`Beyer, Jr. et al.
`
`(io) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,445,251 B2
`Sep. 13, 2016
`
`US009445251B2
`
`(54) METHOD TO PROVIDE AD HOC AND
`PASSWORD PROTECTED DIGITAL AND
`VOICE NETWORKS
`
`(71) Applicant: Advanced Ground Information
`Systems, Inc., Jupiter, FL (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Malcolm K. Beyer, Jr., Jupiter, FL
`(US); Christopher R. Rice, Redmond,
`WA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Advanced Ground Information
`Systems, Inc., Jupiter, FL (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`JP
`JP
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC .......................................................... H04W 4/02
`USPC .............................................. 455/404.2, 456.1
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`
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`9/1996 Tendler
`4/1999 Small et al.
`(Continued)
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`(Continued)
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`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb. 27, 2015
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2016/0057598 Al Feb. 25, 2016
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 14/529,978, filed on
`Oct. 31, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 14/027,410, filed on Sep. 16, 2013,
`now Pat. No. 8,880,042, which is a continuation of
`(Continued)
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04M11/04
`H04W 24/00
`
`(2006.01)
`(2009.01)
`(Continued)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ................H04W4/22 (2013.01); G06F 3/0482
`(2013.01); G06F 3/04842 (2013.01); H04L
`63/083 (2013.01); H04L 67/18 (2013.01);
`(Continued)
`
`Benefon ESCI GSM + GPS Personal Navigation Phone, 1999,
`Benefon Oyj, Salo, Finland.
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner — Omoniyi Obayanju
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Goodwin Procter LLP
`
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A method and system includes the ability for individuals to
`set up an ad hoc digital and voice network easily and rapidly
`to allow users to coordinate their activities by eliminating
`the need for pre-entry of data into a web or identifying others
`by name, phone numbers or email. This method is especially
`useful for police, fire fighters, military, first responders or
`other emergency situations for coordinating different orga
`nizations at the scene of a disaster to elevate conventional
`communication problems either up and down the chain of
`command or cross communication between different emer
`gency units. The method and system provides that the users
`are only required to enter a specific Server IP address and an
`ad hoc event name, a password and perhaps the name of the
`particular unit.
`
`35 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`ENABLING LOCATION, STATUS, VoIP, PTT AND VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN
`RADIOS AND CELL PHONES
`
`WhatsApp LLC
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 001
`
`
`
`US 9,445,251 B2
`Page 2
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`application No. 13/751,453, filed on Jan. 28, 2013,
`now Pat. No. 8,538,393, which is a continuation-in-
`part of application No. 12/761,533, filed on Apr. 16,
`2010, now Pat. No. 8,364,129, which is a continua-
`tion-in-part of application No. 11/615,472, filed on
`Dec. 22, 2006, now Pat. No. 8,126,441, which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 11/308,648,
`filed on Apr. 17, 2006, now Pat. No. 7,630,724, which
`is a continuation-in-part of application No. 10/711,
`490, filed on Sep. 21, 2004, now Pat. No. 7,031,728.
`
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2013.01)
`(2013.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04W 4/22
`H04W 76/00
`H04M1/725
`H04W 68/00
`H04W 4/02
`H04W 4/08
`H04W 64/00
`H04W 84/18
`H04W12/08
`H04W12/02
`G06F 3/0482
`G06F 3/0484
`H04L 29/06
`H04L 29/08
`H04W 76/02
`H04W 4/10
`H04M 1/2745
`U.S. Cl.
`CPC .... H04M1/72519 (2013.01); H04M1/72536
`(2013.01); H04M1/72572 (2013.01); H04M
`1/72583 (2013.01); H04W 4/02 (2013.01);
`H04W 4/021 (2013.01); H04W 4/023
`(2013.01); H04W 4/027 (2013.01); H04W
`4/08 (2013.01); H04W12/02 (2013.01);
`H04W12/08 (2013.01); H04W 64/00
`(2013.01); H04W 68/00 (2013.01); H04W
`76/007 (2013.01); H04W84/18 (2013.01);
`H04M 1/27455 (2013.01); H04M 1/72525
`(2013.01); H04M 1/72547 (2013.01); H04M
`2250/10 (2013.01); H04M 2250/22 (2013.01);
`H04M 2250/62 (2013.01); H04W 4/026
`(2013.01); H04W4/10 (2013.01); H04W
`76/005 (2013.01); H04W 76/021 (2013.01)
`
`(56)
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`as early as 2003.
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`Play,” Wireless Review, Sep. 2002; pp. 24-32.
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`WhatsApp LLC
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 002
`
`
`
`US 9,445,251 B2
`Page 3
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`Ad Hoc and Password Protected Digital and Voice Networks,
`Malcolm K. Beyer, et al.
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`
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`
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`
`WhatsApp LLC
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 003
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent Sep. 13,2016 Sheet 1 of 7
`
`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`10
`
`20
`
`WhatsApp LLC
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 004
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent Sep. 13,2016 Sheet 2 of 7
`
`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`“ΡΙΤ™Π El 0
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`FIG. 4
`
`WhatsApp LLC
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 005
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent Sep. 13,2016
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`
`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`AD HOC
`NETWORK
`NAME AND
`PASSWORD AND
`USER NAME
`
`ADDITIONAL
`AD HOC
`NETWORKED
`PDAs/ PCS
`
`SERVER
`
`TEMPORARY
`RETENTION OF
`NAMES AND IP
`ADDRESSES
`
`F/G. 5
`
`AD HOC
`NETWORK
`NAME AND
`PASSWORD AND
`USER NAME
`
`1st AD HOC
`NETWORKED
`PDA/PC
`
`SERVER
`
`COMMON
`name
`KATRINA
`FIRE
`COMMANDED
`CHANNEL 7
`
`PDA
`CEIL
`PHONE
`NET
`PARTICIP
`ANTS
`
`LEADER SIGNS ON TO THE AD HOC
`PASSWORD PROTECTED KAl'RINA FIRE
`NETWORK AND ENTERS A PIT GROUP
`CHANNEL
`
`AS NET PARTICIPANTS SIGN ON TO THE AD HOC
`PASSWORD PROTECTED KATRINA FIRE
`NETWORK THEY RECEIVE A PTF GROUP
`DESIGNATOR. THEIR PDA AUTOMATICALLY USES
`THE ΡΠ DATA TO SHIFT TO THE COMMANDED
`VOICE CHANNEL
`
`F/G. 6
`
`WhatsApp LLC
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 006
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
`
`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`NAME,
`LOCATION,
`STATUS AND
`PHONE
`NUMBER FOR
`CHANNEL 7
`PTT
`
`PDA
`CELL
`PHONE
`GROUP
`LEADER
`
`SERVER
`
`NAME,
`LOCATION,
`STATUS AND
`PHONE
`NUMBER FOR
`CHANNEL 7
`PTT
`
`PDA
`CELL
`PHONE
`NET
`PARTOP
`ANTS
`
`LEADER RECEIVES THE PTT NAME
`LOCABQH. STATUS AND PPI
`CHANNEL 7 PHONE NUMBER .AS EACH
`AD HOC PASSWORD PROTECTED
`KATRINA FIRE NETWORK UNIT REPORTS
`
`AS NET PARTICIPANTS REPORT IN THE AD HOC
`PASSWORD PROTECTED KATRINA FIRE NETWORK
`THEY TRANSMIT THIER NAME, LOCATION, STATUS
`AND ΡΠ PHONE NUMBER. ALL OH THE
`KATRINA FIRE NETWORK RECEIVE ALL OTHERS'
`DATA
`
`F/G. 7
`
`WhatsApp LLC
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 007
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent Sep. 13,2016
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`WhatsApp LLC
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 008
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
`
`US 9,445,251 B2
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`Exhibit 1001
`Page 009
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
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`US 9,445,251 B2
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`WhatsApp LLC
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 010
`
`
`
`1
`METHOD TO PROVIDE AD HOC AND
`PASSWORD PROTECTED DIGITAL AND
`VOICE NETWORKS
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica
`tion Ser. No. 14/529,978 filed on Oct. 31, 2014, which is a
`continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`14/027,410 filed on Sep. 16, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No.
`8,880,042, issued Nov. 4, 2014, which is a continuation of
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/751,453 filed Jan. 28,
`2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,538,393 issued Sep. 17, 2013,
`which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 12/761,533 filed on Apr. 16, 2010, now U.S. Pat.
`No. 8,364,129 issued Jan. 29, 2013, which is a continuation-
`in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/615,472 filed
`on Dec. 22, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,126,441 issued on
`Feb. 28, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 11/308,648 filed Apr. 17, 2006, now
`U.S. Pat. No. 7,630,724 issued on Dec. 8, 2009, which is a
`continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`10/711,490, filed on Sep. 21, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No.
`7,031,728 issued on Apr. 18, 2006. All of the preceding
`applications are incorporated herein by reference in their
`entirety.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`A communications method and system using a plurality of
`cellular phones each having an integrated Personal Digital
`Assistant (PDA) and Global Positioning System (GPS)
`receiver for the management of two or more people through
`the use of a communications network. The method and
`system provide each user with an integrated handheld cel-
`lular/PDA/GPS/phone that has Advanced Communication
`Software application programs (hereinafter referred to as
`ACS) and databases used in conjunction with a remote
`Server that enable a user to quickly establish a communi
`cation network of cell phone participants having a common
`temporary ad hoc network using mobile wireless commu
`nication devices.
`The invention includes a method and communication
`system to quickly set up and provide ad hoc, password
`protected, digital and voice networks to allow a group of
`people to be able to set up a network easily and rapidly,
`especially in an emergency situation.
`2. Description of Related Art
`The purpose of a communications system is to transmit
`digital messages from a source, located at one point, to user
`destination(s), located at other point(s) some distance away.
`A communications system is generally comprised of three
`basic elements: transmitter, information channel and
`receiver. One form of communication in recent years is
`cellular phone telephony. A network of cellular communi
`cation systems set up around an area such as the United
`States allows multiple users to talk to each other, either on
`individual calls or on group calls. Some cellular phone
`services enable a cellular phone to engage in conference
`calls with a small number of users. Furthermore, cellular
`conference calls can be established through 800 number
`services. Cellular telephony also now includes systems that
`include GPS navigation that utilizes satellite navigation.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`US 9,445,251 B2
`
`2
`These devices thus unite cellular phone technology with
`navigation information, computer information transmission
`and receipt of data.
`The method and operation of communication devices
`used herein are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,031,728 which
`is hereby incorporated by reference and U.S. Pat. No.
`7,630,724.
`Military, first responder, and other public and private
`emergency groups need to be able to set up ad hoc digital
`and voice networks easily and rapidly. These private net
`works may be temporary or longer lasting in nature. The
`users need to be able to rapidly coordinate their activities
`eliminating the need for pre-entry of data into a web and or
`identifying others by name, phone numbers or email
`addresses so that all intended participants that enter the
`agreed ad hoc network name and password are both digitally
`and voice interconnected. When a user or users leave the
`network, no data concerning the network participants need
`be retained.
`Coordinating different organizations at the scene of a
`disaster presents several problems as there are voice and
`digital data (text messages) communications that need to be
`constantly occurring up and down the chain of command. As
`an example, communications are required from a police
`chief to a police captain to a police lieutenant to a police
`sergeant to a policeman and then back up the same chain of
`command. Digital data exchange of GPS data or other means
`provides the location component of the units. Digital chat,
`text messages, white boards and photo video exchange
`provide extensive collaboration. However, during a disaster,
`other first responders such as fire departments must become
`engaged. While the fire department users may have voice
`and digital data (text messages) communications up and
`down their chain of command, these individuals do not have
`the ability to cross communicate necessarily with police
`units without a substantial degree of immediate coordina
`tion. The method and system in accordance with the present
`invention described herein discloses how digital communi
`cations along with Personal Computer (PC) and PDA
`devices can be used to quickly establish user specific pass
`word protected private ad hoc voice and data networks to
`enable both data and voice communications up and down
`their chain of command and simultaneously with different,
`not pre-known, organizations responding to a disaster. The
`invention defines a method of accomplishing this by pro
`viding all personnel that need to communicate with each
`other with a PC or PDA which are interconnected to a Server
`using cellular or other communications.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Applicant’s communication system and method described
`herein is embodied in the Advanced Communication Soft
`ware (ACS) application programs developed by applicant
`and installed in the integrated PDA/GPS cell phones used
`herein and remote Servers.
`A plurality of Internet Protocol (IP) capable PDA/GPS
`devices each having ACS application programs and data
`bases provides a communication network in conjunction
`with a remote Server that provides the ability to: a) establish
`an ad hoc network of devices so that the devices can either
`broadcast to a group or selectively transmit to each of the
`other; each PDA/GPS phone starts by requesting access to
`the Server and identifying a mutually agreed to network
`name and password and once granted, reports its GPS
`position and status; the Server then routes the data to all
`signed on network participants so that each of the devices
`
`WhatsApp LLC
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 011
`
`
`
`3
`exchange location, status and other information; (b) force
`the received information to the recipient’s display and
`enable the recipient to acquire additional information by
`touching the display screen at a remote phone’s location on
`the PDA display; (c) make calls to or send data to remote
`phones by touching their display symbols and selecting the
`appropriate soft switch; (d) layer a sufficient number of soft
`switches or buttons on the PDA display to perform the above
`functions without overlaying the map; and (e) allow a
`polling mode in each cell phone that permits a user to
`contact other cell phone users that have a common interest
`or relationship with a password and identifier for commu
`nication and to establish quickly a temporary ad hoc network
`especially in an emergency.
`A communication Server acts as a forwarder for IP
`communications between any combination of cell phone/
`PDA users and/or PC based users. Network participant
`location, identity and status messages are sent to the Server
`by each user. Network participant entered tracks are also
`sent to the Server. Because this network participant location
`and track data is of interest to all the network participants,
`the Server forwards the data received from one participant to
`all other participants, causing their displays automatically,
`without any operator action, to display the received infor
`mation, thus providing the information necessary for all
`network participants to know the identity, location and status
`of all other network participants.
`The Server also acts as a forwarder of data addressed from
`one participant to one or more addressed participants, thus
`permitting the transmission of free text, preformatted mes
`sages, photographs, video, Email and Uniform Resource
`Locator (URL) data from one network participant to other
`selected network participants.
`The above functions can also be accomplished using peer
`to peer WiFi, WiMax or other peer to peer communications.
`However, for use with cellular communications and to
`assure the level of security that cell phone companies
`require, a centralized static IP routable Server is used.
`The IP Server also fills another role of being a database
`from which data can be requested by network participants
`(i.e. maps, satellite images, and the like) or can be pushed to
`network participants (i.e. symbology and soft switch
`changes, and the like). The Server is used to establish an ad
`hoc network within certain groups using an ad hoc event
`name and password.
`This invention provides a method and a system establish
`ing an ad hoc password protected digital and voice network
`that can be temporarily set up or longer lasting in nature. The
`invention described herein allows users to rapidly coordinate
`their activities without having to pre-enter data into a web or
`identify others by name, E mail addresses or phone numbers.
`Essentially the users that establish the ad hoc and password
`protected digital and voice networks are required to enter the
`Server’s IP address and an ad hoc event name and a
`password. In the case of military and first responders, the
`name of the user’s unit may also be used. This action causes
`the specific PDA or PC of the user to commence reporting
`directly to the Server’s IP address. Once the Server receives
`the initial IP message from the user’s PDA or PC, the server
`can commence to exchange data with the user’s PDA or PC.
`The initial IP message may also contain additional data such
`as a license number and, if desired, a phone number manu
`ally entered or automatically acquired by the ACS. The IP
`address of the PDA and PC unit sending the initial IP
`message is stored by the Server. The Server then responds
`with a message notifying the user that his PC/PDA is
`connected to the Server. The user PDA/PC then reports its
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`GPS location and other status information directly to the
`Server. This information is retained by the Server even when
`there are no other devices initially communicating with the
`Server. When the other user’s devices sign on to the Server
`with the same ad hoc event name and password, the Server
`software then recognizes all the users and stores their IP
`addresses in the Server. Thus the Server has all the users IP
`addresses stored and can pass location and status informa
`tion among the ad hoc network participants even though the
`network participants have not entered other network partici
`pants’ names, phone numbers or email addresses. Thus one
`of the purposes of the invention is to allow an ad hoc
`network to be formed on a temporary basis in a rapid
`manner.
`When using the PTT feature, the ACS can enable the
`network participant to: 1. PTT with all that are in the ad hoc
`digital network, or 2. PTT with select specific network
`participants, by touching their symbol(s) and then selecting
`PTT soft switch or 3. Specify a group of the network
`participants by assigning their symbols or unit names to a list
`of network participants and then associating the list with a
`soft switch whose function is to enable the operator to have
`PTT communications with all in the list.
`Since only one person is transmitting on a PTT voice
`network at any given time, the receiving network partici
`pant’s ACS can relate the PTT IP address to the IP address
`of the unit transmitting his identification on the digital ad
`hoc network. This information can then be used by the other
`PTT networked participant’s ACS to: 1. flash the transmit
`ting unit’s name on their PDA/PC screens or 2. if a photo
`graph has been attached to the ad hoc digital network symbol
`of the PTT transmitting person, to flash that photograph on
`the receiving unit’s PDA/PC display.
`It is an object of this invention to enable each participant
`in the communication network to join other ad hoc network
`participants to form an ad hoc digital and voice network with
`other cell phone users rapidly for coordinating member
`activities.
`In accordance with these and other objects which will
`become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now
`be described with particular reference to the accompanying
`drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 shows a front plan view of a cellular phone/PDA/
`GPS having a touch screen.
`FIG. 2 shows the screen IP address entry menu.
`FIG. 3 shows ad hoc net names and password screen entry
`name.
`FIG. 4 shows a screen entry identifying user.
`FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of the network as users sign on
`to the network.
`FIG. 6 shows a flow chart that depicts how a group
`commander can command networked PDAs/PCS and radios
`to load a Push To Talk (PTT) channel.
`FIG. 7 shows a flow chart that depicts how networked
`radio units respond to receipt of the Push-to-Talk (PTT)
`Commanded Channel.
`FIG. 8 shows a PDA screen geographical display that
`represents the area covered by the network.
`FIG. 9 shows a diagram that enables determining location,
`status, ViOP, PTT, and video communication between radios
`and cell phones.
`
`WhatsApp LLC
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 012
`
`
`
`5
`FIG. 10 shows a diagram that describes enabling non
`RFID equipped PDA phones to receive RFID tag data.
`
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`A method and communication system that joins a com
`munications network of participants using handheld cell
`phones having integrated PDA and GPS circuitry with ACS
`application programs that allow a participant having an ACS
`equipped cell phone to provide an ad hoc and password
`protected digital and voice network.
`A communication Server acts as a forwarder for IP
`communications between any combination of cell phone/
`PDA users and/or PC based user. Network participant loca
`tion, identity and status messages are sent to the Server by
`each user. Network participant entered tracks are also sent to
`the Server. Because this data is of interest to all the network
`participants, the Server forwards the data received from one
`participant to all other participants, thus providing the infor
`mation necessary for all network participants to know the
`identity, location and status of all other network participants.
`The Server allows the set up of the ad hoc network with
`an ad hoc event name and a password.
`The Server also acts as a forwarder of data addressed from
`one participant to one or more addressed participants, thus
`permitting the transmission of free text, preformatted mes
`sages, photographs, video, email and URL data from one
`network participant to other selected network participants.
`Referring now to the drawings and, in particular, to FIG.
`1, a small handheld cellular phone 10 is shown that includes
`a PDA and a GPS communications device integrated in
`housing 12 that includes an on/off power switch 19, a
`microphone 38, and a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display
`16 that is also a touch screen system. The small area 16a is
`the navigation bar that depicts the telephone, GPS and other
`status data and the active software. Each cell phone includes
`a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and databases that store
`information useful in the communication network. The CPU
`also includes a symbol generator for creating touch screen
`display symbols discussed herein. With the touch screen 16,
`the screen symbols are entered through GPS inputs or by the
`operator using a stylus 14 (or operator finger) by manipu-
`latively directing the stylus 14 to literally touch display 16.
`The soft switches 16T displayed on the display 16 are
`likewise activated by using a stylus 14 and physically and
`manipulatively directing the stylus to literally touch display
`16. The display x, y coordinates of the touched point are
`known by a CPU in the PDA section of the communication
`system in housing 12 that can coordinate various informa
`tion contained in the PDA relative to the x, y coordinate
`position on the display 16. Inside housing 12 is contained the
`conventional cellular phone elements including a modem, a
`CPU for use with a PDA and associated circuitry connected
`to speaker 24 and microphone 38. A GPS navigational
`receiver that receives signals from satellites that can deter
`mine the latitude and longitude of the cellular phone housing
`12 can be internal or external to the housing 12. Conven
`tional PDA/cellular phones are currently on sale and sold as
`a unit (or with an external connected GPS) that can be used
`for cellular telephone calls and sending cellular Short Mes
`sage Service (SMS) and Transmission Control Protocol
`(TCP) TCP/IP or othermessages using the PDA’s display 16
`and computer CPU. The GPS system including a receiver in
`housing 12 is capable of determining the latitude and
`longitude and through SMS, TCP/IP, WiFi or other digital
`messaging software, to also transmit this latitude and lon
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`gitude information of housing 12 to other cellular phones in
`the communication network via cellular communications,
`WiFi or radio. The device 10 includes a pair of cellular
`phone hardware activating buttons 20 to turn the cellular
`phone on and 22 to turn the cellular phone olf. Navigation
`pad actuator 18 is similar to a joy or force stick in that the
`actuator 18 manually provides movement commands that
`can be used by the PDA’s software to move a cursor on
`display 16. Switches 26 and 28 are designed to quickly
`select an operator specified network software program.
`Speaker 24 and microphone 38 are used for audio messages.
`Switch 19 at the top left of device 10 is the power on and
`power olf switch for the entire device.
`The heart of the invention lies in the applicant’s ACS
`application programs provided in the device. The ACS
`programs are activated by clicking on an icon on the display
`to turn the ACS programs on or olf. Mounted within housing
`12 as part of the PDA is the display 16 and the CPU. The
`internal CPU includes databases and software application
`programs that provide for a geographical map and georef
`erenced entities that are shown as display portion 16/? that
`includes as part of the display various areas of interest in the
`particular local map section.
`When looking at display 16, the software switches (soft
`switches) which appear at the very bottom of the display 16T
`are used to control by touch many of the software driven
`functions of the cellular phone and PDA. The soft switches
`are activated through the operator’s use of the navigation
`pad 18, or a small track ball, force stick or similar hardware
`display cursor pointing device. Alternatively, the operator
`may choose to activate the software switches by touching
`the screen with a stylus 14 (or finger) at the switches’ 16T
`locations. When some of the software switches are activated,
`dilferent software switches appear. The bar display 16T
`shows the software switches “ZM IN (zoom in),” “ZM OT
`(zoom out),” “CENT (center)” and “GRAB (pan/grab)” at
`the bottom of the screen. These software switches enable the
`operator to perform these functions. The “SWITH (switch)”
`software switch at the lower right causes a matrix of layered
`software switches (soft switches) to appear above the bottom
`row of switches. Through use of the software switches, the
`operator can also manipulate the geographical map 16/? or
`chart display. When looking at FIG. 1, display symbols
`depicting permanent geographical locations and buildings
`are shown. For example, the police station is shown and,
`when the symbol is touched by the stylus or finger, the
`latitude and longitude of the symbol’s location, as shown in
`display section 16c, is displayed at the bottom left of the
`screen. The bottom right side of display 16c is a multifunc
`tion inset area that can contain a variety of information
`including: a) a list of the communic