MOBILE TRACKING

• US 20090143079A1
• Filed: 12/04/2007
• Published: 06/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: WORMALD, Christopher R., LEWIS, Allan David, JOHNSON, Eric, KLASSEN, Gerhard Dietrich
• Granted Patent: US 8,554,243 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.300
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3407 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3667 Display of a road map G01C21/3614 takes precedence; guidance using 3D or perspective road maps G01C21/3635
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0072 Transmission between mobile stations, e.g. anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/025 using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

A method of tracking a first wireless communications device using another computing device, such as a second wireless communications device, includes obtaining current position data for the first wireless communications device and obtaining one or more of speed data, time data, and path data for the first wireless communications device. The first wireless device then transmits the current position data and at least one of the speed data, time data and path data to the second wireless communications device or other computing device. In addition to current position data, the speed, path and time data facilitate tracking of the first wireless communications device. When a first mobile user wants a second mobile user to follow him, the first mobile user can put his device in “follow me” (tracking) mode. This is particularly useful when the first and second mobile users are traveling in respective cars or other vehicles.

Claims

1. A method of tracking a wireless communications device using another computing device, the method comprising steps of:

obtaining current position data for the first wireless communications device;

obtaining one or more of speed data, time data, and path data for the first wireless communications device; and

transmitting the current position data and at least one of the speed data, time and path data from the wireless communications device to the other computing device to enable tracking of the wireless communications device using the computing device.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the computing device is a second wireless communications device.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2 comprising obtaining the speed data, the time data, and the path data and transmitting to the second wireless communications device the speed data, the time data and the path data in addition to the current position data.

4. The method as claimed in claim 2 comprising obtaining only the speed data and transmitting to the second wireless communications device the speed data in addition to the current position data.

5. The method as claimed in claim 2 comprising obtaining only the time data and transmitting to the second wireless communications device the time data in addition to the current position data.

6. The method as claimed in claim 2 comprising obtaining only the path data and transmitting to the second wireless communications device the path data in addition to the current position data.

7. The method as claimed in claim 2 comprising obtaining only the speed data and the time data and transmitting to the second wireless communications device the speed data and the time data in addition to the current position data.

8. The method as claimed in claim 2 comprising obtaining only the speed data and the path data and transmitting to the second wireless communications device the speed data and the path data in addition to the current position data.

9. The method as claimed in claim 2 comprising obtaining only the time data and the path data and transmitting to the second wireless communications device the time data and the path data in addition to the current position data.

10. The method as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a step of receiving preference data from the second wireless communications device indicating which of the speed data, time data and path data is to be transmitted by the first wireless communications device to the second wireless communications device.

11. A computer program product comprising code which, when loaded into memory and executed on a processor of a wireless communications device, is adapted to perform the steps of:

obtaining current position data for the wireless communications device;

obtaining one or more of speed data, time data, and path data for the wireless communications device; and

transmitting the current position data and at least one of the speed data, time and path data from the wireless communications device to another computing device to enable tracking of the wireless communications device using the other computing device.

12. The computer program product as claimed in claim 11 wherein the code further comprises a step of receiving preference data from the other computing device indicating which of the speed data, time data and path data is to be transmitted by the wireless communications device to the other computing device.

13. A wireless communications device for generating and transmitting data to enable tracking of the device, the device comprising:

a GPS chipset for receiving GPS signals and for generating current position data representing a current position of the device;

a memory operatively connected to a processor for storing and executing an application configured to obtain one or more of speed data, time data and path data for the device; and

a radiofrequency transmitter for transmitting the current position data in addition to at least one of the speed data, the time data and the path data.

14. The wireless communications device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the application is further configured to generate the path data by identifying a street name or highway number corresponding to the current position of the device.

15. The wireless communications device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the application is further configured to generate the speed data by determining the instantaneous velocity of the device when the current position is obtained.

16. The wireless communications device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the application is further configured to generate the time data by determining the time when the current position is obtained.

17. The wireless communications device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the application is further configured to generate the path data by determining all street names or highway numbers between the current position of the device and a previously determined position of the device.

18. A computing device for tracking a wireless communications device, the computing device comprising:

a communications port for receiving current position data representing a current position of the wireless communications device in addition to at least one of speed data, time data and path data associated with the wireless communications device;

a memory operatively connected to a processor for storing and executing a mapping application for generating a map on which the current position is mapped; and

a display for displaying the map in addition to the one or more of the speed data, the time data, and the path data.

19. The computing device as claimed in claim 18 wherein the communications port further receives preference data from the wireless communications device indicating which of the speed data, time data and path data is to be transmitted by the wireless communications device to the computing device.

20. The computing device as claimed in claim 18 wherein the mapping application is further configured to enable the computing device to specify which one of the speed data, the time data, and the path data is to be displayed.

21. The computing device as claimed in claim 18 wherein the mapping application is further configured to provide audible reports to the user via a speaker on the computing device, the audible reports being generated based on one or more of the speed data, the time data, and the path data.