Computer aided dispatch and locator cellular system

• US 5,767,788 A
• Filed: 02/07/1997
• Issued: 06/16/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James C. Ness
• Original Assignee: James C. Ness
• Inventors: Ness, James C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Application Number:
  US08/797,287
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.49, 340/825.35, 340/505, 340/568, 340/572, 340/573, 340/539, 340/540, 340/825.36, 342/353, 342/357, 342/450, 342/454, 342/457, 342/463, 455/11.1, 455/456, 455/457, 364/449.1, 364/460, 364/516
• US Class Current: 340/539.32
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/12 by co-ordinating position lines of different shape, e.g. hyperbolic, circular, elliptical or radial
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/023 Power management, e.g. system sleep and wake up provisions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/028 Communication between parent and child units via remote transmission means, e.g. satellite network
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article

Abstract

A cellular phone type network tracks public safety workers and their vehicles for computer aided dispatching and automatic vehicle and personnel locating. A worker carried repeater unit communicates by radio with nearby cells, sending periodic identifying signals. The network locates the unit position by methods used for 911 caller locating. A vehicle mounted mobile data terminal with input and display is in short range wireless communication with the repeater unit to communicate therethrough with the network. A panic button on the repeater unit initiates rapid emergency signals to the network to both call for help and locate the worker/vehicle.

Claims

1. A system combining an automatic personnel locater (APL) with a mobile data terminal (MDT) for tracking public safety workers and for computer aided dispatching (CAD) and communicating with emergency vehicles associated with public safety workers, the system comprising:

A) a network of radio transceiver cells;

B) a plurality of mobile data terminals for installation in vehicle associated with public safety workers, each mobile data terminal (MDT) comprising a first housing enclosing;

1) means for information output display;

2) means for information input; and

3) means for generating a first electromagnetic radiation (EM) signal and modulating the (EM) signal with the input information and for receiving a second (EM) signal carrying output information for displaying the output information on the means for output display;

C) a plurality of personnel cellular transceiver repeater units for use within or outside said vehicles, each repeater unit comprising;

a second housing enclosing;

1) means for receiving the first (EM) signal and for transmitting the second (EM) signal for communicating with an (MDT) over a short distance;

2) means for receiving a third (EM) signal and for transmitting a fourth (EM) signal for communicating with the network of radio transceiver cells for communicating information between the (MDT) and the network;

3) means for repeatedly transmitting identifying data signals from said each repeater unit to the network;

D) means connected to the network for locating said each repeater unit from the identifying data signal received by the cells and generating personnel location data therefrom; and

E) a computer aided dispatching and communicating means connected to the network for receiving the personnel location data and receiving and transmitting information to and from the (MDT) through the repeater units.

2. The system according to claim 1 further comprising:

means connected to the second housing for modulating the identifying data signals to provide evidence of emergency conditions.

3. A system combining an automatic personnel locator with a mobile data terminal (MDT) for tracking public safety workers and for computer aided dispatching and communicating with emergency vehicles associated with public safety workers, the system comprising:

A) a network of spaced apart radio transceiver cells;

B) a plurality of mobile data terminals for installation in vehicles associated with public safety workers, each mobile data terminal (MDT) comprising;

1) means for information output display;

2) means for information input;

3) means for generating a first electromagnetic radiation (EM) signal modulated with information input through said means for information input; and

4) means for receiving a second (EM) signal and demodulating therefrom output information modulated thereon for display of said output information on said means for information output display;

C) a plurality of personnel cellular transceiver repeater units for use inside or outside said vehicles, each personnel cellular transceiver repeater unit (PCTU) comprising a housing enclosing;

1) means for receiving said first (EM) signal and retransmitting the information thereon as a third (EM) signal for reception by said network of transceiver cells;

2) means for receiving a fourth (EM) signal transmitted from said network of transceiver cells and for retransmitting the information thereon as said second (EM) signal for reception by said (MDT);

3) means for repeatedly transmitting identifying data signals from the (PCTU) to the network; and

4) means for modifying the data signals to notify the network of emergency conditions;

D) means connected to the network for locating the position of the (PCTU) from the identifying data signals received by the radio transceiver cells and generating personnel location data and emergency condition information therefrom; and

E) computer aided communication means connected to the network for receiving the personnel location data and communicating with the (PCTU).