Global locating and tracking method and system

• US 6,263,280 B1
• Filed: 11/24/1998
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ralph J. Stingone Jr
• Original Assignee: Ralph J. Stingone Jr
• Inventors: Stingone, Ralph J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Gary
• Application Number:
  US09/198,909
• Time in Patent Office: 966 Days
• Field of Search: 701/207, 701/213, 701/214, 701/215, 342/357.07, 342/358.09, 342/457, 340/573.1
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/16 Anti-theft; Abduction
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/17 Emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/34 Power consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile

Abstract

A method and system for locating and tracking the geographic position of a remote unit worn or carried by a user comprises a battery powered remote unit which upon user activation receives geographic position signals from geographic positioning satellites. The geographic position signals are encoded with a unique code associated with the remote unit and then transmitted from the remote unit to a central control center. The geographic position of the remote unit is determined according to the geographic position signals and then relayed to a computer network database server system. The geographic position along with personal information previously stored on the server system is then displayed at a network location such that a search for the wearer of the remote unit can be initiated by persons having access to the network location. Following initial activation, the remote unit receives and transmits signals only at predetermined time intervals so as to conserve battery power of the remote unit.

Claims

1. A method for locating and tracking the geographic position of a remote unit using signals generated by a global positioning satellite system, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving global position data signals at a remote unit from a global positioning satellite;

(b) encoding the data signals with a unique code associated with the remote unit;

(c) transmitting the encoded data signals from the remote unit to a central control center via a satellite;

(d) generating at the control center a geographic position of the remote unit according to the encoded data signals;

(e) relaying the geographic position and the unique code to a computer network database server system, the network database server system adapted to store personal information associated with the unique code; and

(f) displaying the geographic position of the remote unit and the personal information associated with the unique code at a network location whereby a search operation can be initiated and monitored by persons having access to the network location and wherein the geographic position and the associated personal information is further displayed on an Internet world-wed site, the web site including hypertext links to related web sites.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of receiving global position data signals includes the steps of:

activating the remote unit to receive data signals from the global positioning satellite;

transmitting satellite position, velocity, and doppler shift data from the satellite to the remote unit; and

receiving the satellite position, velocity, and doppler shift data by the remote unit.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of relaying the geographic position signal and the unique code further includes the step of encoding the geographic position and the unique code to produce an encrypted signal.

4. The method as in claim 3 wherein the step of displaying the geographic position is preceded by the step of decrypting the encrypted signal.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 further including the steps of:

(g) providing an interval timer within the remote unit programmed to inhibit the remote unit from transmitting and receiving signals for a predetermined time interval; and

(h) returning to step (a) upon expiration of the predetermined time interval.

6. The method of claim 1 further including the step of sending electronic mail messages to selected electronic addresses previously stored in the network database server system.

7. A global locating and tracking system comprising:

a housing;

a transceiver assembly held within the housing including;

a receiver adapted for receiving global position signals transmitted from a global positioning satellite, the data signals being indicative of a geographic location of the transceiver assembly;

a transmitter adapted for encoding the global position data signals with a unique code associated with the transceiver assembly and for transmitting the encoded global position data signals to a central control center via a satellite so as to update the geographic location of the transceiver assembly, the central control center adapted to determine the geographic position of the transceiver assembly according to the encoded global position data signals received from the transmitter;

an interval timer adapted to inhibit the transceiver assembly from transmitting and receiving signals during predetermined intervals of time;

a power supply for powering the transmitter and receivers;

a computer network database server system adapted to receive the geographic position of the transceiver assembly relayed thereto by the central control center, the network database server system adapted to store personal information associated with the unique code such that the network database server system is adapted to associate the personal information with the encoded global position data signals; and

wherein said network database server system includes means for displaying the geographic position and the associated personal information on an Internet web site having hypertext links to related web sites.

8. A locating and tracking system as in claim 7 wherein the network database server system includes means for displaying the geographic position at a network location, the geographic position first being decrypted, whereby a search operation can be initiated and monitored by persons having access to the network location.