I IIIII IIIIIIII II llllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111
`
`US 20030109988Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Geissler et al.
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0109988 Al
`Jun. 12, 2003
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) THREE-DIMENSIONAL GPS-ASSISTED
`TRACKING DEVICE
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Randolph K. Geissler, Hudson, WI
`(US); Peter Y. Zhou, Riverside, CA
`(US); Dexing Pang, Riverside, CA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Steven B. Pokotilow, Esq.
`Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
`180 Maiden Lane
`New York, NY 10038 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/272,597
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Oct. 15, 2002
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/328,975, filed on Oct.
`12, 2001.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl. 7
`
`.......................................................
`
`GOlS 1/00
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`
`...................................... 701/213; 342/357.07
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present invention generally relates to systems, methods
`and applications utilizing the convergence of any combina(cid:173)
`tion of the following three technologies: wireless positioning
`or localization
`technology,
`,vireless communications
`tech(cid:173)
`nology and sensor technology. In particular, certain embodi(cid:173)
`ments of the present invention relate to a system for tracking
`and locating a person, an animal or an object three-dimen(cid:173)
`sionally having at least one remote localization and sensing
`device, each device having a processing unit for calculating
`location coordinates; an information
`storage device for
`storing directional, distance, physiological and identification
`data; at least one sensor for providing sensor data; an
`accelerometer
`for providing speed and distance data; a
`magnetic flux gate sensor for providing directional data; and
`a transceiver for communicating
`location and sensor data to
`an ASP. The present invention also relates to various appli(cid:173)
`cations and systems utilizing
`the capabilities of such a
`device.
`
`/
`
`GPS
`
`15'/;J ;;J ;;J
`I
`I ~
`l I _i_
`\ / 1 co~~~
`
`I
`
`REMOTE LOCALIZATION
`AND SENSING
`DEVICE
`
`'-100
`
`25
`
`WEB AND APPLICATION
`SERVERS
`ASP
`
`300
`
`PD
`
`200
`
`PSTN
`COMMUNICATION
`NETWORK
`
`CALL
`MANAGEMENT
`CENTER
`
`COMMUNICATION
`NETWORK
`
`25
`
`IPR2020-01192
`Apple EX1037 Page 1
`
`

`

`t "Cl -....
`(I) = ....
`"'i:l = ....
`
`I':) =
`....
`I") = ....
`a' -a -....
`I':) =
`....
`I") = ....
`
`25
`
`25
`
`END USER
`
`END USER
`
`FIG.1
`
`510
`
`SYSTEM,30
`
`WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`
`100
`
`REMOTE LOCALIZATION
`
`AND SENSING
`
`DEVICE
`
`NETWORK
`
`COMMUNICATION
`
`40
`
`COMMUNICATION
`
`SYSTEM,30
`
`WIRELESS
`
`35
`
`200
`
`MANAGEMENT
`
`CENTER
`
`CALL
`
`COMMUNICATION
`
`NETWORK
`
`PSTN
`
`WEB AND APPLICATION
`
`ASP
`
`SERVERS
`
`PD
`
`300
`
`END USER
`
`25
`
`15 r;; ;;J ;;J
`
`GPS
`
`IPR2020-01192
`Apple EX1037 Page 2
`
`

`

`FIG.2a
`
`(I) ....
`r:J1 =- (I)
`N = = ~
`"'N
`lo-I
`:=
`=
`0 =
`....
`....
`=
`= -a -....
`0 =
`....
`I") = ....
`...
`t "Cl
`(I) = ....
`"'i:l = ....
`
`I")
`
`"'i:l
`
`-.
`
`="
`~
`0
`N
`
`~
`
`<
`
`CLK
`
`COMMUNICATION
`
`WIRELESS
`
`MODEM
`
`Cl
`
`REC
`GPS
`
`@
`
`RAM
`
`ROM
`
`µp
`
`RF
`
`>
`
`Sn
`
`S2
`
`s,
`
`<
`
`CLK
`
`RF
`
`ACCELEROMETER
`
`THREE AXIS
`
`202
`
`\
`@
`
`µp
`
`Sn
`
`S2
`
`s,
`
`GATE SENSOR
`MAGNETIC FLUX
`THREE AXIS
`
`IPR2020-01192
`Apple EX1037 Page 3
`
`

`

`FIG.2b
`
`REMOTE LOCALIZATION AND SENSING DEVICE
`
`="
`~
`0
`~
`
`SENSOR
`
`SENSOR
`
`SENSOR
`
`( 240
`
`( 240
`
`·
`
`240)
`
`....
`r:J1 =- (I)
`N = = ~
`~ = = .
`0 =
`....
`I") = ....
`= -a -....
`0 =
`....
`I") = ....
`'Cl -....
`>
`(I) = ....
`"'i:l = ....
`
`(I)
`
`"'N
`lo-I
`
`"'i:l
`
`'Cl
`
`BATTERY
`
`( 230
`
`ANTENNA
`
`RF
`r255
`
`MICROCHIP
`
`INFORMATION v-270
`
`STORAGE DEVICE
`
`I
`
`v-260
`
`PROCESSING UNIT
`
`GATE SENSOR
`MAGNETIC FLUX ----
`THREE AXIS
`275~
`
`ACCELEROMETER
`
`,.._..
`
`THREE AXIS
`265~
`
`210\
`
`100
`
`V
`
`,,,,.--250
`
`RECEIVER
`
`AM
`
`TRANSCEIVER
`
`220~
`
`IPR2020-01192
`Apple EX1037 Page 4
`
`

`

`t "Cl -....
`(I) = ....
`"'i:l = ....
`
`~ = = .
`I':) =
`....
`I") = ....
`-a -....
`a'
`I':) =
`....
`I") = ....
`
`FIG.3
`
`REFERENCE
`
`STATION
`
`510 ~
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`L
`.J
`I RECEIVER
`I
`I
`(530
`I
`I
`r----1-----,
`I
`y
`I
`
`\V/
`\
`
`__ I ____
`
`GPS
`
`TRANSMITTER
`
`RF
`
`520 --...
`
`y
`
`IPR2020-01192
`Apple EX1037 Page 5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 12, 2003 Sheet 5 of 6
`
`US 2003/0109988 Al
`
`)t---c!-f 13-1-EF+--1 540,BUILDING
`
`e
`
`I
`I
`IC
`I
`I
`
`b
`r--------l
`I
`I
`
`530
`.---_.__-----.
`
`GPS
`RECEIVER
`-----..----
`
`:a
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`510,REFERENCE
`STATION
`
`-t--x
`
`y
`
`RF
`TRANSMITTER
`
`520
`
`FIG.4
`
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`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 12, 2003 Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 2003/0109988 Al
`
`CALCULATION OF RELATIVE
`DISTANCE TRAVELED BASED
`
`ON ACCELEROMETER DATA
`AND TIME DATA
`
`DETERMINE RELATIVE
`DIRECTION OF TRAVEL
`
`CALIBRATE THE DIRECTIONAL
`ANTENNA
`
`400,
`
`AUGMENT DIRECTIONAL
`INFORMATION BASED ON
`RF ANTENNA, REFERENCE
`STATION SIGNAL AND
`ANTENNA CALIBRATION
`
`DETERMINE
`INITIAL
`POSffiON READING
`
`CALIBRATE 3-D COORDINATES
`OF WEARER USING GPS TIME
`SIGNAL AND REFERENCE
`STATION TIME SIGNAL AND
`DISTANCE BETWEEN
`STATION DATA
`
`CALIBRATE WEARER LOCATION
`USING MATH FUNCTIONS,
`NUMERIC SOLUTIONS,
`INFINITE ELEMENT
`ANALYSIS AND THE LIKE
`
`1---------.i
`
`TRANSMIT RELATE
`LOCATION AND
`PHYSIOLOGICAL DATA
`VIA WIRELESS
`COMMUNICATION
`SYSTEM
`
`FIG.5
`
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`

`US 2003/0109988 Al
`
`Jun. 12,2003
`
`1
`
`THREE-DIMENSIONAL GPS-ASSISTED
`TRACKING DEVICE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
`Patent Application Serial No. 60/328,975, filed on Oct. 12,
`2001, entitled 3-D TRACKING DEVICE, which is incor(cid:173)
`porated herein by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] The present invention generally relates to a system
`and method for remotely monitoring, and more specifically,
`to a system and method for remotely monitoring a person, an
`animal or an object within a three-dimensional area.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0003] Various systems for localizing and sensing animate
`and inanimate objects are known in the art. Such systems,
`however, are generally inflexible and inefficient. More spe(cid:173)
`cifically, existing systems suffer from being incapable of
`being efficiently utilized for multiple business application
`having different
`types of remote monitoring needs and
`devices. Such systems also lack the ability to track persons
`that have entered a building or other form of structure that
`effectively blocks tracking signals such as high frequency
`system (GPS) satellites.
`signals from global positioning
`Furthermore, many such systems are generally incapable of
`generating alert messages based on both simple and complex
`alert parameters. As such,
`there exists a need for an
`improved localization and sensing system having a flexible
`structure with the ability to track objects three-dimension(cid:173)
`ally.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0004] The present invention is generally directed towards
`a remote localization device comprising an accelerometer
`having an acceleration output; a magnetic flux gate sensor
`for providing directional data; and a processing unit for
`calculating
`location based on outputs of the accelerometer
`and the magnetic flux gate sensor. It is to be understood that
`the remote localization device may be modified for use in
`different applications. For example, the remote device may
`be modified for precise
`localization
`in three dimensions
`inside a building. In such an embodiment, the remote device
`need not (but may) include sensors. In one such embodi(cid:173)
`ment, the remote device includes several additional compo(cid:173)
`nents, including: (1) a three-axis accelerometer; (2) a three(cid:173)
`axis magnetic flux gate sensor; (3) an AM receiver; and (4)
`a radio frequency (RF) directional antenna. The directional
`antenna is preferably sensitive only to direction and not
`distance and may be a physically rotating antenna or an
`electronically controlled antenna having a shifting phase. In
`addition,
`the system utilizes a reference station placed
`outside the building, for example, in front of the entry way
`to the building. The reference station preferably includes an
`RF transmitter and, optionally, a GPS receiver; the reference
`station can also be an existing one such as the Colorado
`atomic clock station.
`[0005]
`In general, information obtained from the acceler(cid:173)
`ometer, gate sensor, AM receiver and RF directional antenna
`is fed to the processing unit of the remote device and used
`
`in the building. More
`location
`the wearer's
`to determine
`specifically, the information is processed to obtain the three(cid:173)
`dimensional
`location of the wearer (e.g., the floor that the
`wearer is on and the location of the wearer on that floor).
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0006] FIG. 1 is a general schematic overview of a
`wireless communications
`system utilizing a Three-Dimen(cid:173)
`sional GPS-Assisted Tracking Device constructed according
`to one embodiment of the invention.
`
`[0007] FIG. 2a is a schematic of a Three-Dimensional
`GPS-Assisted Tracking Device, according to one embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention.
`
`[0008] FIG. 2b is a schematic of a Three-Dimensional
`GPS-Assisted Tracking Device, according to one embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention.
`
`[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic of a Reference Station
`according to one embodiment of the present invention.
`
`[0010] FIG. 4 is a top view of a reference station in front
`of a building for illustrating the process of calculating the
`relative position of the Three-Dimensional GPS-Assisted
`Tracking Device according
`to one embodiment of the
`present invention.
`
`[0011] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating
`the process of
`calculating
`the relative position of the Three-Dimensional
`GPS-Assisted Tracking Device according to one embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0012] Although the present invention is generally appli(cid:173)
`cable to systems and methods for remote monitoring,
`the
`following embodiments according to the present invention
`contemplate systems and methods for remotely monitoring
`a person, an animal or an object three-dimensionally.
`
`[0013] The schematic of FIG. 1 provides an overview of
`the components of one embodiment of the present invention
`and the components'
`relation to each other. In general, the
`system of the present embodiment collects position and
`sensor data via one or more remote localization and sensing
`devices (each a "Device") 100, stores the device data at an
`Application Service Provider ("ASP") 200 and, via the ASP
`200, makes such Device position and sensor data available
`to one or more end users 25. As described in greater detail
`below, the present embodiment provides the flexibility to
`accommodate multiple users 25 across multiple applica(cid:173)
`tions. More specifically, the system can be used to service
`multiple business applications, each having different busi(cid:173)
`ness rules and models and each utilizing Devices with
`different configurations,
`sensors and the like. Depending
`upon the application of the system, end users 25 may be
`individuals,
`for example, caregivers monitoring patients,
`parents monitoring children and the like, and/or companies,
`such as common carriers monitoring fleets of trucks, mer(cid:173)
`chants monitoring shipments, government entities monitor(cid:173)
`ing individuals, companies monitoring employees and the
`like. Furthermore, independent of the applications, the sys(cid:173)
`tem can logically associate end users 25 with accounts
`and/or groups of users within an account, and the system can
`
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`US 2003/0109988 Al
`
`Jun. 12,2003
`
`2
`
`assign different access privileges to end users 25 based on
`such group and account assignment.
`
`[0014] Each Device 100, described in greater detail below,
`receives position data from a localization system, such as the
`Global Positioning System (GPS) Satellites 15 and sensor
`data from one or more types of known sensors. As such, the
`Device 100 is coupled to or associated with the individual or
`object being monitored and tracked. It should be understood
`that, the present invention is not limited to any particular
`localization
`system or
`sensor. Accordingly,
`alternate
`embodiments utilizing other localization systems and tech(cid:173)
`nology,
`including,
`for example,
`triangulation,
`radio fre(cid:173)
`quency triangulation, dead reckoning and the like, or any
`combination thereof are envisioned without departing from
`the spirit of the invention. Some such systems are described
`in pending International Application No. PCTiUSOl/48539,
`incorporated herein by reference. Similarly, sensors may
`include those for monitoring physiological parameters, such
`as heart rate, body temperature, brain activity, blood pres(cid:173)
`sure, blood flow rate, muscular activity, respiratory rate, and
`the like, andior sensors for monitoring ambient parameters,
`such as temperature, humidity, motion, speed, direction,
`existence of particular chemicals and light for example.
`Specialized sensors, such as inertial device-based fall detec(cid:173)
`tors (for example, those utilizing one or more accelerom(cid:173)
`eters) provided by Analog Devices under the trade name
`ADXL202, are also envisioned. Other exemplary sensors
`include pulse rate sensors from Sensor Net, Inc., under
`Model No. ALS-230 and temperature sensors (type NTC)
`from Sensor Scientific, Inc., under Model No. WM303 or
`Model No. SP43A. Pulse rate sensors are available from
`Sensor Net Inc., Model No. ALS-230;
`Infrared optical
`sensors are available from Probe Inc. As described in greater
`detail below, the Device 100 and/or ASP 200 monitor the
`sensor output and generate alert messages to the end users 25
`if the sensor data exceeds an alarm threshold.
`
`In general, each Device 100 communicates
`[0015]
`the
`position and sensor data to the ASP 200 through a wireless
`system 30. The systems can potentially
`communications
`utilize any number of commercially available wireless data
`communications solutions available from a number of dif(cid:173)
`ferent service providers. Some examples of the types of
`wireless data communications
`interfaces that may be used
`include: Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD), Global Sys(cid:173)
`tem for Mobile Communications (GSM) Digital, Code Divi(cid:173)
`sion Multiple Access (CDMA), and digital data transmission
`protocols associated with any of the 'G' cellular telephone
`standards ( e.g., 2.5G or 3G). In a preferred embodiment, the
`system uses CDPD as the communication
`technology and
`user datagram protocol (UDP) with Internet protocol (IP) as
`the transmission protocol, although other protocols may be
`used such as transmission control protocol (TCP). As such,
`and as described in greater detail below, the Device 100 is
`assigned a specific IP address. In the present embodiment,
`the ,vireless communication system 30 passes the data to a
`wired communication network 35, such as the Internet, with
`the ASP 200 is in communication. As described
`which
`system 30 and communication
`below, the communication
`network 35 provide for two-way communication between
`the Device 100 and ASP 200.
`
`[0016] The position and sensor data is preferably stored at
`ASP 200, which serves as an intermediary between
`the
`Devices 100 and end users 25. As such, end users 25 are able
`
`the instantaneous and historical pos1t10n and
`to monitor
`sensor data for one or more Devices 100. ASP 200,
`described in greater detail below, receives the position and
`sensor data from the communication system 35 and serves as
`a link between the device data and the end users 25 of the
`system. In general, ASP 200 comprises one or more servers
`(e.g., web server(s), application server(s), electronic mail
`server(s) and/or database server(s)) and one or more plat(cid:173)
`form databases (PD) 300. ASP 200 can provide end users 25
`the ability to access the device data, specify alert threshold
`values
`for comparison
`to measured
`sensor values and
`receive notifications from the ASP 200. For example, in the
`event a measured sensor value exceeds an alert threshold,
`the ASP 200 notifies the appropriate end user 25. End users
`25 can receive such alerts through any number of alert
`devices (" Alert Devices"), such as a cellular
`telephone,
`telephone, pager, WAP enabled cellular telephones, Personal
`Digital Assistants (PDAs ), computer or other devices having
`electronic mail, Short Message Service (SMS) messages, or
`Instant Messages (IM) capability, fax, computer generated
`voice phone calls/voicemail, or messages sent to a Call
`Management Center, which will generate a human phone
`the user 25, such as the caregiver of an
`call to alert
`Alzheimer patient or the parent of a child.
`[0017]
`In the present embodiment, end users 25 access
`device data, specify alert thresholds, and access account
`information through a user device, such as a computer, WAP
`enabled cellular telephone, a PDA or other device including
`those identified as possible Alert Devices. In the present
`embodiment, the user interface device is a computer coupled
`to the Internet for accessing a secure website provided by
`ASP 200 on the communication network 35. The user
`interface device may be the Alert Device. End users 25 who
`do not have direct access to the communication network 35,
`can also access the device data and specify alert threshold
`values using conventional
`telephone communication net(cid:173)
`works to contact a central Call Management Center (CMC)
`40 that is staffed with personnel that can access the ASP 200
`via the communication network 35 or other networks, such
`as a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN)
`or the like. The CMC 40 may also include a computerized,
`automated response system allowing end users 25 to call in
`and receive device data, alerts and other system information.
`The ASP 200 can forward a message
`to the CMC 40
`whenever an alert, as described in greater detail below, is
`generated. This information can be used by personnel at the
`CMC 40 to respond to inquiries from end users 25 who may
`call the CMC 40 for additional information beyond the basic
`message generated by the ASP's automatic notification
`system. The personnel at the CMC 40 would also be
`available for users who have difficulty accessing or using the
`system Website, described in greater detail below, to con(cid:173)
`figure the Device 100. The CMC 40 will also be charged
`with fielding phone calls from users responding to alerts. In
`addition, the CMC 40 will proactively call users to verify
`changes that have been suggested to their alert parameters
`that may generate a large number of spurious alerts. In an
`alternate embodiment,
`if users do not have access to the
`Internet or to a CMC 40, an automated
`telephone system
`hotline will be available to obtain real-time data after PIN
`verification.
`[0018] The System may potentially implement a number
`of different security measures
`to safeguard
`the personal
`location and sensor data of users 25 and location of Devices
`
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`US 2003/0109988 Al
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`Jun. 12,2003
`
`3
`
`100, to prevent illicit commands from malicious third parties
`and to secure the data stream from potential interlopers. The
`data channel itself, since it may use standard UDPiIP or
`TCP/IP protocols, can be protected using a number of
`commercially available schemes including Secure Socket
`Layer (SSL) encryption
`for the data stream between
`the
`Device 100 and the ASP 200. The raw data itself may be
`further encrypted by the Device 100 and/or ASP 200 in
`addition to the SSL as well. Embedding additional encryp(cid:173)
`tion and device/server identification techniques into the ASP
`200, Devices 100 and/or user interface devices can enable
`further protection.
`
`In yet another embodiment, a reference station 510
`[0019]
`is used to initialize the device 100 with initial positioning
`data, and to track the device 100 thereafter. The reference
`station 510 may be permanently installed in a predetermined
`location or may be mobile such as on a truck, a van, a fire
`engine and the like to track persons or objects within a
`structure. The reference station 510 may also be coupled to
`system 30 tu upload or download
`the communications
`location and/or physiological data from the ASP 200 or the
`CMC 40 through the communication network 35 which may
`ultimately be made available to the end user 25.
`
`[0020] FIG. 2a illustrates components of the Device 100
`according
`to one aspect of the invention. In general,
`the
`Device 100 of the present embodiment comprises
`two
`separate components: the first component 202, for example
`a watch unit, comprises, for example, at least one sensor for
`monitoring the person or thing being tracked, and the second
`component 204, for example, a "belt" communication unit
`(so called because it may be designed for an individual to
`wear on her belt), for communicating with the watch unit
`202 via short-range radio frequency (RF), Blue Tooth or
`other knovvn technology, and for communicating with the
`reference station 510 and/or ASP 200.
`
`the watch unit 202
`[0021]
`In a preferred embodiment,
`comprises a microprocessor
`(up), having a system clock
`(CLK), which is programmed to operate in accordance with
`the discussion herein: Coupled to the microprocessor are one
`or more sensors (S 1 , S2 , SJ, for receiving physiological or
`ambient readings, random access memory (RAM) for tem(cid:173)
`porarily storing the measured sensor readings, a three-axis
`magnetic flux gate sensor for measuring direction, a three(cid:173)
`axis accelerometer for measuring speed and distance and a
`radio frequency transceiver (RF) and antenna for commu(cid:173)
`,vith the belt unit 204. The watch unit 202 is
`nicating
`powered by a battery (BAT).
`
`the belt unit 204 also
`[0022]
`In a preferred embodiment
`comprises a microprocessor
`(up), having a clock (CLK),
`which is programmed
`to operate as described herein. Such
`programming may be stored in read only memory (ROM)
`coupled to the microprocessor. In alternate embodiments the
`functionality of the belt (and/or watch) unit 204 is effectu(cid:173)
`ated in firmware. The belt unit 204 may also include one or
`more sensors (S 1 , S 2 , Sn) for collecting data. In the present
`embodiment, belt unit 204 may also include a directional
`sensor such a the three-axis magnetic flux gate sensor and a
`distance sensor such as the three-axis accelerometer,
`the
`outputs of which are interpreted by the belt unit's micro(cid:173)
`processor. In general, the accelerometer output indicates a
`fall (or sudden change in posture) when based on the user's
`sudden change in acceleration and sudden deceleration or
`
`stop. The accelerometer is also used to track the distance that
`an object or person has traveled, and when used in concert
`with the three-axis magnetic flux gate sensor, positioning
`data can be ascertained within a structure.
`[0023] A5 with the watch unit 202, the belt unit 204 also
`includes a random access memory (RAM) for temporary
`storage of data, including alert threshold values.
`[0024] A GPS receiver (GPS REC), having a patch or
`other suitable antenna, is coupled to the microprocessor. The
`GPS REC receives
`the GPS satellite signals, which in a
`preferred embodiment are interpreted by the microprocessor
`to determine the longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates of
`the belt unit 204. In an alternative embodiment,
`the GPS
`satellite signals may be interpreted at the ASP level for
`determining
`the longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates of
`the belt unit 204.
`[0025] Also coupled to the belt unit is a wearer interface
`(INTERFACE) for conveying information to and receiving
`inputs from the wearer or user of the Device 100. For
`the INTERFACE
`example,
`in a preferred embodiment,
`includes a power switch, a panic or emergency button and
`light emitting diodes (LEDS) and/or an audible alarm and/or
`vibrating alarm. As described
`in greater detail below, the
`panic button causes the sensor and GPS position data to be
`sent to the ASP 200. In an alternate embodiment, the Device
`100 includes a privacy button which causes the micropro(cid:173)
`cessor to deactivate one or more predefined sensors. The
`LEDs provide indication of the status of the device; for
`example, on/off, functioning properly, sensor(s) enabled/
`disabled, malfunction, and the like.
`[0026] Lastly, in a preferred embodiment, the belt unit 204
`includes a communication
`interface (CI), such as a serial
`port, for receiving updates of software and data, and a
`wireless communication modem
`(MODEM), having an
`antenna, for communicating with the ASP 200 via the UDP
`protocol. As discussed herein, the UDP MODEM has asso(cid:173)
`ciated with it an IP address for identifying the Device 100.
`[0027] As described in greater detail below, the watch unit
`202 acquires the sensor readings and transmits them via RF
`to the belt unit 204 where the microprocessor analyzes the
`sensor readings (including that of any sensor on the belt unit
`204). The microprocessor on the belt unit 204 also receives
`the GPS signals and determines the position data of the belt
`unit 204.
`
`[0028] Based on the state of the Device 100 and the
`requests received from the ASP 200, the belt unit 204 will
`determine whether or not the sensor readings
`trigger an
`alarm and/or read the position and sensor data back to the
`ASP 200 via the modem.
`
`[0029]
`the belt unit and/or the watch
`In one embodiment,
`unit processor monitors the separation distance between the
`"watch" and "belt" units by monitoring the total power of
`the RF transmission signal from the "watch"
`to the "belt"
`unit. When the total power of the signal drops below a
`pre-set value, the belt unit will then trigger an alert to both
`the Device 100 (e.g., visual, audible or tactile) and to an
`Alert Device via the ASP 200 to notify the wearer or others
`of the separation of the two units. The mounting of the watch
`unit 210 to the wearer must be snug enough to obtain useful
`physiological data and durable enough not to be easily
`removed, while still being comfortable enough for long-term
`
`IPR2020-01192
`Apple EX1037 Page 10
`
`

`

`US 2003/0109988 Al
`
`Jun. 12,2003
`
`4
`
`use. An embodiment of the invention contemplates
`the use
`of a semi-permanent, elastic band for the watch unit.
`
`[0030]
`that use of the foregoing
`It should be understood
`terms "watch" and "belt" are descriptive of merely one
`embodiment or use of the Device of FIG. 2a. For example,
`the watch unit may be placed inside a container of goods
`with a radio frequency or other wireless or wired commu(cid:173)
`nication link to the belt unit, which may be mounted in any
`suitable location, such as in the cab of a truck transporting
`the container. Furthermore, the specific sub-components of
`the Device 100 of FIG. 2a are merely exemplary, and the
`division of sub-components and functionality between the
`watch and belt units may be altered; for example, all sensors
`may be placed on one component, the GPS receiver may be
`placed on the watch unit, the watch unit microprocessor
`could analyze the sensor data to determine whether or not an
`alert threshold has been exceeded, the watch unit may have
`the wearer/user
`interface, and various other modifications
`are within the scope of the present invention.
`
`In this regard and with continued reference to FIG.
`[0031]
`1, FIG. 2b illustrates an alternate embodiment of the inven(cid:173)
`tion wherein the Device is a single component comprising a
`microchip 210, a transceiver 220, an AM receiver 250, a
`battery 230, a three-axis accelerometer 265, a three-axis
`magnetic flux gate sensor 275, an RF antenna 255 and at
`least one sensor 240.
`
`[0032] The microchip 210 includes a processing unit 260
`and an information storage device 270. Although FIG. 2a
`illustrates some parts included on the microchip 210 and
`some parts coupled to the microchip 210, one of ordinary
`skill in the art understands, and the present invention con(cid:173)
`templates,
`that different
`levels of
`integration may be
`achieved by integrating any of the coupled parts as illus(cid:173)
`trated in FIG. 2b onto the microchip 210.
`
`[0033]
`In an embodiment according to the present inven(cid:173)
`tion, the battery 230, the sensor 240, the transceiver 220, the
`three-axis accelerometer 265, the three-axis magnetic flux
`gate sensor 275, the RF antenna 255 and the AM receiver
`250 are each coupled to the processing unit 260 within the
`microchip 210. The processing unit 260 is, in turn, coupled
`storage device 270, also within
`to the information
`the
`microchip 210. The battery 230 powers the microchip 210,
`including the processing unit 260 and the information stor(cid:173)
`age device 270. The battery 230 may also power directly or
`indirectly the transceiver 220, the at least one sensor 240 and
`the AM receiver 250. The battery 230 may be a rechargeable
`(e.g., self-rechargeable) or a single-charge power supply
`device.
`
`[0034] Where a self-rechargeable battery is used, the bat(cid:173)
`tery 230 may be recharged by energy sources internal to a
`body of the person being monitored. Such energy sources
`may be, for example, acoustic, mechanical, chemical, elec(cid:173)
`trical, electromagnetic or thermal in nature as derived from,
`for example, bodily temperature differences, muscle activity
`and vibrations due to pulse, speaking, moving, breathing,
`etc. In other embodiments where the battery is self-recharge(cid:173)
`able, the battery 230 is recharged by energy sources external
`to the body of the person being monitored. Such energy
`sources may be, for example, acoustic, mechanical, chemi(cid:173)
`cal, electrical, electromagnetic, or thermal
`in nature as
`derived from, for example, temperature differences between
`
`the ambient and the body, vibrations due to ambient noise,
`ambient light, or an external device providing energy for the
`rechargeable battery 230.
`
`[0035]
`the
`In the present embodiment of the invention,
`transceiver 220 is adapted to be in two-way wireless com(cid:173)
`munication with the ASP 200 through the communication
`network 35, such as the Internet, and in one-way wireless
`communication with the GPS satellite 130. The transceiver
`220 may have a single antenna or an antenna array, for
`example.
`
`[0036] While the transceiver 220 is in two-way wireless
`communication with the ASP 200 through the communica(cid:173)
`tion network 35, the AM receiver 250 is in one-way wireless
`communication with the GPS system satellite 130. The use
`of the transceiver 220 and the AM receiver 250 may be
`advantageous in that the Device 100 may generally consume
`less energy. GPS frequencies tend to be relatively high and
`sending information over such frequencies by the Device
`100 via the transceiver 220 can be energy intensive. This
`the receiver 250 being
`preferred embodiment contemplates
`adapted for receiving at high frequencies and the transceiver
`220 being adapted
`for receiving and sending at lower
`frequencies. The sending of information over lower frequen(cid:173)
`cies by the transceiver 220 results in less energy consump(cid:173)
`tion by the Device 100. This two-part configuration allows
`physical environment sensor packages to be reduced in size
`and mounted in otherwise GPS signal or mobile wireless
`data transmission unfriendly environments. For example, a
`remote sensing unit can be placed inside the steel walls of a
`cargo container to gather environmental
`information on the
`cargo while the unit with the wireless interface and the GPS
`receiver 530 can be placed outside the container for superior
`signal performance. An alternate embodiment of the inven(cid:173)
`tion omits a separate receiver and contains only a transceiver
`that receives both sensor data from the at least one sensor
`240 and/or position data from the GPS satellites 130. In
`another alternate embodiment, the RF antenna 255 transmits
`three-dimensional positioning data to the reference station
`510 which is, in turn, transmitted to the ASP 200 through the
`communication network 35.
`
`[0037] The microchip 210 includes
`the processing unit
`260 and the information storage device 270. The processing
`unit 260 may include, for example, a microprocessor, a
`cache, input terminals, and output terminals. The processing
`unit 260 may include an informa