[191
`United States Patent
`5,223,844
`{11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent: Jun. 29, 1993
`Mansell et a].
`
`
`
`||||l|||lll|l|||||||l|lllllllllllllll|||lll||||llllllllllllllllllllllllllll
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`
`[54] VEHICLE TRACKING AND SECURITY
`SYSTEM
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors:
`
`John P. Mansell; William M. Riley,
`both of Dallas, Tex.
`
`[73] Assignee: Auto-True, Inc.. Dallas, Tex.
`
`[2]] App]. No: 870,141
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Apr. 17, 1992
`
`Int. Cl.’ ......................... H043 7/185; (3015 5/02
`[51]
`[52] US. Cl. ..................................... 342/357; 342/457
`[58] Field of Search ................................ 342/357, 457
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`.
`
`.
`
`SKIES? Scribner et a].
`4,633,016
`”I990 ShelTer
`4.891.550
`5.0l4,206 5/1991 Scribner et a].
`. 342/457
`5.032345
`7/1991 Velasco
`5.043.?36 8/1991 Darnell et a].
`..
`. 342K351
`
`5,103,459 #1992 Gilhousen et a1.
`..................... 315/1
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`342K457
`
`International Teletrac Systems, "Have an Unfair Ad-
`vantage Over Car Thieves“, (advertising flyer), 1990, 3
`pages.
`International Teletrac Systems, ”How to Put Your
`Fleet on the Map", (advertising flyer}, undated, 5 pages.
`Trimble Navigation, “Heed/islet: Integrated Fleet Man-
`agement System", undated. 9 pages.
`Trimble Navigation (Sunnyvale, Calif., ), "Stat-Finder
`GPS Intelligent Mobile Sensor", 1991, 2 pages.
`Trimble Navigation (Sunnyvale. Calif), “.Stath'ew
`Tracking and Display Station". undated, 2 pages.
`111.),
`Chapman Security Systems,
`Inc.
`(Bensenville.
`"Chapman 91lCLS" Product Catalogue, undated, 4
`pages-
`
`Westinghouse (Baltimore, Md.) “Vehicle Management
`Systems". product catalogue, undated, 4 pages.
`METS, Inc. (Indianapolis, Ind.) "Public Safety Police,
`Fire and Emergency Medical Services", 1939, 4 pages.
`METS, Inc. (Indianapolis. Ind.) “Trucking National &
`Regional Fleet Control", 1989, 4 pages.
`
`Primary Examiner—Theodore M. Blunt
`Attorney, Agent, or FirmflMason, Fenwick & Lawrence
`
`ansmcr
`[51]
`The present invention provides a vehicle tracking and
`security system which allows immediate response in
`case of vehicle theft, an accident, vehicle breakdown, or
`other emergency. Guardian and tracking functions are
`provided through Mobile Units installed in hidden loca-
`tions in vehicles to be monitored. The Mobile Units
`communicate with a Control Center. Preferably, the
`Mobile Unit provides vehicle theft and intrusion protec-
`tion using an in—vehicle alarm and security system
`linked to the Control Center by a transceiver in the
`Mobile Unit. Also, a keypad or other human interface
`device is provided, allowing a vehicle driver or occu-
`pant to signal the Control Center that a particular type
`of assistance is needed. The vehicle‘s location may be
`automatically transmitted to the Control Center along
`with any automatic alarm signal or manually entered
`request, the location being precisely determinable any-
`where in the world through use of Global Positioning
`System (GPS) information. The present invention pro-
`vides continuous monitoring of a large number of vehi-
`cles for a broad range of status and emergency condi-
`tions over a virtually unlimited geographic area, also
`allowing manual communication of requests for assist-
`ance to that specific location. Advantageously, the sys-
`tem is implemented using existing commercial or police
`communications equipment.
`
`11 Claims, 20 Drawing Sheets
`
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`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.1
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - EX. 1009, p.1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`M
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`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.2
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - EX. 1009, p.2
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`June 29, 1993
`
`Sheet 2 of 20
`
`. 5,223,844
`
`F/G 84
`
`TO FIG. 28
`
`MOB,“ W F—
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`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.3
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex. 1009, p.3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`June 29, 1993
`
`Sheet 3 of 20
`
`5,223,844
`
`FROM FIG. 2A
`
`TR ANSCEIV ER
`
`
`
`BATTERY
`
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`200
`MOBILE UNIT
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`FROM FIG. 2A
`
`F/G. 25
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.4
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - EX. 1009, p.4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`June 29, 1993
`
`Sheet 4 of 20
`
`5,223,844
`
`360
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`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.5
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex. 1009, p.5
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`June 29, 1993
`
`Sheet 5 of 20
`
`, 5,223,844
`
`
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.6
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex. 1009, p.6
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`n,
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`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.7
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex. 1009, p.7
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`June 29, 1993
`
`Sheet 7 of 20
`
`5,223,844
`
`
`
`POWER0N
`TELEPHONE MODE I400
`
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`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.8
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex. 1009, p.8
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`June 29, 1993
`
`Sheet 8 of 20
`
`_ 5,223,844
`
`SEQUENCE
`
`I 200 I202
` VALID
`- P
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`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.9
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex. 1009, p.9
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`June 29, 1993
`
`Sheet 9 of 20
`
`5,223,844
`
`302
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`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.10
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex. 1009, p.10
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`June 29, 1993
`
`Sheet 10 of 20
`
`5,223,844
`
`CARRIER
`
`0N P
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`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.11
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - EX. 1009, p.11
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`June 29, 1993
`
`Sheet 11 of 20
`
`. 5,223,844
`
`STA RT
`
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`EYPAD
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`F/G. 9
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.12
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - EX. 1009, p. 12
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`June 29, 1993
`
`Sheet 12 of 20
`
`5,223,844
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2|02
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`2104
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`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.13
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex. 1009, p.13
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`June 29, 1993
`
`Sheet 13 of 20
`
`5,223,844
`
`ANSWER CALL
`
`2I40
`
`2|42
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`RECEIVE DATA
`AND
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`TO MOBILE UNIT
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`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.14
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - EX. 1009, p.14
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`,
`
`June 29, 1993
`
`Sheet 14 of 20
`
`. 5,223,844
`
`
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.15
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex. 1009, p.15
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`June 29, 1993
`
`Sheet 15 of 20
`
`5,223,844
`
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`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.16
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex. 1009, p.16
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`June 29, 1993
`
`Sheet 16 of 20
`
`5,223,844
`
`
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.17
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex. 1009, p.17
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`June 29, 1993
`
`Sheet 17 of 20
`
`. 5,223,844
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`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex. 1009, p.18
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`

`US. Patent
`
`June 29, 1993
`
`Sheet 18 of 20
`
`5,223,844
`
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`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.19
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex. 1009, p.19
`
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`June 29, 1993
`
`Sheet 19 of 20
`
`5,223,844 I
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`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.20
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex. 1009, p.20
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`June 29, 1993
`
`Sheet 20 of 20
`
`. 5,223,844
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`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.21
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - EX. 1009, p.21
`
`

`

`1
`
`5,223,844
`
`VEHICLE TRACKING AND SECURITY SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to systems for monitor-
`ing vehicles. More specifically. the invention relates to
`a multi-featured system for monitoring the status of
`vehicles, detecting certain alarm conditions, monitoring
`the location of vehicles, and providing a variety of
`communication and control functions relating to the
`vehicles.
`2. Related Art
`
`The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that a
`vehicle theft occurs somewhere in the United States
`every 20 seconds. The National Auto Theft Bureau
`(NATE) estimates that one of every 42 vehicles in the
`United States is stolen or broken into. or has parts,
`contents, or accessories stolen. resulting in an estimated
`loss of over $9 billion per year. Law enforcement oili-
`cials concede that theft of the vehicle and its contents is
`one of the easiest crimes to commit, and one of the most
`difficult to prevent and solve. Authorities estimate that
`an experienced auto thief can break into almost any
`vehicle in as little as six seconds. regardless of whether
`or not it has an alarm system. On average. fewer than
`one in five of the vehicles stolen in the United States is
`rec0vered and the thief prosecuted. Clearly. known
`alarm systems do not stop determined, experienced
`motor vehicle thieves.
`Various anti-theft devices are known in the art. The
`simplest devices take the form of physical restraints,
`such as door locks. steering wheel bars, or wheel locks.
`More sophisticated systems involve passive alarms that
`activate automatically when the driver leaves the car.
`More recently. electronic homing devices have been
`developed that can track a vehicle, but only after it is
`reported stolen. After the vehicle is disc0vered to be
`stolen and reported to police, the police are able to
`track and capture the thief, provided the vehicle Owner
`and the police have both invested in special communi-
`cations devices. In addition to being useful only after
`the vehicle is reported stolen, these systems are useful
`Only in the geographical areas where the corresponding
`police receivers are located. Moreover, these systems
`are in some cases prohibitively expensive.
`Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a
`cost-effective automatic vehicle theft detection device
`which immediately alerts the police to the theft, allow»
`ing them to track the vehicle over a wide geographic
`area.
`
`On a related matter. breakdowns. accidents, and med-
`ical and other emergencies in a motor vehicle may arise.
`Clearly, it is desirable to be able to quickly and conve-
`niently report the emergency occurrence and request
`appropriate assistance. For example.
`it is desirable to
`contact a wrecker. ambulance. fire truck, or police as
`needed, and indicate the exact location where assistance
`is needed. The presence of citizens band radios or cellul-
`Iar telephones has increased, but these systems suffer
`from shortcomings such as the inability to accurately
`relay the vehicle's position.
`Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a
`system which can quickly summon appropriate vehicles
`such as a wrecker. ambulance, fire truck, or police. and
`reliably and accurately communicate the location
`where the assistance is needed.
`
`It)
`
`IS
`
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`
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`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
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`
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`
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`
`2
`0n still another related issue, companies such as cou-
`rier services and freight hauling firms have always had
`a need for tracking the vehicles in their fleets. By track-
`ing the fleet vehicles. a dispatcher knows which vehicle
`is the most appropriate one to send to a next location,
`thus improving overall fleet efficiency. It is desirable to
`provide information on the status of each vehicle in the
`fleet, such as whether it is moving, parked. or disabled.
`This comprehensive information allows the dispatcher
`to use an existing fleet to its greatest advantage, thereby
`prOviding better service to the company‘s customers.
`Unfortunately, known fleet monitoring systems have
`often involved two-way voice communications depend-
`ing on the dispatcher’s communication with a large
`number of drivers. resulting in less than optimum cm.
`ciency and reliability.
`Therefore. there is a need in the art to provide a fleet
`tracking system which provides a dispatcher with con-
`tinuously updated comprehensive information about the
`variety of vehicles in a fleet.
`The present invention provides a vehicle tracking
`and security system which overcomes the shortcomings
`of the known systems.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention provides a vehicle tracking
`and security system which provides round-the-clock
`vehicle security. allowing immediate response in case of
`vehicle theft, an accident. vehicle breakdown. or other
`emergency.
`Guardian and tracking functions are provided
`through Mobile Units which are preferably installed in
`hidden locations in vehicles to be monitored. The Mo-
`bile Units communicate with a Control Center in at
`least one-way, and preferably two-way, communica-
`tion. Preferably. the Mobile Unit provides vehicle theft
`and intrusion protection using a in-vehicle alarm and
`security system linked to the Control Center by a trans-
`ceiver in the Mobile Unit. Also, a keypad or other
`human interface device is provided in the vehicle, al-
`lowing a vehicle driver or occupant to signal the Con-
`trol Center that a particular type of assistance is needed.
`The vehicle‘s location may be automatically transmitted
`to the Control Center along with any automatic or
`manual request, the location being precisely determin-
`able anywhere in the world. In this manner, the present
`invention provides continuous monitoring of a large
`number of vehicles for a broad range of status and emer-
`gency conditions over a virtually unlimited geographic
`area, also allowing manual communication of requests
`for assistance to that specific location. Advantageously,
`the system is implemented using existing location-detec-
`tion systems and cenventional commercial or police
`communications equipment.
`According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
`provided a mobile unit for a vehicle monitoring system,
`the mobile unit having an input unit responsive to an
`event or condition associated with the vehicle, and
`providing information describing the event or condi-
`tion. The mobile unit also has a satellite receiver (prefer-
`ably GPS), responsive to navigation signals transmitted
`by a satellite navigation system. and providing informa-
`tion describing the vehicle‘s location based on the navi—
`gation signals. Also. the mobile unit has a mobile unit
`controller, responsive to the input unit and the satellite
`receiver, the mobile unit controller including a cellular
`telephone transmitter for transmitting information onto
`a cellular telephone communications link, the informa-
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.22
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - EX.1009, p.22
`
`

`

`5,223,844
`
`3
`tion transmitted on the cellular telephone communica-
`tions link including both (I) the information describing
`the event or condition and (2) the information describ-
`ing the vehicle‘s location,
`the mobile unit controller
`automatically inserting the information describing the
`vehicle‘s location into the information transmitted onto
`the cellular telephone communications link.
`According to another aspect of the invention, there is
`provided a mobile unit for a vehicle monitoring system,
`the mobile unit having a vehicle alarm system, respon-
`sive to an alarm event or alarm condition associated
`with the vehicle, and providing information describing
`the alarm event or alarm condition. The mobile unit also
`has a satellite receiver, responsive to navigation signals
`transmitted by a satellite navigation system, and provid-
`ing information describing the vehicle's location based
`on the mitigation signals. The mobile unit also has a
`mobile unit controller, responsive to the vehicle alarm
`system and the satellite receiver, the mobile unit con-
`troller transmitting information onto a communications
`link, the infon'nation transmitted on the communica-
`tions link including both (1} the information describing
`the alarm event or alarm condition and (2} the infome-
`tion describing the vehicle’s location. the mobile unit
`controller automatically inserting the information de-
`scribing the vehicle’s location into the information
`transmitted onto the communications link.
`The invention further provides a mobile unit for a
`vehicle monitoring system, the mobile unit having an
`input unit. respOnsive to an event or condition associ-
`ated with the vehicle, and providing information de-
`scribing the event or condition, and a location unit
`providing information describing the vehicle's location.
`The mobile unit also has a cellular telephone transmitter
`including means for determining whether or not the
`transmitter is in range of a cellular telephone network,
`and transmitting information onto a cellular telephone
`communications link when the transmitter is in range of
`a cellular telephone network. The mobile unit has a
`mobile unit controller, responsive to the input unit and
`the location unit. The mobile unit controller has a stor-
`age device. the storage device including a storage area
`for storing both (1) the information describing the event
`or condition and (2) the information describing the
`vehicle‘s location in association with each other; and a
`processor, interacting with the cellular telephone transe
`mitter and controlling the storage device. The proces-
`sor performs the functions of i) storing in the storage
`device (1) the information describing the event or c0n-
`dition and (2) the information describing the vehicle’s
`location in association with each other, when the trans-
`mitter is not in range of a cellular telephone network;
`and ii) retrieving from the storage device (I) the infor-
`mation describing the event or condition and (2) the
`information describing the vehicle‘s location in associa-
`tion with each other, when the transmitter is in range of
`a cellular telephone network.
`The invention also provides a mobile unit for a vehi-
`cle monitoring system, the mobile unit having an opera-
`tor input device having a number of inputs characteriz-
`ing approximately four distinct predetermined mes-
`sages. the operator input device providing information
`describing a chosen message when one or more inputs
`relating to the chosen message are activated by an oper-
`ator. The mobile unit also has a satellite receiver, re-
`sponsive to navigation signals transmitted by a satellite
`navigation system, and providing information describ-
`ing the vehicle's location based on the navigation sig-
`
`10
`
`15
`
`1t]
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`4-0
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`4
`nals. The mobile unit also has a mobile unit controller,
`responsive to the operator input device and the satellite
`receiver, the mobile unit controller transmitting infor-
`mation onto a communications link, the information
`transmitted on the communications link including both
`(1) the information describing the chosen message and
`(2) the information describing the vehicle‘s location, the
`mobile unit controller automatically inserting the infor-
`mation describing the vehicle's location into the infor-
`mation transmitted onto the communications link.
`The invention also provides a control center for a
`vehicle monitoring system having mobile units mounted
`in respective vehicles and a communications link be-
`tween the mobile units and the control center. The
`control center has a control center display portion in-
`cluding one or more display screens displaying one or
`more maps with symbols of vehicles sending messages
`to the control center; and real-time display software
`allowing the symbols of the vehicles sending messages
`to be displayed substantially in real-time. The control
`center also has at least about eight communications
`interface devices coupled to the communications link,
`receiVing sporadically-timed messages from the mobile
`units, and outputting the messages. The control center
`also has a control center buffer portion coupled to the
`control center display portion, the buffer portion re-
`sponsive to the messages output by the communications
`interface devices. The buffer portion includes means for
`examining the messages received, means for generating
`individual responses to the messages received from
`respective vehicle mobile units based on the examina-
`tion of the messages, the means for generating individ-
`ual responses being coupled to the communications link
`and to the control center display portion, and means for
`previding to the control center display portion certain
`messages that have paused the examination, the mes-
`sages allowing the real-time display software to display
`the symbols of the vehicles sending the messages that
`have passed the examination.
`The invention also .provides a vehicle monitoring
`system having an ambulatory operator input device
`adapted for an operator to carry away from a vehicle,
`the ambulatory operator input device providing infor-
`mation describing a message when activated by the
`operator. The monitoring system also has a mobile unit
`adapted for attachment to a vehicle. The mobile unit
`includes a local receiver including means to communi-
`cate with the ambulatory operator input device, the
`local receiver receiving the mfisage when activated by
`the operator; 8. location unit providing information de-
`scribing the vehicle‘s location; and a mobile unit con-
`troller, responsive to the local receiver and the location
`unit, the mobile unit controller transmitting information
`onto a communications link, the information transmit-
`ted on the communications link including both (1) the
`message and (2) the information describing the vehicle's
`location. the mobile unit controller automatically insert-
`ing the information describing the vehicle’s location
`into the information transmitted onto the communica-
`tions link.
`The invention also provides a control center for a
`vehicle monitoring system having a plurality of mobile
`units mounted in respective vehicles and a communica-
`tions link between the mobile units and the control
`center. The control center includes a control center
`display portion,
`including display screens displaying
`one or more maps with symbols of vehicles sending
`messages to the control center. The control center also
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.23
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex. 1009, p.23
`
`

`

`5
`has a satellite reference receiver, responsive to naviga-
`tion signals transmitted by a satellite navigation system,
`and providing information describing the comrol cen-
`ter’s location based on the navigation signals. The con-
`trol center has a control center communications con-
`troller. the control center communications controller
`being responsive to messages received from the mobile
`units and coupled to the control center display portion
`and to the satellite receiver. The communications con-
`troller includes means for extracting from the messages
`received vehicle position information that is derived
`from vehicle Position information provided by a mobile
`unit satellite receiver receiving navigation signals trans-
`mitted by the satellite navigation system; means for
`adjusting the vehicle position information in accor-
`dance with a drift error cerrecu‘on term derived from
`the navigation signals, to provide adjusted vehicle posi-
`tion information; and means for providing to the control
`center display portion the adjusted vehicle position
`information 5 that the control center display portion
`displays the symbols of the vehicles on the one or more
`maps in accordance with the drift error correction term.
`Other objects. features, and advantages of the present
`invention will become apparent on reading the follow-
`ing Detailed Description in conjunction with the ac-
`companying drawing figures.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention is better understood by reading the
`following Detailed Description of the Preferred Em-
`bodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing
`figures. in which like reference numerals refer to like
`elements throughout. and in which:
`FIG. 1 is a high—level block diagram of the preferred
`vehicle tracking and security system according to the
`pre5ent inventioa.
`FIG. 2A and 213 constitute a block diagram which
`schematically illustrates further details of the preferred
`Mobile Unit of FIG. 1. FIG. 2A and 23 are collectively
`referred to herein as “FIG. 2."
`FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating components of a pre-
`ferred Mobile Unit as including various sensing. power.
`and data input devices.
`FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of a vehicle using the
`elements of FIG. 3.
`FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred keypad for use with the
`preferred Mobile Unit.
`FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the
`preferred Mobile Unit in Idle Mode.
`FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the operation of the pre-
`ferred Mobile Unit in Assist Mode.
`FIGS. 8A and SB are flow charts illustrating opera-
`tion of the preferred Mobile Unit in Alarm Mode.
`FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the
`preferred Mobile Unit in Telephone Mode.
`FIGS. 10A and 1013 are flow charts illustrating oper-
`ation of the preferred Control Center.
`FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary "General Area Cov-
`erage Map" as it might be displayed to a Control Center
`operator.
`FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary COMMAND
`MENU for the preferred communications controller in
`the Control Center.
`FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary display controller
`CONTROL MENU superimposed on a map, as dis-
`played to the Control Center operator.
`FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary MOTORIST AS-
`SlSTANCE SERVICES menu superimposed on a
`
`IO
`
`15
`
`2t)
`
`25
`
`3D
`
`35
`
`4O
`
`45
`
`SD
`
`55
`
`65
`
`5,223,844
`
`6
`map, as displayed to the Control Center operator after
`being accessed from the CONTROL MENU of FIG.
`13.
`FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary CALL STATUS
`menu superimposed on a map, as displayed to the Con-
`trol Center Operator after being accessed via the CON.
`TROL MENU of FIG. 13.
`FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary vehicle CALL HIS-
`TORY superimposed on a map, as displayed to the
`Control Center operator after being accessed via FIG.
`15.
`FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary CALL CONTROL
`menu, superimposed on a map, as displayed to the Con-
`trol Center operator after being accessed via FIG. 15
`DETAILED. DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`In describing preferred embodiments of the present
`invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminol-
`ogy is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the
`invention is not intended to be limited to the specific
`terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that
`each specific element includes all technical equivalents
`which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a simi-
`lar purpose.
`the invention is a multi-featured
`Stated generally,
`electronic tracking and security system .which includes
`devices that calculate a vehicle‘s position, detect local
`events, and calculate a system response based on
`weighted variables. Based on the calculated response,
`the system notifies the vehicle occupants. In certain
`circumstances, the system notifies a Control Center via
`a preferably two-way communication channel, to allow
`the Control Center to respond appropriately such as by _
`summoning emergency vehicles or remotely control»
`ling the vehicle in some way. Provision of a two-way
`communication system allows the Control Center to
`positively verify the message which was sent by the
`vehicle.
`The preferred embodiment of the present invention
`provides computerized graphic maps which display
`vehicle locations using information ultimately derived
`from the existing Global Positioning System (GPS),
`thereby providing a highly accurate, real-time vehicle
`tracking system. The preferred system provides an inte-
`grated location systern, cOmmunication network, map-
`ping system, and dispatch capability. The system is
`especially suitable for use in fleet vehicle management,
`vehicle theft deterrent, stolen vehicle tracking, railroad
`car tracking, cargo location, and so forth. The system
`may be customized to a particular user’s needs and, due
`to the preferred embodiment‘s use of the GPS. may be
`installed and used virtually anywhere in the world.
`Referring to FIG. 1, the invention involves a set of
`"Mobile Units" INA-100E which are provided on
`respective vehicles 102A~102E that are to be moni-
`tored, protected, or tracked. A communications link
`110 is provided between the Mobile Units (hereinafter
`collectively indicated 100) and a “Control Center" 150
`which is manned by one or more trained operators 152.
`The Mobile Unit may automatically detect certain sta-
`tus and alarm conditions, or a driver or passenger in the
`vehicle may manually request certain assistance, both of
`which actions may be immediately communicated to
`the Control Center along with automatically generated
`OPS-derived positioning data. The Control Center
`operator may take action as appropriate, including dis-
`patching of emergency vehicles 160, 162, 164, 166, 168,
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - Ex.1009, p.24
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation - EX. 1009, p.24
`
`

`

`7
`commanding the appropriate Mobile Unit 100 to repeat-
`edly transmit position data, or ignoring the Mobile
`Unit’s communication. Certain functions may be either
`automated or manually controlled by the Control Cen-
`ter operator, such as whether the vehicle horn is
`sounded in response to an unexpected motion sensor
`activation indicating theft of the vehicle.
`In particular, the vehicles may include a. conventional
`passenger automobile 102A. at set of fleet vehicles 10213,
`102C, 102D (such as buses or other mass transit vehi-
`cles. courier vehicles, delivery vehicles, utility vehicles,
`sanitation trucks, armored cars, police cars. rental cars,
`and so forth), as well as a train 1025. The communica—
`tions link 110 is preferably implemented as a conven-
`tional cellular telephone link, but of course need not be
`so limited. The Control Center 150 may appropriately
`summon help in the form of police 16!), a fire truck 162,
`an ambulance [64. a wrecker 166, or other appropriate
`help, generally indicated as element 168. Each Mobile
`Unit 100 preferably includes means for determining the
`present location of the vehicle 102 in which it is in-
`stalled. Preferably. this means for determining the loca-
`tion is a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, not
`only for its accuracy but because the location infome-
`tion transmitted from GPS satellites is provided free of
`cost.
`
`As readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, the
`GPS was developed by the 1.3.5. Department of Defense
`and placed into service in th