111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US009445251B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Beyer, Jr. et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,445,251 B2
`Sep.13,2016
`
`(54) METHOD TO PROVIDE AD HOC AND
`PASSWORD PROTECTED DIGITAL AND
`VOICE NETWORKS
`
`(71) Applicant: Advanced Ground Information
`Systems, Inc., Jupiter, FL (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Malcolm K. Beyer, Jr., Jupiter, FL
`(US); Christopher R. Rice, Redmond,
`WA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Advanced Ground Information
`Systems, Inc., Jupiter, FL (US)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ....................................................... H04W 4/02
`USPC ............................................ 455/404.2, 456.1
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,555,286 A
`5,898,434 A
`
`9/1996 Tendler
`4/1999 Small et al.
`(Continued)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`JP
`JP
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 14/633,804
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb. 27, 2015
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2016/0057598 Al
`
`Feb. 25, 2016
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 14/529,978, filed on
`Oct. 31, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 14/027,410, filed on Sep. 16, 2013,
`now Pat. No. 8,880,042, which is a continuation of
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04M 11104
`H04W24100
`
`(Continued)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2009.01)
`(Continued)
`
`(52)
`
`U.S. Cl.
`CPC .............. H04W 4122 (2013.01); G06F 310482
`(2013.01); G06F 3104842 (2013.01); H04L
`631083 (2013.01); H04L 67118 (2013.01);
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`111996
`H085394
`5/1997
`H09113288
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Benefon ESCI GSM + GPS Personal Navigation Phone, 1999,
`Benefon Oyj, Salo, Finland.
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner- Omoniyi Obayanju
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm- Goodwin Procter LLP
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A method and system includes the ability for individuals to
`set up an ad hoc digital and voice network easily and rapidly
`to allow users to coordinate their activities by eliminating
`the need for pre-entry of data into a web or identifying others
`by name, phone numbers or email. This method is especially
`useful for police, fire fighters, military, first responders or
`other emergency situations for coordinating different orga(cid:173)
`nizations at the scene of a disaster to elevate conventional
`communication problems either up and down the chain of
`command or cross communication between different emer(cid:173)
`gency units. The method and system provides that the users
`are only required to enter a specific Server IP address and an
`ad hoc event name, a password and perhaps the name of the
`particular unit.
`
`(Continued)
`
`35 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`ENABLING LOCATION, STATUS, VoiP, PTI AND VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN
`RADIOS AND CELL PHONES
`
`AD HOC
`NETWORKED
`PDA CELL
`PHONES
`DECODES IP
`DATA
`
`ommm••.l..••-•-•-•-•-•m••
`
`AD HOC
`NETWORKED
`PDAs/PCSs
`CONNECTED TO
`AN IP CAPABLE
`RADIO RECEIVE !P
`DATA FROM RADIO
`AND DECODES IP
`DATA
`
`!P DATA
`MESSAGES
`INCLUDING
`POITION IDENTITY
`VoiP AND
`DIGITIZED VIDEO
`
`-------1
`I
`!
`SERVER
`I
`MAINTAINS A
`TERMPORARY !
`RETENTION OF I
`NAMES AND IP I
`I
`ADDRESSES
`!
`SENDS DATA
`BETWEEN ALL
`I
`WITH SAME AD I
`I
`HOC NAME.
`!
`UNLESS
`ADDRESSED TO I
`! A SPECIFIC IP
`I
`I
`ADDRESS
`I
`I
`I
`!_ ______ _!
`
`-~----------------
`
`1
`
`IPDATA
`I MESSAGES
`INCLUDING
`!
`: POITION IDENTITY
`I
`Vo!P AND
`I DIGITIZED VIDEO
`I
`
`AD HOC
`NETWORKPDA
`CELL PHONE
`CREATES
`LOCATION,
`IDENTITY, PPT
`AND VIDEO IP
`MESSAGES
`
`Apple Inc. 1001
`U.S. Patent No. 9,445,251
`
`

`

`US 9,445,251 B2
`Page 2
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`application No. 13/751,453, filed on Jan. 28, 2013,
`now Pat. No. 8,538,393, which is a continuation-in(cid:173)
`part of application No. 12/761,533, filed on Apr. 16,
`2010, now Pat. No. 8,364,129, which is a continua(cid:173)
`tion-in-part of application No. 11/615,472, filed on
`Dec. 22, 2006, now Pat. No. 8,126,441, which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 11/308,648,
`filed on Apr. 17,2006, now Pat. No. 7,630,724, which
`is a continuation-in-part of application No. 10/711,
`490, filed on Sep. 21, 2004, now Pat. No. 7,031,728.
`
`(51)
`
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2013.01)
`(2013.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04W 4122
`H04W 76100
`H04M 11725
`H04W68/00
`H04W 4102
`H04W 4108
`H04W64/00
`H04W 84118
`H04W 12108
`H04W 12102
`G06F 310482
`G06F 310484
`H04L 29106
`H04L 29108
`H04W 76/02
`H04W 4/10
`H04M 112745
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ..... H04M1172519 (2013.01); H04M 1172536
`(2013.01); H04M 1172572 (2013.01); H04M
`1172583 (2013.01); H04W 4102 (2013.01);
`H04W 41021 (2013.01); H04W 41023
`(2013.01); H04W 41027 (2013.01); H04W
`4108 (2013.01); H04W 12102 (2013.01);
`H04W 12108 (2013.01); H04W 64100
`(2013.01); H04W 68100 (2013.01); H04W
`761007 (2013.01); H04W 84118 (2013.01);
`H04M 1127455 (2013.01); H04M 1172525
`(2013.01); H04M 1172547 (2013.01); H04M
`2250/10 (2013.01); H04M 2250/22 (2013.01);
`H04M 2250/62 (2013.01); H04W 4/026
`(2013.01); H04W 4/10 (2013.01); H04W
`76/005 (2013.01); H04W 76/021 (2013.01)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`1112007 Yoon
`1112007 Gottlieb et a!.
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`3/2009 Park
`9/2009 Crowley et al . ........... 4SS/4S6.3
`9/2011 Hymes.
`H04M 1126
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`200110044321 A1
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`2004/0148090 A1 *
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`
`2004/02664S6 A1
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`342/3S7.31
`
`12/2004 Bostrom et al.
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`6/200S Godfrey
`6/200S Levy .
`
`H04W 8/24
`4SS/4S2.2
`
`200S/022770S A1
`2006/0030339 A1
`2006/0031927 A1
`2006/004782S A1 *
`2007/01S0444 A1
`2007/0281689 A1
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`
`1 0/200S Rousu et a!.
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`2/2006 Mizuno et al.
`3/2006 Steenstra et a!. ............. 709/229
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`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`JP
`JP
`wo
`
`2000-3S7296 A
`200224S336
`2002-2772S6 A
`03074973 A2
`
`12/2000
`8/2002
`9/2002
`9/2003
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Elisa Batista, Your Boss May Know Where You Are, May 31, 2002,
`<http: I I archive. wired.com/ gadgets/wireless/news/ 200 21
`0 S1S28S2?currentPage~all>.
`GateS, "Mobile Community Solution: Context-sensitive application
`suite for mobile communities," published in 2002.
`GateS, "Mobile Guide Solution: Context-sensitive applications for
`PDA based mobile city and travel guides," published in 2002.
`Batista, "Your Boss May Know Where You Are," Wired News,
`published May 31, 2002.
`Edlund, Therese et al., "Mobile Services for truck drivers," Master
`thesis in Mobile Informatics, IT University of Goteborg, Sweden,
`2003.
`The GateS system, which, upon information and belief, was sold
`and/or publicly used within the U.S. prior to 2004 and at least as
`early as 2002.
`Kim, Ryan, "Find Friends by cell phone/Loopt application's Gps
`program can beam map location," published Nov. 14, 2006 by
`SF Gate.
`LocatioNet Press Release: "LocatioNet Releases Ground Breaking
`Mass Market LBS Application Suite-LocatioNet MyMap," pub(cid:173)
`lished May 6, 2003.
`LocatioNet LBS Applications: MyMap description web page, pub(cid:173)
`lished before 2004 upon information and belief.
`The LocatioNet system which, upon information and belief, was
`sold and/or publically used within the U.S. prior to 2004 and at least
`as early as 2003.
`Luna, Lynnette, "This Man Knows You Live ... and Work and
`Play," Wireless Review, Sep. 2002; pp. 24-32.
`
`

`

`US 9,445,251 B2
`Page 3
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Meggers, Jens et al., "A Multimedia Communication Architecture
`for Handheld Devices," IEEE Paper 0-7803-4872-9/98, published
`1998.
`Memory Map Remote Tracking, available at https://web.archive.
`org/web/20060202161 0 13/http:/ /memory-map.corn/.
`Ostman, Lennart, "A Study of Location-Based Services Including a
`Design and Implementation of an Enhanced Friend Finder Client
`with Mapping Capabilities," Lulea Tekniska Univeritet, 2001.
`U.S. Appl. No. 14/529,978, filed Oct. 31, 2014, Method to Provide
`Ad Hoc and Password Protected Digital and Voice Networks,
`Malcolm K. Beyer, et a!.
`U.S. Appl. No. 14/695,233, filed Apr. 24,2015, Method to Provide
`Ad Hoc and Password Protected Digital and Voice Networks,
`Malcolm K. Beyer.
`
`U.S. Appl. No. 14/633,764, filed Feb. 27, 2015, Method to Provide
`Ad Hoc and Password Protected Digital and Voice Networks,
`Malcolm K. Beyer, et a!.
`Garmin rino 110 2-way Radio & Personal Navigator; Owner's
`Manual and Reference Guide; Apr. 2003; 88pgs.
`Int'l Preliminary Report on Patentability (IPRP); for Int'l Patent
`App. No. PCT/JP2004/000250 dated Jul. 5, 2005; 4pgs.
`Life360's Rule 50(a) Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law;
`AGIS, Inc. v. Life360, Inc. (S.D. Fl.); Mar. 12, 2015; 27pgs.
`Plaintiff Advanced Ground Information Systems, Inc.'s Motions in
`Limine; AGIS, Inc. v. Life360, Inc. (S.D. Fl.); Feb. 19, 2015; 54pgs.
`PRNewswire, "Trimble GPS Technology Enables Seiko Epson
`Communication Device and Wireless Data Service," Nov. 8, 1999,
`accessed on the internet at: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-re(cid:173)
`leases/trimble-gps-technology-enables-seiko-epson-communica(cid:173)
`tion-device-and-wireless-data-service-77056402.html; downloaded
`Jun. 16, 2016; 4pgs.
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.13,2016
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
`
`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`iO
`
`16
`
`26
`
`\
`
`' \
`
`' I
`!
`i
`
`I~ I
`
`14
`
`I
`
`I
`
`_.#'
`
`./---
`12·--/
`16c ----
`
`16d--
`
`FIG. 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.13,2016
`
`Sheet 2 of 7
`
`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`~ ~"' (Gill!t: J
`
`~ I!" f~1ii.;;;;,;;iM~f,3-~ =-] Pr;;i rnt]
`:: :J
`--~~ I
`~·~ 0~ o~
`
`fl!Try~
`0$$M~n.srt
`
`AG!S
`
`::::; ~q.t
`
`Qg
`l>l!!lll!l ~ Er$1& ~
`} 0 0
`t~ ~] r2b2
`r~JS>!il~ ] 0 0
`r
`L:::
`1 ~ 0
`:::::::J 0 0
`[
`I
`1!:: I~~
`
`FIG. 2
`
`FIG. 3
`
`~.-~:"""""'::J [!]
`
`ME
`
`~~~
`
`(~1~!1 :J
`
`FIG. 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.13,2016
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`
`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`Q
`
`~-------- '.....---A-D -H-OC_'_-
`SERVER
`NETWDRK
`NAME AND
`TEMPORARY
`PASSWORD AND
`RETENTION OF
`USER NAME
`NAMES AND IP
`ADDRESSES
`
`"'-..
`· '
`1st AD HOC
`NETWORKED
`PDA/PC
`
`FIG. 5
`
`AD HOC
`NET\VORK
`NAME AND
`PASSWORD AND
`USER NAME
`
`ADDITiONAL
`AD HOC
`NETWORKED
`PDAs/ PCS
`
`-CO-M-.M-ON___,~Q
`
`...
`
`SERVER
`
`N.AME
`Kli.TRINA
`F!RE,
`COMMANDED
`CHANNEL 7
`
`/
`
`PQA
`CELL
`PHONE
`GROUP
`LEADER
`
`COMMON
`NAME
`KATRINA
`ARE,
`COMMANDED
`CHANNEL 7
`
`:--.
`~
`......
`
`PDA
`CELL
`PHONE
`NET
`PARTICIP-
`ANTS
`
`LEADER SIGNS ON TO THE AD HOC
`PASSWORD PROTECTED KATRINA FIRE
`NETWORK AND ENTERS A PTT GROUP
`CHANNEL.
`
`AS NET PARTICIPANTS SIGN ON TO THE AD HOC
`PASSWORD PROTECTED KATRINA FIRE
`NETWORK THEY RECEIVE A PIT GROUP
`DESIGNATOR. THEIR PDA AUTOMATICALLY USES
`THE PTT DATA TO SHIFT TO THE COMMI\NDED
`VOJCE CHANNEL
`
`FIG. 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.13,2016
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
`
`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`.----NA-M~E, ,~~
`
`'~ -----·-~----
`
`NAME,
`LOCATION, ~
`STATUS AND h>o.
`PDA
`PHONE
`NUMBER FOR
`CELL
`PHONE
`CHANNEL 7
`NET
`PIT
`PART!CiP-
`ANTS
`
`LOCATION,
`STATUS AND
`PHONE
`NUMBER FOR
`CHANNEL 7
`PTT
`
`-··~~~
`PDA
`,#'"
`CELL
`PHONE
`GROUP
`LEADER
`
`SERVER
`
`""'
`
`LEADER RECENES THE PTT NAME
`LOCATION, STATUS AND PPT
`CHANNEL 7 PHONE NUMBER .AS EACH
`AD HOC PASSWORD PROTECTED
`KATRINA FIRE NETHORK UNIT REPORTS
`
`A.rs NET PARTICIPANTS REPORT IN THE MJ HOC
`PASSWORD PROTECTED KATR!N,~ FIRE NIT#ORK
`THEY TRANSMIT THIER NAME, lOCATION, STA1US
`AND PIT PHONE NUMBER. AlL ON THE
`KATRINA FIRE NETWORK RECEIVE AlL OTHERS'
`DATA
`
`FIG. 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.13,2016
`Sep. 13, 2016
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
`Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 9,445,251 B2
`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`
`
`FIG~ 8
`
`

`

`ENABLING LOCATION, STATUS, VoiP, PTT AND VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN
`RADIOS AND CELL PHONES
`
`~---~-~:
`
`~
`
`-.............._
`'-·:4.·,--. - - - - - - ,
`
`IP DATA
`MESSAGES
`INCLUDING
`POITION IDENTITY
`VoiPAND
`DIGITIZED VIDEO
`
`.
`AD HOC
`! NETWORK PDA
`'---------'--.
`-~ i CELL PHONE
`-~ CREATES
`! LOCATION,
`! IDENTITY, PPT
`! AND VIDEO IP
`: MESSAGES
`
`e •
`
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`rFJ
`('D
`
`(.H
`
`'? ....
`0 ....
`
`~
`
`N
`
`0\
`
`('D
`('D
`
`rFJ =(cid:173)
`.....
`0\
`0 .....
`-....l
`
`d
`rJl
`\C
`~
`~ u.
`'N
`u.
`
`""""' = N
`
`~- ~-~:-:::--~
`/7·· __
`___/'
`-------~
`f
`-.......-<
`--~
`I !
`I
`
`!
`i
`IP DATA
`i
`MESSAGES
`i / /
`~ INCLUDING
`~
`POITION
`~ IDENTITY VoiP i
`AND DIGITIZED!
`VIDEO
`!
`'--~---~~!
`
`AD HOC
`NETWORKED
`PDA CELL
`PHONES
`DECODES IP
`DATA
`
`:~
`!
`!
`
`.-4
`!
`
`~·-~:
`
`IP DATA
`MESSAGES
`INCLUDING
`POITION IDENTITY
`VoiPAND
`DIGITIZED VIDEO
`
`~
`
`___________ __[ ____________________________________
`
`AD HOC
`NETWORKED
`PDAsfPCSs
`CONNECTED TO
`AN IP CAPABLE
`RADIO RECEIVE IP
`DATA FROM RADIO
`AND DECODES IP
`DATA.
`--------------------------------------
`
`1---
`
`! -------1
`!
`!
`I
`SERVER
`!
`! MAINTAINSA
`!
`i TERMPORARY
`! RETENTION OF !
`! NAMES AND IP
`I
`! ADDRESSES
`I
`! SENDS DATA
`I
`! BETWEEN ALL
`!
`! WITH SAME AD !
`! HOC NAME.
`!
`!
`!
`UNLESS
`! ADDRESSED TO !
`! A SPECIFIC IP
`!
`!
`ADDRESS
`I
`!
`!
`!
`!
`
`FIG. 9
`
`

`

`ENABLING NON RFID EQUIPPED PDA PHONES TO RECEIVE RFID TAG DATA.
`
`PC RECEIVES FROM THE SERVER THE
`ROOM NUMBER OR COMPARTMENT
`NUMBER WHERE TAG IS LOCATED
`.
`PROVIDES A MAP ORIENTED DISPLAY OF
`TAG LOCATIONS. HAS A DATABASE OF TAG ~i-..:----...__.__ty-:.:=_--=.._~:),
`i
`~ --.... ~
`VS PDA IP ADDRESSES .. SENDS
`CORRELATED DATA BACK TO THE SERVER. !/;\.~ ~~
`\._
`)
`LOCATION
`-~--~
`T
`ANDTAG#
`
`e •
`
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`rFJ
`('D
`'?
`.....
`
`(.H
`
`~
`
`N
`0 .....
`0\
`
`rFJ =(cid:173)
`
`('D
`('D
`
`......
`-....l
`0 .....
`-....l
`
`ROOM OR SHIP COMPARTMENT
`
`.~-~
`
`-----
`
`RFIDTAG
`READER
`
`RFIDTAG ON
`PERSON
`
`I
`N
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`I ~-------,
`
`I
`SERVER
`1
`1 MAINTAINS A
`I
`I
`I TEMPORARY
`I RETENTION OF I
`I
`I HOW TAG 3
`I RELATE TO
`I
`I NAMESAND
`I
`I SENDS DATA TO I
`I LOCAL DISPLAY I
`I AND TO OTHER I
`I ACS NETOWRK I
`I PARTICIPANTS I
`L ______ j
`
`;
`SERVERSENDS
`CORRELATED TAG 1
`PDA DATA TO ALL 1
`i
`ON DATA
`.
`SENDS DIGITAL
`DATA FOR
`RETRANSMISSION
`BY THE SERVER TO
`OTHER
`NETWORKED PDAs I
`PCs
`
`NETWORKED PDAs I PCSs
`CONNECTED TO CONNECTED
`TO THE SERVER VIA WiFi OR
`ANOTHER RADIO
`COMMUNICATIONS METHOD
`DISPLAY THE LOCATION AND
`DATA RECEIVED FORM THE
`RFID TAGS AND OTHER
`NETWORK CONNECTED PCs
`AND PDAs
`
`!~
`
`!
`
`RECEIVES OTHER
`PDA I PC DIGITAL
`DATA FROM THE
`SERVER
`
`FIG. 10
`
`d
`rJl
`\C
`~
`~ u.
`'N
`u.
`
`""""' = N
`
`

`

`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`1
`METHOD TO PROVIDE AD HOC AND
`PASSWORD PROTECTED DIGITAL AND
`VOICE NETWORKS
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`10
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica(cid:173)
`tion Ser. No. 14/529,978 filed on Oct. 31, 2014, which is a
`continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`14/027,410 filed on Sep. 16, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No.
`8,880,042, issued Nov. 4, 2014, which is a continuation of
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/751,453 filed Jan. 28,
`2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,538,393 issued Sep. 17, 2013,
`which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 12/761,533 filed on Apr. 16, 2010, now U.S. Pat.
`No. 8,364,129 issued Jan. 29, 2013, which is a continuation(cid:173)
`in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/615,472 filed
`on Dec. 22, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,126,441 issued on 20
`Feb. 28, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 11/308,648 filed Apr. 17, 2006, now
`U.S. Pat. No. 7,630,724 issued on Dec. 8, 2009, which is a
`continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`10/711,490, filed on Sep. 21, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 25
`7,031,728 issued on Apr. 18, 2006. All of the preceding
`applications are incorporated herein by reference in their
`entirety.
`
`2
`These devices thus unite cellular phone technology with
`navigation information, computer information transmission
`and receipt of data.
`The method and operation of communication devices
`used herein are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,031,728 which
`is hereby incorporated by reference and U.S. Pat. No.
`7,630,724.
`Military, first responder, and other public and private
`emergency groups need to be able to set up ad hoc digital
`and voice networks easily and rapidly. These private net(cid:173)
`works may be temporary or longer lasting in nature. The
`users need to be able to rapidly coordinate their activities
`eliminating the need for pre-entry of data into a web and or
`identifying others by name, phone numbers or email
`15 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.
`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
`30 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
`35 the ability to cross communicate necessarily with police
`units without a substantial degree of immediate coordina(cid:173)
`tion. The method and system in accordance with the present
`invention described herein discloses how digital communi(cid:173)
`cations along with Personal Computer (PC) and PDA
`40 devices can be used to quickly establish user specific pass(cid:173)
`word 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
`45 invention defines a method of accomplishing this by pro(cid:173)
`viding all personnel that need to communicate with each
`other with a PC or PDA which are interconnected to a Server
`using cellular or other communications.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`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 cel(cid:173)
`lular/PDA/GPS/phone that has Advanced Communication
`Software application programs (hereinafter referred to as
`ACS) and databases used in conjunction with a remote
`Server that enable a user to quickly establish a communi(cid:173)
`cation network of cell phone participants having a common
`temporary ad hoc network using mobile wireless commu(cid:173)
`nication devices.
`The invention includes a method and communication
`system to quickly set up and provide ad hoc, password
`protected, digital and voice networks to allow a group of
`people to be able to set up a network easily and rapidly, 50
`especially in an emergency situation.
`2. Description of Related Art
`The purpose of a communications system is to transmit
`digital messages from a source, located at one point, to user
`destination(s), located at other point(s) some distance away. 55
`A communications system is generally comprised of three
`basic elements:
`transmitter,
`information channel and
`receiver. One form of communication in recent years is
`cellular phone telephony. A network of cellular communi(cid:173)
`cation systems set up around an area such as the United 60
`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 65
`services. Cellular telephony also now includes systems that
`include GPS navigation that utilizes satellite navigation.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Applicant's communication system and method described
`herein is embodied in the Advanced Communication Soft(cid:173)
`ware (ACS) application programs developed by applicant
`and installed in the integrated PDA/GPS cell phones used
`herein and remote Servers.
`A plurality of Internet Protocol (IP) capable PDA/GPS
`devices each having ACS application programs and data(cid:173)
`bases provides a communication network in conjunction
`with a remote Server that provides the ability to: a) establish
`an ad hoc network of devices so that the devices can either
`broadcast to a group or selectively transmit to each of the
`other; each PDA/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
`
`

`

`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`4
`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 informa-
`tion among the ad hoc network participants even though the
`network participants have not entered other network partici(cid:173)
`pants' names, phone numbers or email addresses. Thus one
`of the purposes of the invention is to allow an ad hoc
`network to be formed on a temporary basis in a rapid
`manner.
`When using the PTT feature, the ACS can enable the
`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.
`Since only one person is transmitting on a PTT voice
`network at any given time, the receiving network partici(cid:173)
`pant's ACS can relate the PTT IP address to the IP address
`of the unit transmitting his identification on the digital ad
`hoc network. This information can then be used by the other
`30 PTT networked participant's ACS to: 1. flash the transmit(cid:173)
`ting unit's name on their PDA/PC screens or 2. if a photo(cid:173)
`graph has been attached to the ad hoc digital network symbol
`of the PTT transmitting person, to flash that photograph on
`35 the receiving unit's PDA/PC display.
`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.
`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.
`
`3
`exchange location, status and other information; (b) force
`the received information to the recipient's display and
`enable the recipient to acquire additional information by
`touching the display screen at a remote phone's location on
`the PDA display; (c) make calls to or send data to remote
`phones by touching their display symbols and selecting the
`appropriate soft switch; (d) layer a sufficient 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 10
`contact other cell phone users that have a common interest
`or relationship with a password and identifier for commu(cid:173)
`nication and to establish quickly a temporary ad hoc network
`especially in an emergency.
`A communication Server acts as a forwarder for IP 15
`communications between any combination of cell phone/
`PDA users and/or PC based users. Network participant
`location, identity and status messages are sent to the Server
`by each user. Network participant entered tracks are also
`sent to the Server. Because this network participant location 20
`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 infor(cid:173)
`mation, thus providing the information necessary for all 25
`network participants to know the identity, location and status
`of all other network participants.
`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 mes(cid:173)
`sages, photographs, video, Email and Uniform Resource
`Locator (URL) data from one network participant to other
`selected network participants.
`The above functions can also be accomplished using peer
`to peer WiFi, 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.
`The IP Server also fills another role of being a database
`from which data can be requested by network participants 40
`(i.e. maps, satellite images, and the like) or can be pushed to
`network participants (i.e. symbology and soft switch
`changes, and the like). The Server is used to establish an ad
`hoc network within certain groups using an ad hoc event
`name and password.
`This invention provides a method and a system establish(cid:173)
`ing an ad hoc password protected digital and voice network
`that can be temporarily set up or longer lasting in nature. The
`invention described herein allows users to rapidly coordinate
`their activities without having to pre-enter data into a web or 50
`identify others by name, Email 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 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. 60
`The initial IP message may also contain additional data such
`as a license number and, if desired, a phone number manu(cid:173)
`ally entered or automatically acquired by the ACS. The IP
`address of the PDA and PC unit sending the initial IP
`message is stored by the Server. The Server then responds 65
`with a message notifying the user that his PC/PDA is
`connected to the Server. The user PDA/PC then reports its
`
`45
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 shows a front plan view of a cellular phone/PDA/
`GPS having a touch screen.
`FIG. 2 shows the screen IP address entry menu.
`FIG. 3 shows ad hoc net names and password screen entry
`name.
`FIG. 4 shows a screen entry identifying user.
`FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of the network as users sign on
`55 to the network.
`FIG. 6 shows a flow chart that depicts how a group
`commander can command networked PDAs/PCS and radios
`to load a Push To Talk (PTT) channel.
`FIG. 7 shows a flow chart that depicts how networked
`radio units respond to receipt of the Push-to-Talk (PTT)
`Commanded Channel.
`FIG. 8 shows a PDA screen geographical display that
`represents the area covered by the network.
`FIG. 9 shows a diagram that enables determining location,
`status, ViOP, PTT, and video communication between radios
`and cell phones.
`
`

`

`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`5
`FIG. 10 shows a diagram that describes enabling non
`RFID equipped PDA phones to receive RFID tag data.
`
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`A method and communication system that joins a com(cid:173)
`munications 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.
`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 loca(cid:173)
`tion, 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 infor(cid:173)
`mation necessary for all network participants to know the
`identity, location and status of all other network participants.
`The Server allows the set up of the ad hoc network with
`an ad hoc event name and a password.
`The 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 mes(cid:173)
`sages, photographs, video, email and URL data from one
`network participant to other selected network participants.
`Referring now to the drawings and, in particular, to FIG.
`1, a small handheld cellular phone 10 is 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 manipu(cid:173)
`latively directing the stylus 14 to literally touch display 16.
`The soft switches 16d displayed on the display 16 are
`likewise activated by using a stylus 14 and physically and
`manipulatively directing the 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 coord