I IIIII IIIIIIII Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111
`
`US006657587Bl
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Mohan
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,657,587 Bl
`Dec. 2, 2003
`
`(54) TRACKING SYSTEM USING
`MINIATURIZED CONCEAIABLE
`COMMUNICATIONS MODULE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Paul L. Mohan, Novi, MI (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Veridian ERIM International, Inc.,
`Ann Arbor, MI (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U .S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 09/571,899
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`May 16, 2000
`
`(63)
`
`(51)
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`filed on Oct.
`
`Continuation of application No. 08/321,941,
`12, 1994, now Pat. No. 6,121,922.
`Int. Cl. 7
`GOlS 5/02; H04B 7/185
`............................
`U.S. Cl .
`.............................. 342/357.1; 342/357.09;
`342/419; 701/213
`Field of Search ......................... 342/357.09, 357.1,
`342/419; 701/213
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,043,736 A
`5,115,223 A
`5,223,844 A
`5,225,842 A
`5,266,958 A
`
`342/357
`8/1991 Darnell et al. ..............
`340/573
`5/1992 Moody
`.......................
`6/1993 Mansell et al.
`............. 342/357
`7/1993 Brown et al. ...............
`342/357
`11/1993 Durboraw, III
`............. 342/357
`
`342/357
`....................
`2/1995 Eberwine
`5,392,052 A
`5,414,432 A * 5/1995 Penny, Jr. et al.
`.......... 342/463
`5,418,537 A * 5/1995 Bird
`...........................
`342/457
`5,497,149 A * 3/1996 Fast
`...........................
`340/899
`5,517,683 A * 5/1996 Collett et al. .................
`455/89
`5,572,401 A * 11/1996 Carroll
`.......................
`361/683
`5,587,715 A * 12/1996 Lewis
`.......................
`455/12.1
`5,629,981 A * 5/1997 Nerlikar
`......................
`380/25
`5,826,195 A * 10/1998 Westerlage et al. ......... 455/456
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5/1993
`
`........... GOlS/13/74
`
`WO 93/23766
`WO
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner-Theodore M. Blum
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Gifford,
`Sprinkle, Anderson & Citkowski, PC
`ABSTRACT
`
`Krass, Groh,
`
`(57)
`
`A tracking systtm usts a miniaturizt<l gtographic position
`determination and communications module, preferably
`in
`the form of a thin capsule, enabling
`the enclosure
`to be
`hidden in very small spaces, including personal conceal(cid:173)
`ment. Electronic circuitry and a thin, rechargeable battery
`are contained within the enclosure, the circuitry including a
`global positioning
`satellite
`receiver, a communications
`transceiver, and a controller. The controller causes the global
`positioning satellite receiver to receive and decode a signal
`relating to the geographic position of the module; cause the
`communications
`transmitter to communicate the geographic
`position information
`to a remote location; and disable the
`global positioning satellite receiver and communications
`transceiver when not in use so as to conserve power.
`
`9 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`/
`
`GPS SATELLITE
`NETWORK
`
`/
`
`LOCAL ACTIVATE
`(DISTRESSIT AMPERJ
`
`500 "
`
`515
`
`/
`
`520
`
`GPS RECEIVER ---
`
`SYSTEM
`CONTROLLER
`
`/
`
`T
`
`MOBILE LINK
`TRANSMITTER
`RECEIVER
`
`540
`
`DATA MODEM
`
`530
`
`
`
`l _______________ ---------------------------------------------------------------
`
`
`
`SATELLITE OR
`TERRESTRIAL
`NETWORK
`g. lRJDIUM, ODYSSEY;
`
`510
`
`BATTERY
`RECHARGF-----1-----------~
`PORT
`
`RECHARGEABLE
`
`BATTERY 1
`5501-
`
`570
`
`(560
`I
`
`POWER
`MANAGEMENT
`
`CONTINUOUS
`POWER
`
`SWITCHED
`POWER
`
`SELF-TEST
`CONTROLLER
`
`590
`
`l DIAGNOSTIC
`t FAILAlARM
`~\~ ~b--4.wi:::
`
`ALARM
`
`595
`
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`
`

`

`CONTINUOUS
`
`560
`
`MANAGEMENT
`
`POWER
`
`PORT
`
`RECHARGE---f---~-~---......i
`
`BATTERY
`
`1---- SWITCHED
`1----- POWER
`
`BATTERY 1
`550 J__
`
`RECHARGEABLE
`
`.
`
`I
`
`,._,.. __ .,. _________
`
`......
`
`.... ..,_,._..,,.
`
`... ______
`
`.. ,...,,...,.,,.
`
`... ______
`
`,.,._..,,.
`
`......
`
`-------
`
`,..,. ........
`
`,.. ............
`
`I ____
`
`'
`
`' ' ' ' I
`' ! :
`
`'
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`SYSTEM
`
`GPS RECEIVER ....,._.....i
`
`520
`
`515
`
`•
`00
`0 •
`
`(e.g. IRIDIUM, ODYSSEY;
`
`NETWORK
`TERRESTRIAL
`SATELLITE OR
`
`(DISTRESS/TAM PER) T
`
`LOCAL ACTIVATE
`
`500 "'
`
`NETWORK
`
`GPS SATELLITE
`
`Fig-1
`
`FAIL ALARM
`DIAGNOSTIC
`
`590
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`SELF-TEST
`
`510
`
`530
`
`DATA MODEM
`
`540
`
`RECEIVER
`
`TRANSMITTER
`MOBILE LINK
`
`INDICATOR
`STATUS
`
`-
`
`LOW BATTERY
`
`ALARM
`
`570
`
`'------....-1-
`
`580 = BATTERY
`
`POWER
`
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 2, 2003
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`US 6,657,587 Bl
`
`100
`~
`
`FLEX
`CABLE
`(116)
`
`GPS ANTENNA (130)
`
`LID (110')
`
`---
`
`I >--MCM#1 (110)
`
`LID (112')
`
`MCM#2 (112)
`
`REHCARGEABLE
`BATTERY (120)
`
`MCM#3 (114)
`
`LID (114')
`
`Fig-2
`
`IPR2020-01192
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 2, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 6,657,587 Bl
`
`/RFLINK
`
`248
`
`206
`
`recharge
`
`Fig-3
`
`IPR2020-01192
`Apple EX1044 Page 4
`
`

`

`...J = ;,..
`
`QO
`"' Ul
`...J
`"' "" Ul
`"'·
`00
`e
`
`•
`00
`0 •
`
`180
`
`@22deg.
`Vel: 26/kmlhr
`
`90
`
`350
`
`DATA
`DIAGNOSTIC
`
`BATTERY
`
`DISPLAY DRIVER
`
`Fig-4
`
`334
`
`332
`
`(340)
`
`KEYPAD
`
`£.AT/LONG/ALT
`
`GPS RECEIVER
`
`360
`
`310
`
`UPDATE
`POSITION
`
`CONTROLLER SUBSYSTEM
`
`...J._+--'--------,
`
`.J_ __
`
`__
`
`320
`
`AND MODEM
`DATAUNK
`CELLULAR
`
`STATUS
`
`330
`
`MODE I
`
`NETWORK
`SATELLITE
`CELLULAR
`
`s -
`
`-
`
`NETWORK
`GPS SATELLITE
`
`s
`
`-
`
`300 "'
`
`IPR2020-01192
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 2, 2003
`
`Sheet S of S
`
`US 6,657,587 Bl
`
`0
`
`0
`
`MOBILE COMMUNICATION
`SATELLITE NETWORK
`
`Fig-5
`
`IPR2020-01192
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`
`

`

`US 6,657,587 Bl
`
`1
`TRACKING SYSTEM USING
`MINIATURIZED CONCEAIABLE
`COMMUNICATIONS MODULE
`
`2
`steps must also be taken to manage power control to ensure
`that power is not drained before such a system becomes
`critically necessary.
`
`This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 5
`08,321,941, filed Oct. 12, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,
`922.
`
`FJELD OF TIIE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to electronic track(cid:173)
`ing systems and, more particularly,
`to a tracking system
`utilizing a highly miniaturized position determination and
`communications module which may be readily concealed,
`including on the person of an individual to be located.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`One aspect of the invention provides a miniaturized
`geographic position determination
`and communications
`module in a small, concealable enclosure. In the preferred
`embodiment the enclosure is in the form of a thin capsule,
`to be hidden in very small spaces,
`10 enabling the enclosure
`including concealment on the person. Electronic circuitry
`and a source of power are contained within the enclosure,
`with the circuitry
`including a global positioning satellite
`receiver, a communications
`transceiver, and a controller. The
`is at least able to cam;e the global positioning
`15 controller
`satellite receiver to receive and decode a signal relating to
`the geographic position of the module; cause the commu(cid:173)
`nications transceiver to communicate
`the geographic posi(cid:173)
`tion information to a remote location; and disable the global
`satellite receiver and communications
`trans(cid:173)
`20 positioning
`ceiver when not in use so as to conserve power from the
`source. The geographic position information may be com(cid:173)
`municated
`to a remote location either in response to the
`activation of a panic function, or after receiving a request
`the trans(cid:173)
`25 from a remote location, which then commences
`mission in response to the request. The controller is prefer(cid:173)
`ably further operative to perform a functional self-test of the
`global positioning satellite receiver and communications
`transceiver to ensure they are in proper working order.
`In terms of physical construction, electronic circuitry of
`the module
`is preferably mounted on at least one thin
`substrate, and in the case of two or more, they are disposed
`parallel to one another and electrically interconnected within
`the enclosure. A thin battery is preferably used the power
`35 source, and a thin antenna associated with the global posi(cid:173)
`tioning satellite receiver is supported on the enclosure. The
`substrate(s), battery and antenna may thus be supported
`parallel and in close proximity to one another, enabling all
`components to be contained on or within a small, capsule-
`like enclosure.
`In a system-level configuration, the miniaturized, readily
`concealable module is used in conjunction with a portable
`locating unit operative
`to receive the geographic position
`information at the remote location and inform a user as to the
`location of the miniaturized module. Preferably the portable
`locating unit further includes a positioning satellite receiver
`of its own and a display, enabling
`the locating unit to
`visually indicate the location of the miniaturized module
`relative to that of the locating unit.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE
`ILLUSTRATIONS
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a miniaturized geographic
`position determination and communications module;
`FIG. 2 is an oblique, exploded-view drawing of the
`miniaturized geographic position determination and com(cid:173)
`munications module;
`FIG. 3 is a state diagram indicating operational modes of
`the module;
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a portable locating unit which
`may be used in conjunction with the module to enable a
`mobile monitoring facility to track an object or individual
`carrying the module; and
`FIG. 5 is a simplified terrain map used to show how the
`present invention makes advantageous use of existing sat(cid:173)
`ellite positioning and mobile telecommunications
`infrastruc(cid:173)
`tures.
`
`30
`
`40
`
`Wireless geographic position determination systems have
`evolved to the point where they are commercially affordable
`and are now important
`in many applications,
`including
`terrain mapping, vehicle tracking, and so forth. Although
`early ground-based systems such as Loran-C were lacking in
`accuracy and reliability, with the advent of GPS or global
`positioning
`satellite systems, very accurate and reliable
`geographic fixes may be obtained. U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,842
`"Vehicle Tracking System Employing Global Positioning
`System (GPS) Satellites" provides a useful background,
`including
`technical descriptions of previous and existing
`geographic positioning systems, including the GPS infra(cid:173)
`structure.
`Along with the evolution of satellite-based positioning
`systems, telecommunications networks have also evolved to
`allow mobile communications using very small transceivers,
`for example, with the hand-held telephones now commonly
`employed for cellular communications. The advantage of a
`cellular network, of course, includes the ability to send and
`receive calls despite changing position within a particular
`service area.
`In some situations, it makes sense to integrate the capa(cid:173)
`bilities of ,vireless geographical positioning with mobile
`telecommunications. For this reason, various vehicle track(cid:173)
`ing systems have evolved which combine certain aspects of
`satellite-based and mobile communications,
`including cel(cid:173)
`lular telephony. Once such application is described in U.S.
`Pat. No. 5,223,844 "Vehicle Tracking and Security System," 45
`wherein mobile units include vehicle
`theft and intrusion
`protection facilities along with a receiver of signals from a
`global positioning satellite system. In the event of a security
`breach, the remote unit automatically communicates posi(cid:173)
`tion information
`to a fixed control center over a mobile 50
`phone network, enabling the center to monitor the vehicle to
`solve a problem or apprehend an offender.
`It is clear from the above and other references which
`combine positioning
`and communications
`capabilities,
`however,
`that miniaturization
`to an extent which affords 55
`concealment within very small remote units to be tracked or
`on an individual have not been considered. Existing systems,
`while making an effort in certain cases to hide some or all
`of their associated components, have not been further
`required
`to substantially miniaturize
`such components,
`since, particularly
`in vehicular applications, sufficient vol(cid:173)
`ume and operating power are available to operate off-the(cid:173)
`shelf constituents without dramatic reductions
`in physical
`size. However,
`if an electronic
`tracking system is to be
`concealed within smaller objects or worn on the person, 65
`dramatic changes must be made not only to the enclosure
`and the structure of the components contained therein, but
`
`60
`
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`

`

`US 6,657,587 Bl
`
`3
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TI-IE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`The present
`invention
`is directed
`toward electronic
`tracking, and includes a module which is miniaturized to the
`extent that it may be readily concealed in very small spaces
`or even hidden on an individual's person. FIG. 1 illustrates
`generally at 500 in block diagram form such a miniaturized
`geographic position determination
`and communications
`is an enclosure 510 having a system
`module. Included
`controller 515 controlling
`the
`transfer of information
`between various elements of the system 500, including a
`GPS receiver 520 which is in communication with a GPS
`satellite network. Geographic position data such as latitude,
`longitude and altitude, is transmitted to a data modem 530
`which cooperates with a communications
`transmitter/
`receiver 540 to open a communications
`link. Position data is
`thus transmitted
`to a remote locating unit such as the one
`depicted in FIG. 4 over a terrestrial or satellite-based com(cid:173)
`munications network.
`The system of FIG. 1 is powered by a rechargeable battery
`550 and further includes a power management subsystem
`560 connected to the rechargeable battery 550 to ensure that
`the battery 550 is not drained while or before positioning
`data is being updated and/or transmitted. In the event that
`battery capacity is low, the power management system 560
`transmits a signal to a low power alarm 570. Available
`battery capacity may be indicated on a battery status LCD
`580, also connected
`to the power management subsystem
`560.
`The system of FIG. 1 further includes a self-test controller
`590, discussed above with reference to FIG. 3, to ensure that
`all aspects of the system are functioning properly. In the
`event of a malfunction,
`the self-test controller transmits a
`signal to a diagnostic fail alarm 595 which sounds off and
`alerts the user. The user may be further alerted when a
`distress signal is received by the system controller 515.
`The preferred construction of the module
`is depicted
`generally at 100 in FIG. 2. Broadly, a number of thin, planar
`components are assembled into a multi-layer sandwich-like
`structure which is physically small and thin, even in its final
`assembled form. Depending upon electrical and physical
`requirements and demands, such a completed module may
`be on the order of two inches square, more or less, with a
`thickness of one-half inch, more or less.
`A plurality of substrates containing electronic circuitry are
`shown, including substrates 110, 112 and 114. Although
`three such substrates are shown, more or fewer may be used
`depending upon the available level of electronic integration.
`In the embodiment depicted, multi-chip module (MCM)
`technology
`is preferably utilized, resulting in a first MCM
`110 completely integrating geographic positioning receiver
`electronics, a second MCM 112 completely
`integrating a
`the third MCM 114
`mobile communications
`transceiver,
`integrating all necessary remaining electronics,
`including
`overall control functions and power management
`features
`which will subsequently be described in detail. A flexible
`cable 116 is preferably used to provide interconnections
`among the multi chip modules. Use of multi-chip modules
`greatly improves the long term reliability and ruggedness of 60
`the unit-critical
`to extended lifetime and low duty cycle
`operation for which the device is intended.
`the module
`In addition
`to the electronic subsystems,
`includes a rechargeable battery 120 to power all components
`and an antenna 130 for use with the global positioning
`satellite receiver. Although
`the telecommunications
`elec(cid:173)
`tronics additionally require an antenna, due to the frequency
`
`4
`involved, such an antenna
`and transmission characteristics
`will be typically very small and is therefore not shown in the
`figure. In addition to the flexible cable 116 providing inter(cid:173)
`connections among the electrical subsystems, electrically
`5 conductive pads 138 and notches 140 may further be used,
`for higher-power
`interconnections,
`in particular. Various
`covers 110', 112' and 114' are shown to provide physical
`separation between the various layers, though, depending
`upon the number of substrates used and the exact packaging
`10 techniques employed, more or fewer of such covers and lids
`may be required in the final assembled module. In alternate
`configurations, the layers within the module may be spaced
`apart with a potting compound being used for final assembly.
`Regardless of the assembly technique used, the small size
`into articles of clothing
`15 permits the unit to be integrated
`Gacket, shoe) or to be disguised in some other benign form
`(i.e., in a wrist watch, pendant, etc.) so as not to attract
`attention while worn. The small size and autonomous opera(cid:173)
`tion further permits implantation and covert operation in
`20 articles that are to be tracked ( e.g., drugs, currency, artworks,
`etc.).
`In terms of multi-chip module fabrication, the assignee of
`the present application has direct access to MCM fabrication
`technology and facilities, and these would preferably be
`25 used for the integration of the electronic subsystems. Such
`in U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,297 "Uni(cid:173)
`technology
`is described
`versal Interconnection Substrate". Other electronic minia(cid:173)
`turization approaches may be used, however,
`including
`full-scale integration of entire subsystems, for example, in
`(VLSI) circuits.
`the form of very large-scale
`integrated
`Suitably miniature rechargeable batteries are manufactured
`by Ultralife Batteries Inc. of Newark, N.J. The Ultralife Thin
`Cell models U3VF-D and U3VF-F models in particular are
`in the size range of roughly three inches square and approxi-
`35 mately 0.07 thick, yet provide capacities
`in the range of
`several hundred to several thousand milliamp hours at a
`voltage of three volts using
`lithium/manganese
`dioxide
`(LiMN0 2 ) technology. Such Ultralife cells weigh only up to
`20 grams, or thereabouts. As for the GPS satellite receiver
`40 antenna, Matsushita Electric Works offers a suitably com(cid:173)
`pact antenna through its U.S. distributor Spectra Systems of
`Plantation, Florida. For example, the 'EL' models range in
`size from 0.56 to 3.2 square inches, with peak gains from
`four to six dBic. Other batteries and antennas may altema-
`45 tively be used so long as they are suitably compact and meet
`the performance requirements of the present application.
`Now turning to FIG. 3, there is shown a control sequence
`state diagram associated ,vith the module of FIG. 1. It should
`first be noted that the shaded nodes STANDBY, IDLE-Fl
`50 and IDLE-F2 represent quiescent or non-active states, and
`the lighting-bolt symbols represent the introduction of an RF
`signal, whether from a satellite or through a telecommuni(cid:173)
`cations network. The system remains in the STANDBY state
`until a remotely-generated
`locate-request signal is received,
`55 as shown by symbol 201, or if a distress signal is initiated,
`as indicated by path 201'.
`Local activation of this distress signal may occur in a
`number of ways, for example, through tampering with the
`module or by an intentional action of the one carrying the
`module. In terms of tampering, a "breaking" of the circuit
`associated with
`the module might be used
`to initiate
`activation, for example, by the removal or disturbance of a
`wristband or bracelet, or the involvement of a skin-contact
`type of sensor. With regard to an intentional activation, one
`or more "panic" buttons might be provided, for example on
`opposite
`sides of
`the unit which must be pressed
`simultaneously, or, alternatively, an optional voice training/
`
`30
`
`65
`
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`

`US 6,657,587 Bl
`
`5
`
`10
`
`5
`recognition circuit may be included in the module to bring
`about activation through the enunciation of a code word or
`phrase. Both speaker-independent
`and -dependent voice
`recognition systems are now commercially available, and
`since, in this particular application, only one or a few words
`need be recognized, integration to a level in keeping with the
`small size of the invention should be readily achievable.
`Additionally, speaker-dependent activation, which requires
`training but is typically less technically sophisticated
`than
`speaker-independent algorithms, may in fact be more desir-
`able in this application, since it provides further assurance
`that the module will not accidentally be activated by the
`wrong person saying the correct word(s).
`Upon activation, the system enters a full power mode state
`as shown at node 206, then enters an "acquire GPS position"
`state as shown at node 202. When a positioning signal is
`received, as indicated by symbol 203, the system remains in
`this state, as indicated by loop line 205, until a geographic
`fix has been determined. At this point, the system enters a
`ready state and a communications
`link is opened, as shown
`at node 208. The system remains in this state until a link has
`been established, at which point a ready condition is entered,
`and identification and position information are transmitted
`according to node 210, as shown by symbol 211.
`The reduced size and weight of the module enhances
`mobility and orientation-range,
`thereby improving the like(cid:173)
`lihood that prolonged loss of signal will not occur due to
`structural or natural interference (i.e., buildings, vehicles,
`foliage, terrain). However, additional sensing logic may also
`be added (within loop 205) to interrogate
`the GPS signal
`strength and, if the signal level is determined to be insuffi(cid:173)
`cient to permit a position fix, cause the unit to enter a mode
`the GPS signal will be periodically polled until
`whereby
`such time that it is of sufficient levels to acquire position. At
`this point, the unit will proceed with normal operation and
`open the communications
`link to transmit the position data
`(node 211).
`Having reported position, the system immediately enters
`a delayed timeout state as indicated by node 214, and waits
`for a predetermined period of time, before automatically
`sending a subsequent
`report of the same or a different
`at node 216,
`position. As
`indicated
`in the preferred
`embodiment, up to N reports will be attempted to ensure that
`the monitoring facility obtains an accurate position, with the
`delayed timeout mode being entered at all possible points to
`conserve power. If N reports have not been transmitted, the
`position data is again updated, and a report is transmitted. As
`shown at node 216, once N reports have been transmitted,
`the report counter is reset at node 220 and the cellular link 50
`is closed at node 222. After
`the communication
`link is
`closed, the system enters a low-power mode, as indicated at
`node 212.
`A secondary loop provides a self-test mode for diagnostic
`purposes, which is entered along path 230 to node 232. In
`the event that the self-test of 232 succeeds, an elapsed time
`register will be reset according to node 234, indicating to a
`watchdog monitor, 240,
`that a successful
`self-test has
`occurred within a prescribed time interval. In the event that
`a self-test cannot be performed,
`the elapsed time value of
`234 will exceed a preset threshold and the watchdog monitor
`240 will force
`transition
`to the IDLE-Fl mode which
`preferably signals some form of alarm to show that the
`system is non-operational.
`As part of the self-test loop, the system will achieve full 65
`power at node 242, open a communication
`link at node 244,
`report the results of the test at node 246, close the commu-
`
`6
`nication link at node 248, and once again enter a lower
`power mode, as indicated at node 250, from which the
`system will preferably again enter the STANDBY state.
`Various functions may be performed as part of this self-test
`loop. For example, as part of a more rigorous self-test mode,
`the GPS receiver may be activated as well as the telecom
`link and used to gather information relating to geographical
`positioning, which may then be stored and transmitted over
`the telecom
`link to and then back from the monitoring
`facility, and subsequently compared to the originally stored
`value. In the event of an exact match, this should prove that
`all aspects of the system are functioning properly, including
`the satellite receiving capabilities, mobile telecommunica(cid:173)
`tions facilities in both directions, and power management
`functions. The small loop in FIG. 3 involving the IDLE-F2
`15 loop forms part of a low-power alarm which monitors
`battery capacity and causes
`the system
`to remain
`in a
`low-power alarm mode in the event that insufficient power
`is available for normal functioning.
`FIG. 4 illustrates generally at 300 in block diagram form
`20 a portable locating unit which may be used as a companion
`to the module described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, this
`portable locating unit forming part of a mobile monitoring
`includes an enclosure 310
`facility. Overall,
`the system
`having a cellular transceiver 320 in communication with the
`2s module 100 (directly or via a monitoring facility 404) and
`controller subsystem 330 receiving status, position updates,
`and diagnostic data through a datalink and modem forming
`part of the cellular transceiver 320. The controller subsystem
`330 formats positional and other data using driver 332 for its
`30 display, preferably on a low-power fiat-panel liquid crystal
`display 334. A keypad 340 enables the user to enter opera(cid:173)
`tional commands.
`the display format, shown at 350, provides
`Preferably,
`geographical coordinates associated with the position of the
`35 remote module 100, as depicted by symbol 352. With the
`addition of an optional GPS receiver 360, the display 350
`may be used to show the position of both the module carried
`by the item or individual to be located and the position of the
`locating unit 300 in physical relationship with
`portable
`40 respect to one another. As such, then, the portable unit 300
`includes certain of the features present in the module 100,
`but further includes a user input and output display device,
`and, since, the unit 300 need not necessarily be concealed,
`it does not have to be miniaturized
`to the extent of the
`45 module 100.
`FIG. 5 shows a simplified overview of a geographic area,
`in this case, North America, used to illustrate how the
`invention interacts with various information and communi(cid:173)
`cations network infrastructures. Assuming
`that the minia(cid:173)
`to an individual 400 being
`turized module
`is affixed
`abducted, geographic positioning
`information
`is down-
`loaded and received from one or more GPS satellites 402.
`individual 400 may be constantly on the move,
`Although
`new geographic fixes are dmvnloaded and maintained, with
`55 this information being preferably
`relayed
`to a monitor/
`control facility 404 through a telecommunications network
`which might include a mobile satellite 410, satellite down(cid:173)
`link 412 and terrestrial node 414, the latter being in final
`communication with monitoricontrol facility 404. Although
`60 the miniaturized module being carried by individual 400 is
`shown to be in communication with a mobile communica(cid:173)
`tion satellite 410, it is understood that, depending upon the
`telecommunications
`network
`in use and other
`such
`circumstances, geographical updates may be relayed directly
`to a terrestrial node, for example, as an alternative.
`Also shown in FIG. 5 is a mobile locating unit 420 which
`is also in communication with the telecommunications net-
`
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`

`US 6,657,587 Bl
`
`s
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`7
`work and optionally in communication with a geographic
`positioning system,
`including
`the same satellite network
`providing positioning information to the tracking unit on the
`individual 400 being tracked. Presumably the mobile locat(cid:173)
`ing unit 420 will make use of a system similar or identical
`to the portable unit described with reference to FIG. 4, and,
`in the event that this portable unit also includes a geographic
`positioning subsystem and suitable display, the position of
`both the individual 400 and the mobile locating unit 420 may
`be simultaneously displayed with their positions relative to 10
`one another so as to indicate the progress made in closing the
`gap between the individual 400 being tracked and the mobile
`locating unit 420. The relative position (versus absolute
`position) accuracy of two GPS units is extremely high so
`differential GPS techniques will not be required to bring the 15
`mobile locating unit 420 into co-location with the individual
`400. Although a helicopter is depicted as the mobile locating
`unit 420 in FIG. 5, obviously any mobile locating unit may
`be utilized including a vehicle, ship, plane, as well as an
`individual utilizing a hand-held locating unit.
`Having thus described my invention, I claim:
`1. A portable miniaturized geographic position determi(cid:173)
`nation and communications module adapted for use with a
`global positioning satellite system, the module comprising:
`an enclosure, the physical dimensions of which are suf-
`ficiently small to permit personal concealment;
`electronic circuitry disposed within
`the enclosure.
`circuitry including:
`voice recognition circuitry,
`a global positioning satellite receiver,
`a communications
`transmitter, and
`a controller operative to perform the following func(cid:173)
`tions:
`to
`satellite receiver
`the global positioning
`cause
`receive and decode a signal from one or more
`
`the
`
`8
`informa(cid:173)
`global positioning satellites containing
`tion relating
`to the geographic position of the
`module, and
`transmitter to communi(cid:173)
`cause the communications
`cate the position information to a remote location
`upon recognition of a predetermined spoken code
`word or phrase.
`2. The module of claim 1, the enclosure being in the form
`of a thin capsule.
`3. The module of claim 2, the electronic circuitry being
`mounted on a plurality of thin substrates disposed parallel to
`one another and electrically interconnected within the enclo-
`sure.
`4. The module of claim 1, including a thin antenna
`supported on the enclosure associated with the global posi(cid:173)
`tioning satellite receiver.
`5. The module of claim 1, the controller being further
`operative
`to perform a functional self-test of the global
`positioning satellite receiver and the communications
`trans-
`20 mitter.
`6. The module of claim 1, further including a communi(cid:173)
`cations receiver, and wherein the controller is further opera(cid:173)
`tive to receive a request from a remote location and cause the
`communications
`transmitter
`to communicate
`the informa(cid:173)
`tion in response to the request.
`7. The module of claim 1, the enclosure being in the form
`of a pendant.
`8. The module of claim 1, the enclosure being in the form
`of a bracelet or wristband.
`9. The module of claim 8, the controller being further
`operative to cause the communications
`transmitter to com(cid:173)
`municate the position information upon removal or distur(cid:173)
`bance of the bracelet or wristband.
`
`25
`
`30
`
`* * * * *
`
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