United States Patent
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`Kennedy, III et al.
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`19
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`11
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`Patent N mber°
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`[45] Date of Patent:
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`5,771,455
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`*Jun. 23, 1998
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`US005771455A
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`[54] DATA MESSAGING IN A
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`COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK USING A
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`[75]
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`Inventors: William C. Kennedy, III, Dallas;
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`Kenneth R. Westerla e Ft. Worth
`g ’
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`both Of Te’?
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`’
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`[73] Assignee: Highwaymaster Communications,
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`Inc., Dallas, Tex.
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`[ * ] Notice:
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`The term of this patent shall not extend
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`beyond the expiration date of Pat. No.
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`5,539,810.
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`[21] Appl. No‘: 573,135
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`[22]
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`Filed:
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`Dec. 15, 1995
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`Related U-S- App1iC3ti0I1 Data
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`[63] Continuation of Ser. No. 175,256, Dec. 28, 1993, Pat. No.
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`5,539,810, which is a continuation—in—part of Ser. No.
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`95,166, Jul. 20, 1993, abandoned, which is a continuation—
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`in—part of Ser. No. 826,521, Jan. 27, 1992, abandoned.
`[51]
`Int. Cl.6 ..................................................... .. H04Q 7/22
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`[52] U.s. Cl.
`........................... 455/456; 455/414, 340/992
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`[58] Field of Search ................................ .. 379/58, 59, 60,
`379/63; 455/33.1, 33.2, 54.1, 456, 457,
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`414’ 403’ 422’ 466’ 550’ 564’ 404; 340/988’
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`989, 992, 425.5, 431, 445, 447; 342/457,
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`357, 385, 386, 388, 389, 450
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`[56]
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`References Cited
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`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`.
`
`3/1989 Focarile et al.
`......................... .. 379/60
`
`
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`8/1992 O’Sullivan ................................ 379/59
`
`
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`
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`(List continued on next page.)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`
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`2/1993 Australia ........................ .. G01S 5/02
`
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`10/1987 European Pat. Off.
`.
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`11/1988 European Pat. Off.
`.
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`5/1990 European Pat. Off.
`.
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`11/1986 Germany ....................... .. H04B 7/26
`
`
`
`
`
`
`H610
`
`Re. 34,034
`
`
`
`
`
`3767589
`0242099
`
`0290725
`
`0367935
`
`3516357
`
`
`
`
`59—0161941
`
`639175537
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`WO 8904035
`
`wo 8912835
`
`
`9/1984
`Japan .
`
`
`7/1988
`Japan ~
`
`
`
`
`313::
`apan .
`
`
`
`
`
`§:%:‘1°m-
`
`
`
`g 0m ‘
`5/1989 WIPO.
`
`
`12/1989 WIPO ............................. .. G01S 5/02
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`
`
`
`
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`
`
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`t
`t
`.
`.
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`“Trimpack” Brochure, TrimbleNavigation, date unknown, 1
`
`
`
`
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`
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`P389
`
`
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`
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`Gary D. Ott, “Vehicle Location in Cellular Mobile Radio
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Systems,”IEEE, vol. VT—26, No. 1, Feb., 1977, pp. 43-46.
`James C. Reynolds, et al., “GPS—Based Vessel Positioning
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Monitoring and Display System,”IEEE, 1990, pp. 601-607.
`R. DeSadaba, “Personal Communications in the Intelligent
`
`
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`
`
`
`Network,” British Telecommunications Engineering, vol. 9,
`
`
`
`
`
`Aug., 1990, pp. 80-83.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`“GPS Navstar Global Positioning System User’s Over-
`view—YEE—82—009D,” Navstar Positioning System Joint
`
`
`
`
`
`Program Ofiice, Mar,’ 1991, pp, 1-164.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`«U S Coast Guard Differential Gpsu Brochure US
`
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`
`
`D '
`'
`U . d S
`é 'a,'
`T
`C
`.
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`
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`Meparfgggt of mnspormnon) mtg
`rates Oast
`“gr ’
`ay,
`.
`.
`.
`
`
`(Llst Comlnued on next Page)
`
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`
`
`
`
`_D
`B
`E
`.
`Gostmst
`
`
`
`Attorney Agent or Firm—Baker & Botts L L P
`
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`
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`’
`’
`’
`'
`'
`'
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`P .
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`[57]
`
`
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`ABSTRACT
`
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`A messaging unit (16) equipped with a cellular transceiver
`(38) is attached to a mobile item (12) located within a
`
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`communications network (10). The messaging unit (16)
`
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`feature request having data digits that represent
`'
`
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`.
`fssues a.
`.
`.
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`mformanon 0“ the mobfle “em(12)'The Cellular transcelver
`(38) transmits the feature request using the network (10).
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`The feature request is received at an MTSO (20) and then
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`routed to a platform (24), a clearinghouse (22), or the
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`platform (24) through the clearinghouse (22). The data digits
`are translated into information on the mobile item (12) and
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`stored at the platform (24) or the clearinghouse (22) for
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`access by a host (26).
`
`43 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
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`GENERATE
`DATA MESSAGE
`RECEIVE DA
`MESSAGE AT M
`wzun CELLUMR
`SYSTEM IDENTIFIER
`in mm MESSAGE
`
`12?
`
`RECEIVE DATA
`
`MESSAGE AT
`CLEARINCHOUSE
`
`SECURITV
`PROTOCOL
`HJENUFY AND
`TRANSLATE DATA
`MESSAGE
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`
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`STORE DATA
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`MESSAGE
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`I30
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`RECEIVE DATA
`MESSAGE AT
`PLATFORM
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`I28
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`Page 1 of 27
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`NOVATEL EXHIBIT 1026
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`Page 1 of 27
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`NOVATEL EXHIBIT 1026
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`

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`5,771,455
`Page 2
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`~~
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`
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`4,884,208
`4,891,637
`4,891,650
`
`
`4,891,761
`4,897,642
`4,901,340
`4,905,270
`4,907,290
`4,908,629
`
`4,912,756
`
`4,914,651
`
`4,914,686
`
`4,928,096
`
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`4,940,963
`4,945,570
`
`4,953,198
`
`4,963,865
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`4,993,059
`49939092
`
`
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`11/1989 Marinellietal.
`..................... .. 364/460
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`1/1990 Siwiak et al.
`340/825.44
`
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`1/1990 Sheflrer
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`364/452
`1/1990 Gray et al. N
`1/1990 DiLullo et al.
`.................. .. 340/825.06
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`2/1990 Parker et al.
`........................... N 379/60
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`2/1990 Ono ........... N
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`455/56
`3/1990 Crompton
`. 342/457
`3/1990 Apseu etal.
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`3/1990 Hop ......................................... .. 379/60
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`4/1990 Lusignan .............................. .. 370/69.1
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`4/1990 Hagar, H1 et al.
`.... N 379/61
`.
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`5/1990 Leonardo etal.
`.
`340/825.44
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`7/1990 Gutman etal.
`340/313
`7/1990 Gerson etal.
`.......................... 381/110
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`8/1990 Daly etal.
`.............................. .. 379/61
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`10/1990 Ichlkawa etal.
`..................... .. 340/995
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`2/1991 Smith et al.
`............................ .. 379/39
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`2/1991 D919 F‘ 91*
`379/88
`
`
`............................ ..
`M61111 618.1.
`5,003,317
`3/1991
`............................ ..
`61.8.1.
`
`
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`5,005,014
`4/1991 Jaslnskl
`............................ .. 340/825.44
`5,008,814
`4/1991 Mathur .................................. .. 364/200
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`5,014,206
`5/1991 Scribner et al.
`. 364/449
`
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`5,019,963
`5/1991 Alderson et al.
`. 364/200
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`
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`
`5,025,253
`6/1991 DiLullo etal.
`.
`340/825.06
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`5,027,383
`6/1991 Sheffer
`379/39
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`5,032,845
`7/1991 Velasco
`.342/457
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`..
`8/1991 Darnell et al.
`5,043,736
`. 342/357
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`9/1991 Duffett—Smith
`5,045,861
`. 342/457
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`9/1991 Zickeretal.
`5,046,082
`. 379/59
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`9/1991 Kuznicki et al.
`5,047,763
`340/825.44
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`
`9/1991 Zilberfarb .... ..
`5,048,015
`.. 370/110.4
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`10/1991 Sheffer
`5,055,851
`. 342/457
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`10/1991 Ishii et al.
`5,058,201
`455/33
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`11/1991 Sutherland ............................ .. 340/989
`5,068,656
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`5,077,830 12/1991 Mallia ..................................... .. 455/58
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`2/1992 Heffernan
`5,090,050
`379/60
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`3/1992 Marui ...................................... .. 455/33
`5,101,500
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`6/1992 Barnard ................................. .. 342/357
`5,119,102
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`6/1992 Clagett
`. 342/419
`5,121,126
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`6/1992 Delonge ................................ .. 364/442
`5,121,325
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`6/1992 Moore .............................. .. 340/825.44
`5,124,697
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`7/1992 Reich et al.
`5,128,979
`379/40
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`
`.......................... .. 379/39
`7/1992 Sheffer et al.
`5,131,019
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`....................... .. 379/59
`7/1992 Liebesny et al.
`5,131,020
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`340/825.44
`8/1992 Jasinski et al.
`.
`5,142,279
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`8/1992 Park ...................................... .. 340/991
`5,142,281
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`8/1992 Sonberg et al.
`........................ .. 379/59
`5,142,654
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`9/1992 Freeland et al.
`5,148,473
`379/59
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`5,153,582 10/1992 Davis ............................... .. 340/825.44
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`5,153,902 10/1992 Buhl et al.
`.............................. .. 379/57
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`.
`10/1992 Eastmond et al.
`5,153,903
`379/57
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`
`................ .. 342/357
`5,155,490 10/1992 Spradley, Jr. et al.
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`5,155,847 10/1992 Kirouac et al.
`....................... .. 395/600
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`10/1992 Zicker . . . . . . . . .
`. . . . . .. 379/59
`5,159,625
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`
`............................ .. 340/825.44
`5,162,790
`11/1992 Jasinski
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`
`........................ .. 342/457
`11/1992 Russell et al.
`5,166,694
`
`
`
`
`. 364/444
`..
`12/1992 Ghaem et al.
`5,172,321
`
`
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`
`......................... .. 379/57
`5,175,758 12/1992 Levanto et al.
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`5/1993 Song ..................................... .. 364/449
`5,208,756
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`
`6/1993 Brown et al.
`5,222,123
`379/57
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`
`
`5,223,844
`6/1993 Mansell et al.
`....................... .. 342/357
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`
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`7/1993 Brown et al.
`......................... .. 342/357
`5,225,842
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`8/1993 Sasuta .......... ..
`370/110.1
`5,235,598
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`
`
`...................... .. 379/60
`8/1993 Dennison et al.
`5,235,633
`
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`
`5,237,612
`8/1993 Raith ....................................... .. 380/23
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`
`8/1993 Flanders et al.
`340/825.34
`5,239,294
`
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`
`......................... .. 455/34.1
`8/1993 Grube et al.
`5,239,678
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`
`8/1993 Raith ....................................... .. 380/21
`5,241,598
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`9/1993 Kashiwazaki ......................... .. 364/449
`5,243,529
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`..
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`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`
`3,518,674
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`.
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`8/1976 Akerberg ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ 325/55
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`~i~793“29/E2(‘:‘
`
`"
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`9
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`
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`
`
`6/1988 Trimble . . . . . . . . . .
`. . . .. 375/1
`4,754,465
`
`
`
`
`
`
`................................ .. 364/446
`9/1988 Palmieri
`4,774,670
`
`
`
`
`
`10/1988 Williams ................................. .. 379/59
`4,775,999
`
`
`
`
`
`10/1988 Harris
`379/91
`4,776,003
`
`
`
`
`
`11/1988 Tamaru ................................. .. 364/200
`4,788,637
`
`
`
`
`
`12/1988 Takahashi et al.
`.................... .. 364/436
`4,791,571
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4,791,572 12/1988 Green, III et al.
`. 364/449
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1/1989 Nakayama et al.
`................... .. 364/449
`4,796,189
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4,797,948
`1/1989 Milliorn et al.
`........................ .. 455/54
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4,799,162
`1/1989 Shinkawa et al.
`. 364/436
`.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2/1989 Barbiaux et al.
`.................... .. 340/52 F
`4,804,937
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2/1989 Counselman, 111 ................... .. 342/352
`4,809,005
`
`
`
`
`
`4,814,763
`3/1989 Nelson ............. ..
`340/825.44
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4,819,174
`4/1989 Furuno et al.
`........................ .. 364/444
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4/1989 Siwiak ............................. .. 340/825.44
`4,823,123
`
`
`
`
`
`4/1989 Siwiak et al.
`4,825,193
`. 340/311.1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4/1989 Lebowitz ................................ .. 379/40
`4,825,457
`
`
`
`
`
`5/1989 Hess ................................. .. 340/825.03
`4,831,373
`
`
`
`
`
`5/1989 Tendler
`. . . .. 342/389
`4,833,477
`. . . . . . .
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`......................... .. 379/60
`5/1989 Comroe et al.
`4,833,701
`
`
`
`
`
`
`.......................... .. 379/60
`5/1989 Shitara et al.
`4,833,702
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6/1989 Freeburg et al.
`379/59
`4,837,800
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6/1989 Crane .................................... .. 364/550
`4,843,575
`
`
`
`
`
`8/1989 Saunders ................................. .. 379/57
`4,856,047
`
`
`
`
`
`8/1989 D’AVello et al.
`379/91
`4,860,341
`
`
`
`
`
`
`9/1989 Pintar .................................... .. 379/200
`4,866,762
`
`
`
`
`
`9/1989 Oliwa et al.
`..................... .. 340/825.44
`4,868,560
`
`
`
`
`
`
`9/1989 Sheffer . . . . . . . .
`4,868,859
`. . . . . .. 379/39
`
`
`
`
`
`
`.................... .. 340/825.44
`4,875,038 10/1989 Siwiak et al.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4,876,738 10/1989 Selby ...................................... .. 455/33
`
`
`
`
`
`11/1989 Siwiak ............................. .. 340/825.44
`4,882,579
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`.
`
`
`.
`
`Page 2 of 27
`
`Page 2 of 27
`
`

`
`5,771,455
`Page 3
`
`
`
`
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`
` i
`
`
`
`..
`
`
`
`5,247,564
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`9/1993 Zicker ..................................... .. 379/40
`
`
`
`
`Ct 8.1.
`.......................... ..
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`5,248,215
`9/1993 Fladung .................................... .. 404/6
`
`........... ..
`5,252,982 10/1993 Frei
`342/357
`10/1993 Melton etal.
`............................ 379/38
`5,255,306
`
`
`
`
`
`
`5,261,118
`11/1993 Vanderspool, 11 et al.
`............ 455/51.2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`5,270,936
`12/1993 Fukushima et a1.
`N 364/444
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1/1994 Higuchi et al.
`5,276,729
`.. 379/58
`
`
`
`
`
`
`..
`5,278,890
`1/1994 Beeson et al.
`.. 379/57
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3/1994 Kakihara et al.
`340/995
`5,293,163
`
`
`
`
`
`.. 379/58
`5,295,178
`3/1994 Nickel et al.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3/1994 Gerszberg ............................... .. 379/59
`5,297,191
`
`
`
`
`
`5,297,192
`3/1994 Gerszberg ............................... .. 379/59
`
`
`
`
`
`3/1994 Wortham
`364/460
`5,299,132
`
`
`
`
`4/1994 Taketsugu ..... ..
`5,305,466
`.. 455/33.1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4/1994 Michalon et al.
`.. 455/54.1
`5,307,509
`
`
`
`
`
`
`5,311,194
`5/1994 Brown ........... ..
`342/357
`
`
`
`
`
`6/1994 Mueller et al.
`5,323,322
`364/449
`
`
`
`
`
`5,327,478
`7/1994 Lebowitz ................................ .. 379/40
`
`
`
`
`
`5,341,410
`8/1994 Aron etal. .............................. .. 379/59
`
`
`
`
`
`
`8/1994 Karimullah .
`5,343,493
`375/1
`
`
`
`
`5,365,516
`11/1994 Jandrell
`......... ..
`.. 370/18
`
`
`
`
`
`
`11/1994 Boudreau et al.
`379/87
`5,369,681
`
`
`
`
`
`5,377,193
`12/1994 Grube et al.
`370/95.1
`
`
`
`
`
`5,382,970
`1/1995 Kiefl . . . . . . . . . . . .
`. . . . . .. 348/1
`........................ .. 455/54.1
`2/1995 Sasuta et al.
`5,392,458
`
`
`
`
`
`
`........................... .. 379/59
`3/1995 Slekys et al.
`5,396,539
`
`
`
`
`
`
`.. 379/59
`3/1995 Gooch ....... ..
`5,396,540
`
`
`
`
`
`
`.. 379/60
`4/1995 Miller et al.
`.
`5,404,392
`
`
`
`
`
`4/1995 Miller et al.
`.
`5,404,395
`.. 379/60
`
`
`
`
`
`4/1995 Jones ......... ..
`5,410,737
`455/56.1
`
`
`
`
`
`379/59
`5/1995 Dahlin etal.
`5,420,911
`
`
`
`
`
`..................... .. 455/33.1
`6/1995 Linquist et al.
`5,423,056
`
`
`
`
`
`
`5,463,672 10/1995 Kage ....................................... .. 379/59
`
`
`
`
`
`4/1996 Maine et al.
`.. 379/57
`.
`5,506,886
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4/1996 Kage ....................................... .. 379/58
`5,513,243
`
`
`
`
`
`5,517,690
`5/1996 Linquist
`............................... .. 455/33.1
`
`
`
`
`
`5/1996 Wortham
`. 379/59 X
`5,519,621
`
`
`
`
`
`5,526,398
`6/1996 Okada et al.
`379/57
`
`
`
`
`
`7/1996 Sanmugam ..
`.. 379/57
`5,533,094
`
`
`
`
`8/1996 Roach, Jr. et al.
`. 379/59
`5,546,444
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1/1997 LaDue ..................................... .. 379/59
`5,594,740
`
`
`
`
`
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`._
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`
`
`
`“
`’
`"
`’
`’ppj
`"
`1,
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`
`
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`
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`
`
`
`
`
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`Page 3 of 27
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`Page 3 of 27
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 23, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 of 8
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`5,771,455
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`Page 4 of 27
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`
`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 23, 1998
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`Sheet 2 of 8
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`Page 5 of 27
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`

`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Jun. 23, 1998
`
`
`Sheet 3 of 8
`
`5,771,455
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`
`Page 6 of 27
`
`

`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Jun. 23, 1998
`
`
`Sheet 4 of 8
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`5,771,455
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`Page 7 of 27
`
`

`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Jun. 23, 1998
`
`
`Sheet 5 of 8
`
`5,771,455
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`4-D MODEM
`
`
`
`250
`
`
`
`
`252
`
`-I
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DTMF
`RECOGNITION
`
`259
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`VOICE
`
`
`
`4'-:5 RECOGNITION
`
`AND SYNTHESIS
`
`
`
`
`PHONE
`
`
`INTERFACE
`DRIvERs
`243
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PRocEssoR(s)
`
`
`250 mo
`
`
`
`
`252 ED”
`
`
`PLUG_,N ROM
`
`
`
`
`(MAPS/|N- 4-»
`
`FORMATION)
`
`254
`
`
`
`
`
`256
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`‘
`DISPLAY DRIVER
`
`
`
`KEY—PAD oR
`TOUCH SCREEN
`{
`
`
`
`POSITIONING
`272 41> GRAPHIC
`
`
`
`
`POWER SUPPLY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`278
`\
`
`215
`
`
`
`
`270
`
`
`
`V
`
`DISPLAY
`L
`
`
`
`
`P
`
`,4
`
`
`
`268
`
`
`
`FIG. 7
`
`274
`
`276
`
`
`
`
`
`AUTOMATIC
`
`
`STATUS
`GENERATOR
`
`
`OTHER
`
`OPTIONS
`
`4—-D
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 8 of 27
`
`Page 8 of 27
`
`

`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Jun. 23, 1998
`
`
`
`Sheet 6 of 8
`
`5,771,455
`
`
`
`
`CREDH
`
`CARD
`VAUDAHON
`
`
`
`303
`
`
`
`
`FRAUD
`MANAGEMENT
`
`SYSTEM
`
`
`
`237
`
`
`
`uymE
`
`
`TRACKING
`
`
`SYSTEM
`
`
`
`
`288
`
`BILLING
`
`
`SYSTEM
`
`290
`
`
`
`/224
`
`
`
`330
`
`
`
`
`
`TO OTHER
`PLATFORMS
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`
`
`
`291
`
`
`
`
`
`L(T’%‘L‘EgP
`
`
`
`
`
`282
`
`
`284
`
`
`FIG. 8
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`M0DEM/
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MODEM/
`
`
`
`285
`
`I 294
`
`
`q I
`II -
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`_
`SYSTEMS
`5
`
`- 302
`E
`l<H———————————————.-
`
`
`T0 CELLULAR
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`AND (HHER
`
`
`TO DISPATCHERS
`
`
`
`OUTSIDE SYSTEMS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`i
`,
`
`E
`298 ;
`-«»——————————..__..:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`225%,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`370
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG.
`
`
`72
`
`
` lNPUT/
`
`
`
`
`
`OUTPUT
`
`Page 9 of 27
`
`Page 9 of 27
`
`

`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`Jun. 23, 1998
`
`
`
`Sheet 7 of 8
`
`
`5,771,455
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MOBILE UNIT ISSUES
`
`
`PRESENT MESSAGE
`
`(E.G.,t19)
`
`
`306
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`318
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CALL TO PLATFORM
`(E.G.,1—800)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` MOBILE ID
`
`
`
`PROPER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`NO
`
`
`
`
` IS CALL
`
`AUTHORIZED
`
`
`
`
`YES
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PLATFORM CALLS
`
`
`MOBILE UNIT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DO NOT
`
`PUACE CALL
`
`
`
`
`331
`
`328
`IF NO
`
`
`
`
`
`CHALLENGE
`
`RECEIVED.
`
`
`PLATFORM
`
`
`DISCONNECTS
`
`CALL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`316
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F[C- 9
`
`
`336
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`338
`
`Page 10 of 27
`
`YES
`
`
`
`
`COMPLETE CALL (E.C.,
`
`
`
`
`
`vonca OR DATA OR BOTH)
`
`
`
`FIG.
`
`70
`
`
`
`Page 10 of 27
`
`

`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Jun. 23, 1998
`
`
`
`Sheet 8 of 8
`
`5,771,455
`
`
`
`3,40
`
`
`
`
`INITIATE PROGRAMMED
`
`
`
`oR PERSONAL CALL
`
`
`
`342
`
`
`
`344
`
`348
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MOBNE UNH CAUS
`
`PLATFORM (I-800)
`
`
`PLATFORM ISSUES
`
`CHALLENGE
`
`
`
`
`MOBILE UNIT RETURNS
`
`
`RESPONSE/PLATFORM
`
`
`RECEIVES RESPONSE
`
`345
`
`
`
`
`
`
`IF NO CHALLENGE
`
`
`RECEIVED MOBILE
`
`
`
`UNIT DISCONNECTS
`
`
`CALL
`
`(OR NO RESPONSE)
`350
`
`
`
`
`IS
`
`“O
`RESPONSE
`
`
`
`
`
`CORRECT
`
`
`
`
`YES
`
`
`
`352
`
`DISCONNECT CALL
`
`
`
`
`354
`
`
`
`
`
`PLATEURM RECEIVES
`
`
`ULTIMATE NUMBER
`TO BE CALLED
`
`
`
`
`356
`
`
`
`
`PRE-
`
`PROGRAMMED
`
`
`CALL
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`FIG 1 7
`
`'
`
`360
`
`
`
`358
`
`
`
`CONNECT CALL
`
`
`
`(E.C., VOICE OR
`
`
`
`DATA 0R BOTH)
`
`
`
`
`DISCONNECT CALL
`
`
`
`362
`
`
`
`
`
`
`AUTHORIZATION
`(E.G.,CREDlT
`CARD III)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CONNECT CALL
`
`
`
`354
`
`Page 11 of 27
`
`Page 11 of 27
`
`

`
`5,771,455
`
`1
`
`DATA MESSAGING IN A
`
`
`COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK USING A
`
`
`
`FEATURE REQUEST
`
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`
`
`APPLICATIONS
`
`
`This application is a continuation application of U.S.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`patent application Ser. No. 08/175,256, filed Dec. 28, 1993,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`entitled “Data Messaging in a Communications Network,”
`
`
`
`
`
`by William C. Kennedy III and Kenneth R. Westerlage, now
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,810, which is a continuation-in-part
`
`
`
`
`
`
`application of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`08/095,166, entitled “Method and Apparatus for a Nation-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Wide Cellular Telephone Network,” filed on Jul. 20, 1993 by
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`William C. Kennedy III and Kenneth R. Westerlage ABD,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent
`
`
`
`
`
`
`application Ser. No. 07/826,521, entitled “Phantom Mobile
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Identification Number Method and Apparatus,” filed Jan. 27,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1992 by William C. Kennedy III and Robert J. Charles, now
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`abandoned.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`
`
`
`
`This invention relates generally to the field of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`telecommunications, and more particularly to data messag-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ing in a communications network.
`
`
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`
`
`
`The proliferation of sophisticated communications sys-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tems has resulted in developments in mobile communica-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tions and in particular mobile data messaging. Data mes-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`saging collectively refers to the transfer of information over
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`voice or data channels of a communications network. One
`
`
`
`
`
`
`application of data messaging is the monitoring of a group
`
`
`
`
`
`
`of items by causing the items to send data messages to a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`remote location in response to a recognized reporting event.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`For example, a truck trailer monitoring system may use data
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`messaging to collect information on the current position and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`status of a fleet of truck trailers.
`
`
`
`
`
`A network of cellular telephone systems is a suitable
`
`
`
`
`
`
`conduit for such data messaging, especially if the monitored
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`items are mobile, such as people, vehicles, or cargo con-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tainers. However, the cost of using traditional cellular com-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`munication is prohibitive, both in terms of chargeable air
`
`
`
`
`
`
`time and roamer fees.
`
`
`
`
`Another problem with using traditional cellular networks
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`for data messaging is that the fragmentation of cellular
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`service providers results in disintegrated monitoring and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`control of cellular air traffic, which often contributes to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`fraudulent use of the cellular telephone network. Increasing
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`incidents of roamer fraud adds significantly to the cost of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cellular air time, especially for nation-wide users of the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cellular telephone network. To combat these problems, cel-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`lular service providers are implementing authorization and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`verification procedures for validating roaming customers.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Therefore, a need has arisen for a communications net-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`work that handles a high volume of data messaging by
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`exploiting the functionality of existing cellular telecommu-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`nications equipment, while reducing opportunities for fraud.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In particular, a need has arisen for data messaging to monitor
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the position and status of a national fleet of truck trailers in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the most cost effective and reliable manner.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`
`
`In accordance with the teachings of the invention, a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`method and apparatus for data messaging in a communica-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`
`
`15
`
`
`
`20
`
`
`
`25
`
`
`
`30
`
`
`
`35
`
`
`
`40
`
`
`
`45
`
`
`
`50
`
`
`
`55
`
`
`
`60
`
`
`
`65
`
`
`
`Page 12 of 27
`
`
`
`2
`
`tions network is provided which substantially eliminate or
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`reduce disadvantages and problems associated with prior art
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`data messaging systems. Furthermore, data messaging in a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cellular telephone network to monitor the location and status
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`information of a fleet of truck trailers substantially elimi-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`nates or reduces disadvantages and problems associated with
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`prior art truck trailer monitoring systems.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`for data messaging over a cellular telephone network by
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`issuing a feature request
`is disclosed.
`Information is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`obtained on a mobile item. A feature request is generated
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`having data digits that represent information on the mobile
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`item. The feature request is communicated using the cellular
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`telephone network. The feature request
`is received at a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`platform operating as an end user of the cellular telephone
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`network.
`
`In accordance with another aspect of the present
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`invention, a system for data messaging using a cellular
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`telephone network by issuing a feature request includes a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`messaging unit. The messaging unit obtains information on
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a mobile item and generates a feature request having data
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`digits that represent information on the mobile item. The
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`messaging unit has a cellular transceiver that communicates
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the feature request using the cellular telephone network. A
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`platform is coupled to the cellular telephone network and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`receives the feature request communicated by the messaging
`
`
`
`
`
`
`unit. The platform translates the data digits to determine the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`information on the mobile item. The platform has a memory
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`that stores the information on the mobile item. A host is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`coupled to the platform and operates external to the cellular
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`telephone network. The host accesses the information on the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mobile item stored at the platform.
`
`
`
`
`
`An important advantage of the invention is that messaging
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`units can send data messages using a cellular telephone
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`network by issuing a feature request having data digits. The
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`data digits represent information obtained on a mobile item,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and in one particular embodiment, information generated by
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a sensor. The feature request may be communicated to a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`platform for translation of the data digits into information
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`obtained on the mobile item. The platform may then store
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the information