Clandestine location reporting for missing vehicles

• US 6,184,801 B1
• Filed: 05/11/1999
• Issued: 02/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Janky, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US09/437,335
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 340/989, 340/539, 340/990, 340/988, 340/426, 342/357, 342/457, 180/287, 307/10.2, 455/422
• US Class Current: 340/988
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• 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: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/002 for traffic control, mobile tracking, guidance, surveillance or anti-collision
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/008 using a mobile telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/205 Indicating the location of the monitored vehicles as destination, e.g. accidents, stolen, rental
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems

Abstract

Apparatus and method for a location determination and reporting (LDR) system for clandestinely or surreptitiously determining and reporting a missing vehicle present location. The vehicle may be stationary or moving and may be anywhere within reach of a cellular central station to which the location is reported. The vehicle is equipped with a location determination (LD) unit (preferably hidden on the vehicle) that receives LD signals and determines the LD unit present location, a specially configured cellular telephone, and a call interceptor. When the vehicle is reported missing, a central station or the vehicle operator interrogates the vehicle LDR system by transmitting a location interrogation signal, commanding the LD unit to transmit its present location. The vehicle phone does not signal receipt of an incoming call for an initial time period of selected length Δt_d, awaiting possible receipt of a location interrogation signal. If the incoming call includes a location interrogation signal, the cellular phone does not “ring” but transmits information on the LD unit present location to a specified recipient. If the incoming call does not include a location interrogation signal, the cellular phone “rings” audibly or visually, after the initial time delay, and simulates behavior as a normal cellular phone for that call. The cellular phone simulates normal operation if a vehicle occupant attempts to use the phone. An unauthorized user of the vehicle receives no indication that the innocuous cellular phone is used to track the vehicle present location.

Claims

1. Apparatus for clandestinely communicating the position of a transceiver, said apparatus comprising:

a transceiver circuit responsive to an incoming calling signal that may or may not include a command for said transceiver circuit to transmit a signal representing said position;

a position-detecting circuit connected to said transceiver circuit for determining said position;

a local signal generator circuit connected to said transceiver circuit; and

a call interceptor circuit responsive to said incoming signal for timing a predetermined interval;

wherein;

if said command is not received within said interval said local signal generator circuit generates a local signal to alert a user of said apparatus to an incoming call; and

if said command is received within said interval, said local signal is suppressed and said transceiver circuit transmits said position.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said interval is within the range of 1 to 10 seconds.

3. A method of clandestinely communicating the position of a transceiver, said method comprising the steps of:

intercepting a calling signal that is intended for said transceiver and may or may not include a command to transmit a signal representing said position;

timing a predetermined interval following receipt of said calling signal;

if said command is not received within said interval, generating a local signal to alert a user of said transceiver to an incoming call; and

if said command is received within said interval, suppressing said local signal and determining and transmitting said position.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said interval is within the range of 1 to 10 seconds.