Location messaging system using GPS

• US 6,662,013 B2
• Filed: 10/27/1998
• Issued: 12/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Takiguchi, Kiyoaki, Nakamura, Takaaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Taylor, Barry W
• Application Number:
  US09/179,485
• Publication Number:
  US 20010014597A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,869 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357.1, 342/357.12, 342/457, 342/357.06, 455/343, 455/38.3, 455/456, 455/457, 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/456.3, 455/456.5, 455/456.6, 455/343.1, 455/343.2
• US Class Current: 455/456.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/09 providing processing capability normally carried out by the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/17 Emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/34 Power consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/002 for traffic control, mobile tracking, guidance, surveillance or anti-collision
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/008 using a mobile telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3805 with built-in auxiliary receivers

Abstract

A GPS receiver communicates with a management center through a portable telephone terminal. The management center is connected to a telephone unit and a facsimile unit in a house through a telephone line. When the user presses a predetermined button with the telephone unit, a request for location information of the receiver is transmitted to the management center. The management center transmits the location information request as a DTMF signal to the receiver. The receiver measures the location thereof. The measured result and time information of a navigation message thereof are transmitted as a DTMF signal. When the management center determines that the message is old corresponding to the time information, the management center compensates the measured result. The management center transmits the location information to the telephone unit. The management center transmits image data with map information to the facsimile unit.

Claims

1. A GPS receiver for receiving navigation messages from a plurality of satellites and measuring the location of the GPS receiver corresponding to the received navigation messages, comprising:

a wireless hand held means connected to said GPS receiver for receiving or transmitting data and control commands;

signal processing means for receiving signals from the satellites, extracting navigation messages from the signals, and measuring the location of the GPS receiver corresponding to the extracted navigation messages and for receiving a control signal from a navigation control base for determining a measuring time in a predetermined time interval;

a network means for communication with said base;

an input or output means for transmitting to or receiving data from said base through said network means so as to control said GPS receiver; and

transmitting means for adding time information corresponding to said navigation messages to compensate the error location of the GPS receiver at which each of the navigation messages was extracted to the relevant navigation message, storing the navigation message and obtaining a difference information of the navigation messages at a measuring time, and transmitting the resultant data to the outside of the GPS receiver through said wireless hand-held terminal;

whereby said GPS receiver is operable to power up in response to a message from said base requesting that said receiver transmit data and power down in response to a message from said base acknowledging that said base has successfully received data transmitted from said receiver.

2. The GPS receiver as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving means for receiving a control signal from the outside of the GPS receiver,

wherein said signal processing means and said transmitting means are controlled corresponding to the control signal received by said receiving means.

3. The GPS receiver as set forth in claim 1,

wherein said transmitting means converts the navigation messages and the time information into audio signals and transmits the audio signals.

4. The GPS receiver as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

power controlling means for controlling a power supply of the GPS receiver corresponding to the control signal received from the outside of the GPS receiver or an internal control signal of the GPS receiver.

5. The GPS receiver as set forth in claim 2,

wherein said transmitting means transmits a signal through a hand-held terminal such as a portable telephone terminal, and

wherein said receiving means receives a signal through said hand-held terminal.

6. The GPS receiver as set forth in claim 1,

wherein the location of the GPS receiver is intermittently measured.

7. The GPS receiver as set forth in claim 2,

wherein a signal is polled so that said receiving means automatically receives the signal.

8. The GPS receiver as set forth in claim 1,

wherein if the measured result of the location of the GPS receiver exceeds a designated area, data that represents the situation is transmitted to the outside of the GPS receiver.

9. A GPS management station for managing a GPS receiver that receives navigation messages from a plurality of satellites and measures the location of the GPS receiver corresponding to the navigation messages and for downloading the navigation messages received from the satellites, comprising:

a wireless hand held means connected to said GPS receiver for receiving or transmitting data and control commands;

a network means for transmitting a control signal to the GPS receiver so as to control the GPS receiver;

means for receiving navigation messages with time information corresponding to said navigation messages to compensate the error location of the GPS receiver at which the navigation messages were extracted from the GPS receiver;

means for storing said navigation messages and obtaining a difference message of the navigation at a measuring time;

an input or output means for transmitting to or receiving data through said network means so as to control said GPS receiver; and

means for receiving a control signal from a navigation control base for determining a measuring time in a predetermined time interval;

whereby said GPS receiver is operable to power up in response to a message from said base requesting that said receiver transmit data and power down in response to a message from said base acknowledging that said base has successfully received data transmitted from said receiver.

10. The GPS management station as set forth in claim 9,

wherein the control signal is converted into an audio signal and then transmitted.

11. The GPS management station as set forth in claim 9,

wherein the control signal causes the GPS receiver to measure the location thereof.

12. The GPS management station as set forth in claim 9,

wherein the GPS receiver is set with the control signal.

13. The GPS management station as set forth in claim 9,

wherein location information corresponding to the received navigation messages is transmitted to an external information unit.

14. The GPS management station as set forth in claim 13,

wherein the location information is correlated with map information and then transmitted.

15. The GPS management station as set forth in claim 13,

wherein the information unit is a subscriber telephone unit.

16. The GPS management station as set forth in claim 13,

wherein the information unit is an image communication unit.

17. A location messaging system, comprising:

a GPS receiver for receiving navigation messages from a plurality of satellites and measuring the location of the GPS receiver corresponding to the received navigation messages, said GPS receiver having

signal processing means for receiving signals from the satellites, extracting navigation messages from the signals, and measuring the location of said GPS receiver corresponding to the extracted navigation messages,

a wireless transmitting means for adding time information corresponding to said navigation messages to compensate the error location of the GPS receiver at which each of the navigation messages was extracted to the relevant navigation message, storing the navigation message and obtaining a difference information of the navigation messages at a measuring time, and transmitting the resultant data to the outside of said GPS receiver through a hand-held terminal; and

receiving means for receiving a control signal from a navigation control base for determining a measuring time in a predetermined time interval; and

a GPS management station having;

means for transmitting a control signal to said GPS receiver so as to control the GPS receiver;

means for storing said navigation messages and obtaining a difference message of the navigation at said measuring time; and

means for receiving navigation messages base through a network means with time information corresponding to said navigation messages at which the navigation messages were extracted from said GPS receiver;

whereby said GPS receiver is operable to power up in response to a message from said base requesting that said receiver transmit data and power down in response to a message from said base acknowledging that said base has successfully received data transmitted from said receiver.

18. The location messaging system as set forth in claim 17,

wherein the control signal is converted into an audio signal and then transmitted.

19. The location messaging system as set forth in claim 17,

wherein said GPS management station transmits a control signal to said GPS receiver, the control signal causing said GPS receiver to measure the location thereof, and

wherein said GPS receiver receives the control signal and measures the location thereof corresponding to the control signal.

20. The location messaging system as set forth in claim 17,

wherein said GPS management station transmits a control signal to said GPS receiver so as to control a power supply of said GPS receiver, and

wherein said GPS receiver receives the control signal and controls the power supply of said GPS receiver corresponding to the received control signal.

21. The location messaging system as set forth in claim 17,

wherein said GPS management station transmits a control signal to said GPS receiver so as to set said GPS receiver.

22. The location messaging system as set forth in claim 17, further comprising:

navigation message storing means for storing the navigation messages received by said receiving means,

wherein when the location of said GPS station is measured, the date of a navigation message stored in said navigation message storing means is compared with the current data, and

wherein if the difference between the date of the navigation message and the current date exceeds a predetermined period, the navigation message stored in said navigation message storing means is updated corresponding to a navigation message downloaded to said GPS management station.

23. The location messaging system as set forth in claim 17,

wherein said GPS management station and said GPS receiver are communicated through a portable telephone terminal.

24. The location messaging system as set forth in claim 17,

wherein said GPS receiver intermittently measures the location thereof.

25. The location messaging system as set forth in claim 17,

wherein said GPS receiver polls a signal so as to automatically receive the signal.

26. A location messaging system, comprising:

a GPS receiver for receiving navigation messages from a plurality of satellites and measuring the location of the GPS receiver corresponding to the received navigation messages, said GPS receiver having

signal processing means for receiving signals from the satellites, extracting navigation messages from the signals, and measuring the location of said GPS receiver corresponding to the extracted navigation messages,

a wireless transmitting means for adding time information corresponding to said navigation messages to compensate the error location of the GPS receiver at which each of the navigation messages was extracted to the relevant navigation message, storing the navigation message and obtaining a difference information of the navigation messages at a measuring time, and transmitting the resultant data to the outside of said GPS receiver through a hand-held terminal; and

receiving means for receiving a control signal from a navigation control base for determining a measuring time in a predetermined time interval;

a GPS management station having;

means for transmitting a control signal to said GPS receiver so as to control the GPS receiver, and

means for receiving navigation messages base through a network means with time information corresponding to said navigation messages at which the navigation messages were extracted from said GPS receiver; and

means for storing said navigation messages and obtaining a difference message of the navigation at said measuring time;

an information unit for communicating with said GPS management station;

whereby said GPS receiver is operable to power up in response to a message from said base requesting that said receiver transmit data and power down in response to a message from said base acknowledging that said base has successfully received data transmitted from said receiver.

27. The location messaging system as set forth in claim 26,

wherein the control signal is converted into an audio signal and then transmitted.

28. The location messaging system as set forth in claim 26,

wherein said GPS management station receives a command from said information unit and transmits a control signal to said GPS receiver so as to measure the location thereof,

wherein said GPS receiver receives the control signal, measures the location of said GPS receiver corresponding to the control signal, correlates location information as the measured result with map information, and transmits the resultant information to said information unit.

29. The location messaging system as set forth in claim 26,

wherein said GPS management station transmits a control signal to said GPS receiver so as to control a power supply thereof, and

wherein said GPS receiver receives the control signal and controls the power supply thereof corresponding to the received control signal.

30. The location messaging system as set forth in claim 26,

wherein said GPS management station receives a signal from said information unit and transmits a control signal to said GPS receiver so as to set said GPS receiver.

31. The location messaging system as set forth in claim 26, further comprising:

navigation message storing means for storing the navigation messages received by said receiving means,

wherein when the location of said GPS station is measured, the date of a navigation message stored in said navigation message storing means is compared with the current data, and

wherein if the difference between the date of the navigation message and the current date exceeds a predetermined period, the navigation message stored in said navigation message storing means is updated corresponding to a navigation message downloaded to said GPS management station.

32. The location messaging system as set forth in claim 26,

wherein said information unit is a subscriber telephone unit.

33. The location messaging system as set forth in claim 26,

wherein said information unit is an image communication unit.

34. The location messaging system as set forth in claim 26,

wherein said GPS management station and said GPS receiver are communicated through a portable telephone terminal.

35. The location messaging system as set forth in claim 26,

wherein said GPS receiver intermittently measures the location thereof.

36. The location messaging system as set forth in claim 26,

wherein said GPS receiver polls a signal so as to automatically receive the signal.

37. A GPS management method for managing a wireless, hand-held GPS receiver that receives navigation messages from a plurality of satellites and measures the location of the GPS receiver corresponding to the navigation messages and for downloading the navigation messages received from the satellites, comprising the steps of:

transmitting a control signal to the GPS receiver so as to control the GPS receiver;

receiving navigation messages with time information corresponding to said navigation messages to compensate the error location of the GPS receiver at which the navigation messages were extracted from the GPS receiver;

receiving a control signal from a navigation control base for determining a measuring time in a predetermined time interval;

communication with said base through a network means;

transmitting to or receiving data from said base through said network means so as to control said GPS receiver; and

storing said navigation messages and obtaining a difference message of the navigation at a measuring time;

whereby said GPS receiver is operable to power up in response to a message from said base requesting that said receiver transmit data and power down in response to a message from said base acknowledging that said base has successfully received data transmitted from said receiver.

38. A location messaging method of a system having:

a wireless, hand held GPS receiver for receiving navigation messages from a plurality of satellites and measuring the location of the GPS receiver corresponding to the received navigation messages, and

a GPS management station, the location messaging method comprising the steps of;

causing the GPS receiver to receive signals from the satellites, extract navigation messages from the signals, and measure the location of the GPS receiver corresponding to the extracted navigation messages;

causing the GPS receiver to add time information corresponding to said navigation messages to compensate the error location of the GPS receiver at which each of the navigation messages was extracted to the relevant navigation message, store the navigation message and obtaining a difference information of the navigation messages at a measuring time, and transmit the resultant data to the outside of the GPS receiver through a hand-held terminal;

causing the GPS management station to transmit a control signal to the GPS receiver so as to control the GPS receiver;

receiving a control signal from a navigation control base for determining a measuring time in a predetermined time interval;

communication with said base through a network means;

transmitting to or receiving data from said base through said network means so as to control said GPS receiver; and

causing the GPS management station to receive navigation messages with time information corresponding to said navigation messages at which the navigation messages were extracted from the GPS receiver;

whereby said GPS receiver is operable to power up in response to a message from said base requesting that said receiver transmit data and power down in response to a message from said base acknowledging that said base has successfully received data transmitted from said receiver.

39. A location messaging method of a system having:

a GPS receiver for receiving navigation messages from a plurality of satellites and measuring the location of the GPS receiver corresponding to the received navigation messages,

a GPS management station, and

an information unit, the location managing method comprising the steps of;

causing the GPS receiver to receive signals from the satellites, extract navigation messages from the signals, and measure the location of the GPS receiver corresponding to the extracted navigation messages;

causing the GPS receiver to add time information corresponding to said navigation messages to compensate the error location of the GPS receiver at which each of the navigation messages was extracted to the relevant navigation message, store the navigation message and obtaining a difference information of the navigation messages at a measuring time, and transmit the resultant data to the outside of the GPS receiver through a wireless hand-held terminal;

causing the GPS receiver to receive a control signal from a navigation control base for determining a measuring time in a predetermined time interval

causing the GPS management station to transmit a control signal to the GPS receiver so as to control the GPS receiver;

causing the GPS management station to receive navigation messages with time information corresponding to said navigation messages at which the navigation messages were extracted from the GPS receiver;

a network means for communication with said base;

an input or output means for transmitting to or receiving data from said base through said network means so as to control said GPS receiver; and

causing the GPS management station to transmit the location information of the GPS receiver corresponding to the navigation messages to the information unit;

whereby said GPS receiver is operable to power up in response to a message from said base requesting that said receiver transmit data and power down in response to a message from said base acknowledging that said base has successfully received data transmitted from said receiver.

40. A communication system comprising:

a GPS receiver having the functionality of a wireless communication device;

a base station; and

an information terminal device which can communicate with said GPS receiver through said base station, generating a control command for controlling said GPS receiver, transmitting said command to said GPS receiver through said base station, wherein said GPS receiver operates based on said command transmitted from said information terminal device;

a network means for communication with said base;

an input or output means for transmitting to or receiving data from said base through said network means so as to control said GPS receiver; and

wherein said GPS receiver receives a control signal from a navigation control base for determining a measuring time in a predetermined time interval and a difference information of navigation messages is obtained at said measuring time;

whereby said GPS receiver is operable to power up in response to a message from said base requesting that said receiver transmit data and power down in response to a message from said base acknowledging that said base has successfully received data transmitted from said receiver.

41. A communication method having a GPS receiver having the functionality of a wireless communication device, a base station and an information terminal device which can communicate with said GPS receiver through said base station comprising the steps of:

communicating between said GPS receiver and an information terminal device through said base station;

generating a control command for controlling said GPS receiver;

transmitting said command to said GPS receiver through said base station, wherein said GPS receiver operates based on said command transmitted from said information terminal device;

a network means for communication with said base;

an input or output means for transmitting to or receiving data from said base through said network means so as to control said GPS receiver;

receiving a control signal from a navigation control base for determining a measuring time in a predetermined time interval; and

obtaining a difference information of navigation messages at said measuring time;

whereby said GPS receiver is operable to power up in response to a message from said base requesting that said receiver transmit data and power down in response to a message from said base acknowledging that said base has successfully received data transmitted from said receiver.

42. An information terminal device which communicates with a GPS receiver having the functionality of a wireless communication device, comprising:

a generator for generating a control command for controlling said GPS receiver;

a transmitter for transmitting said command to said GPS receiver through a base station, wherein said GPS receiver operates based on said command wherein said GPS receiver receives a control signal from a navigation control base for determining a measuring time in a predetermined time interval and obtains a difference information of navigation messages at said measuring time; and

a network means for communication with said base;

an input or output means for transmitting to or receiving data from said base through said network means so as to control said GPS receiver;

whereby said GPS receiver is operable to power up in response to a message from said base requesting that said receiver transmit data and power down in response to a message from said base acknowledging that said base has successfully received data transmitted from said receiver.