US009445251B2
`
`a2) United States Patent
`US 9,445,251 B2
`(0) Patent No.:
`Sep. 13, 2016
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Beyer, Jr. et al.
`
`(54) METHOD TO PROVIDE AD HOC AND
`PASSWORD PROTECTED DIGITAL AND
`VOICE NETWORKS
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ciicceccccsescssenseseecseseneescnesesssanecneneees HO4W 4/02
`USPC viecescesesstesseseseseeseesesenenecerae 455/404.2, 456.1
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(71) Applicant: Advanced Ground Information
`Systems, Inc., Jupiter, FL (US)
`
`(56)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Malcolm K. Beyer, Jr., Jupiter, FL
`(US); Christopher R. Rice, Redmond,
`WA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Advanced Ground Information
`Systems, Inc., Jupiter, FL (US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 14/633,804
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Feb. 27, 2015
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2016/0057598 Al
`
`Feb. 25, 2016
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 14/529,978, filed on
`Oct. 31, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 14/027,410, filed on Sep. 16, 2013,
`now Pat. No. 8,880,042, which is a continuation of
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`HO4M 11/04
`HO4W 24/00
`
`(Continued)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2009.01)
`(Continued)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl
`CPC veeceecceseee HO4W 4/22 (2013.01); GO6F 3/0482
`(2013.01); GO6F 3/04842 (2013.01); HO4L
`63/083 (2013.01); HO4L 67/18 (2013.01):
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,555,286 A
`5,898,434 A
`
`9/1996 Tendler
`4/1999 Small et al.
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`JP
`
`H085394
`H09113288
`
`1/1996
`5/1997
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Benefon ESCI GSM + GPS Personal Navigation Phone, 1999,
`Benefon Oyj, Salo, Finland.
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner — Omoniyi Obayanyu
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Goodwin Procter LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method and system includes the ability for individuals to
`set up an ad hocdigital and voice networkeasily and rapidly
`to allow users to coordinate their activities by eliminating
`the need for pre-entry ofdata into a web or identifying others
`by name, phone numbers or email. This methodis especially
`useful for police, fire fighters, military, first responders or
`other emergency situations for coordinating different orga-
`nizations at the scene of a disaster to elevate conventional
`
`communication problems either up and down the chain of
`command or cross communication between different emer-
`
`gency units. The method and system provides that the users
`are only required to enter a specific Server IP address and an
`ad hoc event name, a password and perhaps the nameofthe
`particular unit.
`
`(Continued)
`
`35 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`ENABLING LOCATION, STATUS, VoIP, PTT AND VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN
`RADIOS AND CELL PHONES
`
`
`IPDATA
`|
`MESSAGES
`|
`| te INCLUDING |
`
`POITION
`NETWORKED |
`I
`|
`IDENTITY VoIP|
`PDACELL
`!!I
`PHONES=7" aND DIGITIZED | ' MESSAGES
`
`
`a oe i
`|
`(P DATA
`
`DECODESIP |
`VIDEO
`|
`i
`INCLUDING
`DATA
`i
`'i
`SERVER}
`
`'POITION IDENTITY
`MAINTAINS A |
`|
`VolP AND
`! TERMPORARY !
`1 RETENTION OF !
`|
`| DIGITIZED VIDEO
`| NAMES AND IP }
`iP DATA
`ADDRESSES
`|
`MESSAGES
`
`SENDS DATA !
` NETWORKED
`INCLUDING
`! BETWEEN ALL |
`POITION IDENTITY
`§ wiTH SAME AD }
`PDAs / PCSs
`VoIP AND
`! HocNaMe.
`|
`CONNECTED TO
`t
`DIGITIZED VIDEO.
`AN iP CAPABLE
`UNLESS!
`
`| ADDRESSED To |
`RADIO RECEIVEiP
`t AspPEcIFIcIP }
`DATA FROM RADIO
`ADDRESS
`AND DECODESIP
`DATA,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`||
`| NETWORK PDA
`| GELL PHONE
`|
`“CREATES
`|
`LOCATION,
`|
`IDENTITY, PPT
`| AND VIDEO [P-
`| MESSAGES
`lLttnamanntnasnnnn
`
`Google 1001
`U.S. Patent No. 9,445,251
`
`Google 1001
`U.S. Patent No. 9,445,251
`
`

`

`US 9,445,251 B2
`Page 2
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`application No. 13/751,453, filed on Jan. 28, 2013,
`now Pat. No. 8,538,393, which is a continuation-in-
`part of application No. 12/761,533, filed on Apr. 16,
`2010, now Pat. No. 8,364,129, which is a continua-
`tion-in-part of application No. 11/615,472, filed on
`Dec. 22, 2006, now Pat. No. 8,126,441, which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 11/308,648,
`filed on Apr. 17, 2006, now Pat. No. 7,630,724, which
`is a continuation-in-part of application No. 10/711,
`490, filed on Sep. 21, 2004, now Pat. No. 7,031,728.
`
`(51)
`
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2013.01)
`(2013.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`7,024,207 B2
`7,031,700 BI
`7,292,935 B2
`7,299,075 B2
`7,330,112 Bl
`7,486,648 Bl
`7,499,799 B2
`7,593,740 B2*
`8,014,763 B2*
`
`4/2006 Gordayet al.
`4/2006 Weaveretal.
`11/2007 Yoon
`11/2007 Gottlieb et al.
`2/2008 Emighetal.
`2/2009 Baranowski
`3/2009 Park
`9/2009 Crowley et al. oo... 455/456.3
`
`9/2011 Hymes oe HO4M 1/26
`455/414.2
`
`3/2012 Weberet al.
`8,139,514 B2
`11/2001 Ausemsetal.
`200 1/0044321 Al
`1/2003 Mizuneetal.
`2003/0013461 Al
`2003/0093405 Al
`5/2003 Mayer
`2003/0139150 Al
`7/2003 Rodriguez et al.
`8/2003 Sikila
`2003/0149527 Al
`2003/0200259 Al
`10/2003 Tsuge
`3/2004 Shehaetal.
`2004/0054428 Al
`2004/0137884 Al
`7/2004 Engstrom etal.
`2004/0143391 Al
`7/2004 King et al.
`7/2004 Mellen wo. 701/200
`2004/0148090 Al*
`9/2004 Wilsonet al.
`2004/0192299 Al
`10/2004 Augustetal.
`2004/0204070 Al
`2004/0252050 Al* 12/2004 Tengler oc... GO1S 5/0072
`342/357.31
`2004/0266456 Al
`12/2004 Bostrom et al.
`2005/0060069 Al
`3/2005 Breed et al.
`2005/0130634 Al
`6/2005 Godfrey
`2005/0130666 Al*
`6/2005 Levy wwe HO4W 8/24
`455/452.2
`2005/0227705 Al
`10/2005 Rousuetal.
`2006/0030339 Al
`2/2006 Zhovnirovsky et al.
`2006/0031927 Al
`2/2006 Mizunoetal.
`2006/0047825 Al*
`3/2006 Steenstra et al. ow... 709/229
`2007/0150444 Al
`6/2007 Chesnaiset al.
`2007/0281689 Al
`12/2007 Altman et al.
`2008/0132243 Al
`6/2008 Spalink et al.
`2010/0052945 Al
`3/2010 Breed
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`JP
`JP
`WO
`
`2000-357296 A
`2002245336
`2002-277256 A
`03074973 A2
`
`12/2000
`8/2002
`9/2002
`9/2003
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Int. Cl.
`HOAW 4/22
`HO4W 76/00
`HO4M 1/725
`HO4W 68/00
`HOAW 4/02
`HO4W 4/08
`HO4W 64/00
`HOAW 84/18
`HOAW 12/08
`HOAW 12/02
`GO6F 3/0482
`GO6F 3/0484
`HOAL 29/06
`HOAL 29/08
`HOAW 76/02
`HO4W 4/10
`HO4M 1/2745
`(52) U.S. Cl
`CPC..... HO4M1/72519 (2013.01); HO4M 1/72536
`(2013.01); HO4M 1/72572 (2013.01); HO4M
`1/72583 (2013.01); HO4W 4/02 (2013.01);
`HO4W 4/021 (2013.01); HOAW 4/023
`(2013.01); HO4W 4/027 (2013.01); HO4w
`4/08 (2013.01); HOAW 12/02 (2013.01);
`HO4W 12/08 (2013.01); HO4W 64/00
`(2013.01); HO4W 68/00 (2013.01); HO4W
`76/007 (2013.01); HO4W 84/18 (2013.01);
`HO4M 1/27455 (2013.01); HO4M 1/72525
`(2013.01); HO4M 1/72547 (2013.01); HO4M
`2250/10 (2013.01); HO4M 2250/22 (2013.01):
`HO4M 2250/62 (2013.01); HO4W 4/026
`(2013.01); HO4W 4/10 (2013.01); HO4w
`76/005 (2013.01); HO4W 76/021 (2013.01)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`
`Elisa Batista, Your Boss May Know Where You Are, May 31, 2002,
`<http://archive.wired.com/gadgets/wireless/news/2002/
`05152852?currentPage=all>.
`Gate5, “Mobile Community Solution: Context-sensitive application
`suite for mobile communities,” published in 2002.
`Gate5, “Mobile Guide Solution: Context-sensitive applications for
`PDAbased mobile city and travel guides,” published in 2002.
`Batista, “Your Boss May Know Where You Are,” Wired News,
`published May 31, 2002.
`Edlund, Thereseet al., “Mobile Services for truck drivers,” Master
`thesis in Mobile Informatics, IT University of Goteborg, Sweden,
`2003.
`The Gate5S system, which, upon information and belief, was sold
`3/2001 Fumarolo etal.
`6,204,844 Bl
`and/or publicly used within the U.S. prior to 2004 and at least as
`9/2001 Amroet al.
`6,292,747 Bl
`early as 2002.
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`6,366,782 Bl
`Kim, Ryan, “Find Friends by cell phone/Loopt application’s Gps
`4/2002 Moore
`6,377,210 Bl
`5/2002 Yoshioka
`6,385,465 Bl
`program can beam maplocation,” published Nov. 14, 2006 by
`SFGate.
`8/2002 Ausemsetal.
`6,434,403 Bl
`12/2002 Wiener
`6,490,521 B2
`LocatioNet Press Release: “LocatioNet Releases Ground Breaking
`2/2003 Lehtinen et al.
`6,518,957 Bl
`Mass Market LBS Application Suite—LocatioNet MyMap,” pub-
`4/2003 Balaet al.
`6,542,475 Bl
`lished May 6, 2003.
`4/2003 Fraccaroli
`6,549,768 Bl
`LocatioNet LBS Applications: MyMapdescription web page, pub-
`12/2003 Buckham etal.
`6,662,016 Bl
`lished before 2004 upon information andbelief.
`4/2004 Meadowsetal.
`6,716,101 Bl
`The LocatioNet system which, upon information and belief, was
`8/2004 Kingetal.
`6,775,560 B2
`sold and/or publically used within the U.S. prior to 2004 andatleast
`3/2005 Melen
`6,868,333 B2
`as early as 2003.
`3/2005 Muramatsu
`6,868,337 B2
`and Work and
`
`
`6,882,856 Bl Luna, Lynnette, “This Man Knows You Live...4/2005 Alterman etal.
`6,885,874 B2
`4/2005 Grubeetal.
`Play,” Wireless Review, Sep. 2002; pp. 24-32.
`
`

`

`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`Page 3
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`
`Meggers, Jens et al., ““A Multimedia Communication Architecture
`for Handheld Devices,” IEEE Paper 0-7803-4872-9/98, published
`1998.
`Memory Map Remote Tracking, available at https://web.archive.
`org/web/20060202 16 1013/http://memory-map.com/.
`Ostman, Lennart, “A Study of Location-Based Services Including a
`Design and Implementation of an Enhanced Friend Finder Client
`with Mapping Capabilities,” Lulea Tekniska Univeritet, 2001.
`U.S. Appl. No. 14/529,978, filed Oct. 31, 2014, Method to Provide
`Ad Hoc and Password Protected Digital and Voice Networks,
`Malcolm K. Beyer, et al.
`U.S. Appl. No. 14/695,233, filed Apr. 24, 2015, Method to Provide
`Ad Hoc and Password Protected Digital and Voice Networks,
`Malcolm K. Beyer.
`
`U.S. Appl. No. 14/633,764, filed Feb. 27, 2015, Method to Provide
`Ad Hoc and Password Protected Digital and Voice Networks,
`Malcolm K. Beyer,et al.
`Garmin rino 110 2-way Radio & Personal Navigator; Owner’s
`Manual and Reference Guide; Apr. 2003; 88pgs.
`Int’l Preliminary Report on Patentability (PRP); for Int’! Patent
`App. No. PCT/JP2004/000250 dated Jul. 5, 2005; 4pgs.
`Life360’s Rule 50(a) Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law;
`AGIS, Inc. v. Life360, Inc. (S.D. F1.); Mar. 12, 2015; 27pgs.
`Plaintiff Advanced Ground Information Systems, Inc.’s Motions in
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`tion-device-and-wireless-data-service-77056402.html; downloaded
`Jun. 16, 2016; 4pgs.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
`
`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`
`
`FIG.
`
`7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
`
`Sheet 2 of 7
`
`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`aoe
`| een GRE]
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`
`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`nen
`re
`_
`
`ae
`
`arm uy
`AB HOC
`
`SERVER
`
` a
`
`
`AD HOC
`NETWORK
`
`ADDRESSES ist AD HOC |
`
`
`NANE AND
`USER NAME
`
`PASSWORD AND
`PASSWORD AND
`|
`USER NAME
`
`
`NETWORKED FIG. 5
`
`
`RETENTION OF
`NAMES AND IP
`
`
`
`ADDITIONAL
`AD HOC
`NETWORKED
`PDAs/ PCS
`
`
`
`
`NAME
`COMMON
`KATRINA
`
`COMMANDED |
`¥
`$
`
`
`CHANNEL 7
`
`SERVER
`
`COMMON
`
`f
`
`Fy
`
`7
`
`
`
`KATRINA
`COMMANDED
`
`| CHANNEL 7
`PARTICIE~ |
`
`ANTS
`LE
`
`
`
`
`
`neeSOONEDOODOURARANIRAANNOAAASANTE
`
`LEADER SIGNS ON TO THE AD HOC
`PASSWORD PROTECTED KATRINA FIRE
`NETWORK AND ENTERS A PIT GROUP
`CHANNEL.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`AS NET PARTICIPANTS SIGN ON TQ THE AD HOC |
`PASSWORD PROTECTED KATRINA FIRE
`NETWORK THEY RECEIVE A PIT GROUP
`DESIGNATOR,
`THEIR PDA AUTOMATICALLY USES |
`THE PTY DATA TO SHIFT TO THE COMMANDED
`|
`VOICE CHANNEL.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. &
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
`
`US 9,445,251 B2
`
` NAME,
`
`
`
`NAME,
`LOCATION,
`|
`| LOCATION, be»
`
`
`se ||STATUS AND]
`
`[STATUS AND
`
`
`Let
`PHONE
`|
` PDA
`
`PHONE
`UMBER FOR]
`|
`NUMBER FOR!
`
`
`
`
`CELL
`CHANNEL 7 |
`
`CHANNEL 7 |
`PHONE
`
`
` PYF
`
`PTT
`
`NET
`
`
` LEADER|
`
`PARTICIP~ |
`ANTS
`
`
`| |
`
`
`
`
`
`LEADER RECEIVES THE PTT NAME
`LOCATION, STATUS AND PPT
`|
`| CHANNEL 7 PHONE NUMBER AS EACH]
`
`
`|
`AD HOC PASSWORD PROTECTED
`
`KATRINA FAIRE NETWORK UNIT REPORTS)
`
`
`
`KATRINA: FIRE REWORK RECEIVE ALL OTHERS’
`
`
`&
`
`AS NET PARRCIPANTS REPORT IN THE AD HOC
`PASSWORD PROTECTED KATRINA AIRE NETWORK
`THEY TRANSMIT THIER NAME, LOCATION, STATUS
`AND PYP PHONE NUMBER,
`ALL ON THE
`
`
`
`
`|
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
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`US 9,445,251 B2
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`

`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`1
`METHOD TO PROVIDE AD HOC AND
`PASSWORD PROTECTED DIGITAL AND
`VOICE NETWORKS
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica-
`tion Ser. No. 14/529,978 filed on Oct. 31, 2014, which is a
`continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`14/027,410 filed on Sep. 16, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No.
`8,880,042, issued Nov. 4, 2014, which is a continuation of
`USS. patent application Ser. No. 13/751,453 filed Jan. 28,
`2013, now US. Pat. No. 8,538,393 issued Sep. 17, 2013,
`which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 12/761,533 filed on Apr. 16, 2010, now U.S. Pat.
`No. 8,364,129 issued Jan. 29, 2013, whichis a continuation-
`in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/615,472 filed
`on Dec. 22, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,126,441 issued on
`Feb. 28, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 11/308,648 filed Apr. 17, 2006, now
`USS. Pat. No. 7,630,724 issued on Dec. 8, 2009, which is a
`continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`10/711,490, filed on Sep. 21, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No.
`7,031,728 issued on Apr. 18, 2006. All of the preceding
`applications are incorporated herein by reference in their
`entirety.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`Acommunications method and system using a plurality of
`cellular phones each having an integrated Personal Digital
`Assistant
`(PDA) and Global Positioning System (GPS)
`receiver for the managementof two or more people through
`the use of a communications network. The method and
`
`system provide each user with an integrated handheld cel-
`lular/PDA/GPS/phone that has Advanced Communication
`Software application programs (hereinafter referred to as
`ACS) and databases used in conjunction with a remote
`Server that enable a user to quickly establish a communi-
`cation networkof cell phone participants having a common
`temporary ad hoc network using mobile wireless commu-
`nication devices.
`The invention includes a method and communication
`
`system to quickly set up and provide ad hoc, password
`protected, digital and voice networks to allow a group of
`people to be able to set up a network easily and rapidly,
`especially in an emergencysituation.
`2. Description of Related Art
`The purpose of a communications system is to transmit
`digital messages from a source, located at one point, to user
`destination(s), located at other point(s) 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 communi-
`cation 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 engage in conference
`calls with a small number of users. Furthermore, cellular
`conference calls can be established through 800 number
`services. Cellular telephony also now includes systems that
`include GPS navigation that utilizes satellite navigation.
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`These devices thus unite cellular phone technology with
`navigation information, computer information transmission
`and receipt of data.
`The method and operation of communication devices
`used herein are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,031,728 which
`is hereby incorporated by reference and U.S. Pat. No.
`7,630,724.
`Military, first responder, and other public and private
`emergency groups need to be able to set up ad hoc digital
`and voice networks easily and rapidly. These private net-
`works may be temporary or longer lasting in nature. The
`users need to be able to rapidly coordinate their activities
`eliminating the need for pre-entry of data into a web and or
`identifying others by name, phone numbers or email
`addresses so that all
`intended participants that enter the
`agreed ad hoc network nameand passwordare both digitally
`and voice interconnected. When a user or users leave the
`
`network, no data concerning the network participants need
`be retained.
`
`Coordinating different organizations at the scene of a
`disaster presents several problems as there are voice and
`digital data (text messages) communicationsthat need to be
`constantly occurring up and downthe chain of command. As
`an example, communications are required from a police
`chief to a police captain to a police lieutenant to a police
`sergeant to a policeman and then back up the same chain of
`command.Digital data exchange of GPS data or other means
`provides the location component of the units. Digital chat,
`text messages, white boards and photo video exchange
`provide extensive collaboration. However, during a disaster,
`otherfirst responders such as fire departments must become
`engaged. While the fire department users may have voice
`and digital data (text messages) communications up and
`downtheir chain of command, these individuals do not have
`the ability to cross communicate necessarily with police
`units without a substantial degree of immediate coordina-
`tion. The method and system in accordance with the present
`invention described herein discloses how digital communi-
`cations along with Personal Computer
`(PC) and PDA
`devices can be used to quickly establish user specific pass-
`word protected private ad hoc voice and data networks to
`enable both data and voice communications up and down
`their chain of commandand simultaneously with different,
`not pre-known, organizations responding to a disaster. The
`invention defines a method of accomplishing this by pro-
`viding all personnel that need to communicate with each
`other with a PC or PDA which are interconnected to a Server
`
`using cellular or other communications.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Applicant’s communication system and method described
`herein is embodied in the Advanced Communication Soft-
`ware (ACS) application programs developed by applicant
`and installed in the integrated PDA/GPScell phones used
`herein and remote Servers.
`
`A plurality of Internet Protocol (IP) capable PDA/GPS
`devices each having ACS application programs and data-
`bases provides a communication network in conjunction
`with a remote Server that provides the ability to: a) establish
`an ad hoc network of devices so that the devices can either
`
`broadcast to a group or selectively transmit to each of the
`other; each PDA/GPSphonestarts by requesting access to
`the Server and identifying a mutually agreed to network
`name and password and once granted, reports its GPS
`position and status; the Server then routes the data to all
`signed on network participants so that each of the devices
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`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`3
`exchange location, status and other information; (b) force
`the received information to the recipient’s display and
`enable the recipient to acquire additional information by
`touching the display screen at a remote phone’s location on
`the PDA display; (c) make calls to or send data to remote
`phones by touching their display symbols and selecting the
`appropriate soft switch; (d) layer a sufficient numberofsoft
`switches or buttons on the PDAdisplay to perform the above
`functions without overlaying the map; and (e) allow a
`polling mode in each cell phone that permits a user to
`contact other cell phone users that have a commoninterest
`or relationship with a password and identifier for commu-
`nication andto establish quickly a temporary ad hoc network
`especially in an emergency.
`A communication Server 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. Network participant entered tracks are also
`sent to the Server. Because this network participant location
`and track data is of interest to all the network participants,
`the Server forwards the data received from oneparticipant to
`all other participants, causing their displays automatically,
`without any operator action, to display the received infor-
`mation,
`thus providing the information necessary for all
`networkparticipants to know the identity, location andstatus
`of all other network participants.
`The Serveralso acts as a forwarderof data addressed from
`
`one participant to one or more addressed participants, thus
`permitting the transmission of free text, preformatted mes-
`sages, photographs, video, Email and Uniform Resource
`Locator (URL) data from one network participant to other
`selected network participants.
`The above functions can also be accomplished using peer
`to peer WiFi, WiMaxorother 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, and the like) or can be pushed to
`network participants
`(i.e.
`symbology and soft
`switch
`changes, and the like). The Server is used to establish an ad
`hoc network within certain groups using an ad hoc event
`name and password.
`This invention provides a method and a system establish-
`ing an ad hoc password protected digital and voice network
`that can be temporarily set up or longer lasting in nature. The
`invention described herein allowsusers to rapidly coordinate
`their activities without having to pre-enter data into a web or
`identify others by name, E mail addresses or phone numbers.
`Essentially the users that establish the ad hoc and password
`protected digital and voice networksare required to enter the
`Server’s IP address and an ad hoc event name and a
`
`password. In the case of military and first responders, the
`nameofthe user’s unit may also be used. This action causes
`the specific PDA or PC of the user to commence reporting
`directly to the Server’s IP address. Once the Server receives
`the initial IP message from the user’s PDA or PC,the server
`can commenceto exchange data with the user’s PDA or PC.
`Theinitial IP message mayalso contain additional data such
`as a license numberand,if desired, a phone number manu-
`ally entered or automatically acquired by the ACS. The IP
`address of the PDA and PC unit sending the initial IP
`message is stored by the Server. The Server then responds
`with a message notifying the user that his PC/PDA is
`connected to the Server. The user PDA/PC then reports its
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`GPS location and other status information directly to the
`Server. This information is retained by the Server even when
`there are no other devices initially communicating with the
`Server. When the other user’s devices sign on to the Server
`with the same ad hoc event name and password, the Server
`software then recognizes all the users and stores their IP
`addresses in the Server. Thus the Server hasall the users IP
`
`addresses stored and can pass location and status informa-
`tion amongthe ad hoc network participants even though the
`networkparticipants have not entered other network partici-
`pants’ names, phone numbers or email addresses. Thus one
`of the purposes of the invention is to allow an ad hoc
`network to be formed on a temporary basis in a rapid
`manner.
`
`When using the PTT feature, the ACS can enable the
`networkparticipant to: 1. PIT with all that are in the ad hoc
`digital network, or 2. PTT with select specific network
`participants, by touching their symbol(s) and then selecting
`PTT soft switch or 3. Specify a group of the network
`participants by assigning their symbols or unit namesto a list
`of network participants and then associating the list with a
`soft switch whose function is to enable the operator to have
`PTT communications with all in the list.
`
`Since only one person is transmitting on a PTT voice
`network at any given time, the receiving network partici-
`pant’s ACS can relate the PTT IP address to the IP address
`of the unit transmitting his identification on the digital ad
`hoc network. This information can then be used bythe other
`PTT networked participant’s ACS to: 1. flash the transmit-
`ting unit’s name on their PDA/PC screensor 2. if a photo-
`graph has been attachedto the ad hoc digital network symbol
`of the PTT transmitting person, to flash that photograph on
`the receiving unit’s PDA/PCdisplay.
`It is an object of this invention to enable each participant
`in the communication network to join other ad hoc network
`participants to form an ad hocdigital and voice network with
`other cell phone users rapidly for coordinating member
`activities.
`
`In accordance with these and other objects which will
`becomeapparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now
`be described with particular reference to the accompanying
`drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`FIG. 1 showsa front plan view ofa cellular phone/PDA/
`GPS having a touch screen.
`FIG. 2 showsthe screen IP address entry menu.
`FIG. 3 showsad hoc net names and passwordscreen entry
`name.
`
`FIG. 4 showsa screen entry identifying user.
`FIG. 5 showsa flow chart of the network as users sign on
`to the network.
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`FIG. 6 shows a flow chart that depicts how a group
`commander can command networked PDAs/PCSandradios
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`to load a Push To Talk (PTT) channel.
`FIG. 7 shows a flow chart that depicts how networked
`radio units respond to receipt of the Push-to-Talk (PTT)
`Commanded Channel.
`
`FIG. 8 shows a PDA screen geographical display that
`represents the area covered by the network.
`FIG. 9 showsa diagram that enables determining location,
`status, ViOP, PTT, and video communication between radios
`and cell phones.
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`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`5
`FIG. 10 shows a diagram that describes enabling non
`RFID equipped PDA phonesto receive RFID tag data.
`
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`A method and communication system that joins a com-
`munications network of participants using handheld cell
`phones having integrated PDA and GPScircuitry with ACS
`application programsthat allow a participant having an ACS
`equipped cell phone to provide an ad hoc and password
`protected digital and voice network.
`A communication Server acts as a forwarder for IP
`communications between any combination of cell phone/
`PDAusers and/or PC based user. Network participant loca-
`tion, identity and status messages are sent to the Server by
`each user. Network participant entered tracks are also sent to
`the Server. Becausethis datais of interestto all the network
`participants, the Server forwards the data received from one
`participantto all other participants, thus providing the infor-
`mation necessary for all network participants to know the
`identity, location and status of all other network participants.
`The Server allows the set up of the ad hoc network with
`an ad hoc event name and a password.
`The Serveralso acts as a forwarderof data addressed from
`one participant to one or more addressed participants, thus
`permitting the transmission of free text, preformatted mes-
`sages, photographs, video, email and URL data from one
`network participant to other selected network participants.
`Referring now to the drawings and,in particular, to FIG.
`1, a small handheld cellular phone 10 is shownthat includes
`a PDA and a GPS communications device integrated in
`housing 12 that
`includes an on/off power switch 19, a
`microphone 38, and a Liquid Crystal Display (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 Central Processing Unit (CPU) and databases that store
`information 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 are entered through GPS inputs or by the
`operator using a stylus 14 (or operator finger) by manipu-
`latively directing 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 directing the stylusto literally touch display
`16. The display x, y coordinates of the touched point are
`known by a CPU in the PDAsection of the communication
`system in housing 12 that can coordinate various informa-
`tion 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 andassociated circuitry connected
`to speaker 24 and microphone 38. A GPS navigational
`receiver that receives signals from satellites that can deter-
`minethe latitude and longitudeofthe cellular phone housing
`12 can be internal or external to the housing 12. Conven-
`tional PDA/cellular phonesare 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 Short Mes-
`sage Service (SMS) and Transmission Control Protocol
`(TCP) TCP/IP or other messages using the PDA’s display 16
`and computer CPU. The GPSsystem including a receiver in
`housing 12 is capable of determining the latitude and
`longitude and through SMS, TCP/IP, WiFi or other digital
`messaging software, to also transmit this latitude and lon-
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`gitude information of housing 12 to other cellular phonesin
`the communication network via cellular communications,
`WiFi or radio. The device 10 includes a pair of cellular
`phone hardware activating buttons 20 to turn the cellular
`phone on and 22 to turn the cellular phoneoff. Navigation
`pad actuator 18 is similar to a joy or force stick in that the
`actuator 18 manually provides movement commands that
`can be used by the PDA’s software to move a cursor on
`display 16. Switches 26 and 28 are designed to quickly
`select an operator specified network software program.
`Speaker 24 and microphone 38 are used for audio messages.
`Switch 19 at the top left of device 10 is the power on and
`poweroff switch for the entire device.
`The heart of the invention lies in the applicant’s ACS
`application programs provided in the device. The ACS
`programsare activated by clicking on an icon onthe display
`to turn the ACS programsonoroff. Mounted within housing
`12 as part of the PDA is the display 16 and the CPU. The
`internal CPU includes databases and software application
`programs that provide for a geographical map and georef-
`erenced entities that are shown as display portion 166 that
`includesas part of the display various areas ofinterest in the
`particular local map section.
`When looking at display 16, the software switches (soft
`switches) which appearat the very bottom of the display 16d
`are used to control by touch manyof the software driven
`functions of the cellular phone and PDA. The soft switches
`are