GPS pathfinder cell phone and method

• US 8,154,440 B2
• Filed: 03/24/2009
• Issued: 04/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sphinx Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PathFinders International, LLC
• Inventors: Lewis, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Issing, Gregory c
• Application Number:
  US12/410,003
• Publication Number:
  US 20090182587A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,113 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357.55, 342/357.4, 340/539.13, 340/539.2
• US Class Current: 342/357.4
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/42 Determining position
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• 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 27/001 Signalling to an emergency team, e.g. firemen
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72418 for supporting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

A device and system for use in emergency management operations before and after a disaster. The device incorporates a GPS and a radio with very simplified, pre-programmed instructions which are uploaded automatically in the device'"'"'s memory via wireless technology prior to the unit'"'"'s first use at a disaster site. Maps of areas to be searched are uploaded into the device and the areas covered during the search are retained in the devices'"'"' memory. A unique feature enables the searcher to quickly indicate a specific need or service at a particular location during the search, which information automatically is geocoded and time/date stamped once the user saves the information inputted. Via wireless technology areas that have been searched during an operational period are downloaded to a base unit and areas to be searched the following operational period are uploaded to the portable units at the beginning of the day. Radios on the units can enable the searchers to audibly communicate with each other without cell towers. The system can be employed by cleanup teams, insurance adjusters, and any number of post incident response teams both focused on short and long term recovery operations. The entire system is designed to be self contained to operate when normal cell and Internet systems are damaged or destroyed. The system can quickly organize, sort, and edit the data collected by field users for daily and future analysis and documentation or any and all disaster operations.

Claims

1. In a system comprising:

a receiver receiving signals from a plurality of satellites;

a cellular telephone transmitting voice communications to and receiving voice communications from other cellular telephones;

a processor coupled to said receiver which calculates a location of said receiver from said satellite signals, said processor including means to receive data;

a storage device coupled to said processor, said storage device storing data representative of waypoints, routes, maps and data supplied by a user;

said means to receive data comprises an input device coupled to said processor for receiving data supplied by a user, said data including waypoints and information related to each said waypoint;

means for transmitting to a base station a plurality of waypoints that have been traversed during a period of time via wireless technology;

said cellular telephone including a polling device, said polling device includes means for sending a signal to a server or other cellular telephones in the reception area and said other cellular telephones, in response to receiving said signal, broadcasting their way point to said cellular telephone sending said signal, said signal includes a GPS position or location; and

said information related to each said waypoint can include an emergency support function (ESF) designation,

whereby the locations of said other cellular telephones can be determined on a map based on said waypoints received by the server.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for transmitting to said base station a plurality of waypoints that have been traversed during a period of time comprises a wireless communication system.

3. The system claim 1, wherein said base station includes means to enter a different map and route into said receiver subsequent to returning to said base station.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said base station can be comprised of a server system or a laptop computer acting as a server.

5. In a system a method effective for coordinating operations including:

receiving signals from a plurality of satellites;

transmitting voice communications to and receiving voice communications from cellular telephones;

a processor coupled to a receiver which receives said signals from said plurality of satellites for calculating a location of said receiver from said satellite signals, said processor including input means to receive data from a user;

inputting data representative of waypoints, routes, maps and information supplied by said user to said processor, said data including said waypoints and information related to each said waypoint;

storing said data representative of said waypoints, routes, maps and information supplied by said user on a storage device coupled to said processor;

transmitting to a base station a plurality of said waypoints that have been traversed during said period of time and said information related to each said waypoint;

activating a polling feature of said GPS receiver wherein said polling feature determines the locations of other GPS receivers without input from the operators of said other GPS receivers; and

emergency support function (ESF) designations are entered into said processor,

whereby coordination of said operations are accomplished.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein a different map and route is entered into said GPS receiver subsequent to returning to said base station.