United States Patent [19]
`M0han
`
`[54] TRACKING SYSTEM USING
`MINIATURIZED CONCEALABLE
`COMMUNICATIONS MODULE
`
`[75] Inventor: Paul L. Mohan, Novi, Mich.
`
`[73] Assignee: Veridian ERIM International, Inc.,
`Ann Arbor, Mich.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 08/321,941
`[22] Filed:
`Oct. 12, 1994
`
`[51] Int. Cl.7 ............................. .. G01S 5/02; H04B 7/185
`[52] US. Cl. ................................ .. 342/357.1; 342/357.09;
`342/419
`[58] Field of Search ................................... .. 342/357, 419,
`342/357.1, 357.09; 455/121
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6/1993 Mansell et al. ....................... .. 342/357
`5,223,844
`5,266,958 11/1993 Durboraw, III
`342/357
`5,392,052
`2/1995 Eberwine .............................. .. 342/357
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`J. Hoshen, J. Sennott, M. Winkler; Keeping Tabs 011 Crimi
`nals; IEEE Spectrum; Feb. 1995; pp. 26—32.
`
`US006121922A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,121,922
`Sep. 19, 2000
`
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Gifford, Krass, Groh, Sprinkle,
`Anderson & CitkoWski, PC
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A tracking system uses a miniaturized geographic position
`determination and communications module, preferably in
`the form of a thin capsule, enabling the enclosure to be
`hidden in very small spaces, including personal conceal
`ment. Electronic circuitry and a thin, rechargeable battery
`are contained Within the enclosure, the circuitry including a
`global positioning satellite receiver, a communications
`transceiver, and a controller. The controller causes the global
`positioning satellite receiver to receive and decode a signal
`relating to the geographic position of the module; cause the
`communications transmitter to communicate the geographic
`position information to a remote location; and disable the
`global positioning satellite receiver and communications
`transceiver When not in use so as to conserve poWer. The
`geographic position information may be communicated to a
`remote location either in response to a carrier activating a
`panic function or after receiving a request from a remote
`location Which commences the transmission in response to
`the request.
`
`Primary Examiner—Theodore M. Blum
`
`18 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`500 \
`
`(
`
`GPS SATELLITE
`NETwoRK
`
`SATELLITE OR
`TERREsTRIAL
`NETWORK
`(9.9. IRIDIUM, ODYSSEY
`
`LocAL AcTIvATE
`(DISTRESSITAMPER)
`
`<7
`
`515
`
`>
`
`V
`
`MOBILE LINK /540
`TRANSMITTER
`RECEIVER
`
`N
`
`520 X GPS REcEIVER ‘ 7 mini-05am
`
`1 DATA MODEM / 530
`
`(560
`
`CONTINUOUS
`l
`> POWER —> POWER
`MANAGEMENT
`I SWITCHED
`POWER 580
`
`= SELF-TEST
`coNTRoLLER
`
`510 f
`
`590
`
`‘v
`
`BATTERY
`RECHARGE
`P°RT
`
`RECHARGEABLE
`BATTERY
`
`550
`
`\
`
`d
`T
`
`570
`
`Low BATTERY
`ALARM
`
`BATTERY
`sTATus
`'"°'°AT°R
`
`DIAGNOSTIC
`FAIL ALARM
`
`595
`
`J
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 19,2000
`
`Sheet 1 0f5
`
`6,121,922
`
`
`
`
`
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 19,2000
`
`Sheet 2 0f5
`
`6,121,922
`
`100
`
`GPS ANTENNA (130)
`
`|
`
`LID (110')
`
`I
`If MCM#1 (110)
`
`LID (1129
`
`l
`
`MCM#2 (112)
`
`REHCARGEABLE
`BA TTERY (120)
`
`MCM#3 (114)
`
`LID (114')
`
`Fig- 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 19,2000
`
`Sheet 3 0f5
`
`6,121,922
`
`/
`
`= RF LINK
`
`24a
`
`246
`
`REPORT
`TEST
`RESULTS
`
`diagnostic
`/ 230
`
`206
`
`203
`
`F LL
`
`L 202 205
`3 GPS
`
`ready
`
`wait
`
`wait
`
`208
`
`‘REPORTS
`> N
`
`DELAY
`TIM EOUT
`
`_
`wart
`
`low-power
`alarm
`
`recharge
`
`Fig-3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 19, 2000
`
`Sheet 4 0f5
`
`6,121,922
`
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 19,2000
`
`Sheet 5 of5
`
`6,121,922
`
`SATELLITE
`GROUND STATION
`
`412) *
`
`GPS SATELLITE
`NETWORK
`
`can.
`LocA'nNe
`
`uurr (420) /
`
`-
`TERRESTRIAL
`PHONE NETWORK
`(414)
`
`
`
`i‘ MOBILE COMMUNICATION
`
`SATELLITE NETWORK
`
`

`
`1
`TRACKING SYSTEM USING
`MINIATURIZED CONCEALABLE
`COMMUNICATIONS MODULE
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates generally to electronic track
`ing systems and, more particularly, to a tracking system
`utilizing a highly miniaturiZed position determination and
`communications module Which may be readily concealed,
`including on the person of an individual to be located.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Wireless geographic position determination systems have
`evolved to the point Where they are commercially affordable
`and are noW important in many applications, including
`terrain mapping, vehicle tracking, and so forth. Although
`early ground-based systems such as Loran-C Were lacking in
`accuracy and reliability, With the advent of GPS or global
`positioning satellite systems, very accurate and reliable
`geographic ?xes may be obtained. US. Pat. No. 5,225,842
`“Vehicle Tracking System Employing Global Positioning
`System (GPS) Satellites” provides a useful background,
`including technical descriptions of previous and existing
`geographic positioning systems, including the GPS infra
`structure.
`Along With the evolution of satellite-based positioning
`systems, telecommunications netWorks have also evolved to
`alloW mobile communications using very small transceivers,
`for example, With the hand-held telephones noW commonly
`employed for cellular communications. The advantage of a
`cellular netWork, of course, includes the ability to send and
`receive calls despite changing position Within a particular
`service area.
`In some situations, it makes sense to integrate the capa
`bilities of Wireless geographical positioning With mobile
`telecommunications. For this reason, various vehicle track
`ing systems have evolved Which combine certain aspects of
`satellite-based and mobile communications, including cel
`lular telephony. Once such application is described in US.
`Pat. No. 5,223,844 “Vehicle Tracking and Security System,”
`Wherein mobile units include vehicle theft and intrusion
`protection facilities along With a receiver of signals from a
`global positioning satellite system. In the event of a security
`breach, the remote unit automatically communicates posi
`tion information to a ?xed control center over a mobile
`phone netWork, enabling the center to monitor the vehicle to
`solve a problem or apprehend an offender.
`It is clear from the above and other references Which
`combine positioning and communications capabilities,
`hoWever, that miniaturiZation to an extent Which affords
`concealment Within very small remote units to be tracked or
`on an individual have not been considered. Existing systems,
`While making an effort in certain cases to hide some or all
`of their associated components, have not been further
`required to substantially miniaturiZe such components,
`since, particularly in vehicular applications, suf?cient vol
`ume and operating poWer are available to operate off-the
`shelf constituents Without dramatic reductions in physical
`siZe. HoWever, if an electronic tracking system is to be
`concealed Within smaller objects or Worn on the person,
`dramatic changes must be made not only to the enclosure
`and the structure of the components contained therein, but
`steps must also be taken to manage poWer control to ensure
`that poWer is not drained before such a system becomes
`critically necessary.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`One aspect of the invention provides a miniaturiZed
`geographic position determination and communications
`
`10
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`6,121,922
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`2
`module in a small, concealable enclosure. In the preferred
`embodiment the enclosure is in the form of a thin capsule,
`enabling the enclosure to be hidden in very small spaces,
`including concealment on the person. Electronic circuitry
`and a source of poWer are contained Within the enclosure,
`With the circuitry including a global positioning satellite
`receiver, a communications transceiver, and a controller. The
`controller is at least able to cause the global positioning
`satellite receiver to receive and decode a signal relating to
`the geographic position of the module; cause the commu
`nications transceiver to communicate the geographic posi
`tion information to a remote location; and disable the global
`positioning satellite receiver and communications trans
`ceiver When not in use so as to conserve poWer from the
`source. The geographic position information may be com
`municated to a remote location either in response to the
`activation of a panic function, or after receiving a request
`from a remote location, Which then commences the trans
`mission in response to the request. The controller is prefer
`ably further operative to perform a functional self-test of the
`global positioning satellite receiver and communications
`transceiver to ensure they are in proper Working order.
`In terms of physical construction, electronic circuitry of
`the module is preferably mounted on at least one thin
`substrate, and in the case of tWo or more, they are disposed
`parallel to one another and electrically interconnected Within
`the enclosure. A thin battery is preferably used the poWer
`source, and a thin antenna associated With the global posi
`tioning satellite receiver is supported on the enclosure. The
`substrate(s), battery and antenna may thus be supported
`parallel and in close proximity to one another, enabling all
`components to be contained on or Within a small, capsule
`like enclosure.
`In a system-level con?guration, the miniaturiZed, readily
`concealable module is used in conjunction With a portable
`locating unit operative to receive the geographic position
`information at the remote location and inform a user as to the
`location of the miniaturiZed module. Preferably the portable
`locating unit further includes a positioning satellite receiver
`of its oWn and a display, enabling the locating unit to
`visually indicate the location of the miniaturiZed module
`relative to that of the locating unit.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE
`ILLUSTRATIONS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a miniaturiZed geographic
`position determination and communications module;
`FIG. 2 is an oblique, exploded-vieW draWing of the
`miniaturiZed geographic position determination and com
`munications module;
`FIG. 3 is a state diagram indicating operational modes of
`the module;
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a portable locating unit Which
`may be used in conjunction With the module to enable a
`mobile monitoring facility to track an object or individual
`carrying the module; and
`FIG. 5 is a simpli?ed terrain map used to shoW hoW the
`present invention makes advantageous use of existing sat
`ellite positioning and mobile telecommunications infrastruc
`tures.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`The present invention is directed toWard electronic
`tracking, and includes a module Which is miniaturiZed to the
`
`

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`6,121,922
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`3
`extent that it may be readily concealed in very small spaces
`or even hidden on an individual’s person. FIG. 1 illustrates
`generally at 500 in block diagram form such a miniaturiZed
`geographic position determination and communications
`module. Included is an enclosure 510 having a system
`controller 515 controlling the transfer of information
`betWeen various elements of the system 500, including a
`GPS receiver 520 Which is in communication With a GPS
`satellite netWork. Geographic position data such as latitude,
`longitude and altitude, is transmitted to a data modem 530
`Which cooperates With a communications transmitter/
`receiver 540 to open a communications link. Position data is
`thus transmitted to a remote locating unit such as the one
`depicted in FIG. 4 over a terrestrial or satellite-based com
`munications netWork.
`The system of FIG. 1 is poWered by a rechargeable battery
`550 and further includes a poWer management subsystem
`560 connected to the rechargeable battery 550 to ensure that
`the battery 550 is not drained While or before positioning
`data is being updated and/or transmitted. In the event that
`battery capacity is loW, the poWer management system 560
`transmits a signal to a loW poWer alarm 570. Available
`battery capacity may be indicated on a battery status LCD
`580, also connected to the poWer management subsystem
`560.
`The system of FIG. 1 further includes a self-test controller
`590, discussed above With reference to FIG. 3, to ensure that
`all aspects of the system are functioning properly. In the
`event of a malfunction, the self-test controller transmits a
`signal to a diagnostic fail alarm 595 Which sounds off and
`alerts the user. The user may be further alerted When a
`distress signal is received by the system controller 515.
`The preferred construction of the module is depicted
`generally at 100 in FIG. 2. Broadly, a number of thin, planar
`components are assembled into a multi-layer sandWich-like
`structure Which is physically small and thin, even in its ?nal
`assembled form. Depending upon electrical and physical
`requirements and demands, such a completed module may
`be on the order of tWo inches square, more or less, With a
`thickness of one-half inch, more or less.
`Aplurality of substrates containing electronic circuitry are
`shoWn, including substrates 110, 112 and 114. Although
`three such substrates are shoWn, more or feWer may be used
`depending upon the available level of electronic integration.
`In the embodiment depicted, multi-chip module (MCM)
`technology is preferably utiliZed, resulting in a ?rst MCM
`110 completely integrating geographic positioning receiver
`electronics, a second MCM 112 completely integrating a
`mobile communications transceiver, the third MCM 114
`integrating all necessary remaining electronics, including
`overall control functions and poWer management features
`Which Will subsequently be described in detail. A ?exible
`cable 116 is preferably used to provide interconnections
`among the multi-chip modules. Use of multi-chip modules
`greatly improves the long term reliability and ruggedness of
`the unit-critical to extended lifetime and loW duty cycle
`operation for Which the device is intended.
`In addition to the electronic subsystems, the module
`includes a rechargeable battery 120 to poWer all components
`and an antenna 130 for use With the global positioning
`satellite receiver. Although the telecommunications elec
`tronics additionally require an antenna, due to the frequency
`and transmission characteristics involved, such an antenna
`Will be typically very small and is therefore not shoWn in the
`?gure. In addition to the ?exible cable 116 providing inter
`connections among the electrical subsystems, electrically
`
`4
`conductive pads 138 and notches 140 may further be used,
`for higher-poWer interconnections, in particular. Various
`covers 110‘, 112‘ and 114‘ are shoWn to provide physical
`separation betWeen the various layers, though, depending
`upon the number of substrates used and the exact packaging
`techniques employed, more or feWer of such covers and lids
`may be required in the ?nal assembled module. In alternate
`con?gurations, the layers Within the module may be spaced
`apart With a potting compound being used for ?nal assembly.
`Regardless of the assembly technique used, the small siZe
`permits the unit to be integrated into articles of clothing
`(jacket, shoe) or to be disguised in some other benign form
`(i.e., in a Wrist Watch, pendant, etc.) so as not to attract
`attention While Worn. The small siZe and autonomous opera
`tion further permits implantation and covert operation in
`articles that are to be tracked (e. g., drugs, currency, artWorks,
`etc.).
`In terms of multi-chip module fabrication, the assignee of
`the present application has direct access to MCM fabrication
`technology and facilities, and these Would preferably be
`used for the integration of the electronic subsystems. Such
`technology is described in US. Pat. No. 4,458,297 “Uni
`versal Interconnection Substrate”. Other electronic minia
`turiZation approaches may be used, hoWever, including
`full-scale integration of entire subsystems, for example, in
`the form of very large-scale integrated (VLSI) circuits.
`Suitably miniature rechargeable batteries are manufactured
`by Ultralife Batteries Inc. of NeWark, N]. The Ultralife Thin
`Cell models U3VF-D and U3VF-F models in particular are
`in the siZe range of roughly three inches square and approxi
`mately 0.07 thick, yet provide capacities in the range of
`several hundred to several thousand milliamp hours at a
`voltage of three volts using lithium/manganese dioxide
`(LiMNO2) technology. Such Ultralife cells Weigh only up to
`20 grams, or thereabouts. As for the GPS satellite receiver
`antenna, Matsushita Electric Works offers a suitably com
`pact antenna through its US. distributor Spectra Systems of
`Plantation, Fla. For example, the ‘EL’ models range in siZe
`from 0.56 to 3.2 square inches, With peak gains from four to
`six dBic. Other batteries and antennas may alternatively be
`used so long as they are suitably compact and meet the
`performance requirements of the present application.
`NoW turning to FIG. 3, there is shoWn a control sequence
`state diagram associated With the module of FIG. 1. It should
`?rst be noted that the shaded nodes STANDBY, IDLE-F1
`and IDLE-F2 represent quiescent or non-active states, and
`the lighting-bolt symbols represent the introduction of an RF
`signal, Whether from a satellite or through a telecommuni
`cations netWork. The system remains in the STANDBY state
`until a remotely-generated locate-request signal is received,
`as shoWn by symbol 201, or if a distress signal is initiated,
`as indicated by path 201‘.
`Local activation of this distress signal may occur in a
`number of Ways, for example, through tampering With the
`module or by an intentional action of the one carrying the
`module. In terms of tampering, a “breaking” of the circuit
`associated With the module might be used to initiate
`activation, for example, by the removal or disturbance of a
`Wristband or bracelet, or the involvement of a skin-contact
`type of sensor. With regard to an intentional activation, one
`or more “panic” buttons might be provided, for example on
`opposite sides of the unit Which must be pressed
`simultaneously, or, alternatively, an optional voice training/
`recognition circuit may be included in the module to bring
`about activation through the enunciation of a code Word or
`phrase. Both speaker-independent and -dependent voice
`recognition systems are noW commercially available, and
`
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`since, in this particular application, only one or a feW Words
`need be recognized, integration to a level in keeping With the
`small siZe of the invention should be readily achievable.
`Additionally, speaker-dependent activation, Which requires
`training but is typically less technically sophisticated than
`speaker-independent algorithms, may in fact be more desir
`able in this application, since it provides further assurance
`that the module Will not accidentally be activated by the
`Wrong person saying the correct Word(s).
`Upon activation, the system enters a full poWer mode state
`as shoWn at node 206, then enters an “acquire GPS position”
`state as shoWn at node 202. When a positioning signal is
`received, as indicated by symbol 203, the system remains in
`this state, as indicated by loop line 205, until a geographic
`?X has been determined. At this point, the system enters a
`ready state and a communications link is opened, as shoWn
`at node 208. The system remains in this state until a link has
`been established, at Which point a ready condition is entered,
`and identi?cation and position information are transmitted
`according to node 210, as shoWn by symbol 211.
`The reduced siZe and Weight of the module enhances
`mobility and orientation-range, thereby improving the like
`lihood that prolonged loss of signal Will not occur due to
`structural or natural interference (i.e., buildings, vehicles,
`foliage, terrain). HoWever, additional sensing logic may also
`be added (Within loop 205) to interrogate the GPS signal
`strength and, if the signal level is determined to be insuf?
`cient to permit a position ?X, cause the unit to enter a mode
`Whereby the GPS signal Will be periodically polled until
`such time that it is of suf?cient levels to acquire position. At
`this point, the unit Will proceed With normal operation and
`open the communications link to transmit the position data
`(node 211).
`Having reported position, the system immediately enters
`a delayed timeout state as indicated by node 214, and Waits
`for a predetermined period of time, before automatically
`sending a subsequent report of the same or a different
`position. As indicated at node 216, in the preferred
`embodiment, up to N reports Will be attempted to ensure that
`the monitoring facility obtains an accurate position, With the
`delayed timeout mode being entered at all possible points to
`conserve poWer. If N reports have not been transmitted, the
`position data is again updated, and a report is transmitted. As
`shoWn at node 216, once N reports have been transmitted,
`the report counter is reset at node 220 and the cellular link
`is closed at node 222. After the communication link is
`closed, the system enters a loW-poWer mode, as indicated at
`node 212.
`A secondary loop provides a self-test mode for diagnostic
`purposes, Which is entered along path 230 to node 232. In
`the event that the self-test of 232 succeeds, an elapsed time
`register Will be reset according to node 234, indicating to a
`Watchdog monitor, 240, that a successful self-test has
`occurred Within a prescribed time interval. In the event that
`a self-test cannot be performed, the elapsed time value of
`234 Will eXceed a preset threshold and the Watchdog monitor
`240 Will force transition to the IDLE-F1 mode Which
`preferably signals some form of alarm to shoW that the
`system is non-operational.
`As part of the self-test loop, the system Will achieve full
`poWer at node 242, open a communication link at node 244,
`report the results of the test at node 246, close the commu
`nication link at node 248, and once again enter a loWer
`poWer mode, as indicated at node 250, from Which the
`system Will preferably again enter the STANDBY state.
`Various functions may be performed as part of this self-test
`
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`loop. For example, as part of a more rigorous self-test mode,
`the GPS receiver may be activated as Well as the telecom
`link and used to gather information relating to geographical
`positioning, Which may then be stored and transmitted over
`the telecom link to and then back from the monitoring
`facility, and subsequently compared to the originally stored
`value. In the event of an eXact match, this should prove that
`all aspects of the system are functioning properly, including
`the satellite receiving capabilities, mobile telecommunica
`tions facilities in both directions, and poWer management
`functions. The small loop in FIG. 3 involving the IDLE-F2
`loop forms part of a loW-poWer alarm Which monitors
`battery capacity and causes the system to remain in a
`loW-poWer alarm mode in the event that insuf?cient poWer
`is available for normal functioning.
`FIG. 4 illustrates generally at 300 in block diagram form
`a portable locating unit Which may be used as a companion
`to the module described With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, this
`portable locating unit forming part of a mobile monitoring
`facility. Overall, the system includes an enclosure 310
`having a cellular transceiver 320 in communication With the
`module 100 (directly or via a monitoring facility 404) and
`controller subsystem 330 receiving status, position updates,
`and diagnostic data through a datalink and modem forming
`part of the cellular transceiver 320. The controller subsystem
`330 formats positional and other data using driver 332 for its
`display, preferably on a loW-poWer ?at-panel liquid crystal
`display 334. A keypad 340 enables the user to enter opera
`tional commands.
`Preferably, the display format, shoWn at 350, provides
`geographical coordinates associated With the position of the
`remote module 100, as depicted by symbol 352. With the
`addition of an optional GPS receiver 360, the display 350
`may be used to shoW the position of both the module carried
`by the item or individual to be located and the position of the
`portable locating unit 300 in physical relationship With
`respect to one another. As such, then, the portable unit 300
`includes certain of the features present in the module 100,
`but further includes a user input and output display device,
`and, since, the unit 300 need not necessarily be concealed,
`it does not have to be miniaturiZed to the eXtent of the
`module 100.
`FIG. 5 shoWs a simpli?ed overvieW of a geographic area,
`in this case, North America, used to illustrate hoW the
`invention interacts With various information and communi
`cations netWork infrastructures. Assuming that the minia
`turiZed module is af?Xed to an individual 400 being
`abducted, geographic positioning information is doWn
`loaded and received from one or more GPS satellites 402.
`Although individual 400 may be constantly on the move,
`neW geographic ?Xes are doWnloaded and maintained, With
`this information being preferably relayed to a monitor/
`control facility 404 through a telecommunications netWork
`Which might include a mobile satellite 410, satellite doWn
`link 412 and terrestrial node 414, the latter being in ?nal
`communication With monitor/control facility 404. Although
`the miniaturiZed module being carried by individual 400 is
`shoWn to be in communication With a mobile communica
`tion satellite 410, it is understood that, depending upon the
`telecommunications netWork in use and other such
`circumstances, geographical updates may be relayed directly
`to a terrestrial node, for eXample, as an alternative.
`Also shoWn in FIG. 5 is a mobile locating unit 420 Which
`is also in communication With the telecommunications net
`Work and optionally in communication With a geographic
`positioning system, including the same satellite netWork
`providing positioning information to the tracking unit on the
`
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`6,121,922
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`7
`individual 400 being tracked. Presumably the mobile locat
`ing unit 420 Will make use of a system similar or identical
`to the portable unit described With reference to FIG. 4, and,
`in the event that this portable unit also includes a geographic
`positioning subsystem and suitable display, the position of
`both the individual 400 and the mobile locating unit 420 may
`be simultaneously displayed With their positions relative to
`one another so as to indicate the progress made in closing the
`gap betWeen the individual 400 being tracked and the mobile
`locating unit 420. The relative position (versus absolute
`position) accuracy of tWo GPS units is extremely high so
`differential GPS techniques Will not be required to bring the
`mobile locating unit 420 into co-location With the individual
`400. Although a helicopter is depicted as the mobile locating
`unit 420 in FIG. 5, obviously any mobile locating unit may
`be utiliZed including a vehicle, ship, plane, as Well as an
`individual utiliZing a hand-held locating unit.
`Having thus described my invention, I claim:
`1. A portable miniaturiZed geographic position determi
`nation and communications module adapted for use With a
`global positioning satellite system, the module comprising:
`an enclosure, the physical dimensions of Which are suf
`?ciently small to permit personal concealment;
`electronic circuitry disposed Within the enclosure, the
`circuitry being poWered by a single, self-contained,
`rechargeable source of poWer, the circuitry including:
`a global positioning satellite receiver,
`a communications transceiver, and
`a controller operative to perform the folloWing func
`tions:
`cause the global positioning satellite receiver to
`receive and decode a signal from a global posi
`tioning satellite containing information relating to
`the geographic position of the module,
`cause the communications transceiver to communi
`cate the information to a remote location, and
`disable the global positioning satellite receiver and
`communications transceiver When not in use so as
`to conserve poWer from the source.
`2. The module of claim 1, the enclosure being in the form
`of a thin capsule.
`3. The module of claim 2, the electronic circuitry being
`mounted on a plurality of thin substrates disposed parallel to
`one another and electrically interconnected Within the enclo
`sure.
`4. The module of claim 1, including a thin antenna
`supported on the enclosure associated With the global posi
`tioning satellite receiver.
`5. The module of claim 1, the controller being further
`operative to perform a functional self-test of the global
`positioning satellite receiver and communications trans
`ceiver.
`6. The module of claim 1, the controller being further
`operative to receive a request from a remote location and
`cause the communications transceiver to communicate the
`information in response to the request.
`7. A miniaturiZed geographic position determination and
`communications module adapted for use With a global
`positioning satellite system, the module comprising:
`a global positioning satellite receiver connected to a
`substantially thin antenna;
`a communications transceiver;
`a controller operative to transmit geographic position
`information received over the global positioning satel
`lite receiver to a remote location using the communi
`cations transceiver; and
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`8
`a thin, rechargeable battery to poWer to the global posi
`tioning satellite receiver, communications transceiver
`and controller,
`the global positioning satellite receiver, communications
`transceiver, and controller being mounted on at least
`one planar substrate, and the substrate, battery and
`antenna being supported parallel and in close proximity
`to one another, enabling all components to be contained
`on or Within an enclosure having sufficiently small
`physical dimensions IQ permit personal concealment.
`8. The module of claim 7, the controller further including
`a poWer-management capability operative to disable the
`global positioning satellite receiver and communications
`transmitter When not in use so as to conserve poWer from the
`source.
`9. A geographic tracking system adapted for use in With
`a positioning satellite system, comprising:
`a miniaturiZed, readily concealable module containing a
`positioning satellite receiver and a communications
`device operative to transmit geographic position infor
`mation received through the positioning satellite
`receiver to a remote location; and
`a portable locating unit operative to receive the geo
`graphic position information at the remote location and
`inform a user as to the location of the miniaturiZed
`module.
`10. The geographic tracking system of claim 9, the
`portable locating unit further including a display used to
`visually indicate the geographic position of the miniaturiZed
`module.
`11. The geographic tracking system of claim 9, the
`portable locating unit further including a positioning satellite
`receiver enabling the unit to inform a user as to the location
`of the miniaturiZed module relative to that of the locating
`unit.
`12. For use With a global positioning satellite system, a
`Wireless geographic position tracking system comprising:
`a miniaturiZed geographical position determination and
`communications module including:
`an enclosure,
`at least one planar substrate containing electronic cir
`cuitry disposed Within said enclosure, said circuitry
`including geographic positioning receiver means
`connected to an antenna for receiving a signal from
`a global positioning satellite system, communica
`tions transceiver means, and control and poWer man
`agement means, and
`a rechargeable poWer supply means for supplying
`poWer to said electronic circuitry;
`a portable locating unit in communication With said
`miniaturiZed geographic position determination and
`communications module, comprising:
`an enclosure,
`a communications transceiver means disposed Within
`said enclosure, the