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`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
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`10963.3805
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`Application Number
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`Title of Invention METHOD OF CONTROLLING USER AND REMOTE CELL PHONE TRANSMISSIONS AND DISPLAYS
`
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`METHOD OF CONTROLLING USER AND REMOTE CELL PHONE TRANSMISSIONS AND
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`- 1 -
`
`METHOD OF CONTROLLING USER AND REMOTE CELL PHONE
`TRANSMISSIONS AND DISPLAYS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11/308,648
`filed Apri117, 2006 which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. Patent Application Serial No.
`10/711,490 now U.S. Patent No. 7,031,728.
`
`1.
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`10
`
`A communications system using a plurality of cellular phones each having an
`
`integrated PDA and GPS receiver for the coordination of two or more people through the use
`
`of a communications network. The method and system provide each user with an integrated
`
`handheld cellular!PDA/GPS/phone that has advanced communication software application
`
`programs (hereinafter referred to as ACS) and databases used in conjunction with a remote
`
`15
`
`server that enable a user to control the user's cell phone and to remotely control other users'
`
`cellular!PDA phones to create a passive mode and partial shutdown.
`
`2.
`
`Description of Related Art
`
`The purpose of a communications system is to transmit information bearing digital
`
`messages from a source, located at one point, to a user destination, located at another point
`
`20
`
`some distance away. A communications system is generally comprised of three basic
`
`elements: transmitter, information channel and receiver. One form of communication in
`
`recent years is cellular phone telephony. A network of cellular communication systems set up
`
`around an area such as the United States allows multiple users to talk to each other, either on
`
`individual calls or on group calls. Some cellular phone services enable a cellular phone to
`
`25
`
`engage in conference calls with a small number of users. Furthermore, cellular conference
`
`0005
`
`
`
`- 2-
`
`calls can be established through 800 number services. Cellular telephony also now includes
`
`systems that include Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation that utilizes satellite
`
`navigation. These devices thus unite cellular phone technology with navigation information,
`
`computer information transmission and receipt of data.
`
`5
`
`The method and operation of the communication devices (cell phone/PDA/GPS with
`
`touch screen) used herein are described in U.S. Patent 7,031,728 which is hereby incorporated
`
`by reference and pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11/308,648 and are usually
`
`discussed herein as a cell phone.
`
`It is desirable in certain specific communication networks such as military or police to:
`
`10
`
`(a) enable each network participant having a cell phone that provides other participants with
`
`ongoing information such as location to stop reporting and transmitting to other participants
`
`messages and to go into a listen only passive mode for transmission silence and (b) provide
`
`each cell phone the ability to quickly destroy its message location processing and/or display
`
`software in case of capture. Furthermore, it is desirable for a commander's cell phone to be
`
`15
`
`able to remotely control one or more of the cell phones operating in the entire network to: (a)
`
`cause another busy phone to interrupt and to accept a voice call, (b) force a phone to accept an
`
`incoming call, and (c) quickly disable or destroy a remote phone's message location
`
`processing and/or display software in case of capture.
`
`0006
`
`
`
`- 3-
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Applicant's communication system and method described herein is embodied in the
`
`advanced communication software (ACS) application programs developed by applicant and
`
`5
`
`installed in the integrated PDA/GPS cell phones used herein.
`
`A plurality of
`
`cellular phone/PDA/GPS devices each having ACS application
`
`programs and databases provide a communication network in conjunction with a remote server
`
`dedicated to the communication network of cell phone devices with the ability to: a)
`
`selectively poll each of the other PDA/GPS cell phone devices requiring each participant
`
`10 phone to start automatically reporting its position and status information to all or selected
`
`users equipped with the same cellular phone/PDA software devices in the communications net
`
`so that each of the phone devices exchange location, status and other information, (b) remotely
`
`control from one cellular phone/PDA/GPS any of the other cellular phone/PDA/GPS systems
`
`phones including the ability to control remote cellular phones, place return calls, place calls to
`
`15
`
`another phone number, vibrate, execute text to speech software, change sound intensity, and
`
`remotely control software and functions resident on the remote phones, (c) display remote
`
`phone information by touching the user phone display screen depicting remote phone's
`
`location on the PDA user display, (d) make calls to or send data to remote phones by touching
`
`their display symbols and selecting the appropriate user phone displayed soft switch; (e) layer
`
`20
`
`a sufficient number of switches or buttons on the PDA display to perform the above functions
`
`0007
`
`
`
`-4-
`
`without overlaying the map; and (f) change the nomenclature of a series of soft switches for
`
`different operating environments.
`
`A communication network server acts as a forwarder for IP communications between
`
`any combination of cell phone/PDA users and/or PC based users. Network participant
`
`5
`
`location, identity and status messages are sent to the server by each network participant or user
`
`phone device. Network participant entered tracks are also sent to the server. Because this data
`
`is of interest to all the network participants, the server forwards the data received from one
`
`participant to all other participants, thus providing the information necessary for all network
`
`participants to know the identity, location and status of all other network participants.
`
`10
`
`The server also acts as a forwarder of data addressed from one participant to one or
`
`more addressed participants, thus permitting the transmission of free text, preformatted
`
`messages, photographs, video, E-mail and URL data from one network participant to other
`
`selected network participants.
`
`The above functions can also be accomplished using peer to peer WiFi, WiMax or
`
`15 other peer to peer communications. However, for use with cellular communications and to
`
`assure the level of security that cell phone companies require, a centralized static IP routable
`
`server is used.
`
`The IP server also fills another role of being a database from which data can be
`
`requested by network participants (i.e. maps, satellite images, etc.) or can be pushed to
`
`20 network participants (i.e. symbology and soft switch changes, etc.).
`
`0008
`
`
`
`-5-
`
`It is an object of this invention is to enable each participant in the communications net
`
`to poll the other net participants to report or cease reporting their locations, identity and status
`
`on the communication net.
`
`It is another object of this invention to provide and enable each participant in the
`
`5
`
`communications net to select an ACS software switch that directs each participant's cell phone
`
`software to limit the application to receive messages only at the cell phone thus making it
`
`passive.
`
`Another object of the invention is to provide a communication system havmg a
`
`plurality of individual cell phones that allow an operator of one cell phone to remotely control
`
`10
`
`any of the other cell phone/PDA system phones including the ability to: (a) control remote
`
`cellular phones that cause another phone to automatically accept a voice call, (b) select a soft
`
`switch that destroys the message location processing software of the remote phone and to
`
`activate a microphone so conversations can be monitored, (c) remotely turn off and tum on the
`
`specific message location processing and/or display software in the remote phone and (d)
`
`15
`
`remotely cause a cell phone to destroy its message location processing and display software.
`
`In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the
`
`instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying
`
`drawings.
`
`0009
`
`
`
`- 6-
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Figure la shows a front plan view of a cellular phone/PDA/GPS having a touch screen
`
`that includes ACS software described herein.
`
`Figure 1 b shows a flow chart that provides a method of calling a remote cell phone by
`
`5 hooking a symbol representing the remote user and selecting the CALL soft switch and
`
`causing a remote phone to make a call.
`
`Figure 2a shows a flow chart that provides a method to the user to preclude the user's
`
`own cell phone transmissions.
`
`Figure 2b shows a flow chart of a user method to disable the user's own cell phone
`
`10 message location processing display software.
`
`Figure 2c shows a flow chart showing a user method to destroy the user's own cell
`
`phone processing and display software.
`
`Figure 3a shows a flow chart of a user method to transmit a digital message to a remote
`
`cell phone to tum offthe remote cell phone's display.
`
`15
`
`Figure 3b shows a flow chart of a method for a user cell phone to transmit a digital
`
`message to a remote cell phone to destroy the remote cell phone's message location processing
`
`and display software.
`
`0010
`
`
`
`- 7-
`
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
`
`A method and communication system that joins participants in a communications
`
`network using handheld cell phones having integrated PDA and GPS circuitry with ACS
`
`5
`
`application programs that allow a participant having an Advanced Communications Software
`
`(ACS) equipped cell phone to activate and control other participants' remote cell
`
`phones/PDAs that contain ACS.
`
`Each cell phone described herein for the participant network has its own individual
`
`on/off power and can function just as any other cell phone. It can also function with its PDA
`
`10
`
`and GPS system. In addition to its own on and off power switch, it has another switch that
`
`activates the ACS advanced communication software programs resident in each cell phone
`
`including the special databases that provide all the other participants' telephone numbers, E(cid:173)
`
`mail addresses and other information necessary to carry on the communications described
`
`herein. To operate the network, obviously the cell phone power switch has to be on. If the
`
`15
`
`cell phone is completely turned off, then it is not part of the participating network.
`
`The communication system includes a server that acts as a forwarder for IP
`
`communications between any combination of cell phone/PDA users and/or PC based users.
`
`Network participant location, identity and status messages are sent to the server by each user.
`
`The users are the network participants. Network participant entered tracks are also sent to the
`
`20
`
`server. Because this data is of interest to all the network participants, the server forwards the
`
`data received from one participant to all other participants, thus providing the information
`
`0011
`
`
`
`- 8-
`
`necessary for all network participants to know the identity, location and status of all other
`
`network participants.
`
`The server also acts as a fmwarder of data addressed :from one participant to one or
`
`more addressed participants, thus permitting the transmission of free text, preformatted
`
`5 messages, photographs, video, E-mail and URL data from one network participant to other
`
`selected network participants.
`
`The above functions can also be accomplished using peer to peer WiFi, WiMax or
`
`other peer to peer communications. However, for use with cellular communications and to
`
`assure the level of security that cell phone companies require, a centralized static IP routable
`
`10
`
`server is used.
`
`The IP server also fills another role of being a database from which data can be
`
`requested by network participants (i.e. maps, satellite images, etc.) or can be pushed to
`
`network participants (i.e. symbology and soft switch changes, etc.).
`
`Referring now to the drawings and, in particular, Figure 1 a, a small handheld cellular
`
`15 phone 10 is shown that includes a personal digital assistant (FDA) and a global positioning
`
`system receiver (GPS) communications device integrated in housing 12 that includes an on/off
`
`power switch 19, a microphone 38, and an LCD display 16 that is also a touch screen system.
`
`The small area 16a is the navigation bar that depicts the telephone, GPS and other status data
`
`and the active software. Each cell phone includes a CPU and databases that store information
`
`20 useful in the communication network. The CPU also includes a symbol generator for creating
`
`touch screen display symbols discussed herein. With the touch screen 16, the screen symbols
`
`0012
`
`
`
`- 9-
`
`are entered through GPS inputs or by the operator using a stylus 14 (or operator fmger) by
`
`manipulatively drrecting the stylus 14 to literally touch display 16. The soft switches 16d
`
`displayed on the display 16 are likewise activated by using a stylus 14 and physically and
`
`manipulatively drrecting the stylus to literally touch display 16. The display x, y coordinates of
`
`5
`
`the touched point are known by a CPU in the PDA section of the communication system in
`
`housing 12 that can coordinate various information contained in the PDA relative to the x, y
`
`coordinate position on the display 16. Inside housing 12 is contained the conventional cellular
`
`phone elements including a modem, a CPU for use with a PDA and associated circuitry
`
`connected to speaker 24 and microphone 38. A GPS navigational receiver that receives signals
`
`10
`
`from satellites that can determine the latitude and longitude of the cellular phone housing 12
`
`can be internal or external to the housing 12. Conventional PDA/cellular phones are currently
`
`on sale and sold as a unit (or with an external connected GPS) that can be used for cellular
`
`telephone calls and sending cellular SMS and TCPIIP or other messages using the PDA's
`
`display 16 and computer (CPU). The GPS system including a receiver in housing 12 is
`
`15
`
`capable of determining the latitude and longitude and through SMS, TCP!IP, WiFi or other
`
`digital messaging software, to also transmit this latitude and longitude information of housing
`
`12 to other cellular phones in the communication network via cellular communications, WiFi
`
`or radio. The device 1 0 includes a pair of cellular phone hardware activating buttons 20 to
`
`turn the cellular phone on and 22 to tum the cellular phone off. Navigation pad actuator 18 is
`
`20
`
`similar to a joy or force stick in that the actuator 18 manually provides movement commands
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`that can be used by the PDA's software to move a cursor on display 16. Switches 26 and 28
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`0013
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`- 10-
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`are designed to quickly select an operator specified network software program. Speaker 24 and
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`microphone 38 are used for audio messages. Switch 19 at the top left of device 10 is the
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`power on and power off switch for the entire device.
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`The heart of the invention lies in the applicant's ACS application programs provided in
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`5 each cell phone/PDA device. The ACS programs are activated by clicking on an icon on the
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`cell phone/PDA display screen to turn the ACS programs on or off. Mounted within housing
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`12 as part of the PDA is the display 16 and the CPU (not shown). The internal CPU includes
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`databases and software application programs that provide for a geographical map and
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`georeferenced entities
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`that are shown as display portion 16b that includes as part of the
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`10 display various areas of interest in the particular local map section.
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`When looking at display 16, the software switches (soft switches) which appear at the
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`very bottom of the display 16d are used to control by touch many of the software driven
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`functions of the cellular phone and PDA. The soft switches are activated through the
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`operator's use of the navigation pad 18, or a small track ball, force stick or similar hardware
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`15 display cursor pointing device. Alternatively, the operator may choose to activate the software
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`switches by touching the screen with a stylus 14 (or fmger) at the switches' 16d locations.
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`When some of the software switches are activated, different software switches appear. The bar
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`display 16d shows the software switches "ZM IN (zoom in)," "ZM OT (zoom out)," "CENT
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`(center)" and "GRAB (pan/grab)" at the bottom ofthe screen. These software switches enable
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`20
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`the operator to perform these functions. The "SWITH (switch)" software switch at the lower
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`right causes a matrix of layered software switches (soft switches) to appear above the bottom
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`0014
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`row of switches. Through use of the software switches, the operator can also manipulate the
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`geographical map 16b or chart display. When looking at Figure la, display symbols depict
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`permanent geographical locations and buildings are shown. For example, the police station is
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`shown and, when the symbol is touched by the stylus or finger, the latitude and longitude of
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`5
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`the symbol's location, as shown in display section 16c, is displayed at the bottom left of the
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`screen. The bottom right side of display 16c is a multifunction inset area that can contain a
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`variety of information including: a) a list of the communication link participants; b) a list of
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`received messages; c) a map, aerial photograph or satellite image with an indication of the
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`zoom and offset location of the main map display, which is indicated by a square that depicts
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`10
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`the area actually displayed in the main geographical screen 16b; d) applicable status
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`information; and e) a list of the communication net participants. Each participant user would
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`have a device 10 shown in Figure la.
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`Also shown on the display screen 16, specifically the geographical display 16b, is a
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`pair of different looking symbols 30 and 34, a small triangle and a small square, which are not
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`15
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`labeled. These symbols 30 and 34 can represent communication net participants having
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`cellular phones in the displayed geographical area that are part of the overall cellular phone
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`communications net, each participant having the same device 10 used. The latitude and
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`longitude of symbol 30 is associated within a database with a specific cell phone number and,
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`if available, its IP address and E-mail address. The screen display 16b, which is a touch
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`20
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`screen, provides x andy coordinates of the screen 16b to the CPU's software from a map in a
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`geographical database. The software has an algorithm that relates the x and y coordinates to
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`0015
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`- 12-
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`latitude and longitude and can access a communications net participant's symbol or a fixed or
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`movable entity's symbol as being the one closest to that point.
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`In order to initiate a telephone call to the cellular phone user (communication net
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`participant) represented by symbol (triangle) 30 at a specific latitude and longitude displayed
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`5 on chart 16b, the operator touches the triangle 3 0 symbo 1 with the stylus 14. The operator then
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`touches a "call" software switch from a matrix of displayed soft switches that would overlay
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`the display area 16c. hnmediately, the cellular phone will initiate a cellular telephone call to
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`the cellular phone user at the geographical location shown that represents symbol 30. A
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`second cellular phone user (communication net participant) is represented by symbol 34 which
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`10
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`is a small square (but could be any shape or icon) to represent an individual cellular phone
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`device in the display area. The ring 32 around symbol 30 indicates that the symbol 30 has
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`been touched and that a telephone call can be initiated by touching the soft switch that says
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`"call." When this is done, the telephone call is initiated. Other types of symbolic elements on
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`the display 16 can indicate that a cellular phone call is in effect Additionally, the operator can
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`15
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`touch both symbol 34 and symbol 30 and can activate a conference call between the two
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`cellular phones and users represented by symbols 30 and 34. Again, a symbolic ring around
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`symbol 34 indicates that a call has been initiated.
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`Equally important, an operator/user with a cell phone call the police station or any
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`other specific geographical facility displayed on