Mobile phone locator

• US 7,308,272 B1
• Filed: 10/22/2002
• Issued: 12/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: On Board Communications Incorporated
• Original Assignee: On Board Communications Incorporated
• Inventors: Wortham, Larry C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost; William
• Assistant Examiner(s): SANTIAGO CORDERO, MARIVELISSE
• Application Number:
  US10/278,707
• Time in Patent Office: 1,876 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456, 455/95, 455/99, 455/569, 455/575.1, 455/575.8, 455/575.9, 4554561-4566, 455/404.02, 340/426.19, 340/904, 340/359.13
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/17 Emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/34 Power consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/35 Constructional details or hardware or software details of the signal processing chain
• 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 21/0283 via a telephone network, e.g. cellular GSM

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the invention, a mobile phone locator is provided. The mobile phone locator includes a portable housing. The mobile phone locator also includes a position locator positioned at least partially in the portable housing. The position locator is operable to determine a location by receiving information from one or more satellites and to transmit a signal indicating the determined location. The mobile phone locator also includes a converter positioned in the portable housing and coupled to the position locator. The converter is operable to convert the signal received from the position locator into an output signal for the mobile phone. The output signal is a non-speech, audible signal that is receivable by a microphone of a mobile phone to be located. The mobile phone locator also includes an output device positioned at least partially in the portable housing and coupled to the converter. The output device is operable to send the output signal to the mobile phone.

Claims

1. An apparatus for identifying the location of a mobile phone, comprising:

a housing coupled to a fastener, the fastener operable to attach to a window of an automobile;

a power management controller positioned in the housing, the power management controller coupled to a power source;

an activation trigger positioned at least partially in the housing, wherein the activation trigger sends an activation command to the power management controller;

a position locator positioned at least partially in the housing, wherein the position locator determines a location by receiving information from one or more satellites and transmits a digital signal indicating the determined location, the position locator coupled to the power management controller;

a visual indicator positioned at least partially in the housing and coupled to the position locator;

a converter positioned in the housing and coupled to the position locator, wherein the converter converts the digital signal received from the position locator into a dual tone multi frequency audio signal indicating the determined location; and

a speaker positioned at least partially in the housing and coupled to the converter, wherein;

the speaker outputs the dual tone multi frequency audio signal indicating the determined location;

the dual tone multi frequency audio signal comprises a latitude group, a longitude group, and a velocity group;

the latitude group, the longitude group, and the velocity group each comprise a respective delimiter;

a first tone represents a delimiter associated with the latitude group;

a second tone represents a delimiter associated with the longitude group; and

a third tone represents a delimiter associated with the velocity group.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source is a solar panel that is attached to a surface of the housing.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising an impact sensor positioned in the housing and coupled to the power management controller, wherein the impact sensor senses an impact and in response, automatically initiates the determination of the location by the position locator.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power management controller assumes a sleep mode for power conservation.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a data storage unit coupled to the position locator, wherein the position locator stores information indicating the determined location in the data storage unit and initiates a display of the stored information after the power management controller is activated.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the position locator:

receives satellite information identifying an area where the one or more satellites are positioned; and

using the satellite information, searches for the one or more satellites within the area.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the power source is a battery having a power level;

the position locator updates the determined location, the updating performed after a configurable time period;

if the power level exceeds a configurable level, the configurable time period is a first time period; and

if the power level does not exceed the configurable level, the configurable time period is a second time period.

8. An apparatus for locating a mobile phone, comprising:

a portable housing;

a position locator positioned at least partially in the portable housing, wherein the position locator determines a location of a mobile phone by receiving information from one or more satellites and transmits a signal indicating the determined location;

an impact sensor positioned at least partially in the portable housing and coupled to a processor;

the processor positioned at least partially in the portable housing, wherein the processor transmits a command to the mobile phone to automatically dial a phone number associated with an emergency agency;

a converter positioned in the portable housing and coupled to the position locator, wherein the converter converts the signal received from the position locator into an output signal for the mobile phone, wherein the output signal is a dual tone multi frequency audio signal that is receivable by a microphone of the mobile phone; and

an output device positioned at least partially in the portable housing and coupled to the converter, wherein the output device sends the dual tone multi frequency audio signal to the mobile phone, wherein;

the dual tone multi frequency audio signal comprises a latitude group, a longitude group, and a velocity group;

the latitude group, the longitude group, and the velocity group each comprise a respective delimiter;

a first tone represents a delimiter associated with the latitude group;

a second tone represents a delimiter associated with the longitude group; and

a third tone represents a delimiter associated with the velocity group.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, and further comprising a solar panel that is attached to a surface of the portable housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the impact sensor senses an impact and automatically initiates the determination of the location by the position locator.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, and further comprising a data storage unit coupled to the position locator, wherein the position locator stores information indicating the determined location in the data storage unit and initiates a display of the stored information after the position locator is activated.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the position locator:

receives satellite information identifying an area where the one or more satellites are positioned; and

using the satellite information, searches for the one or more satellites within the area.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:

the search lasts for a configurable time period;

if one satellite is found, the configurable time period is extended by a first time period;

if two satellites are found, the configurable time period is extended by a second time period; and

if three satellites are found, the configurable time period is extended by a third time period.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, and further comprising a cradle that is attachable to a window of an automobile, wherein the cradle receives the portable housing.

15. The apparatus of claim 8, and further comprising a cradle that is attachable to a window of an automobile, the cradle comprising a solar panel that is positioned to face the window when attached to the window, wherein the cradle receives the portable housing and electrically couples the solar panel to the position locator positioned in the portable housing.

16. An apparatus for locating a mobile phone, comprising:

a position locator determining a location and generating a location signal indicating the determined location;

impact sensing means for sensing an impact and in response, initiating the determination of the location by the position locator;

a conversion means for converting the location signal into an output signal, wherein the output signal is a dual tone multi frequency audio signal that is receivable by an input unit of a mobile phone to be located;

a transmission means for wirelessly transmitting the dual tone multi frequency audio signal to the mobile phone, wherein;

the dual tone multi frequency audio signal comprises a latitude group, a longitude group, and a velocity group;

the latitude group, the longitude group, and the velocity group each comprise a respective delimiter;

a first tone represents a delimiter associated with the latitude group;

a second tone represents a delimiter associated with the longitude group; and

a third tone represents a delimiter associated with the velocity group; and

means for packaging the position locator, the impact sensing means, the conversions means, and the transmission means as a single package that is attachable to a window of an automobile.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, and further comprising means for collecting solar energy coupled to the means for packaging the position locator.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, and further comprising means for transmitting a command to the mobile phone to automatically dial a phone number associated with an emergency agency.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, and further comprising means for storing data coupled to the position locator, wherein the position locator stores information indicating the determined location in the means for storing data and initiates a display of the stored information after the position locator is activated.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the position locator:

receives satellite information identifying an area where the one or more satellites are positioned; and

using the satellite information, searches for the one or more satellites within the area.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the input unit is a microphone.

22. The apparatus of claim 16, and further comprising a cradle that is attachable to a window of an automobile, wherein the cradle receives the means for packaging.

23. The apparatus of claim 16, and further comprising a cradle that is attachable to a window of an automobile, wherein the cradle:

comprises a solar panel that is positioned to face the window when attached to the window; and

receives the portable housing and electrically couples the solar panel to the position locator.

24. A mobile phone locator system comprising:

a portable housing;

a cradle, wherein the cradle receives the portable housing and electrically couples the portable housing to an external device, the cradle attachable to a window of an automobile;

an impact sensor positioned at least partially in the portable housing, wherein the impact sensor activates a position locator after sensing an impact;

the position locator positioned at least partially in the portable housing, wherein the position locator determines a location by communicating with one or more satellites and transmits a signal indicating the determined location;

a converter positioned in the portable housing and coupled to the position locator, wherein the converter converts the signal received from the position locator into an output signal for the mobile phone, wherein the output signal is a dual tone multi frequency audio signal that is receivable by a microphone of a mobile phone to be located; and

an output device positioned at least partially in the portable housing and coupled to the converter, wherein the output device sends the dual tone multi frequency audio signal to the mobile phone, wherein;

the dual tone multi frequency audio signal comprises a latitude group, a longitude group, and a velocity group;

the latitude group, the longitude group, and the velocity group each comprise a respective delimiter;

a first tone represents a delimiter associated with the latitude group;

a second tone represents a delimiter associated with the longitude group; and

a third tone represents a delimiter associated with the velocity group.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the portable housing further comprises a solar panel that is attached to a surface of the portable housing.

26. The system of claim 24, and further comprising a solar panel that is coupled to a cradle.

27. The system of claim 24, and further comprising a data storage unit positioned in the portable housing and coupled to the position locator, wherein the position locator stores information indicating the determined location in the data storage unit and initiates a display of the stored information after the position locator is activated.

28. The system of claim 24, wherein the position locator:

receives satellite information identifying an area where the one or more satellites are positioned; and

using the satellite information, searches for the one or more satellites within the area.

29. A method for locating a mobile phone, comprising:

providing an apparatus comprising;

a portable housing;

a position locator positioned at least partially in the portable housing, wherein the position locator determines a location by receiving information from one or more satellites and transmits a signal indicating the determined location;

an impact sensor positioned at least partially in the portable housing, wherein the impact sensor activates the apparatus after sensing an impact;

a converter positioned in the portable housing and coupled to the position locator, wherein the converter converts the signal received from the position locator into an output signal for the mobile phone, wherein the output signal is a dual tone multi frequency audio signal having an effective range; and

an output device positioned at least partially in the portable housing and coupled to the converter, wherein;

the output device wirelessly transmits the dual tone multi frequency audio signal to the mobile phone;

the dual tone multi frequency audio signal comprises a latitude group, a longitude group, and a velocity group;

the latitude group, the longitude group, and the velocity group each comprise a respective delimiter;

a first tone represents a delimiter associated with the latitude group;

a second tone represents a delimiter associated with the longitude group; and

a third tone represents a delimiter associated with the velocity group;

coupling the apparatus to a window of a vehicle; and

positioning an input unit of the mobile phone within the effective range of the dual tone multi frequency audio signal.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

automatically commanding the mobile phone, using the apparatus, to establish a communication channel to a predetermined location; and

automatically transmitting the output signal to the mobile phone for transmission to the predetermined location.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the predetermined location is a call center that transmits the determined location indicated by the output signal to an emergency service.

32. The method of claim 29, and further comprising automatically transmitting an emergency signal indicating that an emergency has occurred at the location indicated by the output signal.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the apparatus further comprises a solar panel that is attached to a surface of the portable housing.

34. The method of claim 29, and further comprising:

receiving, at the apparatus, satellite information identifying an area where the one or more satellites are positioned; and

searching, using the satellite information, for the one or more satellites within the area using the position locator.