Security system including a method and system for acquiring GPS satellite position

• US 20040252053A1
• Filed: 06/14/2004
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harvey A. Stephen
• Original Assignee: Harvey A. Stephen
• Inventors: Harvey, A. Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 7,196,661 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/357.15
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/05 providing aiding data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/16 Anti-theft; Abduction
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/235 Calibration of receiver components
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/258 relating to the satellite constellation, e.g. almanac, ephemeris data, lists of satellites in view
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/34 Power consumption

Abstract

A security system and a method and apparatus utilize a transmitter and a receiver with a GPS sub-system in a GPS appliance. Ephemeris and almanac data are updated at preprogrammed times within coordinated windows of opportunity. Each GPS receiver is preferably kept in an inactive state to reduce power consumption except at the preprogrammed times and uses time-compressed formats of GPS ephemeris data. An additional receiver makes possible the use of a coordinated window of opportunity whereby the receiver is set to an active state to receive complete ephemeris data sets when transmitted. The security system monitors conditions. Security sensors may respond to a condition to “awaken” a transmitter that may then transmit a report providing the location of the appliance. The report may include manifest information such as the identity of a container to which the GPS system is affixed, the sensor reporting the breach and its location.

Claims

1. A method for acquiring GPS satellite position comprising:

maintaining a GPS receiver in a stand-by mode;

selecting a time at which a compressed GPS data payload is to be transmitted;

setting the GPS receiver to an active state at the pre-determined time; and

returning the GPS receiver to a stand-by state after an interval having a length selected to download the compressed GPS data payload.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein selecting a time for transmission of compressed GPS data payload comprises selecting a time for transmission of IGU data or a substitute GPS data payload.

3. A GPS appliance comprising a GPS receiver having a control to set said receiver to an active state or a stand-by state;

and

a timer coupled to said control;

said control normally providing a signal to said set GPS receiver to the stand-by state, said timer being set to activate said control to said GPS to an active state at a time corresponding to time transmission of compressed GPS data payload by a selected satellite constellation.

4. The GPS system according to claim 3 further comprising means for returning said GPS receiver to the stand-by state after a time interval allowing downloading the compressed GPS data payload.

5. The GPS receiver according to claim 4 wherein said timer set to provide;

a means for enabling a temporary, synchronous link between said GPS appliance and a commercial satellite constellation;

a time period to authenticate a GPS data payload;

a time period to reattempt a failed transmission of a GPS data payload;

a control signal to return the Satellite Receiver to a stand-by mode upon authentication of the GPS data payload; and

a control signal to return the Satellite Receiver to a stand-by mode after a predetermined interval where Satellite Availability is not possible.

6. A GPS Appliance comprising a GPS receiver, a transmitter, at least one condition-responsive sensor, a register for providing information to be transmitted in response to sensing of a condition by said condition responsive sensor, a timer to set said GPS receiver to an active state at a time to receive a GPS data payload, a register for storing position information provided by said GPS receiver in response to receipt of a GPS data payload, the threshold circuit to activate said transmitter in response to occurrence of a condition sensed by a sensor, said transmitter including means for transmitting position information and information from said information register.

7. A remote unit according to claim 6 wherein a register stores manifest information.

8. A remote unit according to claim 7 comprising a plurality of sensors, each sensor responsive to a different condition.

9. A remote system according to claim 8 wherein said timer is set to enable said GPS receiver to respond to a compressed GPS data payload.

10. A security tracking system comprising a remote user interface or Operational Control Center and a remote GPS appliance according claim 6.

11. A security system according to claim 10 wherein a register stores manifest information.

12. A security system according to claim 11 comprising a plurality of sensors, each sensor responsive to a different condition.

13. A security system according to claim 12 wherein said timer is set to enable said GPS receiver to respond to a source of time-compressed ephemeris data.

14. A GPS appliance comprising a GPS receiver having a control to set said receiver to an active state or a stand-by state;

and

a timer coupled to said control;

said control normally providing a signal to said set GPS receiver to the stand-by state, said timer being set to activate said control to said GPS to an active state at a time corresponding to time transmission of compressed GPS data payload by a selected satellite constellation; and

further comprising access control via user authentication, said access control comprising a storage location to store programmed authorization identification and a processor to determine entry of an authorized code.

15. A GPS appliance according to claim 14 wherein said access control comprises access to change a state of said receiver between an off state to the active state or a standby state.