System and method for highly accurate real time tracking and location in three dimensions

• US 6,833,811 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2002
• Issued: 12/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stingray IP Solutions LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Harris Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nemethy, Joseph M., Venezia, Joseph A., Zeitfuss, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Dao
• Application Number:
  US10/265,757
• Publication Number:
  US 20040066329A1
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 342/352, 342/357.01, 342/357.06, 342/357.07, 342/357.12, 701/207, 701/213, 701/215
• US Class Current: 342/357.31
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/002 for traffic control, mobile tracking, guidance, surveillance or anti-collision
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/006 for emergency situations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0018 Transmission from mobile station to base station

Abstract

A method and system for tracking an object by generating GPS coordinates for the object and a bearing associated with a movement of the object. The GPS coordinates include a latitude, a longitude, and an altitude, which are processed. The GPS coordinates can be processed to correlate the altitude of the object with an identifier that identifies a level within a structure. An icon representing the object then can be accurately located in a first view of a three dimensional model. An indicator can be associated with the icon to indicate the object'"'"'s level, a bearing of the object, and/or the object'"'"'s GPS coordinates. The object'"'"'s GPS coordinates can be compared with a second object location to determine dispatch instructions. The object can be a person, a vehicle, watercraft or an aircraft.

Claims

1. A method for tracking an object, comprising:

generating GPS coordinates for the object, said GPS coordinates comprising a latitude, a longitude, and an altitude;

correlating said altitude with an identifier for a level within a multi-level structure;

accurately locating an icon representing said object in a first view of a three dimensional model, wherein said three dimensional model represents at least a portion of said multi-level structure; and

displaying an indicator to indicate said level.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

processing said GPS coordinates to determine a bearing representing a movement of said object; and

displaying an indicator that indicates said bearing.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of selectively presenting a second view of said three dimensional model, said second view being presented from a perspective correlating to a location of said object determined by said GPS coordinates.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

comparing said GPS coordinates for said object with a location of a second object; and

selectively transmitting a communication to one of said objects based on said comparison.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said transmitting step further comprises transmitting a dispatch command.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said comparing step further comprises comparing at least one parameter of said objects prior to said transmitting step.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said parameter in said comparing step is selected from the group consisting of physiological data and object readiness data.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said object is selected from the group consisting of a person, a vehicle, a watercraft and an aircraft.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of monitoring a parameter of said object.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said parameter is selected from the group consisting of biological statistics, mechanical statistics, fuel level, acceleration, and velocity.

11. An object tracking system, comprising:

at least one GPS receiver generating GPS coordinates for an object and a bearing representing a movement of said object, said GPS coordinates comprising a latitude, a longitude, and an altitude;

a processor for processing said GPS coordinates and correlating said altitude with an identifier for a level within a multi-level structure; and

a three dimensional tracking system for accurately locating an icon representing said object in a first view of a three dimensional model, wherein said three dimensional model represents at least a portion of said muiti-level structure, said three dimensional tracking system also displaying an indicator to indicate said level.

12. The system of claim 11, said tracking system further displaying an indicator to indicate said bearing.

13. The system of claim 11, said tracking system further presenting a second view of said three dimensional model, said second view being presented from a perspective correlating to a present location of said object.

14. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

means for comparing said GPS coordinates of said object to a location of a second object to generate a comparison; and

means for transmitting a communication to said object, wherein a content of said communication is determined at least in part by said comparison.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said transmitting means wirelessly transmits said communication to said object.

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising means for encrypting said communication.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein said object is selected from the group consisting of a person, a vehicle, a watercraft and an aircraft.

18. The system of claim 11, further comprising means for monitoring a parameter of said object.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said parameter is selected from the group consisting of biological statistics, mechanical statistics, fuel level, acceleration, and velocity.