Satellite aided location tracking with user interface

• US 8,704,658 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2013
• Issued: 04/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc. (Ametek Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc. (Ametek Incorporated)
• Inventors: Battista, Rich
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau, Hoi
• Application Number:
  US13/750,125
• Publication Number:
  US 20130135096A1
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13, 340/572.1, 340/573.4, 340/539.23, 340/539.2, 340/539.15, 455/456.1, 455/456.4
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/22 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission

Abstract

A satellite aided location tracking and data services with user interface. A graphical user interface is provided that enables users to monitor the status of movable assets. Detailed information in a position history enables the user to obtain status information (e.g., starts and stops) at each position report. This status information promotes visibility into the journey of each movable asset.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving first user input that is specified in a first user interface, wherein said first user input enables definition of a perimeter associated with a departure location;

receiving, via a communications network, a motion position report from an asset, said motion position report being transmitted when it is determined that said asset has achieved a moving condition, said moving condition being determined based on an analysis of a first non-zero amount of time that said asset is moving as compared to a second non-zero amount of time that said asset is stationary; and

initiating a transmission of a notification message to a user that said asset has departed said departure location after receipt of said motion position report from said asset.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first user input defines a circular perimeter.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said first user input defines a polygon shaped perimeter.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said first user input is received via a web interface.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said motion position report includes position information.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said position information is GPS code phase measurements.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether a determined position of said asset is outside of said perimeter associated with said departure location.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a position history of said asset via a web interface, said position history including a departure event associated with a time of day indication included in said motion position report.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said moving condition is based on a determination that said first non-zero amount of time is greater than said second non-zero amount of time by a threshold amount.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said first non-zero amount of time and said second non-zero amount of time are measured during the same predefined time period.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said notification message is sent via email.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said notification message is sent via telephone.

13. A method, comprising:

transmitting first information that enables a user device to display a first user interface, said first user interface enabling a user to enter first user input that enables an identification of an asset; and

transmitting second information that enables a user device to display a position history of said asset, said position history including a plurality of positions of said asset, wherein a first of said plurality of positions has an associated indication that said asset has departed, wherein said associated indication that said asset has departed is based on an analysis during a predefined time period of a first non-zero amount of time that said asset is moving and a second non-zero amount of time that said asset is stationary.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said moving condition is based on a determination that said first non-zero amount of time is greater than said second non-zero amount of time by a threshold amount.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said position history is a listing of a plurality of positions from a departure location to a destination location.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising transmitting third information that enables a user device to display a second user interface for obtaining second user input, wherein said second user input enables definition of a perimeter associated with a departure location.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein said first user interface is a web interface.