Vehicle tracking and security system incorporating simultaneous voice and data communication

• US 6,522,265 B1
• Filed: 12/23/1998
• Issued: 02/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Navox Corporation
• Original Assignee: Navox Corporation
• Inventors: Dorr, Barry L., Hillman, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): CONTEE, JOY KIMBERLY
• Application Number:
  US09/221,179
• Time in Patent Office: 1,518 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456, 455/457, 455/422, 455/575, 455/404, 455/414, 342/357.07, 342/357.06, 342/457, 340/995, 340/998, 340/990, 340/991
• US Class Current: 340/988
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0373 Voice control in general G10L
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 Boats
• 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 1/047 Displays or indicators G01S1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/34 Power consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile

Abstract

A system that tracks and monitors a vehicle by utilizing cellular communication componentry and global positioning system componentry is disclosed. The system provides for simultaneous and continuous transmission of a voice signal and location data to a monitoring center. The monitoring center comprises componentry to communicate with the vehicle and determine the vehicle'"'"'s location on a digitized map using a computer.

Claims

1. A vehicle tracking and security system having simultaneous voice and data communication with a remote monitoring center comprising:

a microphone within said vehicle producing a voice signal;

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver with said vehicle producing location data corresponding to the location of said vehicle;

a filter coupled to said microphone for deleting a narrow band of voice frequencies;

a first signal processor coupled to said filter and to said GPS receiver for combining said location data with said voice signal within said narrow band of deleted voice frequencies;

a cellular radio transmitter coupled to said combined voice and data signal for transmitting simultaneously said voice and data signals from said vehicle through a conventional cellular and telephone network to said remote monitoring center, said cellular radio and said GPS receiver operating in an active mode during a periodic wake-up window, said cellular radio and said GPS receiver operating in a standby mode during periods between said wake-up window,

a second signal processor at said remote monitoring center for separating said voice and said location data signals; and

a telephone coupled to said second signal processor to provide voice communication between said remote monitoring center and said vehicle during said wake-up window.

2. The vehicle tracking and security system of claim 1, further comprising a first clock in said vehicle and a second clock in said remote monitoring center.

3. The vehicle tracking and security system of claim 2, wherein said first clock is updated by said GPS receiver.

4. The vehicle tracking and security system of claim 3, wherein said second clock is updated by a second GPS receiver.

5. The vehicle tracking and security system of claim 2, wherein said first clock is updated by said second clock.

6. The vehicle tracking and security system of claim 5, wherein the length of said wake-up window is lengthened over time during periods between updates of said first clock and said second clock.

7. A vehicle data communication system comprising:

a signal processor connected to a receiver to provide a location data signal and to a sensor unit to provide vehicle information, said signal processor processing said location data signal and said vehicle information;

a communication device connected to said signal processor, said communication device configured to transit said data; and

a microprocessor operatively coupled to said signal processor and to said communication device, said microprocessor configured to periodically wake-up said signal processor and said communication device during a wake-up window, said microprocessor further configured to adjust a length of said wake-up widow to compensate for drift in a clock.

8. A system for communication and ng using a communication network comprising:

a receiver for obtaining location information;

a voice communication device for obtaining a voice communication signal;

a processor for package for transmission said location information within said voice signal; and

a transmitting device which t s said location information and said voice communication signal, wherein said voice communication signal is soft-limited, and wherein the location data and the voice communication signal are combined and sent simultaneously as a combined signal such that when the combined signal is decoded the voice communication signal comprising voice communication is comprehendible.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said combined signal comprises a low band containing said communication and a high band containing said location data.

10. A vehicle tracking and security system having simultaneous voice and data communication with a remote monitoring center comprising:

a microphone within said vehicle producing a voice signal;

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver within said vehicle obtaining location data corresponding to the location of said vehicle;

a first signal processor coupled to said microphone and said GPS receiver, said signal processors deleting a narrow band of voice frequencies from said voice signal and combining said location data with said voice signal where said narrow band of voice frequency was deleted;

a microprocessor coupled to said GPS receiver and said first signal processor which places the system in sleep mode to conserve power and during varying times energizes said GPS receiver and said first signal processor;

a cellular radio transmitter coupled to said combined voice and location data signal for transmitting simultaneously said combined voice and location data signals from said vehicle through a conventional cellular and telephone network to said remote monitoring center;

a second signal processor at said remote monitoring center for separating said voice and said location data signals; and

a telephone coupled to said second signal processor to provide voice communication between said remote monitoring center and said vehicle.

11. The vehicle tracking and security system of claim 10, wherein said sleep mode comprises a state of low power usage wherein said GPS receiver, said first signal processor and said cellular radio transmitter do not consume power.

12. The vehicle tracking and security system of claim 10, wherein a length of said varying times is adjusted to compensate for drift in a clock operatively coupled to said microprocessor.

13. The vehicle tracking and security system of claim 10, wherein said second signal processor separates said location data signal using a filter having a bandwidth relatively wider than said narrow band of voice frequencies.