111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US 20030100326Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Grube et al.
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0100326 Al
`May 29, 2003
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) GROUP LOCATION AND ROUTE SHARING
`SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATION UNITS IN
`A TRUNKED COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Gary W. Grube, Barrington, IL (US);
`Leslie Gabor Seymour, Barrington, IL
`(US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`MOTOROLA, INC.
`1303 EAST ALGONQUIN ROAD
`IL01/3RD
`SCHAUMBURG, IL 60196
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`09/995,231
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Nov. 27, 2001
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. CI? ....................................................... H04B 7/00
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................... 455/515; 455/445; 455/518
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Methods are disclosed for sharing location and route infor(cid:173)
`mation between communication units (e.g., talkgroup mem(cid:173)
`bers) that are subscribed to a group location sharing service.
`The group location sharing service is event-based, such that
`the communication units may form a subset of a talkgroup
`desiring to actively participate or monitor an event. Com(cid:173)
`munication units de-subscribe from the group location shar(cid:173)
`ing service or talkgroup when they no longer desire to
`participate or monitor the event. Service levels may be
`determined for various subscribers to the group location
`sharing service. The service levels may include, for
`example, an information transmission service level and
`information reception service level that determine an
`amount, type, and/or timing of information to be sent or
`received by particular subscribers.
`
`~ 107
`
`~ 108
`
`~ 113
`
`109
`
`~ 106
`
`Apple Inc. 1025
`U.S. Patent No. 9,445,251
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 29, 2003 Sheet 1 of 10
`
`US 2003/0100326 A1
`
`100
`
`~ 107
`
`~ 108
`
`~ 113
`
`109
`
`~ 106
`
`WIRELESS
`INFRASTRUCTURE
`
`FIG. 1
`
`~ 110
`
`......
`
`"\
`
`l J
`._J
`..._J.
`1-J·
`
`~J-
`.._J·
`
`/'\17
`r-115
`
`TRANSCEIVER
`PROCESSOR
`MEMORY
`SELECTION
`ELEMENT
`OPERATOR
`INTERFACE
`I
`I LOCATION
`DETERMINATION
`
`(
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 29, 2003 Sheet 2 of 10
`
`US 2003/0100326 A1
`
`MOBILE GROUP LOCATION MAP DISPLAY
`
`FIG. 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 29, 2003 Sheet 3 of 10
`
`US 2003/0100326 A1
`
`USE CU SELECTION ELEMENT TO REQUEST LOCA liON SHARING
`
`301
`
`BUILD LOCATION SHARING SERVICE INITIATION REQUEST MESSAGE
`FOR THE EVENT IN THE CU UEMORY
`
`TRANSMIT LOCATION SHARING SERVICE INITIATION REQUEST
`MESSAGE FROM THE INITIATING CU
`
`RECEIVE LOCATION SHARING SERVICE INITIATION REQUEST
`MESSAGE IN POTENTIAL SUBSCRIBING CUs
`
`USE SELECTION ELEMENT OF THE RECEIVING CUs TO SUBSCRIBE
`TO THE LOCATION SHARING SERVICE FOR THE EVENT
`
`REGISTER THE SUBSCRIPTIONS FRON THE CUs SELECTING THE
`PARTICIPATION IN THE LOCATION SHARING SERVICE
`
`JOl
`
`.109
`
`v
`
`311
`
`NEW LOCATION INFORMATION FOR THE
`EVENT IS AVAILABLE
`SUBSCRIBER CUs FOR THE EVENT
`ARE REGISTERED
`TRANSMIT NEW LOCATION INFORMATION TO
`REGISTERED SUBSCRIBER CUs
`
`RECEIVE LOCATION INFORMATION BY
`REGISTERED SUBSCRIBER CUs
`
`FIG. 3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 29, 2003 Sheet 4 of 10
`
`US 2003/0100326 A1
`
`REQUEST LOCATION SHARING
`
`401
`
`REQUEST VOICE CHANNEL
`
`REQUEST LOCATION
`
`403
`
`405
`
`GLSS ALREADY INITIATED ?
`NO
`
`TRANSMIT NEW UNIT STATUS OF
`INITIATING OR SUBSCRIBING
`
`417
`
`SELECT FILTERING POLICY
`
`GET LOCATION
`
`419
`
`421
`
`CONSTRUCT INITIALIZATION AND
`SUBSCRIPTION PARAMETER BLOCK
`
`423
`
`TRANSMIT PARAMETER BLOCK
`
`425
`
`LOC SHARING REQ. RELEASED ?
`
`RELEASE VOICE CHANNEL
`
`NO
`427
`429
`
`FIG. 4
`
`

`

`c START )
`-.
`I RECEIVE TRANS~ISSION FROM SUBSCRTBER
`;
`APPLY filTERING POLICY ON SENDING SUBSCRIBER 503
`NO~E""XI=sT""'"IN=G--;O"'R -;;N=Ew". ~AU;;-;lTT.-o:HO'""'RI...-ZE""D--;S""UB=s=cR=Is=ER~? 505
`YES
`
`l-501
`
`FIG. 5
`
`I.
`
`525
`
`nrs
`INSERT THE NEW
`SUBSCRIBER WITH ITS
`NEW LOCATION
`INTO THE
`GROUP LOCATION AND
`SUBSCRIBER FILTERING
`CONSTRAINTS TABLE
`
`513
`
`BROADCAST NEW GLSS
`ANNOUNCEMENT AND
`LOCATION
`
`517
`IJ
`
`I
`
`I
`
`REJECT
`REQUEST OR
`NOTIFICATION
`
`527
`
`Ll
`
`I
`
`I
`
`REJECT
`SUBSCRIPTION
`.....,......
`REQUEST
`
`531
`=INE=w~Lo=c~AT,~IO~N=RE=Po~RTr ~===rl~~~J
`
`533
`
`UPDATE GROUP
`LOCATION TABLE
`WITH NEW
`SUBSCRIBER
`LOCATION
`
`543
`
`REMOVE THE SUBSCRIBER
`FROM THE GROUP
`LOCATION AND
`SUBSCRIBER-FILTERING
`TABLE
`L
`
`-+~--___j
`535
`· -PLY m=TE~RI=Nc,.....,p=oL=rc.,.,.....u
`ON GROUP LOCATION
`CHANGE
`
`539
`BROADCAST NEW LOCATION AND/
`~~ OR SUBSCRIPTION CHANGE TO All
`SUBSCRIBING CLIENT DEVICES IN
`THE GROUP LOCATION TABLE
`
`NO
`
`~
`
`-= ~
`~ = ~ >
`
`~
`~
`
`~
`~
`
`'t:)
`'a
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`~· =
`-= c:
`0" -;:;·
`~· =
`~
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`
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`
`N
`
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`
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`~
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`c
`
`'J).
`N
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`~
`
`~ a -~
`~ a N
`="" > ~
`
`7
`
`

`

`(
`
`I
`
`~PJ
`NOTIFICATION FROU
`OTHER SUBSCRIBER?
`
`INITIATION?
`
`NOTIFICATION?
`
`NEW GLSS I I SUB~~:IBER
`•
`
`RECORD
`GLSS
`INITIATION
`IN GROUP
`LOCATION
`OUTPUT
`BUFFER
`
`PUT NEW
`SUBSCRIBER
`WITH NEW
`LOCATION IN
`GROUP
`LOCATION OUTPUT
`BUFFER
`I
`
`6.JJ
`
`605
`
`601
`
`609
`
`NEW
`LOCATION
`UPDATE?
`
`l..-651
`
`SUBSCRIBER
`LOCATION IN
`GROUP LOCATION
`
`653
`
`i-643
`
`SET
`REQUEST
`FAILURE
`INDICA liON IN
`GROUP
`LOCATION
`OUTPUT BUFFER
`
`SET
`REQUEST
`SUCCESS
`INDICATION
`IN GROUP
`LOCATION
`OUTPUT BUFFER
`
`CLEAR GROUP
`LOCATION
`OUTPUT BUFFE
`FROM NEW
`GROUP
`LOCATION
`UPDATES
`
`641
`~Jl
`DE -SUBSCRIPTION
`NOTIFICA liON?
`
`•
`•
`
`REUOVE
`SUBSCRIBER
`AND ITS
`LOCATION
`FROU GROUP
`LOCATION
`OUTPUT
`BUFFER
`
`FIG. 6A
`
`""C
`~ .....
`~ = .....
`~ 't:l -....
`.... 0 =
`0' -....
`.... 0 =
`
`I")
`
`~ .....
`
`~
`
`I")
`
`~ .....
`
`~
`~
`'-<
`N
`~~
`N c
`8
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ .....
`0'1
`0 ......,
`'"""' c
`
`Cj
`'JJ.
`N c
`@
`c
`'"""' c
`8 N
`>
`'"""'
`
`0'1
`
`

`

`625
`
`SET NEW
`UNIT
`STATUS:
`GLSS
`INITIATED
`
`m}T _____ i _____ r,
`1 1 APPLY FILTERING POLICY ON 1 1
`L.,l.. _____ I _____ .J....J
`GROUP LOCATION CHANGE
`I
`I
`I
`I
`r 645
`NO( R"~~~.Y~~}'}
`
`I
`
`665
`
`r 673
`
`/683
`
`RESET
`PENDING
`INITIATION/
`SUBSCRIPTION
`STATUS
`
`SET GLSS
`~NITIATED OR
`SUBSCRIBED
`TO STATUS
`
`CLEAR
`GLSS
`NIT IA TEO OR1
`SUBSCRIBED
`TO STATUS
`
`675
`
`ENABLE
`PERIODIC
`LOCATION
`TRANSMISSIONS
`
`CANCEL
`PERIODIC
`LOCATION
`TRANSMISSIONS
`
`OUTPUT NEW GROUP
`LOCATION BUFFER
`
`655
`
`FIG. 6B
`
`~
`ll:l
`
`"0
`
`~ = ....
`>
`"0 -;::;·
`ll:l ....
`~· =
`~
`0"' c:
`ll:l ....
`~· =
`~
`ll:l
`'-<
`N :p
`N
`Q
`Q
`~
`
`~
`
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`
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`
`~
`Q
`
`d
`\FJ
`N
`
`Q
`
`@
`~ 8 N
`~ > ~
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 29, 2003 Sheet 8 of 10
`
`US 2003/0100326 A1
`
`START )
`
`GLSS STATUS
`INITIATED OR
`SUBSCRIBED TO?
`YES
`DETERMINE
`LOCATION
`
`•
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`701
`
`707
`
`'-705
`
`7 09
`
`'-703
`DETERMINE CHANGES IN SPEED, ROUTE
`AND/OR ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL IF ANY
`~
`LOCATION CHANGE
`SI GNIFI GANT?
`.NO
`DETERMINE IF CHANGES IN SPEED, ROUTE
`AND/OR ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL ARE SIGNIFICIANT
`
`•
`NO
`ANY CHANGES
`SIGNIFIGANT? ~ 711
`-.
`YES
`TRANSMIT LOCATION AND/OR
`OTHER CHANGES TO GLSS
`CONTROLLER
`
`713
`
`~
`
`END
`
`)
`
`FIG. 7
`
`

`

`INIT
`cu
`SELECTING
`ELEMENT
`122
`
`INIT
`cu
`LOC
`DET
`126
`
`!NIT
`CLNT
`PROC
`
`. --
`
`!NIT
`CLNT
`LOC
`NOTIF
`FIG 7
`
`INIT
`CLNT
`SRVR
`NOTIF
`114
`
`GLSS
`CONTROLLER
`101
`
`GVC
`VOICE
`CHAN
`CTRL
`103
`
`GLSS
`CLNT
`CLOCK
`
`SBSCR
`CLNT
`SRVR
`NOTIF
`
`SBSCR
`CLNT
`LOC
`NOTIF
`FIG 7
`
`SBSCR
`CLNT
`PROC
`
`SBSCR
`cu
`LOC
`DET
`126
`
`114
`
`118
`
`I
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`SBSCR
`cu
`UI
`124
`
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`
`FIG. BA
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`850
`
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`826
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`I
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`""C = 0'
`-.... n
`~ .... .... 0 =
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`8
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`
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`

`

`0
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`OUTPUT GROUP I LOC BUFFffR
`I
`• SHOWING I NEW SUBSICRIBER CUI ( 655)
`
`'r
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`I
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`
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`
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`
`-r
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`1,.REV LOCI
`
`~I
`
`I
`
`CD
`
`SUBSCRIPTION
`VOICE
`ANNOUNCEMENT
`
`856
`
`I
`I
`
`1 1\L.LLn-.JL 'v~vL v11n~111LL \ •
`
`::
`
`:VOICE TRANSMIT
`I (671~673) I
`
`829
`
`FIG. B.B
`
`I")
`
`~ .....
`
`""C
`~ .....
`~ = .....
`~ 't:l -....
`.... 0 =
`0' -....
`.... 0 =
`
`~
`
`I")
`
`~ .....
`
`~
`~
`'-<
`N
`~~
`N c
`8
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ .....
`'"""' c
`0 .....,
`'"""' c
`
`Cj
`'JJ.
`N c
`@
`c
`'"""' c
`8 N
`>
`'"""'
`
`0'1
`
`

`

`US 2003/0100326 Al
`
`May 29,2003
`
`1
`
`GROUP LOCATION AND ROUTE SHARING
`SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATION UNITS IN A
`TRUNKED COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates generally to trunked
`communication systems and, in particular, to a group loca(cid:173)
`tion and route sharing service for communication units in a
`trunked communication system.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] Trunked communication systems are known to
`include a wireless infrastructure and a plurality of commu(cid:173)
`nication units, such as mobile or portable two-way radios or
`mobile data terminals. Some communication systems, such
`as those used for public safety, also include a dispatch
`console and a so-called "computer aided dispatch (CAD)
`system" that includes a display-based terminal to control
`communications between the communication units. The
`CAD terminal typically displays categorized tables of infor(cid:173)
`mation to the terminal user (typically referred to as a
`"dispatcher" or "dispatch operator"). For example, the CAD
`terminal may display queues of currently pending incidents
`and/or a list of communication units that are currently
`available. In addition, some CAD terminals include an
`integrated mapping program that enables the CAD terminal
`to display locations of communication units on a map that
`represents a geographic area supported by the dispatch
`system. The locations of the communication units are typi(cid:173)
`cally provided to the CAD system on a periodic basis by an
`automatic vehicle location (AVL) system that is coupled to
`the CAD system via a dedicated communication link.
`
`[0003]
`In addition to receiving communication unit loca(cid:173)
`tion information, the CAD system may also receive incident
`information from a 911 system that is coupled to the CAD
`system. For example, the map may display the origination
`point of a 911 telephone call to the dispatcher as an icon on
`the map. By viewing communication unit location, commu(cid:173)
`nication unit status, and incident location on the map, the
`dispatcher can determine which communication unit users
`(e.g., policemen, firemen, paramedics, and so forth) would
`be in the best situation to respond to the incident. As an
`incident is attended to by users of the communication units,
`the status of the communication units associated with such
`users is updated either manually by the dispatcher or auto(cid:173)
`matically by the CAD system responsive to messaging from
`the wireless infrastructure. In the latter case, the wireless
`infrastructure receives status updates over a wireless com(cid:173)
`munication channel from the communication units that are
`participating in the handling of the incident. Changes in
`communication unit status are typically indicated to the
`dispatcher by some type of visual change, such as a color
`change or icon update, to the participating unit's represen(cid:173)
`tation on the map.
`
`[0004] A map display, with icons representing the inci(cid:173)
`dents and the communication units with their current status,
`gives a dispatcher a useful tool for evaluating an emergency
`situation. By using standard graphical user interface (GUI)
`cursor interaction (e.g., point and click or drag and drop), the
`dispatcher can manipulate the screen icons to assign units to
`incidents. Thereafter, the dispatcher may communicate
`information to the assigned units such as, for example, the
`
`incident location and other details. As one may appreciate,
`such systems place a heavy burden upon the dispatch
`operator, particularly where events and details are rapidly
`changing. It is possible that a dispatcher might assign units
`to an incident that are not in the best position to respond or
`conversely, fail to assign units that otherwise would wish to
`respond or at least monitor the event. Perhaps even more
`problematic is the difficulty in determining the type, extent
`and timing of information to be provided to the assigned
`units. The problem is exacerbated when one considers that
`certain units may wish to change their level of participation
`as the incident progresses.
`
`[0005] For example, consider a police chase scenario
`involving multiple police cars pursuing a fleeing vehicle. It
`would be desirable for all of the pursuing police cars to
`receive real time location and/or route information to deter(cid:173)
`mine what they each will do to help stop the wanted vehicle.
`In most instances, the police chase scenario relies upon the
`lead car broadcasting cross-street references directly to the
`other assisting vehicles or to the dispatch center for re(cid:173)
`broadcast. The dispatch operator is burdened with determin(cid:173)
`ing which of the field units are involved in the event,
`relaying the cross-street references and team member loca(cid:173)
`tion information to the team. However, this verbal method is
`prone to errors and it distracts the lead unit from the primary
`task of the high-speed chase. In addition, the lead car or
`assisting cars may not really know what other units are
`assisting in the chase and where they are. Knowing the total
`"team" of assisting units and where they are, what routes
`they have followed and what routes they are planning to
`follow can help determine a chase strategy.
`
`[0006] Even if the team member location could be con(cid:173)
`veyed correctly from the dispatcher to all participating
`vehicles, the comprehension of the spatial relations of these
`vehicle locations to other important and relevant events,
`temporary and potentially moving objects may be severely
`impaired if not completely impossible. Such temporal
`objects could include injured persons, pockets of activities
`of accidents and violence, etc. On the other hand, the
`continuous transmission of location information to a remote
`site where it may be displayed also in non-emergency
`situations may pose an additional problem of the perceived
`intrusion of work-place privacy or even a security risk. As
`one can imagine, the current location methods are very
`error-prone, untimely, limited both in the completeness of
`location information to be conveyed and in the desired
`access control.
`
`[0007] Current methods are also are deficient in terms of
`route information, such as the visualization of the spatial
`context of traversed trajectories, planned routes of the work(cid:173)
`team members and the moving objects related to an event.
`Route information (e.g., knowing which routes are to be
`followed, or which routes have already been visited by other
`responding vehicles) and the timeliness of the route infor(cid:173)
`mation is also important, particularly in assignments where
`territorial coverage optimization is needed or desired.
`Examples of such missions are neighborhood-patrolling,
`search for persons and/or for objects, public works for snow
`removal, road inspections, utility readings, delivery drop(cid:173)
`off/pick-up routes, on-demand car-pooling, etc. Particularly
`for larger work groups, up-to-date route information would
`have been impossible to convey only verbally, especially
`when the routes are changing based on real-time events. In
`
`

`

`US 2003/0100326 Al
`
`May 29,2003
`
`2
`
`real life situations, a compounded problem is the need for a
`real-time, on-going optimization of the set of routes for all
`group members as a whole, which makes the use of a verbal
`only communication with no visualization support even less
`effective.
`
`[0008] Accordingly, there is a need for a group location
`and/or route sharing service whereby participating commu(cid:173)
`nication units share location and/or route information for a
`particular event. It would be desirable for field units them(cid:173)
`selves, or a third party on behalf of the field units, to
`subscribe for participation in an event based on the com(cid:173)
`munication units' ability or desire to respond. Advanta(cid:173)
`geously, the subscribing units may comprise a talkgroup or
`subset of a talkgroup assigned to an event. There is further
`a need for such a group location and/or route sharing service
`to provide for different levels of participation and/or service
`levels for the subscribing units. The service levels may
`include, for example, an information transmission service
`level and information reception service level that determine
`an amount, type, and/or timing of information to be sent or
`received by particular subscribers. The present invention is
`directed to addressing or at least partially addressing these
`needs.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0009] According to one embodiment of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion, there is provided a method for a communication unit
`engaged in a group dispatch voice call to participate in a
`location sharing service. The communication unit receives a
`message initiating a location sharing service associated with
`an event. Responsive to receiving the message, the commu(cid:173)
`nication unit, or a third party (e.g., controller) on behalf of
`the communication unit, subscribes to the location sharing
`service so as to receive location information associated with
`the event. Optionally, the communication unit may send
`location information associated with the event. The location
`information may comprise, for example, the location of the
`communication unit and/or the location of an incident the
`resolution of which requires the location sharing service.
`
`[0010] According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, there is provided a method for groups of com(cid:173)
`munication units engaged in dispatch voice calls to partici(cid:173)
`pate in a location sharing service according to different
`service levels. A group of communication units, such as a
`talkgroup or subset of a talkgroup, subscribes to the location
`sharing service, yielding a plurality of subscriptions. The
`subscriptions are associated with respective service levels
`which are based, for example, on the amount or type of
`information to be transmitted or received by the various
`subscribers. Thereafter, location information is exchanged
`between the subscribers based on the service levels. The
`service levels may be based on the level of participation of
`the subscribers for a particular event, for example, active
`units or monitoring units. The location information may also
`be exchanged in response to triggering events such as, for
`example, change(s) in location or speed, expiration of a time
`period since the last location information exchange, de via(cid:173)
`tions in route or travel time of certain subscriber(s), or upon
`certain subscriber(s) entering or being within a particular
`geographic reference area.
`
`[0011] According to still another embodiment of the
`present invention, there is provided a method for commu-
`
`nication units engaged in a group dispatch call that are
`distributed among a plurality of locations to participate in a
`location sharing service, whereby the communication units
`are eligible for movement causing changes in the plurality of
`locations. The method comprises a first communication unit
`sending a message initiating a group location sharing service
`to one or more receiving communication units. The receiv(cid:173)
`ing units or a subset of the receiving units subscribe to the
`location sharing service, forming a group of participating
`units. Thereafter, a first plurality of the participating units
`receive periodic location update information associated with
`a second plurality of the participating units.
`[0012] According to yet another embodiment of the
`present invention, there is provided a wireless communica(cid:173)
`tion unit operable to participate in a location sharing service.
`The communication unit includes a radio frequency trans(cid:173)
`ceiver, operable to send and receive messages initiating an
`event-based location sharing service; a selection element
`enabling an operator to selectively subscribe to the event(cid:173)
`based location sharing service, thereby enabling the radio
`frequency transceiver to receive location information asso(cid:173)
`ciated with an event; and an operator interface for commu(cid:173)
`nicating at least a portion of the location information to the
`operator.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a communi(cid:173)
`cation system in accordance with one embodiment of the
`present invention;
`[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary map displayed to a
`user of a communication unit;
`[0015] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a high-level
`location sharing service algorithm according to the present
`invention;
`[0016] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a GLSS client
`algorithm for processing user input from a group voice call
`talkgroup member;
`[0017] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating steps performed
`by a GLSS controller to implement a group location sharing
`service;
`[0018] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a client algorithm for
`processing GLSS update notifications from a GLSS control(cid:173)
`ler;
`[0019] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an algorithm for
`processing periodic location updates from GLSS clients; and
`[0020] FIG. 8 is a message sequence chart showing
`example GLSS service initiation, subscription and location
`update notifications.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0021] Turning now to the drawings and referring initially
`to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of a communi(cid:173)
`cation system 100 in accordance with the present invention.
`The communication system 100 includes a plurality of
`communication units 105-113 that communicate with a
`wireless infrastructure 103 and/or each other over one or
`more communication resources 114 (one shown). The com(cid:173)
`munication system 100 may be either a conventional system
`
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`or a trunked system and each communication resource 114
`may comprise a frequency carrier, one or more time slots of
`a frequency carrier, or an orthogonal code implemented by
`a respective frequency hopping pattern or by a pseudo(cid:173)
`random noise sequence spread over a wide bandwidth (e.g.,
`3 MHz).
`
`[0022] The communication units 105-113 comprise two(cid:173)
`way mobile radios, two-way portable radios, or two-way
`wireless data terminals. The wireless infrastructure 103
`supports the particular communication system 100 and,
`therefore, comprises one or more base stations (e.g., in a
`conventional system) or one or more base stations and one
`or more system controllers (e.g., in a trunking system).
`Typically, the wireless infrastructure 103 also includes one
`or more dispatch consoles comprising fixed computer-aided
`dispatch (CAD) terminals, which may be coupled to an
`automated vehicle location (AVL) system and an emergency
`911 system (not shown). The AVL system and the 911
`system are well known; thus, no further discussion of them
`will be presented except to facilitate an understanding of the
`present invention.
`
`[0023] The wireless infrastructure 103 includes or is
`coupled to a group location sharing service (GLSS) server or
`controller 101. As will be described in greater detail here(cid:173)
`inafter, the GLSS controller 101 is adapted to coordinate and
`manage group location sharing service(s) between partici(cid:173)
`pating communication units and/or infrastructure devices.
`As will be appreciated, the GLSS controller 101 is a
`functional element that may reside in one or more physical
`devices. For example, the GLSS controller may reside
`within a personal computer or functional equivalent, a
`dispatch console or server, the AVL system or 911 system or,
`in a trunking system, may reside within one or more system
`controllers. Alternatively or additionally, the GLSS control(cid:173)
`ler may be distributed among the various communication
`units 105-113.
`
`[0024] As depicted in FIG. 1 in block view (only com(cid:173)
`munication unit 105 shown), the communication units 105-
`113 include an antenna 115, radio transceiver 116, processor
`118, memory 120, selection element 122, operator interface
`124 and location determination element 126. As will be
`appreciated, the various elements are functional elements
`that may reside in one or more physical devices and, in some
`implementations, may be operated remotely from
`the
`vehicle associated with the communication unit 105. For
`example, ergonomic efficiency may be realized by incorpo(cid:173)
`rating some or all of the elements into a mobile or portable
`dispatch radio or phone that may be operated inside or
`outside of a vehicle.
`
`[0025] The radio transceiver 116 is coupled to the proces(cid:173)
`sor 118 and antenna 115 to enable the communication unit
`105 to exchange information (e.g., voice, video, data, text,
`etc.) with the wireless infrastructure 103 and/or other com(cid:173)
`munication units via an RF channel (i.e., communication
`resource 114). In the preferred embodiment, the transceiver
`116 is used to exchange messages with the GLSS controller
`101 to initiate and/or subscribe to a location sharing service
`and, for those communications units having initiated or
`subscribed to the location sharing service (hereinafter, "sub(cid:173)
`scribers" or "subscriber units"), to send location information
`to or receive location information from the GLSS controller
`101. In the former case, the location information (or a
`
`portion thereof) may be forwarded from the GLSS controller
`to various subscribers whereas in the latter case, the location
`information may have been received by the GLSS controller
`from various subscribers. Alternatively or additionally, the
`transceiver 116 may be used to exchange messages and/or
`location information directly with other communication
`units.
`[0026] The processor 118 comprises a microprocessor and
`a digital signal processor for controlling the various ele(cid:173)
`ments of the communication unit 105 and for communicat(cid:173)
`ing with the wireless infrastructure 103. The memory 120
`comprises a random access memory (RAM), read only
`(ROM), programmable
`read only memory
`memory
`(PROM), and/or a floppy disk to store software algorithms
`and data, such as communication information, used by the
`processor 118 during operation of the communication unit
`105. The processor 118 and memory 120 enable computa(cid:173)
`tional processing necessary for executing wireless transmis(cid:173)
`sions, and communication services such as two-way radio
`voice communication services, including dispatch or talk(cid:173)
`group call services. The processor and memory also enable
`execution of location or route sharing services, separately or
`in combination with the talkgroup call services. The pro(cid:173)
`cessor and memory further enable certain location-based
`data applications such as, for example, map-based location
`tracking and routing applications that track the location and
`manage the route of the communication unit 105.
`[0027] The selection element 122 comprises a user input
`device such as, for example, a push-to-talk (PTT) activator
`or push button of a mobile or portable dispatch radio/phone,
`foot switch, panel microphone, computer mouse or equiva(cid:173)
`lent (e.g., trackball or touchpad), keyboard or touchscreen,
`voice activated device, voice recognition device, or some
`combination thereof to enable the operator of the commu(cid:173)
`nication unit 105 to initiate a location sharing service or
`subscribe to an already-initiated service. That is, the opera(cid:173)
`tor uses the selection element 122 to express a desire to
`initiate or subscribe to the location sharing service, which
`desire is communicated, via the transceiver 116 and wireless
`infrastructure, to the GLSS controller 101. The selection
`element may similarly be used by the operator to de(cid:173)
`subscribe to the location sharing service.
`[0028] The operator interface 124 comprises an input
`device, incorporating (or separate from) the selection ele(cid:173)
`ment 122, that permits a user to input information other than
`initiation of or subscription to a location sharing service for
`transmission to one or more of the communication units
`105-113 or the wireless infrastructure 103; and output device
`such as a display having speaker(s) for communicating
`voice, video and/or data to the operator of the communica(cid:173)
`tion unit 105. In the preferred embodiment, the operator
`interface 124 comprises a display window adapted for
`displaying location information, such as a map including
`street information, landmarks, locations and/or status of
`communication units 105-113 in a particular geographic
`area. An example of such a display is shown at FIG. 2.
`Alternatively or additionally, text messages, graphical icons
`or synthesized voice may be employed to communicate
`location information to the user. In either case, the location
`information
`is adapted for periodic updates
`through
`exchanges of information with the GLSS controller 101.
`[0029] The location determination element 126 comprises
`a location sensor and associated hardware and software for
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`determining the location of the communication unit 105.
`Typically, the location determination is performed by an
`in-vehicle navigation unit, utilizing a Global Positioning
`System (GPS) receiver connected to a GPS antenna. The
`navigation unit and the rest of the communication unit 105
`(e.g., mobile dispatch phone) are connected through a serial
`connection. Alternatively, the two devices have wireless
`connection, such as Blue Tooth, that would enable the use of
`the phone outside of the vehicle for other purposes, as well.
`This connection is used for sharing location data between
`the navigation device and the mobile phone. Alternatively or
`additionally, assisted GPS, time-of-arrival, enhanced time(cid:173)
`of-arrival, dead-reckoning sensors or any other suitable
`technology that enables the location determination element
`126 to accurately determine the location of the communi(cid:173)
`cation unit 105 may be used. Examples of commercially
`available brands of in-vehicle navigation units include
`Garmin and Alpine. In any case, the resulting location is
`communicated via the transceiver 116 to the GLSS control(cid:173)
`ler 101 where it may be forwarded to other participating
`subscribers 106-110 and/or infrastructure devices. In addi(cid:173)
`tion, the location information may be used to filter and
`interpret the location information received from other sub(cid:173)
`scribers.
`[0030] FIG. 2 shows an example map display that may be
`provided to a user of a communication unit according to
`principles of the present invention. The map display shows
`three public safety vehicles approaching an incident loca(cid:173)
`tion, as well as the planned routes and estimated time of
`arrival (ETA) of the vehicles. As shown, the current location
`of the vehicles is represented by respective vehicle icons, the
`incident location is depicted by a "dot" in the lower middle
`of the display, the planned routes are depicted by arrows
`leading to the incident location and the ETAs (i.e., 4.1, 6.3
`and 3.2 minutes, respectively) are shown in small windows
`attached to the vehicle icons. Preferably, all of this infor(cid:173)
`mation is updated in real-time (e.g., every 10 seconds or
`less) as the vehicles change their location, ETA, planned or
`actual route, etc. The map display may also be augmented by
`an additional speech interface and/or light and sound effects.
`It is contemplated that such augmented human interface may
`assist in reducing driver distraction, which could be espe(cid:173)
`cially critical if the driver is the only person in the vehicle.
`The additional speech interface, if provided, could be used
`to produce a pre-recorded and/or synthesized voice
`announcement of major changes in the location of any of the
`vehicles and to specify/change the conditions when such
`announcement is required. For example, the announcement
`could be given if and when any of the vehicles pass a major
`intersection, if the distance between vehicle(s) or the dis(cid:173)
`tance between certain vehicle(s) and the incident location
`reaches a certain threshold, if any of the vehicles change
`routes, etc.
`[0031] Now turning to FIG. 3, there is shown a h