Adaptable user interface for monitoring location tracking devices out of GPS monitoring range

• US 20120086571A1
• Filed: 12/19/2011
• Published: 04/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LBT IP II LLC (Location Based Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Location Based Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Scalisi, Joseph F., Morse, David, Mejia, Desiree C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,531,289 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0072 Transmission between mobile stations, e.g. anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0294 Trajectory determination or predictive filtering, e.g. target tracking or Kalman filtering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

A system for monitoring objects and individuals. In this system, a monitoring station is remotely accessible through a user interface. The interface is adapted to provide a visually cognizable rendering of an area and a tool useful for selecting at least a portion of said area, and to communicate a first request signal to provide location coordinates of a first tracking device. The first tracking device comprises a first transceiver adapted to receive the first request signal, and to transmit a first reply signal that comprises a first identification code. In addition, a second tracking device having a second transceiver is adapted to receive the first reply signal, compare the first identification code to a stored identification code, and communicate to the monitoring station a second reply signal that comprises location coordinates of the first tracking device in part responsive to verification of the first identification code.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a monitoring station that is remotely accessible through a user interface, the interface being adapted to provide a visually cognizable rendering of an area and a tool useful for selecting at least a portion of the area, and to communicate a first request signal to provide location coordinates of a first tracking device,

wherein the first tracking device comprises a first transceiver adapted to receive the first request signal, and to transmit a first reply signal that comprises a first identification code; and

a second tracking device having a second transceiver which is adapted to receive the first reply signal, compare the first identification code to a stored identification code, and communicate to the monitoring station a second reply signal that comprises location coordinates of the first tracking device in part responsive to verification of the first identification code.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the location coordinates of the first tracking device are determined at least in part from second location coordinates of the second tracking device and a distance between the first tracking device and the second tracking device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the location coordinates of the first tracking device are determined at least in part from second location coordinates of the second tracking device when the first tracking device is out-of-range of GPS positioning satellites.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface provides an indication when the first tracking device travels in a direction toward or away from the second tracking device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein at least the first device includes a compass and the indication includes information regarding the direction of travel toward or away from the second tracking device.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a first mobile transceiver that receives first mobile station location coordinates, and receives second location coordinates of the second tracking device;

wherein the location coordinates of the first tracking device are calculated by at least;

(i) determining a distance between the first tracking device and the second tracking device; and

(ii) calculating the location coordinates of the first tracking device based at least in part on the distance and the first mobile station location coordinates.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a first mobile transceiver and a second mobile transceiver;

wherein the first mobile transceiver and the second mobile transceiver are adapted to;

receive first location coordinates and second location coordinates respectively, and

determine a respective distance from the first tracking device, and communicate each of the respective distances to the first tracking device; and

wherein the first tracking device is adapted to calculate location coordinates based at least in part on the respective distances and the first and the second location coordinates, and communicate the location coordinates to the second tracking device.

8. A system comprising:

a first tracking device having a first transceiver configured to receive a first request signal from a remote user terminal, and to transmit a first reply signal that comprises a first identification code; and

a second tracking device having a second transceiver that is configured to;

(i) receive the first reply signal;

(ii) compare the first identification code to a stored identification code;

(iii) determine location coordinates of the first tracking device; and

(iv) communicate a second reply signal that comprises the location coordinates to a monitoring station connected to the user terminal in part responsive to verification of the first identification code.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the location coordinates of the first tracking device are determined at least in part from second location coordinates of the second tracking device and a distance between the first tracking device and the second tracking device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the location coordinates of the first tracking device are calculated when the first tracking device is out-of-range of GPS positioning satellites.

11. The system of claim 8, further comprising a first mobile transceiver that receives first mobile station location coordinates from a mobile station, and receives second location coordinates of the second tracking device;

wherein the location coordinates of the first tracking device are calculated by at least;

(iii) determining a distance between the first tracking device and the second tracking device; and

(iv) calculating the location coordinates of the first tracking device based at least in part on the distance and the first mobile station location coordinates.

12. The system of claim 8, further comprising a first mobile transceiver and a second mobile transceiver;

wherein the first mobile transceiver and the second mobile transceiver are adapted to;

receive first location coordinates and second location coordinates respectively, and

determine a respective distance from the first tracking device, and communicate each of the respective distances to the first tracking device; and

wherein the first tracking device is adapted to calculate location coordinates based at least in part on the respective distances and the first and the second location coordinates, and communicate the location coordinates to the second tracking device.

13. A tracking device having a transceiver that is configured to:

(i) receive a first signal from a second tracking device, the second tracking device configured to receive a request signal from a remote user terminal and to transmit the first signal in response to receiving the request signal from the remote user terminal, the first signal comprising a first identification code;

(ii) compare the first identification code to a second identification code;

(iii) determine location coordinates of the second tracking device; and

(iv) communicate a second reply signal that comprises the location coordinates of the second tracking device to a monitoring station connected to the user terminal in part responsive to verification of the first identification code.

14. The tracking device of claim 13, wherein the location coordinates of the second tracking device are determined at least in part from a distance between the tracking devices.

15. The tracking device of claim 14, wherein the location coordinates of the second tracking device are calculated when the second tracking device is out-of-range of GPS positioning satellites.

16. The tracking device of claim 13, wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive at least one of a second signal from a monitoring station, a third signal from a wireless location and tracking system, or a fourth signal from a mobile transceiver, and wherein the tracking device is further configured to:

determine which of the first, second, third, or fourth signals match defined selection criteria that is stored in the tracking device, and

determine location data in part based on the signal selected utilizing the defined selection criteria.