I 1111111111111111 11111 1111111111 1111111111 1111111111 11111 lll111111111111111
`US007123 926B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Himmelstein
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,123,926 B2
`*Oct. 17, 2006
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING
`INFORMATION TO USERS BASED ON THE
`USER'S LOCATION
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Richard B. Himmelstein, 857 Fort
`Fisher Blvd. South, Kure Beach, NC
`(US) 28449
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 162 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis(cid:173)
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/705,674
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Nov. 10, 2003
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2004/0145459 Al
`
`Jul. 29, 2004
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 09/659,074, filed on
`Sep. 11, 2000, now Pat. No. 6,647,270.
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/153,424, filed on Sep.
`10, 1999.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04Q 7120
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................... 455/456.1; 455/456.3;
`455/416; 455/518; 455/414.2; 455/521; 342/357.1;
`342/457; 701/207
`(58) Field of Classification Search ............. 455/404.1,
`455/404.2, 412.2, 414.2, 414.3, 456.1-457,
`455/521; 701/207, 214, 216; 340/988;
`342/357.1, 457; 702/3
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,591,823 A * 5/ 1986 Horvat ....................... 340/936
`5,170,499 A * 12/1992 Grothause ................ 455/238.1
`
`5,420,794 A *
`5,422,816 A
`5,425,058 A
`5,459,304 A *
`5,473,602 A
`5,539,398 A
`5,572,201 A
`5,663,734 A
`5,740,532 A *
`5,805,082 A
`5,875,183 A
`5,900,825 A
`5,908,454 A
`5,952,941 A
`5,974,368 A
`5,982,281 A *
`5,983,161 A
`
`........................ 701/117
`5/1995 James
`6/1995 Sprague et al.
`6/1995 Mui
`10/1995 Eisenmann ................. 235/380
`12/1995 McKenna et al.
`7/1996 Hall et al.
`11/1996 Graham et al.
`9/1997 Krasner
`4/1998 Fernandez et al ........ 455/404.1
`9/1998 Hassett
`2/ 1999 Nitadori
`5/ 1999 Pressel et al.
`6/1999 Zyburt et al.
`9/1999 Mardirossian
`10/ 1999 Schepps et al.
`. ........... 340/539.13
`11/1999 Layson, Jr.
`ll/ 1999 Lemelson et al.
`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Yahoo Finance "Private Inventor files Patent Application for
`Telematics-Based Public and Emergency First Responders Safety
`Advisory System" Feb. 4, 2004 (4 pgs).
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner-Steve M. D' Agosta
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Benesch Friedlander LLP;
`Jeffrey L. Brandt; Robert B Lech
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system for providing an advisory communication to a user
`via a mobile unit includes locating means for locating the
`position of the mobile unit and sending means for sending a
`communication to the mobile unit. The mobile unit includes
`alerting means for alerting the user of the communication.
`The advisory communication can include information relat(cid:173)
`ing to an approaching emergency vehicle, an accident scene,
`road conditions, a traffic signal, traffic conditions, or weather
`conditions.
`
`36 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`PSTN
`
`22
`
`BASE STATION
`CONTROLLER
`
`14
`
`14
`
`d-16
`
`Exhibit 1005
`IPR2022-00426
`Page 1 of 19
`
`

`

`US 7,123,926 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,014,090 A *
`1/2000
`6,018,699 A *
`1/2000
`6,052,598 A *
`4/2000
`6,060,995 A *
`5/2000
`6,097,974 A
`8/2000
`6,177,873 Bl*
`1/2001
`6,199,045 Bl*
`3/2001
`3/2001
`6,208,844 Bl
`3/2001
`6,208,862 Bl
`5/2001
`6,225,890 Bl
`6/2001
`6,252,539 Bl
`7/2001
`6,255,953 Bl
`8/2001
`6,275,774 Bl
`9/2001
`6,295,001 Bl
`6,466,796 Bl * 10/2002
`6,480,699 Bl
`11/2002
`6,498,987 Bl
`12/2002
`6,505,123 Bl
`1/2003
`6,526,268 Bl *
`2/2003
`6,539,232 Bl
`3/2003
`6,542,748 Bl
`4/2003
`6,542,749 Bl
`4/2003
`6,542,750 Bl
`4/2003
`6,590,529 Bl
`7/2003
`6,603,405 Bl
`8/2003
`6,618,593 Bl
`9/2003
`6,646,559 Bl
`11/2003
`6,647,270 Bl
`11/2003
`6,654,689 Bl
`11/2003
`6,678,516 Bl
`1/2004
`6,700,482 Bl
`3/2004
`6,728,323 Bl
`4/2004
`6,728,528 Bl
`4/2004
`6,745,021 Bl
`6/2004
`6,754,585 Bl
`6/2004
`6,819,919 Bl
`11/2004
`6,853,849 Bl
`2/2005
`2001/0147766
`10/2002
`2002/0147766 Al
`10/2002
`2002/0174073 Al
`11/2002
`
`455/186.1
`
`........ 455/456.3
`
`Rosen et al. ................ 340/905
`Baron et al .................... 702/3
`Rudrapatna et al ...... 455/456.1
`Wicks et al. ............... 340/7.48
`Camp et al.
`Cragun ....................... 340/601
`Giniger et al. ................. 705/1
`Abdelgany
`Lee
`Murphy
`Phillips et al.
`Barber
`Baron et al.
`Barber
`Jacobson et al.
`Lovoi
`Kelly et al.
`Root et al.
`Marrah et al.
`Hendrey et al.
`Hendrey et al.
`Tanaka et al.
`Hendrey et al.
`Schwoegler
`Smith
`Drutman et al.
`Smith
`Himmelstein
`Kelly et al.
`Nordman et al.
`Ververs et al.
`Chen et al.
`Loke
`Stevens
`Root et al.
`Tanaka
`Tognazzini
`Vanska et al.
`Vanska et al.
`Nordman et al.
`
`2003/0169181 Al
`2003/0169185 Al
`2003/0769181
`2004/0010591 Al
`2004/0014457 Al
`2004/0145459 Al
`2004/0203931 Al
`2004/0248569 Al
`2005/0021666 Al
`2005/0233741 Al
`
`9/2003 Taylor
`9/2003 Taylor
`9/2003 Taylor
`1/2004 Sinn et al.
`1/2004 Stevens
`7/2004 Himmelstein
`10/2004 Karaoguz
`12/2004 Kondou et al.
`1/2005 Dinnage et al.
`10/2005 Zarnani
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Selingo, Jeffrey "Protecting the Cellphone User's Rights to Hide"
`Feb. 5, 2004 (2 pgs).
`Match.,com Corporate "Match.corn's Wireless Dating Service
`MatchMobile Launches Photo Profiles" (2 pgs).
`Match.com Corporate "Match.com Launches Match Mobile
`Launches with AT&T Wireless" (2 pgs).
`AT&T Wireless "Our Biggest Store: Organization" (2 pgs).
`AT&T Wireless "Features and Services User Guide" (2 pgs).
`http://wwwa/accuweather.com/iwxpage/ adc/mobile/messenger.htrn
`(admitted, not prior art).
`"Match.com Launches Match Mobile with AT&T Wireless", Match.
`com Corporate, Dec. 2003.
`"Match.corn's Wireless Dating Service MatchMobile Launches
`Photo Profiles", Match.com Corporate, Dec. 2003.
`"Our Biggest Store: Organization Find People Nearby", AT.&T
`Wireless,
`http://www.attwireless.com/personal/features/organ1za(cid:173)
`tion/findfriends.jhtrnl, Feb. 2004.
`AT&T Wireless, "Features and Services User Guide, How to Use
`Your AT&T Wireless Features and Services".
`Selingo, "Protecting the Cellphone User's Right to Hide", The New
`York Times, nytimes.com, Feb. 5, 2004.
`Yahoo Finance, "Private Inventor Files Patent Application for
`Telematics-Based Public and Emergency First Reponders Safety
`Advisory System", Feb. 2004, http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/
`040204/law021 l.htrnl.
`http://wwwa.accuweather.com/iwxpage/adc/mobile/messenger.htm
`(admitted, not prior art).
`US 6,731,928, 05/2004, Tanaka (withdrawn)
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Exhibit 1005
`IPR2022-00426
`Page 2 of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 17, 2006
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
`
`US 7,123,926 B2
`
`14
`
`14
`
`22
`
`20
`
`16
`
`PSTN
`
`BASE STATION
`CONTROLLER
`
`-16
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Exhibit 1005
`IPR2022-00426
`Page 3 of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 17, 2006
`
`Sheet 2 of 7
`
`US 7,123,926 B2
`
`33
`
`---------------------------------~
`RF
`RECEIVER
`
`32
`
`41
`
`40
`
`35
`
`MEMORY 14---+I
`
`MICRO(cid:173)
`PROCESSOR
`
`GPS
`
`ELECTRO(cid:173)
`MECHANICAL
`INTERFACE
`
`AUDIO VISUAL
`INTERFACE
`
`46
`
`44
`----------------------------------
`FIG. 2
`
`I
`
`51
`
`53
`
`HEADER
`
`PAYLOAD
`
`COMMUNICATION PACKET
`FIG. 3A
`
`55
`
`56
`
`57
`
`ADMINISTRATIVE
`
`SENDER
`
`RECEIVER
`
`INFORMATION FIELDS
`FIG. 3B
`
`Exhibit 1005
`IPR2022-00426
`Page 4 of 19
`
`

`

`~
`
`('D
`('D
`
`0 ....
`.....
`rJJ =(cid:173)
`
`-....J
`
`:-+- ....
`0
`
`(')
`
`O'I
`0
`0
`N
`'-"-....J
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`~
`•
`00
`
`e •
`
`FIG. 3E
`
`RECEIVER DATA FIELDS
`
`• • •
`
`ADDRESS
`
`n
`
`• • •
`
`3
`
`2
`
`1
`
`ADDRESS ADDRESS ADDRESS
`
`r80
`
`80c
`
`80b
`
`79 rBO
`
`FIG. 3D
`
`SENDER DATA FIELDS
`
`• • •
`
`DIRECTION I ORIGINATION !DESTINATION I OPTIONAL
`
`FIELDS
`
`DECEL.
`
`OR
`
`ACCEL.
`
`SPEED
`
`NUMBER I POSITION
`
`ID
`
`78
`
`77
`
`76
`
`75
`
`74
`
`73
`
`72
`
`71
`
`56~
`
`FIG. 3C
`
`ADMINISTRATIVE DATA FIELDS
`
`TO-POINT (DATANOICE) CONTROL) ONTINUOUS
`
`SYSTEM
`
`• • •
`
`COM. TYPE ~TAND ALONE
`67
`
`OR
`
`(INFO./
`
`66
`
`IDENTIFIER
`
`COM.
`
`SECURITY I PRIORITY loR OUT OF OR POINT-
`IN SYSTEM BROADCAST
`
`65
`
`64
`
`63
`
`62
`
`55~ 61
`
`0--, = N
`N
`\0
`"'""' N w
`
`'-"--...l
`
`d r.,;_
`
`FIG. 3F
`
`•
`
`•
`
`•
`
`OPERATORS
`OF VEHICLE OPERATOR OPERATOR OPERATOR1
`NUMBER
`81 r82
`
`SENDER ID NUMBER FIELDS
`
`I.D. #3
`
`I.D. #2
`
`I.D. #1
`
`VEHICLE
`
`VEHICLE
`
`VEHICLE
`
`83c
`
`83b
`
`83a
`
`CODE
`VEHICLE
`
`rr~
`
`ADDRESSES
`
`OF
`
`NUMBER
`
`57~
`
`Exhibit 1005
`IPR2022-00426
`Page 5 of 19
`
`

`

`0 ....
`.....
`rJJ =(cid:173)
`
`.i;...
`
`('D
`('D
`
`-....J
`
`:-+- ....
`0
`
`(')
`
`O'I
`0
`0
`N
`'-"-....J
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`~
`•
`00
`
`e •
`
`0--, = N
`N
`\0
`"'""' N w
`
`'-"--...l
`
`d r.,;_
`
`FIG. 4B
`
`INSTRUCTION
`SPEED CONTROL
`
`REDUCE
`
`C
`
`D
`
`1
`
`I
`
`-
`
`MESSAGE
`TRAFFIC
`
`~
`
`~
`
`V
`
`5
`
`p
`
`B
`
`1
`
`458341788
`
`I
`
`12:08 09/01/2000
`
`4
`
`432967185
`
`I 09/01/2000
`
`08:52
`
`,-92k
`
`92j
`
`92i
`
`92h
`
`92g
`
`92f
`
`92e
`
`92d
`
`92c
`
`I CONTENTS
`
`VOICE CONTROL
`
`POINT-TO-POINT SYSTEM
`
`OUTGOING
`
`INCOMING/IADDRESSES,PRIORITYI BROADCAST/ I IN/OUT OF ISECURITYI DATA/ I INFO/
`
`DATE
`
`TIME
`
`-92b
`
`92a-....
`
`92~
`
`I
`
`.
`
`I
`
`..
`
`.
`
`t=f
`
`I
`
`.
`
`1 I
`
`..
`
`NNW
`
`A
`
`65
`
`ACC./DECEL. DIRECTION
`
`SPEED
`
`POSITION
`
`DATE
`
`08:50
`
`TIME
`
`90f
`
`90
`
`90d
`
`90
`
`90b
`
`90~ 90a
`
`FIG. 4A
`
`.
`
`..
`09/01/2000 42'34, 18'31
`
`Exhibit 1005
`IPR2022-00426
`Page 6 of 19
`
`

`

`0--, = N
`N
`\0
`"'""' N w
`
`'-"--...l
`
`d r.,;_
`
`0 ....
`Ul
`.....
`rJJ =(cid:173)
`
`('D
`('D
`
`-....J
`
`:-+- ....
`0
`
`(')
`
`O'I
`0
`0
`N
`'-"-....J
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`~
`•
`00
`
`e •
`
`FIG. 4D
`
`I ... l
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`1 I
`
`MODEL
`
`MAKE
`
`COLOR
`
`ADDRESS
`
`DATE
`
`TIME
`
`,..-11 On
`
`11 Of
`
`11 Oe
`
`110d
`
`110c
`
`11 Ob
`
`110~ 110a
`
`FIG. 4C
`
`1 I I I I I I I I I I I LJ
`
`/"105k 1051 105m
`
`105j
`
`/" 105i
`
`105g /"105h
`
`/"105e /"105f
`
`105d
`
`105c
`
`105a
`
`105~
`
`INSURANCE I INSURANCE VEHICLE VEHICLE VEHICLE OTHER VEHICLE EZ PASS GARAGE GARAGE DRIVING CREDIT
`105b
`
`INFO
`ID
`
`COLOR
`
`MODEL
`
`MAKE
`
`NUMBER
`POLICY
`
`REGISTRATION! COMPANY
`
`INFO
`DOOR RECORD CARD
`
`ACCOUNT# A~g5~S
`
`YEAR
`MODEL NUMBER PARKING
`
`Exhibit 1005
`IPR2022-00426
`Page 7 of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 17, 2006
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
`
`US 7,123,926 B2
`
`CREATE CONTACT
`LOG ENTRY
`
`PERFORM PARTNER
`LOG PROCESSING
`
`530
`
`540
`
`y
`
`STORE
`PACKET
`
`506
`
`REVIEW THE PRIORITY OF
`THE PENDING PACKETS
`
`516
`
`STORE NEW
`PACKET IN
`QUEUE
`
`CONTINUE TO
`PROCESS
`PENDING
`PACKET
`
`524
`
`526
`
`HALT PROCESSING
`OF PENDING PACKET
`
`STORE PENDING
`PACKET
`
`520
`
`522
`
`510
`
`PROCESS NEW
`PACKET
`
`RE-PRIORITIZE QUEUE IN
`ACCORDANCE WITH PRIORITY ----------512
`OF PENDING PACKETS
`
`GOTO NEXT
`PACKET
`
`514
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Exhibit 1005
`IPR2022-00426
`Page 8 of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 17, 2006
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
`
`US 7,123,926 B2
`
`START
`
`602
`
`PARSE PACKET INTO FIELDS
`
`604
`
`STORE FIELDS THAT DO NOT
`REQUIRE ADD'L PROCESSING
`
`y
`
`612
`
`608
`
`614
`
`PROCESS COMMUN.
`AS CONTROL
`INSTRUCTION
`
`PROCESS
`COMMUN.
`AS INFO
`
`PROCESS
`COMMUN.
`AS VOICE
`
`616
`
`COMPARE CONTROL
`INSTRUCTION TO
`SECURITY LEVEL
`REQUIRED
`
`622
`
`PERFORM
`CONTROL
`INSTRUCT
`
`620
`
`NOTIFY BOTH
`SENDER AND
`RECIPIENT OF DENIAL
`
`FIG. 6
`
`GOTO NEXT
`PACKET
`
`624
`
`Exhibit 1005
`IPR2022-00426
`Page 9 of 19
`
`

`

`US 7,123,926 B2
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING
`INFORMATION TO USERS BASED ON THE
`USER'S LOCATION
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application claims priority from U.S. application Ser.
`No. 09/659,074 filed Sep. 11, 2000, issued as U.S. Pat. No.
`6,647,270 on Nov. 11, 2003, which in tum claims priority
`from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/153,424 filed Sep.
`10, 1999, which are incorporated by reference as if fully set
`forth herein.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`2
`the vehicle operator vrn the audio-visual interface, the
`microprocessor determines
`the necessary
`subsequent
`actions.
`The transmission from a vehicle may include information
`5 describing the status of the vehicle for use by the receiving
`vehicle. For example, the transmission may provide infor(cid:173)
`mation regarding the speed, direction, and position of the
`transmitting vehicle. This information is received and pro(cid:173)
`cessed by the receiving vehicle to provide a visual or audible
`10 display of the position, direction, and speed of the transmit(cid:173)
`ting vehicle.
`According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
`provided a communication system for transmitting informa(cid:173)
`tion between a mobile unit within a vehicle traveling on a
`15 road and a fixed communication network installed on a
`roadside. The fixed communication network includes a base
`station having a transceiver for communicating with the
`vehicle by transmitting and receiving a plurality of commu(cid:173)
`nication packets. This communication can include payment
`20 instructions, security instructions, and/or access codes
`which can be transmitted with or without intervention by the
`vehicle operator.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)
`
`35
`
`The present invention generally relates to communication
`systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a mobile
`communication system which allows mobile vehicles to
`communicate with neighboring vehicles and roadside com(cid:173)
`munication networks.
`Various communication systems have been used by auto(cid:173)
`mobile drivers to communicate with other vehicles while the
`vehicle is in motion. While many advances have been made
`in vehicle to vehicle communication, numerous disadvan- 25
`tages still remain in using conventional communication
`systems.
`Conventional mobile communication systems include cel(cid:173)
`lular telephones and CB or two-way radio. When using a cell
`phone as a means of mobile communication, there is no 30
`practical way of discovering whether a neighboring vehicle
`operator possesses a cell phone. Additionally, there is no
`process for determining the phone number of the targeted
`cell phone. Accordingly, the cell phone as a communication
`medium is severely limited.
`CB radio is a widely broadcast public medium where
`mobile users may talk to other mobile or stationary users in
`their vicinity. However, since there is no ability to prevent
`others from listening, there is no privacy between mobile
`communicators.
`Automobile accidents are one of the greatest causes of
`serious injury and fatalities in society. Accordingly, the
`development of improved control and warning systems to
`minimize personal and financial losses resulting from auto- 45
`mobile accidents is of utmost importance. The limitations of
`present forms of communication are even more severe when
`considering the extent to which a communication link can
`improve both the driving experience and the safety statistics
`of modem vehicles.
`
`FIG. 1 shows a vehicle communication system embody(cid:173)
`ing the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a mobile unit in
`accordance with the preferred embodiment.
`FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating the contents of a com(cid:173)
`munication packet transmitted by the mobile unit shown in
`FIG. 2.
`FIG. 3B illustrates the header of the communication
`packet.
`FIG. 3C illustrates the information fields of the header's
`transmission administration.
`FIG. 3D illustrates the information fields of the header's
`sender portion.
`FIG. 3E illustrates the information fields of the header's
`40 receiver portion.
`FIG. 3F illustrates the sub fields contained in the identi-
`fication number field.
`FIG. 4A illustrates the memory of a typical mobile unit
`shown in FIG. 2.
`FIG. 4B is a diagram of a vehicle communication log.
`FIG. 4C is a diagram of a vehicle user log.
`FIG. 4D is a diagram of a vehicle contact log.
`FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of the procedure utilized by the
`microprocessor upon receipt of a communication packet.
`FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of the procedure for processing
`communication packets.
`
`50
`
`SUMMARY
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
`
`The present invention provides a communication link
`among vehicles which eliminates these pitfalls. The system 55
`comprises a broadband RF transceiver with antenna, a
`position determining means (such as a GPS receiver) an
`audio-visual interface, an electromechanical interface, and a
`microprocessor with associated memory. These components
`are incorporated into a mobile unit located within each 60
`vehicle.
`The GPS receiver receives signals from GPS satellites and
`calculates the position of the vehicle. The microprocessor
`carries out overall control of the system. The memory
`includes identification information that is unique to each
`vehicle. In response to input from the GPS receiver, infor(cid:173)
`mation received by the transceiver and instructions input by
`
`The preferred embodiment will be described with refer(cid:173)
`ence to the drawing figures where identical numerals rep(cid:173)
`resent similar elements throughout.
`A vehicle communication system embodying the present
`invention is shown in FIG. 1. The vehicle communication
`system 10 generally includes one or more base stations 14,
`each of which is in wireless communication with a plurality
`of remote units 16. Although the remote units 16 may be
`fixed or mobile, they will be referred to hereinafter for
`65 simplicity as mobile units 16. Each mobile unit 16 can
`communicate with another mobile unit 16, the closest base
`station 14, or the base station 14 which provides the stron-
`
`Exhibit 1005
`IPR2022-00426
`Page 10 of 19
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`US 7,123,926 B2
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`3
`gest communication signal. The base stations 14 communi(cid:173)
`cate with a base station controller 20, which coordinates
`communications among base stations 14 and mobile units
`16. The communication system 10 may be connected to a
`public switched telephone network (PSTN) 22, wherein the 5
`base station controller 20 also coordinates communications
`between the base stations 14 and the PSTN 22. Preferably,
`each base station 14, communicates with the base station
`controller 20 over a wireless link, although a land line may
`also be provided. A land line is particularly applicable when 10
`a base station 14 is in close proximity to the base station
`controller 20. The fixed remote units 16 may also commu(cid:173)
`nicate with a base station 14 over a land line.
`The base station controller 20 performs several functions.
`Primarily, the base station controller 20 provides all of the
`operations, administrative, and maintenance (OA&M) sig(cid:173)
`naling associated with establishing and maintaining all of
`the wireless communications between the mobile units 16,
`the base stations 14, and the base station controller 20. The
`base station controller 20 can provide the routing of all 20
`communications between mobile units 16, and between the
`mobile units 16 and the PSTN 22. The base station controller
`20 also provides an interface between the mobile units 16
`and the PSTN 22. This interface includes multiplexing and
`demultiplexing of the communication signals that enter and
`leave the system 10 via the base station controller 20.
`Although the vehicle communication system 10 is shown
`employing antennas to transmit radio frequency (RF) sig(cid:173)
`nals, one skilled in the art should recognize that communi(cid:173)
`cations may be accomplished via microwave or satellite 30
`uplinks. Additionally, the functions of the base station
`controller 20 may be combined with a base station 14 to
`form a "master base station".
`A preferred embodiment of the mobile unit 16 is shown in
`FIG. 2. Each mobile unit includes an RF transceiver 32 with 35
`an antenna 33 capable of transmitting and receiving a
`plurality of RF signals, a global positioning system (GPS)
`receiver 35, a microprocessor 40 with associated memory
`41, an interface to the vehicle's electromechanical systems
`44, and an audio-visual interface 46.
`The RF transceiver 32 transmits and receives RF signals
`at a plurality of RF frequencies to one or more vehicles
`which include a mobile unit 16. Received signals are down(cid:173)
`loaded to baseband and forwarded to the microprocessor 40
`for further processing. Transmitted signals are forwarded 45
`from the microprocessor 40 to the RF transceiver 32 for
`upconversion and transmission over one of the plurality of
`RF frequencies. The vehicle communication system 10 also
`provides for the option of transmitting a communication
`over currently licensed radio station channels, for example 50
`105.9 FM. This can permit mobile unit operator to broadcast
`to non-mobile unit operators. It also can provide a "scanning
`channel", such that non-mobile unit operators can listen to
`broadcast communications.
`The GPS receiver 35 is configured to receive signals from 55
`GPS satellites and compute the position of the mobile unit
`16. There are many commercially available GPS receivers
`35 that can perform such a function. GPS readings which are
`provided to the microprocessor 40 permit the microproces(cid:173)
`sor 40 to accurately calculate the speed, direction, and 60
`acceleration or deceleration rate of the vehicle.
`The microprocessor 40 provides central control of the
`mobile unit 16. As will be explained in greater detail
`hereinafter, the microprocessor 40 also performs packet
`handling, including packet assembling for outgoing com- 65
`munication packets 50 and packet disassembling for incom(cid:173)
`ing communication packets 50 received from the RF trans-
`
`4
`ceiver 32. Communication packets 50 received by the
`microprocessor 40 are stored in memory 41. The memory 41
`is also used to store identification information that is unique
`to each vehicle and/or vehicle operator. For example, license
`and registration for each vehicle can be read if positioned
`with a bar code or magnetic strip in a specific location of the
`vehicle. Optionally, the system may have a card reader
`where the operator must place their card prior to the vehicle
`starting. This card can be a license with a magnetic strip or
`a smartcard that identifies the driver and the vehicle. This
`unique information regarding the vehicle may also include
`the position of the vehicle, speed of the vehicle and rate of
`acceleration or deceleration as calculated by data obtained
`15 from the GPS receiver 35.
`The audio-visual interface (AVI) 46 preferably includes a
`microphone, speakers, and graphic display along with alpha(cid:173)
`numeric and directional keypads. However, those of skill in
`the art should realize that the AVI 46 may encompass other
`input devices which are known, such as a voice activated
`input unit, an infrared remote control, a full keyboard or any
`other type of electronic or manual data input means. Addi(cid:173)
`tionally, the output portion of the AVI 46 may include any
`type of output means such as a stereo system or a heads-up
`25 display.
`The electromechanical interface 44 provides an electrical
`coupling to the electromechanical systems of the vehicle
`over which the mobile unit 16 has control. These systems
`may include the radio, lights, horn, windows, locks, steering,
`breaking, and any other electromechanical systems of the
`vehicle.
`Communications between mobile units 16 using the
`vehicle communication system 10 are accomplished through
`a stream of transmitted communication packets 50. As
`shown in FIG. 3A, each communication packet 50 includes
`a header 51 and a payload 53. The header 51 includes a
`plurality of predefined information fields which provide
`information regarding the particular communication, the
`40 sender which originated the communication, and the
`receiver to which the communication is destined. It should
`be recognized that a voice or data communication may be
`segmented or "packetized" and transmitted using a plurality
`of packets 50. The present invention is not restricted to
`transmitting a communication having a predefined length.
`Accordingly, the payload 53 may include only a portion of
`the communication that is sent between mobile units 16, and
`a single communication may be sent using a plurality of
`packets 50. Communications may include data transmis(cid:173)
`sions, such as uploads from the mobile unit 16, downloads
`to the mobile unit 16, or voice communications.
`Referring to FIG. 3B, the header 51 includes a plurality of
`information fields which can be generally categorized by
`three different functional groups: 1) transmission adminis(cid:173)
`trative information 55; 2) sender information 56; and 3)
`receiver information 57. These fields will be explained in
`greater detail hereinafter.
`Referring to FIG. 3C, the information fields associated
`with the transmission administration 55 are shown. These
`fields provide information that defines the particular com(cid:173)
`munication being transmitted. Although the number of fields
`vary, and the type of fields described may change depending
`on the particular communication and the requirements of the
`system 10, in one embodiment of the present invention, the
`fields associated with
`transmission administration 55
`include, the following fields: security 61; priority 62; in
`system/out of system 63; broadcast/point-to-point 64; com-
`
`Exhibit 1005
`IPR2022-00426
`Page 11 of 19
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`US 7,123,926 B2
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`10
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`20
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`5
`munication identifier (data/voice) 65; communication type
`(information/control) 66; and communication length (stan(cid:173)
`dalone or continuous) 67.
`Since the vehicle communication system 10 in accordance
`with the present invention permits control of a vehicle and 5
`overall control of the communication system 10 by law
`enforcement authorities via a "security instruction", the
`system 10 has a plurality of security levels to ensure that
`unauthorized individuals will not use the system 10 for
`subversive purposes. Optionally, driver may override law
`enforcement. The system 10 may ask for permission for law
`enforcement to control vehicle. The security field 61 is
`defined as follows:
`0----Access to all functions of the vehicle communication
`system 10, including the physical control of the vehicle and
`all of the information stored within the memory 41.
`I-Access only to the physical control of the vehicle.
`2-Access only to the information stored within the
`memory 41.
`3-Access for transmitting and receiving communica(cid:173)
`tions.
`4-Access only to receiving communications.
`The security field 61 may also include a security code,
`which permits authentication of the entity sending the secu(cid:173)
`rity instruction. As aforementioned, it should be understood
`by those skilled in the art that additional fields may be added
`or defined as desired to increase the functionality of the
`system 10 or the security layers. Additionally, it should be
`recognized that although the system 10 is capable of a broad
`range of functionality, there are legal implications to imple(cid:173)
`menting all of the functionality. For example, a court order
`would most likely be necessary before permitting law
`enforcement officials access to information in, or control of, 35
`the mobile unit 16.
`The priority field 62 is an indicator of the urgency of the
`transmitted communication. The priority field 62 can be a
`numeric priority from one to ten; with urgent communica(cid:173)
`tions having the highest priority of one (e.g., communica- 40
`tions from law enforcement officials) and non-urgent com(cid:173)
`the lowest priority of ten (e.g.,
`munications having
`advertisements).
`The in system/out of system field 63 indicates whether the
`communication is destined for, or originated from, another 45
`mobile unit 16 or an entity located outside of the vehicle
`communication system 10. Communications with entities
`outside the vehicle communication system 10 can be routed
`between the mobile unit 16 and the outside entity over the
`PSTN 22.
`The broadcast/point-to-point field 64 identifies whether
`the message is intended for broadcast to all mobile units 16
`or whether it is intended to be routed to a particular mobile
`unit 16. As will be explained in detail hereinafter, the
`receiver field 57 will specify the particular address, or
`multiple addresses, of the mobile units 16 to which the
`communication will be transmitted.
`The communication identifier field 65 identifies whether
`the communication is a voice or data transmission since each
`transmission may be encoded and processed differently by
`the receiving microprocessor 40.
`The communication type field 66 identifies whether the
`communication comprises information for output to the user
`via the AVI 46, or whether the information is a control 65
`instruction that will permit electromechanical control of the
`vehicle.
`
`6
`The communication length field 67 indicates whether the
`entire communication is included within the current packet
`50, or whether the packet 50 is part of a multi-packet
`communication.
`Referring to FIG. 3D, the fields associated with the sender
`portion 56 of the header 51 include identification number 71,
`position 72, speed 73, acceleration or deceleration 74, direc(cid:173)
`tion 75, origination 76, and destination 77, and may include
`additional optional fields 78 as specified by the vehicle
`operator.
`The identification number 71 provides a unique identifi(cid:173)
`cation for the sending mobile unit 16. The identification
`number may be the vehicle license number with two addi(cid:173)
`tional letters representing the state where the license plate
`15 was issued, such as PA for Pennsylvania. Depending upon
`system administration, the identification number 71 may
`further relate to one or more individual operators of the
`vehicle. As shown in FIG. 3F, the identification number field
`71 may include a plurality of subfields including vehicle
`code 81, number of authorized vehicle operators 82, and a
`vehicle operator identification number 83 a 6
`n for each
`operator. This feature is particularly useful i(th~ vehicle is
`part of a commercial fleet of vehicles with multiple drivers.
`Upon turning on the vehicle, the vehicle operator inputs their
`25 identification number 71. This number 71 is compared to the
`list of authorized operators previously stored in memory 41.
`If the input operator identification number 71 matches
`favorably with one of the authorized operators previously
`stored in memory 41, operation of the vehicle is permitted;
`30 if not, operation is denied. Optionally, license plate, regis(cid:173)
`tration, insurance information and driver's license informa(cid:173)
`tion can be additional fields stored with the identification
`number 71.
`Use of a vehicle operator identification number 71, such
`as a driver's license, also permits different operators to use
`the vehicle while retaining their distinct identity and storing
`information particular to that vehicle operator, similar to a
`screen name for Internet use such as the America Online
`(AOL) system.
`Referring back to FIG. 3D, the next four fields associated
`with the sender portion 56 of the header 51 include position
`72, speed 73, acceleration or deceleration 74, and direction
`75, which are automatically created from the information
`obtained from the sender's GPS receiver 35.
`The origination field 76 includes the location of the
`vehicle when the vehicle was turned on. The destination
`field 77 includes the destination of the vehicle. This, of
`course, requires that the destination be input into the mobile
`unit 16, such as when a destination is input into a navigation
`50 system. It should be understood that the mobile unit operator
`may override certain fields to ensure that this information is
`not obtained by other mobile unit operators. For example,
`the origination 76 and destination fields 77, which may
`include personal information that the mobile unit operator
`55 does not desire other mobile unit operators to have access to,
`may include null data such that the sender's destination and
`origination will be listed as "not available" to the receiver.
`The vehicle operator configures their mobile unit 16 as
`desired to specify which fields should be transmitted with
`60 null data.
`Referring to FIG. 3E, the fields associated with the
`receiver portion 56 of the header 51 are shown in greater
`detail. As discussed with reference to FIG. 3C, the broadcast
`or point-to-point field 64 indicates whether the communi(cid:173)
`cation is destined for one, multiple, or all operators. If the
`communication is to be broadcast to all mobile unit opera(cid:173)
`tors, the number of addressees field 79 is designated as zero,
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`Exhibit 1005
`IPR2022-00426
`Page 12 of 19
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`indicating that all operators will receive the connnunication.
`For point-to-point or point-to-multipoint connnunications,
`(whereby a plurality of operators may be included within a
`conversation or connnunication), the