Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 1 of 14 PageID #: 14368
`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 1 of 14 PageID #: 14368
`
`EXHIBIT 1
`
`EXHIBIT 1
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 2 of 14 PageID #: 14369
`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 239-1 |lllllilllllilitlllillti||||it|1111|11||1|11|1fl11111|ll|14369
`
`USOOS213970B2
`
`United States Patent
`
`(12)
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 8,213,970 32
`
`Beyer
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jul. 3, 2012
`
`(54) METHOD OF UTILIZING FORCED ALERTS
`FOR INTERACTIVE REMOTE
`COMMUNICATIONS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Malcolm K. Beyer. Jupiter Inlet Colony,
`1"[. (US)
`
`.
`(73) Asstgnee: Advanced Ground Information
`Systems, Ine.. Jupiter. [‘1 (US)
`
`( ‘3 ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer. the term oi'tliis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 367 days.
`
`(2t) App]. No.: 121324.,122
`
`(56]
`
`References Cited
`
`US. PA’l‘l‘iN'l‘ DOCUMENTS
`1031.728 132
`420045 Beyer. .ll'.
`2002320051762 Al '7‘
`52002 M88361“ 6‘ a]. ---------- 455519
`2004.:0082352 Al "‘
`Alt-2004 Keatlng el al.
`..
`455-1519
`21]U4.-0|92365 Al ’“
`9.12004 Dalton el al.
`455551?
`
`................ D24.-"100
`2005-'0241026 A1 ‘°‘
`[UH-2005 L'Slcr Ct 31.
`2006a} 1996 13 Al
`9.52005 Beyer. Jr. m at.
`2008.-"00?64 [0 Al
`3:"2008 Beyer
`’3‘ cited by examiner
`
`Primary izhumr'ner Nick Corsam
`Assistant Iirnim‘ner
`Amauue] [.ehassi
`(74) Attorney-1 Agent. or Finn — Malin Haley Dimaggio
`Bowen & Lhota. BA.
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Nov. 26, 2008
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(65)
`
`_
`.
`_
`Pm" Publ'catm“ Data
`US 200910075685 A]
`Mar. 191 2009
`
`(63)
`
`Related u_s_ Application Data
`_
`y
`_
`_
`_
`_
`(“ontlnuatton—in—part 01 apphcatlon NO- 1,];61‘2‘8303
`hled 011 Dec. 19- 2006- thh 15 a contlnuatlon—ln—part
`ofapplication N0- 1 “3035648.- filed 01151”- 17120063
`now‘
`P?“ _ NU‘
`16301724;
`wluch
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`‘f‘mm‘l‘almu'm'l‘afl "r “Pi‘hw‘m” N“ NW] [‘490‘
`hled 0“ Sep. 21‘ 2004- now Pat. NO' 7'031-728'
`1
`Int. ('l'
`”(MW 4/00
`“-3- Cl-
`
`(Sl)
`
`(52)
`
`(20090] )
`455M663 455mg; 45534042?- 455’1412‘13
`45514122: 45514144: 4553415? 4553416?
`4551418: 4551419: 4551420: 453456-11 4554563:
`455f457; 455E458; 4551463: 455500: 4555 l 7;
`455518; 455519: 4555562: 7011213: “HMSZ
`(58} View "I (:IESSifiC‘dfiflfl Search AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 4551'4] -1«
`4551416, 518. 519. 41.3. 88, 404.2, 412.1,
`4552511144. 415. 413. 419. 420. 456.1. 456.3,
`455.1457, 458. 463; 7011213. 482
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`The system and method having a specialized software appli-
`cation on a personal computer or a PDAx’cell phone that that
`enables a participant to force an automatic acknowledgement
`and a manual response to a text or voice message li'om other
`participants within the same network.
`[Each participant’s
`PDAx’cell phone includes a force message alert software
`application program for both creating and processing these
`forced message alerts. The system and method enabled by the
`force message alert sol‘tware application program provides
`the ability to (a) allow an operator to create and transmit a
`forced message alert from a sender PDAfcell phone to one or
`more recipient PCs and I’DAfcell phones within the commu—
`nication network: (b) automatically transmit an acknowl-
`edgement ol‘roceipt to the sender PDA cell phone upon the
`receipt ofthe forced message alert: (c) periodically resend the
`message to the recipient PCs and PDAlcell phones that have
`not sent an acknowledgement: (d) provide an indication of
`which recipient PCs and PDAfcell phones have acknowl-
`edged the forced message alert: (e) provide a manual response
`list on the display ofthe recipient PC and PDAfcell phone‘s
`display that can only be cleared by manually transmitting a
`response: and (1') provide an indication on the sender FDA}
`cell phone 0 t‘ the status and content the manual responses.
`
`13 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 3 of 14 PageID #: 14370
`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 3 of 14 PageID #: 14370
`
`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 1 M6
`
`US 8,213,970 B2
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 4 of 14 PageID #: 14371
`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 4 of 14 PageID #: 14371
`
`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 2 M6
`
`US 8,213,970 B2
`
`
`
`PROVIDE EACH ACS NETWORK PARTICIPANT WITH A
`CELL PHONE I PDA :' GPS WITH TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY
`
`
`
`
`
`PROVIDE A MAP FOR GEOGRAPHICAL DISPLAY IN EACH
`PHONE
`
`
`
`PROVIDE A DATABASE OF FIXED SITES AND THEIR
`
`LATITUDE —- LONGTITUDE AND THEIR PHONE NUMBERS
`
`I
`PROVIDE A SYMBOL GENERATOR THAT CREATES A
`DISPLAY SYMBOL AT THE CORRECT LOCATION
`REPRESENTING AN ACS NETWORK PARTICIPANT OR ONE
`OF THE FIXED LOCATIONS ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL
`DISPLAY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CONTROL THE ACS DISPLAY THROUGH THE USE OF
`LAYERED SOFT SWITCHES
`
`__I
`PROVIDE ACS THAT CAUSES THE EXCHANGE OF
`IDENTITY. LOCATION AND STATUS DATA BETWEEN THE
`PARTICIPANTS AND THE EXCHANGE OF FREE TEXT,
`PREFORMATTED TEXT MESSAGES, PHOTOGRAPHS AND
`VIDEOS
`
` SETUP
`
`—I_
`PROVIDE ACS THAT AUTOMATICALLY INITIATES A CALL
`CONFERENCES
`TO A PARTICIPANT BY TOUCHING THE PARTICIPANTS
`BY SELECTING A
`
`
`PLURALITY OF
`SYMBOL ON THE DISPLAY AND SELECTING THE CALL
`SWITCH
`
`
`
`
`SYMBOLS
`
`I
`PROVIDE ACS THAT PERFORMS THE FUNCTION OF
`REMOTELY CALLING ANOTHER PARTICIPANT’S CELL
`PHONE
`
`I
`SEND A MESSAGE TO THE REMOTE PHONE’S ACS THAT
`CAUSES IT TO CALL ANOTHER PHONE NUMBER OR
`PERFORM OTHER FUNCTIONS
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 5 of 14 PageID #: 14372
`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 5 of 14 PagelD #: 14372
`
`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 3 M6
`
`US 8,213,970 B2
`
`START
`
`The Forced Messaging Alert Software is installed on a plurality
`of cell phones, integrated FDA/cell phones and PCs, creating a
`communication network
`
` One or more default response lists for the communication
`
`network are created
`
`
`
`The contact and identifying information for each cell phone,
`integrated PDA/cell phone and PC that is a member of the
`communication network and the default response list(s) are
`loaded on to every member cell phone, integrated PDA/cell
`phone and PC. A list is kept of each integrated PDNceII phone
`and PC as they sign on the communications network.
`
`END
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 6 of 14 PageID #: 14373
`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 6 of 14 PagelD #: 14373
`
`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 4 M6
`
`US 8,213,970 B2
`
`Fig. 3A
`
`'
`
`START
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The sender selects the forced messaging alert application
`software on a sender cell phone, integrated PDAfceII phone or
`
`PC and is prompted by said sender cell phone, integrated
`PDAfcell phone or PC to type the text message or record the
`voice message
`
`
`
`
`
`The sender types a text message or records a voice message
`on said sender cell phone, integrated FDA/cell phone or PC
`and is then prompted by said sender cell phone, integrated
`FDA/cell phone or PC to select if the message is to be sent
`to: a. a single user, b. all users participating in the network or
`c. a list of users.
`
`
`
`
`The sender then selects the default response list or creates a
`new response list that is sent with the text message or voice
`
`recording
`
`
`
`
`The sender designates instructs said sender cell phone,
`
`integrated PDA/cell phone or PC to transmit the message
`
`
`
`
`
`The forced message alert is transmitted to every designated
`recipient cell phone, integrated PDA/cell phone and PC
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 7 of 14 PageID #: 14374
`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 7 of 14 PageID #: 14374
`
`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 5 M6
`
`US 8,213,970 B2
`
`
`
`FROM FIG. 3A
`
`
`
`
`The sender cell phone, integrated PDA/cell phone or PC
`receives and monitors for acknowledgments of receipt from
`
`recipient cell phones, integrated PDA/cell phones and PCs and
`
`displays an indication of which recipient cell phones, integrated
`
`PDAIcelI phones and PCs have acknowledged receipt of the
`
`
`message alert
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The sender cell phone, integrated PDAlcell phone or PC
`periodically resends the message alert to the recipient cell
`phones, integrated FDA/cell phones or PCs that have not
`
`acknowledged receipt.
`1
`
`The sender cell phone, integrated FDA/cell phone or PC monitors
`for and receives responses to the message alert from the
`recipient cell phones, integrated PDAfcell phones and PCs and
`displays an indication of the response from each recipient cell
`phone, integrated PDA/cell phone and PC.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`END
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 8 of 14 PageID #: 14375
`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 8 of 14 PagelD #: 14375
`
`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 6 M6
`
`US 8,213,970 B2
`
`START
`
`
`
`The forced alert message is received by the recipient cell phone,
`integrated PDAlcell phone or PC. In response to receipt of the
`forced alert message, the recipient phone software prepares and
`sends an automatic acknowledgement of the receipt to the
`sender cell phone, integrated FDA/cell phone or PC
`
`
`
`
`l
`
`After the acknowledgement of receipt is sent, the forced voice
`alert software takes control of the recipient’s cell phone,
`integrated FDA/cell phone or PC and causes the text message
`to be displayed or the voice message to be periodically repeated
`and a list of responses to be shown on the display of the
`
`recipient cell phone integrated PDNcell phone or PC FDA/cell
`
`
`The recipient selects a response from the response list and the
`recipient cell phone and transmits the response to the senders
`
`cell phone.
`i
`
`The forced message alert software releases control of the
`recipient cell phone, integrated FDA/cell phone or PC and
`clears the display or stops repeating the voice message
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 9 of 14 PageID #: 14376
`Case 2:17-cv-00513—JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 9 of 14 PageID #: 14376
`
`US 8,213,970 B2
`
`1
`METHOD OI“ UTILIZING FORCED ALERTS
`FOR INTERACTIVE REMOTE
`COMMUNICATIONS
`
`This application is a (xmtinuation-in-part of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. l [3612.8301iled on Dec. [9, 2006 which
`is a continuation-in-part of U .S. patent application Ser. No.
`1 ”308,648 filed Apr. 17. 2006 which is a continuation—in—part
`of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10;”? 1 1.490 now US. Pat.
`No. "£031,728.
`
`BACKGROUND OF 'l‘[ [1.7. INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`A communications system and method that uses a plurality
`of PCs and PDAfcell phones for the coordination of two or
`more people through the Lise of a communications network.
`The system and method provide each user with a PC or
`PDAfcell phone that has forced message alert software that
`enables a user to create and send a voice or text message alert
`that forces an automatic acknowledgement upon receipt and a
`manual response from the recipient.
`2. Description of Related Art
`The purpose of a commLmications system is to transmit
`information bearing digital messages from a source. located
`at one point, to a user destination, located at another point
`some distance away. A communications system is generally
`comprised of three basic elements: transmitter. information
`channel and receiver. One form ofcommunication in recent
`years is cellular phone telephony. A network of cellular com-
`munication systems set up around an area such as the United
`States allows multiple users to talk to each other. either on
`individual calls or on group calls, with handheld devices.
`Some cellular phone services enable a cellular phone to
`engage in conference calls with a small number of users.
`Furthermore, cellular conference calls can be established
`through 800 number services. Cellular telephony also now
`includes the ability to access local WiFi connections, allow—
`ing the devices to utilize cellular phone data transmission
`technology as well as the data transmission ability of the
`Internet.
`
`5
`
`lo
`
`20
`
`to u:
`
`30
`
`4t)
`
`45
`
`The method and operation of the integrated PDAlcell
`phones (cell phonei'I’DAlGPS with touch screen) used herein
`is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,03],728_. which is hereby
`incorporated by reference. pending U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 1 ”308,648, and pending U .S. patent applical ion Ser.
`No. 111612.830. and are usually discussed herein as a cell
`phone.
`In many situations it is desirable for a user to be able to
`simultaneously send a message to the cell phones or PCs of a
`large group of people. This can be typically accomplished
`using Digital SMS (Smart Message Service) and TCPflP
`messages that are transmitted using cellular technology such .
`as the various versions ol‘GSM and CDMA or via a Wi F i local
`area network. However. in some situations it is additionally
`desirable to know: (a) which people received the message on
`their cell phone or PC. (b) which people did not receive the
`message on their cell phone or PC. and (c) the response of
`each person receiving the message. Digital SMS and T(_‘Pi"IP
`messages do not provide each of those functions. As a result,
`what is needed is a method in which a sender ofa text or voice
`
`Go
`
`message can force an automatic acknowledgement upon
`receipt from a recipient’s cell phone or PC and a manual
`response from the recipient via the recipient‘s cell phone or
`PC when sending the text or voice message.
`
`65
`
`2
`SUMMARY OF TIIIE lNVlEN'l'ION
`
`Applicant’s connnunication system and method described
`herein is embodied in the forced alert software developed by
`applicant and installed in the PCs and PDAJ'cell phones used
`herein.
`A plurality of PCs and PDAr‘ccll phones each having forced
`alert software installed providing a communication network
`of PCs and PDAlcell phones with the ability to: a) allow an
`operator to create and transmit (via TCPIIP or another digital
`transmission means) a forced voice alert. wherein said forced
`voice alert is comprised ofa text or voice message file and a
`forced alert software packet, from a sender PC or I’ll/Vcell
`phone to one or more recipient PCs and PDAlcell phones
`within said communication network: [b] automatically trans—
`mit an acknowledgement of receipt from said recipient PCs
`and PDN'cell phones to the sender PCS or PDNcell phones
`upon receipt of the forced message alert by the recipient PCs
`and PIJAJ’oell phones; (c) periodically resend the message to
`the recipient PC s and PDAlcell phones that have not sent an
`acknowledgement until an acknowledgement
`is received
`from every recipient PC and PDAlcell phone: (d) provide an
`indication on the display of the sender PC or P] )Afccll phone
`of which recipient PCs and PI)AJ"cell phones have acknowl-
`edged the forced message alert; (e) provide a manual response
`list on the display of the recipient PC and PDAlcell phone’s
`display that can only be cleared by manually selecting and
`transmitting a response from the list or recording and trans-
`mitting a voice response after sending said automatic
`acknowledgment; and [f] provide an indication on the sender
`PC or PDAlcell phone of the status the manual response and
`the content of the manual response from each recipient PCs
`and PDAi'cel] phones.
`A communication network server can act as a forwarder for
`TCPI'IP connnunications between any combination of PC
`users or PDAJ'cell phone users. The server can also act as a
`forwarder of data addressed from one participant to one or
`more addressed participants, thus permitting the transmission
`of forced text or voice messages. other messages. photo—
`graphs. video. lZ-mail and URL data from one network par-
`ticipant to other selected network participants.
`The above functions can also be accomplished using Wi l‘i,
`WiMax or other peer to peer communications. However. for
`use with cellular connnunications and to assure the level of
`security that cell phone companies require. a centralized
`static IP routable server is used.
`
`In accordance with these and other objects which will
`become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now
`be described with particular reference to the accompanying
`drawings.
`
`BRIlil" |)]ESCR[P’1‘ION OF TI [12 DRAW1NCIS
`
`FIG. la shows a front elevational view of an integrated
`PDAlcell phone having a touch screen that includes forced
`message alert software described herein.
`1516. lb shows a flow chart that explains the device shown
`in FIG. la.
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 10 of 14 PageID #: 14377
`Case 2:17-cv-00513—JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 10 of 14 PageID #: 14377
`
`US 8,213,970 B2
`
`3
`FIG. 2 shows the installation and set up of the forced
`message alert software on a communication network of cell
`phones. integrated PDAfcell phones. and PCs.
`FIG. 3A shows the first section ofa flow chart showing a
`process of sending a forced message alert to one or more
`recipients as well as for ascertaining which recipients
`received the forced message alert and which recipients
`responded to the forced message alert.
`FIG. 3B shows the second section of a flow chart showing
`a process of sending a forced message alert to one or more
`recipients as well as for ascertaining which recipients
`received the forced message alert and which recipients
`resrxmded to the forced message alert.
`FIG. 4 shows a flow chart showing a process ofreceiving a
`forced message alert as well as providing an acknowledgment
`of receipt and a response by the recipient.
`
`PRI‘ZFILRRIEI ) l-ZMBODIMI'ENT 01" T1 lli
`INVENTION
`
`It:
`
`20
`
`4
`The server also acts as a forwarder of data addressed from
`one participant to one or more addressed participants. thus
`permitting the transmission of forced message alerts. other
`text and voice messages. photographs. video. E—mail and
`URI. data from one network participant to other selected
`network participants.
`The above functions can also be accomplished using WiFi.
`WiMax. or other peer to peer communications. However, for
`use with cellular commtutications and to assure the level of
`security that cell phone companies require. a centralized
`static IP routable server is used.
`Referring now to the drawings and. in particular. FIGS. la
`and 1b. a small handheld cellular phone 10 is shown that
`includes a PDA integrated in housing 12 that includes an
`onfoff power switch 19. a microphone 38. and an LCI ) dis-
`play 16 that is also a touch screen system. The small area 160
`is the navigation bar that depicts the telephone. GPS and other
`status data and the active software. Each cell phone includes
`a CPU and databases that store information useful in the
`communication network. With the touch screen 16. data cart
`be entered through the operator using a stylus 14 (or operator
`finger) by manipulatively directing the stylus 14 to literally
`touch display 16. Soft switches 160' displayed on the display
`16 are likewise activated by using a stylus l4 and physically
`and rnanipulatively directing the slyltrs to literally touch dis-
`play 16. The display x, y coordinates ofthe touched point are
`known by a CPU in the PDA section of the communication
`system in housing 12 that can coordinate various information
`contained in the FDA relative to the x, y coordinate position
`on the display 16. Inside housing 12 is contained the conven—
`tional cellular phone elements including a modem. a CPU for
`use with a PDA and associated circuitry connected to speaker
`24 and microphone 38. Conventional PDAJ'cellular phones
`are currently on sale and sold as a ttnit that can be used for
`cellular telephone calls and sending cellular SMS and TCPFIP
`or other messages using the PDA’s display 16 and C PU. The
`device 10 includes a pair of cellular phone hardware activat—
`ing buttons 20 to tttrn the cellular phone on and 22 to turn the
`cellular phone off. Navigation pad actuator 18 is similar to a
`joy or force stick in that the actuator 18 manually provides
`movement commands that can be used by the PDA’s software
`to move a cursor on display 16. Switches 26 and 28 are
`designed to quickly select an operator specified network so ft-
`ware program. Speaker 24 and microphone 38 are used for
`audio messages. Switch 19 at the top left of device ll) is the
`power 011 and power ofl' switch for the entire device.
`The hear1 of the invention lies in the forced message alert
`software application program provided in each PC or PDAJ'
`cell phone. The forced message alert software application
`program is activated through use ofa screen drawn soft switch
`or by clicking on an icon on the PC or PDAfcell phone display
`screen or when a forced message alert
`transmission is
`received by another PC or PDAJ'cell phone. The display 16 is
`mounted within the housing 12 as part of the PDA and the
`CPU (not shown). The internal CPU includes databases and
`software application programs that provide for a geographi-
`cal map and georeferenced entities that are shown as display
`por1ion 16b that includes as part ofthe display various areas
`of interest in the particular local map section.
`When looking at display 16. the software switches (soft
`switches) which appear at the very bottom ofthe display 160’
`are used to control by touch many of the software driven
`functions of the PDAx’cell phone. The soft switches are acti—
`vated through the operator‘s use of the navigation pad 18. or
`a small track ball. force stick or similar hardware display
`cursor pointing device. Alternatively,
`the operator may
`choose to activate the software switches by touching the
`
`A communication system and method that joins partici—
`pants in a comnuutications network using personal computers
`(“PC“) and handheld cell phones having integrated personal
`digital assistant (“PDAfcell phone“) with a forced message
`alert software application program that allows a participant to
`send a text or voice message to a group of'people and force an
`automatic acknowledgment ofrcceipt and a manual response.
`liach PDAJ'cell phone described herein for the participant
`network has its own individual onfoffpower and can function
`just as any other cell phone. It can also function with its PDA.
`To operate on the network. obviously the PDAlcell phone
`power switch has to be on. If the Pl.)Ar"cell phone is com-
`pletely turned olT. then it
`is not part of the par1icipating
`network and cannot send or receive any forced message
`alerts. In addition to its own on and offpower switch. it has the
`forced message alert software application program that is
`activated lnanually when preparing to send a text or voice
`message or is activated automatically when receiving a forced
`message alert from another PC or PDAi’cell phone.
`Each PC described herein is like any other contemporary
`PC. except that it has the forced message alert software appli-
`cation program installed on it. To operate on the network,
`obviously the PC lntrst be on and have an active connection to
`the Internet or other digital transmission means. If the PC is
`completely turned off. then it is not part ofthe participating
`network and cannot send or receive arty forced message
`alerts. The forced message alert software application program
`on the PC is activated manually when preparing to send a text
`or voice message or is activated automatically when receiving
`a forced message alert from another PC or PDAfcell phone.
`The communication system also incltrdes a server that acts
`as a forwarder for IP communications beIWeen any combina-
`tion ofPDAfcell phone users andt’or PC. based users. Network
`participant location. identity and status messages are sent to _
`the server by each user. The users are the network partici-
`pants. Network participant entered tracks are also sent” to the
`server. Because this data is of interest to all the network
`participants. the server forwards the data received from one
`participant to all other participants. thus providing the infor—
`matitm necessary for all network participants to know the
`identity, location and status of all other network participants.
`In addition. the server keeps all of the network participants
`updated on information kept in its databases. such as all ofthe
`participants’ telephone numbers. E—mail addresses and other
`information necessary to carry on the communications
`described herein.
`
`to u:
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`30
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`4t)
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`45
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`so
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`an
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`65
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`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 11 of 14 PageID #: 14378
`Case 2:17-cv-00513—JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 11 of 14 PageID #: 14378
`
`US 8,213,970 B2
`
`5
`screen with a stylus 14 (or finger) at the switches’ 16d loca-
`tions. When sortie of the software switches are activated,
`different software switches appear. The bar display 160'
`shows the software switches “ZM IN (zoom in)? “ZM OT
`(mom out)“ “( fl {NT (center)“ and “GRAB (panr'grab)" at the
`bottom of the screen. These software switches enable the
`operator to perform these functions. The “SWITI—I (switch)"
`software switch at the lower right causes a matrix of layered
`software switches (soft switches) to appear above the bottom
`row of switches. Through use of the software switches. the
`operator can also manipulate the geographical map 16!) or
`chart display. When looking at FIG. 1a, display symbols
`depict permanent geographical locations and buildings are
`shown. For example, the police station is shown and. when the
`symbol is touched by the stylus or finger. the latitude and
`longitude of the symbol‘s location, as shown in display sec—
`tion 16c. is displayed at the bottom left of the screen. The
`bottom right side ofdisplay 16c is a multifunction inset area
`that can contain a variety ofinfomtation including: a) a list of
`the communication link participants: b) a list of received
`messages; a) a map, aerial photograph or satellite image with
`an indication of the zoom and offset location ofthe main map
`display. which is indicated by a square that depicts the area
`actually displayed in the main geographical screen 16b; d)
`applicable status infonnation: and e) a list of the communi-
`cation net participants. Each participant user would have a
`device 10 shown in FIGS. la and lb.
`
`Also shown on the display screen 16, specifically the geo-
`graphical display lfib, is a pair 0 f di fferent looking symbols
`30 and 34. a small triangle and a small square. which are not
`labeled. These symbols 30 and 34 can represent communica—
`tion net participants having cellular phones in the displayed
`geographical area that are part of the overall cellular phone
`communications net, each participant having the same device
`10 used. The latitude and longitude of symbol 30 is associated
`within a database with a specific cell phone number and, if
`available, its IP address and E—mail address. The screen dis—
`play lfib, which is a tottch screen, provides it and y coordi-
`nates of the screen 16b to the CPU’s software from a [nap in
`a geographical database. The software has an algorithm that
`relates the x and y coordinates to latitude and longitude and
`can access a communications net participant’s symbol or a
`fixed or movable entity’s symbol as being the one closest to
`that point.
`In order to initiate a telephone call to the PDAfcell phone
`user (communication net participant) represented by symbol
`(triangle) 30 at a specific latitude and longitude displayed on
`Chan 16!). the operator touches the triangle 3" symbol with
`the stylus 14. The operator then touches a “call“ software
`switch from a matrix of displayed soft switches that would
`overlay the display area 16c. Immediately,
`the PDNcell
`phone will initiate a cellular telephone call to the PDAJ'cell
`phone user at the geographical location shown that represents
`symbol 30. A second PDAlcell phone user (communication
`net participant) is represented by symbol 34 which is a small
`square (but could be any shape or icon) to represent an indi-
`vidual cellular phone device in the display area. The ring 32
`around symbol 3" indicates that the symbol 30 has been
`touched and that a telephone call can be initiated by touching
`the soft switch that says “call." When this is done. the tele—
`phone call is initiated. Other types of symbolic elements on
`the display 16 can indicate that a cellular phone call is in
`effect. Additionally, the operator can touch both symbol 34
`and symbol 30 and can activate a conference call between the
`two cellular phones and users represented by symbols 30 and
`34. Again. a symbolic ring around symbol 34 indicates that a
`call has been initiated.
`
`It:
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`20
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`to u:
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`30
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`4t)
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`45
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`So
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`_
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`Go
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`65
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`6
`liqually important, an operatorr’user with a PDNcell phone
`call the police station or any other specific geographical facil—
`ity displayed on the cell display map. including: buildings.
`locations of people. vehicles, facilities, restaurants, and the
`like. whose PI'L’Ucell phone numbers and, ifavailable. li-nail
`addresses. IP addresses and their URI ,s are previously stored
`in the database. by touching a specific facility location on the
`map display using the stylus 14 and then touching the cellular
`phone call switch. As an example, the operatorr’user can touch
`and point to call a restattrant using a soft switch by touching
`the restaurant location on the display with a stylus and then
`touching the call sofi switch. The cellular phone will then call
`the restaurant. Thus, using the present invention. each partici—
`pant can touch and point to call to one or more other net
`participants symbolically displayed on the map. each of
`whom has a device as shown in FIG. la and can also point to
`call facilities and regular phone numbers that had been pre—
`viously stored in the phone’s database. Furthermore. this
`symbol hooking and soft switch tecluiique can be used to go
`to a fixed facility’s website or to automatically enter the fixed
`facility’s E—mail address in an e—mail.
`Each PDAlcell phone user device is identified on the map
`display of the other participants users’ phone devices by a
`display symbol that is generated on each user phone display to
`indicate each user’s identity. liach symbol is placed at the
`correct geographical location on the user display and is cor—
`related with the map 011 the display. The operator of each
`PDAI'cell phone device may also enter one or more other fixed
`entities (buildings, facilities, restaurants, police stations. etc.)
`and geo—referenced events such as fires. accidents. or other
`events into its database. This information can be likewise
`
`transmitted to all the other participants on the commtutica—
`tions net. The map. fixed entities. events and PDAJ’cel] phone
`device corrununicalion net participants’ latitude and longi-
`tude information is related to the “x” and “y" location on the
`touch screen display map by a mathematical correlation algo—
`rithm.
`When the PI)AJ'cell phone device user uses a stylus or
`finger to touch one or more of the symbols or a location
`displayed on the cellular phone map display, the system’s
`software causes the status and latitude and longitude infor—
`mation concerning that symbol or location to be displayed. In
`order to hook a symbol or “track” such as another net par1ici-
`pant which represents an entity on the gen-referenced map
`display, or a fixed geographical entity such as a restaurant.
`police station or a new entity observed by a cell phone user
`which is discussed below. the operator points at or near the
`location of a geo-referenced symbol appearing on the PDAJ'
`cell phone display that represents a specific track or specific
`participant or other entity. The hook application software
`determines that the stylus is pointed close to or at the location
`of the symbol and puts a circle. square or other indication
`around the symbol indicating that amplification information
`concerning the symbol is to be displayed and indicating that
`additional data or change in data can be made to the indicated
`symbol. The hook application code then sends a message to
`the display application code to display the net participant.
`facility or entity’s amplifying data. The display application
`code retrieves the primary data and amplification data con—
`cerning the symbol or entity from the database and displays
`the information at the correct screen location. The operator
`can then read the amplification data that relates to that specific
`symbol at the specific location. The PDAtcell phone operator
`can also select soft switches on the touch screen display to
`change the primary data and amplification data. Furthermore.
`the operator can use a similar method ofhooking and Select-
`ing to activate particular soft switches to take other actions
`
`

`

`Case 2:17-cv-00513-JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 12 of 14 PageID #: 14379
`Case 2:17-cv-00513—JRG Document 239-1 Filed 12/18/18 Page 12 of 14 PageID #: 14379
`
`US 8,213,970 B2
`
`8
`Then, Lhe sender PC or PI )Afcel] phone provides an indica-
`tion of which of the PC or PDAfcell phone that the forced
`message alert was sent to have acknowledged receipt and
`which of the PC or PDAf