Method and system for controlling an electronic device

• US 7,453,355 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2005
• Issued: 11/18/2008
• 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): Nguyen; Phung
• Application Number:
  US11/176,854
• Publication Number:
  US 20050246098A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,231 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13, 340/988, 340/426.19, 340/539.1, 340/309.16, 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/456.3
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• 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

A method and system for controlling an electronic device is described. The method includes programming a device controller with a location and/or time to define a geo-temporal zone according to the location and/or a window of time, and to select a device function that zone. A device state, which includes the current time and the device position, is then monitored. Upon determining that the device state corresponds with the defined geo-temporal zone, the device is controlled to execute the selected function. The function can relate to selectively enabling or disabling some or all of the device capabilities, power management, and others.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising:

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

a controller;

a position determining component coupled with said controller;

a motion detecting component coupled with said controller; and

a time sensing component coupled with said controller;

determining the current time and a geographic location of said electronic device in response to said detecting motion;

comparing said current time and said geographic location with a pre-defined zone corresponding to time and space; 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 said current time comprises one or more of:

accessing a time signal generated with a real time clock comprising said time sensing component;

accessing a time signal promulgated by a time reporting entity; and

updating said real time clock based on said time signal promulgated by a time reporting entity wherein said time reporting entity comprises a time standard.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said determining a geographic location comprises accessing a signal generated with one or more of a satellite-based position determining system and a terrestrial-base position determining system.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising said motion detecting component generating a signal in response to said detecting motion 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 said 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, in response to said command, a function associated with said electronic device is selectively enabled and disabled on the basis of one or more of said current time and said geographic location.

12. A time and position tracking system comprising:

a position tracking service provider; and

an electronic device coupleable with said position tracking service provider, said electronic device comprising an initiating component for controlling said electronic device on the basis of one or more of time and location, wherein said initiating component comprises;

a controller;

a motion detecting component coupled with said controller, for detecting movement associated with said electronic device;

a time sensing component coupled with said controller for determining a current time; and

a position determining component coupled with said controller for determining a geographic location corresponding to said electronic device, wherein a function associated with said electronic device is selectively enabled and disabled on the basis of one or more of said current time and said geographic location.

13. The time and position tracking system as recited in claim 12, wherein said motion detecting component generates an interrupt signal to said controller in response to detecting movement of said electronic device.

14. The time and position tracking system as recited in claim 13, wherein, responsive to said interrupt signal, said controller determines said current time and said geographic location.

15. The time and position tracking system as recited in claim 14, wherein said position determining component accesses a signal generated by said position tracking service provider to determine said geographic location.

16. The time and position tracking system as recited in claim 15, wherein said position tracking service provider comprises one or more of a satellite-based position determining system and a terrestrial-based position determining system.

17. The time and position tracking system as recited in claim 12, wherein said controller compares one or more of said geographic location, and said time and said geographic location, with a pre-defined geo-temporal zone.

18. The time and position tracking system as recited in claim 17, wherein said controller generates a command for controlling said electronic device in response to said comparing.

19. The time and position tracking system as recited in claim 12, wherein said time sensing component comprises a real time clock.

20. The time and position tracking system as recited in claim 19, wherein said determining said current time comprises one or more of:

accessing a time signal generated with said real time clock;

accessing a time signal promulgated by a time reporting entity; and

updating said real time clock based on said time signal promulgated by a time reporting entity wherein said time reporting entity comprises a time standard.

21. The time and position tracking system as recited in claim 20 wherein said time reporting entity comprises one or more of a time standard, said position tracking service provider, and a communication network coupled with said electronic device.

22. The time and position tracking system as recited in claim 12, further comprising a wireless communications component coupled with said controller.

23. The time and position tracking system as recited in claim 22, 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.

24. The time and position tracking system as recited in claim 23, 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.

25. The time and position tracking system as recited in claim 24, wherein said controller automatically causes said wireless communications component to transmit a second message to said position tracking service provider when said geographic location is not determined within said pre-determined time period.

26. The time and position tracking system as recited in claim 24, 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.

27. The time and position tracking system as recited in claim 24, wherein said controller automatically causes said wireless communications component to transmit a third message to said position tracking service provider when said initiating component has not detected movement of said position determining component within a pre-determined time parameter. and a communication network coupled with said electronic device.

28. The time and position tracking system as recited in claim 12, wherein said initiating component is disposed within said electronic device.

29. A method for controlling a portable electronic device, comprising:

programming a controller of said portable electronic device, wherein said programming comprises;

defining a geo-temporal zone according to one or more of;

a location corresponding to a selected geographic position; and

a window of time and said location; and

selecting a function for said portable electronic device corresponding to said geo-temporal zone;

monitoring a state of said portable electronic device wherein said state comprises;

a current time; and

a present geographic position of said portable electronic device; and

upon determining that said state corresponds with said defined geo-temporal zone, causing said portable electronic device to execute said function.

30. The method as recited in claim 29 wherein said function comprises selectively enabling and disabling an operation relating to said portable electronic device.

31. The method as recited in claim 29 wherein said function comprises managing an operation of said portable electronic device related to its power source.

32. The method as recited in claim 29, wherein said controller is disposed within said portable electronic device.

33. The method as recited in claim 32 wherein said controller comprises one or more of:

a time sensing component;

a data storage component;

a wireless communications component; and

a position determining component.

34. The method as recited in claim 33 wherein said controller is wirelessly coupleable with one or more of:

a time reporting entity; and

a position determining system.

35. The method as recited in claim 34, wherein said position determining system comprises one or more of a satellite-based position determining system and a terrestrial-based position determining system.

36. The method as recited in claim 34 wherein said current time is determined with reference to one or more of:

a real time clock associated with said controller;

and a time reporting entity.

37. The method as recited in claim 36 wherein said time reporting entity comprises one or more of:

a time standard;

said position determining system; and

a communications network coupled with said electronic device, and wherein said real time clock is updated with a signal accessed from said time reporting entity.

38. An initiating component for controlling an electronic device, comprising:

a controller;

a time sensing component coupled with said controller for monitoring time;

a motion detecting component coupled with said controller for generating a motion 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, wherein said controller automatically causes said position determining component to determine said geographic location in response to said motion signal; and

wherein said controller compares one or more of a current time, and said current time and said geographic location with a pre-defined geo-temporal zone and generates a command for controlling said electronic device in response to said comparing.

39. The initiating component as recited in claim 38, wherein said command comprises one or more of:

selectively enabling and disabling a function associated with said electronic device; and

managing a power function related to said electronic device.

40. The initiating component as recited in claim 38, further comprising a wireless communications component coupled with said controller.

41. The initiating component as recited in claim 40, 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.

42. The initiating component as recited in claim 41, 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.

43. The initiating component as recited in claim 40, 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.

44. The initiating component as recited in claim 40, 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.

45. The initiating component as recited in claim 38, wherein said motion detecting component comprises one or more of a magneto-resistive motion detector, an acceleration sensor, a tilt sensor, a vibration sensor, a rotation sensor, a gyroscope, an interferometer, and a motion sensor.