(12) United States Patent
`Meadows et al.
`
`USOO671 6101B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,716,101 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING
`THE LOCATION OF INDIVIDUALS VIA THE
`WORLD WIDE WEBUSING AWIRELESS
`COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK
`(75) Inventors: Vernon Meadows, Lilburn, GA (US);
`Michael S. Harper, Orlando, FL (US)
`(73) Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property
`Corporation, Wilmington, DE (US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 536 days.
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/604,754
`(22) Filed:
`Jun. 28, 2000
`(51) Int. Cl. .................................................. H04Q 7/20
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................ 455/4.56.1; 455/404.2;
`455/457; 455/521; 340/989; 701/200
`(58) Field of Search ........................... 455/404.2, 426.1,
`455/457, 456.1, 456.3, 456.6, 458, 440,
`521; 340/539, 573.1, 573.4, 988,994; 701/207,
`208, 209, 213, 214, 300
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,526,401 A 6/1996 Roach, Jr. et al.
`5,546,445. A
`8/1996 Dennison et al. ........... 455/408
`5,646,839 A * 7/1997 Katz ..................... 379/142.11
`
`5,802.468 A * 9/1998 Gallant et al. .............. 455/422
`5.936,530 A * 8/1999 Meinhold ................ 340/573.1
`6,088,594. A * 7/2000 Kingdon et al. ............ 455/457
`6,154,727 A * 11/2000 Karp et al. .................... 705/3
`6.216,157 B1 * 4/2001 Vishwanath et al. ........ 709/208
`3.S. R : o: Elliot ......................... 342/457
`24 - 12
`/2001 Lachance .................... 455/456
`6,292,743 B1 * 9/2001 Pu et al. ..................... 701/202
`6,331,825 B1 12/2001 Ladner et al. .............. 340/988
`6,470,181 B1 10/2002 Maxwell ..................... 455/413
`2001/0044310 A1 11/2001 Lincke ....................... 455/456
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner William Trost
`Assistant Examiner Stephen D'Agosta
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Shaw Pittman LLP
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A System is described for monitoring the geographical
`location of a subscriber's mobile cellular telephone, and for
`providing the location information to an authorized user
`through the World wide Web. The geographical location of
`the Subscriber's mobile cellular telephone is tracked using
`registration Signals transmitted over the control channel by
`the cellular telephone. This information is Supplied to a
`geographical location coordinator System, which determines
`the geographical coordinates for the cellular telephone. A
`database Stores the geographical location information along
`with a subscriber's telephone number and account code. The
`database is updated to track the movement of the cellular
`telephone user across a geographical area.
`
`22 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Od
`
`13
`
`14
`
`11
`
`NEWORK-BASED SUBSCRIBER
`LOCATION SYSTEM | DATABASE
`12
`COMMUNICATIONSNK
`
`
`
`NFORMATION
`RETREEWA
`DRECOREES
`
`GEOGRAPHICALLOCAON
`DATABASE
`
`
`
`MAPPNG
`SOFTWARE
`
`Apple Exhibit 1007
`Page 1 of 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
`
`US 6,716,101 B1
`
`10
`
`1 Oe
`
`N.
`2
`SSS
`S6SS (225
`sas 9)
`st
`Peo
`
`1 Of
`
`14
`
`SUBSCRIBER
`DATABASE
`
`12
`COMMUNICATIONS LINK
`
`|
`
`1 OC
`
`INFORMATION
`RETREVA
`DRECTORIES
`
`GEOGREES.pcATION
`
`2OC
`
`
`
`HTP
`SERVER
`
`16
`
`17
`
`18a
`
`MAPPING
`SOFTWARE
`
`Apple Exhibit 1007
`Page 2 of 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 2 of 7
`
`US 6,716,101 B1
`
`A. -A
`
`23
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MOBILE
`SWITCHENG
`CENTER
`(MSC)
`
`
`
`PUBLC
`SWITCHED
`TELEPHONE
`NETWORK
`(PSTN)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG 2
`
`Apple Exhibit 1007
`Page 3 of 13
`
`

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`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`
`US 6,716,101 B1
`
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`Apple Exhibit 1007
`Page 4 of 13
`
`Apple Exhibit 1007
`Page 4 of 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
`
`US 6,716,101 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`WELCOME TO THE WORLD WIDE WATCHER
`ACCESS CODE: 1582
`
`STATUS
`1. DEBORAH (301) 663-9580 ACTIVE
`2. MARCA
`(410) 222-3344 ACTIVE
`3. BRAN
`(301)663-9301 ACTIVE
`4. ADAM
`(301) 494-5000 ACTIVE
`PLEASE SELECT INDIVIDUALS TO MONITOR
`G) (2)
`(3)
`G.) ALL
`
`FIG 4a
`
`ANYTOWN, U.S.A.
`
`HOWARD
`
`Apple Exhibit 1007
`Page 5 of 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet S of 7
`
`US 6,716,101 B1
`
`
`
`ANYTOWN, USA
`"BRAN"
`
`SPEED: 64 MPH
`SPEED LIMIT OF ROAD: 35 MPH
`DIRECTION: NW
`
`WALMART
`
`BURGEROUEEN
`
`Apple Exhibit 1007
`Page 6 of 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
`
`US 6,716,101 B1
`
`WELCOME TO THE WORLD WIDE WATCHER
`ACCESS CODE: 1983
`STATUS
`ACTIVE
`
`1. BRET
`
`2. ASLAN
`3. DAVID
`
`ACTIVE
`ACTIVE
`
`PLEASE SELECT NDIVIDUALS TO MONTOR
`G.)
`(2)
`G3)
`(4) ALL
`
`FIG 5a
`
`
`
`Apple Exhibit 1007
`Page 7 of 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
`
`US 6,716,101 B1
`
`
`
`"DAVID"
`
`ES
`
`s? Ngs
`BOOKSTORE
`
`FIG 5c
`
`Apple Exhibit 1007
`Page 8 of 13
`
`

`

`1
`SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR MONITORING
`THE LOCATION OF INDIVIDUALS VIA THE
`WORLD WIDE WEBUSING AWIRELESS
`COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to wireleSS communications
`Systems, and more particularly, to applications utilizing
`control Signals emitted from wireleSS communications
`devices to monitor geographical location and movement.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Tracking and monitoring devices for detecting an indi
`vidual's location and movement can be used in a variety of
`applications. Whether for monitoring the whereabouts of
`children as a Safety check or for tracking the productivity of
`employees in a business, Such Systems allow one to easily
`and more effectively Supervise others from a remote loca
`tion.
`Conventional child locator Systems provide an example of
`a limited-range monitoring device that can be used for
`monitoring children within a few hundred feet of a parent.
`A child wears a Small, portable transmitter that emits a low
`power RF signal detected by a receiver worn or carried by
`the parent. Whenever the child strays too far from the parent,
`the parent's receiver no longer detects the Signal and emits
`an alarm. The parent can then warn the child to remain
`within a closer range and avoid danger. The conventional
`child locator System can therefore be useful for detecting
`whether an individual who wears a monitoring device trav
`els beyond a certain distance.
`A common difficulty for parents of adolescent children is
`to Supervise their children's activities while the children are
`farther away from their parents. Although parents can con
`tact their children by providing them with mobile cellular
`telephones, a telephone call may create an embarrassing
`interruption (e.g., at the movies, at a party with friends, etc.).
`If the child's mobile telephone incorporates caller identifi
`cation features, the child may also be inclined not to answer
`the parent's calls. Further, the parent may have little confi
`dence that the child is being honest in describing his location
`and activities. Therefore, there is a need for a monitoring
`System that allows a parent to track a child's location within
`a wide geographical area from a remote location.
`In addition to child monitoring, there are also many
`busineSS applications for monitoring Systems that can detect
`the locations of employees whose job requires travel away
`from the worksite. Many types of businesses employ drivers
`who pick up or deliver goods or patrons. For these
`businesses, dispatchers rely upon their drivers to communi
`cate their location and workload, usually through a CB-type
`radio or a mobile cellular telephone. The dispatcher must
`continually Speak with the drivers to learn each of their
`present locations in order to evaluate which driver is the
`most appropriate for an assignment. In Supervising the
`drivers, the dispatcher is unable to detect whether drivers are
`taking unauthorized breaks or detours, or are otherwise
`being unproductive. For Such businesses, there is a need for
`a monitoring System that allows a dispatcher to instantly
`detect the geographical locations of the drivers within the
`geographical area.
`Accordingly, there is a need for a monitoring System that
`can detect the geographical location of one or more indi
`viduals and provide this information to another at a remote
`location.
`
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`US 6,716,101 B1
`
`2
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention is directed to a method and System
`for monitoring the geographical location of a Subscriber's
`mobile cellular telephone, and for providing the location
`information to an authorized user through the World wide
`web. The geographical location of the subscriber's mobile
`cellular telephone is tracked using registration signals trans
`mitted over a control channel by the cellular telephone. This
`information is Supplied to a geographical location coordi
`nator System, which determines the geographical coordi
`nates for the cellular telephone. A database Stores the geo
`graphical location information along with a Subscriber's
`telephone number and account code. The database is
`updated to track the movement of the cellular telephone user
`acroSS a geographical area.
`An authorized user accesses the geographical location
`information for one or more cellular telephones using map
`ping Software on an Internet browser. The user provides one
`or more access codes for each cellular telephone that the user
`desires to locate. Location information is provided on a
`Street map to show the present location of the requested
`cellular telephones. In an alternative embodiment, the user
`interface additionally provides information concerning the
`direction and Speed of movement for the requested cellular
`telephones. Through the browser Software, the user is able to
`track a cellular telephone Subscriber's location without
`placing a call or directly communicating with the Subscriber.
`Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
`provide a System for monitoring the geographical location of
`individuals within a geographical region from a remote
`location. The monitoring System includes at least one wire
`less communications device having a transmitter for trans
`mitting a Signal comprising location information. A plurality
`of receivers are located acroSS a geographical region for
`detecting location signals transmitted by wireleSS commu
`nications devices. A wireleSS network communicates loca
`tion information detected by the receivers to a location
`processor. An Internet Server provides location information
`from the location processor pertaining to at least one wire
`leSS communications device to authorized users through the
`Internet.
`It is a further object of the invention to provide a moni
`toring System for providing the geographical location of
`certain individuals within a geographical region to autho
`rized users at a remote location. A plurality of wireleSS
`communications devices transmit Signals comprising loca
`tion information. Each wireleSS communications device is
`asSociated with an individual to be monitored. A plurality of
`receivers are located across a geographical region for detect
`ing location Signals transmitted by the wireleSS communi
`cations devices. A wireleSS network communicates location
`information detected by the receivers to a location processor.
`A database Stores location information and associates a user
`acceSS code with each wireleSS communications device. In
`operation, authorized users receive location information
`pertaining to each wireleSS communications device associ
`ated with respective user access codes.
`It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
`a method for monitoring a geographical location of indi
`viduals within a geographical region from a remote location.
`The monitoring System receives control Signals comprising
`location information from wireleSS communication devices
`associated with individuals to be monitored, where the
`control Signals are transmitted over a wireleSS network. The
`System then processes the control Signals in a location
`processor to determine coordinates representing locations of
`
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`US 6,716,101 B1
`
`3
`individuals to be monitored. The locations of individuals to
`be monitored are then provided to an Internet Server. Autho
`rized users are provided access to the Internet Server through
`a website.
`
`4
`The geographical location for a wireleSS handheld device
`10 may be determined according to a variety of methods.
`Each of these methods utilize control Signals that are emitted
`and received by the wireless devices. As shown in FIG. 2,
`mobile cellular telephone 10a is located near cell towers 21,
`22, and 23, and is closest to cell tower 21. The cell towers
`may be spaced one to five miles from each other, depending
`upon the amount of cellular use in a given area. In FIG. 2,
`each of the cell towerS receives control Signals from cellular
`telephone 10a. For cell tower 21, this information is sent to
`a mobile switching center (MSC) 25 through cell control 24.
`Cell tower 21 also broadcasts control Signals Sent from the
`MSC, which are then received by wireless devices. The
`control Signals are used for registering that a wireleSS device
`is operating within a cell, So that the wireleSS network can
`establish a communications link between a cell tower and
`the device.
`One method for determining the geographical location is
`to identify the cell tower that is physically within the closest
`proximity. By determining which cell tower is closest to the
`mobile cellular telephone and providing this information
`along with a mapped display on the Internet, an authorized
`user can find a cellular telephone user's location within a
`range of approximately 3 miles. This can be performed by
`forwarding “registration' information that is temporarily
`Stored within an MSC to the geographical location database
`15 in FIG.1. Another technique for identifying the cell tower
`closest to the wireleSS device is to use a “mobile mainte
`nance command Signal.” The mobile maintenance command
`Sends out a paging request Signal to be received by mobile
`telephone 10a. The mobile maintenance command is sent to
`all cell Sites in the System, or can be sent to the last known
`cell site based on registration over the paging channel. The
`mobile is then paged (called) with a modified signal that tells
`the mobile to respond, but does not alert (ring). The mobile
`then responds back. Every cell nearby will receive the
`mobile's signal. Based on RSSI (received signal strength
`indication), the mobile is determined to be closest to a
`particular Site in the System.
`The geographical location of a wireleSS device can be
`determined with greater detail by using cell tower triangu
`lation. In this method, the geographical location System
`determines the location of a wireleSS device by comparing
`the Signal Strength of the control Signals emitted by a
`wireleSS device received at antennae at Several neighboring
`cell towers. The Signal Strength is strongest at the nearest cell
`tower. A diminished signal is received at other cell towers in
`the vicinity. The differences in Signal Strength can be used to
`calculate the location of the wireleSS device, at least within
`200 meters. Cell tower triangulation algorithms are pres
`ently being used and refined for E911 emergency Services.
`Yet another method for accurately determining the geo
`graphical location of a wireleSS device is to place location
`monitoring equipment within the wireleSS device itself.
`Some wireless devices currently incorporate GPS receiver
`chips to receive location information by Satellite. By con
`necting the GPS receiver in a wireless device to the com
`munication equipment within a cellular telephone, the GPS
`geographical information can be forwarded to the wireleSS
`network for an acceSS by an authorized user.
`AS part of determining the location information, the
`location processor 13 must process the control Signal infor
`mation. The type and amount of formatting necessary
`depends upon both the method utilized for determining the
`geographical location of the wireleSS device and the type of
`information to be Supplied to the authorized user. AS an
`example, if the location is determined Solely according to the
`
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`according to
`
`according to an
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`according to an
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`25
`
`according to an
`
`according to an
`
`according to an
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`FIG. 1 is a Schematic diagram of the monitoring System
`according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 2 is a Schematic diagram of a wireleSS communica
`tion device located between a Series of cellular towers
`connected to a wireleSS network according to the preferred
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is an exemplary geographical location database
`table of FIG. 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 4a is a graphical user interface according to an
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 4b is a graphical user interface
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 4c is a graphical user interface
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 4d is a graphical user interface
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 5a is a graphical user interface
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 5b is a graphical user interface
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 5c is a graphical user interface
`embodiment of the present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`The architecture of the monitoring System of the present
`invention is described with reference to the Schematic dia
`gram in FIG. 1. A plurality of handheld devices, Such as
`mobile cellular telephones 10a, 10b, 10c, and other wireless
`communications devices 10d., 10e, and 10fare in commu
`40
`nication with a wireleSS communication link 12 in the
`wireless network 11. To track the location of the wireless
`devices 10, the wireleSS network includes a location proces
`Sor 13, as will be further described below. Subscriber
`database 14 maintains a list of all wireless devices 10 for
`which a user has Subscribed to a geographical location
`monitoring Service.
`Geographical location information for the handheld
`devices to be monitored is calculated in the location pro
`ceSSor 13 and output to geographical locations database 15.
`AS will be described in further detail below, location data
`base 15 at a minimum maintains the geographical coordi
`nates or a geographical description for each wireleSS device
`to be monitored and an account number identifying the
`wireleSS device. In alternative embodiments, the geographi
`cal location database 15 may additionally Store information
`such as the velocity of movement of the handheld wireless
`device and the direction of its movement.
`The geographical location database is connected to http
`server 16 to provide information to the Internet 17. The
`information provided in the geographical location database
`15 is combined with information provided by mapping
`Software 18a and information retrieval directories 18b, and
`the output is displayed on website 19 as a graphical inter
`face. Website 19 can be accessed by authorized users
`through various media, including a personal computer 20a,
`wireless handheld device 20b, or an interactive pager 20c.
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`identity of the closest cell tower, the network-based location
`System is forwarded a code identifying a cell tower. The
`code is then translated through a look-up table into an
`address, which may include information Such as a Street
`name, Street interSection, county, or township. If the location
`is determined by the triangulation method, the calculated
`data is converted into geocoded location coordinates that are
`compatible with standard mapping software. If GPS infor
`mation is communicated from the wireleSS device, the
`network-based location System merely decodes the commu
`nications signal and passes the information along to the
`geographical location database.
`FIG. 3 provides an exemplary table of information to be
`Stored in the graphical location database 15 of the present
`invention. The geographical location information provided
`in the table could be derived according to either the trian
`gulation or GPS methods described above. The table also
`receives input from mapping Software 18a and information
`retrieval directories 18b. The mapping Software associates
`an address for any provided geocoded coordinates. The
`information retrieval directory provides names of public
`items of interest, Such as restaurants, markets, or Schools that
`are located at any provided geocoded coordinates. The fields
`in the exemplary table of information includes, for example,
`an authorized user access code, wireleSS device number,
`cellular user name, geographical location address, geo
`graphical location name, reporting time, direction of travel,
`and Speed of travel. A geographical locations database could
`also include fields to provide additional features for an
`authorized user within the spirit of the invention.
`FIGS. 4a–4a illustrate exemplary graphical user inter
`faces for the monitoring System for use as an adolescent
`child monitor according to the preferred embodiment. A
`user, in this case, a parent of adolescent children, can access
`the graphical user interface using a desktop or laptop-type
`computer System having an Internet connection to the World
`wide web, using Internet browser Software. AS provided in
`FIG. 4a, upon connecting to the Internet and entering the
`appropriate URL to access the monitoring website, the user
`enters an access code. The user may then be presented with
`a list of names of perSons who the user is authorized to
`monitor. In this example, the user is authorized to monitor
`mobile telephones carried by the user's children. The list
`provided to the user indicates whether the wireleSS commu
`nication device for each of the individuals is on or off. From
`this list, the user selects which of the individuals to monitor.
`A parent in this example Selects to monitor each of the
`parent's four adolescent children.
`FIG. 4b provides an exemplary graphical user interface of
`the output for the monitoring System for monitoring the four
`adolescent children Selected from FIG. 4a. AS can be seen,
`the Screen display provides a map of Anytown, U.S.A. The
`map is Scaled Such that each of the four individuals to be
`monitored appear on the same map. In this map, as can be
`seen, Deborah is located on P Street, Marcie is located on
`Howard Street, Brian is located on Philadelphia Avenue, and
`Adam is located on Q Street. The map also indicates that
`Brian is in transit.
`By Scrolling a cursor to the '3' indicator and depressing
`the "Select' key, the user commands the monitoring System
`to re-scale the map to focus upon “Brian.” AS FIG. 4c
`provides a view of the re-scaled map to provide more
`information about “Brian.” As can be seen, the system
`provides the speed of movement of the wireless device
`carried by Brian and the direction of travel. Depending upon
`the amount of information Stored in the geographical loca
`tion database 15, the system could also provide a history of
`Brian's movement throughout the course of the day.
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`If the user instead selects the “4” indicator, a re-scaled
`map is presented to focus upon "Adam, as illustrated by
`FIG. 4d. Again, the System now presents location informa
`tion about the selected individual with greater detail. In this
`case, the information retrieval directory indicates that
`Adam's location on Q Street is “Billy's Bar.” The system
`also indicates that Adam has stayed at Billy's Bar for at least
`two hours, since noon. If the user finds this activity to be
`unacceptable, the user can then opt to call the individual.
`FIGS. 5a-5c provide a second example of a graphical user
`interface according to the preferred embodiment. In this
`example, the user is a dispatcher for a taxi cab Service. By
`entering the code “1983” in the login screen of FIG. 5a, the
`dispatcher is presented with a list indicating that he is
`authorized to monitor three individuals, "Brett, ” “Aslan”
`and “David.” By selecting to display the locations of all of
`the individuals, a map Scaled to Show all of the individuals
`at once is displayed, in FIG. 5b. In this example, the
`dispatcher then selects to monitor “David” by selecting “3.”
`As shown in FIG. 5c, by utilizing the monitoring system of
`the present invention, the dispatcher learns that “David” is
`at “Sam's Bar” during work hours, and should be repri
`manded.
`The monitoring System of the present invention can be
`configured with added features depending upon the Specific
`application for which it will be used. For example, for the
`taxicab service described with reference to FIG. 5, it may be
`useful for the dispatcher to know whether monitored indi
`viduals are driving unoccupied cabs. This can be accom
`plished by utilizing a specially designed wireleSS commu
`nication device that has an input connected to the taxi cab
`fare meter. In this manner, the dispatcher can choose only to
`Search for available empty cabs to direct them to available
`fares.
`As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention can be used to
`monitor individuals who carry any of Several different types
`of wireleSS communications products. AS one example, the
`monitoring System of the present invention can be used to
`monitor the location of an individual carrying an interactive
`pager 10e. Likewise, the System can also be used for
`monitoring the location of an individual who carries a
`personal digital assistant that is configured for wireleSS
`communication on the wireleSS network. For the purposes of
`the invention, the interactive pager or personal digital assis
`tant 10f transmit control Signals in the Same manner as
`cellular telephones, and can therefore be used as monitoring
`equipment in the same manner.
`Cellular telephones, interactive pagers, and personal digi
`tal assistants each have a liquid crystal display (LCD) that
`can be used with the monitoring System of the present
`invention to notify the individual that they are being moni
`tored. Many wireleSS communications devices include a text
`messaging feature to allow the users to receive e-mail
`messages or any other type of Short text messages on the
`LCD display. As yet another feature of the present invention,
`a user who accesses the monitoring System through a
`website on the Internet may wish to leave a text message for
`an individual who is being monitored. For example, a parent
`may wish to leave a message for an adolescent Son (e.g., we
`left the key under the doormat) instead of interrupting the
`Son's activities with a telephone call. During the operation
`of the monitoring system, as illustrated in FIGS. 4-5, the
`graphical user interface can include a feature to leave a text
`message for a monitored individual. The entered text is then
`communicated from an http server, through the PSTN to the
`wireleSS network, and on through a control channel to the
`wireleSS device at the location in which it is registered.
`
`Apple Exhibit 1007
`Page 11 of 13
`
`

`

`7
`Using conventional telephones, personal digital
`assistants, and interactive pagers, the monitoring System of
`the present invention is only useful when the person to be
`monitored carries the wireleSS communication device, keeps
`the battery in the unit charged, and turns on the device. If the
`device is not operational, it does not transmit control signals
`and cannot be located. Because this can obviate the useful
`neSS of the monitoring System, the wireleSS communication
`devices can be modified Such that the System is always
`transmitting and receiving control Signals. For example,
`FIG. 1 includes an automobile 10d as an example of a
`wireleSS communication device that communicates in the
`wireless network. The automobile can be configured with a
`wireleSS transmitter/receiver that only transmits and receives
`control Signals along the wireleSS network. This System can
`be directly connected to the electrical System of the car to the
`automobile battery to remain in operation. An automobile
`that is equipped with a limited-function wireleSS transmitter/
`receiver can therefore always be monitored.
`Similarly, wireleSS cellular telephones, personal digital
`assistants, and interactive pagers can also be modified to
`continually transmit control Signals. At the present time,
`mobile cellular telephones are typically equipped with bat
`teries capable of operating in “standby mode for Several
`days, but have a “talk time” of only a few hours. These
`wireleSS devices can be easily modified to always run in
`Standby, So that they can be monitored at all times.
`Therefore, even when the wireless device operator turns off
`the wireleSS device, the device continues to transmit low
`power control Signals for monitoring. While this feature is
`useful for monitoring other individuals, it is also useful for
`tracking devices Such as misplaced cellular telephones,
`pagers, and personal digital assistants.
`AS can be seen in FIG. 1, the output for the monitoring
`System of the present invention can be configured to output
`monitoring information for wireless communications
`devices Such as cellular telephones, personal digital
`assistants, and interactive pagers. Using mapping Software
`configured for use with a Smaller LCD display in a cellular
`telephone or a personal digital assistant, the monitoring
`System can provide the same information to a user as with
`a personal computer. Alternatively, the monitoring System
`can also provide the output in a text format or in an audio
`format. Accordingly, a user can utilize the monitoring Sys
`tem to monitor the locations of others while also being in
`transit.
`The monitoring System of the present invention includes
`a geographical locations database and a network-based
`location System that continually calculates and Stores loca
`tion information for each Subscriber's wireless device.
`However, instead of continually and automatically updating
`and Storing location information, the information can be
`calculated only in response to a specific user request on the
`monitoring System. When an authorized user enters the
`appropriate acceSS code in the monitoring Systems website,
`the wireleSS network will then locate the appropriate wire
`leSS devices, using one of the Several techniques described
`above. By this method, the number of geographical location
`calculations that are necessary is minimized, which conse
`quently reduces the costs of operation. It may be unneces
`Sary to continually calculate a geographical location of an
`individual's cellular telephone through triangulation if there
`is no one who is monitoring that individual.
`The foregoing disclosure of embodiments of the present
`invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
`description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
`invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations
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`US 6,716,101 B1
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`and modifications of the embodiments described herein will
`be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the
`above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined
`only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equiva
`lents.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A System for monitoring the geographical location of
`individuals within a geographical region from a remote
`location, comprising:
`a) at least one wireless communications device having a
`transmitter for transmitting control Signals in response
`to receiving paging Signals, wherein each wireleSS
`communications device is uniquely associated with an
`individual being monitored, and wherein the paging
`Signal is operable to preclude the wireleSS communi
`cations device from alerting the individual of the pag
`ing Signal and yet respond with controls signals,
`b) a plurality of receivers located across a geographical
`regions for detecting controls signals transmitted by the
`wireleSS communications devices,
`c) a location processor for determining location informa
`tion co