Position and time-at-position logging system
First Claim
1. A time and position logging device comprising:
- a receiver for receiving radio signals transmitted from a plurality of earth orbiting satellites;
a processor for processing the radio signals and determining therefrom a position of said device in global coordinates and associated time information corresponding to a time at which said device resides at said position;
memory for storing a plurality of sets of said global coordinates and associated time information; and
means responsive to a data capture command from an external source at a different geographical location from said device for logging the current values of said global coordinates and associated time information in said memory for later downloading to said external source.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
One embodiment of a position and time-at-position logging apparatus includes a GPS receiver, a microprocessor, memory, a keypad and a data port. The apparatus receives GPS signals and determines therefrom position and time-at-position information of the apparatus, and logs the information in memory in response to a key depression in a manual mode of operation, or in response to a data capture signal in an automatic mode of operation. The data port may be connected to an input device for generating the data capture signal, an output device for data reporting, or to a computer operable to program an operational mode of the apparatus or download a number of sets of information for processing by report generating software resident therein. The apparatus may optionally include a radio transceiver for exchanging data and/or programming information with a remote source, and may further include a vehicle data port for receiving operational data in accordance with various vehicle/engine operating parameters.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A time and position logging device comprising:
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a receiver for receiving radio signals transmitted from a plurality of earth orbiting satellites; a processor for processing the radio signals and determining therefrom a position of said device in global coordinates and associated time information corresponding to a time at which said device resides at said position; memory for storing a plurality of sets of said global coordinates and associated time information; and means responsive to a data capture command from an external source at a different geographical location from said device for logging the current values of said global coordinates and associated time information in said memory for later downloading to said external source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A time and position logging device comprising:
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a receiver for receiving radio signals transmitted from a plurality of earth orbiting satellites; a switch actuatable to produce a first data capture signal; means for receiving a second data capture signal provided by an external source; a memory unit; and a processor processing the radio signals and determining therefrom a position of said device in global coordinates and associated time information corresponding to a time at which said device resides at said position, said processor programmable to operate in; a first mode of operation to store said position and associated time information within said memory unit in response to said first data capture signal; and a second mode of operation to store said position and associated time information within said memory unit in response to said second data capture signal; wherein said means for receiving a second data capture signal includes a radio signal transceiver connected to said processor, said second data capture signal received by said radio signal transceiver and provided thereby to said processor; and wherein said external source includes a computer located remote from said device and including a radio signal transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. In combination:
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a computer configured to transmit and receive RF communication signals; and a time and position logging device, said device comprising; a receiver for receiving radio signals transmitted from a plurality of earth orbiting satellites; a memory unit; means for receiving the RF communication signals from the computer and programming said device in one of a manual operating mode and an automatic operating mode in accordance therewith; and a processor processing the radio signals and determining therefrom a position of said device in global coordinates and associated time information corresponding to a time at which said device resides at said position, said processor operable in; said manual operating mode to store said position and associated time information within said memory unit in response to a manual data capture signal; and said automatic operating mode to store said position and associated time information within said memory unit in response to an automatic data capture signal. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of tracking position and time-at-position information of a person, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving radio signals transmitted from a plurality of earth orbiting satellites to a portable, battery-powered device carried by the person; processing the radio signals and determining therefrom a position of the person in global coordinates and associated time information corresponding to a time at which the person resides at said position; storing said position and time information in response to a data capture command signal from an external source at a different geographical location from said device; and providing said position and time information to a data reporting arrangement in response to a data reporting request from said external source. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A personal tracking device comprising:
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a lightweight housing adapted to be carried by a person; a GPS receiver contained in said housing; a memory unit contained in said housing; a processor contained in said housing for processing radio signals received by said GPS receiver and determining therefrom the person'"'"'s position in global coordinates; means responsive to a data capture command signal from an external source for storing said position in said memory unit; and means for transmitting said position to said external source in response to a second command signal from said external source. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification