Comprehensive information and service providing system

• US 6,480,121 B1
• Filed: 03/22/2001
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reimann, William
• Original Assignee: Reimann, William
• Inventors: Reimann, William
• Primary Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US09/815,132
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 340/990, 340/991, 340/995, 340/539, 701/200, 701/201, 705/1
• US Class Current: 340/990
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/09 Taking automatic action to avoid collision, e.g. braking and steering
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/205 Indicating the location of the monitored vehicles as destination, e.g. accidents, stolen, rental

Abstract

A service system is provided including a plurality of mobile and stationary units each having a plurality of components. Such components include, but are not limited to, a global positioning system for determining a longitudinal coordinate and a latitudinal coordinate of the current location of the mobile unit, a keypad or keyboard for inputting selected data, a display or converter for displaying graphic images and data, a speedometer for tracking the current speed of the mobile unit, an audible device for an alert notification, a meteorological sensor for weather data collection, a wired or wireless modem for connecting to a server, a direction sensor for tracking the current direction of travel of the mobile unit, a peripheral interface port for modem access of personal information devices, and a microprocessor for governing the transfer of information to and from the components of the embodiment. Also included is a service provider for generating and transferring information and control signals to and from the modems of each of the units via free space or land line for the purpose of providing various services and transferring graphic information.

Claims

1. A traveling service system comprising, in combination:

a plurality of mobile units each having a plurality of components including;

a position demodulator adapted for determining a longitudinal coordinate and a latitudinal coordinate indicative of a current location of the mobile unit,

a keypad for inputting selected data,

a color liquid crystal display for displaying graphic images and data,

an identification read only memory for storing an accessible code unique to the mobile unit ROM and modem,

an audible device for notifying an alert,

a speedometer for tracking a current speed of the mobile unit,

a direction sensor for tracking a current direction of travel of the mobile unit,

a peripheral interface connection for modem access of various personal information devices,

a modem for transmitting and receiving data via free space, and

a microprocessor connected between the position demodulator, keypad, color liquid crystal display, memory, audible device, speedometer, direction sensor, interface and modem, the microprocessor adapted to govern the transfer of information to and from the components of the mobile unit; and

said mobile units including a plurality of vehicular mobile units each mounted within a dash of a vehicle and further including a vehicle impact sensor for indicating when a collision has occurred, an alarm system for indicating unauthorized use of the vehicle, and a voice recognition analog to digital converter for inputting data without the use of hands;

said mobile units including a plurality of aeronautical mobile units each mounted within an aircraft and further including an altimeter and ILS receiver;

said mobile units including a plurality of nautical mobile units each mounted within a watercraft and further including a sonar receiver and meteorological sensors for collecting additional community data; and

a service provider having a modem for transferring various information and control signals to and from the components of each of the mobile units via free space;

wherein the service provider is connected to an emergency and service agency for guiding a mobile emergency and service unit to a location of one of the mobile units upon the receipt of a predetermined code via the keypad, wherein the relative location is provided by a modulated positioning system, the service provider is further adapted to transmit graphic data to the mobile unit the current position of the mobile emergency and service unit to be depicted on the display along with the identity of a responding unit;

wherein the service provider is internally connected to a map database for transmitting to the mobile units graphic spatial data to be depicted on the display of an area manually entered via the keypad, such that current conditions in the area may be tracked;

wherein the service provider is further adapted for transmitting to the mobile units a spatial status-map of an area surrounding the current location of the mobile unit as indicated by the modulated positioning system;

wherein the service provider is further connected to a weather forecast service for transmitting to the mobile units graphic weather data to be depicted on the display of an area which is manually entered via the keypad, wherein past and current conditions in the area may be tracked;

wherein the service provider is further adapted for transmitting to the mobile units a weather status-map of an area surrounding the current location of the mobile unit as indicated by the modulated positioning system;

wherein the service provider is further adapted for guiding a mobile emergency unit to a location of one of the vehicular mobile units upon the receipt of at least one of the indication of a collision by the vehicle impact sensor, the receipt of the indication of unauthorized use of the vehicle, and the receipt of a predetermined code via voice or manual indication;

wherein the service provider creates a proprietary traffic status database for transmitting from the mobile units to the mobile units graphic traffic data to be depicted on the display of an area manually entered via the keypad, wherein past and current conditions in the area may be tracked;

wherein the service provider is connected to an additional monitoring system for supplementing status data to be depicted on the display of a mobile unit;

wherein the service provider is further adapted for transmitting to the mobile units a traffic status-map of an area surrounding the current location of the mobile unit as indicated by the modulated positioning system;

wherein the service provider is also adapted for additional alphanumeric symbol integration with a graphic status-map to be transmitted to the displays of the mobile units;

wherein a random path of travel may be entered by way of the keypad and the service provider transmits to the mobile unit a graphic status-map of conditions at points along the path of travel;

wherein a random time of travel may be entered by way of the keypad and the service provider transmits to the mobile unit a graphic status-map of pending conditions at locations relative to the path of travel;

wherein an intended time of travel may be entered by way of voiced commands and the service provider transmits to the mobile unit a forecast status-map of pending conditions relative to an anticipated time of travel;

wherein an intended path of travel may be entered by way of voiced commands and the service provider transmits to the mobile unit a forecast status-map of navigational points to destination along a guided path of travel.

25. A traveling service system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said service provider is connected to said traffic status database which compares a mobile unit vector to another vector for the purpose of calculating the probability said vectors will simultaneously occupy the same location.

26. A traveling service system as set forth in claim 25 wherein the service provider is further adapted in its apparatus to transmit to the mobile units an alert notification of imminent vector contact.

27. A traveling service system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said service provider is further adapted to transmit to the mobile units an alert notification of navigation.

28. A traveling service system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of mobile units include a modem of modular design for interchange ability amongst a common set of mobile units.

29. A traveling service system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of mobile units include meteorological sensors for transmitting to said service provider the collected weather data at the current location of the mobile unit as indicated by the modulated positioning system.

30. A traveling service system as set forth in claim 29 wherein said service provider is adapted for transmitting to a weather forecast service said collected meteorological data from locations at the mobile units for the purpose of calculating the probable weather.

33. A traveling service system as set forth in claim 28 wherein each of said modems includes a programmable radio frequency transceiver for the purpose of addressing a common set of service providers via free space.

34. A traveling service system as set forth in claim 33 wherein said programmable radio frequency transceivers include variable programming for the purpose of selecting a specific service provider via free space.

35. A traveling service system as set forth in claim 34 wherein said variable programming includes remote activation of the mobile unit via free space from the service provider for the purpose of identifying the location of the mobile unit on a map background to the registered owner and authorized parties as per validated request.

36. A traveling service system as set forth in claim 35 wherein said remote activation includes set instructions for the purpose of controlling vehicle functions as per validated request.

2. A service system comprising:

a plurality of mobile units each having a plurality of components including;

a position demodulator for determining a longitudinal coordinate and a latitudinal coordinate indicative of a current location of the mobile unit,

a modem for transmitting and receiving data via free space,

a keypad for inputting selected data,

a display for displaying graphic images and data,

a speedometer for tracking a current speed of the mobile unit,

a direction sensor for tracking a current direction of travel of the mobile unit,

an identification read only memory for storing an accessible code unique to the mobile unit ROM and modem,

an audible device for notifying an alert,

a peripheral interface connection for modem access of various personal information devices,

a microprocessor for governing the transfer of information to and from the components of the mobile unit; and

a central service provider for generating and transferring various information and control signals to and from the components of each of the mobile units via free space;

wherein the service provider is database connected to a vehicle certification register for validating the identity of this mobile unit as authorized for proprietary data transfer;

a plurality of stationary units each having a plurality of components including;

a modem for transmitting and receiving data via a community access medium,

a keyboard for inputting selected data,

a converter for displaying graphic images and data in a digital or analog signal format,

an identification read only memory for storing an accessible code unique to the stationary unit ROM,

an authentication device for identification and authorization of the user,

a microprocessor for governing the transfer of information to and from the components of the stationary unit; and

a central service provider for generating and transferring information to and from the components of each of the stationary units via a community access medium;

a central service provider having a modem for transferring information to and from the components of each of the stationary units via a community access medium;

wherein the service provider is connected within its apparatus to an authenticity serving database for validating the identity of the stationary unit user as authorized for proprietary data transfer;

wherein the service provider is connected to a weather forecast service for transmitting to the stationary units graphic weather data to be depicted on the display of an area which is manually entered via the keyboard, wherein past and current conditions in an area may be tracked;

wherein the service provider generates a proprietary traffic status database from the mobile units for transmitting to the stationary units graphic traffic data to be depicted on the display of an area manually entered via the keyboard, wherein past and current conditions in an area may be tracked; and

wherein the path of travel from a specific mobile unit may be entered via the keyboard and the service provider transmits to the stationary unit a graphic status-map of location.

3. A service system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said mobile units include a plurality of vehicular mobile units each mounted within a terrestrial vehicle.

4. A service system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said mobile units include a plurality of nautical mobile units each mounted within a watercraft and further including a sonar receiver for indicating a current depth data to said service provider.

5. A service system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said mobile units include a plurality of aeronautical mobile units each mounted within an aircraft and further including an ILS receiver.

6. A service system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said mobile units include a plurality of railroad mobile units each mounted within a train.

7. A service system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said mobile units include a plurality of portable mobile units each hand held.

8. A service system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said stationary units include a plurality of fixed-based units each at a residential site location.

9. A service system as set forth in claim 3 and further including a vehicle impact sensor for indicating when a collision has occurred.

10. A service system as set forth in claim 3 and including an alarm system for indicating unauthorized use of the vehicle.

11. A service system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said plurality of mobile units include meteorological sensors for indicating current weather data to said service provider.

12. A service system as set forth in claim 3 and including a voice recognition analog to digital converter for inputting data without the use of hands.

13. A service system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said service provider is connected to an emergency and service agency for guiding a mobile emergency and service unit to the location of a specified mobile unit upon the receipt of a predetermined code, wherein the location is provided by the modulated positioning system.

14. A service system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said service provider is adapted to transmit to said emergency and service agency and its mobile units the relative position of said specified mobile unit to be depicted on the displays.

15. A service system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said service provider is further adapted to transmit to said emergency and service agency and any specified mobile units the relative position of said mobile emergency and service unit to be depicted on the displays along with the identity of the responding units.

16. A service system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said service provider is connected to a map database for transmitting to the mobile and stationary units graphic spatial patterns to be depicted on the displays, the map being of an area manually requested.

17. A service system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said service provider creates the proprietary traffic status database from said mobile units for transmitting to the mobile and stationary units graphic traffic patterns to be depicted on the displays.

18. A service system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said service provider is further connected to said weather forecast service for transmitting to said mobile and stationary units graphic weather patterns to be depicted on the displays.

19. A service system as set forth in claim 16 wherein said service provider is connected to said map database for transmitting to said mobile units a spatial status-map of an area surrounding the current location of the mobile unit as indicated by the modulated positioning system.

20. A service system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said service provider is connected to said proprietary traffic status database for transmitting to said mobile units a traffic status-map of an area surrounding the current location of the mobile unit as indicated by the modulated positioning system.

21. A service system as set forth in claim 18 wherein said service provider is further connected to said weather forecast service for transmitting to said mobile units a weather status-map of an area surrounding the current location of the mobile unit as indicated by the modulated positioning system.

22. A service system as set forth in claim 18 wherein said service provider is further connected to said weather forecast service and the service provider transmits to said mobile and stationary units a weather watch or warning notification.

23. A service system as set forth in claim 8 wherein the service provider is further adapted to transmit to said stationary units a past and a current position of a selected mobile unit to be depicted on the display, wherein the relative location is provided by the modulated positioning system.

24. A service system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said mobile units include a plurality of retrofit cameras and is adapted to said peripheral interface for the purpose of video data transfer from the cameras to said service provider to the displays of selected mobile and stationary units.

31. A service system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said service provider is adapted for character symbol generation and integration with all its graphic serving databases for providing additional message content to the displays of the mobile and stationary units.

32. A service system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said service provider is adapted for proprietary memory storage of graphic images and alphanumeric data associated to all mobile and stationary units employed within its server databases.