Method and system for location tracking

• US 20030060212A1
• Filed: 02/28/2001
• Published: 03/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Invention Depot Incorporated
• Inventors: Thomas, C. Douglass
• Granted Patent: US 7,366,522 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/08 Mobility data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/10 between location register and external networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/14 between corresponding nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

Techniques for location tracking, location utilization, and dissemination and management of location information are disclosed. As a location monitoring system, one embodiment includes at least a plurality of mobile computing devices supported by a wireless network, and a web server coupled to a wired network (e.g., the Internet) that couples to the wireless network. Each of the mobile computing devices are associated with and proximate to an object whose location is being monitored. The web server stores the locations of each of the mobile computing devices or the objects proximate thereto, and enables only authorized users to obtain access the locations via the wired network.

Claims

1. A location monitoring system, comprising:

a plurality of mobile computing devices supported by a wireless network, each of said mobile computing devices being associated with and proximate to an object whose location is being monitored; and

a web server coupled to a wired network that couples to the wireless network, said web server stores a plurality of locations of each of said mobile computing device and enables authorized users to access the locations of each of said mobile computing devices via the wired network.

2. A location monitoring system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said mobile computing devices operates to obtain location information on its location and to forward the location information to said web server.

3. A location monitoring system as recited in claim 1, wherein the object is one of a person, a vehicle and a package.

4. A location monitoring system as recited in claim 3, wherein the wired network is the Internet.

5. A location monitoring system as recited in claim 1, wherein the wired network is the Internet, and the object is a person.

6. A location monitoring system as recited in claim 5, wherein each of said mobile computing devices are wearable computing devices that are worn by persons.

7. A method for monitoring position of objects, said method comprising:

affixing a mobile computing device to an object to be monitored;

periodically activating at least a portion of the mobile computing device to determine its location;

subsequently transmitting the location to a web server through at least in part a wireless network; and

displaying the location of the object to a monitoring party via the monitoring parties access to the web server.

8. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said activating is not done when the mobile computing device locally determines that its current location is substantially the same as its last determined location.

9. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said periodically activating is slowed or stopped when a sensor within the mobile computing device indicates lack of motion or not being worn.

10. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said periodically activating is performed in accordance with a schedule.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the schedule causes said activating to occur more frequently during daytime hours and less frequently during evening hours.

12. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the schedule varies for different days of the week.

13. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said method further comprises:

storing the location in a database at or associated with the web server.

14. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said method further comprises:

determining whether a notification is needed based on the location of the object; and

sending a notification to the monitoring party associated with the mobile computing device.

15. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said method further comprises:

determining whether the location of the object is an unauthorized location;

generating a notification when said determining determines that the location of the objects is an unauthorized location; and

sending the notification to the monitoring party associated with the mobile computing device.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the object is a person, and

wherein said method further comprises:

generating and transmitting an alert or message to the mobile computing device advising the person that they are in an unauthorized area or that they need to communicate with the monitoring party for instructions.

17. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said method further comprises:

enabling the monitoring party to select a location display format and to assign location labels to particular locations or areas.

18. A method for monitoring position of a plurality of objects, each of the objects being or having a mobile computing device proximate thereto, said method comprising:

obtaining locations for the mobile computing devices and thus the objects proximate thereto;

receiving a request to view the location pertaining to a particular one or more of the objects; and

delivering a response to the request, the response including the location pertaining to the particular one or more of the objects.

19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the request is received from a requestor, and

wherein said method comprises determining whether the requestor is authorized to receive the location of the particular one or more of the objects.

20. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein said method further comprises:

causing an indicator to be displayed on a display screen of the particular one or more mobile computing devices, the indicator indicating that the location of the particular one or more mobile computing devices is being monitored.

21. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein said obtaining comprises:

receiving location information from the mobile computing devices; and

determining the locations for the objects proximate to the mobile computing devices based on at least the location information.

22. A method for monitoring position of a plurality of objects, each of the objects being or having a mobile computing device proximate thereto, said method comprising:

obtaining locations for the mobile computing devices and thus the objects proximate thereto;

comparing the locations against at least one predetermined location criteria; and

sending an electronic notification to a predetermined destination based on said comparing.

23. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein the predetermined destination is associated with a previously registered monitoring party.