GPS pathfinder cell phone and method

• US 8,930,458 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2012
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• 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): Avellino, Joseph E
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCLEOD, MARSHALL M
• Application Number:
  US13/536,618
• Publication Number:
  US 20120315877A1
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 709/219, 709/204
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/17 Emergency applications
• 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 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring

Abstract

A device and system for use before and after a disaster which incorporate a “Whole Community” response is illustrated. The system can be readily customized for use in other markets and scenarios and easily adapted into uses by emergency management. The device incorporates a GPS radio and/or cell phones with, pre-programmed instructions which are uploaded automatically in the device'"'"'s memory via wireless technology prior to the unit'"'"'s first use. 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 pre/post response teams focused on mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery operations. The system can contain a modifiable and functional, virtual badge and can export data gathered in the field, as well as integrate this data with other, pre-existing software via software APIs contained within the system and cell phone software.

Claims

1. A method of uploading public data comprising:

associating a defined land lot location with a global positioning system (GPS) location;

using said GPS locations to populate a map in a software application with form data fields derived from public data associated with said land lot location;

associating said public data with said form data fields;

uploading said merged data into a mobile user'"'"'s software application;

allowing a user to make pre-determined or self-created entries in regards to a specific GPS location while at said land lot location;

assessing various response, recovery, or mitigation needs with said GPS location;

using said assessments combined with said public data to determine actionable needs assigned to said GPS location;

associating a color code with said assessment or other needs at said GPS location; and

displaying said color codes on a map whereby said assessment at a location and/or resources needed to address the specific need or assistance to an area can be determined.

2. The method of claim 1 further including the step of displaying color codes on a map in a mobile user'"'"'s software application, web-application, or combinations thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 further including the step of transferring the data from said mobile user'"'"'s software application to an independent data storage device.

4. The method of claim 1 including geotagging and time/date stamping said uploaded data.

5. A method of displaying data on a mobile device comprising:

providing a mobile device with a software application;

providing a photo along with administrator prescribed, readable identification data on said mobile device to simulate a government compliant identification badge;

providing, in addition to a photo and readable identification data, an image on said mobile device, said image being recognized by scanning technology;

associating data with said image;

associating a color background with said photo, said readable identification data, or said image which can be timed to change colors after prescribed time periods; and

said software application enabling verification links to individuals whereby said data can be assessed and/or approved by said individuals.

6. The method of claim 5 further including the step of mapping, tracking and analyzing said data.

7. The method of claim 5 further including the step of associating a pre-programmed, timed, self-destruct or expiration code into the device to render the badge unusable after a prescribed time period established by the administrator.

8. The method of claim 5 further including the step of linking said data to an electronic display device, said device to be worn by a mobile user.

12. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of:

embedding the user'"'"'s own or other users'"'"' geotagged data, including geolocated photos, within displayed photos or icons on a map on said mobile device.

13. The method of claim 12 further including displaying geotagged data on a map of a software application in an independent mobile device or data storage device.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said geotagged data resides within a displayed icon or photo on said map and can be retrieved by said administrator or user.

9. A method of populating forms with data comprising:

associating a location with a global positioning system (GPS) location;

using a mobile device to populate one or more custom forms within a software application on said mobile device with data or visual information observed at said location;

associating a global position system (GPS) location with said data or visual information;

associating a time/date stamp with said data or visual information,

assessing at least one response, recovery, or mitigation need at said location;

using said assessments or said data or visual information to determine actionable needs assigned to said location; and

associating a color code with said assessment or said data or visual information at said location; and

transferring said data or visual information from said mobile device to an independent data storage device.

10. The method of claim 9 including collecting said data electronically;

and

editing and/or analyzing said data, including merging or assigning certain form fields to display a response to other form fields within the data.

11. The method of claim 10 including printing said forms on paper.