/"
`
`'
`
`UTILITY
`PATENT APPLICATION
`TRANSMITTAL
`
`(Only for new non provisional applications under 37 CFR 1.53{b))
`
`APPLICATION ELEMENTS
`See MPEP chapter 600 concerning utility patent application contents.
`
`1.0 Fee Transmittal Form
`(PTO/SB/17 or equivalent)
`
`2.0 Applicant asserts small entity status.
`See 37 CFR 1.27
`
`3.o Applicant certifies micro entity status. See 37 CFR 1.29.
`Applicant must attach form PTO/SB/15A orB or equivalent.
`
`Attorney Docket No.
`
`10963.3835
`First Named Inventor Malcolm K. Beyer, Jr.
`
`""""
`
`Title
`
`METHOD TO PROVIDE AD HOC AND PASSWORD PROTECTED DIGITAL AND V
`
`./
`
`ADDRESS TO:
`
`Express Moil Lobel No. Filed Electronically
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`ACCOMPANYING APPLICATION PAPERS
`Assignment Papers
`(cover sheet & document(s))
`Name of Assignee
`
`10. 0
`
`0 Power of Attorney
`
`PTO/AIA/15 (03-13)
`Approved for use through 01/31/2014. OMB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paoerwork Reduction Act of 1995 no oersons are reauired to resoond to a collection of information unless it disola sa valid OMB control number
`
`5. 0
`
`1 11.0 37 CFR 3.73(c) Statement
`[Toto/ Pages 30
`4.0 Specification
`(when there is an assignee)
`Both the claims and abstract must start on a new page.
`(See MPEP § 608.01(a) for information on the preferred arrangement) 12.0 English Translation Document
`1
`[Toto/ Sheets 7
`Drawing(s) (35 U.S.C. 113)
`(if applicable)
`[Toto/ Pages 3
`1 13.0 Information Disclosure Statement
`6. Inventor's Oath or Declaration
`(PTO/SB/08 or PT0-1449)
`(including substitute statements under 37 CFR 1. 64 and assignments
`serving as an oath or declaration under 37 CFR 1. 63(e))
`
`0
`
`Copies of citations attached
`
`a. 0
`
`b. 0
`
`Newly executed (original or copy)
`
`A copy from a prior application (37 CFR 1.63(d))
`
`7.0 Application Data Sheet
`*See note below.
`See 37 CFR 1.76 (PTO/AIA/14 or equivalent)
`
`8.
`
`CD-ROM or CD-R
`in duplicate, large table, or Computer Program (Appendix)
`
`Landscape Table on CD
`
`0
`9. Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Submission
`(if opplicob/e, items o.- c. ore required)
`
`a. 0
`
`b. 0
`
`Computer Readable Form (CRF)
`
`Specification Sequence Listing on:
`
`i. 0 CD-ROM or CD-R (2 copies); or
`
`ii.O Paper
`
`c. 0
`
`Statements verifying identity of above copies
`
`14.0 Preliminary Amendment
`15.0 Return Receipt Postcard
`(MPEP § 503) (Should be specifically itemized)
`
`16.0 Certified Copy of Priority Document(s)
`(if foreign priority is claimed)
`
`17.0 Nonpublication Request
`Under 35 U.S. C. 122(b)(2)(B)(i). Applicant must attach form PTO/SB/35
`or equivalent.
`18.0 Other: Petition to Make Special Based on Age
`
`*Note: (1) Benefit claims under 37 CFR 1. 78 and foreign priority claims under 1.55 must be included in an Application Data Sheet (ADS).
`(2) For applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111, the application must contain an ADS specifying the applicant if the applicant is an
`assignee, person to whom the inventor is under an obligation to assign, or person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary
`interest in the matter. See 37 CFR 1.46(b).
`19. CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
`
`The address associated with Customer Number:
`
`0
`
`22235
`
`OR 0 Correspondence address below
`
`Name
`
`Address
`
`City
`
`Country
`
`Signature
`
`Name
`(Print/Type)
`
`/barry I. haley/
`Barry L. Haley
`
`State I
`I
`I Telephone I
`
`I Zip Code
`I
`
`Email
`
`February 27, 2015
`Date
`Registration No. 25339
`(Attorney/Agent)
`
`This collection of information is required by 37 CFR 1.53(b). The information is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which is to file (and by the USPTO
`to process) an application. Confidentiality is governed by 35 U.S. C. 122 and 37 CFR 1.11 and 1.14. This collection is estimated to take 12 minutes to complete,
`including gathering, preparing, and submitting the completed application form to the USPTO. Time will vary depending upon the individual case. Any comments on
`the amount of time you require to complete this form and/or suggestions for reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Patent and
`Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS. SEND
`TO: Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
`If you need assistance in completing the form, call 1-800-PT0-9199 and select option 2.
`
`0001
`
`Apple Inc. 1002 Part 1 of 2
`U.S. Patent No. 9,445,251
`
`

`

`Privacy Act Statement
`
`The Privacy Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-579) requires that you be given certain information in connection with your
`submission of the attached form related to a patent application or patent. Accordingly, pursuant to the
`requirements of the Act, please be advised that: (1) the general authority for the collection of this information is
`35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2); (2) furnishing of the information solicited is voluntary; and (3) the principal purpose for which
`the information is used by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is to process and/or examine your submission
`If you do not furnish the requested information, the U.S. Patent and
`related to a patent application or patent.
`Trademark Office may not be able to process and/or examine your submission, which may result in termination
`of proceedings or abandonment of the application or expiration of the patent.
`
`The information provided by you in this form will be subject to the following routine uses:
`
`1. The information on this form will be treated confidentially to the extent allowed under the Freedom of
`Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C 552a). Records from this system of
`records may be disclosed to the Department of Justice to determine whether disclosure of these
`records is required by the Freedom of Information Act.
`2. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, in the course of presenting
`evidence to a court, magistrate, or administrative tribunal, including disclosures to opposing counsel in
`the course of settlement negotiations.
`3. A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a Member of Congress
`submitting a request involving an individual, to whom the record pertains, when the individual has
`requested assistance from the Member with respect to the subject matter of the record.
`4. A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a contractor of the Agency
`having need for the information in order to perform a contract. Recipients of information shall be
`required to comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
`552a(m).
`5. A record related to an International Application filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty in this
`system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to the International Bureau of the World
`Intellectual Property Organization, pursuant to the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
`6. A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to another federal agency for
`purposes of National Security review (35 U.S.C. 181) and for review pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act
`(42 U.S.C. 218(c)).
`7. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to the Administrator, General
`Services, or his/her designee, during an inspection of records conducted by GSA as part of that
`agency's responsibility to recommend improvements in records management practices and programs,
`under authority of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906. Such disclosure shall be made in accordance with the
`GSA regulations governing inspection of records for this purpose, and any other relevant (i.e., GSA or
`Commerce) directive. Such disclosure shall not be used to make determinations about individuals.
`8. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to the public after either
`publication of the application pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 122(b) or issuance of a patent pursuant to 35
`U .S.C. 151. Further, a record may be disclosed, subject to the limitations of 37 CFR 1.14, as a routine
`use, to the public if the record was filed in an application which became abandoned or in which the
`proceedings were terminated and which application is referenced by either a published application, an
`application open to public inspection or an issued patent.
`9. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a Federal, State, or local
`law enforcement agency, if the USPTO becomes aware of a violation or potential violation of law or
`regulation.
`
`0002
`
`

`

`METHOD TO PROVIDE AD HOC AND PASSWORD PROTECTED DIGITAL AND
`VOICE NETWORKS
`
`Attorney Docket No.: 10963.3835
`PATENT
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001]
`
`This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
`
`14/529,978, filed on October 31, 2014, which is a continuation ofU.S. Patent Application Serial
`
`No. 14/027,410, filed on September 16, 2013, now U.S. Patent No. 8,880,042, issued November
`
`4, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/751,453 filed January
`
`28, 2013, now U.S. Patent No. 8,538,393 issued September 17, 2013, which is a continuation-in-
`
`part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/761,533 filed on April 16, 2010, now U.S. Patent
`
`No. 8,364,129 issued January 29, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent
`
`Application Serial No. 11/615,472 filed on December 22, 2006, now U.S. Patent No. 8,126,441
`
`issued on February 28, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial
`
`No. 11/308,648 filed April 17, 2006, now U.S. Patent No. 7,630,724 issued on December 8,
`
`2009, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/711,490, filed on
`
`September 21, 2004, now U.S. Patent No. 7,031,728 issued on April 18, 2006. All of the
`
`proceeding applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`[0002]
`
`A communications 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 management of two or more people through the use of a communications
`
`network. The method and system provide each user with an
`
`integrated handheld
`
`cellular/PDA/GPS/phone that has Advanced Communication Software application programs
`
`1
`
`0003
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No.: 10963.3835
`PATENT
`
`(hereinafter referred to as ACS) and databases used in conjunction with a remote Server that
`
`enable a user to quickly establish a communication network of cell phone participants having a
`
`common temporary ad hoc network using mobile wireless communication devices.
`
`[0003]
`
`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 emergency situation.
`
`Description of Related Art
`
`[0004]
`
`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 communication systems set up around an area such as the
`
`United States allows multiple users to talk to each other, either on individual calls or on group
`
`calls. Some cellular phone services enable a cellular phone to 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. These devices thus unite cellular phone technology with navigation
`
`information, computer information transmission and receipt of data.
`
`[0005]
`
`The method and operation of communication devices used herein are described in
`
`U.S. Patent 7,031,728 which is hereby incorporated by reference and U.S. Patent No. 7,630,724.
`
`[0006] 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 networks may
`
`be temporary or longer lasting in nature. The users need to be able to rapidly coordinate their
`
`2
`
`0004
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No.: 10963.3835
`PATENT
`
`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 name and password are both digitally and voice interconnected. When a user or users
`
`leave the network, no data concerning the network participants need be retained.
`
`[0007]
`
`Coordinating different organizations at the scene of a disaster presents several
`
`problems as there are voice and digital data (text messages) communications that need to be
`
`constantly occurring up and down the 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,
`
`other first responders such as fire departments must become engaged. While the fire department
`
`users may have voice and digital data (text messages) communications up and down their chain
`
`of command, these individuals do not have the ability to cross communicate necessarily with
`
`police units without a substantial degree of immediate coordination. The method and system in
`
`accordance with the present invention described herein discloses how digital communications
`
`along with Personal Computer (PC) and PDA devices can be used to quickly establish user
`
`specific password protected private ad hoc voice and data networks to enable both data and voice
`
`communications up and down their chain of command and simultaneously with different, not
`
`pre-known, organizations responding to a disaster. The invention defines a method of
`
`accomplishing this by providing 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.
`
`3
`
`0005
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No.: 10963.3835
`PATENT
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0008]
`
`Applicant's communication system and method described herein is embodied in the
`
`Advanced Communication Software (ACS) application programs developed by applicant and
`
`installed in the integrated PDA/GPS cell phones used herein and remote Servers.
`
`[0009]
`
`A plurality of Internet Protocol (IP) capable PDA/GPS devices each having ACS
`
`application programs and databases 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 I
`
`GPS phone starts 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 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
`
`number of soft switches or buttons on the PDA display 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 common interest or relationship with a password and
`
`identifier for communication and to establish quickly a temporary ad hoc network especially in
`
`an emergency.
`
`[00010] 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
`
`4
`
`0006
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No.: 10963.3835
`PATENT
`
`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 one
`
`participant to all other participants, causing their displays automatically, without any operator
`
`action, to display the received information, thus providing the information necessary for all
`
`network participants to know the identity, location and status of all other network participants.
`
`[00011] The Server also acts as a forwarder of data addressed from one participant to one or
`
`more addressed participants, thus permitting the transmission of free text, preformatted
`
`messages, photographs, video, Email and Uniform Resource Locator (URL) data from one
`
`network participant to other selected network participants.
`
`[00012] The above functions can also be accomplished using peer to peer WiFi, WiMax or
`
`other peer to peer communications. However, for use with cellular communications and to assure
`
`the level of security that cell phone companies require, a centralized static IP routable Server is
`
`used.
`
`[00013] 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.
`
`[00014] This invention provides a method and a system establishing an ad hoc password
`
`protected digital and voice network that can be temporarily set up or longer lasting in nature. The
`
`invention described herein allows users 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 networks
`
`are required to enter the Server's IP address and an ad hoc event name and a password. In the
`
`5
`
`0007
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No.: 10963.3835
`PATENT
`
`case of military and first responders, the name of the 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 commence to exchange data with the user's PDA or PC. The initial IP message may also
`
`contain additional data such as a license number and, if desired, a phone number manually
`
`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 I PDA is connected to the Server. The user PDA/PC then reports its 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 has all the users IP addresses stored and can pass location and status information among
`
`the ad hoc network participants even though the network participants have not entered other
`
`network participants' 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.
`
`[00015] When using the PTT feature, the ACS can enable the network participant to: 1. PTT
`
`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 names to 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.
`
`6
`
`0008
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No.: 10963.3835
`PATENT
`
`[00016]
`
`Since only one person is transmitting on a PTT voice network at any given time, the
`
`receiving network participant'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
`
`by the other PTT networked participant's ACS to: 1. flash the transmitting unit's name on their
`
`PDA I PC screens or 2. if a photograph has been attached to the ad hoc digital network symbol of
`
`the PTT transmitting person, to flash that photograph on the receiving unit's PDA I PC display.
`
`[00017]
`
`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 hoc digital and voice network
`
`with other cell phone users rapidly for coordinating member activities.
`
`[00018]
`
`In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter,
`
`the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying
`
`drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[000 19]
`
`Figure 1 shows a front plan view of a cellular phoneiPDA/GPS having a touch screen.
`
`[00020]
`
`Figure 2 shows the screen IP address entry menu.
`
`[00021]
`
`Figure 3 shows ad hoc net names and password screen entry name.
`
`[00022]
`
`Figure 4 shows a screen entry identifying user.
`
`[00023]
`
`Figure 5 shows a flow chart of the network as users sign on to the network.
`
`[00024]
`
`Figure 6 shows a flow chart that depicts how a group commander can command
`
`networked PDAs I PCS and radios to load a Push To Talk (PTT) channel.
`
`[00025]
`
`Figure 7 shows a flow chart that depicts how networked radio units respond to receipt
`
`of the Push-to-Talk (PTT) Commanded Channel.
`
`7
`
`0009
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No.: 10963.3835
`PATENT
`
`[00026]
`
`Figure 8 shows a PDA screen geographical display that represents the area covered
`
`by the network.
`
`[00027]
`
`Figure 9 shows a diagram that enables determining location, status, ViOP, PTT, and
`
`video communication between radios and cell phones.
`
`[00028]
`
`Figure 10 shows a diagram that describes enabling non RFID equipped PDA phones
`
`to receive RFID tag data.
`
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
`
`[00029] A method and communication system that joins a communications network of
`
`participants using handheld cell phones having integrated PDA and GPS circuitry with ACS
`
`application programs that allow a participant having an ACS equipped cell phone to provide an
`
`ad hoc and password protected digital and voice network.
`
`[00030] A communication Server acts as a forwarder for IP communications between any
`
`combination of cell phone/PDA users and/or PC based user. 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 data is of interest to all the network participants,
`
`the Server forwards the data received from one participant to all other participants, thus
`
`providing the information necessary for all network participants to know the identity, location
`
`and status of all other network participants.
`
`[00031] The Server allows the set up of the ad hoc network with an ad hoc event name and a
`
`password.
`
`[00032] The Server also acts as a forwarder of data addressed from one participant to one or
`
`more addressed participants, thus permitting the transmission of free text, preformatted
`
`8
`
`0010
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No.: 10963.3835
`PATENT
`
`messages, photographs, video, email and URL data from one network participant to other
`
`selected network participants.
`
`[00033] Referring now to the drawings and, in particular, to Figure 1, a small handheld
`
`cellular phone 10 is shown that 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
`
`manipulatively 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 stylus to literally touch display 16. The display x, y coordinates of
`
`the touched point are known by a CPU in the PDA section of the communication system in
`
`housing 12 that can coordinate various information contained in the PDA relative to the x, y
`
`coordinate position on the display 16. Inside housing 12 is contained the conventional cellular
`
`phone elements including a modem, a CPU for use with a PDA and associated circuitry
`
`connected to speaker 24 and microphone 38. A GPS navigational receiver that receives signals
`
`from satellites that can determine the latitude and longitude of the cellular phone housing 12 can
`
`be internal or external to the housing 12. Conventional PDA/cellular phones are currently on
`
`sale and sold as a unit (or with an external connected GPS) that can be used for cellular
`
`telephone calls and sending cellular Short Message Service (SMS) and Transmission Control
`
`9
`
`0011
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No.: 10963.3835
`PATENT
`
`Protocol (TCP) TCP/IP or other messages using the PDA's display 16 and computer CPU. The
`
`GPS system 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 longitude information of housing 12 to other cellular phones in the
`
`communication network via cellular communications, WiFi or radio. The device 10 includes a
`
`pair of cellular phone hardware activating buttons 20 to tum the cellular phone on and 22 to tum
`
`the cellular phone off. 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 power off switch for the
`
`entire device.
`
`[00034] The heart of the invention lies in the applicant's ACS application programs provided
`
`in the device. The ACS programs are activated by clicking on an icon on the display to tum the
`
`ACS programs on or off. 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 georeferenced entities that are shown as display portion 16b that
`
`includes as part of the display various areas of interest in the particular local map section.
`
`[00035] When looking at display 16, the software switches (soft switches) which appear at the
`
`very bottom of the display 16d are used to control by touch many of the software driven
`
`functions of the cellular phone and PDA. The soft switches are activated through the operator's
`
`use of the navigation pad 18, or a small track ball, force stick or similar hardware display cursor
`
`pointing device. Alternatively, the operator may choose to activate the software switches by
`
`10
`
`0012
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No.: 10963.3835
`PATENT
`
`touching the screen with a stylus 14 (or finger) at the switches' 16d locations. When some of the
`
`software switches are activated, different software switches appear. The bar display 16d shows
`
`the software switches "ZM IN (zoom in)," "ZM OT (zoom out)," "CENT (center)" and "GRAB
`
`(pan/grab)" at the bottom of the screen. These software switches enable the operator to perform
`
`these functions. The "SWITH (switch)" software switch at the lower right causes a matrix of
`
`layered software switches (soft switches) to appear above the bottom row of switches. Through
`
`use of the software switches, the operator can also manipulate the geographical map 16b or chart
`
`display. When looking at Figure 1, display symbols depicting permanent geographical locations
`
`and buildings are shown. For example, the police station is shown and, when the symbol is
`
`touched by the stylus or finger, the latitude and longitude of the symbol's location, as shown in
`
`display section 16c, is displayed at the bottom left of the screen. The bottom right side of display
`
`16c is a multifunction inset area that can contain a variety of information including: a) a list of
`
`the communication link participants; b) a list of received messages; c) a map, aerial photograph
`
`or satellite image with an indication of the zoom and offset location of the main map display,
`
`which is indicated by a square that depicts the area actually displayed in the main geographical
`
`screen 16b; d) applicable status information; and e) a list of the communication net participants.
`
`Each participant user would have a device 10 shown in Figure 1.
`
`[00036] Also shown on the display screen 16, specifically the geographical display 16b, is a
`
`pair of different looking symbols 30 and 34, a small triangle and a small square, which are not
`
`labeled. These symbols 30 and 34 can represent communication net participants having cellular
`
`phones in the displayed geographical area that are part of the overall cellular phone
`
`communications net, each participant having the same device 10 used. The latitude and
`
`longitude of symbol 30 is associated within a database with a specific cell phone number and, if
`
`11
`
`0013
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No.: 10963.3835
`PATENT
`
`available, its IP address and email address. The screen display 16b, which is a touch screen,
`
`provides x and y coordinates of the screen 16b to the CPU's software from a map in a
`
`geographical database. The software has an algorithm that relates the x and y coordinates to
`
`latitude and longitude and can access a communications net participant's symbol or a fixed or
`
`movable entity's symbol as being the one closest to that point.
`
`[00037]
`
`In order to initiate a telephone call to the cellular phone user (communication net
`
`participant) represented by symbol (triangle) 30 at a specific latitude and longitude display on
`
`chart 16b, the operator touches the triangle 30 symbol with the stylus 14. The user then touches
`
`a "call" software switch from a matrix of displayed soft switches that would overlay the display
`
`area 16c. Immediately, the cellular phone will initiate a cellular telephone call to the cellular
`
`phone user at the geographical location shown that represents symbol 30. A second cellular
`
`phone user (communication net participant) is represented by symbol 34 which is a small square
`
`(but could be any shape or icon) to represent an individual cellular phone device in the display
`
`area. The ring 32 around symbol 30 indicates that the symbol 30 has been touched and that a
`
`telephone call can be initiated by touching the soft switch that says "call." When this is done, the
`
`telephone call is initiated. Other types of symbolic elements on the display 16 can indicate that a
`
`cell