Methods and systems for performing search-and-rescue using a GPS transceiver

• US 20040189464A1
• Filed: 03/26/2003
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Harmeet S. Gill
• Original Assignee: Maximus Incorporated
• Inventors: Gill, Harmeet S.
• Application Number:
  US10/396,600
• Publication Number:
  US 20040189464A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0202 Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child

Abstract

A system, method and computer-readable medium for performing a search operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of establishing a wireless connection between at least one of a plurality of search-and-rescue devices and a server. Next, the method transmits data from a first search-and-rescue device to the server. Once the server receives the data, it processes the data, and then transmits a request to the first search-and-rescue device to alter a direction of travel, in response to the data received.

Claims

1. A method for performing a search operation, comprising:

establishing a wireless connection between at least one of a plurality of search-and-rescue devices and a server;

transmitting data from a first search-and-rescue device to the server;

processing the data at the server; and

transmitting a request to the first search-and-rescue device to alter a direction of travel, in response to the data received.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting further comprises transmitting a request from the server to the first search-and-rescue device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting further comprises transmitting a request from a second search-and-rescue device to the first search-and-rescue device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein processing further comprises updating a display associated with the server to reflect a location of the first search-and-rescue device in relation to at least a second search-and-rescue device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein processing further comprises updating a display associated with the server to reflect a location of the first search-and-rescue device in relation to a search perimeter.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein processing further comprises determining that the first search-and-rescue device is too close to a second search-and-rescue device.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein processing further comprises determining that the first search-and-rescue device has crossed the search perimeter.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is position data.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is a text message.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the text message indicates that an item being searched for has been found.

11. An apparatus for performing a search operation, comprising:

means for establishing a wireless connection between at least one of a plurality of search-and-rescue devices and a server;

means for transmitting data from a first search-and-rescue device to the server;

means for processing the data at the server; and

means for transmitting a request to the first search-and-rescue device to alter a direction of travel, in response to the data received.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the means for transmitting further comprises transmitting a request from the server to the first search-and-rescue device.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the means for transmitting further comprises transmitting a request from a second search-and-rescue device to the first search-and-rescue device.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the means for processing further comprises updating a display associated with the server to reflect a location of the first search-and-rescue device in relation to at least a second search-and-rescue device.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the means for processing further comprises updating a display associated with the server to reflect a location of the first search-and-rescue device in relation to a search perimeter.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the means for processing further comprises determining that the first search-and-rescue device is too close to a second search-and-rescue device.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the means for processing further comprises determining that the first search-and-rescue device has crossed the search perimeter.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the data is position data.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the data is a text message.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the text message indicates that an item being searched for has been found.

21. A computer-readable medium containing instructions executable by a computer for performing a search operation, the method comprising:

establishing a wireless connection between at least one of a plurality of search-and-rescue devices and a server;

transmitting data from a first search-and-rescue device to the server;

processing the data at the server; and

transmitting a request to the first search-and-rescue device to alter a direction of travel, in response to the data received.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein transmitting further comprises transmitting a request from the server to the first search-and-rescue device.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein transmitting further comprises transmitting a request from a second search-and-rescue device to the first search-and-rescue device.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein processing further comprises updating a display associated with the server to reflect a location of the first search-and-rescue device in relation to at least a second search-and-rescue device.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein processing further comprises updating a display associated with the server to reflect a location of the first search-and-rescue device in relation to a search perimeter.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein processing further comprises determining that the first search-and-rescue device is too close to a second search-and-rescue device.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein processing further comprises determining that the first search-and-rescue device has crossed the search perimeter.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the data is position data.

29. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the data is a text message.

30. The computer-readable medium of claim 29, wherein the text message indicates that an item being searched for has been found.