Electronically tracking a path history
First Claim
1. A method for electronically tracking a historical path, said method comprising:
- (a) establishing a coverage area;
(b) dividing the coverage area into a plurality of regions;
(c) assigning each region to one of a plurality of teams, wherein each team is associated with a tracking device;
(d) receiving electronic transmissions from each tracking device as each team traverses its assigned region, wherein each electronic transmission includes a location of the tracking device from which it is received; and
(e) updating on a geographic map displayed on a computer display device a historical path associated with each tracking device based on the monitored locations in step (d), wherein a width of each historical path corresponds to a size of the team to which the historical path corresponds.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for electronically tracking the progress of teams as they cover an assigned geographic area are described herein. A server computer establishes a coverage area, divides the coverage area into a plurality of regions, and assigns each region to a team. Each team carries a tracking device capable of autonomously determining its present location without user assistance, thus allowing the team to focus on the assigned task, such as searching for a missing person, plowing a field, paving a road, etc. The server monitors the location of each tracking device as each team covers its assigned region, and updates on a visually displayed geographic map a historical path associated with each tracking device based on the monitored location of each tracking device. In this manner, users can quickly view the visual depiction of the historical to determine as yet uncovered areas.
-
Citations
35 Claims
-
1. A method for electronically tracking a historical path, said method comprising:
-
(a) establishing a coverage area; (b) dividing the coverage area into a plurality of regions; (c) assigning each region to one of a plurality of teams, wherein each team is associated with a tracking device; (d) receiving electronic transmissions from each tracking device as each team traverses its assigned region, wherein each electronic transmission includes a location of the tracking device from which it is received; and (e) updating on a geographic map displayed on a computer display device a historical path associated with each tracking device based on the monitored locations in step (d), wherein a width of each historical path corresponds to a size of the team to which the historical path corresponds. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A tracking device, comprising:
-
a processor, a display screen for outputting a visually displayed geographic map; memory storing computer executable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the tracking device to perform a method for electronically tracking a historical path, said method comprising; (a) determining a geographic region to be monitored by the tracking device and displaying the region on the visually displayed geographic map; (b) monitoring at regular intervals, a location of the tracking device as it is carried by a team covering the assigned region; and (c) updating the visually displayed geographic map with a historical path corresponding to the monitored locations of the tracking device, wherein a width of the historical path corresponds to a size the team. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
-
-
35. A computer system, comprising:
-
a processor controlling overall operation of the system; a display device that outputs a visual depiction of a geographic map of a search area; memory storing computer executable instructions for performing a method for tracking a history of search patterns of a search and rescue operation, said method comprising; (a) establishing the search area based on a point of disappearance; (b) dividing the search area into a plurality of regions; (c) assigning each region to one of a plurality of search teams, wherein each search team is associated with a tracking device; (d) monitoring a location of each tracking device as each search team searches its assigned region; (e) updating on the visual depiction of the geographic map of the search area a search trail associated with each search tracking device based on the monitored location of each tracking device in step (d); (f) receiving user input indicating that a missing person has been found prior to searching the entire assigned region; and (g) automatically sending a message to a server based on step (f), including a location in which the missing person was found.
-
Specification