Method and system for controlling an electronic device

• US 7,050,907 B1
• Filed: 03/19/2003
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Workman, Dennis, Janky, Gregory T., Bergstrom, Ami
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby, Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US10/392,995
• Time in Patent Office: 1,161 Days
• Field of Search: 701/207, 701/213, 701/208, 701/209, 701/21, 340/989, 340/992, 340/993, 342/357.01, 342/357.06, 342/357.08, 342/457, 4554561-4566
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0018 Transmission from mobile station to base station
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1436 with motion detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0269 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention is a method and system for controlling an electronic device. In one embodiment, a controller is coupled with a position determining component, and a motion detecting component. In one embodiment, the motion detecting component detects motion of the electronic device and generates a signal to the controller indicating the motion. The controller, in response to the signal, causes the position determining component to determine the geographic location of the electronic device. The geographic location is compared with a pre-defined zone and, in response to the comparing, a command is generated for controlling the electronic device.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an electronic device comprising:

detecting motion of said electronic device using an initiating device disposed within said electronic device, said initiating device comprising;

a controller;

a position determining component coupled with said controller; and

a motion detecting component coupled with said controller;

determining a geographic location of said electronic device in response to said detecting motion;

comparing said geographic location with a pre-defined zone; and

generating a command for controlling said electronic device in response to said comparing.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said determining a geographic location comprises utilizing a satellite-based position determining system to determine said geographic location.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said determining a geographic location comprises utilizing a terrestrial-base position determining system to determine said geographic location.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising said motion detecting component generating a signal in response to said detecting movement of said electronic device.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein said determining a geographic location comprises said controller causing said position determining component to determine said geographic location in response to said signal.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising sending a message using a wireless communications component coupled with said controller.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein said controller automatically causes said wireless communications component to transmit said message when said geographic location is determined within a pre-determined time parameter.

8. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein said controller causes said wireless communications component to transmit a second message when said position determining component cannot determine said geographic location within said pre-determined time parameter.

9. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein said controller automatically causes said wireless communications component to transmit a third message when said motion detecting component does not detect movement of said electronic device within a pre-determined time parameter.

10. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein said sending a message comprises conveying said geographic location using said wireless communications component.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said comparing said geographic location further comprises:

using a current time parameter to determine said command.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said electronic device is selected from the group comprising a cellular telephone, a laptop computer, and an automotive electrical system.

13. A position tracking system comprising:

a position tracking service provider; and

an electronic device coupled with an initiating device, said initiating device comprising;

a position determining component;

a controller coupled with said position determining component for causing said position determining component to determine a geographic location in response to receiving an interrupt signal and for comparing said geographic location with a pre-defined zone; and

a motion detecting component coupled with said controller for generating said interrupt signal to said controller in response to detecting movement of said electronic device.

14. The position tracking system of claim 13, wherein said controller generates a command for controlling said electronic device in response to said comparing.

15. The position tracking system of claim 14, wherein said controller uses a current time parameter to determine said command.

16. The position tracking system of claim 13, wherein said position determining component uses a position determining system to determine said geographic location.

17. The position tracking system of claim 16, wherein said position determining system is a satellite-based position determining system.

18. The position tracking system of claim 16, wherein said position determining system is a terrestrial-based position determining system.

19. The position tracking system of claim 13, further comprising a wireless communications component coupled with said controller.

20. The position tracking system of claim 19, wherein said controller automatically causes said wireless communications component to transmit a message conveying said geographic location to said position tracking service provider when said geographic location is determined within a pre-determined time parameter.

21. The position tracking system of claim 20, wherein said controller automatically causes said position determining component to transition to an idle operating state for a pre-determined time period after transmitting said message.

22. The position tracking system of claim 19, wherein said controller automatically causes said wireless communications component to transmit a second message to said position tracking service provider when said geographic location cannot be determined within said pre-determined time period.

23. The position tracking system of claim 19, wherein said controller automatically causes said wireless communications component to transmit a second message to said position tracking service provider when said geographic location cannot be determined within said pre-determined time period.

24. The position tracking system of claim 19, wherein said controller automatically causes said wireless communications component to transmit a third message to said position tracking service provider when said initiating device has not detected movement of said position reporting device within a pre-determined time parameter.

25. The position tracking system of claim 13, wherein said initiating device is disposed within said electronic device.

26. The position tracking system of claim 13, wherein said electronic device is selected from the group comprising a cellular telephone, a portable computer, and an automotive electrical system.

27. An initiating component for an electronic device comprising:

a controller;

a motion detecting component coupled with said controller for generating a signal when movement of said electronic device is detected;

a position determining component coupled with said controller and for determining a geographic location of said electronic device in response to said signal, and wherein said controller compares said geographic location with a pre-defined zone and generates a command for controlling said electronic device in response to said comparing.

28. The initiating component of claim 27, wherein said controller further uses a current time parameter to determine said command.

29. The initiating component of claim 27 further comprising a wireless communications component coupled with said controller.

30. The initiating component of claim 29, wherein said controller automatically causes said wireless communications component to transmit a message when said geographic location is determined within a pre-determined time parameter.

31. The initiating component of claim 30, wherein said controller causes said motion detecting component to transition to an idle operating state for a pre-determined time period after transmitting said message.

32. The initiating component of claim 29, wherein said controller causes said wireless communications component to transmit a second message when said position determining component cannot determine said geographic location within said pre-determined time parameter.

33. The initiating component of claim 29, wherein said controller automatically causes said wireless communications component to transmit a third message when said motion detecting component does not detect movement of said motion monitoring device within a pre-determined time parameter.

34. The initiating component of claim 28, wherein said motion detecting component is selected from the group comprising an acceleration sensor, a tilt sensor, a vibration sensor, a rotation sensor, a gyroscope, and a motion sensor.

35. The initiating component of claim 27, wherein said electronic device is selected from the group comprising a cellular telephone, a portable computer, and an automotive electrical system.