United States Patent
`US 6,716,101 B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`(12)
`Meadowsetal.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`
`US006716101B1
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING
`THE LOCATION OF INDIVIDUALS VIA THE
`WORLD WIDE WEB USING A WIRELESS
`COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK
`.
`.
`:
`Inventors: Vernon Meadows,Lilburn, GA (US);
`Michael S. Harper, Orlando, FI. (US)
`.
`(73) Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property
`Corporation, Wilmington, DE (US)
`
`(75)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`US.C. 154(b) by 536 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/604,754
`(22)
`Filed:
`Jun. 28, 2000
`(SV) Unt. C17 ceceeee H04Q 7/20
`52) US. Ch cece ccccecccseeee 455/456.1; 455/404.2;
`(
`;
`5
`455/457; 455/521; 340/989; 701/200
`(58) Field of Search ........0..cccccces 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
`5,546,445 A *
`5,646,839 A *
`
`6/1996 Roach, Jr. etal.
`........... 455/408
`8/1996 Dennisonet al.
`T1997 Katz wieccceeeecccceeeee 379/142.11
`
`9/1998 Gallant et al... 455/422
`5,802,468 A *
`8/1999 Meinhold ........
`. 340/573.1
`5,936,530 A *
`
`7/2000 Kingdonetal. .
`wee 455/457
`6,088,594 A *
`6,154,727 A * 11/2000 Karpetal. 0... 7035/3
`6,216,157 B1 *
`4/2001 Vishwanath etal.
`. 709/208
`
`6,243,039 B1 *
`6/2001 Elliot 0... 342/457
`6/2001 Lachance .............. 455/456
`6.246.882 Bl *
`.........
`eee 701/202
`6,292,743 Bl *
`9/2001 Puetal.
`...
`we 340/988
`6,331,825 Bl * 12/2001 Ladner et al.
`
`6,470,181 B1 * 10/2002 Maxwell ...cscseeee 455/413
`2001/0044310 AL * 11/2001 Lincke .....eesceseen 455/456
`
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner—William Trost
`Assistant Examiner—Stephen D’Agosta
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Shaw Pittman LLP
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`.
`.
`.
`.
`rao
`A system is described for monitoring the geographical
`location of a subscriber’s mobile cellular telephone, and for
`roviding
`the location information to an authorized user
`P
`g
`through the world wide web. Ihe 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
`
`10F
`
`43
`
`14
`
`NETWORK-BASED||SUBSCRIBER
`LOCATION SYSTEM]|DATABASE
`12
`COMMUNICATIONSLINK
`
`10d INFORMATION
`
`
`RETRIEVAL
`
`
`
`DIRECTORIES
`SOFTWARE
`
`HTTP
`SERVER
`
`MAPPING
`
`
`
`Google Exhibit 1018
`Google Exhibit 1018
`Google v. Mullen
`Google v. Mullen
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
`
`US 6,716,101 B1
`
`
`
`10d
`
`10e
`
`Ag p
`Rie
`
`~
`
`igsSo
`
`ak
`
`(=)
`
`
`
`
`10f
`
`11
`
`
`
`14
`
`SUBSCRIBER
`DATABASE
`
`-10b
`
`1
`|
`is)
`2
`3
`
`12
`COMMUNICATIONS LINK
`
`
`
`10c
`
`C
`
`INFORMATION
`RETRIEVAL
`DIRECTORIES
`
`GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
`DATABASE
`
`20¢
`
`16
`
`HTTP
`SERVER
`
`SOFTWARE
`
`17
`
`18a
`
`MAPPING
`
`20b
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Ae
`
`s
`
`(Ons
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 2 of 7
`
`US 6,716,101 B1
`
`
`
`MOBILE
`SWITCHING
`CENTER
`(MSC)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PUBLIC
`SWITCHED
`TELEPHONE}
`
`
`NETWORK
`(PSTN)
`
`
`FIG. 2
`
`23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`
`US 6,716,101 B1
`
`
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`

`

`ACCESS CODE:
`
`1582
`
`
`STATUS
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
`
`US 6,716,101 B1
`
`WELCOMETO THE WORLD WIDE WATCHER
`
`
`
`
`
`1.DEBORAH
`(301) 663-9580 ACTIVE
`
`
`2.MARCIA_—(410) 222-3344 ACTIVE
`
`
`3. BRIAN
`(301) 663-9301 ACTIVE
`
`
`4. ADAM
`(301) 494-5000 ACTIVE
`PLEASE SELECT INDIVIDUALS TO MONITOR
`
`O@® ® © At
`
`FIG. 4a
`
`ANYTOWN, U.S.A.
`
`HOWARD
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 6,716,101 B1
`
`ANYTOWN, USA
`“BRIAN"
`.
`
`SPEED LIMIT OF ROAD: 35 MPH
`
`BURGER QUEEN
`
`SPEED: 64 MP
`
`DIRECTION: NW
`
`(4) BILLY'S BAR
`
`WALMART
`
`FIG. 4d
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
`
`US 6,716,101 B1
`
`ACCESS CODE:
`
`1983
`
`1. BRETT
`
`2. ASLAN
`
`3. DAVID
`
`STATUS
`
`ACTIVE
`
`ACTIVE
`
`ACTIVE
`
`WELCOMETO THE WORLD WIDE WATCHER
`
`
`
`
`PLEASE SELECTINDIVIDUALS TO MONITOR
`
`QO @ ® @Att
`
`FIG. 5a
`
`FIG. 5b
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
`
`US 6,716,101 B1
`
`“DAVID”
`
`FIG. 5c
`
`

`

`US 6,716,101 B1
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING
`THE LOCATION OF INDIVIDUALS VIA THE
`WORLD WIDE WEB USING A WIRELESS
`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
`powerRF signal detected by a receiver worn or carried by
`the parent. Wheneverthe 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.
`Acommondifficulty 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 havelittle confi-
`dencethat the child is being honest in describing his location
`and activities. Therefore, there is a need for a monitoring
`system that allowsa parentto 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 systemsthat 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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`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 uscr through the world wide
`web. The geographical location of the subscriber’s mobile
`cellular telephoneis 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 movementofthe cellular telephone user
`across a geographical area.
`location
`An authorized user accesses the geographical
`information for onc or more cellular telephones using map-
`ping software on an Internet browser. The user provides one
`or more access codesfor each cellular telephonethat 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 movementfor 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 includesat 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 al 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 receiversto a location processor.
`A database stores location information and associates a user
`access code with each wireless communications device. Io
`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
`
`

`

`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.
`
`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
`
`4
`The geographical location for a wireless handheld device
`10 may be determined according to a variety of methods.
`Eachof these methodsutilize 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 oneto five miles from each other, depending
`upon the amountof cellular use in a given area. In FIG. 2,
`eachof 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 throughcell 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 whichcell 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 commandsignal.” The mobile maintenance command
`sends out a paging request signal to be received by mobile
`telephone 10a. The mobile maintenance commandis 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 signalthattells
`the mobile to respond, but does notalert (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 strongestat the nearest cell
`tower. A diminished signalis 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.
`Yel 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 bysatellite. 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.
`the
`As part of determining the location information,
`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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`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 embodimentof the
`present invention.
`FIG.
`4a@ is a graphical user interface
`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.
`TIG. 4d is a graphical user interface
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 5a is a graphical user interface
`embodimentof 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.
`
`according to an
`
`according to an
`
`according to an
`
`according to an
`
`according to an
`
`according to an
`
`according to an
`
`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 10f are in commu-
`nication with a wireless communication link 12 in the
`wireless network 11. To track the location of the wireless
`
`devices 10, the wireless network includesa location proces-
`sor 13, as will be further described below. Subscriber
`database 14 maintains a list of all wireless devices 10 for
`
`which a uscr has subscribed to a geographical location
`monitoring service.
`the handheld
`Geographical
`location information for
`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 informationretrieval 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 205, or an interactive pager 20c.
`
`

`

`US 6,716,101 B1
`
`10
`
`15
`
`5
`6
`If the user instead selects the “4” indicator, a re-scaled
`identity of the closest cell tower, the network-based location
`map is presented to focus upon “Adam,”as illustrated by
`system is forwarded a code identifying a cell tower. The
`code is then translated through a look-up table into an
`FIG. 4d. Again, the system now presents location informa-
`
`address, which may include information such asastreet tion about the selected individual with greater detail. In this
`name,street intersection, county, or towaship.If the location
`case,
`the information retrieval directory indicates that
`is determined by the triangulation method, the calculated
`Adam’s location on Q Street is “Billy’s Bar.” The system
`data is converted into geocodedlocation coordinatesthat are
`also indicates that Adam hasstayed at Billy’s Bar for at least
`compatible with standard mapping software. If GPS infor-
`two hours, since noon. If the user finds this activity to be
`mation is communicated from the wireless device,
`the
`unacceptable, the user can then opt to call the individual.
`network-based location system merely decodes the commu-
`FIGS. 5a—5c provide a second example ofa graphical user
`nications signal and passes the information along to the
`interface according to the preferred embodiment. In this
`geographical location database.
`example, the user is a dispatcher for a taxi cab service. By
`FIG. 3 provides an exemplary table of information to be
`entering the code “1983” in the login screen of FIG. 5a, the
`stored in the graphical location database 15 of the present
`dispatcher is presented with a list
`indicating that he is
`invention. The geographical location information provided
`authorized to monitor three individuals, “Brett, ” “Aslan”
`in the table could be derived according to cither the trian-
`and “David.” By selecting to display the locations of all of
`gulation or GPS methods described above. The table also
`the individuals, a map scaled to show all of the individuals
`receives input from mapping software 18a and information
`at once is displayed,
`in FIG. 5b.
`In this example,
`the
`retrieval directories 18b. The mapping software associates
`dispatcher then selects to monitor “David”byselecting “3.”
`an address for any provided geocoded coordinates. The
`As shown in FIG. 5c, by utilizing the monitoring system of
`information retrieval directory provides names of public
`the present invention, the dispatcher learns that “David”is
`itemsofinterest, such as restaurants, markets, or schools that
`at “Sam’s Bar” during work hours, and should be repri-
`are located at any provided geocoded coordinates. The fields
`manded.
`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 oftravel,
`and speedoftravel. A geographical locations database could
`also include fields to provide additional features for an
`authorized user within the spirit of the invention.
`FIGS. 4a-4d illustrate exemplary graphical user inter-
`faces for the monitoring system for use as an adolescent
`child monitor according to the preferred embodiment. A
`uscr, in this casc, 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 ofthe individuals is on oroff. 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, Brianis located on Philadelphia Avenue, and
`Adam is located on Q Street. The map also indicates that
`Brian is in transit.
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`Byscrolling 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 lo 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 directionof 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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`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
`scarch for available cmpty cabs to direct them to available
`fares.
`
`As shownin 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 wircless
`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 anotherfeature of the present invention,
`a user who accesses the monitoring system through a
`website on the Internet may wishto leave a text message for
`an individual whois 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 PSTNto the
`wireless network, and on through a control channel to the
`wireless device at the location in whichit is registered.
`
`

`

`US 6,716,101 B1
`
`7
`telephones, personal digital
`Using conventional
`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 onthe device. If the
`device is not operational, it does not transmit control signals
`and cannotbe 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.
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`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 system’s 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 triangulationif there
`1s no one whois monitoring that individual.
`The foregoing disclosure of embodiments of the present
`invention has been presented for purposesofillustration and
`description. It is not intended to be exhaustiveor to limit the
`invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations
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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 inventionis to be defined
`only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equiva-
`lents.
`Whatis claimed is:
`1. Asystem 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 corresponding to at least one wireless communi-
`cations device according to signal strength information
`providedin the control signals, detected by the plurality
`of receivers; and
`d) an Internet server for providing location information
`determined in the location processor pertaining to at
`least one wireless communications device to authorized
`users through the Internet;
`wherein the location processor includes a geographical
`location database that:
`1) maintains location information for each wireless
`communication device sorted by authorized user
`access code and an authorized user can simulta-
`neously receive location information for a plurality
`of wireless communication devices associated with
`the same user access code; and
`2) maintains namesof items-of-interest associated with
`addresses at which the wireless communication
`devices are located.
`locations
`2. The system for monitoring geographical
`according to claim 1, further comprising, a mapping graphi-
`cal user interface for pr