information from portable locator 12. If portable locator 12 is activated
by individual 14 in a normal mode, position information is simply sent to
data processor station 18, and control computer 40 lists a plurality of
responders 20 which are to be contacted. The responders 20 are preferably
listed in order of desired contact. In other words, the operator first
attempts to contact the first responder. If the first responder is
unavailable, the operator then attempts to contact the second responder,
etc. Under such circumstances, the responders are advised that individual
14 has requested them to respond. The responder is also provided with the
location of individual 14. The responders are dispatched to that location.
If individual 14 actuates portable locator 12 by initiating an emergency
actuation, then control computer 40 determines that an emergency alert
signal has been provided by individual 14 and provides a display on CRT 38
that indicates that either the police, or other emergency responders, are
to be contacted immediately. Alternatively, or in addition, control
computer 40 can iniate such communication with the emergency responder via
transceiver 46 or electronic communicator 48. In addition, control
computer 40 can provide the emergency responder with the location of
individual 14, as well as a map of how to reach individual 14.
If the operator of data processor station 18 is asked to locate individual
14 (or any other object or entity which is carrying portable locator 12),
the operator inputs, via operator input device 42, instructions to control
computer 40 to interrogate portable locator 12. Control computer 40 then
provides an interrogation signal to modem 44 which is to be transmitted
via cellular transceiver 46 and a cellular network, to portable locator
12. The interrogation signal provided by control computer 40 (as
previously discussed) causes control computer 26 in portable locator 12 to
retrieve a desired amount of location information from memory 25 and
transmit the information back to data processor station 18. As when
individual 14 initiates such communication, the position information is
provided from control computer 40 to mapping computer 50 which relates the
position information to a map and provides an appropriate output.
Data processor station 18 can also perform a tracking and extrapolation
function. Control computer 26 in portable locator 12 is programmed to
periodically store additional information in memory 25 at predetermined
time intervals. In a preferred embodiment, the position information is
updated in memory 25 every five seconds. However, it should be noted that
any suitable interval can be programmed into control computer 26.
Since fifty sets of position information are stored, data processor station
18 can track movement of individual 14 over the past four plus minutes.
Based on this movement, data processor station 18 can extrapolate a
straight line pattern which indicates expected movement of individual 14.
This tracking and extrapolation feature is particularly useful if
individual 14 is moving at a high rate of speed and crossing a number of
cellular networks, or is moving in and out of cellular networks. This
function is also particularly useful should satellite communication be
lost for any period of time. Such an extrapolation and tracking function
allows data processor station 18 to continue to track individual 14 and
portable locator 12, even though only periodic transmissions are being
received.
In addition, the update interval, along with the number of update
information sets to be stored in memory 25 can be changed and reprogrammed
by the operator at data processor station 18. This can all be accomplished
remotely through the cellular (or wire-line) network.
It should also be noted that mapping computer 50 or control computer 40 is
preferably programmed to save many more than fifty sets of position
information. In this way, the control computers can create a map which
essentially traces the route of anything carrying portable locator 12, for
any amount of time.
Control computer 40 is also preferably programmed with a database
containing identification information of all entities carrying portable
locators 12. Such information typically includes color, make and model of
cars; and weight, height, hair and eye color of people, etc. This
information is provided to responder 20 when the responder is dispatched.
FIG. 4 is a front view of portable locator 12. In the preferred embodiment,
portable locator 12 includes a hard plastic housing which covers the
necessary circuitry. Further, portable locator 12 includes a plurality of
call buttons 56 and 58. In order to simply send a message that a responder
is to be contacted, the operator presses a single call button 56. In order
to send a message that a second responder is to be sent, the individual 14
actuates a second call button 58. Further, in the preferred embodiment,
the individual 14 can send an emergency message indicating that an
emergency responder is to be dispatched to the appropriate location. In
this instance, individual 14 presses both buttons 56 and 58 for a
predetermined time interval, such as two seconds. Also, buttons 56 and 58
are preferably recessed into the housing to reduce the likelihood of
accidental activations.
FIG. 4A is a side view of portable locator 12. The rear of portable locator
12 includes a pin 60 and a female connector 62 which is magnetically
connected to pin 60. In the preferred embodiment, the insertion of pin 60
into connector 62 is sensed by control computer 26 by using any suitable
sensor such as a magnetic sensor or a magnetic or other switch. Connector
62 is preferably only releasable upon control computer 26 receiving an
infrared release signal, or a radio frequency release signal, from a
remote (preferably hand held) device. If one attempts to remove connector
62 from pin 60 without control computer 26 first receiving the appropriate
release signal, this indicates that the connector is being tampered with
and control computer 26 immediately sends an emergency signal to data
processor station 18.
It is worth noting that both control computer 40 and mapping computer 50
could easily be integrated into a single computer with the mapping
software, communication software and identification information data base
loaded into that single computer. This would eliminate the need for one of
CRTs 38 and 54. However, should two computers be used, they are typically
connected through an appropriate communication link, such as an RS232
serial data port, or an appropriate parallel data port. This allows
control computer 40 and mapping computer 50 to be spaced apart from one
another.
It should also be noted that the location information can include not only
longitude and latitude, but also altitude and speed. The speed is
typically calculated by either portable locator 12 or data processor 18
based upon the sets of information stored in memory 25, and the time which
elapses between each set of data.
Further, while the present invention has been described primarily with
respect to the GPS, any positioning system which provides longitude and
latitude coordinates could be used with the present invention. The
receiver in portable locator 12 would simply be replaced with an
appropriate receiver to accommodate reception of the necessary signals
from the positioning system.
Finally, while the present description has been provided with respect to
only a single, portable locator 12, any number of portable locators can be
used with data processor station 18. Each portable locator 12 is
preferably assigned an identifier or address such as a number or
alpha-numeric identifier. This identifier is used in communication to and
from data processor station 18.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to
preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that
changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention.
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