Remotely activatable locator system and method using a wireless location system

• US 8,208,892 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2010
• Issued: 06/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Skyhook Holding, Inc. (Liberty Broadband Corp.)
• Original Assignee: TruePosition Incorporated
• Inventors: Nalley, James Elwood, Buehler, Christopher Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): SHEDRICK, CHARLES TERRELL
• Application Number:
  US12/686,239
• Publication Number:
  US 20100144309A1
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.1, 455/404.2, 340/825.49
• US Class Current: 455/404.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/15 Setup of multiple wireless link connections

Abstract

A method for locating an entity attached to a locator device comprises receiving, at the locator device, a message over a cellular network. Responsive to receiving the message, a call over the cellular network is automatically initiated to enable a party answering the call to determine a location of the locator device.

Claims

1. A method for locating an entity attached to a locator device, wherein the locator device is configured to be in a standby state and to enter an active state upon receiving an activation message, wherein during the standby state the locator device is able to communicate with a cellular network over a control channel of the cellular network while maintaining a low power state, the method comprising:

receiving, at the locator device, an activation message over a control channel of a cellular network;

authenticating the message;

determining whether emergency activation has been authorized;

if emergency activation has not been authorized, performing at least one of (1) initiating a voice channel call, over a voice channel of the cellular network, by calling a predetermined number, and (2) performing an over the air update of the locator device;

if emergency activation has been authorized, automatically initiating a voice channel call over a voice channel of the cellular network, wherein the voice channel call is a public assistance or emergency call;

responsive to determining that the voice channel call has been answered, playing a prerecorded audible message providing information about the entity;

sending a confirmation message to a party that transmitted the activation message confirming that the voice channel call has been placed by the locator device; and

determining that the voice channel call has been answered, and in response to determining that the voice channel call has been answered, transmitting information about the entity;

wherein the locator device comprises a radio communications device configured to communicate with the cellular network, wherein the cellular network comprises at least one of a time and frequency division multiplexed (TDMA/FDMA) radio communications system and a code-division radio communications system.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising remotely updating the locator device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a status of the locator device to an operation center over the control channel of the cellular network.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising initiating, by the locator device, a multiparty call between a party answering the voice channel call and the party that transmitted the activation message.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a confirmation message to the party that transmitted the activation message confirming that the voice channel call has been placed.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the voice channel call is placed to a public safety answering point.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising playing a prerecorded audible message providing contact information to the party that transmitted the activation message.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising, responsive to a status indicating that a power source of the locator device is low, transmitting a remote notification to a party that the power source is low.

9. A locator device comprising:

an electronic module configured to perform the following process;

receiving, at the locator device, an activation message over a control channel of a cellular network;

responsive to receiving the activation message, automatically authenticating the activation message and, upon authentication of the activation message, determining whether emergency activation has been authorized;

if emergency activation has not been authorized, performing at least one of (1) initiating a voice channel call, over a voice channel of the cellular network, by calling a predetermined number, and (2) performing an over the air update of the locator device;

if emergency activation has been authorized, automatically initiating the voice channel call over a voice channel of the cellular network, wherein the voice channel call is a public assistance or emergency call; and

sending a confirmation message to a party that transmitted the activation message confirming that the voice channel call has been placed by the locator device;

wherein the locator device is configured to communicate with a cellular network comprising at least one of a time and frequency division multiplexed (TDMA/FDMA) radio communications system and a code-division radio communications system;

wherein the locator device is configured to be in a standby state and to enter an active state upon receiving a properly authenticated activation message; and

wherein during the standby state the locator device is able to communicate with the cellular network over a control channel of the cellular network while maintaining a low power state.

10. The locator device of claim 9, further comprising a processor for initiating a multiparty call between a party answering the voice channel call and the party transmitting the activation message.

11. The locator device of claim 9 disguised as an accessory item.

12. The locator device of claim 9, further comprising a global positioning system component.

13. The locator device of claim 9, further comprising a processor for returning the device to lower power inactive mode.

14. A system for locating an entity, comprising:

a wireless location system;

a locator device attachable to the entity, wherein the locator device is configured to perform the following process;

receiving, at the locator device, an activation message over a control channel of a cellular network;

responsive to receiving the activation message, automatically authenticating the activation message and, upon authentication of the activation message, determining whether emergency activation has been authorized;

if emergency activation has not been authorized, performing at least one of (1) initiating a voice channel call, over a voice channel of the cellular network, by calling a predetermined number, and (2) performing an over the air update of the locator device;

if emergency activation has been authorized, automatically initiating a voice channel call over a voice channel of the cellular network, wherein the voice channel call is a public assistance or emergency call, and wherein the voice channel call enables location of the locator device by the wireless location system; and

sending a confirmation message to a party that transmitted the activation message confirming that the voice channel call has been placed by the locator device;

wherein the locator device is configured to communicate with a cellular network comprising at least one of a time and frequency division multiplexed (TDMA/FDMA) radio communications system and a code-division radio communications system;

wherein the locator device is configured to remain in a standby state and to enter an active state upon receiving a properly authenticated activation message; and

wherein during the standby state the locator device is able to communicate with the cellular network over a control channel of the cellular network while maintaining a low power state.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising means for authenticating the message.

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising means for playing a prerecorded audible message providing information about the entity to be located in response to determining that the voice channel call has been answered.

17. The system of claim 14, further comprising means for remotely updating the locator device.

18. The system of claim 14, further comprising means for transmitting a status of the locator device to an operation center over the control channel of the cellular network.

19. The system of claim 14, further comprising means for initiating a multiparty call between a party answering the voice channel call and the party that transmitted the activation message.

20. The system of claim 14, further comprising means for sending a confirmation message to the party that transmitted the activation message confirming that the voice channel call has been placed.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein the voice channel call is placed to a public safety answering point.

22. The system of claim 14, further comprising means for playing a prerecorded audible message providing contact information to the party that transmitted the activation message.

23. The system of claim 14, further comprising means for transmitting a remote notification to a party that the power source is low.

24. The system of claim 14, wherein the locator device further comprises memory for storing a prerecorded audible message;

and a processor for playing the prerecorded audible message in response to determining that the voice channel call has been answered.

25. The system of claim 14, wherein the locator device further comprises memory for storing identifying information of a subscriber associated with the locator device.

26. The system of claim 14, wherein the locator device further comprises a processor configured to initiate a multiparty call between a party answering the voice channel call and the party transmitting the activation message.

27. The system of claim 14, wherein the locator device is disguised as an accessory item.

28. The system of claim 14, wherein the locator device further comprises a global positioning system component.

29. The system of claim 14, wherein the locator device further comprises a processor configured to return the device to lower power inactive mode.