(12) United States Patent
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,243,039 B1
`
`Elliot
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jun. 5, 2001
`
`U5006243039B1
`
`(54) ANYTIME/ANYWHERE CHILD LOCATOR
`SYSTEM
`
`5,731,757 *
`5,742,233 *
`
`3/1998 Layson ................................. 340/573
`4/1998 Hoffman et a1.
`..................... 340/573
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Bruce D. Elliot, Colorado Springs, CO
`(US)
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`(73) Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation,
`Washington, DC (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.2 09/063,544
`
`AP“ 21: 1998
`Filed:
`(22)
`Int. Cl.7 ........................................................ G018 3/02
`(51)
`(52) US. Cl.
`............... 342/457, 342/357.06; 342/357.07,
`342357.13
`(58) Field of Search ......................... 342/357.01, 357.06,
`34235707, 35713, 457; 701/213
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Primary Examiner—Dao Phan
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system that tracks the current and historical locations of a
`GPS locator device carried by a person provides Widely
`available access to data referencing these locations, so that
`a parent can easily and frequently monitor the location of a
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`child. Monitoring of a child’s location may be conducted Via
`a Web site, Which provides graphical maps of location data,
`or via calling into a call center. The present invention also
`PmVideS a means for a Parent
`to trigger the automatic
`transmission of the device’s location, via a Web site or call
`placed to a call center agent or a VRU' The present invention
`also provides a process of auto-notification of a device’s
`movement
`that exceeds a pre-specified threshold. The
`present invention also includes a capability to function as a
`proximity alert device.
`
`5,021,794 *
`
`6/1991 Lawrence ............................. 342/457
`
`35 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`14
`
`Global Positioning
`System satellite
`
`
`
` anytime anywhere
`child locator
`
`
`coverage area
`
`
` central
`
`receiver-
`central
`
`
`
`
`receiver—
`transmitter
`anytime
`
`transmitter
`
`anywhere
`
`
`child locator
`
`coverage area
`
`18
`
` central
`
`control
`system
`
`20
`
`EXHIBIT 1003
`
`EXHIBIT 1003
`
`

`

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`US. Patent
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`Jun. 5, 2001
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`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 5, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 0f 6
`
`US 6,243,039 B1
`
`FIG.6
`
`Q(
`
`0
`
`transmittinglocationdata
`
` Oncomingemergencyvehicle
`
`

`

`US 6,243,039 B1
`
`1
`ANYTIME/ANYWHERE CHILD LOCATOR
`SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to wireless communications
`systems and in particular, a system which tracks the current
`and historical locations of a locator device worn or carried
`
`in some manner by a person.
`2. Background Art
`There has been a long felt need for the ability to locate
`“lost” people with respect
`to a geographical reference.
`Perhaps the most significant need is that for locating chil-
`dren who are lost or have been abducted. There are a variety
`of systems which exist that utilize a Global Positioning
`System (GPS) for determining a person’s position relative to
`geographical coordinates. In accordance with such systems,
`a person wears a small device which receives and triangu-
`lates signals from each of three geostationary satellites, and
`determines the geographical coordinates of the device’s
`current location.
`
`Many of the prior art systems which use a GPS device and
`system, notify the specific person wearing the device of their
`present
`location. Some systems further couple the GPS
`receiving device to a transmitter, allowing the transmission
`of a person’s current positional coordinates to a centralized
`receiver for the purpose of establishing that person’s loca-
`tion in the event of an emergency.
`These prior art systems are designed to perform specific
`functions in response to either the general transmission of
`the device’s current geographical coordinates, or the acti-
`vation of an emergency distress signal on the device. These
`specific functions are generally limited to emergency pro-
`cedures carried out by government agencies. Moreover,
`these prior art systems are only capable of providing a
`person’s current location to users who have direct access to
`the receiving system. This is typically a governmental
`agency, such as a 911 call center or police agency, who can
`only afford to monitor persons of immediate concern, i.e.
`those who are in immediate threat of severe bodily injury.
`These prior art systems require either the person wearing
`the receiving/transmitting device, an internal mechanism in
`the device itself, or a network component that can physically
`monitor the device on a continuous basis,
`to trigger a
`transmission of current coordinates. It would be useful to
`
`enable a person, other than the individual wearing or car-
`rying the device, to trigger an automatic location transmis-
`sion on their demand.
`
`(hereafter
`US. Pat. No. 5,485,163 to Singer et al.
`“Singer”), describes a system for locating a portable locator
`device in a communications network using cellular network
`technology. Abutton on the Singer device is used to trigger
`a transmission of current location coordinates, such as may
`be needed in the case of a kidnapping. But it does not
`describe the use of a GPS for determining a precise geo-
`graphical location.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,914 to Chang et al., discloses an
`intelligent wireless signaling overlay for a telecommunica-
`tion network. It utilizes a GPS locating device for determin-
`ing the location of a signal termination for assistance in
`optimizing a transmission path.
`US. Pat. No. 5,572,204 to Timm et al., discloses a system
`for requesting emergency or roadside assistance for a
`vehicle, utilizing a GPS to determine the vehicle’s location.
`Copending US. patent application, Ser. No. 08/575,196
`filed on Dec. 20, 1995 (assigned to the assignee of the
`
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`invention), relates to a wireless communication
`present
`device using GPS technology to determine a subscriber’s
`location. This device automatically communicates the loca-
`tion of a subscriber to emergency services if an emergency
`button has been activated on the device. The art described in
`
`the aforesaid patent application only specifies auto-
`notification based on the activation of an emergency distress
`signal. It does not describe auto-notification based on move-
`ment thresholds or the remote triggering of the automatic
`transmission.
`
`The prior art systems provide neither a translation to more
`commonly recognized geographical
`location references,
`such as addresses, graphical maps and zip codes, nor a
`general user interface which a first party, i.e. someone other
`than the device carrier (for example, a parent), may easily
`use to identify current and past locations of a second party,
`i.e. the device carrier (for example, a child). Furthermore,
`the prior art systems do not provide methods for accessing
`current and historical location data via the World Wide Web
`
`(Web) or a Voice Response Unit (VRU). Moreover, they do
`not enable a call center operator to assist the first party in
`determining the current location of the second party. These
`limitations are overcome, and other features are provided, by
`the present invention.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention generally relates to a wireless
`The present
`communications system intended to be used predominantly
`for the care of an individual, especially a child. More
`particularly, the present invention is directed to a system
`which tracks the current and historical locations of a device
`
`worn or carried in some manner by a person, and provides
`widely available access to the data referencing these
`locations, such that one party may easily and frequently
`monitor the location of another party. For the purpose of
`locating and monitoring the whereabouts of children, the
`present invention would be useful to alleviate the risk of a
`child becoming lost or abducted by being able to track a
`child’s location throughout a day. In accordance with the
`present invention, an automatic update of a party’s current
`location can be triggered by another. For example, a parent
`could, at any time of the day, trigger the device worn or
`carried by their child in order to determine where the child
`was at that particular moment.
`The system of the present invention involves the continu-
`ous tracking of a device’s location based on “reference
`broadcast signals”. More particularly, the present invention
`utilizes a GPS device for providing reference coordinates of
`a person’s current location. In addition, a ground based
`system could ride on a sub carrier in the cellular bandwidth
`inside the cells. The ground based system may be used either
`as a primary locator with GPS as a backup, or as a backup
`when the GPS is used as a primary locator.
`The coordinates are transmitted to a centralized system
`that provides a translation of these coordinates to commonly
`recognized location references. The centralized system is
`also used to track both the current and the historical location
`data.
`
`As a novel feature of the present invention, the system
`provides multiple interface means such that the current and
`historical location of a child or any other individual wearing
`or carrying the device may be observed at anytime by
`another person or persons. These interfaces are made avail-
`able via a web server and a call center. With the use and
`convenience of the Web and the Internet, the observation of
`a child’s or other person’s movements may be conducted
`
`

`

`US 6,243,039 B1
`
`3
`from anywhere accessible by a computer with a Web
`browser and Internet access. Aweb server with its associated
`
`files provides graphical maps capable of showing the current
`and historical locations of the device. With the use and
`
`convenience of a VRU, a determination of the location may
`be conducted from any telephone. Therefore, the present
`invention provides multiple mechanisms for determining
`and viewing remotely, the current and historical locations of
`the device in various display formats.
`The determination and viewing of the device location may
`be in reference to another device of the present invention. In
`this mode, the system of the present invention incorporates
`a capability to track multiple devices in relation to another
`device and to enable a user to view their locations together
`in a graphical display.
`The present invention also provides a means for a party
`other than the individual wearing or carrying the device to
`trigger the automatic transmission of the device’s location,
`via access to the Web or via telephone access to a VRU.
`Thus, the present invention enables the remote triggering of
`a transmission from the device which will forward the
`
`present location of the device.
`The present invention also provides a process of auto-
`notification to a monitoring party, when the device move-
`ment exceeds a pre-specified threshold. The pre-specified
`threshold may be a minimum change in a location, a
`movement outside a designated range, or a movement
`beyond a certain distal radius. The designated range may be
`specified in terms of a zip code or a city boundary. For
`example, if a device’s location data, as read and analyzed by
`a centralized computer system,
`indicates the device has
`moved more than an “n” mile radius from a central location,
`an automatic page, telephone call, e-mail, or other means, is
`sent to a parent or other specified receiver. Thus, the present
`invention enables automatic notification when the device’s
`
`location data exceeds the pre-specified allowed location
`range.
`
`In addition, the notification feature of the present inven-
`tion may be triggered manually. For example, if a child
`detects an emergency situation in his vicinity, the child may
`manually press a button on the device. The depression of the
`button will trigger the notification feature of the present
`invention as well as the transmission of the geographic
`location coordinates of the device.
`
`The present invention also provides call center services. A
`live call center agent may be accessed via the telephone, and
`may provide location information to a parent or other
`person. The agent may also provide other actions in case of
`an emergency, such as the notification of authorities, or the
`notification of a parent in the case where a device exceeds
`a pre-specified threshold of movement. Therefore, in accor-
`dance with the present invention, a call center with live
`agents may be provided for servicing telephone calls regard-
`ing the location of the device, and providing prompt emer-
`gency services when required.
`As an additional aspect of the call center services features,
`using Internet
`telephony technology, a voice connection
`with a call center agent may be established via the Internet
`through the previously mentioned web server. All call center
`services, such as identifying a child’s current location or
`notifying authorities, may be provided by a call center agent
`to a parent who has accessed the Web.
`Another application of the present invention may be as a
`proximity alerting device for notifying motorists or others of
`an emergency vehicle in close proximity. Typically, a
`vehicle with the device of the present invention installed
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`would be able to receive information as to any approaching
`emergency vehicles capable of transmitting their locations.
`For example, the vehicle may receive information that an
`emergency vehicle is approaching from the northeast
`approximately one mile away. The application as a proxim-
`ity alerting device is useful when a motorist is seeking out
`or about to seek out an emergency assistance. With the
`proximity alerting device, the motorist will be able to track
`the location of a nearest emergency assistance for his
`immediate needs. Accordingly, it is yet another object of the
`present invention to provide a device for alerting users of
`proximate locations of another vehicle.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now
`be described, by way of example only, with reference to the
`accompanying drawings in which:
`FIG. 1 illustrates the network architecture of the present
`invention in a preferred embodiment;
`FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the locator
`device worn by a child;
`FIG. 3 illustrates the process architecture of the central
`control system;
`FIG. 4 is an illustrative example of a web page displaying
`a local area map with a distinctive mark or marks pointing
`to the exact current location of the device;
`FIG. 5 is an example of a pre-printed copy of a map using
`GPS coordinate notation with cross reference notations of
`A1, B2;
`FIG. 6 illustrates a typical procedure when the device is
`working as a proximity alerting device.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`Although the system of the present invention is hereafter
`discussed almost exclusively in terms of a child wearing the
`device and a parent being able to track the device, it should
`be understood and kept in mind that the present invention
`may be used in any of various situations by many different
`parties. That is, the location or whereabouts of any person
`may be monitored for whatever purpose there may be. For
`example, a person suffering from Alzheimer’s disease could
`be effectively watched over with the use of the present
`invention. Moreover, the present invention may be utilized
`to track a family pet. As already indicated, a preferred
`embodiment of the present invention is its use to assist a
`parent
`in tracking and locating a child.
`In the present
`invention, the GPS system is the geographical locator sys-
`tem of choice. However, other systems that use broadcast
`technologies may be used.
`FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the network
`architecture of the present invention. The GPS device, such
`as that illustrated in FIG. 2,
`is worn or carried in some
`manner by a child (or other person). The device 12 receives
`broadcast signals from each of three GPS satellites 14,
`triangulates the three signals, and determines the coordinates
`of the current location of the device.
`
`Similarly, the signals may be received from a ground
`based position system 15. The ground based position system
`15 generally rides on a sub carrier in the cellular bandwidth
`inside the cells. In the present invention, the ground based
`systems 15 may either be used as a primary locator system
`with the GPS 14 as a backup, or as a backup system when
`the GPS 14 is used as a primary locator system.
`The device 12 then encodes these coordinates into a data
`
`package and sends the data to a central receiver-transmitter
`
`

`

`US 6,243,039 B1
`
`5
`16. The central receiver-transmitter 16 may be any type of
`cellular transmission system, such as that used for analog
`cellular telephone services or digital cellular telephone ser-
`vices known as the personal communications services, or a
`two-way paging also known as an interactive paging. In such
`a system, the central receiver-transmitter 16 is a base trans-
`ceiving station that covers a cell represented by a child
`locator coverage area. A geographical area, such as a city or
`county,
`is comprised of several such areas and central
`receiver-transmitters. No matter where a child wearing the
`device may be located, a central receiver-transmitter 16 will
`be available to receive the device’s signal transmission.
`The device 12 transmits its data signal when triggered by
`an internal timer on a periodic basis. This is useful for
`providing a historical record of the location of the device.
`The device 12 may also transmit its data signal when an
`emergency button on the device is pressed by a wearer or
`holder of the device 12.
`
`In addition, the device 12 may transmit its data signal
`after receiving a second signal from a central control system.
`This second signal is generated by a central control system
`20, described in detail in reference to FIG. 3, in accordance
`with the specified criteria. The second signal also may be
`generated by a timer or a scheduler. The central control
`system 20 may also generate the second signal when a parent
`requests an automatic real-time update of the child’s current
`location. The parent’s request may be made via a web
`provided by the central control system 20, a telephone call
`to a VRU that interfaces directly with the central control
`system 20, or a telephone call to a call center agent.
`The data signal transmitted by the device 12 generally
`includes the current GPS coordinates, the current time, the
`device identification code of the transmitting device, and an
`activation indicator. The activation indicator is a code that
`
`specifies the source of the mechanism that triggered the
`transmission. These codes may indicate depression of an
`emergency button on the device, an automatic transmission
`requested by a parent, or a transmission triggered by the
`internal timer in the device.
`The central receiver-transmitter 16 that receives the trans-
`
`to a
`mission from the device forwards the data signal
`centralized control system 20. This intermediate transmis-
`sion may be done via any type of available means, including
`the Internet,
`the Public Switched Telephone Network
`(PSTN), or a private data network.
`The central control system 20, shown in detail in FIG. 3,
`may reside on a single computer, or on multiple computers
`in a distributed computing environment. It may also be
`implemented with redundancy and with fail-over
`mechanisms, for system reliability. The central control sys-
`tem 20 performs many functions. It receives the transmis-
`sion from the device, and translates the GPS coordinates to
`a commonly recognized location reference. It stores location
`references in a database, and provides various means for a
`user (parent) to interface with the system to observe current
`and historical location data. It also provides auto-notification
`processing,
`the ability to interface with a VRU, and the
`ability to interface with a call center agent.
`As illustrated above, FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred
`embodiment of the GPS device which is to be worn or
`
`carried in some manner by the person to be monitored. It is
`essentially a GPS locator device, combined with a paging or
`cellular communications device, but in a simplified form.
`Although device 12 need not have a screen display, it may
`include a panic button 22 and light 24 to indicate a power on
`state or a power level. A clip or fastener of some type may
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`be included on the backside of the device to enable the
`device to be easily attached to clothing. Without a screen
`display, the device 12 may be miniaturized to less than a
`standard paging device. It does not require any LCD dis-
`plays or keypads which are normally resent in a typical
`cellular device. It has a single “panic” button 22 that is large
`and easily pressed by a child. Pressing the button 22 causes
`an automatic transmission of the GPS coordinates and a
`panic code. Because it may run on battery power, it has a
`power level indicator light 24 (shown on the side of the GPS
`device) which may begin to flash when the battery needs to
`be recharged.
`the device 12 includes circuitry standard to
`Internally,
`GPS locator devices and paging/cellular communications
`devices. It also includes circuitry for a timer, used to trigger
`transmissions, and a clock for creating a current time stamp
`for transmission records.
`
`FIG. 3 illustrates the process architecture of the central
`control system. As stated above, the central control system
`may be embodied on a single computer, or on multiple
`computers in a distributed computing environment.
`Data from the device 12 via the central
`receiver-
`transmitter 16 is received by a central control system’s data
`receiving module. The type of communication medium used
`for data signal transfer between the central control system 20
`and the central receiver-transmitter 16 varies, and is pro-
`vided according to the medium by which the central
`receiver-transmitter 16 transmits the device’s data. For
`example,
`if the Internet
`is used for a communication
`medium, the central control system’s data receiving module
`sets up a TCP/IP socket for receiving the data signal.
`The central control system 20 decodes the data from the
`transmission message. The data generally include the
`device’s current GPS coordinates, the current time stamp,
`the device identification code, and an activation indicator.
`This data is immediately stored in an information database
`26.
`
`Next, a translation process 28 translates the GPS coordi-
`nates to a commonly recognized location reference. Such a
`location reference may include a physical address such as a
`postal street address, a zip code, or a county name. Another
`example of a commonly recognized location reference is a
`distal radius of the device from a unique location such as a
`day care center. The device’s current GPS coordinates are
`matched against those of the day care center, and a differ-
`ence in units of distance is recorded as distal radius data.
`
`In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, two
`mechanisms for displaying the geographical location refer-
`ences are provided. The first mechanism is by way of a
`graphical display of a road map embedded in an HTML page
`as an inline/online graphics file “image” which may be
`accessed by a Web browser. In addition, the device’s current
`GPS coordinates are depicted on the map with a distinguish-
`ing mark such as an “X” or a star figure.
`The second mechanism displays the location reference in
`terms of coordinates in a text format. The GPS coordinates
`are translated to simplified grid-like coordinates, such as A-1
`and B-2. These simplified grid-like coordinates correspond
`to the coordinates on preprinted copies of maps which are
`provided to parents when they subscribe to the child locator
`service provided by the present invention. The translation of
`GPS coordinates to widely used location references is
`accomplished by indexing the coordinates into a pre-exiting
`database or table which links coordinates to location refer-
`ences.
`
`The translated data signals are stored as records in a
`translated record database 30. The original GPS coordinates
`may be stored in a GEO reference database 32 for future
`reference.
`
`

`

`US 6,243,039 B1
`
`7
`types of interfaces may be provided to the
`Different
`translated records 30 to provide several advantages in the
`present invention. These interfaces include a web server 34
`which functions as a Web interface for the central control
`system to enable web access to the central control system; an
`operator service call center 36; and a VRU. The web server
`34 provides a subscriber parent with the location data stored
`in the translated records database 30 in various formats
`which may include a graphical display embedded in a web
`page. The graphical map display may generally be trans-
`mitted to the subscriber parent’s computer by incorporating
`a graphic source file for the map into an HTML page
`document as an inline graphics image element.
`Alternately, the web page may display map coordinates
`which correspond to map coordinates on pre-printed maps
`previously supplied to the subscribing parents.
`In order for a parent to access the web server 34, an
`authentication procedure is performed first to validate the
`parent’s identity and authorization to access the location
`data. The parent may be authenticated with a valid user ID
`and/or a valid PIN number or password, for example. Next,
`the parent enters a code representing the child’s device
`identification code for their child’s device. This code is used
`to access the device’s records in the translated records
`
`database 30. After a successful authentication process, the
`parent may access and view the location data in various
`display formats as previously described.
`An interface to a call center 36 provides numerous
`services by live agents. This interface is embodied by the
`agent workstations being linked, via data communications,
`to the translated records database 30. Aparent may call into
`the call center 36 via a toll-free 800/888 number. After
`validating the parent’s identity and soliciting the child’s
`device identification code, the agent may access the device’s
`records in the translated records database 30 and provide the
`parent with the child’s current and historical location. An
`agent may also evaluate the data and take appropriate action,
`such as notifying authorities, at the request of the parent or
`parents. Other actions, such as notifying the child’s parents
`on the triggering of an automatic transmission by the device,
`may also be provided by the agent.
`As an additional feature, a voice telephone call to a call
`center agent may be placed via the web server, using Internet
`telephony technology. Using this technology, a parent logs
`into the web server 34, and establishes a voice connection to
`an agent at the call center 36. The agent may then provide
`the same services as provided with a standard telephone call.
`A VRU interface may also be used. The VRU may
`provide the same type of services as a call center agent, only
`in an automated fashion.
`
`Another key feature of the present invention is an alert
`process with auto-notification 38. The alert and auto-
`notification process 38 automatically sends notification to a
`parent when a certain criteria is met by location data
`transmitted by a device. The customer profile database 40
`enables alert and auto-notification procedures and criteria to
`be defined for a customer, with such criteria and procedures
`assigned to the identification code of the device.
`The translation process 28 feeds device data, including
`the device identification code, the GPS coordinates, the time
`stamp, and the activation code, for each transmission to the
`alert process 38. The alert process 38 then reads the cus-
`tomer profile database 40 for that device, and determines if
`any auto-notification procedures are to be performed as a
`result of the current transmission.
`
`One example of such a criteria is a depression of the
`emergency button on the device. This depression is indicated
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`by the activation code that is included in the data signal
`transmission by the device.
`Another example of criteria is a movement, as indicated
`by the device’s GPS coordinates, which has exceeded a
`predefined threshold. Several different types of thresholds
`may be specified. A device’s movement beyond predefined
`units of distance in the past hour is one example of a
`threshold. Another example of a threshold is a device
`moving outside a defined area, such as a city boundary or zip
`code. Yet another example is a device moving beyond a
`certain distal radius from a specified location, e.g., a device
`has moved more than 1 mile from a day care center.
`The criteria to be used to send an auto-notification is
`
`specified by the customer, i.e., a parent, and included in the
`customer profile database 40 for the device. Also included in
`the customer profile database 40 is the auto-notification
`processing to be performed. For example, auto-notification
`may be in the form of a page issued to a parent; a telephone
`call placed by a VRU that plays a recorded message, which
`may include the device’s current location or movement; a
`telephone call placed by a call center agent, or an e-mail
`message to the parent. Each customer may be provided with
`a mailbox on the Web, where any such type messages may
`be placed. Numerous other methods of auto-notification may
`be incorporated.
`The auto-notification procedure may place a telephone
`call to a call center agent who, as indicated above, may then
`notify the parents. Each agent’s workstation may be
`equipped with a software application that provides a Web
`client interface to the customer profile database 40. This
`software application analyzes data from the translated
`records database 30 and the latest transmission from the
`
`device. This software application also reads the auto-
`notification criteria from the customer profile database 40,
`and determines if the latest transmission meets any of these
`criteria. If so, the application notifies the agent, and the agent
`may then notify the parents by placing a telephone call or
`taking other appropriate action.
`The customer profile database 40 may be updated and
`modified by a customer/parent via the web. This enables a
`customer to add, delete, or change criteria whenever a need
`arises.
`
`Another key feature of the present invention is a means
`for parents, or other authorized persons monitoring the
`device, to remotely trigger an automatic transmission of the
`current location of the device. The remote triggering may be
`accomplished via either the Web or via the call center 36. As
`shown in FIG. 4, an HTML page may include a selection
`option such as a “Request Query” button for enabling a
`parent to remotely trigger via the Web, a transmission of the
`current location of the device. To get to this HTML page, a
`person must first be validated by an authentication process,
`as described previously.
`When this button is selected, the web server 34 activates
`a remote signaling process 42. The remote signaling process
`42 sends a message, via the Internet or other means, to all
`central receiver-transmitters 16, as illustrated in FIG. 1. This
`message includes the device identification code. The central
`receiver-transmitters 16 then issue a page to the appropriate
`device. The device receives the page, and immediately sends
`a transmission of its current GPS coordinates.
`In this
`transmission, the activation indicator is set to indicate that
`the transmission was remotely triggered by a parent or by
`another person.
`Aremote trigger of an automatic transmission may also be
`performed by a call to a call center agent, wherein the parent
`
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`US 6,243,039 B1
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`9
`requests the agent to issue the trigger for the re