Mobile locator system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A locator system, comprising:
- a locator device including a locator unit for obtaining geographical location information identifying a location of the locator device;
a control center coupled to the locator device for bi-directional communication with the locator device;
a remote workstation coupled through a global computer network to the control center, the control center providing a computerized user interface to the workstation through the computer network; and
wherein the computerized user interface facilitates bi-directional communication between the locator device and the workstation;
a data base containing at least location history information associated with the locator device; and
a controller configured to combine the location history information with external database information to provide an indication of a number of people being in a vicinity of the locator device during a time period corresponding to the location history information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A locator system comprises a locator device, a control center, a workstation and a computerized interface. The control center and the locator device are configured to communicate via cellular and pager signals.
450 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A locator system, comprising:
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a locator device including a locator unit for obtaining geographical location information identifying a location of the locator device;
a control center coupled to the locator device for bi-directional communication with the locator device;
a remote workstation coupled through a global computer network to the control center, the control center providing a computerized user interface to the workstation through the computer network; and
wherein the computerized user interface facilitates bi-directional communication between the locator device and the workstation;
a data base containing at least location history information associated with the locator device; and
a controller configured to combine the location history information with external database information to provide an indication of a number of people being in a vicinity of the locator device during a time period corresponding to the location history information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
a display for depicting a location of the locator device on a computer-generated map.
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3. The locator system of claim 1 wherein the locator device comprises:
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a memory for storing a first pre-programmed message; and
an operator input device receiving an operator input and initiating transmission of the first pre-programmed message to the control center in response to the operator input.
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4. The locator system of claim 3 wherein the controller is adapted to receive the preprogrammed message and generate an electronic notification to a pre-selected workstation based upon a priority associated with the pre-programmed message.
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5. The locator system of claim 4 wherein the electronic notification comprises electronic mail and wherein the controller transmits the electronic mail to the pre-selected workstation through the global computer network.
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6. The locator system of claim 1 wherein the controller receives a communication from the workstation and is configured to selectively transmit the communication to the locator device.
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7. The locator system of claim 6 wherein the controller is configured to transmit the communication to the locator device based upon a priority associated with the communication.
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8. The locator system of claim 2 wherein the computerized user interface further comprises an overview field comprising:
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an identification field displaying an identification of an entity carrying the locator device;
a status field displaying a status of the entity carrying the locator device;
a last message field displaying a most recent message received by the control center from the locator device;
a location field displaying a textual description of a location of the locator device; and
a date-time field displaying a date and a time when a specific message was received by the control center from the locator device.
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9. The locator system of claim 1 wherein the locator device includes:
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an alarm for sensing a predetermined parameter and providing a signal, when enabled, indicative of the parameter; and
a controller configured to enable the alarm in response to a communication from the control center.
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10. The locator system of claim 9 wherein the alarm comprises a movement alarm which automatically causes the locator device to transmit a communication signal to the control center if the locator device is moved a preselected distance.
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11. The locator system of claim 1 and further including:
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a cellular transceiver associated with the control center;
a cellular transceiver associated with the locator device; and
a pager associated with the locator device configured to receive pager information from the control center wherein the locator device transmits a cellular signal in response to receiving the first signal.
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12. The locator system of claim 1 wherein the locator device is configured to periodically establish communication with the control center.
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13. A locator system, comprising:
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a locator device including a locator unit for obtaining geographical location information identifying a location of the locator device;
a control center coupled to the locator device for bi-directional communication with the locator device;
a remote workstation coupled through a global computer network to the control center, the control center providing a computerized user interface to the workstation through the computer network; and
wherein the computerized user interface facilitates bi-directional communication between the locator device and the workstation; and
a controller configured to receive a distance signal from the control center and to automatically transmit a communication signal to the control center if the locator device is within a distance, indicated by the distance signal, from a location, indicated by the distance signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
a display for depicting a location of the locator device on a computer-generated map.
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15. The locator system of claim 13 wherein the locator device comprises:
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a memory for storing a first pre-programmed message; and
an operator input device receiving an operator input and initiating transmission of the first pre-programmed message to the control center in response to the operator input.
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16. The locator system of claim 15 wherein is adapted to receive the preprogrammed message and generate an electronic notification to a pre-selected workstation based upon a priority associated with the pre-programmed message.
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17. The locator system of claim 16 wherein the electronic notification comprises electronic mail and wherein the controller transmits the electronic mail to the pre-selected workstation through the global computer network.
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18. The locator system of claim 13 wherein the controller receives a communication from the workstation and is configured to selectively transmit the communication to the locator device.
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19. The locator system of claim 18 wherein the controller is configured to transmit the communication to the locator device based upon a priority associated with the communication.
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20. The locator system of claim 14 wherein the computerized user interface further comprises an overview field comprising:
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an identification field displaying an identification of an entity carrying the locator device;
a status field displaying a status of the entity carrying the locator device;
a last message field displaying an most recent message received by the control center from the locator device;
a location field displaying a textual description of a location of the locator device; and
a date-time field displaying a date and a time when a specific message was received by the control center from the locator device.
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21. The locator system of claim 13 wherein the locator device includes:
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an alarm for sensing a predetermined parameter and providing a signal, when enabled, indicative of the parameter; and
a controller configured to enable the alarm in response to a communication from the control center.
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22. The locator system of claim 21 wherein the alarm comprises a movement alarm which automatically causes the locator device to transmit a communication signal to the control center if the locator device is moved a preselected distance.
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23. The locator system of claim 13 and further including:
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a cellular transceiver associated with the control center;
a cellular transceiver associated with the locator device; and
a pager associated with the locator device configured to receive pager information from the control center wherein the locator device transmits a cellular signal in response to receiving the first signal.
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24. The locator system of claim 13 wherein the locator device is configured to periodically establish communication with the control center.
Specification