United States Patent £191
`Simms et al.
`Fulton, Md. 20759; Charles G.
`
`[�] PERSONALSE�SYSTEM
`
`
`[76] Inventors: James R. Simms, 9405 Elizabeth Ct.,
`
`Simms, 3310 Hall's Creek La.,
`Owings, Md. 20736; Daniel D.
`108 Midhurst Rd.,
`Moore, Jr.,
`
`Baltimore, Md. 21212
`[21] Appl. No.: 831,901
`[22] Filed: Feb. 6, 1992
`
`US005334974A
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`Aug. 2, 1994
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`4,791,572
`
`4,812,820 3/1989 Chatwin .............................. 340/518
`
`379/58
`
`4,825,457 4/1989 Lebowit z ............
`4,833,477 5/1989 Tendler ..............
`
`4,904,983 2/1990 Mitchell .............................. 340/426
`
`........ 364/436
`......... 340/426
`
`
`
`
`111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`
`
`
`
`5,334,974
`12/1988 Green, III et al. ................. 364/449
`4,804,937 2/1989 Barbiaux et al ..
`4,821,309 4/1989 Namekawa ...........................
`.................. 379/40
`4,852,146 7/1989 Hatchcock et al ................... 379/58
`................. 364/449
`4,891,761 111990 Gray et al ........................... 364/452
`
`4,868,859 9/1989 Sheffer .................................. 379/39
`4,896,370 1/1990 Kasparian et al ..................... 455/77
`4,907,159 3/1990 Mauge et al . ...............
`4,910,493 3/1990 Chambers et al ..........
`[51] lilt. a.s ............................................. G08G 1/123
`
`4,924,417 5/1990 Yuasa ...................
`[52] u.s. a .....................................
`
`............... 364/550
`5,081,667 1/1992 Drori et al ............................ 379/59
`..... 340/988, 989, 990-993,
`5,109,399 4/1992 Thompson ............
`References Cited
`10/1992 Wortham ............................ 364/460
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Royal W. Craig
`Re. 32,856 2/1989 Millsap eta!. ...................... 340/539
`
`340/990; 340/988;
`4,996,703 2/1991 Gray ..................................... 379/40
`
`
`340/995; 340/426; 342/457; 364/460; 379/59
`
`
`10/1991 Sheffer ................................ 340/539
`5,055,851
`[58] Field of Search ...........
`340/539, 426, 995, 574, 434, 905, 286.13,
`286.14; 180/287; 379/59, 37, 38, 39, 40, 44, 45;
`342/457, 357; 364/424.04, 449, 460
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCU MENTS
`
`
`
`Primary Examiner-Brent Swarthout
`
`......... 340/286.14
`5,119,301 6/1992 Shimizu et al. ..................... 364/449
`
`5,128,979 7/1992 Reich eta!. ........................... 379/39
`5,155,689
`
`[56]
`
`[57]
`3,568,161 3/1971
`Knickel .
`ABSTRACf
`
`3,683,114 8/1972 Egan eta!. .............................. 179/5
`A fully automatic personal security system which com­
`
`
`
`3,848,254 1111974 Drebinger et a!. .
`
`bines the advantages of worldwide LORAN-C or GPS
`
`3,986,119 10/1976 Hemmer, Jr. eta!. .
`
`
`navigation with the substantially worldwide communi­
`4,002,983 1/1977 Kavalir eta!. .
`
`4,152,693 5/1979 Ashworth, Jr. ..................... 340/990
`
`
`cation capabilities of a cellular telephone or communi­
`
`
`cation satellite. The security system comprises a mobile
`4,428,057 1/1984 Setliff eta!. ......................... 364/521
`
`unit which communicates emergency data including
`4,596,988 6/1986 Wanka .
`
`position coordinates, and a central dispatch station
`
`
`which receives' the emergency data and accurately dis­
`
`
`plays all necessary emergency information superposed
`map at a position corresponding on a digitized
`to the
`
`
`4,718,080 111988 Serrano eta!. ....................... 379/59
`location of the mobile unit.
`4,728,922 3/1988 Christen et al . .
`
`4,731,613 3/1988 Endo eta!. .......................... 342/357
`27 Qaims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`4,369,426 1/1983 Merkel ................................ 340/989
`4,644,368 2/1987 Mutz ............................... 364/424.04.
`4,651,157 3/1987 Gray eta!. .......................... 342/457
`4,701,760 10/1987 Raoux ................................. 340/993
`4,750,197 6/1988 Denekemp eta!. .................. 379/58
`
`
`
`4,697,281 9/1987 O'Sullivan .
`
`IPR2013-00413 - Ex. 1102
`Toyota Motor Corp., Petitioner
`1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Aug. 2, 1994
`US. Patent
`Aug. 2, 1994
`
`Sheei 1 of 9
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`5,334,974
`
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`U.S. Patent Aug. 2, 1994
`
`Sheet 2 of 9
`
`Sheet 2 0f 9
`
`5,334,974
`
`5,334,97 4
`
`•
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`

`US. Patent
`
`U.S. Patent Aug. 2, 1994
`
`Aug. 2, 1994
`
`Sheet 3 of 9
`Sheet 3 of 9
`
`5,334,974
`
`5,334,974
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`__ 60� ________
`36 I
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`4 1 .,.. POSITION 1 r TRANs-RECEIVER 1 ,----
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`00 l:r' � -(II 0 .... IC
`1-6 �
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`
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`TELEPHONE
`CELLULAR
`
`62\
`
`� 00 • ""d = f"'t-n>
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`
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`
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`I I ,.----'-''----....
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`
`(61
`
`6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Aug. 2, 1994
`
`Sheet 6 of 9
`
`5,334,974
`
`�
`
`INITIALIZE
`
`TIMEOUT?
`
`INTERUPT CELLULAR
`TELEPHONE 60
`
`DIAL CENTRAL
`DISPATCH ...._526
`S TATION 40
`
`CONTACT?
`528-. Y<V
`POLL POSITION
`LOCATOR 70
`FOR NEW CURRENT
`COORDINATE DATA
`AND REA SSEMBLE
`PERSONAL
`SECURITY
`MESSAGE
`
`TRANSMIT PERSONAL
`
`l SEND PERSONAL SECURITY
`FIG.6A
`MESSAGE
`..
`-521
`SET MICROCONTROLLER 310
`,.. TIMER TO REDIAL TIMEOUT
`" t START I
`FR FIG.
`OM 68
`INTERVAL
`/ 523 �ANG-UP LINE: -{-
`522_/
`y MICRO CONTROLLER 4 MICROCONTRO LLER 310 AND
`�
`If--!- 310 REDIAL
`4
`READ PERSONAL
`IDENTIFICATION KEY 36 AT
`•
`�N
`KEYSLOT 3 8
`t-50 0
`POLL POSITION LOCATOR 70
`• "--524 FOR LONGITUDE a L ATTITUDE
`•
`COORDINATES AND ERROR CODE
`'-510
`SET MICROCONTROLLER 310
`�DISPATCH STATION
`• / 527
`TIMER FOR NEXT RECEIVER
`POLL •
`-512
`ASSEMBLE PERSONAL
`514
`SECURITY· MESSAGE
`•
`DISPLAY CURRENT v-516
`COORDINATE D ATA AND
`CURRENT ERROR CODE AT
`DISPLAY 34
`•
`-518
`POLL REMOTE SENSORS 41
`AND PUSH BUTTONS 33
`l PERSONAL SECURITY
`y _j.
`�518A
`0 68
`T
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`�
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`
`• ....-529
`SECURITY D ATA �
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`530� 'fN
`t:+--
`RECEIPT BY
`CENTRAL DISPATCH j
`STATION
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`53/-.....
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`VOICE MODE?
`
`SITUATION?
`9N
`
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`MICROCONTROLLER 310 TIMER
`ELAPSED FOR NEXT RECEIVER
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`'-- 52
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`RETRANSMISSION O F
`PERSONAL SECURITY DATA?
`/_ 53 2
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`
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`
`lD ATA MODE� CENTRAL DISPATCH
`
`OPERATOR INITIATE
`D ATA MODE?
`
`7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 2, 1994
`
`Sheet 7 of 9
`
`5,334,974
`
`....
`
`�TO
`FIG.6A -
`
`•
`
`.. ..
`FROM
`FIG.6A
`
`4
`53
`I DISPLAY " SYSTEM TEST" AT
`DISPLAY .34
`l
`•
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`l DISPLAY "DISPLAY IS �546
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`WORKING" AT DISPLAY 34
`FAILJ RAM 340 TEST
`•
`548
`•
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`50
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`34 •
`2
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`DISPLAY •
`5 54
`.FAIL
`DISPLAY "TELEPHONE FAIL" t--556
`AT DISPLAY 34
`��
`l DISPLAY "TELEPHONE IS r-5
`58
`WORKING" AT DISPLAY 34
`•
`POSITION LOCATOR 70 TEST 560
`DISPLAY "POSITION �- 562
`34
`•
`4
`DISPLAY "POSITION 56
`DISPLAY 34
`FIG.6B
`
`.PA SS
`
`.PA SS
`
`MEMORY FAIL" AT DISPLAY
`
`MEMORY IS WORKING" AT
`
`FAJL9
`
`PASS
`
`RECEIVER FAIL" AT DISPLAY
`
`RECEIVER WORKING" AT
`
`8
`
`

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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`I-EXIT 2-CONT. 3-MENU 4-LOC.
`
`FIG.B
`
`MD. LIC. JRS 788
`RED
`4DR SEDAN
`PHONE: XXX -XXXX
`BLOOD TYPE-0+
`
`VEHICLE: 1992 BMW
`
`INFO: MALE, 6'-2"
`DRIVER: ALLEN B. JONES
`CAR#: 12
`
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`
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`
`

`

`1
`
`PERSONALSE�SYSTEM
`
`2
`
`5,334,974
`5 automating
`10
`15
`to 20
`25 location on a map plotter.
`Our public high-30
`weather, a lack of communi-35
`may be input by the operator through a microphone
`
`information to the authorities. More often, the instruc­
`
`tions and information provided are inaccurate,
`mislead­
`ing, or misunderstood.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`A number of prior art devices have been proposed for
`
`the dispatch of the proper authorities to a
`1. Field of the invention
`
`vehicle in an emergency situation. For example, U.S.
`The present invention relates generally to a security
`
`
`
`
`Pat. No. 3,568,161 issued to Knickel discloses a vehicle
`
`system for protecting vehicles and, more importantly,
`
`locator system comprising a network of sensors tied to
`
`
`
`the people travelling therein. In particular, the present
`
`
`a central command station. A vehicle travelling amidst
`invention is a device for expediting a response by the
`the sensors emits a code to the sensors which is indica­
`appropriate authorities whenever and wherever the
`
`
`tive of the identity of the vehicle. The code is received
`personal security of a mobile person is compromised.
`
`at the nearest sensor station, which in turn signals the
`
`The device includes a mobile communication unit and a
`central command station that it has received the code.
`
`central station. The mobile communication unit is trans­
`
`ported with the mobile person and is triggered by the
`The location of the vehicle is then displayed at the
`occurrence of a variety of personal security conditions
`
`central station. The central command station includes a
`telephone contact with the central
`display panel with a number of lights placed on a map at
`
`station. The mobile communication unit then communi­
`
`
`locations corresponding to each sensor.
`cates longitude and latitude coprdinate acta, emer­
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,596,988 issued to Wanka likewise
`
`gency, ana personal information to the central station.
`
`
`discloses a remote-control tracking transmitter and
`
`
`All pertinent information is conveniently displayed
`
`tracking support network of remote stations. As a vehi­
`an operator at the central station in a manner which
`cle passes through the network, the vehicle communi-
`
`permits the most efficient dispatching possible of the
`
`cates with a remote station. The remote station in turn
`
`
`proper responding agents to administer the proper secu­
`
`transmits location data to a base station which plots the
`rity measures.
`
`2. Description of the Background
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,904,983 issued to Mitchell discloses a
`
`
`
`Considering this nation's widespread uprise in violent
`
`
`theft alarm system for vehicles including an alarm sen­
`
`crimes, a person compromises his or her personal secu­
`
`sor, an auto-dialing mechanism, and a cellular tele­
`rity each and every time he or she undertakes travel.
`
`phone. The alarm sensor activates the auto-dialing
`The threat to personal security is most appreciable
`
`mechanism to seize the cellular telephone and dial a
`when the travel is by motor vehicle.
`
`
`central station. A recorder then broadcasts a two-part
`ways are becoming more congested and the frequency
`
`
`message over the cellular telephone. The message in­
`
`of roadside emergency situations is likewise increasing.
`
`
`
`cludes fixed information relating to the identity of the
`
`Emergency situations may arise as the result of an
`automobile and variable information relating to the
`accident or vehicle breakdown. The emergency may be
`
`location of the automobile. The variable information
`compounded by inclement
`
`cation ability, a disabling injury, etc. For the duration,
`when the vehicle is to be left unattended.
`the motorist is completely prone to theft or violent
`U.S. Pat. No. Re. 32,856 issued to Millsap et a!. dis­
`attack. It follows that a prompt emergency response
`closes an alarm system in which an alarm condition
`
`
`from police, paramedics, the fire department, or other
`
`
`
`causes a cellular transceiver to automatically transmit a
`
`
`
`service organization is essential for maintaining per-40
`
`
`
`telephone call to a central station. The invention incor­
`sonal security.
`
`
`porates a cellular telephone link in a fixed alarm system.
`
`Generally, a vehicle operator must find the nearest
`
`
`The use of a cellular telephone eliminates the need for
`
`
`accessible telephone, dial an emergency number, and
`telephone lines. Hence, cutting of the telephone lines
`
`attempt to provide landmark or navigational data for
`
`will not result in negation of the alarm signal. A circuit
`the benefit of the authorities.
`
`is also shown for determining a particular zone in which
`when performed under the stress of an emergency, and
`
`
`the alarm condition exists and for transmitting alarm
`
`
`they can be impossible where a disability or injury ex­
`
`
`information to the central station via the cellular tele­
`ists.
`phone.
`Cellular telephones provide a partial solution in the
`In addition to the above-described alarm systems, a
`
`
`form of a convenient communication link to authorities
`
`number of improvements have been developed for par­
`
`in times of emergencies. For this reason, cellular car
`ticular components of the alarm systems.
`
`phones are now widely considered to be a prerequisite
`
`
`For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,114 issued to Egan
`for personal security.
`
`
`et a!. discloses an automatic dialing and reporting sys­
`Unfortunately, a cellular telephone only provides the
`
`
`
`
`tem which is responsive to an alarm condition. The
`
`communication link. It will not of itself
`Egan et al. device seizes a telephone line and initiates
`
`of communicating. This task is left to the vehicle opera­
`
`automatic transmission over the telephone line.
`
`tor. Consequently, the operator must perform the fol­
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,428,057 issued to Setliff eta!. discloses
`lowing tasks:
`
`an electronic system for use in a marine environment.
`1. remember the telephone number of the proper
`
`
`The system includes a plurality of digitized maps which
`
`authorities or service providers;
`are stored in a database for display on a video terminal.
`2. dial the number; and
`
`"The purpose of this invention is to provide a more
`
`
`efficient use of the operator's time by automatically
`respondents to the site.
`
`
`correlating and monitoring the data" (Column 1 lines
`The time it takes to complete the above-described
`
`55-57). The displayed map may be compressed or ex­
`
`tasks needlessly jeopardizes the personal security
`operator. This is especially true when the operator has
`
`panded to meet the demands of the .operator. In addi-
`no idea of his or her location and cannot provide the
`
`tion, a LORAN-Cor other·positioning device may be
`
`
`requisite navigational data and/ or emergency situation
`coupled to the system and the LORAN-C coordinate
`
`to establish cellular
`
`These tasks are difficult 45
`50
`perform the task 55
`60
`of the 65
`
`3. convey landmark or navigational data to direct the
`
`11
`
`

`

`5,334,974
`4
`S entity in accordance
`that the prior art generally
`is disclosed.
`However, the prior art
`10 various help requests,
`15 coordinates
`20 communication
`of emergency 25 ond communication
`30 digital code, and for correlating
`emergency response in accordance with the specific 35 It should be noted that.the
`
`3
`identity of the mobile entity are superposed on the map
`
`
`
`data may be correlated and displayed at the proper
`
`at a point corresponding to the location of the mobile
`location of the map.
`entity.
`Despite the above-described improvements in the
`
`
`
`field of tracking and navigation, it is important to note
`In addition, an apparatus for monitoring a mobile
`
`
`
`with the above-described method
`
`teaches the protection of
`chattels as opposed to people. For example, the prior art
`
`
`The apparatus comprises the mobile unit,
`
`which further includes a programmable memory con­
`
`devices will prevent theft, tampering, and other en­
`
`
`taining identification information characteristic of the
`
`
`croachments on property interests, and they will pro­
`mobile entity, a keypad for allowing manual entry of
`
`vide information on a vehicle.
`
`a LORAN-C receiver for provid­
`
`
`does not adequately protect the personal security inter­
`
`
`ing position information, and a processor connected to
`ests of the passenger(s).
`
`
`the programmable memory, to the push buttons, and to
`
`More specifically, too much effort is required of the
`
`the LORAN-C receiver. The processor is activated
`
`
`passenger in an emergency situation and too little infor­
`
`upon occurrence of an alarm condition to input position
`
`mation is provided to the authorities to insure a prompt
`
`from the LORAN-C receiver, and to com­
`and efficient response. Personal security demands a
`
`pose a digital code corresponding to the alarm condi­
`
`fully automated yet economical system for summoning
`
`an emergency response in accordance with the specific
`
`
`tion, to the identification information, and to the posi­
`
`tion coordinates. The mobile unit also includes a cellu­
`personal needs of the individual.
`
`
`lar telephone or other communication device (such as a
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`satellite) connected to the processor
`
`
`
`It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to through a first communication circuit which communi-
`
`provide a personal security system which quickly and cates the digital code to a central dispatch station via
`
`
`phone. A central dispatch station is also accurately provides a central dispatch operator with the cellular
`
`
`
`
`emergency information displayed on digitized map in a disclosed. The central dispatch station comprises a sec-
`format which allows efficient dispatching
`circuit for receiving the digital
`code from the mobile· unit, a programm able memory
`
`assistance to a mobile person(s).
`
`
`
`
`It is another object of the present invention to pro- containing identification information relating to the
`mobile entity, a processor connected to the second
`vide the central dispatch operator with personal infor-
`
`
`
`mation as well as vehicle-specific information for all communication circuit and memory for decoding the
`
`
`potential operators of the vehicle.
`the position of the
`
`
`It is another object of the present invention to pro- mobile entity to a point on a digitized map, and a video
`
`vide a fully automatic personal security system and display connected to the processor for displaying the
`
`
`
`
`communication protocol which is operative under the digitized map with the alarm condition and identifica-
`
`
`
`point. at the appropriate most severe circumstances to automatically summon an tion information superposed
`
`
`invention is not limited to
`
`
`of a motorist. Rather, the invention can be
`the security
`personal needs of the mobile person.
`
`
`
`
`It is still another object of the present invention to employed with any type of vehicle, including boats and
`
`provide a personal security system as described above planes. Further, the invention is capable of protecting
`
`
`
`
`
`ob-animals, and inanimate which may be operated under less severe circumstances the security of pedestrians,
`
`
`to allow the mobile person to manually summon road 40 jects. The invention can pin-point the location of any-
`service or other assistance.
`thing capable of carrying a mobile unit.
`It is another object of the present invention to pro­
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`vide a personal security system as described above
`
`The above-described and other objects, features, and
`which allows the central dispatch operator to selec­
`
`
`advantages of the present invention will become more
`tively establish
`
`
`
`apparent from the following detailed description of the
`person and which gives the central dispatch operator
`
`remote control over various functions of the vehicle.
`preferred embodiments and certain modifications
`thereof when taken together with the accompanying
`
`It is yet another object of the invention to combine
`drawings in which:
`
`
`
`the advantages oflong-range navigation systems such as
`FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a personal security
`
`
`
`LORAN-Cor Global Position Satellite (GPS) with the so
`
`
`
`
`extensive communication capabilities of a cellular tele­
`
`
`system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of
`the present invention;
`
`
`phone or communications satellite to yield a practical
`personal security system with the above-described
`FIG. 2 is a close-up perspective drawing of a mobile
`
`
`emergency assistance capabilities.
`
`unit 32 which is included in the mobile security assem­
`According to the present invention,
`
`described and other objects are accomplished by pro­
`
`security
`viding a method for dispatching help to a mobile entity.
`
`The method comprises the steps of storing an identifier
`
`FIG. 3;
`in a mobile unit, outfitting a mobile entity with the
`
`mobile unit, storing identification information
`
`
`to the mobile entity at a central station, activating the
`
`
`mobile unit upon occurrence of an alarm condition to
`FIG. 6A and 6B show flow-chart showing the pre­
`
`
`determine a position of the mobile entity and to gener­
`
`
`ferred operating sequence of the microcontroller 310 of
`
`
`ate a code indicative of the alarm condition, the identi­
`FIG.4;
`fier, and the position of the mobile entity, transmitting
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram of central dispatch station
`
`
`the code to a central station, and processing the code at
`40;and
`the central station to display the position of the mobile
`FIG. 8 is an illustration of a display output from the
`
`
`entity on a digitized map. The alarm condition and
`
`display console 49 of central dispatch station 40.
`
`two-way voice contact with the mobile 45
`
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the circuitry in mobile
`
`the above-55
`bly 30 of FIG. 1
`assembly 30 of FIG. 1;
`relating 60
`FIG. 5 is a detailed block diagram
`module 360 of FIG. 4;
`65
`
`
`
`FIG. 4 is a detailed block diagram of the circuitry of
`
`of the adapter
`
`12
`
`

`

`combined information and the manner in which it is
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`station 40 allows the dis­
`displayed
`at central dispatch
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`patch operator to coordinate a prompt and comprehen­
`Referring now to FIG. 1, a personal security system
`
`
`sive response to any personal security situation which
`
`may befall the mobile person. The response capability is
`
`according to the present invention generally
`
`far superior to any existing security system.
`along
`
`6
`
`shown in FIG. 1 to be incorporated in an automobile
`
`
`
`Alternatively, mobile security
`
`asse mbly includes a cellular
`
`hand-carried by a pedestrian.
`Cellular telephone
`The personal security system also includes a central
`lar telephone. It should be appreciated by one skilled in
`
`
`
`
`the art that other types of communication devices such
`
`
`as satel�ite transceivers may perform the function of the
`
`patch operator.
`
`
`
`security measures to be taken.
`
`mounted in the dashboard of the automobile
`
`the same manner as a conventional AM/FM radio. The.
`of push
`
`and contrast adjustment
`which receives a personal identification
`
`40
`and
`confirm specific help requests or a self-test.
`
`manually enter and confirm that a personal security
`situation
`
`
`
`
`momentary swi,tches (preferably touch-sensitive). Four
`
`common types of emergency assistance, i.e., fire, para­
`
`
`medics, police, and roadside service and are clearly
`
`labeled with-the specific type of assistance. In addition,
`
`triggered by the occurrence of a vari­
`
`therefor. Hence, the present invention should not be
`
`ety of personal security conditions or is manually oper­
`
`
`construed as limited to a cellular telephone.
`ated to initiate contact with the central dispatch station
`
`initiate specific help
`
`link is established, the mo­
`
`
`requests upon detecting various alarm conditions. For
`a hierarchy
`bile security
`instance,
`longitude and latitude coordinate data, as well as emer­
`
`
`gency and personal information to the central dispatch
`detectors for detecting a fire within the vehicle, a
`
`
`tamper switch or motion ·detector for detecting a possi­
`
`
`is conveniently displayed to
`
`ble theft of the vehicle, an impact detector for detecting
`the dispatch operator.
`
`It is the combination
`
`
`
`a collision, a sensor for detecting activation of a vehicle
`
`air-bag, and any of numerous other sensor types for
`and the automatic communication protocol, as well as
`
`
`
`automatically detecting a wide variety of personal secu­
`
`the specific content of the information and the unique
`format in which it is displayed at central station 40
`
`
`rity situations. The above-described and many other
`sensors are well-known in the art and commercially
`which allows the operator to dispatch the proper re­
`available.
`In the preferred
`accurate, and it is based on foreknowledge of the proper
`
`5,334,974
`5
`includes a S
`mobile security asse mbly 30 which is transported
`with a mobile person. Mobile security assembly 30 is
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the mobile security
`assembly 30 of FIG. 1. In addition to mobile unit 32, the
`20.
`telephone 60 and a plurality
`asse mbly 30 may be in­
`of remote sensors 41 each connected to the mobile unit
`corporated in any other type of vehicle, or may be 10
`32.
`60 may be any conventional cellu­
`dispatch station 40 which is manned by a central dis­
`In general operation, the mobile security assembly 30 IS
`cellular telephone 60 and may easily be substituted
`is automatically
`Remote sensors 41 automatically
`40. Once a communication
`of 20
`asse mbly 30 communicates
`remote sensors 41 may include smoke or heat
`station 40. The information
`of the coordinate data hierarchy 2S
`sponding agents. The response is more efficient, more 30
`embodiment of mobile unit 32, there
`are six push buttons 33 which are mounted on the face
`of mobile unit 32. These allow the mobile person to
`
`As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile security assembly 30
`further includes a mobile unit 32 which may be
`has arisen. Push buttons 33 are conventional·
`in much 35
`anterior of mobile unit 32 includes a plurality
`of the push buttons 33 are dedicated to each of four
`
`
`buttons 33, indicator lights 35, alphanumeric display 34
`knob 31, and a data keyslot 38
`key 36.
`one of the push buttons 33 is marked "ENTER" and is
`The push buttons 33 are used to manually initiate
`·
`Data keyslot 38 and personal identification key 36
`such 4S
`on the key 36. This per­
`is read by the keyslot 38 when key 36
`is inserted
`assembly 30.
`on key 36 or SO
`Mobile unit 32 includes a display 34, which is prefera­
`may be stored in a central dispatch station 40 database.
`31 is mounted proximate to the display 34.
`lights 35 is provided under push
`SS
`buttons 33 to indicate
`36, system-specific
`ber of the mobile unit 32 is stored in a memory which is
`resident in mobile unit 32. Supplemental
`60
`Keyslot 38 is also mounted on the face of mobile unit
`32 for convenient
`
`stored in mobile unit 32 or in a central dispatch station key 36. As explained,
`40 database.
`to the 65
`tion key 36. At a minimum, the name and personal ac­
`key 36 is an innovative
`
`provided to confirm the use of the emergency push
`
`buttons. This dual-entry convention insures that the
`
`emergency push buttons are not inadvertently de­
`provide information regarding the identity and charac­
`
`
`
`
`
`
`pressed. Alternatively, if a single-entry convention is
`
`teristics of the mobile person. Personal information
`as name and personal account number is digitally stored
`
`desired, the "ENTER" push button can be configured
`
`to cancel the use of an emergency push button within a
`in a memory which is resident
`sonal information
`
`
`predetermined amount of time. Finally, the sixth push
`
`button is marked "TEST" and is provided to initiate a
`therein. A wealth of supplemental personal
`
`
`
`self-test of the mobile security
`information may also be stored directly
`
`bly a liquid crystal display (LCD) for displaying mes­
`
`The supplemental personal information may include
`
`
`
`
`sages to the mobile person. A contrast adjustment knob
`
`social security number, names of relatives to contact in
`an emergency, special medical needs, and/or medical
`records, etc.
`A panel of indicator
`which of the push buttons have
`In addition to the personal information stored on key
`
`
`
`
`been depressed. In addition, an optional piezoelectric
`information such as the serial num­
`
`element or other audible signal may be incorporated to
`sound when a push button has been depressed.
`vehicle­
`specific information such as the vehicle identification
`number, make, model, color, etc., may likewise be
`
`insertion of personal identification
`
`
`both are commercially available
`
`
`
`data entry components. For instance, Keyceptical ®
`KC4210PCB and Serial Data Key@ DK 4000 by Data­
`It is essential to the invention that personal, system
`
`key® may be used. Up to 512 bytes of personal infor­
`
`and/or vehicle-specific data are made available
`
`mation may be stored directly on the personal informa­
`
`central dispatch operator regardless of the many poten­
`
`tial operators of the vehicle. The personal identification
`
`
`solution. The quality of the
`
`count number are stored to identify the mobile person.
`
`13
`
`

`

`8
`while in voice mode, the central dispatch operator can
`The general method· of operation of the personal
`sound various tones. The mobile unit 32 is provided
`security system is described as follows.
`Mobile unit 32 remains in a stand-by mode at all times
`
`
`with the capability of recognizing these tones and con­
`key 36 has been in­
`
`
`trolling various vehicle functions in accordance
`before the personal identification
`there­
`with. This feature is extremely useful in an emergency
`the vehicle 20 is obscured. Electro­
`unit 32 remains partially
`when, for instance,
`operational and continuously
`
`polls remote sensors 41 to detect vehicular security
`magnetic, visual or audible signals can be emitted to
`Position locator 70 also remains on during
`
`help the responding authorities locate the vehicle and
`conditions.
`
`stand-by mode and communications through cellular
`mobile person. Also, if tampering with the vehicle is
`detected by one of the remote sensors 41, the microcon­
`
`lished. Hence, the location of the vehicle can be moni­
`
`ever, the push buttons 33 are disabled
`in stand-by mode.
`
`A person entering the vehicle must first insert a per­
`sonal identification
`
`inserted, digitally encoded personal information is auto­
`
`communication to the
`
`sound the vehicle hom, illuminate the headlights, etc. If
`
`
`
`an actual theft is detected, the dispatch operator can
`
`immediately cut power to the engine.
`FIG. 4 shows a detailed
`block diagram of the mobile
`security assembly 30 which illustrates
`the internal cir­
`
`
`
`cuitry of the mobile unit 32. The internal circuitry
`in­
`matically
`mobile unit 32 for subsequent
`310 which receives external
`
`cludes a microcontroller
`inputs from push buttons 33 and remote sensors 41.
`central dispatch