Vehicle tracking and security system incorporating simultaneous voice and data communication

• US 6,140,956 A
• Filed: 06/25/1997
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Navox Corporation
• Original Assignee: Cellutrac, Inc.
• Inventors: Dorr, Barry L., Hillman, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, DAO LINDA
• Application Number:
  US08/882,188
• Time in Patent Office: 1,224 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357, 342/457, 342/450, 701/213, 455/12.1
• US Class Current: 342/357.31
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0373 Voice control in general G10L
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 Boats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner

Abstract

A system which tracks and monitors a vehicle by utilizing cellular communication componentry and global positioning system componentry is disclosed. The system provides for simultaneous and continuous transmission of a voice signal and location data to a monitoring center. The monitoring center comprises componentry to communicate with the vehicle and determine the vehicle'"'"'s location on a digitized map using a computer.

Claims

1. A vehicle tracking and security system having simultaneous voice and data communication with a remote monitoring center comprising:

a microphone within said vehicle producing a voice signal,

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver within said vehicle producing location data corresponding to the location of said vehicle,

a filter coupled to said microphone for deleting a narrow band of voice frequencies,

a first signal processor coupled to said filter and to said GPS receiver for combining said location data with said voice signal within said narrow band of deleted voice frequencies,

a cellular radio transmitter coupled to said combined voice and data signal for transmitting simultaneously said voice and data signals from said vehicle through a conventional cellular and telephone network to said remote monitoring center,

a second signal processor at said remote monitoring center for separating said voice and said location data signals,

a telephone coupled to said second signal processor to provide voice communication between said remote monitoring center and said vehicle, and

a computer and display coupled to said second signal processor to provide a map display of the position of said vehicle derived from said location data signals.

2. The vehicle tracking and security system of claim 1, wherein said cellular radio transmits and receives data.

3. The vehicle tracking and security system of claim 1, wherein said first signal processor and second signal processor comprise digital signal processors.

4. The vehicle tracking and security system of claim 3, wherein said digital signal processor comprises a TMS320C25 digital signal processor.

5. A system for tracking vehicles comprising:

a mobile unit having;

a global positioning system receiver for obtaining global positioning system signals;

a microphone for obtaining a voice signal;

a mobile signal processor electrically connected to said global positioning system receiver and said microphone, said mobile signal processor combining the global positioning system signal within the spectrum of the voice signal to create a combined signal for transmission such that the audibility of the voice signal when said global positioning system signal is removed is not substantially affected;

a cellular communication device connected to said mobile signal processor for transmitting said combined signal over a communication network; and

,

a monitoring center for receiving said combined signal, said monitoring center comprising;

a monitoring center signal processor for separating said global positioning system signal and said voice signal;

a telephone for receiving said voice signal from said monitoring center signal processor; and

,

a computer for receiving said global positioning system data, said computer having digitized maps and a display device to display said maps and the location of the mobile unit thereon.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said combined signal comprises said voice signal having a small portion of said voice signal replaced by said global positioning system data.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein said mobile signal processor and said cellular communication device process and transmit said combined signal payload first followed by synchronization information.

8. A vehicle tracking and security system having simultaneous voice and data communication with a remote monitoring center comprising:

a microphone within said vehicle producing a voice signal,

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver within said vehicle obtaining location data corresponding to the location of said vehicle,

a first signal processor coupled to said microphone and said GPS receiver, said signal processors deleting a narrow band of voice frequencies from said voice signal and combining said location data with said voice signal where said narrow band of voice frequency was deleted,

a microprocessor coupled to said GPS receiver and said first signal processor which places the system in sleep mode to conserve power and at determinable times energizes said GPS receiver and said first signal processor,

a cellular radio transmitter coupled to said combined voice and location data signal for transmitting simultaneously said combined voice and location data signals from said vehicle through a conventional cellular and telephone network to said remote monitoring center,

a second signal processor at said remote monitoring center for separating said voice and said location data signals,

a telephone coupled to said second signal processor to provide voice communication between said remote monitoring center and said vehicle, and

a computer and display coupled to said second signal processor to provide a map display of the position of said vehicle derived from said location data signals.

9. The vehicle tracking and security system of claim 8, wherein said sleep mode comprises a state of low power usage wherein said GPS receiver, said first signal processor and said cellular radio transmitter do not consume power.

10. The vehicle tracking and security system of claim 8, wherein said microprocessor which places the system in sleep mode to conserve power comprises a PIC microprocessor.

11. A vehicle tracking and security system having simultaneous voice and data communication with a remote monitoring center comprising:

a microphone within said vehicle producing a voice signal,

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver within said vehicle producing location data corresponding to the location of said vehicle,

a filter coupled to said microphone for deleting a narrow band of voice frequencies,

a first signal processor coupled to said filter and to said GPS receiver for combining said location data with said voice signal within said narrow band of deleted voice frequencies,

a cellular radio transmitter coupled to said combined voice and data signal for transmitting simultaneously said voice and data signals from said vehicle through a conventional cellular and telephone network to said remote monitoring center,

a silent assistance request sensor linked to said cellular radio transmitter to automatically call said remote monitoring center when actuated,

a second signal processor at said remote monitoring center for separating said voice and said location data signals,

a telephone coupled to said second signal processor to provide voice communication between said remote monitoring center and said vehicle, and

a computer and display coupled to said second signal processor to provide a map display of the position of said vehicle derived from said location data signals.

12. The vehicle tracking and security system of claim 11, wherein said silent assistance request sensor comprises an activatable signaling device which causes said cellular radio transmitter to establish a communication link between said vehicle and said monitoring center.

13. The vehicle tracking and security system of claim 11, wherein said silent assistance request sensor comprises an under the carpet button.

14. A voice and data communication system comprising:

a mobile unit having;

a receiver which obtains location data signals;

a microphone for receiving a voice signal;

a signal processor receiving and processing said location data signals and said voice signal;

a communication device connected to said signal processor, said communication device configured to transmit said processed location data signals and said voice signal without interrupting or substantially degrading said voice signal; and

a monitoring center located remote from said mobile unit, said monitoring center receiving and separating said processed location data signals from said voice signal.

15. The communication and location determining system of claim 14, wherein said mobile unit is portable.

16. The communication and location determining system of claim 14, wherein said mobile unit is handheld.