United States Patent r19J
`Wortham
`
`I IIIII IIIIIIII Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll llllll Ill lllll llll
`US005 155689A
`5,155,689
`(11) Patent Number:
`(45] Date of Patent: Oct. 13, 1992
`
`[54] VEHICLE WCATI1'G AND
`COMMUNI CATING METHOD AND
`APPARATUS
`
`[75)
`
`Inventor:
`
`Larry C. Wortham, Garland, Tex.
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`By-Word Technologies, Inc., Dallas,
`Tex.
`
`[56)
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 642,436
`Jan. 17, 1991
`[22] Filed:
`[SIJ
`Int. Cl.s ................................................ GOIS 3/02
`[52] U.S. Cl . .................................... 364/ 4@; 340/990;
`340/995; 364/449
`(58] Field of Search ....................... 364/ 448, 449, 460;
`340/990-995; 342/ 450, 451, 457, 463; 379/58,
`59, 200, 60; 455/67, 92, 99, 33
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3.906,166 9/ 197S Cooper ei al. ........................ 379/60
`4,644,351 2/1987 Zabarsky et al . ..................... 379/57
`4,654,879 3/1987 Goldman et al ...................... 455/ 33
`4,670,905 6/ 1987 Sandvos et al. ....................... 379/60
`4,737,978 4/ 1988 Burke et al. .......................... 379/60
`4,775,999 10/ 1988 Williams ............................... 379/ 59
`4,797,948 1/ 1989 Milliorn et al. ....................... 379/58
`4,804,93i 2/1989 Barbiaux et al. ............... 364/ 424.01
`4,819,174 4/ 1989 Furuno et at. ...................... 364/ 449
`4,876,738 10/ 1989 Selby ..................................... 379/60
`4,884,208 11/ 1989 Marinelli et al .................... 364/ 460
`4,891,650 1/ 1990 Sheffer ................................ 342/ 457
`4,897,642 1/1990 DiLullo et al. ................ 364/ 424.01
`4,905,270 2/1990 Ono ....................................... 379/58
`4,9 14,686 4/1990 Hager, Ill et al . ................... 379/ 58
`4,945,570 7/1990 Gerson et al. ........................ 379/58
`4,963,865 10/1990 Ichikawa et al . ................... 364/449
`
`4,993,062 2/1991 Dula et al. .......................... 379/200
`4,998,291 3/1991 Marui et al. .......................... 379/ 58
`Ishii et al. ............................. 455/ 33
`5,058,201 10/ 1991
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3516357 11/1986 Fed. Rep. of Germany .
`0161941 9/ 1984 Japan .
`0 17553 7/ 1988 Japan .
`021923 8/1988 Japan .
`022622 6/ 1989 Japan .
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Gary D. Ott; Vehicle Location in Cellular Mobile
`Radio System; Feb. 1977; IEEE vol. VT-26, No. I, pp.
`43-46.
`
`Primary Examiner-Parshotam S. Lall
`Assistant Examiner- Michael Zanelli
`Atlorney, Agent, or Firm-Harold E. Meier
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A method and apparatus for locating and communicat(cid:173)
`ing with vehicles is provided, including at least one
`mobile cellular unit connected to at least one micro(cid:173)
`processor and installed within a vehicle. The micro(cid:173)
`·processor interrogates the mobile cellular unit to obtain
`location infonnation from an overhead message stream
`transmitted from cellular telephone transmitter sites.
`The location is displayed on a display located in the
`vehicle or the microprocessor periodically instructs the
`mobile cellular unit to initiate a call to a host controller
`and, upon receipt of transmitting instructions from the
`host controller, transmits the location information for
`display on a screen connected to the host controller.
`
`31 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`Page 1 of 16
`
`SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1014
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 13, 1992
`Oct. 13, 1992
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`5,155,689
`5,155,689
`
`
`
`Page 2 of 16
`
`Page 2 of 16
`
`

`

`60
`
`ANTENNA
`
`PHONE
`TRANSCEIVER
`
`58
`
`ROM
`
`42
`
`44
`
`RAM
`
`47
`
`46 __. _____ __
`EXPANSION PORT
`, r
`I
`I
`43
`~-----~~-------,59
`1 OPTIONAL ENGINE
`I STATUS REPORTING I
`I
`roPTIONAL TRUCK
`1 ALARM SYSTEM
`I
`f--*OPTIONAL LORAN-C
`L POSITIONING INPUT j
`
`1
`
`1
`
`62
`
`CELLULAR PHONE BUS
`
`64
`
`HANDSET
`
`PHONE
`INTERFACE
`DRIVERS
`X
`
`74
`
`40
`
`MICROPROCESSOR($)
`CALENDAR/CLOCK
`REPORT INTERVAL
`TIMER
`RESTRICTED
`PHONE USAGE
`AUTHORIZED SYSTEMS
`LOOKUP TABLE
`VOICE RECOGNITION
`OPERATION
`TRACKING LOG
`CAPABILITY
`
`48
`
`52
`
`66
`
`AMPLIFIER
`
`HFMIC
`
`54
`
`SPEAKER
`
`70
`
`VOLUME
`
`VOICE RECOGNITION
`AND SYNTHESIS
`
`56
`
`POWER SUPPLY I
`
`+12 VOLTS FROM BATTERY
`
`Fig.2
`
`+ 12 VOL TS FROM IGNITION
`
`~ •
`rJ)
`•
`
`~ = ~
`('D = ~
`
`0 n
`:-'"
`....
`~w .... \0
`
`\Q
`N
`
`00 =(cid:173)
`
`tD
`
`tD -N
`
`0 .....
`
`0\
`
`(.II
`
`"' ... (.II
`
`(.II
`"' O'\
`QC)
`\0
`
`Page 3 of 16
`
`

`

`DEDICATED PHONE LINE($)
`FOR REPORTING ONLY
`
`92
`
`SMART MODEM($)
`
`WAITS LINE
`(IN-OUT)
`
`1f··1
`
`96
`
`90
`
`r---------------------J------,
`/ ·--\ : OPTIONAL AUTO-DIAL !.._..-94
`HOST CONTROLLER
`\ ---/:
`FEATURE
`:
`L--~~~~~~~~~-1 I
`
`)
`
`I
`
`' • • • • - - • · • • • • • • • - • • · · · · - · · - - •~
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`Fig.3
`
`: I
`
`104
`I
`I
`_OPTIONAL.SYSTEM EXPANSION CONFIGURATIION _____ (_ _____________
`
`•01SPLAY STATUS
`OF VEHICLE
`·LOCATION REPORTS
`AT SPECIFIED
`INTERVALS
`111N SERVICE AREA"
`ALERT TO OPERATOR
`•01SPLAY OF VEHICLE
`LOCATION ON
`GEOGRAPHIC MAP
`
`•
`
`r---------------------------------~
`EXISTING CUSTOMER L---106
`,.._ ___ _._.!, :
`.
`:~ CENTRAL PROCESSING
`:
`" :
`SYSTEM
`:
`
`I
`
`I
`
`98
`
`100
`
`102
`
`t
`I
`I t
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`
`t
`I
`
`I
`J
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`•
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`
`' : __ ; __ _r:.:.:i.; .. ·---···;:-~~;~;_:_:~-~=-~:;. ·········:".::::::·::::.; ·:
`1 os-.l :
`: : 10s----: :
`: :
`10s-.: :
`: :
`r:
`: :
`: :
`: :
`: :
`: :
`:_ ~-----_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-~-J
`:_ ~---_:-_-_:-_ ~--·.::,-.. J
`:_ ~---_ -_-_::-_-_ -.. ----~ J
`,,.a:/-niriuiiht:ii'~,,...
`,,20-'n.i:rr,:;r'U'Lui<in,,,
`,'.ci>~ii'iuiviih~ili',, ...
`, _ .. ___ -;;:.-.. --'":.:-------~-----.:-:.--·-ii,-._
`~ _ .. _..._-.. --------------·-------.-_._ .. _"'
`~ -~""'--=------------~---.. ------·-'"-..
`L ........ --------------J
`L .. .. ...... .... ............ .......... J
`L ................ ---- ------4
`EXISTING DISPATCH TERMINALS
`------------------------------------------------------------------------------
`
`I f
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`I t
`
`1
`I
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`
`~ •
`00
`•
`'"'C = ~
`ti> = ~
`
`0 n
`~ .....
`~w
`.....
`~
`N
`
`(J) =(cid:173)
`(1) a
`w
`0 ....
`°'
`
`(JI
`
`~
`~
`(JI
`(JI
`
`~ °' 00
`
`\0
`
`1
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`' I
`
`' I
`' ' I
`
`I
`I
`I
`
`' ' I
`'
`
`Page 4 of 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 13, 1992
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`5,155,689
`
`1
`
`132
`
`DIAL OUT
`
`YES
`t4-_ _ ......_ _
`
`__,.--c 2
`
`NO
`
`138
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`NO
`
`126
`
`YES
`
`READ SYSTEM 1.0.
`FROM MOBILE PHONE
`FETCH DIALING
`METHOD FROM TABLE
`
`TRANSFER VEHICLE
`I.D., LOCATION,
`TELEMETRY DATA,
`ETC.
`
`NO
`
`NO
`
`142
`
`YES
`
`YES
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`144
`
`RE-LOAD
`INTERVAL
`TIMER
`
`Fig.4
`
`Page 5 of 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 13, 1992
`
`Sheet S of 6
`
`5,155,689
`
`Fig.5
`
`224
`
`226
`
`210
`
`UPDATE
`SCREEN
`
`LOG
`REPORT
`
`ISSUE "NORMAL"
`DISCONNECT
`COMMAND TO
`REMOTE
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`212
`
`ANSWER
`
`206
`
`YES
`
`REQUEST
`CALLER 1.0.
`
`NO
`
`NO
`
`REQUEST
`LOCATION
`
`NO
`
`REQUEST
`TELEMETRY DATA
`
`218
`
`NO
`
`INSTRUCT REMOTE
`TO DISCONNECT & . . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - '
`CALL AGAIN
`
`Page 6 of 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 13, 1992
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`5,155,689
`
`270
`266
`
`ANTENNA
`
`268
`
`272
`
`PHONE
`TRANSCEIVER
`
`+12 VOLTS FROM
`BATTERY
`
`250
`
`252
`
`ROM
`
`RAM
`
`254
`
`PLUG-IN ROM
`(MAPS/IN(cid:173)
`FORMATION)
`
`256
`262
`
`ODDO
`DODD
`DODD
`DODD
`KEY-PAD OR
`TOUCH SCREEN
`
`CELLULAR PHONE BUS
`
`HANDSET
`
`264
`
`PHONE
`INTERFACE
`DRIVERS
`
`MlCROPROCESSOR(S)
`• MAP GENERATION
`• VOICE RECOGNITION
`• KEY PAD DECODER
`• MODEM CONTROL
`• DISPLAY CONTROL
`• PHONE CONTROL
`• POISITIONING CALCU(cid:173)
`LATIONS
`• TRIP LOGGING
`
`H/F MIC INPUT
`276
`
`HFMIC
`
`259
`
`274
`
`VOICE RECOGNITION
`AND SYNTHESIS
`
`DISPLAY DRIVER
`
`- - - -1 POWER SUPPLY
`260
`
`+ 12 VOL TS FROM IGNITION
`
`GRAPHIC
`DISPLAY
`
`258
`
`Fig.6
`
`Page 7 of 16
`
`

`

`1
`
`5,155,689
`
`VEIDCLE LOCATING AND COMMUJ'l,'ICATING
`METHOD AND APPARATUS
`
`This invention relates to methods and apparatus for
`locating and communicating from a central location
`with vehicles traveling in various geographical areas,
`and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for
`locating and communicating with vehicles through use
`of a voice activated mobile cellular telephone installed
`in the vehicle, and visually displaying at the central
`location the geographical location of each vehicle and
`vehicle information automatically communicated to the
`central location.
`
`5
`
`2
`conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in
`which:
`FIG. I is a diagram illustrating communication be(cid:173)
`tween the vehicle and the host controller of the present
`invention over a mobile cellular system;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the in-vehicle ponion of
`the locating and communicating system of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the host controller por-
`10 tion of the locating system of the present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a flow chan of the operation of the in-vehi(cid:173)
`cle ponion of the locating and communicating system
`of the present invention;
`FIG. 5 is a flow chan of the operation of the host
`15 portion of the locating and communicating system of
`the present invention; and
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the hardware of an in(cid:173)
`vehicle locating system incorporating a second embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`Referring now to the Drawings, and more particu-
`larly to FIG. 1 wherein there is shown an illustration of
`the locating and communicating system of the present
`invention incorporating a central data gathering device
`or host controller 10 having a display 12 and a keyboard
`14 connected thereto. The host controller 10 communi(cid:173)
`cates as shown by directional arrow 16 with a mobile
`telephone switching office 18 in turn communicating as
`indicated by directional arrow 20 with a particular cell
`transmitter 22 for transmitting and receiving signals
`from a vehicle 24 equipped with a mobile cellular trans(cid:173)
`ceiver (not shown) connected to at least one micro(cid:173)
`processor (not shown).
`As shown in FIG. 1, an overhead message stream
`containing cellular system identification information,
`including the SID number and, where transmitted, the
`cell identification number and transmitter site coordi(cid:173)
`nates, is transmitted from the cell transmitter 22 and
`received by the in-vehicle portion of the locating and
`communicating system (not shown). The signal is then
`read by the in-vehicle portion of the locating and com(cid:173)
`municating system to determine the existence of suffi(cid:173)
`cient signal strength for transmission from the vehicle
`24. Upon reading a sufficient signal strength and/or
`lapse of a predetermined time period, a report is auto-
`matically transmitted from the vehicle 24 to the cell
`transmitter 22, from where the signal is carried, as indi(cid:173)
`cated by directional arrow 20, to the mobile telephone
`switching office 18, and from there to the host control(cid:173)
`ler 10 as indicated by directional a.rrow 16.
`The information received is read by the host control-
`ler 10 and looked up in a database associated therewith
`and containing SID numbers, roamer numbers, cell
`identification numbers, and transmitter site coordinates,
`to determine the location of the reporting vehicle 24.
`The location Ui of the vehicle 24 is then highlighted on
`a map 28 displayed on the screen 12 connected to the
`host controller 10. At that point, the operator of the
`host controller 10 obtains the telephone number neces(cid:173)
`sary to initiate a telephone call to the vehicle 24 utilizing
`the keyboard 14 to call up the telephone number from
`the database associated with the host controller 10.
`Long haul truckers must periodically report to the
`65 base terminal or home office information such as the
`total number of driver hours, any problem!. with the
`vehicle, scheduling changes, status of the cargo, as well
`as any other information needed by the home office. To
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Historically, in industries utilizing multiple vehicles
`traveling in various geographical regions, such as in the
`long haul truclcing industry, drivers of the vehicles must
`periodically communicate with a base or home office to 20
`report information such as present location of the vehi(cid:173)
`cle, the number of hours driven and any problems expe(cid:173)
`rienced with the vehicle. In such industries where there
`is a need to determine the geographical location of a
`vehicle, tracking systems utilizing Loran-C receivers
`and microwave transmitters have been employed for
`vehicle location. Use of such equipment tends to be
`limited solely to locating and tracking the vehicles. In
`many instances, the only means of locating a vehicle in
`service consists of the driver of the vehicle stopping,
`getting out of the vehicle, and calling a report into the
`home base on a public pay phone. To date, the cellular
`industry has failed to penetrate the trucking market and
`other industries where vehicle locating is desired for 35
`such reasons as high start -up costs for obtaining termi(cid:173)
`nal equipment and high operating costs.
`
`25
`
`30
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The locating and communicating method and appara- 40
`tus of the present invention overcome the foregoing and
`other problems associated with the prior art utilizing
`existing cellular telephone system services and informa(cid:173)
`tion. A microprocessor interrogates a cellular telephone
`located in the vehicle to obtain location information 45
`received by the cellular phone in an overhead message
`stream transmitted from the particular cellular system
`providing service at the time of the interrogation. A call
`is initiated from the cellular telephone to a host control-
`ler for display of the location of the vehicle on a map 50
`and textual display of any other vehicle information
`transmined from the vehicle. A voice activation/recog(cid:173)
`nition device is connected to the microprocessor and a
`bands-free microphone and a speaker are connected to
`the voice activation/recognition device to allow for 55
`hands free operation of the system by the driver of the
`vehicle.
`In a second embodiment of the invention, the entire
`system is located within the vehicle. The microproces(cid:173)
`sor interrogates the cellular phone to obtain location 60
`information from the message stream, processes the
`information, then causes the information to be displayed
`on a connected display.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ORA WINGS
`For a more complete understanding of the present
`invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now
`made to the following Detailed D escription taken in
`
`Page 8 of 16
`
`

`

`5,155,689
`
`3
`4
`Operating energy is provided to the amplifier 66 and
`maintain current information, the locating and commu-
`cellular telephone transceiver 58 from the vehicle igni·
`nicating system of the present invention provides for
`tion. When the driver is verbally communicating over
`automatic periodic reponing of such information to the
`the cellular telephone, he may speak through either the
`home office. The repon is initiated in the in-vehicle
`5 hands-free microphone 54 or may lift and speak through
`ponion of the system.
`the handset 64. For storage of information through
`As illustrated in the block diagram of FIG. 2, the
`voice recognition, the hands-free microphone may be
`in-vehicle ponion of the system is comprised of a micro-
`used.
`processor 40 having an associated read only memory
`As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2, the micro-
`("ROM") 42, an associated random access memory
`("RAM") 44, and an expansion pon 46 for options 10 processor 40 connected to the mobile cellular unit has
`connected thereto a calendar and clock 49 for docu-
`(shown in broken lines) including, automatic reporting
`of engine status, a truck alarm system, and Loran-C
`menting the date and time of storing and/or transmit-
`positioning input to allow for location of the vehicle
`ting information. A repon interval timer 51 provides for
`using Loran-C in addition 10 cellular communication.
`determining when to initiate a call to the host controller
`The ROM 42 contains the necessary control pro- 15 based upon the expiration of a predetermined time per·
`iod remotely programmed by the host controller and
`grams for operation of the in-vehicle portion of the
`·
`stored in the RAM 44.
`system. The RAM 44 is available for storing operating
`To inhibit calls made from the mobile unit to numbers
`instructions remotely programmable from the host con-
`unauthorized by the home office, the microprocessor 40
`troller 10.
`In an anempt 10 monitor vehicle conditions, the Op· 20 has a restricted phone usage function 53 that searGhes a
`list of authorized phone numbers remotely programmed
`tional engine status reporting feature 43 provides for
`by the host controller and stored in the RAM 44. The
`reading by the microprocessor of en&ine conditions
`numerical keys of the handset of the cellular phone are
`such as temperature, engine speed, and oil pressure. In
`disabled. Thus, the authorized numbers may only be
`the event of theft of the vehicle, the optional truck 25 accessed throuih voice command. If the number en-
`alarm system 45 alerts the microprocessor to instruct
`tered through voice command is not contained in the
`the mobile cellular transc_eiver 58 to initiate. a cal) .to
`list of authorized numbers, the call is automatically
`~epon .th_e theft o~ the vehicle: To allo~ locatmg u_uhz-
`inhibited. Similarly, the authorized systems look-up
`mg ex1stmg ~~ac~ng. system mfo~mation, the op~onal
`table 55 prevents initiation of a call when the SID num·
`Loran-C pos~II.on~ng mput 4? p.rov1des for the receipt of 30 ber contained in the message stream at the time of inter-
`Loran•C posmomng tr~nsnuss1ons.
`.
`rogation is not contained within said look-up table.
`The voice recognition operation 57 of the micro-
`A power ~upply 48. 1s connected to the ~chicle ba~-
`tery to provide electncal en~rgy for operating the ~1-
`processor 40 provides for receiving and storing of infor·
`crop'.ocessor 40. A star~ ~WJtch. 50 a~tuates an audio
`mation in a memory connected to the mobile cellular
`multiplexer ~2 for rece1vmg df;1ver mput through a 35 transceiver upon receipt of verbal input from the driver
`handsfree microphone 54. The mput from the hands
`of the vehicle. In addition to reading and transmitting
`free microphone 54 is then passed through the audio
`information, the microprocessor 40 has tracking log
`multiple_xer 52 t~ .voice recognition and synt~esis 56 for
`capabilities 59 for recording and storing vehicle infor.
`conversion to d1g1tal form readable by the m1croproces•
`mation for extended reporting periods for subsequent
`sor 40.
`4'0 repon compilation.
`As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3, the central
`Information is also received by the microprocessor40
`from the host controller through the mobile cellular
`data gathering device or host controller portion of the
`transceiver 58 located in the vehicle. Cellular radio
`locating system of the present invention comprises a
`signals are received by the mobile cellular transceiver
`host controller 90 connected to a smart modem 92 to
`58 connected to a vehicle antenna 60. The signals are 45 allow communication betwee11 the controller 90 and
`then transmitted over the cellular phone bus 62 through
`any number of telephone lines dedicated for vehicle
`the audio multiplexer 52 and a smart modem 72 to the
`reporting only. Associated with the host controller 90 is
`microprocessor 40. The microprocessor 40 is connected
`an optional auto dial feature 94 (shown in broken lines)
`for initiating calls over a watts line 96. Calls are initiated
`to the audio multiplexer 52 through the sman modem
`72 to allow extraction of the digital information from so to, as well as calls received from, the vehicle over the
`the analog signal and for modulation of the information
`watts line 96.
`Connected to the host controller is at least one tcrmi-
`transmitted from the microprocessor 40. An interface
`74 provides the necessary protocol for communication
`nal 98. In the case of larger companies, an optionaJ
`between the microprocessor 40 and the mobile cellular
`system expansion configuration 104 (shown in broken
`55 lines) utilizing an existing customer processing system
`unit.
`In the event of audio communication between the
`106 and existing dispatch terminals 108, may be utilized
`operator of the host controller and the driver, the sig·
`to reduce system installation costs. Each terminal 98 has
`nals are transmitted from the transceiver 58 over the
`a screen 100 for displaying a map, location information
`cellular phone bus 62 to the handset 64 of the mobile
`regarding each reporting vehicle, and textual informa-
`cellular unit. If the driver of t.he vehicle elects to use the 60 tion reported by each vehicle. A keyboard 102 is con-
`nected to each terminal 98 for remote programming of
`hands free microphone 54, instead of the handset 64, for
`audio communication with the operator of the host
`authorized telephone numbers for storage in the RAM
`controller, the audio communication travels from the
`44 associated with the microprocessor 40, to allow the
`cellular phone bus 62 through the audio multiplexer 52
`host operator to access databases containing te.lephone
`to an amplifier 66 for broadcast to the vehicle driver 6S numbers for the various locations of the reporting vehi·
`through a speaker 68. The volume of the broadcast is
`cles, to allow menu selection, and to allow remote pro·
`regulated by a volume control 70 controlling the ampli-
`gramming of the report time interval in the micro-
`fier 66.
`processors located in each of the vehicles.
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`in a service area (at 124) and will continue through each
`Through an error correcting protocol, the host con-
`troller 90 instructs the microprocessor 40 through the
`of the steps (at 126, 128, and 130) until a determination
`mobile cellular transceiver 58 to transmit information to
`is reached that the vehicle is authorized to dial out of
`the host controller. The host controller 90 receives said
`the service area and that the mobile cellular transceiver
`input through the smart modem 92 from the reporting S 58 is receiving an acceptable signal strength for initiat-
`vebiclc. The information is read by the host controller
`ing a call. At that point, the microprocessor will instruct
`90 and location information looked up in a database
`the mobile cellular unit to dial out (at 132).
`associated therewith. The location information of the
`After the number has been dialed, the microprocessor
`vehicle is then displayed on the screen 100 of the termi-
`40 determines whether the call has been completed to
`nal 98. An in-service area alert is actuated to advise the 10 the smart modem 92 (at 134) connected to the host
`operator of the host controller 90 of the entry of a re-
`controlle·r 90 at the terminal or home office. If a deter-
`porting vehicle into a strong signal reporting area to mination is made that the call has not resulted in a con-
`allow the operator of the host controller to initiate
`nection with the smart modem 92, the microprocessor
`40 instructs the mobile cellular unit to hang up (at 136).
`contact with the reporting vehicle.
`In the event the operator of the host controller needs 15 If, however, the call has gone through, the micro-
`processor 40 receives instructions from th@ host con-
`to initiate contact with a vehicle, requiring location of
`the vehicle, between reporting periods, the operator of
`troller 90 to transfer predetermined information to the
`host controller. In accordance with said instructions,
`the host controller 90 pulls up information regarding
`the last reporting time and location of the vehicle.
`the microprocessor 40 transmits (at 138) the particular
`Through use of the connected keyboard 102, the opera- 20 vehicle identification number, the location information
`tor then inputs the final destination of the vehicle. The
`obtained from the overhead message stream through
`host controller 90 then determines the approximate
`interrogation of the mobile cellular unit, and telemetric
`route of the vehicle, calculates the average speed of the
`data regarding such information as vehicle system Sta-
`vehicle using previously reported driver hours and
`tus, driver hours, and any other information stored in
`distance traveled to determine the approximate distance 25 the memory associated with the mobile cellular trans-
`ceiver 58.
`traveled since the last reporting period, thereby deter-
`mining the approximate location of the vehicle. Cellular
`Once the transfer of information is complete, the
`numbers for a predetermined area surrounding tl1e ap-
`microprocessor 40 receives a command from the host
`proximate location of the vehicle are looked up in the
`controller 90 to disconnect (at 140). Upon receipt of the
`database and are automatically dialed by the host con- 30 command to disconnect, the microprocessor instructs
`troller 90 at predetermined intervals until contact is
`the mobile cellular transceiver 58 to disconnect (at 124)
`made with the vehicle.
`the call to the host controller 90.
`The method of transmission from the in-vehicle por-
`After disconnect or hanging up of the co.II to the host
`tion of the locating system of the present invention is
`controller 90, the microprocessor 40 reloads the inter-
`shown the flow chart of FIG. 4, with reference to the 3S val timer (at 144) to determine the lapse of the predeter-
`block diagram of FIG. 2. Initially, the microprocessor
`mined time period in which to initiate the next auto-
`40 determines if a predetermined period of time has
`matic report from the vehicle to the host controller 90.
`elapsed (at 120), with the time interval having been
`Each time the predetermined time period elapses, each
`remotely programmed by the host controller 10. If the
`of the steps set forth in the flow chart of FIG. 4 are
`interval has not lapsed, the microprocessor 40 continues 40 automatically performed to initiate transmission of a
`to cycle until such time as a determination is made that
`repon from the microprocessor through the mobile
`the predetermined time period has elapsed. At that
`cellular unit over the cellular telephone system to the
`point, the microprocessor 40, through the interface 74,
`host controller where the information is read, looked
`interrogates (at 122) the mobile cellular transceiver 58
`up, displayed, and stored by the host controller for
`located in the vehicle to read the signal strength being 4S subsequent compilation into a detailed report covering
`received by the mobile cellular transceiver 58 to deter-
`varying time periods and any number of reporting vehi-
`mine whether the vehicle is in a cellular system service
`cles.
`area (at 124). lfthe vehicle is in a cellular system service
`Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a flow chart
`area, the microprocessor will read the SID number (at
`of the operation of the central data gathering device or
`126) from the information received by the mobile cellu- SO host controller portion of the locating system .. As illus-
`lar transceiver 58 from the overhead message stream,
`trated in FIG. 5, with reference to the block diagram of
`and will look up the SID number (at 126) from the
`FIG. 3, when a call is initiated by a reporting vehicle to
`database installed therein to determine the appropriate
`the host controller 90, the phone connected to the host
`dialing method to initiate a call from the mobile cellular
`controller rings (at 200) and is answered (at 202). Upon
`transceiver to the host controller.
`S5 connection with the host controller 90 (at 204) through
`The microprocessor 40 then makes a determination as
`the smart modem 92 the host controller 90 interrogates
`to whether the microprocessor has been remotely pro-
`(at.206) the microprocessor of the reponing vehicle to
`grammed by the host controller 10 to authorize the
`determine the vehicle identification number. The host
`controller 90 then looks up the identification number to
`vehicle to dial out in the particular cellular system ser-
`vice area (at 128) providing service to the mobile cellu- 60 determine (at 208) whether the identification number is
`valid. If the vehicle identification number is invalid, the
`Jar unit. lf the call is authorized, the microprocessor 40
`host controller 90 will instruct the mobile cellular
`then determines (at 130) whether the signal strength
`being received by the mobile cellular transceiver 58 is
`phone in the vehicle to disconnect (at 210), resulting in
`sufficient to authorize initiation of a call from the vehi-
`the mobile cellular unit hanging up on the call (at 212).
`cle to the host controller 10. If the vehicle is not autho- 65 Upon determining that a valid vehicle identification
`number has been reponed, the host controller 90 in-
`rized to dial out of the service area, or if the signal
`strength is not sufficient, the microprocessor 40 will
`structs the in-vehicle microprocessor (at 214) to trans-
`return to the step of determining whether the vehicle is mit information regarding the location of the reporting
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`Strength of the radio signal carrying the message
`vehicle. Upon receipt of the location information (at
`stream is also determined by the microprocessor at the
`216), the host controller 90 instructs (at 218) the micro-
`time of interrogation. If the microprocessor reads a
`processor to transmit telemetric data regarding various
`certain minimum radio signal strength and/or a prede-
`vehicle systems. If the host controller fails (at 220) to
`receive data from the vehicle, it will instruct (at 222) the S termined period of time has elapsed, the microprocessor
`mobile cellular unit of the vehicle to disconnect and
`automatically instructs the cellular radio transceiver to .
`initiate a new call. If the information is received by the
`initiate a telephone call to the host controller on the
`host controller 90, the screen 100 of the terminal 98 is
`particular cellular system providing service at that time.
`updated (at 224) to display the current location informa-
`At the base terminal or home office, the host control-
`10 ler receives the telephone call and instructs the mjcro-
`tion for the reporting vehicle.
`The information is also stored (at 226) for subsequent
`processor, via a proprietary error C(?rrecting protocol,
`compilation into report form. Thereafter, the host c-0n-
`to transmit information over the cellular system to the
`troller 90 instructs the remote cellular unit to discon-
`host controller. The host controller requires the trans-
`nect the call (at 210). The call is disconnected and the
`mission of such information as the SID number, and the
`cycle restarted upon the receipt of a call from the mo- IS cell number and transmitter coordinates, received by
`the cellular transceiver from the overhead message
`bile cellular unit.
`Thus, operation of the locating and communicating
`stream, and in some cases requires transmission by the
`driver of the vehicle of information stored in a memory
`method and apparatus as described combines locating
`and communicating capabilities in a system utilizing
`connected to the mobile cellular unit.
`existin& cellular telephone system services and informa- 20
`Jnformation stored by the vehicle driver includes
`tion. The cellular system currently in use today consists
`such information as the identity of the vehicle, the num-
`of many transmitter sites in and around cities, each
`ber of hours the driver has been at the wheel, or other
`constituting a cell. Some of lhe transmitter sites are as
`information based upon the needs of the locating and
`close to one another as one mile or Jess in dense traffic
`communicating system user. A voice actuation feature
`areas. In the outermost regions of a service area, the cell 2S and a hands free microphone connected to the mobile
`transmitter sites work at higher power levels and are
`cellular transceiver allow the driver to automatically
`spaced further apart. A network grid across a city is
`enter information regarding driver hours, vehicle iden-
`formed by the adjoining cells to provide uninterrupted
`tity and other requested information without having to
`communication for a mobile telephone unit using cell
`lift the handset.
`site handoff techniques as the vehicle travels between 30 Upon receipt of the information, the host controller
`looks up the SID number in a database associated there-
`cells.
`When in a coverage area, the mobile cellular unit
`with to determine the geographical location of the SID
`receives an overhead message stre.am co